On the Gulf Coast with my Reptilian Brain

January 27th, 2012

I don’t remember where I first heard this well known quip:   “Where ever you go, there you are!”  As a very young man, I laughed at that and kept saying it over and over again.  This of course has been a long term lament.  Until I started reading about topics like meditation and the “reptilian” part of our brains – the limbic system, I would say to myself, why does it matter WHERE I go if I don’t have some solutions for my restless nature?

Since that time as a young man, I have tried to deal with my “Reptilian Brain” (I always thought it was fun to say that).  It is quite picturesque and it scares you a bit.

I have been to the magical Gulf Coast of Texas with all those long sandy islands several times.  America finds out about them every spring when they see crazed college students losing their virtue, and everything else.  But when the kids leave, it is a quiet place.

The first time I took my wife to that big quiet “ocean” as she called it, we both just parked on a beach breathed in the salt air, listened to the small wave patterns and immediately took really long peaceful naps.  When we awoke, I drove a little more and promptly did the same thing.  Since that time, when I am feeling frazzled, I say, “Honey let’s go to the Ohhhhshun.  She says it that way, which immediately transports us.  We are of the “snow bird” ranks.

Decades have passed since I found this unique part of the world, where it so quiet and serene that your thoughts get noisy inside you.  But since it has been a long time, I have gotten into dealing with my “reptilian brain”.

During that time I have learned that the brain and body are exquisitely intertwined systems that are constantly interacting with the environment.   All five senses are connected to this system and field information that determines our unique response to anything from petting a your loved one softly to being popped in the nose at a bar.   In fact, the more senses involved in an experience, the more the brain remembers it, the deeper the imprint onto our emotional systems.

Traumatic experiences create deep, long-lasting physical/emotional impressions that do not easily yield to insight alone or resolution in 10 therapy sessions, especially if they have been stored and built upon from childhood.   This kind of pain creates patterns and remembrances especially deep in that limbic system.

The Reptile is Powerful, I Learned

The limbic system “sets the mind’s emotional tone, filters external events through internal states (creates emotional coloring), tags events as internally important, stores highly charged emotional memories, modulates motivation, controls appetite and sleep cycles, promotes bonding and directly processes the sense of smell and modulates libido”, according to Daniel Amen, MD, author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life.

Our emotional life is physical; it imprints itself on our bodies.

When we have problems in our deep limbic system, they can manifest in “moodiness, irritability, clinical depression, increased negative thinking, negative perceptions of events, decreased motivation, floods of negative emotion, appetite and sleep problems, decreased or increased sexual responsiveness, or social isolation,” says Dr. Amen. Our neural system carries with it our emotional sense memories from childhood. Familiar smells, sounds or places can send a cascade of memories flooding through us that either wraps us up in their warmth, or challenges us to maintain our composure.

Conscious Ways I Have Tried to Achieve a Relaxed State

On the weekends I have deliberately observed my own version of the Jewish “Shabbat”.  On that day, I do deliberate formal relaxation, meditation and prayer,or some combination of these.   Regularly setting time aside to meditate, pray, or to do deep relaxations can slowly retrain and repattern the limbic system. I have heard and read that this kind of practice  soothes the basil ganglia, regulates the adrenaline response, helps to reset the body’s reaction time, and can help to lessen hyper vigilance.

For years I had a problem with hyper vigilance, just like my Dad.  I could not “talk myself” out of this state.  I felt like a lonely wild dog, always ready to move and pounce.  My hyper vigilance was one of the reasons I began to study psychology and things like that pushed me forward in my studies.  But it wasn’t “getting smart” that reduced my hypervigilance, it was these commonly held practices that have been around for thousands of years.

I read more about why the “Med/Contemplate/Focused Thought/Expressed Faith” practice affects the Limbic System – which is indeed  a potential troublemaker.  Many negative emotions are produced in the limbic system.   Fight or flight are generated from here.  Negative emotions can cause negative emotional states.   These states can, to use an electronic term, “ turn off”  the Limbic system, or “give it a rest”.

As we practice these things in our own way and in our own repetitive practice, not only is the Limbic part of the brain affected, but studies have shown that  the Frontal Lobe, which does shrink as we age, and reveals aging problems, actually show a reversal of these aspects on test instrumentation.

Ever wonder where your Heart “really is”.  Well, there is a part of the brain that many call our “neurological heart”.  It is in the center of our brain.  Tests have shown that the Anterior Cingulate reacts quite very well to positively directed thought/med/contemplation/focused thought/expressed faith.   Thus, this “heart part” affects our whole being in feeling well somatically and affectively.

I wanted to be Less “Aware of Myself”

The Parietal Lobe is where our Physical sense of Self and what they call the Ego experience themselves.  Thus, this lobe is where we get a sense of separation.  However,  activation causes you “not to forget yourself”.  A deactivation of your Parietal Lobe causes you to feel less aware of yourself.

Often times when people are not doing deliberate practices that help relaxation, they can’t get themselves to “shut up”.   I wanted to achieve this state as much as I could.  It has been a long time coming, but quieting my Parietal Lobe through meditation has caused that crazy sense of self to quiet.

The Alchemy of Forgiveness

As a human, walking around with a bundle of resentment, I have noted a need for Forgiveness in my own heart.   The beauty of forgiveness is that in order to consider asking for forgiveness or forgiving ourselves, significant emotional work needs to be accomplished.  This work I have considered to be very formal and deliberate.  It also sets a goal of returning to a positive way of thinking and feeling and reducing negative forecasts and the types of thinking and feeling that are very hard and punishing on our bodies.   There is I feel, a true kind of “alchemy” of forgiveness, though alchemy is not really a medical term per se.

In my past, I have seen “forgiveness” as a problem for me.  Reading more, I have seen that conscious work in forgiveness can bring positive results.  Experts have concluded through studies that  forgiveness is limbic-friendly.   Feelings of anger, resentment, and sadness must be directly addressed in order for forgiveness to be genuine and useful to a recovery.   There are two manifestations of forgiveness that people generally deal with.

Rational and Irrational Forgiveness – Slower Paths to Relaxation

The first is rational: when our actions have directly hurt others or theirs have hurt us, and we need to forgive ourselves or them in order to move on in our lives. The second is irrational: on the one hand, we hold ourselves responsible for pain that others have caused us, and on the other, we feel guilty for pain we may have been a part of causing others even though we could do nothing to change the situation and did not intentionally cause pain. We may feel guilty, for example, for “getting out,” a form of the survival guilt that those who have found recovery often feel towards family members who are still mired in the disease of addiction.

Promote Breath Awareness.   Breath-holding, shortness of breath, and shallow, rapid breathing often accompany or precede anxiety.   I noticed this in my youth too.  It is an increasing concern to all those who experience “breathing issues”.

