Astrological influences usage

[olyris]

Perhaps the most difficult people to "beat" are watery-oriented people, because they are so unobvious; haven't figured out it yet.

True random is true hero-ism.

Nothing more can be said about cartoons, ghost busters, tv in general, the President, Jesus, Bin Laden or even your neighbour. So be shown - what it takes to be righteous is now. Next moment happens purely.

I have 3 planets in libra and they do not attest to being a "real man" - just a boy lord or whoever those real types are...

[Antares]

Cancer zodiac sign is very interesting in many, many ways. I noticed that even astrologers don't quite understand it.

There is probably no biggest opposition in the whole zodiac than between Cancer (water) and Capricorn (earth) - both starting at the special time of the year: at solstice, summer and winter, respectively. Solstices and equinoxes are subject for a separate thread, but it is not a coincidence that they are key points in the astrological calendar and indicate a turn-points in energy coming to the Earth from the solar system.

When thinking of it, I often recall quotes by Lao Tzy:

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?

Silence is a source of Great Strength.

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want

I think that there is probably no zodiac sign closer to the taoist philosophy than Cancer is.

Cancer zodiac sign, as well as the 4th house, is about inner self. It becomes very clear when you oppose it with Capricorn and 10th house, very interested in social position and at the same time very restricted by it. Cancer typically does not believe in the systems that place a person at the prominent position and a system over an individual. When a system becomes rigid and intrusive, the Cancer person's feelings would tell him or her the truth: that the world came out of balance way too far. Inner balance and inner safety - maintaining the inner integrity - therefore is the essence of Cancer.

Cancer is a very mysterious sign, as well as its ruler Moon. It communicates mainly through feelings, images and in a non-verbal ways. This is because Cancer has the strongest connection to its subconsciousness.

People, astrologers included, don't understand Cancer because they don't understand and even condemn the subconscious part of the mind. That's why we see so much problems and artificiality outside. Cancer, on the other hand, is very natural in its roots, and emotions are in big part its perception that he or she uses to "detect" the danger against nature, balance and integrity - while all the others tend to miss it.

Since Cancer is so much into subconsciousness and right brain assets, it has the strongest access to its previous incarnations, wisdom, experiences, and other treasures and knowledge hidden in his or her child and pre-birth memories. And memory is another asset of Moon and Cancer that people typically don't value - until, like health, they start to loose it...

There is a lot of research to be done for watery zodiac signs, and Cancer in particular, still. But before it is going to happen, there's nothing to stop us from exploring the "Moon" area by ourselves.

Cancer and the 4th house founds the basis: of human mind. What I am referring to here is not the part of mind that we have always conscious access to - not at all. It is different and works on different 'principles'. It cannot be explain without putting everything into a wider context - going beyond astrology and understanding nature of mind itself. Think of zodiac signs as areas (fields) of consciousness - each follows its own rules! Mercury is mostly related to what modern people associate with "mind", often thinking only about the intellect. Cancer, on the other hand, is not about intellect - it is about the 'real', deeper mind, it is a basis for the personality and your inner self. When you awake in the morning, you may feel more being yourself - this is your Moon's part of your personality. When you start thinking of plans, actions, and logical approach, you get away from your inner part, and transit into another field of consciousness ruled by Mercury.

Basis if very important for everything - although it is not seen from outside! Imagine a tree without roots: it will simply die. But if you cut a branches (the visible "things"), it will survive. This is a good analogy how the Moon part is important, but at the same time how little people do not value it. Indeed, Moon is also about vegetations - rules the roots which allow a seed to grow and be transformed into a plant! So also, there is a significant realtionship between Moon (grow) and the Taurus zodiac sign as well.

Moon area (just like Mercury area) requires from yourself also some time to dedicate to it in order to know it better and develop your abilities to use it consciously.

Moon and Sun are the most important objects on the sky for the Earth citizens - it is important to keep it in mind.

[olyris]

Capricorn has a good case for/against ego. "We said so," no. "I said so." Cancer struggles herewith.

Cancer's mission in this life is to save its own life. Cancer knows the difference between good news and bad news - bad news just has to be foretold, since Cancer's attitude is actually permanently right. It will work to do other than to suppose "we're all gone," more like, "there is respect in this universe yet, and I am one."

[Antares]

Capricorn has a good case for/against ego. "We said so," no. "I said so." Cancer struggles herewith.

