Category Archives: Birth chart

Ask Real Astrologers: What Happens With Mars Opposite Natal Chiron?

This week’s question comes from Mary in Pennsylvania:

I’ve read that this Mars retrograde will station direct at 1 degree Leo, a point opposite my natal Chiron. Any thoughts on that particular aspect?

Diane’s response:

Mary, this transit may prove quite helpful to you, because your natal Chiron lies hidden away in your twelfth house and forms no aspects to your personal planets or chart angles. This means you aren’t often able to access those places within where you feel wounded.

From about March 7 to 10, not only will Mars station opposite your Chiron, your Chiron will be trine Saturn in Libra and sextile Venus in Aries (Saturn will oppose Venus), forming a Mystic Rectangle. This dynamic pattern has the potential for triggering insights in a firm but gentle way, promoting healing of old wounds you may not have been previously aware of.

I’m wondering if the recent Chiron-Neptune conjunction in Aquarius right on your Sun was responsible for prompting you to look at your natal Chiron. By the time Mars stations in March, both Chiron and Neptune will have moved past your Sun, allowing for more clarity in general. In my experience, Neptune transits in particular are best understood in retrospect.

Between now and early March, as Mars slows to a standstill in your sixth house, you have a window of opportunity to review your daily routines, how you interact with your co-workers, your health and exercise program, and the details of your daily life in general. Are any of these areas a source of frustration for you? If so, perhaps you can figure out why now.

Good luck on your road to a better place within and without, Mary.

Pat’s response:

Mary, by the time a transiting planet stations direct in aspect to a natal planet, you already have gone through the transit once and sometimes twice, so you should have an idea already of how this transit is affecting you.

Mars opposed your natal Chiron in mid-October, 2009. As he continues on his retrograde path, he will oppose natal Chiron on February 25. After he returns direct, he will make a third pass on March 24. When a transiting planet moves over a natal planet and then turns retrograde, you have an opportunity for review and possible revision. Since the twelfth house is one of the houses concerning the past, you may have gone through a period of revisiting unresolved wounds from early childhood or some other trauma buried in your deep psyche. Mars might have performed a little “surgery” to help find the source of the wound and perhaps even cut it out — figuratively speaking, of course. Re-opening wounds is painful, so if this process happened for you, it likely wasn’t very pleasant.

When Mars returns direct, it’s like sewing the wound back up, minus the “poison” (whatever that symbolizes to you), and that means the wound can heal cleanly.

Because your natal Chiron is in Aquarius in the twelfth house, your particular wound may be something that is deeply ingrained in the collective. In other words, it’s something bigger than just you. If you are able to heal, you put healing energy into the collective unconscious, and that is very powerful.

Wishing you much courage, and thanks for writing.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” NEW: You can also use the drop-down menu above under “About Us” to get to the question form. THANKS!

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Can’t Mom and Daughter Get Along?

This week’s question comes from Charlotte in Pennsylvania:

My daughter and I can’t seem to be in the same room for very long. Her Saturn and Mars are conjunct my Moon and Uranus in the ninth house. Could this be the culprit? Her Moon sits on her Ascendant at 7 Virgo. She is an emotional basket case, and I’m raising her child … Any insight would be very helpful.

P.S She thinks she’s pregnant again!

Neith’s response:

Charlotte, not only is her Saturn-Mars conjunct your Moon-Uranus, but her Uranus conjoins your Ascendant, only adding to the unpredictability factor. I would not be surprised to find that you both think the other is impulsive and very independent-minded.

However, you two do have many parallel signatures in your natal charts. You both have Moon square Neptune, Venus aspecting Neptune, Venus aspecting Pluto, and natal Moon-Uranus aspects. These parallels hold out hope for greater understanding between you, but it may take some doing to end up in the same place at the same time long enough to get there.

Saturn in Libra will conjoin her Pluto in October 2010 and your Sun in December 2010. Since her Pluto is closely inconjunct her Venus-Jupiter in Taurus, it does look like that transit is going to be an important one for her. Perhaps she will be forced into taking responsibility in some way, or at the very least her pursuit of pleasure will be curtailed.

