I have a Cardinal Grand Cross: Mars 21 degrees of Aries, Moon 20 degrees of Cancer, Uranus 18 degrees of Libra, Mercury 25 degrees of Capricorn. I'm almost 38 years old, and I'm exhausted. I'm so stuck. I have strange gifts but they are more like curses in that they draw me onto paths that lead to more confusion. Can you please tell me a little more about this Cardinal Grand Cross? (I can hand draw natals but I can't read them. I learned this while studying classical civilizations in University.) I have learned much from your sight/site. I am an Aquarius Sun, Cancer Moon, Cancer rising. I've read many articles at Kajama and thank you so much for the information you've made available to so many. Please help me understand this CGC.

-C. Morgan

Dear C. Morgan,

When four or more planets form an imaginary square in a chart, it's known as a cosmic or grand cross. With four oppositions, the ends of which fall into that pattern of a square, it becomes your Cardinal Grand Cross. Other astrologers might describe it as T-Square. The grand cross is the rarest of about ten planetary patterns that frequently appear in a chart.

People with your chart tend to face what seems to be an endless stream of challenges and decisions. This planetary pattern also represents stress, stress, and more stress. Fortunately, it also gives you lots of excess energy to deal with everything on your plate!

You can meet any challenge and achieve the outcome you desire, but nothing ever seems easy, and things that are easy for others take lots of time and work for you to achieve. Fortunately, it's worth having a Cardinal Grand Cross because more times than not, you can get your own way. Situations always seem to work out better for you and others when you are the one in charge.

You also have a very intense personality, which can be a little off-putting to people who don't share your strong spirit. Sometimes others will view you as stubborn and inflexible; that's because of the word FIXED. Learning to think on your feet and embrace some spontaneity will help with that.

Some astrologers think that having a Cardinal Grand Cross means that there were lessons in past lives that you refused or weren't able to learn. The three seasons, Cardinal, Mutable and Fixed, lead me to agree with that.

When you find yourself MOST resistant to change, that's the time your astrological tendencies have taken over your life. The biggest challenge for you is giving up your overwhelming need to control what is going on in your life and the lives of others. This is because your astrology has taught you that nine times out of ten, you're correct about the situations you find yourself in!

People with Cardinal Grand Crosses achieve great things. Steve Jobs, head of Apple Computers, has a Cardinal Grand Cross in his chart. Simon Bolivar, the Spanish Explorer, also has that same aspect. Many famous actors and actresses share this with you, such as Mia Farrow, Gina Davis, and Dennis Hopper. You can see that these people have used their astrology to reach new heights, and so can you!

That being said, don't think that you're going to be a victim of your own astrology. Astrology is a chart, and a chart is a map to what CAN be, not what MUST be. That's why I like it so much: regardless of where the planets were when we were born, we're still in control when it comes to our own lives.

Susyn responds:

Dear C. Morgan,

A Cardinal Grand Cross can indicate that major lessons and events are destined for your lifetime. Based on your information, you may have additional aspects that make it appear even more challenging than it actually is.

Those born with Cancer rising tend to view the world in a more sensitive way. People with this lunar setup often experience emotions more deeply than most, and can feel like there is no way out of a situation - that they are victims of circumstance or fate.

This mindset will have to be adjusted in order to break through real or imagined restrictions and begin to move in harmony with the life lessons this Cardinal Grand Cross will bring you. With a Cancer Moon in the mix as part of your Cardinal Grand Cross, one of your first challenges is to embrace your intuitive side and psychic abilities without concern for what other people think.

It appears that the Cancer Moon, which begins the Cardinal Grand Cross, is located in your first house. As you mentioned, this grand cross has challenged you to go within to process your emotions, as the remainder of the planets are intellectual, action-based and unpredictable in nature.

Mars appears to be at the helm of this aspect. Since it's located in the sign it rules, Aries, and at the highest point in your chart, your movements and physical actions will carry an insistent energy. When all else fails, you may be one to jump up and move, relocate, or distract yourself by changing your physical world instead of delving into any issues that are emotionally based. This in itself can be exhausting.

This type of behavior or response is also reflected in Uranus, which forms the bottom aspect of this Cardinal Grand Cross. Uranus is the planet of sudden and abrupt change, and even in the balancing sign of Libra, can be hard to weather when it lives in the 4th house, which rules home/comfort and stability.

The key to embracing and overcoming the lessons of this Grand Cross so you can enjoy the blessings it has to offer lies in the fourth planet of this aspect, Mercury. Because Mercury is located in Capricorn, an earth sign, in the 7th house of balance, this is the place to focus. Mercury is about thought, intellect and perception. Once you can employ it to ground your thinking and find practical solutions, you’ll be able to move out of this stuck place you've been in.

Remember: what we focus on always grows stronger. If you believe this aspect has power over you, it will. If you use the power of Mercury to rebalance your thoughts and unlock the true gifts of this aspect, you can transform it into a blessing instead of a curse.