“Limbic Breathing” Makes Me Feel Good  

Controlling breath patterns soothes the nervous system and deep breaths fill the brain with oxygen so we can think more clearly. “Limbic breathing, by its very nature, will not allow the heart to come under any real stress,” says Majid Ali, MD, in The Ghoraa and Limbic Exercise. “The slower the rate of limbic breathing the greater the safety margin.

Regular exercise, according to research, can be as effective in treating depression as medication. Brisk walking, for example, releases dopamine and serotonin (nature’s tranquilizers) into the system, restoring calm and an overall sense of well-being.

Bubble baths, it turns out, are good medicine. Warm water releases prolactin into the system. Prolactin is one of nature’s calmers and is often associated with nursing mothers.

On the “Ocean”, Feet in the Sand, Not So Hyper Vigilant Anymore

My Reptilian Brain is still there of course.  Yet, now, it is not as much of a trouble maker.  My Vacations, and trips to the “Ocean” are now marked by deeper more happy states.  My wife says, I am “more fun when we go to the Coast”.  Of course, this is a process, and one that I do not always attain to my satisfaction.  At least, I am trying and my trips of Relaxation find a more sedate state.  Perhaps this is also due to my age.  Whatever it is, I have been an experimenter in my life, and this experiment I call my life,  hopefully finds me less bothered, a nicer husband, a better friend and more relaxed guy than I have been in my “hyper vigilant” past.  In my youth, I used to laugh at “Chris going on a vacation, with his restless self leading the way.”  Now, I think back on how “vacationing Chris” wasn’t really real and couldn’t have been that much fun.  I am not sure just how much relaxed I am deep inside, but I know I am more fun.

http://www.psychejam.com/parietal_lobe.htm

http://www.dfwcfids.org/medical/limbcsys.repatterning.htm

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Cancer and Pisces

January 26th, 2012

Fish and Crab

 

How To Get Along – Cancer and Pisces

The Fish and the Crab

AstroCompatibility Is The Goal

This series on AstroCompatibility will cover all of the potential matchups in the Zodiac. We will continue this series thinking about and commenting onPisces and Cancer.

Cancer – Pisces

Pisces is Water and Mutable. Cancer is Water and Cardinal. These are both creatures of and around the ocean. Symbolically, they are in tune with the Neptunian and Lunar worlds of mystery, the subconscious, the unconscious and the nonmaterial. The changeability of Pisces leans toward an adaptation by Cancer. Cancer’s contrasts – home and business and emotional worrisome concerns, can offer Pisces sympathy and focus at the same time. There is much to be optimistic about with this match, because of the essential understanding of their deep inner selves. Their contrasts lie in the mundane and the outer activities of life. Many signs do not have this benefit.

Pisces can pretty well understand Cancer. The Fish knows the Crab’s sentiments and feelings and can lock into the phasing cycles of their lunar consciousness. Pisces understands most everyone, and their ability to see the Crab’s modulations would help the relationship. Cancer, loving and appreciating the Pisces they are attracted to, is most certainly going to exert it organizational, money-wise and practical side on their Fish. They will view this as total helpfulness and see it as a manifestation of love. Pisces however, able to shift this way and that, disappear into a murky subpart of a reef, and then emerge with a smile on its face a few hours later, will insist on being itself. The challenge around money is a little more fundamental than one might think. Pisces is generous in wonderful ways and fanciful with their spare dollars. They could end up in a poker game on the other side of town and feel tremendous freedom. Cancer is cautious with the bucks in so many numerous ways. Dropping some cash in “silly excursions” would be viewed by the Crab as more of a misdemeanor; especially if they were not communicating about these things. These two are wired like cousins, but their key plugs and switches end up in different places.

Positive Postulate: Pisces can be both spiritual and happy and blue all in the same hour. This makes them an intriguing partner, especially if there is attraction in the heart of the Cancer. Pisces sweet humble quality will actually listen to the Crab. The Crab does not like to reveal their secrets. Often the secrets are not worth keeping (they aren’t crimes or misdemeanors), they are just their secrets. Pisces somehow does not mind sharing secrets, but seemingly doesn’t have the desire to discover secrets. What a great combination for the Cancer. This predicts mellow harmony.

Romance Recommendation: What goes on inside the minds and hearts of these two is often more than the average Psychological Sleuth would be ambitious enough to undertake. This still is not so bad for the both of them, as long as they stay in a romantic and sensitive mode, and do not get overly demanding of the other. Romance is where the various human dimensions meet. Romance for these two will work, especially if drugs, alcohol, deep sadness or depression are not a part of the playing field.

Conflict Quotient: Conflict at its worst here could be a miasma of dark emotional murky quicksand. Neither of these two should push so that the other feels trapped or not empowered. Since below conscious activity might be at the core of the conflicts, each should give one another a break and not trap the other with low blow accusations about malice and insensitivity.

Peace Parlay: Life in the end is repetitive and mundane, and so is Romance itself. This factor asks the question: “Can we be bored together over the long term?”As we sometimes say: Boredom can be a refuge. Psychic repair needs to take place periodically for both of these. Especially Pisces will seek out places to be alone and quiet, and maybe, yes, be – bored. Cancer, chatting it up and managing a project, and then discovering themselves on the way to their next meeting is more their style. Cancer will probably keep the two busy, while Pisces gives them a sense of perspective.

Keep Up The Interest Graph: All kinds of interesting things are available to these two. The watery sense of possibility lays open a whole world of interest to the two of them. It would simply lie in what they would choose together.

Seven Year Itchiness: There are some signs that by their nature are more stable in their love interests and family concerns as time goes on. Others are not.7 year cycles of infidelity would not probably affect the Fishes way of seeing the relationship. They tend to go on a clock that is completely their own. The Cancer would have the stop watch, and then realize that the Fish just needs to be loved and encouraged in order for them to feel free of any watery demons that might fretfully inhabit their oceanic psyche.

RATING:

ASTROCOMPATIBILITY POSSIBILITY RATING: 80% Positive Long Term – 70% Short Term. Pisces and Cancer would be warmly engaged right away, upon meeting. Then, as they disclosed themselves to each other, their complex and sensitive selves would unfold and perhaps make a long term union that could navigate their pathways to greater health and happiness than they could have imagined would have been possible on their own. Cancer’s urge to make a prosperous family would benefit Pisces; and Pisces could enhance the atmospherics, ambience and heart of that home.

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Cancer and Gemini

January 26th, 2012

May / June / July

How To Get Along – Gemini and Cancer

 The Twins and The Moonchild

This series on AstroCompatibility will cover all of the potential matchups in the Zodiac. We will continue this series thinking about and commenting on Gemini and Cancer.

Gemini – Cancer

Gemini is Air and Mutable. Cancer is Water and Cardinal. In common, they have a wonderful gift of gabbiness as they course through levels of feeling and talking. Cancer follows the moods of the Moon and enjoys the modulation from quarter moon to full moon. Gemini flits. They flit so well that their listeners are forced to follow them with their ears and eyes. Cancer’s actions are thoughtful and conscious and based in the slow approach rooted in hearth and home. Gemini colors its verbal world with many hues and makes friends fast, home being where they are hanging their hat.

