Neptune Conjunct Descendant : "Now You Ask Me To Let Down My Hair, Okay? Ask Me To Let Down My Hair! DOOOO IT!"

Note 1: I borrowed very heavily from other sources for this writeup. I know this is technically plagiarism, but I no longer have my original sources. Sorry!
Note 2: This conjunction also involves my Lilith, which helps a bit.

Neptune conjunct the Descendant is a loaded position, offering profound gifts along side of tragic difficulty. The 7th house is one of the most likely houses from which to project planetary energies and Neptune, a transpersonal planet, is not easily welcomed into one's personal repertoire. The result is that Neptune on the descendant is most often not expressed personally but, at least initially, through projection onto another. The most likely "other" is the romantic partner, as the 7th house rules relationships. The 'worse' definitely includes the aforementioned projection and also a host of lofty, nearly impossible to meet romantic expectations.

Neptune/Descendant see herself as the heroine of her life, which she regards as a movie or fairy tale, defining herself through dramatic events. It is very hard for her to see herself clearly or perceive what it is she truly means to others. Particularly in youth, the ordinary roles of child, student, mate, etc. are dull to the Neptune/Descendant native. She will seek to spice them up with other considerations and, as a result, makes her life (and the lives of her friends, family and lovers) chaotic. She's attracted exclusively to those who inspire her romantic fantasies and is rarely practical about her relationships, preferring the excitement of fantasy to more pragmatic concerns. Her romantic cravings often involve her in peculiar emotional and/or sexual situations from which she may find it very hard to extricate herself.

On the positive side, Neptune conjunct Descendant is a highly artistic placement, especially positive if she is paired with an equally as creative partner, and particularly if they can share this without letting competitiveness spoil it. If the Neptune/Descendant individual's expectation of perfect beauty is met this way, through shared aesthetics and creation, it may undermine many of the more negative implications of this placement.

Neptune conjunct Descendant is also an excellent combination for counseling potential. They are capable of being so intimately attuned to others on a deeply emotional level that they may seem slightly psychic. There is an inherent talent for psychological studies and for drawing innermost thoughts and feelings from others. It is often quite natural for a person with this placement to exist completely inside of emotional intimacy, regarding it as their default way of being. In many cases, Neptune/Descendant expresses itself as an unnaturally strong valuation of probing and affectionate relationships, and the individual will feel compelled to create such relationships often in varying forms. Any partner will therefore need to acknowledge that this relationship forming is a vitally important part of the Neptune/Descendant individual's life, and internalize that this compulsion toward emotional intimacy with others is not a threat to the relationship. If this level of understanding is achieved along side of a shared creativity, it's quite possible the relationship will be truly idyllic in the way Neptune/Descendant dreams.

Being so prone to projection, however, the negative possibilities for Neptune/Descendant are many. Most obvious is the expectation that she must find a perfect mate; a fairytale prince who will rescue her from her own fog so that she may live happily ever after. Neptune loves a good rescue-- almost as much as she loves a good fantasy. If the aspected individual is fortunate, Neptune/Descendant can show itself as simply a very romantic undertone to the personality, with a deep and abiding trust in the power of love. However, there is a danger that it may develop into an expectation that the mate must fulfill all of the individual's deepest needs, provide unconditional love and support under all circumstances, and also be charming and lovely at the same time. This blind expectation that their partner be the embodiment of all that is beautiful and delightful in the world is damaging to all involved.

The strange truth of heavily Neptunian partners is that they are often amazingly noble and forgiving where major incidents (which typically break up other partnerships & marriages) are concerned, yet are unable to tolerate day-to-day differences and disappointments with any degree of grace. Some Neptune/Descendant partners, consumed by their desire to have a perfect union, will manage to maintain the illusion of the perfect partner in the face of an astounding amount of evidence to the contrary. They will overlook ignorant behavior, make excuses for immaturity, protect a weak mate, and generally do whatever is necessary to protect their fantasy. This is only exacerbated by the Neptunian gift of always seeing the best in others. The Neptune/Descendant individual who is protecting such an illusion will not give it up until she is ready to do so on her own, responding defensively to any suggestion from others that her partner may not be who she insists s/he is. Usually the mate's behavior must clash violently with another, more highly cherished value before the Neptune/Descendant individual even begins to see a problem.

