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.

Juno Conjunct Moon in Capricorn; "Sometimes I Feel Like the Mother of the World"

Named for the complex & troubled mythological wife of Zeus, Juno is the archetype of the wife and partner who maintains her marital commitment to her husband in the face of conflict and struggle. In the birth chart she, along with other chart factors (the 7th house, Eros, etc) represents each individuals capacity for meaningful committed relationships/marriage, their general attitude concerning those relationships, and the type of partnership experiences needed in order to feel fulfilled. Juno represents both what individuals need and what they attract, also signifying the ways in which disappointments over broken unions are expressed.

When Juno is found in Capricorn, commitment is (to put it mildly) a very big, deep deal. Although natives may seem externally dismissive or pessimistic about the idea, this is merely because the idea of settling down is incredibly serious business to them.

Juno in Capricorn natives are often what is referred to a "serial monogamists," people who are involved in a string of long-term affairs that do not lead to marriage. To them, partnership is a foundation upon which to build a life; so marriage is a state reserved for nothing less than what they view as a solid, unshakable union. They will devote years of their lives to these affairs knowing marriage is not a possibility. This is not just because they want material and emotional security, but because of the earmark Capricornian need to complete everything they bring into being- including dead end partnerships.

For marriage to be of any consideration, it's of vital importance that Juno in Capricorn be able to take pride in her partner (this can take several forms depending on the native's individual values). They also need to feel as though the relationship is solid enough that they do not need to trip all over themselves putting out fires and making sure things are "okay," since they lack a nature aptitude for such things. When this need for constancy is not met, they will quickly lose respect for their partner, demeaning him/her as ineffectual and incapable. Or, in an attempt to create security where there is none, they will find themselves becoming controlling and domineering. Not surprisingly, many Juno in Capricorn natives eventually choose to forgo marriage all together, feeling it just isn't "for them." They will readily do this before they will settling for anything less than what they need.

When Juno is conjunct the moon, the individual's concern for meaningful relationships merges directly with lunar matters such as emotion, the inner self, and the home. The fulfillment of emotional needs is therefore more intensely entwined with having a meaningful long-term relationship in these individuals than most. Besides being lunar in Juno-type relationships themselves, natives will tend to seek out long-term partners who have a lunar quality to them as well; usually strongly feeling types with water moons or natal charts with strong Cancer influence.

Because Juno and the moon are both in stern, protective Capricorn, it takes a lot for these individuals to feel emotionally safe. Once they are, however, they are able to express a surprising degree of sensitivity and empathy toward their friends and partners. In the course of understanding, supporting and nurturing their partners, they find they are able to tune into his or her unconscious, fulfilling needs of which their partner may not even have been consciously aware.

Additionally, individuals with this placement may tend to have relationships which become identified with mothering. Memories of the mother from childhood may affect their approach to, and beliefs about, all human relationships. As a result of this, there may be a tendency to attract partners who project unmet childhood needs onto them. With such a strong Juno-Moon connection, issues with dependency often compromise the equality needed to achieve a truly adult partnership. Individuals with this placement will often they feel they are forced to take on the role of "Mommy" to their lovers, regardless of whether this is an embraced role or not. They will rarely feel as if their relationships are truly equal. The mythology of Juno will play out over and over again in their lives, and they will find themselves paired with dependent, moody or otherwise childish partners who use them for their lunar-Juno stability, when what they truly desire is to be nourished by a partner with strong, capable emotional energies.

Lilith in 7th House Sagittarius; Femme Fatale on The Descendant

"But I will not submit to you and be put beneath you,
Like a serving maid.
He conquers me, he who dares to pay my price.
I ask too much, you say? Yet I give all.

Watch out, you man, I warn you.
When I leave, you will fall asleep
And your rib will be taken out for your mate.
You banish me, but you will be cast out from the garden
And struggle to be reborn.
I will return to remind you of what you really want.
How you feel broken with a mate who is part of you,
Like a crutch."
- author unknown

The Dark Moon Lilith is the counterpart of Luna, the visible moon. Both are feminine energies which are associated with emotion and femininity, but with opposite aims. While Luna receives her fulfillment through nurturing and caring for others, Lilith is wholly self fulfilled and self defined. She lives in the shadow of our more accepted, open and nurturing emotional nature, governing the darkest, most secretive emotions we carry- shame, guilt, indignance, hatred, bitterness and jealousy. Where Luna is giving of herself, Lilith is the femme fatale- seeking to take pleasure for herself whenever needed.

Together, Lilith and Luna represent the complex polarity of femininity. Where Luna is soft, kind and nurturing, Lilith is strong, a disciplinarian, and will eagerly battle anyone who threatens the well-being of her self or her loved ones.

