(12-29-2012, 01:13 PM)Shannon Wrote: Every point, planet and relevant aspect in a chart has two poles of expression. The option for expression is not just one of those two poles, but along the continuum between them - for each and every point, planet and aspect present. Oddly, there appear to be very few who grasp that fact, which kills accuracy for a lot of people who would take up the mantle of interpreting a natal chart. Indeed, without anything else to go by, it takes a lot of skill and experience to figure out what the polarity will most likely be, and even then the possibility of error is present. One must understand the chart in depth to be able to see probable polarity of expression for each point. It is a very challenging thing to do. Few indeed would spend much time mastering this branch of this field of study, but the returns and benefits are enormous. As someone whose footsteps you seem to be following in, trust my guidance on this. Make yourself an expert in natal astrology. You won't regret it. But expect it to take a while.

(12-31-2012, 09:13 AM)mat422 Wrote: I realized that as long as I have unnecessary fear in my life, my actions will always be fueled by fear. I don't want to have fear push me into something I have no desire to do.

My uncle was telling me how I should go back and get a bachelor degree, because it will pay for itself in the future. No. Especially if it's something that I'm doing just because I feel I need to and haven't explored other options. I'm sick of everyone pushing everyone else into debt and saying that once you get hired for a job you'll be able to pay off student loans. My uncle is still paying off his debt, that's not the kind of life I want to live. Maybe if I knew I wanted to get a degree in a specific area of study, I'd go for it. But at this point it feels like I wanted to get it just because everyone has been telling me that you need one to make it in the world.

By the time I graduate, who knows maybe a bachelors degree will be as useful as an associates. And then you have to get a masters. Then what? When everyone gets masters, you have to go for your doctorate? A level beyond doctorate? Maybe they'll have to invent one. 10 years ago college was a big deal, now almost every degree is watered down because of the over saturation of individuals with degrees.

I think what I need to do is save up money after finding a job, any job. Move someplace else, explore life for a while, and stop feeling the need to conform to what everyone tells me about get a degree, get a job, save for retirement, die. I'll be honest, that depresses me.

I'm sick of it all. I'm sick of feeling like people telling me "this is the way it is and you should do as I say, otherwise who knows what will happen". Life is so fickle. If I start making money just so I can live comfortably when I'm older, there's no guarantee of that. What if I get hit by a car and die? Then what? My entire life would have been wasted by saving up for something that never came.

This is how it's been for me since high school. Contemplating life, contemplating careers, future goals. I've always felt there is something wrong. I don't know if that was the world pushing down on me or me being depressed and projecting out into the world. Sometimes I look at the way things are and I can't stand it. I feel like for me my life has been composed of 90% suffering and 10% happiness.

I feel like most of my family thinks the answer to my problems is to "get out there" and start doing something with my life. I've always felt it doesn't matter where I go, what I do, what I accomplish, the problem is internal, not external. If I don't fix the inside, my external reality will always be a reflection of that. People who don't deal with that internal struggle just can't put themselves in my shoes, and I don't blame them. But I have to do what is good for me, not what other people think is good for me. Of course I'll heed advice and acknowledge something that can help me, but I won't blindly latch onto someone's every word.

(12-29-2012, 02:34 PM)mat422 Wrote:

(12-29-2012, 01:13 PM)Shannon Wrote: Every point, planet and relevant aspect in a chart has two poles of expression. The option for expression is not just one of those two poles, but along the continuum between them - for each and every point, planet and aspect present. Oddly, there appear to be very few who grasp that fact, which kills accuracy for a lot of people who would take up the mantle of interpreting a natal chart. Indeed, without anything else to go by, it takes a lot of skill and experience to figure out what the polarity will most likely be, and even then the possibility of error is present. One must understand the chart in depth to be able to see probable polarity of expression for each point. It is a very challenging thing to do. Few indeed would spend much time mastering this branch of this field of study, but the returns and benefits are enormous. As someone whose footsteps you seem to be following in, trust my guidance on this. Make yourself an expert in natal astrology. You won't regret it. But expect it to take a while.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems as if this is a result of black and white thinking. Doesn't really surprise me that only a few are able to interpret with accuracy given that humans tend to lean towards one extreme or the other.

Do you have any suggestions where I should start to learn about natal astrology?

(12-31-2012, 09:13 AM)mat422 Wrote: I realized that as long as I have unnecessary fear in my life, my actions will always be fueled by fear. I don't want to have fear push me into something I have no desire to do.

My uncle was telling me how I should go back and get a bachelor degree, because it will pay for itself in the future. No. Especially if it's something that I'm doing just because I feel I need to and haven't explored other options. I'm sick of everyone pushing everyone else into debt and saying that once you get hired for a job you'll be able to pay off student loans. My uncle is still paying off his debt, that's not the kind of life I want to live. Maybe if I knew I wanted to get a degree in a specific area of study, I'd go for it. But at this point it feels like I wanted to get it just because everyone has been telling me that you need one to make it in the world.

