CAPRICORN THE GOAT

CAPRICORN THE GOAT

Preface:  As I do every month for each of the signs, I want to emphasize that if your birthday does not fall during the Capricorn timeframe for the year you were born, this DOES NOT mean that you do not experience the energy of Capricorn, because somewhere in your natal birth chart, it is present. All twelve signs of the zodiac are expressed in your being, although some signs, and therefore their corresponding energies, may be more emphasized than others. The Sun sign is about your essence, your vitality (what makes you feel alive), and your self-image. Whatever your Sun sign, you are on a life-long journey to discover and fully embrace this sign’s energy. You may be tested in life to experience the meaning of your Sun sign’s energy.

The Sun began its transit of the sign of Capricorn at 12:30 am EST on December 22, 2011.

INTRODUCTION

When I think of the zodiac sign of Capricorn, I inevitably start hearing the Donna Summer tune, “She Works Hard for the Money.” Being of worth to society is important to those born under the sign of the goat. They are willing to work hard to accomplish their goals, and they exhibit the patience required to persist with a process that includes defeat as well as success. The Capricorn hotel magnate, Conrad Hilton, once said, “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit.”[i] Successful Capricorn actress and businesswoman Mary Tyler Moore offered this advice: “Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.”[ii]

Sometimes descriptions of the sign of Capricorn can seem rather grim. However, some may simplistically equate restraint and seriousness with an austere personality. Every Capricorn is unique in terms of sign   combinations in their chart. I do observe that individuals with significant Capricorn energy may be sociable, but they often express reserve and maturity. Think about the personas of prominent Capricorns like First Lady Michelle Obama, singer/songwriter Joan Baez, TV journalist and program host Meredith Vierra, and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. Do you agree or disagree that they may be friendly, but they also show a contained and responsible Capricorn air?

CAPRICORN SYMBOLISM AND SIGN RULERSHIPS

Glyph of Capricorn

The glyph of Capricorn, shown above, resembles the angularity of a goat’s horn at the top and a curving tail at the bottom. The sign is represented by the mountain goat (as shown in the medieval painting preceding the article) or the sea goat. Astrologer Deborah Houlding explains that the sea goat symbolism may represent the “cross of matter,” where the psyche (equated with the impressionable ocean) is forced to meet the challenges of the material world (as in the earthy, concrete mountains) in a quest for individualization.[1] Astrologer Caroline Casey distinguishes between the domesticated goat and the wild goat, proposing that these two states of being reflect a dual nature in the Capricorn personality. The domesticated goat reflects the side of Capricorn that assumes a preordained role established by an external authority, resulting in living a life in accordance with duty. This type of Capricorn may feel responsible and law-abiding, but may feel a deep gloom. On the other hand, the wild goat lives in an environment of freedom, and it establishes its own path, leading to a more joyful existence.[2]

The name Capricorn, or Capricornus, derives from the Latin, with “caper” meaning goat, and “cornu” signifying horns. Horns are an ancient symbol of fertility, abundance, and prosperity. In ancient mythology, the goat Cornucopia nourished Jupiter as an infant. In ancient rituals, horned animals were sacrificed to draw power from the gods, leading later societies to misinterpret these “scapegoats” as representations of evil. In the Tarot deck, Capricorn is often associated with the horned Devil card. Astrologer Bruce Nevin says that the Devil is often referred to as the “Father of Lies,” meaning the lie of separateness. He says that the Capricornian lack of fulfillment in the pursuit of earthly manifestations and concentrated power can only be addressed when those born under this sign understand earthly limitations and overcome the illusion of separation and isolation.[3]

Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn, which represents the principle of contraction, the opposite of Jupiter, which symbolizes expansion. Saturn is the taskmaster, from whom we learn lessons after committing ourselves to a process or path. Saturn places boundaries on our activities and thinking, and represents the concept of time, thus the planet is often synonymous with “Father Time.” The terms commitment, effort, discipline, mastery, and authority are all key words associated with Capricorn.

Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign. As such, Capricorn represents the initiatory energy of a new season, emerging at the winter solstice. As an earth sign, Capricorn is concerned with manifestation, and with the creation and maintenance of structures.

Capricorn rules the 10^th House of the zodiac, at the top of the astrological chart. The tenth house involves social participation. This house oversees activities such as one’s career, public standing, political power, and one’s relationships with authorities (including those within the family, such as the mother or the father).

THE TRANSITION FROM SAGITTARIUS TO CAPRICORN

Sagittarius completes the public relations and sales activities of the harvest season. Now winter emerges, and Capricorn maintains the harvest’s stockpile to be consumed during the severe season of winter. While autumn displayed the horn of plenty, winter requires conservation. The most difficult weather is yet to come, but the light of day will gradually increase as the season proceeds. Whereas Sagittarian energy is externalized, Capricorn energy withdraws inward, consistent with the season’s energy.

Sagittarius utilized its exuberant energy to set lofty goals and explore diverse experiences. Capricorn now chooses those elevated sights that are most likely to bear fruit. Capricorn says, “We’ve done enough exploring–it’s time now to establish some solid structures and activities that will move us forward.” Capricorn energy is responsible for the building of cities and their infrastructures.

 THE PURPOSE OF CAPRICORN

Astrologer Steven Forrest (a Sun Sign Capricorn) posits that Capricorn's purpose is to fuse the essential character with a suitable public identity to best serve society, whether that be through a job, volunteer work, or civic service. This societal role must match the Capricorn individual’s value system and interests. Forrest says that Capricorn utilizes patience and self-discipline in this arduous process of finding one's proper place in the community. Furthermore, this author contends that solitude is a strategy utilized by Capricorn to learn how to be content with his or her thoughts and projects so as not to rely on the praise and approval of others. In this way, observes Forrest, solitude transforms a burden into an opportunity. He says that Capricorn's practicality keeps it focused on its intention, allowing sign natives overcome feelings of fear, frustration, and resistance. Capricorn's iron will is among its greatest resources. [4]

When Capricorn fails to find, or loses sight of, his or her true nature and goals, sign natives can become isolated and alone. They may turn to false pursuits, pursuing success for the sake of success, acquiring money as a sign of success, or hoarding tangible items as a validation of self-worth. Hence, as this sign's symbol suggests, the Goat must find the right mountain to climb, so that it is not duty-bound, but instead is free to climb heights in alignment with its nature.

SNAPSHOT PROFILES OF SUN SIGN CAPRICORNS

J. Edgar Hoover

Born January 1, 1895

The subject of a contemporary movie (J. Edgar) in 2011, J. Edgar Hoover served as FBI Director for over four decades (1924-1972). He was born and raised in Washington, D.C. While working as a clerk at the Library of Congress, Hoover attended night classes at George Washington University. He passed the District of Columbia bar examination, and with the assistance of his uncle, a judge, he landed a job with the Department of Justice. After two years, he moved into an Assistant position to then Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer. Appointed to the position of Director of the newly created Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 1924, Hoover modernized operations with technological innovations, expanded personnel training, and successfully obtained increased Congressional funding.

