This year as the Sun moves from Gemini to Cancer, he will aspect Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter and Pluto. These four planets are forming a powerful, long-lasting (because they are slow moving) aspect known as a T-square. For a few days the Sun becomes part of this configuration, forming an even more powerful aspect known as a Grand Cross.

The Grand Cross is a configuration of four points 90 degrees apart forming a cross. It is made up of two oppositions, and four squares. In this case, the four points are the cusps of the cardinal signs. These are the points the Sun crosses at the seasonal Sabbats; (0° Aries – Spring Equinox, 0° Cancer – Summer Solstice, 0° Libra – Autumn Equinox, 0° Capricorn – Winter Solstice). These are power points, astrologically as well as in the Wheel of the Year.

This configuration is by far the strongest astrological influence at work on Summer Solstice (it will be triggered by the other seasonal Sabbats, as well). A Grand Cross is a configuration of tension, and challenges. It’s generally considered to be quite difficult although, like all challenges, it is an opportunity in disguise.

The tension of an aspect configuration lies in the clashing energies of the signs involved. To understand the nature of the energies involved here, simply think of the Wheel of the Year – and the vastly different nature of the four seasonal Sabbats.

Jupiter and Uranus recently entered Aries – the Zodiac point the Sun crosses at Spring Equinox. They bring the energy of new life, rampant growth, spontaneity, activity, light and Fire Element. Saturn, though retrograded back into Virgo, has been hovering on the cusp of Libra. This is the Point of Autumn Equinox. He brings the energies of harvest time, wisdom, practicality, darkness and the Air element. In Spring nature is ‘winding up’ and in fall she is ‘winding down’. In the many cycles and phases of the many parts of our lives, we can find ourselves in the winding up or down stage of something at pretty much any given time – sometimes simultaneously, creating clashes.

Pluto has just recently entered Capricorn, the point of Winter Solstice. He carries a bit of the energy of Yule-time. He brings a focus to the quiet darkness, home and hearth, re-birth, the strength and power within, and the Earth Element. The Sun, of course, is at the point of Summer Solstice – creating a natural tension as he forms opposition to Pluto.

Exactly how and where these aspects effect your life depends on your chart and current circumstances. However, with this many conflicting energies at work, odds are your attention and ‘primary focus’ are divided – possible many ways. Some of the things you choose to put aside may well need more attention than they are getting. This season could be a bit of a juggling act, making it difficult to not drop the ball somewhere.

Typically, around the Sabbats, we are intensely focused on that particular spoke of the wheel. This year may call for a little more attention to the entire wheel. In other words, try to step back and look at the big picture. Whether the primary focus of your life at the moment is your spiritual development, financial situation, relationships, striving to reach goals or any number of other topics – look at the whole picture.

The greatest challenge for most of us will be integration. All the parts of your life, all the directions your time and attention are being pulled may seem unrelated and (at least somewhat) incompatible. This is where it pays to step back and look at the big picture.

This is a time to reflect on the concept of oneness. It is a basic Pagan concept we are one with the Earth, the Universe, each other – each of us a small piece of a bigger picture. This incarnation is only a chapter in the evolution of the soul. Karma brings the energies of days long past to surface in the present, and carries the seeds we plant today into the future. All is connected, inevitably and eternally intertwined like an intricate Celtic Knot. Think about this, and ask yourself if it’s really possible for all the details and priorities of your current situation to be so disconnected.