#it also reflects core difference in their perception of house and their relationships

[thankstothe]

im...................

[subiksharajashekar]

WEEK 10 - Swiss Design and Post Modernism

LECTURE NOTES:

This week Becky was our guest lecturer and she over the Bauhaus Movement:

The Bauhaus was founded in 1919 in the city of Weimar by German architect Walter Gropius (1883–1969). Its core objective was a radical concept: to reimagine the material world to reflect the unity of all the arts.

Because of the Bauhaus belief in the oneness of the artist and the craftsman, their courses taught students to eliminate the ideas of the individual and instead focus on the productivity of design. But this was also an institution taught by masters.

“New Home”, Walter Gropius  - built bauhaus building.

Nazi kicked them out and turned it into nazi headquaters not happy with their views

Socialism and political – influencing students

Leese vandorou got rid of political students and  

1919-1933

Bauhaus spirit – treating art and design equally ethos – party and work hard – progressive – rebelled against societal norms – women cut short hair and started to dress androgynous – relationships between students + staff

Considered outrageous

Bahaus curriculum:  

Preliminary course for 6 months – delearn/relearn

Progress to specialised workshop (3 years)

Haus/building at centre only for those most talented – post grad after workshops

Workshop assistant could progress to master/teacher

Preliminary course – johannes itten 1919-1923

Encouraged to produce own creative design on subject perceptions

Relationship between sound + colour + movement – to evoke feeling

Balance, rhythm, dance, music “ dance the colour blue”

Very spiritual, follower of mazdaznan + purging rituals

Too much for curriculum and fell out with gropius

Laszlo maholy-nagy 1923-1928

Shifted focus from artistic to technical – the alliance of art and technology – believed working together they would produce a better society

Celebrated the organisation of space through volume and space studies

Studied the effect of use of light

Embraced the potential of photography  

Josef Albers 1928-1933

Student to master

Excellent teacher

Progressed to materials , investigate paper first and then glass and metal

The beauty / excitement in the mundane – new way of looking at things

No wastage

“do less to get more” “you often achieve more by doing less”

Remain students forever and look at things with new eyes

Light space modulator  

Circle - yellow

Square - blue

Triangle - red

Women – 51% women – gropius believed womens minds were created differently, only allowed to advance to textiles and weaving

Annie albers – weaving workshop student married josef albers

Functional textiles – absorbed sound

Marianne brandt – accepted into metalwork workshop – badly treated – most mundane tasks and do them over and over – she didn’t give up and persisted – progressed into workshop assitant – one of the most successful bauhaus students and fought for it

Lucia Maholy

Overshadowed  by her husband, she influenced his work and taught him to think

Photogram technique

Unofficial house photographer, most images we have seen are her

Instrumental in the bauhaus books  

Not fairly credited for her work until very recently

TUTORIAL CLASS:

In class we went over APA 7 referencing and some online resources to help us understand the process for each specific reference in detail, alone with the interactive page on Masseys APA 7 referencing site. We also found about AUT’s turnitin engine on canvas when submitting our summatives. Within small groups we discussed our topics along with the books we had found. Mine were quite big and heavy, one was on the digital revolution and covered art nouveau in relation to this and the other book was on the arts and crafts movement along with art nouveau. We then continued Essay writing.

SDL:

Task 1: Continue your writing and focus in the second and third topics of essay development.

   Aim for a draft of your essay for feedback next class. Complete the introduction and first paragraphs ready for feedback from Lecturers. Include quotes, paraphrases and references in APA 7.  

A reminder that the submission is on June 7th at 5pm — Look at assignment details here.

TURNITIN: For your submission, you will need to upload your file and check similarity through Turnitin. Turnitin will check for plagiarism in online platforms for any work that has cited the same words.  Make sure your work is properly cited, with quotation marks for reference works (or paraphrased), and include a reference list.

[astrosarr]

PLANETS in a birth chart!

+ what do they represent?

SUN 🌞

this is the planet of self! this represents who you are at your core, your fundamental character. your ego, personality, spirit, identity. it can rule over royalty, higher office, health and well-being. it can also represent one’s authority, ability to lead, and one’s essence. there is a strong sense of will-power in the sun. astro library recommends to think of your birth chart as a painting of you, and the sun sign represents the first broad strokes you make to your painting.

MOON 🌑

this planet represents your emotional nature. this is the side of you that you might not show to others, or at least TRY not to. it represents how your instinctual reactions are emotionally, any mood swings, what you need to feel emotionally satisfied. it is your inner core, it can bring about feelings of jealousy, fear, secret fantasies. it can also be a symbol for femininity, and fertility, relationship with motherly figures, and relationship with women! the house position your moon is located in tends to be where you’re the most emotional, or go through changes often.

MERCURY 💬

this is the planet of communication + intelligence! it reflects in you the way you think about, speak about, understand any information being brought to you. it represents perception, reason, memory, ability to write, analyze, and communicate. also deals with the nervous system in the physical body, as well as any short distance endeavors, and transportation!

VENUS ❤️‍🔥

the planet of love, beauty, pleasure! it can represent how you display affection, and what defines beauty to you. learning about what zodiac sign your venus is in, can help you understand these things, as well as your approach towards money, possessions, values, etc. this planet represents feminine energy.

MARS 💥

the planet of physical energy, aggression, conflict! it deals with your assertion, aggressiveness, sex drive, initiative, anger, energy levels, etc. this can show how quick, or not quick, you are with turning your imaginations into reality! astro library references on the fact that you have to want something in order to take the steps to grab it, and mars represents how heated your passion is behind that action to grab it. this planet represents masculine energy.

JUPITER 🏆

the planet of good luck, success, abundance! it’s the largest planet in the solar system, so it makes sense how it deals with expansion and abundance! this represents your optimism, knowledge, confidence, higher learning, philosophy, psychology, law/justice, self-improvement, what you idealize. the sign it’s in represents where you tend to express your expansiveness. this can give wisdom, spirituality, morality, where you express kindness or generosity to others, where you may receive financial benefits, etc. (astro library)

SATURN 🏹

the planet governing ambition, authority, karma! it deals with things such as hierarchy, responsibility, endurance (psychically and emotionally), structure, boundaries, karma. where saturn is located in your birth chart can indicate where you may feel shame in your life, or have felt shame. saturn is known to be karmic, and it usually will be in a house+sign where you have lessons to learn. by learning these lessons, it can lead to great success in your life. it can also give clues to a career you may pursue, or find comes naturally to you.

URANUS 📡

the planet governing technology, awakening, rebellion! it rules over one’s originality, inventions, computers/technology, future events. astro library suggests to think about uranus as ‘the unconscious urge to become aware of your true inner individuality.’ deals with suddenness, innovations, and helps speed up the mind.

NEPTUNE 🦄

the planet of illusion, imagination, delusion. it represents things that may be different than what they seem, mystical visions, dreams, fantasy, unreality. it can help with healing and spirituality, service to others, inspiring artistic qualities, intangible things. astro library describes it as ‘the unconscious urge to dissolve the boundaries of your ego-centeredness in order to ‘lose yourself’ in other realms of being.’ neptune can break typical life patterns, in order to teach one a lesson or a new meaning / approach to life.

PLUTO 🌪

the planet of power, transformation, desire! it can represent obsessive desires, unsolved mysteries, secrets, taboos, the act of sexuality, dramatic changes. where pluto is located in your chart may indicate an area of your life that needs healing!

https://astrolibrary.org/planets/

[excerptsfromthestars]

mental trauma and uranus

from trauma and the outer planets by jeff green

uranus in the first house

mental trauma can occur because of the inability to accept physically, psychologically or karmically prescribed limitations

blocks them from achieving their inner sense of special destiny which is not being able to do anything or everything they could do

typically have a "superhuman" complex that requires circumstantial restrain in order to realign the ego into a state of balance or equality with other individuals

natural power of leadership and breaking new ground

must learn how to integrate this capacity within the "system" as currently defined so these intrinsic abilities can be actualized

can create fears of losing control

fears of going too far from their immediate environment in which they feel safe

uranus in the second house

mental trauma can occur when forced to change the nature of their value systems, values that have defined their identity and overall reality for a long time

everything that has been held dear and cherished becomes lost

can include material loss

must realign themselves with a new set of values, or at least adjust or modify the existing ones

will allow them to relate to themselves and others in a totally different way

can desperately hang on to what they have

fixity of values that have defined their sense of meaning in life

uranus in the third house

mental trauma can occur when experiencing life situations that directly confront the way in which they understand life via their ideas, opinions and mental constructions

forces them to question and restructure their mental constructions so that a new ideational system occurs

the transition between the new and old systems is the period of greatest trauma and psychological instability

subconsciously can have memories of a knowledge based on understandings that are not present, or part of, the current life reality as reflected in other people or society in general

frustration of trying to communicate or relate such knowledge

creates a state of psychological confinement because of the "differentness" or wide gap that they experience within themselves in contrast to those around them

a state of alienation from others and society

uranus in the fourth house

mental trauma can occur when experiencing an intense lack of emotional understanding, and a lack of nurturing related to their biological parents

through extension, this same lack is experienced as adults because of the displaced emotions of childhood

creates a core insecurity and an unresolved inner child

can project emotional demands onto others in an effort to recover or experience the emotional nurturing that they desire

can generate quite erratic and unpredictable emotional states and moods that affect themselves and others in adverse ways

will continue to generate environmental or circumstantial experiences that have the effect of throwing them back in upon themselves until they understand that the nurturing and security that they are seeking is wholly within themselves

uranus in the fifth house

mental trauma can occur when experiencing an indifference or non acknowledgement from society or others

a need to be acknowledged as special, to be acclaimed and validated as a zarathrusta or superhuman as measured against other people

experience of indifference or non acknowledgement can occur throughout life, or cyclically

may achieve relatively great heights or achievement for a time only to experience a fall from grace

periods of time of no acclaim or achievement

evolutionary need to almost totally change, restructure or redefine how their sense of purpose in life has been actualized, and how they have understood the very meaning of their lives in relation to that purpose

period of disassociation and the consequent need to reassociate one's sense of purpose and meaning in new ways can be psychologically traumatic

the very core of their beingness seems to have so radically changed

period of disassociation can fracture the ego or personality in potentially horrendous ways

being responsive to this necessary change, versus trying to maintain what was is the key leading to psychological stability and reintegration

uranus in the sixth house

mental trauma can occur when focusing upon and experiencing a sense of psychological separation or isolation from their immediate environment

can interpret their overall environment in general and others specifically as being unduly critical or persecutory towards them

other people seem to be conspiring against them in one way or another

can experience trauma with respect to the type of work that they find themselves in

typically feel that they have a different approach to work in general

a very different ability or capacity that remains unactualized specifically

underlying subconscious memories suggest that they are not good enough or ready to actualize their sense of larger capacity

implied crisis of not actualizing what they sense to be possible

sense of inner and outer containment creates a dynamic of rebellion

can create one crisis condition after another

feel victimized and try to appear normal in their lives even though they do not feel normal

creates a sense of frustation and isolation

uranus in the seventh house

mental trauma can occur when experiencing sudden, unexpected disruptions, fracturing or outright termination within their relationships, intimate and otherwise

can occur by others projecting their own subconscious realities or dynamics upon them

also project their own stuff upon other people

in both scenarios the projection creates a high degree of irrationality into the composite effect of the relationship(s)

have an intrinsic sense of fair play of justice and equality

cumulative stress when intrinsic principles are consistently violated in the relationship

must reevaluate themselves in terms of their expectations about reality in general and relationship dynamics specifically

will rebel against the feeling of being overly confined or enmeshed

can create trauma for themselves and their partners when they begin to look for the exit sign

can attract others who seem to be just as detached at a core level as they are

can create trauma for both because neither will have the feeling of being totally connected to each other

uranus in the eighth house

mental trauma can occur when absolute betrayals of trust occur

can occur when those they have extended trust to end up totally violating the trust to the extent of becoming a totally different person relative to how they had seemed or appeared to them when the trust was initially extended

generates the experience of abandonment and intense loss

experiences of others "turning upon" them

sudden loss linked with partnerships wherein a merging of resources and realities has occurred

impacts their ability to trust ever again

in many ways an intensification of uranus in the seventh house

can project psychological intentions, motives or agendas onto others and have others project the same upon them

have very keen and accurate perception into how others are motivated and psychologically structured on one hand

on the other hand they can mix up and project their own subconscious dynamics onto others

produces intense psychological confrontations and tests of will between them and others

commonly have had or have desires to experience and know the different uses and forms of sexual energy that go beyond normal procreational or conventional expressions

potential for misuse of sexual desire and experience

some may have known or come to know the highest form and right use of sexual energy that is possible

uranus in the ninth house

mental trauma can occur by the very nature of their beliefs because those beliefs are typically at odds with consensus held beliefs

trauma occurs through others who isolate them because of their beliefs

the isolation occurs through ridicule, persecution or outright attack

can create traumatic effects for others as they challenge and rebel against the belief structures of anyone who is not in sympathy with, or supportive of their own beliefs

trauma can also occur at such a level as to make them question the nature of what they believe in

uranus in the tenth house

mental trauma can occur by way of their family or origin wherein one or both parents are dysfunctional in some way, absent, emotionally unavailable or through sudden loss of a partner(s)

can also occur through not being validated or acknowledged for who they are by the parents

as adults, these same dynamics occur through nonacceptance by mainstream people or society, of being severely misjudged by those in their career field of choice, by sudden loss of social position or career and through feeling psychologically misplaced in their overall environment

experience of being blocked or thwarted by the environment

can generate a feeling that it is pointless to work towards any goal or objective because it does not mean anything anyway

an underlying of permeating sarcasm and pessimism

uranus in the eleventh house

mental trauma can occur when realizing that they have been living a lie wherein they have not actualized a life or lifestyle that is reflective of their inner self

feels fundamentally different than the consensus reality that constitutes the environment in which they find themselves

will compensate by adopting the external appearance of normalcy

the act of compensation is that which generates the lie

trauma occurs relative to this realization and the need to radically alter their life

a need to rebel against the normal, consensus life; yet there is also fear in doing just that

this fear can implode on them in such a way as to not act towards change

acting upon the impulse to caste off the consensus life also creates a period of instability that may be undetectable to the observer until there is a sudden, unannounced rebellion

trauma can also occur via a myriad of social connections and relationships that turn ugly, disruptive or simply terminate almost overnight

friendships go astray, unforeseen dynamics and issues suddenly and "irrationally" appear

uranus in the twelfth house

mental trauma can occur when their ego or personality begins to fracture, disintegrate or dissolve due to stress externally experienced or through inner stress emanating from the unconscious

inner stress is based on thoughts or desire impulses to escape or run away from the mundane conditions that define their life

impulse is rooted in dreams, sleep and the need for transcendence to embrace a more wholistic, inclusive, ultimate or spiritual reality

failing to understand the right actualization of this impulse, i. e., to embrace spiritual realities, they become quite "crazy" at a subconscious level

generates a fear that translates into "hiding" from people

[painted-crow]

hey so i'm looking to figure my sorting out. i'm p sure of my secondary but honestly i've gone in circles so many times that i'd believe anything lmao

so i guess to start like. i'm fairly sure i'm an idealist, but with a twist. i care about making the world a better place-- i'm kinda infamous among my friends for being a little TOO outspoken about my opinions. on a small scale, i have strong opinions about a lot of things, but on a larger scale... idk. i don't think any one person can know what an ideal world looks like cause there really is no such thing. there are literally countless variables when it comes to implementing even small systems, countless ways to fuck it up, so i don't think i'd be choosing some grand ideal over the people i love anytime soon.

that being said, i think my idealist streak gets directed into something else most of the time. i'm very focused on understanding myself to a fault. i want to know why i do the things i do, why i believe certain things over others. when it comes to my beliefs about the world, they're strong but take it or leave it, but when it comes to myself they are not a good idea to push. i've ended relationships over not feeling like myself with them or feeling like i'm losing myself or they're pushing me to be someone i'm not. i make strong instant decisions about what the "right" thing to do is when it comes to how it impacts my perception of myself, especially with intimate relationships (i'm a lot less impulsive with things like friends and things i'm less personally involved in). i NEED to know who i am, way more than i care about any one specific person or thing. obviously i love people very deeply and would do just about anything to have both, but if i don't know who i am, if i'm not true to myself, then i have nothing. losing people happens.

the issue is, because i'm prone to doing that and not thinking as much about how it'll impact people, i've been called selfish a lot over my lifetime. recently i've started thinking more about how my actions impact people and their feelings, and i'm feeling a lot more torn. i want to do what i want to do, what i feel is best, but i feel immature for doing it a lot. i've started worrying a lot about being a bad person and hurting people, and i've been thinking about how the "right" way to be is. i went through a phase where i was repressing myself to make the "moral" choice, but i just felt so flat. ultimately i realized that it doesn't really matter how good i am if i have to repress myself to get there, cause then all it is is performance. tldr is i feel super guilty for making "selfish" choices rn, especially as i've gotten more aware of other peoples' feelings.

what i think is probably going on is that i'm an idealist primary with a badger model, but i'm not sure between lion and bird, and i'm still open to badger. pretty sure i'm not a snake.

the section on my secondary's gonna be a lot shorter, sorry this got so long! so i'm p sure i'm a badger secondary. considered lion and snake secondary too. whatever i am, i have a p loud lion model over it. i've always had a gift for making people trust me, for acting. i kinda blend in and become what i need to to both help them and get them off my back so i can do what i need to do. i have a serious passion for helping people with tough love (i like to think of myself as a p good advice giver, since i can both tell people what they need to hear and really get in their shoes and be kind where other people might not). i think i judge myself the least when i can kinda toe that line between pushing boundaries and stepping back-- i track where peoples' boundaries are constantly so i can push them to the limit without stepping over them. i'm very fluid when it comes to presentation in reality, even though i think people actually think of me as kinda controversial. i tend to see people who are ACTUALLY overstepping boundaries as lowkey selfish at times, even though i also really respect them. i like to do things the "right" way as long as i give a shit about them. the catch is, i don't want to blend into the background, and i don't think i do. a partner of mine called me a fox cause he noticed the way i constantly toe that line where i can get people to notice me and still keep them off my back, still make them comfortable. i'm also NOT a planner. people constantly give me shit for only ever feeling things out in the moment, and honestly thinking about the future freaks me out. i don't want to plan how i do shit i'd rather just get in the zone and figure it out from there. tldr i'm pretty sure i'm a badger secondary? but i could be convinced of snake. definitely see elements of both but my gut's telling me badger so take that how you will

anyway! thank you so much for taking the time to answer this, i know it's a lot.

also sorry one thing i forgot to add about my secondary! i think my lion model got so loud because when i do the shifty presentation thing, i have a tendency to lose myself and start perceiving myself as whatever i'm presenting. it's made it really hard to figure out who i actually am and so i started just being as clear about it as possible.

for my primary, i really care a lot about being right. i try to take every side into consideration to make sure i get the best conclusion. i can be super stubborn when it comes to certain things, but i don't want to just... hold to perceptions that are wrong. that being said it's important to me to trust my gut and i take it as a big input. i'm very felt out for most things, don't really have a strong system of how to be. i really wanna be able to trust myself but i just don't. i have a big habit of relying on other people to tell me what to think, which is uh. yeah.

Primary

You're a Bird primary with a Lion model, and you're trying on some Badger ideals. That's one of the easier Sorts I've done, lol! Possibly because your primary and models actually House match mine :p

Your reasoning process screams Bird xD and so does your writing style and just the length of the ask. Birds love self-analysis, it's part of how we make sure our systems stay as close to true as we can make them.

You've got some Lion too, but it's a model. It sounds like your Lion and your Bird have come into conflict before, and like most Birds with Lion models, it bugs the snot out of you when your Lion's intuition (which is important data!) doesn't line up with what your Bird knows.

You've prioritized Bird's conclusions before, but (as with many Birds) you don't entirely trust your own system and you're wondering if your Lion might have been right and you should give its reasoning more weight.

Also, you're consciously deciding that maybe Badgers' way of doing things is more moral than yours, and you're pulling in some of those ideals. That doesn't make you a Badger primary. Birds are notorious for this kind of thing actually 😂

The line between whether some ideals you've pulled into your Bird system vs. what counts as a model is fuzzy. It's up to you really, how important those pieces of Badger are to you.

For me, I think the line might be--is it wired into your sense of self on its own, or does it get filtered through your Bird and Lion? It really sounds like your Lion is a strong part of your sense of self: if you ignore its advice, you feel not totally like yourself. You don't have to feel all your models equally strongly, but thinking of it that way might help.

(It's also hard because Birds often feel like they kind of are their systems, or they are their ability to reason, that's a core part of their identity. ...It's complicated.)

Secondary

You sound really really Snakey. I'm not sure where you're getting Badger, actually!

Badgers are more than the mirroring ability. They also bury themselves in work or community, and it can sometimes look like they're neck deep in so many responsibilities that they couldn't possibly handle any more problems--and then they do have a problem, they do need something, and they stand up and all that stuff they were buried in turns out to be armor and tools.

Snakes, otoh, are improvisational and tend to be very aware of their surroundings. Unlike Badgers, the Snake brand of social shapeshifting involves a lot of keeping track of other people's reactions to what they're doing--trying something and then watching the response, then adjusting, rinse and repeat. You turn yourself into exactly the right person for this situation.

Badger mirroring is usually simpler. You reflect the other person's energy back at them: it's an empathetic response that says we're alike, I accept you, you're safe. A lot of Badgers do this without thinking--it can be hard to turn off.

Snakes also don't go in for prep work as much, it tends to trip them up (Snakes with Badger or Bird models notwithstanding). They're Improvisational secondaries, unlike Bird and Badger which are Built and rely heavily on some form of preparation.

The Lion model sounds legit, but just check for yourself: you might be learning to use Snake's neutral state. Snakes will sometimes drop all their layers of acting and maneuvering and suddenly they're just themselves. Different Snakes have different relationships with neutral state. For some Snakes, it's a relief to drop the mask; for others, it feels vulnerable and they only trust certain people with their full authenticity.

It does sound like you really admire Lion secondaries, though, so you might indeed have a model there! This is just something else you could check on.

Hope that helps!

- Paint

[a-long-walk-in-the-forest]

Astrology of Sasuke, Itachi and Naruto: a semi-comprehensive analysis

I’ve been wasting away months of my life on this task and I’m finally reaching relatively passable results. This is the fruit of my labour thus far.

I really tried to be as unbiased as possible and keep several different interpretations of the characters in mind but I can’t guarantee that my personal feelings and opinions didn’t seep through to some extent (specially with regards to that whole genocide thing). I also don’t like some of these characters as “people” so I’ll warn you beforehand, I ended up bad-mouthing Naruto and Itachi a bit.

This post is broken up into four sections. 

Section one is a quick run up of the planets (only the ones I’ve been working on), houses and aspects. 

Section two is about the signs I’ve chosen for the characters, how I’ve chosen the degrees, and natal aspects. 

Section three is focused on degree interpretations. 

Finally, we will have a quick look at synastry and composite.

I’ve used equal temperament house system and cross check with placidus though because I don’t have Konoha’s longitude and latitude I’ve used Japan’s ones. Also, in this post we are assuming that Naruto’s planet is earth and their moon (and other planets) functions the same way as ours.

The degree interpretations are supposedly translations of La Volasfera published by Sepharia in 1898 (the translations. La Volasfera is older), Walter Henson’s interpretations and Kozminsky’s interpretation in that order. Keep in mind that they lived in different times and some of the things they say reaaallly reflects that.

For aspect and midpoint calculations, I couldn’t be bothered to calculate everything by hand so I wrote a short program for it; however, I didn’t debug much. It should work fine but just in case something slips by, I’m giving a warning. I also didn’t proof read so please excuse any mistakes.

This is a long post. Any additional comments, opinions, ... are welcome.  

Section one: Planets, houses, aspects and additional notes

Planets:

sun: ego, the father, vitality, stamina, core personality, the self, takes around a day to move a degree, ...

moon: the emotional mind, the mother, comforts, instinct, habits, moods, need, takes a couple of hours to move a degree, ...

mercury: the logical mind, petty daily habits, communication, rationality, learning style, ... 

venus: values, things we like, wants, love style, sensuality, takes around a day to move a degree, ...

mars: our drive, how we get and go after things, aggression, passion, takes a little more than a day to move a degree, ...

saturn: restrictions, the mentor, the somber and sober, constraint, structure, the serious things, takes around 8 days to 2 weeks to move a degree, ...

neptune: the collective unconscious, allusion and disillusionment, spirituality, the veil, deception, intuition, takes around 6 weeks to move a degree, ...

pluto: control, power, transformation, magnetism, fears, death, rebirth, takes around 8 weeks to move a degree, ... 