Known for his rabid anti-Communist views, J. Edgar Hoover focused his criminal pursuits on activists of the political Left, labor leaders, and those in the civil rights movement, demonstrating a particular obsession with Martin Luther King. He utilized controversial tactics, such as evidence planting, illegal wiretaps, infiltration, false innuendos, and burglaries.[5]

Frustrated by legal barriers that denied him the authority to prosecute and deport individuals for their political views, Hoover created a secret program named the Counter Intelligence Program (or COINTELPRO) that operated unexposed until 1971. The program utilized covert, and often illegal, tactics to discredit and dismantle the work of various political and social movements, like the Black Panthers, anti-war groups, and the Socialist Workers Party. J. Edgar Hoover died in 1972, the year after COINTELPRO became public knowledge.[6]

In my mind, J. Edgar Hoover represents the difficult side of Capricorn energy. For many years he reigned as a tyrannical authority figure, feared by others in power, primarily because they knew that he collected information that could damage their careers. Hoover personifies a Capricorn whose behavior becomes “weird” because he has become too insular, terminology used in Caroline Casey’s observations. Hoover exhibits the Saturnian tendency toward insecurity and corresponding overcompensation with overwork. As Casey theorizes, these outwardly successful people are often surrounded by “yes men” who are unable to offer this personality type the feedback necessary to curb their unhealthy idiosyncrasies.[7]

Richard M. Nixon

Born January 9, 1913

The 37th President of the United States, and the first commander in chief to resign, Richard Milhous Nixon hailed from the town of Yorba Linda, California. He faced difficulties in his early life, saying, “We were poor, but the glory of it was we didn’t know it.” The family experienced the tragedy of losing two sons. First, Richard Nixon’s younger brother died after a short illness, and later his older brother died of tuberculosis. Limited economically with respect to a choice of schools, Nixon completed his studies at a local institution, Whittier College. He earned a scholarship to attend Duke University’s law school. Following graduation, Nixon moved his family to Washington, D.C., and later joined the military during World War II. When he returned as a civilian to Whittier, California, a group of Republicans approached him to run for Congress. Utilizing his fervent anti-Communist views and redbaiting techniques, Nixon won a Congressional seat against a Congressional veteran. Employing the same tactics four years later, he won a California U.S. Senate seat against Congresswoman Helen Gahagan Douglas, who had stood up against the era’s Red Scare campaigns. Nixon won this Senate seat in 1950. One California newspaper referred to Nixon as “Tricky Dick,” and the less than flattering nickname stuck with him the rest of his political life.[8]

Nixon drew the attention of Dwight Eisenhower, the Republican candidate for President. Seen as an asset to winning voters in the West, Eisenhower selected Nixon as his running mate in the 1952 run for the White House. The Republican team ran a successful race. With the end of Eisenhower’s last term, Vice President Nixon declared himself a candidate for President in 1960. He was defeated in the race by the charismatic Senator John Kennedy. Nixon returned to California, resuming a private family life for a short while before declaring himself a candidate in the California gubernatorial race in 1962. He faced a popular incumbent, Governor Pat Brown. Nixon lost this race by a wide margin. Many political observers declared Nixon’s political career over.[9]

Richard Nixon took an eight-year sojourn from the public eye, moving his family to New York where he practiced law. Meanwhile, he continued to cultivate relationships with influential Republicans, and in 1968, he declared himself once more a candidate for the highest office in the land. After a tumultuous year of anti-war demonstrations and violence, Richard Nixon won the presidency. He was re-elected to office four years later in a landslide victory, with an impending scandal that would remove him from office. As part of his re-election effort, Nixon’s White House aides had engaged in an illegal break-in to the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) office in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. Republican operatives also wiretapped the DNC offices. After the burglars were arrested, Nixon and his aides attempted to cover up their involvement in this affair, obstructing an FBI investigation and authorizing secret cash payments to operatives to discourage their implication of the White House in the scheme’s direction. With a Congressional committee poised to present Articles of Impeachment, Richard Nixon resigned in August of 1974. He died of a massive stroke two decades later on April 22, 1994, less than a year after his wife Pat’s death from lung cancer.[10]

Richard Nixon reflects the tenacity and staying power of a Capricorn. Despite losses and controversy, he maintained his will to succeed in his goal to assume the role as the nation’s chief executive officer. However, like J. Edgar Hoover, his authoritarian drive and thirst for power overtook the common sense of the Capricorn nature. Once again, perhaps too few of those surrounding him in his administration were unable to show him the folly of his ways.

Robert Bly

Born December 23, 1926

Capricorn journalist, poet, and author Robert Bly functioned in a much different role in the 1960s than J. Edgar Hoover and President Richard Nixon. He co-founded the group American Writers Against the Vietnam War and he remains an anti-war activist. His work A Light Around the Body won a National Book Award. Born in Minnesota, Bly attended St. Olaf College, Harvard University, and the University of Iowa.[11]

Bly is credited with beginning a mythopoetic men’s movement after writing Iron John: A Book About Men. The book addresses the perceived decline of the father’s role in the American family and probes the male psyche. He posits that modern males lack the rites of passage and role modeling of the past, and thus, contemporary males are trapped between childhood and maturity. He views this dilemma as influencing the lack of mature leadership in the business world and politics. To compensate for this, Bly explored the mythic tradition that offers men guidance, and he established men’s workshops to explore male mythic traditions.[12]

My purpose for presenting Robert Bly as a Capricorn example is not to critique his mythopoetic men’s movement, but rather to emphasize that Saturn, Capricorn’s ruler, is concerned with the role of father and male tradition. Capricorn is the upholder of tradition, and Bly is looking to the past to abstract what he sees as valuable aspects of maleness in the role of the modern male.

Betty White

Born January 17, 1922

More popular than ever, 90-year-old actress Betty White is the consummate symbol of Capricorn longevity, displaying the sign’s propensity for overcoming barriers, including Hollywood’s preference for youthful stars. At the age of two, Betty’s family moved to Los Angeles from Illinois. In the 1950s, she began a career in television, becoming one of the first women producers in the industry. White guested on several television series in the 1960s. She gained recognition in the 1970s in her role as the clever Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and later starred as the naïve Rose Nyland on the Golden Girls in the 1980s. In the 1990s, she appeared in Boston Legal, and in the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. Her popularity expanded in the last decade as she made appearances in movies, commercials, and in television, with a leading role in the sitcom, Hot in Cleveland. Betty White became the oldest celebrity to host the long-standing comedy show, Saturday Night Live.

Doris Kearns Goodwin

Born January 4, 1943

Following a Capricorn passion for history, Doris Kearns Goodwin studied at Harvard University, earning a doctorate in Government. As a historian, teacher, and author, she is best known for her studies of American Presidents. Appointed as a White House Fellow in the Johnson Administration, she met the President who became the subject of her first book in 1976. Her next book on the Kennedys in 1987 became the source for a television miniseries. Since then, she has written about Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as Abraham Lincoln. Her work, No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1995. Goodwin has also written about another passion, the Brooklyn Dodgers, her home team as a youth.[13] [14]

Doris Kearns married Richard Goodwin, an advisor to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. She appears regularly on Meet the Press and she has guested on The Charlie Rose Show.

Michelle Obama

Born January 17, 1964

As the wife of the 44^th President of the United States, First Lady Michelle Obama reflects the persona of a modern day, ambitious Capricorn woman. Born Michelle Robinson and raised in a modest apartment in the South Side of Chicago, she developed into a high achiever in the Chicago schools, participating in programs for gifted children. With a vision of receiving the best post-secondary education, Robinson attended Princeton University, and later Harvard Law School. She became an attorney, working for a brief time for a Chicago law group, where she met Barack Obama, a student intern. She later worked for the City of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medical Center.

As First Lady, Michelle Obama has become actively involved in issues concerning military families, a very Capricorn theme. She is a proponent of community gardens and organic foods, an interest one might expect from an earthy Capricorn. Putting parental responsibility first, Michelle Obama has stated, "My first priority will always be to make sure that our girls are healthy and grounded," Michelle said. "Then I want to help other families get the support they need, not just to survive, but to thrive."[15]

                                                                                                                                                            

ENDNOTES

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[1] Houlding, Deborah (December/January 2008). Capricorn the Goatfish. The Mountain Astrologer. Issue #136, pp. 40-47.

