Saturn Return Can Bite Me

A good view of the ascendant.

nobody@vox.com(fullmoon) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:15:20 -0700

I tend to think of it along the lines of, "I may not be a Scorpio at heart, but I understand how they think and kind of get what it's like to be one." Which is why I get along with them so well. Or since I have Uranus rising, I get the Aquarian need to be super-weird. Though really, I don't think you can understand how a Uranian-emphasized person thinks unless you are one too, and even then you're only going to get some of it. The way it plays out in my experience is that a Uranian sort is going to be unfazed by another Uranian saying weird stuff, even if you don't necessarily understand what they are talking about.

For example, me talking to my old roommate last night (two planets in Aquarius, and I strongly suspect he's Aquarius rising), as he was going on about various wacky things involving science, telling stories of playing with mercury and of another weird guy baking "chocolate chip and obsidian cookies." At this point I am pretty well unfazed by being asked, "Hey, I could bring in some mercury sometime if you want to roll it around in your hand. You won't be exposed long enough to get damaged..."

My advice for the non-Uranians dealing with Uranians is to show no fear. Don't freak out just because someone's said something weird or shown up with funny hair and you don't get it and that makes you afraid. Just say, "Okay," and roll with it.

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Scorpio stereotypes

nobody@vox.com(fullmoon) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:56:19 -0700

Do you do them?

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On the fixed signs.

nobody@vox.com(fullmoon) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:14:05 -0700

Oooh, just found a bunch of old articles.

The Fixed Dilemma:

"The fixed dilemma involves power and a variety of sensual pleasures. In one sense, the four parts of life we call “fixed” can be thought of as a gradual relinquishment of power. In another sense, they represent a shift of direction or target in the use of the power. Taurus (and other forms of letter two) as key to our physical pleasure includes money, possessions, appetites and the aesthetic in general, whether we create beauty or just enjoy it. It symbolizes our own money, possessions and appetites, and we have the right to indulge them in our own way, on our own terms.

Leo (and other variations of letter five) represents the ego drive to use our creative power to affect other people and to get a response back from others. This may be as simple as loving and being loved. The actor on stage is applauded. The teacher holds the attention of the class. The salesman-promoter persuades others to do his will. At the physical level, Leo is the orgasm and the procreation of children. Where Taurus may be totally self-involved, Leo requires an outreach and a response from the “out there” if there is to be full satisfaction. So we may feel that Leo involves more power than Taurus; power over people rather than only material things. But the “things” are really totally subject to the will of the owner, while the Leo power has to take into account the feelings of the people, and to temper the power if a positive response is the goal.

Scorpio (and the rest of letter eight) calls for learning to share power with “equal others.” Where Leo sought a sense of superiority, and we do all need to feel pride in ourselves somewhere, and to receive some validation of our worth from others, Scorpio must learn to handle power in close peer relationships, with a mate. Your rights vs. my rights; your pleasures vs. my pleasures; your possessions vs. my possessions; how can we give and receive and share? Scorpio seeks self-knowledge through the mirror of the mate, and learns self-mastery out of respect for the rights of the mate. Where Leo power flows out, Scorpio power turns in, as is true of all fire and water respectively.

Aquarius (and the balance of letter eleven) symbolizes the relinquishment of power except for power over knowledge. The Gestalt prayer exemplifies letter eleven; no one is here to live up to another’s expectations. “If we meet, it’s beautiful; if not, it can’t be helped.” With letter eleven, we have friends, without any limits but also without any commitment—casual, superficial, accepting. It is easy to accept when you don’t have to live with someone.

When we confront the full fixed dilemma, or partial mixtures, we are seeking to integrate these different parts of life. Aquarius in conflict with either Leo or Scorpio is one obvious form of the freedom-closeness dilemma. Both Leo and Scorpio want an intense, personal commitment while Aquarius belongs to humanity, or to the pursuit of knowledge, or just can’t stand limits. Leo needs to feel superior; Aquarius demands equality. Leo and Scorpio are emotional; Aquarius values the detached intellect. Taurus just wants to be comfortable, and can become passive-aggressive when jarred from its rut by Leo’s need to do something big or the Aquarius drive to go beyond the previous limits and try something new. The Taurus-Scorpio opposition can mean a variety of outer struggles over whose possessions or pleasures are being slighted; or it can be an inner struggle between appetite indulgence and appetite mastery, swinging from excess to asceticism; (eating vs. dieting, ambivalence over drinking, smoking, sex, spending vs. saving, etc.). The Leo-Scorpio confrontations are the most intense, and can lead to the most violent power struggles, as we seek appropriate ways to manifest outward power and stay alert to when we need to turn our power inward. In general, fire-water conflicts are the hardest to handle since they are the emotional elements and have trouble being rational, objective or practical about the situation.

