Mercury is Retrograde

My Friend, Ms Mir, Has a great post on her blog about Mercury retrograde. Check it out!

http://msmirastrology.blogspot.com

so you know...

the lighthouse and state beach, two miles from our new home

We are moving residences this next month so I won't be able to work on updating and adding to this blog until probably after the move is complete.(all my books are boxed!!) Hopefully my new work space will allow me to be a little more productive! I'll continue to check for any comments daily and can answer any questions you may have in the meantime.

Delineation of the Sun in a Natal Chart

The Sun's psychological function in a natal chart is your basic identity and conscious purpose. Most people think that this is what they are that this is all there is to astrology but this is just one part of the greater whole. It is a vital part of the whole, but it is modified by the rest of the chart's planets, placement and aspects. Every member of a sun sign is different, some may be more similar than others but it is a remarkable to study the differences in personalities when you have the knowledge to read natal charts and see their subtle variations. I hope after this exercise you will have more self-knowledge and understand why you are the way you are and not necessarily the way the horoscopes say you should be!

Your sun sign shows your inner self, how you see yourself, your essence, your central core, your purpose or motivation. The Sun along with the Ascendant and Moon forms an astrological trinity that sets the tone for your entire chart. These three function as a unit of sorts(I'll go into this in more detail after we delineate each of the planets in your natal chart)

At this time, look at the information you have written down about your sun. At this time you should also note the element, polarity, modality and orientation if you have not already done so.
I'll use mine as the example:

Sun in Virgo in the 11th house
Element:Earth
Polarity: Yin
Modality: Mutable
Orientation:Interpersonal

Keywords for Signs:

ARIES
relates to Mars
corresponds to the first house
sign's primary need: to be independent and develop self-awareness

skillful application:
innovative, daring, spontaneous, direct, energetic, assertive, headstrong, independent, competitive, fearless, courageous

unskillful application:
careless, reckless, irresponsible, self-centered, starts but doesn't finish, impatient, overpowering, selfish, combative, uncooperative, coarse, temperamental, overbearing, belligerent

TAURUS
relates to Venus
corresponds to the second house
sign's primary need: to be resourceful, productive and stable

skillful application:
practical, earthy, sensual, resourceful, steadfast, stable, reliable, trustworthy, patient, deliberate, consistent, determined, artistic, aesthetic, domestic, placid

unskillful application:
materialistic, conservative, possessive, overcautious, stubborn, bull-headed, sluggish, lethargic, self-indulgent, lazy, passive, gluttonous

GEMINI
relates to Mercury
corresponds to the third house
sign's primary need: to communicate with and learn from others

skillful application:
intelligent, learns easily, witty, curious, inquisitive, logical, alert, rational, fluent, studious, verbal, articulate, talkative, sociable, flexible, adaptable, lighthearted, changeable

unskillful application:
superficial, spacey, shallow, over-intellectualizing, unemotional, wordy, gossiping, nosy, imitative, inconsistent, scattered, noncommittal, indecisive, high-strung, fickle, flighty, impatient

CANCER
relates to the Moon
corresponds to the fourth house
sign's primary need: to give and receive emotional warmth and security

skillful application:
feeling, receptive, sensitive, psychic, gentle, sympathetic, nurturing, protective, domestic, shy, collecting, tenacious, retentive

unskillful application:
insecure, moody, defensive, over-emotional, hypersensitive, touchy, brooding, smothering, clingy, overprotective, dependent, fearful, withdrawn, afraid to let go

LEO
relates to the Sun
corresponds to the fifth house
sign's primary need: to creatively express self and be appreciated by others

skillful application:
self-assured, self-confident, dynamic, radiant, authoritative, dignified, honorable, proud, thrives on appreciation, a leader, courageous, loyal, self-expressive, creative, dramatic, loving,
big-hearted, warm, playful, generous, romantic

unskillful application:
vain, self-centered, selfish, overbearing, conceited, stubborn, domineering, haughty, arrogant, patronizing, snobbish, childish, egocentric, possessive, demands to be center of attention, flirtatious, melodramatic, doubts own creative abilities

VIRGO
relates to Mercury
corresponds to the sixth house
sign's primary need: to analyze, discriminate and function efficiently

skillful application:
practical, efficient, clear, analytical, differentiating, discriminating, discerning, precise, detailed, meticulous, economical, fastidious, disciplined, helpful, serving, dutiful, humble, conscientious, health-conscious, unselfish

unskillful application:
petty, picky, skeptical, nitpicking, critical, judgmental, lacking confidence, self-deprecating, self-denying, prudish, obsessive-compulsive, workaholic

