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In astrology, a grand trine is a pattern that forms when three planets on a chart are the same distance from each other, creating an equilateral triangle. This shape is believed to foster confidence, creativity, flow, and harmony.
Look at your chart—is there a big triangle across it? What signs are the planets in? When a grand trine forms, all of the planets are trine to each other, and they are often in the same element (fire, earth, air, or water).
The Golden Triangle
Astrologer Susan Miller calls the grand trine formation a golden triangle. A trine is formed whenever two planets are three signs (or 120 degrees) apart. A grand trine, then, consists of three simultaneous trines, with each of the three planets 120 degrees away from the others.
In Dynamics of Aspect Analysis, astrologer Bill Tierney writes that
“the Grand Trine can potentially indicate confidence and self-assurance, optimistic expectation, a sense of pleasure, easy-flowingness, inspiration, expansion of creative power, and a general sense of protection due to inner faith and hope.”
Significance of the Grand Trine
It’s often said that grand trines are taken for granted and make us passive. In a study of charts, Tierney found that most successful people have challenging squares and oppositions. The grand trine, he suggests, may give some people a charmed life, but that luck might keep them from developing self-discipline. Without self-discipline, it will be harder for them to overcome obstacles.
Astrologer Dane Rudyhar writes that the grand trine is so harmonious, there’s “little incentive for outside manifestation and creation.” For this reason, he believes the grand trine is a symbol of “relative spiritual inertia.”
There is an important exception, though.
“If,” Rudyhar writes, “one of the planets (or groups of planets) entering into this configuration forms a square aspect to another planet, then this square acts as a ‘channel of release’ for the energies locked in the Grand Trine.”
The key thing to remember is not to take the good luck and harmony of the grand trine for granted. If your contentment turns into complacency, you will lose the opportunity to grow.
Planets
A major factor to consider when you have a grand trine on your chart is which planets are involved. Astrologers believe that the symbolic archetypes of this power trio join forces when a grand trine is present. In a way, you can think of the grand trine as a frame that amplifies the power of what lies within it.
Elements
When a grand trine forms, it will be in one of the elements (fire, earth, air, or water). This makes a person especially watery, fiery, earthy, or airy. The matrix of that element becomes one circuit, with the particular planets involved shaping how it plays out.
Each element is associated with different qualities and personality traits.
- A fire grand trine represents active inspiration, bold creativity, enthusiasm, pride, and sometimes self-absorption.
- An earth grand trine represents worldly wisdom, an instinct for what’s needed for bountiful harvests, sensualism, and artistry.
- An air grand trine represents ambitious thinking and planning; intellectual curiosity; detachment and calm; and social engagement.
- A water grand trine represents a vivid inner life, strong feelings, intimacy, artistry, sentimentality, and a desire to reflect.
