Quincunx: Planetary Aspect in Astrology

What is a quincunx?

Awkwaaaaard! When two planets are five signs apart, they are quincunx, an eccentric angle where the zodiac signs have absolutely nothing in common. In fact, they can seem like aliens to each other, operating so differently that major adjustments need to be made for them to cooperate.

Quincunx facts

Quincunx: Five signs apart
150 degrees apart
Energy: Adjustment, awkwardness, discord

For example, say mental Mercury is in detail-oriented Virgo, forming a quincunx to ambitious Mars in impatient Aries. Mars wants us to move fast and not miss an opportunity. But Mercury is busy dotting every “i” and crossing every “t.” Mars is breaking the rules, Mercury is making them. They need to find a way to work together to avoid getting stuck in analysis paralysis AND making sloppy errors in haste.

What is the meaning of quincunx?

The planets involved in a quincunx have completely different missions. The zodiac signs have no shared traits, elements or qualities, and therefore can work with cross-purposes. A quincunx is like extreme astrological multi-tasking: We have to serve both planets and their contrasting agendas all at once.

A quincunx in your birth chart

In your birth chart, a quincunx shows where parts of your life and nature simply don’t add up. The theory that we have multiple “selves” within us supports a quincunx.

For example, you might have risk-taker Jupiter in independent Aries, which can make you a daredevil or entrepreneur. Yet, you could also have cautious Saturn in controlling Scorpio, causing you to freak out and slam the brakes every time you take another wild chance. This Jupiter-Saturn quincunx can drive you crazy until you understand it and accept that you will probably have a meltdown after every big move you make.

Think of the people in your life whose signs are quincunx yours. You may even be married or in a relationship with one! Perhaps you came together as powerful business partners, or to have a child then subsequently divorce. These people probably piss you off and enlighten you in equal measure. Like two aliens learning to coexist on a new planet, you must study each other’s ways—at least, in the name of tolerance—even if you never do things like each other does.

Which signs are quincunx to each other?

Aries: Virgo, Scorpio
Taurus: Libra, Sagittarius
Gemini: Scorpio, Capricorn
Cancer: Sagittarius, Aquarius
Leo: Capricorn, Pisces
Virgo: Aquarius, Aries
Libra: Pisces, Taurus
Scorpio: Aries, Gemini
Sagittarius: Taurus, Cancer
Capricorn: Gemini, Leo
Aquarius: Cancer, Virgo
Pisces: Leo, Libra

Astrogeek note: The three planets involved in each quincunx grouping form an aspect together called a Yod, or “finger of fate.”

Other planetary aspects in astrology

Semisextile: 1 sign apart

Sextile: 2 signs apart

Square: 3 signs apart

Trine: 4 signs apart

Opposite: 6 signs apart

Conjunct: 2 planets in the same sign

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The AstroTwins

Identical twin sisters Ophira and Tali Edut, known as The AstroTwins, are the founders of Astrostyle.com and the authors of multiple bestselling astrology books. Their horoscopes reach millions here and through their resident astrologer column at ELLE Magazine.