The Astrology Place

Venus-Pluto: The Magnificent Obsession

2016-01-05T06:50:00.001+00:00

An individual with Venus conjunct Pluto, Venus square Pluto or Venus opposite Pluto has a powerful drive for love and romance of the intense and passionate kind. Even is this is all painfully unconscious; there is something about depth, darkness, and the deep chords in others symbolizing the best aphrodisiacs. Power and intoxicating attractions can also be erotic, twisting around the native in a black passion taking them down into this powerful subterranean world of the Plutonian shadow.

Moreover, the individual when involved in a relationship wants to possess the partner's soul, know all of their secrets, it is the urge to know just how deep love can go in the Plutonian realm. The combination of Venus and Pluto has been called the "magnificent obsession." No amount of love, affection, or attention fully satisfies the insatiability. What all of this means is that a Venus-Pluto lover needs to love into the bottom layers, to "fully" and "completely" feel another's desire.

Venus-Pluto possesses the capacity for enduring love and loyalty in love. Such a powerful need in relationship can also result in self-sacrifice through an enormous need to bond. Let's face it, with Pluto involved this love is anything but lukewarm and aside from this heaviness in loving, they have great personal magnetism. The sexual life also contains darker textures with transforming elements. Sex is both power and magic, and it's more of a mystical feeling, even something of a soulful melding; they really do have a powerful impact over others.

Venus-Pluto types are superb at looking into the core of others; they have night vision glasses and can see into any individual behind the layers and layers of surface. They are incredibly deep loving with a deep capacity to understand others and miss little in the emotional realm of relating, taking everything to its extreme depths. Pain in love is something often felt and the need for deep declarations of desire is longed for with a partner. The most typical example of someone with Venus-Pluto is looking for someone who can fulfill this "extreme" and so this can reveal an attraction to the "bad seeds" of society, perhaps a love of bad boys or one whose love is so deep they would kill for them if necessary, taboo love, someone who is emotionally disturbed.

Some have described Venus-Pluto as wringing every last drop out of their relationships, draining its blood. Another problem facing the love-life is the ability to let go, move on, say goodbye.The overwhelming attractions of Venus-Pluto can leave the risk of the individual being drained of all energy.The individual could fall under someone's control as if the other is masterfully playing a game.The intensity of another's love may be felt and it could be a frightening and exaggerated devotion, some experience stalking, suffocating love, like a black snake lurking.

Venus-Pluto has to be careful about fixing all love on one person believing they can fill something burning deep within. An emotional spur can exist where they are attracted to impossible love situations sometimes this is a powerful public figure or somebody who can never belong to them in this lifetime no matter what. The heart wants what the heart wants can lead them into some extreme and dangerous situations. Sometimes they love a challenging relationship as it keeps the inferno burning, sets fantasies ablaze and can lead to complex loving. No ordinary love is craved, and they need something fulfilling

Sexual jealousy may play a major role along with vindictiveness, rage and revenge. Crisis, blowups, and tension in this relationship represent a lot of pressure needing a release. There will be moments of peace and beauty and times of enraged jealousy, for some, this can be an enjoyable emotion. It's usually called the "ugly and "dark" feeling but sometimes this is how love is measured. At its root, sure, it could be the response of someone feeling unattractive and unlovable, moreover, jealous feelings may be a 'bad seed' in the relationship preventing growth. Frequently, this love will test, and it is testing the waters of emotional strength, so any signs of weakness, superficiality, or the giving of a hollow response and the Venus-Pluto individual spits out the partner like they have just tasted a cup of weak tea.

All of Venus-Pluto's relationships hold the potential for a great wealth of feeling, underneath the mucky stuff one can lift up a handful of glittering diamonds. Relationships are the doorways to the deepest transformations occurring in life. Only under extreme pressure can they change into what it is in their profound nature to become. The good thing about Plutonian transforming is that its permanent once the psychic essence has changed, it's done. As corny as it sounds, in this phase of development - romance, self-worth, and learning to fully let go emotionally, truly finding the greatest value. Put simply, L.O.V.E is all the gem in the making.

What kind of Astrologer Are You?

2016-01-03T12:07:00.000+00:00

Okay, well this is probably silly as many of us interested in astrology tend to like reading all of the various types of interpretations. It's really just presented in this fun way so that we can delve into the different astrological schools of thought. In truth, they don't massively diverge in meaning once we climb into each camp, it doesn't matter whether it is Evolutionary, Psychological, Humanistic or Esoteric understanding of astrology principles. Those are the four types of astrology viewpoints chosen for this descent into all things Neptune. Many of us are hybrids of horoscopy, and some only prefer one kind of astrology, so don't get all mad. This is not an attempt to box you into any kind of astrology and you can read whatever astrological papers you want, take your fancy. Anyways, we have four types of astrology laid out, and there are plenty more missed out in this delving - lightfootedly - across the different astrological groups. It is kept simple, no kidding, there are only three questions to pick favourites and you will probably like them all. It's not really a proper survey, however, it does reveal how the conclusions are not so dissimilar. The only difference is in the outlook, overall perception, mode of thinking. Whether one is more psychologically inclined to go digging into the inner workings of the mind bringing Freudian and Jungian concepts in the mix does not really matter. Some prefer to float off with the bluebirds on a spiritual summit up the mountain and apply mystical principles from whoever is fashionable in this astrological field. So, here is a brief look into the different astrologies, their purposes and ways of interpreting using the planet Neptune, Pisces and the twelfth house as our templates. Basically, it all falls along the same lines as we are talking about universal symbols, regardless.

Evolutionary Astrology

The blurb:

"Evolutionary Astrology embraces paradigms and methodologies which specifically measure the growth of the soul from life to life. These methods invariably focus on the planet Pluto and its relationship to the Nodal Axis. While it is composed of a set of specific formal methodologies, evolutionary astrology is ultimately characterized less by a technical approach than by a set of philosophical principles defined by natural law. Different evolutionary astrologers may use somewhat different interpretive methods, but they can always be recognized by a devotion to the following core perceptions:

1. An acceptance of the fact that human beings incarnate in a succession of lifetimes.

2. An acceptance of the fact that the birthchart reflects the evolutionary condition of the soul at the moment of incarnation.

3. An acceptance of the fact that the birthchart reflects the evolutionary intentions of the soul for the present life.

4. An acceptance of the fact that the circumstances of the present life, both materially and psychologically, do not arise randomly, but rather reflect the evolutionary intentions and necessities of the soul.

5. An acceptance of the fact that human beings interact creatively and unpredictably with their birthcharts; that all astrological symbols are multi-dimensional and are modulated into material and psychic expression by the consciousness of the individual.

6. An acceptance of the fact that human beings are responsible for the realities they experience, both internally and externally.

7. A respectful intention to accept and support a person seeking astrological help, no matter the evolutionary state in which such an individual finds himself or herself."

Psychology Astrology:

The Blurb:

"On the face of it, psychological astrology can simply be defined as a synthesis of psychology and astrology. But it is much more than that. Each discipline—astrology and psychology—is radically transformed and empowered by its marriage to the other. Indeed, there are so many correlations and possibilities for cross-fertilization that one could easily spend an entire lifetime exploring the connection.

In many ways, astrology was the first psychology in that it constituted an early means for understanding the nature of the human being. Rooted in the premise that cosmos mirrors psyche, the ancients systematically observed how the nature and cycles of the planets corresponded to the nature and experiences of human beings.

For all their brilliance, our progenitors practiced an exceedingly simplistic form of astrology in comparison to what we are capable of today. Here, emphasis should be on the word capable, for much of modern astrology is still mired in the dogma of the past.

Ancient and medieval astrologers were preoccupied with so-called "good" and "bad" planetary positions—malefic planets, evil aspects, debilitations, falls, afflictions, and other such ominous categories of meaning. While they were obviously aware that people were subject to a process of ageing that culminated in death, there was little or no concept of evolution, that is, of the psycho-spiritual growth of the individual. Accordingly, astrology was largely limited to superficial trait descriptions, fated events, and dubious predictions of good and bad times for various enterprises.

While some scholars might argue that ancient astrology was actually more complex and technique-rich than its contemporary offshoots, this should not obviate the fact that our ancient forebears were wedded to a fatalistic and deterministic model of the cosmos that precluded them from appreciating how lived experience, i.e., fate, can serve as a catalyst for learning and change, and how learning and change can, in turn, alter fate.

Astrology was largely discredited following the scientific revolution of the 17th and 18th centuries because it was not intelligible within the mechanistic paradigm that constituted the zeitgeist of the new, modern era. Out of this renaissance of scientific thought, psychology was born, and eventually came to replace astrology as our primary means for understanding behavior."

Humanistic Astrology

The Blurb

"At the threshold of the next millennium, we may well ask a simple but important question: how can we, as students of astrology, best bring forward a more perfect life-style, a life-style that is harmonized with the new unified world that is forming, a life-style based on astrology?

This question surely has no right or single answer. But if a new millennium deserves a new astrology complete with new insights, perspectives and a new direction equal to the challenge--then a worthy candidate, I suggest, is holistic or as it is usually called 'Humanistic' astrology.

Humanistic Astrology was first presented in the writings of Dane Rudhyar, the talented astrologer-musician and seminal mind and author (born March 23, 1895) who is considered the originator of this branch of astrology. The following quotation conveys the spirit of his message:

"We need something in which the individual learns his own function in the world, because if you are to have a global world, the individual has to be so well established in his own identity that he can afford to cooperate with other people all over the world, independent of their culture, their race, their traditions and so on. It is very important therefore, that one should learn how to establish oneself in one's own identity."

We find similar sentiments expressed by the eminent psychiatrist, Victor Frankl. In 'Man's Search for Meaning', a book born of his experiences while a prisoner in Nazi death camps, he writes:

"Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete specific assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor his life repeated. Thus, everyone's task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it."

These two sages of the twentieth century think alike. Their approach is different but the spirit remains the same. Indeed they exemplify what they are teaching. To be an individual is not to be unlike others. Rather, it is to share a common humanity with others--in one's own way. Theirs is a message that reminds us to take responsibility for realizing our unique individual identity and true role in society.

Perhaps we are being too serious? But isn't that what humanistic astrology is about--serious assessment of our possibilities and unique opportunities for self-realization?

The humanistic astrological frame of reference is the planet earth because that is from where Man peers out to the surrounding vast and starry skies to view the heavens. It is the human viewpoint. From there the astrologer-astronomer, like those of the previous millennia, views the wandering stars, the planets, going now forward, now retrograding, now forward again. The raw data of astronomical observation has not changed. It is the common side shared by astrologers of the past and of the future. But something has changed and if it is not by sophisticated telescopes, computers and software, or other tools that the astrologer of the future offers something new and timely to answer humanity's need for meaning and fulfillment, then what is it? What the humanistic astrologer has to work with are new concepts."

Esoteric Astrology

The Blurb

"Esoteric astrology is the astrology of the soul. The delineation of a natal chart from the soul-centred perspective focuses on the purpose of the soul, why we are here, where we have come from, and where we are heading. Traditional or exoteric astrology is the astrology of the personality. Its focus is on the problems and potentials of the personality.

The body of knowledge known as Esoteric Astrology is drawn from the Theosophical tradition and the teachings of the Tibetan teacher Djwhal Khul, as dictated to Alice A. Bailey. It is contained in a voluminous set of books which form a large part of what is referred to as the Ancient or Ageless Wisdom teachings.

Soul-centred astrology is based on the understanding that there is a spark of divinity, or 'soul' within each of us. According to this cosmology, reincarnation and the reality of the soul are accepted as fact. Many sense this divinity. The moments of deep insight, peace, awe, wonder, grace and love that we have all experienced at some time are voices from the Soul.

Some call this divinity God/Goddess, the Higher Self, the Core Self, the Transpersonal Self, the inner voice, the Buddha or Christ. It manifests as the religious urge in man/woman. Indeed, Carl Jung, in his book Modern Man in Search of a Soul, makes the astounding assertion that in thirty years of treating patients in the second half of life, their illness or neurosis was invariably the result of a lack of spiritual or religious meaning:

"....there has not been one whose problem in the last resort was not that of finding a religious outlook on life. It is safe to say that every one of them fell ill because he had lost that which the living religions of every age have given to their followers, and none of them has been really healed who did not regain his religious outlook."

This soul, or divine spark, strives towards unity and perfection, and according to the Ancient Wisdom teachings, its motivation is selfless and its purpose is service to humanity or contribution to the greater whole. It is essentially a humanitarian philosophy and is therefore highly appropriate for our incoming Age of Aquarius. According to the Ancient Wisdom teachings, the structure of man/woman can be symbolically represented as a downward-pointing triangle (the personality) linked by the Antahkarana or Rainbow Bridge to an upward-pointing triangle (the soul)."

Question Time for the Astrologers of these Different Schools of Thought

Neptune

The Astrology Place: First Question - Dear astrologers, make us lose consciousness in a good way. What is some relevant information on the planet Neptune to kick things off?

Answers:

Astrologer 1. [Neptune] This activity of the imagination often occurs in the borderland where the conscious shades into the unconscious. There is no clear line of demarcation between the deliberate lie of an adolescent facing a difficult situation, the nature of which he or she does not really understand, and the imagination of the confused girl whose half-conscious need for love makes her invent events placing on some person the responsibility for an imaginary love-making scene, events which she herself dimly believes to have occurred.

Is it not at times the same with persons who believe themselves to be the recipients of occult or spiritualistic "messages," who have "visions" and perhaps very slightly twist or "interpret" factual events to give the impression that some great, mysterious thing has taken place? Nevertheless, who, in many instances indeed, can say positively and objectively that a person has imagined or made up entirely a certain unverifiable episode? Who can say that what seems to have been, as we say, "entirely dreamed up" is not the reflection — perhaps the anticipation — of something that is "real" somehow or somewhere? Can one always separate the real from the imagined?

The Astrology Place: (So, tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies). Generally, the truth has many faces, some lies contain some truth. Sometimes what we believe is truth could be fiction.

Astrologer 2. But the meaning of the planet is bigger than that. It also includes conditions of consciousness that are indeed spiritual practices such as mediation, fasting, chanting, yoga, sacred drumming, and so forth. And in every one of these activities, there are certain common features: consciousness becomes less identified with ego; there is a feeling of surrender to something much vaster than ourselves; and "reality" as we define it consensually - the three dimensional, "reasonable" world - loses some of its compelling authority over us.