LIBRA
relates to Venus
corresponds to the seventh house
sign's primary need: to cooperate with others and to create beauty, balance and harmony

skillful application:
cooperative, sharing, partner-oriented, social, agreeable, easygoing, gregarious, considerate, balanced, just, tactful, diplomatic, charming, aesthetic, artistic, refined, pleasing, tasteful

unskillful application:
dependent, can't act alone, gives away power to others, indecisive, hesitant, passive, vacillating, over-compromising, superficial, vain, imbalanced

SCORPIO
relates to Pluto
corresponds to the eighth house
sign's primary need: deep involvements and intense transformations

skillful applications:
regenerating, cathartic, transforming, complex, healing, renewing, musical, probing, joining, piercing, erotic, magnetic, powerful, emotional, mysterious, hidden, deep, psychological

unskillful application:
power-hungry, destructive, violent, annihilating, sarcastic, obsessive, fixed, excessive, overwhelming, jealous, possessive, resentful, revengeful, vindictive, secretive, deceptive, paranoid, suspicious, repressed

SAGITTARIUS
relates to Jupiter
corresponds to the ninth house
sign's primary need: to explore and expand the horizons of the mind and world

skillful application:
wise, understanding, philosophical, aspiring, ethical, idealistic, visionary, moral, truth-seeking, open minded, optimistic, jovial, benevolent, tolerant, adventurous, wandering, seeking, outspoken, frank, loves animals, athletic, freedom loving

unskillful application:
condescending, pompous, ungrounded, self-righteous, opinionated, dogmatic, deluded, impractical, extravagant, indolent, scattered, exaggerating, seeking a free lunch, irresponsible, tactless, insensitive, wasteful, gambling

CAPRICORN
relates to Saturn
corresponds to tenth house

AQUARIUS
relates to Uranus
corresponds to eleventh house

PISCES
relates to Neptune
corresponds to twelfth house

1st HOUSE
2nd HOUSE
3rd HOUSE
4th HOUSE
5th HOUSE
6th HOUSE
7th HOUSE
8th HOUSE
9th HOUSE
10th HOUSE
11th HOUSE
12th HOUSE
[the rest of the signs and houses to be posted soon]

Keywords for the Elements:

FIRE
aries leo sagittarius
fiery, ardent, enthusiastic, spontaneous, self-sufficient, romantic
misused: bossy, too forceful

EARTH
taurus virgo capricorn
practical, earthy, dependable, conservative, sensual,
love material comforts, good recuperative powers
misused: dull, too materialistic

AIR
gemini libra aquarius
good communicators, intellectual, able to handle abstract reasoning,
logical, broadminded, objective, idealistic, unprejudiced
misused: cold, impractical

WATER
cancer scorpio pisces
feeling, sustaining, receptive, emotional, intuitive, responsive, sensitive, deep, susceptible to moodiness, easily influenced by the environment(no fighting in front of these little ones!!)
misused: can be self-indulgent, self-pitying, wavering
(note: because of societal pressures these signs are
usually harder for boys to handle than girls)

KEYWORDS FOR THE POLARITIES:

YANG (+)
FIRE(aries,leo,sagittarius)
AIR(gemini,libra,aquarius)

EXHALE
active
masculine
day force
extroverted
positive
electric
levity
conscious
logical
individualistic
outgoing
expressive
left-brained

YIN(-)
EARTH(taurus,virgo,capricorn)
WATER(cancer,scorpio,pisces)

INHALE
receptive
feminine
night force
introverted
negative
magnetic
gravity
instinctive
intuitive
social-collective
ingoing
receptive
right-brained

Keywords for the Modalities:

Qualities of the Cardinal Modality
aries - libra - cancer - capricorn
Skillful Application:
generating, beginning, doing, initiating,
originating, enterprising, active, direct,
purposeful

Unskillful Application:
starts but does not finish, impatient,
dissatisfied, overactive, forceful,overcommitted

Qualities of the Fixed Modality
taurus - scorpio - leo - aquarius
Skillful Application:
concentrating, stabilizing, sustaining,
finishing, establishing, preserving, conserving,
steadfast, focused, powerful, persistent,
constant, determined