Remember that putting the Sun in any fixed sign other than Leo, or in the 2nd, 8th or 11th house, makes it a part of the fixed dilemma. Pluto in Leo is a part of the fixed dilemma, as is Uranus in Taurus, Leo or Scorpio, and the respective house positions carry the same meaning. Remember also that the keynote of the “fixed” quality does not mean unchanging (Leo and Aquarius are both highly creative and leaders in moving the world) but rather “enduring self-will.” Fixed planets, signs and houses do change, but only on their own terms. No one else is allowed to push them into changing. So when we have a fixed dilemma within a chart, we have a beautiful potential for a stalemate or impasse. In my book Finding the Person in the Horoscope, I described the fixed quality as a combination grindstone and volcano. The irresistible force and the immovable object grind until the pressure builds to an explosion, but when the dust clears, the same old impasse is likely to be still there. In one sense, this makes a resolution of the problem harder, but in another sense, the individual often just learns to live with the situation, and the life in general is less disrupted than in people where the cardinal dilemma is the paramount one. It is the charts where there is a mixture of cardinal and fixed that mark the real power struggles with the world."

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Luck with psychology

nobody@vox.com(fullmoon) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:26:11 -0700

Some people really benefit from therapy while others don’t fare as well. There are the types who start therapy and never finish, types who receive poor care and other scenarios I can think of.
That said, I have found across the board, if you Jupiter tied to the eighth house in any way you are likely to get enormous benefit (Jupiter) from therapy (Scorpio / eighth).

Heh. I have this, though my shrink thinks she's not helping me very much. Then again, I act like that with everybody.

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Natural born payback.

nobody@vox.com(fullmoon) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:40:08 -0700

Scorpios don't all have to resort to revenge...Heh, I've never needed to either, though I wouldn't call myself evolved.

"Inevitably topics of betrayal and retribution come up. I always know who the "evolved" Scorpios are. They're the ones who say they never even think about payback--payback takes care of itself without them ever having to do a thing. This is often true and it's been true for Hillary.

Payback took care of itself. Let's take a look at some of the famous names who either betrayed Hillary or worked overtime to vanquish her. As I tick off the names, think about how these folks are faring one year later, while Hillary the Phoenix continues to rise. And feel free to add on any names I've missed.
Maureen Dowd--recently the subject of a plagiarism scandal.
Howard Dean--passed over for HHS Secretary not once but twice.
Nancy Pelosi--will probably have the CIA on her back evermore, after accusing them of lying to Congress.
John Edwards--political career destroyed.
Bill Richardson--wanted Secretary of State (the position Hill got) but would have settled for Commerce Secretary...had to withdraw due to pending corruption scandal.
Chris Matthews--had he not made a misogynistic clown out of himself bashing Hillary, would have inherited the hosting duties of Meet the Press in a walk following the death of Tim Russert. Instead, he's still languishing on cable with ratings that don't even rise to the bottom of the cable rankings. And his other goal of possibly challenging for a Senate seat in Pennsylvania? According to reports he feared backlash from women too much to even make the attempt.
Caroline Kennedy--withdrew her name from consideration for appointment to Hillary's Senate seat. Exposed in interviews as a verbal stumblebum and her once pristine reputation is now tarred by rumors of an extramarital affair."

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Literary Astrology: the Uber-Scorpio

nobody@vox.com(fullmoon) — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:41:15 -0700

I recently finished reading Tap and Gown, and I'd like to cite one of its main characters, Jamie "Poe" Orcutt, as an UBER-Scorpio. We find out in this book exactly why he got called "Poe"--for his Halloween birthday. But in this book, he's especially Scorpionic. During the book, he's revealed as the mastermind behind a giant political figure's downfall, and he is apparently recruited for one of Those Scary Organizations We Don't Talk About. Also, we find out that at one point, he was quite insistent on having live chickens around during an initiation for the secret society he's in.

"Rebuffed, the Knight Poe proceeded to glower at his assembled brothers for a full five minutes."

Then there's an hour and a half of discussion in which he insists on the chickens, until a suitable, less messy yet still chaotic substitute is found.

Later on, Jamie's girlfriend Amy befriends Michelle, a chick who turns out to be a girl Jamie used to date. According to Jamie, it petered out naturally when he became occupied with the society and Michelle got an official boyfriend. Michelle, on the other hand, tells Amy that she'd been briefly dating two guys at once.