The Astrology Place: Wow, you really took us to that place, so this change of consciousness can be awesome and take us to a higher power ummmm. With all the drug taking and drinking side of Neptune and its longing to forget the world, one also forgets there is a sacrificial channel of surrendering the ego healthily. A humanist astrologer said that "sacred" actually means sacrifice. Totally out of this world is the way to go for this child of the ocean (photography, art, astrology and music are my ~~drugs~~ meditations of choice).

Astrologer 3. The mythology of Neptune begins with the mythology of water. In astrological symbolism, Neptune is the ruler of Pisces, the third sign of the water trigon; and the god after whom the planet is named is the lord of the ocean depths. But even if the planet had been called by another name, the language of water arises spontaneously on the lips of those experiencing important transits and progressions involving Neptune. Over and over again I have heard people completely unfamiliar with astrology describe their feelings and perceptions at such critical times with images such as drowning, flooding, drifting, dissolving, swamped, inundated, and flowing with the current. Their dreams at these junctures also reflect the domain of water: tidal waves, sinking ships, leaking pipes and overflowing toilets, flooded house and torrential rain.

The Astrology Place: I know we wanted to lose consciousness, but did you really have to drown us all? Baptizing might have been more pleasant, then again. Let me just catch my breath for a second, the water feels like its filling my lungs.

Astrologer 4. On a more spiritual level, Neptune can bring the individual into contact with the Master Souls who govern the evolutionary processes of the Universe. Neptune brings inspired writing, prophetic visions, and realizations of cosmos truths which go far beyond the powers of reason. Thus Neptune is the planet of the clairvoyant and the mystic.

The Astrology Place: Strange messages come through these channels one has to be grounded to receive them in a healthy manner. I, too, have a massive dose of Neptune in the chart. Though, when telling people about ghostly visits and dream visions of a spiritual nature I psychically feel these overwhelming vibrations of disbelief returned. All one has to say in response is - jalousie much.

Pisces

Second Question: As a Piscean, I only want to read about sexy mermaids, the elusive chanteuses with perfect hair and not strange looking fish. Do you have any insights? And if you have absolutely nothing on Mermaids, just tell us more about how mystical and enchantingly beautiful Pisces is according to the dictates of astrology.

Answers

Astrologer 1.Thus, in a negative sense, the Piscean's attraction to liquor and all fermented products - including oil wells! Thus their tendency on the one hand, toward psychism and spiritualism, and on the other, towards infections of the mucus membranes due to socially or personally generated toxins, impure food and psychological disintegration. Passivity of the Pisces is especially dangerous, for there is always a tendency to become, like the sea, polluted and overwhelmed by the refuse of the old, instead of transfiguring it into a new birth.

The Astrology Place: Is this why when I get a cold it clings like a parasite in my system for weeks? I famously have terrible immunity. Part and parcel of having a passive immune system. Still, not the romantic reading I was chasing after.

Astrologer 2. Ocean. Not Fishes, but the home of fish. Mother Ocean, the realm of under sierras, of luminous plankton, of lost cities. Ocean mother of life, brooding symbol of all that is impenetrable, all that can be felt but never known. Ocean: Washing of continents, carrying art and thoughts among the nations, carrying war, carrying disease and pestilence, carrying wine and food, poets and musicians, endlessly mixing and blending the cultures of the earth. The Piscean ocean: Liquid, flowing symbol of the unutterable mystery that binds us all together. The symbol of life.

The Astrology Place: A good answer, but Fish needs to be replaced with the word M e r m a i d and it would have been perfect. Again, another astrologer bringing up more images of how the oceans are polluted in our fishy souls, but I 'll take the unutterable mystery. But overall, I get it, - Pisces is the GREAT transporter, point taken. Neptune is a giant blender in the kitchen of the astrological planets, creating something truly colourful for all, the colllectivity of souls.

Astrologer 3. The underwater landscape of Pisces, the fishes, elusive and mercurial, share the depths with the octopus that gurads the buried treasure. Those eager to reach the gold at the bottom of the sea and drink from the couldren of immortality must fight their way through clinging, strangling tentacles and black clouds or, for the guardian will allow no greedy mortal to claim what belongs to the spirit alone. Yet the magical light of the ancient treasure is a beacon and a promise to those who have lost their way in life can trust the currents of the waters to bring them safely home again.

The Astrology Place: Or, freeing oneself from the tentacles of Ursula.

Astrologer 4. The cycle is essential for Pisces. Without periodic cleansing, his waters would soon become polluted by his and other people's negativity. Pisces is a psychic sponge; for this reason he should use great discrimination in choosing his friends and environment.

The Astrology Place: I am now really worried about the polluted oceans in Pisces. So this type of friend and not this, okay, got it.

The 12th House

Third Question: Now, can we enter into the misty indefinite 12th house. Let's get lost, and take me into the gates of the ghostly, haunted and invisible realm. What spooky things do we need to know?

Answers

Astrologer 1. Ghosts linger on, alas, with subtle tenacity in the unconscious — the ghosts of things undone, of words unsaid, of small or big gestures which the heart and hands could not be made to perform. The speaker who sees from the clock on the wall that his time is over, that he must bring his speech to an end, may suddenly remember all that he had meant to say but did not. Will he try to crowd the unsaid into a jumble of last-minute statements which would leave his hearers completely confused? Speakers often try and, thus, defeat themselves. One must have the courage to dismiss the things unsaid, the gestures unlived, the love unexperienced and make a compelling end on the basis of what has been said and experienced.

The Astrology Place: This all reads so incredibly sad. Why would you do this to a sensitive soul? Endings are the saddest thing in the world, especially when we feel we haven't spoken everything within our soul, So, we create our own ghosts, we haunt ourselves, however, we must find peace with all that is left undone. Please don't tell us that poor twelfth house people must mediate all of this mumbling and confusion somehow, what you call these lost soul yearnings.

Astrologer 1. " It does not say whether or not you will be able to dismiss your ghosts — dismiss them with a blessing and courageously renew your mind and your life. But it tells you something concerning the nature and insistency of the ghosts you will have to deal with; it gives you a general picture of your subconscious — the realm of ghosts and of the remains of unsolved problems or unlived experiences. It suggests to you the best way to deal with your ghosts and the disintegrating products of your subconscious."

Astrologer 2. Signs and planets in the twelfth house are like ticking timebombs. The fuse may be long. It may be short. But there is no distinguishing it. Sooner or later, the issues of the twelfth house undercut us. They trip us up. They face us with an impossible situation. Once that situation breaks, we can head for the bar and order a double. Or we can withdraw for a while into our depths, feeling that endless reservoir of creativity and life and resilience within us. And feeling that, we can gracefully let go of a set of dying circumstances, knowing that when the dust settles, we can begin again.

The Astrology Place: The unconscious has been known to trip us. Also, letting go sounds dreamy and sublime in the sea of creativity. Goodbye cruel world.

Astrologer 3. From the 12th, the ghosts of a distant past come back to haunt us - the family "skeletons in the closet," the forgotten religious orthodoxy of a great grandfather, the long suppressed story of the great-aunt's suicide and the great grandmother's "second sight," the poverty of the immigrant, and the religious persecution of two hundred years before.

The Astrology Place: What a leaky house. I wish I could fix this for you twelfth house people.

Astrologer 4. The special "karma" of the Twelfth House has had to do with the collective. The Twelfth synthesis what has been stored from previous turns of the astrological wheel, that is, other life cycles. Thus, it is the storehouse of secret treasures as the strength we have gained from experience. The last house of the horoscope contains our oceanic reserves of power and potency from all the good we have done and all the positive service we have performed. In effect, is is the repository of our "good karma."

You make twelfth house people sound like proper Samaritans. Otherwise, who knew the closet space was so BIG in the 12th house.

The Score

If you like mostly answers 1 = You are a Humanistic Astrologer
If you like mostly answers 2 = You are an Evolutionary Astrologer
If you like mostly answers 3 = You are a Psychological Astrologer
If you like mostly answers 4 = You are an Esoteric Astrologer

I Told you my "quiz" was pointless at the beginning.

Astrologer 1 is Dane Rudhyar
Astrologer 2 is Steven Forrest
Astrologer 3 is Liz Greene
Astrologer 4 is Alan Oken

Dane Rudhyar: On Pluto

2016-01-02T14:57:00.000+00:00

Question: Dane Rudyhar is difficult to understand and not very practical. Although the teachings are interesting I find them hard to apply, what are your thoughts?

Hmm, well I haven't read everything by Dane Rudyhar, but this is a common response from others. I don't know, maybe I have just studied the easy bits concerning his astrological writings. For the most part, this writer of all things cosmological, seems understandable. Most of the writings speak in a language concerning seed growth, and some people call him "seed man." In the main, he is not exactly a psychological astrologer, perhaps more universal or spiritually influenced and focuses on the greater awareness of the individual. On a larger scale, the author muses on the evolvement of human beings and he has also been credited with lifting astrology out of the dark times, away from fated interpretations to a more humanistic outlook. The hard stuff might allude when he delves into long philosophical talks before sometimes reaching the point which could be off-putting to some. Sometimes his work needs a lot of digging through to uncover what it means, so not for those without patience. I personally, find a lot of value in his work, so no complaints and he has made a massive and valuable contribution to the astrological community.

Here is my stab at interpreting the author's words on Pluto's power in the astrological chart on the Archival Project Website:

On Pluto - Rudhyar says:

"It was asked at first whether Pluto was to be considered a real planet, largely because of the unusual eccentricity of its orbit. But we might answer this by another question: Is the seed really a part of the plant? Indeed it grows out of the plant; yet its function is not to be understood in terms of this particular plant which bears it and from which it will fall into the dark humus. It is in the plant, yet not of the plant. It is the messenger of the future vegetation. Its allegiance is to the "new life" that is to come. It belongs not to the particular plant, which, if perennial, begins to die the moment the seed reaches the very first stage of maturity, but to the species of which the particular plant is only one of billions of ephemeral manifestations." PLUTO - Sower of Celestial Seed

Now, I would consider Rudhyar to mean that Pluto is the ultimate seed planet, and obviously indicating where the the first inklings of growth take place. They say we sow the seeds of our fate, and this kind of evolution usually happens in the darkness, underground, unseen. So, it's the reverse of the solar part of the personality (Sun) which shines full of light, as we know everything depends on the Sun for life. Whereas Pluto is the whole cycle taking us through birth, life and death. Seeds lie in a dormant condition awaiting the right conditions for growth and rule over the complex and deep processes happening underneath.

Pluto is the seed, the Earth is our "soil" and the Sun is the great vivifier, the Source of Life and Light: God-in-the-Highest. But to this God-in-the-Highest, that is the Sun, answers the God-in-the-lowest, that is the seed.

Pluto represents the primordial feminine power, it is undertaken in the darkness of the unconscious. We are all familiar with the popular metaphor of the dark cocoon, representing parts of the self we do not like to see. In astrology, Pluto is the catalytic action for growth and development, ruling the transformative or magical processes revealing the secret interior powers. It releases power, it is the quietest, most profound, and takes root in the psyche and anyone attempting growth will receive help from Pluto. It is the power to push through the hard earth into the sunlight where the soul can blossom.

Broadly speaking, Pluto contains all needs for evolutionary development a process that always seems to be ruminating in the dark. Sometimes all we need to know when coping with Pluto astrologically is that somebody has come through the darkness of hell and come out the other side. Pluto can bring us to our vicarious dark woods and is frequently interpreted as an external violation of the soul, an intrusion of a smoothly flowing life, whether from the acts of others, from the fates, or by our own choices.The soul brings us to a difficult place deep underground to enlarge us, to ask more of us than we planned on giving. Only by attending to the wounding with its mysteriousness, healing and probing, through a spiritual enlargement we can emerge from the dark wood.

" For in the seed rests the power of rebirth. In its concentrated, well-protected mass lies hidden the Mystery of mysteries: the mystery of immortality. Because of the seed, death is overcome. The species remains intact, alive, creative — because the seed carries in its shrine the magic Pattern, the potent nucleus, which defies death and again and again brings birth anew."

"The seed must descend into the depths."

"This penetration of one's depths, and this revelation of oneself to oneself in every remotest part of one's being, is Pluto's Great Work. Psychoanalysis is the product of such an urge, especially as it is able to face and interpret the "collective unconscious". The Ancients spoke of it when they told the tale of the fisherman plunging into the deep to tear from it the "Pearl of Significance" — the pearl that is grown out of suffering; the iridescent sphere hidden in visceras, imprisoned in heavy shell."

Rudhyar's view of the seed not really being a part of the plant is thought provoking in many ways when interpreting the meaning of this core planet. All of this information is useful in understanding Pluto's root nature.

However, Rudyhar does get a little dirty on the outer planetary interpretations, going into sexe, as they say in French:

This is a great symbol. Pluto, during eleven years, forces its way as it were inside of the circle or aura of Neptune. Indeed a cosmic fecundation. During these years the Plutonian seeds are deposited within the orb of Neptune: Neptune being the "Sea of Light", or "astral sea", which is truly a cosmic womb. The two planets represent the two great magnetic polarities of the solar system as a Sun-centered organism; while Uranus is the electrical result of their polarized intercourse. Pluto is the Father; Neptune the Mother; Uranus the Son. Beyond the sphere of Saturn, the sphere of particular and limited beings, they represent the three hypostases (manifestations) of the cosmic Trinity: the three major "Rays" of the occultists; the three primary colors (red, yellow and blue — Pluto, Neptune, Uranus); the tonic, sub-dominant and dominant of European music; and all similar trinities, whose names are countless.

I love trashy reading, especially concerning the cosmos. How can Rudyhar not be exciting? The author also explained what hypostases means in his article and didn't leave us searching the net.

Is this not also riveting reading?

Three centuries; three new planets discovered; three totally different rhythms of human living — the Uranian vibration of the eighteenth century which brought the Revolutionary era, democracy (a new principle of social structure) and electricity — the Neptunian vibration of the nineteenth century which brought communism, Bahaism, spiritualism, humanitarianism, and the total change of the substance of human behavior — the Plutonian vibration of the twentieth century which is manifesting through the modern hells of war, but also through the slow birth of a new world-consciousness. The eighteenth century was a period of fecundation; the nineteenth century, of fruition; the twentieth century, of the sowing of seed.

I personally like to bathe in the layered meanings and think long and hard on each interpretation. Rudhyar has depth and a lot of deep thought is penned on each topic. For me, Rudhyar wraps up Pluto in a nutshell, basically interpreting the essential meaning of the planet near the end of the article - through finding buried wealth only when we have something of value taken away. Dane Rudhyar is utter brilliance but one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Do Capricorns Get Scared?

