Signs from My Angels

Just read Doreen Virtue's book called Signs From Above (co-written with her son Charles Virtue) in preparation for the impending Angels Certification Programme (ACP) I enrolled in for November! Am so excited! This is my first book I've read on the subject of 'angels' by Doreen Virtue, the one who pioneered the study of 'angel therapy' and the use of 'angel oracle cards'. These are widely in use nowadays and I've had a reading done once in a new age workshop in Hong Kong once upon a time. Don't remember the outcomes as I remember tarot readings, but angel readings are meant to be empowering and uplifting, much like the signs that your guardian angels give you to assure you that you are loved and watched upon.

There are various signs that angels give us on earth, such as clouds in the shape of angels, deceased loved ones or pets, or anything that has significant meaning to you. Even prior to reading the angel book, I would look up at the sky from time to time to check out the shape of clouds, to see if I could make out any extraordinary shapes. I've seen bunnies, dogs, human faces.......countless objects that my imagination could conjure up. I'm sure I've even seen angels, however back then I had no idea what they were. Now that I've read Signs, I realize that those images were more than the product of my hyperactive imagination - maybe they really meant something! Maybe they really were 'signs' that were put into my path in order to tell me something about my life at that particular moment..........

A few days ago, I had just finished reading a quarter of the book when I silently pondered the possibility of receiving a sign from above - I thought to myself: 'how nice would it be to have some affirmation from my angels?' On my way home, I looked up at the sky to see if I can spot any angel-shaped clouds or rainbows. I didn't see anything spectacular. So I walked on........and just as I was about to cross the road in front of a zebra-crossing, I saw a truck pull out of the parking lot, and smack on its side was the Fiorucci logo - two angels with wings! My angels have spoken. Miraculous! Then when I got home I fiddled a bit with this and that, and fished for something to eat and went into my room to rest. After about half an hour or so, I came back out to call my grandma to ask her about something, and as I put down the phone and looked over at the spot where all the mail is put, I found a pamphlet for a beauty parlour - with an image of a cute smiling angel on the cover! OMG! I was truly gobsmacked! Just as the angel book said, one could not help but smile and feel a deep sense of bliss and love when one receives a gift from their angels. I mean, who wouldn't be happy when they see something as divinely cute as an angel motif!?

After having the privilege of receiving TWO signs in one day, I thought I'd do some research on the past, to see if I've missed anything crucial prior to my epiphany. Led by my intuition, I checked my Blackberry pics on my computer, and there it was - a picture I took of a rainbow while I was walking from my college dorm down Hills Road to downtown Cambridge. I remember feeling quite happy and awash with a sense of warmth and relief when I saw the rainbow that day. I must have felt strong emotions, as I was compelled to stop on the street to take a picture of it with my Blackberry! The picture was dated 20 November 2009. It was during my darkest days, when I was feeling depressed, sickly and spiritless. It was a week before my mom was due to arrive in Cambridge to visit me and to help me pack up my belongings to move back to Hong Kong. In retrospect, now I know that the angels meant to tell me that everything will be alright very soon, and I have my mom's visit to look forward to. As it happens, my mom has always been my 'earth guardian angel' - whom I even acknowledged her to be in my MPhil thesis! - and she was coming to 'save' me and to bring me home!!! As it happens, the very next pic on my Blackberry - dated 27 November 2009 - was that of my mom posed in front of the famous Chinese scholar's rock in the backs of King's College. My Earth Guardian Angel. Things really were alright after that.

To conclude my angel musings of the night, I have to tell you that the same evening that I read the angel book, as I was lying on my bed listening to music on my iphone, the first song that came up (on random shuffle mode) was 'Blowing in the Wind' ('the answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.....'); followed by 'Top of the World' ('Everything I want the world to be, is now comin' true especially for me, and the reason is clear, it's because you are here, you're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen......'); and finally - ta-da! - Geri Haliwell's version of 'It's Raining Men' ('It's rainin' men, hallelujah!') Hahahaha! Yes, music is another medium that angels use to deliver signs. Lyrics especially. Having had THREE songs to do with divination, heaven, and men falling out of the sky......I felt truly blessed. The angels had really made my day. The day I picked up Signs and got all those signs was one of the happiest days I've ever had. I can't wait to learn more about angels and healing and am very much looking forward to attending Doreen's course in November!