It's important to mention that the Neptune/Descendant person, in facing the crumbling of her illusion, suffers a pain that is so deeply psychological it can be crippling. It is so painful, in fact, that it can only be survived if the native is able to accept fully that she built the illusion herself, in her own mind, and that her partner was never who she believed him or her to be. Otherwise she is likely to feel so deeply betrayed that her interaction with the world around her changes so gravely that she may dissociate from it entirely. If the illusion can be seen as a personally constructed lie to the self, the Neptune/Descendant individual can then grieve for the lost dream, rage at the unfairness of it all, and eventually let go of it. Depending on the level of expectation invested in the relationship to being with, however, this process can take years.

One constructive choice for the Neptune/Descendant individual who simply cannot give up on this need for a perfect partner/perfect devotion/perfect union etc, is devotion to the ultimate partner: God. This can be achieved through the ministry, priesthood/sisterhood, or through missionary service. It is a choice which needs to be carefully considered, however, for it is all too easy for Neptune/Descendant natives to be overwhelmingly drawn to such a life without consideration of it's profound sacrifices. Some find that an unimaginable weight is lifted from their shoulders by devotion to a life of service as they find they are truly fulfilled through it- often for the first time in their lives. Others are so overcome by their connection to otherworldly perfection that they are even less able to accept human fallability.

If the Neptune conjunct Descendant native has a strongly cardinal or fire element dominated chart (this is true of me in general, but also my Neptune/Descendant conjunction is in Sagittarius), she will typically adopt the savior role and find herself involved with tragic figures. This is a semiconscious procedure; few people deliberately saddle themselves with such a frustrating burden. The native falls in love with someone she truly feels she can help, someone who just needs a little propping up here and there in order to be ideal. Only when the illusion begins to crack does she see that her partners often do not wish to be saved, and are in the state they're in because of their refusal to help themselves. The native inevitably becomes the target of her lover's anger and frustration. They expect loving gratitude but generally end up with their mate's misplaced fury instead, as they lash out in fear at the Neptune/Descendant native who is "forcing" them to change. As a direct result of her choice of partner, the aspected individual will be continually punished, verbally attacked and emotionally blackmailed, when all she offered was loving help. If her misguided fantasy is not realized for what it is, under the burden of relationships with such victims the potential savior eventually becomes a martyr-- loving and supporting thanklessly until she is run into the ground and destroyed.

In order to make the most of this complex placement, Neptune/Descendant will need to first become fully conscious of her propensity toward illusion regarding her romantic partnerships. She will need to force herself to be constantly alert for the appearance of savior/victim games in her close relationships, games which can lead to abuse and an unimaginable kind of hell. She will need to take responsibility for her own spiritual and creative needs, and take steps to express them for herself (rather than using her partners to create the experience for her). This placement offers tremendous gifts; a rare talent for intimacy, a nearly psychic perception, and deep insight into the emotional realm. This insight, however, includes the ability to fully fathom the pain of others, a gift she must keep watch carefully so that it does not overwhelm her.

Fortuna in H10 Pisces : Yet More Neptune Up In My Karmic Grill

Fortuna in a natal chart is not actually a planet or asteroid like a majority of natal placements. Fortuna is considered an Arabic Part (theoretical karmic points of deep sensitivity), computed when the zodiacal longitude of an individual's Ascendant and Moon are added together and the longitude of the Sun is then subtracted from that sum. In this way, Fortuna (aka the Part of Fortune) describes the best possible relationship between these three points. A kind of alternate Ascendant, it's placement shows the areas and experiences of life in which we can achieve true, lasting happiness (by sign we are told why; by house, where) in the absence of our ego (Sun) - essentially, our road to bliss.

Fortuna is a complex and ancient concept, and so has been somewhat difficult for me to wrap my head around. Although it's utilized by both, Fortuna is more popular with Western, karmic astrologers (those who believe our natal chart holds us to a previously laid out destiny) than Eastern, contemporary astrologers (who use star logic as a foundation from which to spring off of instead of into). After a bit over two years of study, I'm still not sure exactly where I fall in this spectrum and have admittedly not done too much research into karmic astrology; to do so, I've decided to take on Fortuna first.

As a result of it's importance, when studying Fortuna in a natal chart there are several things that must be taken into consideration. Sign, house placement, tight conjunctions and oppositions to Fortuna (-3 degrees), and the ruler of the sign Fortuna is found in and aspects found to that planet (in my case- what else, Neptune). This is particularly interesting for me as my Fortuna is tightly conjunct (exactly 1 degree apart) my Venus in H10 Pisces and the 12th house (the house of Pisces/Neptune) is where my chart ruler falls.

