By Kames Narayanan, 11 July 2018
Credit: The Devil Saint/ Flickr
“We are born at a given moment, in a given place, and like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and of the season in which we are born,” once said prominent Swiss psychiatrist Carl G. Jung on the topic of astrology. To the uninitiated, the vast universe of astrology can be condensed thus: an understanding of planetary alignment at the time of birth that influences an individual’s inherent character traits, abilities and short comings.
Barely the tip of a convoluted conundrum dating centuries back, the practice of astrology, beyond its overarching principle, further diffuses into Western and Eastern practices. The first organised system of the former dates back more than 4,000 years ago in Babylon. Its Eastern equivalent, Chinese Bazi, directly translated as “Eight Characters” (better known as “Four Pillars of Destiny”), was founded in the Song dynasty and further developed more than 200 years ago in the Ming dynasty.
While the influence of celestial bodies has been developed throughout generations, by human experience and in-depth study, its modern day influence is largely stripped down to mere frivolous indulgence. Growing up, quiet reading sessions at the school assembly meant poring over the day’s horoscope readings parked under the entertainment section of the local newspaper. The habit continued into my early teenage years when visits to the magazine stands also meant sieving through the various monthly publications’ horoscope projections and cross-referencing to “fact” check. My juvenile self was not so much in search for a sign from the universe but rather a pursuit of self-amusement. When I progressed into adulthood, along with adolescent naivety, the routine of looking up horoscopes weaned off.
Astrology, on the whole, has been subjected to the ebb and flow of the times. When the cast of “Hair”, a widely popular American musical, proclaimed the 1960s as the Age of Aquarius (the 2,000- year period after the Earth is said to move into the Aquarius sign), the audiences were sold. The lifestyles in the ’60s and ’70s then echoed the astrological signifiers of the Aquarius: freedom, non-conformity and democracy. In the subsequent years, the conversation on the topic subsequently fell into the background, its presence, dismissed to the last few pages of a newspaper or magazine. What it never lacked, however, was a following. French queen Catherine de’ Medici had Nostradamus as her astrologer, Queen Elizabeth I was advised by John Dee and other prominent figures like Napoleon, George Washington, J.P. Morgan, Ronald Reagan and Christian Dior are also famously known to have also turned to astrology for guidance.
Today, the dormant practice finds itself in the limelight again and its resurgence, displayed on the forefront of social media. #Astrologyhas been tagged in more than two million posts, a bulk of which are tongue-in-cheek memes riffing off horoscopic character traits and forecasting planetary shifts: Mercury is in retrograde; Saturn is looming over all of your personal planets; full moon is in Cancer. A marker of the cultural zeitgeist, the content shared on the internet is a reflection of millennial interests, amongst which, astrology ranks high.
Skimming the surface, the inherent appeal of astrology can be pointed to its universal appeal. Believer or non, it resonates with most. And its purveyance in the recent years has been inescapable. Beyond the digital sphere, the fashion industry, most notably, has developed a keen interest in the celestial planets. At Christian Dior’s Spring/Summer ’17 haute couture presentation, the signs of the zodiac was incorporated into the maison’s dreamy gowns; Peter Dundas littered his swan song at Emilio Pucci with astrological motifs; and arbiters of downtown New York cool, Opening Ceremony, produced T-shirts and sweaters inspired by zodiac signs. Jewellery brands like Tiffany & Co. have also long ago jumped onto the bandwagon with zodiac-inspired charms and pendants.
These observations, however, run the risk of oversimplification. The contemporary appeal of astrology amongst the millennial generation runs deeper. Astrological readings have come to be understood with a sense of seriousness and greater insight rather than a generic regurgitation of human traits. This burgeoning interest can be parked under the general millennial pursuit of a lifestyle steeped in holistic wellness: healing crystals, salt cave tours, yogic escapades, and more, are all the rage.
It also presents an antidote to instances of personal grievances and discomforting uncertainty. When life gives us lemons, rather than make lemonade, millennials seek a higher order for conviction on dealing with bumps along the road. Interestingly, according to survey data by the American Psychological Association, millennials have been the most stressed generation since 2014, and also the generation most inclined to say that their stresses have increased in the past year since 2010.
Locally, Singaporeans have earned a name for weathering pressure cooker conditions to the extent that an entire generation has come to be known as ‘Generation Stress’.
