For months, I've spoken of this cardinal t-square. It finally culminates in these last days of July through to August, following Saturn's return to cardinal sign, Libra and quickly opposing Uranus and Jupiter in fellow cardinal sign, Aries. All three are in a fight or flight conflict with Pluto in Capricorn, another cardinal sign, and feeling like he's shoved up against a wall with no other recourse but to push back.

This is the energy of the cardinal t-square that has been building up for months now -- a tense, do or die, tug of war between Saturn (reality/hard work), Pluto (elimination/transformation), Uranus (awakening/revolution) and Jupiter (ideals/opportunities). During the last days of July, Mars (aggression/action) joins in on the fun as he enters Libra, blends energies with Saturn and mimics the alignments Saturn makes (opposing Jupiter and Uranus while also square Pluto). And in early August, Venus (relationships/money) also enters Libra and makes the same alignments Mars will have just made with the main T-square players. This is all happening between zero and 4 degrees of cardinal signs -- Aries, Libra and Capricorn. Those with natal planets or house angles within zero and 4 degrees of cardinal signs experience the strain of this cardinal t-square much stronger and undeniable than others. Then on the 21st, Saturn and Pluto complete their series of challenging squares, continuing to fuel the cardinal t-square's fire.

This energy is active, dynamic and impatient. It's easy to leap without looking or take action driven by frustration/anger which are not the ideal ways to manage this energy. It can also make some buckle under the pressure and choose inaction or avoidance. Decisions or actions taken now (or not taken due to fear or laziness) have longer term effects and full impact will continue to unfold for months, maybe years to come, depending on how this cardinal t-square influences your birth chart. Measured steps and well thought out actions motivated by the goal of achieving objectives would serve us all better. While this energy has been strengthening, there should have been something within each of us that was stirred and demanded to be recognized because some things needed to change. If you have been ignoring it or had not realized the scope of its importance, now is the time to bring that issue closer to the top of your priority list. Make time to deal with it. This cardinal t-square demands action, whether it's your doing or not. It's ideal to the one initiating the changes/work to be done instead of one that's reacting to whatever is happening in your world. There are situations that will be beyond our control so, it's best to take the initiative when we can.

For me, as a cardinal Cancer-Sun, this t-square is all over my house angles (4th=the past/roots/family; 7th=partnerships/relationships; 10th=the future/goals/career). Together with eclipses in Cancer and Capricorn, plus transiting Pluto's lingering opposition to my Sun and Neptune square my Neptune, 2010, to date, has been super challenging personally and professionally. This second half of the year will prove to be even more of a challenge but, in the bigger scope of things, this is kind of a turning point for me ... an ending in many ways but a beginning in even more ways. It's difficult, a little scary, sometimes confusing and can be stressful. But it's also always proven to be rewarding. I make sure to celebrate my successes because I do give myself a hard time for the mistakes along the way.

How might this cardinal t-square manifest in your world? Look to the astrological houses where zero to 4 degrees of Aries, Libra and Capricorn fall in your birth chart. Unsure if you have natal planets or house angles within zero to 4 degrees of cardinal signs? Cast your own birth chart -- birth date, time and place required.

Are you celebrating a birthday under these tense celestial skies? Schedule your session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months) or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You can also give a loved one the gift of insight.

Have a question? Ask me here. Or maybe hop over to the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to join in or start a discussion.

Related articles:

• Cardinal Forces & Empowerment ~ An introduction to the potential summer 2010 offers
• Jupiter Oppose Saturn-rx ~ May 23, 2010 (Teaser alignment #1)
• Jupiter Conjunct Uranus at Aries Point ~ June 8, 2010 (Teaser alignment #2)
• Grand Cross & Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn ~ June 26, 2010 (Major event - 1st of 3 installations)
• Cardinal Grand Cross ~ August 6/7, 2010 (Major event - 3rd of 3 installations)
• Saturn Square Pluto-rx ~ August 21, 2010
• Saturn in Libra ~ October 29, 2009 to October 5, 2012
• Uranus in Aries ~ May 27 to August 13, 2010
• Jupiter in Aries ~ June 6 to September 9, 2010
• Mars in Libra ~ July 29 to September 14, 2010
• Venus in Libra ~ August 6 to September 8, 2010

During his first few days (June 21 to 27) transiting the usually mellow sign of Cancer, the Sun (our potential/the self) gets in a pickle with Jupiter (expands/prospers), Uranus (excites/incites) and Pluto (intensifies/transforms), as these four celestial bodies form a Cardinal T-square.

In a previous post, I described a Cardinal T-Square as follows:

As an astrologer, I can't help but blog a little something about a curious series of events that will happen this summer. I'll break it down to three major events (a Lunar Eclipse/Grand Cross in June, a Cardinal T-Square in July and a Cardinal Grand Cross in August) which are preceded by a couple of teaser alignments involving Jupiter (May and June). This blog post covers the introduction to these astrological events and provides a short timeline of what's to come.