The Practice of Tarot

Hello summer of 2010! Wow, it's been a whole year since I last posted. I can't believe it's been so long. My last post was on my Saturn Return, so there's no surprise how much has happened to disrupt my publishing plans. While Saturn's effects are slow when you're in the midst of it all (like fighting a never-ending battle!) but once it's over, it's like everything was a dream (a nightmare actually!) and that all is well again - even much, much better - in a blink of an eye! Am so glad I can look back and say it's all over now. I can put the past behind and move forward. Am so touched by the encouragement I've gotten about my blog, so I must continue on my journey of self-discovery by sharing more with you on my beloved subject.

I've discovered a new interest since last summer.....that is the Tarot! I've had a very serendipitous encounter with tarot cards since 5 years ago in 2005. I remember I had always been fascinated by them, and that I've paid to have readings on several occasions in Hong Kong. My friend Nanz, who also read for me, then bought me a pack of Rider-Waite tarot cards for my 25th birthday. But the timing wasn't right, so I didn't pick it up back then. They just didn't translate into any meaning for me. Despite my struggling to decipher the symbols behind my first pack of cards, they just didn't talk to me.....

Then 5 years after I've studied astrology on my own and practised yoga extensively, I felt I needed something more to propel me forward in my spiritual quest. I wanted to know more about the occult and the metaphysical realm. I picked up tarot again. This time I went for the Mythic Tarot, in which I ordered online at amazon.co.uk. It just sounded or 'felt' right. People say that you have to 'feel' the cards to see if they speak to you. Well, in this case, the amazon description by Juliet Sharman-Burke - the creator of the cards - 'felt' right to my ears. So I listened to my intuition and ordered them to be delivered to my college. I was so excited when I got them! I immediately began to read the accompanying book on Greek myths that informed the cards. I felt immediately connected because I had always loved Greek and Roman mythology and it played a big part of my learning process in childhood. Then when I felt more confident with having learnt the general descriptions of the cards, I tried to do some readings for myself. As I gained more confidence, I then tried it on my friends at Cambridge. Then I even branched out to reading for my friends' friends who visited them in Cambridge! I had so much fun learning as I went along, and making my friends bear with me when I had to read and re-read the book to interpret the meanings! I used the Celtic Cross spread - as it was pretty much the only method I knew back then as taught in Juliet Sharman-Burke's book - and it was an intricate spread of 10 cards signifying different meanings in their various positions. I first had to memorize what each position meant, and then try to interpret what each card meant when in those specific positions. Thankfully the Greek Gods and the mythological stories really spoke to me, and I was able to synthesize these symbols in my interpretations. As tarot teachers say, tarot is really about SYMBOLS. You need to relate to the symbols in order to be able to do good/accurate interpretations. Then again, it's not really about 'precision' of such. Not that you can memorize what each card means and regurgitate those in your readings. You need to be flexible and above all - intuitive. It's all about honing your intuition because each question is different and there are so many different ways of interpreting the cards. There's a basic, underlying meaning to each card, but it varies a bit on different occasions. That's the magic of it. That's why not everyone 'knows' how to read the tarot. It requires alot of practice and self-advancement to be good.