Living in the thick of political upheaval, global unrest and a future that spells more gloom and doom than rainbows and butterflies, astrology is looked upon as an avenue of hope. To some, it is a navigational tool and an avenue for self-betterment. What begins as a flippant gratification or search for hope deepens, at times, blossoming into a burgeoning interest that eventually prompts individuals to delve deeper into the topic. The result: a new crop of millennial practitioners who side-step the age old conventions of an astrologer.
“My interest in metaphysics started from when I was a kid, my mother introduced me to numerology. Later, I began learning astrology on my own when I was about 13 or 14 years old all the way until I was about 18 years old. Then, I found my teacher and started taking classes about three years ago,” says Jeremy Tan, a 26-year-old astrology practitioner.
Tan’s teacher, 33-year-old May Sim, the first Asian to graduate from the International Academy of Astrology (IAA), first picked up astrology as a hobby when she was a student. This later developed into a full on career path as she pursued a second degree — her first was an English Literature degree from the National University of Singapore — in the field and began her own astrology academy and consultancy firm, Selfstrology.
Credit: Tung Pham
May Sim, an English literature graduate from the National University of Singapore, made the bold decision to pursue her interest in astrology full-time.
A far cry from the stereotypical astrologer who is expected to be a wrinkled elderly in a flowing robe and sporting a head full of greying hair, and meditating within sacred grounds, these young masters are indistinguishable from the pedestrian. The modern sensibilities do not end there. Echoed in the practice itself, cumbersome mathematical calculations formulated on paper in the past are now navigated with the aid of modern-day mobile applications.
“All I need is my iPad, there is an app that generates the chart. There is a formula to it but I don’t think any modern-day practitioner plots the chart by hand. Typically, we use the app to generate the chart and then interpret it from there,” shares 32-year-old self-taught Chinese metaphysics consultant Sean Chan.
Credit: Tung Pham
A self-made man, Chinese meta-physics consultant Sean Chan has to-date offered his services to more than 700 people. Additionally, he also runs an online blog where he shares his insight into various topics pertaining to his field of expertise.
What ensues in the days after is the practitioner’s interpretation of an individual’s elemental or natal chart. Conducting most of his consultations online (mainly to aid efficiency), Chan then develops an in-depth report that explains the workings of the chart and its formulated reading relative to the individual. Tan, too adopts a similar method of presenting his analysis into words, which he later shares with his clients.
To sticklers for the old-fashioned, the legitimacy of generating charts using technology, is often called to question. Can anyone and everyone then foretell the rest of their lives with the click of a button? The answer is a flat-out no. Years of study and practical experience are amassed by these practitioners, albeit young, to accurately interpret charts.
“You need to know how to interpret the charts. I studied books on Chinese philosophy and metaphysics intensely for two years. Every night, I would grab a can of beer, head over to Bishan Park and spend the night reading,” says Chan. “I had to read books that were written in classical Chinese from the Qing and Ming dynasties and digest whatever I could.”
The accuracy in mapping one’s life’s trajectories through the medium of astrology is generally agreed to be subjective to the prowess of the practitioners themselves. In a conversation on astrology, reliability is a tricky subject to approach. Astrology, is after all, pseudo science.
“I would relate the question of whether astrology is an art or a science to architecture. Is architecture an art or science?” asks Sim. “I would think that in order to construct the building, you do need to know structure. You need to know how to build a wall but once the building stands on its own, you then start talking about expression, about how the building can be made to represent something else. You have to have both.”
Discussions on astrology more often than not are skewed towards the argument of whether it bears truth or otherwise. As the medium picks up speed on mass media, so do the efforts to perpetuate and debunk myths. The riposte remains largely split. Believers, largely fueled by ancient scriptures and anecdotal evidence — Chan once accurately charted a car accident down to the date, month and year of occurrence and Sim predicted the arrest of a suspect — have forged the practice forward.
On the other hand, it remains arbitrary to naysayers. By way of approaching astrology through a contemporary lens, the seeds of a newfound perspective have been sown. The millennial astrologers approach their expertise as a life coach who have found leverage through understanding celestial patterns.
“To me, astrology is about practicality. I hope to value add to my clients and I hope to provide some sort of a healing to the people who I encounter. When they open up to me and have a vulnerable conversation, that is when I believe they are befitting from my services,” says Tan.
Sharing similar sentiment, “The motivation is never about the money. It is always about helping clients transcend the chart and do better for themselves than what might be projected in it,” says Chan.