Houses:

first (the cusp is the ascendant): shallow identity, our first impression, temperament and constitution, presentation, ...

second: self-esteem, tangible values, possessions, material gains, ...

third: communication, siblings, the everyday things, short distance travel ...

fourth: roots, family, the mother, home, comfort zone, ...

fifth: fun, children, light-hearted romance, hobbies, creativity, ...

sixth: health, coworkers, servitude, pets, work, routine, ...

seventh (the cusp is the descendant): interpersonal relationships, ideal partner, open enemies, part of ourselves that we have a hard time integrating or accepting, partnerships, aesthetic preference, ...

eighth: death, crisis, what we hide, other peoples stuff that we want, taxes, death and rebirth, occult, fears, intimacy, painful transformation, ...

ninth: travel, philosophy, higher education, wisdom, expansion, world view, ...

tenth: public perception, career, reputation, ambition, greater community, admiration, delayed gratification, ...

eleventh: friendship, aspirations and wishes, where we are more accepting, humanity, how we relate to society, liquid income, ...

twelfth: what is hidden from us, the unconscious, spiritual things, the vague and boundaryless, idealization, escapism, ...

Aspects:

square (90): tension, dynamic, needs adjustment, major, ...

opposition (180): polarized, projection, can be tense but less than square, dynamic, major, ...

conjunction (0): blending, can be dynamic, major, ...

trine (120): comes naturally, can be taken for granted, harmonious, major, ...

sextile (60): similar to trine but slightly weaker and more moving (a fun spark sort of energy but not dynamic), major.

inconjunction (150): awkward, can’t be compromised, has to be tolerated, minor, ...

semi-sextile (30): similar to inconjunction, some say it’s more workable, minor, ...

semi-square (45): like square but weaker, minor, ...

quintile and biQuintile (72 and 144): creative, dynamic but compatible and comfortable, minor, ...

sesquiquadrate (135): making a mountain out of a molehill, acting energetically without understanding consequences, putting a lot of energy but the more you try the less you get results but when you don’t try they work really well, minor, ...

Additional notes:

on a full moon sun opposite moon occurs. The moon would be 180-225 degrees away from the sun. 

during the last quarter phase, the moon is 270-315 degrees ahead of the sun (Sasuke was born on this phase). 

mercury is up to 28 degrees away from the sun and venus is up to 48 degrees away from the sun.

aspect between sun and moon could denote how you perceive the relationships between your father figure and mother figure.

neptune retrograde happens every year when neptune is opposite sun.

plutonian relationships tend to be controlling, obsessive, disrespectful, painful and manipulative but can be transformative and life-changing.

neptunian relationships and about falling for an idealized image and not seeing things for what they are, rose coloured glasses, a feeling of betrayal and disillusionment once those glasses are shattered, forgiving easily, lack of boundaries in both good and bad ways, worshiping someone and putting them on a pedestal and never seeing them for what they are (humans), overlooking vices that shouldn’t be over looked, ...

both neptunian and plutonian relationships can manifest in nice ways but generally they tend to not do that as both people involved would have to be quite “evolved”, mature and level-headed for that among other things.

Section Two: natal signs and aspects

We will start this section with Sasuke, then we will have a look at Itachi and then Naruto. I’ve checked to make sure that it is mathematically possible (though I didn’t get into retrograde cycles much) for the characters to have these placements both on their own and relative to each-other. 

I put a picture of each character’s natal aspects and wrote which degree I used. If it is between several possible degrees I wrote it in orange, otherwise, it's green. I didn’t discuss the aspect interpretations much because this post would become far too long if I did. I also used pretty wide orbs because the exact degrees weren’t certain but the overall range was extremely likely.

Sasuke’s planets and house placements:

Ascendant: Capricorn 21-22 or 23-34 degrees

Sun: Leo 0-1 degrees (7th)

Moon: Taurus 22-23 degrees (4th) 

Mercury: Leo 12-13 degrees (7th)

Venus: Cancer 15 degrees (6th)

Mars: Scorpio 12 degrees (10th)

Saturn: Cancer 28-29 degrees (7th)

Neptune: Libra 4-5 or 5-6 degrees (8th)

Pluto: Aquarius 10-11, 13-14, 15-16 or 18-19 degrees (1st)

His sun was decided by the author and fits him quite well so there is no need for speculation. Sun in the 7th seems iffy but he does only go for people he respects, deems as reliable/competent and all that (that sun-saturn conjunction in the 7th house) and some of his identity is based on his interpersonal relationships. He also has that passive, non-confrontational way about him where people intrude on his personal space and disregard his boundaries all the time and he really doesn’t react as strongly as one would expect.

There seems to be a common consensus about his Ascendant in the anime astrology community. It is also worth noting that capricorn ascendants are often mistaken as scorpios for some reason. He is driven, comes across as standoffish and serious, has a slight aloof way about him, it puts his mars in the 10th and his moon in the 4th which is perfectly him, ... (I actually considered cancer ascendant for him at first because he had those doe eyes, soft features, youngish face, paler than his brother/father, family oriented, ... but I was torn between that and capricorn and everyone said capricorn so capricorn it is.) 

With regards to his moon, as I’ve already mentioned in my previous posts, I saw how Naruto was born on a full-moon and how the relationship between his parents had that masculine-feminine polarization and some other things and decided to put his moon in aries and if we were to calculate Sasuke’s moon with consideration to the moon’s average speed and the time between his birth-date and Naruto’s, we get moon in taurus (3rd decan, in his 4th house), and the degree will be explained in the third section but the house placement is apparent, given that Sasuke’s heart and comfort has always been with family, home and roots (clan). The cancer one also works because, again, heart with family and an innate gentleness and the 6th house can bring a need to be of use and good organization skills and an attention to order, efficiency and good dietary habits which he certainly does posses. 

Mercury in Leo is self explanatory. It’s either this or cancer and his style of communication is blunt, straightforward, sarcastic, confident, direct and to the point, dramatic, ... and his learning style matches leo more than cancer.

Venus in cancer is one that I doubted quite a good deal and there isn’t a common consensus about it either. The options are gemini, cancer, leo and virgo. I’ve heard mostly leo and virgo but I personally think Cancer in the 6th house makes more sense than in Virgo in the eight. This is based on his aesthetic sense, my understanding of his values and his love style with the only person whom I’m 100% sure he loves (his brother). He really needed quality time to feel loved, he valued competence (6th house) and family (cancer), he cared about receiving compassion from loved ones more than many of the other characters, he expressed affection mostly through acts of service (6th house), he was verbally expressive and hugged his brother and all that so he wasn’t that distant or somber in his approach to expressing affection in general (cancer), he got sulky when his brother refused to spend time with him and pouted and blushed a lot (cancer), ...

Mars in scorpio is another thing where everyone is of the same opinion and it falling into the 10th house makes it even more fitting as he will be very driven and hyper focused on one thing and he can also spend a very long time not having anything to do with fun or sex or any of that. The 10th house is disciplined, it delays, it makes thing serious and it has much to do with self-restraint. This placement is very action oriented and Sasuke is exactly that (he doesn’t spend time just thinking about doing things or just talking about them, he does them).

Saturn in cancer aspecting both his sun and venus. He was only expressive and affectionate with people he was comfortable with and his relationship with his father and authority figures and his general demeanor practically scream saturn in hard aspect to sun. Misfortune in the home and family life and a rigid upbringing (military parents) which saturn in cancer can bring are also there.

Pluto is a generational planet but I’m convinced that it falls into Sasuke’s first house. He constantly attracts plutonic people, he has a mildly plutonic energy himself and if it’s there, it aspects a ton of his planets which would mean that in his relationships with people of his own generation, he would have a pluto heavy synastry (composite is a different matter). 

The aspects didn’t quite turn out how I wanted but they do make sense in my opinion and he has that grand cross with pluto, moon, mars and mercury which is just perfect. His heart, his head, and his drive are all in conflict and there is quite a bit of intensity, issues related to power and control, ... involved.

Itachi’s planets and house placements:

Ascendant: Virgo 20-21 or 26-27 degrees

Sun: Gemini 17-18 degrees (9th)

Moon: Scorpio 20-21, 21-22, 24-25 or 26-27 degrees (3rd) 

Mercury: Cancer 6-7 or 11-12 degrees (10th)

Venus: Taurus 6-7 or 8-9 degrees (8th)

Mars: Taurus 1-2, 3-4, 14-15, 16-17, 18-19, 24-25 or 28-29 degrees (8th)

Saturn: Taurus 24-25 degrees (9th)

Neptune: Virgo 23-24 degrees (1st)

Pluto: Aquarius 2-3 (I chose this but It still isn’t concrete enough, the last one also works), 5-6, 7-8 or 10-11 degrees (5th)

Again, his sun is canon and very fitting. Sun in the 9th house of philosophy and all that also fits his interests (this doesn't say anything about his competence). 

He is very into that whole “I’ve plan everything” and he talked waaay too much about perfection and all that for him to not have some sort of strong virgo/6th house. His ascendant in virgo puts the house cusps in nice places too. I’ll copy this part from my previous post on the subject. 

I considered virgo rising for him (but I’m not particularly attached to this idea)  since that would put scorpio as his 3rd house (intense relationship with siblings) capricorn (ruled by saturn which is restrictions and stuff) on his 5th (fun, children and all that), gemini on 10th (can easily change their persona and know by the general public as intelligent), taurus on 9th (likes philosophy and all that, tends to have different beliefs from what he was raised with (likely by family) and can be very stubborn about beliefs and once he finds them, is very unlikely to change them) and some other stuff.

Moon in Scorpio because I calculated and given the distance between his birthdate and Sasuke’s (if they are 5 years apart) his moon would either fall in sagittarius or scorpio and honestly, I think scorpio fits him more. 

Mercury in cancer because he’s somewhat verbally non-confrontational (would rather deflect and run away, in his case he does that with lies and that stuff) and passive-aggressive and speaks in a vague way instead of just getting to the point and being clear and concise and he’s good at emotional talk in a sense (although that doesn’t necessarily mean he is comfortable with it).

venus in taurus because when he isn’t busy being genocidal or dishonest, he likes some pretty taurusian things like hanging out at traditional coffee shops and getting some sweets. He’s also aesthetically very close to his root (traditional japanese stuff) in terms of preference and taurus likes the familiar. 

I calculated his mars and saturn sign after deciding Sasuke’s mars and saturn. It does match him in a way though. He has a taurusian feel in a way and he really seems to adore the look of security and stability (even when it’s not really there). Venus and mars in 8th because of his fascination and acceptance of the morbid, death and human nature. Also he has an inclination towards extremism in both his actions and adorations (that isn’t the same as being showy though).

Neptune in first because he obviously would have neptune in first. Those acting skills, a habit of dishonesty, being extremely inconsistent and unknowable, weak constitution, slow and lethargic movements, ... He has one of the worst manifestations of neptune in first in my opinion. And he should have more Than one planet in virgo.

Pluto in aqua in 5th solely because of sasuke and calculations, not because of what it says about him (though I also took synastry into account).

Naruto’s planets and house placements:

Ascendant: Leo 1-2, 3-4 or 5-6 degrees

Sun: Libra 17-18 degrees (3rd)

Moon: Aries 12-13, 13-14, 16-17, 17-18 or 20-21 (9th or 10th depending on house system)  or taurus 24 or 28 (10th)

Mercury:  it’s between virgo (2nd), libra (3rd) and scorpio (4th)

Venus: Libra 23-24 or 26-27 degrees (3rd)

Mars: sag 24-25, 25-26 or 29 degrees (5th)

Saturn: Leo 8-9 degrees (1st)

Neptune: Libra 6-7 or 7-8 degrees (3rd)

Pluto: same as sasuke since pluto is a generational planet and their birthdays aren’t that far apart (7th)

His sun is also canon.

His ascendant in leo makes sense because he was born late at night on the 10th of October and he has that leoish persona. There really isn’t much to say here, he embodies it. He has big movements, flamboyance, an outgoing “sunshine”y demeanour, ego-driven, loves to make everything about himself, ...

Moon in the 10th because his emotional security and self-worth and all that are very tied to what the general public thinks of him and he tries to achieve that through his career. Moon in aries and moon in taurus both fit him and the anime astrology community is also divided on this.

For mercury I have no clue. 

His venus could be in virgo, libra, leo, scorpio or sagittarius. I calculated venus in libra from Sasuke’s venus in cancer and then I looked at the degrees and plenty of them fit Naruto and he does have the power of charm so I just left it at that. I eventually narrowed the degrees a bit and found a range I’m comfortable with (in terms of both aspects and degree interpretations).

I used to think his mars makes harsh aspects to both his moon and pluto but it could be just one of them, in the end it ended up being neither of them. I calculated his mars sign from Sasuke’s mars and sag in the 5th seemed pretty fitting specially since his hobby was pranking people and he is a bit of a trickster, his earlier battles also had some creativity.  I used to think his mars is in taurus but it didn’t work out. And honestly he talks about working hard more than he actually works so mars in the 10th was kind of off either way.

Saturn was also calculated based on Sasuke but saturn in leo works pretty well. He got reprimanded for his “fun” and he has a lot of self-esteem issues and simultaneously has a bloated ego and a pretty low opinion of himself. He was so insecure that he had no problem taking credit for other peoples work so there is that. Saturn conjunct ascendant can cause people to have a hard time expressing their true self, often receiving criticism for the way they present themselves/the way they are, they can also often feel like no one will every truly love/like them (as people).

Pluto in the 7th house is extremely fitting for him, in fact, I would go so far as to say that I can’t imagine it anywhere else. He’s controlling, he’s manipulative, he’s possessive, obsessive, he’s all about taking what he wants/needs from relationships while not giving an iota of care to what the other party wants or needs, he’s stalkerish, ... he manifests pluto in the 7th house in one of the worst possible ways. 

Section Three: degree interpretations

Like the previous section, we will start with Sasuke and make our way to Itachi and then Naruto. 

edit: these need to be updated

SASUKE

Moon: 22-23

It signifies one who will suffer misfortune in the height of his career and whose fall will be dangerous in proportion to the height he has attained. The native will be too apt to depend on his own powers and will essay feats which will be beyond his natural powers. Ambition will lead him into dangerous positions, and at a weak moment he will fall. Let this be taken as equally affecting his physical, moral, and social welfare. It is a degree of COLLAPSE.

Doctors; art; projecting and the arts; medical fields; painting; homicidal tendency; alcoholism; has some unique quality (affected, may be an abnormal trait); an enthusiast who can inspire others with his plans, but thy may not always be successful; teeth.

Denotes one with strength of purpose and ability to sustain trials. The Dragon is lust, corruption, end the cold moistures of the earth. St. Michael is the life, solar energy, conqueror of decay; the black rain the evil which corruption draws. So when the native realizes his soul force he becomes a veritable victor over the monster into whose jaws so many unwarned and unguarded fall. It is a symbol of Victory.

Venus: 15-16

It indicates a person of much tenacity and strength of purpose; who by dint of extreme power, whether physical or mental, will overcome his greatest and most terrible enemies. The native will have much to contend with in life, and will encounter many dangers; but, as indicated, will finally overcome them. Together with this native strength, there may be blended a softness and gentleness of manner, which may induce others to attempt an advantage over him; but those Philistine who may have this Samson out (shorn and eyeless though he be) to make sport with him will rue the day. It is a degree of CONQUEST.

Business; music; good at mathematics, writing, or making money; a fortunate degree; taciturn; blindness or defective eyesight; gastric nerves.

Denotes one who is entrusted with a high mission and who is deeply inspired, having a spirituality entirely serene. To him has the mandate “Co forth and teach the people” been echoed from the heavens. He will be granted power and influence, so that the people will hear him call. The evidences of this peculiar mission are made manifest in his twelfth year and mature between the twenty-fourth and thirty-sixth years. It is the symbol of the Inspired.

Saturn: 28-29

It indicates a person of docile and tractable nature, combined with a certain subtlety of mind and high order of intelligence. One who will be held in restraint by others, or whose freedom will be taken by the hand of Fate and the force of circumstances. Although thus held in check, the native will be subject to dangers of an unknown character from secret enemies and jealous foes, and will be in peril of an untimely end. It is a degree of forced RESTRAINT.

An interesting person but sometimes unreliable and uncertain, conscious awareness of hair, often acts on inspiration or impulse; spleen.

Denotes one liable to be bound soul and body, who will be restricted in action and desire. But even so he may yet release his true self and meet the force flowing from the fountain head. Thus, though one side may frown and obstruct him, the other will smile and release him. It is a symbol of Obstruction.

Sun: 0-1

It denotes a person of extreme dignity of character, with much self-reliance, fearlessness, nobility and freedom of nature; an ambitious person and somewhat jealous of honor, being much subject to praise and flattery. The native will be apt in the government of others, and equally so in self-control; but unless the heart be kind, the native will be a mere pompous tyrant. It is a degree at DIGNITY.

Magnetic, brusque, and forceful; homicidal tendency; often seems to know things without taking the trouble to learn; left coronary artery.

Denotes one who will be enabled to grant or to refuse to grant the wishes of others. He will reach a position of importance and will receive many honors, and benefits will accrue to him. The demand is for an understanding of the use, not the abuse, of power. It is a symbol of Authority.

Mercury: 12-13

It indicates a person of firm and steadfast character; one who will resolutely hold to his own beliefs and principles, though it be to his disadvantage. In some ways the mind will be precocious and there will he some degree of self assertion shown; but, whatever the native may determine upon as the right thing to do will assuredly be done if within the compass of resolute striving. It is a degree of CONSTANCY.

Music, a degree of beauty; strong beliefs and disbeliefs; fortunate but restless; intentions are good; may be an orphan or may care for a parent or other relative; usually has special talent for some work where a well-trained eye and hand, plus his idealism and artistic tastes, enable him to excel al others; right heart chamber.

Denotes one of rugged, conservative, and patriotic nature who will be blessed with the goods of the world and who will use his blessings well. His position in life will be distinguished and his sincerity will command respect even from his enemies. He carries about him a fine and pure aura which benefits all who come within its radiations. It is a symbol of Exaltation.

Mars: 12-13

It shows one of a powerful and independent nature, relying on his own counsel and capable of standing alone. A degree of taciturnity and reserve will add to the general inscrutability of the mind of this person, and dispose him to command the respect and regard of others. His position will be elevated, his success in life will be assured by his own innate strength, and his fortunes will remain untouched by the hand of change. It is a degree of’ STADILITY.

Business: degree of attraction and repulsion; electricians; independent and self-reliant; stability; magnetic healing; dignity; artistic sensibilities; inclined to poetry; may be either mystical or unfeeling

Denotes one whose work is destined to live and influence men long after he has left the earth, one of an intensely psychic nature, sensitive, and mediumistic. He will have many earthly struggles and will find many sharp rocks in the way of his progress. He suffers more from his absolute lack of sympathy with earth matters as they are at present. His wanderings in the summer lands, however, bring him infinite peace and joy in the midst of pain. It is a symbol of Reveries.

Neptune:

4-5

It indicates a person of high intelligence and lofty aspirations but very prone to the use of force instead of persuasion. A man who is always getting in front of himself, so to speak, losing his temper against his desire, and letting his energies run away with his reason. He will be in danger of hurt by the sword or by fire. He must be careful of the martial element. It Is a degree of IMPULSE.

Fastidious, intellectual, optimistic, and sagacious; some women with this are dreamy and apt to have unsatisfactory love affairs; fear; honor, congeniality, order, and a lovable nature; benefics here a true friend and home lover, malefices here denote energy but sometimes misdirected. Oriental philosophies and painting; surgeons, sharp edges or clearly defined edges, martial arts (straight lines); sharp, incisive gestures, placing things side by side in deep contrast; goiter. Malpighi’s pyramids.

Denotes one who attains influence and a degree of power through aggression, forcefulness, and fighting. He is of an adventurous nature and endures a wound for the glory of getting it and the honor it gains him, and he will have many wounds. It is a symbol of Encroachment.

5-6

It denotes one very unfortunate, who will be constrained to severe and hard work for a certain period of his life. The native is patient, enduring, and capable of much self-government. In the end he will assuredly reap the reward of his labors, It is a degree of LABOUR.

Comparison; cruelty; homicidal tendency, sometimes a critical or top heavy mentality; apt to be fickle and indecisive; works hard for a living; degree of fear; pubis.

Denotes one of an artistic nature and a plodding but powerful disposition who is called to do work of a pioneering nature. He is an advocate of force, and the discipline with which he has been bended he would use on others. It is a symbol Pioneering.

Ascendant:

21-22

This symbol belongs to one that is capable of arduous and protracted labors. His inherent force of character will carry him through all difficulties and beyond all obstacles. He is endowed with much definition of purpose, determination and incisiveness, so that he will make headway against all obstructions and cut out a line in life for himself. He will in all probability find the recompense of his labor in association with agricultural projects, and in the utilization of old and waste materials, it is a degree of DETERMINATION.

A scholarly degree; active mind; persistent in his efforts; studies the past to guide him in his future; usually has more than one hobby; music; muscle endings.

Denotes one whose power is directed to the uplifting and advancement of his race—a stayer of war and strife, of plague and riot. He looks directly ahead, far ahead into the years to come when the new sun will illuminate the glory of a new age of gold. It is a symbol of Renewing.

23-24

This denotes a steadfast and capable person, whose life will be orderly and useful, whose mind will be open to the reception of truth and knowledge and whose passions will be well regulated. He will display a frank and even blunt nature, being free from all craftiness and subtlety; and his mind will have a sincere regard for all that is simple and natural in human nature, and a rooted distrust of the non-transparent. It is likely that he will be disposed to seek his livelihood in the vineyard or hostel, but in the highest capacity he can be will aspire to become a teacher and purveyor of spiritual truths. In any case, he is a man of the common walk and his sympathies are with the people. It Is a degree of SINCERITY.

A blunt, steadfast, and militant person; music; gastric ulcer; from upper to lower legs.

Denotes one who will escape three great dangers by reason of a faith which draws to him the protection of the higher Powers. The most threatening is the third danger, but his faith is proof against this also. He will have moments of intense feeling and will not permit others to usurp his position nor rob him of the fruits of his toil. He is a peculiar child of destiny, and destiny does not design him for a low position in earth life. It is a symbol of Favor.

Pluto:

10-11

This symbol is related to one in whose nature there is more force and energy than power of direction and self-restraint, and who in consequence will be continually running into dangers which to him will be wholly unforeseen though obvious enough to others. He will rely upon his strength and pushfulness to overcome his enemies, but it will be shown to him that there is nothing so insignificant as the strength of a man. Since he cannot overcome Nature let him learn to use her forces with discretion and moderation or he will be wounded in the conflict of life, and unseen dangers will lurk within the hour of exultation as snakes beneath the flowers. It is a degree of FORCEFULNESS.

Fame, leadership and skill at handling men when tact and courtesy are required; can smooth out difficult and antagonistic relationships; when inspired by an ideal; these people have tremendous power; where the cause is great; his work may have its effect on future generations; right crural band.

Denotes one of gifted mind and exceptional qualities, a singer of songs and a bearer of light, whose works gain for him respect and dignity, and whose name will be remembered long after his form has left this earth. Beautiful thoughts will cling to him as the ivy clings to the garden wall, and pleasant minds will come to him as the flowers which entwine the scepter. It is a symbol of Taste.

15-16

This symbol is related to the one who will show considerable aspiration in things of a spiritual nature and will be instrumental in awakening in the breast of man a belief in things supernormal, by fanning the spark of intelligent faith into a flame of conviction and consuming desire. His profession will be allied to the useful arts and his walk in life, although simple and devoid of ostentation, will nevertheless be of singular service to humanity. Great in soul and of immense aspiration, he will prove a veritable Vulcan. It is a degree of INSPIRATION.

Oil producing, literature; appreciation of the beautiful; the artist; often prominent in charts of those who have achieved literary eminence; judicial with good mentality and mathematical ability; fond of sports, music or reading; usually suited to law, finance, statistics, or literary work; lymph vessel of left lower leg.

Denotes one of a trusting spiritual nature who will have trials in life threatening and bitter, and who will often be storm-driven and held in the grip of hard circumstances. Now and then there are breaks in the storms of life which bring relief, no matter how small. But he must go on; his way is difficult and the night is dark, but in the morning light will come. It is a symbol of Experience.

13-14: 

This is the symbol of one whose life will be beset with unforeseen dangers, and who should therefore go warily and with much circumspection into the narrow walks of competitive life. About the middle of his life there will be a great catastrophe, by which he will either lose the use of a limb, or will suffer a total collapse of his affairs. He will then be in danger of liquidation and may become involved in serious trouble. Almost from his boyhood he will have to be self- supporting, and while he is sure to be of considerable service to others, and may even be author of much wise counsel, he will himself stand in need of help and sustenance ere his days are half completed. His future thereafter is in the keeping of Heaven. It is a degree of COLLAPSE.

Literature; idealism; music; “Jack of all trades”; apt to be a child of fate; fortune may push him up or down in unexpected ways; appreciation of the beautiful; degree of an artist; versatile ability; rheumatic fever; rheumatism; artery of left lower leg (fibula).

Denotes one who strives to do more than he can accomplish, who has “ too many irons in the fire,” and, while thinking to accomplish much, does but little. He may be two-sided or have two philosophies obtruding themselves at the same time. The life is restless, anxious, and over it hangs a threatening hand. Peace comes from the cultivation of the higher and the rejection of the lower. It is a symbol of Difficulties.