The Cancer is not a timid, but a nondisclosing partner. Keeping their many feelings close to the vest, they are a contrast to Gemini, who shares. Sometimes they are just sharing to make others think they are sharing. Gemini tends not to be grasping and possessive. Cancer will grab every little pebble on the beach and cling to them for their significance. Cancer and Gemini go together well when it comes to double teaming. They make a very powerful pair, Cancer hitting at the emotional level, running things. And Gemini leading openly with speech and tantalizing the mind.

Positive Postulate:

Even though they are quite different: Air and change versus water and action, they could dance together well, featuring their strong suits. Positively speaking, these two could combine Cancerian sentimentality and idealization with Gemini’s free form lack of possessiveness. Their strings could play harmonically with one another, if they were in sync.

Romance Recommendation:

Cancer could slip into a depressive mood state quite easily, as it is their tendency, if there were romantic problems. An insensitive Gemini can pour on sarcasm and coldness and end up through a loss of control hurting its own interests. If Cancer were treated lovingly and sensitively, it would not fall into self protection. The biggest lesson romantically could be tending to feelings.

Conflict Quotient:

Gemini can pull out a verbal saber and cut deftly. They do not like fighting though. Their tongues just make them sound like they are very good fighters. Cancers have tempers and if the domestic is involved, they can be knights on horses. The way for these two to fight, so that the fight can end quickly, is not to corner Gemini and not to threaten Cancerian security.

Peace Parlay:

Life in the end is repetitive and mundane, and so is Romance itself. This factor asks the question: “Can we be bored together over the long term?” One way to make sure that Cancer does not grow bored is to keep it moving. This is a cardinal sign. Just the perception of boredom can frustrate the Cancer. Gemini is ethereal movement. Mental movement, if not physical. Boredom is anathema to the Gemini. It would seem that these two could stay at their own level of “busyness” for the entirety of their relationship.

Keep Up The Interest Graph:

Gemini is almost a helpless flirt. That is an overstatement because the way they communicate seems flirtatious. Charm in general can sometimes look like overt moves, when it is not. Gemini, if healthy, can always bring its charm and electrical energy and enliven relationships of older age. Cancer with its sweeping sentimentality will always want their personal lives to be vibrant and romantic. Since they tend to idealize, they will probably have high personal goals in this regard.

Seven Year Itchiness:

There are some signs that by their nature are more stable in their love interests and family concerns, as time goes on. Others are not. The right spark could make a Gemini fly to infidelity. 7 years could be a sign post, if they were in misery, or felt misunderstood. Cancer is more likely to think about it and imagine it. True to its love of the home, it might not stray, even if unhappy.

RATING:

ASTROCOMPATIBILITY POSSIBILITY RATING: 65% Positive Long Term – 60% Short Term. This has a better chance the older the relationship gets. Cancer could view the Gemini as a fling in the beginning, and then they might grow on each other, Cancer building the home where its clever Gemini could thrive and feel the freedom that lies in happiness.

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Gaelic Women’s Powers

January 26th, 2012
Most people’s view of ancient European history goes something like this:

“The Greeks were hostile males, who loved each other’s company more than their wives. The Roman Catholics were “puftas” who despised women. And before that women were subservient all the time. Aren’t you glad we came along to reframe the entirety of human history so that us girls right now could feel valiant, angry and free?”

The Gaelic Woman

First of all, the history of women is far more fascinating than the above characterization. But the point of this article is that Ancient European Gaelic Culture has been found to be much more interesting. First of all, it has been habit to “barbarianize” the Gaelic culture. This is the habit of the Victor in History – The victor being Romanism and Hellenistic superiority. A study of art, weaponry and tradition and archaeology is revealing a very sophisticated, interconnected advanced culture that simply had an emphasis on ORAL tradition instead of WRITTEN.

Gaelic Woman could:

Sue for divorce,

Own land,

Buy and sell real estate portions.

Gaelic Woman could be:

Priestesses, Seers, Medicine Women and Prophetesses.

AND if they wished to, and had the skill and the leadership — could qualify to be WARRIORS.

Boudicca

Boudicca was the wife of Prasutagus, who was head of the Iceni tribe in East England, in what is now Norfolk and Suffolk.

In 43 CE, the Romans invaded Britain, and most of the Celtic (Gaelic) tribes were forced to submit. However, the Romans allowed two Celtic kings to retain some of their traditional power; one was Prasutagus.

The Roman occupation brought increased Roman settlement, military presence, and attempts to suppress Celtic religious culture. There were major economic changes, including heavy taxes and money lending.

In 47 CE the Romans forced the Ireni to disarm, creating resentment. Prasutagus had been given a grant by the Romans, but the Romans then redefined this as a loan. When Prasutagus died in 60 CE, he left half his kingdom to the Emperor Nero to settle this debt.

The Romans arrived to collect, but instead of settling for half the kingdom, seized control of it. To humiliate the former rulers, the Romans beat Boudicca publicly, raped their two daughters, seized the wealth of many Iceni and sold much of the royal family into slavery. The collected Celtic tribes in that region, planned to revolt and drive out the Romans.

Led by Boudicca, about 100,000 British attacked Camulodunum (now Colchester), where the Romans had their main center of rule. Boudicca’s army burned Camulodunum to the ground; only the Roman temple was left. Immediately Boudicca’s army turned to the largest city in the British Isles, Londinium (London). Suetonius strategically abandoned the city, and Boudicca’s army burned Londinium and massacred the 25,000 inhabitants who had not fled. Archaeological evidence of a layer of burned ash shows the extent of the destruction.

Next, Boudicca and her army marched on Verulamium (St. Albans), a city largely populated by Britons who had cooperated with the Romans, and they were killed as the city was destroyed. Boudicca fought one more battle, though its precise location is not sure. Boudicca’s army attacked uphill, and, exhausted, hungry, was easy for the Romans to rout. Roman troops of 1,200 defeated Boudicca’s army of 100,000, killing 80,000 to their own loss of 400.

What happened to Boudicca is uncertain. It is said she returned to her home territory and took poison to avoid Roman capture.

Boudicca’s story was nearly forgotten until Tacitus’ work, Annals, was rediscovered in 1360. Her story became popular during the reign of another English queen who headed an army against foreign invasion, Queen Elizabeth I.

A Sharp Dagger Strapped to her Inner Thigh

The Grandma with a classical education talked one fresh spring morning with her 3 grand daughters. “Now dears, I want you to see how the Ancient Irish girls protected themselves.” She put her leg on a chair and pulled up her dress above her knee. She grabbed a sharp knife from the kitchen drawer. “In order to protect their virtue, Ancient Irish maidens would strap a knife like this to their inner thigh.”

