I really like your essay Sherpa. That's the kind of meat I look for: weighty but approachable and fun, and with both soul and spirit.

Thank you for sharing.

~V~

I have read your article before and read it again. A lot of what you say in there makes sense. I don't think you have to overcome anything of your signs either but learning to work with them is such continuing challenges.

But it would be nice to hear what experiences others have with their sun/moon dance..

Interesting.

True, true...

I tend to not deal so much with the sun aspects, if only because they're turned more inward than outward. The moon, however, has always been the main focus in my life. Gemini moon, in 4th, conjunct Mars, squaring Mercury and Venus. My sun, which is in Virgo, is part of a whole grouping of planets (sun/mercury/venus), in an intercepted sign (Pisces intercepted in 1st, Virgo in 7th). I just don't deal as much with the sun energies...like I said before, they're there, but not so...active, I guess you could say. I can feel them, turned inward, at myself, but I hardly ever show that side to other people. They might occasionally pick up on the traits, but it's not like a sign blaring in the desert that I'm a Virgo...they're usually shocked when they find out, and I usually, for the most part, can't really identify with the traits of that sun sign, except for a few of them. I'm still researching the effects of planets in an intercepted house, but I feel like it makes them feel a bit like an under-tow. The traits are more hidden, and the person with those placements may or may not be aware of it's effects.

hmm.. the effects of a 10th house planet might be more visible than a 2nd house planet because one is nearer the self while the other nearer the area of "others." Also in consideration with what is discussed below... if the moon looking for nourishment and the sun is an ideal to work towards, expressing the moon more might come from a lack of emotional nourishment in general, or a temporary halt in personal growth while the moon seeks security. Of course, with your friend being a 2nd house sun, a sense of security seems like it might be a high priority to work towards. Oh.. there is my babbling.

And I do know about my sun/moon opposition, and I still feel it distinctly! Actually, I suppose it was worse when I was a child. Extremely conflicted internally between being a "good" kid and a "bad" kid I guess you could say. Always wanting to go in two directions at once, and I'm able to understand two opposing views equally... which often translates into being stuck in the middle of feuds. I believe much of this comes from the sun/moon opposition.

Scorpio Sun/Moon? Sounds intense. Especially if she's with those people born earlier this generation, where Pluto is squatting...

I often see the Moon as more prominent than the Sun in people's lives and charts. I think the Moon represents the soul of who we actually are due to our inherited genetics, our memories, past experiences, and habits. The Sun is more symbolic of the spirit of who we are becoming and represents a kind of Self-realization path based on lessons learned, rather than inherited.

I also see how mass media proliferaton of Sun Sign astrology (in newspapers, magazines and e-zines) has over-emphasized the importance of the Sun signs in our minds, which i suppose is natural enough for such a narcissistic consumerist society as the USA has become in its current evolutionary stage as a national entity.

Seems to me "un-aspected" wouldn't make any body weaker or less of…. Possibly the opposite.
Let’s say a Gemini moon aspected w/ 3 other bodies is affected by the relationship of the other bodies and may come off, or operate in a completely different manner than you'd expect the Gemini Moon to be. Were as and un-aspected Moon is free to be just what it is, possibly very strongly.

hi jacqueline,

yes they are part of the same process for sure. I would not say the moon protects the Sun, per se,, sensitives it and nourishes - i used the term integrates,, but whatever works for you is fine too.

here is an example.

if you want to grow flowers or a plant. It is a process. There are actions that must destroy or disintegrate the things that would prevent the flowers from growing. (like the Sun, more protective in nature) then there are things that are done to nourish the process and care for it - feed it. (more like the Moon)

Both together are necessry to achieve the goal, but Astrologically they have different motivations. I am careful not to water those things down.

In general the Sun is not as interested in worldly happiness, he is interested in truth and power or truthful power. He will sacrifice happiness to do what he thinks is right. For instance, the Sun is notorious for ending relationships. Vedic astrology uses some very precise timing methods. There are always clear and distinct changes that happen in a person's life when different dasas (cycles) run. The change from Venus to Sun to Moon to Mars.. is very clear. You see the person's mind and life change, overnight sometimes. (I think this is why so many more Vedic Astrologers view Astrology as a Science that works methodically, because it is so accurate on this level) When a Sun Cycle runs, things will be sacrificed to the altar of Self, every time. You can guarantee it. The preceding cycle of Venus / South Node will show the process begin, them Bam!,, job over, relaitonship over, totally new friends, no friends at all.. Something becomes illuminated that was not before.

The Sun is shining in the life, doing his purifying work, as the texts say. There is no tolerance for the comfort that preceded. This causes some suffering, but the truth is not always easy to take with all of our illusions.

In general the Moon is not like this so much. She is less concerned with what is right and true, and just wants to feel good. Or feels the truth in what feels good - you could say it like that. A different truth. That is why after the Sun cycle, the Moon comes to reconnect us to others and "soul" as seems to be favorite word of choice here. The Moon is that sense mind, intuition and psychology that needs to embody the truths and reintegrate the sacrificial tendencies of the Sun - otherwise our sacrifice will have no meaning - in fact it may just go to feed our ego more.

A subtle dance indeed.