From tomorrow (April 17th 2014), Uranus, Jupiter and Pluto will form a T-square at 13 degrees of Aries, Cancer and Capricorn respectively.

Next week however, on Wednesday April 23rd and Thursday 24th,  Mars will join them at 13 degrees Libra. This highly unusual line-up of planets is called in astrology a Grand Cross, and usually indicates a state of great tension, stress and conflict, though with the possibility of creative resolution and transcendence. This can come about through finding a deeper common ground beneath the apparent conflict, or by undergoing a paradigm shift in which the conflict no longer assumes the importance it once had. In an individual's natal chart this can, at its worst, be a marker of great inner conflict, and its highest, of genius.

Given the nature of the planets involved and the fact that this is another milestone in the unfolding drama of the series of 7 Uranus-Pluto Squares, this pattern is fraught with potential conflict, though Mars, the astrological significator of aggression, is perhaps at it's weakest at the moment, given that it is both retrograde and in the sign of its detriment, Libra.

It is interesting to note how tied in to this patten is the birthchart of he leader of the Russian Republic, Vladimir Putin, given the escalating tension in Ukraine since their revolution in February this year. Putin's Sun at 13° Libra has been hit by Uranus and Pluto over the last few months, will over the next week be squared by Jupiter (inflating his sense of self) and then on the 23rd and 24th by Mars. Perhaps we can expect him to be at his most belligerent and warlike at this time.

The United States is also triggered by this pattern, having its Sun at 13° Cancer and Saturn at 14° Libra. Although both planets are under great stress, the Sun is at least temporarily supported by Jupiter crossing it, whilst its exalted Saturn in Libra may come down firmly on any Martian attempt to threaten its interests.

Let us hope that the tensions already apparent in the lead-up to the Grand Cross will be resolved creatively and intelligently, and that its potential for chaos not be unleashed.

Individuals with planets at 13° of cardinal signs may also be experiencing great tension at the moment, and given that these signs are associated with decisive action, this is the best way of handling such astrological energies. Anything that reduces stress, such as exercise, running, martial arts, sport, dance, massage etc will also help dissipate the tension and avoid unnecessary conflict with others.

Graham

The BBC is one many organisations and Countries (including the UK 1801) formed on 1st. January. Originally the BBC was a private company started on 18 October 1922, but its current form was established under a Royal Charter in 1927. All these 1st. January entities will have the Sun at about 9 or 10 degrees of Capricorn, so Pluto is already or soon will be transiting this point. Most of these organisations have a legal midnight formation time which also places the IC of the chart here, usually a degree or so earlier.  The pattern seems therefore to be the foundations being rocked followed by turmoil, reorganisation and transformation. As this time and date every year also has a descendant round about 6 degrees of Aries - where Uranus currently is - the full impact of the ongoing Pluto-Uranus square will be emphasised in all 1st. January organisations.
KL