One of the “correct” Mamas corrected the old crusty Grandma. Her daughter stood up to proect her Grandma. “Mother, we know we can’t do that today, but you know what, this makes me feel different about my ancient Irish cousins. They were well prepared to meet all of the challenges that life offered them.”

Equal Station Enjoyed by their Women

When the Ancient Romans encountered the Celtic tribes inhabiting Northern Europe, in an area north of the Alps, and extending from Turkey in the east, to Ireland in the west, they were impressed with equal station enjoyed by their women.

Celtic women enjoyed an unusual degree of freedom by standards known in the Ancient and Medieval worlds.

They were renowned for their individuality and courage, and were particularly praised for their qualities of self-respect and independence.

Celtic women could inherit land and title, no less than their male siblings.

A woman could serve as chief of the clan, and enter into battle, just as men did, in time of war.

The ferocity of the Celtic warrior women is the subject of legend.

The Romans were shocked by the sexual liberty enjoyed by Celtic women, who extended what the Celts euphemistically referred to as, “the friendship of the thighs.”

Proper Roman matrons, with the false standards of “respectability” imposed upon them by their men folk, found lovers among those prepared to indulge in secret liaisons.

Matrilineal

Due, perhaps, to the sexual liberty of the Celts, succession within their tribes and clans was matrilineal because, amid such general promiscuity, it could be difficult to ascertain who the father of a particular child had been.

A Celtic woman could divorce her husband if he failed to support her, or treat her with respect, if he was impotent, homosexual, sterile, or gossiped about their sex lives.

She could leave him if he was fat, a snorer, or just plain repulsive.” from A Toast to the Lassie, by Carson C. Smith.

When you ponder the challenges that modern woman face, there is a similarity to the broad challenging world of the Gaiec(Celtic) woman in her world at her time. Their villages were seasonal oftentimes, and they had to be very flexible, in addition to having the ability to function in society, in love, in leadership, in hunting and in war. The limiting way in which women have been studied for exemplars of Roman and Greco worlds tells women that those societies might be fairly representing roles of women, or not, but it is definitely advisable to work to understand those old worlds with a new breadth and a fresh desire to look at previous exemplars anew. Christofer French adheres to Syncretism, a new way of approaching older traditions.

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Flaming Hot, Flaming Out, Flaming over the Long Term

January 23rd, 2012

 

Neuroscience - Lust, Romantic Love and Long-Term Attachment  

We have all been bemused by those initial feelings, those in between states, and the longer term inner bewildering biochemical stages.   And “Lust” has beguiled us all in various ways at various times in our lives.  Using ourselves as neuroscientific experiments, we can all look back at so many various states we have been in.  The way sexual maturity comes upon us and turns our young personalities into new people.  The way lust explodes on us and bowls us over and possesses us.  Then the way things become modified, changed, different – good but not as crazed, warm but not as hot, loving by more serious.  We all can characterize these things from our personal experiences.

We all know what it is to describe and feel the first flavor of Lust:

  • the brand new sex and the obsessions
  • the funny cute things that you say to each other, and
  • the big question floating around:  “Will this go beyond this?”

 

I mean the totality of what is going on in a new relationship.  It is important to actually see yourself in a NEW RELATIONSHIP because often they FAIL, not because they were not a good match, but because each of you got burnt in the cauldron of the new relationship.

 

As neuroscience starts giving names to our feelings, and describing our actions as impulses and hormonal states, we start to see how Brain Chemistry may be a better way to understand the processes of love, and why we can often be confused at the elemental level, but also be enlightened by those changing states of brain chemistry.

 

Neuroscience Helps What Used to be Just Mystifying

Studies in neuroscience involved chemicals that are present in the brain and might be involved when people experience love. These chemicals include:  nerve growth factor, testosterone, estrogen, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin and vasopressin.

ü  Adequate brain levels of testosterone seem important for both human male and female sexual behavior.   This covers the initial sexual adventure.

ü  Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are more commonly found during the attraction phase of a relationship.

ü  Oxytocin and vasopressin seemed to be more closely linked to long term bonding and relationships characterized by strong attachments.

The conventional view in biology that there are two major drives in love —sexual attraction   and attachment.   Attachment between adults is presumed to work on the same principles that lead an infant to become attached to his or her mother or father– or both.

The chemicals triggered that are responsible for passionate love and long-term attachment love seem to be more particular to the activities in which both persons participate rather than to the nature of the specific people involved.

“Lust” is a biochemical state more than a religious/moral term

Anthropologist Helen Fisher adds lust to the experience of love. Lust exposes people to others, and is the initial passionate sexual desire that promotes mating , and involves the increased release of chemicals such as testosterone and estrogen . These effects rarely last more than a few weeks or months.

“Three Flavours” – Really Separate Phenomena

Scanning the brains of people in love is also helping to refine science’s grasp of love’s various forms.  Helen Fisher, a researcher at Rutgers University, and the author of a new book on love, suggests it comes in three flavours:  lust, romantic love and long-term attachment. There is some overlap but, in essence, these are separate phenomena, with their own emotional and motivational systems, and accompanying chemicals. These systems have evolved to enable, respectively, mating, pair-bonding and parenting.

 

Trust Lust for only awhile.  Don’t Trust Lust Long Term

Lust, of course, involves a craving for sex. Jim Pfaus, a psychologist at Concordia University, in Montreal, says the aftermath of lustful sex is similar to the state induced by taking opiates. A heady mix of chemical changes occurs, including increases in the levels of serotonin, oxytocin, vasopressin and endogenous opioids (the body’s natural equivalent of heroin). “This may serve many functions, to relax the body, induce pleasure and satiety, and perhaps induce bonding to the very features that one has just experienced all this with”, says Dr Pfaus.

Romantic Love is Another State

Then there is attraction, or the state of being in love (what is sometimes known as romantic or obsessive love). This is a refinement of mere lust that allows people to home in on a particular mate.  Characterized by feelings of exhilaration, and oh those strange intrusive, obsessive thoughts about the object of one’s affection.

Some researchers suggest this mental state might share neurochemical characteristics with the manic phase of manic depression. Dr Fisher’s work, however, suggests that the actual behavioral patterns of those in love — such as attempting to evoke reciprocal responses in one’s loved one — resemble obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

The parents of any love-besotted teenager might want to know the answer to that. Dr Fisher suggests it might, indeed, be possible to inhibit feelings of romantic love, but only at its early stages.  For discussion purposes, OCD is characterized by low levels of a chemical called serotonin.  In considering possible treatments, Drugs such as Prozac work by keeping serotonin hanging around in the brain for longer than normal, so they might stave off romantic feelings.

Romantic Love in Earnest

(This also means that people taking anti-depressants may be jeopardizing their ability to fall in love.) But once romantic love begins in earnest, it is one of the strongest drives on Earth.   Dr Fisher says it seems to be more powerful than hunger. A little serotonin would be unlikely to stifle it.