18-19

This symbol is related to one in whose life some great catastrophe will occur at a time when providentially there will be a friend at hand to rescue him from his danger. It indicates that a deficiency of tact and skill is liable to reader him subject to adversity of fortune, and he will suffer financial disaster and even peril of death. But there will be raised up to him a friend capable of sustaining him in his extremity, and he will not therefore sink into the depths. This will be in response to his great faith. The nature, although daring, is lacking in tact and strength. All his troubles will arise from failing to admit his own incompetence. He will travel afar. It is a degree of INSECURITY.

Musical ability; medical fields gain and recognition in any field; good intellect; well adapted to literary work. Bright’s disease; nervous system of the spinal cord.

Denotes one who has a graceful method of expressing his thoughts and who will reach his place when life’s midway has passed. He will accomplish much, and his words will ring so that many will stop to listen. His actions harmonize with his beliefs, and his soul is serene. It is a symbol of Proclaiming.

ITACHI

Saturn: 24-25

It indicates a powerful and haughty nature; one who is disposed to justify himself by force of arms rather than by intrinsic merit. Such a person will make many his servants but few his friends and in the end his state will be a pitiable as that of a dying lion. It is a degree of PRIDE.

Sometimes have theories and ideas of doubtful value; homicidal tendency; alcoholism; men with planets here are careful with their money; lower jaw.

Denotes one of natural talent who will be beset with difficulties in gaining recognition, but whose mental strength will be the more determined because of them. When his time comes his power will be felt. He will force acknowledgment by sheer ability and energy. It is a symbol of Premeditation.

Sun: 17-18

It indicates a person of lofty aspirations, keen mental powers, penetration and executive ability, one who will cut out his own line in life and excite attention, but who may, by his destiny, fail in achieving the result aimed at. It is a degree of EXECUTION.

Good imagination; cordial but caustic; energetic, enthusiastic, and intellectual; a dual personality - men may sometimes have feminine traits; homicidal tendency; Bright’s disease (kidneys); second rib.

Denotes one of great bravery who, feeling himself unconquerable, becomes a mark for the attacks of his enemies, who, thinking to smite him at the point of his weakness, raise about themselves the power which arises from his pain. It is a symbol of Invulnerability.

Neptune: 23-24

It denotes a person of misanthropic spirit and unsociable disposition, who will be estranged from his kindred and may be exiled or outcast from his country. In addition, the native will be short-sighted or have some moral obliquity. so, that be will incur severe troubles through this defect in various ways. It is a degree of LONELINESS.

Painters; “a ship at full sail”; a hard worker who has many ups and downs; sometimes hard to understand because he is not a good mixer and t other times he does not understand himself; benefics are favorable here, but other planets here may denote a lack of chastity; spine; tendons of liver.

Denotes one who may become vain of his earthly power and may use it for purposes which can be of no real benefit to him and no real gratification. Suffering may force him to hold himself in check and to understand that” he who conquers himself is greater than he who conquers a kingdom.” It is a symbol of Violence.

Ascendant:

20-21

The native will be of a penurious~ acquisitive, and mercenary nature; always counting the cost of all he does, and looking well to it that whatever be performs shall first be remunerative; then, if possible (though this is not important), just. He will acquire wealth by easy means, and will indulge in some very notable speculations. It is a degree of COVETOUSNESS.

Talent for mimicry; has the soul of a poet, but necessity often compels him to work along more prosaic lines; interested in diets, health, and laws of nature; gall bladder duct.

Denotes one of resourcefulness and determination who can be trusted to protect and safeguard his vital interests. Others, perhaps even amongst his own kinsmen, may interfere or attempt to interfere with the liberty of the native and prevent his free actions, and he may have to use craft to protect his rights and himself. It is a symbol of Finesse.

26-27

It denotes a person of a peculiarly incapable nature, unhappy disposition, and a certain awkwardness in his bearing. He will suffer ills through want of practical ness and executive power, and by reason of his backwardness will be liable to be victimized and deceived by the more active and wary. It is a degree of BLUNTNESS.

One of the strongest literary degrees. yet, unless the rest of the chart favors writing, Mercury here merely denotes interest, and Venus a love of literature, painting, good philosophy and honest bluntness along with artistic taste; combative but beneficent; strength of character; alert and aspiring; suicide; denotes art and literary ability; intelligence; honor, and riches in disgrace; hip veins.

Denotes one of a quick and critical mind who is gifted with powers of observation and discrimination He is able to turn points to his advantage, and does not hesitate to push forward with energy and activity to gain his desires. It is a symbol of Keenness.

Moon:

20-21

It is the symbol of a bold, independent and forceful nature, that knows either restraint nor law, and that will suffer great privations in order to maintain the semblance of freedom. It is a degree of INDEPENDENCE.

Doctors: music (variations of pitch); not as strong as most Scorpio degrees; alcoholism; violence; homicidal tendency; has little respect for rules and conventions but usually abides by them. Often so reserved that few people understand him.

Denotes one who conceives the dualistic nature of man. He holds that the connexion of spirit and matter is the initial force from which all other forces are brought into being. He admits no intermediate force, pressing home his beliefs with all the certainty of proven facts and with all the vehemence his powerful nature is capable of. It is a symbol of Forcing.

21-22

It is the index of a nature that is impelled by force of circumstances to precipitate and hazardous projects. A restless and impulsive mind, defective in foresight and never aware of danger till it is encountered. The life will be narrowed and confined, and so largely determined by the force of circumstances that it will be in danger of falling from one level to another until it is lost in obscurity and swallowed up in the sands of time. It is degree of COMPULSION.

Doctors; alcoholism; now; homicidal tendency; often found in charts of painters, poets, and astrologers, impulsive and restless yet loves home, solitude, and contemplation; (Unukalhai) immorality, accidents, danger of poison; ethmoid bone and ligaments.

Denotes one who is forced by circumstances to undertake duties which are not always of a pleasant nature. His destiny is to adjust and to demand, and the necessities of his life are opposed to investigations of an ideal or psychic character. It is a symbol of Gathering.

24-25

It is the indication of a predatory and adventurous spirit, a mind that is avaricious and cunning, quick to perceive and enforce its owl advantage, but slow to cultivate the more useful and sociable habits of life. Such will lead a distressful and contentious life, and will not long enjoy the benefit of his conquests. He will snatch an advantage and will be forced to surrender it to others; and because of his selfishness his own friends will berail him. It is a degree of SEIZURE.

Alcoholism; homicidal tendencies; strong desire to gain wealth or power, a malefic here usually denotes trouble with the opposite sex; some connection with magicians; ovarian ducts; coccyx.

Denotes one who is lost in the maze of worldly gain and whose sole happiness is in his ever- increasing wealth. His nature is hard and his estimate of his fellow-creatures is judged by his own standard. His motto is: Treat every man as a rogue until you find him out to be honest, and when you find him out to be honest, think again before you trust him. It is a symbol of Hardness.

26-27

It denotes one who has a forceful and yet pliant mind, a persuasive tongue and a brave spirit. Such an one will lead others by the power of authority which is vested in reason and sustained by the ability of expression. From such a man an appeal is equivalent to a command, and an exhortation equal to a rebuke. He will undertake high duties and grave responsibilities in life and will largely be moved by a power that is within him, unrecognized but potent. It is a degree of PERSUASION.

Usually seems well-balanced, genial, sympathetic, and philosophical, may be placed in positions of trust only to meet personal misfortune.

Denotes one capable of lofty thoughts and high mental flights. There is a subtle, strong diplomacy about this native which cannot be easily gauged by others, but he knows himself, his own ambitious spirit, and his ever-growing faith—a faith which never wavers, no matter if he basks in favors or shields himself from frowns. It is a symbol of Distinction.

Pluto:

2-3

This symbol is related to one whose life is liable to many and severe shocks of misfortune, the severing of ties and the disappointment of hopes. Nevertheless, he will show a spirit of steadfast resignation to the will of Heaven and therein will find consolation for his grief’s and sorrows. The task which he will have to perform in life will be honorable but unprofitable, and many will be the difficulties which encumber his upward path. He is nevertheless equipped for a long and arduous journey, and being endowed with a patient and firm will, he must eventually attain his goal. Only in the interval he will have to surrender all that he holds most dear in life. It is a degree of PERSEVERANCE.

Inquisitiveness; obesity; brings strange events into one’s life; women are much loved; men are natural leaders and follow some unusual line of work; right fibula.

Denotes one of a truly religious mind whose career will be as full of incident as the many pieces which go to make a mosaic pavement are full of color. Material life is not without its dangers— moral and physical—but the native is not born under the heel of fear. He sees beyond his times and bears his cross. It is a symbol of Faithfulness.

7-8

This symbol is indicative of a nature that is strong forceful and independent, loving freedom above all things and desiring death by hunger rather than servitude or restraint. Such a one will prove himself to be of greater service to the race when left to his own resources and given full freedom of action than when bound to a narrow or restricted walk in life. Nevertheless, he is liable to captivity or imprisonment, whether it be as a prisoner of State or as the victim of a hard and unrelenting Fate, and this will be entailed by his inordinate love of freedom. He will, suffer and will serve, and thus gain both wisdom and freedom for all time. It is a degree of ESCAPEMENT.

Hearing; anemia; may be especially good or clever at some particular thing; afflicted; an extremist; hitting at truth of life (something universal); vein of lower left leg.

Denotes one of a vital, vigorous, and martial disposition who endeavors to cut his way by mind or sword. Danger in early childhood may be overcome according to the power of the horoscope, but danger is never absent from him, and he is liable to be constrained or oppressed with enemies of his own making or he may be a dangerous enemy to himself. To pass through a barred window self- conquest alone knows the way. It is a symbol of Limitation.

5-6

This symbol is related to one who has considerable faculty for teaching (prophecy), and skill in manual crafts. As a director of thought, an exponent of religious teachings, as traveler, lecturer, even handicraftsman, he will show himself capable and will meet with distinction. He will be ambitious and will have a mind set upon things that are remote from his environment. Careful in his methods, and ambitious in his designs, he will have to travel far, nevertheless, for the results of his actions, and of him it may be said that what is remote from the sense is ever more attractive than things corporeal, and that which is afar than which is near. It is a degree of APPERCEPTION.

Medical; healing airmen (avoid air travel if Jupiter is afflicted); if prominent; it warns against accidents when traveling especially by air; inventive, unconventional, loves new and experimental schemes; interest in Oriental philosophies smoothness - silk, peace; singers, chanting, nerve of left fibula.

Denotes one on whom Fame smiles and who is fitted to receive her favor. For this native there is dignity and honor, which follows a degree of struggle, disappointment, and comparative obscurity. He is moved by many and varied feelings and is blessed with a vivid and fine imagination. He is cultured, neat in style, and artistic, with considerable psychic ability and occult understanding. It is a symbol of Ascending.

10-11

This symbol is related to one in whose nature there is more force and energy than power of direction and self-restraint, and who in consequence will be continually running into dangers which to him will be wholly unforeseen though obvious enough to others. He will rely upon his strength and pushfulness to overcome his enemies, but it will be shown to him that there is nothing so insignificant as the strength of a man. Since he cannot overcome Nature let him learn to use her forces with discretion and moderation or he will be wounded in the conflict of life, and unseen dangers will lurk within the hour of exultation as snakes beneath the flowers. It is a degree of FORCEFULNESS.

Fame, leadership and skill at handling men when tact and courtesy are required; can smooth out difficult and antagonistic relationships; when inspired by an ideal; these people have tremendous power; where the cause is great; his work may have its effect on future generations; right crural band.

Denotes one of gifted mind and exceptional qualities, a singer of songs and a bearer of light, whose works gain for him respect and dignity, and whose name will be remembered long after his form has left this earth. Beautiful thoughts will cling to him as the ivy clings to the garden wall, and pleasant minds will come to him as the flowers which entwine the scepter. It is a symbol of Taste.

Mercury:

6-7

It indicates a person of strong personality, but of a tyrannous nature, who, by force of arms and aggression, generally will press forward regardless of the merits of others and insensible of their feelings. His hand, though strong, is frequently unjust and cruel in its action, impelled by the motive that might is right; and, when opposed, is capable of extreme cruelty and selfishness. In certain natures, the influence of this degree generates the common-place bully. It is a degree of SELF-ASSERTION.

Not always diplomatic but appreciates diplomacy in others; physically fearless but sometimes emotionally vulnerable; well aspected, discipline; afflicted, sometimes denotes a bad habit; thoracic canal.

Denotes one who will by his own skill and ability receive and profit by impressions and reach a position which gains him the recognition due to him. To such, perseverance and faith are the essentials, and if he regards the meaning of these two words apart from the words themselves he will crown his labors with success. It is a symbol of Fame.

11-12

It denotes one of fatal tendencies, destructive to a degree; inclined to cruelty and oppression. This person will need to hold his passions in strong check or some fatality will surely come upon him. The nature is melancholy and taciturn; yet silently discerning, and capable of keen feelings. “It makes not, but it mars; and with the hollow eyes of death looks back with secret self-condemnation upon its unfruitful work.’ The end of life is tragic. It is a degree of UNDOING.

History; can work in solitude; degree of retentive memory; usually prudent, bright, and charming; magnetic personality; poison, possibly in working with chemicals; alcoholism; Bright’s disease; cancer; highly occult (the owl, dark subjects, collects owls, night owls); religious; large gastric curvature.

Denotes one of brave and generous disposition who is an earnest and sincere champion of the oppressed and who is one of that great band who cannot be deaf to the moans of the suffering many. He is a militant, generous force, and in his philosophy “charity covereth a multitude of sins.” It is a symbol of Humanity.

Venus: 

6-7

It indicates a person of strong personality, but of a tyrannous nature, who, by force of arms and aggression, generally will press forward regardless of the merits of others and insensible of their feelings. His hand, though strong, is frequently unjust and cruel in its action, impelled by the motive that might is right; and, when opposed, is capable of extreme cruelty and selfishness. In certain natures the influence of this degree generates the common-place bully. It is a degree of SELF-ASSERTION.

Not always diplomatic but appreciates diplomacy in others; physically fearless but sometimes emotionally vulnerable; well aspected, discipline; afflicted, sometimes denotes a bad habit; thoracic canal.

Denotes one who strives to stand erect. Time does not cast him down, for grandeur and beauty are his companions; but beauty, however sublime, is never without a flaw, for the flaw intensifies the beauty. The erect column indicates strength, the crumbling at the base fear, which alone can destroy if permitted to infect the whole. Where faith is, then fear will be never. True faith is knowledge absolute, and what knowledge so perfect as the consciousness in man of his own strength? It is a symbol of Gracefulness.

8-9

It denotes a man whose chief interest will be in his home, and in the care of his children; one who is attractive to young persons, and whose mind is pacific and benevolent; one who has the ability to inspire confidence and faith in other; whose footsteps will be followed in security and whose life goes by easy way to a peaceful end. It is a degree of MINISTRATION.

A born teacher and scientist; hearing (afflicted - may in - cline to deafness); inordinately fond of food; afflicted - gluttons; if the will is weak, may become a drunkard; a tendency to be contrary and stubborn, especially with planets in 27 degree Aries-Pisces; frequently their own worst enemies; has much to do with healing; cervical vein.

Denotes one who acquires much by work and application, but who lacks the faculty of watchfulness in protecting his gains from the greed of others. He has an easygoing tendency, but gains come from labor, craft, and the management of his own affairs. He may be the victim of deceit or treachery, and should never put himself in the hands of others when his own well-being is concerned. He should avoid things and circumstances he does not understand. It is a symbol of Misleading.

Mars:

1-2

It denotes one for whom life will be a severe lesson; whose ambition is likely to outstrip his power; one who will attempt great his discomfiture; whose efforts will prove futile, and whose hopes a will vanish as the clouds. It is a degree of SELF-PRESERVATION.

Magic; a pleasing personality; a person who is above petty things; loyal and serious-minded; some interest in occultism; magnanimous; opening of throat.

Denotes one capable of immense sacrifices who surrenders self, expecting no reward. The life will be often lonely, but ever threatened by storms. In the end wisdom and worth will triumph and the second half of life brings good promise. It is a symbol of Devotion.

3-4 (likely)

It denotes a person in whose life much sedition will prevail, whose affairs will be marred by his own violence, and whose house will be dismembered through strife, in whom wrath will affect great evils, and whose force will be turned against himself. If is a degree of DISINTEGRATION.

Literature (skill in working out plots); writers of detective stories; one accustomed to the exercise of authority; favors playwrights; military men. organizers who work to uphold the law; degree of plot; planning, tact, and scheming bodily injuries; destruction by fire, war or earth-quake; unscrupulous defeat; throat or larynx.

Denotes one whose destiny it is to come before the public in some professional capacity. The native will be impulsive, bold, and brave, and will be gifted with controlling and magnetic force. He will travel and move about a great deal, and will be exposed to danger with little or no hurt. It is a symbol of Intrepidity.

16-17 (this is also linked with explosions so I think Dei is likely to have something here)

This symbolizes a life of toil without much fruits; the misdirection of effort through ignorance of natural laws; a straining after that which Nature has not designed, and consequent failure in life. The native will be unpopular, moving against the stream, and by much exertion, hurting himself alone. It is a degree of FUTILITY.

Painting; business; musical ability (variations of pitch); singers; oratory; a powerful degree for men; color; and original person who has much influence on his sphere of society; ideas or popularity may grow by spurts, but unexpected falls sometimes follow too; homicidal tendency; abscesses of neck if with 25 degree Leo-Aquarius or 21 degree Aries-Libra; associated with explosions (of nuclear plants or bombings); often a tall person; tonsils.

Denotes one free as air, brave, spiritual, restless, and unfitted for the regular routine of daily life. Care in infancy is essential. He is of a wandering disposition and frequent changes are for him. It is a symbol of Wandering.

14-15 (likely)

It denotes a studious and intuitive nature, whose mental vision will see where others arc in the darkness; one devoted to the inner meaning of Nature’s workings, and acting from obscure motives; one of much self-reliance, inclined to solitariness, and yet always surrounded by friends; one who will be sought after while himself seeking none. It is a degree of MYSTERY.

Business; singers; a degree of exchange and barter; some times traveling salesmen or financiers; may live or die in foreign lands; circulation of blood as well as ideas and propaganda; causes disease, disgrace, ruin injury from beasts, sickness, and loss of fortune; epiglottis.

Denotes a person whose tastes and desires are directed to the understanding of the secrets which rest beneath the veil. He has brought to earth from other sources the knowledge which enables him to find the entrance to the cavern of hidden jewels, but it is doubtful if he can enter, for the gateway is guarded by sublime and intense colors caused by more excessive vibrations than can be endured by the human body. The light vapor approaching the “Ultra” stage is more powerful and effective than dragons of fire. It is a symbol of Initiation.

18-19

It denotes a gentle, inoffensive but weak nature, inclined to indolence or hopelessness, and thus while Nature is luxurious and fertile, and all around speaks of wealth gained by industry, the native remains in a poor condition for want of determination. It is a degree of INCOMPETENCE.

Music ( a trumpet); a person who rises from a humble birth place to a great renown through a process of unfoldment; hair; leader of party; often a tall person; maxillary artery.

Denotes one who is unable to estimate his abilities and who attempts things foolhardy and useless. There is a tendency to irritability and aggressiveness and lack of self-restraint. Thus he will court unpopularity and will suffer from his own actions. It is a symbol of Futility.

24-25

It indicates a powerful and haughty nature; one who is disposed to justify himself by force of arms rather than by intrinsic merit. Such a person will make many his servants but few his friends and in the end his state will be a pitiable as that of a dying lion. It is a degree of PRIDE.

Sometimes have theories and ideas of doubtful value; homicidal tendency; alcoholism; women with planets here are usually intuitive, poetic, lively, and flirtatious; men careful with their money; lower jaw.

Denotes one whose life is harassed by other people, and who will be held to a position to his disadvantage from which he will free himself and go where better conditions prevail, and where he will have better opportunities for employing his skill for his own good. Consult the horoscope. It is a symbol of Restraining.

28-29 (honestly, now that I think about it, this is Tobs through and through)

It signifies a tyrant, who takes delight in power apart from its uses, and whose opinions are bigoted and selfish. To rule, without regard to qualifications, is the passing ambition of one born under this degree. Death, which frees the slave, will bind the hands of a tyrant in irons forged from his own heart. It is a degree of DESPOTISM.

Good organizing ability; strong will; usually magnetic, proud and stoical; heavy drinking; suicide; a degree giving “something to cry about”; Trapizius.

Denotes one who is continually beset with difficulties and who finds it hard at all times to decide his course of action. He is ever between forces of opposite natures, and is quite as likely to do the right thing as the wrong one. These conditions must be subdued by the steady cultivation of the will. It is a symbol of Embarrassment.

NARUTO

Sun: 17-18

It denotes a person of hospitable and homely nature, ever ready with the best of fare to entertain friends and acquaintances. The native will grow to be much beloved for his open handed ness and sincerity of feeling. He will be both prosperous and happy, and will rejoice in the company of his friends. It is a degree of HOSPITALITY. 

Electricians; a romantic degree; rules poets; oratorical ability; violence; a person who will get considerable publicity; has many friends; ambitious to be the greatest; kidney illness; liked with sexual problems; subtle mind, shamelessness, and loss through friends and company, fatty capsule of kidneys.

Denotes one of a simple nature who is gifted with a strong spirit of self-sacrifice and endowed with inherent bravery. His way in life will be tangled at times, and he will need his energy to set it right again. He is a helper of himself and of others, and he does not count his own needs first. It is a symbol of Self-sacrifice.

Moon:

12-13

It denotes one who through suffering, pain and hard work, will at the close of life rise to much dignity and receive many honors. This degree is capable, of lifting, the native from obscurity to prominence as the reward of enduring effort. It is a degree of REWARD.

A degree of movement; medical fields - doctors (along with 23-24 deg Leo, Aquarius); sportsmen or athletes (with fixed signs); electricians; wrestlers (with fixed signs); lawyers (along with 23-24 Leo, Aquarius); hair, spiritual intuition; if afflicted - may start many things he will never finish; corpus callosum (band of nerve fibers).

Denotes bravery, love, and sincerity. Honor will come to this native, his thoughts and ambitions lead him upwards. By Love’s guidance he passes over obstacles and pursues an honorable course. His nature is somewhat proud, but he is generous and noble-minded. Influence and favor come to him. It is a symbol of Light.

13-14

It denotes loneliness and indigence in life; one who will lead a strange and outcast life, with few friends and those either unwilling or unable to help him. It. seems to contain the idea of much traveling, perhaps exile, and finally a lonely grave. It is a degree of ISOLATION.

Bakers; dietetics - food and drink; music (the beautiful); love of words; often found in charts of those who compete in games or sports, especially tennis; the physicians; gluttony; independence; freedom, love of wealth and honor, and keen intellect; gives a sixth sense. One cannot tell them a lie because they see through others. They are seldom mistaken in their judgment of others; rheumatic fever; rheumatism; frontal lobes .

Denotes one who reaches a position of responsibility, power, and influence, and seeks to find in man the spark which being agitated blazes forth in glory, guiding by its perfect light. Here we have the teacher who strives to lead men from the valley of darkness into the light of understanding, but who himself is threatened by Error and Hate, which if he permits to influence him will drag him from his throne. But if he join his own great soul to Truth and Love, what wonders may he not perform! It is a symbol of Intercession.

16-17

This is a degree indicating one of a speculative nature, selfish, and luxurious; one whose heart is divided between pleasure and wealth, but who knows not the true use of either. Such would gain wealth by. speculation, but waste it in extravagance. “The fool and his money are soon parted.” So here. It Is a degree of EARTHINESS. 

Music (a trumpet); electricians; interest in occultism, spiritualism, metaphysics or magic; persuasive oratory; public life; spinal cord canal.

Denotes a lotus-eater, a lover of pleasure, who delights in ease and the sweets of life. The fortunes are favored, but the native makes no personal effort to increase them. The mind is romantic and art- loving, and the form graceful. It ii a symbol of Luxury.

17-18

This denotes a person of an amiable and pleasant disposition, friendly to all, and beloved of his kinsmen. One who desires peace and concord, and who will meet with success through the intervention of some female friend. It is a degree of AMITY.

Oratorical ability; electricians; poets; children; a romantic degree; with Virgo-Pisces novelists; with Leo-Aquarius or Gemini-Sagittarius poets; often connected with tragedies of violence in either the chart of the attacker or the victim. Associated with divorce and separations; sexual emotionalism; linked with sexual problems; nerve connections.

Denotes sympathy. Many times will the native stumble and fall by the way, but ever will there be a bright light before him to dispel the darkness of the night and to dissipate his fears. The mind is aspiring, but to reach its ideal, pain and struggle are involved. The native must not falter, for very nigh unto him is his hope—a little sacrifice and endeavor will unite him to it. It is a symbol of Upraising.

20-21

It denotes a generous and hospitable nature; one that will succeed through good and worthy actions, yet has some sense of his own merits and powers, and is desirous of recognition. A steadfast and sincere man, who will make many friends and be held by them in respect. It is a degree of CONSCIOUS MERIT.

