The Square

The square is an intensive, very irritated angle of about 90°, give or take 10°.

Squares are generally considered to be difficult and challenging. As the square is 90 degrees apart this usually means that the signs involved are 3 signs away from each other. The list of signs considered square are below but as with all the aspects, the degree of orb is to be taken into account.

You may notice that the squares are made up of the signs in the same Qualities (also known as Modalities or Quadruplicities), excepting the one that shares the same Temperament as themselves. The sign that shares the same temperament as themselves and is in the same Quality as themselves is known as their opposite. You may notice that the Oppositions (generally speaking) share the same squares.

Aries-Cancer & Capricorn
Taurus-Leo & Aquarius
Gemini-Virgo & Pisces
Cancer-Libra & Aries
Leo-Scorpio & Taurus
Virgo-Sagittarius & Gemini
Libra-Capricorn & Cancer
Scorpio-Aquarius & Leo
Sagittarius-Pisces & Virgo
Capricorn-Aries & Libra
Aquarius-Taurus & Scorpio
Pisces-Gemini & Sagittarius

This is a highly charged, tense, often frustrating planetary alignment. The energies in this combination are not only out of sync but drive in completely opposite directions. The energy is very much similar to the way magnets interact when two positive or two negative poles meet.

Often the individual with a square in his or her natal chart will repress one of the planets involved in the square at the expense of the other. This strategy is ineffective as the denied planet’s energies will re-emerge internally or externally until resolution or adequate acknowledgement occurs.

Because of the contentious dynamism of this aspect, the square often produces the most dramatic, visible crises. However, these crises provide us with the will to overcome major obstacles in our lives. As the sextile is similar to Uranus in its energy, the square has much in common with Saturn, the planet of constraint, frustration, and the gateway to growth.

It reflects competitive influences which are strongly intertwined, although it in a certain contentious manner. Much of the square’s influence is actually out of control of the native and does not facilitate calculation or logical expression. It just burns through him. Nevertheless, the influence is more wholistic than the opposition, and the irritation is more embraced as a part of oneself that cannot be repressed.

It has more of an “in your face” quality to it. It is more expressive than other aspects, although it is also more contentious, which can create a lot of problems for the native. It reflects burning needs which are difficult to repress or postpone. Constructive calculation can be difficult under this aspect.

This aspect is a self-perpetuating irritatory influence, which is the result of intense, long-drawn early experiences.

Last updated on October 11, 2015 at 7:01 pm. Word Count: 455