Wonderful though it is, romantic love is unstable — not a good basis for child-rearing.  But the final stage of love, long-term attachment, allows parents to co-operate in raising children. This state, says Dr Fisher, is characterized by feelings of calm, security, social comfort and emotional union.

Looking for the One?  You are Looking for “Attachment”

Things can get complicated.   “You can feel deep attachment for a long-term spouse, while you feel romantic love for someone else, while you feel the sex drive in situations unrelated to either partner.”   This independence means it is possible to love more than one person at a time, a situation that leads to jealousy, adultery and divorce — though also to the possibilities of promiscuity and polygamy, with the likelihood of extra children.   As we all know from possible personal experience, a powerful TV drama or an Epic Tale from the movies, things can get complicated.    Of course, this makes us come to a conclusion that we were not built to be “happy”, but we were sure built to “reproduce”. “We were not built to be happy but to reproduce.”   This could be thought of in a different way too.  If we are not “happy”, we can still function in the world, and even if we are unfaithful, we are still functioning in keeping the human populace thriving.

Genders Look at things Differently

The stages of love vary somewhat between the sexes. Lust, for example, is aroused more easily in men by visual stimuli than is the case for women. This is probably why visual pornography is more popular with men. And although both men and women express romantic love with the same intensity, and are attracted to partners who are dependable, kind, healthy, smart and educated, there are some notable differences in their choices.  Men are more attracted to youth and beauty, while women are more attracted to money, education and position. When an older, ugly man is seen walking down the road arm-in-arm with a young and beautiful woman, most people assume the man is rich or powerful.

Importance of Physical Contact and Affection

In “A General Theory of Love”, three professors of psychiatry provide an overview of the scientific theories and findings relating to the role of the Limbic System  in love, attachment and social bonding. They propose that our nervous systems are not self-contained, but rather demonstrably attuned to those around us and those with whom we are most close.

Limbic Resonance

This empathy, which they call  “limbic resonance”  is a capacity which we share, along with the anatomical characteristics of the limbic areas of the brain, with all other mammals.   Their work builds on previous studies of the importance of physical contact and affection in social and cognitive development.  The studies by Harlow which demonstrated the biological consequences of isolation in rhesus monkeys went a long way in showing how other studies on  feeling, touching, cooing, stroking and cuddling all have important parts in establishing “limbic resonance.

As we learn more about the complexities of the occurrences in our brains, and how our brains connect with our bodies, we will hopefully be less inclined to make important decisions about our romantic partners, and our own feelings that are also based upon the underlying biochemical actors and how they influence our sentiments, affections, commitments and alliances that we build.  The more conscious we become with all of these issues, the more knowledgeable and mature we can be as we struggle our way through the powerful forces we call sex and romance.
http://www.oxytocin.org/oxytoc/love-science.html

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Leo and Taurus

January 22nd, 2012

How To Get Along – Taurus and Leo

AstroCompatibility Is The Goal

This series on AstroCompatibility will cover all of the potential matchups in the Zodiac. We will continue this series thinking about and commenting on Taurus and Leo. 

Taurus – Leo

These two signs are both fixed. Fixed Earth and Fixed Fire. Two mutable is one thing. Two fixed is stubborn squared. Are you thinking what I am thinking? I am thinking: “Well, if they both start out agreeing on something together, they will be unmovable. But what if they don’t start out agreeing on the same thing? Taurus is a fixed earth sign. Leo fixed fire. Think of a hot earthen oven and its bellows. Again, if not at cross purposes, this would make quite a team, or a fighting unit, or a new company, and even a romantic union. But things would have to be in an “already agreed upon state”. Moving quickly, changing on the run, taking notes for tomorrow, flowing adaptively – none of those things look like they would be a part of the Taurus / Leo plan.

Leos like to lead. Taurus does not absolutely have to lead, and does not mind following, if it’s a plan and agenda they helped come up with and one they agree with. Taurus has its own self-protective kind of security and Leo is not known for being quietly diplomatic. The Taurus would have to agree to let the big Leo personality take the lead. Again, it could work, if Taurus did not take offense. The thing about Taurus is that they can look on the outside like they are going along, and yet on the inside they are sizing you up for getting gored. Leo is blissful, unless strongly opposed. They are going to assume things are wonderful, until they are in a fight. This could get dramatic suddenly.

Positive Postulate: If you come up with a “positive postulate” it could be drawn quite easily. Leo is affable, sociable and outgoing. Taurus would let Leo stay up front, and they are sweet, warm and mellow. It could make a nice public image, and a potentially harmonious coupling. Taurus could be the harder working part of the match, and Leo could do the public relations part of the operation. This is the kind of partnering – whether romantic, business or friendship would have an almost deceptively attractive outer image. They would both smile and tensions would be inner tensions. Outer grace would be the style.

Romance Recommendation: Initially, Taurus would probably find Leo’s sunny ways very appealing. Leo would see the warm Taurean energy as inviting and winsome. Since they are both fixed, neither would come off as flaky or unpredictable or too “individualistic”. Styles would be conventional and classically colorful. They would dance well together. Leo trying to lead. Taurus agreeing to follow. The fixedness could be a problem romantically, if someone made a suggestion that the other should make a big (or little) change. Leo would be insulted, since they feel they are close to flawless. Taurus would be offended because they have their act down, and it has worked quite well all this time, thank you.

Conflict Quotient: Watching a fight between these two would be like watching a brawl with no winner. Just use your TV imagination. A lion does not bring down a giant bull without help from the female lions. The lion would be staring at a four legged pair of hard horns, meaning that a draw is all that could be envisioned. Seriously, it’s not that these two are uncivilized, it’s just that one would ask: “Who is going to give in?” Most likely, Taurus would give in, but get compromises that Leo “officially” did not give up. And that could work. It’s a matter of style as much as substance.

Peace Parlay: Life in the end is repetitive and mundane, and so is Romance itself. This factor asks the question: “Can we be bored together over the long term?” The advantage for Taurus and Leo is that they both love basking in the sun. And truly, getting joy from your work is natural. Taurus loves pleasure and reflection. Leo might start prowling, just because they have not gotten as much attention as they like. Once they got this far, the two could be very relaxed together.

Keep Up The Interest Graph: Leo is always looking for new friends and admirers. This could make them see new terrain and always make things fresh and interesting. Taurus could like the places that Leo discovers and sample new dishes and cuisines. Taurus might have to do much following, but enjoy the trip.

Seven Year Itchiness: There are some signs that by their nature are more stable in their love interests and family concerns as time goes on. Others are not. The 7 Year Itch and Leo are naturals. Not that they would be unfaithful, but they would probably be more tempted than the average sun sign. Taurus, sensual Taurus, has a great smile and a nice smooth voice. If not too overweight, Taurus might stray into another pasture, if Leo has been particularly annoying.

