Life is a Quincunx

Maritha Pottenger

We continue our discussion of quincunxes. Having examined the 1/6 and 1/8 quincunxes, we are ready to consider the 2/7 quincunx in this issue of The Mutable Dilemma.

PLANET TO PLANET

The most intense form of the 2/7 quincunx would involve two planets. Since Venus rules both Taurus and Libra, the only way we can get a Venus/Venus quincunx is with current patterns (e.g., transiting Venus quincunx natal Venus). However, if we consider Pallas as connected to Libra (and perhaps Juno as well, although Zip has been assigning more and more Scorpio to Juno and less and less Libra), we can also include Venus quincunx Pallas or Venus quincunx Juno as alternate forms of the 2/7 quincunx.

In a sense, any aspect between Venus and Pallas has the inherent issues of this quincunx—due to the nature of the bodies themselves if we think of Venus as more Taurus. However, an actual quincunx has much more potential restlessness, ambivalence, sense of a “forced choice” and struggle to combine very different parts of life. Other aspects have the overtones of potential harmony (trines, sextiles), friction (squares, octiles, tri-octiles) or seesaws with an urge toward partnership (oppositions). A Venus/Pallas conjunction would reiterate the need to “bring together” the differences of the natural quincunx, to somehow make peace between drives which are very different.

RULERS

We could also get the 2/7 theme through quincunxes involving rulers, i.e., any ruler of the 2nd house quincunx any ruler of the 7th house. Of course, the nature of the planet itself is most important. Thus, if Leo is rising (with Aquarius on the Descendant) and Virgo is on the 2nd cusp, a quincunx between Mercury (ruler of 2nd) and Uranus (ruler of 7th) would hold themes of 2/7. Most important, however, would be the 3/11 (or 6/11) themes of Mercury and Uranus in their own natures.

We could also see 2/7 issues in Venus quincunx the ruler of the 7th or 2nd, and in Pallas quincunx the ruler of the 2nd. Any aspects involving rulers of the 2nd and 7th will bring up these issues, but the actual quincunx has more of the innate sense of incompatibility—dealing with themes which are hard to put together.

HOUSES AND SIGNS

The houses and signs can also highlight the 2/7 issue. Remember, this is why we emphasize the idea of repeated themes! What is MOST important in the horoscope will be said over and over again—in different ways. Messages which are reiterated are the ones worth noting.

Quincunxes involving planets in the 2nd and 7th houses point to 2/7 issues. Ditto for quincunxes between planets in Taurus and Libra. Another variant would be Venus or the 2nd house ruler in the 7th house or in Libra. Another possibility is Pallas in Taurus or in the 2nd.

With all of the above placements, the more times they appear in a chart, the more significant the 2/7 theme is.

THE 2/7 QUINCUNX

The 2/7 quincunx tries to put together personal needs (I want to enjoy the material/sensual world—Letter 2) with interpersonal needs (I want to relate to another person as an equal—Letter 7). This quincunx is a bit unique in that the same planet (Venus) rules both the second sign (Taurus) and the seventh sign (Libra). However, Venus in its Letter 2 manifestation is concerned with PHYSICAL, MATERIAL pleasures (from things, from money, from tangible beauty), whereas Venus in its Letter 7 form is associated with pleasure from PEOPLE and RELATIONSHIPS. Yet we can assume that the joint focus on beauty and pleasure is a convenient handle for integration. The shared rulership of Venus implies that perhaps this quincunx is easier to integrate than any of the others! We just have to enjoy sharing and share our joy.

That does not mean, however, that 2/7 combinations have no issues! Following is a list of some of the contrasts involved with 2 and 7. As with any situation of potential conflict, we can choose to somehow combine the two drives/needs (moderation—a little bit of both), or we can take turns between them in life.

2

7

self-indulgent

other-directed

tangible beauty

visual beauty

focus on things

focus on people

stubborn

vacillating

concrete

abstract

owns/possesses

shares

stability

balancing/weighing

inertia

interaction

comfortable

competitive/cooperative

set in ways

polarities/contrasts

personal possessions

peers

doing

socializing

COMMONALITIES AND CONTRASTS

Many times, quincunxes feel like a “forced choice” situation. People believe, “If I have this, I cannot have that.” The challenge is to find a way to incorporate some of both into our lives. In terms of the 2/7 quincunx, that means creating space for both:

Personal Pleasures and Peer Relationships

Concrete Tangibles and Abstract Concepts

Doing/Getting and Observing/Relating

Followthrough and Reactivity

The differences reflect the contrasts between fixed (enduring, willful, loyal, tenacious) Letter 2 and cardinal (event-oriented, tendency to attract crises, changes in life structure) Letter 7 as well as the differences between earth (practical, tangible, grounded, sensual) Letter 2 and air (theoretical, abstract, objective, detached, equalitarian) Letter 7.

The commonalities of the 2/7 quincunx reflect the shared Venus theme. A focus on beauty would be natural. Both 2 and 7 might be TOO concerned with appearances, pleasantness and harmony. Both might overdo passivity and avoiding confrontations. Both are oriented toward enjoying life. Both can be affectionate and sweet. Both can be artistic/aesthetic.

INTEGRATION

The “natural” quincunxes (when planets occupy houses or signs which are quincunx the nature of the planet or when planets which are naturally quincunx form a conjunction) which suggest blending the themes can point to possible forms of integration. This might include:

I enjoy relating.

I find pleasure in people.

I share possessions.

I create stable associations with others.

I make enduring partnerships.

I balance sensual pleasures.

LACK OF INTEGRATION

Of course, there are no guarantees. People can overdo either side of the 2/7 quincunx—or swing from one extreme to the other. A good example of negative manifestations was Hitler. He had Venus (and the sign Taurus) in the 7th house and literally tried to turn people (7) into things (2) which he possessed and did as he pleased with (2). People might believe that others (7) are supposed to provide personal pleasure (2) or financial comfort. Relationships might be based on monetary gain (the gigolo or mistress option). Another extreme would be the individual who is so concerned with what others think, s/he has trouble simply relaxing and enjoying the world. (Letter 7 is overdone and Letter 2 is underdone.) Such people may find it very difficult to enjoy things on their own.

If we think in terms of the life areas which are involved, Letter 2 is one of our keys to finances, as well as pleasure in general. So, we can expect that the “natural quincunxes” might involve people earning money through beauty, artistic creations, appearances, relating skills, competition or marriage. We would also expect that the relationships (Letter 7) of the individual are likely to be oriented toward comfort, pleasure, sensuality, possessions, finances, or stability (Letter 2).

With the actual quincunxes, however, the sense is that our possessions or pleasures may—in some fashion—take us away from our relationships (or vice versa). Other people may separate us from our money, stability, security (or seem to). Our desire for predictability and security can be at odds with our urge to compare, contrast and deal with polarities in life. Our desire to enjoy others may seem to pull us away from comfort, financial security or personal pleasures. Yet, the essence of integration is to find a way to keep some of both in our lives. The shared Venusian focus can allow us to find pleasure in many different activities. We can enjoy varied forms of artistic and aesthetic expression. We can indulge in pleasures which are just for ourselves alone, while also appreciating the joys of sharing with other people. We can balance common sense and “doing” with objectivity and observing. We can enjoy life and other people, while also contributing to the gratification of our peers and partners. In a very basic sense, we can share a sense of beauty, affection and love with ourselves and with others—to make the world a more attractive, more loving and more enjoyable place to live!

Copyright © 1988 Los Angeles Community Church of Religious Science, Inc.

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