In the month of October, 2004 the two grand quintiles ("GQs") depicted below will dominate the heavens for a period of a few hours each in subsequent lunar cycles. This stunning aspect pattern, figured in the compelling shape of a pentacle star, is rare but not nearly as rare as is assumed in such fragmentary references as may be found in astrological publications.
When I discovered this misconception I set about determining exactly how frequent or infrequent GQs are, when they have occurred historically and what they might portend. In the end I accumulated a database of 150 GQs over 2,500 years and examined them for planetary and sign composition. The results of this inquiry are outlined in this website.
The discovery of the GQs reads like a typical New Age fable. In November, 2002 I was trying to follow a meditation on a six-pointed star recommended by Alan Oken in his book Soul-Centered Astrology1. To my perplexity, the six-pointed star insisted on turning into a five-pointed star in my mind. I found myself walking down the street day after day with a laser image of this pentacle burning in my brain.
As an astrology student I eventually asked myself what an astrologer would make of this "message" and set out to find a five-planet configuration. At the time I had yet to invest in a software package but had trained myself laboriously on Astrodienst's internet program. I found the GQ of October 1st in a handful of hours using nothing but their online ephemeris. Finding more proved to be a much greater challenge.
This type of study is quite specialized and appears to appeal to a limited audience. The encouraging response to my initial revelation from the teacher and students of the class/group discussion I regularly attend in Toronto2 alerted me to the fact that I might be onto something that was not common knowledge. Outside of the study of harmonics, I was amazed to find how little reference was made not only to grand quintiles, but to the quintile series of aspects as a whole, either on the internet or in print. Since these aspects were proposed by Johannes Kepler 400 years ago3 this seemed astounding.
In February, 2003, having found a handful more GQs, I sent an e-mail to some astrological associations, teaching bodies, and a few selected individuals hoping to either give the work away or get help with it. Very few responded at all and of those that did only Edward Gillam in Exeter, England offered the invaluable advice and encouragement that has made this ongoing project possible. At the end of a year's labour I present this preliminary information as metaphysical food for thought.
I have no delusions of it signaling earth-shattering political or economic events and am certain of one thing only: these aspect patterns are beautiful! Let's proceed from there.
1. Alan Oken, Soul-Centered Astrology, Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press, 1996, p. 36.
2. I refer to the class of Julie Simmons (http://www.lighttravels.com/JulieSimmons/), a top-notch Toronto natal astrologer.
3. Nick Kollerstrom, Interface: Astronomical Essays for Astrologers, "Kepler's Chart", Mansfield, Notts.: Ascella Publications, 1997, p. 39. This describes Kepler's affinity for quintiles and septiles in wondrous detail.
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