RATING:

ASTROCOMPATIBILITY POSSIBILITY RATING: 65% Positive Long Term – 50% Short Term. A short term relationship could be very attractive to both. But it also means they would not have had a struggle yet. However, as time went on, they would have to resolve differences. If they were mostly on the same page in the beginning and then struggled to work things out, it could be pleasant long term.

 

 

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Sagittarius

January 19th, 2012

by
Rain Dancer Associates, LLC

Most people are not sufficiently informed about their sun sign to be able to apply significant self-healing and self-help thoughts for their success, wholeness and full satisfaction.

Surely, you could read a description of Sagittarius every day, and still not feel like you got the cogent, digestible, practical information that a person needs to begin every day with its own particular and peculiar challenges.

And yet, most days are pretty predictably normal so that the conscious and careful individual can get 4 bits of information to get the help they need.

Forewarned is forearmed, and so we begin.

A Sagittarius should consider:

1) The sign that is concerned with Justice and Fair Play is also the sign that will insult and ridicule like they are on a “mission from God”. So, Sagittarius, what do we say to you? You hurt people’s feelings, but you also dive into the battle saving the tarnished and woe be gone. Let’s tackle fairness first, and then see how the “you don’t sweat much for a fat girl” comes in. The image of the Pegasus or more simply the horse, gives you your boldness and your high handed way of dealing. The poor, the timid and the not so fortunate are glad to have you around, because you knock people on their derrieres. You’re not afraid to straighten things out according to your point of view, even though you may not be absolutely sure of yourself.

2) You say it like you see it. It creates drama. You might not be right, but you sure do shake things up. When a Sagittarius walks into something controversial, they tend to make it even more so. I guess it should be said: “Think about hurt feelings, because, you have caused many.” Look down deep into your gut, and you see the spirit of the horse romping and stomping. Your impulses give rise to the awkward commentary because you have a funny way of seeing the world. You also have judgmental, “justice” issues because you also see things uniquely.

3) You tend to run into things that have been there for decades. If it is a thousand year old monument, you will probably scrape some old paint from it as you brush by. And this is why you are “iconoclastic”. You are not afraid to bust the old monuments because heaven knows, we can all use a new set of icons as time goes by. So, keep this in mind. Just because you are not afraid to bust up the idols does not mean everyone will appreciate what you are doing. It is a bold and daring thing to break an idol that everyone still worships. Remember that and you could save yourself some pain.

4) Sagittarius, your energy which manifests a hundred times a day is fiery and it is yours. Your thoughts and intellect, which also get powered through your fire could be the answer for many. You energy also whirls around you and makes a tornadic sound. Don’t confuse correctness and righteousness with sureness and passion. Sagittarius can be the most righteous one in the room, and not be able to tell us why! And that’s OK. Just keep on being yourself.

S agittarius can talk with the running Ram and chat with the Capricorn stuck up on its clif. Then it can course across the valley and relate to the powerful Taurus. Then the ethereal twins of Gemini will whisper in their ears and sing new songs. All this not because it is friendly, all this because it is alive.

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Naked and Drunk in Old Greece

January 19th, 2012

by
Rain Dancer Associates, LLC

Several years ago, an old iron grating between two hill side houses revealed an entire strong box of clay tablets near the Acropolis in Athens.  They were immediately unearthed and surrendered to the authorities.

Local archaeologists from the University of Athens immediately took up these tablets and began an extensive translation of the ancient Greek language contained therein.

There was apparently a great struggle between three city fathers, all descended from Generals who were vying for the Mayoral Post of an ancient village long since absorbed by the Athenian Urban Sprawl.

Andronicos was accused of being a hypocrite.  He grabbed his Campaign Manager and made his way to the public forum.  There had been a slaying of the bull up in the forest, free and liberal drinking of wine and of course his usual companionship with the Maenads.

The question’s real point of the spear was: Was he really a Dionysian.  Was he really there at the Festivities?  If not, he was in danger of being (Saints Forbid) a Hypocrite (especially since the Greeks invented this word).

Sizablmos pointed his finger at Andronicos.  “You Hypocrite.  You claim to be a Dionysian, but you lie.  You are a Hypocrite.”

Andronicos stood to speak to the assemblage.  “My opponent has accused me of not consuming the mandatory 3 gallons of wine, not eating of the flesh of the sacrificed Bull, not enjoying the pleasure of at least 3 women, and not walking the fire and wandering in ecstasy through the forest in a glorious stupor!  Well fellow citizens, that’s a funny one.  Am not I known for walking around in the forest in a glorious stupor?  My Zeus!   More than that he has accused me of not being at the Drinkos Forest.”

Who is the one who Fears the Firewalking?

A few of Sizablmos and Secularides supporters began crying out: “Hypocrite, Hypocrite!  Who is the sober one, sober one?  Who is the one who denies women his body?  Who is the one who fears the Fire Walking?  Andronicos, Andronicos!!”

“Look I am as religious as my other two opponents.  This is silly.  I have been a worshipper of Dionysus all my life.  I ran naked as an 18 year old in the local Dionysian play just a few years ago.  I had impregnated three of my lovelies in the Big Feast five years ago.

The crowd began to stir.  “Hypocrite, that dangerous accusation could be heard as they mumbled together.

I Wandered in the Forest in a State of Ecstacy!

Before I rise to my defense.  I must say that the one who cries out Hypocrisy is not usually a Believer who is suffering a crisis of faith, he is usually a political opponent filled with the venom of his bite.  That’s why it’s called politics, and not religion.

I was not at the Dionysian Festival at the Drinkos Forest.  I was high in the Thracian Hills visiting my father and mother.   It was there that I attended the Dionysian Festival in Thrace.

“I am not a hypocrite.  I lay in ecstasy for days, con nsumed 7 bottles of wine, wandered in the forest in a state of ecstasy, had women with me constantly and I did the Fire Walk.”

The crowd hushed.  He showed the bottom of his feet, still blackened from the Rite.

“I am as religious as any man!  I am a true worshipper of the God Dionysus!

Dedicated to Bringing an End to Care and Worry

I am not a hypocrite.  I am dedicated to bringing an end to care and worry.  I am not a sober person.”

Secularides made his way quickly to the back of the crowd.  He knew a retort was coming.  “Secularides, are you here?  They say at the last Festival, you got falling down drunk, and the women laughed at your lack of, uhum, we all know what, and, it has been said that you are such a drunk, that your family is advising you to be sober.”

“Sober” as a little serpentine word with quiet “s”s, bounced along through the animated crowd.  Secularides slipped into the alley ways and made preparations to abandon his fight for local mayoral power.

“Now my fellow citizens.  Let’s forget these accusations of hypocrisy.  As you can see, this is all a misunderstanding.  These gentlemen are after your votes, or spoken another way, they are desirous of ruining your affection for me.  This is not a theological discussion or a logical discussion, this is one step short of assassination, and be sure, I take it that way.  Let us send prayers to Dionysus for our brother, Secularides.  And I am sure Sizablmos is ready to drop his accusation”.

