T-Square Aspect Pattern

T-Square Aspect Pattern

A T-Square is one of two red aspect patterns; the other is the Grand Cross. Red aspect patterns are called ‘achievement figures,’ as the aspects they form are charged with energy. The energy tension allows people to use it in life, be it in work, to act, or to achieve goals.

Blue and green are missing from the red figures. Without blue, there is no possibility for relaxation; without green, one acts without thinking. Red promotes action, achievement, the attaining of goals, and demonstration. These people are very active, and many work by the motto “act first, think later” and not vice versa, which means that mistakes can be made very easily.

Achievement Triangle

A T-square is a triangle consisting of two squares joined by an opposition. This red triangle is the classic achievement figure. Also called an Achievement Triangle 1, the purposeful cardinal impetus (red) finds its clearest expression. The triangle’s apex and the planet that lies there indicate where the achievement is directed and which planetary principle is used.

In the case of the red square, work is carried out continuously and progressively. In the case of the T-Square, the energy is paralyzed again and again. A person with a T-square should complete their work quickly and successfully so that they can reset it again afterward. After a short or long break, they can return to work with renewed vigor.

A person with a T-square produces a greater output per measurable unit of time than someone with a square. With a square, the performance is regular and constant, taking more time. The dynamic of these two figures is, therefore, very different.

Of course, the square seeks security, constancy and symmetry, while the T-square’s motivation is more flexible and dynamic. Such a person would like to reach their goal as fast as possible. Someone with a T-square can work like mad, and when they are ready, they move on to the next job assertively and highly dynamically.

Energy is stored and bottled up in the opposition. The energy tension produced by the opposing pressures is discharged along both squares and, in fact, from two sides towards one point. In this way, the apex of the T-square (where the squares come together) forms the powerpoint in which achievement is produced and transferred into work by the discharge of tension. An unsuccessful energy transfer leads to rigid states of awareness; one cannot change, and the same mistakes are repeated.

Planets in the T-Square

A T-square acts differently if the red triangle is formed by the hard “planets” or the “weak planets.”

  • Hard Planets: Sun, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, and sometimes Jupiter.
  • Weak Planets: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Neptune, and sometimes Saturn.

With the hard planets Sun, Mars and Saturn, the potential within the T-Square can be optimally realized, especially if they are at the achievement apex. In the case of the weak planets, the motivation and the principle of the T-Square contradict each other. Adequate functioning is usually only barely possible, leading to psychological pressures and problems. Such a figure can succeed in the helping and healing professions, where the intensity leads to the danger of “helper syndrome.”

t-square-astrology

Joan Rivers T-square

Holy Grail

A T-Square is a very tense and challenging aspect pattern that takes some work to master. Eventually, a series of crises, tests, and challenges will perfect the skills necessary to overcome the inherent obstacles, frustration, and conflict of the squares and opposition. Honoring the necessary life skills and learning to relate to others at the emotional level can lead to the determination, fortitude, and life experience necessary for outstanding achievements and success.

The pattern formed by the “T square” can be identified as the Holy Grail. The dynamic of the T square will manifest as a very subjective need to follow, with great determination, that which makes the individual feel emotionally secure. The conflict will be manifesting as a need to relate emotionally in a very spiritual way while maintaining all the security structures around the self. The need to share oneself completely, with another, without denying personal self-gratification, will be challenged, as it is very difficult to be generous and selfish, at the same time. 2 [Elida Natalia Marchison]

Empty Leg

Another thing to note about T-square is the empty leg, where if a planet were to be in a natal chart, it would complete a grand cross aspect pattern. If you have a T-square in your natal chart, any moon phase or planet transiting the empty leg will highlight the areas of life where you feel emptiness, that something is missing, or where you overcompensate for the attention you give to the achievement apex planet.

More Aspect Patterns

References
  1. Aspect Pattern Astrology, Bruno and Louise Huber, 2005, p.147.
  2. Major Configurations, Elida Natalia Marchison, 1995

20 thoughts on “T-Square Aspect Pattern

  1. Oh dear, no wonder I am feeling crazy….I am an Aries/Taurus cusp and the whole thing is culminating on my birthday within my own natal t-square involving Saturn opposite Mercury/Venus square Uranus as the focal planet. I am feeling like I need to explode but Saturn is preventing it and I guess it would help to start painting again….dear me, dear me.

