THE ASTROLOGY BEHIND OUR STRUGGLES: UNDERSTANDING THE SQUARE ASPECT
Article by David Bensimon
The Astrology Behind Our Struggles: Understanding the Square Aspect
Let’s discuss squares and the reasons why some glide through choppy seas but flail in still waters.
Yes, this period in history is widely panned by many as a collective dumpster fire. Abundantly aware of all that is broken (and breaking us down) some are begging for the past while others are embracing the chaos as a sign of…
“Whoa, whoa, dude! It’s hard enough right now without you sounding like a dystopian cereal commercial! Please resist further twisting in the sharp end of reality.”
Okay, okay. I promise. I’m not some cosmic Chucky doll, but rather a reminder that your astrology is activated right now to help you find your way through these exceptional times. Thus, this article is all about identifying a challenging astrological aspect in your chart that (like this year) asks much of you. That’s right, we’re talking squares, a perfect representative of everything you must overcome to achieve what you want most.
SQUARES:
Wait, are you calling me lame, like it’s 1957?
Ha. No.
Have you ever reached for the same item in a grocery store at the same time as someone else? If so, that’s kind of like a square, two entities going for the same thing at once.
A square is a major astrological aspect that forms a 90-degree angle between two planets (or points) and represents a conflict in need of resolve. Aka, DRAMA in the cosmos.
“How do I know if I have-“
Squares?
“No. Murder hornets?
???
…Okay. I was going to say squares. I just didn’t want to be SO predictable.
Squares are formed by zodiac signs belonging to the same modality (three groupings of four signs sharing a quality). In each grouping of four signs- Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable, only two of the zodiac signs will form squares as the others will form either an opposition or conjunction.
Uh… I’m more of a visual learner.
Gotcha-
Here’s a fun and easy thing you can do right now, pull up your natal chart (google ‘free chart calculator’ if you don’t yet have yours). Next, identify which planets are ruled by which signs. Although not a planet, include your rising sign.
Look at the below groupings to see which zodiac signs form a sign based square with planets/placements in your chart.
Cardinal Signs:
Aries and Libra
(square Cancer and Capricorn)
Cancer and Capricorn
(square Aries and Libra)
Fixed Signs:
Taurus and Scorpio
(square Leo and Aquarius)
Leo and Aquarius
(square Taurus and Scorpio)
Mutable Signs:
Gemini and Sagittarius
(square Virgo and Pisces)
Virgo and Pisces
(square Gemini and Sag)
*Oppositions are a whole other bag of turkey jerky. In an upcoming article, I will be sure to explore the tug’o’war-like impasse they represent.
I recommend taking note of both sign-based squares and squares formed by degrees. Squares formed by angles are going to be much intense and perhaps more visible in your daily life, but sign-based squares still tell that story of conflict and needed resolution.
Example: having Mercury at 4 degrees of Gemini and Mars in 27 degrees of Pisces while far apart by degree they are still in signs that form the square aspect which still deserves your consideration. However, if both of those planets were at or near 4 degrees (in the above-mentioned signs, Gemini & Pisces) then this degree based square could produce greater tension.
Oh God! I found squares. What do I do?
Breathe. There’s a lot of good to unpack.
Squares show us the problems we must confront to move forward in our life.
Much of our strength lies in facing the seemingly insurmountable. When we examine both the struggles and opportunities that the square aspect creates we begin to understand just how mightily adept we are to overcoming the adversity facing us.
Here’s where to start:
Locate the houses and signs of the planets forming the square aspect.
The houses, or areas of your life impacted, will show where the conflict is playing out. Squares in the angular houses (1st , 4th , 7th, 10th) tend to be the most impactful as they represent the pillars of our life – (in order) our physical selves, our home, our relationships, and our career. All squares and the houses (areas of life) they impact deserve our attention but these are the first houses I inspect when looking at a chart.
Give me some pros and cons of having a lot of natal squares in my chart:
Pros: You are asked to always rise above expectations. Resolve and determination is built here. How bad you want something is built here also and measured with the determination you’re willing to display to achieve it.
Cons:
Sometimes really good things just happen without effort. For a person with a lot of squares in their chart, this can be difficult to accept or to allow to happen. It may be hard to take advantage of relative periods of ease because of a disposition of always having to fight for every inch.
In the title of this article, I mentioned sailing through choppy seas and flailing in still waters. Besides being overly aquatic this statement is representative of something I’ve personally experienced- having a hard time recognizing and taking advantage of easier opportunities.
In closing:
Don’t say “in closing”
Why?
Too formal and procedural sounding. How about “peace out to this tidbit”
No.
To sum up-
Like a major leak happening in your house, squares show us what problems to address immediately. Get in there, get close, and take action.
Ps: There are many other planetary conditions, aspects, and cosmic considerations that represent challenges in our chart and life. This is just my preferred starting point.