Tarot really is a mysterious thing......as I've thought to myself on many occasions: the cards in each spread really do make sense. They do not come up at random. Even if I really did know my symbols really well and was very flexible and eloquent in interpreting the cards, they would've had to 'come up' in a sequence or arrangement that 'made sense' in the first place. For example, if I was asking about my love life, it would be weird if the suit of Pentacles (money) kept coming up and there were hardly any Cups (love) in my spread. Vice versa, if I was asking about my career, and Cups kept coming up, it would be a bit improbable. Of course you can argue that love is linked to money alot of times, or that you are very emotionally invested in your career. But still, it would not make sense if the cards came up completely random in a 10-card spread! Finally I have a story to share, very briefly, as it has to do with the mystery of the cards. It happened during my winter term in Cambridge when I first learnt to read the tarot. I went to my friend WS's house and his friend was there. So I read for his friend, knowing nothing about him or his love life. His question was if he could break up with his girlfriend successfully. The spread turned out to be bordering on random, as there were many Swords and Pentacles and only 1 Cup. On the outset it didn't make sense, and I was a bit gutted and distraught about my tarot reading skills. But after a long time, he finally told me that his 'relationship' was actually a divorce, and that he was seeking a divorce with his wife on the grounds that there was much conflict (Swords) having to do with money (Pentacles). Mystery solved! It made perfect sense! The tarot never lies.......(even if he was keeping this a secret from everyone back then.)

Since then I've been evermore enthused about my readings, both for myself and for others. Of course some made more 'sense' than others, and I've come across many difficult spreads that were extremely hard to interpret. But I'm not deterred. The human psyche is so complex......things are seldom what they seem to be on the surface. My objective is to sift through the layers and discover what's hidden beneath, so as to relieve people, and myself, of our doubts and fears. As tarot teachers say, people already know subconsciously how things will probably unfold, but they need REASSURANCE from external sources to be sure. I totally agree. The Celtic Cross spread helps you arrive at your final destination - the final outcome - via navigating the different stages of the mundane situation/your inner psyche, step by step. That is why the art of tarot can be said to straddle both the psychological and the occult worlds according to Jungian psychologists. I've ordered 2 more sets of tarot cards, one of them is the Legacy of the Divine Tarot illustrated by the famous tarot artist Ciro Marchetti. So excited about the impending delivery! Will share more when I get them.........

Saturn Return Revisited

During the past month I feel as if my life has been turned upside down, and I've been suddenly confronted with a series of expeditious and unexpected events.

There is no doubt that the Saturn Return has struck again.......

Last I checked, which was last week, Saturn had just skimmed past 17 degrees Virgo - which was the placement of my Virgo in my birthchart. This means I was basking under the effects of Saturn directly hitting my birth Saturn during the past few weeks! I fell terribly sick for a whole 3 weeks and could barely sleep a wink. It was terrible, just terrible. I had been sick before, but never before had I felt so sucked out of all reserves of energy. It was one of my weakest moments in life, ever. The feeling was pure helplessness. It's like when you cough and cough and cough, and you're heaving your chest so much that your whole body including your chest, your rib cage and your lower stomach all hurt like hell. It's like when you've done a million sit ups a day or something. (On the good side, I guess my stomach is 'toned'.) During that time I didn't wanna see anyone or eat anything, because my windpipe would get stimulated by the slightest inhalation of air and my throat was itchy at all times. Seriously, even mildly spicy soup made me cough like hell, so all I ate was noodles cooked in chicken broth and unobtrusive sandwiches for the duration of the few weeks. Not being able to consume food freely is the worst ever possible thing that could happen. To eat pleasurably and sleep soundly are the two things I regard as most important in life. Hence it was to my utmost chagrin that both these two aspects were unfulfilled during my bodily ordeal. It was the nightmare of my life. It made me realize that when you are forced to strip down to your bare essential needs, it's health that counts the most. Not anything else, really. Everything else you can more or less control, but a healthy body is something you really can't take for granted; anyone who've got it is truly blessed. From now on, I vow never to inhale anything carcinogenic or vaguely suspect into my lungs ever again. As my faithful Chinese doctor said, 'the lung is the most delicate organ in the body.' So do take good care of it, people.

