Grand Sextile

What a grand sextile is

Six planets spaced evenly around the zodiac draw a hexagram on the chart, two triangles laid over each other. Each planet sextiles its two neighbours, trines the planets two places away and opposes the one directly across. The result is a dense network of contacts in which almost every planet can reach every other.

Astrologers sometimes call it the Star of David or the grand sextile star. It is one of the rarest patterns, since it requires six planets in close relationship around the whole wheel.

The rule and what it contains

The rule is six planets about 60° apart around the whole wheel. Six points on a circle at equal spacing produce six sextiles between neighbours, six trines forming two grand trines, and three oppositions across the middle.

In signs, the six planets occupy every sign of one polarity. A grand sextile in Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius joins a fire grand trine with an air grand trine; one in Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces joins earth with water.

The star also holds several smaller patterns. Taking two of its three oppositions gives a mystic rectangle, so there are three of those inside it. Each grand trine plus a planet opposite one of its corners gives a kite, and there are six of those. Because six planets in exact relationship are hard to find, some astrologers allow the Ascendant, Midheaven or lunar Nodes to complete a corner.

How a grand sextile feels from inside

Life can feel well supplied. Skills from one area appear just when another area needs them, and the person often notices how different parts of life connect. The three oppositions keep this from feeling idle: each one brings a recurring tension, often through relationships, that sets the rest of the star working.

With so many resources, the main question tends to be which to use. People with this pattern may move between interests easily and only later find the thread that ties them together.

The houses spread the effect. With planets 60° apart, the star usually occupies every other house, either the odd-numbered ones or the even-numbered ones, so six areas of life share one network and a change in one is quickly felt in the others.

What the star gives

The grand sextile gives range and coordination. Its two grand trines supply natural talent in two complementary elements, so the person combines, for example, fire's initiative with air's ideas, or earth's practicality with water's feeling. The sextiles offer opportunities that respond to effort. The oppositions add awareness of others and the motivation to act. Together they can produce someone who links people, ideas and skills across many fields.

Where the star scatters

The risk of so much ease is drift. Like a grand trine, the star can encourage reliance on what comes naturally and avoidance of discipline. Talents spread in many directions can make it hard to choose a single path. The three oppositions can also pull at once, leaving the person juggling demands on three axes. Without a focus, the gifts may stay a wide collection of abilities.

Working with a grand sextile

List the six planets and their houses, then mark the three oppositions; these are where the work happens. Choose one opposition at a time as your active project and draw on the trines and sextiles for support. Name the two elements involved and notice which one you lean on more. Set concrete goals, because a pattern this balanced responds best to direction. When transits cross the star, expect several areas to move together.