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My Stars have shifted!
I was surprised to learn recently that revisionists have attacked Astrology and added a new constellation- Ophiuchus – to the mix. As you might expect this creates quite a mess and one of the results is that I learn I am really a Leo and not the Virgo I always believed myself to be. Oh, I know that astrology is bunk but still, I always accepted the Virgo generalizations as accurate assessment of my personality. So what do I make of astrology now that the revisions evict me from Virgo to Leo? If I am really a Leo then why was I so compatible with the characteristics of a Virgo? Inquiring minds want to know.
All through my life, I never gave much thought to who I was supposed to be. I didn’t really believe in Astrology even though I would look at the horoscope from time to time. But still, I was comfortable with the introspective, sensitive Virgo characteristics just as I am now uncomfortable with the outgoing, attention-grabbing characteristics of a Leo. I don’t believe that astrology controlled my life and destiny, particularly now. But it does make me question how my thinking might limit my possibilities in life.
Who defined me?
The Virgo personality I embraced was clearly not written in the stars (certainly after this revision). But it was one I accepted and embraced. I never considered that there might be other possibilities. I never stretched or tried to change my nature even when it was handicapping me. No matter where my personal personality definition came from, I accepted it without question. I accepted that I could not change my nature. I was always going to be the quiet, introspective and sensitive guy in the corner.
Out of my comfort zone!
In recent years, I have gotten wiser and realized that I can change my nature. I know that who I am right now is not all that I can be. And I know that my personality style is not a limit but merely a measure of where I am. Lately, I have pushed myself out of my old comfort zone and into uncharted territory. Maybe I haven’t changed very much but I have embraced change.
Make my own Stars!
The message I take from this shakeup in Astrology is that any personal definition is arbitrary. I was never locked into a Virgo personality. I just chose to accept it and refuse to consider stopping outside it’s limits. Now that I am a Leo, I may play around with who that defines me to be. It will be fun considering a whole new range of possibilities and recognizing that my life as a Virgo was all bogus to begin with. The truth here is that I have no limits to who I am and what I can be except those I put on myself. I’m the one who told me that I could not change. I am the one who set limits on my development. Now I need to be the one deciding who I really want to be – and then making it happen.
I’ve found being a Taurus provides me with all manners of shifting blame from my own behavior to “The stars made me do it.”
Strangely, this seems to be so much more socially acceptable than actually being responsible for one’s own behavior.
We are raised to look for excuses. Perhaps you have heard people say “He’s just like his Dad?”
Ralph@retirement lifestyle’s last Blog Post ..Increase your odds for surviving prostate cancer
You have been very consistent in documenting your movement toward change. It has been interesting to read about each new discovery.
“I have no limits to who I am” is a statement all of us would benefit from believing.
Bob Lowry’s last Blog Post ..Curiosity and Creativity- Part 2
You know Bob, I have had to fight all the way. I think that is what we are created to do when we aren’t given an out.
Ralph@retirement lifestyle’s last Blog Post ..Who defines your personality It’s not the stars
I smiled when I read your post Ralph. I have already written my article “The Science behind Astrology”, and will probably post it tomorrow. Then I realised that the internet and the blogosphere is the perfect conduit for the zeitgeist.
Tell you what, as you’re a mate, I will put a link in my post, to here. You are a bit kinder to astrology believers, so there will be more balance.
It all comes down to free will. The stars have got nowt to do with it.
John
Leamington Spa, England
John McNally@Blogging for Pleasure and Profit’s last Blog Post ..How to Enjoy Marathon Training
John,
You just have a more blunt style. My nature is to lecture but I never got results. I’m trying the ‘awe shucks, this can’t be right approach, hoping to be more relatable. What is more interesting about the Virgo to Leo switch is that, I have made excuses for my introverted personality for years and used it to explain my failings. Lately I have been working at being more Leo like anyway. It’s like the stars are trying to accommodate me.
Looking forward to your post.
Ralph@retirement lifestyle’s last Blog Post ..How I deal with discouragement
Nothing wrong with being polite Ralph, however everyone has their own opinion, and this is YOUR blog so your opinion counts.
If you try and avoid upsetting people, and always see both sides,you could end up being bland.
Just be yourself, and if your opinion is controversial, so what? You will probably get loads of comments. 😆
So far I haven’t had any abuse, but if I did, I could always consign it to spam. I’m not sure I would though, blog trolls can get everyone fired up, and from what I’ve seen you get even more comments. 😉
John
Leamington spa, England
John McNally@Blogging for Pleasure and Profit’s last Blog Post ..How to Enjoy Marathon Training
Sounds like you can’t loose.
John, I’m like you on the blunt vs polite thing. Compromise is sometimes valid, but more often (not you Ralph) compromise and politeness is an excuse for not standing up for principle and what one claims to believe in.
Hey Bob,
Don’t be so polite. I can waffle as well as anybody.
There you go Ralph, your learning. Don’t change though I like polite people. Let yourself come out in a polite fashion. YOUR views, don’t think of the others. I want to know YOUR views.
John
Leamington Spa, England
John McNally@Blogging for Pleasure and Profit’s last Blog Post ..In 60 HOURS I Will Start Making Sense Again……
Bob, I wish I could comment on your blog, but I’m not interested in food. Any chance of some football?
John
Leamington Spa, England
John McNally@Blogging for Pleasure and Profit’s last Blog Post ..In 60 HOURS I Will Start Making Sense Again……
John,
Bob’s blog is like Alice’s Rabbit hole. If all you found was food, you took the wrong turn. He has a Scottish lassie helping him revise the thing which way help but I’m afraid that that may only mean adding bagpipes in the background along with the banjos.
Try this: http://www.juicymaters.com/ramblings/
Ralph@retirement lifestyle’s last Blog Post ..Should you take a new path
It not only defines your personality but also your future and many more. It is that all the planetary movements and the sun, moon, stars and the atmosphere determine for your fate.