Astrology -The Red Pill: The Saturn-Uranus Dilemma

We have all watched “The Matrix” by now, and the defining moment in the movie is when Neo decides which pill to take. If he takes the Blue pill he will remain in ignorance and stay enslaved, but if he takes the red pill he will learn the truth and enter into the Matrix, and understand how it all works. Using this analogy, the red pill is compared to opening our consciousness and learning about astrology, and understanding the code and complex design behind life.

At some point all astrologers have been presented with the dilemma of the blue pill or the red pill. To choose astrology is a difficult choice; it is not easy believing in something which is opposed and regarded as superstitious nonesense. Most people discover Astrology and  feel enlightened, and have a re-newed sense of purpose. But there are those out there who wish that they never took that damn red pill. Knowledge is power, and too much information can be overwhelming.

Other similar themes between Astrology and "The Matrix"  - is the dilemma of free will. Astrologer's deal with the issue of free will vs fate everyday in the work they do. According to Greek Myth, Prometheus brought 'enlightenment to mankind', but he suffered and was severely punished by Zeus, he was chained to a rock while an eagle would come everyday to eat his liver. Astrologer Liz Greene believes this tale reinforces the guilt and punishment astrologers feel when exploring charts and working with clients.

I obviously swallowed the damn red pill, and my mind has been awakened to a larger system - at first it was overwhelming to believe the planets "out there" had any relation with my own journey on earth. Astrology has the power to alter the course of human destiny, it is only through raised consciousness and mass enlightenment that we can alter our lives. This can be difficult to achieve when Religions, Science and Astronomy are condemning Astrology. However, the journey of Astrology is still an ongoing one, and on it's course it has faced many 'trials' and yet it is still here today, living and breathing and a testament to it's relevance.



Take the Blue Pill:

1. Ignorance is bliss.
2. Accept life with no questioning, live within the status qua, this is a much safer option than stepping outside the line. You have every right to believe in the reality you see with your own eyes. Who is to judge you?
3. Live in the known world, and in the worse case scenario let sceptics dictate your thinking. Let them make you feel a fool if you dare to think different.
4. Follow the Herd, and allow the powers that be to condition you. There is security in numbers.

Take the Red Pill:

1. Know there is a higher intelligence behind life.
2. Say goodbye to the known world, your mind is about to be awakened.
3. Be prepared for isolation and a sense of aloneness.
4. And be prepared to be opposed by minds frightened to take that step off the cliff.


Which Pill will you choose?
The Red Pill Popping People


Liz Greene: It depends on what you mean by "real." The zodiac doesn’t exist in concrete terms. It is the apparent path of the Sun around the Earth, which we have divided into twelve segments; each segment is assigned an image and a set of meanings and behaviour patterns. But the zodiac doesn’t exist in the sense that there are animals floating out there. So, on one level, the whole system is not real. This table we’re sitting at now is the kind of thing that we define as real. If you take reality as something subtler, and you approach reality as being the connections, links, resonances, or correspondences between things, then, yes, these patterns are real. But there is no way that they can be measured in a quantifiable sense, according to instruments of so-called reality. When you ask me that, the whole problem is that I don’t know what you mean by real. Or, rather, I do know what you mean, but if Richard Dawkins asked, "Is it real?" he would mean something quite different by "real" than I do.

Nick Campion: I was using "real" in the Richard Dawkins sense.

Liz Greene: In that sense, no, astrology is not real. This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist or that it is not valid, but in his sense, no, I don’t think astrology is real. I believe there is an objective patterning or interconnectedness or unity of some kind or a set of resonances. You can use any phrase you like, whether it is mystical or hermetic or any other language you fancy. And it does exist outside us. It’s not just in the perceptions of astrologers.

Astrology is just a finger pointing at reality. ~Steven Forrest. All anyone can see in a birthchart are tendencies that will become facts if he does not do something to alter them. ~Isabel Hickey

The Blue Pill Popping People...

Carl Sagan coined the phrase that "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." What this means in practice is that if a claim is not very strange or extraordinary when compared to what we already know about the world, then not a lot of evidence is needed in order to accept the claim as likely to be accurate.

On the other hand, when a claim very specifically contradicts things which we already know about the world, then we would need quite a lot of evidence in order to accept it. Why? Because if this claim is accurate, then a lot of other beliefs which we take for granted cannot be accurate. If those beliefs are well-supported by experiments and observation, then the new and contradictory claim qualifies as "extraordinary" and should only be accepted when the evidence for it outweighs the evidence we currently possess against it. Astrology is a perfect example of a field characterized by extraordinary claims.

If distant objects in space are able to influence the character and lives of human beings to the degree alleged, then fundamental principles of physics, biology and chemistry which we already take for granted cannot be accurate. This would be extraordinary. Therefore, quite a lot of very high-quality evidence is required before the claims of astrology could possibly be accepted. The lack of such evidence, even after millennia of research, indicates that the field is not a science but rather a pseudoscience. Atheism. com

As a predictor of the future, astrology just does not work either. Many studies have been made, and the results show that it is no more accurate than chance would have it. Astrology is deceptive that it takes away our free will and gives it to the motion of the planets. Astrology is a relic of past ignorance. It is bad to keep believing in stuff that is not logical and does not work. If it really were true astrologers rake in the money by playing the markets and would not waste time doing people's charts. Sorry, personalities develop from many variables and the location where you born and the stars and planet locations have nothing to do with it. Deeper Mind.com

Keanu Reeves

The absolutely gorgeous Keanu Reeves was first recognised for his role in “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” he played the part of Ted a lovable airhead. However, in later roles it was hard for many people to take him serious because of his accent and earlier movies. Undeterred Keanu continued to work hard, and has proven he is a force to be reckoned with in the film industry. After his role in the blockbuster movie “Speed” he proved he could deliver intensity and drama on the big screen. Keanu is now taken seriously as leading man in any movie he auditions for.

Keanu is most famous for his role in “The Matrix” a futuristic film that broke new thresholds in movie making. Keanu was cast in the role of Neo (One) he played a computer programmer and hacker. There is a prophecy that one human being (Neo) once connected to the computer world can override the system rules and manipulate the code directly. Throughout the trilogy of Matrix movies we see Keanu awakened and thrust into the role of savior, and he comes to terms with his role as a messiah in some sense and his own humanity and love for trinity.



The Natal Chart

Keanu has his Sun in Virgo conjunct Mercury, Uranus and Pluto. Planets in a stellium reveal great focus and intensity upon the sign, house and planets involved. Early life had it’s fair share of instability for Keanu, he has dyslexia and never focused on academics; he had also been expelled from school and dropped out of college (EXACT Mercury-Uranus conjunction). The stellium is in wide opposition to Saturn in Pisces. This archetypes his role in the Matrix, as the computer hacker and leader of the rebellious group (Uranus) against the agents of control (Saturn)…

Family History

Keanu's family background was an unstable one; his father abandoned the family when Reeves was three years old. The Sun relates to father in astrology and is conjunct two outer planets (Uranus and Pluto) sudden abandonment can be one symbolism of this configuration. He also has Saturn in Pisces, and statistically this has been associated to cases of a father disappearing or vanishing completely. Keanu's’s father did spend time in prison for selling heroin (Saturn in Pisces again).

Tragedy Strikes

Keanu’s sister is sadly battling Leukaemia, and further tragedy was in store: In December 1999 Reeves girlfriend gave birth to a stillborn daughter who he named Ava. It was a particularly hard few years for Reeves as transiting Pluto the planet of death, change and transformation was moving through Sagittarius and squared his stellium of Virgo planets (Sun, Mercury, Uranus and Pluto). Pluto transiting the Sun (life force) can indicate a time when your life is being transformed by the birth of a child, or the birth of new creativity, but unfortunately the baby didn’t survive. When an outer planet moves into a mode where you have a stellium (i.e. mutable) your life becomes a lot more eventful, and it can indicate a phase in life where you may experience uncomfortable change or testing challenges.