2016-01-02T09:02:00.000+00:00

Question: Do Capricorns get scared?

Capricorn rules the highest point of the horoscope, this ancient symbol represents the rock-solid foundation, stability, reliability and performance on the earthly plane.That, of course can be the theme of playing the strong, supportive, capable role. In another sense, this is the last evolution of the earth signs and on every level speaking, symbolizes the backbone of the zodiac. Ultimately seeking mastery of some inner or outer goal in which this enclosed nature needs to flower. With this carries a lot of responsibility, along with a fear of letting others down, anxiety over achievement; they are downright harsh towards their own efforts, especially if they don't succeed as Capricorn thinks it should. In fact, they often flawlessly manage heavy workloads, but there are control issues, perfectionism, based on fears of failing, grounded on the feeling of not being good enough. The devilish nature of Capricorn is usually found controlling everything, and is cautiously conservative of finances, affection, and giving of himself or herself.

The ambitiousness of their nature, whether they recognize it or not, always makes them take the proper road to success. From another angle, Capricorn fears to take risks in case everything goes wrong, they like the 'tried and true', and often stick with the formulaic way of doing things. Sometimes it can take longer to rise to the top, however, as they resist short-cuts to success, often preferring to do it alone on their own merit receiving personal honor. Yes, mistakes are feared, with the possible losses that can occur. The lead of duty ingrained into their being is a heavy burden to carry, sometimes this buries them when the soul must make a point of honoring promises and will live with any kind of miscalculation for what seems like forever.

Capricorn has the heaviest nature, always retaining a kind of reserve, hiding emotions behind a heavy brick wall. It isn't easy to get to know Capricorn behind those eyes framed with weighty drapes of suspicion, shrewdly analysing everything before opening the gates to the great fortress of their personality. Something it always retained in this self-imposed solitary confinement, kept secure in case needed at the last minute. So, they surprise many people with the strength of their hidden abilities kept withheld until the moment is just right. There is another facet to this shadowy nature. We might refer to it as wrestling with the demons of gloom and melancholy and feeling the world's judgement falling heavily upon the soul's shoulders inwardly and outwardly.

Much of Capricorn's vulnerability is hidden and the type is not prone to acting out impulsively, recklessly, or engaging passionately with others. Unless, of course, there are other astrological factors present, but expressing feelings spontaneously is certainly not coming form the Capricorn side of the personality. For the Saturn ruled character tends to suppress natural responses of feeling, sometimes entirely. However, there is a lot gong on inside of their steely entrance, and they have the same emotional feelings as the next person. Only a few people are let into Capricorn's confidence and are permitted to know how they feel. It has more to do with the expression and the usual keywords surrounding defensive Capricorn usually involves inhibition, determination and control. Also, the essence of the personality has different goals and above their head the clouds are always grey with threatening rain clouds dragged along the sky in pursuit of poor Capricorn. In some sense, this personality will always be prepared for bad weather, so they don't easily understand the foolhardy, breezier and light-footed signs. Being weighted down with the description of being unadventurous can be a bit of a downer, and sometimes it is often to their own detriment.

Both anxiety and depression belong with one of the darkest signs of the zodiac. Hardship and the hard facts of life pay an early visit to all Capricorns growing up, lessons are learnt, reality tasted. Most of life is like a game of survival, they soon realize that life isn't always open-handed, friendly, therefore, such a personality is always attuned to what can go wrong. As part of this difficult hand being dealt, Capricorn is also born with the gift to endure using every ounce of physical power to attain mastery over something in the world. A solid accomplishment sits at the top of the list for that thing which will give this soul the most personal gratification.

The goals are set to towering on this awe-inspiring mountain of Capricorn's, popularly known as the sign of material achievement and mundane ambition; it's more of achieving dominion over nature. Mostly, Saturn's sign is symbolizing an ascendancy of the soul to mastering something, triumphing over any stumbling blocks. On the evolutionary level, any planet falling in Capricorn is making a great push towards excellence. No matter the difficulty, the life-force is to confront adversity and will find the steely resolution to overcome obstacles. Behind all of its safe, secure and predictable responses, Capricorn is a fascinating zodiacal sign, and with its ruler Saturn, it holds secrets, mysteries, esoteric knowledge untapped. Originally Capricorn appeared in the earliest zodiacs of ancient Egypt and Babylonia as a creature consisting of the body of a fish with the torso and head of a goat, needless to say, the sign has a rich history and is laden with meaning.

Venus-Uranus Aspects: Electric Love

2016-01-01T22:11:00.003+00:00

Those with Venus conjunct Uranus, Venus square Uranus, or Venus opposite Uranus experience what is called love at first sight, a bolt from the blue! The cosmos just has a way of arranging these things, and when the planet of love (Venus) meets with the planet of sudden realization (Uranus), boom there is an instant attraction. If anything, this is also the personification of a divine friendship and its powered from the mental plane.

Moreover, Venus-Uranus can be attracted to the intellectual, crazy genius, someone totally offbeat and unusual. The sexual attraction for others is usually triggered by something cerebral, so any individual with such an aspect can be drawn to brilliance, love-crazed for anyone who sees things differently, dares to be different from the status quo. On the extreme level, it can also mean falling in love with the crazy loon, the disordered, and representing the impractical love, so all of this can also be appealing. The love bizarre aspect has a problem with the closeness-freedom dilemma discussed by psychological astrologers Liz Greene and Howard Sasportas in their astrological seminars. In the main, the powerful vibrancy of Uranus' mental energies finds it difficult to be intimate on the physical level of Venus.

One of the common things mentioned for Venus conjunct, square or opposite Uranus is to experience short-lived relationships but that it can also be overwhelmingly exciting and a mad love of the best kind while the relationship endures. Uranus has an unstable level and it can be the marker for on and off relationships, turning hot and cold, expressive one moment and aloof the next. It all expresses Uranus' sudden turnabouts and the need to be free. Also, there is an extreme sexual magnetism and the brain and love are fused together so relationships sizzle bright with electrifying chemistry, but sometimes it is a love so illuminating it can burn like fireflies and vanish into the cold and dust.

This combo sings the mad girl's love song where the loving heart soars into the universe, and they are like teenagers in romance, something of a rebellious spirit enters the picture. In fact, such souls really love to choose partners that nobody will ever approve. The stamp of approval is not needed for they feel a strong independence in relationships and possess the freedom and free-will to choose whomever the individual wants. If people say they can't date someone from abroad, surely enough the foreign accent will suddenly become incredibly exciting and Venus-Uranus will find a foreigner to fall in love with. If it sounds willful, this is because love and attraction fall closer to the vibration of the outsider, the rebel, the unacceptable. Moreover, relationships reflect something of our own soul, so an attraction to the unexpected is something deeply residing withing this aspect's deeper values.

Usually, as Venus-Uranus folks grow older, most of this rebellious teen spirit in love is balanced by friendship, shared goals, and a relationship in love with a new discovery, unafraid of change, an awesome universal love made in the stars.

Sagittarius:Giddy Up

2016-01-01T15:28:00.000+00:00

Sagittarius is living life through seeking, exploring and adventuring. As a sign, it is probably the most positive of the zodiac and also steals all the best stuff: luck, opportunity, horseplay; they would have tried to swipe the smiley face but that was already taken. Anyways, Sagittarians gallop towards the future excitedly anticipating where the road will take them on this journey towards somewhere.

In this existence, teaching is also important and it is all bound up with LEARNING. All FIRE signs have the spark of God within, so many Sagittarians embark on the spiritual quest, and some simply race towards the trendy scene since Sagittarius loves to keep ahead, always venturing further. The dualistic side of Sagittarius' (the Centaur: animal and human) nature can make them strive for the divine, always battling with the human side, and possessing a marvelously intuitive sense, well, let's just call it a nose for opportunities ready to be seized upon.

Professionally, they make excellent philosophers, professors. spiritual teachers and gurus, taking understanding towards a larger vision and integrating what works for them. The greatest pleasure comes from sharing knowledge, spreading goodness, coming away with a greater preception of life. With the insane ability to intuit the underlying truth and, too, believing that life has many gifts to offer, life can be beautiful and so there is plenty to smile about in their world. Sagittarius as a generous sign, will attempt to give us some of their happy pills encouraging us to believe that there is some rightness in the universe, Saggy is right about something else, too, the cosmos is really HUGE and contains some awesome power, something this fiery soul has been professing about for a long time.

Many Saggitarians are exposed to a lot of beliefs, cultures, philosophies and theologies, all in aid to better understand the world inhabited. However, what path Sagittarius is steered towards is often changing, as there are so many roads to travel down. Above all, looking for intellectual fulfillment, even if this need is unconscious; they need to be constantly learning and progressing along some path. Many Saggies are voracious readers and books are the train, plane and road to intellectual understanding, and the type spontaneously thanks the lord for letting them have this ride.

Sagittarius naturally resides in the 9TH HOUSE of the horoscope and this also rules expansion and extension, distant shores and exotic lands. As we travel into this realm we also find it to be the sphere of BIG publications, metaphysics and law and our in-laws. It gives intuitive power and the ability for abstract thinking. Howard Sasportas associates the opposite house (3rd) with the left brain and right brain concepts with the Sagittarius' domain. For we develop the ability to spontaneously use an intuitive sensing gift to search for the answers and tune into a larger vision. Religions of all kinds belong in this sector of the chart, and all those places we ask for higher help, believing in something more, so we find temples, churches, synagogues, shrines, ceremonies, rabbis, priests, preachers, and prayers.

Meaning of the Ninth House

The ninth house, on the other hand — the polar opposite of the third — deals with those facts and lessons of experience which derive from our effort to understand and to come to terms with the ceaselessly expanding vistas of human association and human commerce. There we learn to assimilate the treasure of human knowledge which is passed from generation to generation and to which every generation adds the harvest of its many experiences. There we seek to relate ourselves, as a thinking (thus a social-cultural) person, to thought itself. We study the process of thinking, the generalizations and abstractions of the human mind, the laws conceived by that mind as tools for understanding and for ever more successful group activity.

Thus, the ninth house is said to refer to philosophy, to the abstract mind, to law. It is also related to long journeys, foreign affairs, diplomacy; finally, it is the field of religion and mystical or prophetic experiences. These varied meanings are all expressions of the basic and ultimate purpose of the house, which is assimilation of all that is unfamiliar or distant and the inclusion of all that is at first alien, disturbing and seemingly unusable. To include always more, to assimilate that which constantly challenges you with its differences, if not its antagonism: these are the requisites for true conscious expansion. They alone can make man greater and true to his destiny.

The above mentioned characteristic meanings of the ninth house should, however, be studied more closely, for much is hidden in words such as law, metaphysics, religion, prophecy, etc. — much that every thinking individual, eager to sustain and implement his personal growth, should truly understand rather than merely take for granted. By Dane Rudyhar, 9th House: How To Expand Safely and Sanely

Rudyhar also emphasizes the too much growth factor in this horsing around house and it is ruled, also, by Jupiter's LARGENESS and universal expanding worldview, overly stretching the mind, body and soul - as quoted below:

Another type of ninth-house problem is the consequence of the constant effort to absorb more than one is able to assimilate; this may mean more food, more wealth, more social or political power — even more learning, more unrelated facts, more experiences with foreign people or alien philosophies, too many dreams.

Sagittarius is ruled by the element of FIRE, so we have this life energy whipping up enthusiasm, taking the initiative, endeavoring towards a truly positive outlook. Also, possessing an OVER-ENTHUSIASTIC approach towards life,

Jupiter rules the sign, so questions abound from the rest of the planetary tribe wondering what exactly is this BIG GUY pursuing? Ultimately, it is the sense of life's quintessential meaning and the main objective is to stimulate a higher consciousness. The mind is immersed into what enriches, gives us meaning, the fire in the belly. Many Jupitarians are big believers in PURPOSE, they see the bigger picture, the signs and believe that God has a design, there are always bigger and better possibilities on the open road ahead. It is important to be an enthusiast in life, to be interested in something, embracing it with intensity and passion - damn the obstacles, full speed ahead.

Aspects to the Moon

2015-12-31T12:03:00.002+00:00

On its most occult level, the Moon is the permanent temple of the soul, some believe it has taken us through so many life experiences that it is like Joseph and his technicolour dream coat reflecting the many colours and experiences of the incarnating spirit. Whether one believes in all of this Moony spookery and discussion about past lives it not always relevant, we just feel it reveals everything we might regard as the psyche, another word for soul. The Moon is symbolic of the circle of protection on the horoscope and it is a highly sensitive psychic vehicle. In one sense, it is quick to respond to anything unsafe in the environment, and when anything aspects the Moon the other planet becomes super-sensitized, delicate and receptive under the emanations of the sympathetic and vulnerable aspect of our being. In another sense, when a planet is more absorbent, everything taken in is felt deeper emotionally. The Moon will reflect the other planets and it will be extremely sensitive, receptive and impressionable to those things. So, every colour, nuance, response is felt on the deepest transcendental and emotional plane.This planet also feels keenly all experiences and has taken everything down into the lowest, inward part of the human subconscious.

Watery planets are the most absorbent and everything taken into this feeling planet is felt deeper on the emotional level, experienced on the most susceptive rung of our being. The Moon can also be the part of us that can be a 'hot mess' with 'too many issues' probably reflecting the instability and emotional aspect of the being inclined to irrationality. But really it is just the fabric of our emotional feelings, and we do not always need to hide our tender spots. However, it is understandable if we clothe our weaknesses for the Moon is easily hurt just as surely the way a sponge absorbs water and we are all just so incredibly sensitive about the things we know best.

The Moon will touch the heights and depths of any planet and it is always felt inward. It is our self-defensive area of the chart where we feel incredibly vulnerable. So Moon-Pluto may feel that attack is the best way to protect the fragility of the lunar side. Whereas the Moon-Neptune will often seek an escape, and either lives in an imaginary world of their own creation, or will dull the senses with drugs or alcohol. We often guard the Moon against strangers and enemies we must use our gut feelings and they must pass our internal scanner before being let through into this most emotional of worlds.

The Moon is the great storage house of memories; it collects and receives experiences. It attunes with perfect sensitivity to the inner realm of feeling and imagination. Above all, the Moon part of the horoscope represents our ability to feel, it is our loving and nurturing support to others. Any astrological body touching Lunar has evolved on the evolutionary journey to the point where these energies have been ingrained, they point inward and represent the part of life where we feel an excess of sympathy and sometimes crippling compassion.