Health was not the only thing that was under fire. Friendship also took a serious toll. There was a recent falling out with a friend. It was dramatic. Well, I shouldn't blame it all on Saturn Return. But during this time, what is meant to happen will happen. There's no escaping the inevitable during this fateful time. People in your life whom are meant to stay will live through the turmoil and sustain, but those who are meant to play a transient role will fade out eventually. People and places and events are meant to be rather transient during Saturn Return. It's a time for you to learn about what you need and don't need through expedited and intensified experiences and what sustains is what will stay with you for life. At least till the next Saturn Return which is not for another 30 years, in which it will be time again for you to weed out the unnecessary and unwanted in your life. It sounds cruel, this weeding out business, but it actually isn't. Towards the last days of my Saturn Return I've gotten quite used to it now - the transience of life. I've learnt that to hold on to something that's doomed is unhealthy. Tis no wonder that my health also literally suffered during this weeding out process. It's both a physical purging of the body and spiritual purging of the soul.

I've learnt alot through the areas of Health, Relationship, and Work during the past year. I confess that I've had my moments of weakness and wanted to regress.....but on the whole I've encouraged myself to move forward. A friend of mine recently had her 30th birthday, and her life trajectory is very similar to mine in many ways. New country, new career, new boyfriend. (I don't have the latter, although it came sort of close but just fizzled out due to the fact that it was just not meant to be - a classic Saturn Return hallmark that you're suppose to discard what doesn't work; you get it by now.) My 30-year-old friend is not very happy or optimistic about the future. She's not moving forward in confident strides. In a certain way, she's regressing or too stuck in her ways. I'm not gonna say which sign she is, to avoid stereotyping in this instance. But it's a sign that holds on to the past real tight. It's one that wallows in past memories and is reluctant to move on and embrace the new. Comfort-zone oriented. I don't mention the sign because I believe that there is no one such sign that confronts Saturn Return easier or harder. I don't think any astrologer - Stephen Arroyo or anyone else I've read about - have alluded to the difference in reception of different signs. Saturn Return is an objective phenomenon that has to be treated with the same reverence and receptivity for each and every person. There are no exceptions. However, if I were to contribute my opinion, then it's the mutable signs that have an easier time adapting to change, such as the likes of Virgo, Pisces, Gemini and Sagittarius. Although some might say that it may not apply to Pisces, it being water. I'd say the more detached one is, the easier to let go and move on. I seriously hope my friend gets past the psychological obstacles which are holding her back and that she can discard old destructive habits and move forward. It's the only way to go from here, as she's sacrificed so much and left so much behind already. On a more cheerful note, I have another friend who is approaching his 29th year, and he's got it all. New country, new career, new girlfriend. It all looks mighty optimistic to me. He's off to a grand new start after finishing his PhD and is now on his way home to start his new job (and to see his new girlfriend). It is my sincere wish that all members of the Saturn Return Club can have the same optimistic outlook and grand new start as him.

Virgo, Cancer and Scorpio: The Holy Trinity of 'Sense' and 'Sensibility'

Just came back from an excursion to the land of the Scots with two mates from Cambridge. We were one Earth (Virgo) and two Waters (Cancer and Scorpio). The holy trinity of sense and sensibility, as I've just coined us.

The Holy Trinity of Sense and Sensibility embodies the 'sensible' pragmatism of Virgo (Earth) and the 'sensitive' idealism of Cancer and Scorpio (Waters). Pity our Fire (Sagittarius) friend couldn't join; nor could the other Earth-Fire individual (Capricorn-Sagittarius). We are therefore rendered imbalanced in our elemental combination. Having said that, our group had always lacked the Air element anyhow. Surprisingly there aren't any Geminis, Libras or Aquarians I hang out with around here! A far cry from back home in Hong Kong where I kept encountering these Airy individuals and were seriously bereft of my Earthy or Watery kin. Hence I'm not one to complain about the abundance of Earth and Water in my nearest and dearest right now. The Scorpio in question does however, exude a Geminian Ascendant, which supplies the quick-wittedness and resourcefulness that we need on our trip. I suspect (and not just me), that the Cancerian in question also has Air representation in her chart, most likely Gemini as well, due to her friskiness - highly uncharacteristic of the chilled out, retiring Water element. Sociable Gemini cancels out some of her Cancerian shyness I am willing to bet. So far, we'd never know, given her reluctance to divulge her time of birth, with the explanation that she refuses to be 'boxed in' a certain category perhaps due to psychological training. It's worthwhile to note that Jungian psychology drives alot of the theories of famous contemporary astrologers such as Liz Greene, Stephen Arroyo and Howard Sasportas, to name just a few.