[2] Casey, Caroline (1998). Making the Gods Work for You. New York: Harmony Books, p.48.

[3] Nevin, Bruce (1982). Astrology Inside Out. Rockport, Massachusetts: Para Research, Inc., p.80.

[4] Forrest, Steven. (1988). The Inner Sky. San Diego: ACS Publications, pp.81-85.

[5] J. Edgar Hoover. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 01:45, Jan 08, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/j-edgar-hoover-9343398

[6] Ibid.

[7] Casey, Caroline. Op. Cit., p.48-49.

[8] Richard Nixon. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 03:27, Jan 08, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/richard-nixon-9424076

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Robert Bly. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 04:42, Jan 08, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/robert-bly-39656

[12] Retrieved on 1/8/12: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bly

[13] Doris Kearns Goodwin. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 06:10, Jan 08, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/doris-kearns-goodwin-38566

[14] Retrieved 1/8/12: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doris_Kearns_Goodwin

[15] Michelle Obama. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 06:35, Jan 08, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592

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[i] Retrieved on 1/2/11 @http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/conrad_hilton.html#ixzz1iMI6JNRP

[ii] Retrieved on 1/2/11 @http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mary_tyler_moore_2.html#ixzz1iMJr2JZm

SAGITTARIUS THE ARCHER

Preface: As I do every month for each of the signs, I want to emphasize that if your birthday does not fall during the Sagittarius timeframe for the year you were born, this DOES NOT mean that you do not experience the energy of Sagittarius, because somewhere in your natal birth chart, it is present. All twelve signs of the zodiac are expressed in your being, although some signs, and therefore their corresponding energies, may be more emphasized than others. The Sun sign is about your essence, your vitality (what makes you feel alive), and your self-image. Whatever your Sun sign, you are on a life-long journey to discover and fully embrace this sign’s energy. You may be tested in life to experience the meaning of your Sun sign’s energy.

The Sun began its transit of the sign of Sagittarius at 8:08 am (PST) on November 22, 2011.

INTRODUCTION

“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.”

C. S. Lewis
British writer
Born November 29, 1898

“If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.”

Margaret Mead
American Anthropologist
Born December 16, 1901


When reading a description of the Sagittarian personality, you will often come across the term “storyteller.” Although we may think of mythology or fiction when we hear that term, stories can also be academic non-fiction work, like the cross-cultural ethnographies written by anthropologist Margaret Mead. These stories can also be imaginative journeys, like the ones told by the masterful author of creative fantasies, C.S. Lewis, the author of the Narnia works. With their tendencies toward exaggeration, some Sagittarians may tell “tall tales,” hopefully in the context of fiction rather than nonfiction. Both C.S. Lewis and Margaret Mead were fascinated by religion, but from different perspectives. In the case of the former, C.S. Lewis weaved his Christian faith into his literary works. Margaret Mead, on the other hand, assumed an impartial observer role in researching religion in the context of its nature and role within the cultures she studied.

The storyteller persona seems to be a common thread among the Sagittarian personalities I feature in my “Snapshot Profiles” section in this article. With the exception of the President of Brazil, the “storyteller” theme is obvious, with each of these individuals involved in writing, publishing, stand-up comedy, and acting. I would venture to guess that in her revolutionary days, the President of Brazil probably assumed responsibilities for publishing a newspaper or other political periodical. These Sagittarians demonstrate frankness in their speeches and writings.

Let me first disclose that my natal Sun is in the sign of Sagittarius, as is my Ascendant and my natal Mercury. Given this abundance of Archer energy, I offer more of my own perspectives in this article than I typically do. Please keep in mind that I may not be as unbiased about Sagittarius as I would like.

SAGITTARIUS SYMBOLISM AND RULERSHIPS

Glyph for Sagittarius

The glyph for this sign, shown above, displays an arrow and the central portion of a bow. In Latin, “sagitta” means arrow and sagittarius means archer, personified in the medieval painting that precedes this article The archer is a centaur, a mythological creature who is part horse and part man, as well as part mortal and part divine. The centaur holds the bow and an arrow pointed toward a target. The arrow of the glyph points upward into the sky, representing high ideals and aspirations, says astrologer Bruce Nevin. He explains that the disparity between the lower and higher natures, between the limitations of the body and the freedom of the mind and spirit are the dynamics experienced by the sign of Sagittarius. Nevin points out that this disparity manifests in physical terms as an intolerance of restriction and a love of travel or adventure. This disparity finds expression in mental and spiritual terms as openness to new ideas and a love of learning.(1)

The planet Jupiter rules the sign of Sagittarius. Through its influence, Sagittarius displays acceptance of diversity, respect for freedom, broad vision, joviality, optimism, enthusiasm, generosity, and aspirational vision. Less attractive qualities include self-righteousness, arrogance, inappropriate bluntness, overextension, excessive optimism, unhealthy indulgence, and unrealistic visions.

Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign. The Sagittarian symbol of the dual-bodied centaur aptly describes the adaptable nature of a mutable sign.

As the ruler of the 9th House of the astrological chart, Sagittarius oversees institutions of higher learning, publishing, religious institutions, travel, philosophy, as well as foreign languages, foreign lands and foreigners. This house is concerned with the activities of the social collective.

Sagittarius rules the buttocks, thighs, hips, and sacroiliac region. Because of this anatomical correspondence, persons influenced by this sign in key areas of the natal chart experience vulnerability to illnesses and ailments in these regions of the body.

Often associated with the Temperance card in the Tarot, Sagittarius from this perspective more closely reflects the mature stage of development in this sign, where one’s adventures and experiences have cultivated wisdom. This is Sagittarius the philosopher, teacher, and sage. The mutable quality provides Sagittarius with ability to “balance” the established energy of the fixed signs and the fast-moving direct action of the cardinal signs. Nevin says that the angel depicted in the Temperance tarot card moves between heaven and earth, symbolizing the effort of Sagittarius to connect the spiritual realm with earthly existence.(2)

THE TRANSITION FROM SCORPIO TO SAGITTARIUS

Sagittarius represents the final phase of autumn, the realm of time bridging two seasons. Both Scorpio and Sagittarius search for the truth, and both can be brutally frank, although the Archer often conveys its blunt remarks with wit or humor. Both are keen observers, but Sagittarius is more inclined to look at the big picture. Scorpio relies on gut reactions, but may be more deliberate in its actions, while fire-sign Sagittarius uses its intuition to behave spontaneously, often causing the natives of this sign to act first, and think later.

While Scorpio concentrates its energy inward and delves into the great depths of the mysterious, Sagittarius explores the unknown as well, but it journeys in a more expansive way, participating in a variety of experiences. Scorpio may explore the depths of the psyche, while Sagittarius studies cross-cultural customs and religious belief systems.

Astrologer Dana Gerhardt observes that Sagittarius, by its position “sandwiched between Scorpio and Capricorn, … separates the two most ambitious (some would say the grimmest) signs in the zodiac.” Gerhardt continues with this analysis: “If Scorpio is the Dark Prince and Capricorn is the Old King, Sagittarius is the Fool, the court jester who tricks the world into dropping its chin so he can flick its nose. The Fool Lightens things up so that wisdom can enter the room. With his merry allusions, the Fool utters tough truths to the King without getting his head chopped off. His playfulness saves the world from destruction. His perspective brings the kingdom new life.”(3)

While I am of the opinion that adjoining signs continue a theme, I see them also reacting to the qualities of the sign before them in order to balance personality weaknesses. In the transition from Scorpio to Sagittarius, I can almost hear the Archer say, “Enough already, Scorp. You have spent too much time down in the underworld swimming in the cesspools of human depravity. Humanity should be better than this. I dare you to look up into the sky, and dream big with me. I know human behavior can be disgusting, but it is up to us to make it better. I have faith that humans can take care of business here on earth with a higher purpose, if they acknowledge their connection to the divine.”