The planet/s aspecting the Moon contains the area/s where we are exceptionally fluid in the language it speaks. If it is Uranus, we are this wild, unpredictable, unconventional soul, absorbing elements of chaotic change. At its most difficult, Uranus is a disruptive-monster upsetting the safety and security of the Moon. If it is Neptune we are flung into the greatest sea of unconsciousness, feeling super-sensitive and drawn to dreams. But due to the absorbency of both planets we must be wary of soul-invasion. Finally, if it is Pluto, the Moon sighs dramatically, these souls are intimately connected to the painful, and long for psychological intimacy; they are imaginatively bound to the darker aspects of life.The lunar aspects talk the language of our soul, and here the volume is turned all the way up on subjectivity and emotions regarding those planetary issues. We are truly in the misty terrains of our spirit. The Moon is our automatic responder, symbolizing the ghosts of our past, and extends feelers out into the word at large, therefore, the Moon is, according to sign and the aspects it forms, the great reflector and the intimate portrait of everywhere we have been.

Pisces:The Wasted

2015-12-30T11:46:00.001+00:00

Piscean drunks and Mystical seers

Question: With Pisces' tendency towards alcohol, drugs and other forms of escapism are they simply wasted people?

The sweep of possibilities living within the zodiacal region of Pisces is much LARGER than the standard images of the shadowy side of the sign portrayed by two fish swimming in opposite directions. Usually. astrologers are full of pronouncements about the Fishes' weakness for the drink and pills conveniently lying next to the bedside table. Not every Piscean soaks themselves into a stupor or will need to be rushed into A& E for an emergency stomach pumping after swallowing too much Prozac.

The traditional and modern astrology books are filled with written interpretations of the self-harming, overdosing, schizophrenic nature and alcoholic washout of the Pisces Sun. The Piscean individual who allows almost everything disordered into their life, not even recognizing it is too late, until the water rises way above their head, sooner or later - emotionally destroyed. These are the not so pretty perceptions painted of Pisces at their absolute worst, self destructive, and self-undoing..

Let's also bear in mind first of all that each sign has a deep, intrinsic motivation in it, a basic drive which always acts as a catalyst for the individual whether he is aware of it or not. The existential thirst for the secret source of life make some Pisceans drunks while others possess a great mystical streak through the personality.

Chameleon Fish

Pisces is the universal sign, transcending barriers, with a breathtaking fluidity of character. They are the chameleons quietly blending into their surroundings into all parts of life. Not that Pisces is always shifting, most don't even think about it. For one thing, this transforming of colours also represents the changing hues of their emotional spectrum wearing the many faces of joy and ecstasy all the way to the downcast fish floating apathetically, they are naturally changeable in moods. For another, if they are in a room full of lunatics they behave like one and if in a room full of intellectuals, they speak with genius insights; they also have the supreme ability of moving about largely undetected. As Sun-Neptune, Lana, explained it, infinitely better, they have no moral compass pointing due north, no fixed personality; just an inner indecisiveness that is as wide and as wavering as the ocean.

Dark Fish

Tragically, it is the Piscean who can be darkly coloured by passivity, there is an acceptance of misfortune, swimming with the flow of those powerful tides; the sign with the least resistance as popularly referred to in most astrological texts.The Fishy appetite is mammoth and anything feeding the senses is swallowed down in excess, no moderation exists in this realm. We all fear for Pisces return when they venture too far into dangerous depths. But what really makes it frightening is standing on the shore watching this Fish caught in the riptide, rippling out into infinity, having the strange suspicion that she is not even trying to swim back towards the boundaries of safety, and this can be rather disturbing. The difficulty coming back from oblivion is one of the major struggles surrounding the last sign of the zodiac wheel. Sometimes when I explore the evolutionary meaning of Pisces wondering what is the real purpose of being born under the symbol for immensity of feeling, with unconscious motivations, and with this LARGE SCOPE of imaginative vision. Steven Forrest says it is hard to explain its developmental aim without slipping into mystical, religious language. Basically, they must touch the deeper dimensions of reality. Seriously, how can any soul bag up the essential meaning of being a child of the ocean? If one reads Greene's description in Astrology for Lovers, the individual is given a heavy burden to carry emotionally.

"Every sign leaves its trace in Pisces...In this last of the zodiacal signs is represented all of man' helplessness, his longings, his dreams, his needs, his powerlessness in the face of the universe, his delusions of grandeur, his longing for love, his sense of mystery for the divine source which he strives for yet cannot wholly reach without great sacrifice."

No wonder Pisces is left drowning under all of this great need of humanity. Pisces folks are pictured like a bunch of coins sliding through our fingers, some tarnished, some bright, some more "valuable" than others. Most of us have thrown our money into wishing wells, wasting it on secret wishes, hopes, and dreams. Pisces can extend upwards and spiral back downwards; they can embody the occult wisdom of the mystics; the all-seeing psychic eye divining wisdom from the seven seas, or heavenly abode; the unknown realm, everything never communicated, possessing multiple visions and translating it to us mortals. Liz Greene says when describing Pisces: "Everything is seen in double, or in quadruplicate; nothing is ever simple or clear."

Inner Fish Eye

The same for artists, related to this sign, they take a vision from some otherworldly realm, whether its fractured or complete, and paint it onto a canvas transforming it into something beautiful about the human soul. In its largeness, it makes us experience all of our senses at once, and it could be the experience of this rushing wave of ecstasy, surely in this great watery terrain is the place where images are born. Pisces renders something visible which would otherwise not be seen, taking what is latent and shaping it into something on the physical plane. Moreover, art for these people is something of a sweet serendipity, a discovery of the mysteries ultimately unreachable, only glimpsed briefly in their dreaming foray into time and space. Do you know that Pisces have the inner fish eye, the sight of the artist. In short, they are the mediums of human emotions, you will definitely feel something. Of course, many of these natives have blurred vision, but then even the late night advice of the drunk will hold some value and can be quite soul revealing.

Within Pisces is roused the deepest of creative energies, it's hard to explain the sea of content swimming around in their inner world. Plus, the colourful dimensions in this realm are interesting:

"The range from Einstein to the ranks of junkies queuing at midnight in Piccadilly Circus for their weekly methadone is a pretty broad range. So is the range from the Fish, that for two thousand years has symbolized the mystery of Christ, to the sad, scruffy, ineffectual figure which Vivian Robson once described in an astrology text as 'the dustbin of the zodiac'. But this bizarre combination of paradoxical things is typical of Pisces. In an attempt to understand the real motivations of the Piscean (a thing which is impossible from the outset, but which one must, irresistibly, try anyway), I once asked a Pisces friend what he thought about it. 'Well,' he replied with a perfectly straight face, 'it's a well-known fact that every Pisces secretly longs to be given the fishing rights to all the dustbins in Oxford Street.' And there you have it. Take the dustbin literally or symbolically as you please. What the rest of humanity discards, disdains, ignores or cannot comprehend, Pisces pursues. In the midst of the waste and the wreckage of human dreams and the heights of disappointed fantasies, he will fish. . . . and fish. . . and fish. By Liz Greene

The wasted side of Pisces, really all points towards the problem with swimming in the reality of life and with the escapist side of the personality, plus, in this world there are a lot of doors to escapism:

Pisces have a terrible vulnerability with a layer of skin missing. Some would refer to such escapist desires as selfish and they can appear that way to others, at times. The need to free the self from material chains of reality exists powerfully within the nature. Some folks born under the sign despise the full-on Piscean interpretations of escape into cuckoo land, fairytales, and the use of illegal substances. Pisces is the sign that gets to easily slip through the back door, they dive wholeheartedly into the endlessness of unreality, dancing beneath its waves.

Let's leave this here and reflect with a very Pisces, 12th house and Neptunian quote:

“This little theater of mine has as many doors into as many boxes as you please, ten or a hundred thousand, and behind each door exactly what you seek awaits you. It is a pretty cabinet of pictures, my dear friend; but it would be quite useless to go through it as you are. You would be checked and blinded by it at every turn by what you are pleased to call your personality. You have no doubt guessed long since that the conquest of time and the escape from reality, or however else it may be that you choose to describe your longing, means simply the wish to be relieved of your so-called personality. That is the prison where you lie.”
― Hermann Hesse, Steppenwolf

I am a Pisces.

Pluto Transits the 1st House: What to Expect?

2015-12-29T08:08:00.001+00:00

What can I expect in next few years when Pluto enters my first house?

When Pluto transits through the 1st house of the chart it can be somewhat of an intense period. I know that sounds obvious and predictable in astrological language, using the same old descriptions. Still, the usual key words to describe Pluto movements always remain timeless and are incredibly true. So, prepare for a whole change of outlook on life, a restructuring underneath as you sink beneath the ground. After the transition compare this self with your former self, and you might feel awed at the changes which occurred.

Also, expect continual feedback on how you present yourself, sometimes it is unwanted and incredibly critical or attacking; the heaviest of observations on the way others perceive you. However, it might be the truth which is usually accompanied by intense pain or you might have to change your perceptions. Moreover, it could, likewise, be especially positive and life-affirming, however, it must be remembered, you are more vulnerable and sensitive over the control of your self-image. Therefore, overall, some people might be cruel towards you while others are far more empowering.

Whatever happens, this is a massively purging time and no pretense is allowed on Pluto's doorstep, so you might as well leave naivety, false beliefs, anything meaningless in the dust, just leave those things behind, everything is seen through in this realm, no hiding one's true intention. We might think that by batting our eyelashes and smiling sweetly, flirting a little, we can sneakily move past Pluto to the escape route, far away from its fate, its doom and gloom interpretations. Pluto burns intensely enough to singe through all those layers of obscurity and sees the naked self. In fact, as you enter into this new transition period, things might, at first, begin to bubble up with intensity, the feeling of a volcano ready to erupt as things become more vibrant and intense and there may be some upheaval involved. Many have felt it as something of a reevaluation period of their life path. For some, it has involved a house move, relocating, changing jobs. It has been called the opportunity of a lifetime transit, generally, this is described as an individual having the most personal power and so one shouldn't waste it.

The Remaking of the Identity

Under any Pluto transit, we become acutely aware of all we have taken for granted. It forces us to meet with the intense fragility of life, breathing both life and death into our being, and it will hand us a rose that is deeper than all others, speaking to our soul. In a way, it remakes us by kindling all the intense passions within. We know when we are really living life because we begin to notice the flowers growing in the garden, birds singing, how beautiful the sky looks throughout different times of the day. All of those small things we would be so obsessed about take on less importance: like some old argument about something so stupid - we see it through a different lens. The planet Pluto is as dark as it is endless, we all love and hate this god, well, maybe these are more reflective of this astrologer's feelings.

The identity, the person you project to the outer world is heading into a powerful transforming period. It can mean a massive transition in personality, style, and even appearance: one person cut off their long hair during this transition, so goodbye to the old you. It could mean it is time to start a massive weight loss program or just change wardrobe. Be warned, it does often create this need for a hasty transformation, so you could feel the burning intensity for change and make drastic choices in your life. It can mean severances, terminations, removing anything toxic from your life. Though, this can take on positive forms like ending a damaging relationship, telling the boss to go to hell and finding new power, there is often a greater acceptance of one's own capability. Sometimes we believe Pluto is only about taking things away, stripping our life bare, taking all these supposedly unessential things, yet, it not just about death; it is about life. It is about savoring every hundredth of a second of existence and feeling the burning intensity of living.

Rebirth of Energy

Some have described actual things stolen during Pluto's transit through the 1st house and being left in horrible debt, experiencing physical violence or confrontations with a self-destructive loved one. Pluto, Hades, the god of the underworld, isn't all about leaving us empty, it can mean radical change and empowerment. Even through tumultuous times, there is always a spiritual richness and some rewards. Pluto transiting through the 1st house is also a rebirth of energy, will, and intense urge to make use of resources by realizing previously dormant talents, a deep ability to see what was there all along. You lift up a handful of glittering diamonds where a second ago there was coal. It can represent a period when your approach to the world is heightened with greater passion, emotional convictions, seriousness, you carry a more intense nature for a while and it could even usher in a deeply reflective, introspective time. One can feel like the caterpillar ready to transform with a need to hide the self. In this cocoon, in this dark, in the still, intense waiting as you are busy waiting to become whatever it is you want to become.

Relationships may become more heated during this phase, reactions to the world are more powerful. Pluto themes could present themselves more strongly with this crossing, there could be issues to do with death, survival, power-struggles involving domineering relations. The Ascendant is one of the most sensitive points on the birth chart and anything crossing this angular house is definitely felt. You could learn a lot about the cycles of life, understanding them more profoundly. One person related that a friend was diagnosed with a terminal illness during this movement, so we are confronted with painful issues of surviving crisis, tragedy, and loss. However, this can also mean a new perspective on life as it deepens, sometimes it blackens, too, since Pluto can indicate the onset of some of our blackest periods in life. The planet forces us to look inwards, so deep introspective times are usually on the horizon. For many folks, the way they view life changes dramatically, it is never the same again. You could be confronted with an ending of some kind, so it can reflect major changes. Brand new eyes are given in the junction of this life, not that the old way of perceiving life is dead but psychically you begin to sense the unseen, invisible, supernatural world behind reality.

The Hidden Dimensions

Another thing which could happen is an urge to delve into the deeper occult aspects of the world, hunting out unsolved mysteries, being drawn to anything darkly intriguing, and it can be a spiritually transforming time; learning about the highest spiritual meaning and coming face to face with the ugliest side of life. It can symbolize the greatest time for self-development delving into the hidden dimensions of the self and the nature of your world. It can vary, it can be a combination of these things together, sometimes we don't embark on a deep journey into the soul without the trigger of some kind of personal tragedy. The transit may also have you confronting negative feelings about your appearance, those real feelings around the physical shell. A Pluto transit can revolve around physical, mental and spiritual changes. Outwardly it can also reflect a new magnetism and you become the embodiment of transformational change, leaving behind the old, embracing this new self-expression.

Have You Ever Dated A Scorpio?

2015-12-28T12:22:00.000+00:00

Question: Have you ever dated a Scorpio? How important was sex in the relationship?

Yes, but why do you need to drag up this sludge again. I have already divulged and unleashed a proper Taylor Swift on him. The relationship inspired one of the most visited posts on this website and I had to sit down and write about this icy cold Scorpion in his underground layer, stinging anyone who comes near and withdrawing into his deep dark hole. Moreover, I also read later some inside information about Scorpio's "withdrawal" and they actually feel a powerful phase in their mid-thirties; this need for disengagement, something to do with balancing the social life with a need for privacy, deeply absorbed in whatever is going on underneath. This is more likely to be a life-long passage since they go through emotional cycles of life, death and resurrection.