Unskillful Application:
stubborn, rigid, resistant to change,
stuck,obsessed, overly retentive, inert, habit-bound

Qualities of the Mutable Modality
gemini - sagittarius - virgo - pisces

Skillful Application:

distributing, adaptable, flexible, adjustable,
connecting, linking, mental, adapting, learning,
changing, versatile, dual

Unskillful Application:
scattered, unfocused, depleted, dissipated,
diffused, distracted,inconsistent, prone to worry,
indecisive, restless, unfinishing

KEYWORDS FOR THE ORIENTATIONS OF THE ZODIAC:


PERSONAL
(Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer)
focused on personal wants and needs

INTERPERSONAL
(Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio)
social, focused on others

TRANSPERSONAL
(Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces)
universal, focused on ideals and abstractions

Delineating the Planets in Your Natal Chart

I am going to start to explain how to start delineating your natal planets. We will start with the Sun and move through the personal planets(Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and, finally, the Trans-Saturnian(or generational) planets. We will take one at a time and look at the planet itself, its sign placement and house placement. I will post general info in this post and start the planets in a day or two. Please feel free to leave comments with queries if you are confused. I do check these everyday even if I don't have time to write a new post!:o) Once we get through all of the planets we will discuss the angles and then the aspects. We will also discuss Chiron and other aspects of natal charts after we have a basic understanding of the individual birth chart.

So here's basic guidelines and suggestions!

* Looking at your Natal Chart write a list of all of your planets, their signs and placements.
Leave enough room to note the element, polarity and modality of each planet.
-i.e. (Using my own chart)
Sun in Virgo in the 11th
Moon in Leo in the 11th
Mercury in Virgo in the 12th
Venus in Virgo in the 12th
Mars in Leo in the 11th
Jupiter in Virgo in the 12th
Saturn in Aries in the 7th
Uranus in Virgo in the 12th
Neptune in Scorpio in the 2nd
Pluto in Virgo in the 12th

*Remember, the planets are the basic driving energies of the chart, the signs are how the planet functions and the house indicates where[what area/department of your life] the planetary action takes place

* Basic meanings of the planets:

Sun: represents your basic identity and conscious purpose

Moon: represents your emotions,feelings and daily habits

Mercury: represents your capacity to think, speak, learn and reason

Venus: represents your capacity to attract people and things that you love

Mars: represents your capacity to initiate, act and assert based on personal desire

Jupiter: represents your search for meaning, truth and ethical values

Saturn: represents your capacity to create order, form and discipline in your life

Uranus: represents your unique individuality and capacity to liberate yourself from past limitations

Neptune: represents your capacity to transcend the finite self through expressing unity with a greater whole.

Pluto: represents your capacity to transform and renew yourself

Pisces

I'm very familiar with Pisces sun people. My Mom and 3 of my best friends are Pisces. My husband's best friend and two ex-husbands of one of my Pisces friends are all Pisces. One thing I can say about the experiences I have had is the better adjusted they are the better they do with their Sun's energy. Like Capricorn, these people often had a difficult childhood. Oddly the ones I know with the worst childhoods are the best adjusted adults. Ah, the irony of it all! Very sensitive, although they may not show it, actually they probably won't show it unless they know you well and trust you with their inner most feelings. Their feelings are deep,vast and, like their ruling planet, rather nebulous. To understand a Pisces, truly understand them, you probably need to have a little water in your chart, a well aspected Neptune or some twelfth house planets.

Sometimes they seem air headed but none of the Pisces I've met have ever been lacking in intelligence. They sometimes do foolish things (usually trying to cope with something bigger than themselves), they often try to escape the unpleasant aspects of their lives, but they are far from unintelligent. [to be continued...]

Aquarius

I must admit I have had the pleasure of knowing many more Aquarian women than men. I worked closely with one for 7 1/2 years. Personally, I like them.

They are less 'emotional' than a lot of other signs. As a matter of fact, there is very little drama with Aquarians. To me that is a good thing. Could be that I have a little Leo in my chart(moon and unaspected Mars) so I don't need any more drama. Or maybe I need the balance. I have always found that my Aquarian friends are very thoughtful, even tempered and quite intuitive when helping with a problem. Without the emotion, it is much easier to process things.