When Fortuna is found in Pisces, the predestined road to happiness for the native is said to be complete transcendence of the tangible. They often (particularly as children, when such activities are more likely to be allowed/valued) use their powerful imaginations to transcend time, space and thought, and feel more "true" in doing so. The life force seems to work against itself in order to overcome itself, which can be muddling. They are bestowed a powerful intuition and attunement to the mystical, giving them a mysterious, magnetic quality. Others will sense that the individual with Fortuna in Pisces knows the unknown intimately, even when they do not consciously express it. For natives with this placement, their very being is restricted by living in a finite consciousness in which the only reality she is allowed by society is the one which can seen and touched. If she is to achieve pure happiness, she must completely cease to identify with that kind of reality.

Interestingly, Pisces Fortuna natives are also often regarded as tall tale tellers and exaggerators in the sense that their perception of reality is so intrinsically tied into fantasy that they often truly do not realize they are fibbing. Their grasp of what actually constitutes a truth is vastly different from most. In their understanding, they feel it and so it is. It follows that when others force them to deconstruct their own, transcendental reality to conform to the tangible, Fortuna in Pisces suffers. If they allow themselves to become too involved with the so called "daily truth," they will quickly loses any hold they may have had on who they are.

Although elusive, Fortuna in Pisces is generally regarded as one of the most rewarding "joy roads." It indicates a process of collective dissolution, a path laid out wherein the native plays a heavy role in making room for higher thought by deconstructing truth. The person with this configuration is contemptuous of lesser things, unable to connect with petty, material concerns. Often they achieve their purpose through crisis, both personal and social. They will face tremendous hardship and use the power of their transcendence to survive it. They will seem to float above worldly concerns which overwhelm others, who are inspired by it. Indeed, others may view Fortuna in Pisces' elusive, magical motion through life as somewhat of a miracle.

It has been noted by astrologers that this placement, which was once regarded with tremendous respect, has become very difficult to utilize as society increasingly turns itself toward not just valuation of the tangible (science as law, social status/money, etc) but also complete rejection of the intangible. In order to exist along side of their loved ones in contemporary society, many Pisces Fortuna natives willingly deny their only route to true happiness- and develop nervous and mood "disorders" as a result. For this reason, some choose professional avenues which allow their odd minds more freedom, such as mysticism, music, poetry, art, etc.

Any planet or point found in the 10th house is tied directly to the reputation and social representation. Although Fortuna in the 10th can indicate fame when found in other signs, it's placement in Pisces causes the native to be unable to relate to the very concept of fame. Natives may instead find they come in contact with it often (achieving recognition on a small scale only to devalue it, for example) but are mostly unphased by it's presence. Instead, the 10th house lends Pisces Fortuna a special kind of fortitude in her trek toward joy. These individuals meet happiness when they succeed in keeping their personal integrity and developing the strength to be faithful to their mystical principles despite opposition.

(Aside: Fortuna is said to be strengthened when found in the 10th house, well aspected to a planet in exhalation, or in sextile, trine, or conjunction aspect to Venus or Jupiter and I have all four; placement in my 10th house, conjunct my exalted Venus and trine my Jupiter in Scorpio. Benefic aspects to Fortuna are said to show areas where you possess greater talent for achieving bliss. In my case, that would be Venusian matters like love, bonding and sensuality and Jupiter's concern with deeper understanding, freedom and exploration. For what it's worth, I can say that I truly do feel happiest when utilizing my Venus & Jupiter together.)

Another interesting aspect of 10th house Pisces Fortuna is a complete acceptance of others' limitations. They feel a deep respect for everyone who is able to survive in the tangible world, which they view as frustrating and harsh, and so may find it difficult to truly judge others for the choices they make in order to do so. The road to happiness for this placement will be wrought with obligation (an earmark 1oth house trait) to others, who will want to be around Pisces Fortuna's other worldliness in order to reconnect with unseen aspects of themselves. They will be asked to involve themselves in many differing endeavors by those who wish to utilize their unique talents, and for this reason clear personal boundaries must be set by the native regarding what they will and will not allow themselves to do. For H10 Pisces Fortuna, who is herself resistant to fame, it is through fulfillment of these obligations that she often finds the most happiness.