Actually, the man I dated is a Sun in Scorpio conjunct Pluto (turn it up by 1000 amps). He looked a lot like this in the gif below: Sometimes he would wear this cool black coat with the collar up and it killed me e.v.e.r.y t.i.m.e. It felt a lot like the Selena Gomez song (love it): Your eyes are like a weapon they’d kill me if I let ‘em. I will be honest, this lover could have been the only person to ever touch anything so buried deep within, so I was pretty traumatized by the emotions it brought out of my soul. However, Scorpions are a shade difficult to deal with, plus maddeningly frustrating. Now, some astrologers believe Scorpio craves intimacy so intensely, they sometimes feel afraid and unready for it.

For time immemorial this astrological sign has been described as the most powerful, and he certainly planted this astrologer six foot under, with his image painted inside my coffin. Unforgettable, may be an understatement, and at their worst they can be intimidating. At their best, they are bloody awesome, deeply engaged with a great deal of self knowledge, very retrospective. The nice ones will enrich your emotional life, endowing you with intense, passionate, long-lasing feelings. Woman to woman - just don't fall at his mercy, under his control and be sucked into his personal magnetism, and there is plenty.

However, I am a not complete loser of a Pisces woman: I know how to give as good as I get. I clawed my way back out of the dirt, wrapped my wounds, and kissed him goodbye. A kiss of death right back, baby!

Scorpio is a hypnotizing horror and magnificently beautiful penetrating you to the core.

The Scorpion can wrap around you and nearly crush to death every ounce of life. Actually, there is something with Scorpio which pertains to them being great weavers, they have this ability to take loose threads and begin weaving a new life.

Now, Let's us move to the second question:

How important was sex in the relationship? Oh lord, don't you have a dirty mind.

Well, we know Scorpio has gathered around it a seedy sexual reputation, they are passion incarnate on the spot. What normal mortal could really live up to such a sexy and devilish image? Yes, they form intense attachments, but it is not always for sex purposes. I Once read an astrological book stating Scorpio fantasizes and masturbates from a very early age (yikes). It made for shocking reading, even more nasty than Jeff Green's sexual interpretations on the Venus signs in Pluto, Vol II: The Soul's Evolution Through Relationships. However, If you read the classic bible guide to all things astrological in Astrology for Lovers by Liz Greene

Page 322 line 13...Scorpio 322: 13 " Enough has been written about Scorpio's famous sensuality and erotic inclinations to make further descriptions redundant. Not only redundant: they're not strictly accurate either. Passion, Scorpio possesses in abundance. But that passion may not necessarily come out in the obvious way. Sexuality for Scorpio is more a matter of emotion - a symbol of reaching a different order of experience. It isn't just a physical release. Taurus is really the sign of pure earthy sensuality, not Scorpio. Many Scorpios have a deep mystical feeling about sex, and sex and love are bound up with a longing for some kind of experience which the ordinary relationship can never provide. Call it what you like - a mystical experience, a taste of the depths. a surrender or whatever. It has less to do with the body, and more to do with the soul." By Liz Greene

Can I finally close this book now ;-P.

The South and North Node - The Sweet and Sour

2015-12-27T17:57:00.000+00:00

The North Node attributes are what we need to develop and strengthen; the nodal axis itself, containing both South and North Node are said to be sensitive points on the birth chart.

A significant factor when interpreting the meaning of the Nodes is to think of the North Node as the key to our future self, so we can choose whether or not to open and unlock the door to this sexy new person. In regards to the South Node, we are very much still standing in its doorway. Therefore, if an individual is to fulfil some of the goals set out for this lifetime, they need to move towards the North Node entrance.

We will never truly know the value of the North Node until we start to develop those qualities as described by its sign and house. We are constantly evolving and strutting into the future, sexily walking towards a new destiny. Astrologers will often confidently tell us that, if we move towards our North Node it holds the key to future happiness, success, meaning and a greater sense of purpose (a lot of sweet stuff). It almost sounds too good to be true, and it is essential, if this is one area where free will is most definitely used to our greatest advantage, that we apply ourselves to developing the characteristics and traits surrounding the North Node sign/ house as it will lead to further spiritual development (with goodies).

Walking a tightrope with the Nodes

The North Node is where we need to focus our energy this lifetime. But this is not easy as we must also consider the South Node which is the past and is OVER-DEVELOPED -- ingrained into our SOUL. It often leads to a serious imbalance and this is the Achilles heel of all opposing signs, they often represent this backwards and forwards energy for a good portion of an individual's life. The North Node definitely needs more conscious effort applied and the South Node is our unconscious zone, the things we do automatically. The task is to break-free from those habitual patterns of behaviour. We return to the South Node as a place that we know well, when we should really be searching out for more experience in our North Node town in order to achieve more training within that place.

The South Node is usually a place where we feel at ease, it is our safety net, we know how to easily navigate this area of life, and it is the place where we retreat. The risk zone is the North Node, the unexplored territory and the new place of learning in this lifetime. It is common knowledge that taking risks always leads to more growth. The South Node can present an area where we are locked into certain patterns of behaviour and too much of that behaviour can actually lead to being way too comfortable in old ways of behaviour and fearing change.

To grow, we have to challenge this comfort zone and unlock the opposite sign/house and allow it full expression. Otherwise, the South Node can be a place of repeating patterns. In psychology, it is thought that people repeat the same patterns in the same ways, and it is proclaimed that evolution is not inevitable, so we really can get stuck in the same old loop. Freud believed that, if people could become conscious of their unconscious patterns, they would no longer be controlled by those patterns. Without consciousness our South Node takes on a sort of scripted quality, and we continually have the same thoughts, creating the same old behavioral modes by pushing away unfamiliar experiences that could actually enhance our life. We all have psychological defences against change, and some people are more fearful than others.

As Dane Rudyhar points out the Nodes are formed through the cyclic motion of the Sun’s solar year and Moon’s lunar months and so there is this past-future connection. Also explaining that the North Node is the intake of new experiences, termed as “spiritual cosmic energies” and stating that he has stressed for thirty-two years about the procreative and evacuative forces of the Nodes and that many astrologers have not taken note. The astrologer feels there is a heightened energy in the South Node and that there is a kind of massive release of energy which we also seek to reduce in some sense, stating that the South Node is where we release energy automatically.

Dane Rudyhar’s analogy is certainly interesting and underneath it all there are really good pointers to how the Nodes operate. His interpretation of the Nodes is different from general readings and the author (Node article) constantly refers to the procreative and evacuative powers. In layman's terms, we poop out the South Node and now need to find something different to eat. Usually, this involves more prolonged chewing on the North Node eventually digesting those lessons. Perhaps, after we have fully swallowed the North Node as in the Dragon's head/mouth side of the NN we might excrete that, too, in our next lifetime. Rudyhar will probably be turning in his grave, especially at the way I have just explained his amazng insights on the Nodes. My sincere apologies and it is noted that my paraphrasing definitely needs a LOT of work.

All in all, I actually do believe that we ingest energy, digest, assimilate and release. The Nodal axis is the balancing of energy containing the experiences and qualities of life we have fully tasted and there are new ones that have yet to be savoured. However, one more point, before we turn the zodiac into a buffet wheel. The nodes when served in balance allow for the inflow and outflow of energy, so we tend to become more healthy and balanced people. See, I have been paying full attention in my Nodal classes.

Hard Aspects: Nothing but Trouble?

2015-12-26T18:58:00.001+00:00

Question: Do Hard Aspects indicate an insecure personality with a life full of struggle?

Well, somewhat, but who doesn't feel insecure and battle against something personally. My advice would be to keep all of our dents, bruises, scars, it makes us interesting. If we want to be boring, well-adjusted, and even tempered with a chart full of soft aspects: sextiles and trines (bear in mind, I have come across some psychopathic and unsavory charts with a LOT of easy contacts, go figure), then never lose it, no extremes, contours, corners knocked off, as some psychologists say. Imagine how uninteresting reading a book would be without the heroine involved in some gut-wrenching self-encounter, some kind of confrontation with the mother or father, lover; the world at large. What if life contained no drama, painful revelation, or struggle? More importantly, what if we never experienced the great feeling of overcoming, with effort, some immense trial? Let's be honest, our life would end up being something of a yawn fest, and we would get real slack. The hard aspects (conjunction, square and opposition) indicate those significant moments of our existence, along with those intense feelings stirred within us about some issue regarding ourselves. Without the narrative of a difficult and challenging life, nobody would be turning the pages quickly in anticipation, as it would lack oomph. The universe isn't a total jerk we, too, receive ease throughout our allotted time here on this planet.

One can also recognize modern astrologers tendency to sometimes sweeten the interpretations of the harder aspects by claiming they are the very essence of our "spiritual growth." In truth, hard aspects ain't gonna be plain sailing; they sometimes cause problems, create compulsions - lead to complexes. In a lot of psychological astrology, it points towards a difficult planetary contact on a birth chart as forcing us to make a choice, implying that a conflict lies between two aspects of our nature. In the beginning, we are not shown how these two conflicting sides of the personality can be reconciled, sometimes we live out one side and project the other. We usually have lessons, later on, revolving around how to balance these aspects of our nature, without having to always experience these greater excesses of energy, frustration, and difficulty with expression. We are also advised to find an outlet for the hard aspects and raise our level of consciousness with these contrasting elements so that they don't act out destructively when left buried in the unconscious. Difficult contacts heighten energy around particular themes concerning the planets involved, they are prone to over-excitement. In The Astrology of Personalty, Dane Rudyhar recognized that everybody is motivated to evolve in the direction of psychic wholeness, realizing there were also archetypal forces in the individual struggling to transform.

According to Doris Hebal:

When I started studying astrology many years ago, I read all the available books on the subject. Unfortunately, most of these older texts are filled with what I call "wrist slitters' statements. Based on these interpretations alone, if you have mostly "hard" aspects you are worthless and nothing good will ever happen to you. For instance, Sun square Mars denotes a person with a violent temper who is capable of murder or who will be murdered; physical violence is endemic to the aspect. I have Sun squaring Mars in my own chart, and, although I have been angry at times, I have not seriously entertained the thought of killing someone, no one has yet killed me. Nor do I continually encounter violence. This sinister interpretation has its roots in the historical perspective of people who lived centuries ago. In simple terms, Sun/Mars aspects mean self-motivation. But in the dark ages, when a majority of people were serfs or slaves with little power to direct their own lives, a serf with the self-assertiveness of Sun square Mars would probably have been beaten or killed. In that society, a Sun/Mars square wasn't very auspicious. Today, the self-motivation of this aspect is considered to be very useful in directing your life.

The hard aspects are hard, plain and simple. By nature, they are designed to create struggle, angst, and seem hardened to our inner plight for release. True, they can make us or break us at times; they can make us steely or tough, give us tremendous power. They can be exhausting, wearying, back-breaking, soul-crushing, and uncomfortable. As Beyonce sings, who needs a degree when your schoolin life'?

We all look for an escape route from pain and hard work, and it's not really about seeing things as "good" or "bad" in life, human growth comes in many forms, goes through many different phases.

“The old concept of chronological, orderly, symmetrical development of character died when it was discovered that the unconscious motivations are entirely at odds with fabricated conventions. Human beings do not grow in perfect symmetry. They oscillate, expand, contract, backtrack, arrest themselves, retrogress, mobilize, atrophy in part, proceed erratically according to experience and traumas. Some aspects of the personality mature, others do not. Some live in the past, some in the present. Some people are futuristic characters, some are cubistic, some are hard-edged, some geometric, some abstract, some impressionistic, some surrealistic!” ― Anaïs Nin, The Novel of the Future

Not everything is meant to flow easily in life, not every poem rhymes; sometimes the paint is cracked, and the metal is rusted. Let's face it, difficult aspects make us care more about what happens, they can be hard, so we have to be harder, learn how to handle it. The hard aspects can make us say, 'Oh it's heavy. Oh it's hard. It isn't easy.' Hardly any aspect of life is free from conflict and hard aspects do have this tendency to create knotty problems, but what we really need to ask is how the aspects of our personality have shaped us as a human being? What have we been forced to confront? Such aspects in the personality certainly make up a large part of who we are as people. Hard aspects make us human, however, they are not the most pleasant weather to endure, but they help us to grow, develop and form as individuals.

What used to be regarded as "difficult" aspects in a chart are then sugar-coated with all sorts of idealized and flowery language, and the fact that some of these aspects indicate not only real problems for the person but also major defects or negative qualities in the character is ignored. It seems that it is time to be realistic about ourselves and view of life. Life is full of difficulties and problems. That is what makes it such a profound learning experience for the soul. If we view the birth chart as a comprehensive symbol of an individual's life potentials and life pattern, then that symbol must include indications of these crucial life problems, these areas of life wherein we can learn major lessons which further our growth. By Stephen Arroyo

Moodiest Moon Sign

2015-12-16T13:51:00.005+00:00

Question: What Moon signs are the moodiest?

The answer might be somewhat obvious if we look at it straightforwardly. Since the Moon rules Cancer and reflects our moods, it is kind of a double whammy thing. Naturally, the Moon in Cancer will withdraw deeply into introspective depths and it gives rise to the embodiment of feminine irrationality. Even though this comes across as incredibly sexist, as us women know - men can also be MOODY, especially if the lunar aspect of the personality is powerful on the birth chart. Also, the Moon in the other two WATER signs (Fishes and Scorpion) will tend to react in incredibly moody ways. Much of this moodiness could be perceived as coming from the unconscious depths, home to the water trinity of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Furthermore, we basically come to understand the watery signs as moody, jealous, borderline homicidal - crazy. With many becoming bogged down in a foul smelling mood and, of course, I am exaggerating here.

The unconscious (ruled by all of the watery elements of the horoscope) is a massive trigger for moods, we could be doing something as mundane as cleaning the floor and then suddenly a memory trips transporting us back to the night our mother or father died, dragging up all of those old feelings again. It could be about absolutely anything, but the unconscious has a lot to answer for when it resurfaces all of this stuff. Often, even after a particularly vivid dream, we could also be left lingering in a mood, or perhaps there is an unpleasant feeling in the atmosphere has the power to take over our mood. However, any Moon sign can have moods, it is not solely the domain of the watery souls of the zodiac. Any person who goes without sleep will recognise how emotionally sensitive and touchy the whole world feels. Moods are triggered by feelings of discomfort, so if we are going without our lunar needs being met, feeling hungry, or coping with emotional neglect, consequently, we are bound to feel irritable.

