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.)]