By Augusta Ryder
ARIES
With the Sun in Aries, you truly are a force of nature. Fiery, impulsive, and spontaneous, you restlessly seek an outlet for self-expression through action. You are a natural trailblazer who assumes the leadership role through your thirst for new experience and a hunger for recognition. However, this can bring conflict if you are the one receiving, not giving, the orders! No matter. How else can you prove yourself but through a healthy dose of competition?
For you, there are no half measures. In relationships, you find it hard to grasp the concept of slow, maturing friendship. If you like someone, you will say so right away. You have a tendency to plunge into fiery love affairs kindled by a sudden spark of passion. Fast beginnings may be the forerunner to abrupt endings, as you find it hard to rekindle commitment once the flames of desire burn low. And be careful that your quick temper does not land you into more trouble than you bargained for. As the Chinese Proverb says, “If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.”
Despite what others might advise, however, ‘act in haste, repent at leisure’ would not be your motto of choice, for who has time to stop and think? On your path to personal growth, however, you could gain much from attempting to harness your impulsive energies with patience, forethought, and consideration for others. Before you can master the world, you must first learn the art of mastering yourself.
TAURUS
With the Sun in Taurus, you are patient, practical and persistent. Although you seem quiet and mild-mannered on the outside, you nonetheless possess a steady, unwavering determination. You are extremely reliable and motivated, particularly where money is the ultimate regard. More than most, you are driven to acquire the good things in life: material possessions, physical pleasures, and comfort.
In your relations with others, you are kind and gentle, with a sympathetic ear, generally ready to help with an encouraging word or some sound practical advice. However, you are not so receptive to another’s good counsel yourself, being very much a creature of habit. If asked to consider a new approach, your natural response is “Why change a winning hand”? And woe betide anyone who tries to force on you a new direction — they may realize too late that beneath your calm exterior you are extremely stubborn and, if pushed too hard, also have quite a temper! Sensual by nature, you make a devoted and romantic lover and will do all you can to maintain a stable relationship and happy home life. But you must be wary of a tendency to become overly possessive and jealous, for this can undermine the very harmony you seek.
On your path to personal growth, the challenge for you is to learn enjoyment of luxury and comforts of life (money, possessions, and relationships), while remaining inwardly detached from them. You will come to recognize that, though these things most certainly have their place, they cannot be sought at the expense of nourishment for the mind and spirit. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “eat to live, and not live to eat.”
GEMINI
With the Sun in Gemini, you are sociable, quick-witted, changeable, and curious. No wonder you are so difficult to tie down! You have an endless appetite for variety and conversation, always on the look out for new ideas and mental stimulus. In essence, your interest in travel, learning, and communication might make you well suited to a career in teaching, the media, or journalism. Due to your restlessness and natural curiosity, however, you may find it hard to follow a particular vocation or direction in life. The grass is always greener, or as you might find yourself saying, “I’ll just go and take a quick look to make sure”.
With such a lively and communicative nature you make friends easily, possessing a natural empathy for good company and conversation. However, beware a tendency to be a “social butterfly” drawn towards the glitter of light-hearted wit and gossip, only to take flight as soon as things take a more serious turn. This may work well at parties, but in matters of love may produce no more than a string of superficial relationships. That is not to say you cannot become a sincere and faithful partner – it may just take a little work that’s all.
On your path to personal growth, you must learn discipline and training to apply your talent for communication constructively. This will mean wrestling with demons of restlessness and boredom to discover deeper levels of fulfillment, and commitment to others. Serious fun? Now there’s a novel concept.
CANCER
With the Sun in Cancer, you are a very sensitive person who can depend on your feelings and intuition to get around in life. You are very tenacious, and possessing good common sense, you are always very practical and down-to-earth — tender and protective to all. Security, and home and family life is very important to you, although you also love to travel, as long as you feel you have a secure home base to return to. You probably also enjoy cooking, growing things, and music.
Although you are very emotional you do not always project your emotions outward, and this can cause the person with the Sun in this placement to suffer from ulcers. You are probably a chronic worrier too, which does not help. The interesting thing is that you are unconsciously projecting what you are feeling in any case, and people around you are usually well aware of your emotional state without your realizing it. You unconsciously tend to seek sympathy from those close to you, and it is a challenge in life for you to be more independent emotionally; and also to allow those you love their own emotional space and freedom to live their lives.
On your path to personal growth, the greatest challenge for you is to not take things so personally or fall victim to your own impenetrable moods and emotions. John Ruskin once said, “when a man is wrapped up in himself, he makes a pretty small package.” The way out is clear, allow your compassion and human warmth to come out and don’t worry if this goes unnoticed – a happy disposition is its own reward.
