The Misunderstood Inconjunct

The inconjunct, or quincunx aspect, besides being one of the more difficult to pronounce, is probably the most under-rated and misunderstood aspects by students of astrology. Traditional interpretation has attached a strongly negative connotation to this aspect. Some astrologers of the past have even labeled the inconjunct the "aspect of death." Granted, it is a hard aspect to contend with, but growth and awareness can be the eventual outcome of the struggles and challenges it creates.

What makes the inconjunct such a difficult aspect is the angle it creates. It is a 150 degree aspect. That puts it directly between the 130 degree trine and the 180 degree opposition. The energies of the planets connected with this aspect are neither flowing harmoniously nor involved in a direct head on resistance.

The inconjunct is associated with the relationship between the sign of Aries, and the signs of Virgo and Scorpio respectively. In one case the fiery energy of Aries is now forced to contend with the practical and down-to-earth Virgo, and in the other it must deal with the watery, deep, emotional sign of Scorpio. In both instances we have signs that are incompatible by element and well as unlike in quality. Fire is coupled with earth and water and cardinal is now forced to work with mutable and fixed. Here there is no common ground whatsoever. A major adjustment in ones thinking and a complete reorganization of thought and deed is required to act constructively with this aspect. The energy (Aries) must structure itself and be cleansed through service to others (Virgo) or evolve on a much higher level of spiritual reform (Scorpio).

When one planet inconjuncts another in the natal chart the houses the planets are in and the houses the planets rule will describe the areas of life that will be affected by the aspect. The signs the planets are in will show those underlying influences behind the energies of the planets involved. The important thing to remember is that the inconjunct is an aspect of adjustment. It forces one to make changes before they can move ahead in their lives.

As an example, let's take a person has a natal planet in Aries, inconjunct a natal planet in Virgo. Here there could be a considerable amount of strain on the nervous system. This well may affect the health of the native and may manifest itself through an ulcer or other gastronomic disorders. The native may exhibit a tendency to be too critical of others (especially co-workers), and must learn to cultivate a more patient attitude towards them. Those who are close to the person may find them to be too rebellious and irritating. All activities of the individual will probably need to be moderated before physical illness can develop.

If the native should happen to have a planet in Gemini inconjunct a planet in Capricorn, there can be a serious outlook that can boarder on chronic depression. The areas that are governed by the planets in question will be the basis for the individual’s depression. There is also a tendency to get into a rut of everyday routine existence. This is very evident in regards to professional activities. There can also be the tendency to get into a rut in day to day existence. Any kind of papers or documents relating to the individuals vocation should warrant special attention. The care of an elderly or sick sibling could place a restrictive burden on the individual.

If a person should have a planet in Leo inconjunct a planet in Pisces they may well be the victim of deception and deceit in romantic ventures. The individual may have an inclination to over dramatize affairs of the heart, and even seek out the exciting danger of clandestine interludes. Children could be a source of hidden loss or sorrow. The native should be on guard for indulgence in alcohol and other additive drugs. This could have an adverse effect on the person’s health.

In some charts there are two planets that are in sextile aspect to each other, and both inconjunct a common third planet. An example of this would be if the person has their Sun in Taurus and their Mars in Cancer sextiling each other with both planets inconjuncting the Moon in Sagittarius. This configuration is known as a yod.

Inconjuncts always require that a particular adjustment be made. Many times this adjustment is a difficult one to make. In the case of the yod, the two planets sextiling one another will help each other make the adjustments. In every yod the one planet receiving the two inconjuncts become the focal point of the configuration. The desire to make the required to make the required changes will come from the focal planet, and the opportunity to carry out that desire will then be manifested through the two planets in sextile aspect.

If an individual has the inconjunct aspect represented in their natal chart, and is a highly developed kind of person, they can make the aspect work for them and reap the benefits of growth it produces. On the other hand, if a person is completely anchored to the mundane affairs of life, the inconjunct can be devastating aspects whose disruptive action has no constructive significance in their life.

Call to Action

In the face of the current recession, it is probably hard to believe that we Americans are 4.5 times richer than were our great grandparents at the turn of the century. One billion of the earth's residents live in unprecedented luxury, while one billion live in destitution. Those in the wealthiest 1/5, probably not you or I, are responsible for the lion's share of the damage that humans cause on this planet. They also fund the omnipresent advertising mes­sages that create our shopping culture and give us false identity in our material search for social status in this massive and anonymous society. Even the government favors consumption and the spread of commercial markets into most aspects of our private lives.

At one time, we could count the rules of ethical behavior on just two hands. Today it is the basic value of a sustainable society through the equiva­lent of the Golden Rule we must seek. Buddha and Jesus wouldn't argue with that each generation should meet its needs without jeopardizing the prospects of, future generations to meet their needs. For individuals, the decision to live a life of sufficiency is to find their own answer to the question of how much is enough?

The goal is to put consumption in its proper place among the many sources of fulfillment and to find ways to live within the means of the earth. Rich societies have had little success in turning con­sumption into fulfillment. There is little difference between the definition of happiness found between the rich and the very poor nations. Consumption itself has little to do with that which inspires, or the true bonds of love and friendship. It would be naive to believe that entire population will suddenly experience a moral awakening, renouncing greed, envy and avarice.

At least 1.5 billion people live in the middle class in this country, and that’s you and I. We must try to curb personal appetites and resist the tide of external forces encouraging us to consume. For three of the most ecologically important types of consumption - transportation, diet and the use of raw materials, we must try to drive less, eat less red meat, and recycle, reuse, repair and restore more.

As man's eye opens to God's earth, so shall God's heart open to man!

Daily Moon Watch

Since the Moon is in my first house I am very much preoccupied with the luminous satellite. I need to know where the Moon is at all times, and if I don’t know I pretty much have a good idea of where it is dependent on the way I feel. I pay close attention to the monthly lunations, especially the eclipses. Since the Moon does govern our emotions, it is a good indicator of the overall general backdrop that colors a situation at any given time. I have noticed that when the Moon is in Gemini people, in general, seem to be a little bit more talkative. When the Moon is in Cancer people are a bit more sensitive. And when the Moon is in Pisces, I don’t know what the heck to think. Now obviously a lot depends on the natal aspects that are inherent in a person’s chart, and how the Moon could set some of these off in its daily transit. Some astrologers believe that the Moon is not strong enough of an influence in to set off a natal aspect in the birth chart, but I believe that is not the case. So many times when the Moon sets off my natal square from Mars to Uranus, by transit, my impulsiveness gets the best of me. I find I am a bit more indulgent when the Moon makes a transit to my natal trine from my Sun to my Jupiter. The Moon is a timely and fun thing to watch for some overall general information regarding the mood of the day, but also in relationship to an individual’s natal chart and the aspects therein.