To survive as individuals and as a species, I believe that we need faith and hope to carry us through life. Perhaps I should say that I, as a Sagittarian, require this perspective. I remember talking to one of my former co-workers as we made our way to the office from the Metro station. Although a relatively young man, he had experienced heart problems in the last decade that required surgery and recouperation. He had originally come to California to study at a university program to which it was extremely difficult to gain acceptance. He successfully gained admission. However, his health condition had undoubtedly impacted the future he had previously envisioned. He said to me, “We always think things will get better.” I remember feeling my heart sink with his statement. I myself have experienced setbacks during the last decade, but what propels me are the opportunities for betterment. I understand at one level that this is not always the case, as my colleague soberly reminded me. I think the process of aging naturally teaches us about reality and the confines of time in realizing our dreams. Yet, for me, perhaps the journey is somehow more important than the end. I have that Sagittarian need for lofty goals, be they societal goals or personal goals. I think this is why I enjoy being engaged in planning projects and proposal writing rather than in the reality-based elements of program operations. I’m better at dreaming about possibilities than handling reality.


THE PURPOSE OF SAGITTARIUS AND SOME MYTH-BUSTING


Sagittarius wears many guises in living life as an adventure, whether physically traveling or engaging in the internal journey. Astrologer Steven Forrest says that the common denominator among the diverse expressions of the Sagittarian personality is the motivation to engage in actions that expand awareness through the gathering of unfamiliar experience.(4)  He capsulizes the three destinies of Sagittarius as:

•  The Gypsy: physical gathering of experience
•  The Student: intellectual researching of experience
•  The Philosopher: intuitive collection of experience

My tongue-in-cheek take on this hierarchy of Sagittarian personas would be something along these lines:

• The College Jock or Joe 6-Pack: acquiring physical experience via football and inebriation
• The Publicist or Salesperson: using cleverness to concoct a great spin for clients or a sales pitch
• The Stand-Up Comedian or Writer: spontaneous insults earn you more than academic tenure

So what is the purpose of Sagittarius? Forrest says that the native’s wandering represents the pursuit of the ultimate meaning of life. The Archer is on a quest, he says, to uncover the Truth, as well as personal destinies. Forrest maintains that Sagittarius uses the strategy of living life as an adventure to reach this endpoint. The Sagittarian characteristics of faith, adventurousness, humor, and enthusiasm are resources in the functioning of this zodiac sign, claims Forrest. Conversely, Forrest observes that traits like bad judgment, over optimism, and overextension are the Archer’s shadow.(5)

The late astrologer Dane Rudhyar says that with the sign of Sagittarius, the night-force has reached its maximum intensity, and collectivism overpowers individualism, society dominates over the individual personality, and the far takes precedence over the near. Sagittarius becomes completely absorbed by social or mystical factors, and yearns for distant connections. This, he says, enables the complexities of society to operate satisfactorily.(6)

I can offer a personal testament to the Sagittarian focus on the external society. Even though I do not spend a lot of time in community activities, my attention is on what is going on in the events of our nation or in the world. I have been this way since I was a teen. My areas of study in college were anthropology and social welfare. I often call myself a “cyber activist” because I spend a fair amount of time reviewing information about local, national, or world politics, and deciding how I can convey my stance to decision-makers. I know this sounds odd to those who may not have a lot of natal chart energy in the collective signs. Except for cooking, I am anything but a “domestic goddess.”

Astrologer Deborah Houlding offers a radically different theory about Sagittarius. She contends that modern astrology downplays the bestial quality of Sagittarius. The Mars-like qualities of Sagittarius are rarely recognized, says Houlding, and she proposes that the fiercer aspects of this sign must be acknowledged to truly understand the symbolism. As a fire sign, Houlding observes that Sagittarius reacts spontaneously and intuitively, hence their love and talent at sports. This sign’s instincts are to act first and think later.(7)  With this tendency, Sagittarius expresses its bestial nature. Rudhyar, on the other hand, sees Sagittarius as a mental sign. I have read only excerpts from his works, so I do not know how he reconciles the traditional association of Sagittarius as a fire sign with his assessment of its mental qualities.

Sagittarius is associated with the centaurs of classical mythology, known for their crass and irresponsible ways. Centaurs are warlike and fierce. Houlding says that Chiron, the gentle wounded healer, has been associated erroneously with Sagittarius. She informs us that Chiron extricated himself from the wild, savage, and lustful ways of his race of centaurs. Houlding suggests that Chiron provided a “tempering” energy to quell the natural bestial qualities of the centaurs.(8)

Can these astrologers all be right? As a Sagittarian, I personally identify with both that ferocious quality of wanting to engage others in verbal battle (not so much physical, but I wouldn’t discount that either). Yet, I can also relate to that very mental place that Sagittarians go to frequently. I think this reflects the “mental processing” that is needed for Sagittarius to “make sense” of all of the diverse experiences in which they are engaged.


SNAPSHOT PROFILES OF SUN SIGN SAGITTARIANS

The information for the profiles was abstracted from Wikipedia, unless otherwise noted

Mark Twain
Born November 30, 1835

The quintessential American writer, Mark Twain (born Samuel L. Clemens) is best known as the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He once said, “I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year (1910), and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don't go out with Halley's Comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: ‘Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.’ ” The prescient Twain died the day following Haley’s Comet closest approach to Earth in 1910.

After working in various printing venues, Twain became a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River in his native Missouri. There he began the first of his adventures, which later became the inspiration for his literary works. Twain later joined his brother out West, trying his hand at gold prospecting, but with little success. During this time in the Mother Lode, he became a journalist, and he penned his first creative work, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” which catapulted him to nationwide popularity. Twain found his niche in writing, and his travelogues were soon in demand by various publications.

Mark Twain became a well-known humorist in both his public speaking and his writing. He traveled the world, chronicling his observations for American publications. His essays often reflected a satirical tone. In his middle years, he was often in the company of industrialists, presidents, European royalty, and artists. Perhaps influenced by the Jupiterian energy of Sagittarius, Twain earned much money, but he also spent lavishly, leading to bankruptcy. Wealthy patrons helped him overcome his financial burdens.

Twain transformed his viewpoints throughout his life, becoming an avid anti-imperialist in the later years of his life. He is quoted as saying, “I am said to be a revolutionist in my sympathies, by birth, by breeding and by principle. I am always on the side of the revolutionists, because there never was a revolution unless there were some oppressive and intolerable conditions against which to revolt.”

Although often projecting an amiable persona to the public, Twain suffered from deep depression in his later years. He wrote of his deep love for his wife, yet he often spent much time away from her. The couple lost three of their four children, and this caused much bitterness for Twain that lasted until the end of his life.

Few would dispute that Mark Twain left a tremendous legacy. The website Bio.com summarizes his contributions as follows: “Mark Twain explored the American soul with wit, buoyancy, and a sharp eye for truth. He became nothing less than a national treasure.”

Otis Chandler
Born November 23, 1927

Born into the dynasty who owned the Los Angeles Times, Otis Chandler was the fourth and final member of the family to serve as the newspaper’s publisher, from 1960 through 1980. He indulged enthusiastically in his passions for surfing, weightlifting, big-game hunting, and car and motorcycle collecting. He won championships in the sport of shot put, and only a sprained wrist kept him from competing in the Olympics. Whether in his athletic pursuits or in the newspaper trade, Chandler set high standards for himself. The PBS documentary on the Chandler family (Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers and their Times) quoted Otis Chandler as once saying, “My parents never forced me to be the best at whatever I do. That somehow came from within me.”

