A Large Learning Triangle aspect pattern is a type of learning triangle that includes a red square, blue sextile, and green quincunx aspect. Three-colored aspect patterns are learning or development figures, in which the third color (green) plays an important role.

Green aspects bring a third point of view into the equation, which, for better or worse, supersedes the polarized thinking of the red and blue aspects with a third pole. Green aspects allow an escape from black-or-white thinking and a search for causes, possible solutions, and meaning.

With a quincunx, information is classified and integrated with the greater whole until the connections are understood. As a “large thinking step”, it develops a micro-macrocosmic way of thinking based on the hermetic principle “as above, so below”. You question the meaning of existence, search for causes and motivations, and gain a better understanding of different kinds of human behavior. This mind-expanding aspect encourages psychological thinking, allowing for the experience of connections and the discovery of the meaning and purpose of things.

Crisis Mechanism

In the Large Learning Triangle, a procedure exists that conditions growth through an ongoing crisis mechanism, opening up great opportunities for development. There are three phases to the crisis mechanism: red-green-blue.

The dynamic process starts with the red aspect (square). The point of conflict is where the red and blue elements touch each other. The calm, balanced, pleasure-seeking state of the blue aspect (sextile) is disturbed or irritated, causing tension or conflict, and some decision or effort must be made. The old state is no longer tenable; a problem has arisen that must be solved.

red → green → blue
square → quincunx → sextilee
conflict → striving for solution → harmonization

The red square aspect illustrates a regular and drastic experience of conflict stemming from feelings of inadequacy due to a particular problem.

The green quincunx aspect is the next step, where the problem is initially dealt with. Searching for a solution can lead to a change in self-image.

The blue sextile aspect is the desired state of harmony that comes from creative problem-solving. Ego transformation results in a more dominant and influential personality.

Learning and Development

The crisis mechanism in the Dominant Triangle is a development spiral that aims to get another point of view with every complete transition. Every passage through the three phases and each one of the crises contains the possibility of finding solutions that previously did not exist, i.e., breaking new ground. Whether that is successful or not depends on your attitude toward the crisis process. If you inwardly recognize the opportunities, then development is likely to occur. The development process will be blocked if you treat the crises as mere disruptions.

Communication and the provision of information usually lead to new experiences (green aspect). You are always ready to experiment, and the newly acquired discoveries lead you to try to establish a new, harmonious state in a still unsure and unstable position (green-blue contact point in the aspect figure), which meets the requirement of the initial problem. So this process would seem to be complete. But only until a new problem comes along and the crisis mechanism gets going again:

conflict → striving for solution → harmonization

The biggest aspect of the large Learning triangle is the 150-degree quincunx. It is the nearest to the inner centre and picks up its influence like an antenna. The basic motivation is the expansion of consciousness, learning and development. The figure does not encompass the horoscope core either, though, which means there is limited growth interest in the area covered by the planets involved.

The red-blue peak of the pyramid is facing the outside world. The Mars square and the Venus sextile convey an ambivalent attitude of the environment and the tendency to want to solve problems using an either-or attitude. The harmonious situation and its inherent tendency to adapt (sextile) are just the starting point and are abandoned if a real incentive to grow is provided. Tension is sought out and conflicts are not avoided (red aspect) as conflict tension leads to the challenge and stimulation of adopting an appropriate searching attitude and striving for a solution to the conflict (green aspect).

The danger of this figure is to offer solutions that are too simplistic (sextile), thereby continuing to live in a state of inner doubt (quincunx) because personal desires for harmony and longing have been given in to too soon and the pressures of reality (square) have only been coped with for a short time.

Rotational Direction

The rotation direction is an important feature in evaluating the Laarge Learning Triangle. It is given by the color order:

red → green → blue.

Clockwise: in the opposite direction to the zodiac. This is a Retrograde Experience Triangle. It means that many experiences are required to achieve the necessary learning and development. It makes adapting to a more deep-seated problem harder and longer than if the direction were anticlockwise.

Anticlockwise: in the same direction as the zodiac. This is a Cognition Triangle. It means discoveries can be made rapidly because it provides the necessary insights when crises appear. The task to be learned is understood, and intelligence is used to find a solution. With time, you learn how to control and accelerate the process. An enthusiastic, positive attitude towards the theme makes it easier to resolve. The example at the top of this page is a Cognition Triangle.

Source: Aspect Pattern Astrology, Bruno and Louise Huber, 2005, pp. 201-202.