Lilith's placement in the chart is especially important to women, as it represents how, why, and when she expresses this harder side of her femininity. A woman with strong Lilith influence (Lilith is in my 7th house, on my Descendant, conjunct my natal Neptune and trine my natal Sun & Mercury) will find that her outward femininity is more Lilith than Luna in spite of herself. In a man's chart Lilith's placement shows the issues he may have with the women in his life. A man's Black Moon represents, in the same way the mythological Lilith did to Adam, the type of woman he fears most, yet needs to feel truly whole.

When a woman's Lilith is found in Sagittarius a deeply rooted, fierce independence appears which permeates into the native's every day life. These individuals, as a result, will have very few truly close, personal commitments to others. They are driven by both an insatiable wanderlust and a spine tingling fear of any kind of dependence. As a result of this, there will be great instability in the area of personal, intimate relationships, but a greater power than most in the social-universal areas of human existence. These women are The Feminine's generals. At their very core they are devoid of the need for security and protection that some women have, and are therefore next to impossible to possess in traditional ways.

Lilith in Sagittarius has an independence fetish, to put it mildly. How powerful she feels is directly parallel with the amount of autonomy she currently holds, and this has a strong influence on her sexuality. A "powerless" Lilith in Sag native will hold her sexuality closely to herself, and any partner who attempts to control her will soon find him/herself replaced. There is no middle ground for Lilith in Sagittarius where her personal power is concerned. If you can accept and embrace her free spirit, she stays. If you try to suffocate it, she goes.

It follows that the choice of a partner is most often one with qualities of independence that would guarantee Lilith in Sag's ability to come and go as she pleases. This in no way implies a lack of devotion, but simply an unusually strong restlessness which the native is (sometimes painfully) aware must be obeyed. Intimate relationships will be spirited, probing and exciting until the native begins to feel there is no more room for personal growth. When Lilith in Sag feels the growth potential dwindling in her partnership, it will begin to feel like a fence around her that she will struggle to resist jumping- sometimes in contrast to her deeper understanding of the relationship itself.

When a woman's Sag Lilith is found in the 7th house (the house of partnership), she is even further torn between commitment and independence. The general energy of Lilith desires to reject intimate commitment, while the 7th house concerns itself solely with it's acceptance. Instead of rejecting it outright, this placement instead attempts to express the power of her autonomy THROUGH her partnerships, which is difficult to do realistically. Although she appears at times unshakable, a perceptive few may notice a weariness behind this one's eyes. This weariness is caused by enduring the chaos of her own constantly changing life, as well as a dangerously deep, suppressed anxiety concerning partnerships that she has abandoned due to her restlessness. 7th house Sag Lilith privately wonders, "What kind of life would I be living right now if I had stayed?" She protects her independence fiercely while simultaneously desiring to be partnered, at times all too aware of the beauty of the fish she's thrown back to the sea.

When Lilith is conjunct the descendant, natives will find themselves unreasonably attracted to dark, secretive and rebellious types, regardless of the trouble they cause. She draws partners to her who desire relationships with strongly Lilithian women- women who are confident, authoritarian, and fiercely autonomous. This is because natives are driven to use the arena of partnership to explore Lilith's power, and only a mate who can keep up with her, as her equal, will do if this is to take place. At the heart of her, Lilith on the Descendant wishes to find a partner who will somehow, through his/her very being, cause her to desire deep, willing intimate surrender. This is a complex dance, however, when the Descendant Lilith falls on is in Sagittarius, as the native will insist that it happen naturally and without prompting. Any partner attempting to force this surrender, or coax her to it in any deliberate way, will soon find him/herself alone.

Jupiter in 6th house Scorpio - God Or Monster?

Jupiter rules our personal philosophy and wisdom, the area in which we have the deepest, natural understanding. By planet, Jupiter tells us the area where our personal philosophy centers in and is born of; the area in our lives we are most comfortable and "lucky." The house Jupiter falls in indicates how we bring this wisdom to the world. Jupiter stays in each sign for roughly 12 months, and is so considered a "generational planet," although not to the extent that Neptune (stays in sign 14 years), Uranus (7 years), Pluto (14-30 years, depending) and Saturn (2.5 years) are.

When Jupiter is found in the sign of Scorpio, a hypnotic quality is added to the personality. Scorpio, ruled by Pluto, in the planet Jupiter bestows natives with a deeper understanding of what it hidden away from others, and individuals with this placement therefore have a clever, charming and somewhat underhanded quality to them that can be difficult to pin down. There's almost always a degree of social power evident in these individuals, mostly due to their ability to clearly see (and exploit, if they choose to) the ugly, hidden parts of everything around them- people, situations, etc. This overwhelming need to both uncover and possess the absolute, dirty truth of every circumstance sounds daunting and a little scary, but to Jupiter in Scorpio natives the quality is so ingrained in who they are (and have always been) that it generally ceases to trouble them. Instead, it's what they choose to do with this deeper wisdom that inevitably makes or breaks them.