Equipped with this understanding, the topic morphs into a more palatable debate. Sought out not as an oracle crystal ball in peeking into the future but rather a tool for deeper contemplation, the consumption of astrology leans towards the objective. Where fate remains open-ended, the lights may guide you home but where you call home, entirely resides in the choices that you make.
By Guan Tan, 27 June 2018
Credit: Felicia Yap/ Instagram.com
“In your natal chart, Yves Saint Laurent, the ten main planets are distributed as follows — the three most important planets [are] Jupiter, Venus and Mercury,” wrote an astrology website to the Parisian fashion designer. There were many achingly poignant points in this report: “With a prominent 10th house, your destiny’s achievements may be very notable: the 10th house represents your career, your public life, and your ambitions.” The report continues to deliberate Saint Laurent’s romantic life, “once you find your soul mate, you feel more comfortable and, if the harmony with your partner is rich enough, you may stay with [him] your whole life through.”
He did just that, and Saint Laurent passed on the 1st June 2008, leaving an indelible footprint on the global fashion industry, women’s lives, and his long-time partner, Pierre Bergé. And till death did they part.
Famed fashion designers have been extensively studied from an astrology viewpoint. Amongst them — Alexander McQueen, Karl Lagerfeld, Gabrielle Chanel, and Christian Dior who strongly believed in his astrology.
In this sense, astrology is a subject which maps out the planetary alignments of a person’s birth time (or natal chart) and the life that ensues. The link between planets’ movements and human life has long been shrouded in mystery. When questioned, a Singapore-based astrologer explained it in broad terms, citing the significant amount of “energy” imbued in a human at his time of birth comes from the planets. The astrologer is, perhaps, referring to the elementary particle called neutrino — a particle that made news this year for its potential to explain the universe’s state of materiality. This subject of research has been picked up by astrologers to explain the link between the material bodies of this universe — the planets and the patterns of life that occur within. On that train of thought, individuals look to astrology to make sense of their lives — stringing the haphazard events of life together in a logical, predictable and explained manner.
Credit: Astrotheme, A proposed natal chart of the late Yves Saint Laurent.
Likewise, in the fashion industry, astrologers map out fashion designers’ birth charts for fans and on-lookers to make sense of their creative intentions. Fashion designers seem to unpredictably hop from inspiration to inspiration, and style to style. Why? Surely there is a skeleton of logic behind all these creative works.
Case in point is, perhaps, the 35-year-old Anthony Vaccarello who sits atop of the Saint Laurent pyramid. He currently serves as the fourth creative director — following in the footsteps of Alber Elbaz, Tom Ford (where Hedi Slimane tenured for three years), Stefano Pilati, and Hedi Slimane, all of whom left their own fingerprints on the brand’s identity.
Vaccarello showed his first full-fledged Spring/ Summer 2019 Men’s collection earlier this month, and it was reminiscent of the artistic language of his predecessor, Slimane. The clothes were cut narrow, the sleeves ended prematurely, and the waistlines crept high up the torso. Instead of showing the collection in the Parisian hometown of the brand, he decamped to New York City. While there were speculations that Vaccarello made the move to increase the visibility and publicity of his show, the designer said otherwise in an interview: “I like change and surprise… even to surprise myself and not be in that whole routine of always doing the same thing.” And Vaccarello’s behaviour was aligned to the forecasts of his astrological birth chart.
The designer was born on the 4th September 1982, and his birth time remains unknown. On this day, the sun was in the Virgo position, which makes him a Virgo as we know it. It also happened to be a full moon that day, which sat directly in opposition to the sun, in the Pisces position. It gave rise to a striking polarity in Vaccarello’s life — he is pragmatic and enjoys control over quotidian routines like a Virgo would, but the Pisces side of him enjoys flow and fantasy. “The intention that he wants [to achieve] is at odds with what he needs to feel secure. When the sun is in Virgo, he is detail-oriented — practical details. But his moon says, “I want to do the imaginative things which are not practical,” Singapore-based astrologer May Sim, founder of Selfstrology, explains.
Credit: Saint Laurent, Look 3 from the Italian-Belgian fashion designer, Anthony Vaccarello’s Spring/ Summer 2019 Men’s collection for the Parisian house of Saint Laurent.
Credit: Saint Laurent, Look 60 from Vaccarello’s Spring/ Summer 2019 Men’s collection for Saint Laurent.