We are moody when overworked and exhausted. If we feel anxious or low our mood can hit rock bottom. The Moon part of the chart designs us to be responsive to the environment. We are often told moods are irrational and we should quell them. We fear being called hysterical, but moods are constantly in flux, they ebb and flow in a cycle, wax and wane. Although, throw any planet in Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces and things can turn into a watery oblivion, or else, at least, possess a heavy emotional tone.Trying to communicate feelings always comes out blurry and so we just express it through a changed tone of voice, emotional rantings, and usually end up in tears.

Pluto's Discovery and Astronomical Features

2015-12-16T12:03:00.000+00:00

As early as 1905, Percival Lowell thought there was a planet (mysterious planet x') beyond the orbit of Neptune and he continued to search for it up until his death in 1916. Pluto was eventually discovered on February 18, 1930, at 4 pm. It occurred in the Lowell Observatory, in Flagstaff, Arizona, by laboratory assistant Claude Tombaugh, who was far more consistent, persistent and systematic in his search.

Pluto has a very strange orbit and most of the time Pluto is the farthest planet from Earth, but sometimes Pluto sneaks inside Neptune's orbit so that Neptune is farther away than Pluto. In fact, the last time Neptune and Pluto played switcheroo was in 1979. Twenty years later the dark planet returned to being the most distant. According to Dane Rudhyar there is a little secret rendezvous happening between these two outer planets. With many a planet's orbit it usually gives clues to the existence of another planet sending astronomers on a wild and frantic search

It is believed the discovery of Pluto is very Plutonian in its style, although it was suspected to exist it pretty much remained in darkness and took years to surface. It also had its ceremonial burial in August 2006, when the international Astronomical Union defined the nature of a planet. Pluto did not meet the requirements of a regular planet and was stripped of its status. Astrologers are still hemorrhaging from reading this statement as this planet has such a powerful force over humanity. So, where does this leave Pluto amongst the astrological community? To us, the planet remains the same and keeps its astrological rank and it has always been unassailable in its influence over human lives. In keeping with its meaning, it became something of a 'black sheep' as a non-planet. The recent New Horizons spacecraft did a drive-by past Pluto's kingdom, kind of an underworld adventure taking snapshots recording its disappearing atmosphere.

The planets' discovery coincided with the rise of depth psychology, the rise of Fascism and Nazi Europe and also the production of the atomic bomb. The naming of the planet went under heavy consideration with thousands of entries put forth. An 11-year-old schoolgirl from Oxford called Venetia Burney put forth an idea which was accepted; she was very interested in mythology and astronomy and likened the planet's existence in perpetual darkness and cold to the life of the Roman god of the underworld. The mythological connections seemed obvious since the planet received little light. The name also seemed ideally suited since it was made of the first two letters of its discoverer Percival Lowell.

The surface of Pluto is extremely cold, but scientists are not sure exactly how cold. Some guess it to be somewhere between -378 and -396 degrees Farenheight. The planet is most predominantly made of water-ice metamorphosing into different crystal structures depending on the pressure. Its is thought the bright, icy areas of Pluto are measurably colder than the dark areas. However, it is also believed the inside of this planet is warmer than its surface and the interior contains radioactive elements that naturally break down or decay. When radioactive elements collapse, they give off radiation, or energy.

Because Pluto is so far from the Sun it is very dark and everything is a thousand times dimmer. Even though it receives less sunlight, it does receive ultraviolet energy and it creates a chemical reaction in the atmosphere giving off a layer of haze or smog around the planet. Thereupon, what is the meaning of Pluto in the astrological community? Well, many of the planet's qualities, atmosphere, and its time of discovery give us a lot of information to its nature. For the most part, it can contain difficult subjects such as death, rape and aggressive acts perpetrated against the innocent. The planet also metes out revenge and justice of a particularly black kind. It also rules loss and every loss always seems to trigger all others, building on each other. As they say, goodbyes are painful especially if they are prolonged. Many people under the influence of Pluto have the gift for concentration and possess kind of tunnel vision when involved in something passionate to their cause, nothing exists outside of it, they are so serious and intense. The whole cycle of life, death, and rebirth is bound to this planet and the understanding that everything we gather around us will perish in the not so distant future.

Mars Sextile Jupiter

2015-12-16T08:00:00.001+00:00

An individual with Mars sextile Jupiter will often possess this fiery nature, albeit subtle, symbolizing a bold character with a natural assertion of beliefs, philosophical understanding, and faith. A questing and highly spirited soul with a lively personality, plus a striking energy that can embrace life's adventures more than anyone. The aspect is usually descriptive of a personality interested in sports and there is usually an insistence on activity and travel. There can be a strong urge in the person to feel especially drawn to religious areas and it is a good combination for fighting for their beliefs.

Mars in astrology represents the desire aspect of the ego. It is a symbol of sexual impulse, aggression and the method of going after want we want. It is masculine, outward thrusting in force and possesses the energy to overcome obstacles standing in the way of progress. Jupiter is also a strong energy and represents the force for growth and stimulates the impulse towards greater development. When Mars is sextile Jupiter there is a realization of that physical strength and powers of self-assertion. Moreover, they confidently push ahead with their plans for the future and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. Such a contact in the natal chart is useful for leaning on in times when the individual needs to push for more vitality, especially anything involving outdoor pursuits, traveling and sporting activities. This can be an enjoyable and playful aspect of the nature giving a good sense of humor and the ability to play. On the fun side, it relates to joking and a little bit of cheeky mischievousness, not harmful to anybody, usually, it embodies a gentle risk-taking aspect of the personality a trickle of adventurous

The more challenging nature of this aspect is seen in the kind of nature that is dangerously high-spirited, troublemaking, holding a devil-may-care-attitude, loving sexual adventures and can be found romping their way through lovers. Mostly, these are traits belonging to the more over-excitable and exaggerated nature of the harder aspects (conjunction, square, and opposition). Since, however, Mars sextile Jupiter is the softer version, there can be a noble, generous and positive outlook on life. It basically allows this individual to better express personal drive. The spirit of independence is strong and, usually, they are fortunate in the gentle ways of getting what they want. This combination loves to make things happen and won't' sit idly by watching the clock.

Direct and authentic in their worldviews, usually expressed in a healthy manner. Actually, this aspect also denotes a good vitality of the body overall, so mind, spirit, and physical energy are all given a boost. Mars sextile Jupiter will ordinarily be found jumping over the hurdles of life with minimum struggles; they quickly spot opportunities and seize upon them, turning any situation advantageous for themselves. Such a contact reminds us all of the fun times of adolescence with its playfulness, endless horseplay, and laughter. Mars-Jupiter always possesses the courage to say "yes" to life, to take life by the reins and ride it all the way up the mountain. They see life as a daring adventure or nothing at all. The courage to take risks and to try new things can lead them in the gallop towards victory. A sense of fearlessness is written all over this aspect with the power of courage to push the spirit through the barriers of existence and onto new frontiers. Mars sextile Jupiter is future orientated and never fearful of pushing out of that comfort zone.

The Astrology of Generosity

2015-12-15T10:23:00.000+00:00

Question: What aspects point to generosity and a giving spirit?

In general, we can look to Jupiter for material giving, and in myth he is the biggest of the gods and dispenser of gifts, conferring immeasurable wealth, power, and honor to those he favored. The spirit of the planet was thought to be joyful, impassioned, with a dramatic nature. The mythic king of heaven imagines bigger and better possibilities than the world in which we live, and is understood to be the bringer of luck and gives hope for the future and that is where all expectations, dreams, and promises live - in the far-off distant land of tomorrow. We need to specuale good things are coming and this embodies our wish to see a progressive betterment in human conditions. In the Jupiter house, we can be very generous, benevolent and charitable and the theory for this, by some astrologers, revolves around the idea that we usually have more than we need in this realm, a surplus of energy and we feel wealthy and filled to the brim, whether this is physical, mental or spiritual depends on the individual. Wherever Jupiter sits is where our very own Mr. Good Deeds resides and this is also where we feel we especially "gifted" and confer plenty of abundance onto others. Jupiter is about finding optimism and this can come from having faith in the goodness of others and believing people generally possess an open heart. It's no lie, people also like the good feeling received from giving. When a huge donation to a charity is received it is usually given by a Jupiterian individual. Jupiter-Neptune is also often a highly charitable aspect and usually found in this charts of those giving huge amounts of resources, support, and help.

In the Encyclopedia of Psychological Astrology Charles Carter writes;

Generosity is one of the higher Jupiter attributes, and it occurs especially if the fiery signs and their rulers are well placed. It is to be extinguished from extravagance by the fact that, while the same elements are involved, the aspects will be benefic, and the Saturn element, although probably not prominent, will nevertheless be harmoniously introduced. The Moon and also Venus are on the whole and careful in almsgiving; Cancer and Taurus like value for their money, but are not normally mean; Mercury and his signs incline to self-consideration first.

Here are a couple of examples showing reportedly generous people (Charts posted further below).

Yvette Labrousse was a French philanthropist, partnering up with Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III. Miss France was well known for her generosity and compassion for the impoverished and the elderly. This lady worked towards the alleviation of poverty and improvement in the quality of life for many. In Yvette's natal chart, Jupiter is flying high in the 10th house and this usually represents an advantageous position in society. Moreover, Jupiter is also powerfully aspected in the natal chart forming aspects to the Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Venus. The Jupiterian nature in Labrousse touches all of those Aquarius planets in the 7th house of one-to-one relationships. Such a combination shows Yvette's very broadminded, philosophical nature, high ideals, revealing a philanthropic, visionary, friendly and intellectual soul.

At the root of the personality is someone who is forward looking, humanitarian at heart and someone with a large beneficiary umbrella. Life in Yvette's world is filled with plenty of ideas of how the en masse should all best live together. Marrying well, she has probably used her position in the world to further advances her social causes. Aquarius is a worldwide sign, caring about groups of people. Air signs are usually interested in the arts, social gatherings, and the classical artistic style and these interests were also listed in Yvette's online biography.

Diamond Jim Brady was pointed out to have a reckless generosity. Brady could easily fall in the extravagant group. Most popular google searches most want to know about Diamond's appetite and diet. The man on the left has amassed a fortune as a salesman for companies manufacturing steel railroad cars. Referred to as morbidly obese and lavish in style, he had a penchant for jewels, especially diamonds.

"Brady's enormous appetite was as legendary as his wealth, though modern experts believe it was greatly exaggerated. It was not unusual, according to the legend, for Brady to eat enough food for 10 people at a sitting.George Rector, owner of a favorite restaurant, described Brady as "the best 25 customers I ever had." In the bookFenton And Fowler's Best, Worst, and Most Unusual (1976), Brady was listed in the chapter "Food" as having the "Best Appetite". For breakfast, he would eat "vast quantities of hominy, eggs, cornbread, muffins, flapjacks, chops, fried potatoes, beefsteak, washing it all down with a gallon of fresh orange juice." A mid-morning snack would consist of "two or three dozen clams or Lynnhaven oysters." Luncheon would consist of "shellfish...two or three deviled crabs, a brace of boiled lobsters, a joint of beef, and an enormous salad." He would also include a dessert of "several pieces of homemade pie" and more orange juice. Brady would take afternoon tea, which consisted of a "another platter of seafood, accompanied by two or three bottles of lemon soda." Dinner was the main meal of the day, taken at Rector's Restaurant. It usually comprised "two or three dozens oysters, six crabs, and two bowls of green turtle soup. Then in sumptuous procession came six or seven lobsters, two canvasback ducks, a double portion of terrapin, sirloin steak, vegetables, and for dessert a platter of French pastries." Brady would even include two pounds of chocolate candy to finish off the meal." Diamond Jim Brady

He donated significant sums to two hospitals where he was treated for medical reasons, and this could be profound for he has Jupiter placed in the 12th house ruling medical institutions. Jupiter sits in Aries at the apex of an incredibly tense t-square with the Moon and Saturn. When Jupiter is at the focal point under such stress the following interpretation by Tracy Marks is given for a possible interpretation for the negative expression of this astrological configuration.

"Physically, your excessive approach to life may result in weight gain and liver disorders. Psychologically, your lack of moderation leads you to become carried away with your experiences, activities and relationships. Frequently self-indulgent, lazy and extravagant, you tend to substitute quantity for quality, taking more and more pleasurable experiences until you become congested. Likewise, you expect too much from other people, demanding that they fulfill your needs and satisfy your voracious appetites. Although you are a giver as well as a taker, your giving is often compulsive, indulgent or patronizing; you boost your own ego by showering your favors upon people you may regard as inferior or incapable of satisfying their own needs." Planetary Aspects: From Conflict to Cooperation-How to Handle Your T-Square

Yvette's Chart Below:

Diamond's Chart Below:

Astrology Site Map

2015-12-15T08:09:00.001+00:00

A new site map has been added to the top menu. Recently I have been trying to search the site as a user on the front page and noticed many page numbers don't go far back. Obviously, I can see all my posts from the editing room at the back, but searcher experience wasn't much fun at the front. No matter what you click it only shows a few pages. I added the search at the top of the website for more ease of access, but they only show so many results on the page. So, since The Astrology Place is now over 1000 pages a Site Map is long overdue.

Uranus: A Different Reality

2015-12-11T10:20:00.000+00:00

Question: How does Uranus see reality different?

On the left is how Uranus sees reality, and it has something to do with the code and design behind everything, geometry, the mathematics of the heavens, cosmic patterns. Many subjects under Uranus' rulership include astrology, astronomy, space, and technology. The perceptions under this vibrant planet are raised to an idealistic and utopian level, with an 'ahead of the time' vision and possibly a prophetic foresight of the future with flashes of insight. Usually, it views anything from outside the norm and radically altered from whatever is the model or standard. The planet, being an outsider, also possesses a different and unique perspective and many "outsiders" have something to offer in the area of thinking with this ability to view things in a way someone on the "inside" cannot. Essentially Uranus steers towards the unconventional, moving to a different beat and with an original style.

When Uranus was discovered it ultimately shook the time-honored worldview of there being "seven planets" in the Universe, reality changed significantly and we had to overturn the old system, something still upsetting to rigid astrologers refusing to acknowledge this vaster dimension of space. Suddenly the cosmos was twice as great as people had thought.