"I almost would have felt better if he'd gotten mad or something. But he never said a word. I hardly even saw him until the following year, and when I did, he acted like nothing had ever happened between us. I guess I should be grateful that he didn't hold a grudge or anything. He's way too good for that."
No, he wasn't. Had she met this man? Jamie was the High King of Grudges. If someone screwed him over, they were toast. Our campaign against Micah Price last semester (after he'd screwed over the Diggers, generally, and Jenny, specifically), or even Felicity's Dragon's Head wrath, was nothing compared with what Poe would have wrought in Rose and Grave."

Another uber-Scorp I read about lately was the heroine of Goddess of 5th Avenue, Billie Bartholemew. I'll let her tell you why:

"The astrology column of the New York Times claims that Scorpios are pretty hot numbers, super sexy, ready to go and all that. Not so. Actually, more Scorpios are born nuns and priests, and we have more sexual problems than any other sign. All this sounds like a great excuse to prospective suitors, anyway.
Most likely it was my Scorpio sun, moon, and rising sign that drove me to the edge of reason."

I should probably also cite the technically-a-Scorpio Mary of Saturn's Return to New York here, but I'm convinced she's really a Taurus with Scorpio rising and the author just fudged it a lot. (Let's just say it's obvious from where her planets are located that she can't be a Scorpio Sun!)

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2009 Scorpio horoscope

nobody@vox.com(fullmoon) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:40:11 -0800

There. More OMG HOUSE!!!!...sigh.

For all Scorpios, you are becoming more resolute, determined, and courageous in 2009. You are more able to free yourself from limiting personal habits. Relationships are improved as you feel stronger and more comfortable in your own skin.
From June 6-July 5, the cosmos are stirring up your passions in a close partnership. Some Scorpios will meet a special someone during this period. There are likely to be some tests and challenges brought to your friendships and more casual relationships in 2009, as you are weeding out all that is superficial.
Saturn continues to transit your solar eleventh house until October 29. Long-term goals for personal fulfillment come into focus and give you a sense of moving forward in a positive direction. Some added responsibilities are likely during this period, but they are not felt to be burdens. In fact, you are likely to find satisfaction in doing your share. One of the key elements of success this year involves humbling yourself to the advice of older persons, authority figures, or parents. These people are likely to help you further your goals, and a non-defensive reaction will allow you to listen and take out of it what works for you. Some of your past efforts may be rewarded now, perhaps in small but tangible ways. This is a time when you invest in yourself and in the people around you that you respect. Benefits may not be immediate, but they will surely arrive down the road. Projects begun now can have long-term benefits. Finances are likely to be quite strong and reliable now.
For those of you born from October 24-28 or with a Scorpio Ascendant of 0-4 degrees, Saturn transits your solar twelfth house from October 29 and into 2010. You may have many vague fears and anxieties that act to undermine your confidence during the course of this transit. Contemplation of the meaning of your existence, your accomplishments, and your "failures" may figure. Saturn is turning a critical eye to all that lies beneath the surface, and you are forced to do some serious "spring cleaning" of your psyche during this period. You are facing your own demons—the vague yet haunting fears that undermine you. We all have skeletons in our closet. What we don't always realize is that they can seriously undermine our happiness and well-being. Saturn sweeps through your "closet" (the twelfth house), and demands that you take a hard look at what's been hiding in there. Is this process uncomfortable? For most of us, it can be. But getting rid of outdated attachments, and examining and discarding irrational fears, is not only necessary for further growth and development—it's ultimately a huge relief. The twelfth house in some ways is a dumping ground for things we have left "undone". Saturn here wants us to sort through the junk and keep only those things that we truly need for future development. This process can be rather lengthy and it can feel very slow, but if done properly, it can be most rewarding. You tend to deal with endings rather than new beginnings during this transit, as you shed outdated attachments and unconsciously prepare yourself for Saturn's transit of the first house beginning in late 2012, when you will work diligently on your individuality and personal identity. You are markedly introspective at this time, perhaps isolating yourself from worldly activities and acquaintances in some manner. Health issues, generally of a psychosomatic nature, may come to the fore. You may be attracted to alternate ways of living, and to self-study fields, such as psychoanalysis.
Many of you will be monetizing a creative hobby.
Neptune continues its transit to your fourth house, perhaps bringing some confusion about your connections to your past, family, or home life. Uranus continues to transit your fifth house. During this cycle that has already been underway for some years, you tend towards unconventional ways of expressing yourself and your creativity. Your hobbies can be out of the ordinary, and so can your relationships with children and lovers, depending on how this cycle is affecting you. Sudden developments or surprises in your romantic life are par for the course with Uranus here. This is a time when you free yourself of personal inhibitions that may have been part of your life in the past. It's a time of more spontaneous expression. This is a playful, somewhat eccentric, position for Uranus. Casual love affairs that have grown stale may be left behind now. You may also attract unusual romances or romantic partners into your life during this cycle.
With Pluto, your ruler, now solidly in Capricorn, you are becoming more goal-oriented, less free-wheeling, and certainly more concerned about preparing for your future. For some of you, those born October 24-27 and those with a Scorpio Ascendant of 0-3 degrees, Pluto sextiles your Sun, bringing some wonderful benefits to you. Subtle yet deep changes within you affect your relationships to others, as well as the manner in which you present yourself. Your integrity is strengthened through the course of this long-term transit. It's a time to pursue the dreams, ideals, and ideas you have put on the back burner. Take creative risks, as well as personal ones, with your newfound confidence.
January's Solar Eclipse falls in your solar fourth house. In the first half of 2009, it's time to take steps to improve your family and home life. The Solar eclipse represents a cosmic nudge towards taking charge of your private life. February's Lunar Eclipse falls in your solar tenth house, and you may need to review and change your career goals. Career matters come to a head. You're called to perform, perhaps on a moment's notice, and it's best to keep your cool and do whatever you can to show your competence.