Taking things further, Sim looked at the position of Saturn — which was in conjunction with (or positioned beside) Pluto on Vaccarello’s birthday. It tells us that “his normal default style is controlled in the sense that there is a structure to it… However, doing that is his comfort zone. He’s trying to get away from that.” The signs hint that Vaccarello looking for something more imaginative and less structural in his work and life. “What he is uncomfortable is a more relational, imaginative way — books, history, personal imagination. But that is his holy grail. And that way is not easy for him. Fantasy and imagination are the exact opposite of control. This is his personal journey as well. He himself as a person is trying to let go and go with the flow.”
The planet Venus was in Leo, and it was squared (at 90 degrees) to Mars, which was in Scorpio. This resulted in a tension — “two parts of himself don’t quite work together. Venus in Leo is showy.” Mars in Scorpio, however, expresses masculinity in a discreet manner. “They express masculinity that has a sexy [element].”
The sex factor has always been a blatant fraction of the Saint Laurent business. In 1971, the late Yves Saint Laurent himself posed naked for a campaign image for his fragrance. When Tom Ford took over the reigns, he released yet another campaign of a naked Sophie Dahl for the release of the Opium perfume in 2000. Last year, Vaccarello launched a campaign of model Binx Walton dressed in a “nip-slip” dress. While he takes after his bold predecessors in the womenswear department, it seems like Vaccarello may take a reserved seat for his menswear line — hence the commercially pragmatic, trial-and-tested Slimane-like Saint Laurent Men’s Spring/ Summer 2019 collection which he presented earlier in June.
Credit: Saint Laurent, The final walkthrough in Vaccarello’s Spring/ Summer 2019 Men’s collection for Saint Laurent.
Sim continues, “Mercury was in Libra, unaspected at square Nodes.” By unaspected, it “means that the planet was not [mathematically] connected to any other planets — it was not in line.” This could be translated to his work, where Vaccarello’s artistic ideas “is often at odds with society. His work is neither conventional in a formal way nor comfortable in a more personal way. The work merely stands as a piece of art in its own [right] — as an idea of beauty.”
The above also gives context to why Vaccarello designed those hip-high slit dresses that he did at his namesake brand, which he founded in 2008. Vaccarello once clarified that he did not see these dresses as flamboyant and sexy. Instead, they were structural and architectural. He was giving space and lines at the right places. When model Anja Rubik wore one of these dresses to the Met Gala in 2012, the tabloids picked up on it and dubbed the dress “infamous” — the general public perhaps found Vaccarello’s concept of beauty a tough nut to swallow.
Tension and conflict seem to run through his internal and external lives — the very same tension that makes him the person who is capable of standing by his notions of beauty in womenswear and menswear.
Yet, that is not all. More is to come from Vaccarello — Mercury was not the only planet that was unaligned. On that day, Jupiter was out of line too. “It’s quite unusual. It’s rare for someone to have two unaspected planets,” Sim ponders. An unaspected Jupiter tells of a Vaccarello that many might have yet to see. When circumstances arise and call for him to make a stand, “people will be surprised by how strong his ethical points are. He may surprise people by suddenly showing his very strong benchmark [in life].”
Many people are fascinated about the accuracy of what astrological charts are able to describe about a person. I would say that astrology is a complex skill and it is definitely possible to describe very accurately various areas about a person’s life, surrounding environments and their psychological approaches.
So the question today is “Can we tell if a person has Power & Influence over others from the chart”?
Usually when we are looking at a topic such as Power, we will refer to the Pluto indicator and its position in the chart. It would describe how a person experiences: fears, power, dominance and also transformation. (To see where Pluto is in you chart click here to generate your astrological chart.)
In this article, we’ll be looking at the charts of some influential individuals such as; Charles Manson and Mother Theresa who have managed to have a strong influence over others.
Charles Manson’s Bio:
Charles Manson was an American criminal, cult leader of the Manson Family. He was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of seven people, all of which were carried out by manipulative influence and at his instruction by members of the group.
From his chart, it describes Charles as a very charming person with the ability to assert himself in relationships with people in a sexy or seductive manner (Sun Conjunct Venus in Scorpio). This corresponds to what Actor Al Lewis described him as “A nice guy when I knew him” when Charles was helping to babysit his children on several occasions. The chart also describes his ability to communicate his ideas and beliefs with intensity when relating to others on a one-on-one basis. (Mercury Conjunct Jupiter in Scorpio in 7th House) This describes his influence onto other people in a way which may be intense in controlling or dominating their emotions and thoughts. Despite running a cult, it was his ability to have very close relationships with each of the cult members that had contributed to the power he had over them to commit the serial murders.