LEO
With the Sun in Leo, you love to be the center of attention. The limelight is where you feel most at home expressing your dramatic flair, natural charisma and exuberance. The flipside is that you suffer from wounded pride when ignored or overlooked. However, the depression you experience is likely to be short-lived. Unless the wound is deep, any doubts you may have in your ability to succeed will be quickly dispelled by your natural optimism and self-confidence. It is this vital impulse and persistence that makes you a born leader and organizer. A question you often ask yourself, if I do not do this, who will?
You are dignified and honest in your dealings with others. Once you have determined that a person is worthy of your trust, you are extremely loyal in your friendships. You also make a romantic and generous lover. Because your own standards are so high, however, you are likely to be disappointed when those closest to you fail to meet your expectations. Your partner is liable to feel the chill of your displeasure if they do something to lose your admiration or respect. Nursing a fierce pride, you do not forgive or forget easily, especially if the slight is personal.
On your path to personal growth, the greatest challenge for you is to let go of your own particular view of the world and the way things should be. In part, this will come when you understand the impossibility of controlling external events. You must learn how to trust others to do things that you feel can only be accomplished properly if you do it yourself. The secret is to cultivate a more detached and impersonal attitude, and then you will discover that your highest ambitions can be realized through service to others and a loving, compassionate heart.
VIRGO
With the Sun in Virgo, you are the kind of person who seeks perfection but rarely finds it. You are all too aware that preserving order is an uphill battle against the forces of chaos. However, you are ready, if not compelled, to take up the challenge. Where refinement and form is lacking, you will strive to introduce it. This disposition makes you an excellent and reliable worker with a wonderful sense of neatness, efficiency and organization. You know where things belong, and if there is not such a place, you will create it.
Needless to say, others do not always share your concern for precision and tidiness and this can be a constant source of strife. Where loved ones may complain that you are far too particular, you will tend to be critical of their loose and careless ways. Although it may not fix their bad habits, to restore emotional harmony you must sometimes find ways to be more loving despite their faults. You must also be wary of turning your criticism inwards, on yourself, as your health may suffer as a result.
On your path to personal growth, your challenge is to use your analytical and discriminating mind to develop a more spiritual nature. The fullest expression of your talents is in service to others. However, try not to worry so much about correcting imperfections. As the wise man once said, “a good garden may have some weeds.”
LIBRA
With the Sun in Libra, you are a natural born diplomat who takes pleasure in creating a spirit of co-operation and harmony. Gifted at putting people at their ease, you are in your element at parties or social gatherings creating pleasure and enjoyment. Seldom at a loss for words, you are happy to converse on any subject, even those you know very little about! The key for you is relating and connecting with others — responding.
You have a refined essence and a well-developed sense of aesthetics: travel is likely to be a source of much delight for you. Companionship is very important to you — you do not like to be alone for long. Indeed, it is through your close relationships that you find yourself, rather than alone. This is true in love as well as friendship. A true romantic at heart, you wish above all to achieve a happy home life through a long-lasting and harmonious marriage.
On your path to personal growth, you must learn to develop a sense of value that does not rely on the good opinion of others. So great is your desire to be well-liked, that you run the risk of not standing up for things when necessary, thereby compromising your sense of personal integrity. Indecisiveness can be another result of this trait. The challenge lies in recognizing that the source of the problem lies within yourself. Strive for peace by all means, but not at any price. While compromise is important, you must learn when it is time to be firm and unyielding with yourself.
SCORPIO
With the Sun in Scorpio, you are intense, strong-willed and determined. Driven by powerful undercurrents of feeling, you present something of a mystery to simple, more straightforward souls. You could make a living out of discerning other’s hidden motives. Your probing insight would make you the perfect detective or secret agent, ideally suited to work requiring persistent effort, keen awareness and focused concentration. Alternatively, you may be drawn to politics, or any role that allows you to realize your own agenda. Beware, however, a tendency to pursue things to the “bitter end”. You can be vindictive, vengeful or sarcastic, caring little for the feelings of others where you feel your will has been thwarted.
Although you make a terrible enemy, you can also be a loyal friend and a caring and devoted lover. Indeed, you may surprise your partner with sudden demonstrations of affection, the intensity of your feelings and your passionate sexuality. You form very deep emotional involvements and attachments and, once committed, are fully devoted in love or marriage. At the same time, if your partner lets you down in some way, you will nurse a grievance and it may be a long time before you can pardon a perceived wrong.
On your path to personal growth, the challenge is to let go of your more self-serving ambitions, especially where these bring you into conflict with others. Although it is hard for you to forgive and forget, you will gain much by using your natural courage and strength of character to rise above your immediate reactions and allow the wounds to heal. As the Spanish proverb says, “no revenge is more honorable than the one not taken.”
SAGITTARIUS
With the Sun in Sagittarius, you are honest, direct, and straightforward. You love freedom, especially when it comes to self-expression, exploring new ideas, or philosophies. Your natural appetite for variety and adventure leads you to seek out novel experiences either through travel, a new companion, or a fresh career — whatever it takes to keep life interesting.