In 2001 tragedy struck again when his ex girlfriend was killed in a car accident, she was later buried next to their baby daughter. Transiting Saturn squared his natal Saturn in Pisces, and this can describe times of loss and separation, and a difficult period. Transiting Jupiter was in the mutable sign of Gemini and square to his natal Sun, Mercury and Uranus. For Keanu this would have indicated a restless time, and unexpected time - as Jupiter stirred up his Virgo stellium. Jupiter-Uranus can foretell major change and disruption.

Permanent Home

Keanu has mostly lived in hotels, and this pattern changed when he bought a home in 2003, this was a good time to put down roots as Saturn was transiting through Cancer (security, home, family) and sextiled his Sun and Mercury in Virgo. Overall Keanus has had massive success in sci-fi films, and he even received positive reviews for his role in “The Gift”, in his part he played an abusive husband. I watched this movie and was stunned by his emotional intensity and explosive rage. Natally Reeves has Sun conjunct Pluto and this worked well for his powerful yet brief performance.

What Dreams May Come

My favorite film is What Dreams May Come. In the movie Annabelle Sciorra plays the leading female role. Here is the summary of the movie by Wikipedia. Annabelle Sciorri plays an artist, wife and mother who loses her two children in a car accident, and the trauma of the event sends her into deep despair and to the psychiatric hospital. With the help of her husband she regains some of her strength to cope, but is dealt a double blow and left devastated when her husband dies in a fatal car accident. The intense trauma leaves her in a tormented state, and she falls deeper into dark depression. The pain she suffers is unbearable and she takes her own life. Instead of seeing her husband and children in heaven, she goes to Hell because she can’t accept her life gone wrong. Here are some of Sciorra's planetary placements.




Pisces Planets, Neptune in Scorpio, Chiron in Pisces opposed Pluto
Mercury, Venus, Chiron and South Node are all placed in Pisces. This would give Sciorra the ability to empathize with the role she is playing, the pain, anguish and emotional exhaustion of the tormented artist. The South Node in Pisces can symbolise patterns of behavior where she feels weakened, possibly through escapism, illusions, oversensitivity. Piscean depression and sensitivity to the environment can hinder the ability to focus. The North Node in Virgo is learning to function on the earth plane. Mercury/Venus/Chiron in Pisces all trine their dispositor Neptune in Scorpio, can be a healing, emotional and transformational combination. However, Neptunian feelings can be carried too easily. Venus exalted in Pisces symbolizes empathy in love and this is emphasised by having Venus trine Neptune. A beautiful aspect and she may have a longing to find love in the divine, a soulmate and she can be swept away in Neptunian fantasy.

Chiron in Pisces is on a critical degree and can symbolize deep sensitive wounds on the emotional level. Chiron opposite pluto - a great deal of intense pain, a wound which cannot be healed. Annabelle’s portrayal of the suffering mother/widow left to cope alone, projects the cruel and unfair devastating loss that life can deal us. The most devastating loss in life is the death of a child. How do you heal this kind of loss? The film raises these kinds of questions, along with the afterlife, reincarnation, soul mates, souls taking on different physical forms and returning to earth. I believe Sciorra brought something to the collective in her role, and films have a way of portraying the archetypal themes in astrology, the motifs which exist in life. The film did create debate over Annabella (Sciorra) going to Hell, and being punished for taking her own life - yet I thought it was a self-imposed hell, and she was locked inside the maze of her own tormented soul.

The book

I have not read the book. However, from what I have been reading online the children are not killed in the novel, only the parents. Here are some of the elements of the book which did not appear in the movie.

The details of Chris’s life on Earth also differ strongly in the novel. Only Chris and his wife (called Ann) die. Their children, who are grownups rather than youngsters, remain alive, as minor characters. Albert and Leona are exactly the people they appear to be, and the character played by Max Von Sydow does not appear in the book at all. Albert is Chris’s cousin and not African American as in the film, while Leona’s ethnicity is not divulged. Chris and Ann are rural, country types rather than the urbanites portrayed in the film, and he is not a pediatrician, nor is she a painter. He’s a Hollywood screenwriter, and she has a variety of jobs.

The afterlife imagery is based on natural scenery rather than paintings. The Heavenly environment doesn’t automatically mold itself to people’s thoughts, as it does in the film; some practice and expertise is required to build things. There is more explanation of how the afterlife works, and we get more of a sense that a functioning human society shares the space. The novel’s depiction of Hell is considerably more violent than in the film. Chris finds it difficult to move, breathe, or even see, and he suffers physical torture at the hands of some of the inhabitants. He does not encounter ships, thunderstorms, fire, or the sea of human faces that he must walk upon in the film. Instead, he and Albert climb across craggy cliffs and encounter such sights as a swarm of insects that attack people’s bodies.

Ann is consigned to Hell for only twenty-four years, not eternity. Chris’s meeting with Ann in her private Hell is much longer and more complex than in the film. At the end, which resembles an alternate version of the film but not the standard version, she escapes from Hell by being reincarnated, because she is not ready for Heaven.

Currently Reading

At the moment I am reading Penny Thornton's The Forces of Destiny, Incarnation, Karma, and Astrology, it is an interesting read, there isn't too much astrology, but lots of thought provoking information on how Fate and Destiny play out in our lives. Here is a quote from the book as an example of it's content:

When I took the diploma of the Faculty of Astrological Studies, I had to discuss in an essay the dilemma between fate and free will. At the time, the issues appeared quite cut and dried to me that while there was a divine plan at work, we also had the God-given ability to exercise free-will. I find the issue much more complex now. As an astrologer, one cannot avoid the knotty problem of fate, since a birth chart at almost every level is showing a fated pattern, even if character is the fundamental issue and future 'trends' are avoided; character may indeed be destiny, but how did we come to have such a character in the first place? Is this not also fate? And where does free will come in when the individual is born with deformities or multiple disabilities?

I am a quarter of the way through the book, there is talk of planetary spheres in chapter 4. Edgar Cayce discussed this in his 'sleeping states', and here is a link to this information, and also here in the index you will see Astrology.

The Crow: Scorpio Themes

I have this movie on DVD, and the Scorpionic themes are powerful. Eric and his girlfriend are both murdered on Halloween. A year later, Eric is brought back to life by a Crow and granted superhuman powers, so that he may seek vengeance upon those who killed him. One by one he seeks out the gang who murdered him, and they are unaware of the fate that awaits them. The Sun moves through Scorpio at the time of Halloween, and Scorio is related to death and the potential for transformation.

In this movie you root for him to seek revenge and for justice to be served. Astrologically retribution is the 8th house (Scorpio's house). The 8th house rules fated events and inescapable fates. Our source of power belongs in Pluto's realm, and it is often only in the face of total destruction that we make changes and discover our hidden resources of power.

Astrology, Psychology and the Four Elements

Astrology divides up the 12 signs into Four elements - Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Each of the elements contains three signs and they are also referred to as the triplicities. The four elements are known in psychological astrology as the 'four functions' which govern the human psyche. Each element has a specific way of manifesting energy. Four ways of understanding the world, and four ways of perceiving life. The element of Fire is 'intuitive', it symbolizes the initial spark of inspiration, creativity, and future vision. Earth rules the 'senses', and concerns itself with maintaining and organizing the material aspects of life. Air is the 'thinking' element, it can logically analyse information and develop a theoretical understanding. The Water element dominates 'feeling' and is the nurturing and caring component in life, it also refers to the spiritual aspect of life.