Mother Theresa’s Bio:
Mother Teresa of Calcutta was a Catholic nun and missionary. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation which manages homes for people dying of HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis; soup kitchens; dispensaries and mobile clinics; children’s- and family-counselling programmes; orphanages, and schools. Her acts of compassion were recognised and were awarded with honours such as the Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize, inspiring and influencing others to contribute greatly to her causes.
From her chart, it describes her being an impactful communicator when relating to people especially on a one-on-one basis (Pluto Conjunct Descendant in Gemini). Her influence on others may be about bringing her ideas and beliefs across in a transformative manner mainly driven by wanting to be of service to others (Pluto Square Mercury in Virgo in 9th House). The way she views her society and communities is to provide a deep and penetrative way of looking and questioning ideas (Pluto Ruler of 11th House). The way she makes a difference onto people’s lives is to find healing and contribute to others, compassionately and giving selflessly (Pluto Trine Chiron in Pisces).
Written by,
Jeremy Sim
Intermediate Astrology Student of Selfstrology Academy
Fascinated about what the chart says about the area of Power & Influence that these two individuals have? Would you like to influence or make a difference to the world with some of your own ideas? Come join us at our free event next week to have a glimpse of what your chart says about your area of Power & Influence.
FREE EVENT: Astrology of Power & Influence
Date: 12 July (Thurs)
Time: 7.15pm – 9.30pm
Venue: Selfstrology Academy, 15A Bussorah Street #02-00, Singapore (199436)
In this event, we’ll examine:
– Different interaction styles and relating to others
– Identifying ways of inspiring and motivating others
– Challenges and aversion to be in such a position of influence
Who Should Attend
– Individuals who have been trying to study astrology
– Individuals looking for a detailed profiling tool
– Individual who want to understand themselves on a much deeper perspective
Free Astrology Chart
All astrological birth charts are essentially different and have a unique signature. The charts are complex and there are many areas of life that the chart is able to describe accurately. Click here to generate a free chart and check out what your Astrological birth chart looks like.
To learn how to interpret and understand astrology charts, click here to find out about our courses offered by the academy.
By Michelle Yee, 3 May 2018
In conjunction with the launch of its new collection—RADO True Star Sign—luxury Swiss watchmaker RADO, in collaboration with Wine & Dine, presented an exclusive showcase to specially invited guests at Saint Pierre, a three-star award winner of Wine & Dine’s Singapore’s Top Restaurants.
Guests were greeted with welcome drinks from French winemaker Chateau Gauthier, and delicate pre-dinner snacks by chef Emmanuel Stroobant such as red paper crisp with smoked eggplant puree. Guests mingled, ate and drank while admiring the limited edition timepiece collection. Some tried them on and were mesmerised by the intricacies of the timepieces—each piece is crafted in highly scratch resistant plasma high-tech ceramic, and features a gorgeous blue mother of pearl dial. The design for each horoscope sign is put together with diamonds and star appliques.
Up next was a four-course wine pairing dinner, thoughtfully put together by chef Stroobant. The meal got off to a good start with the herb-crusted purple artichoke served in a turmeric emulsion, which tasted as good as it looked. The second dish of the night, the black truffle with wild mushroom and organic Japanese egg was masterfully prepared and was a hit with everyone at the table. A choice of French seabass or French capon were given for the mains, before a delightful blood orange and chocolate dessert was served.
During dinner, renowned astrologer May Sim from Selfstrology gave an insightful talk about the different traits and characteristics of each horoscope sign. The night ended with some lucky guests getting in-depth readings of their star sign by Sim.
For more information, visit their boutique at B1-86/87, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
For the original article, see: http://www.wineanddine.com.sg/2018/05/03/rado-true-star-sign-launch/
This is a period of wanting to break free of past constraints and letting go of security blankets for many people. It may be a trying time for some as this comes as a rude shock and an uncomfortable period to be challenging the self and possibly even authority figures. For astrology enthusiasts, this is the Mars Retrograde transit, commonly known to cause issues for people wanting to take action, but finding external factors hindering the progress and preventing the native from moving forward.