After college, military service, and a new wife and child, Otis Chandler accepted his father’s offer to apprentice as an executive with the Los Angeles Times, beginning in 1953. In 1960, he assumed leadership of the newspaper. With a distaste for mediocrity, Otis Chandler transformed the Los Angeles Times into a profitable and respected newspaper. The renowned journalist David Halberstam once commented on this publication’s evolution: “No publisher in America improved a paper so quickly on so grand a scale, took a paper that was marginal in qualities and brought it to excellence as Otis Chandler did.”

Otis Chandler valued impartiality, and when his paper ran an extensive expose on the John Birch Society, he reinforced support for this investigative journalism in an editorial, despite the fact that there were members of his family who were proud members of this conservative organization. Chandler transformed the newspaper from an overtly politically conservative newspaper to a well-staffed, more politically balanced modern publication. Otis Chandler left the Los Angeles Times in 1980, and industry observers debate whether he left on his own accord or whether the ownership entity forced him out.

Calvin Trillin
Born December 5, 1935

Writing in diverse genres, Calvin Trillin is an American journalist, humorist, poet, food writer, memoirist, and novelist. Born in Kansas City, Calvin Trillin studied at Yale University. He resides in the Greenwich Village district of New York City. Throughout the years, he has covered subjects both serious and quirky. He writes regularly for The Nation and for The New Yorker. His current column in The Nation is entitled “Deadline Poet,” where his musings on current events appear in rhyme. His books cover themes of family, food, and travel.

The Bush Administration provided abundant fodder for many political observers and humorists, and Calvin Trillin was no exception. In the 2008 Presidential race, many thought the process was epic in proportions, and Trillin followed suit with an epic poem in a book entitled Deciding the Next Decider. A very brief excerpt from this work appears on the National Public Radio website, at this link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97868793

Calvin Trillin lectures widely, and has been interviewed on various television programs. Dubbed “the Buster Keaton of performance humorists by a New York Times theater critic, Trillin authored and presented to critical acclaim two successful one-man shows at the American Place Theater in New York.

Jane Fonda
Born December 21, 1937

The daughter of a popular American actor, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda lives a full and varied life as an actor, a one-time fashion model, a fitness guru, a political activist, and a writer. She was named after a distant relative on her mother’s side, the third wife of King Henry VIII, Lady Jayne Seymour. Her mentally fragile mother committed suicide when Jane was 12 years of age.

Initially interested in art, Jane Fonda later decided to study acting with the renowned Lee Strasberg, who pronounced her a talented actor. Her acting career began on Broadway, with performances in various theater productions. After minor roles in film in the early 1960s, Fonda had her breakthrough with the film Cat Ballou, a box office success. Critical acclaim came later with her performance in They Shoot Horses, Don’t They, earning her an Oscar nomination. In the following decades, Fonda became more selective in her roles, with the opportunity to deepen her craft.

Jane Fonda became a household name, perhaps not for her acting, but her political activism. In the 1960s, she became involved in the movement to end the Vietnam War, as well as in civil rights causes. She toured military towns to speak frankly with servicemen set to deploy to Vietnam, presenting her argument about the immorality of the war. She made speeches to various veterans groups and other antiwar gatherings. Her travel to North Vietnam and her controversial pronouncements led her to be dubbed “Hanoi Jane.” To this day, many veterans harbor strong feelings against her antiwar actions. Although she never retreated from her opposition to the Vietnam War, Fonda apologized for hurting veterans and their families, stating that some of her comments and actions reflected lapses in judgment and were thoughtless.

Jane Fonda’s reputation perhaps recouped when she produced several exercise videos that became enormously successful, beginning in the early 1980s. She recently released fitness DVDs geared to the elderly. Although she has “tempered” her style, Jane Fonda still speaks forthrightly on a number of topics. A stalwart feminist, she co-founded the Women’s Media Center, an organization devoted to amplifying the voice of women in media through advocacy, training, and original content creation.

Dilma Rousseff
Born December 14, 1947

Elected on October 31, 2010, Dilma Rousseff currently serves as Brazil’s 36th President, the first woman to hold the post. She previously held the position of Chief of Staff of Brazil, appointed by former President Lula da Silva. Prior to that, she served as Brazil’s Minister of Energy.

The daughter of a Bulgarian immigrant father and Brazilian mother, Rousseff grew up in an upper middle class household in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. She attended Catholic school in her early school years, but later transferred to a public school, where she became politicized in socialist thought. In the movement to oppose the country’s military dictatorship, Rousseff chose to identify with the armed struggle faction of this political group. Rousseff participated in the militant activities of the National Liberation Command. Later, in other group affiliations, Rousseff aligned with the group advocating working with the masses, as opposed to armed struggle. When the military captured her in 1970, she was referred to as the “Joan of Arc” of the guerilla movement and tortured for 22 days with punching and electric shock devices.

After serving a two-year jail term, Rousseff was released, but she was prohibited from continuing her university studies in economics because of her subversion conviction. She was later permitted entry at the university in Rio Janiero, where she continued her studies in economics. In her first position of employment, she was eventually identified as a subversive and was discharged, although she was later pardoned. Rousseff maintained her political activity “within the law.” Before working in the Lula da Silva Administration, she held various local and regional government and political party posts,

The U.S. Department of State issued a profile of Rousseff shortly after her assumption of office in January 2011. Wikipedia summarizes this report as follows: “It detailed several aspects of her life, talking about her past activity in guerrilla organizations, her tastes and habits, and professional characteristics, being described as a prestigious and detailed technician, with the reputation of a workaholic and a great ability to listen, but lacking political tact, turning directly to technicians rather than her superiors.”

As Brazil’s chief administrator, Dilma Rousseff heads the world’s fifth largest economy (based on nominal GDP) and eighth largest by purchasing power parity. In August 2011, Forbes Magazine named her as the world’s third most powerful woman, behind Germany’s Angela Merkel and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In September 2011, Dilma Rousseff became the first woman to open the United Nations General Assembly.

Margaret Cho
Born December 5, 1968

Known for her fearlessness in discussing topics of diversity in our culture, Margaret Cho is a stand-up comedian, actor, recording artist, fashion designer, and writer. Born into a Korean family in San Francisco, California, Cho attended elementary school on Haight Street, famed for its wide spectrum of
street characters reflecting the entire spectrum of city life. She was accepted into the San Francisco School of the Arts, where she thrived as a member of the school’s improvisational comedy group.

Margaret Cho began her stand-up comedy career in the clubs of San Francisco, and she eventually expanded into the college campus circuit. She soon made appearances on TV situation comedies, as well as specials and talk shows. The American Comedy Award named her Best Female Comedian in 1994.

In 1994, ABC developed a sitcom based on Margaret Cho’s standup routine “All-American Girl.” The show caused great havoc in Cho’s life. During the production of the show, Margaret Cho was criticized by network staff for her body type and round face, leading her to undertake an extreme diet that resulted in kidney failure. On the one hand, the shows’ personnel would tell her that she was not Asian enough, and, conversely, they would say that she was too Asian. Cho was also uncomfortable with some of the stereotypical portrayals of her routine’s characters. The show was eventually cancelled due to poor ratings. This experience took its toll on Cho’s physical and mental well-being.

Transformed and renewed by 1999, Margaret Cho toured nationally with her off-Broadway one-woman show entitled “I’m The One That I Want,” which garnered acclaim and was simultaneously the content for a book. Cho also continued her involvement with benefit performances for the LGBT community. In 2008, she returned to TV with the production of her The Cho Show, a reality show based on her eccentric life, intended for viewers who relate to the theme of feeling as if one doesn’t fit in. In 2009, she attained a role in the Drop Dead Diva series. Wearing her “Rainbow Dancing Dress,” Cho appeared on season eleven of Dancing With the Stars, an enjoyable but physically grueling experience for her. In 2010, Cho released her Cho Dependent album, which received a Grammy nomination nod for musical comedy of the year.