The elements in astrology correspond to the basic temperament or the "psychological makeup" of an individual. When a planet is in one of the elements (Fire, Earth, Air, and Water) the planet will express itself through that element. We form ourselves through Earth, and we find our vitality, optimism, and aliveness through Fire. Through Air is how we socialize and 'circulate' and communicate. The emotional and spiritual connection to life is symbolized by Water, and here we can nourish and heal our souls from within. No person is 'wholly' one element we are all a mixture of the different elements. We will view the world from our own unique elemental makeup contained within the natal chart.

The Fire signs

Aries, Leo, Sagittarius: The fire signs respond to life in active, outgoing, confident, spontaneous, energetic, and enthusiastic ways. A joy for life! Fire signs inspire others with their own optimism. Fire is direct, honest, warm, and self interested. The element of Fire is volatile and unpredictable. Fire embodies strength of purpose or meaning in life. Planets placed in fire signs symbolize energy that is incautious and impels the individual to constant movement and action.

The Earth signs

Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn: The Earth signs respond to life in a practical, physical, enduring way, they are concerned with the material aspects of living. Earth signs provide the foundation needed to establish something tangible. Earthy individuals are patient, responsible, and they work hard and plan carefully. Planets placed in earth signs will express themselves in a grounded way. Earth holds firm and gives form to the spirit, it takes no risks and resists change. Earth takes comfort in what is known and dependable.

The Air signs

Gemini, Libra, Aquarius: The air signs respond to life by accumulating information, and appear detached because they are analytical rather than emotional in situations. The air group are intellectually orientated. The Air signs direct by interaction, circulation, socialization. Planets in Air relate intellectually even the Moon (a water planet) in air will talk about emotions rather than actually feeling them. The element of Air represents the universal mind, facts, observations, rationalizing, and making judgements.

The Water signs

Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. The water signs respond to life in an emotional, sensitive, and instinctive way. Water 'feels' and are oversensitive and overprotective. A planet in water is subdued, the planet becomes more inwardly directed, and is emotional in expression.

Jupiter

Jupiter is the planet which represents the symbolic world, and intuits it’s meaning. The function of Jupiter is to enlarge, make fruitful, and bestow a feeling of being protected with a spirit of hope and optimism. Psychologically it is from this archetype of paternal benevolence that we derive self confidence, our ability to extend our horizons, to take life as it comes, and our urge to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. It enlarges all that it touches and, as a result, it can lead to exaggeration; either the tendency to take risks because of an overdeveloped sense of optimism, or the depletion of resources because of over expansion.

The influence of Jupiter can also lead to an over inflated idea of our own importance and a desire to “play god”. When we lose our connection with Jupiter, we may experience feelings of inadequacy, negativity, skepticism, sluggishness or pessimism. Our Jupiter position by sign, house and aspect will describe where we seek to grow, to expand to find meaning in life. Where we seek to be expansive and do things in a Big Way and the areas which we need quite a bit of space in order to do so. Above all else Jupiter, represents our ability to grasp meaning.

Jupiter urges us to look beyond the immediate facts and the current situation, and see a deeper meaning and significance and purpose. In holding any kind of beliefs, religious, political, philosophical we are having to do this. When Jupiter contacts a planet in the chart we tend to philosophize about the things represented by that planet, we ask what that planetary principle actually means, we want to spread our wings in that area, take as much as possible on board, travel tremendous distances with it.

The house where Jupiter is placed is often an area where we are lucky, where we can get away with things. Our Jupiter placement usually describes an area where we can enjoy a certain measure of protection. Jupiter pushes out our boundaries, away from the personal and immediate to wider horizons. It represents setting out to explore our destiny and make our fortune. The influence of this planet takes us away from the preoccupations of the self and makes us much more aware of the larger whole. Our knowledge is therefore expanded and we are able to intuit future possibilities.

Jupiter is associated with wisdom to be wise we have to have knowledge and information, but also the capacity for understanding these in the right light of the greater whole. Jupiter represents the function which enables us to see the grand scheme of things, the wider implications, and in seeing the whole picture we are better able to make judgments. Being hampered limits one capacity to grow. Jupiter rules the zodiac sign Sagittarius and, in common with that sign, the Jupiterian impulse prompts a dislike of responsibilities and a dislike of limits of all kinds, in Jupiterian mode we like to be at liberty.

Our beliefs dictate the extent to which we may be visionaries. The overly Jupiterian individual believes anything is possible. Without either self-belief or belief in some kind of higher power, basically without the notion of positive thinking, nothing is possible. Our Jupiter, together with planets in the 9th house and planets in Sagittarius, will have much to say about our search for meaning. Life becomes much more joyous if we believe it has some kind of larger significance, without a sense of meaning and purpose, life can feel very bleak indeed.

Astrology in a Nutshell

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Everybody's Astrology

Dispositor Trees

Quotes for the Red Planet: Mars

First an astrological look at the Planet Mars

The Sun formulates our goals: Mars pursues them. Through Mars we learn to act as independent and self sufficient beings, and to project ourselves into the world. Mars gives us the courage to stand up for our rights to assert ourselves and express our anger when necessary. Mars describes what we want from life and corresponds to our basic drives and motivations. Mars is concerned with assertion. To assert oneself is to declare one’s interests, to affirm, to be positive, to maintains one’s position, one’s individuality, in the face of pressure. The Mars principle not only helps us fight off unwanted pressure from the outside world but can also enable us to cope when the internal psychological conflict. Psychologically Mars represents the heroic archetype. Mars loves testing our strength and courage through competition of all kinds. Mars in the birth chart shows how we impose our will on the world, and whether we have the mental and physical stamina to follow through.

The Martian impulse is a selfish one, it is concerned with going out and getting what we want. Aspects to our Mars may indicate what we have learned about being selfish when we were young. Some people are told very strictly in childhood that it is wrong to be selfish, and then find it difficult late in life to allow themselves to want for something or be able to ask for it. Others are raised in a very competitive environment, and are taught the only way to survive is to push oneself forward. At worst Mars energy causes us to react in the heat of the moment without thinking of the consequences. This highly volatile and primitive energy works it’s best when it is consciously focused.

Mars is also the significator, along with Venus, of our sexuality, but whereas Venus relates to harmony of sexual union and to sensual pleasure, Mars relates to the sexual part of life which involves forcing the issue, the chase, the conquest, penetration. Again this incurs vulnerability. Mars brings passion and excitement to our lives, the more fully we live our Mars, the more vibrant we feel and the greater our well being. Mars represents male sexuality, and in man’s chart it shows how he feels about about and expresses his masculinity. In a woman’s chart it describes the qualities she finds desirable in a man, as well as the manner in which she expresses Mars energy herself.

Mars can also describe a tendency to be too eager to fight, perceiving threats from the outside where none where intended. A mismanaged Mars can incline towards aggression and anti social behavior. Mars in the chart shows how we direct our energies, our capacity for displaying forcefulness and aggression, and to the extent where our anger can be quickly aroused. It also indicates how far we are able or willing to be hurt and hurt others. Mars also represents the courage we need to become independent. We need a certain amount of drive to fulfill our inherent potential, as well as the conviction that we have the capacity to make something of ourselves. Mars assists the Sun in developing our healthy ego so that we can achieve our personal aims. Our sense of aggression provides the impetus that enables us to master the world and learn new skills, both qualities are essential to our sense of well being and self esteem. We need some fight in us to turn a potential situation into a concrete one.

