#shibutani

And Mars in Gemini, the sign of communication and mental energy, as the focal planet in a T-square. T-squares are a tense pattern that give you a lot of energy and drive to achieve. Maia and Alex both have them in their chart: Maia's pattern puts pressure on her to act through her Mars. Mars in Gemini is fast-paced and multi-tasking. excited by ideas and variety, has many friendships ranging from casual to deep. The way the Shibutanis put a lot of energy into their social media, have a big network of friends and acquaintances, and have produced a book series is a reflection of this energy.

In a T-square the focal planet gives a channel for the energy of the other planets in it. In Maia's case that's Venus (conjunct Chiron) opposite Saturn: this can be a difficult and painful opposition, especially when you're younger, because it's harder to receive the love you want or to feel like you fit, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy or low self worth, especially with Chiron in the mix, which can be wounding.

So because of the T-square, she puts her drive into Mars in Gemini things -- physical action (Mars) through dance (fast reflexes in motion - Gemini) and skating (blades = Mars) with her sibling (Gemini), and actively forming social connections (air sign Mars) - help those Venus/Saturn issues.

In T-squares, incorporating the point opposite your focal planet helps you find balance. Otherwise, the T-square can take too much of your energy. So Sagittarius things: Traveling, keeping a sense of humor and a sense of adventure, higher learning/teaching. Getting in touch with what has real meaning and value for you, zooming out to see the big picture.

Alex is a Taurus sun: Loyal and considerate. A routine including things you love is your happy zone. Flexibility isn't easy. Might choose diplomacy over full candor. With a Virgo or Libra moon: Virgo- realistic and grounded, organized and insightful. Libra- loves comfort, sensitive and fair, sociable and friendly.

A major focus of his chart is a powerful T-square with Sun, Jupiter and Saturn in fixed signs, making him determined, stubborn, and persevering. Between him and Maia, she has more indicating skating and dance prominent in her chart, so it's interesting that he says she was the one who right away showed a gift for skating and had Olympics dreams, and that he didn't start to excel at skating until his competitiveness and wanting to pull his weight as the older brother motivated him to want to be better.

The focal planet in his T-square is his Sun. The important opposite point is 4 Scorpio, ruled by Mars in Cancer.

Sun square Jupiter: opportunities for success and popularity, but there will be tests of your ego. a tendency to be overconfident or excessive, scattering energy. Need to lay the groundwork and not get ahead of yourself. Generous and sincere. lucky or born into fortunate circumstances

Sun square Saturn: self esteem issues which get better with age, persevering and determined. frustrated by how long it takes to make progress and may feel blocks where you have to spend a lot of energy to get what you want.

Jupiter opposite Saturn: inner tension between enthusiasm and caution that can be channeled into achievement. when balanced, optimism fuels ambition, looking at the bigger picture

The strong energies of his T-square are expressed through his Taurus sun and balanced at the opposite point in Scorpio, which itself is ruled by his Mars in Cancer - self-expression and willpower (Sun) channeled through an artistic (Taurus) sport (Mars) where he skates (Mars) with a family member (Cancer). He blogs about food (Taurus) a lot. What can help balance the T-square: going within, expressing his emotions, flowing rather than being rigid (Scorpio).

Mercury square Neptune: creative and sensitive. imagination can get in the way of logical thinking, so can be a bit unrealistic. can shy away from responsibilities

Mercury inconjunct Pluto: intense mind, strongly opinionated. can get obsessive in thoughts, or about Mercury-related things like media of different kinds

Venus inconjunct Uranus and Neptune: mixed feelings about committed relationships.

Mars opposite Uranus and Neptune: spontaneous, quirky energy. can be a bit unpredictable and risk taking. wanting freedom to do what you want.