Astrology’s (Psychological) Principles Versus (Mundane) Details
Maritha Pottenger
Zip and I often say that astrology shows the principles in life—but not exact details. But this idea is easier to illustrate with specific examples. So, following are a couple of examples that help to show the psychological principles behind two planetary combinations (Venus/Uranus and Moon/Mars) as well as giving a selection of the many, many details that are could flow out from those general principles.
Example: Venus conjunct Uranus
Principles:
Security needs (particularly material/relationship) vie with risk-taking instincts (yet must be blended).
Partnership urges are linked to freedom needs.
Pursuit of pleasure combines with an attraction to the new, unusual, different.
Mundane Manifestations
Money: erratic income; part-time income; may be under- or unemployed; commission income; self-employment income; unpredictable gains/losses financially; unusual sources of money; money made/spent on computers, new technology, astrology or anything that is progressive, unusual or avant-garde; money supply has lots of ups and downs; financial independence essential; money gained/spent through friends or causes; inventive approach to finances (or make money through inventing); unconventional attitudes toward finances; breaking rules regarding fiduciary matters (e.g., bank robber, refusing to balance checkbook, rebellious or rabble-rousing employee, etc.); objective about money.
Possessions/Resources: unusual taste in art and ownership; strange, eccentric or cutting-edge possessions; rags to riches (to rags) scenarios; donate to humanitarian causes; give much to friends/receive much from friends; resistance to being tied down by “things”; chaotic possessions; material base varies widely; detached attitude toward physical world.
Relationships: affairs (or partner who has affairs); off-again/on-again relationships; hot/cold associations; constant disruptions in relationships; associations with a married partner or someone who lives a long distance away, is emotionally detached or otherwise not really available; partner of a different race, creed, religion, background, etc; partner who is strange, eccentric, weird, a symbol of rebellion (against parents/society, etc.); an unusual partnership (e.g., open marriage; bi-coastal relationship, etc.); relationship with lots of space built in (e.g., one partner travels, they work different shifts, etc.); friends become lovers and lovers stay friends; a relationship that accents each partner’s individuality; a partnership between best friends; an association full of tolerance, intellectual curiosity and an interest in the future; an association full of new experiences and fresh ideas.
Art/Beauty: unusual taste; progressive ideas about beauty; a nonstandard approach to art; art as a political statement; humanitarian involvements with the arts; computer graphics; rebellious statements through art or fashion; eclectic taste.
Gratification/Pleasure: comes through/with friends, humanitarian activities, involvement in the wider world, an exploration of alternatives (especially what lies ahead), mental challenges; open-mindedness; being different; experimenting; trying out various behaviors; pursuing a wide variety of activities; brainstorming; networking; looking at the world through a fresh, novel perspective.
Example: Moon conjunct Mars
Principles:
Security/safety needs vie with pioneering spirit.
Urges to attach emotionally compete with need for independence.
Maternal imprints affect personal will, identity, sexuality, and self-expression.
Mundane Manifestations
Mother (figure): could be independent, self-reliant, a groundbreaker, angry, trapped, aggressive, self-centered, physical, sexual, (in extremes) violent, self-expressive. Mother either struggled to be herself while being a mother (and could have felt frustrated and confined, or been too intent on meeting her own needs to truly look after children) or set a positive role model for combining independence and emotional support. Mother was teaching what to do—or what not to do—in terms of blending caring and commitment with self-reliance and independent action.
Home: could be the place you can be most fully yourself; a center of physical activity and action; full of anger or self-centered behavior; a clear reflection of who you are. Identification with the home likely, but perhaps not wanting to stay there much (freedom/closeness around the nest). May move furniture, change décor, have fights with family or otherwise fill the domestic environment with energy, action or self-expression. May feel your nest is the spot you can truly be who you are.
Handling of anger: strongly influenced by mother figure; could be buried; may come out in caretaking contexts; may be triggered by feelings of abandonment or inadequate nurturing; more aroused by family members or when feelings of neediness or nurturing are stimulated.
Assertive instincts: most likely expressed in a protective context (e.g., for family members, for pets, on behalf of someone/something unable to defend itself); could be forceful in nurturing (or in seeking emotional safety); might be demanding and emotionally needy at times (like whiny child); can be very strong on behalf of loved ones (the fierce mother defending the cubs); may swing between excessive neediness (feeling vulnerable, unsafe, yearning for protection) and too much self-reliance and determination to live life on your own terms without anyone else. You must learn to feel safe to assert yourself, that independence will add to your security.
Emotions: are apt to be volatile; could feel torn between open expression versus holding back and holding in. Might mix sexual desires and nurturing (or protection) needs (making love becomes an avenue for trying to feel safe, get cuddled). Need to find a middle ground of some spontaneous sharing and some circumspect control.
Relationship with Children: Identification with nurturing principle, but not wanting to do it for very long. Could be impatient with mothering role. Better for short spurts of parenting than long, enduring commitments. Act of mothering will bring up issues of self-assertion and self-expression. Anything still unresolved will be worked out with children, pets, projects that we nurture or look after. Like own mother, learning how to be truly yourself and still care for and look after others.