The discovery of Uranus was startling. Up to that point, the only planet people knew about were those whose movement could be seen among the stars and seen easily without the help of a telescope. People believed that Saturn was at the edge of the Solar System. All at once a planet twice as far away as Saturn was located making us realize there was far more space out there. The planet Uranus loves to break old molds and its rotation is more horizontal than vertical. Moreover, it sees things differently by viewing outside of normal reality. The introduction of this new outer planet represented the world we could alter, modify, change, and ultimately transform.

One can hear the murmuring of Uranus when trapped in a life one did not choose. Uranus turns questions marks upside down, one might then begin to question what is right side up and turn their head differently. Uranus has gotcha the moment reality has just been viewed uniquely. It shakes the tree, and this leaves some people uneasy. Sometimes this Uranian planet is the plan b in life when something isn't working out, suddenly this new door springs open and transforms things, everything grows in the opposite way.

Uranus is a magnetic planet, scientists believe there is a sea of "water" inside about 500 hundred miles deep, and if that is so it would not be like that in our oceans. It has something to do with the weight of the atmosphere and its broken into ions or groups of atoms (don't ask me to explain) but it would make the ocean of Uranus electrically charged and this produces the magnetic field that has been detected. Curiously, Uranus also possess an electrical nature and was found at the dawning of the electrical age. It also produces shockwaves all around when communicating new insights from this alien dimension or mindscape and it challenges our conventional outlook and frays the edges of language.

Pisces: Hard to Pin-Down

2015-12-11T06:22:00.000+00:00

Why is Pisces so hard to pin-down?

Pisces is the sign least able to cope with reality, its burdens, and responsibilities.

Unreality always bleeds into their existence with the promise of perfect bliss, expansion and beautiful possibilities. Many of these individuals also often possess hopes and dreams difficult to pin-down, they are forever drifting through life from one thing to another.
Indeed, they are a slippery fish disappearing into the bottomless ocean trying to find whatever sunken treasure is hidden down below. Moreover, a Piscean cannot enter such a watery realm as a sea-life creature does, like a dolphin, and so it must be entered into mentally and imaginatively.
You know, those mystical callings coming 24/7 can be distracting and always keeps Pisces away as new revelations pour through unconsciously; being excellent swimmers they will often be found in the sea of unconsciousness.

Mutable Water: A Shift Shaping Zodiac Sign

The Fishes are ruled by MUTABLE WATER so the most shift-shaping sign of the watery trigon is also the most impressionable and often possesses an instinctive attraction to prophetic and spiritual insights that are hard to seize with words. Drawn to the inarticulate nature of the unconscious with its swelling and swelling; it fills consciousness allowing Pisces at its highest level to produce works of art and music.

The perception of everything in the world massively changes in accordance with Pisces ruler - Neptune, this must be understood, and it's like a special music being played which only a Piscean can hear. As daft as it may all sound, there is some truth to the reality of these different wavelengths existing, and as the psychics remind us there are many different frequencies and levels of reality.

The everyday mundane area always feels like a source of disappointment, failure and defeat for the Fishes. Earth FM is not their favorite station to tune into on a daily basis. The imaginative world will always be far more powerful than reality for nothing can live up to fantasy. Many a Piscean will journey off into these voyages of the mind exploring deeper knowledge and returning.

Also, they are oversensitive and vulnerable and certain locations with a particular vibration make it difficult to breathe, its OVERWHELMING, as they soak up atmospheres like blotting paper. In fact, the moods are easily affected by the environment, so if it's happy and healing Pisces will feel stay longer, but if it's something highly negative in the air, they will tune into it and sadly fall into one of those unfathomable moods. Pisces does not always know what is affecting the soul, but feels this psychic pull and there is a similarity to the fish moved by the currents of the sea. Pisces needs to return those thrashing waters to a more tranquil state again, but the only way to do this is to find the quickest escape route and sail away to a safe harbour.

Reality Bites

Pisces is one of the zodiac signs we just have to accept can't explain everything happening on the inside, whether it is some intuitive understanding, some prophetic dream coming true, or overwhelming sensitivity.
Reality leaves thin skinned Pisces easily bruised and wounded, they turn away from superficiality, indifference and shallowness. The News is often upsetting and always makes them want to escape from the world as there is a profound sense of empathy and a heavy sense of sadness about the wrongs committed by human beings.
The sign finds it incredibly hard to be detached, so sometimes Pisces will distance themselves from others until they are able to get a stronger hold on their sense of boundaries and separate sense of identity. Maybe they have gone off to save somebody or have withdrawn to feed the stray cat in their backyard, a reflection of their kindness to all creatures.
Being an escapist personality, they need to retreat off into their own world for a period of time. Pisces needs space to dream, fantasize and tune into another reality without distraction.

“You know what I mean? Real and unreal, beautiful and strange, like a dream. It got me high as a kite, but it didn’t last long enough. It ended too soon and left nothing behind.”

That’s how it is with dreams,” said Priscilla. “They’re the perfect crime.”

Or, dreams are hard to pin-down, and Pisces rules dreaming, which comes as no surprise.

Unzipping Taurus

2015-12-10T14:38:00.003+00:00

Taurus is associated with country life, farming, and roots. The rural experience is deemed as a way of living that brings deep contentment, satisfaction and peace for many individuals. Because what it offers is a time to rest, relax, unwind, breathe in nature, take in books, music, and undergo a kind of back to basics transformation unfolding ourselves in the most natural way possible. The quiet, calm and tranquil ways are beneficial, everything feels as if it is placed in its most natural setting. Moreover, if helps us to engage in the here and now of existence, being captivated by the richness of creation, drawn to the sensuality of the earth and body.

Let's face it, who doesn't have those moments when we want to take leave of the city with its hustle and bustle, feeling breathless, panting from constant rushing, running, moving, hurrying, falling into hastier and more superficial rhythms, trying to silence the constant buzzing in the mind. Centrally speaking, we need somewhere to STOP and press pause for a while, allowing us to fall ever gently into beauty and tranquility, slowing down long enough to smell the roses, enjoying today for what it is forgetting the thorns, the pains, our problems. In essence, in Taurean Land, we must find out what is truly valuable in life through learning the art of STILLNESS. As one might expect this is a down to earth sign and we must dig our hands into the soil. Steven Forrest refers to the Taurean as the healing rustle of birds among green leaves.

Taurus is thought to be the most demonstrative sign when it comes to physical affection, to touch and be touched. They love deeply, simply and long. Taurus has a great appreciation for art and music adoring anything which pleases the senses. Many will often spend their later years, creating the kind of beauty that instills a sense of self-worth and producing something of lasting worth is paramount. Anything produced gives a huge amount of pleasure and enjoyment. The Taurean part of the self, works with materials of the earth, with clay, stone, fabric or wood. Being creative is one of mankind's greatest talents and it is a major resource. It feels good and is incredibly rewarding to make something of value. Mother Earth provides everything we need to be happy, we need to recognize the vibrant paint colors of life. Earth people are also commonly wonderful to have around for they seem to grow taller and stronger every year, they unfold themselves with time, usually surprising everybody.

Taureans are threatened by change and chaos and usually present a shitload of resistance, planting their feet into the ground, bejeezus does this stand take a lot of psychic and bodily strength to hold ever so tightly in position, but they have an enormous amount of power and force. In fact, they are non-flinchers, hardheaded, infuriatingly maddening as they keep calm and unruffled in a crisis. As a rule, though, they will often stay with us through thick and thin while more spineless types will take off, or let their heart wonder. So, stubborn fidelity is a great asset and we also get the bonus of their strong back which can carry more than they sometimes believe. The aura of stability and sheer presence is irresistibly attractive to others and they personify heaven on earth. An earthly wisdom is, likewise, present in their conservative outlook and there is an undeniable connection to the truest, deepest and highest values ones which can ever be taken away.

On the downside, we, too, find these stubborn old fashioned types, bound to the past, unable to move into the future, or, at least, refusing to move five blocks away, shutting off from the possibility of change. The need to feel safe and secure is everything with many Taureans, not surprisingly, being considered stubborn and surely nobody's WILL can move this heavy Bull. Some are even too stubborn to realize what they have until its gone. The stubborn pride to admit they might have been wrong, so a hard lesson for them is trying to live with no regrets. Mitch Albom says in Tuesdays with Morrie: “There is no point in keeping vengeance or stubbornness. These things" - he sighed- "these things I so regret in my life. Pride. Vanity. Why do we do the things we do?

Any SOLAR Taurus' task is to find a deep serenity in life. Anyone with difficult planets such as Saturn, Chiron or Pluto in Taurus or in the 2nd house is deeply challenged to find the substantial in living, uncovering talents and to surely growing closer to what is real. A fixation is stubborn, so whatever Taurus is holding onto so tightly it better be ABSOLOUTLY worth it and not purely be a case of damned inflexibility. Taureans may argue that they are not stubborn at all, but patient and determined. Language makes a world of difference to perception, but whatever the case, they hold on and on and on, long after everybody has gone. Sometimes a Taurus stands stubbornly like a rock while everything else flows around them, unmovable, but even plant-life is affected by the weather. We will always be blown by the wind and sometimes caught in the storm, nothing can remain unchanged.

The sky is filled with iridescent, bright, shimmering multicolored facets and is used as a map for human beings to find their way. It is thought to bring us order and harmony as we find ourselves piece by piece under the carefully concealed complexities of the cosmos. Einstein believed that no matter how highly trained the human mind it could never grasp the universe. The nighttime sky possesses its own language sparkling forever in the heavens. The universe is filled with data and organization as well as a dizzying array of infinite mysteries circling our world. Taurus is believed to have been one of the earliest named constellations. The starry clusters date back thousands of years and paintings thought to be around 16,000 years old found in the caves of Southern France show the earliest depiction of the Bull. So, even back then the Taurean archetype stubbornly existed and is simply timeless, grinding to a halt, even in this turbulent, constantly moving world.

The 12th House: Evil Angel

2015-12-06T08:38:00.000+00:00

Any positive classical interpretation of the 12th house?

'The mysterious and misunderstood twelfth house' of the natal chart. I have been really tiring of these kinds of introductory sentences lately, describing this energy as "misinterpreted" by astrologers, the general public, etc. The twelfth house, however, really does suffer from a cloud of nebulousness, since it is haunted by a long forgotten past, and is left to carry the dreams and disappointments of the collective (heavy load of laundry). Generally, this is the domain of great misfortune, suffering, and sorrow. Seriously, one has to be a pure angel to rise above it all and hold such emotional burdens, learning to "suffer well". Of course, we are told by religious folks that with suffering comes the light of revelation, if this helps.

The twelfth house is where we find redemption, saviors and martyrs; though, it hasn't helped matters in the least in understanding this realm when we consider that the twelfth house rules insane asylums, prisons, and hospitals. Let's face it, these are not our first choices for finding inner-peace, quiet and withdrawal from a chaotic world. Maybe when one is feeling a full-on hopelessness the twelfth houser is best exemplified by a person sitting on a lonely desert island in the Pacific waiting for a tidal wave that will not come. The bearing of a bruised, fragile soul harboring a mysterious sorrow that had something, but not everything, to do with the world.

Don't you just love astrology for its ability to jump from the negative to the positive? For example, while your twelfth house individual might need to be medicated or is prone to addictive substances with an inclination towards drowning in an inordinate amount of sorrow...on the bright side, they possess a vivid imagination or a rich inner life! One may also describe twelfth house people as beings filled with compassionate love and devotion, dealing with everything thrown onto the 'dumpsite of the horoscope', but they will also probably have to bear some terrible illness. Oh, and when the twelfth house type loses it completely, the psyche ward doors are flung open waiting for their arrival. Who cares, right, for they get to escape the daily grind and catch their mental breath while hopefully surrounded by compassionate angels on the way to recovery.

Most "positive" and classical 12th house readings list marine life, sea boats and fishing for good expressions. Maybe outside of one's twelfth house door, they should hang up a sign reading 'Gone Fishin' which would be rather apt when one thinks about this domain in all of its different dimensions.

"The 12th house, like the 6th and the 8th, has had a hard press. ..Traditionally known as the house of imprisonment, confinement and self-undoing, it is a source of anxiety to astrological students who discover natal planets placed there and, having availed themselves of older textbooks, draw dire conclusions. The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemption

While traditional astrology may have doomed the twelfth house to afflictions of grief and sadness - modern interpretations go the other way interpreting it as the unconscious and mystical side of life. Older perspectives may have been terribly dark and fearful and it produces fear in those with planet/s inhabiting this realm.

According to Carter:

"The twelfth house as we have remarked, offers a sharp contrast between the two views of the house which we have put forward. For, as corresponding with Pisces, it has a traditionally gloomy reputation, and was the Evil Angel of the Greeks. That this is true enough, up to a point seems undeniable. It has an aspect of confinement and limitation, as is evident by the horoscopes of prisoners of war, which usually shows bodies afflicted int he 12th...Afflicted bodies in the 12th show disappointment and frustration, not only on one's behalf, but very frequently for others. They draw sorrowful conditions around the native like magnets....the 12th house afflicts through sickness, either one's own or that of others, or general misfortunes."Essays on the Foundations of Astrology

C.E.O Carter also refers to 12th housers as poor and unwilling socializers which are to be expected from the house of ISOLATION, seclusion, and retirement. It is also this domain which is the signification of before the dawn of consciousness, that thread-like umbilical cord to our source floating through time and space, with our elemental needs met. We are flung violently into this world and the descriptions for this happening have an almost uniformal image such as loss, fall from grace, a slip from a "higher estate". Since the twelfth house rules our ancestral past it is like the coalescence of a million experiences. Some trouble comes to twelfth housers through being this delicate radio station channeling this 'other world'. Such folks are maddeningly perceptive, but it can be overwhelming.

If we want to end on a note of positivism, the 12th house is home to very creative people. Especially in terms of writing, art and music - much of which require deep reflection, even meditation, they mediate energy.

"Locked away within our treasury of hidden potencies are also (not so) hidden weaknesses and addictive vulnerabilities. We could say that right next to our guardian angels live our worst enemies, and all of those entities comprise parts of ourselves." Rulers of the Horoscope: Finding Your Way Through the Labyrinth

Chiron's Keywords

2015-12-05T11:40:00.000+00:00

Internal Quietude

Question: What are Chiron's keywords? And I mean 'personality' characteristics, I cannot find any reference to characteristics of Chiron anywhere (in reference to an astrological chart. I know about the myth behind it)! We all know what he does - he heals, teaches, etc. Oh, and that he is 'wounded' But I'm quite curious as to what the characteristics are for .

