For this topic I want to explore the astrological meaning of the grand trine. This subject has become more of an interest to me since my son was born with a Grand Earth Trine. Reading up on the various theories of this particular configuration has left me at times conflicted in the many different interpretations of this supposedly “blessed” astrological pattern. The question that plagues me when there is such an harmonious grouping of planets in one element is whether or not this greatly benefit’s the individual’s life. Astrological literature today clearly tells us that what was once thought to be a beneficial chart configuration in the natal chart can describe an individual who is some respects - rests on his laurels, and takes a lazy approach to his affairs.
I have always enjoyed the research aspect of astrology and I like discovering the answers for myself. I don’t believe in the whole “one interpretation fits all” scenario, but a similar thread can often be seen in the lives of people who share a similar configuration, we all on one level or another share similar life themes. What defines a Grand Trine? Basically, a Grand Trine is a triangular aspect pattern involving there or more planets separated by an angle of 120 degrees each. The planets in the signs are in the same triplicity and due to the harmonious nature of the trine aspect, the planets cooperate in an easy flowing manner. According to traditional textbooks the grand trine is seen as an extremely fortunate asset, implicating special talents, favourable circumstances and good opportunities. Modern Astrologers have come to view the lack of tension in the grand trine as an indication that the native can have a certain inertia or laziness present because there is no real impetus that pushes the individual into action.
There are four elements in astrology consisting of Fire, Earth, Air and Water, and thus there are four types of Grand Trines which can be formed in the birth chart. The Fire Grand trine will consist of planets in Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. The Earth Grand Trine consist of planets in Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. The Air Grand Trine encloses planets in Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Lastly the Water Grand trine which has probably received the most coverage due to singer Kurt Cubain’s Grand Water Trine and his suicide, consists of planets in Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Evidently what you will find when there are planets comprised heavily in one element, is that another element can sometimes be seen to be lacking altogether. Where we gain in abundance we also create an imbalance and lopsidedness in the personality. Finding chart examples for this topic was easy, which means that the Grand Trine configuration appears frequently enough to say that it is not an ‘uncommon’ aspect.
The Water Grand Trine could bestow creative gifts and imaginative talent and Kurt Cobain is an example of a creative artist in the music world. Or, we could also take a look at Princess Diana’s chart and associate her sympathy and compassion with others, along with great sensitivity to her Grand Trine in water involving the more recently discovered Asteroid, Chiron. The Earth Grand trine may show the ease one has when dealing with the material world. Carole Rushman gives a an example in her book Predictive Astrology of a Grand Trine in earth, and of an individual who comfortably lives on benefits, and who does not need to go out and work for a living. Some Grand Trine Earth people can inherit a small fortune and survive quite comfortably. The Fire grand trine would therefore have vision, self -expression and optimism in abundance. The Air Grand Trine may possess talents in the communication field and could have the gift of bringing people together. I don’t fall into the thinking that Grand Trines deny success, but much depends on the rest of the chart. I don’t think that consciously we seek to develop a trine any further, and as the saying goes “If it aint broke don’t fix it”. In the next part I will begin looking at the Fire Grand Trine.
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I have always enjoyed the research aspect of astrology and I like discovering the answers for myself. I don’t believe in the whole “one interpretation fits all” scenario, but a similar thread can often be seen in the lives of people who share a similar configuration, we all on one level or another share similar life themes. What defines a Grand Trine? Basically, a Grand Trine is a triangular aspect pattern involving there or more planets separated by an angle of 120 degrees each. The planets in the signs are in the same triplicity and due to the harmonious nature of the trine aspect, the planets cooperate in an easy flowing manner. According to traditional textbooks the grand trine is seen as an extremely fortunate asset, implicating special talents, favourable circumstances and good opportunities. Modern Astrologers have come to view the lack of tension in the grand trine as an indication that the native can have a certain inertia or laziness present because there is no real impetus that pushes the individual into action.
There are four elements in astrology consisting of Fire, Earth, Air and Water, and thus there are four types of Grand Trines which can be formed in the birth chart. The Fire Grand trine will consist of planets in Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. The Earth Grand Trine consist of planets in Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. The Air Grand Trine encloses planets in Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Lastly the Water Grand trine which has probably received the most coverage due to singer Kurt Cubain’s Grand Water Trine and his suicide, consists of planets in Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Evidently what you will find when there are planets comprised heavily in one element, is that another element can sometimes be seen to be lacking altogether. Where we gain in abundance we also create an imbalance and lopsidedness in the personality. Finding chart examples for this topic was easy, which means that the Grand Trine configuration appears frequently enough to say that it is not an ‘uncommon’ aspect.
The Water Grand Trine could bestow creative gifts and imaginative talent and Kurt Cobain is an example of a creative artist in the music world. Or, we could also take a look at Princess Diana’s chart and associate her sympathy and compassion with others, along with great sensitivity to her Grand Trine in water involving the more recently discovered Asteroid, Chiron. The Earth Grand trine may show the ease one has when dealing with the material world. Carole Rushman gives a an example in her book Predictive Astrology of a Grand Trine in earth, and of an individual who comfortably lives on benefits, and who does not need to go out and work for a living. Some Grand Trine Earth people can inherit a small fortune and survive quite comfortably. The Fire grand trine would therefore have vision, self -expression and optimism in abundance. The Air Grand Trine may possess talents in the communication field and could have the gift of bringing people together. I don’t fall into the thinking that Grand Trines deny success, but much depends on the rest of the chart. I don’t think that consciously we seek to develop a trine any further, and as the saying goes “If it aint broke don’t fix it”. In the next part I will begin looking at the Fire Grand Trine.






