Oh well, so the Holy Trinity was quite a success. Earth and Water complement each other perfectly. The Virgo was pleasantly nourished by the emotional bestowments of Cancer and Scorpio. Cancer was very nurturing as usual, and provided excellent hospitality in the physical sense, as we were being hosted by her family in Glasgow. Cancer always tried her best to make sure everyone's needs are taken care of, albeit being a bit stressed out herself because of the need to attain perfection in this realm. On some occasions she was worried that transportation requirements were not met, or that not enough sights had been seen in the motherland. Excessive worrying is a hallmark of Cancer. She reminds me of my other Cancerian mate who resides in London. She's like that too. She tries to accomodate everyone but stresses herself out in the process. I think it would do them good to practice moderation, so as not to build up resentment in the long run. It's a pity to let their kindheartedness get in the way of their personal well being. People appreciate you just the way you are; no need to do extra or compromise your own needs by satisfying others'. There is no perfection, only effort. You try your best, and people will know.

The Scorpio friend I got a chance to know much better during the intense six days of travel. I always labelled her as ethereal, otherwise known as otherworldly. I got to see a more 'worldly' side of her on our sojourn across the Highlands as we braved the perils together, hand in hand. I have a weakness for putting a label on people too rashly. This I owe to the impatience of Virgo. Although it is Earth by nature, it does not exude the gravity of Taurus or the serenity of Capricorn. Virgo is frisky and fidgety thanks to the mercurial nature of it's ruling planet Mercury - which incidentally is also Gemini's ruler. While Mercury and Gemini are a perfect match, it's a mismatch for Virgo; Virgo has the wrong ruler! As the late Linda Goodman constantly forebodes, Virgo has yet to find it's true ruler, Vulcan, who will finally give it the right amount of gusto and fortitude that it needs, that will finally put an end to this nerve-wracking fidgetiness. I have no idea why Virgo has to be imbued with a wrong ruler while Taurus and Capricorn have such suitable ones (sensual Venus and serious Saturn respectively). It's so not fair that we can't be comfortable in our own skins like them.

The Scorpio with a Gemini Ascendant has provided much charm and entertainment throughout the journey. Now I know why people are so drawn to her; it's the magnetism which comes so naturally. When you talk to her, you can feel her intuition brewing. She can feel what you're feeling. It's not phony, while some people keep telling you 'I know how you feel', but you can really feel that she feels with you and for you. The compassion is different from the Cancerian type. Cancer compassion exists on a more mundane level, while Scorpio feeling is more latent and mysterious.....it draws you in. Magic. It's like when I talk to my dad - about substantive personal issues - I can feel him feeling what I feel, in that particular moment. And I feel much better. The soul feels nourished when it is identified with. I suppose that is the ethereal factor that I constantly allude to when speaking of my Scorpio friend. She is ethereal, but not unapproachable. The otherworldiness manifests in her gift of connection with other people.