There the translation ended.  Notes were made that the tablets were broken and difficult to translate.  They did however leave some notations.

Dionysus or Dionysus the Greek god of wine, represents not only the intoxicating power of wine,  but also its social and beneficial influences.  He was also known as Bacchus to the Romans.  He is viewed as the promoter of agriculture and the theatre.   He was also known as the Liberator (Eleutherios), freeing one from one’s normal self, by madness, ecstasy, or wine.   The divine mission of Dionysus was to mingle the music of the flute and to bring an end to care and worry.

The Dionysiac rites are thought to have survived into modern and past times in the rites of Anastenaria, still practiced to the present day by Greeks descended from Thracian populations displaced during the course of the Balkan wars.  Though some scholars dispute this interpretation, most are of the opinion that the fire walking accompanied by ecstatic dancing, drumming, and forays into the woods or mountains by participants “possessed by the saint”, as well as the preliminary animal sacrifice and distribution of meat to the village population, are at their origin not the Christian rites, but they are constructed, as by the villagers who perform them, anciently the rites of Dionysus.

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Attraction – The Lovers Dance

January 18th, 2012

“Care to Dance?”

 

Attraction rules our world. From bees who do a “lovers dance” and birds who display magnificent plumes, attraction is the “gravity of behavior” or people use the word “magnetism”. Ever play with a magnet? See the attraction / repulsion activity that you can put two magnets through? As you push one end (positive) against the partner’s end (positive), there will be a movement away from each other. This attraction/repulsion has a set of sayings and descriptions that tell us that this magic is afoot. Looking at etchings up in his apartment has nothing to do with framed art, but it might have something to do with getting framed.

 

It Is A Testament To Human Hopefulness That We Don’t Talk About Repulsion

Preying Mantises, spiders that chomp the head of their partners as orgasm is reached and other assorted tales of primal sexual behavior are entertaining and shocking. A two hour movie could be produced watching what happens to various individuals when “attraction” has ruled the day. From romance to horror, attraction could be said to be a “Force of Deceit”.

Obviously you don’t go out on a date, and say, “Wow, it’s really likely that we will be repelled by each other, in the end!” On a date, of the first or second kind, you could watch a Video and see comments and body language that minute-by-minute portrayed: Mild Interest, Intrigue, Hesitancy, Magnetic interest and More Hesitancy. In the end, you might see outright passion, or disinterest. But the fact is that the BELIEF IN ATTRACTION is what is supposedly guiding the way.

Talking about the evils of alcohol at a Sunday afternoon football party is ridiculous. Telling people who run their lives (what toothbrush to use, what perfume, clothing, car, etc.etc.) through attraction can not be talked out of it. And they should not. It is much too fun to live life through our senses. We are sensate individuals and God made a wonderful world down here for us to explore and fall in love with. But.

 

What Follows Attraction? Your Time, Your Heart, Your Money, Your Children, Your Fortune – The Essential Elixir

In the beginning, attraction is the wondrous Essential Elixir of which we all sip. However, the Essential Elixir Plays Tricks.

 

1) Trick # 1 – Attraction Draws you in to make you

PAY MORE THAN YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD IN THE BEGINNING. Bobby Darin’s song title ends with “If I were a Carpenter, and you were a Lady, would you marry me anyway, would you have my baby?” Pregnancy is the dynamite disclosure, but there are a hundred other payments that we make because attraction has fooled us. As you start making payment here, and payment there, get a little austere and ask yourself if you are getting the value that the haze of attraction tells you you are.

You can hear this lament when people are talking about a relationship in which there seems to be powerful attraction. The loving friend leans into their cohort and says: “Maybe you are paying way more than you thought you were going to. Maybe this strong attraction is too expensive for you.”

 

2) Trick #2 – Attraction gives you Vertigo. You lose your balance. How? Just how attracted to me is he? Is he deceiving me about his level of attraction? Am I really attracted to him, or am I taken up with the newness of the relationship? You get dizzy. Then, to gain your inner mastery, you ask probing questions. Maybe way before you should. Attraction then BECOMES the topic instead of the relationship itself. “Under the Influence” is in our common parlance. Under the influence of attraction is a phrase that people don’t use quite as much. “Smitten” is a favorite word:

  • (used in combination) affected by something overwhelming; “conscience-smitten”; “awe-struck”.
  • enamored: marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness; “gaga over the rock group’s new album”; “he was infatuated with her.
  • Notice that the dizzyness we get comes from a blow being directed against us. When we go “gaga”, and get dizzy from attraction, we have sustained a blow. Thinking of it, in these hard edged ways makes you realize how powerful attraction can be. Like a concussion, the effects of a blow can arise, hours and hours after the first event. You can walk around in a semi-stupor and not know it. Under the powers of attraction, many people are walking around in a kind of stupor.

 

3) Trick #3 – Attraction is so strong, it propels you forward.

It is as if “IT REACHES OUT AND GRABS YOU. (“WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TRED.”) The big score is SEX. Everybody knows that. And women, classically are the one who are the arbiters of the use of sex, especially in the beginning. This has been true forever. However, we should avoid the talk of SEX, and talk about the importance of sex. Why? Because of the baggage, the supposed commitments and the complications that the act of sex brings along. Attraction is like putting your feet in the water. And sex is like trying to swim. Which is more dangerous? Well, sex can make you drowned, but attraction is the first big error. Stay away from the water if you are not sure you want to swim. If you go a little slower than you feel you should, just keep on going slower. Ah, but attraction has that propelling forward, that reach out and grab you thing. One young man once told me in counseling: “She just touched me once. You know? It was absolutely all over after that.” When I asked him why he was so overwhelmed, he said: “I was just taken with her. I got completely taken in. It wasn’t sex, as much as it was having her, just her. I was so attracted, to her eyes. I can’t explain it.”

 

Trick #4 – Attraction tells you that is is not there.

Before we actually knew about magnetism as a physical property, it was a piece of magical wizardry. We did not know what to call it. We did not know what it did and how it actually is essential in all of nature. But before the modern day, it was just this funny little force that you saw in rocks at a fair. We are actually in a world that is together because of magnetism. But we do not acknowledge it at all. Attraction is always with us, ruling us, cuddling us, nudging us, blowing in our ear, licking our ear, pinching us, beguiling us, blowing past us as little plumes of perfume knock us over, snagging us with a side long glance, lurking there on the curve of a smile and making us sign things we don’t want to sign, going to places we would never, becoming enchanted with a thing, a person, a place just because we are. But attraction is not there. Right? Well, it is so ephemeral, so untouchable, so ethereal, and yet, it is more real than an ice pick, a chain saw, or a new life! Watch out for attraction. It has designs on you.

 

Trick #5 – Attraction says: “I’m only a partier!”

