Anne Massey’s astrology blog

Virgo and Libra

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 | Ask Anne, Astrology Students, Astrology for You, astrologer's diary, astrology basics | No Comments

Reader question: I have a question for you – I have had my chart done a few times. I have heard different opinions on my rising sign, 29 degrees Virgo – 1st house. Some astrologers say, it is essentially the same as Libra rising. Others saying no, Virgo…antithetic

Anne’s response: There is a big difference between the last degree of Virgo rising to the first degree of Libra rising. We cannot change your Ascendant to be a Libra or imply that it almost is.

If the final degree of Virgo is rising, we tend to find a person, who is very driven to accomplish something in life and has worked diligently toward the perfect presentation of self—always putting the best foot forward, or knowing your most flattering side. (Ready for my close up…)

Antithetic means diametrically opposed, which is the complete or exact opposite. So that cannot be true. Libra is opposite Aries, and Virgo is opposite Pisces. Virgo and Libra are adjacent signs, their connection or lack of one, was called an aversion by classical astrology. Aversion is a polite way of describing we truly don’t like something, and have little or nothing in common. The energy between the two signs is actually mitigated by the fact that they are of equal ascension, meaning they rise for the same length of time each day—so the two actually work together, maybe somewhat reluctantly. › Continue reading

My interview with Rob Hand

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 | Astrology Students, astrologer's diary | No Comments

Over the course of the summer, I had the priviledge to interview Rob Hand. I first posted this piece on the www.astrologyguild.com website. Rob will be at the Guild in October for two talks and a workshop, if you are in the area, I highly recommend the events.

“Astrology is a discipline which is rooted in a pre-modern, in fact pre-medieval concept of the world. It very strongly implies, that we consider the universe an aspect of a living, conscious, and sentient being. “—Rob Hand

It is interesting to think of a historian, computer software writer, author, lecturer, professor, philosopher, translator and a scholar with the Sagittarian bent for the truth—realize how complex that sounds—and then identify the person as Robert Hand. At a recent conference Rob was introduced as the Stephen Spielberg of astrology, and I asked him how he felt about that. “I don’t like being regarded as the Spielberg of astrology, I am just a human being who has a deep interest and understanding of astrology”, was Rob’s comment during. In fact he might prefer be likened to Johann Sebastian Bach, ‘whose work was revered for its intellectual depth, technical command and artistic beauty’ (comment about Bach sourced from Wikipedia—AM). On second thought just a human being, who happens to be a well-versed and learned. › Continue reading

Astrology and You

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 | Astrology Students, astrologer's diary, astrology basics | 2 Comments

Astrology is the means for understanding the human experience. I begin teaching the basics from the basic premise that some of us are active and some of us are passive. Active signs are the yang signs from the two elements of Fire and Air. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are the three fire signs—it is their basic nature to get fired up about life and then do something about it; we are in charge of our lives and just do it are the two mottos for the six active signs. The Air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. The six passive or receptive signs represent the element of Earth and Water. It is the Yin part of the symbol for duality. The adjacent graphic has some of the associated words for duality.

Some of us are fiery, assertive and have a huge zest for life and we yearn to get everyone enthused about living life to the fullest. That in astrology would be the element of fire. Some of us are logical, rational and live in our heads, in astrology this is represented by the element of Air. We have a third group of individuals who are primarily practical and pragmatic, interested in worldly accomplishments and tasks. Astrologically speaking these are the three Earth signs. The three Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. The empathetic, compassionate and caring people are primarily the three Water signs—Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. › Continue reading

Questions about Interceptions

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 | Ask Anne, Astrology Students, Astrology for You | No Comments

Question: Am I still a Cancer with the associated characteristics when my sign is intercepted? Answer: Of course you are. However, how naturally you express the associated qualities could be delayed or diminished. When you were younger you might have hidden your sensitive nature because the environment you grew up in did not support that kind of behaviour. The houses, in addition to defining different areas of life, describe our environment. When we live in an extreme climate our experience of life tends to be more extreme. In the harsh northern climates it is more about survival against the elements. Certain parts of life are necessarily emphasized over others. To endure several months in literal darkness or at best constant twilight would leave an impression and describe a different experience of life. The months when the Sun hardly sets and there is no true darkness would also be reflected in our lives. › Continue reading

Saturn, the Sun or the Moon

Monday, May 31st, 2010 | Ask Anne, Astrology Students, Astrology for You, astrology basics | No Comments

Your question: I’ve noticed that Saturn has returned to Virgo for a bit longer and will be heading back into Libra shortly. With my Sun in Virgo and my moon in Libra I was just wondering which is usually more difficult for someone to go through, Saturn in their Sun sign or Saturn in their Moon sign? See the response › Continue reading

Interceptions

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 | Astrology Students, Astrology for You, astrology basics | 1 Comment

Intercepted signs are those that have no cusp in the astrological wheel based on various house systems. The interceptions vary between house systems. A chart may have an intercepted pair of signs in one house system and none in another, or a different set of signs. Illustrations in the article use the chart of Nick Clegg.  › Continue reading