Quotes for Mars

" The basic difference between being assertive and being aggressive is how our words and behavior affect the rights and well being of others." Sharon Anthony

"Too many of us fail to fulfill our needs because we say no rather than yes, or perhaps later in life, yes when we should say no." - William Glasser

"The practice of assertiveness: being authentic in our dealings with others; treating our values and persons with decent respect in social contexts; refusing to fake the reality of who we are or what we esteem in order to avoid disapproval; the willingness to stand up for ourselves and our ideas in appropriate ways in appropriate contexts". Nathaniel Branden

“Happiness and self confidence come naturally when you are moving and progressing toward becoming the very best person you can possibly be".

Palmistry and Astrology

Here is a look at Palmistry and Astrology. I used to have books on this subject, but I couldn't read the lines on my hand at all. I am also really bad at Tarot reading and I just scrape by on Astrology. I tend to read a lot of occult type of books, and I have an open mind to new subjects. Other astrologers have warned that a natal Mercury square Neptune aspect (which I have natally), should not to delve into spiritual topics. This aspect is an easy target for deception, and mis-information, and they can be gullible and easily confused. Although I don't totally disagree with this and it has some truth, I believe I have enough 'sanity' to know if something is false or misleading. I understand there are individuals with Mercury-Neptune who might lean on spiritual practices as a way of escaping reality, and to find something more spiritual to focus their minds on. According to James Braha on Mercury square Neptune in his book - How to be a Great Astrologer.

The person is metaphysically-orientated and open to the occult. He believes in astrology, the psychic world, and all phenomena of non physical reality. His greatest task in life is learning how to communicate clearly and effectively.

In palmistry , the planets were used to represent certain parts of the hand: Mercury the little finger; the Sun, the ring finger; Saturn, the middle finger; Jupiter, the index finger; Mars, the centre of the palm; Venus, the root of the thumb; and the Moon, the lower mound of the hand. The elements were utilized in certain systems of hand reading, and some palmistry books refer to the water hand, earth hand, fire hand and air hand. The same astrological principles apply to the type of hand in the user and the water hand would indicate somebody who is highly sensitive, emotional, deep and an air hand would indicate someone who was intellectual or who liked to socialize.

Saturn Quotes

"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life." ~James Allen.

Why do children want to grow up? Because they experience their lives as constrained by immaturity and perceive adulthood as a condition of greater freedom and opportunity. But what is there today, in America, that very poor and very rich adolescents want to do but cannot do? Not much: they can "do" drugs, "have" sex, "make" babies, and "get" money (from their parents, crime, or the State). For such adolescents, adulthood becomes synonymous with responsibility rather than liberty. Is it any surprise that they remain adolescents? ~Thomas Szasz

You are not responsible for the programming you picked up in childhood. However, as an adult, you are one hundred percent responsible for fixing it. ~Ken Keyes, Jr.

Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him. ~Booker T. 

Washington. Dr. Miller says we are pessimistic because life seems like a very bad, very screwed-up film. If you ask "What the hell is wrong with the projector?" and go up to the control room, you find it's empty. You are the projectionist, and you should have been up there all the time. ~Colin Wilson

It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities..........

Meet the Judge: Consequences of Breaking the Law in Society

I thought a good example of a man who abides by the Law/authority on the Law, would have to be a Judge . Anthony Kennedy is tough against crime, and deviance in society. A look at his astrological chart reveals that he has Jupiter in it's own sign of Sagittarius (strong) in the 8th house square to Saturn, the combination is associated with moral codes, it brings up concerns of what is right or wrong in society, and the potential to be an authority (Saturn) on the law (Jupiter). The Moon is also placed in the sign of Libra, a sign that values fairness and balance. The symbol of Justice is portrayed by the Librian scales - an image often found in courts. A blindfolded woman holding a set of scales, and she measures the strengths of the case put forward and also judges the case of the opposition fairly. The sword she holds symbolizes the power of reason and justice which may be wielded for or against the case. I was reading about the meaning behind the blindfold, and it indicates that Justice should be fair and objective without fear, and regardless of identity (rich people, famous, or anyone in power). Kennedy's chart has Sun, Mercury and Mars all in trine to Saturn suggesting he has an easy authority, and that he can be disciplined, mature, and practical. According to James Braha in his book How to be a Great Astrologer:

"Sun in trine to Saturn knows to do the right thing, and the person gains from his father, the government and men in general. This person is of good character and moral fiber. He does well in politics and positions of authority.

This is all incredibly accurate because Kennedy followed in his father's footsteps, he had a substantial practice as a lawyer and a lobbyist, and this gave Kennedy an early taste for his future profession. While practicing he attracted the attention of then governor Ronald Reagan, and he was quickly appointed to the Court of Appeals. Kennedy has his Sun in Leo which can mean a position of leadership and authority (Saturn). Kennedy also has Sun, Mercury, and Venus in square to Uranus, and his views have not always been popular, and tough decisions have to be made. I think he is willful (Sun-Uranus) and won't be swayed easily. Kennedy approached each case on an individual basis. He is also a good teacher, one of his exercises for attorneys and students is entitled "The trial of Hamlet" regarding the criminal responsibility of Shakespeare's hero. Here is an extract from Wikipedia concerning the issues he has faced.

Conservative criticism

According to legal reporter Jan Crawford Greenburg, Kennedy attracts the ire of conservatives when he does not vote with his more rightist colleagues. According to legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, conservatives view Kennedy's pro-gay-rights and pro-choice rulings as betrayals. In the wake of 1996's Romer v. Evans, Ramesh Ponnoru wrote in National Review that Kennedy "is commonly acknowledged as the dimmest of the Court's intellectual lights"; in 2005, associate professor of law David M. Wagner called Kennedy "The worst of Ronald Reagan's appointees to the Court", and claimed he abandoned his conservative principles beginning in the 1990s in order to gain "the plaudits of the media and the Georgetown A-list." After 2008's Kennedy v. Louisiana, Rich Lowry called Kennedy the Supreme Court's "worst justice" and said that Kennedy's opinions "have nothing whatsoever to do with the Constitution", and amount to "making it up as he goes along.

According to Greenburg, the "bitter" quality of some movement conservatives' views on Kennedy stems from his eventual rethinking of positions on abortion, religion, and the death penalty (which Kennedy believes should not be applied to juveniles or the mentally challenged).

A short 2008 law review article by retired lawyer Douglas M. Parker in the legal journal The Green Bag charged that much of the criticism of Justice Kennedy was based upon "pop psychology" and the Justice's penchant for grandiloquence, rather than careful analysis of his opinions.

Bob Dylan - Questioning the Status Qua

Bob Dylan is a good example of somebody who questions society, and it's "norms". Bob Dylan has marched on protest rallies and is part of the civil rights movement. Lyrically his songs incorporated political, social, and philosophical as well as literary influences. Dylan was apparently a reluctant figurehead of social unrest. A number of his songs became anthems for both civil rights and anti-war movements.

By Wikipedia - In May 1963, Dylan's political profile was raised when he walked out of The Ed Sullivan Show. During rehearsals, Dylan had been informed by CBS Television's "head of program practices" that the song he was planning to perform, "Talkin' John Birch Society Blues", was potentially libelous to the John Birch Society. Rather than comply with the censorship, Dylan refused to appear on the program.

Dylan said of "The Times They Are a-Changin'" "This was definitely a song with a purpose. I wanted to write a big song, some kind of theme song, with short concise verses that piled up on each other in a hypnotic way. The civil rights movement and the folk music movement were pretty close and allied together at that time."

