Astrology Class - Which Signs Square or Oppose Each Other?

by Robert Wilkinson

Knowing the relationship of each sign to the other signs is one of the primary requirements if we want to understand Astrology. Today we explore the dynamic relationships between the signs.

To most students of the craft, what we’ll cover today may seem basic, but it holds the keys to why we hit turning points and challenges in life. Still, knowing the relationship between the various Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable signs can show us when changes in direction will occur, and what energies are needed to navigate those changes.

I first gave you this 9 years ago, and so it seemed like a good time to re-introduce the material, since it forms the basis for another article that will post tomorrow. Even though this information may be familiar, hopefully it will help you understand the interrelationships between the signs in your chart, and you can anticipate what you need to bring forth in times of friction and challenge. The following table will be an easy reference for anyone wishing to understand the particularness and wholeness of the 12 sign system.

Aries is lower squared by Cancer, opposed by Libra, and upper squared by Capricorn
Taurus is lower squared by Leo, opposed by Scorpio, and upper squared by Aquarius
Gemini is lower squared by Virgo, opposed by Sagittarius, and upper squared by Pisces
Cancer is lower squared by Libra, opposed by Capricorn, and upper squared by Aries
Leo is lower squared by Scorpio, opposed by Aquarius, and upper squared by Taurus
Virgo is lower squared by Sagittarius, opposed by Pisces, and upper squared by Gemini
Libra is lower squared by Capricorn, opposed by Aries, and upper squared by Cancer
Scorpio is lower squared by Aquarius, opposed by Taurus, and upper squared by Leo
Sagittarius is lower squared by Pisces, opposed by Gemini, and upper squared by Virgo
Capricorn is lower squared by Aries, opposed by Cancer, and upper squared by Libra
Aquarius is lower squared by Taurus, opposed by Leo, and upper squared by Scorpio
Pisces is lower squared by Gemini, opposed by Virgo, and upper squared by Sagittarius

As you can see each sign bears a distinct relationship to each other. The sign that is lower (waxing) square, though challenging, also shows the foundation of a sign that will bear fruit at the upper (waning) square. The waxing square is an emergent turning point, the opposition is where the energy surfaces or externalizes somehow, and the waning square is where a given sign finds fulfillment.

So Aries has Cancer as its foundation and flowers in Capricorn. In another example, Leo's foundation is Scorpio, and culminates its social process in Taurus. Virgo is grounded in Sagittarius, externalizes in Pisces, and culminates in Gemini.

The sign that is opposite any other sign works in terms of how things exteriorize, or come to understand the "I-Thou" process of its own self-realization. So Aries is the exteriorization of Libra, and Virgo the exteriorization of Pisces. And to note, when a sign is not functioning as it ideally should, it often shows as dysfunctional qualities of the sign opposite to it.

That's why it is useful to regard each sign as part of a distinct polarity, and each polarity holds another polarity in a state of tension. The Aries-Libra polarity “holds” the Cancer-Capricorn polarity in a state of tension, and Cancer-Capricorn holds Aries-Libra in a state of tension. This is part of the dynamic that a T-square can be fundamentally integrative, since it forces us to deal with “the tension of opposites” and release that tension through the sign that squares each pole of the opposition.

You can see how as our various planets in signs are squared by other planets in other signs it produces experiences that show us how to choose wisely what we will do and when we will do it. That is the highest use of the many and various squares and oppositions that affect us throughout our lives, whether internally via the progressions, or through external events as indicated by the transits.

© Copyright 2005, 2014 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Phoebe]

Jeeeeeeeeez...... Music to my brain. No idea how to use this but love it. I'm
A Capricorn and he's a Libran. Totes cray cray. Love your work Robert.

[Aquila ka Hecate]

My partner and I are Leo with Moon Taurus and Scorpio with Moon Aquarius.
This sounds challenging - and it is! - but also it's the shape of a Diamond.
Together, we are nearly invincible.
Love,
Terri in Joburg

[Robert]

Hi Phoebe - Well, Capricorn grounds Libra; Libra displays the fulfillment of Capricorn. Libras are iconic, and their Air quality does well when grounded in Capricorn's Earth. Capricorns are pragmatic hard workers, but sometimes can't see a vaster ideal. When the ideals of Libra are grounded by Capricorn's ability to plan for long term success, anything is possible.

In another musical example, Paul McCartney is a Gemini, George Harrison a Pisces. These two signs are in square, like the ones you and your mate have.

It's easy to see that Paul's Gemini bass grounded (lower square) George's Pisces lead guitar, while Macca's Gemini melodies found their culmination and perfect fulfillment (upper square) in George's subtle and precise (Pisces) guitar leads.

Knowing the different Modes and Elements opens the door to an understanding of how each sign relates to every other sign. This symbolizes how every part of our reality is related to every other part. Once we learn each of the 12 energies and how they relate to the other energies, then we will know the dynamics in every situation we face. That way we can "know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run...."

Hi Terry - That combo can generate a tremendous amount of the Fixed sign strengths, depending on the situation. While there is tremendous tension, it also is a dynamic balance. Some of it depends on the angles between the various positions, since a "Mundane square" is not necessarily the same as an "Aspect square." And of course, we are not only our Sun and Moon signs, since the rulers of those signs play a huge part in how they manifest.

[Aquila ka Hecate]

Hi Robert,
Yes, you put it very well : "..a tremendous amount of the Fixed sign strengths." We're a very stubborn couple. But we've been a Very Stubborn couple for over 15 years now.
A great help seems to be our conjunct Venus-es (Venii??) in Virgo.
Love,
Terri in Joburg :)