If she is indeed pregnant again, you may be in the unenviable position of having to decide whether or not you have the resources, both emotional and financial, to rear another child. Is there anyone you can talk this over with? Here is where a neutral third party could do you both a world of good.

I wish you well, Charlotte, in finding your path to resolution of your relationship with your daughter. There are no easy answers, as no doubt you are already aware.

Pat’s response:

Charlotte, I agree with Neith that this is a difficult chart combination with no easy answers. It reminds me of those times when I know that planetary transits are interfering with my ability to relate to others or to one person in particular, and still I can’t keep myself from doing or saying the wrong thing. In such cases, astrology can help us understand the obstacles in our path, but finding a way to remove them is another matter.

Still, at least you know what you are dealing with — and, by the way, you get major points for seeing that difficult aspect in your synastry chart. It certainly is the one that leapt out at me right away!

Another thing that immediately got my attention is your very tight Sun-Saturn opposition. With your Saturn opposite your daughter’s Sun, I’m guessing that you feel duty bound to parent her, for better or for worse, and her stubborn Taurus nature is going to naturally resist anyone telling her what to do. You’ve probably already figured out that the more you try to advise her or guide her, the more she tunes you out. I’m guessing that she perceives you as controlling, whether or not you actually are.

I would certainly be concerned that she is back in the vicinity and possibly pregnant. As Neith wisely pointed out, you will have to set your boundaries. At this point, it is up to you to focus on your own personal growth and awareness, and to let your daughter grow and develop in her own way, in her own time.

What becomes of your granddaughter is another question, of course. You didn’t give us her chart information, but she is an integral part of this equation and will become more of one the older she gets. Until then, her welfare has to be the primary consideration. Because she is a minor, circumstances may require family counseling at some point. More and more therapists are incorporating astrology into their practice. Hopefully you will be able to find one who understands the difficult dynamics and can help you work through it.

I join Neith in wishing you the best of luck. Thank you so much for writing.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Ask Real Astrologers: What Location Should I Use for a Solar Return Chart?

This week’s question comes from Kerrie in Washington State:

I was in Paris, France, on my birthday, and it changes the house placement [of my Solar Return chart]. Is it appropriate to use my birthplace, which puts Libra on the Ascendant, or Paris, which moves it to Capricorn?

[NOTE: Neith is taking a much-needed rest after three harrowing days of upgrading our site. She will be back for next week’s Q&A.]

Pat’s response:

Excellent question, Kerrie. Before I answer, let me briefly explain what a Solar Return chart is for those who have never heard of it.

In astrology, a “return” occurs when a transiting planet moves back to its position in your birth chart. Many people have heard of the Saturn return, which happens to everyone in their late 20s and late 50s.

The Solar Return chart is cast for the exact moment when the Sun moves over the degree of your natal Sun. This may be on your birthday or a day or two on either side. Thus, the Solar Return is sometimes called a birthday chart.

The Solar Return chart is used as a predictive tool to determine the dominant themes in your life from one birthday to the next. The sign on the Ascendant is a key indicator and therefore very important. And yes, it changes depending on where you are.

That said, there is a big debate among astrologers as to whether you should cast your Solar Return chart for your primary place of residence or where you’re physically located on your birthday. Some go so far as to plan on being somewhere else on their birthday in order to influence the coming year!

I would say that if you were taking a short vacation to another place, it probably isn’t that significant, and you should use your primary residence. Conversely, if you were on an extended trip abroad, I would use your temporary location. I know there will be other astrologers who radically disagree with me, and that’s perfectly OK. You might want to look at both charts and then when your birthday rolls around in 2010, determine which was more accurate.

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous year, Kerrie!

Please note that Neith and I both do Solar Return charts. You can find more information on our forecast page.

Ask Real Astrologers: Will Mars in Leo Bring Emotional Upheaval?

This week’s question comes from Anne in Fort Worth, Texas:

Just as I am coming near the end of the Saturn in Virgo number, I read that Mars is going to be in Leo for seven months. My Moon is in Leo and my Pluto is in Leo! Does this mean that after undergoing the rigors of Saturn that I must face emotional upheaval for seven months? I just want to scream, “Enough! Enough!” Any insight would be deeply appreciated.