Now that said, lack of emotion isn't always something you'd ask for in a relationship so that may explain why my one friend has been married numerous times. Another male Aquarian friend has had very few relationships, at 49 he has only been married once and had 2 serious relationships. He has a concept of what he wants that doesn't have room for the reality of the situation, until he's pushed his luck and lost the woman that he realizes wasn't really that bad after all!

Regardless, they are very independent and don't need constant companionship like other signs. They genuinely like people and have faith in humanity. They will work tirelessly to help create a better world. The ones I have met have had high moral standards.

One irritating thing that I found with my business "partner", she was so busy with all her projects that she would often leave all the work to me. She was EXTREMELY good at delegating. Every organization had one of her angels at the helm and each of these angels were so because they made things happen. She sparked the idea, and great ideas she has!! We did all the nitty, gritty. The good thing, she was the social one. She knew I wouldn't compromise my values to help a customer, supported my integrity and handled most of those folks herself. She didn't really like them but she was able to tolerate everyone. A true Aquarian!

Capricorn

This is another sign that runs through my family. My maternal grandma, adult nephew and husband are the three that come to mind. All are very serious, all very work oriented, I can't speak for my nephew because I haven't been to his home, but both my grandma and husband leave a little to be desired when it comes to housekeeping. My theory on this is that it is(was) just not on their list of priorities.

My grandmother was very good with money, very frugal and was able to save up to buy her new cars with cash. She lived in a trailer with my aunt. She had a vegetable garden on her lot and worked for many years at a gas station during the day and as a newspaper delivery person before anyone else was awake. She didn't seem to have much of a sense of humor but I suppose if you were left by your husband to raise 8 children in a trailer you may not either.

My husband Is a much different story. He is very work oriented but absolutely HORRIBLE with finances. He hasn't seemed to mature to a point where he takes his responsibilities to heart. He wants to be responsible and he tries to do what is needed of him but the reality is he probably didn't have a model of the ideal father and patriarch. He had a father but he was a Libra Sun (square his son's) so they have very different ideas about family responsibility. I would think that His Libra parents also modeled a more indulgent lifestyle to their Cap sun Taurrus rising son. They often bought what they desired and set in motion that yearning for more where my grandmother had to survive the depression and had a much more pragmatic approach to life. I hope that he will be able to move into the energy of his sun sign because I truly believe this is where he will feel most accomplished however with that fixed sign indulgent ascendant it may be hard for him to change.

My nephew was born to my then 19 year old sister. his parents never married and he bounced around a lot. Much of his childhood was spent with my parents and I think that is why he is as well adjusted as he is today. He is a very serious boy and has a dry wit. He is very good with his little sister's and brother and has shown a responsibility beyond his years.

All of the Capricorns I have met have carried themselves with great dignity and have high moral standards. They tend to have difficult childhoods or great challenges that they have to overcome and generally the second half of their lives are happier and easier than the first. Late bloomers is what my mom used to call them. Regardless, they are good eggs.

Sagittarius

I must admit, I have very few Sag friends. I know a lot of folks with Sag moons and Sag influences but Sagittarius Suns...not so much!

My sister, however, and an Aunt who is now deceased were Sagittarius. Perhaps it's my personal overabundance of Virgo planets or perhaps it is just the normal dynamics of sisters 2 years apart but I'm not fond of Sagittarius Sun. When I was little I looked up to my big sister, she was way more adventurous than me! She was outgoing and had lots of friends. Always on the go as I remember. Me, I liked to stay closer to home and participated in calmer, more controlled pursuits.

My sister tormented me, not to say that I wasn't able to dish some of that back. Being the good Virgo child that I was, I was often able to instigate fights with my sister and she would get the brunt of the punishment, you see she was always getting into trouble. Like I said she was adventurous and never listened to reason, she just went with the flow. She ended up in some predicaments I would NEVER have even dreamt about!

So from my sister's example, she liked horses and took horseback riding lessons, was the party girl always buying drinks for her friends(and everyone was her friend)funny, smart, very outspoken, she'd tell people what she thought whether they wanted her opinion or not, truthful but not tactful. [She's currently going to school for law the one thing I would think would be beneficial is tact, Sag doesn't seem to worry about such formalities!] When I was younger she would beat me up but then she would also beat up anyone who messed with me so I guess you need to take the good with the bad!

We don't speak anymore, as an adult I realize sometimes the best thing to do is to remove yourself from people who don't want to let relationships evolve into something more healthy.

