Cardinal Grand Cross

I read an article that a friend posted on facebook earlier today, in relation to this upcoming full moon and the grand cross in which it resides for a short period tonight AEDT.  Link added below:

Intuitive Astrology

After I originally read the article, I responded with this comment on the facebook page where it was posted.

"I'm going to add my two bob's to this because there is not enough information to explain just what a grand cross is, let alone the planets involved. Whoever writes these articles should always presume that there are others who don't know what is being alluded to, and therefore should explain even a little bit, enough for it to be understood.

There are three modalities in astrology, Cardinal (action), fixed (steadfast and rigid) and mutable (fluid and interchangeable). This cardinal (under the signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) grand cross is not a time for sitting back and let anything or everything come to you. If anything, I detect a huge shakeup in relation to the planets involved, the planets being the Moon (emotive and receptive, in its own sign of Cancer), the sun (expansive and shining light in Capricorn), Jupiter (philosophy, spirituality, progression and travel in Libra) and the big usurper Uranus (subversive game changer, mover and shaker in Aries). The planets involved are giving us a push in the general direction of huge change, and if we relate this change to the planets involved, it will take the form of what is working for us in this regard, and what isn't. If we have reached an impasse that requires change, we're going to get it. Rather than be passive to the point when it can blow up in our faces because of our inaction, we can at least be prepared and armed with the knowledge of implementing our plans and goals, because this is what the cardinal signs are all about. Because the cross forms from 4 lots of 90 degree (square) angles and two 180 degree oppositions (divided in two), there is a certain element of friction to work through. That said, we are the centre point who would work it to our advantage.

Another point to be made about this grand cross is how it falls into every element of fire, earth, air and water. If we look at the magician card in the tarot for comparison, we can make magic with all the tools at our disposal."

I have gone back to this article, and although I stand by my original statement - because I'm the sort who wants things explained without following anything blindly - I do see a certain validity to keeping it simple, which is why I'm reserving judgement from this point onward.  

 Now, I wish to move away from the article altogether and put forward - as best as I'm able because I'm no expert - what I understand of this grand cross, and allow people to make up their own minds.

When we look at the full moon axis, there is an allowance of 10 degrees that I would give in its applying (approaching full) or separating (moving away from full) which allows for two days, depending on how fast the moon is moving.  So in terms of this grand cross (please refer to what I wrote above in purple italics), we have this general timeframe with which to work.   While the above notation has outlined the aspects, the houses in which the grand cross falls will vary in a natal chart and I hope to make more sense of, albeit briefly, as houses are still a work in progress for me.

The angular houses of the 1st (house of self and how we present to the world), 4th (home and environs, what nurtures or hurts us), 7th (personal relationships, marriage/divorce and public enemies) and 10th (public recognition, vocation and foundations) are about what's beginning generally.  The succedent houses of the 2nd (material wealth and status in our home), 5th (love affairs and creative pursuits), 8th (death of matters, assets acquired and divided, occult and magical application) and 11th (how we network with friends and acquaintances) are what's already stabilised.  The cadent houses of the 3rd (early home life, communication, education and short travel), 6th (health and work, critical thinking), 9th (philosophy, law, progress and long distance travel) and 12th (religion, prisons - physical or mental, hidden enemies - real or imagined - and secrets) are of change and movement.

More information on the houses Here

 According to my natal chart, the grand cross is forming with the moon in my 2nd (what I would like to make my home more comfortable and satisfying for me and my visitors), Jupiter in my 5th (perhaps a time for optimism in following my dreams with my creative pursuits that I've already laid in place), the Sun in my 8th (to shine a light on what must end and maybe in relation to what I will do for my full moon ritual tonight) and Uranus in my 11th (there would certainly be an opportunity for attracting more eccentric people with whom I can network, along with informative discussion that doesn't necessarily maintain the status quo!).

Once this grand cross has passed, there is also the long range forecast to consider for Jupiter and Uranus.  Jupiter takes approximately a year to pass through each sign and house, making a return to its original point in a natal chart every 12 years, while Uranus takes around seven years through each sign and house, making its return every 84 years.  So, if we focus on the sign and house that Jupiter and Uranus are currently in, there is a sense of how they can unfold for us over those periods of time.  

I'm not into predictive or mundane astrology by nature, but I'm willing to bet that this grand cross can bring about some very interesting times for the world at large. 


Food for thought, yes?  Until next time, Wassail!