Cancer's mission in this life is to save its own life. Cancer knows the difference between good news and bad news - bad news just has to be foretold, since Cancer's attitude is actually permanently right. It will work to do other than to suppose "we're all gone," more like, "there is respect in this universe yet, and I am one."

Good point. The axis between the two Cardinal signs, Cancer and Capricorn, or Ca: Ca&Ca , is a very specific one, very different from the squared signs of the Aries-Libra axis. Furthermore, Aries, Taurus and Gemini, the 3 first signs, placed in the first quarter of the zodiac, are mostly oriented into self; the Cancer sign is the first one which struggles facing the support from others. It is said that these "others" are family, and typically it is so, but not always - there can be an equivalent to family in other people (also strangers), as I observed. It particularly depends on where the Moon is placed. "Support" is perceived as needed because of strong yin character of this sign and the Moon. Therefore, while Cancer still stays oriented into self, it asks the questions related to how (s)he fits to others and others fit him / her. Of course, it is opposite to Capricorn which sees things in the opposite way: i.e. how and how much it adds to the social structure, and how much it can rely on the social principles. Cancer is perceived as weak as such (relying on its weaknesses, and is best compared to the bottom, the 4th house, and Water in Chinese philosophy), Capricorn is perceived as strong as such (forcing its strengths and ignoring its weaknesses, and is best compared to the top, the 10th house, and Earth in Chinese philosophy). However, Cancer's weakness is yin turning to yang (inner seeding), while Capricorn's strength is yang turning to yin (outer utilizing).

Therefore, Cancer is mostly related to Taoism, IMHO. It builds strength from within, not ignoring, but following its own nature. Treat "family" or "support" as a symbol, which in best leads to the wu-wei principle - having a perfect support from the flow of the whole universe, something Taoists of all ages desired to achieve. If Cancer does not ignore its own nature (and therefore, path in life), it is oriented to actually not just saving life, as you pointed out - but preserving its own nature, the inner child! The other zodiac sign so much oriented into inner child is the consecutive one, Leo.

Taoists said that the inner child, sometimes called "the golden boy" and "the emerald girl" (to be more precise, the related energies), or your true inner nature, is the source of immortality, i.e. the spirit dies not.

The valley spirit dies not, aye the same;
The female mystery thus do we name.
Its gate, from which at first they issued forth,
Is called the root from which grew heaven and earth.
Long and unbroken does its power remain,
Used gently, and without the touch of pain.

[Antares]

Most of planets / objects in the sky have twofold nature: they are partially Yang, and partially Yin. The degree to which they are either one, or the other, varies for each of them. For instance, Mars is definitely more Yang, while Saturn is more Yin. There are two exceptions, however: the Moon, which is believed to be purely Yin, and Sun, being purely Yang. Chinese people assigned for these two also the world directions in the Ba-Gua scheme (8-fold scheme): water and fire, respectively. In this philosophy, water is receptive, while fire is creative.

If you look at the Leo zodiac sign, which is ruled by Sun, you may realize how much creativity is involved in it. Leo is a fixed sign, so while having lots of common with the other fire zodiac signs (Aries and Sagittarius), it also works differently: it places focus on a goal and is very determined in achieving it. While you can no doubt sense determination in Aries as well, the latter quickly abandons anything that is not achieved in one shot; it is even more true for the mutable Sagittarius sign. But it is not the case with Leo - not at all. With such a strong focus comes power cumulated in time, which sometimes is mistaken with a 'strong personality', but is an effect of the former.

Sun related energy is very general and very deep. It is also very universal, unlike all the other celestial objects. It can be used in many, many ways, and it seems there are no limitations for it. However, one needs to remember about its core nature: it is a very creative, warming and stable power.

[Antares]

It is beneficial to look upon your birth chart and check which planets are dominant / essential. It really does not matter whether they are in the "positive" or "negative" position (by aspects or by placement). I remember one astrologer's discovery: people who were meaningful to the world, such as A. Einstein, had actually difficult charts. It seems almost impossible to have done anything meaningful with only harmonious aspects.

Anyway, the idea is a self-discovery of your biggest potential. Quit the general, superficial beliefs or statements about a certain planet. Do not think about zodiac signs at all. Focus just on the planet itself, its nature and how it relates to yourself and your life. Pick up the one that seems most appealing at the time to you.