July's Solar and Lunar Eclipses fall in your ninth and third houses respectively. In the second half of the year, you will be learning to expand your horizons, either through contact with people from an entirely different background than yours, travel, or higher learning. Your personal philosophy will be changing, and this eclipse gives you a push towards adopting beliefs that truly work for you in the real world. You are learning about your need for self-expression through adventure. There may also be some sort of drama surrounding communication, modes of transportation, mobility, neighbors, or siblings.

The August Lunar Eclipse falls in your solar fourth house. Domestic conditions are illuminated with the Lunar Eclipse. House repairs, family dramas, and other such issues need serious attention. The demands of your personal life are now paramount. Striking a balance between energy spent on work and energy spent on domestic matters is essential now. Balanced attention to your public and personal lives is what you need to focus on. It's time to prioritize.

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More Taurus/Scorpio PB&J

nobody@vox.com(fullmoon) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:52:13 -0700

Last night: three Scorpios and two Tauruses (with the same birthday!) were having a conversation. I am just amused as all hell how these signs go together sometimes.

In other news, I WANT ONE OF THESE.

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Scorpioishness

nobody@vox.com(fullmoon) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:17:53 -0700

A report:

Hi, my name is Sylvan, and I'm a Scorpio.

Hi, I'm a Scorpio, and we are initiation junkies.
But as I mentioned, I am a Scorpio, and we love a good transformative experience. We crave the itch of shedding skin. We rack up frequent flier miles to the Underworld every chance we get. Sometimes I think we sabotage our own growth just for the thrill of reinventing ourselves.

Is this a good thing? Not necessarily. A great many Scorps get stuck halfway through the process and either go crazy or turn into complete bitches. Some work their way out, some just stay in the darkness and lash out--passive aggression is another of our specialties...as is serial murder, but we won't go into that.

But it does mean that we are also very powerful. So when we finally do put the full force of our Will behind change, by god, we change.

It is this regenerative power that I need desperately to harness right now.

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Fun with fixed signs

nobody@vox.com(fullmoon) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:22:13 -0700

Not my chart, but similar.

"Michele, with several planets in Leo, your Ascendant in Scorpio, and Mars in Taurus on the Descendant, you are a strong fixed-sign person. I am, too, and so I can sympathize with where you are right now.

The fixed signs - Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius - can be difficult to work with, because they are stubborn and immovable. The flip side is that they are stable, reliable, and durable. We can carry burdens that would break others. Of course, that can mean we get a heavier load in life, too.

Leo and Aquarius are being impacted heavily right now due to a series of eclipses in these two signs that began this past February and will run until August 2009. To a lesser degree, Scorpio and Taurus also are being impacted (along with Scorpio and Taurus Rising). Since you are a Rising Scorpio, you are getting hit doubly hard. I don’t doubt that you are tired. I am, too! But hang in there, because you are being offered an opportunity to transform, grow, and evolve. Unfortunately, this never happens without a certain amount of pain.

Simultaneously with the eclipses, we are experiencing an opposition of Saturn and Uranus. These two patterns don’t seem to be related, but they are linked in an indirect way. I bring this up, because Saturn currently is moving through your tenth house of career and is transiting your lunar North Node in Virgo. The North Node often indicates our “mission” in life, so I feel fairly sure that you are about to find it.

Your challenge, as I see it, is that you have a lot of “self-oriented” Leo energy in your chart, while your North Node in Virgo indicates that your life’s work is about service to others. You will have to find a balance that allows you to fully express who you are while also serving humanity."

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