By this time, Dylan and Baez were both prominent in the civil rights movement, singing together at the March on Washington on August 28, 1963.Dylan's third album, The Times They Are a-Changin', reflected a more politicized and cynical Dylan. The songs often took as their subject matter contemporary, real life stories, with "Only A Pawn In Their Game" addressing the murder of civil rights worker Medgar Evers; and the Brechtian "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" the death of black hotel barmaid Hattie Carroll, at the hands of young white socialite William Zantzinger. On a more general theme, "Ballad of Hollis Brown" and "North Country Blues" address the despair engendered by the breakdown of farming and mining communities. This political material was accompanied by two personal love songs, "Boots of Spanish Leather" and "One Too Many Mornings".

By the end of 1963, Dylan felt both manipulated and constrained by the folk and protest movements. These tensions were publicly displayed when, accepting the "Tom Paine Award" from the National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee shortly after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, an intoxicated Dylan brashly questioned the role of the committee, characterized the members as old and balding, and claimed to see something of himself (and of every man) in Kennedy's alleged assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald.


Bob Dylan's Natal Chart

In Dylan's chart we have Jupiter-Saturn and Uranus all conjunct in his 5th house, these are social elements and form a part of his self expression (5th). The traditional side of Saturn understands convention, and works within society's bounds. The conjunction of Jupiter-Saturn describes a man who is pulled apart in different directions - between optimism and pessimism, idealism and depression. Ethical and moral convictions can become a vitally important part of his psyche. Jupiter (knowledge) is also conjunct Uranus, therefore his higher mind is connected to the principles of truth and freedom, and personal growth is down a progressive path. This can be a restless and rebellious combination at times, because Jupiter enlarges the Uranian ideals. There is a tendency to argue and the fixity of Uranus tends to fix itself to Jupiter's world view. Sometimes a willful and tactless element is present in the personality. I do believe these individuals can be very bright, and two other celebs who share the same aspect and anti-social attitude are singer Pink and Marilyn Manson. These people are inspired by new orders, truth, and change.

Dylan also has Saturn conjunct Uranus, again the themes of rebelliousness, independence and a strong willed nature show through powerfully. Bob Dylan can be regarded as a genius (Uranus) of his time (Saturn), and we can see the archetypal battle of Saturn-Uranus in myth prominent in his psyche, and here the innate struggle between security and freedom, stability and independence is obvious. This combination does not always like authority and will often rebel (depending on the overall horoscope). Dylan's Sun is conjunct Jupiter and Uranus, he needs freedom and space, for his progressive personality. In addition, his Moon (innate response) is conjunct Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus, and the same themes are expressed in his home life/emotional nature. The planet Mars is heavily squared and this adds to his willfulness, aggressiveness and need to assert himself. It is a complicated horoscope.You know in my next post a law abiding citizen is coming up, he is more conventional but has an element of Uranus too.

Jupiter-Saturn: The Social Planets

Saturn and Jupiter link us to society, their longer orbits (twelve years for Jupiter, 29 years for Saturn) are said to have an impact upon how we relate to the world. Jupiter signifies rewards, higher education and contribution to benefiting society. The sign of Jupiter will describe the ways in which you grow, and the house Jupiter is placed describes the area in life where you can expand and find success. Saturn defines our limits and adheres to the the rules of society. It governs self-discipline, self-respect, and personal lessons in responsibility. Lasting achievements and hard won success.

Jupiterian greed or over-expansion needs to be curbed by Saturn's limitation and boundary setting. Both planets are important in understanding our role in society. However, society can collapse through different factors, such as economic reasons, or social, environmental factors which can throw the whole system out of balance. A natural disaster can cause the structures of society to collapse, creating poverty, where a whole town may need to be rebuilt and important buildings put back in place. The government can fail it's people, through corruption and lies or heavy handed leadership.

Venus-Neptune: Someday my Prince Will Come

Camilla Parker Bowles is the second wife of Prince Charles. Camilla had been Charles' Mistress while they where both married. Today she supports her Prince in all his royal duties, which include charity work and attending events. Camilla's relationship began with Prince Charles when they met at a Polo match, and she became one of the numerous girlfriends of the Prince, and he was said to have wanted to marry her. However, she was seen as an unsuitable match for the future king. It was reported that Charles had met Camilla too early, and that he had not asked her to wait for him while he went overseas for military duties. It seemed the two of them could never really say goodbye and their feelings for each other never really ended. The affair between them became public knowledge with the Publication of Diana her True Story.

Camilla Parker Bowles has a Cancerian chart, and the sign is emotional, caring and responsive. Even with these traits innate, she didn't elicit much sympathy from the public, not in the way that Diana could. The role of the "victim" in the whole relationship (Diana), will usually be offered a more sympathetic response. Cheating first and foremost is an act of deception, lying, and betrayal, and it is described as a violation of a relationships boundaries.

Camilla was violating her own marriage and another woman's sacred bond (as Prince Charles was doing). A love triangle involves an unobtainable love, because the other person is involved in a permanent relationship with somebody else. The reasons may vary why a person has a love affair, but for Charles he was convinced Diana was emotionally unstable. So Charles would frequently seek comfort in Camilla's arms. She was emotionally supportive and protective over him and mothered him through his turbulent marriage with Diana, and perhaps this is where the Cancer themes dominate in Camilla's nativity. Camilla has a natal aspect of Venus-Neptune contact, and this represents the urge to lose herself in a partner, and she has a tendency to over-idealize love.


Another manifestation of Venus-Neptune in the natal chart is the inability to see the other person realistically. Love can be blind drunk and full of longing, and the high romantic idealism, sympathy and acceptance of the situation leads to her ability to overlook flaws and limitations in her relationships. In fact, the roadblocks to love prolonged the fantasy. When Camilla finally obtained her own bona fide "Prince charming" he may not have turned out to be everything that she hoped he would be, and there would be less longing and suffering (Neptune.

Venus-Neptune is a romantic, sacrificing and selfless contact in all romantic situations. Often Venus-Neptune contacts fall for people who are Pisces, Neptune or have a powerful 12th house. Some Venus-Neptune's are attracted to losers/victims in society, perhaps the penniless artist, or struggling musician. It appears any type of person who is in some kind of emotional mess and needs "rescuing" stimulates the sexual desire. Such romantic idealism is always best teamed with a realistic discrimination of the lover, but then again, it would spoil all the magic.

I wonder what happened when Camilla married her Prince, did it take all the "romanticism" away? No more secret rendezvous and pining for that elusive love. All her suffering and not being accepted by the public. Loving from a distance allows many of her fantasies to remain intact. Disillusionment in love is common too, here is a quote on Venus-Neptune by Sue Tompkins:

When I first started practicing as an astrologer I was several times caught out by Venus-Neptune clients requesting comparisons between them and their partners. "Caught out" in that I entered into their fantasies only to discover, after further, usually very directive questioning, that they were not in fact having a relationship with the object of their desire. It could be said they were having a relationship, but only with a fantasy, and certainly without the other person physically participating in it!

Michael Jackson: Jupiter conjunct Neptune

Michael Jackson's recent death has caused a surge of public interest, and he has achieved the status of saint again. I do like him as an artist, and with Jupiter conjunct Neptune in Libra this is an over idealistic sign/aspect, and he is a man who loved peace and harmony. Michael Jackson is the one of the greatest performers who ever lived. As well as helping to pave the way for other black artists, he has been a much loved entertainer around the world. However, he had some turbulent years, and after his death he was like a Phoenix rising from the ashes (Pluntionian). Michael has generously donated millions of dollars to charities, and he has raised a considerable amount of money throughout his "Heal the World Foundation". A highly compassionate nature, and emphasized sensitivity. This song particularly emphasizes the idealism of his natal aspect, it is a beautiful song. You can see the common thread through these three men (Luther, Obama & Jackson), although different in many ways, they all share idealism and hope for a better tomorrow. It becomes easy to understand why deep disappointment and disillusionment can often follow if these dreams are not materialized.