Margaret Cho continues to speak about societal issues important to her, including racial/ethnic tolerance, particularly with respect to Asians. She is deeply concerned about bullying issues, especially as they affect LGBT youth. In her performances, she addresses the issue of body self-image and its impact on women. Her involvement in these issues has brought her acknowledgement and appreciation by groups like the ACLU, NOW, and GLAAD.

ENDNOTES

Introduction: the source for the quotations are from Brainyquote.com.
The following are citations for C.S. Lewis and Margaret Mead.
Retrieved: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/cslewis115352.html#ixzz1e81nayKt
Retrieved: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/margaretme132704.html#ixzz1e82O2vkD

1. Nevin, Bruce. (1982). Astrology Inside Out. Rockport, Massachusetts: Para Research Publishers, p.87

2. Ibid.

3.Gerhardt, Dana (December/January 2010). The Noisy Birds of Sagittarius. The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #148, pp.11-15.

4. Forrest, Steven (1988). The Inner Sky. San Diego: ACS Publications, pp.76-80.

5. Ibid.

6.Rudhyar, Dane (1963). Twelve Phases of Human Experience. The Pulse of Life: New Dynamics in Astrology. Retrieved from: http://www.khaldea.com/rudhyar/pofl/pofl_p2s9pl.shtml

7.Houlding, Deborah (February/March 2007). Sagittarius the Archer. The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #131, pp.25-30.

8.Ibid.

SCORPIO THE SCORPION, THE EAGLE, AND THE PHOENIX

Scorpio the Scorpion

Preface:  As I do every month for each of the signs, I want to emphasize that if your birthday does not fall during the Scorpio timeframe for the year you were born, this DOES NOT mean that you do not experience the energy of Scorpio, because somewhere in your natal birth chart, it is present. All twelve signs of the zodiac are expressed in your being, although some signs, and therefore their corresponding energies, may be more emphasized than others. The Sun sign is about your essence, your vitality (what makes you feel alive), and your self-image. Whatever your Sun sign, you are on a life-long journey to discover and fully embrace this sign’s energy. You may be tested in life to experience the meaning of your Sun sign’s energy.

The Sun began its transit of the sign of Scorpio beginning at 11:31 am (PDT) on October 23, 2011.

Introduction

"Gentlemen, we're all cruel, we're all monsters, we all make men weep, and mothers, and babes at the breast, but of all, let it be settled here, now, of all that I am the lowest reptile!”

“Above all, do not lie to yourself. A man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point where he does not discern any truth either in himself or anywhere around him, and thus falls into disrespect towards himself and others. Not respecting anyone, he ceases to love, and having no love, he gives himself up to the passions and coarse pleasures, in order to occupy and amuse himself, and in his vices reaches complete bestiality, and it all comes from lying continually to others and to himself.”

From The Brothers Karamazov

By Fyodor Dostoevsky (Sun Sign Scorpio)

Courtesy of  Google Books

I have met many a Scorpio in my life, mostly men. They say they are Scorpios, but it may be a public relations ploy by individuals who like the sexy reputation of Scorpios, and who do not much care for their own sign. I wish there were a foolproof way of identifying a Scorpio, but I cannot absolutely guarantee it. I can say that many Scorpios have piercing eyes. Those eyes often make you feel like they are penetrating your deepest thoughts in order to size up your honesty. There is often a sharpness or angularity to their nose.

Looks aside, I am most baffled by the Scorpio personality. (My comments apply to male Scorpios, because I seem not to be as perplexed about female Scorpios). While it appears they put a lot of energy into understanding other people or situations, they seem equally concerned with not letting others understand them. Is it just my misguided perception, or do Scorpios give the impression that they are holding back an enormous store of energy? Is this in fact the case, or do they simply want to appear mysterious and interesting? I have not completely figured this out, probably because I am not “one of the chosen” in their select group of companions; therefore, I have not had the opportunity to observe them closely on a day-to-day basis. What I do know is that they make an impression on people, even if they are not understood. Rarely have I heard neutral statements about the zodiac sign of Scorpio.

---

I wrote the two paragraphs above before I read or wrote about Scorpio. I was experiencing a “block” on this zodiac sign. The realm of Scorpio is not an easy territory to traverse, and this may have been my hesitation and resistance. I do not pretend that this article is a profound or an in-depth look at Scorpio. It is not. However, my review of some writings did help me to go to another level in understanding this complex zodiac sign.

Let it be known that I am not as perplexed or baffled by Scorpio as I previously stated. I took the path of Scorpio exploration, and, to quote the last line in Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken, “and that has made all the difference.”

Scorpio Symbolism

Unique among the other zodiac signs, Scorpio is represented by three animals: the scorpion, the eagle, and the phoenix (or some say the dove). Each of these animals symbolizes a different aspect and a different stage of Scorpio regeneration. At the first level of Scorpio energy, symbolized by the scorpion, the raw energy is thrust forth for protection, as retaliation for some infringement. The scorpion “sting” is penetrating and deliberate. Sometimes, Scorpio is not conscious of its own power and the impact of its “stings.”

At the level of the eagle, Scorpio has transformed its power of physical force to one of perceptive observation, where they analyze what power relationships are operating in an environment. At this stage, Scorpio still engages in power interventions.

In the third stage, Scorpio represents the energy of survival that transforms itself anew, as symbolized by the firebird phoenix of mythology, which emerges from the remnants of the flames. Astrologer Caroline Casey explains the purpose of this last process: “Ideally, the transformation that occurs is one that purges them of their tendency to judge others while leaving their discernment intact. The phoenix represents the capacity for empathetic observation without judgment, and therefore the capacity for compassion.” Casey also explains that, unlike Taurus, which is concerned with personal possessions, stewardship, and personal power, Scorpio’s focus of attention is on the use and abuse of collective wealth and power. [1]

Astrology’s glyph (shown above) for Scorpio resembles the letter M (similar to Virgo) with an upturned arrow. Some astrologers say the loops represent the coils of a serpeant, and others say these are the intestines, which account for Scorpio’s ability to have “gut” reactions. There are also differing interpretations about the upward arrow, which some say represents the scorpion’s stinger. Others say the upward arrow is reflective of Mars symbolism, and a reminder of the role of sexual energy in the creation and regeneration process. Scorpio rules the urino-genital organs and the organs of elimination.

In traditional astrology, Mars co-ruled Aries and Scorpio. Modern astrologers associate the planet Pluto as Scorpio’s ruler, with Mars as a sub-ruler (and some see them as co-rulers). An astrologer cyber pal asked me which planet I thought was the more appropriate ruler of Scorpio. Since Scorpio is a fixed water sign, it does not make sense that it would be ruled by a planet that is clearly a very active, spontaneous type of energy. Mars rulership of the sign of Aries makes total sense. Scorpio’s energy is a deliberate, focused, and tenacious energy, and appears to be more reactive than proactive. However, Pluto may be too cold to be associated with the torrid passions of Scorpio. Pluto relates to that which must be purged in order for a new form of life to emerge, and this certainly meshes with Scorpio’s themes. Given the lack of a total match between the two planets with the signs, it may make sense to consider them “co-rulers” of Scorpio, where each of these planets contributes qualities to the zodiac sign.

