Element and Receptive Configurations (Part 2)
Grand Trine and Kite
Grand Trine
The Grand Trine occurs when three planets are in the same element (Fire, Earth, Air or Water), while forming Trines to each other. Having a Grand Trine is similar to having a planet in a sign that it rules. It is believed that a Grand Trine is, collectively, the purest expression of an element.
Trines, and particularly Grand Trines, have a reputation for being positive and creative aspects. However, this wonderful reputation is not wholly deserved. Each aspect has its own highs and lows, and none are any better or worse than the other aspects. The tendency of the Trine is harmony and flowing. Grand Trines represent an opportunity granted with open and effortless flow of energy between the planets. While Trines can reveal where one's talents and comfort zones might be, Trines can also indicate where the individual might be lazy or uninvolved in conscious decisions. The Grand Trine energy can take on a life of its own with the individual simply tagging along rather than being an active participant in life.
Grand Trines can simply be too good and too much. The Grand Trine comfort zone may be in taking the easy way out, failing to encourage the individual to respond or participate. The reward of the challenge seems to be missing. The potential of that Grand Trine may never be tapped by the individual who feels content to go with the flow, but at the same time is afraid to explore the passions that are hidden below the surface of the Grand Trine's great flow of energy. Each element represents a Grand Trine influence.
FIRE. Fire Grand Trines tend to be constantly busy with one activity or another. Individuals possessing a Fire Grand Trine are likely to over-extend themselves in the process because the tendency of the Fire element is to burn until there is no more fuel (or oxygen) left. A Grand Trine in Fire can often contribute to a sense of self-confidence and will tend to aspire for the highest highs possible. They tend to be outgoing and perhaps a bit dramatic. Intensity might appear to be the norm in their overall nature. Expressive and perhaps explosive while demonstrating their emotions, the Grand Trine Fire individual would benefit by learning to conserve their enthusiasm and impulsive nature as well as learning to tap into other expressions of emotion that are more progressive.
EARTH. Earth Grand Trines tend to be considerably less action oriented than any of the other elements. The Earth Grand Trine individual can see no productive reason for zipping around like a humming bird, expending all that energy. Dependability, creature comforts and practicality tend to be the goals of the Earth Grand Trine. Consistency is the true nature of the Earth element. While the Earth Grand Trine person may be a bit more inclined to fall into bad habits and routines that are not the most productive, the Earth Grand Trine individual is the person most likely to succeed in quitting these bad habits if they feel that it is necessary. Creativity and talents ranging from music to art is a typical manifestation of the Grand Trine nature. The Earth Grand Trine individual finds comfort in routine and structure. They are also likely to see the broad picture of reality when contemplating their next action.
AIR. The Air Grand Trines tend to be highly idealistic. Since the element of Air is associated with the intellectual and social interactions, these Grand Trines may have an affinity for socializing and mentally challenging others. There is a nature of duality in each of the Air signs (two twins, two scales, and two currents). Mentally, the Grand Trine Air may be turbo charged, talking almost as fast as they are capable of thinking. They can cognitively explore a concept and discard it quicker than most other individuals. The Air signs are adept at forming ideas, developing connections and expanding on the mental faculties with great ease. They are also more prone to depression, short attention spans and skimming the surface in an effort to get a project done more quickly. Actual physical action is not the name of the game and can list a litany of reasons why they should not invest their time in such draining behavior. In other words, if the activity involves too much physical work, they will quickly direct you to one of their cousins with a Fire or Earth Grand Trine.
WATER. The Water Grand Trines tend to possess the most in-depth creative potential. The Water element is the most comfortable of all the signs when dealing with emotions and the spiritual realm. The Water Grand Trine individual will typically experience life with an emotional intensity. The Water element signs react to life's events at a seemingly subconscious level; instinctively. They tend to "feel" their choices rather than needing to think about them first, and their intuition is usually correct. But all this feeling can be draining at a spiritual and psychological level. Oversensitivity can be a problem for the Water Grand Trine person, and an urge to self-medicate in order to drown out all these emotions may feel like the right way to handle the situation. In an emergency, the Water Grand Trine individual is your best ally since they have the best tools in place to help heal, nurture and transform. What they may be lacking are the tools to help themselves.
Kite
The Kite configuration is an extension of the Grand Trine. There is a fourth planet that opposes one of the three Trine planets. Kites will always be in the same polarity, either masculine (Fire and Air) or feminine (Earth and Water).
The influence of the Kite pattern is similar to Grand Trines with added motivation and potential. The opposition is especially productive in spurring individuals to utilize the opportunities and gifts offered up by the Grand Trine. Oppositions, however, are not always the best at creating actions without having another individual involved in the process. The opposition influence is not self-sufficient but, instead is interaction oriented, by nature. At its best, the Opposition provides a sense of bearing and of spotlight. For the Kite configuration, the planet in the Grand Trine that is being opposed becomes the focal point. Think of the Trine as being a type of cross bow with the sextile aspect being the bowstring. The arrow would be the opposition reaching across the chart, from the sextiles to the tip of the Trines. The quiver end of the arrow sets the stage, while the blade of the arrow guides the individual in the direction for action. Check out the house and sign where the two trines and the opposition meet up to develop a better understanding of that focal point.
While the individual with a Grand Trine might generally have an easier time in life, the individual may lack a sense of purpose, awareness or perspective until they are made aware of the Grand Trines potentials. On the other hand, The individual with the Kite is likely to sense that there is something more, but may not be aware of how to tap into their talents. Consistently finding the motivation for the best expression of that Kite configuration may be the more difficult task for the individual.