Barack Obama: Jupiter square Neptune

Another man with a Jupiter-Neptune theme powerful in his natal chart is American President Barack Obama. The symbolism repeats in his chart because not only is Jupiter in square to Neptune, but Jupiter is in Neptune's house (12th) and Neptune is in Jupiter's house (9th)! Obama became the first black president to hold office. Obama has worked as a civil rights lawyer, and he has described his earlier troubles to reconcile the social perceptions of his racial inheritance. Below is indeed an incredible speech, he knows how to inspire people and he believes in the "dream".

Martin Luther King: Jupiter in exact trine to Neptune

Martin Luther King in his famous speech said "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it's creed " We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal. Martin was a true example of Jupiter-Neptune, and his dream was to live in a world were no boundaries seperated us, and it doesn't matter what colour what you are.

Martin Luther King was the son of a reverend, he was inspired by Gandhi's success and his non violent activism, King's hope was to deliver a message that would put an end to racial prejudice. King is an icon in human rights, and a martyr. Astrologically King's Jupiter-Neptune is part of a grand trine with Saturn. And Saturn (his Sun's ruler) is placed in the sign of Sagittarius in the 8th house (taboo issues), and this represents his personal struggle in facing racial prejudice (Saggitarian judgements/beliefs) the whole archetypal meaning of Saturn in Sagittarius in the 8th house is powerfully relevant to his mission in life. Jupiter is in Neptune's house (12th) in Taurus, and inner peace is important to him.

Dream Big: Jupiter-Neptune

The Jupiter-Neptune aspect is linked to any experience that broadens our awareness, such as the pursuit of knowledge, higher education and travel. Neptune stimulates Jupiter's expansiveness and idealism and represents individuals who possess a wonderful compassion, sense of idealism and dreamy nature. However, when Jupiter forms a hard aspect to Neptune it may cloud and distort Jupiter's judgement and vision. For Jupiter-Neptune, reality (Saturn) is a bitter pill to swallow.

You can often find a powerful religious tone to this natal aspect, and it is frequently found in the charts of preaches and religious workers, and any individual who may sacrifice themeselves for a greater cause. When Jupiter and Neptune connect the individual needs to believe in something, and  without  religious faith or beliefs, it can be a dark and bleak reality. According to atheist Richard Dawkins he contends that faith is merely belief without evidence, a process of non-thinking. A practice he believes only degrades our understanding of the natural world by allowing us to make a claim about reality that is based solely on personal thoughts, and possibly distorted perceptions. Astrologically many Jupiterian's and Neptunian's would strongly disagree with his idea and view of life. Yet, beliefs can not always be proven, and there is some truth to his statement that belief is very often without evidence.

Jupiter-Neptune can be fanatical in their beliefs, and have grandiose dreams. If these dreams fail, this often leads to great disappointment and disillusionment. Both Jupiter and Neptune are expansive energies and the tendency to overdo things is  here, along with a sense of being unrealistic. Perhaps they are a victim of their own psychology, believing and dreaming that they really can soar above the clouds and cross the oceans. Often there is great impracticality, and excessive idealism, but there is also tremendous sensitivity present, and sometimes a great love of animals a compassionate nature and humanitarian impulses. Sue Tompkins has described this aspect as having a misplaced belief in one's own sainthood. However, when faced with the bleakest moments in our present, it helps to have these people around to inspire us to hope and dream for a better tomorrow.

Composite Sun in Gemini 8th House

For a view of the relationship as a single entity you would need to draw up a composite chart, this is a chart that takes the midpoint of the Asc and all the planets and creates a brand new natal chart that represents the relationship as a whole. In this particular article I want to look at the 8th house composite Sun, and the meaning and purpose behind this relationship. This is a personal topic for me, for I haveI my composite Sun at this position in the sign of Gemini. The composite chart actually has a stellium of planets in the 8th house in Gemini, and I guess we are meant for raw emotional and sexual experiences in the relationship. And all this becomes a topic for discussion!!! I have been with my partner for nearly 5 years now, and I have observed how our Sun in Gemini in the 8th house operates for both of us. The Sun in the natal chart shows the purpose and life direction of the individual. The composite Sun shows the purpose and life direction of the couple. The realtionship Sun also shows the core meaning of the relationship, and where we can feel centred and have focus in the relationship. The symbol of the Sun is drawn as a circle with a dot in the middle, and this stands for the the focus of the WHOLE relationship. Comparable to a natal chart the relationship also works through the Ascendant in the chart, and the energy of the whole chart will pass through this point, before it is expressed out into the environment. In my relationship chart we have our Asc in Libra, and therefore we present the very best of the relationship, and Libra qualities embody charm, romance, grace, light and airy relating. We present a courteous front to others and generally this is the exterior to the relationship (Libra). The composite Sun in Gemini in the 8th house along with the Moon in Gemini in the 8th house, shows that we are a much more private couple behind closed doors, and there are deeper depths at work than what appears on the face of the relationship. We have our South Node in Taurus in the 8th house - and  I think this shows the financial rut that the relationship is in, we can experience periodic changes in finances, and the cycle of finances and security in the relationship are vital lessons together (NN in Scorpio 2nd house). The Sun in the 8th house can rock security, and it will bring into the relationship transforming and regenerating elements.

Liz Greene says that an 8th house composite Sun or 12th house Sun could be involved in a relationship that is secret. She doesn't explore it in any depth, but I would think the reasons for a secret relationship could vary. Perhaps, it is due to racial, religious or social class. It most definitely could be an affair with someone who is already in a steady committed relationship. A composite Sun in the 8th house could be a Romeo and Juliet type of relationship, and the couple has to keep their partnership a secret, or the exposure could create hate and conflict between both families. The survival issue is a powerful theme with an 8th house couple, and they might feel there is something "wrong" with them being together or they carry guilt and shame over their secret relationship. The emotional turmoil  created by these situations can bring  create a deeper closeness in the relationship. Alternatively, they could rip each other to shreds when the pressure becomes too much! Problems in the relationship will at some point be laid out on the table and talked through honestly before the relationship can prosper and grow. Betrayal is another issue that could enter into this relationship and the fear of abandonment, jealousy, and possessiveness is the consequence. Abuse and other taboo issues could come forth, and generally this placement is a hotbed of intensity. An 8th house composite Sun will work subtly and is not always evident on the surface.

Now, with my Sun in Gemini I have all the above to consider and I need to layer the Gemini archetype onto the 8th house composite reading. First of all my relationship needs to communicate (Gemini),  both of us will need to share communication together, and the relationship will need plenty of mental exchange. In Sky mates it details the Gemini couple - as one partner on the laptop and watching television and the other partner on the phone reading the accounts at work. This hits the nail on the head, and is extremely close to how we are as a couple. I am an obsessive blogger as you all know, and I enjoy communicating and surfing the net. I can read several books by the computer and watch television, there is plenty of versatility.  My partner watches television and works on his studies or he reads the paper, and this is exactly what we do when we meet in the morning (he works nights).  Perhaps we don't always have lots of time for real in depth relating, my own mental pursuits keep me occupied. On the negative side Gemini is not comfortable with emotional connections. Mental pursuits can divert us BOTH  from sitting down and talking intimately. The relationship's purpose is for both of us to learn how to communicate like adults and be willing to talk about taboo or uncomfortable situations. Or even just talk about the deeper issues that confront us in and out of the bedroom.