Neith’s response:

Thankfully, Anne, Mars is very, very different from Saturn in expression. He represents the action principle and encourages us to get moving – a welcome relief after Saturn in Virgo’s cautious nitpicking.

Transiting Mars in Leo will be triggering your natal fixed T-square of your Moon opposing Mars and both square your Sun-Saturn. I’m guessing change is not your favorite thing and you much prefer life proceeding as uneventfully as possible. As someone who also has a fixed sign preponderance in their chart, I quite understand!

Mars transits are good for helping us stand up for ourselves and learning to express our anger. If you have been suppressing your unhappiness about the way things are done in your work place, this transit could help clear that up.

Your twelfth house Moon in Leo will be getting a jolt and your family may be in for a surprise when your normally mild-mannered self speaks out and tells them how you really feel.

Mars transits to the Moon are also ideal for getting in touch with our anger and resentments, so this extended transit may be an ideal time to explore this. The stress resulting from not acknowledging anger and resentment in particular can manifest in any number of health problems.

You have some time yet before Mars starts to affect your chart in mid-November, Anne, to mull things over. For now, you may wish to make an appointment to get a relaxing massage or take a quiet stroll through the most beautiful natural setting you know of to unwind.

Take care and be well.

Pat’s response:

Anne, your question is very timely, because Mars just entered Leo this morning. And you are right, he is going to remain there for a long time! Normally Mars stays in a sign for six weeks, but when he goes retrograde (every other year), he stays in a sign for nearly eight months.

Mars has had a reputation as a troublemaker since ancient times. Wherever he is in our charts, we tend to experience difficulties. There are a couple of exceptions, but everyone feels tension when Mars is retrograde. His retrograde period this year is going to be compounded by eclipses and Mercury retrograde. We’re all going to need to hang onto our seats.

Because Mars is in a fixed sign, those with a lot of fixed sign energy in their charts will be especially affected. That’s Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. As Neith noted, all of your planets except Neptune are in fixed signs, so yes, you probably are going to experience some upheaval, especially since Mars turns retrograde in very tight aspect to your Moon-Saturn square. I have the Moon and Saturn square in my chart as well, and so I know that whenever this challenging aspect is triggered, emotional upsets do tend to occur. The “good” news there is that the upsets typically aren’t due to any real external circumstances but are due to internal conflicts. That doesn’t make them any easier to deal with on a day-to-day basis, but at least it’s not a “world falling apart” thing.

Since Mars will turn retrograde in your twelfth house, the biggest concern is that you could get physically run down and be more susceptible to colds and flu. It wouldn’t hurt to get a flu shot now, and then make sure you take all your vitamins and supplements between now and January, in addition to eating a sensible diet and getting enough rest.

Best of luck, Anne, and do keep us posted.

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Can’t We Communicate?

This week’s question comes from Anita in Maryland:

I am currently in a relationship with a Cancer man who is very special. However, the last three weeks have been awful. We seem to miscommunicate and hurt each other’s feelings so easily. This isn’t the first time this has happened. We were apart for most of January of this year. I really love him and I know that he wants to take some time, but is there any insight you can give us to understand each other better?

Pat’s response:

Anita, there’s a lot going on between the two of you to explain the rough spots, but the immediate problem you’re describing has the marks of Mercury retrograde all over it.

During Mercury retrograde periods, even the best relationships can suffer from miscommunications. Relationships that aren’t on sound footing can fall apart (it has happened to me a few times in my life). This Mercury retrograde was particularly hard on your relationship, because Mercury was sitting on your Descendant, an important chart angle that is the cusp of the seventh house. The seventh house rules marriage and committed partnerships.

Mercury returned direct on September 29, and he’ll cross back over your Descendant a week from today. At that time, you should be able to discuss your most recent problems and get some clarity as to where the breakdown occurred.