(Additional aside: I also find it interesting, although I can't even really imagine how to articulate what it could mean, that my Fortuna [which is considered by some to be a "more pure" Ascendant, devoid of the ego) is in tension aspect [square] to my actual Ascendant in Gemini which is itself rather poorly aspected [trine Saturn & Mars, but square Venus, semi-square Sun, and opposite Uranus.)]

Moon Square Pluto; Reliance Vs. Destruction

When the moon (emotional nature) is in tension aspect to Pluto (control, transformation) in a natal chart, natives will feel they are constantly at the mercy of their overwhelming emotions. Even when there are strong indicators elsewhere in the chart of calm, capable self control, these folks' emotions will still seem to get the best of them every time. As a result, they will often resort to cruel tactics in order to control their emotional nature; namely by destroying every relationship in their lives which they feel an emotional reliance on.

Natives are often natural born loners, consumed with a quest to always be true to themselves. There is no fear of being alone with this placement, and many natives will find that they enjoy their solitude to a higher degree than what is considered normal. An obsession with controlling their own emotions typically leads to an extreme preoccupation with the turmoil of the inner self. Intimate relationships therefore are often difficult, fraught with intensity and extremes.

Moon Square Pluto individuals hate feeling restricted and will chafe against any imprisoning bonds, even if they are self-imposed. They prefer to take a dominate position in their relationships as a result, and will never willingly be submissive. If forced to do so, resentment will grow steadily and the native will inevitably undermine their partner's dominance with manipulative, subversive tactics. They can react almost violently toward anyone trying to change them, and will deliberately act in more extreme ways when displaying behaviors that another hopes to change.

Because Pluto is in tension aspect to Moon (female energy), natives will find they often make women uncomfortable. Their intense inner emotions generate an atmosphere around them which causes women to see them as threatening, intimidating and odd. Constant, confusing conflicts with Luna-type women (Lilith-type women being a different story) throughout life may lead to alienation from The Feminine and only strengthen Pluto's hold over the Moon.

As the Moon also rules the home, individuals with this placement typically have disruptive and difficult home lives in late childhood and adolescence. Conflicts with parents are virtually guaranteed as the individual grows into her/his self and rejects attempts by parental figures to mold them in any way. However, they find that their lives will change suddenly and not of their choosing often and dramatically, bringing them closer to their families over time. Perhaps ironically, it's typically the family which is most able to accept Moon square Pluto for who they truly are.

There is great struggle in this placement with powerful feelings of destructive energy, an urge to destroy and break down anything that even remotely resembles an obstacle. Natives will find they feel a sense of rebirth (Pluto) after tearing down such "obstacles," a feeling they likely may become addicted to. Their tendency is to explode in order to create solitude and space for personal changes to occur, as they are most able to deal with themselves when devoid of emotional attachment to others. It can be hard for others to understand how this sensation of destructive emotional energy shapes and restricts these individuals; indeed, it can be consuming and overwhelming. They will struggle to retain it as long as possible, but inevitably it spills over- typically during heated, emotional confrontation. Their inner emotional turmoil increases dramatically whenever they feel their emotions have thrown them out of control, shifting them into a "fight or flight" mode of thinking. Cruel, devastating things are often said and done during these explosive periods, so they nearly always create sudden and dramatic changes within the aspected individual's relationships.

What is not visible to their partners is that these dramatic changes are rarely the native's conscious aim; they simply reach a point where their emotions become so overwhelming that they feel they are forced to make a impulsive decision between exploding or imploding. Moon Square Pluto natives often do not see how truly damaging their inner conflict is to those who love them.

Although a difficult placement, it is also relatively easy to circumvent through self-actualization and study of the self. Although it is not always obvious to others, natives with this placement truly do desire to bond with others- it's only the fear of their own powerful emotions which prevents them from doing so. By Pluto's very nature, it is often the death of a loved one or birth of a child which causes this transformation in people with this tension aspect. A patient but forceful companion (lover, friend, family member, etc) who will refuse to allow the native to destroy their connection with hurtful words can also be instrumental. In order to jump the hurdle of this placement, individuals must learn to let go and communicate their feelings/difficulties more openly, so that others can help them to release their tension in less damaging ways. Redirecting preoccupation with the inner self toward helping others could become a way for emotional intensity to flow safely outward, reducing the inner pressure which leads Moon Square Pluto natives to destruction.