Some couples may share an interest in the mysteries of life together, share a business together, these are 8th house significators too. This isn't the case with us,  but we could do with communicating on deep emotional levels, shedding light on the intimacies of the relationship itself. One issue we always avoid talking about is our finances, we never confront it openly and honestly. It's like we refuse to see how bad things are at times. We seriously need to talk about debt, and have a long discussion about how we both could handle resources more carefully. Investments. We can illuminate (Sun) our struggles, however, the "Gemini" in the relationship tries to avoid commitment issues, and will look for distractions. Having our Mercury in Gemini in the 8th house only accentuates what we need to talk about. In other relationships with an 8th house composite Sun, it could describe a couple who experience a traumatic experience or death together. A refusal to talk about these issues may be present, and they could use distracting mediums such as the telephone, Internet, television, books, papers, or anything that distracts from "real relating". At some point especially with the Sun in Gemini or any planets in Gemini in the 8th house, the intensity can explode - in an all out verbal confrontation, and it could get quite nasty. Honesty can be a good thing and you can build the relationship of true emotional depths, Knowing ALL tthe feelings, past, thoughts, and actions. Consequently it coul prove too much, and you can't repair the damage, or take back what you said. All that has been hidden, buried, kept secret will surface in an ugly way. A lot of it could be avoided if both partners are honest which eachother from the start. There can be many moments in deep silence because the issues are too painful to confront. Ye The relationship will stop growing and lose all purpose, and with Gemini there is a nasty habit of preoccupying itself with something to the exclusion of something else. With this composite Sun the relationship can evolve when both partners share in the deep emotional bond between them, and confront problems with great emotional and intellectual honesty.

Saturn

Psychologically Saturn is the great teacher, the archetype of the wise old man, the voice of conscience. It represents the innate desire for order, form, and security. Saturn gives us a sense of duty and responsibility, it impels us toward self improvement, and is the co ruler of Aquarius along with Uranus. Saturn represents, fear, and when it contacts a planet in our chart we seem to be frightened of expressing those things symbolized by that planet.

Saturn imposes certain limits, and without it there is chaos. At it’s most constructive, it imparts worldly wisdom gained through hard experience. It’s influence helps us to define our place in the world and work towards long term goals. Saturn can help us become responsible, socially aware adults. It’s position in our birth chart shows where we can learn persistence, self discipline, and humility. Where the lessons are to be learned, and the areas where we should try to accept the difficulties or obligations, and by acceptance grow and acquire wisdom.

Often Saturn shows where we feel hardship and we learn things the hard way, and the upside to this struggle is that eventually through this shaping we become an authority in that area.  We are at our most defensive and oversensitive, when dealing with our Saturnian challenges. The experience of pain, restriction, and discipline is a means to aid us in achieving greater consciousness. According to Liz Greene, Saturn is connected with the educational value of pain, with the difference between external values which we acquire from others, and internal values-those which we have worked to discover within ourselves.

Our Saturn contacts can describe us as over defended in various aspects of life  Saturn contacts by house aspect and lesser extent sign, describe those areas where we lack confidence, where we feel our most inferior and where we desperately want to improve. Saturn is traditionally associated with the father and sometimes the mother. Saturn correlates with the internalised image of father and often with the physical father, and where an authority figure is giving out discipline they are acting in the role of Saturn.

Saturn aspects usually get better as one gets older and is better able to accept that living in the real world does involve living with fears, constraints and limitations and that some of these are merely self-imposed. Saturn is the planet concerned with time and age and with the taking on of duties and responsibilities we associate with adulthood. When restrictions seem too heavy and difficult, our lives may seem fated. Nevertheless a strong Saturn needs difficulties to work on and teaches us to operate within our limitations and to accept we are human.

Barbara Streisand

Barbara Streisand has become one of the most successful entertainers around. Barbara was born with Sun in Taurus in the 1st house conjunct Mercury, and both planets square Chiron and Pluto in Leo 5th house.

Barbara’s childhood was an unhappy one, her father died when she was 15 months old (Sun is in exact square to Pluto in 5th). Barbara later had a step-father, but she had a turbulent relationship with him (Sun-Pluto). Barbara’s mother tried to discourage her daughter from pursuing show business because she thought she was not attractive enough, and this left Streisand’s self-esteem wounded (Sun-Chiron). Venus is in Pisces in the 12th house means that she has a strong need to transcend herself into artistic expression through acting, music, art, etc. According to Tracy Marks in the book Your Secret Self: Illuminating the Mysteries of the Twelfth House:

One other issue which may be problematic for you in your relationships is your confusion about your femininity. Most likely you were influenced in your concepts of women by a mother who did not provide an adequate role model. She may have been very giving, but she was likely to have given in a narcissistic manner, without awareness or loving, so that you were forced to turn inward at an early age to find sources of love within yourself. As a woman you may be confused or insecure in regard to your female identity.

I hope Barbara has found her source of love within.

Saturn in Vigo: Mind, Body and Feeling

I was reading through Saturn in Virgo by Liz Greene, and a lot of the attitudes towards routine and service I seem to possess.

Here are some of the insights into the challenges of Saturn in Virgo or 6th house:

Saturn in 6th provides an opportunity through frustration, disappointment, ill health, for a journey into the mysteries of the interconnection between mind and body. Frustration and limitation in one’s work. The fundamental psychological need for rhythm and ritual, the careful ordering of external life as a symbol of careful ordering of the inner life which should, and rarely does, parallel it, is often denied in childhood. A heavily structured routine in childhood is common, but the routine is lacking in fundamental meaning because there is no effort at inner alignment. Chaos threatens perpetually on the inner level for there is little integration, and an almost compulsive ordering of the outer environment frequently ensues. Saturn may exaggerate the natural love of work, routine and order until the love becomes fear of anything outside the known and well trod path. There is often a deep anxiety over physical or mental disintegration., this placement has been linked with mental and physical disorders. It is the outer form of order which Saturn clings to rather than the inner blending of the mind, the feelings, and the intuition through the medium of the body.

Creatures of Habit

The Moon is how we respond to life, and it's often ingrained in our natures. Under the unconscious (Moon) you do things automatically, everything you have learned is stored away from walking, talking, driving. It's about knowing how to do something without having to think about it. Without the Moon we would have to keep re-learning things all the time. It's like when you first learn something new, at first it's frustrating because you have to keep repeating it until it finally clicks and stays there. Afterwards you do it with ease and instinctively. Some people are born with natural gifts and skills, and they will pick up certain subjects with ease. Looking at the Moon from this perspective, it is easier to understand why we fall into the lunar habits that we do. It's something to think about, when you can't seem to break a habit. It is a well know fact that if you repeat something long enough it becomes habitual.

Moon in Aquarius

Kissinger: Diplomacy

Henry Alfred Kissinger (born Heinz Alfred Kissinger on May 27, 1923) is a German-born American political scientist, bureaucrat, diplomat, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the Richard Nixon administration. Kissinger emerged unscathed from the Watergate scandal, and maintained his powerful position when Gerald Ford became President.

A proponent of Realpolitik, Kissinger played a dominant role in United States foreign policy between 1969 and 1977. During this period, he pioneered the policy of détente. He negotiated a settlement ending the war in Vietnam, but due to a combination of causes, the cease-fire proved unstable; no lasting peace resulted beyond the retreat of American troops.

In the Nixon and Ford administrations he cut a flamboyant figure, or the telegenicity of his companions made it seem so. He described himself as perhaps the only National Security Adviser to have a fan club. His foreign policy record made him a nemesis to the anti-war left and the anti-communist right.



Element Count Air = 22

Mode Count Mutable = 15

Element/Mode interpretation: = Highly intellectual, Verbally versatile. Air + Mutable = Mr Gemini!