Scorpio rules the 8^th House of the astrological chart, which some astrologers summarize as being concerned with “other people’s resources.” This may mean the resources we share with someone with whom we are intimate. It can also mean the stewardship we have for managing the resources of a corporation, an organization, or the resources of individuals. Some say that having a planet in the 8^th house may represent an inheritance one receives, often times because someone else has died. Keywords for the 8^th House include sex, death, taxes, and transformation. How is that for a heavy connotation?

The Transition from Libra to Scorpio

While Libra begins at a time of equal day and equal night, Scorpio begins in mid-Autumn, where the dark has overtaken the light. We see clear evidence of changes in the trees and plants that grace our environments, and we humans may have already altered our day-to-day habits around the light and temperature changes. Libra represented a significant shift in the development of the personality, becoming aware of the need to develop harmonious relationships with others. In the progression of personality development, Scorpio expands upon the need for collectivism and the desire for intimate union.

In his work, The Pulse of Life, astrologer Dane Rudhyar explains that the three autumnal zodiac signs symbolize humanity’s growth in social consciousness. He says that Libra, as the initiating force, presents the concept of social interchange as an ideal, still struggling with the unstable equilibrium between conflicting individual and collective needs. Scorpio’s task is to deepen the commitment to the social forces. Rudhyar views sex as serving both a procreational purpose (as symbolized by Taurus in the Day Force) and a social role in the sign of Scorpio, representing the Night Force. Scorpio, he says, has reached a stage where separate individualism is being overwhelmed with dramatic intensity by the need to merge in self-forgetfulness and union through another in the transcendent aspect of sex.[2]

How Scorpio Energy Manifests in the Personality

The feeling mode predominates in this sign, and these are not mild feelings. Intensity characterizes Scorpio’s emotions. No other sign dares to delve into the depths of emotions or information like Scorpio. What they uncover in their examination is often not pretty. Scorpio has an adversity to superficiality and blasé attitudes. This sign seeks to uncover the truth, and if it is upsetting to others, Scorpio says, “so be it.”

As a fixed water sign, Scorpio is not inclined to initiate an attack, but instead will wait until the most opportune time to strike in defense. The sign’s fixity allows individuals born under this sign to wait patiently, using time to strategize and calculate their next move. Astrologer Deborah Houlding says that these qualities make Scorpio excellent candidates for military leadership, boardroom politics, and the courtroom.[3] I would add that they would do well in various forms of research, investigative work, the occult, and psychology.

Water signs are adept at exploring the psyche, and in the case of Scorpio, sign natives will undertake this task with great depth. Houlding says that Scorpio’s lack of conscious direction makes it susceptible to “a life full of highs and lows, passion and pain, with the zenith and nadir of experience expanding with each successive turn. There is no doubt that that this full exposure to experience involves pain, suffering, hardship, distress, and agonized emotions.”[4]

The Scorpio personality is complex, and others may not always understand its dimensions. Scorpio’s panoply of life experience make this sign inclined to understand intimately the cycles of life, death, transformation, and rebirth. Their life experience may take them on the path of the forbidden and taboo. This sign’s experience with life’s harsh realities instill a propensity for authenticity. They have an intense dislike for pretense and superficiality. When in touch with the Scorpio quest for transformation, they surround themselves with people with whom they can have meaningful relationships. Although their passions are strong, Scorpios may not express these feelings easily. They value their privacy, and they prefer not to be the center of attention for extended periods.

The Gift of Scorpio Energy

Because Scorpio’s territory is not easily understood, Scorpio can be unfairly stereotyped as an unsavory sign. In astrologer Bill Herbst’s brilliant article, he explores Scorpio’s dark side. Herbst contends that Scorpio’s sensitivity to the dark side offers a path to the truth. He says that this sign “ferrets out the hidden truth that apparent good often contains seeds of evil, and gross evil may at times spark profound goodness.”[5]

Leaving Libra’s realm of idealism, Scorpio instead is pragmatic. Herbst says that because the concept of morality is subject to hypocrisy and knowing that good and evil too often morph into each other, Scorpio is more comfortable with an amoral perspective. Rather than to operate from a framework of right and wrong, Scorpio adheres to an ethic of effectiveness. Herbst observes: “Scorpio wants to gather power, conserve, and concentrate it, then use that intensified power to maximum effect. Morality has nothing to do with it.”[6]

Regardless of what planets are in what signs in our natal chart, we do not know the stage of our spiritual evolution or that of another, although we might be tempted to speculate. This is as true for Scorpio as it is for any other sign. In Scorpio’s realm, we have the opportunity to become more honest about humanity and about ourselves. Scorpio’s process can take us on a journey of truth. Herbst observes that “Scorpio digs relentlessly to unearth whatever is buried, including conscience, reminding us finally of our commonality with others through the revelation that we are indeed capable of anything, that we contain within our psyches the entire pantheon of human potential, from profound love and respect for dignity to utter depravity and raw belligerence…We are all monsters. That is to say, we all contain within us the innate potential to become monstrous in thought, feeling, and action. That assumption is part of the core experience of Scorpio…All the levels of Scorpio know that good and evil dance together in each of us, intertwining not just as light and dark, but as infinite shades of gray.”[7]

We Are All Monsters

Bill Herbst’s statement that “we are all monsters,” reminded me of the lines from Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, which I quoted in the introduction. Fyodor Dostoevsky was a sun sign Scorpio, who explored humanity’s dark side in his literary works. As I was doing an internet search for that passage from The Brothers Karamazov, I found a humorous version of “We Are All Monsters", as performed by the Sesame Street characters. I think Scorpio Johnny Carson would have liked this one. Click on the link below the photo.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyBtY-8tCFw

Snapshot Profiles of Prominent Sun Sign Scorpios

Note: Information from these profiles was primarily extracted from Wikipedia. In some cases, Wikipedia editors have noted the absence of citations. Please keep this in mind that some of the information may not be officially verified.

Late Senator Joseph McCarthy
Born November 14, 1908

Although ultimately discredited, Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy led an intensive government investigation by his Senate Committee into the influence of Communists within government agencies, with the belief that there was active subversion by Soviet spies, American Communist Party members, and Communist sympathizers. His accusations concerning Communist infiltrations within the U.S. Army led to conflicting positions between this branch of the military and Sen. McCarthy’s Senate Committee. The U.S. Senate pursued investigations into these opposing charges in the much-publicized Army-McCarthy hearings in 1954. This exposure ultimately led to McCarthy’s downfall, and the U.S. Senate censured him in late 1954.

Anti-communist fervor existed for many years prior to the activities of Joseph McCarthy. However, Senator McCarthy’s activities symbolized what is often known as the “Second Red Scare.” The era was characterized with Anti-American charges against many individuals within various industries, including the entertainment industry and higher education. Some institutions asked individuals to sign loyalty oaths to the United States. Because McCarthy was so identified with this era, his tactics are often referred to as “McCarthyism.” The author of the Wikipedia entry for “McCarthyism” explains the use of this term: “Originally coined to criticize the anti-communist pursuits of Republican U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, ‘McCarthyism’ soon took on a broader meaning, describing the excesses of similar efforts. The term is also now used more generally to describe reckless, unsubstantiated accusations, as well as demagogic attacks on the character or patriotism of political adversaries.”

Late Senator Robert F. Kennedy
Born November 20, 1925

Often labeled “ruthless” by his detractors, Robert F. Kennedy perhaps most clearly illustrates the transformative powers of Scorpio energy. He served as his brother’s campaign manager when John F. Kennedy ran for various political offices, refining his skills as a political strategist to fulfill family ambitions. In his early professional years, he worked as legal counsel to Senator Joseph McCarthy’s Senate Committee, hired by the Senator at the behest of the Kennedy family patriarch, Joseph Kennedy. The elder Kennedy was a fervent Catholic and anti-Communist, and sympathetic to McCarthy’s redbaiting cause. Robert Kennedy later served as legal counsel to the Senate Committee investigating labor racketeering, in particular the activities of the Teamsters, and its head, Jimmy Hoffa. He was intent on exposing the corruption of the Teamsters, documenting his findings in his 1960 book The Enemy Within. When John F. Kennedy was elected President, Robert was nominated and confirmed as U.S. Attorney General, playing a confidante role in his brother’s Cabinet.