Jupiter in Scorpio straddles a serious fence between good and evil, arguably moreso than any other planetary placement (aspects are a whole other thing, naturally). In the (long ago) past, children born in the years where Jupiter was placed in Scorpio were considered marked by the devil. Although it always endows it's natives with a certain "badass" quality, it can manifest in drastically different ways depending on how it is aspected elsewhere in the natal chart. If well aspected, Jupiter in Scorpio's are often gifted investigators, artists/writers and political/spiritual leaders. If afflicted, there is a tendency toward extreme violence, cult leadership/mind control and exploitation of power. There has been extensive study on this offbeat placement because of it's extreme polarity- there is a wealth of information available on the internet if you're interested.

EXAMPLES OF "GOOD" BADASS VS. "BAD" BADASS

Charles Manson (cult leader), Ted Bundy (serial killer), Erik Menendez (murdered parents), Al Capone (gang leader, murderer) , Joseph Mengele (infamous nazi doctor called "The Angel of Death"), L. Ron Hubbard (cult leader), OJ Simpson (murderer, wife beater), David Koresh (cult leader, child molestor), Aleister Crowley (cult leader), and Joseph Fritzel (locked daughter & children she bore him through rape in a windowless cellar for almost 30 years) all had/have their Jupiter in Scorpio, for example.

On the other hand Patti Smith (singer/performance artist/poet), Kurt Vonnegut (author), Edvard Munch (expressionist painter), Leo Tolstoy (author), Rainer Maria Rilke (poet), Tchaikovsky (composer), Claude Monet (impressionist painter), Vladimir Nabokov (author), Deepak Chopra (spiritual guru), Carl Sagan (atheist leader/ideologist) and the Dalai Lama XIV also do.

Strangely, it's somewhat easy to see the elusive quality that all of these people share- all of them deal/t in the darker side of life. Jupiter in Scorpio always feels most alive when walking the thin line between good and evil. What can't be denied is that this placement instills in it's natives an almost perverse fascination with (and understanding of) the underbelly of humanity. They feel a deep sense of satisfaction in forcing the darkness of life into the light, even moreso if it happens to also scare the shit out of everyone else. What separates the good from the bad (or the "gods" from the "monsters") is that where most natives are satisfied in expressing this darkness through music, poetry, art and non-oppressive spirituality, others seem to need to "go the extra mile" (so to speak) by expressing it through absolute human cruelty and religious extremism.

When Scorpio Jupiter is found in the 6th house, the aspected individual uses her gift of darker insight to aid, heal and otherwise service others. There is a talent for spiritual and physical healing through helping (and sometimes forcing) others to confront the darkness in and around them. They are somewhat notorious for being able to "sniff out" dangerous and/or untrustworthy people; although this knowledge is also typically used only in service to others, as there is a part of them which is exhilarated when surrounded by such people themselves. These individuals tend to dole out their Jupiter Scorpio gifts in an oddly friendly, jovial way, as the 6th house adds a sense of critical perception which allows the native to see "the whole" of how the darkness cooperates the light and vice versa. They have the ability to regard their darker understanding of life lineally and sequentially, taking it into context.

They are generally mindful people, albeit trouble makers, who often become quite moral later in life. This is a direct result of extensive and often painful experience with the consequences wrought them by combining their inherent arcaneness with over indulgence and immorality.

Eros in Leo : Psyche In Virgo - The Heart & Soul

As is the case with most asteroids (or "minor bodies"), the clues to interpreting their meaning astrologically comes from studying the mythology behind their given names. Psyche and Eros are named for two mythological lovers whose story describes the ultimate union between heart and soul.

Eros, son of Aphrodite (The Goddess of love & beauty) & Ares (The God of Aggression), is sent to Earth by his mother to punish Psyche, a mortal princess of such complete physical perfection that the people in her kingdom have begun to worship her instead of Aphrodite. Aphrodite asks Eros to use one of his gold tipped arrows to make Psyche fall in love with the ugliest, most worthless and vile human on Earth in order to humiliate her family and ruin her life. Eros agrees, and descends to Earth.

Meanwhile, Psyche is lonely and miserable. Although she is worshiped by all for her beauty, she despises herself. She's filled with loneliness because her beauty has turned her into an idol or statue to admire as opposed to a unique individual with a soul in the eyes of every other mortal. She periodically loses herself in this, struggling to retain her totality of self. No one ever sees her as more than an admirable object and she knows this means she will never find reciprocal love.

Just prior to shooting the arrow at Psyche, Eros accidentally pricks himself with the tip and suddenly finds himself madly and completely in love with Psyche. Seeing that the beauty of her soul was still far greater than the beauty of her body, he breaks a number of "God" rules (including totally ignoring the wishes of his mother) in order to be with her and the two are punished again and again. After suffering many trials (including Psyche literally going to hell and back), the couple are finally united. And after that, they never parted ways again.

The myth of Psyche (soul, the deepest self) and Eros' (sexuality, desires which overwhelm the mind) complex interaction shows what is possible when heart and soul come together. Astrologically, the two therefore are more complete when combined. Although their meanings are valid on their own, together they define the "ultimate love" each individual yearns for.

My Psyche is in 4th house (sentimentality, the home) Virgo (perfectionism, mercurialism) and is also the only source of Virgo energy present in my natal chart. Keeping with my lovely, ongoing theme of dissociative identity, my Psyche is inconjunct my sun (ego, concious will) in 12th House Aries and almost directly opposite my Venus (attraction, sensuality) in 10th Pisces. In lamens terms, this would imply that my soul has difficulting connecting with my conciousness, and works in opposition to my ability to love and bond- both very true statements.

When Psyche is found in Virgo, the native is bestowed with a sensual knowingness and impeccable grasp of nuance. These individuals can effortlessly tap into the unspoken fantasies and secret motivations of their lovers, creating a suave partner who is so totally together during seduction that it borders on the holistic. However, Psyche in Virgo, as it relates to the individual soul, yearns for someone who is able to show that same grasp of details recipriocally. Utterly sensual, they are most deeply enticed by a deep mental affinity with someone who understands them with no explanations needed. They desire to be finessed by a partner who is able to all at once remember, appreciate and utilize every aspect of her inner being. This is a tall order, to say the least, and problems arise because Psyche in Virgo often takes her own special talent for granted. Natives typically do not understand why this sensual clarity isn't present in others, leading her to feel as though she is merely not worth the effort.

Psyche in the 4th indicates an individual who longs to root themselves in something real and lasting, a "home" for their soul. They long to find a place where they can relax and be themselves without feeling self concious or anxious, and will often use the physical body (through sexuality, caring for a sick partner, etc) to cement themselves in this. They will attempt again and again to make their desire for a perfect, accepting atmosphere a reality, often cycling through many marriages or cohabitating partnerships.

Similar to my Psyche, my Eros in Leo is the only source of Leo energy I have in my chart. It is inconjunct my moon (emotional nature) in Capricorn and is directly opposite my midheaven (success, fame). In lamens terms, this would imply that my emotions in general have difficulty connecting with my sexuality and that my sexual impulses work against my success- also very true statements (for better or worse). I've struggled to define my sexuality my entire life as it seems foggy and elusive to me, and also tend to be most sexually attracted to those individuals who care the least about my ability to succeed (and some have gone to great lengths to see me fail). As is often the case, the desires of my Psyche are very similar to the desires of my Eros- both yearn to be understood and adored completely.

Eros in Leo has an overwhelming longing for attention and adoration. Aspected individuals desire devotional attention and unwaivering love from those who touch their lives, needing to feel extraordinary and distinctive to their lovers. They long to be muses and often are, inspiring heartfelt homage from their partners. Sexually, they tend to be larger than life and unapologetically hedonistic. So long as Eros in Leo feels they are being sufficiently worshipped, their sexual appetite will be insatiable. Astrologer Dane Rudhyar describes Eros in Leo as "the magician caught in the glamour of his own magic, a leader resonating to the needs of his followers who nonetheless needs slaves to prove his mastery to himself." Although they are faithful partners, they are also hopelessly addicted to passion. At the first sign of wavering devotion from their partner, Eros in Leo will seek it elsewhere through flirtation and infactuation. There is an overwhelming compulsion to being desired by others, which they need to feel alive and potent. It's for this reason that they can't help but collect "followers"- individuals who desire (but are not sexually involved with) them as a way of reinforcing their worth.

With Leo Eros in the 3rd house, communication becomes a focal point in the erotic experience. They're vocal lovers who will want to talk their way through the sexual act, pointing out what feels good and reminding the partner of his/her beauty. They're most turned on by a partner who will reciprocate; a silent sexual partner will only make them feel as though they aren't being appreciated (sending them into outside flirtation & infactuation as mentioned above). This erotic communication expands also to writing, and 3rd house Leo Eros individuals are often most able to collect their "followers" through their written words.

Where are your Eros & Psyche? How do they factor in with what you know about your deepest desire?