Electricians; active and adventurous; a degree of supreme sacrifice; abscesses; accidents; a traveler who makes plans and lives them; preparedness, steadiness, determination, and final success; a fortunate degree; eye muscle.

Denotes one who will be assailed by secret and open enemies, who will be liable to troubles and false accusations. In his dealings he should always exercise great care, and should not rely on word- of-mouth agreements. He will not be without devoted friends, who will not neglect him in the hour of his greatest need. His intense feelings will cause him trouble, danger, illness, and regret, and he will have to strive with the dark serpent. Let him unite himself with noble and good-living people, and put away from himself votaries of evil. It is a symbol of Contention.

24-25

It indicates a powerful and haughty nature; one who is disposed to justify himself by force of arms rather than by intrinsic merit. Such a person will make many his servants but few his friends and in the end his state will be a pitiable as that of a dying lion. It is a degree of PRIDE.

Sometimes have theories and ideas of doubtful value; homicidal tendency; alcoholism; women with planets here are usually intuitive, poetic, lively, and flirtatious; men careful with their money; lower jaw.

Denotes one of natural talent who will be beset with difficulties in gaining recognition, but whose mental strength will be the more determined because of them. When his time comes his power will be felt. He will force acknowledgment by sheer ability and energy. It is a symbol of Premeditation.

28-29

It signifies a tyrant, who takes delight in power apart from its uses, and whose opinions are bigoted and selfish. To rule, without regard to qualifications, is the passing ambition of one born under this degree. Death, which frees the slave, will bind the hands of a tyrant in irons forged from his own heart. It is a degree of DESPOTISM.

Good organizing ability; strong will; usually magnetic, proud and stoical; heavy drinking; suicide; a degree giving “something to cry about”; Trapizius.

Denotes one who is continually beset with difficulties and who finds it hard at all times to decide his course of action. He is ever between forces of opposite natures, and is quite as likely to do the right thing as the wrong one. These conditions must be subdued by the steady cultivation of the will. It is a symbol of Embarrassment.

Ascendant:

1-2

It denotes a person of an extremely vacillating and uncertain disposition; weak. minded, and subject to be driven about from one opinion to another; generally moved by consent to prevailing sentiment, and incapable of any firm and independent decision. The native will be liable to experience strange caprices of fortune; and will wander, with many a change of object, from one place to another, but little permanence for good will be assured to him. At times exceedingly hopeful, and anon depressed and nervous, the native will make little headway or progress. It is a degree of WEAKNESS.

Have a way of making themselves pleasing to the opposite sex but often seem monotonous to those of their own sex; prodigal sometimes vacillating; apt to use the other fellow’s ideas because he lacks confidence in his own; sometimes not dependable and apt to wander from place to place; aorta.

Denotes one whose early life is threatened and who in later years will gain possession of material secrets discovered by another which he has long sought to obtain. Having obtained them, he claims the discoveries as his own, gaining thus further professional advancement and reputation. His triumph may last till he breathes his last breath, then he will learn what in spite of all his learning he does not know, and his action of yesterday brings remorse on the morrow. It is a symbol of Artifice.

3-4

It denotes a person of the most prudent, circumspect, and patient mind; capable of sustaining great fatigue in the accomplishment of his desires; a mind gifted with much diplomacy, suavity, self-restraint, and watchfulness; keen in observing but slow to draw conclusions; capable when aroused, of much malice, but not of open anger. Firm in his attachments, a fast friend and unrelenting enemy. The native will succeed in life by dint of caution and perseverance. It is a degree of CURCUMSPECTION.

A benefic there or any planet well aspected there inclines too honesty and integrity; anarchism (not going with any thing); an active person; not easy to anger but capable of malice when aroused; usually sensitive and often hurt by lack of harmony in the home; a critical analyst, but sincere with good intentions; left carotid artery.

Denotes one who may be deceived by smiles and promises. He should be especially careful of those in power, and should be wary lest in negotiations he betrays his plans and aspirations to keen and subtle adversaries. Wisdom is in silence. It is a symbol of Treachery.

 5-6

It denotes a person of a proud, martial nature, with considerable tastes for athletics, deeds of daring and prowess, contests, feats of arms, and the like. Somewhat given to argument and contention. ever ready to rush into disputes regardless of danger. The native will succeed as a soldier, or in active service requiring courage and strength; but will be liable to some reverses of fortune following upon undue self-assertion. It is a degree of PROWESS. 

A medical or healing degree; hair; a martial nature with a liking for athletics; a leader, usually in some physical or military way; usually well-liked by inferiors; a person of great energy who may drive himself to ruin unless he controls his passions; entrance of pulmonary artery.

Denotes one who will be compelled to fight and struggle during a great part of his life and who will often have to use his ingenuity to release himself from entanglements and troubles. He may have financial difficulties or difficulties over property or estates. In the end—perhaps even in the midst of worry—his star rises and he triumphs over enemies and evil conditions. It is a symbol of Strategy.

Saturn:  (honestly these both sound kind of off)

8-9

It denotes a person of tasteful, but luxurious habits; one who will spend much upon mere show, and will depend much upon appearances to the neglect of more desirable uses. Together with these characteristics, there is a great deal of pride, which in the uneducated may run to ostentation and snobbishness. Yet, in any sphere of life the native will be fortunate among his compeers. It is a degree of DISPLAY.

Sense of hearing; anemia; skin; afflictions to planets here; love of solitude; generosity; travel in connection with business; talkative but incapable of pettiness; often misunderstood because they do not fully understand themselves, looks at things from positive standpoint; knows that even his troubles are of his own making; care and responsibility; a charitable and fostering nature; afflicted brings danger of a violent death, serious accidents or burns; the eyes; vena cava.

Denotes one fortunate, but somewhat vain, whose desire it is “to make a good appearance’ and who expends much money for this purpose. But the glories which shine forth from a great soul glitter more than the choicest diamond in the daintiest setting, giving a lasting beauty which age cannot change nor time obliterate. There are two sides to this symbol, and both reflect, for it is a symbol of Reflection.

9-10

It denotes one whose chief ambitions will not come to completion; but, either through disaster or untimely death, ‘will be prematurely brought to naught. To whomsoever this degree may appertain, the warning goes forth :—build not for the future, but for eternity, for it is very nigh; and if thou sowest aught, make no count of the harvest, for the seasons are not to thy hand; yet both sow and build for the greater good, and work in hope! In character the native will be versatile, somewhat morose and despondent, but strong in trial; and giving shelter even to the worthless out of pure goodwill. It is a degree of PERIL.

Alcoholism; army and navy; versatile, fearless, firm and sure but sometimes morose; often interested in the mystic secrets of life and death; sudden friendships and estrangements; bladder afflictions; jugular vein.

Denotes one of brave, fearless, and noble disposition whose natural greatness of soul is moved by the necessities of others, and who always puts the well-being of another before his own comforts. Envy is directed against him and malice turns her evil eyes on him. He will be exposed to many and grave dangers, for duty to him is ever the first thought. It is a symbol of Daring.

Venus: 

23-24

It denotes a person of much independence of spirit, self-confidence, pride, and no little love of distinction. The native will suffer on account of his isolated feelings, and will be in danger of betrayal by the machinations of perfidious enemies. At a time when he has reached a height of isolated distinction, he will fall under the jealous hand of his enemies. It is a degree of PRIDE.

Often associated with homosexuality (depending on aspects); gives success, renown, and riches; a love of arts and sciences; adversely aspected; unscrupulousness, unfaithfulness, and injustice to innocence; “sweetest star of the heavens”; “star of the artists” and promises honor and fame; prefers to work and plan in privacy, but his work may achieve great renown; vascular circulation of the renal cortex.

Denotes one who will suffer from an overconfident nature that neglects those details which, insignificant as they may appear, are as necessary for the safeguarding of his interests as water is to earth. His mentality is good, and he is capable of useful mental work, but he may lose the results of his labor. and suffer thereby in many ways. It is a symbol of Entrapping.

26-27

It indicates a nature that is attuned to works of benevolence and homely simplicity, careful in the affairs of daily life, solicitous of peace and comfort, and ever ready to shelter, befriend and succor the wayside traveler without neglect of those within his doors. It is a degree of BENEVOLENCE.

Detectives; artistic and sensitive; a lover of children; sympathies often on the unpopular side; peculiar mental quirks such as a mind that can do only one thing at a time; a cool courage; lack of moral and physical suppleness; slow-witted and slowly aroused; vascular system of the skin.

Denotes one who if saved from malefic planetary action is contented with little and is pleasant and kind to men and animals. His nature is devotional and sensitive, and is capable of obtaining knowledge from astral sources and atmospheric conditions. He influences others for good, spreading content in the halls of inharmony. It is a symbol of Harmony.

Neptune: 

6-7

It indicates a person of susceptible and weak nature, easily led away, and liable to be drawn to his destruction by the agency of the opposite sex. The native may attain to a high position in life, but whatever his position, he is in danger of an untimely fall. Let him take heed against the allurement. of the world. It is a degree of FALLING.

Aviation; birds; a child of fate; strange things happen to them; often psychic or intuitive; dancers, love of danger; goiter; nervous system.

Denotes one with a great message who will travel everywhere and whose thoughts and feelings are expanded and uplifted thereby. His wanderings are often directed beyond this earth to the heavenly fields and, to the lands dosed to those held in material bodies. He is capable of performing many good acts for others and is ever ready to resist actions unworthy of a true man, holding meanness in contempt. It is a symbol of Movement.

7-8

It denotes one of a melancholy and retiring nature, very sensitive, and of keen sympathies. The native will be in danger of early bereavement, and will at an early age be left devoid of family ties and friends. It is a degree of EFFACEMENT.

Rules animal life, usually loquacious; given to speculation; paint, perfume, or chemicals may play a part in the vocation; sudden death, dancers, love of danger, jaundice of the renal pelvis.

Denotes one who will have need to exercise very great caution as to the safe keeping of his worldly possessions. Such a one should keep away from speculations, ventures, and crafty people, and undertake nothing of a nature involving risk. It is a symbol of Forfeiting.

8-9

It indicates a person of quick, impetuous, quarrelsome, and aggressive nature, who will cause many disputes in life on account of his Irascible disposition, and will make many enemies. The native will be in danger of losing his life while engaged in sonic affray or quarrel, and should know bow to forefend himself by self-command, which Is the greatest of all conquests. It is a degree of FIGHTING.

Publicity or scandal (if Venus here, over a love affair or divorce); often causes one to become a widow; immorality; courage, talent for science, literature, or leadership; aggressiveness; linked with sexual problems; jaundice of the kidney and renal pelvis.

Denotes one who should avoid law and disputes. Inharmony is to him a state of evil which forces him into a groove of fate and holds him in bondage. He should endeavor by the power of his soul to keep the scales even and do nothing to prejudice his peace. It is a symbol of Unevenness.

Mars:

24-25

It is the index of a mind that is given to excessive indulgence and undue enthusiasm in matters of a spiritual and mental nature; one who will follow out his projects regardless of consequence, impelled as it were by a species of mental intoxication. The substance and form of this symbol is allied to the higher nature, but should the carnal appetites gain an ascendancy over him, he will in all probability degenerate into a debauchee. Moderation should be his watchword even in spiritual things. It is a degree of EXCESS. 

Usually quick perception; remarkable memory; good imagination; condyle of right femur.

Denotes one of romantic mind, loving and leaning to the philosophy and thought of other days, in which he is a master. The forces play around him and attempts from the two worlds will be made to draw him from his deeper thoughts to the frivolity, folly, and transitory joys of earth. Many times will he be shaken, but his power is too great for sensual over comings. Instead he throws to the world the wine of life that those who are able may drink. It is a symbol of Spiritual Struggles.

25-26

This is the sign of one to whom appearances are apt to count or much, but who will nevertheless be possessed of a really deep and sympathetic nature. Fidelity and friendship will be prominent characteristics of his nature. Fidelity will be dexterous in the use of arms, apt in the imitation of mannerisms, and would make a capable actor,. being gifted with powers of dramatic. representation. Of a kind and sympathetic nature, he will readily attract friends, and yet few will know him for what he really is. It is a degree of IMITATION. 

Anarchism; literature; better for benefics than for malefics, which bring trouble through the opposite sex; associated with nervous troubles, especially in his speech, if afflicted by Mercury or Uranus, sometimes due to a glandular deficiency; tyrannical disposition; love of liberty; good mentality; inventive, intutive, and emotional; gout; neurasthenia; if conjunct or opposition an afflicted luminary or its afflicting planet; impaired eyesight, perhaps blindness.

Denotes one who is attracted to the sport and gaieties of life, and to whom physical pleasures constitute the essence of existence. The native may indulge in extravagances and will feel the ups and downs of life. His philosophy favors the pursuit of happiness, and his mental gifts will be directed to the furtherance of his thoughts. It is a symbol of Pleasure.

29-30

It is the symbol of mind that is capable of sustaining great and arduous work, one to whom some of the dark secrets of Nature will be revealed. He may show some taste for agriculture culture or may follow the fortunes of some great mining industry or archaeological research, and in such he will be a discoverer. Whatever his walk in life, his work will be difficult and protracted, but success will ultimately crown his labors. Endowed with a sharp, incisive mind and strong purpose, he will ignore the advice of friends and rely wholly on is own efforts. It is a degree of DISCOVERY. 

Clairvoyance; imitators; aptitude for studying human nature; angina pectoris; large or peculiar teeth; especially if on the Ascendant; wants to be the “head man” unless a benefic is here; good intellect; sometimes art ability but better suited to commercial enterprises; gives an immoral; mean; slovenly nature; pear-shaped muscle.

Denotes one of active mental power who is indispensable to his friends and a thorn to his enemies. He is capable of seeing events far in advance of their materialization and counts the years of human progress in its pendulum-like motion. He has in him a strong spirit of fight and a feeling of naught else but victory. It is a symbol of Supremacy.

Pluto : Same as Sasuke.

Section Four: Synastry and composite

Based on the degrees I used for natals, I drew up a composite chart and a synastry chart for sasuke and itachi as well as for sasuke and naruto but I wont be providing interpretations since that would make this post far too long. Note that some of these aspects might be wrong as not all degrees are certain.

Before we get started let me just clarify the difference between synastry and composite. 

Synastry is conversations between different parts of people. An example would be if my mercury and your moon are in a nice harmonious aspect, I say something in my style of communication based on my thinking process, now you get what I’m saying at an emotional level because you feel the same way, your feeling process and my thinking process are similar, the way you express your emotions and the way I express my thoughts are close, so I get how you feel on a logical level and you get what I think on an emotional level. 

Composite is the overall, combined energy of the relationship. Lets say you have a very rational and to the point way of communicating but then you meet this person and with them, for some reason, as soon as you meet both of you seem to communicate in an emotional, passive-aggressive way (strongly aspected composite mercury in cancer). Or if you have tons of things in common with someone, you communicate in a similar way, you like the same things, but you just can’t seem to think of a single thing to say to them. You meet and your mind goes blank, there should be a world of things to talk about but literally nothing comes to mind, the conversation is dry and an absolute chore and then you look at that composite and there’s a tight saturn (restriction, block) conjunct mercury (communication) and everything makes sense. It also says things like why you got together (composite sun), how people perceive your relationship (composite ascendant), ...

So lets go see how these characters relate to each-other on a cosmic level.

edit: I removed the composite to natals part because they require extremely tight orbs so it’s kind of risky for something so uncertain.

Sasuke-Itachi synastry:

I forgot to erase that sun-sun semi-square (it’s out of orb) so just ignore it. Lots of harmonious saturn could lend itself to commitment and respect, lots of harmonious aspects to sasuke’s venus along with itachi’s sun in his 5th shows how fun and loving this relationship was for him (sasuke). Both their moons are getting lots of close aspects too. Those moon ascendant aspects and quick comfort and easy relating, an immediate emotional connection, Itachi’s mars aspecting Sasuke’s moon, ...

Sasuke-Itachi composite:

So this composite sun (purpose, nature of the relationship) in cancer (family) is perfect. I wonder if this was a coincidence or if Kishi really looked this up. Ascendant in scorpio is pretty nice as well. Plenty of neptune, lots of pluto, ... 

Composite sun in the eight very much paints their relationship, intense, obsessive, transformative and full of death (both metaphorical and literal). Composite moon in the third, communication is important to the health of their relationship and emotional security regarding it, ... There is plenty of stuff to unpack here so I’m not going get into it, specially since we don’t know much for certain.

Sasuke-Naruto synastry:

An interesting point here is that naruto’s moon would be in sasuke’s 4th house of family so that explains why he sees his family in him. Also, like I mentioned, plenty of harsh pluto, harsh mars-pluto giving lots of energy which if directed well, can contribute to good teamwork against outside forces and if not will lead to petty yet emotionally volatile arguments and controlling behaviour.

I put the ascendant opposition aspect there even though it’s out of orb because kishi went out of his way to make them opposites in the way they present/carry themselves and their aesthetic so this aspect would probably exist.

Sasuke-Naruto composite:

There are two extremely important personal planets missing here (jupiter and mercury) so the picture isn’t complete but based on what we have, we can tell quite a bit of the story.

Venus conjunct sun is a very good aspect which means the relationship makes the people involved in it feel good, have fun, ... Sun trine moon and venus trine moon are also great aspects to have so that’s nice. Mars trine saturn could make them more organized and better at acting together in a systematic way. Neptune trine mars could mean that they understand each other’s actions and drive (in a physical/tangible sense, not necessarily the reasons behind them) intuitively.

Sun square mars is similar to my previous point, lots of energy which will at best lead to working effectively together against outside forces and at worst will lead to violence, unhealthy rivalry/arguments and constant irritation. 

Mars-neptune, not seeing the nature of the relationship properly, delusion, illusion, escapism, an unwillingness to see the relationship for what it is, ... neptune-saturn and lack of proper boundaries. 

Ascendant in aries and the rival look, sun in virgo (coworkers, a work relationship), composite sun in the 5th, a fun, dramatic and creative relationship, composite moon in the first, projecting feelings about the relationship all over the place, it just can’t be hidden and the outside world sees you as emotionally tied together, perhaps more so than you actually are unless there are other strong moon aspects to personal planets, ...

One thing that is oddly not here is major pluto aspects, however, if lack of aspects to a planet in a composite chart is similar to a natal chart then it could make that planet’s themes more prominent because the energy has no proper outlet so it pops up everywhere.

Thank you for your time, any input is appreciated :))

[callistolivia]

Venus in the Signs

In the birthchart, we look to Venus to understand an individual's values, how they express and receive pleasure in the world, and their perceptions on love. Venus is also a strong indicator to how an individual may act in close relationships.

Venus in Aries  This is the detrimental placement for Venus and perhaps it’s because Aries symbolizes the newborn of the zodiac; innocent, pure, unlearned of everything. The Venusian experiences are new experiences for Aries and they’re appreciated by Aries folk as such. Values and love are two of the strongest themes in terms of Venusian experiences. Here we see tremendous capacity for self-love in terms of values, but the latter of loving others can suffer at times. In love, Aries can be impulsive, assertive, and selfish. Aries needs to take the time to learn and appreciate love slower and be more considerate of others. Will likely break more hearts in their life than have their heart broken. Even a heartbroken Aries is too resilient to be truly heartbroken. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm for new relationships is strong. Venus here expresses affection energetically with enthusiasm, direction, and impulse. Aries are fearless; oblivious to rejection and consequences. They are always willing to dive headfirst into what they desire and always open to exploring new experiences. They value rawness, truth, and trust. 

Venus in Taurus   Venus is at home in Taurus. The themes of values and love are lived out in the most Venusian ways possible. Taurus expresses love very sensually. They need to be able to express their love through physical means such as touch and gift giving. They strongly value the senses (taste, touch, smell, etc.) and material things. Taurus can easily fall into being excessive with these things; excessive desire for rich foods, pleasure, and luxuries. They may be stiff like a military sergeant and inhibit emotional expression if they lack attention/physical touch, but are very easily buttered up if they are babied (the Sun and Moon should be checked as well for these circumstances). Taurus can be very possessive over their loved ones and material things, may need to learn to be less restrictive and generosity. Loyal in both friendships and relationships, but can also be extremely jealous. This is also a very good placement for artists, Taurus in Venus sees the world colourfully and has a way of painting it themselves too.

Venus in Gemini  Here Venus understands the game and loves to play with the themes it represents. Feelings of love or intense euphoria is accompanied with sensitive nerves and excitement. Gemini individuals consciously ponder love on an objective level; they sufficiently understand the need for love, the pleasure it brings, and the beauty in life, but tends to not feel too deeply as say, a sappy Cancer, which may make their pursuits come across as shallow. They love with their mind and less of the heart. Nevertheless, they are very good at communicating and demonstrating love, romance, and art; they can be fantastic writers (especially if their Mercury also falls in Gemini) and poets. Individuals with Venus in Gemini tend to fall in love with their best friend, as their best friend is likely someone to keep them consistently interested. Geminis get bored very easily in relationships because of their constant need of mental stimulation, communication, and change. They’re very self-aware; they focus on the values within others and reflect their own views and values. Venus here is clever, curious, light, and playful. 

Venus in Cancer  Here Venus feels love profoundly. Cancer can see love for what it is and protects its fundamentals. Overthinks how to “feel” in terms of love, as a result, can be overemotional. They’re also quite receptive; very easily moved by love and art, especially when these two themes are coupled with fate or tragedy. Could easily be considered a pessimist, but Venus here has a great focus on making life enjoyable. Venus in Cancer can be quite past oriented; often individuals have past life knowledge (consciously or subconsciously) carried over into their current life and it plays strongly into a fear of loss. This results in being very protective of their values and things of the past; past ponderings of relationships, family (especially if Venus is in or aspecting the fourth house), valuing time, and creating sentiment in this life. They love portrait photography, family recipes, secrets, and heirlooms. Values evoked memory. Very concerned with what their soul needs and can anticipate pain (strong gut feeling as well); may make them wiser in terms of who they choose to have relationships with, however inhibiting if there are other issues within the individual’s character (irrational fear or confabulated expectation). Cancers are very protective and nurturing to what they love. 

Venus in Leo  Here Venus becomes dizzying, passionate, colourful, and playful. Unlike Aries who cannot anticipate rejection, Venus in Leo has a sense of humility and understanding for rejection, however there can be that same level of naivety that the fire signs possess. An underdeveloped individual may not fully possess humility and react extremely poorly to rejection, however. Leos are known for their inability to get off their high horse, afterall. May rush into relationships for that sweet honeymoon phase and promise of pleasure, though has the will to wait for loved ones who make them. There is a great understanding for the taxing toll of heartbreak, but it humbles a Leo and makes them stronger empaths to others. Venus in Leo has a very open and generous heart to people beneath them, but will not sacrifice themself. Expresses love affectionately, proudly, and rip-roaringly. They love being the centre of attention. Values nobility, recognition, strength, and loyalty. They generally have higher standards for themselves and others, this is coupled with their sense of dignity; and this is especially true if Venus aspects to Saturn or Jupiter. Leos pride themselves on their creativity; they’re naturally very generative and talented artists.

Venus in Virgo  This is considered the fallen placement for Venus. Here Venus’ desire for love is refined. Individuals with this placement have set ideals in terms of what their desires are. Values represent supplement and purpose. They value time just as Venus in Cancer does, but more concerned with what is to happen next rather than the past, and they’re very good with what they make of their time. Not much of a daydreamer because of this. Values are always first before love; this may inhibit romantic opportunities as what they see realistic, necessary, or practical may actually be petty. This placement also lacks the warmness other signs have; the individual may need to learn to be more expressive in their affections. Often expresses affection through serving others and indirect “I love you”s. They actually enjoy making other people’s lives easier by picking up on forgotten details in plans and refining pieces of work (such as art, literature, cooking, etc.). They know where finishing touches go. Mastered sense of humility. Disappointments in love can make these individuals very cold and resentful of love. Venus here is pure, clean, cold-pressed, practical, and self-disciplined. 

Venus in Libra  This is Venus’ other ruled placement and is uniquely different from Taurus as it is a more evolved sign of the zodiac. Venus here is less possessive and more passive (in receiving and letting go of love energies) than Taurus. Libra accepts and values the world’s complexity and duality. This makes it very easy for Libra to experience love at its fullest potential. However, Libras have a deep dislike for pain and are hurt easily by rejection (luckily won’t hold a grudge like a Virgo or Scorpio!). Libra understands deeply that love and harmony are necessity. Loves beauty, romance, and has a deep appreciation for the arts. Blessed with a very artistic and aesthetic mind. May be very dependent in relationships; there is a tremendous amount of focus on their partner’s needs and values. Venus here has a great skill for relatability, but mirrored interests may make individuals with this placement seem fake or unoriginal at times. Very expressive in terms of romance, but not as touchy as Taurus; Libra is more likely to use charisma and beauty to wow. Always makes time for pleasure and has a tendency for over-indulgence (especially true when accompanied by other Libra placements). Venus here is sweet, artistic, accepting, and harmonious. 