After President Kennedy’s death, and his election to the Senate, Robert Kennedy took on social causes of the underdog, such as the United Farm Workers Union plight to organize unrepresented agricultural workers, and efforts to eliminate the extreme poverty he saw in Appalachia and in the ghettos of New York. Although not in the vanguard, he eventually opposed the Vietnam War, deciding to run against “Establishment” candidates. During his run for the Democratic Party nomination for President, he was shot and died of his wounds in June of 1968. His goals at the end of his life had moved beyond his former power player role, i.e. the legal counsel who went after “bad guys” (communists and racketeers) and the political campaign dealmaker in his brother’s political campaigns. Although still a politician to the end of his life and concerned with political victories, Robert Kennedy became a life affirming individual articulating peace and advocating for greater economic justice.

Late Sylvia Plath
Born October 27, 1932

Known for expanding the genre of confessional poetry, Sylvia Plath won a Pulitzer Prize posthumously in 1982, nearly twenty years after her death. Plath struggled with depression, and she was hospitalized on numerous occasions. Nevertheless, she excelled academically, gaining admittance to Smith College, where she graduated with highest honors. She submitted a thesis on the subject of Dostoevsky’s novels.

Sylvia Plath married British poet Ted Hughes, with whom she had a tumultuous relationship. They separated after she discovered that Hughes was having an extramarital affair. Following their separation, Plath published one of her best-known works, The Bell Jar. Following her suicide in 1963, she became a much-studied literary figure, particularly among feminists. One might even say that she developed a cult following, with a lot of attention directed at her relationship with Hughes, and speculation that he abused Plath.

Plath's works express emotions about the dark side of life, in a very Scorpionic way. In her Wikipedia entry, the author talks about Plath’s literary subject matter: “Sylvia Plath's early poems exhibit what became her typical imagery, using personal and nature-based depictions featuring, for example, the moon, blood, hospitals, fetuses, and skulls…. Late in 1959…she wrote the seven-part "Poem for a Birthday… its theme is her own traumatic breakdown and suicide attempt at 21. After 1960, her work moved into a more surreal landscape darkened by a sense of imprisonment and looming death, overshadowed by her father. The Colossus is shot through with themes of death, redemption, and resurrection. After Hughes left, Plath produced, in less than two months, the forty poems of rage, despair, love, and vengeance on which her reputation mostly rests.”

Late H.R."Bob" Haldeman
Born October 27, 1926

I was an undergraduate college student at the time of the Nixon Administration’s Watergate fiasco. For those of you who are too young to remember this scandal and do not recall what your history books said about this, I will summarize. A team of Republican operatives burglarized the offices of the Democratic National Committee (located at the Watergate complex), and it was ultimately revealed that orders for this action came straight from the White House. High-ranking members of the Administration either were fired or resigned, which was ultimately the fate of President Nixon himself. (I highly recommend the movie All the President’s Men, which recaps this story in a highly entertaining way).

I remember H.R. Haldeman for a couple of reasons. I followed politics at an early age, and in those days, I had a good memory for who was who in power. As Nixon’s Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman seemed like an imposing figure, with his poker face and flattop haircut. He reminded me of a character in a movie who played the bodyguard of some crime figure. The second reason was that his son “Hank” and I attended the same college. I did not know him, but others pointed him out to me. As it turns out, I later worked with a woman who was a friend of his.

H.R. Haldeman demonstrates that Scorpionic loyalty to their leader, willing to do someone else’s dirty deeds. He was a key figure in the Watergate scandal, at the center of an 18-1/2 minute conversation deleted in the infamous Nixon tapes. After White House legal counsel John Dean testified about Haldeman’s role in the break-in coverup, Nixon asked for Haldeman’s resignation. Haldeman was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice, for which he served an 18-month sentence.

Reminiscent of the role Robert Kennedy played with his brother Jack, H.R. Haldeman served a similar role with Richard Nixon. The author of the Wikipedia entry says this about Haldeman and his White House cohort, John Ehrlichman: “He and Ehrlichman were called ‘the Berlin Wall’ by other White House staffers in a play on their German family names and shared penchant for keeping others away from Nixon and serving as his ‘gatekeepers.’ They became Nixon's most loyal and trusted aides during his presidency. Both were ruthless in protecting what they regarded as Nixon's best interests. Haldeman once said he was proud to be "Richard Nixon's son of a bitch, as he never shied away from firing staffers in person.”

Roseanne Barr
Born November 3, 1952

Never fearing to tread into the arenas of the taboo, comedian Roseanne Barr starred in the ABC Roseanne television sitcom that ran for nine seasons. Prior to her TV success, Roseanne performed as a standup comedian in various venues, and she created a persona that she referred to as a “fierce working-class domestic goddess.” Her successful sitcom continued with this theme, appealing to a broad American audience. Many “power plays” occurred between Roseanne and the network. Seeking greater creative control over the show, she walked off the set, refusing to utter the Matt Williams script lines until he was fired.

During her sitcom days, Roseanne Barr became a prominent figure in the entertainment world. She made her film debut in the starring role of the movie She-Devil. Film critic Roger Ebert said of this movie, "Barr could have made an easy, predictable, and dumb comedy at any point in the last couple of years. Instead, she took her chances with an ambitious project - a real movie. It pays off, in that demonstrates that there is a core of reality inside her TV persona, a core of identifiable human feelings like jealousy and pride, and they provide a sound foundation for her comic acting.” In 1990, Roseanne Barr sang the national anthem off-key at a baseball game and shocked many when, imitating a baseball player, she grabbed her crotch and spit. Roseanne’s success seems to be the result of her audience’s perception of her as an authentic person who portrays characters reflecting the nitty gritty reality of modern Americans.

After the end of the Roseanne sitcom, Barr experimented with numerous projects, including radio shows. Today, she lives on the Big Island of Hawaii, producing macademia nuts. She has declared an interest in running for President of the United States, and she frequently voices her positions on contemporary political issues.

A young Leonardo DiCaprio
Born November 11, 1974

A maturing Leonardo DiCaprio
Born November 11, 1974

I present Leo, as DiCaprio is nicknamed, here as an example of my stereotype of magnetic Scorpio eyes. Despite three planets in Scorpio (including his Sun), DiCaprio’s personality reflects the amiability of Libra, with his Ascendant in this sign, as well as three other planets. I will defer to an earlier article on DiCaprio that I wrote and posted on August 13, 2010. If you are interested in reading more about him, please scroll down to the bottom of the blog page and click on the blog archive for 2010.

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ENDNOTES

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[1] Casey, Caroline. (1998). Making the Gods Work for You. New York: Harmony Books, pp.43-45.

 [2] Rudhyar, Dane. (1943). The Pulse of Life: New Dynamics in Astrology. Part Two: Twelve Phases of Human Experience. Retrieved from: w.khaldea.com/rudhyar/pofl/pofl_p2s8p1.shtml

[3] Houlding, Deborah (October/November 2006). Scorpio the Scorpion. The Mountain Astrologer, (Issue #129), pp.37-43.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Herbst, Bill (October/November 2006). In Defense of Scorpio’s Dark Side. The Mountain Astrologer, (Issue #129), pp.29-34.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.