Since you indicate that you’ve had ongoing issues, you likely will have to address those, too, and fortunately we’re coming up on a great time for you to do so. Not only will Mercury be in your seventh house, but there’s a New Moon in this area of your chart on October 18 that should help you get a fresh start with your sweetie.

In the meantime, I strongly advise you to get a reading with a qualified astrologer to help you understand the broader aspects between you. I encourage you to ask your partner for his permission to do this and to see whether he’d like to join you for the reading. This is the ethical thing to do, and it will help build trust between you.

I think you’re going to be just fine, but do write and let us know how it goes.

Neith’s response:

Anita, when it comes to relationships, the first thing I always do is look at the natal charts for information on behaviors and habit patterns both people bring with them. Natal aspects to the Moon and Mercury can hold the keys to our habit patterns (Moon) and the way we communicate (Mercury).

On one hand, your Mercury in Aquarius is trine Uranus, blessing you with an innovative, brilliant mind. On the other, it is square Neptune, ruler of your Sun sign, Pisces. I suspect that when emotions enter the picture, you start second guessing yourself, leading to confusion. Be thankful your Moon is generally well-aspected, giving you a high degree of emotional stability.

Your Cancer man has Mercury square Jupiter and Uranus – great for jumping to conclusions before all the facts are in. Since we don’t have a birth time for him, it is not possible to determine whether his Moon is in late Pisces or early Aries. However, in either case Uranus will oppose his Moon, increasing his need for lots of space and feeling emotionally independent.

Pluto in Capricorn conjoining your Moon and squaring his natal Moon-Uranus opposition was the likely culprit triggering the problems you two have been experiencing. Pluto has a way of introducing us to our issues with control and our little obsessions. When it comes to Pluto and Uranus, the tighter Pluto tries to hold on, the faster Uranus will run.

Does any of this sound familiar, Anita? If so, then perhaps an honest discussion about how much space you both need to really appreciate your time together is in order. You both have your Mercury in air signs, enabling you to articulate your feelings, very important for two water sign-Sun people.

Have faith in yourself, Anita, and do your best to keep your hands open, not clenched. Good luck!!

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Didn’t You Answer My Question?

Got a question? This week’s question comes from Jane in Middletown, KS:

My life is a complete mess and I need your advice. I’ve submitted my question to you several times but you never use it in this column. What do I have to do to get your attention?

OK, we admit, this is a fake question. We made it up in order to provide some very important information.

The fact is, we get dozens of submissions, and many of them are very good questions that we would love to address. But we can’t even begin to know what’s going on in your chart if we do not have complete birth data. We have to discard at least 90 percent of the questions we receive for this reason. And while the above question was created tongue-in-cheek, we actually have received e-mail saying this is the second or third time the reader has asked and hopes we will address her question this time.

Complete birth data means this:

Date, location, and time, to the best of your knowledge. If it’s a guess, let us know. We ask that you please spell out the month, because Americans and Europeans flip the dates, and it has happened that we used the wrong one and had to rewrite our answer.

We need to know where you currently are located. This is not optional. We’ve said many times, and we’ll say again, that we do not reveal your birth data in our answer. Occasionally we’ll remark that you share things with others in your generation — for example, if you were born during a significant aspect between outer planets. This could give away your age, but nothing more. Beyond that, if you want us to use a different name, just sign your e-mail with the name you’d like us to use. It’s that simple.

We have received some questions with all of the data and have discarded them anyway, either because they are too broad or because they involve another person. Our column is not a substitute for a complete reading with an astrologer, which is what you need if you feel like your life is completely out of control and needs a complete makeover.

Ethically, it’s not responsible for us to take your husband’s (boyfriend’s, best friend’s, daughter’s) data and tell you why this person is behaving so badly. We can look at your chart, however, and tell you in general if you’re going through a transit in which you are prone to relationship challenges.

We love taking your questions. It’s one of the most rewarding things about this Web site. So please would you follow our instructions for submissions. Keep those cards and letters coming!

Ask Real Astrologers: All Work and No Play

This week’s question comes from Susan in Dallas:

I have always been a hard worker but recently it seems like every time I turn around, someone hands me more work to do in the same time frame. This is wearing me down and I’m exhausted all the time. Is this ever going to end?