Venus in Scorpio  This is Venus’ other detrimental placement (Aries being the other). Unlike Aries, the naivety and unknowing is dissolved and turned into a mature, knowing, and hungry heart. Values the mysteries they know, but tremendous amount of emotional and spiritual uncertainty. Scorpios greatly value intimacy and believe it should be deeply unrestricted in terms of love. They perceive that their partner should be totally fused to them to fulfill Scorpio’s need for soul connection. However, this excessive and hungry need can make individuals with this placement selfish, possessive, and consumed by desire. Once Scorpio can learn to control their desires, soul intimacy and committed relationships can be very transformative and healing. Scorpios express affection with edginess and passion. Scorpio values things that evoke thought and feelings of mystique. They value trust, though it is difficult to earn their trust. Scorpios are the type to hold a grudge as well. They value rawness, truth, vulnerability, and getting to the core of concepts.

Venus in Sagittarius  Here Venus becomes an explorer filled with wanderlust. Sagittarius values and adopts new found beauty, art, knowledge, and culture. Seeks out truth and value; “what is value?” A Sagittarius surrounds themself in tantalizing vision boards and works of art. Values thought manifestation. Here Venus views love philosophically, yet lightly; it cannot be held down or contained, it moves and flows, it is hidden and found. Individuals with this placement can be rather unrealistic in terms of love at times. Either they become flighty if their partner tries to tie them down or their partner has a difficult time keeping up with the over-optimistic, careless, and fantasized perception of love. Values honesty and open-mindedness the most in relationships. Expresses affection through generosity and sharing their beliefs and philosophies. Venus is actually quite comfortable in the fiery sign, Sagittarius, and can be quite beneficial to individuals whose life goals are very oriented with philosophy, art in correlation to religion or philosophy, theology, and travel because of the level of enthusiasm Sagittarius has. However, some Sagittarius can be misguided, overindulgent, and risky (with finances). 

Venus in Capricorn  Here Venus is content with their views on love and life, whether those views are tranquil or rather cynical. It is as if love cannot hurt them or surprise them anymore at this phase in the zodiac. That may be melancholic, but Capricorns know how to steamroll through life even in the roughest of times. They can be playfully cynical about these feelings too; they love satire. They value what they can predict or depend on; not huge risk takers, especially in love. They are very cautious with who they wish to have romantic intentions with and relationships tend to blossom very slowly. Venus here has a lot of self-control over their desires; it may inhibit closeness in relationships with those who need lots of emotional and romantic attention to feel confident in the relationship. They dislike people who may damage their reputation and they favour those who may benefit. Capricorns don’t express deeper emotions until they have complete certainty. Expresses affection through seriousness and chivalry. They have lots of soul experience and advice to give to those beneath them. Venus here is committed, serious, and resilient. 

Venus in Aquarius  Though Venus loses some of the seriousness it has in the other Saturn ruled sign, it still retains a cold, impersonal, and detached approach to the themes of Venus. Venus here may have difficulty in expressing deeper emotions, however individuals with this placement work very well in groups, often have a lot of friends/acquaintances, and have a lot of unique ideas to share with the world. An Aquarian’s emotional world develops stronger when they are around lots of people. When Aquarius does express affection, there is no lack of flirtation and charisma. Aquarius work well in relationships with those who don’t take romance too seriously and don’t need too much TLC. Aquarius value new, innovative, and experimental ideas. The artistic type strongly expresses this in their work which is often unconventional, controversial, or thought evoking. Venus here can be quite imaginative; the individual’s aesthetic and romantic world is elaborate in their fantasies despite having a hard exterior that may shield others from being able to see into this world. An Aquarius may need to find the right outlet to broadcast their hidden eye for beauty they struggle to dig deep for. 

Venus in Pisces  Here is Venus’ exalted sign; the themes of Venus transcend here. Venus receives the universal rays of love. Individuals with this placement find spiritual enlightenment through the power of love, art, and beauty. Pisces is a natural empath and healer; they can heal others through compassionate love. Individuals with this placement are willing to sacrifice for what they love or value. Venus here is very vulnerable, sometimes too vulnerable; individuals with this placement may victimize themselves when desires are unfocused, unachievable, or unrealistic. Individuals who lack strength in character and have this placement may have misguided fantasties and should seek spiritual growth to avoid unnecessary suffering. Values peace, harmony, and feelings of religiousness. Values other’s minds and psychic connections. Natural poets and musicians. May be an escapist, but only to pursue godly love. In relationships, Pisces expresses affection with gentleness, sweetness, and an intentional sincerity to soothe. Venus here is selfless, ever-giving, empathetic, and sensitive. 

[tawakkull]

ISLAM 101: Spirituality in Islam: Part 55

Wijdan (Conscience)

Part 1

Literally meaning the essence of human existence and a person’s perception of themselves, wijdan (conscience) is a spiritual mechanism composed of the willpower, which chooses between good and evil, the spiritual intellect (fuad), which is the inner, most essential dimension of the heart, the inner power of perceptiveness (sensation or feeling), and consciousness. It is a mechanism through which a person perceives themselves, and feels or experiences and interprets existence and its relationship with God, providing for humans a window opening on belief, knowledge and love of God, and yearning for Him in proportion with the vitality of the above-mentioned four pillars. In this mechanism, which has various metaphysical depths, we can sense the voice of willpower, the discernments and observations of the spiritual intellect, the mind’s acquired knowledge, fed or filtered by consciousness, and the sensations of the power of perceptiveness and the gifts of Divine knowledge that flow into it.

The conscience is also a conscious observer and interpreter in the sense that being aware of the innate powerlessness, poverty, and neediness of humanity, it feels the necessity of applying to and relying on a power that can satisfy humans in respect of these basic shortcomings in them. Consequently, the conscience takes refuge in the Divine Being with belief, submission, and reliance, and turns to Him with knowledge and love of Him and yearning for Him. In addition to studying, reflecting on, analyzing, and synthesizing the messages of all things and events in the name of knowledge and knowledge of God, the conscience has such a subtle, transcending power of expression based on its own dynamics and pillars that those who can hear its voice and judgments do not need anything else to understand the meaning of the messages of existence.

In thus speaking, I in no way mean that there is no need for rational knowledge, or that scientific research, experimental knowledge, or information acquired as a result of centuries-old experiences are insignificant. On the contrary, I would like to emphasize that, in addition to the assessment and benefit that we can derive from conclusions reached through reason, the results of experiences, and the perceptions of the five external senses, each according to their own value, there is another source of knowledge, which is based on inner experiences and intuitions and which can be attained without any means. This source, which leads humans to true knowledge through personal inner experiences without needing any means to discover or establish the truth, is the conscience. Even though such knowledge may sometimes be regarded as subjective, it is as important for those who are open to life at the level of the heart and spirit as the kind of knowledge acquired through known means of learning. Therefore, there have always been many who accept the conscience as a source of knowledge. According to these people, since the conscience leads us directly to the truth itself, rather than presenting to us its map or diagram, it is more significant and reliable as a source of knowledge. Even though the observation and study of things and events and the process of analyzing and synthesizing them enable us to observe the truth from afar and approach it to a certain extent, it cannot provide exact knowledge of it in its true nature and identity. However, the conscience perceives the truth without any means, examines it, and draws a decisive conclusion about it. Those who approach things and events from outside cannot go farther than studying or having some knowledge of these things according to their limited horizon of knowledge, their scope of observation, and personal viewpoints. Therefore, their conclusions are only of a relative value. But the conscience comprehends these regarding what and how they are in their true identity and nature. It transcends matter, is saved from the confines of space, and can grasp the truth itself in proportion to its purity and profundity.

In some of his treatises, Bediüzzaman draws a somewhat different picture of conscience and attributes important functions to it. According to him, the conscience is a conscious, innate mechanism of the same kind as Divine laws of “nature.” Resembling the law of growth in seeds, the laws of creation in sperms or eggs, and the freezing and expansion of certain fluids, the conscience is a conscious law equipped with willpower which issues from the Divine Will, the spiritual intellect, consciousness, and the power of perceptiveness. It is an important tongue that sees, judges, and speaks correctly in proportion to the vitality of such pillars. Even though reason may err in its views, reflections, or judgments, the conscience always proclaims the existence of God in the language of its nature and pillars; it breathes with its vision of Him, contemplates and feels Him; and like a sunflower, driven by a sense of reliance and seeking help which is ingrained in it, it always fixes its eyes on Him. Its intuition always calls on it to remain wakeful; inspiration constantly illuminates its horizon; yearning, which can be regarded as accumulated knowledge of God, continuously indicates Him; and burning Divine love and the zeal to meet Him uninterruptedly invite it to the observation of the All-Known One with His Attributes, Names, and acts, whispering to it the fascinating aspects of life beyond carnality.

Now, let us take an overview of the spiritual intellect, willpower, and consciousness, and the power of perceptiveness, which are the pillars of conscience.

The Spiritual Intellect

Each of the pillars mentioned has an inner and outer dimension that relates to the Realm of the Transcendental Manifestation of Divine Commands and the Corporeal Realm, respectively. What we call “the bosom,” which is the outer, corporeal dimension of the spiritual intellect, is a covering of the inner depths of conscience and its aspects that relate to the Realm of the Transcendental Manifestation of Divine Attributes and Names. The bosom is like a picture of the meaning or spirituality of matter. The heart, which is within the bosom, is a house for the Transcendental Manifestation of Divinity, which receives the Divine gifts or radiations that emanate on different wavelengths; the spiritual intellect (fuad) is a polished mirror that has the potential to reflect the Divine Attributes and Names, and is a special observer of the Realm in which they are transcendently manifested in proportion to the degree of its expansion. The spiritual intellect is also where the light of belief and conviction manifests itself and where the moon of knowledge of God rises. It receives inspirations and transmits Divine gifts and radiance. Due to its position and mission, the spiritual intellect has a furnace-like depth in which it produces flames of love for God and yearning for His reunion. As for what is called “the secret,” with its incomprehensible dimensions, it is a telescope or a polished mirror that rests on the shoulder of the spiritual intellect, and which is directed toward the Realm of the Transcendental Manifestation of Divinity. The “secret” has always been regarded as a palace in the human heart for God to “visit.” So long as it remains purified, it can always entertain its “Guest.” In order for this visit to be continuous, the faculties of consciousness, perception, and receptiveness should be purified of all pollution of carnality. How beautiful the following couplet by Nabi is:

Purify your mirror of perception of whatever is other than Him; Be ashamed of any pollution, for the Monarch does not come to a dirty house. We read the same consideration in the following couplet by Ibrahim Haqqi of Erzurum, who emphasizes the importance of nighttime for such visits:

The heart is a house of God, purify it of whatever there is other than Him, So that the All-Merciful may descend into His palace at night! He invites his audience to remain awake at nights, because nights are more appropriate for turning toward the immaterial Realms of Divine manifestations.

Humans have more even subtle faculties than the heart and the secret. They are “the private,” and “the more private.” These faculties always turn toward a horizon, the identity of which is impossible to perceive, and are absorbed in their instances of turning; each is a ball of mysteries—a source of amazement and astonishment. Together with “the secret” and the spiritual intellect, these faculties are honored with special manifestations of God.

The spiritual intellect is like the pupil in the eye, the center of sight in the brain, the living room in a house, the core in a seed, the wick in a lamp, and the Ka’ba on the earth. Belief diffuses its light from the horizon of this faculty, and the fundamentals of journeying toward knowledge of God such as reverence, piety, love, resignation, certainty, reliance, composure or self-possession, wakefulness, fear, and expectation grow on its slopes. The spiritual intellect is such a mystery of Divine Oneness in His particular manifestations that its light shines in the hands of the willpower stretched toward Him, the comprehensions of the power of perceptiveness, and the position of consciousness before Him. When the spiritual intellect’s connection with God is severed, then its light is extinguished, and it loses its real identity. The spiritual intellect preserves its identity so long as it remains connected with Him through belief, conviction, righteous deeds, and knowledge of Him, with its light shining brightly; and it becomes a mechanism to observe His Essential Attributes, or it acts as an observer of them. The spiritual intellect is an element that distinguishes between our feelings, sensations, and impressions; it is a mine of knowledge of God and the spirit’s source of light and vitality. Due to its nature, we can regard the spiritual intellect to be unrestricted in space. It is the “touchstone” of our knowledge, the most vital depository of our perceptions, and so long as it is not paralyzed or killed through unbelief or other types of misguidance, it is the focus of attention of God Almighty, or the pavilion of His manifestations.

With the eyes of this faculty, which the Sufis call “insight,” people see everything just as it is, interpreting all they see correctly, and draw correct conclusions. Under its light, they rise to the horizon of spiritual discovery and observation, and penetrating beyond “the secret,” they begin to imagine the peaks of “the private” and “the more private.” But if this faculty—the spiritual intellect—is contaminated with sins and exposed to any kind of misguidance, including unbelief, then as declared in the Qur’anic verse, But what they themselves have earned has rusted upon their hearts (83: 14), all of its horizons are darkened, and it begins to perceive white as black and vice versa, and God seals it, as indicated in the verse, God has set a seal upon their hearts (2: 7). It becomes extremely difficult, even impossible, for it to recover its initial purity. While established belief and regular worship and doing righteous deeds are favored with endurance or steadfastness, sins, so long as they are not eliminated through repentance, penitence, and contrition, cause people to suffer swerves in the heart. Each sin is a door to unbelief.

Both the spiritual intellect and the Supreme Preserved Tablet are each a mirror to God, according to their own capacities. With its contents, the Supreme Preserved Tablet remains unchanged. But the spiritual intellect can always display changes of color, shape, and design under the influence of different failures. Therefore, those who are aware of this apply to the Divine Court many times a day, entreating, “Our Lord, do not let our hearts swerve after You have guided us!” (3: 8)

So long as it remains intact and is preserved from deviations, the spiritual intellect is an excellent student of Divine Attributes, a polished mirror of Divine favors, an important stimulant to knowledge and love of God and yearning for Him, as well as to feeling an attraction toward and being attracted by Him. With the eyes of this faculty, people can observe the realms beyond; with its ears, they can listen to mysterious sermons that are given without words or voices, and guide others to the holiest manifestations by means of it. They can do all these as long as they can preserve this faculty with its primordial purity and decorate it with belief, knowledge, and love of God. Let us put an end to the discussion of this faculty with the following couplet of Hanifi:

Come O Sufi, purify the inside of your heart to attain love, For one who desires the Guest should certainly decorate his palace. Willpower According to the Basic Principles of the Islamic Creed

Four ways of thought and belief have come into existence regarding the view of this human faculty:

Those who deny it and therefore consider humans to be devoid of any free will like inanimate objects that have no say in their actions. This way is known as fatalism, or absolute determinism (jabr mutlaq). Those who accept that, although humans have some degree of free will and power, their will and power play no part in their actions. Whenever they display an inclination to perform an action, God creates the power and capacity in them to do it. This is known as relative fatalism (jabr mutawassit). Those who attribute all human actions to human free will and power and claim that humans are the creators of their actions. According to them, God has delegated His creativity to humans themselves with respect to their actions. This way is called absolute delegation (tafwiz mutlaq). Those who reject both absolute fatalism and delegation and affirm that it is humans themselves who will and perform their actions, while it is God Who creates their actions. According to these people, doing and creating are different things, and humans are responsible for their actions as agents or doers. This is clear in the verse, In its favor is whatever (good) a soul earns, and against it whatever (evil) it merits (2: 286). This is the way of the Maturidis. Humans have both a certain degree of free will and power to execute their will. They show a tendency to do something and have a capacity to put it into action. Although God is, in principle, never obliged to give existence in the physical realm to whatever humans will or do, He creates the human deeds that are performed as a result of their tendency or free will. For humans are responsible for their will and deeds. If God did not create their will, actions or deeds, human responsibility would have been meaningless.

[goneseriesanalysis]

Sam Temple

Ok, so I’m going to start by working through my opinions on the different characters of the series before I delve into other topics such as representation and plot. Here are my opinions on your main man Sam (I’ve only re-read Gone so far and will be doing a new one for each of the books). 

Also I feel like this goes without saying, but just in case: Spoiler warning for Gone down below

Original Opinion: I thought Sam was a boring protagonist with little to no personality asides from surfing and being ‘in love’ with Astrid.

New Opinion: While I still think Sam is an underdeveloped protagonist, I enjoyed his character much more than I remember, and have more thoughts on him than I realised. 

1.) SAM’S APPEARENCE AND CHARACTER: We get some indication of who Sam is, and his role in the story, in the first chapter. He describes himself as sticking “to jeans and understated t-shirts, nothing that drew to much attention to himself.” While this description is reflective of Sam’s reluctance to become a leader later in the books, it kind of reminds me of every boring protagonist of every ya book/film/tv show ever. It’s a little cliché and as soon as I read this I groaned out loud and prepared myself for the most basic protagonist to ever grace the page. 

 We then get a little insight into his personality and his relationship with the citizens of Perdido Beach:

“everybody knew who he was, but few people were quite sure what he was.”

“He was a surfer who didn’t hang out with surfers. He was bright but not a brain. He was good-looking, but not so that girls thought of him as a hottie.”

We get the idea that Sam is the underdog. Nobody really knows him, but they all expect him to be there when something goes wrong. This is a really good indictor for his role in the rest of the story, but the description still gives us almost no insight into who Sam is as a person. The best word I can think of to describe his personality is ‘protagonist’ - he could have been so much more if he had been given just a little bit more development. 

The next paragraph explains the school bus incident, where we again get absolutely no information on his personality. It’s almost as if Michael forgot that the hero had to be an actual person too. We get told that Sam has one heroic moment and then goes back to being his normal self, but what is his normal self?? I still have no idea. 

We get some more description of Sam when Caine is introduced in Chapter 14 “He had dark hair and dark eyes, not much different from Sam himself” - and this is reiterated by Astrid in Chapter 38 “Astrid was struck by how alike the two boys looked superficially.”                                                                                     “Where Caine hid his arrogance and cruelty behind a smooth, controlled surface, Sam let his emotions play out on his face.” But even here we still get very little idea as to what he actually does look like, a weak point I have noticed in Michael’s writing is his vague descriptions. I do really like Astrid’s comment on how they display their respective emotions. Sam’s strength in morality, his lack of deception, is also a weak point in his leadership - he is too easy to read and therefore manipulate (this isn’t really shown in this book but I remember this becoming apparent with the town council). Caine’s weakness in morality saves him from this weakness but leaves him open to betrayal and mistrust (and rightfully so). 

2.) SAM’S HOME: We next get to see Sam’s house in Chapter 3, which is described as being a “small squashed-looking one-story house with a tiny, fenced backyard and no real front yard.” From this description, and other information throughout the book, we get the idea that Sam and his mother are relatively poor. However, I would prefer to have been shown this instead of being told. Sam’s monetary situation never seems to affect his decisions and opinions which is a little disappointing as, from someone who has grown up poor, I know that it is something that really does affect your whole worldview. The only indicator we get that this situation has affected Sam in any way, is his comment on how wasteful the kids are being with food during the first night at the plaza - but he never actually acts on this - that job falls to Caine and later Albert.

It would have been interesting to explore how Sam could have reacted to Caine’s wealthy upbringing as opposed to his own. Them both being jealous of each other’s lives for different reasons (Caine for his lack of parental love, Sam for his lack of financial security) would have added depth to their relationship as well as Sam’s character. I’m also interested to see how Sam reacts to Albert basically reinstating capitalism in later books. As I remember, he was never overly opposed to it, but it will be interesting to see if his reaction is a direct result of his childhood.

3.) SAM’S FEAR OF THE DARK: This is plot point that is introduced to establish Sam’s powers, and it doesn’t have any other relevance in the story. This is disappointing as, with the final villain being nicknamed “the darkness” it could have been a really poetic and fitting ending for Sam to conquer both his innate fear and the villain at the same time. However as I remember it (possible spoilers for fear and light), Sam has very little to do with Gaia - Gaia mostly interacting with Diana, Caine, Drake and Lana. His ability to produce light in order to counter act this fear is a really nice inclusion though, and reflects how Sam’s leadership is a safety net to those living in the FAYZ. 

4.) SAM MOTIVATIONS: We first get an idea of what it is that motivates Sam when he talks about attacking Tom in Chapter 13, “I thought he was trying to hurt my mom.” Sam’s powers are triggered by fear, his first instinct is to protect those that he loves, and he will resort to violence if it is necessary. This idea is shown again when Sam steps in to protect Bette. His first instinct is to de-escalate the situation (and, interestingly, he looks to Howard to help him with this), but, when that fails, he resorts to violence. I really like this inclusion as it gives insight into Sam’s basic motivations and also explains how he was so quickly willing to murder Drake after Drake went after Astrid. Sam’s attack on Tom is heavily reflective of Sam’s relationship with Drake in the first book - Sam burning Tom’s hand foreshadows him burning Drake’s arm. 

One thing that bothers me with this scene, however, is that Sam shows little to no emotion when talking about his stepfather - and this is never expanded on. It seems out of character for Sam, one of the kindest characters in the book, to feel almost nothing towards his stepfather, and with no explanation as to why this might be. We get no indication of their relationship prior to the incident, which would have been a good chance to further develop Sam. 

Later in the book, when Tom is brought up again Sam says that he felt a rush “I thought, oh, my God, look at the power I have.” - And this again is never expanded on. Sam’s main fault is his unwillingness to shoulder the responsibility of being a leader, and he never really experiences a corruption of power in the way that this line hints. I think Michael may have just added this is to highlight the differences between Sam and Caine, but it feels out of character, especially seen as it is never brought up again (at least in this book, I can’t remember if this is featured later on in the series) 

5.) SAM’S POWERS: I mentioned before how Sam’s powers are first introduced to us through the flashback to Tom and his fear of the dark. But the first time we actively see him use them in the book is during The Fire and later at the powerplant. During both of these situations, Sam is unable to fully control his power and can only summon them through fear. His core motivation is to protect rather than attack. I also find it interesting that Sam is technically the first person to kill someone in the FAYZ, but I don't really have anything else to say about it :/

The first time we see Sam voluntarily use his powers in in Chapter 28, when Astrid manipulates him into using his anger instead of his fear. I find this interesting, because, despite the change in emotion, Sam’s motivation largely remains the same. The use of his power here comes from his anger at Drake having hurt Astrid, his anger that he wasn’t there to protect her. 

This then changes in chapter 33, when Sam seems to gain full control over his powers. This time, when he summons his anger he focuses on his mother. I have a few issues with this. Firstly, Sam gaining control of his powers seems rushed for plot convenience, especially when you compare him to Caine, who was more willing to use his powers and yet took months to master them?? Is this a hint that, if Sam were willing to go as far as Caine, he would be the more powerful one - or is it just lazy writing?? It seems that Sam and his powers were pushed aside for other storylines, which is troubling considering he is the main character. The other thing that bothers me about this scene is that Sam’s anger at his mother is not further developed (are you noticing a theme??) It would have been nice if this had come up again properly in the poof scene.

The poof scene would have been an excellent scene to develop Sam’s character, instead, for me, it fell flat. We don’t get much perception into Sam’s thoughts other than that his first instinct is to reach out to his mother, but this provides us with very little indication about who he is as we know that this has also been every other child’s first instinct. Him being the first one to refuse is indicative of his strength and hints that the anger he felt at his mother was more than a fleeting emotion, but it would have been nice to go into more depth on his feelings about his mother and Caine. A strong, emotionally charged verbal stand-off where Sam and Caine both vent their feelings towards their mother/the gaiphage would have been an excellent ending to the big fight - as Sam’s true strength is his compassion as opposed to his use of his powers. This could have also had a fantastic payoff in later books, where Gaia could have used this moment against the boys. 

6.) WHAT MAKES SAM A HERO:  I’ve already mentioned that Sam’s main strength is his kindness and compassion, which is nice to see - especially in a male protagonist (whether this continues in later books I can’t remember). His adversity to becoming the leader is his biggest weakness, as it often prevents him from doing the right thing in time sensitive situations. I found that this line from chapter 11 nicely sums this idea up “In a closet off the main room he found a grey-green military shirt, many sizes too large.” - possibly referring the idea that Sam is not ready to become the leader/ hero just yet. His hesitance, his insecurities, making him unfit to lead as of yet. Also nicely reminds you how he is just a child.

Then, there are multiple moments throughout the book where Sam is just shown to be the sweetest person and these are my two favourites:

“I’m not supposed to cross the street. // It’s ok. I’ll watch while you do, ok?” - Chapter 5

“Astrid, tell me if this is crazy: I’m thinking if there are any leftovers, we could send them up to Coates.” - Final

The reason people follow him is because in a world where he could be anything, where the old rules just don’t apply anymore, he still chooses to be kind and honestly I love him for it. His line  “It is our world. So let’s make it a good one” contrasts Diana’s line “We didn’t make this world, we’re just the poor fools who are living in it.” And really just highlights how good he is. He deserves so much more credit than he gets from the ungrateful cretins whose lives he saves on a daily basis. I just wish Michael had developed him further past being the protagonist. 