It is worthwhile to conclude that The Holy Trinity was made up of one Cardinal Sign (Cancer), one Mutable Sign (Virgo) and one Fixed Sign (Scorpio). That's the most ideal case scenario. Cardinal leads, Mutable is the go-between, the communicator, and the Fixed one coordinates and organizes. Considering the circumstances, it is fair enough that the Cancerian leader is the one who is hosting the whole expedition, as we are visiting her motherland and she is the one to lead us to our destinations. Scorpio, meanwhile appearing to be a bit day-dreamy, is actually quite organized and thorough in planning her meticulously coordinated outfits for the journey! What with the Scottie hat and highland maiden's outfit for striking a pose on the top of the hills. They always surprise you, these fixed signs (besides Taurus, who is rather consistent in demeanor and action). Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius - they sometimes seem aloof (Leo always a bit flustered), but they're actually very organized, very prepared, in their own sort of way. My mom (Taurus) worries that my dad (Scorpio) does not know the way to drive to somewhere, and he does make wrong turns (and gets fined occasionally), but he always manages to find the way, in his own time, own accord. No need to worry about these folks. They appear otherworldly, but there's no one who knows better during crucial times. You just have to trust that they make the right judgements. The Scorpio friend will come back safe and unscathed (albeit with a few scars and bumps here and there) from her trip to one exotic locale in Central Asia.

Westside, Friday, 5 June

Virgo Men

In all my life, I can say that I've encountered many Virgo men. Lately there have been less since I came to Cambridge though. In fact, I can't think of any......Not even on Facebook. The first thing I look at is birthdays before anything else; not even the juicy pictures can divert my gaze - unless they are super hot, of course. Or hideous.


Virgo men are an interesting breed. I have a special thing for them because my Sun is in Virgo. For women, the guys they are attracted to - according to the classical astrological myth - are the ones who have the same sign as their Sun or Mars (masculine tendencies). For men, it's women who have the same signs as their Moon or Venus (feminine tendencies) that attract them most. Moon stands for emotional needs and maternal instinct, and it is true that psychologically, men often have a special bond with their mothers, and would be inclined to look for women who resemble them in a way. (Oedipal issues aside. Although I do believe that tendencies are experienced on a spectrum, and no one's on the absolute ends of the scale, be it sexuality-wise or whatever. Those who claim to be on the extreme ends are more likely repressed or in denial.) The Sun stands for rationality of Apollonian rigour and all things no-nonsense, pragmatic and unhindered by emotion. In obsolete terms, it stands for the masculine. Remember that classical astrology originated many centuries ago where there was no feminist movement whatsoever, so we must forgive these sexist distinctions. See them as giving us an easy way to memorize otherwise esoteric concepts in astrology.

So, back to Sun and Mars for women when choosing their true loves. According to these rules, then I myself should therefore go for Virgo and Cancer, which are the signs wherein my said 'love planets' lie. I do like Virgo and Cancer, but Cancer more than Virgo though. I'm sure alot of people like Virgo men because they are polite, considerate and down-to-earth. Not overbearing, not too much, not too flirtatious or sleazy. But charming in a service-oriented, practical kind of way. They're very resourceful. If you ask them for help, they'll totally get the job done, and very neatly at that. Somewhat like Scorpio, which is very detailed and very thorough. Except Virgo is more efficient and what I would like to call 'no-nonsense' and worldly (Scorpio is more 'otherworldly' as I like to say.) It depends on your taste really; and the task at hand. For example, if say, I have to book a plane ticket real quick, I'll rely on Virgo. But if say I need to find good-value, swanky hotels in a holiday destination or a fieldwork destination, but am not really on a time limit, then I'll ask Scorpio to do the research for me. The outcome is bound to be perfect. Just the right budget, just the right swankiness, and even more details thrown in that you never thought of yourself, for instance a balcony in your room, free breakfast, or late checkout or something. Thoroughness is what Scorpio is known for.