First, let's start with what I mean by "cardinal force". Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) are the initiators, creators, leaders of the zodiac. Cardinals conceptualize and actualize. Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) continue what cardinals have started by developing and fine-tuning details. Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) carry out what cardinals started and fixed signs established through maintenance and management. This cardinal energy this summer offers us the opportunity to re-invent the self, restructure our lives, establish a new foundation and aspire toward new goals.

The energy this summer is dynamic, tense, impatient, challenging and requires action. Choosing to let this powerful energy to pass without taking advantage of it is a waste of the loaded potential it offers. Celestial energies offered through planetary transits and alignments are like invitations. For instance, you might get three invitations this week -- attending a work-related function, a dinner date, a birthday party this weekend. You might choose to attend, decline or make a short appearance to all or any of these events you've been invited to. Energies, like invitations, are neither good nor bad but instead are neutral. How one reacts to them determines the experience one will have. This powerful cardinal force bestowed upon us this year is best handled if we know what we want and we are dedicated to seeing it through. Otherwise, the sheer force of these planetary alignments might cause us to buckle, make decisions out of haste/fear, or choose inaction/avoidance. It would be a shame to miss out on what we could have if only we were strong enough, brave enough and prepared enough.

Timeline
Late May, Jupiter in Pisces opposes Saturn in Virgo. This alignment occurs in mutable signs, but functions as a beginning of sorts for metaphorical wheels turning within the self's subconscious -- psychologically, emotionally or spiritually. Jupiter wants more, dreams big and is hopeful in Pisces. Saturn dampens dreams with reality and restrictions but only so Virgo's practicality can analyze the situation and come up with a feasible solution. Jupiter dreams of owning his own business and making millions. Saturn says, "this is what you have to work with -- financially, skills set, actual possible opportunities, time and its management and the reality of the work/commitment that lies ahead." But Jupiter is undeterred because Piscean imagination is without boundaries and has faith in possibilities. So, Saturn in Virgo kicks in, breaks it down and lays out a plan with wiggle room on what can be done.

By early June, Jupiter joins Uranus in the pioneering sign of Aries while they also blend energies. Uranus is keenly aware, progressive, innovative, unique and promotes radical change. The excitement behind these two planets and in the sign of Aries can cause eagerness and impulsiveness to get something started ... yesterday!

Before the end of June, we have a full moon eclipse belonging to the Capricorn-Cancer set of eclipses occurring on June 26 (a day before my birthday -- ouch :). This Eclipsed Full Moon in Capricorn is all tangled up in a Grand Cross (strain, action necessary) with the Sun in Cancer (potential), Mercury in Cancer (thought), Jupiter in Aries (opportunities), Saturn in Virgo (reality), Uranus in Aries (awakening) and Pluto in Capricorn (transformation). Eclipses are supercharged New and Full Moons with influence of up to six months.

Through much of July, intense energy builds until the 30th when the Cardinal T-Square culminates. This T-Square once again bring together the energies of Jupiter (opportunities), Saturn in Libra (reality), Uranus (awakening), Pluto (transformation) and adds Mars in Libra (action) to the mix. This also marks the last perfection of Saturn and Uranus opposition that began on November 4, 2008 and that most recently climaxed again on April 26, 2010.

Then finally early August comes around and another Grand Cross occurs. This time it happens in Cardinal signs with most or the same players -- Jupiter (opportunities), Saturn (reality), Uranus (awakening), Pluto (transformation) -- with the addition of the Moon in Cancer (heart), Venus (relationships) and Mars (action). Then August 21st, Saturn and Pluto will complete their series of squares that began last year on November 15, 2009 and was revisited again this year on January 31, 2010.

It's a tense and intense summer filled with challenges, as well as potential. These celestial events require the vision, commitment and initiation this year. Their actual influence and work continue on a longer term. But creating the spark to ignite the flame that could very well be a light you can use for the rest of your life, begins with making use of this cardinal force. What do you dream of? Are you committed to the task at hand despite where the journey might lead you on the way to your destination? How, then, can you begin to make your dream a reality?

Although we are all influenced by these upcoming planetary alignments, those who are early-born cardinals with their Sun between zero to 6 degrees or those who have natal planets/house angles within zero to 6 degrees of cardinal signs may feel the immediate and longterm effects of this energy strongest. Additionally, those going through their:

• Saturn Return (born between 1982 & 1984; 1952 & 1954 and 1923 & 1925) or
• Uranus oppose Uranus (born 1968-1975 with natal Uranus in Libra within 5 degrees) or
• Pluto square Pluto (born 1971-1973 or 1984 with natal Pluto in Libra within 5 degrees) or
• Chiron Return (born between 1960 - 1969 with natal Chiron within 27 degrees of Aquarius and zero degrees of Pisces)