Another fantastic Sam moment is the bit where he escapes from the collapsed apartment building. If you are ever re-reading the series and wondering why Sam is the protagonist, please just read this moment again and tell me you don’t get chills

“Diana tripped backwards from the blow and sat down hard on the stone steps.

Caine could see her face with a sudden, terrible clarity by the glow of a brilliant column of blinding, green-white light.

That light could only have one source.

He lights was light a spear aimed at the sky. It arced upwards from the midst of the rubble of the apartment building.

‘No,’ Caine said.” Chapter 45

7.) OTHER:

These are just a couple of things I noticed, but can’t really make an infirmed point about

Is Sam’s light being green a reference to the gaiphage, or just a random addition??

I noticed that the first few freaks we learn about other than Sam just have a variation of his power. Is this lazy writing or does it have some significance that I missed??

So there are my opinions on Sam from the first book. I’m sorry that this was so long but I have just so many thoughts. I think I’m going to do separate posts for Astrid, Caine, Diana and Drake and then I’ll pair up the others before moving onto relationships, representation and my likes/ dislikes. 

Thank you so much if you read this, and please feel free to give me your own opinions and interpretations :) 

[beautybranding22]

Eighty One Beauty Branding Design

But greater than that, it revealed emerging beauty branding which are threatening the incumbents. Google has so nicely established its model identification, that its very name has become a verb meaning “to search.” Though its options have advanced and expanded, its focus has remained primarily unchanged. It organizes international info and had made it accessible and helpful to everyone.

If you select to manufacture at house, you’ll clearly have to ensure your workspace is completely sterile. While the zits vanished, some mild scarring remained, so I investigated more natural fixes and eventually landed on tamanu oil. Also boasting antibacterial and hydrating properties, this oil has been utilized by girls in Polynesia for generations to help not just with zits, but additionally scars.

The more you build a rapport with customers, the extra they trust you, and the more they’ll look to you when they’re able to spend. This focus on diversity has continued for the explanation that launch in a way that feels natural and unforced. Rather than adding a mannequin of colour to their materials after years of using white fashions, they began off using models of all skin tones and by no means stopped. Their website at all times features a number of fashions to get throughout that their products are made for, and look good on, everyone.

The company likes to put memes on Twitter and bounce onto social developments. Since their target demographic is younger, this media performs well with their customers. And not being afraid to jump on a pop-culture moment gives Fenty a noncorporate feel; at times, their Shorty Award-nominated social presence is extra like a friend’s account than a brand’s. Rather than coming off as unprofessional, this video is a really deliberate choice.

Jasmine Garnsworthy is a freelance author with over eight years of experience. She's additionally the founder of fresh skincare brand, The Buff. You can see what your product will seem like with your personal artwork. I received my products, I tried them AND I nonetheless love them. I can't say sufficient nice things about ONOXA, significantly.

Without a model identity, you can’t transfer ahead along with your beauty packaging brand. Each of the three B’s builds off the other—and all three are should have’s if you'll like your cosmetics brand to thrive. Fenty, owned by Rihanna, launched simply 4 years ago with an entirely digital campaign that centered heavily on Instagram and influencer content material.

So, if you’re creating a skincare line for males, perhaps your differentiator is that your products are easy to make use of and don’t have harsh scents, whereas your mission is to make skincare more accessible to males. Or, if your company is on a mission to provide again, your differentiator is the way you make that happen. So your model identity is the collateral you utilize for branding, which is how you create your brand. Now that we’ve established that, we can start to lay the groundwork for a robust beauty model.

There’s no question that content advertising is one of the finest ways to engage your current customers and attract new ones. The rule of thumb with content marketing is to submit 4 pieces of content material that are purely entertaining or info for every one direct name to motion. This ratio ensures that prospects feel valued always. Nobody follows an organization on social media hoping to be bombarded with an endless string of sales pitches.

This good positioning helped Fenty’s sales skyrocket. After Fenty launched, their deep shades offered out across the country, and shoppers took to social media to share their pleasure at discovering foundations that matched their skin tone. We don’t just promote beauty, we sell goals, happiness, hopes, confidence or happy-go-lucky spirits. It’s a distillation of what your audience aspires to be. The colors, typeface, voice, product, packaging, and imagery must convey that aspiration and show them how to get there.

But don’t just quietly add in a product or service—celebrate the folks you are serving, and make them really feel welcomed by your brand. Consumers are looking to buy from brands whose values align with their own, now more than ever before, but few shoppers are going out of their way to learn model manifestos. The greatest approach to get your core model values throughout is to market them, and that’s precisely what Fenty has done since their 2017 launch. But while Fenty is priced as a luxury brand, they nonetheless aren’t as costly as lots of the different manufacturers selling a giant quantity of shades.

A large seventy p.c of Glossier’s on-line sales come from peer referrals. They anticipate a seamless transition between net and device-native purposes through colour, circulate, and overall quality. Unattractive and attractive packaging result in less exercise in areas of the mind answerable for reflective thought than impartial packaging. Glossieris an excellent instance of a brand that’s taken buyer input and turned it into a aggressive benefit. Design considering feels like it’s meant solely for creative thinkers, but anyone can take advantage of its straightforward process. Rich in natural Vitamin C to encourage your skin to provide natural Collagen.

For example, if you’re launching an all-natural line of products, you would possibly want to incorporate green, which individuals affiliate with nature. If you’re launching a line of prestige merchandise, you would possibly work purple into your shade palette, which is often associated with luxurious or royalty. Think of the mission assertion as the “why” behind your small business. For instance, possibly you’re decided to boost the standard for eco-conscious manufacturing and packaging within the cosmetics trade with your line of all-natural products. Funkhaus is a digital inventive company working at the intersection of design, content, programming, and technique.

The very first thing that the majority girls need when they go looking for beauty merchandise is a sense of magnificence and allure. They purchase make-up, perfume, and other beauty objects as a outcome of they want to be ok with the method in which they look. In some instances, they could even be involved about issues like natural elements, or playfulness and enjoyable. You need any influencer partnerships to push your brand forward—and a lot of that has to do with schooling.

With a mix of name strategy, visible identification, inventive and artwork path, we concentrate on holistic design solutions for magnificence that pinpoint the emotional narrative and craft compelling visible varieties. I’m forty two so I know my customers will recognize every product from Onoxa that I plan to launch March 1st! I had many companies to select from to start my skincare line however I’m so glad that I selected Onoxa to associate with. The Perfect 10 Oil Cleanser it removes makeup without leaving pores and skin dry and without moisture. Love the customer service shown by the Florida team and love that I’m able to create my own label.

A consulting retainer allows us to precisely pick up the place you and your team have left off. These are only a few concepts that may allow you to benefit from your content marketing. Beauty merchandise are massive enterprise, however you possibly can afford to be playful and private along with your advertising. 3) Create a detailed buyer personal that can assist you formulate a advertising technique. Marketing a beauty company requires some cautious planning and ingenuity.

Though they usually have smaller follower counts, their audiences are more hyper-focused and focused. Your branding is how you shape and bring your model to life. Your brand is the perception of your company that exists on the earth. If shoppers are buying based on their morals, make certain they know what your brand values are. Don’t cover them on a webpage no one visits; use them to underscore your advertising, your website copy, and everything else that comes from your model, implicitly and explicitly. On their other social platforms, Fenty speaks the language of their customers.

Once, the services or products that a company produced was the sole focus of consideration when it got here to competitors for finest model identity. But on this age of digital branding, it is shopper expertise that’s the primary battleground for winning buyer loyalty. MSLK, a design company for beauty manufacturers, understands the significance of a brand’s picture and its capability to build consumer loyalty and achieve business recognition. Our agency has experience in working with every aspect of the sweetness business from preliminary product growth, to strategic branding, to distribution, to retail and sales.

Your brand is the notion of your organization out there on the planet. In order to succeed, you want to break through the litter, grab your best customer’s consideration and present them why your product is the one they want. Connect with them on Dribbble; the global group for designers and inventive professionals.

The brand leverages social media influencers to build engagement. It has shifted extra of its media spending to online channels lately. L’Oréal has had nice success on Twitter with its #POWERON marketing campaign, an omnichannel women’s empowerment marketing campaign.

A model must create a well-defined path to shoppers with a relationship-building function. It's impossible to construct a successful brand that serves everybody. However, it’s in the most effective interest of each business to increase their brand’s attraction as far as potential to maximize revenue. Not only are they gaining valuable press for a product that hasn’t been introduced yet, but they’re also letting customers feel like a half of the method while having enjoyable at the identical time. An simply acknowledged magnificence brand benefits from exposure alone.

We’ll never budge on that,” they defined to me over the phone. To function legally, you will need to register your small business and secure enterprise insurance. Wright recommends finding an account and a lawyer early on to assist you navigate these items (there’s only so much accurate info obtainable on the internet, folks). If you’re on a finances proper now, reasonably priced platforms like LegalZoom also make it simpler to set every little thing up on-line in just a matter of minutes.

MSLK works with magnificence brands of all styles and sizes. Over the previous 20 years we've helped manufacturers grow from the bottom up, launch line extensions, rediscover their voice in a crowded market, and create totally new product categories. 3) Offer a free giveaway of a new product on your social media accounts. You can create a fun video or infographic and get people to share it in return for an entry in the contest. A magnificence firm emblem should attraction to a woman’s sense of shallowness. You should use it in all your branded material, including your website.

[basthestrange]

RABASTAN LESTRANGE. 22. BISEXUAL. ORDER OF THE PHOENIX. DIPLOMAT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF WIZARDS.

( pinterest )

THE BASICS

Name: Rabastan Lestrange Gender/Gender Identity: Male Sexuality: Bisexual Age & Birthday: 22, July 28th Astrology Sign:

LEO SUN – Creative, passionate, generous, warm-hearted, cheerful, humorous.

PISCES RISING – Kind, receptive, and sometimes lost-looking. The persona can seem diffuse and changeable. Can often morph into a new mask to match the company. Thrives with supportive friends that help make sense of all that's swirling within his mind and heart.

GEMINI MOON – Easily engaged in new things, seeks stimulation and may become easily bored. The need for variety means he is better when doing several things at once, but sometimes he stretches himself too thin. With the Moon in Gemini, one may find themselves involved with lots of different people, flitting from group to group, situation to situation, in order to exchange information and ideas. Information is the foundation of his emotional wellbeing. He often feels his best when actively engaged in learning something new.

FIRST LAYER

House: Hufflepuff

Upon first hearing "Hufflepuff” leave the Sorting Hat’s mouth, Rabastan felt short of breath. Naturally, it seemed like a blow to be the only Lestrange placed outside of Slytherin. Within his first week, though, Bas knew that no mistake had been made. He found a second family within his house at Hogwarts – one that some members of his real family surely looked down upon – and has always believed his placement in Hufflepuff left him some gracious room to grow into being his own person away from the watchful eyes of his family.  

Occupation: Diplomat for the International Confederation of Wizards

Rabastan is genuinely passionate about his work, and every day he feels overwhelmingly grateful for having found a career that suits his interests so perfectly. Bas loves nothing more than stimulating conversation with coworkers or strangers; perhaps it comes from the constant schmoozing he grew up around in the pureblood society. His work allows him to be constantly on the move – thankfully, because Rabastan has always struggled with sitting still (figuratively and literally). When Bas is given a task he dives in head first and works with vigor, which keeps him in high regard among his coworkers.

Loyalty: The Order of the Phoenix

When Rabastan first began his dance of playing double agent, he felt continuously torn. His moral code is much more in tact than most of his family’s, to put it gently, and he could never quite justify the actions of the Death Eaters to himself. Many sleepless nights followed his decision to join the Order – what would he ever do if Rodolphus found out? Despite their obvious differences that became apparent even in childhood, Bas idolized his older brother. Worst case scenario, he knew he would still have the support of his cousins – and, of course, the friends he holds dear – but he struggles even still to drop the “blood is thicker than water” mindset he’s grown up with. He didn’t fully believe he made the right choice in aligning himself with the Order until the incident happened. The betrayal of his brother is something that tortures him every day, but as things continue to escalate he can’t help but fear what may happen to Rodolphus. The war weighs even heavier on his mind and heart than it does for most, because he isn’t just choosing The Order over the Death Eaters – he’s choosing them over his own family.

Wand:

Cedar Wood: “Whenever I meet one who carries a cedar wand, I find strength of character and unusual loyalty. My father, Gervaise Ollivander, used always to say, ‘you will never fool the cedar carrier,’ and I agree: the cedar wand finds its perfect home where there is perspicacity and perception. I would go further than my father, however, in saying that I have never yet met the owner of a cedar wand whom I would care to cross, especially if harm is done to those of whom they are fond. The witch or wizard who is well-matched with cedar carries the potential to be a frightening adversary, which often comes as a shock to those who have thoughtlessly challenged them.”> Dragon Heartstring Core: “As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner.The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.”> Length & Flexibility: 12 inches, slightly springy.

Boggart:

Rabastan’s boggart has changed many times, but has always centered around one main fear: betrayal. Whether it’s him needing to betray a friend, a family member, or vice versa. In recent years his boggart always takes the form of himself losing control on a full moon, his claws bloodied with the bodies of innocent people – sometimes even that of his own friends or family.

Patronus: Marsh Harrier

Those with the Marsh Harrier patronus are quick thinking and smart.> Those with the Marsh Harrier patronus are very thoughtful. Those with this patronus are reflective and often have profound ideas. However, those with the Marsh Harrier do not have their heads in the clouds. Those with this patronus are very level headed.> Those with the Marsh Harrier patronus often have an individualistic or creative side.> If the Marsh Harrier is your patronus, you are friendly and warm. People feel welcome in your presence.

Amortentia:

Fresh parchment, winter air right after a fallen snow, vanilla chai tea, a warn flannel

SECOND LAYER

Defining Moments:

Rabastan’s interests change too quickly for most to follow. One week he could spend hours pouring over books about ancient muggle architecture, then the next week he’ll have a full stack of books from the library about something completely unrelated. His general interests range far and wide, and he immerses himself fully in his hobbies– even if they don’t tend to last long.

Before the war, it was difficult to detect any sort of temper in Rabastan. While he has always had a tolerance for injustice and has never hesitated to speak his mind, he was much calmer when all he had to worry about was his work. With the war progressing, the incident with his brother, and his constant workload, Bas is beginning to harbor pent up aggression stronger than he knew he was capable of. It comes out in little ways-- a door being slammed slightly too hard, a glass slammed down onto the table, a snappy response to a friend. The rage building inside of Bas scares him, but the constant necessity to be on alert is getting to him.

One thing most people love most about Bas is his ability to turn any negative situation into a positive one. Whether it be getting caught in the rain, missing a train, or having a falling out with a friend, he always has a joke in mind to cheer people up. The stress of his situation is beginning to wear on him, though, and those close to him are beginning to notice. His jokes are still present, though often half-hearted; his dazzling smile is sometimes more of a stressed grimace. Rabastan is trying his hardest to remain positive in the face of adversity, just as he’s done his entire life– but he fears he’s nearing his breaking poNelliint.

“Fiercely loyal” isn’t even a strong enough description for Rabastan. When it comes to people, he acts a bit similar to how he behaves with his hobbies and interests-- once he’s in, he’s all in. Unlike his hobbies, though, he never drops people. His family, friends, and position as an auror are the things he values more than anything else. Those he truly loves he will protect with his life, no matter what the situation. This is why Rodolphus’ betrayal is affecting him so heavily, even if deep down he knew it would come sooner or later.

Personality Traits:

SCRUPULOUS + Bas is extremely dedicated to his work, both in regards to his Career and when it comes to his involvement in the war. Whatever he does, he makes sure to do it to the best of his ability with little to no complaint. Not only that, but he will always lend a helping hand to friends or coworkers in need. - Sometimes his willingness to help and succeed leads him to overextend himself. He often throws himself into more work than he can handle or offers to help a friend when he truly doesn’t have time. Although he’d never admit it to himself, it isn’t all for the benefit of his career or those he’s helping – it also helps him avoid dealing with his own problems and stress.

JOVIAL + He always has a smile on his face or a joke to tell, no matter the situation. Those close to him often compare him to a puppy or a kid in a candy shop. Bas truly has the biggest heart with so much love to give. - Sometimes he has issues identifying the line of when to lighten the mood and when to be truly serious. Bas tends to cope with his own issues through humor, often brushing things off as less serious than they were.

FAMILIAL + Rabastan has always had strong ties with his family, and these healthy relationships have lead him on to many strong relationships with friends as well. He’s had an intense sense of loyalty instilled in him since he was a child which has helped him in his adult life thus far. - Even when his relationships become toxic, Bas has trouble leaving them. Since some of his best friends are his family, he’s learned to stick with them through thick and thin – even when it isn’t in his own best interest. The same thing happens to him with friendships and romantic relationships; he gives too much of himself.

THIRD LAYER

(Quick disclaimer: I can adjust any of the below if the muns of the taken characters don’t agree with it! Just going off the bio info)

What is their biggest regret?

Although it certainly wasn’t his fault, the knowledge that Bellatrix’s blood is on Rabastan’s hands haunts him more than anything else. Nearly every night before bed, he goes to sleep playing that night over and over in his head. You knew it was a full moon, you could have been more careful. But you trusted him, it wasn’t you fault. He’s gone through this circle of dialogue with himself more times than he can count on both hands. Bas has always been big on taking responsibility for his own actions. No matter how many times Nellie and Evan tell him that he’s not the bad guy, he worries he’ll never be able to consider himself the good guy ever again.

Who was your character’s childhood best friend?

Rabastan grew up nearly attached to the hip of his cousins. Aside from his brother, Evan and Nellie are the best friends he could have asked for. Their support means everything to him, especially recently. Throughout his Hogwarts years, though, his best and closest friend was easily Remus; Bas always jokes that the boy is his guardian angel in disguise. Rabastan knows that he would be in a far worse place if Remus wasn’t in his life. He’s the one person outside of his family that Bas feels he can be completely honest and one hundred percent himself with – one of the few that he can wholeheartedly count on without worry that they’ll view him as a monster.

Why did your character’s last relationship not work out?

Bas can be a bit of a casanova, though not intentionally. With his warm personality, it’s always been easy for him to attract partners – sometimes he doesn’t even realize he’s coming off as flirtatious. When he does commit to a relationship, though, he tends to fall hard and fast. His last (and only) relationship had been with a fellow Hufflepuff house member, and after six months the latter got cold feet and backed out of the relationship. While he wasn’t heartbroken, he was quite disheartened; Bas immerses himself fully into everything he does, including relationships. He tends to prefer hookups because his big heart often leads him to more disappointment and trouble than anything else. Until he finds someone who can match his intensity – and accept his werewolf side – Bas is fine with staying single.

[terror-billie]

House of Leaves Thoughts

First: the title refers to the book pages (leaves) and also the quote about Earth being a "house of leaves about to be hit by a gust of wind"… so, basically, something that is fragile enough to be destroyed by an oncoming force.

I'm most confident in my interpretation of the core theme: House of Leaves is about family. Family estrangement, family breakdown, repairing family bonds, the bonds of parents and children, the bonds of siblings. Family members hurting each other, and overcoming – or not overcoming – that hurt.

The primary focus is on the complicated and often negative impacts of fathers on characters' lives as well as the complexity of sibling relationships. Likewise, the house creates a physical space and backdrop against which to wrestle against one's demons. The nature of the house is definitely one of reflection, specifically of echo, one of the prominent symbols. And the house and minotaur both seem very involved in redemption or punishment relating to sins against the family. With the title, it could mean that a family is a fragile thing that could be blown apart at any moment.

Let's look at the fathers:

Johnny's father. Painted as positive and even a savior. A loving father. Absent but due to no fault of his own. By all accounts a loving husband but prioritized the well-being of his son above all. Died tragically.

Johnny's stepfather, the marine. Abusive. Disfigures Johnny.

Navidson. Loves his children and means well, but frequently prioritizes adventure over their well-being. Initially estranged from Tom until the house brings them together, but still continues to endanger his children by living in the house . Ultimately chooses love and family in the end and in doing so is finally redeemed and freed. (Also worth noting that Tom and Navidson had issues stemming from their own poor upbringing by their own parents, so there's definitely some nods to intergenerational trauma and cycles of toxicity)

Zampanò. Little information is given, but he indicates that he was a poor/absent father. He attempts to remove the minotaur from the manuscript entirely, but Johnny adds it back. Killed (?) by the minotaur (?). May have written the manuscript as a labyrinth to contain the minotaur. His emotional connection to his analysis of the minotaur myth is obvious.

Tom. Not a father, but a positive adult male role model in the house. Spends time with the children and prioritizes their safety, ultimately being responsible for Daisy being saved as he hands her out to Navidson. It is his sacrifice that wakes Navidson up to his failures, as a father and a brother. And yet, his sacrifice is confusing because it's the one time that the house punishes a "good father." Maybe it's not a punishment after all, though. If we think about Navidson's well dream, that bad people drown forever in the well but good people disappear and go to a better place, that might be what happened to Tom. Maybe he went to heaven, or maybe he went to the Real World… and is Zampanò. (I guessed early on that Zampanò was Tom, became even more sure upon noting the use of "me" in the text referring to Tom on page 320, but it doesn't really square with the characterization of Tom as a good father because Zampanò is a poor father and is punished by the minotaur)

Let's take a look at the mothers as well:

Pelafina, Johnny's mother. Duality, good and bad. A source of pain, abuse, disfigurement, trauma, overbearing in her unloading on him in her letters. Loves her son tremendously, encourages him, adores him, wishes she could protect him. Absent but not of her own doing. Suffers from psychotic mental illness such as paranoid schizophrenia, and/or some kind of dementia, it's not enough to diagnose what but she often hallucinates, misremembers, or otherwise errs in her perception of reality, to an extent that is deliberately left up to interpretation. The inheritance of her illness alongside trauma shape Johnny and how he presents himself to us the reader. She may have had a child who lived a very short time. (Some people think this is Johnny, but I'm thinking it's a younger sibling, the grief over the loss of which led to her attempted murder of Johnny… if that even happened, but it's not clear if it did. Considering how frequently it is referenced, and how Johnny's positive version of events comes on the heels of him making up a different nice story for the reader, I'm inclined to think it is true.) Considering that Johnny is notably without a sibling in comparison to Navidson and Karen, having a missing sibling would also make sense. On the other hand, the deformity of the infant mirrors the deformity of Johnny and the minotaur, but I'll expand on that in a bit.

Karen. Prioritizes her children's safety over adventure. Emotionally mercurial as a life partner but more stable as a mother. But largely at a surface level, she doesn't really know what her children are suffering.

As a note on both characters: women suffering rape/csa/incest is an occasional motif. While Karen brushes off the suppositions about what happened to her and her estranged sister as children as her source of trauma, no alternate interpretation is given, and the inclusion of rape/csa/incest as a motif indicates that her past trauma reverberates through the text.

On the topic of Johnny… he comes across most as Danielewski's "self" character, though I don't want to assume too much. Navidson could be equally or moreso his self-insert, or maybe Danielewski really doesn't have one. It's overly simplistic to assume that any one character is closest to the author when, in a well-crafted work, all characters have some piece of the author. But specifically what I see in Johnny is the struggle with seeing himself as a monster.

I don't want to focus too much on the author or make assumptions about what is or is not autobiographical, but it's not terribly surprising to me that the author has explicitly stated that his first book (Redwood) was written to make sense of his very complicated feelings toward his father (who raged about it and insulted him for it and almost made him quit writing forever), and his sister has been a source of strength for him in dealing with that (she salvaged the draft of Redwood after Danielewski destroyed it upon being rejected by his father).

Johnny has a father he idealizes, a stepfather he despises, and a mother about whom he has complicated feelings and tries to not think about too much. Blue, Red, Purple. Johnny's focus on his chipped tooth – a result of a savage beating by his stepfather that almost killed him, in a remote dark shack – and his scarred arms – a result of his mother's accidental (?) spilling of oil on him – fit neatly with Zampanò's characterization of the minotaur as a son who was reviled as a monster because of his deformity. The text explicitly has Johnny imagine himself as the minotaur multiple times. The minotaur-monster-self is how he channels his fury and rage. What's interesting, though, is that initially he sees the minotaur as a separate being that has put him in danger, and in their first encounter, he vividly experiences the time that his mother tried to strangle him – the incontinence, the swipes left on the back of his neck. Pelafina is not the minotaur overall, it doesn't fit with the abandoned/wronged son motif, but something of the fear in the darkness was her… maybe, along with Karen's intense fear of darkness, the darkness simply represents childhood trauma.

It's hard to pin down because there is a justice of the darkness that punishes those who harm children, but the darkness itself also harms Chad and Daisy.

There's also the roar. The roar, some assume, is the minotaur, the monster. Some assume it's the house. But I see a definite connection between it and the roar of love that Johnny remembers when his father saved him from his mother's attempt on his life. He doesn't remember the incident but at a primal level he remembers this roar, this roar of love and life from his father.

