A quincux is represented by a dotted green line when two planets are 150 degrees apart. Figure 1 contains an example of a Yod configuration, which is made up of two quincuxes, and a sextile. The points A to B and the points B to C form two distinct quincuxes. (The green lines are solid here, but they will be dotted when the chart is rendered in astrology software).

Figure 1.

In terms of consciousness, the level of the quincux is the level of the 5, meaning this aspect geometrically divides the circle into five equal parts. Mastering this level means learning about co-creating with the divine intelligence on the metaphysical plane. At this level, life teaches us about the value of aligning with external intention, which makes the infinite solutions of the divine intelligence available to us as well. It is mastering creativity for creativity's sake, while we enjoy operating out of our genius zone, aligned with and listening to the greater intelligence.

This aspect is directly preceded by the waxing square in the first involuntary hemicycle. In terms of consciousness, the square is at the level of the 4, meaning it divides the chart into four equal parts. The waxing square is still primarily concerned with using the inefficient method internal intention to overcome problems. Before we arrive at the quincux, we try to overcome the obstacles we see before us using our personal will alone. It can take many rounds of frustration before we come to the realization that there must be a better way.

When we arrive at the quincux, we begin to develop our ability to tap into the divine intelligence when we face a problem. This stage where we become aware of what needs corrective action according to any inner dissatisfaction with how things have gone. There is a focus on improvement and refinement, just like there was at the square, but the application of our energy is very different to how we addressed challenges in the past.

What seemed so impossible to accomplish previously when we were more concerned with the outer landscape can now be made possible with a change of our inner landscape.

Quincuxes are considered a minor aspect, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they don't have very profound lessons to teach. These aspects are intense experiences that teach the natives about what can be accomplished when you drop the mind and become utterly committed to living by divine grace. This is a demanding aspect. The natives who have them have potential within themselves to show others a way out of the darkness when all hope is lost.

I call this the ‘impossibly possible’ aspect, because the experience of it is about as paradoxical as the name implies. The two planets involved will feel as though they can’t maintain any sustainable reconciliation between them - like they’re fighting and making up every couple of minutes.

Quincuxes demand that the native constantly resolve the tension between the two planets. With squares or oppositions, there can be a back and forth that allows for a short-term respite, but not so with the quincux. These aspects require a lot of discipline in terms of directing one’s focus to find a balance, and then once you find it, you discover that it’s truly an ongoing balancing act!

If you are someone who has multiple quincuxes in the chart which are connected, you may have a planetary configuration called a Yod (pictured in Figure 1 above). In this case, you’ll have double the amount of impossible possibilities to manage. This is quite a rare aspect in itself, and you can read more about its configuration in this post.

To go beyond theory and facilitate a real-life understanding of quincuxes, let’s take a look at one of the most difficult places to deal with them: inside of a relationship (synastry) chart.

In relationships, it is so tempting to believe that whatever negativity is going on must be the other person’s problem, because that is always how it will appear on the surface. We think that if only the other person would change, our own experience would improve. However, since reality is a mirror of our inner state, then by definition this belief that resolution will come through the other is only a projection of the mind. Because the mind cannot grasp dimensions of reality that are beyond the level of reason or rational consciousness, it will always tell us that any negativity is somewhere ‘out there’ because from its vantage point, it can’t find an effective way to rid you of the negativity.

Let’s do an example of a quincux inside of the synastry chart of a romantic relationship. Let’s say that a woman’s Mercury makes a quincux aspect to a man’s Mars. She feels that in the bedroom, there’s a lot more depth and breadth of experience that she wants to bring to her partner, but every attempt at communicating her needs & her vision results in a less than satisfying exchange.

The quincux is reflecting that she experiences him as bulldozing over what she wants to try in favor of getting his own needs met, and he experiences her as unwilling to acknowledge the effort that he is making toward accommodating her. You can see how both are making a good faith effort but that effort seems futile whenever they try to reconcile their individual desires with the shared experience.