What follows is a continuation of my recent article The 3 Levels of the Zodiac.
See Part 1 for the first six signs.
Libra/Venus/7th House. The first level Libra wants a relationship more than anything, or will do anything to keep a partnership going, particularly one that looks good from the outside. Libras at this level are concerned with keeping up with appearances. This Libra wants to be thought well of at almost any cost. They tend to be passive-aggressive because expressing anger is not nice or pleasant, and they wouldn’t want you to think they were not nice or pleasant. Yes, people who loudly pronounce that they don’t care what you think may also be Librans at this level. It’s the other side of the same coin. Librans love good drama as much as any Leo, therefore, their lives are oftentimes in turmoil, a state which is often blamed on external events.
The second level Libra utilizes her diplomatic skills and Venusian sense of design and appreciation of beauty to rise in the world both professionally and socially. This Libra is able to create the conditions, or at least the appearance of balance and harmony for which this sign constantly strives.
The third level Libra is the Libra who has found her 'inner Aries' (Libra’s opposite sign) and is able to put her needs first. This Libra is the only truly giving, truly balanced Libra. She is able to ask herself what she wants in any situation, rather than what the other person wants of her. She does not give in hopes of receiving, but for the joy of it. Incidentally, this Libra attracts the very appreciation and acceptance that the first level strives for, because in not striving, her natural beauty and grace are evident to all those around her.
Scorpio/Pluto/8th House: The first of the three symbols for Scorpio, of course, is the Scorpion. This is the most commonly known symbol, yet it is also the lowest level of the sign’s consciousness. The scorpion symbolizes what this Pluto-ruled sign is famous, or infamous for: a vindictive nature, holding grudges, intense sexuality, and a fascination with darkness, the occult and death.
The second symbol, however is lesser known: the eagle. This symbol represents the Scorpio who rises above those first level qualities and is able to use the sign’s plutonian power to create material and personal success.
The third Scorpionic symbol is the Phoenix, which represents the capacity for transformation--the death of the ego and the realization of the true self--inherent in Scorpio. Hickey writes that Scorpio is the sign most capable of transformation in a single lifetime.
Sagittarius/Jupiter/9th House. The first level Sagittarius can be as flaky and lacking in integrity as the level one Gemini (its opposite). This sign is naturally lucky as Jupiter is the planet of good fortune. A first level Sag will press that luck as far as it will go, often taking the sign’s natural adventurousness to extremes. This level of the ninth sign is all but incapable of committing to a relationship. Usually, Jupiter’s innate charisma will aid and abet the Sagittarian in creating false bonds at this stage of his evolution.
Level two success for the Sag is often found in education and careers pertaining to travel. The more mature and responsible Sagittarian uses his adventurous spirit and gregarious nature to win clients and promotions as well as friends and lovers.
A fully-evolved Sagittarian can be a blessing to the world, bringing his good fortune to all those with whom he comes into contact. Spiritual and religious leaders arise from this place. Great speakers and educators also reside here. This is the Sagittarian who seeks truth and embraces it. At this level, victimhood will be left behind because this Sagittarian truly sees and understands the consequence of any action. He has become able to look within.
Capricorn/Saturn/10th House. We’ve all heard of the ruthless goat who has stepped on the backs of others on his way to the top, or the gold digger who wanted to marry a multimillionaire. At the lowest level, Capricorns can be materialistic and ultra status-conscious. But this goat has not achieved true success, regardless of how much they gain from this single-minded striving.
Level two brings the Capricorn more of a sense of purpose. This goat may advance financially by helping others prosper. This goal-oriented Capricorn will work to improve herself in all areas of life.
The third level for Capricorn is one of some sacrifice. This Cap will go beyond the first level’s inherently selfish nature (by embracing it, as the other Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer and Libra must do to reach this level). This level of the tenth sign may or may not be the richest materially, but their wealth is their integrity. At this level, the individual uses the discipline of Saturn wisely. Capricorn makes a good counselor and does well in professions wherein they may help others realize goals.
Aquarius/Uranus/11th House. The first level of Aquarius feels very powerless and therefore will split into two camps: the power-monger and the apathetic victim. Aquarians in either of these roles believe in nothing more than their own rightness. This is the bulldozer personality who steps on everyone’s toes or plays passive-aggressive power games to hide his own sensitivity and feelings of weakness.
At the second level, the Aquarian has realized some of his own personal power and will use this to influence others in a positive way, or at the very least a way he feels is best for everyone. I’ve never met an Aquarian without an opinion and those who are passionate about their beliefs and willing to take action rise to this level of leadership and activism.
Saturn is this sign’s secondary ruler, so it follows that with discipline, a principled Aquarian will ascend to the third level. Although the Aquarian at this level is more often a leader than a follower, one hallmark of his evolution is humility. Here is the place you may actually hear an Aquarian say “I was wrong” or reveal his emotional nature. This is the level where the 11th sign takes his exciting ideas and theories and puts them into practice.
Pisces/Uranus/12th House. The first level is the level of illusion. Drugs, alcohol and all addictive behaviors have their strongest influence here. The Pisces child is almost always an old soul. This can be very difficult early in life (especially when your parents are just kids) and until one has found kindred spirits. Pisces at this level is the liar who scarcely knows she is lying. She may live in a fantasy world and find dreams and daydreaming more satisfying than life. This is the level of the escapist.
Level two is the place where Pisces learns to live in the world and share her gifts of intuition and compassion through whatever art or science she chooses to practice. Their intelligence is commonly more intuitional than mental and many Pisces here will overcompensate by becoming too cerebral. Most, however, will try for an easygoing lifestyle in which they can indulge their creativity and/or love for the water every now and then.
The highest level of Pisces can be a spiritual master. This is the individual who has learned the lessons of many incarnations and lives accordingly. This is the home of the one who lives in guidance. This Pisces has a gentle soul and a big heart, one that is not easily bruised (emotional wounds are common among the lower level Pisces). She has learned that the dark side of life is just as vital as the light and is not afraid to embrace her own 'dark side'.
And there it is. I could have written a lot more on each sign, but these are the basic points. As I was writing each passage, I found myself identifying with something about each level of each of the twelve signs. And although I have written as if I were addressing people who are of a particular sun sign, I think the point of the article is that each of us contain all the myriad possibilities of all twelve.
This is another way of saying we are all part of a larger whole. Knowing this, we are able to practice compassion. And if we truly know this, we are each a step closer to the next level in our evolution.
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If you would like to know more about how each of these signs, planets and houses figure in your chart, give me a call at (619) 275-1731 to schedule a reading.
And if you would like to enroll in my beginning Astrology Class to be held September 13, or schedule a private class,
please give me a call.
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