In this article, we will cover and describe how would this particular transit affect the 8 signs: Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Capricorn & Aquarius. (*Note: Not everyone with the signs will be affected, only those with birthdays indicated will be most affected.) If your sign is not highlighted in the article, you are not primarily affected by this transit.
Birthdays between 20 Apr – 23 Apr
For the period between 12 May – 10 Oct, you may find that there is an impetus to push hard for changes or to embark on a new initiative plan. However, things might not move as smoothly as expected. You or other people may potentially find many flaws in the quality or practical aspects of the plan and this may cause you to lose your patience easily. Nevertheless, this is also a reminder to yourself to slow your actions down and to have a well-thought-through plan before executing them. By accepting higher standards and quality practical considerations, it may prove to help you move the project smoothly in the future.
For the period between 12 May – 10 Oct, it may occur as a period of instability and perhaps chaos, which you may feel slightly uncomfortable with. Amidst the inspiration and newfound enthusiasm, you find that there is a balance struggle between catering to the needs of others, society at large or even groups and communities versus personal resources such as time, money and effort. During this period, it is important to persevere with your original intentions, while also learning that in giving, it would reap many returns with respect to personal growth and self-value.
Birthdays between 21 Jul – 25 Jul
For the period between 12 May – 10 Oct, it is a test of your ability to adapt to changes. You may find that it is necessary to make changes to processes for future growth, which could mean leaving and breaking free from what you thought was secure and comfortable. Learning to adapt to new environments may involve stress and it may be an uncomfortable position, resulting in losing your temper easily and finding other people to be irritable (especially in a one-on-one relationship). Other people may seem insensitive to your emotions, but it is important to maintain objectivity and putting your self-value into areas which are most productive in.
For the period between 12 May – 10 Oct, there is a strong sense of individuality and feeling frustrated that you are not recognised or valued for your contributions. Other people may accuse or find you to be selfish or egoistic. Despite this, the way to help cope with these situations is to shift from being too focused on your perspectives to finding ways in which your contributions may provide value to others and be more community-oriented.
Birthdays between 22 Oct – 26 Oct
For the period between 12 May – 10 Oct, you may experience that issues to do with one-on-one relationships or partnerships may seem shaky or unstable. This may be due to non-performance of certain expectations or obligations in the relationship. A good recommendation is to have good quiet time between the parties involved to communicate clearly the expectations, committing to the different roles and responsibilities to be fulfilled in the relationship or partnership.
For the period between 12 May – 10 Oct, you may experience sudden changes in your environment such as people who are close to you (professionally or personally) may seem unpredictable. This may result in rising tensions, the potential for disputes and disagreements, causing your expectations of comfort and stability to be threatened. Nevertheless, these circumstances force breakthroughs and it’s an opportunity to work out the differences or to break out and put an end to previously restrictive positions.
Birthdays between 19 Jan – 23 Jan
For the period between 12 May – 10 Oct, there may be additional stress at work with unforeseen or erratic changes, which may involve more stringent assessments and evaluations of personal productivity and effectiveness. The effects of the stress may impose limitations on personal life such as wanting to pursue other hobbies or having work-life balance and not being able to spend more time with partners. A positive use of this energy is to objectively re-evaluate mundane and dead-weight processes that might not have been productive. Being able to pool together available resources to complete the tasks or job effectively may prove to be especially useful.
For the period between 12 May – 10 Oct, erratic or unforeseen changes may not be new to you, however, it is important to keep the overconfidence in check to handle the situation better. You may find the additional spurt of energy to indulge and spending resources to pursue the new project. However, this may result in wasted efforts and valuable resources which may not eventually produce the expected outcomes. Perhaps, by clearly identifying and allocating your resources into the right purposes with sustainable objectives, only innovating and making changes to areas which require the necessary changes to avoid wasted efforts.
Not any of the above signs?
All astrological birth charts are essentially different and having a unique signature, the progression and transits that happen to us are fundamentally different as well. Click here to generate a free chart and check out what your Astrological birth chart looks like.
Rebel-Making Transits in May – Oct 2018
In the month of May, many of us will notice the level of ‘fed-upness’ maxing out around us. The combined transit of Uranus entering Taurus for the first time in 80 years and Mars retrograde hitting the same degrees is going to make rebels of many people who have, up to now, been putting up with constraints in their lives.