Your insistence on speaking your mind can land you in trouble at times. You can be candid to the point of rudeness or tactlessness, easily telling an old friend that their company no longer appeals to you, or that their conversation is dull or boring. As the Chinese proverb advises, “deal with the faults of others as gently as with your own.” For despite your warmth and generosity, you can be quite tactless and insensitive at times. Your sense of loyalty is limited to those who can hold your interest. In relationships, you resist being tied down to just one person and may not be ready for the commitment of marriage until you find the ‘right’ partner with whom to share both romance and intelligence.
There is fine line between freedom of expression and self-indulgence. On your path to personal growth, you must learn how to cultivate a true sense of tolerance and understanding. You are fortunate to be guided by optimism, honesty, and ideals. Keep focus on your highest aspirations and let your own inner light lead you to your truest goals.
CAPRICORN
With the Sun in Capricorn you have a steely determination and quiet ambition. Patient and disciplined in achieving your goals, you also have a strong sense of duty. You are conservative by nature, believing in the steady march of progress and mistrusting sudden or radical change. Your ability to lead, through organization and example, sometimes masks a powerful and personal wish to succeed. Not interested in money for its own sake, you are attracted to material well-being only insofar as it reflects your social standing. The same is true for parties: solitary and serious by nature, you attend social functions more out of a sense of obligation than fun.
Yet beneath that gruff aloofness beats the heart of a true romantic. When it comes to courtship, you enjoy flowers, dinner, candlelight, and soft music. And if you find the partner of your dreams, you will work hard to create a beautiful home and a successful marriage. You would make an extremely responsible and nurturing parent, but can be a stern taskmaster for a child who does not share your vision or ambitions. Extremely practical and somewhat rigid by nature, you find it hard to relate to more exuberant and freedom-loving types. This does not mean you lack a sense of humour, however, you are more inclined to wry observations and irony as opposed to gregarious jokes of the slapstick variety.
On your path to personal growth, your sense of humor may provide a useful key. By avoiding a tendency to sarcasm and choosing instead to not take yourself quite so seriously, you will discover a lighter and more humane side that will bring delight to everyone, including yourself. Mark Twain once advised that the single most important duty to perform in life is contenting the spirit and becoming agreeable to oneself.
AQUARIUS
With the Sun in Aquarius you have a powerful streak of independence, fueled by an original and progressive mind. Stifled by convention, you are drawn toward the new, pioneering fields such as science and technology. Whatever your occupation, your deepest source of personal satisfaction is likely to be working toward some ideal or vision of progress.
Despite some natural eccentricities, you are essentially a social person who likes to share your interests with a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. You are a confirmed egalitarian who respects a person for what they say and think rather than for what they ‘are’, remaining unimpressed by social rank or distinction. Friendship is an important ideal for you and you will seek a partner with whom you can share your visions and ideas. This can lead to difficulties if your partner in turn requires a warmer, more personal and emotional relationship. It may take time, however, before you can ‘open up’ to reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings.
On your path to personal growth, you believe in the power of ideas to change the world and make it a better place for humanity. Your challenge is to overcome a tendency toward intellectual arrogance. Paradoxically, you should try not to be enslaved by your own vision of freedom. If you could direct your sense of detachment towards yourself you would enlarge your humanitarian visions and make them truly progressive. Marcel Proust once wrote, “the real act of discovery is not in finding new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.”
PISCES
With the Sun in Pisces, your nature is elusive and difficult to define because your ego is connected to the ethereal realms of the psyche. Appearances are not a reliable guide to the inner person where you are concerned. A true chameleon, capable of adopting many guises, you will quickly change your colors, sometimes quite literally, to suit your environment. What lays behind the mask; or in your case the many masks?
Your highly impressionable nature makes you easily affected by the forceful manifestations of others: you cannot help but soak up the vibrations around you. A tendency to self-sacrifice means that you sublimate your own desires to help others, especially those in need physically or emotionally. On the other hand, you are blessed with a deep psychic orientation. Your lack of interest in the external, or material world, described by some as ‘dreaminess’, conceals a powerful yearning for inner development together with a sincere compassion for the sufferings of fellow travelers.
On your path to personal growth, you must learn to trust in your strengths rather than focus on your shortcomings. It is true that to avoid the rigors of the spiritual path, you could become prey to your own weaknesses. Beware a tendency to escapism, and overindulgence in drugs, sex, or alcohol. Sometimes you may need to withdraw from the world to escape its harsher aspects, and renew your inner vitality. The challenge is to learn that true freedom is attained in devotion to your personal growth, and to the service of the highest in both yourself and those around you.
COPYRIGHT ASTRO ENERGETICS™ – http://www.astroenergetics.com
EXCERPTED FROM THE CHARACTER PORTRAIT by Augusta Ryder