Susan, the culprit is likely transiting Saturn in Virgo traveling through your fifth house over the past couple of years and aspecting your Aries planets in the twelfth house by inconjunct. The combination of Saturn being a party pooper in the fifth house and reminding you via the inconjunct of the old adage about “suffer or serve” associated with the twelfth house has not left you much time to relax.

Another important factor is that transiting Saturn has been triggering the Yod in your chart with your natal Saturn conjunct Venus as the apex with a base of Pluto-Moon-Jupiter in Virgo sextile Neptune in Scorpio. You share this pattern with many other people born from approximately June 1968 through April 1969, and with personal planets tied closely to two points on the Yod you feel it keenly.

Saturn is not happy in Aries because he squelches the forthright pioneering spirit of this headstrong fire sign. Neptune and Pluto are in water and earth signs, Scorpio and Virgo. Scorpio prefers to work in the shadows and Virgo always wants to double-check the facts before taking action – both approaches radically different from Aries. All these tensions are in the process of being brought to a head by transiting Saturn.

How do you survive this? The antidote is found within the problem, as it does in homeopathy: Saturn. More than any other planet, Saturn rewards consistent, productive, mature actions. What you found so oppressive in your 20s and caused you to feel like all you did was work, work, work, will now be the source of your salvation. When the grasshoppers are falling right and left, the ants will rule!

Saturn will move into Libra at the end of October and off your Virgo stellium. Things will hopefully ease up some for awhile. Take advantage of that to do something nice just for you – like having a massage with scented candles and soft music in a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.

Be kind to yourself, Susan, over the coming months and allow Saturn to reward you.

Pat’s response:

Susan, whenever I hear “work, work, work,” the first thing I think of is Saturn. Neith is our resident Saturn advocate and has done a fine job of delineating the meaning of transiting Saturn in your chart.

However, you have a lot of other things going on, too. I know I sound like a broken record, but I can’t emphasize strongly enough that when you have this many transits all entwined with each other, there is no substitute for a complete reading with a professional astrologer. If you try to use online reports, which are generated by a computer, you may get some useful information, but they won’t make sense as a whole. Only a skilled astrologer can synthesize the pieces and explain how they fit together. And, as I’ve said many times, that’s beyond the scope of this column.

With that caveat, let me make a couple of brief observations.

Saturn transiting the Moon, even without the complicating Yod, can be a period in which you feel depressed and isolated, and often it coincides with troubles at home or with parents, especially your mother. With Pluto in on the action, that trouble could extend to other relatives as well. In addition, with Saturn transiting your Pluto-Moon-Jupiter conjunction, your natural ambition and desire to achieve is being thwarted. Others may indeed be getting in your way, but you also may wish to examine your goals and your methods of achieving them.

This is all the more important as we head into next year’s cardinal T-square, which is going to have a big impact on you. It will be more important than ever that you examine yourself honestly, even ruthlessly, to determine what motivates you. For example, if you attempt to control your environment and those around you because you fear for your survival, those efforts could blow up in your face. The cause and effect may not be obvious, so you will need to dig deeply. This is not easy work, and most people are not able to do it alone. Start building your support network now. The key will be finding people who can help you grow, not those who keep you stuck by telling you what you want to hear.

The very best of luck to you. Let us know how it goes.

Ask Real Astrologers: What Can I Expect from Saturn and Uranus?

This week’s question comes from Sherry in Pennsylvania:

On September 15, transiting Saturn will be in my fourth house opposing my natal Chiron in the tenth, and transiting Uranus will be in my tenth house conjunct my natal Chiron. Do you have any thoughts on what I should be expecting?

Pat’s response:

Oh, Sherry, you’ve got one whopper of a Saturn-Uranus opposition! As I’m sure you’re aware, this opposition is not only conjunct your natal Chiron but also involves your natal Pluto and Uranus, and it’s on your Midheaven and IC, to boot! This is all way too complicated to address here, though, so I’ll stick to your simple question (and thanks for keeping it to that) and recommend that you get a full reading with an astrologer for the rest.