An excellent question and musing upon this only makes it evidently clear that astrologers don't really list the personality traits of Chiron, well, not in exactly the same way as we do with the other planets. Maybe this is due to his outside nature or collective themes rather than personal wounding as some astrologers describe. Most of what I have learned about Chiron was gathered from Liz Greene's work in Barriers and Boundaries. Some of Sue Tompkins view of Chiron, web research and investigation into a few charts. I literally mean only a handful of horoscopes. Often us astrologers can't get away from Chiron's "my wound is incurable" this overshadows everything. The wound casts darkness over all hope and light for the time being. No matter how kind, intelligent and helpful, useful we are to others we cannot help ourselves. It's the wound that cries out for a remedy, but there is no medicine in the world to alleviate the pain. On paper, it all sounds really hopeless, depressing, dear God... kill me now. Some people would rather commit suicide as a relief out of such unending misery and unhappiness.

Some psychologists theorize the most effective healer and teacher usually means being wounded oneself. I would imagine that all of this frustration and loss of hope would be the by-products in the personality. Perhaps it could describe an individual who takes a bleaker view of life, more realistic. I find it difficult listing character traits with my own Chiron in the 9th house. I only notice it at church during religious ceremonies - christening babies, weddings and so forth. Thoughts would pass through my head about how pointless and meaningless it all is in the grander scheme of things. A man garbed in religious robes splashing water over a baby's head possesses no special powers. Of course, I understand, it is not "meaningless" or "pointless" for others and it is an important act filled with warmth, love, and special significance. Perhaps with Chiron only forming a trine to my natal Saturn Rising there has been no obvious trouble.

Liz Greene entered into a 'personality' description of Saturn and Chiron in aspect, though mine does not engage in a power battle since they are in a friendly relationship.

"For any person with Saturn or Chiron in aspect, life is a serious business and has to be approached carefully and with weapons in place. There is too much consciousness of life's toughness and too great an investment in survival. Such an individual can't go through life saying, "Let's go party and forget about it." One might try; but the morning after, the ground opens up under one's feet again. This combination in a birth chart precludes superficiality, even if one tries terribly hard to adopt a shallow or unreflective attitude. ...Loneliness and mistrust are experiences which belong to both and can reflect a deep lack of confidence. From an early age the individual knows instinctively that he or she is not going to get away with pretending that life is just fun and games. Any aspect between them therefore suggests a potential for great depth and insight. Something very solid and strong can form inside, because the individual will have to cope with certain experiences that are conducive to reflection and self-exploration." Barriers and Boundaries: The Horoscope and the Defences of the Personality

The 'personality factors' seem to open up more to understanding when we look at Chiron's sign, house placement, and aspects. Sometimes a powerful Chiron to the Sun (Elliot Rodger Sun/Saturn/Chiron configuration) can come across as somebody who feels like an outsider and exile, with a sense of deep rejection. Melanie Reinhart's book Chiron and the Healing Journey is bloody brilliant with a substantial amount of research poured into its pages. The work takes us from Chiron's discovery, his origins, wounding - to sign, house and aspects. If one doesn't get the meaning of their own Chiron to some degree with this work it is probably never gonna happen.

Reinhart's description of dealing with a chronic wound through 'internal quietude' deeply resonated, even when we are in the mist of intensity and inner turmoil.

"If that is to sit with our own suffering, so be it. If that is to take risks, or be adventurous, so be it. We aim to be true, not perfect."

In Reinhart's Healing Journey - Chiron is surrounded by keywords such as: uniqueness, surrender, acceptance, woundedness, holistic thinking, ideology, complementarity, questing, initiation, ordeals, teaching, fostering wisdom, animal nature, scapegoat, alienation, carrying burdens and afflictions, feeling like the black sheep, suicidal fantasies, deep inner rage, bitterness, black vision of life, cynicism, handicapped in some way, sense of injury, victimisation, filled with psychic poison.

I have always found this the most interesting meaning of Chiron:

"Often Chiron symbolizes things we can do for others, but which we may not be able to do for ourselves. The mythological parallel for this is clear, as Chiron could not heal his own wounds in spite of being able to heal others."

Chiron readings in themselves read awfully similar to Saturn, but with a different and unique perspective or quality added. Liz Greene refers to Chiron as 'spoiled goods' and where life is bloody unfair.

"But Chiron says, "Life has dealt me a powerful blow, and, by God, I'm going to hurt the rest of you."

"We all get the wild card dealt to us, and this is where Chiron turns up. It is the joker, the bad card in the spread, which overturns all our best-laid plans and forces us to accept a handicap of some kind."

Moon Square Pluto: Bad Mother?

2015-12-03T08:15:00.000+00:00

My child has Moon square Pluto, does that mean I am going to be a bad mother?

No, there is no planetary aspect in anybody's chart which can make any such judgement over whether the expression is "good" or "bad" in the native's life. Moon square Pluto is a symbolic representation of deep emotions in connection with family and especially to the mother. It can symbolize a mother who is deeply psychologically aware and the bond can be a strongly emotional one reverberating throughout the life. Of course, there is always the potential for a negative side of mothering in the Plutonian realm in the form of threats, intimidation, emotional blackmail and so forth. At worst, we sometimes see extreme mothering with suicide threats, secretiveness, and skeletons in the closet. A good amount of blaming and shaming might occur in the relationship. Mother may be super-powerful, intimidating, and downright scary. Equally, it can show a woman going through major upheavals and crisis with direct confrontations with life and death issues. The bond between mother and child can be a great catalyst for growth. My youngest also possesses a Moon conjunct Uranus square Pluto contact in his horoscope.

"Since the Moon represents a female energy, there is a likelihood of attracting towards oneself powerful females who sometimes present great charisma, strength, inner strength and even healing power, but who in other cases can be of the manipulating, possessive type. One's mother or mother figure is particularly likely to exhibit certain of these characteristics, as is one's female partner or close female friends. Attachment to one's mother will be very strong, even where the relationship is a difficult one, and parting from her, whether on the physical plane or through death, is likely to be experienced as exceptionally traumatic...The challenge of any Moon-Pluto link is primarily to come to terms with events or behavior which shatter our emotional security. Inevitably this involves feelings such as grief, resentment and hatred, and difficulties in letting go of the past. The Astrology of Karma

I know in my own family, if you ask me and my sister to describe our mother, you'll get two different versions, and neither of us is lying. Also, don't be so hard on yourself. In psychology, it is understood each parent is someone else's child and we ask too much to expect them to be a perfect parent. Thank goodness for Winnicott who coined the phrase "good enough parent" we are not capable of perfection.

Matriarchal Woman: A Powerful Moon

2015-12-02T08:05:00.003+00:00

Irma P Hall is an actress most famous for playing matriarchal figures, embodying the main female, head of the household. The definition being a maternal woman who rules the family, clan or tribe. It can also mean a highly esteemed female who is central to the bosom of the hub. Perhaps even someone with the possession of a kindred spirit especially when talking about one's own brood, there is often talk of a blood line, descent and lineage in this realm. The star has landed roles such as Big Mama Joseph in Soul Food and also starred in motherly roles in A Family Thing and Lady Killers. In Irma's horoscope, there is some stereotyping occurring for the Moon is in its own sign of Cancer (strong placement) accompanied by Mercury, Venus, and Pluto in the constellation of the crab. Also, in the fourth house, the natural sphere of this celestial body - resides Jupiter, the largest planet of the solar system.

The title of a Liz Greene seminar on the Moon is called Mothers and Matriarchy with the author illustrating how family life has its cycles like the Moon referring to the lunar body as essentially female, organic, reflecting the process of conception, pregnancy, birth, puberty, maturation, ageing and dying. Describing how matriarchal consciousness gives importance to family and tribe, justifying the suppression or destruction of individual expression if the security of the group is threatened. Most definitely the Moon is always a family affair and we are filled with the nucleus of the family. Family can go much further back and science is finding ways to dig out biological clues by rummaging through our DNA as if we were a trunk in the attic. However, the lunar realm is always concerned with our closest relatives. Some people love to wax sentimentally about family possessing a tinge of nostalgia for the past. Whatever our feelings about this abode everybody needs a home as it is the respite from life's buffeting, a sanctuary in a conflicted and intimidating world.

I have not seen this movie With Irma, above in the picture, but it looks like the man is trying to snuff Mama out with a pillow. Maybe this best illustrates Liz Greene's' thoughts on a chart with a powerful Moon.

"Many women are angered at having projected on them by men the darker lunar qualities of manipulativeness, treacherousness, unreliability, moodiness and emotional voracity. I have heard numerous men complain about how difficult it is to work with or discuss things objectively with women, because reasonableness and cooperation fly out of the window in the face of personal feelings. But these qualities will often be very pronounced in any person, male or female, where the Moon dominates the horoscope. You can begin to see what an extreme lunar consciousness is all about, which is why the lunar deities were seen not only as nourishers and child protectors, but also as child swallowers and castrators." By Liz Greene The Luminaries

Pluto in Cancer can be intense emotional interaction and people born during such a time are impacted powerfully as it is also marked by several generations living under the same roof. The depression years manifested by a need for survival, drastic upheavals, economic collapse and a rallying to protect and defend our country against threat. According to Myth, society was centred around women, with their mysterious life-giving powers and they were honored as priestesses of the great Goddess.

Scorpio, 8th house, and Pluto: Shedding

2015-12-01T14:07:00.002+00:00

Question: What is all this talk of layers upon layers of shedding with Scorpio, 8th house, and Pluto. Shedding What?

All of this Plutonian energy does involve a lot of shedding which is the perfect blending of death and renewal. The snake's sloughing off the skin universally symbolizes resurrection, regeneration, and creativity - dying again to be reborn - when one form no longer fits.Those who are confronted with Pluto can compare it to shedding the clothes that no longer fit.

Another example is crying those unshed tears, silent ones at times. Scorpio is probably the most courageous of the water signs, and many people with this symbol powerful in their horoscope will often find a theme appears throughout the life of throwing things on the ceremonial fire, cleaning house, and burning bridges. Thus, there are a lot of goodbyes, releasing the sorrow beneath the surface. Maybe it's tending to some unfinished business unless we want to carry it to our death bed.

Casting off the old always entails endings and new beginnings, leaving old shells of existence and moving into a new world. A good way to imagine it is splitting the life into a "before" and "after", it is also the absorbing of a new reality. In another sense, it can be about shedding pseudo-selves, and we tend to lose a lot in this 'black hole' as it always involves losses. All the components of Pluto's meaning align to patterns of losing innocence, belief, and hope. At the same time, shedding always implies something new is being reborn out of the ashes of the old. Shedding is a natural process of life, from skin and hair. In death, we shed our physical body and when we are really, really old it will be perceived as a welcome release. Without endings, some of us would remain stuck in old situations.

Plutonian experiences might be about losing all the crusted stuff you've accumulated weighing the soul down. It's like shedding dead wood. It's a loss of illusions we mostly deal with. Essentially it is the lightening of the spirit, it's a magical thing. We remove things no longer working, things that keep us locked up inside. It especially involves any pain which we have been holding onto for too long as this is something needing to release in order to free the emotional self. Some very profound occurrences take place when we put down the heavy baggage, let go, forgive, and move on. Or to put it all another way: Growth is always loss. Anytime you're gonna grow, you are going to lose something. It is this inevitable part of life that can be both life-giving and destroying at times. Sometimes we must close the door to everything familiar. Pluto is the underworld god, so we must face the finality of life, everything can be shattered. Sometimes it is the ivory tower of our life and expectations, the dream castle that is left in ruins, and we are left with permanent scars. One must accept goodbyes and lost of pipe-dreams as part of life, finding new strength to pick up the pieces and start over.

The 8th house has often been pointed out by astrologers as indicating divorce, fighting with partners over material concerns. Though, the real loss behind it all, if we are completely honest with ourselves, is coping with the death of ideals. The result is emotional casualties, bitter disappointment and the closing of a final chapter. Life always beckons us to purify, evolve and embrace new chapters. In this necessary process we may undergo a radical makeover especially under Pluto trines, changes happen more easily. During a Pluto transit we often shed an old image, dress in a brand new way, hair completely restyled or cut off. Some people chuck everything away, they relocate. The transitional state in-between can be the most uncomfortable as we prepare for the shedding of old selves readying for the birth of a new one, yet to be realized. I have personally felt this as the most painful aspect of the whole experience.

God, we will all face a stage in our lives when old values and goals no longer make sense. We reach this turmoil, undergo inner change - hopefully find our real passion. Some folks will undergo changes smoothly while others repress inner desires, but at some point we are all plunged into an intense period of growth and we eventually change. Sometimes with Scorpio, Pluto and planets in the 8th house they symbolize our personal brooding, volatile emotional cocktail. It is the place where explosive desires erupt and it's also the realization that even in our bleakest depression with the gathering darkness there is still much of life to be lived, something bubbles within. Thomas Merton said we must cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves. Essentially "shedding" can be about freeing old energy patterns. Sometimes it is the negative beliefs we hold about the Self. We may believe we are ugly, stupid or worthless. It can mean discarding people, jobs, obsessions and habits that no longer feel right. Removing the masks, pulling splinters out of the skin, cleaning the wound and allowing it to heal. We might shout "good riddance" to old demons, get rid of acidic emotions that eat us alive. We can see from this, then, that the function of Plutonian energy in the chart will help us dispose of parts, anything dragging us down. Pluto is an act of digging deep no matter how excruciating, loosening emotional vices and entails letting go, with all of its many dimensions.

Shedding allows the spirit to shine forth more brightly than ever. It is the feeling of lightness and being alive not being constricted by our old skins. In some way, we grow into deeper, richer, meaningful selves. We also go through so many losses, youth can be one of them. Everybody must change and transition to this other phase. If we are too strongly attached to an old image of ourselves then we may have to find a way to let this new figure into our lives. In most respects, this can mean realizing there is no way back into that previous life. Scorpio, the 8th house, and Pluto are all archetypal energies signifying the fire of transformation leading to a rich perspective of life and life's cycles. Reborn with a maturity and self-acceptance, gaining a spiritual sheen. It might seem relatively simple to shed the things that have only brought us pain, however, there is still an element of grieving, but it is important to find release and to shed what is no longer working in our life.

Scorpio is a serpent. To an initiate of the mysteries, this is code for sacred power. In cultures throughout the ancient world, snakes and serpents were revered as the guardians of immortality, shedding their skin when they got old, and thus rebirthing themselves. By Dana Gerhardt