  2. Would you consider a T-square, if the leg of the T was on the MC? Many thanks.

  3. Jamie, how would you interpret a T-square where the squares to the focal planet are weak but the opposition itself is extremely strong? I have Capricornian Saturn (8th House) and Cancerian Mars (2nd House) weakly squaring my Libran Moon (5th House) by between 7 and 8 degrees as separating aspects, while the opposition between Mars and Saturn is near exact at 6 minutes and the aspect is applying to boot! Outside of the initial question, any other interpretations you might wish to add regarding the aforementioned described T-square would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

  4. I am only beginning to explore astrology. I seem to have 11 t-squares and I can’t make sense of it at all. Maybe the computer program had a hiccup?

  5. New moon July 31st, 2019 completes the grand cross “empty leg” of my Mars-Pluto-Jupiter fixed sign T-square. Should be interesting!

  6. Hi, would you consider leo sun square pluto in scorpio by 7.03 a and squaring mars in taurus by 4 a a t square? Isnt sun square pluto too wide?

    • Hi Aggy. I think that square is too wide but if Mars is midway between them it would be more significant.

  7. Hi,usually when dealing with pluto or any slow moving planet a 10 degree range apply for the squares….it’s a arc that start 10 degree before the exact squares and last 10 after….this is specially true for pluto which is the slowest of em all.

      • So I think I have 3 T squares and a rectangle. My chart sort of has an asterisk shape with the combining T squares. Can I share my info for you to have a look if you don’t mind?

  8. X1 Flare, Sun atmosphere bubble

    October 28, 2021, 15:36 UTC

    https://postimg.cc/FYLsntqL

    Around the time of this X Flare, I was looking at the Gemini stellium 536 AD
    https://astrologyking.com/grand-cross/

    The X1 flare, Sun atmosphere bubble, notable for the Saturn square Uranus, Mercury square Uranus. Maybe the Sun was acknowledging 536 AD? Big climate event that changed the course of (human) history.

  9. Sounds like someone at University of Cambridge is in Astrologyking’s corner, providing a future citation or Sharing the research?

    https://climatechangedispatch.com/new-study-all-computer-models-have-underestimated-volcanisms-effect-on-climate/

    this story is from June 28, 2023, regarding a research report June 13, 2023.

    My ambiguous suspicion is that the October 28, 2021 Solar Flare did bring to attention the Gemini stellium Climate-Vulcanism theory as presented on Grand Cross thread. But it took 20 months to read the Heliocentric chart, not without a reminder. So a good example of collaborative work, and currently Mars transit personal 2nd House, ‘Sharing’

  10. I have a t square in my chart as well, asc in leo is my apex sun and Saturn in square
    Pluto will soon transit in the empty leg position and it’s going to be a grand cross..
    My t square has given me so many obstacles and struggles in life given that Saturn is in the mix, of course..
    The more I grow though, mentally and emotionally, the better I can handle it but still can’t overcome it ..

  11. Leo 12th house Sun conjunct Uranus conjunct Leo ascendant square Mars in Taurus in 10th, Neptune in Scorpio in 4th. Seems a number of conflicting energies – guessing that’s the nature of the t square! Many questions but “What’s the effect of Uranus in the configuration please?” Never seen anything about Uranus in a t square!

    Many thanks,

  12. I have an exact T square: Retro Mercury in 12th at 10.07 Aries, opp Retro Saturn in 6th at 10.44 Libra, sq Uranus in 3rd at 10.12 Cancer. Uranus is sextile Taurus rising at 9.19. Some weak help from Capricorn Mid at 16.21 and Retro Mars in Scorpio at 16.13 . I believe if gives me a very strong drive, inventive application to problem solving, quick thinking, strong analytic powers. Downside is can be seen as dogmatic, air of ‘doom & gloom’. Retired now but a changeable career. Curious what influence the Retrograde nature has, if any?

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