The Goat is also a popular name for the sign Capricorn. The original
Mesopotamian creature associated with this sign was half goat and half fish.
—Michele DelemmeGRANDCROSS(COSMICCROSS)
The configuration of a cross formed in a horoscope by four or more planets is referred
to as a grand cross. Each planet successively makes a square (an aspect of 90°) to the
preceding planet, and the planets directly across the chart from each other are
involved in oppositions (180° aspects). Because astrological signs at 90° angles to
each other belong to the same quality (cardinal, mutable, or fixed), grand crosses tend
to involve planets in all four signs of one quality. Thus, grand crosses can be classified
as cardinal crosses, mutable crosses, or fixed crosses (grand crosses that involve planets
in signs of different qualities are referred to as mixed crosses).
Because all the aspects contained in a grand cross are hard aspects, an individ-
ual with such a configuration in her or his natal chart is presented with more chal-
lenges than the average person, and these natives sometimes feel “crucified” by life.
On the other hand, once the challenges proffered by a grand cross have been ade-
quately met, the individual becomes an unusually well integrated person, with the
power to accomplish great tasks.
GRANDTRINE
A trine aspect is a 120° angle between two planets in an astrological chart. When a
third planet on the other side of the chart makes trine aspects to the two planets form-
ing the first trine, the resulting configuration is called a grand trine. Because astrologi-
cal signs at 120° angles to each other belong to the same element (earth, air, fire, or
water), grand trines tend to involve planets in all three signs of one element. Thus,
grand trines can be classified as grand earth trines, grand air trines, grand fire trines, or
grand water trines (grand trines that involve planets in signs of different elements are
referred to as mixed grand trines).
Because trines are soft aspects, a person with a grand trine in her or his natal
chart tends to be unusually lucky, particularly in matters related to the houses and
signs affected by this configuration. However, unless there are also some hard aspects
in the chart, such individuals are often not presented with enough challenges to
develop strong wills. Thus, this seemingly beneficial configuration can actually handi-
cap the native. A more ideal configuration is a kite, which is a grand trine plus a
fourth planet that makes an opposition to one of the other three planets.
GRANT, ERNESTA.
Ernest A. Grant, one of the founders of the American Federation of Astrologers, was
born on June 4, 1893, in Detroit, Michigan. Around 1906, he moved to the nation’s
capital. He initially worked as a stenographer and court reporter for the Norfolk Navy
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [281]
Grant, Ernest A.