Chart Analysis

Mercury R in Gemini is in the 12th house, communications (Mercury), behind the scenes, private talks, study in institutions (12th). In his biography online it states that as a child he was shy and withdrawn and was hesitant to speak. This can be connected to the introversion of the 12th house and Mercury turned inwards. However, the 12th also represents our hidden talents and the man who was unsure of his accent/communication grew up to be an advisor negotiating peace talks. Another interesting fact for Mercury in 12th is that at night he went to school and studied (the 12th house rules sleep, Mercury is thinking). Kissinger was drafted into U.S Army as a German interpreter. Mercury squares his 10th house Uranus, and when placed here vocations can involve science/technology/anything anti establishment/politics/collective ideals.

Venus is in Taurus in the 12th house (love of security, enjoys privacy and peace). Venus is opposed Jupiter in Scorpio 6th, and the link here is to foreign (Jupiter) relations (Venus). Kissinger was also Study Director in Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. Taurus is peace and stability of the land, and Scorpio is related to crisis and need for change, thus Kissinger attempts to bring peaceful relations between two countries when there is trouble.

Mars is in Gemini and conjuncts Asc, and trines Moon in Libra 5th. This configuration describes Kissinger as naturally confident (Moon-Mars) expressing ideas (Gemini), along with direct communication and *ease* with diplomacy and persuasion, the gifted negotiator (Moon in Libra/5th). We can also describe Mars in Gemini as a person who gets involved in heated talks, the Librian Moon needs to balance and create harmony, and is a natural deal maker. Neptune in Leo is angular and placed in the 3rd house, it is also part of a t.square with Venus in Taurus 12th house & Jupiter in Scorpio 6th. The Taurus/Scorpio opposition relates to the material and physical desires and also to what constitutes security & power.

With Neptune in 3rd there is a sensitive attunement to what others are thinking and feeling. Jupiter in Scorpio needs to be powerfully and emotionally involved in their beliefs. Jupiter in the 6th house can indicate work in travel or involving foreign countries. For Kissinger there has to be a lot of meaning attached to the work he does, he has to be of service to the collective (6th/12th axis) and inspire change. A longing for security, peace and harmony (Venus in Taurus 12th/Neptune) is evident in his chart. Everything revolves around the Sun in the natal chart, and with his Sun in Gemini it describes Kissinger's’ sense of purpose lies in exchanging ideas, communicating and serving something greater than himself.

Neptune

The function of Neptune is to dissolve boundaries, to mix the material and the non material. Through our Neptunian function we glimpse other dimensions and higher states of being, entering into a magical, indefinable world.

Neptune has been called the higher octave of Venus, whereby personal love is transmuted to universal love. Neptune will tend to refine whatever energies it comes into contact with in the natal chart. It will seek to refine, cleanse, to erase imperfections or defects. Planets touched by Neptune are rendered both purer and more difficult to get hold of.

Neptune dissolves our ego boundaries and beckons us to transcend the limitations placed upon us by external reality. Our sensitivity and perceptions are heightened, taking us in the world of dreams, seductively inviting us a realm of unlimited possibilities.

Psychologically Neptune represents our vision of perfection our ideals. For most of us this will be our fantasy world, our escape route from reality, which we find in sleep and dreaming. Some will seek this through drugs or alcohol, or through make believe worlds of theater and the movies, music others will find it through religion.

The ability to discern and appreciate subtly is one of the main gifts of Neptune. This is one of the reasons why those whose charts are touched by this planet are often very creative and artistic. For the artist whether, the fine art, music or drama, is usually someone with a heightened perception of form colour or sound.

According to Liz Greene, "Neptune is a symbol of the sea of collective feeling which moves us from below to immerse ourselves in the mass. Neptune has a healing experience because through it one discovers respect for the unconscious and develops a more balanced perspective on the role of the ego".

On the individual birth chart, Neptune symbolizes the urge towards sacrifice of the personal “I” , and sacrifice of personal feeling toward to the collective feeling of life. Neptune gives us a strong urge to merge with something greater than ourselves and induces a sense of yearning for the unseen and the intangibles of life.

Neptune can undermine our sense of reality. When we are in the grip of Neptune we may experience hypersensitivity, difficulty in adjusting to the demands of the everyday world, vagueness and illusion. When a planet is contacted by Neptune, we often give away whatever the planet represents. We become a victim or martyr if we constantly sacrifice ourselves for others, and we run the risk of identifying with the savior/healer.

A challenged Neptune in the horoscope is open to become unstable, bringing self deception, loss of will power, gullibility, dishonesty, and flight from reality into daily life. Neptune can distort our grip on reality so that we lose all sense of who we are, leaving us at the mercy of it's powerful unconscious currents.

Uranus and Neptune challenge the boundaries and world view of Saturn, because of the erosion of boundaries and reality. Sometimes it is only through disillusionment and suffering that we realize that the world can never satisfy our longing. When we internalize our spiritual longings we are able to make legitimate sacrifices in order to get closer to our true nature

Predicticing Lucky Times

I have an extremely lucky time in June when transiting Jupiter and Uranus are conjunct exactly in my 8th house and trine my Jupiter in Leo 11th (Uranus house). I am looking forward to this transit. Do you think I am going to be LUCKY? I guess people born the same day as me have the same transit, but mine are in the 8th of other people's money. I It could be another AFOG (another f****ing opportunity for growth). I read that amusing little phrase in one of my books.

According to Carol Rushman in her book Predictive Astrology, your chart has to promise this kind of luck or it's not going to happen. Here are some indicators for luck and success:

• Income is shown by the second and eighth houses.
• Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in positive aspect to Venus/and or Jupiter bring wealth. Uranus to Jupiter or Venus can be sudden, unexpected windfall.
• A client with good Neptune/Jupiter aspects seems to be able to manifest money. Faith and beliefs manifest money. (I believe, I believe ha ha).
• Pluto can bring inherited wealth. It can indicate great wealth. Multimillionaire charts have Pluto/Jupiter or Pluto/Venus connections.
• Venus trine Saturn can bring wealth, through property or real estate.
• Sun in the second house making several aspects. Sun unaspected in second house is more limited.
• Sun in one of the angular houses.
• 8th house placements can accumulate wealth.
• Planets at 27, 28, 29, can achieve something special. Most often in Earth and Water, although all the signs have been seen. 29 degrees Taurus-Scorpio can be bankrupt.
• Venus/Jupiter can marry money.

Wife Swap: The Opposition

Wife Swap is a reality T.V series that has been produced here in the U.K, and there is also a US version of the show. Basically the show is about two families from completely different lifestyles. The show has been described as "polar opposite" wives swapping roles. The wives swap homes, husbands, and children for two weeks. Both family's oppose each-others way of life, and through the change in roles they experience how the other half lives. Usually the family's are chosen because of their opposite values, i.e the messy wife is paired with the super obsessive ordered wife. Usually the aim of the show is to have the family reach a middle ground in their extreme lifestyles.

The opposition in astrology occurs when two planets are 180 degrees apart in the chart, this puts them "opposite" each other. The opposition consists of elements (water and earth or Air and Fire) that naturally feed each other, and need one another on many levels. Depending on the chart balance and other factors, usually one planet is owned and the other planet is often found eperienced as an opposing force outside,  usually through other people. Planets in opposition are asking for a resolution, a balance, a compromise. There can be irreconcilable differences in the psyche, there needs to be a mutual understanding of each-others differences and how each way of life can greatly enhance the other. However, until this is recognised the planets confront one another, collide, and create tension in the psyche of the individual.

Often with the opposition the planets can separate their actions, and the aspect itself can be very Librian in action, because of the polarization existing and also on some level seeing both sides. Inwardly the opposition may be unable to make a resolution and the planets will act indecisively, or alternatively one planet/sign is valued over the other. Inevitably this will lead to future confrontation soon or later, with the opposing sides of the self needing to merge together.



Related Posts:

• Virgo-Pisces Opposition and Selfless Service