Virgo, on the other hand, is very neat, very tidy, very exact. It's pretty much a given fact that they are clean freaks and like to look good. However, not good as in 'Libra good' or 'Leo good'. Those are more flashy and more into high-octane glamour. Virgo's look is understated and classical. The Virgo guys I know are all very well-dressed - as in preppy, clean-shaven Polo Ralph Lauren style - and always have impeccable manners and are generally unpretentious and down-to-earth (save for some plantary afflications in their chart, such as a flamboyant Ascendant or a flirtatious Mercury). So what's not to like about them? I would say they're not very manly men. Some might disagree, but if you compared them to say an Aries alpha-male type or a Leo dramatic in-your-face type or a Capricorn or Cancer ultra-traditional patriarchal husband type, or even a Taurean sensual earthy male type, you'll find a Virgo man a bit lacking in masculinity. True that they're seldom controlling and overbearing, and won't not let you hang out with your friends or get super jealous of you talking to other guys or something. Yet, I find them a bit too wishy-washy for my liking. I would say that Virgo men are the most wishy-washy of all the signs. For some reason, Virgo women's wishy-washiness is not mega-annoying compared to Virgo men's. Again, a sexist remark that perhaps women can get away with a certain degree of wishy-washiness. But I don't think so for men. Maybe I haven't been really dominiated by overbearing alpha-males, so I don't yet know how to appreciate the cool and composed nonchalance of Virgo men. Another thing not that appealing about them is their crankiness. Like Cancer, they have their mood swings - owing to the swift changes of the Moon for Cancer - but Virgo crankiness is different. It's like a woman throwing a tantrum. Imagine a girl Virgo complaining about hygiene. There was this Virgo guy who told me off for eating in his car; he literally shouted at me and said the carpet had just been cleaned. I forgot what I was eating, but it was definitely not crisps or anything scandalous. I swear it was like a granola bar or something totally harmless. These are guys who would be slathering on handcream, following anti-bacterial non-liquid handwash; take their dogs or cars to be expertly washed and groomed by specialists; go on South Beach diets or make sure they never skip their twice weekly ashtanga yoga session with the yoga guru from New York. In other words, they are spanking perfect. That explains why I have such a hard timing justifying why I don't like them! I don't know, maybe I would get along with a Virgo guy who's less fussy and more assertive. I just haven't met one yet. Maybe I need to be with an absolute slob to start appreciating the discreet charms of Virgo men.

In Praise of Fire Signs

I used to have a major bias towards Earth and Water signs. I really do love them, and get along with them very well, considering that I am one myself. But there's one thing I really don't like about them - especially those who don't have ANY major Fire or Air influences in their chart. They are so SLUGGISH!!

I have a new concept I derived at, from having dissected a few more birth charts in these past few weeks. It sounds sort of mean, using these as social experiments, but hey, I'm a social scientist, and I investigate human phenomena right? It's embedded inside me; it's in my blood. Ok, so I had the privilege of looking at a few friends' charts, and I found that one of them is predominantly Earth (Taurus) and Water, and the other is Earth (Taurus) and Air. You know how I usually love Taureans, and incidentally, the charts I've been doing these days have been Taurus and Cancer (probably because it's Taurus month and I see it a good b'day present to do birth charts for these people.) Anyway, both of them lack Fire, which means they lack initiative. Fire is usually known as brash and impetuous and too haphazard for their own good. But it also has high drive and high initiative to kick-start things. Fire represents leadership and the courage to delve head-first into unknown territories. The Lion (Leo) in The Wizard of Oz represents couragea and passion; the Ram (Aries) is raw energy and dynamism; the Stallion (Sagittarius) is inspiration. Without these qualities, a person will never succeed, or else at least not ever become an inspirational leader, if that's what they're looking to become.

