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Dear
Ralfee:
 I
was born on May 9, 1958, at 7:39 pm in Mineola, New York. Is there anything
in my chart to show that I would become the subject of tremendous gossip?
Starting in September of 1992 I had a terrible year. Much of my personal
life became common knowledge in the town where I lived. That gossip followed
me from place to place until this very day. I am the first to admit that
what is or was said about me was true at that time, but over the years
I've really made an attempt to become the person I want to be. Is there
an astrological reason why someone would be in the spotlight like this
and that it would take years to die out?
Sincerely,
I.G.
Dear
I.G.:
First,
a word about gossip. People always talk about each other. After we talk
about our love life, families, work, hobbies and pets, we talk about other
people. It's human nature. What distinguishes gossip from chitchat or
process is intent. Gossips intend to cause harm. Even when we take the
time to understand the deep psychological reasons behind this malicious
activity, it still hurts. The only solution is working through the pain.
It certainly sounds as if you've done just that and I congratulate you
on your growth.
Karma,
not astrology, offers the most expansive framework for understanding your
situation. Not that astrology doesn't play a role. It does. But the philosophy
of karma can help you understand how the astrology might play out.
Karma
is the law of cause and effect. For every action there is an equal reaction.
Good deeds create good karma. Malicious intent begets bad karma. Trapped
in a hell-zone of envy, anger, fear or greed, certain people act out old
karmic patterns, never considering the consequences of their behavior.
What's
more, we may draw vicious attacks as a result of our karma. Past deeds,
from this life or another, known or unknown, have an effect. The gateway
out of this maze is taking responsibility for our circumstances, rather
than dwelling on how unfair life is. You've done just that. And you should
take heart in your desire to grow.
From
an astrological perspective, reputation is a big issue in your birth chart.
You have Scorpio rising, which makes Pluto your ruling planet. Pluto deals
with the big issues. Sex, death, power and control are all in its domain.
Often, Pluto leads us into the shadows of those issues, asking us to examine
the themes of seduction, ruthlessness and manipulation.
What's
more, your natal Pluto sits at the very top of your birth chart, on the
Midheaven and in the Tenth House. This position is all about reputation
and social standing. It matters very much what others think about you.
You want to be recognized. And Pluto's position functions as a lightning
rod, drawing in a broad spectrum of experience, all aimed at deepening
your understanding of what it means to be known.
Pluto
transits often illuminate unconscious behavior. From November 1990 until November
1991, transiting Pluto opposed your Sun, in the Seventh House. The Sun
rules Leo. And Leo rules your Midheaven. During those twelve months, you
probably experienced a series of events, all of which focused on relationships,
both personal and professional. How you handled those situations had a
direct effect on your reputation. For example, if you treated people ruthlessly,
that Pluto-Sun opposition would expose you to ruthless treatment.
From
December 1994 until October 1996, transiting Pluto squared itself. This
Pluto transit is never easy. It raises the deep issues of personal power,
often confronting us with our own inauthentic postures and behavior. What's
more, over the last several years, you've also experienced several other
intense transits, far too numerous to explain in detail. But the combined
intensity of all these transits could keep the cauldron of gossip simmering.
It's
clear you answered Pluto's transformative call and made the most of the
challenges. You've grown. And that's what counts. Now, it's time to let
go and put the past behind you. In March of 2001, transiting Uranus will
trine your natal Jupiter, offering opportunities to make new friends and
form creative alliances and associations. But that's not all. In June
of 2001, transiting Jupiter joins that trine, creating good fortune in
your community and a chance to feel truly optimistic about your circle
of friends.
A
friend living in a Buddhist monastery in India once told me that Buddhists
believe gossips reincarnate as dogs. I don't know if this is true, but
it certainly is a humorous and wise way of looking at the consequences
of malicious intent. Whenever I hear someone gossiping, I always imagine
what kind of dog they will come back as. Then, catching myself at my own
unconscious thoughts, I wonder what kind of dog I, too, am destined to
be.
Try
not to dwell on the pain you've suffered, but rather use it to fuel the
positive life changes that you’ve already put into motion.
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