Uranus, last seen in Taurus in 1942, transits into Taurus again from 16 May 2018 and will stay so for about 7 years. As Taurus is a material symbol, the world may see the economy, money systems and material structures be overturned, suddenly change directions and have new developments emerge within these 7 years.
On a personal level, most of us may experience similar changes with our income, money portfolios or even the way we see, think about or handle money and possessions.
Mars joins in the party, retrograding between 28 Capricorn and 9 Aquarius, forming a transiting fixed square with transit Uranus between May to October 2018. Mars in Aquarius can be detached, perverse, and very capable of carrying out actions that you wouldn’t normally.
Universally, accidents may be more common, and these include road, air, train and technology-type accidents. Rebellious, anarchist and provocative behaviour is more widespread than usual – it’s driven by a high level of frustration and impatience.
People who have been contemplating a career/job change will finally make the change, or have the changes made for them anyway. Relationships that exist only in form but without affinity may not survive this transit. Businesses and other systems that are out of integrity enough to crumble in a tremor will crumble.
Many people survive life by putting up with unsatisfactory situations: jobs that don’t work, relationships that don’t do any relating, money management that doesn’t create value etc. but they give a gamut of excuses to justify why none of these unsatisfactory situations are dealt with, but typically the real reason is the need for predictability, familiarity, fear of the unknown – all at the expense of true freedom and authenticity towards the self.
All this changes in May – Oct 2018… but despite developing the will to make changes, circumstances don’t cooperate and there will be much frustration that change isn’t implemented smoothly.
The feeling is like the body having to serve a six-month notice period at work when you’ve 100% left the job heart, mind and soul.
Because there’s always the bright side. The Uranian and Aquarian influence in this transit favours experimentation, out-of-the-box thinking, technology and the ability to break from rigid constraints to express more authentically our ideas, actions and sentiments.
Businesses modernise and innovate more, moving away from operations of yesteryears. Employees find ways to freelance, or find freer ways of working without compromising productivity – indeed many will be surprised to find themselves being more creative and productive in the absence of constraints.
Adherence to traditional structures that give security reduces drastically, which can be a painful experience for those who cling desperately to monuments that no longer have a place in the present or the future.
Uranus moving into Taurus will be felt universally, as is already attested to by the move into cashless systems, new methods of payment etc. (transitions to cashless/digital money will be completed while Uranus is in Taurus).
If you can read an astrology chart, those getting the full benefit of the transiting fixed square in May – Oct 2018 are any persons who have planets at 29 Aries to 2 Taurus, 29 Cancer to 2 Leo, 29 Libra to 2 Scorpio, 29 Capricorn to 2 Aquarius.
Read more on how each of these signs will be affected.
Check out this QR Code to access our free astrology chart generator
FREE EVENT: The Astrology Of Your Career Reboot
For everyone else, do check out our upcoming free event on 10 May 2018 on The Astrology of Your Career Reboot, RSVP hello@selfstrology.com with your name and mobile number to register.
Trace the upcoming transit with us, see what the effects are, and if you actually are thinking of a career reboot, what factors will be at play. See you at Selfstrology Academy
18-20 May 2018 @ Suntec City Convention, Concourse Level (Booth C41)
FREE EVENT: NEW AGE FAIR 2018
Welcome to New Age Fair, a bi-annual wellness and spiritual fair that showcases vendors specialising in Alternative, Complementary & Traditional Therapies; Emotional, Energy & Sound Healing; Enzymes, Essential Oils & Supplements; Metaphysics, Meditation & Yoga; Crystals, Gemstones & Jewelry; Personal Development & Life Coaching; Readings: Astrology, Bazi, Feng Shui, Numerology, Psychic & Tarot; Wholesome, Natural, Organic & Green Products and more.
At the booth:
– Short consultations by Selfstrology Apprentices
– Special discounts for the Basic Astrology Course (BAC)
– Pick up a copy of our new course prospectus and have enquiries about the courses answered
Who Should Attend
– Individuals seeking a quick consultation for any particular area of life
– Individuals looking for a structured way to put together astrology chart interpretations
– Individuals who want to understand themselves further
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Credit: TheFinder Magazine
Do you read the horoscope section in newspapers and magazines and find that it doesn’t really add up? Here’s why.
Why Horoscopes “Don’t Work”
Of course they don’t – if you’re going by monthly predictions based on the 12 zodiac signs. Most intelligent people aren’t going to buy the idea that there are only 12 types of personalities and consequently, 12 “destinies” on any given month.