This is why I think Pelafina's attempt on Johnny's life came while Johnny's father was still alive, along with the fact that Johnny's father flew her to Whalestoe in his plane before he lost his pilot's license and died trying to make money as a single father. Not sure if this fits the timeline, as it's often interpreted that the attempted infanticide occurred after Johnny's father was dead.

Johnny and Pelafina both forget things that happened. Pelafina forgets Johnny's visits. This is why I think Thumper's real name is Ashley, that she did call him and that's why she thought it was funny that he said she hadn't called. Not sure if that all lines up though. It was honestly kind of hard to keep straight all the women in Johnny's life.

The house, as briefly mentioned, primarily functions in a reflective manner. Based on what Johnny muses about the true terror, and Navidson's and Holloway's experiences, and even Tom's, we can see that whatever the house is, it tests people on their true self. It strips away the things that let them keep living with illusions, by literally shrouding them in darkness until all they can see is their own true self.

Holloway desperately repeats surface-level facts about himself to keep himself together, and that doesn't work, because we are not a collection of facts. Tom uses humor, which is more effective, but ultimately creates a mask to protect vulnerability and doesn't allow ones true self to be fully revealed – perhaps this is why the house consumes him. Navidson allows the darkness to strip away everything but comes through unscathed after facing his true self and passing through the crucible; Karen, too, was able to face truth and come through, though not in the way Navidson did.

Johnny wrestles with this for the entire novel, for he has created an entire maze of lies built up around him to protect himself. He obscures – sometimes deliberately, sometimes not – which stories or memories are real and fake, the details of what happened. He is terrified to face his true self. We don't really know if he passes through the crucible or not.

To go back to Danielewski for a moment, I think that based on what he said about his writing during his father's cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent loss, he learned a lot about himself when dealing with his grief. The truth is, learning about yourself is difficult, and you're forced to do it most often when you're already going through difficult circumstances. It's frightening. Life gives us so many tools to build walls and ignore the truths we'd rather not face.

But ultimately life – god, the House, the Dark, the Nothing, whatever it is – will force us to face what we built walls around: our true selves.

On the topic of the house, there are several clues that it is Yggdrasil:

· The house's deepest materials are older than the solar system

· The house is God

· Yggdrasil is an Ash Tree

· Yggdrasil has a maze of roots that are the world

· Trees have leaves and this is House of Leaves

While I'm not big on interpretations that everything was made up by one character, I can appreciate interpretation that the House is a creation within the recursive ouroboros in which Zampanò may have created it and the world by dreaming it up and within its pages, Navidson reading it even as he's experiencing it, etc etc etc. Not that everything is one person's fever dream, but that somebody actually created alternate universes by writing them down.

[fayewonglibrary]

Dou Wei and Faye Wong: The "Ambiguity" of "The Higher Being" (2020)

by Xu Jinjing  

I can't see through your ambiguous eyes They seem to be deep yet still very shallow The sky turned gray-blue I want to say goodbye It's not too late

—— Faye Wong, "Ambiguous" 

Oh~ my goodness, the higher being Heaven and hell are all on earth ...

Where is the happiness Where is the happiness Where is the happiness

—— Dou Wei, "The Higher Being"

From the masterpiece "Shameful" in the Black Panther era to the masterpiece "The Higher Being" in the Masters of Rock era, Dou Wei had obviously undergone a transformation from angry rock and roll youth to music philosopher. Dou Wei's transformation was brought about by his age and experiences and it was also closely related to his love life.

Before and after the release of Dou Wei's first solo album "Black Dream", he was in the vortex of a love triangle with Jessica Jiang and Faye Wong. On one hand, Jessica Jiang was the "suffering lover" who gave up her studies for him. On the other hand, Faye Wong was the "Heavenly Queen" who had risen to prominence in Hong Kong and the entire Chinese music industry. How could he choose? For Dou Wei, it was an extremely difficult decision.

In "The Higher Being", he described the rich aspects of human nature in the form of two-character words. He spoke indifferently and calmly, then shouted in a rather desperate voice: "Where is the happiness?" Dou Wei's thorough understanding of human nature and his matter-of-fact attitude towards life is somewhat reminiscent of the ideas of French existential philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre's "Hell is other people" and Albert Camus’ "There is only one really serious philosophical problem and that is suicide."

Dou Wei knows that it is very absurd to place one’s happiness on others. However, in his own life, he could not be so decisive and transparent. He lingered back and forth between the old Beijing hutong with Jessica Jiang and luxury hotels in Beijing's business district with Faye Wong whenever she returned to the city. There was aura and fame in Faye Wong and freedom and love in Jessica Jiang. All fulfilled the emotional needs of this artist from different aspects, making it difficult for him to make a definitive choice.

Faye Wong is a Leo who pursues control of her career and feelings. She could be very satisfied with the rich emotional and spiritual world that she created on her own. For the man she loved, she could also put down her identity as the "Heavenly Queen" and return to Beijing's old hutongs to pour a chamber pot and take care of him [when he was ill]. For these feelings, she vowed to not give up. Faye Wong finally had the last laugh in this long-distance love triangle relationship.

It is worth noting that when Faye Wong’s dream of love becomes a reality, she also needs daily self-affirmation and her lover's care to maintain the freshness and vitality of this relationship. The phrase “seems to be deep yet still very shallow" in her song "Ambiguous" perfectly expresses Faye Wong's complex and contradictory mood. In order to win Dou Wei's love, she could put herself down and be the little woman next to him. But in her emotional life, she obviously could not only just hold the "chamber pot".

When she and Dou Wei got married, Faye Wong in Dou Wei’s eyes turned from a musically compatible partner to housewife. Faye Wong’s career, aura, as well as her romantic ideals made the contradiction between the two more intense. In other words, the symbol of the chamber pot only became a gimmick for the media to describe the love between Faye Wong and Dou Wei, but it could never become the core element and theme of Faye Wong's expression of this relationship. The romantic Faye Wong can never be constrained.

Even if the sky deepens, still can't see the cracks on the brows Even a house filled with dim lights cannot shine through my body It can still reflect your heart ...

I fear that tragedy will repeat in my life The more beautiful things are, the more untouchable they are History repeats itself in this busy city There is no reason to fall in love without the undercurrent —— Faye Wong, "Undercurrent"

What is good or bad How can we adapt to this era I do not understand ... Look forward to receiving love's greetings Hope someone can save me Come soon, I'm waiting Take me to safety Stay with me at this time Let me feel your tenderness —— Dou Wei, "Sad Dreams" 

On the evening of December 31, 1998, Faye Wong held a New Year's Eve concert during her Scenic Tour in Hong Kong. After singing the opening three songs, she told the fans in Cantonese (in summary): This year, many people encountered a lot of happy and unhappy things. The important thing is to continue to learn from these experiences so you can face them in the future. I wish the fans a happy new year.

After the New Year's greetings, she sang the classic song "Undercurrent" in a trembling voice. When the fans started to cheer her on, Faye Wong stood on the stage and sang selflessly: “I fear that tragedy will repeat in my life..." At this time, Faye Wong and Dou Wei's marriage was on the edge. Faye Wong's popularity was continuously growing and the emergence of the third party Gao Yuan was close to exploding.

Three months ago, I repeatedly listened to the live recording of Faye Wong’s "Undercurrent”. I felt her emotional situation at the time with empathy. Faye Wong's spirituality and creativity have given her a very clear perception and intuition of her situation and fate in her emotional life. However, even if she knew that this relationship would not end well, even if she knew that the love with Dou Wei would encounter many ups and downs, while facing the doubts and opposition of many relatives and friends, she still chose to marry Dou Wei without hesitation. Faye Wong’s firm decision naturally reminds me of Nietzsche’s famous line: “Even if life is a dream, we must have this dream with a sense of interest, not to lose the sentiment and fun of the dream; even if life is a tragedy, we must act this tragedy vividly, not to lose the magnificence and comfort of the tragedy”.

The "tragedy" that Faye Wong firmly chose is most representative in Dou Wei's music. However, if you scrutinize the lyrics of "Sad Dreams", you will find that Dou Wei's "sadness" mainly comes from disappointment and uneasiness during this time period. In this state of loss and dissonance, love and salvation are just looking for a temporary "safe haven”.

One person saw love as a source of inspiration and romantic ideal. The other person only saw love as a substitute for grand narratives. The tragic ending of the two could have been predicted.

But there are times, when I'd rather Choose to keep this love alive and not let go And wait until we have finished admiring this view Perhaps you will keep me company And watch the trickle of water flow forever 

—— Faye Wong "Red Bean" Outside the window, the sky, the mind, the endless green field Your brilliant smile, I run desperately Fly by in the distance, no chance to reach the village, sunset, the boat returns Look at that day, there are white clouds In an instant, you appeared in front of me I saw the evening breeze blowing and the beauty of the rainbow —— Dou Wei, "Outside the Window" 

Of all of Dou Wei’s albums, "Sunny Days" was the most open and unconstrained. The self-doubt and isolation in "Black Dream" transformed into the self-expression of a Taoist temperament that was rather at ease. Take this song "Outside the Window" as an example. The style of the leisurely and boundless melody outline a simple and poetic atmosphere. The era of this album was when the relationship between Dou Wei and Faye Wong was in its best state.

In early 1995, Faye Wong released her live concert album which is still one of her most highly regarded albums by the public.  Dou Wei’s album "Sunny Days", which included the song "Outside the Window" was also released in the year 1995. No matter how bleakly their love ended, these moments are unforgettable. Listening to Dou Wei’s "Outside the Window" along with Faye Wong's smart and spirited singing in her concert, it is really wonderful to witness how the two people were in harmony.

By the time Faye Wong released the song "Red Bean", her relationship with Dou Wei had almost completely broken. In fact, "everything has an end" is already a well-known law of life for Faye Wong. But she still "chose to keep love alive and not let go" and to love vigorously rather than fall apart tragically. This is the "female lioness" side of Faye Wong. Her self-determination has been the same with Dou Wei, Nicholas Tse and Li Yapeng. Life is short and there will always be people who are unwilling to repeat mediocrity and unwilling to hesitate. After so many years, when listening to Faye Wong’s "Red Bean" again, we can see that this is still a person who seeks happiness without regret. 

When will the moon be clear and bright? I raise my cup of wine and ask the blue sky In this heavenly palace I wonder what year it would be? ... People may have sorrow or joy, parting or meeting The moon has times when it is not bright Nothing can be perfect since long ago

——  Faye Wong, "Wishing We Last Forever"

Good spring scene on this sunny day Hazy like before Sweet dreams, the green mountains beyond the sky in the dream Look up at the blue sky ... I often say that happiness is born out of suffering Joy turns to sorrow, it’s been true since long ago Don't make me uneasy, it's hard to tell right from wrong The vicissitudes of life are no longer regrettable ... Spring Summer Autumn Winter Every year, every year, a hundred years, a thousand years The sky changes, the earth changes, the mountains change, the water changes A thousand changes, people change, hearts change

The past has come from afar to the present Something will make you remember

——Dou Wei, "Sunny Days"

When it comes to Dou Wei's open and sunnier side, we can't help but talk about the title song "Sunny Days" from the album of the same name released in 1995. However, if we analyze the lyrics carefully, we will find that the melody seems cheerful and happy, but the content expressed a kind of indifferent pessimism that sees through everything.

After separating with Faye Wong, Dou Wei's emotional life was not able to settle down. Although he maintained a high quality creative output, in the eyes of the media and the public from the aspect of mainstream success, he is seen as just a middle-aged "uncle" who is increasingly "down" and "frustrated".

However, if we listen to "Sunny Days" carefully, we can appreciate that all joy, happiness, and success in the worldly sense have already been foreseen, reflected, and deconstructed in Dou Wei's spiritual and cultural vision. During the eight years I spent in Beijing, my biggest regret was that I did not get to listen to Dou Wei’s live performance. However, whenever Dou Wei’s music is on, we can temporarily deviate from the secular world of fame and fortune and escape from life for a moment of freedom and calmness...

From this perspective, when facing Dou Wei’s love, Faye Wong has never  leveraged the various areas of her fame and fortune. She loved Dou Wei because she loved his soul and his talents, and at the same time, tolerated the arrogance, gloom and betrayal attached to his soul and talent... Faye Wong’s love for Dou Wei is reflected in her cover of "Wishing We Last Forever". It's so vivid.

If we link together the titles of these two songs by Dou Wei and Faye Wong, we will discover the eternal expression of emotions and the ultimate meaning of life:  "On this sunny day, I hope people will last forever." From this perspective, although Dou Wei and Faye Wong have been separated for more than 20 years, the love between them and their continuous pursuit of life and love seems to have never faded and never changed.

In these classic songs that Faye Wong and Dou Wei gave to the world, may ordinary people like you and me realize the blessing!

POSTSCRIPT

For the purpose of researching China’s social and cultural life in the 1990s, I began to discover some important Chinese films and popular music during this time period to study. Among them, Dou Wei and Faye Wong’s music naturally could not be overlooked.

Listening to them over and over, not only evoked my youthful memories of the 1990s, but also inspired me to use the love life of celebrities as a clue to sort out the ecology of Chinese pop culture in the 1990s. After all, professor Li Gongzhong from the School of History of Nanjing University suggested that I use emotion as a clue when researching. While professor Cheng Boqing from the School of Sociology, Nanjing University taught the academic history of emotional sociology in a simple and systematic way where I learned to be open to exploring social and cultural life with emotions. 

Next, in preparation for writing: Dou Wei and Faye Wong had several representative albums that came out in the 1990s that I listened to dozens of times. The quality of their work is very high.

There were not only the biographical works of Dou Wei and Faye Wong, but I also found sources such as: "Perfect Faye Wong-Selections of Faye Wong Songs" (edited by Tian Lai Music Studio, Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House, June 2006). ), "Faye Wong Biography" (Huang Xiaoyang, Jiangsu People's Publishing House, January 2011 edition), "Days When My Long Hair Flew" (by Jessica Jiang Xin, Bo Ji Tianjuan & Hunan Literature and Art Publishing House June 2011 edition). These references were used for my writing. Of course, it should be noted that I was quite suspicious of many details in the books, so this essay will not list them as official citation notes. All the text in the article is the author's hypotheses of the above materials. If there are errors, the responsibility for the text is entirely the author's own responsibility.

Because Dou Wei and Faye Wong are both musicians who have had a profound influence on the author, despite the preparation, I was unable to find a suitable way to express the writing. In the long process of coming up with ideas for this article, I made a small playlist on NetEase Cloud Music, consisting of 8 representative songs by Faye Wong and Dou Wei, including 4 by Faye Wong and 4 by Dou Wei, and paired them up in 4 groups. I set the name of the playlist as “菲”常，“唯”一 ".  Friends who are familiar with the music and life of Faye Wong and Dou Wei will naturally smile at the name of my playlist.

When I listened to this playlist for the 30th time, I suddenly had an idea: Why not use the 8 songs in this playlist as a thread to write this essay? With this idea, the inspiration for writing this article occurred instantly.  Although I try to be well-researched in my interpretation of Faye Wong and Dou Wei’s love life, these are still very personal accounts. I welcome all the fans, followers and researchers of Faye Wong and Dou Wei to communicate, criticize and correct.

------------------------------------------------------------------  

SOURCE: THE PAPER // TRANSLATED BY: FAYE WONG FUZAO

[bountyofbeads]

Obama Moves Off Political Sidelines, Earlier Than He Expected https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/us/politics/obama-2020-candidates.html

Obama Moves Off Political Sidelines, Earlier Than He Expected

By Glenn Thrush | Published Nov. 20, 2019, 1:18 p.m. ET | New York Times | Posted November 20, 2019 |

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama had a plan of sorts for the 2020 presidential primaries, according to several allies and advisers: Stay out of the way, offer advice when asked, promote voting rights, finish a new memoir — then jump back into politics after Democrats picked their nominee.

Things haven’t worked out like that.

After three years of largely steering clear of divisive internal Democratic fights, Mr. Obama is increasingly moving off the political sidelines and trying to play a new role: elder statesman for a party grappling with its post-Obama identity. Associates describe a former president impelled by his belief that the diverse electorate he once unified is being split by “Medicare for all” and immigration proposals — ideas that he thinks could alienate moderate voters in the 2020 election.

From appearances before party donors to conversations with activists and lawmakers, Mr. Obama is going public with a message for his fellow Democrats he had previously made in private to allies and a handful of friendly journalists: Focus on defeating President Trump, ditch the ideological purity and the “cancel” culture, or face the abyss.

He is expected to amplify these concerns about the 2020 race on Thursday at an event with party donors in San Francisco, an aide said, giving him a fresh chance to reflect on Wednesday night’s Democratic debate in Atlanta. (Several of those interviewed for this article spoke on condition of anonymity to describe his private views.)

“What’s happening is he’s seeing the campaign move to a different stage, and he’s reacting to it,” said David Axelrod, a longtime Obama adviser. “He sees himself as a ref, not a player. What he’s saying is, ‘Hey, let’s not put so much passion into the intramurals that we forget to show up for the actual game.’”

Mr. Obama made that point in the bluntest possible terms last week to an audience of Democratic donors who had expected him to offer reassurances about the strength of the Democratic field and the durability of the party’s leading moderate, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.

After praising the field and suggesting any of them could defeat Mr. Trump, he issued a warning that appeared aimed at Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, the two leading liberals in the 2020 race, who have proposed far-reaching changes to the American economy and health care and education systems.

“The average American doesn’t think that we have to completely tear down the system and remake it,” said Mr. Obama, appearing onstage at the annual meeting of the progressive Democracy Alliance in Washington with Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia Senate candidate. “There are a lot of persuadable voters and there are a lot of Democrats out there who they just want to see things make sense. They just don’t want to see crazy stuff.”

Mr. Obama voiced similar concerns two weeks earlier, calling on young Democrats to move past “woke” culture, which he sees as an impediment to creating a coalition that includes moderates, independents and Republicans who don’t share their opinions on some issues. “That’s not activism,” he said during an event for the Obama Foundation in Chicago, that was disparaged by some critics as paternalistic. “That’s not bringing about change.”

Mr. Obama is hardly undertaking a full-on intervention, and modulating criticism with statements of reassurance: He is not calling out Democrats by name, and by all accounts he has chosen not to get involved behind the scenes in playing favorites among the candidates.

Yet Mr. Obama, who foreshadowed his public warnings in a closed-door pep talk for newly-elected House Democrats last spring, is clearly trying to make the case for a moderate and inclusive brand of politics — a message that helped him win in traditionally Republican states like Indiana and North Carolina in 2008. It is a viewpoint reflected in findings by a recent New York Times/Siena College poll of six battleground states showing that Democratic primary voters prefer  candidates who pursue moderate, as opposed to liberal, policy goals.

“He’s trying to set a tone,” said Robert Wolf, a friend of Mr. Obama and former chairman of UBS Americas, a part of the global investment firm. “He cares first about electability, whatever is second is a very distant second.”

Mr. Obama’s coming remarks on Thursday will be part of an onstage interview with Thomas E. Perez, the Democratic National Committee chairman, at a fund-raising event in California. He has no plans to speak about the 2020 race for the rest of the year, according to the Obama aide who described his plans for Thursday.

The former president’s comments also reflect his own policy legacy, which has come in for modest questioning and criticism at times by some Democrats in the debates and on the campaign trail. (One friend said Mr. Obama had brushed off debate criticisms, joking that the eventual winner will “come back to me when they need me.”)

Mr. Obama was initially reluctant to attack Mr. Trump after he left the Oval Office, in part because he wanted to embrace the informal practice adopted by his predecessor, George W. Bush, of not attacking a presidential successor, former aides said. But he was also concerned that going after Mr. Trump would play into Republicans’ hands by prompting a backlash, they added.

By the 2018 midterms, Mr. Obama abandoned that reticence and campaigned aggressively against Mr. Trump, emboldened by the president’s halfhearted response to his attacks.

He also offered vague praise for the large-scale health care policy that Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren are now championing. “Democrats aren’t just running on good old ideas like a higher minimum wage, but they’re running on new ideas like Medicare for all,” he said in a speech at the University of Illinois in September of 2018.

The big difference now is Mr. Obama’s willingness to publicly criticize others in his party, however indirectly, something he had avoided.

Katie Hill, a spokeswoman for Mr. Obama, said that he was not targeting Mr. Sanders or Ms. Warren in his remarks last week, and that his public declarations in support of the Democratic field and a diversity of opinions are the core of his message.

“Since leaving office, President Obama has worked to stay out of the political fray in part to let other, new voices in the Democratic Party rise up,” Ms. Hill said on Wednesday. “Just like in 2018, he’ll be out on the campaign trail next fall working hard for whoever our nominee is.”

But Mr. Obama made it clear in his remarks to the Democracy Alliance that he sees the Medicare for all plan as a threat to the party among moderate voters, many of whom fear they will lose their private health coverage — giving them an excuse to support Mr. Trump in 2020.

Mr. Sanders, responding to Mr. Obama’s remarks last weekend, said: “I’m not tearing down the system. We’re fighting for justice.” Ms. Warren did not push back, and said she was “grateful” for Mr. Obama’s passage of the Affordable Care Act. But some on the party’s left, including Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota were less accommodating, tweeting out the hashtag “#TooFarLeft” in disapproval.

Mr. Obama has also quietly expressed concerns, as have many other Democrats, about the performance of his former vice president, Mr. Biden, especially in the debates, according to two Democrats with knowledge of the interactions.

His unfinished book, a memoir spanning his eight years in office, is also weighing heavily on Mr. Obama, who sees it as his principal legacy project, a literary bookend to his highly-regarded 1995 autobiography “Dreams From My Father.”

The former president, a meticulous writer and chronic procrastinator, has blown through several self-imposed deadlines — he told Ms. Abrams it was “a pain” — and no one quite knows when it will be finished, according to two people with knowledge of the situation.

The process of reliving his presidency day by day, writing in longhand and revising it with his speechwriter Cody Keenan, has put him in a reflective and, at times, feisty mood, associates say, making him more willing to express his thoughts to a wider audience.

Mr. Obama has taken great care not to express his opinions about particular candidates — at least in earshot of anyone who will leak them — and has told people around him that he wants to avoid even the slightest perception that he is “thumbing the scale” for any candidate, as he did by tacitly backing Hillary Clinton’s primary campaign in 2016.

He has, nonetheless, offered personal support to Mr. Biden but has been careful to cast his efforts in personal, not political terms. Earlier this year, he described his motivation, telling Mr. Biden’s brain trust that he did not want to see Mr. Biden “embarrass himself.”

Mr. Obama’s relationship with Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders has been more distant, but cordial. Both reached out to Mr. Obama shortly after they announced their candidacies earlier this year, and he offered each a bit of individualized advice, counseling Mr. Sanders to espouse “mainstream” ideas, a person close to the Vermont senator said. He urged Ms. Warren to embrace party “unity,” according to two people close to the Massachusetts senator.

He has a deeper connection to former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, a close friend who has served on his foundation’s board, and discussed the possibility of a campaign with Mr. Patrick last year, people close to both men said. But he now believes Mr. Patrick’s entrance into the race last week came too late, these people say.

Mr. Obama is acutely aware of timing when it comes to his own actions. His appearance at the conference was intended to reassure nervous donors that he had confidence in the ultimate outcome of the 2020 election. He added his warning to an outline of his remarks only a few days before the conference, a person involved in the planning said.

“There are a lot of people who have been wanting him to get out there and mix it up more with Trump,” said Gara LaMarche, president of the Democracy Alliance. “People miss his voice. Even people in the room who didn’t necessarily agree with what he had to say were happy to have him back in the fray.”

[zodiac-queens]

⇧ Descendant Astrology ⇩

Your descendant is the opposite of your ascendant. The descendant is the completion of the ascendant. It shows what you unconsciously crave for in a relationship, how you aspire to be and on which level you can personally develop the most. Basically, the descendant reflects characteristics that you not always possess but which another person is able to provide you with and thus to make you feel happy and complete.