This simple approach may reveal much more than a stack of books.

People were trained to learn from books or authorities. It's time to back to discvoer the universe on your own - your own, unique way, unlike any other's.

[Antares]

I've been told that

It is not [important] what you have in the birth chart, but what you can use out of that

[Antares]

Fixed zodiac signs are probably the hardest ones to understand - particularly by people who do not have them meaningful in their birth charts.

Mutable signs like changes a lot (avoiding boredom), which may result often in something that fixed signs perceive as superficiality. Cardinal signs like to invent and start things, as they have in mind something they want to achieve the easiest way possible (by forcing, like Aries, or by looking for instant negoations, like Libra). Fixed signs, on the other hand, rather state their ground. But why to do that??? Is there any sense in not looking for more?

It depends - on perspective on what means "more". Each quality of the zodiac signs give a different perspective, of course.

I think that fixed zodiac signs are about quality of the experience, rather than quantity (Gemini, Virgo, Saggittarius, Pisces) or ad hoc solutions (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and even Capricorn). This is what is behind their motivation and surprising patience. They want to get most of everything: whether these are personal goals (Leo), deep intensive relationships (Scorpio), innovative ideas and movements (Aquarius), or material beauty carved in any form (Taurus). They want so badly the best that is available in the field of their searches, that they prefer to wait rather than risk staying with a worse solution! How counter-intuitive it seems to the other 8 zodiac signs, which tend to do something opposite: they rather fear of missing any opportunity, so they just typically take the lowest fruits.

Fixed zodiac signs therefore plan a lot, and prefer long-term strategy to make sure that they would gain the best, instead of simple tactics preferred by the other zodiac qualities. The former, of course, also have a big problem with releasing anything that they fought for so hard, so long and put so much effort into.

[Antares]

There is no more precise and exact zodiac sign than Virgo, and its ruler Mercury loves details, even the smallest ones.

Virgo is a very sceptical zodiac sign, and since it is of Earth quality, it resists when anything new appears. If anything is not thoroughly verified, booked, analyzed or written down, Virgo resists.

It doesn't like gambling, but if the investment - of whatever type - is good, it won't shy away. I've heard that there is probably biggest number of wealthy or in charge people of Virgo zodiac sign than anyone else. Seems to be possible in our world as it is now. Indeed, Mercury is closely related to money, exchange and currency, and Virgo as Earth zodiac sign loves anything that is tangible.

If you need clear mind, highest precision, exact knowledge and information, or get rid of any illusions and gain something tangible, Virgo is the biggest ally.

Mercury is strictly related to mental energy. It is a logical, clear, sharp, rational mind, as opposed to the intuitive mind - the latter being particularly a case with Jupiter.
Indeed, sharpness is a key attribute, and perhaps the biggest asset of Mercury and Virgo.

[Antares]

Venusian influences are basically of peaceful nature. The zodiac signs most related to Venus are Pisces (mutable), Libra (cardinal) and Taurus (fixed). All of them "have a preference" to preserve and avoid, as opposed to Mars wich challanges every situation. The Mars' way is to 'attack' the difficulty; the Venus' way is to harmonize it. As a result, Venus' methods differ drammatically. The difference in perception of how things are or could be results in different approach of both. It's easy to describe Mars without referring to anything, but it's easier to describe Venus in opposition to Mars to understand it fully.

The Venus' ways tend to be indirect and often unobvious, as opposed to Mars. If to achieve anything with Venus, it rather uses complexity, intimidation, thinking, a sort of analysis, attraction, manipulation etc. These are all characteristics of Libra. Aries tends to be strong and challanges the strength in another; Libra sees the weakness in itself and another using it as its advantage. Aries fights rather with a sword, while Libra uses advantages of the word. However, it takes mind of another to fully use Libra power.

Libra's tendency is patience and passiveness and as such it prefers attraction as its natural activity. It looks for the peaceful solutions, finding harmony in disorder, and love in war. But please remember that Libra is the only mechanical device in the entire zodiac, which may feel sometimes overly non-human and over-thought as it is an Air zodiac sign.

However, sometimes looking for peace overly makes it manipulating itself. The help comes from Saturn, the planet which is exalted in Libra, which brings justice, clarity, and fair judgement. As such it might have references to the legendary ancient Egyptian symbol Maat. The symbol of Saturn in Libra might look like this: