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the ascendant & the imum coeli / part one

(part two)

part of how the ascendant manifests is due to the influences of the imum coeli (ic). the ascendant is our lens, our perspective on the world; the imum coeli is our family, our home, our roots. as we shape our lens, we seek out ways to compensate for the things we lacked from our imum coeli. this does not mean that everyone has a “bad” childhood, but rather that there is always something missing that encourages us to seek out our own path. 

it is not until we truly grow through the imum coeli, rather than seek ways to compensate for it, that we can grow into our midheaven.

aries rising: goal is to test their independence, seek self-confidence, and understand their own power; come off as bold and direct, seeking out ways to be noticed…

…with a gemini ic: to compensate for a childhood that may have restricted their movement in some way, on a physical or mental scale, that lead them to self-doubt and a sense of emotional isolation; to find confidence and direction.

…with a cancer ic: to compensate for a childhood that focused on the collective, where everything was done as a unit; to seek out ways that makes them an individual, and test the boundaries of the security they grew up with.

…with a leo ic: to compensate for a childhood where their self-esteem was predicated on how much attention and affection they received; to find their own confidence that doesn’t rely on a constant need for external validation.

taurus rising: goal is to seek means of self-reliability, to test their sense of self-worth, and understand the beauty in the world; come off as calm and patient, seeking out stability…

…with a cancer ic: to compensate for a childhood that may have been overly sensitive, or even emotionally volatile; to seek out ways to be a more grounded presence, and seek out paths that offer emotional stability.

…with a leo ic: to compensate for a childhood where their self-worth was reliant on how they could serve or entertain others; to become more self-reliant and build their confidence on the values they recognize in themselves.

…with a virgo ic: to compensate for a childhood that was built on perfectionism, feeling that despite all they did, they could never be enough; to seek ways to understand their inherent self-worth.

gemini rising: goal is to seek out mental and social connections, to test their curiosities, and understand their intelligence; come off as bright and anxious, seeking out multiple paths in life…

…with a leo ic: to compensate for a childhood that was overly reliant on external validation; to become more comfortable with their own mind and curiosities, and expand on their creative energy to gain internal confidence. 

…with a virgo ic: to compensate for a childhood where there was too much focus on a single path, or “one right way;” to build on their intelligence on their own terms, and free themselves to explore beyond the set boundaries.

…with a libra ic: to compensate for a childhood that was overly peaceful or diplomatic; to engage in the more chaotic side of the mind and think more for themselves, questioning the boundaries of what was deemed “fair.”

cancer rising: goal is to provide comfort for their loved ones, to test their emotional boundaries, and understand their vulnerabilities; come off as reserved and sensitive, seeking out trust with others…

…with a virgo ic: to compensate for a childhood that generated a sense of shame or guilt, where emotions were overly internalized; to become more secure in their own emotions, and provide an emotional soundboard for others.

…with a libra ic: to compensate for a childhood where personal emotions were set aside for overall peace; to understand that their own emotions are real and demand to be felt and acknowledged. 

…with a scorpio ic: to compensate for a childhood that was rife with emotional intensity, and perhaps called for self-protection; to nurture themselves and show gentleness with others, while creating emotional boundaries.

leo rising: goal is to test their confidence, to seek out grand endeavors, and to understand their leadership skills; come off as generous and energizing, seeking out attention and external validation…

…with a libra ic: to compensate for a childhood that left them overly dependent on the thoughts and actions of others; to branch out into their own creative endeavors and test their own boundaries of what they find beautiful.

…with a scorpio ic: to compensate for a childhood that made them unheard in some way, or otherwise put them in the dark; to become a light for others, perhaps with the hope that the light will reflect back onto themselves.

…with a sagittarius ic: to compensate for a childhood that weighed them with high expectations; to seek validation outside of the home, where efforts were not always acknowledged, and reach for excellence on their own terms. 

virgo rising: goal is to seek out productivity and routines, to understand their mind and body’s boundaries, and to test their emotional security; come off as meticulous and trustworthy, seeking out things to “fix”…

…with a scorpio ic: to compensate for a childhood that was disruptive and wrapped up in emotional intensity; to create routines and sink into intellectual pursuits to achieve a sense of stability and personal control.

…with a sagittarius ic: to compensate for a childhood that was flighty or otherwise inconsistent; to create control in the form of criticism and rigorous self-care, and create consistency in their surroundings through routine.

…with a capricorn ic: to compensate for a childhood where they lost themselves in growing up too fast, or taking on too much responsibility; to build self-awareness on a mental and physical level and realign with personal needs.

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selam fessahaye ss19

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If this ain’t true!!!!!

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I think what bothers me when discussing earth signs and houses (2, 6, 10) is that while I’m aware that earth rules the material and physical plane, that’s all they’re reduced to be, it seems. It’s so capitalistic, how they’re reduced to that. That’s not all that matters about earth signs. That’s why you get a bunch of people complaining about how “boring” earth signs are, because astrologers both beginner and advanced have a fundamental misconception about the domain of earth.

Where Cancer is the private sphere and responsibility to one’s home, Capricorn is the public sphere and responsibility to the public. Where Scorpio is death and transformation, Taurus is life and growth. Where Pisces is self-sacrifice for the greater whole, Virgo is self-sacrifice in a one on one context. The earth signs extend beyond possessions, jobs, careers, and money. They do rule these things, it’s true, but so many astrologers reduce their domain to just these things.

Earth is how we make ourselves comfortable, how we come into being our best self, what we value, what we surround ourself with. Earth is all about growth for better or for worse. Unlike the rapid and dramatic changes the water sign counterparts of earth signs call for, earth signs demand a slow grind. Earth signs and houses hold the keys to how we gain wisdom.

Capricorn reminds us that you can’t just make one huge sweeping change and call it a day, that you need to work and practice at change to cement it. Virgo helps us to become less selfish by reminding us, after the lessons Leo teaches us, that the world is not just about us but others. Taurus teaches us to be grateful and to value the things surrounding us, that we can slow down and enjoy life, that nothing is a race. Earth signs teach us to keep our ego in check, always coming after fire signs to provide some grounding, a reality check.

We’re always seeking some sort of new enlightenment. Earth signs aren’t overtly about enlightenment but that is what you’ll gain with the dedication that they teach us in life.

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What always bothers me about Venus in Virgo descriptions is not the mention that Venus is in fall in Virgo. That’s just a fact. What bothers me is the reasons always cited for Venus being in fall in Virgo. “Too critical” is usually the main reason listed. Not that Venus is about balance and Virgo is about giving oneself in service to another. But no, it’s that Virgo is “too critical” for Venus.

Love is critical, it is discriminating. It’s rarely unconditional unless it’s towards a pet or child. In my eyes, this is a stupid reason to state why Venus is in fall in Virgo. We aren’t supposed to desperately accept whoever wants to be our partner since Venus rules over self-worth and how we value ourselves! So yeah, it’s necessary to be a bit critical here! I’m not saying to be hyper-critical, but the suggestion that Venus in Virgo falls because Virgo doesn’t have an endless reservoir of idealism is fucking bullshit. Taurus is not an overly idealistic sign IMO, and the idealism of Libra and Pisces is often their downfall in relationships.

Virgo represents an imbalance. It is giving to others, devotion to others, without return. Venus exalts in Pisces because where Pisces is also self-sacrifice, it isn’t unequal, the sacrifice is on behalf of everyone. Virgo is sacrifice for one person’s behalf whether or not they even care. Since Venus rules over how we value ourselves, and Virgos don’t really give themselves the credit they deserve, nor does it reflect self-worth to devote yourself to someone who doesn’t care. **That** is why Venus falls in the sign of Virgo.

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Water sun/moon: I have this bad feeling 

Me: *starts to panic immateriality cause i know they are always right about this type of shit*

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“Jealousy, that dragon which slays love under the pretense of keeping it alive.”

Havelock Ellis

A caution to Scorpio, Taurus, Leo, and Cancer Venus

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I loved your post on virgo rising! What are your thoughts on libra rising?

Libra ascendants are Beautiful people but they can be a passive to keep the peace.  Can have a tendency to appear a bit fake in order to emotionally cater to others publically (Cancer in 10.)  They come usually from a very strict upbringing (Capricorn in 4) that either denies them emotionally or is just really strict and never allows them to develop their own sense of self.  They tend to need aggressive partners (Aries in 7) to carry inspire Libra Ascendant to find themselves by doing things out in the world.  

They really do value money and the resources of others (Scorpio in 2nd.)  They aren’t necessarily the hardest of working people but can show great compassion at work and even love to volunteer to help (Pisces in 6.)  The other manifestation is they may just be generally confused about how to do the initiative in a job or place of employment and always need to be pushed along.  They have (Virgo in 12) so any kind of critical, harshness or judging behavior does them in.  

With (Leo in 11) they love to be creative as a friend, throw parties for them or engaging in hobbies and fun with them.  As a friend they can also be very complimentary and take pride in being a friend.  The biggest issue they may have is having (Taurus in 8) can make them passive about seeking depth in life.  They may not be great at investing because Venus loves abundance and to own a lot of pleasures and such.  They can also be very slow to warm up sexually to someone because that’s how Taurus energy rolls.

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me as a prosecutor: final question- what is the defendant’s zodiac sign?

the defendant: i’m a scorpio

me, giving a smug smile in victory to the defending lawyer who quietly curses and bangs his fist on the table in anger: no further questions your honor 

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Catriona Frean & Nyaueth Riam photographed by Nadine Ijewere for Material Magazine

Stylist: Nathan Klein Hair: Joy Matashi Makeup: Mary-Jane Gotidoc

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A post shared by Moochi The Mini Cow (@moochithecow)

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the highest intelligence is empathy

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Hello everyone! Here is the masterpost for my “Similarities Between the Signs” series. Click the following links to find a certain combination.

Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio | Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius

For Pisces, be sure to check the other links since all of the combinations with Pisces are embedded into the other posts!

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Understanding the Struggle Behind Squares

Most squares occur when planets are in signs that are 90 away from one another. Knowing the struggles between the signs can help understand the tension caused by a square. Look at the similarities between the signs and note that when you express the energy of one, the other may start to fight back. Learning to understand more about the tension will help you overcome it through self-awareness.

Aries x Cancer: Where Cancer hesitates, Aries acts on impulse. The lessons Aries learns through new experience are the ones Cancer’s already learned from its past. When Aries is up to attack any threat, Cancer is standing back ready to defend what keeps it safe. Aries protects the self but Cancer protects what provides comfort and stability. Cancer is comfortable with the swing of emotions while Aries doesn’t know how to handle them. Aries is motivated by passion; Cancer is motivated by its desire to satisfy emotional needs. Cancer sees Aries as impatient and even reckless at times, as it doesn’t understand Aries prioritizing action over caution. It’s not that Aries is unaware of consequences, it would simply rather act and face a possible consequence than miss out on an opportunity. However, Cancer is too aware of life’s risks to act without hesitation.

Aries x Capricorn: Capricorn approaches goals with strategy while Aries’ approach is to jump in and act based on whatever happens next. Capricorn shows leadership through authority while Aries shows it through ability. Motivation comes to Capricorn in the form of long-term goals while Aries’ stems from quick spurts of energy. Aries adores starting new projects and Capricorn adores finishing old ones and reaping the rewards. Capricorn prides itself on its maturity while Aries embraces the spontaneity of youth. Aries optimism is seen as foolish to Capricorn while Aries finds the Capricorn pessimistic. The structure required by Capricorn simply feels restrictive to Aries. Capricorn sees Aries as irresponsible for starting projects and abandoning them for new ones but Aries is simply chasing after what interests them in the moment and searching for new ideas.

Taurus x Leo: Taurus works to build a stable foundation while Leo works to create something reputable. While Leo wants to jump headfirst into the world, Taurus wants to stay where its comfortable. Taurus doesn’t care about recognition but Leo always seeks the spotlight. Taurus’ creative tendencies stem from a desire to create something beautiful while Leo’s stem from the desire to express oneself. Taurus’ quiet emotional resilience finds Leo’s passionate emotional expression to be dramatic. Leo focuses on the self but Taurus focuses on the people who provide it stability. Leo’s desire for companionship is often connected to their desire to be seen as valuable. While Leo insists on independence, Taurus is comfortable relying on a stable foundation built on relationships with others. Leo is comfortable being spontaneous while Taurus always prefers to plan ahead.

Taurus x Aquarius: Taurus seeks to adapt to others while Aquarius breaks any box you put them in. While Aquarius resists the restriction of commitment, Taurus embraces the security it offers. Taurus finds value in tradition while Aquarius finds it limiting and would rather make up its own rituals. Aquarius prides themselves on their unpredictability while Taurus is admired for their reliability. Taurus treasures what brings beauty while Aquarius treasures the eccentric. Aquarius is erratic but a Taurus emotions are typically quite stable. While Aquarius may thrive on change, Taurus finds this character trait challenging to depend on.  Aquarius challenges the values formed by Taurus and tries to set new ones. Taurus stays focused on the feeling of the present moment while Aquarius is constantly thinking ahead.

Gemini x Virgo: Virgo thrives in the comfort of routine while Gemini constantly searches for the stimulation of variety. Gemini shares what its learned free of hesitation while Virgo shares when they feel their knowledge will be most helpful. Gemini channels all energy into the mind while Virgo combines the energy of the body and mind into one. Gemini loves to learn about whatever interests them in the moment while Virgo desires to efficiently pour their energy into learning whatever is most useful. Gemini is comfortable approaching new situations while Virgo feels it must sit back and observe before engaging. Gemini is bored by Virgo’s habits and needs not to feel weighed down by the idea of routine as it simply feels limiting. Virgo finds Gemini’s endlessly changing energy to be purely exhausting at times. 

Gemini x Pisces: Gemini wants to learn about everything it sees while Pisces desires to learn about everything it cannot see. Gemini craves knowledge out of pure curiosity while Pisces acquires information for its deeper meaning. Gemini does not understand Pisces’ emotional depth or emotional attachments and enjoys the lighter side of life. Pisces needs a higher purpose in life while Gemini is often content with what the visible world has to offer. Gemini changes as it learns new information while Pisces undergoes change through emotion or spirituality. Pisces is attached to philosophy while Gemini simply indulges in it out of curiosity. Gemini is restless while Pisces is generally calm and likely not even focused on the present. Gemini finds the Pisces thought process to be abstract while Pisces finds Gemini’s to be shallow.