With Saturn heading into your fourth house as this opposition peaks, you may feel more “stuck” than some others, and this could take the form of literally being stuck at home. Or, you could be stuck in some way with your family, perhaps due to caring for an aging parent. This would be challenging under the best of circumstances, but Uranus in your tenth house suggests that you are entering a period of changing careers or a big career breakthrough, and so being limited because of home or family problems is not going to sit well with you at all.

There are several ways to interpret Chiron on the Midheaven. It may simply mean that your calling is in one of the healing professions. Or it could indicate challenges in finding the right career or in how you come across in public (or your perception of how you are seen). Uranus has a reputation for blasting us out of complacency and the same old, tired patterns. So if you’ve been banging your head against the wall over and over trying to become “successful,” you could get an awakening now.

Of course, you’ll be trying to accomplish this with the above set of limitations. However, Uranus moves more slowly than Saturn, so eventually these obstacles will clear, and you’ll be able to advance with much less resistance.

Good luck with it all, and keep us posted!

Neith’s response:

This past summer, when Uranus was stationing opposite your natal Uranus, must have been a tough time for you, Sherry. While we Libras are typically perpetually seeking balance in ourselves and our lives, Uranus transits can feel like we’re running from one side of the seesaw to the other instead of strolling. Fortunately the last pass of this transitional transit will happen much more quickly in March 2010.

Your natal Chiron is also part of a Yod, or Finger of God, with your Libra Sun and Taurus Moon. Anytime we experience a major transit triggering a Yod, it will bring to the surface all the issues represented by the planets involved. Both your luminaries are ruled by sympathetic Venus, and your Chiron is in Pisces, another sign noted for avoiding confrontations. It would not surprise me to find out you have been placed in situations where you have had to stand up for yourself in a very public way recently.

Uranus at its best helps those of us who need it in looking out for our own best interests. With your Sun in your fourth house and Moon-ruled Cancer Ascendant, you are probably more comfortable at home than out in the public eye. The natal trine between your Moon and Uranus in Virgo does suggest you do have the ability to go with the flow, much needed right now.

Be brave, Sherry, and have faith in yourself. Once the dust settles, I believe you will find you like where you are. Even though it seems like the turmoil goes on forever, it doesn’t – honestly!

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Don’t I Feel Like Moon in Pisces?

This week’s question comes from Jean in Nicaragua:

I do not feel like a lunar Piscean, more like an Aquarian. I’m also not sure when my Sagittarius Ascendant will progress to Capricorn. For the first question, is it because Uranus is close to my Ascendant?

Neith’s response:

Jean, I am going to field your question on the progressed Ascendant and let Pat, our resident expert on Moon in Pisces, address your Moon issues.

The “year for a day” method of progressing a chart is easy to use for the planets, because all you need is an ephemeris and good eyes. Just count off the days starting from your birth date equal to your age and read the position of the planets on that day. For progressing the chart wheel, it helps considerably to use astrology software, especially for those of us who are not math whizzes.

Your Ascendant progressed into Capricorn in December 2002, joining your progressed Sun and Venus. By the middle of 2004, Mercury moved into Capricorn also. Since your natal chart is heavy to optimistic Sagittarius, this gradual shift to a preponderance in Capricorn does suggest you found yourself taking a far more pragmatic approach to decision-making than before. My own experience with progressions has led me to believe the influence is fairly subtle (unless your newly progressed planet is hit with a major transit, like being conjoined by Uranus for instance).

By the way, the Moon changes signs about every two and a half years by progression, and yours moved into Capricorn in August 2007. By December 2007, it had crossed the Ascendant. Did you notice any changes in the way you presented yourself around that time? For instance, choosing different colors to wear?

Jean, this is a great opportunity for you to learn about the effect of progressed planets, because this is a first house event for you. I would love to hear more about the changes you have seen, if any. When my Sun and Ascendant progressed into Capricorn, I noticed I gradually started choosing more browns and neutrals to wear after all the brighter colors of my Sagittarius years. Good topic, thanks for bringing it up!

