The Seesaw
One way of distinguishing planetary patterns is to identify an irregular versus a regular distribution of planets around the natal chart. In the Seesaw pattern, there are two groups opposing each other. In the Bucket pattern, we have a single handle planet opposing the other nine planets. In the Seesaw pattern, we have two or more planets opposing the others. There are two unoccupied areas opposing each other as well. Robert Jansky refers to this as the Hourglass pattern.
The Ideal Seesaw Pattern
The ideal Seesaw pattern (Figure 43) has the following geometry:
• The planets group themselves into two groups or clusters around the ends of an imaginary central axis;
• The planets can be in an 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, or 5:5 distribution, with at least two planets in each group;
• There are three oppositions—a core opposition lying along the central axis and two boundary oppositions defining the boundaries of the Seesaw shape;
• There is a Grand Square, the four planets equidistant from each other around the chart, forming four square aspects and oppositions,
• There is at least 90° of open area on either side of the two groups to clearly mark off where the two groups are located; and
• All ten planets are located within the boundary oppositions.
The leading planet for each group has less significance than in other patterns. The leading planets should not, however, be overlooked. Their house and sign locations work like they do in the Bowl and Bucket patterns. They are points of contact between the individual and the environment.
There are instances where the Seesaw pattern is skewed to one side of the central axis. As long as there is at least one opposition and preferably two oppositions within orb, the Seesaw pattern is possible.
Figure 44: Seesaw Pattern Oppositions
The Seesaw Pattern Temperament
The most telling trait of the Seesaw pattern is the nature of the opposition(s). There is a basic polarity so that the individual tends to swing from one general point of view to the other (Figure 44). There must be at least one opposition present. Oppositions always indicate that contrary forces are present. Jansky recommends viewing the Seesaw as one giant opposition, pulling the individual in two different directions. These individuals tend to show a duality of interests and tend to oscillate back and forth.
Seesaw individuals show either a tentativeness through constant alternation or an open-mindedness that they express in creative ways. Jansky likens the Seesaw person to the archetypal Libran. They go through life trying to achieve a degree of harmony and balance.
Planets in opposition are generally in the same mode: cardinal, fixed, or mutable. They’re also usually found in compatible signs: fire/earth or air/water.
The opposition(s) manifest as interpersonal challenges. These individuals seek balance between themselves and others in their immediate environment through compromise. They have a genuine interest in others at a personal and humanistic level.
The Seesaw pattern is inherently mutable. These individuals have a ready capacity for adjustment to the reality of any situation. They are able to reconcile opposing viewpoints and conflicting forces. They naturally bridge differences. Fixity frustrates the Seesaw individual. They prefer fluid situations.
What is being balanced comes from the sign and house of the planets at the center of each group. Compromise and balance flow easily when the central planets are in opposition. It is possible that there will be no core opposition, nor even a central planet in one or both groups. The concern of each group will still focus on the sign and house at the center of each group. The absence of a core opposition means the individual will have greater difficulty in achieving or maintaining balance.
The preponderance of planets determines which group has the greater significance. With a 5:5 ratio, the groups will be roughly equal in influence. This contrasts with an 8:2 ratio, where the group of eight planets will carry more weight.
When all of the personal planets are on one side of the Seesaw, the individual tends to become fully immersed in personal issues. There is less focus on societal and transpersonal issues.
It is possible for a “stray” planet to be placed outside the two groups of planets in the Seesaw pattern. When this happens, the stray is a high-focus planet. According to Jansky, this planet represents a special capacity or gift.
Counseling the Individual with a Seesaw Pattern
The strength of the Seesaw pattern lies in the linkage of contrasting planetary energies. The result is a balancing dynamic. The merger of contrasting potentials can create a type of tension that results in a reactive personality.
Great achievers with the Seesaw pattern can successfully handle various and simultaneous relationships, projects, and commitments. They are able to achieve their goals through balancing opposing points of view. They’re capable of working with others on different levels, and when emergency strikes, they’re capable of taking charge and doing what needs to be done.
Seesaw people are sometimes seen as fickle. They alternately go this way or that, as their mood dictates. What some see as fickle, others see as versatile. These individuals are not afraid to change their mind when circumstances require. Sometimes they hedge their bets by playing both sides of a situation.
Seesaw individuals are best advised to develop lots of interests. An education that allows them to go into more than one line of work suits them best.
Versatility gives them the ability to choose the type of life they’ll live. They should balance themselves by coordinating their time and talents. They need the courage to be themselves and fight for their beliefs when necessary but at the same time remain open to compromise when the situation needs unity and cooperation. That way, they can fulfill career obligations and lifelong ambitions.
Seesaw individuals should develop their ability to analyze problems and situations and learn to make snap decisions that are correct. That way, they can avoid becoming immobilized due to a lack of decisiveness.
It is common for Seesaw individuals to have different experiences and people pulling first this way and then that way throughout their lives. They need to use their balancing abilities to remain centered under those circumstances.
They need to learn that not every stated opinion requires an immediate reaction. Until they do, they can be easily manipulated.
Celine Dion’s chart is an excellent example of a Seesaw pattern that has wide gaps between the bundles of planets, with gaps of 114° and 112° (Figure 45). None of the oppositions are crisscrossing boundary oppositions. There is a very wide core opposition between the Sun and Uranus. There are four oppositions all together involving Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Pluto. The Sun is at the midpoint of one of the bundles, with the empty point opposing the Sun at the midpoint of the other bundle.
The natal Seesaw pattern of Rudyard Kipling contains two opposing groups of planets in a 6:4 ratio (Figure 46). There is a core opposition between the Moon and the conjunction of Mercury, Mars, and Venus. There is a wide boundary opposition between Uranus and the conjunction of Sun and Jupiter. Neptune is powerfully placed at the apex of a T-Square involving Uranus (widely) and the Sun-Jupiter conjunction.
Anwar Sadat, the third president of Egypt, met with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and US President Jimmy Carter at Camp David. The Seesaw pattern in Sadat’s natal chart shows the Moon straying from the otherwise tight groupings of planets (Figure 47). The Moon sits right on the Libra Aries Point (at 00 Libra 16). There is a boundary opposition between Saturn and Uranus. Mars and Neptune form a core opposition. Additional oppositions include Sun-Pluto, Venus-Pluto, and Venus-Jupiter.
Figure 48: Percy Bysshe Shelley
The natal Seesaw pattern of lyric poet Percy Bysshe Shelley has three planets in one grouping that spans a sextile opposed by seven planets in the space of a quintile (Figure 48). The Moon and Mercury form a core opposition. Saturn forms a boundary opposition with the Mars-Jupiter-Neptune conjunction. The second boundary opposition is between Pluto and the Sun-Venus-Uranus conjunction.