Cancer x Libra: Cancer finds comfort through stability and emotions while Libra finds it through affection and materialism. Libra seeks to make the best first impression possible while Cancer is busy observing the behavior of others’. Cancer’s emotional depth makes Libra appear superficial in comparison. Libra quickly adapts to (and often mimics) the behavior of others while Cancer holds back and contemplates how the behavior of others feels before feeling ready for change. Libra is quick to romanticize and idealize while Cancer is cautious of optimism. Libra can feel weighed down by Cancer’s emotional intensity and find the energy overly moody, as Libra is so focused on balance. It likes to appear pleasant and optimistic. Cancer’s intuition isn’t always understood by logical Libra.

Leo x Scorpio: Where Leo shows, Scorpio hides. Leo finds strength in the spotlight but Scorpio is empowered by secrecy and solitude. While Leo retaliates against a threat by stealing the show, Scorpio retreats into privacy and patiently plans for revenge. Leo’s passion is channeled into self-expression while Scorpio’s is channeled into the desire to transform. Scorpio is fascinated by the darkest aspects of life while Leo’s infatuated with the light. Leo’s identity is clear and straightforward and Scorpio’s is endlessly transforming. Scorpio is empty without a higher purpose in life and an ability to indulge in the taboo side of life; but a Leo’s emptiness stems from the lack of ability to create or gain recognition for its talents. Scorpio wants to pick apart the meaning in everything to understand its deeper purpose but Leo doesn’t have the patience as it loves the big picture.

Virgo x Sagittarius: Sagittarius is quick to rebel against Virgo’s habits out of pure boredom. Virgo loves to get in on the details while Sagittarius only has patience for the big picture. When Sagittarius wants to impulsively leap into the next adventure, Virgo wants to sit back and come up with a plan. Virgo’s insecurities are seen as irrational by Sagittarius who expresses itself spontaneously without regret. Virgo spends time considering every word while communicating while Sagittarius cuts right to the point, no matter how blunt. Sagittarius goes to extremes, like exaggerating with their speech, while Virgo is realistic and sticks to the facts. Virgo often sees the spontaneous actions of Sagittarius to be impulsive and reckless while Sagittarius finds Virgo too reserved. Virgo loves to learn but Sagittarius loves to teach. Virgo’s learning centers on what will serve them the most while Sagittarius learns out of pure curiosity and typically focuses on “deeper” topics like philosophy or spirituality.

Libra x Capricorn: Libra earns respect through charm while Capricorn establishes it through authority. Libra makes a good impression by showing off what makes them look good while Capricorn does it by showing off the best attributes of their reputation. Capricorn establishes leadership by displaying maturity and determination while Libra may rely on social skills. Libra craves the opinion of others while Capricorn finds it best to make their own decisions. Libra’s concern for their reputation desires to meet the approval of others while Capricorn seeks a reputation that aligns with their goals. Capricorn focuses on the foundation of any goal and may find Libra shallow as they may not share this approach. Libra often uses logic in the moment while Capricorn always has the future in mind in order to protect stability. Libra may romanticize and be optimistic where Capricorn would rely on skepticism and caution,

Scorpio x Aquarius: Scorpio appreciates loyalty, Aquarius appreciates individuality. The Scorpio mind finds stimulation in the most intense aspects of life while Aquarius mind favors the most eccentric. Aquarius’ idea of rebellion is rejecting tradition while Scorpio’s is destroying what once was to create something new. Scorpio undergoes psychological transformations while Aquarius looks to the world to see what can be transformed to create something better. Aquarius engages with others easily while Scorpio holds back with caution, making sure to keep an eye on their surroundings and observe the actions of others before they make their moves. Scorpio often makes decisions based off of emotional instinct while Aquarius makes them with the future in mind. Aquarius is often purely logical while Scorpio values intuition.

Sagittarius x Pisces: Sagittarius seeks for life’s deeper meaning for the sake of gaining higher knowledge while Pisces seeks it as an escape. While Pisces dreams of adventure, Sagittarius goes looking for it. Pisces derives knowledge from the collective of others and the universe while Sagittarius derives it through experience. Sagittarius learns about others by engaging with them while Pisces learns through observation. Pisces absorbs the emotions of others with ease while Sagittarius isn’t always able to pick up on subtleties such as this so easily. Pisces is selfless and serving of others while Sagittarius is quick to put their independence first. Pisces desires to work for the good of others while Sagittarius is focused on what they can do to better themselves. Lessons that Sagittarius must learn through experience are already intuitively understood by Pisces.