What If Your Sun Sign Just Doesn't Fit? -- An Astrology essay for real life

The Sun is an essential component in Astrology.

Not exactly straddling the fence ... but close

Astrology has its supporters ... and its detractors. I'm an astrologer -- so you can see where my vote lands. I've seen what this fabulous collection of timeless wisdom can do ... and reveal ... in the hands of someone who knows how to use it. But believe it or not, I can see the argument for-and-against here from both sides -- and agree with both of them, too.

Some of what passes for "astrology" (note the quotes) out in the world isn't really that at all. I read it, snicker to myself and move on, too. I don't "believe in it" because it's garbage, but as an astrologer, it makes me sad (It used to make me angry.) because it's such a poor representation of what our field, our passionate interest and our work is about.

For more on this subject
Astrology -- Working with What Works ... Until something better comes along

But The Moon also plays a big part.

I totally get the problem!

If someone hands you a photograph of a fine dinner -- and then tries to convince you that upon seeing it, you've enjoyed a marvelous meal, you're entitled to call that person a fool or a liar or both. Sometimes, that's about what "mainstream astrology" does. There are some fine exceptions, but there are also plenty of lazy and fraudulent efforts, and you don't have to look far to find those. It's the jewels that tend to get hidden under the pile of trash.

They've improved some over the years, but once-upon-a-time if you Googled "astrology" -- or did a search for that in another favorite engine, you'd find a bucketful of silliness, especially behind the paid ads. Finding a bona fide astrologer ... or decent writing in the field ... took some work.

Even now, there's stuff out there that reads like utter clap-trap and I find that indefensible. But it calls itself "astrology" ... and how is someone who doesn't know enough to tell the difference supposed to know otherwise? As I said, I understand the problem ... and I sympathize.

There are Fire Signs -- Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.

Still, there are plenty of benefits

Still, astrology -- even if it's treated as just an amusing pastime, something to do when you can't find an insipid cat meme to post on your FB page, continues to hold a spot for itself in the conventional wisdom of the culture. I'd like to believe that gives it a shot at some kind of fair hearing and respectability. But then conventional wisdom also has room for conspiracy theorists, people who claim they've been abducted by aliens and nutters who say they've seen ghosts.

As it happens, I believe in a lot of that as well. I readily admit I live in a different reality than "most people" -- so maybe you need to consider the source. (Smile.)

There are Earth Signs -- Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.

Now that that's out of the way

But, getting back to astrology, there are open-minded souls who sincerely say their astrological sun sign description doesn't work for them. Try as they might, it just doesn't fit. Yes, they're looking at the most basic and superficial things astrology has to offer, but that's their experience and I'm not going to try to argue them out of it.

I will say that's a legitimate statement, but there are also likely very good reasons for this which a good astrologer can help them identify and understand, all in the pursuit of greater self-awareness. Such knowledge would help them live a more conscious life -- and believe me, that kind of spiritual boost is a marvelous gift. So, in that spirit, let's talk about sun signs -- and why they might or might not "work" for you.

There are Air Signs -- Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.

So, what's your sign?

When someone asks your sign, he wants to know which Zodiac sign the Sun was in when you were born. Usually it's easy to place anyone in a sign, although there are twelve days a year -- days when the Sun changes from one sign to the next -- when a clear answer isn't possible.

We all know about Sun signs. Those familiar little astrology booklets are based on your birthday Sun's position. The "daily horoscopes" that grace many newspapers supposedly are, too, although most are really based on absolutely nothing.

(As an astrologer I should be able to back-engineer the text and see where the writer is coming from. I've tried ... and believe me, I can't. As I said, the people who call this stuff "nonsense" have my vote. IYAM, it absolutely is!)

There are Water Signs -- Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

Not the only one

Yes, The Sun is an important member of your horoscope, but he's not the only one -- and may not be the most important. Sun energy has powerful natural boosters, but factors can overpower it and someone who knows Astrology can see that and describe it, tell you what this means about your life and character and how you probably experience this formidable competition as you strive to "be yourself."

Besides The Sun there are nine other cosmic citizens in a horoscope -- The Moon and the eight known planets. Each is also in a Zodiac sign ... which may be the same as your Sun sign or may have nothing to do with it.

It may help your Sun energy ... which lifts both the Sun's power and its ally's influence. Or it may hinder and conflict with your Sun energy ... which causes problems, depletes your Sun's power -- and may not do the hindrance much good either.

There are Cardinal Signs -- Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn.
These signs take action, move projects along, make things happen.

The same ... but different

This is why people born in the same Sun sign can have vastly different personalities. We each come with a complex, unique combination of other energies who have their own power and attitudes, their own interests, their own expression.

Only people born very close to the same day and time you were born will share your same complex combination of Inner Selves. Granted, lots of people qualify. But, seriously, if you don't have a twin, how many people have you met born on your birthday near the same place or time?

There are Fixed Signs -- Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.
These signs create stability, manage existing efforts,
hold ground already gained.

What makes you unique?

We all contain the combined influence of ten planets, twelve signs, twelve houses in the horoscope. If you have a cluster of planets in a sign other than your Sun's sign, you'll show off the qualities of that second sign so strongly people would swear you belong there ... and they'll have a point.

If people tell you you're not a "typical" member of your sign ... or if you conclude the usual description doesn't fit you, do yourself a favor. Get your chart done by a competent astrologer. Find out why this is. Find out who you are. Money spent to understand yourself better is cash well-spent.

There are Mutable Signs -- Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.
These signs hold things together and facilitate change by being
versatile, flexible and willing to compromise.

So ... what about you?

Of course, you can always get a copy of your horoscope, follow the essays in this blog -- 'cause I intend to write a lot of them, and little by little see the story of who you are and how you were designed to live unfold in the words and posts that help you understand what that piece of paper with its round chart and funny symbols has to say.

It was something I picked up and started fiddling with for a lark more than 40 years ago. That decision changed my life. Who knows? It might change yours.

Questions about any of this? -- Upvote this post and talk to me in comments. It's a terrific way to build value for yourself and the community ... and it will give me ideas of what to write about in future posts. Believe me there is lots to say about the way The Sun, The Moon -- and all the other elements in a horoscope, all the other components of Astrology -- work together to interpret you and your story -- and what it all means to the person you've become.

Photo Credits
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/132951846@N02/19154498733/ ---> sun
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/n28307/11976181464/ ---> moon
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/barbourians/5653567652/ ---> fire
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/tamasrepus/17204980945/ ---> earth
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/free-stock/6983410327/ ---> air
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/12163936@N03/2382979417/ ---> water
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/23438569@N02/6087728783/ ---> freight train
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewtoskin/11457974564/ ---> imposing rock cliff
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/10384097@N08/865554040/ ---> braided rope
Original images used under this Creative Commons license or this Creative Commons license and modified by added text.