By the time I graduate, who knows maybe a bachelors degree will be as useful as an associates. And then you have to get a masters. Then what? When everyone gets masters, you have to go for your doctorate? A level beyond doctorate? Maybe they'll have to invent one. 10 years ago college was a big deal, now almost every degree is watered down because of the over saturation of individuals with degrees.

I think what I need to do is save up money after finding a job, any job. Move someplace else, explore life for a while, and stop feeling the need to conform to what everyone tells me about get a degree, get a job, save for retirement, die. I'll be honest, that depresses me.

I'm sick of it all. I'm sick of feeling like people telling me "this is the way it is and you should do as I say, otherwise who knows what will happen". Life is so fickle. If I start making money just so I can live comfortably when I'm older, there's no guarantee of that. What if I get hit by a car and die? Then what? My entire life would have been wasted by saving up for something that never came.

This is how it's been for me since high school. Contemplating life, contemplating careers, future goals. I've always felt there is something wrong. I don't know if that was the world pushing down on me or me being depressed and projecting out into the world. Sometimes I look at the way things are and I can't stand it. I feel like for me my life has been composed of 90% suffering and 10% happiness.

I feel like most of my family thinks the answer to my problems is to "get out there" and start doing something with my life. I've always felt it doesn't matter where I go, what I do, what I accomplish, the problem is internal, not external. If I don't fix the inside, my external reality will always be a reflection of that. People who don't deal with that internal struggle just can't put themselves in my shoes, and I don't blame them. But I have to do what is good for me, not what other people think is good for me. Of course I'll heed advice and acknowledge something that can help me, but I won't blindly latch onto someone's every word.

(01-11-2013, 12:45 PM)Shannon Wrote: It is much easier to install an entirely new belief than to alter or release one. Altering is easier than releasing when fear is holding it in place.

(01-11-2013, 05:04 PM)HMoody Wrote:

(12-31-2012, 09:13 AM)mat422 Wrote: I realized that as long as I have unnecessary fear in my life, my actions will always be fueled by fear. I don't want to have fear push me into something I have no desire to do.

My uncle was telling me how I should go back and get a bachelor degree, because it will pay for itself in the future. No. Especially if it's something that I'm doing just because I feel I need to and haven't explored other options. I'm sick of everyone pushing everyone else into debt and saying that once you get hired for a job you'll be able to pay off student loans. My uncle is still paying off his debt, that's not the kind of life I want to live. Maybe if I knew I wanted to get a degree in a specific area of study, I'd go for it. But at this point it feels like I wanted to get it just because everyone has been telling me that you need one to make it in the world.

By the time I graduate, who knows maybe a bachelors degree will be as useful as an associates. And then you have to get a masters. Then what? When everyone gets masters, you have to go for your doctorate? A level beyond doctorate? Maybe they'll have to invent one. 10 years ago college was a big deal, now almost every degree is watered down because of the over saturation of individuals with degrees.

I think what I need to do is save up money after finding a job, any job. Move someplace else, explore life for a while, and stop feeling the need to conform to what everyone tells me about get a degree, get a job, save for retirement, die. I'll be honest, that depresses me.

I'm sick of it all. I'm sick of feeling like people telling me "this is the way it is and you should do as I say, otherwise who knows what will happen". Life is so fickle. If I start making money just so I can live comfortably when I'm older, there's no guarantee of that. What if I get hit by a car and die? Then what? My entire life would have been wasted by saving up for something that never came.

This is how it's been for me since high school. Contemplating life, contemplating careers, future goals. I've always felt there is something wrong. I don't know if that was the world pushing down on me or me being depressed and projecting out into the world. Sometimes I look at the way things are and I can't stand it. I feel like for me my life has been composed of 90% suffering and 10% happiness.

I feel like most of my family thinks the answer to my problems is to "get out there" and start doing something with my life. I've always felt it doesn't matter where I go, what I do, what I accomplish, the problem is internal, not external. If I don't fix the inside, my external reality will always be a reflection of that. People who don't deal with that internal struggle just can't put themselves in my shoes, and I don't blame them. But I have to do what is good for me, not what other people think is good for me. Of course I'll heed advice and acknowledge something that can help me, but I won't blindly latch onto someone's every word.

I can understand where you are coming from and can empathize but I wonder if simply getting out there and doing something wouldn't be helpful?

Inner reality definitely drives outer reality but outer reality also affects inner reality. Take exercising for instance...you may not feel like doing it...but if you force yourself to get out there and do it then it still makes you feel better as it gives your numerous benefits including releasing endorphins, etc.

if I slump my posture like I was depressed and ashamed..then it can cause those feelings to come up. If I stand straight and hold my head high even if I'm not feeling it initially after a while I start to feel more confident. I think as human beings we are given an outer environment to interact with because it can and does effect us just as we effect our outer environment. I'm not advising you to do anything that you are not ready for but sometimes we can't simply think our way out of problems..sometimes the very act of simply doing something physical really does help as it gets us out of our heads. Being a person that is quite analytical..I tended to over think things a lot and the act of doing something physical really helps you to ground yourself and give yourself a break from all the analyzing.