Pat’s response:

I guess Neith considers me the “resident expert on Moon in Pisces” because that’s where my Moon is. I also happen to have Aquarius Sun and Rising, so I can indeed help you with this confusion, Jean.

First of all, I have to ask what you think Moon in Pisces should feel like. No two people experience their planets in exactly the same way. A lot depends on house placement, but you are right to consider other planets in the chart as well. Perhaps having Uranus on the Ascendant gives you some traits of an Aquarius, although for my money, I’d place my bets on Jupiter. As a Rising Sagittarius, you have Jupiter as your chart ruler, and he’s in Aquarius.

I also see that your Moon is square your Sagittarius Ascendant and also Uranus, and this may be inhibiting your tender Pisces Moon. Pisces is very adaptable, and your Moon may be “giving way,” as the Fishes often do, to more assertive factors in your chart. That said, never underestimate the strength of Pisces!

I have to tell you that I wasn’t aware of my Pisces Moon until well into my 40s. I had an intellectual job that fit very well with my Aquarian Sun. Still, I seemed to have a “nose” for certain things, and that is something that Moon in Pisces people often experience. Sometimes we “just know things,” even though we don’t know how we know. If this sounds like you, it’s a good sign that your Pisces Moon is hard at work, even if you don’t feel it consciously.

I hope that answers your question, and thanks for writing, Jean!

Ask Real Astrologers: Is South Node in Scorpio Recipe for Disaster?

This week’s question comes from Rafael in Brazil:

I know the north node is a difficult energy to channel, since it’s about letting go of the south node for contrast to the other side of the equation. But does Pluto in the 10th house in Scorpio and the south node also in Scorpio in the 10th house indicate a kind of public self-destruction in a potent way or what? It’s hard for me to know exactly the south node implicates in my life, because astrologers say you have to let go of your past life, but still, is the primitive force of Pluto in Scorpio telling me to master this area? I am really confused.

Neith’s response:

Rafael, one of the places I start when determining how large a role the Moon’s nodes play in a natal chart is to look for planets conjoining them. Since this is not the case in your chart, this reduces the impact they have.

I also checked to see what aspects Pluto made to your personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars). It is widely trine your Moon and is square your Sun-Mars conjunction by the numbers. I would take this to mean that overall you are comfortable with the intensity of Pluto in Scorpio. It may be that you are more attracted to living on the edge (South Node in Scorpio) than the quiet orderly life of the North Node in Taurus.

Something else to keep in mind with any opposition is that the signs involved are always in compatible elements. Taurus and Scorpio are comfortable partners with a great deal of respect and appreciation underlying all their exchanges. You have your Sun and Moon in a water sign with earth on the Ascendant – all harmonious with your nodal axis.

As for Pluto in your tenth house, perhaps you are on your way to becoming someone to be reckoned with or you come in contact with many intense, powerful people in your public life.

Please relax and trust your feelings, Rafael. You have the chart of a well-grounded, practical person – very helpful for navigating the rough spots!

Pat’s response:

Rafael, since your lunar nodes are very near the end of the fourth and tenth houses, I would interpret them to be in the fifth and eleventh houses. This gives yet more distant between your natal Pluto and the South Node, which actually is closer to your natal Saturn.

The idea that the South Node represents what we need to let go of is not universally shared by all astrologers, but if you want to use that interpretation, then your “past life” is more influenced by Saturn in the eleventh house than Pluto in the tenth house. Saturn, of course, is very powerful, too. Perhaps there is something about the groups your parents belonged to or ancestral affiliations that you need to overcome in order to express your true self, which is what the North Node in the fifth house suggests.

Because your North Node is in Taurus, you may also have a desire to make money and create a comfortable, even luxurious life for yourself, and perhaps something is holding you back from this. Breaking free of constraints in order to pursue your dream is one thing, but then you have to have the discipline and motivation to stick with it until you achieve your goal.

As always, I strongly suggest a complete reading with an astrologer you can trust. This column is not a substitute for that, since we are limited in space and can’t explore all the complex factors that go into a natal chart.

Best of luck to you, and thanks for writing!

RealAstrologers

The astrology of world affairs, human evolution, the future, and the state of the universe.

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