As much as the Earth/Water individual is reliable, steadfast and kind (Cancerian nurturing capability), he seriously lacks the passion and joie de vivre of Fire, hence his day to day actions are hopelessly slow and unspontaneous. Of course, it depends on what you do. If you like to be stuck in a lab all day doing research and not much else, then fine, your steadfastness and pragmatism will work to your advantage. I for one, do not concur with this sluggishness and tardiness. I can't stand it! I have an Aries Moon for god's sake! I am highly impatient and quick on my toes. I get stuff done and I don't believe in slugging about! Plus, tardiness just does not leave a good impression on other people. Who likes someone who is always late?? It's a show of irresponsibility and is just not appealing or 'manly' (sorry for sexist comment, but I believe that men should be fast in getting stuff done and not mucking about.) As for the Earth/Air individual, she's actually highly intelligent and quirky, given the Air influence, which is known for it's mental agility. But somehow, it doesn't translate into concrete action (the poor thing.) The result is that sluggishness again! Those two individuals when put together would never get anything done!

Sorry to be mean folks, as these two individuals are lovely. But Virgo is very results-orientated and I just like to see friends improve themselves. But of course, you may say that I'm anal as hell and a nit-picker, which I am prone to sometimes. But I'm learning to channel more Sagittarian qualities (acceptance and open-mindedness) too, to keep my Virgo critical side in check. And when I feel like shouting at people, I try to channel Virgo diplomacy. But of course it doesn't always work and I offend people anyway.....Oh well, no one's perfect right? ;p

Reconciling Virgo and Sagittarius

It's interesting how someone with Virgo Sun and Sagittarius Ascendant can be so different from someone with the reverse situation - Sagittarius Sun and Virgo Ascendant. Interesting how I met a friend who is my 'reverse'.

On the outset, she is so much more composed and serene (Virgo ASC) than me, and I appear to be more quirky and vivacious (Sag ASC) than her. But when you get to know us, you'll know that actually, she is the more outgoing one (Sag Sun) and I'm the more reserved (Virgo Sun) one! She's always up for fun in the sun (while I'm the one who loves to stay indoors or insists on a parasol), and loves dancing (I only do it when the music is right, which means hip hop), and has a real spontaneous knack for performing such as playing the piano in the middle of a college formal, and bursting into Mando-pop renditions on the spot (that I wouldn't dare). I'd feel those urges, but I don't have the guts to do it. It all stays in my mind. I'm a mental sign - Virgo, ruled by Mercury - but she's essentially a fun-loving Sagittarius, ruled by expansive Jupiter. It's so funny how people sometimes gets our personalities confused. I'm actually the more 'serious' one, while she just has the 'facade' of being serious, but actually has all these quirky thoughts inside her pretty head. Look at the way we dress. You'll get a picture of how we're really like. I'm much more conservative and she's much more audacious in her frock preferences. Her clothes really reflect her real personality. She's bold, sexy and fun. I think she has to unleash that side more - with more conscious effort because boring, old Virgo is impeding her! - and show the world how fun-loving she actually is.

So who has it better? Who has it worse? Who has a harder situation to reconcile? Virgo and Sagittarius are essentially 'square' each other - 4 signs from each other - and are in a 'difficult' or 'challenging' aspect. 'Square' is one of the most challenging aspects, some would say. I find this true. However, I'm in a unique situation, given that I have my ASC in Sagittarius, and a stellium of planets in the 9th House (Sagittarius's House). Hence I have a strong affinity with Sagittarius, and shouldn't feel that strained when reconciling the square aspect with Sun Virgo. However, that friend in question, I contend, must feel more strain than me because she doesn't have that strong affinity with Virgo or Virgoan House (6th) in her chart, so I can imagine she must have quite a hard time dealing with the inner conflict festering inside her all the time. Torn between reservedness and spontaneity; conservativeness and audacity; pessimism and optimism. Some degree of moodiness is inevitable. You would be too if you were stuck in that situation.

So is it better to have the Sun, Ascendant and Moon all in compatible signs? Yes, if you want it easier. But no, if what you're looking for is a more nuanced and colourful lifetime where you have to contend with the challenges of reconciling different personality traits, which come, inevitably with associating with many different types of people and experiences. A life without challenge is not a full one, in my opinion. What's wrong with a bit of inner conflict and reconciliation? What's important is that you know what's going on inside (again, 'the awareness' as I've stressed) and your life will be much easier already.