The Square:
[90° with 6° – 10° orb] Keyword: Challenge
“Planet X disrupts and confronts Planet Y’s expression. X unsettles Y, sometimes bringing sudden changes.”
Theos assigns Ray 1 and Ray 4 to Squares: suggesting that most of the “hard” Aspects are opportunities for resolution through the blending, harmonizing and merging Qualities of the Ray 4, and are, as well, examples of the Quality of “harmony through conflict,” a particular signature of Ray 4. In the case of the Square, as Focus is the resolution, Ray 1 must be the answer, as it is the premier “carrier” of that Quality.
*(In the case of the 3rd Quarter Square in Moon Cycles, the “older, wiser Square” demonstrates the evolution of the Disciple, who is sensitive to the energies of the Will of Love and Wisdom and who is able to navigate this Square through more advanced thinking and emotional responsiveness. Combined with the energies of the Will of Christ Consciousness with its emphasis on Forgiveness, the desired Wisdom is achieved.)
The Aspect Potential for the Square: Productivity through Focus of Energy.
Key Concepts for the Square: Produces stress with, creates dynamic tension with … Conflicting, inharmonious, challenging.
The Square Aspect can be represented by the experience of conflict between parts of your personality, but this Aspect can also produce the greatest productivity through its dynamic tension. Visualize the image of a hydroelectric dam which stores water under great pressure in order to generate electricity … which can be utilized productively in many ways….
In principle, Squares link Planets in Signs of the same Quality, but of conflicting Elements and Polarities. As a result, the energies of the Planets in Square are at odds, so that a constant tension ensues. Often, this tension manifests itself through people and events that appear to thwart our actions, but this is only a symptom of a deeper conflict. At its root, this Aspect shows us our innermost fears and anxieties. Awareness of this is essential to our growth. Be sure to examine each Square with respect to the Elements, Polarities, Modalities and Orientation involved, as well as by Sign and House.
By fostering the appearance of obstacles in our path, Squares can create within us an urge to grow through the issue, producing a dynamic effect that helps us move through our self-doubt and helps us recognize how well we can do in the world. If we avoid the issues raised by this Aspect, the build-up of tension can reach the boiling point and we embark on self-destructive behaviors. The ability to meld the two Planets into one functioning unit bestows great energy.
Again, with an 6° to 10° orb, we often find planets technically in this Aspect with positions in differing Qualities and the same Element. Such a Square would bring fewer problems to bear in the area of the life indicated, (House), than if the Square’s orb was more exact and the planets were in the same Qualities. The Square contains a conflict of interests, but, unlike the Opposition, it will be expressed subjectively and internally and become a definite problem area in a given life if not properly resolved.
This Aspect indicates major changes in the Houses where the aspecting Planets reside. The Square is Uranian in nature, which taps into Ray 7 energies and because of the power of the transformation available through the union of the Planets involved, it also taps into Ray 4, Will to Harmonize. Examine the Planetary statements, then the Sign statements, then look at the Elements, Polarities, Modalities and Orientation involved. Once you’ve synthesized these parts, choose House Key statements that you feel most express the nature of the Square or in the areas where you feel the major changes are most likely to take place.
Squares add energies to your chart that drive you to grow by presenting you with challenges and tests. They present frustrations and obstacles that are conducive to creating a desire in you to adjust your efforts. You may feel as if you are at cross-purposes with yourself, related to the dictums of the Signs where the Aspect occurs. At times you will experience these as “burdens to bear,” at other times as confrontations. As always, we choose how we will experience our lives. We call Squares “dynamic Aspects” because without them there is little drive for resolutions to problem areas.