♡ Your Ascendant (1st House)  ⇆  Your Descendant (7th House)

Aries ⇆ Libra

Taurus ⇆  Scorpio

Gemini  ⇆ Sagittarius

Cancer  ⇆ Capricorn

Leo ⇆  Aquarius

Virgo ⇆  Pisces

Descendant in…

♡  Libra: 

active person

wants a wholehearted relationship

must be able to adapt otherwise relationship won’t last

true, steady partnership may come late

wants fun partners, with no time pressure for developing intimacy

needs to develop diplomacy and readiness to compromise

wishes for independence and self-determination but also for someone to reflect, complete and soothe one’s doing

wants harmony but is also good by oneself

can’t always be understood by others

strongly torn between adapting to partner and doing own will

easily bored if nothing scandalous is happening

environment provides challenges and ideas

feels easily personally attacked or excluded and thus challenged; counters by speaking up offensively 

sometimes questioned by partner, this leads to closing oneself up and being misinterpreted

energetic and in love with life

♡  Scorpio:

passionate and able to enjoy things

doesn’t like people to criticize what is loved

kind and likes to indulge loved ones

jealousy alerttttt

partner is loved unconditionally, wholesome and never-ending but also in a possessive way

if deeply hurt, will never forgive

believes in destiny, a human’s dark side

prone to losing oneself in emotional pseudo-realities

needs courage and utter reassurance before entering a relationship

search for security and durability, trust and mental connection

the idea of losing something scares

love equals hate

hates being ruled, this would mean a violation of honour

needs to risk a certain amount of flexibility, otherwise no development

supremely versatile, but stuck in mind restriction

♡  Sagittarius:

needs and gives independence and space

mental input, initiative and easygoingness crucial otherwise stagnation

partner could be best friend

immune to potential lovers, very loyal

can’t cope with emotional overload in a relationship

great hopes and desires, needs galore and soulfulness

partner is considered the ultimate safe haven

if less appealing traits are discovered in partner, great disappointment

prone to only plan for the future and forget the now

wants to discover new ways in a relationship and to get the best out of each other

life is there to be improved, ready to learn and teach

never prejudiced

finds it unfair to leave partner behind

expects too much and is thus disillusioned frequently

high moral and sense of reality obstructs acting out one’s desired temper

♡  Capricorn:

has troubles expressing affection verbally

needs to be completely convinced of another person before getting involved

when committed to someone, it’ll be forever

sometimes duty overshadows emotional side

if hurt, needs time to be convinced of something new

needs maturity and down-to-earthness

finds reassurance in set routines

money planner; never wastes anything unconsidered

self-confidence comes naturally, doesn’t need anbody’s ‘approval’

realistic way of solving problems

people with highly emotional ways of expression are considered unpleasant and annoying

likes to have a partner with dignity and savvy

partner should reflect a kind of reassuring character, if one should ever lose control

matures over the time and becomes more open to the concept of emotional love

♡  Aquarius:

seeks idealistic opposite

needs challenge and strong characters around

self-realisation must not be obstructed

sensitive towards disappointments

tries to act like being protected by a shell when meeting new people (to not get hurt)

sometimes considered flirty, but actually just trying to make people laugh

cannot have boredom

instantly turned off by ‘main-streamers’, needs otherness

likes to give freedom but won’t tolerate being ignored or neglected

won’t get along with very stable and never-changing people

may be more experimental before settling for ‘the One’

may be afraid of ending up alone

evolution by lots of experiences is natural here

♡  Pisces:

needs true emotion and total devotion in partnerships

true coddler

finds it difficult to accept that ideals aren’t always realistic to achieve

weakness for messed up people who can’t really handle life

very much ranging between a very realistic outlook on life and the complete loss in dreams and desires

sometimes blinded by harsh waves of emotional flooding

may often feel indefinable and therefore alone or untrue 

sacrifice compensates unanswered feelings, but sacrificing oneself for someone doesn’t ensure gratitude by this person

needs to avoid becoming neither the victim nor the saviour

finding balance highest priority

partner doesn’t necessarily have to have the same twisted mind if he is thouroughly loving and good

best match: relationship with equally giving partner, doing it out of love and respect

♡  Aries:

partnership provides development of personality

can’t decide between wanting to lead the relationship or to adapt for peace’s sake

interests change quickly

partner should be an active person who prevents from boredom

needs lots of contact

needs challenging people but also harmony

little teasing games always welcome

suspense and calmness hold each other’s balance

intrigued by gallant and graceful people

harmony and challenge not always achievable, therefore feels restlessly dissatisfied from time to time (conflict danger!)

should gain insight out of complicated times

work is a welcome distraction

needs to accept own fluctuating personality

disappointments are not taken well

old plans are abandoned very quickly

♡  Taurus:

craves depth and won’t do anything half-heartedly

partnerships are desired to be for the long-term

counterpart is considered spinning point when it comes to passion, happiness and enjoyment

needs to be careful not to sink into jealousy

love aspects: happy and careless but also serious and deeply binding

wants the definite as well as the unknown

feels often disappointed by humanity

affectionate and providing for those considered worth it

doesn’t show it but wants sexual challenge

steady partnership gives feeling of security and confidence

needs time to adapt to different aspects of partnerships and what they bring along

in the end very self-sacrifizing

♡  Gemini:

open-minded and free when it comes to new relations

partnership needs to be free and mutual

excitement comes with interesting fodder for conversations

partner should provide mental input, needs to be approving of vividness and cockiness

nimble and therefore fond of being attention center (not to be confused with vanity), likes to leave a good impression

reassured by courteous behaviour

lots of idols and influenced by world changers

super drawn to funny and intelligent people, knowledge is the holy grail

profound feelings are considered private matter, doesn’t like the feeling of being sounded out

light communication is preferred over deep topics; this might depress and discomfort and bewilder

doesn’t like to be too mysterious, partner should be of clear shape à la what you see is what you get

loves movement, exchange, meeting friends, and expedition tours; needs someone who accompanies all this

♡  Cancer:

objective and level-headed in daily routines

when it comes to love searches tenderness, security and comfort

tends to self-restraint and self-adjusting for partner’s benefit

when sure of counterparts full commitment total abondonment of reluctance

deeply interested in partner’s well-being; emotional perception

needs to pay attention not to care too much about things that don’t even concern

feels quickly personally attacked, thus answers hastily harsh and repellent

doesn’t show but needs plenty of alone time (not to be misinterpreted as rejection!)

needs someone who understands and to whom one doesn’t have to explain oneself; otherwise lonesomeness bound to occur

wants to steer things into the right direction; not one for spontaneous undertakings

should learn that life cannot be planned entirely

if mature and accepting, partnership inevitably trusting, beautiful and for the long-term

♡  Leo:

wants to be proud of relationship

needs much freedom, but gives equally as much

ascendant may make seem cold but partner will get to the true core of warmth

strong and will seldomly will subordinate unless there’s a sensible reason

enjoys partnership as the thing worthiest to aspire

tends to ignore when it comes to beef (partner should handle this by doing the same; this leads to understanding no one can without the other)

loves people equally intelligent and strong

total turn-off: boring people who go mainstream

total turn-on: unusual hobbies and people who just do

probably considered by others as the flamboyant and peculiar couple

needs constant mental enrichment

will only risk things together with someone who provides courageous backup

times when everything is done together take turns with solitude (recharging)

♡  Virgo:

very creative but lacks self-discipline

excellent match would be someone who loves for the dreamy element but will provide a healthy amount of realism

romance please!

tends to be too sensitive and thus withdrawal; partner ideally gets these little quirks and knows how to counter

afraid to ‘impose’ emotions on anyone

expert in human nature; needs contact and (mental) exchange

is happy when there’s need to focus on a task, environment etc.

hates being dictated anything because too polite to decline

needs to learn to take matters into own hand

ideal partner shows how and when to stand up for oneself (in a subtle manner of course and with genuine intention)

antenna for fake people and their fake intentions and fake smiles

needs someone who’s strong for oneself and won’t hesitate to speak the truth, they would complement each other very well

must learn to be enough for oneself (!) because here we have a great human being if there ever was one

[scaip]

If K project was settled in Westeros, in which house/organization would the clans be?

This is, as most of my fandom posts, a recollection of random thoughts glued together. Gotta use this as an excuse to talk about ASOIAF, my burning passion.

Now, not every clan will 100% meet the picture every house and place in Westeros may carry. K Project is settled in a modern, capitalist Japan AU, with a strong technological advancement. Westeros is based on medieval society from western Europe, with Great Britain as its main source of inspiration, though other places from the continent draw similarities (Dorne with Spain, northern Africa, and the Middle East, Highgarden with France, etc). The premises of both settlements are VERY, VERY different, based on different histories and different continents.

All westerosi houses draw their characteristics from the environment of settlement, relationships with their neighboring houses and territories, the narratives of their historical members. There is a lot of diversity there, so, in some cases, the clans will have more than a house of alignment. Westerosi noble houses date to hundreds or thousands of years, while the Clans of K Project can have more than six decades (in the case of the Tokijikuin) to few years (most of the others). 

The themes of each clan could fit more than one organization but I only choose one for each clan, for simplicity’s sake. The rest is below due to length

Silver Clan: Hakumaito/White Rice Party - The Citadel/ Order of Maesters

Academy - knowledge - abnegation - independence - community.

Gold Clan: Tokijikuin/Timeless Palace - House Hightower

This one was tricky. The Silver Clan is formed by three people, five if you add Hieda and Kukuri by the end of K. All characters have diverse backgrounds, though we can agree they all share orphan issues or the situation of losing people dear to them. In Adolf’s case, since he only refers to having his sister, I suppose their parents either died or never where truly close.

Unlike other Clans, I believe Hakumaito becomes a proper clan towards the second season. Ashinaka, the School Island becomes their domain. Weismann works as a teacher there, while Neko and Hieda attend as students (x).

So, I ended up choosing the Order of Maesters, the core of intellectualism and academic pursuits in westerosi society. While the Order is seen as a place to dump second sons and a where the poor may manage to make a living if they study, it still remains as The Place to search for information and knowledge. In K-verse, Ashinaka Gakuen is a school settled by the gold clan, and a rather elitist one, for what we see from Hieda’s point of view. From the parody manga of Gakuen K and its otome game, it seems there is a university too, placed in the island.

Westerosi maesters are supposed to leave behind their personal histories and families once they finish their studies and start working for noble houses. They cannot marry either. A life of abnegation in service of others. The parallel here comes from Adolf’s way of life, first as the Silver King to live in relative isolation in a giant ship, then, as a teacher in a school. Teaching is a service to the community. Leaving aside ship-tease and the fact GoRA won’t give us canon pairings, we can only guess Adolf’s relationship with Kuroh will go from a platonic one to that of lovers. The story won’t give us that. Kuroh also behaves life a figure of abnegation: low profile, taking care of house duties, looking after Neko, Weissmann and later, Hieda. Obviously, this is not strictly played: Kuroh keeps relationships with people from Ichigen’s old town and visits it. But Shiro and Neko’s past relationships are not brought up.

I find it rather funny the characters oddly resemble archetypes of the Faith of the Seven. Shiro/Adolf would be a mix of The Father, The Crone, and The Smith. Kuroh has traits of The Mother, The Warrior (d'oh), and the Smith too. Neko would be the Maiden, shared by Kukuri who also has traits of The Mother. And, oddly enough, I feel like everybody minus Kukuri, represent aspects of The Stranger, as outcasts and because they are not what they seem at first sight (Kuroh may be a zig-zagged version of this).

As I said above, teaching is a service to the community. Adolf shares his vast knowledge to kids and seems like an informal and relaxed teacher. There is his personal close relationship with Daikaku, the Gold King, too, just like The Citadel owes a lot to Oldtown and House Hightower (I will later elaborate on that). In fact, I think it is a given that Adolf is allowed to work as a teacher and in that particular school because of his relationship with Daikaku.

I won’t elaborate much on Neko and Hieda, as the latter personal history starts to develop after the end of season two, once he regains control of his body, while Neko has lots of personal issues, and, well, The Citadel is base on patriarchal and misogynistic rules of medieval Europe, so, traditionally, there wouldn’t be places for Kukuri and her there. Kukuri’s character never gets much development, so I will leave her aside too.

Prosperity - Wealthiness - Knowledge - Welfare -

Red Clan: Homra - House Targaryen

The Gold Clan rules Japan from the background, moving strings. They keep The Masquerade of K Project going on (with an ambiguous grade of success, ‘cuz lets be honest: people randomly sprouting powers out of no-where seems too vox populi), internal and external affairs, the economy, education, health, and scientific developments. Tokijikuin patronage the pursuit of education and knowledge, Ashinaka Gakuen, considered an elitist academy in-universe, is settled and run by the Golds. They keep good connections, information networks as they are into every branch of government.

Then we have House Hightower from Westeros, one of the wealthiest vassal houses, with a rich port, who keep Oldtown in their domain and patronage its studies, also have close relationships with The Faith of The Seven (as they adapted well to the Andal invasion), and until Baelor The Blessed’s reign, remained as the Core of the Faith. In fact, during Aegon’s contest, Oldtown would have been the capital of the kingdom, hadn’t the Targaryens chose to establish it in King’s Landing. The domains of House Hightower are cosmopolite and influential to the rest of the realm… and other continents too.

While House Hightower remains more-or-less neutral during the books’ events, (there is this ambiguous curse concerning their interactions with the Targaryens) we can’t deny their influences on westerosi society and Essos as a whole. They have their own armed forces at their disposition, unlike the Gold Clan: while they move strings undergrounds, it appears security issues are divided between Toujijikuin and Scepter 4, with the latter gaining prominence on normal police and armies when Kokujoji died.

Kokujoji also kept personal relationships with Ichigen Miwa and Weissman/Shirou, receiving assistance from the former and giving it to the latter, similar to House Hightower influences on both Oldtown and The Faith.

Fire-themed - violent temperaments - intuitive - spontaneous.

Also, as someone pointed in TV Tropes:

The red clan has a bad reputation on both of their forms, though I believe Homra’s perception is biased from the actions of Genji Kagutsu, the previous red king, and the shape his clan took: Purgatory House. Purgatory House was an organization akin to Yakuza, Homra is more of a friendly gang. The fall of Genji’s sword of Damocles created a great crater, and we know the physical state of a Damocles’ sword reflects the inner state of its owner. Kagutsu was presented as a violent monster, however, we don’t fully know what his mental condition was. But we know Mikoto’s. He was suffering a crippling depression since he was 15, as shown in Kingdom of Red, when Izumo meets him. Mikoto’s mental illness never was properly treated, and we know how he ended.

Now, we have the infamous House Targaryen. They also carry a theme of mental illness, though as this clever analysis shows, it is not entirely deserved.

What fuels the special? That might very well be various forms of episodic, high-functioning, trance- or dream-like madness with resulting access to alternative thought-patterns. This can even be present in the brilliant Targaryens… which could explain why the wheels fall off so much on those who can’t keep their grips on their entries and exits into and from their individual forms of this as they go along. The general belief about Targaryens is that it’s hard to tell the difference between the great and the mad ones since madness and greatness are so close to each other. 

“(…) madness and greatness are so close to each other”

Blue Clan: Scepter Four - House Arryn

Mikoto wasn’t crazy, just mentally ill. Anna had to grow up rather isolated due to her strain abilities. But we must remember we are using descriptions from an early medieval-based westerosi society. No clinical psychology and psychiatry there.

A flashback from Mikoto, during the creation of Kagutsu’s crater, shows him using sports clothes with a number 10 on his back, meaning he was that good a whatever sport he played during his school years. He seems to have been able to fluently speak English as a foreign language only with a high school level education. Mikoto could also tell who Reisi was without introductions the first time both met one another. Mikoto leaves me with an impression of “what could have been”: his depression stopped him, but I truly believe he had lots of potentials and could have been amazing at what he tried.

Then is Anna. Her strain powers involve dream-walking, peeking into the memories and thoughts of others, visions of the future (dragon dreams parallel, people), finding people and objects (do you remember how she tried to use her marbles on a map to find Tatara’s killer?), flying (once she awakened as a king) and somehow reproducing tortures performed on her towards others (remember that scene from KoR when she escapes Homra in desperation). She already had a strong affinity with the Dresden Slate as a child. Heck, I find lots of similarities between Daenerys and her.

There is also the state of their clans: feared and respected while Mikoto was in charge, though he had to work towards it with the help of his friends. But once they went to attack an enemy group, Homura would most likely win. Weak and scattered once Mikoto died, but strong again after Anna became the red queen. Similar to the state of Daenerys when Khal Drogo died: in danger, surrounded by enemies, but some dormant knowledge helping her move on.

Anna had an epiphany/lucid dream in Missing Kings, meeting the already dead Tatara and Mikoto, with the previous king telling Anna the ‘Red’ is hers now. Izumo’s words to her already implied Anna becoming a king as something both were aware of. From the prologue of Kingdom of Red, we learn the Slate started to call her once Mikoto died. At the end of her dream-state, she says Homra’s motto, links with the Slate and awakens as the new Red King, with her own Damocles’ sword.

At the end of AGoT, from Daenerys’ verbal exchange with Mirri Maz Duur, her affinity to the dragon eggs (feeling them warmth), the apparition of the red comet, we see her having an instinctual grasping of what was going on, about lost valyrian magic, and gets in a trance-like state.

“(…)the fire is mine. I am Daenerys Stormborn, daughter of dragons, bride of dragons, mother of dragons, don’t you see? Don’t you SEE?”

We already know the rest of the story: Daenerys walked into the funerary pyre with the dragon eggs, spent a whole night there, and her people found her the next morning with the first hatched dragons in more than a century.

There are similarities in their backgrounds as well. Both were orphans in charge of people who couldn’t properly deal with the situations. For Daenerys, she depended on another freaking child for a living. Viserys was an asshole who reaped what he sowed, but growing up as a lonely child without adults to rely on and a little sister to take care of, as exiles, in another country, leaves people scarred for life. For Anna, her aunt Honami wasn’t aware of what was truly going on with the 'medical treatment’ Anna was receiving and had Honami been fully aware of everything, without Homra’s help, and adult and a child can’t go against institutions. Both Daenerys and Anna also won more agency after becoming part of a bigger group, though, for Anna’s case, it was harder as she was only a child and still had to go through a period of 'isolation’ during the months Izumo is absent and Homra temporarily disbands, before awakening as a king the Red Clan reunites again.

Blue themed - honor before reason

(zig-zagged)

- elitism - military activities -  pride - discipline -

Green Clan: Jungle - Not entirely sure

  Why am I not placing Scepter 4 on House Stark, the obvious contrast to Homra’s red and House Targaryen’s fire? Well, that’s because House Stark is directly inspired by the history, territory, and people from where northern England meets Scotland. In-universe, House Stark rules over the biggest and most rural land in Westeros, are duty and honor-bound, however, the  House Stark is on the roughish scale of nobility. They are hard, modest and melancholic. Heck, “stark” is the word for the name of the house. There is the famous wildness of some members, in-universe called Wolf-Blood. They keep old customs, follow the old gods, descend from the lines of the First Men. House Stark reflects Scotland and northern rural England, so considering the refinement and modernity Scepter 4 portrays, it doesn’t match the rough and rural image the North of Westeros has within.  While Reisi’s animal may be the wolf, Stark’s animal are the direwolfs. Remember, their colors are grey and white, there is no blue in the sigil.

Second, because Eddard Stark, our picture honor-bounded nobleman, was fostered as a child in the Eyre by lord Jon Arryn. House Arryn moto is “As high as honor”. The Vale has a militaristic, knightly culture and gave the realm most of their best knights. Jon Arryn orchestrated Robert’s Rebellion against the Iron Throne, uniting the North, the Stormlands, Westerlands, and Riverlands, later became Hand of the King and essentially run the government of Westeros. In fact, historically, House Arryn had strong ties with House Targaryen: Kingsward members, Hands of the King, marriages with Targaryen princess, even Arryn queens.

Scepter 4, for me, matches House Arryn better than House Stark. A disciplined warrior elite. I believe their blue oni theme matches House Arryn well. Scepter 4 works closely to the Gold Clan, regulates strain activities, has executive functions and give off a hell of a sophisticated vibe. Good is not always soft or nice, and the heads of the clan can show it too, as they are not above using shady means, such as Reisi’s attempt to kidnap the millionaire that keep getting in his way in Files of Blue, Saruhiko drugging the high school student in season one in order to get the information he needed or Seri blatantly proposing plans that disregarded Mikoto’s human rights for the greater good.

Remember the tale of lady Alyssa Arryn not crying even when her husband and children were killed in front of her? I think about Reisi repressing his pain due to Mikoto’s death. Icy and proud. A prodigious mind, that essentially ends up as head of the country by the end of the season of K, but has to fight his way too. There are elements of frigidity and pride too.

The Arryns have been close to the Targaryen Dynasty, while also dealing with their own issues. Similar to how Scepter 4 closely works with the Timeless Palace, unlike other clans. The blue clan limits itself with the regulation and use on force on individuals who possess special abilities, but still, need authorization from the Gold King to act on some aspects. Obviously, had the Arryns rebelled against the Iron Throne, things would have end ugly for them, with or without dragons. Reisi can be rebellious towards the gold king, challenge him a bit, but that’s because K project is settled on a modern world. Different rules.

Intelligence and wit come to mind too: the Eyrie is a complex castle elevated over a mountain, inexpugnable and sophisticated as hell if we consider it was built over a mountain in the ancient westerosi world, with medieval technology. The freaking cells of the Eyre castle invoke psychological torture, as prisoners may fall from them due to the diagonal floor. Scepter 4 may be an organization for the greater good, but it doesn’t mean they will be nice.

Falcons (the animals of House Arryn) are symbols of boldness, courage, and victory. Tell me if that doesn’t match the Scepter 4, marching forward towards what they want, always ready for whatever emergency may appear, attentive and watching over.

There is a lunar theme too. The Eyrie remains high in the sky. Blue and white. The Moon Doors. Lunar symbolism references renewal and purity. Remember Scepter 4’s motto:

“We of Scepter 4 carry out duties of the sword. Forgiving of neither war in the sanctuary, nor chaos in the world. We will advance with sword in hand, for our cause is pure!”

The moon also symbolizes shadow and opposition, contrast. Scepter 4 is a military organization that doesn’t appear in the eyes of official society, working underground, in the shadows. There is that short story after the Gold King’s death, with Reisi intimidating the prime minister. The moon also represents feminity, with the implication of cleverness, grace, elegance the blue clan represents in contrast with the reds. Heck, remember how House Arryn had to deal with the mountain clans as arch-enemies for thousands of years? Clans as a ragtag bunch of misfits, followers of rude customs, working as gangs, in contrast with the discipline and pomp of another organization. Don’t you see in this a similarity with how Scepter 4 perceives Homra? Similar to how English nobility historically viewed Scottish clans and society.

There is both snow and ice in the imagery of House Arryn as it is settled in The Vale. Mountains, hills. While Scepter 4 has an affinity with the element of water, in contrast to Homra’s fire, I choose House Arryn to match Scepter 4 due to its history of chivalry, warriors and cold-blood. There is an ambition too as an element of the house, and, while we know Reisi is a terribly ambitious guy, that trait shouldn’t overshadow his clan as a whole.

This is a tricky one. I have troubles placing Jungle on a freaking medieval house, as they benefit from modern technology, since the majority of the clan work as an anonymous mass waiting for orders and depending on modern technology, more akin to mercenaries, but not mercenaries in the ancient sense of the word.

I have serious troubles with this, so, you are all invited to write your own thoughts on this.

Grey Clan: Cathedral - The Faith of the Seven

Devotion - abnegation - integrity -

Colorless clan - The Faith of the Seven

This was tricky too. We don’t know much of Cathedral, and Japanese media tends to mix protestant, Anglican and Catholic elements for the aestheticTM. While, judging from Seigo’s attire, he probably was a protestant priest, there is a lack of info concerning his personal story, let’s not speak about the whole clan. We know Cathedral was second in importance to the Gold Clan during the 90’s, all the clansmen perished during the creation of Kagutsu’s crater, and there is this flexible Christian theme surrounding them.

Since in Westeros the Faith of the Seven (from here on, it’ll be addressed as The Faith) is analogous to Christianity spreading over previous forms of beliefs, with the introduction of the Andal mass migration towards the continent. Septons and septas are analogous to priests and nuns who take vows of celibacy, though, in K, I suspect Cathedral held a non-catholic approach. We will never know, as the plot will always be abstract (that’s why we like it) and Seigo is a secondary character. 

I think the Colourless Clan would represent other aspects of The Faith, focusing on The Stranger (Ichigen, Kuroh, Yukari), The Krone (Ichigen), and The Father mixed with The Warrior (all three), The Maiden (Kuroh, I suppose Yukari too?), The Mother (Kuroh again, Ichigen too). For all, the Colourless King is considering the weakest of all those chosen by the Slate and a “joker”. The colourless clan led by Ichigen was composed of way different people, though there this misfit theme on its members: Kuroh’s backstory is very tragic, Yukari’s doesn’t seem to have a nice one either (the only thing we know about him is a heartbreak in the past) and Ichigen appears to never have married and later won clairvoyance powers as he was chosen as a King by the Dresden Slate. He carried on his martial school, has wisdom he shared to a selected few and a hermit lifestyle, though he closely collaborated with Daikaku Kokujoji himself.The original members of the Colourless Clan are walking deconstructions: Kuroh has this proper samurai image, yet behaves as a housewive towards Hakumaito and enjoys the activities. Yukari is a sword ace, but carries an ambiguous feminine image (there are in-universe discussions about him, such as Saru referring to him as gay, but the post-credit story has him flirting with two girls. Chaotic bi? flexible? simply metrosexual? we will never know. Ugh, I like him) yet has wisdom and is good at mentoring others (when he bothers to), but there is this morally gray streak about him. Heck, Nagare called him a “Breast”. And Ichigen, as I said above, acts like a reserved hermit, yet aids the Gold Clan, which carries on an underground Japanese government.For the anonymous Colourless King we have in the first season of K, I don’t really have many words. The character was an easily manipulated chaotic evil individual, who later got a sad backstory by losing their remaining sense of self by the use of their particular ability. Another aspect of The Strange, maybe? The whole colorless clan, presented as a joker in k-universe, could fit some degrees of The Stranger theme.