Real astrology should deliver unique interpretations for EVERY unique living individual. Let’s look at real-life examples for the sign Pisces.
Here are the charts of three famous Pisceans (featuring only Sun, Moon and Venus positions):
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Albert Einstein |
Steve Jobs |
Justin Bieber |
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14 Mar 1897, 11.30am |
24 Feb 1955, 5.15pm |
1 Mar 1994, 12.56am |
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Ulm, Germany |
San Francisco, USA |
London, Canada |
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*Other planets have been removed from the charts so as not to confuse readers unfamiliar with astrology charts
Newspaper ‘Horoscopes’ make everyone in a sign sound identical
Pisceans: they’re dreamy, creative, idealistic, spiritual, soft, and they see a world no one else sees. It’s strange that these words should all apply to three very distinct individuals; yet they do.
From a world-renowned scientist who came up with the formula for energy, to an IT professional whose bold design revolutionised the world, and a teen pop star who inspires hysterical female groupies, all three men are manifestations of the concept of Pisces in their own ways, yet they are as different as three people could be.
Other Sign Placements Distinguish Individuals Within a Sign
For the purpose of this article I’ve selected the Moon and Mars to be examined in the three charts. You’d have noticed that the three men have different Moon and Mars signs.
Moon governs how we express our emotional and security needs, and often, in the case of male subjects, the unconscious factors that drive actions and achievements.
– Einstein had his in Sagittarius, which indicates that he’s driven by the pursuit of knowledge and expanding the mind – this is a placement that favours research and travel (which can be mental as well as physical).
– Jobs had his in Aries, typically associated with a pioneering, entrepreneurial bent, competitiveness and being first, or being the first to do things. Little wonder he was able to channel that creative energy into meeting his entrepreneurial objectives, and Apple Inc. has always been known for maintaining its competitive edge.
– Bieber has his in Libra, and this describes the need to maintain balance, harmony, beauty and/or indulge in the arts for his unconscious emotional needs. As Bieber’s a music artiste, this Moon placement is quite apt.
Mars, especially in a man’s chart, describes how one goes about achieving one’s goals. The sign that Mars is in will correspond to the manner of asserting oneself.
– Einstein’s Mars is in Capricorn – this is a sign suited to those who work within established, conventional structures. Einstein had operated largely within university and governmentfunded research frameworks.
– Jobs’s Mars in Aries reflects yet again that entrepreneurial, ‘I am’ mentality. The downside of this placement is a tendency to neglect the desires or opinions of others, and indeed Jobs had a reputation for being somewhat difficult to work with.
– Bieber has Mars in Aquarius, associated usually with an unconventional way of doing things. This placement can be provocative, and already Bieber has been known to embody a “black rapper” image incongruous with his own upper middle class Canadian upbringing.
On a positive side, Mars in Aquarius can describe someone who works for the collective good and/or is able to innovate, challenging stale and staid norms – Justin Bieber is still only 22 years old; how he uses that Mars in future still remains to be seen.
How Can Monthly Newspaper “Horoscopes” Describe “Destinies” of Millions Accurately?
If you consider how vastly different two people can be, it makes little sense to predict that “June will be a romantic month for all Geminis”, for example, when some where in the world there have to be Geminians is going through breakups.
Monthly “horoscopes” are only accurate as far as they describe how the sense of self (indicated by the Sun sign) is challenged or supported by current planetary transits to that particular Sun sign. For a reading to make sense for a specific individual, transits and other movements have to be taken into account for the entire chart, and not just one component.
You’ll now think twice before you eliminate Scorpios from your dating calendar because “that website told me I’m not compatible with Scorpios”! Remember that we’re all very complex, multi-faceted individuals!
If you are interested in an astrological consultation, get in touch with May at hello@selfstrology.com and use this code for a special discount: Finder_Horoscopes.
About May Sim
The first Asian Chinese person to graduate from the International Academy of Astrology with a Diploma in Modern Astrology, May offers a unique take on the zodiac. This founder of Selfstrology will write about how to interpret the stars, moons and other signs to improve your career, love life, kids’ future and more.
For the original article, see: https://www.thefinder.com.sg/healthy-living/ask-the-experts/your-2016-astrology-what-biggest-difference-between-astrology-and-horoscopes/
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