But I like Scorpios so what do I know! :o)

Scorpio

Like Virgo, I think Scorpio's get a bad rap. The range of Scorpio personalities is vast. Most that I've had the pleasure of meeting have been very intense, smart and reserved. They have a sharp side to their personalities but most reserve the stinging comment for those who have earned it. They have a sarcastic wit. Their energy is very focused. Many seem more exacting and detail oriented than some Virgos. They lean toward pessimism as they have usually seen a lot of difficult things in their lives. They are very deep and feeling though few people are allowed close enough to see it. Many people are so thin skinned that the first Scorpio sting and they are out. Those who can handle the intense sometimes abrasive energy find they have a very loyal and caring friend.

As far as sex and the Scorpio(everyone asks), they are much more than that, if in fact you find it to be their primary attribute, I think you have found one who has channeled all of their energy into that direction. More than likely sex has become the one area where they can express all that they are. Many Scorpio's have evolved beyond that and can focus energy more evenly across many different areas of their lives. They are very intense in many areas of life and live it to the fullest in their way. The weak of heart may not be able to handle them but again, in my opinion,
if you can handle their energy, they are a worthy ally.

Libra

All of my In laws are Libra's.(mother father and brother in law[sister's husband])
Now I have Libra rising and there is a distinct difference between Libra suns and Libra Risings. The most notable is that risings seem to be more fair when they are involved. When Libra suns are in the middle of something they expect 'the scales to tip in their favor', that's how my mom always put it. Libra risings depending on the rest of their charts can be a bit more objective.

Libra suns also seem more indecisive. Don't get me wrong, this Libra rising has had her fair share of letting others decide what to do, but the Libra suns can't seem to decide anything they spin wheels for a very long time or go back and forth, back and forth.

Now I would imagine being married to a Libra sun would be pretty frustrating but could you imagine being the son of 2 Libra suns? My Capricorn husband is and let me tell you, he was in the middle the entire time!

Another thing I've noticed about Libra suns, from personal experience numerous times, if they ask you what you'd like as a gift don't do the Virgo thing of researching your item and truly picking out what you'd like because they will just give what they have bought in the past. A few years ago, my in-laws asked me what kind of washer/dryer we would like as a wedding gift. I researched it for a few days choosing a mid line front loading set that was rated very high, used less water for more clothes and was ecologically friendly. I sent them the pictures, model numbers, even found the best prices. They bought us the exact same top loading model they already owned. Now had I not been asked I wouldn't have been so miffed! There is nothing worse than putting time and effort into a pursuit that bears no fruit! The washer and dryer were fine, they'll probably need replaced before the other's would have and we are probably using way more water and energy but they are nonetheless a washer and dryer and serve their purpose....Just don't waste my time and effort! Based on other incidents my guess is the MIL wants to have as good as or better than her DIL. But that's just a guess and I have no intention on spinning my wheels trying to figure out a Libra sun!!!

Vacillate, that would be the best word to describe them from my experience! Oh, but generally they can be charming!( although the men seem more so to me that the women, but that could be because I'm a woman!)LOL

Virgo

Ahh, Virgo! My birth sign, I also have 5 other planet placements here(Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Pluto and Uranus) My father was also a Virgo as were two of my most favorite boyfriends! I generally love Virgo men. They are self deprecating and modest, detail oriented and have common sense. Downside, they can be worriers but won't necessarily talk about what is bothering them. My dad was a great father, I remember lounging on and around him when we were young and he just took all the climbing and wiggling.( I actually think he liked that we loved him and wanted to cuddle with him!)

Virgo women sometimes seem awfully harsh to me, I have most of my Virgo planets in the 12th house so I think it may have softened my Virgo energy! Virgo mothers can expect alot from their children and hold them to higher standards than other people's children. They are detail oriented and smart. Demanding and critical but to put it in perspective they are probably even more demanding and critical of themselves.

Virgo's are often misunderstood, even if they are pointing out flaws, they are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, they can see your vast potential and want to help you achieve all that you can be. It doesn't always feel that way, and it takes a while to learn how to share critical information in a tactful way, but is is from a loving place that they offer up their insight!

Oh, and while some Virgo's may be neat freaks not all are. There probably is some aspect of their lives that has to be ordered just so and they aren't so big on germs and such. I need to go wash my hands now just thinking about it!!