After it tells you it’s not there, then it can turn around and pretend it’s only for fun. It is all superfluous, empty-headed, jolly mirth making. Go to a party at Miami Beach during Spring Break. It’s all about the “Bacchanalia”. Romans had cool times, where all they did was just have crazy sex and wild drunkenness for a certain time. Then the next morning, they went to the shopping mall. We are very close to Rome in this respect. Moments, places and people congeal like sweet ice around a Popsicle stick. Except for DUIs and alcohol poisoning, many don’t seem to think of this as a problem. The Christmas Party is probably where more careers are ruined in a moment, but most don’t see how this kind of Exaltation of Attraction does any harm. It may not, as long as it’s deceptive qualties don’t trick you into doing or committing to things you would not have, had you not gone to the Bacchanalia! This is for the individual to decide. There was one individual I knew 30 years ago who spent six months regretting and apologizing for his activities at one of these “parteeees”.

 

Attraction Can Make You Bleed

When you prick your finger on a rose. You stop. You are standing there in a nice little garden. The white rose gets a drop of red blood on it. You put your finger in your mouth and stem the bleeding. You smile. You see the analogy. The attraction of the rose is still there. God is in his heaven. Beauty is beauty. The wonder of it all splashes around us. We exult in the heavenly splendor that we wake up with every morning.

We say: 1) Attraction makes you pay more than you would. 2) Attraction makes you dizzy. 3) Attraction grabs you and pulls you. 4) Attraction tells you its not there. 5) Attraction says: “Its all for the party!” And, sometimes, 6) Attraction can make you bleed.

Christofer French is an adherent to Syncretism – A New Way of Understanding Our Traditions.

wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

 

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Water Signs – Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

January 18th, 2012

Water of Different Types and Salinity

When you hear an astrologer say of Pisces, Scorpio or Cancer — “Well, being a water sign, you can adapt?” What does that mean?

A chief phrase: “WATER SIGN” tells the subject or the astrologer that you process information and life and stimulation and relationships a certain way.

You could say: “Oh, its the way Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces process information. And people in the know, or think they are in the know, understand what is meant when this is said…but still….what does it mean?

Water transmits the idea of emotion and psychism. The human being is mostly water, so the nature of this designation is easy for ALL people to understand. However, those who are Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces truly do operate at a separate level from Air, Fire and Earth. Think of Emotion. Think of Security. Think of Relationships. When you conjure up a picture in your head of someone who seems a little off center, smiling, or moping, and talking about the feelings and politics of a situation, that is probably a Water sign. Moody, ecstatic, giddy, depressed — these things can pass over the countenance of a Water sign, like clouds passing over head as you lie on a beach and listen to the ocean breezes. They can be irritated deeply and know why. Angered slightly and not know why. Predict an event and scare you to death. Disagree with a crowd and tell secrets of people they have not met. Mostly they are hard to figure. And most often, hard to figure for themselves. You can go on and on, but we won’t.

The Great Mission

At this point, it might be instructive to allude to a point, that will be common to all articles. You see, Twelve people go out on a secret mission in the woods. They want to go to an old mine and see if they can find a treasure there. But, if they can’t find the treasure, they will just have lunch at the mine, where there is a little lake and a waterfall. Swim after lunch and go home.

So How Do Cancer, Pisces and Scorpio, as Water Signs Fit Into The Mission?

Cancer, Pisces and Scorpio—water elements: The Water signs possess the virtue of caring about subterranean emotional issues and internal inexpressible currents. This does not mean they are wiser than others but are generally more tuned in to different channels at once than many are. They are good listeners. Since they are interested in insight and the subconscious, they tend to use “hunches” more. They can get emotional, and get motivated by impulses that are not obvious. Many times you don’t know why they can seduce you, or suddenly make you ill at ease. If they want to beguile you they usually can, whether its Cancer’s suasions and plans. Scorpio’s intense stare into your soul, or Pisces swim around the rivulets of your heart.

Dodgeball? Good catchers, not so good throwers. Water signs have a tendency to judge couples, groups, whole nations, but with a wistful “way it is” feeling. Like, “It’s hard being as right as I am, but don’t worry, I could change my feelings tomorrow.” Cancer can lovingly kick you in your pants as they tidy up your life and give you their spare room. Scorpio is not capricious and silly, and thus give you their best insights possible. Pisces knows virtually everything, but does not know they know it. Their watery eyes don’t mean they are not sharp. Their watery eyes tell you that they have been in places you haven’t, and they are still with you.

What About The Mission?

Early in the plan, Cancer was scheming who should bring what. Who should not be asked to make sandwiches, and who should. Before Leo sought the office, and Sagittarius rolled in with hooves pounding and Gemini was making speeches, Cancer was working on the menu, and handing out snacks. Scorpio wouldn’t be that noticed, but they are thinking at hyper speed, and classifying the challenges. Capricorn went first to the Scorpio and asked them to think of what no one else would. Scorpio did. Virgo was grabbed by the Scorpio because Scorp needed a pencil and paper. Then there was a big fight half way to the mine. Cancer jumped in and started settling with intense, but smiling manners. Scorpio did not say a thing, but took Capricorn and Leo aside and whispered in their ears. Capricorn went over to Pisces and asked her to intervene, and completely soften the hard-edged Aries. She did. Water signs make things work while others think things are broken, water signs know people and relationships are the real problems. The treasure was first rubbed together by the Cancer, the Pisces enjoyed the glow. The Scorpio moved over to the Sagittarius and picked the guard. Life works when all signs work together. Water, Earth, Air and Fire create orderly states for human conduct.

More Clinical Cancer

Cancer is acquisitive, worried and fretful. They worry not about themselves as much as their projects. And they want to gather things for their family. The grabby Crabby does so because their loved ones are always in need. They have big hearts, but sometimes they pump so loudly that the sound overwhelms the sentiment. Don’t confront Cancer, persuade them so that they don’t think persuasion is happening. They are true. They won’t mess with you lightly.

More Clinical Scorpio

There are so many stories about Scorpio, that you should not over anticipate dealing with them. Like a fast gun whose reputation hurts more than it helps. Just let the quiet, intense Scorpio be and do their thing. Don’t insist that they have negative or war like tendencies. Just listen to them and see their utter sincerity

More Clinical Pisces

Pisces sees everything at once. But sometimes it gets confused. Unlike Aquarius or Capricorn, they are not trying to prove a point, or demonstrate their profound insight. They are so much inside their insight, that they are weaving images and trying to comprehend the whole of the picture. Sometimes this can be depressing, saddening or enriching and inspirational. If they don’t lose their patience, they are fine. They have the souls to carry the weight and feel the deep electrical current humming away in the netherworld. Pisces can be gentle and sometimes confusing. For those who like a tighter fix on things, Pisces can be a little nondescript. However, they are all the souls wrapped into one. This makes them at least worth a friendship, and maybe more.

A Little Water Sprayed in the Air To Improve Ambient Air Quality

Think of the “flow of psychic and subconscious water” this way. Cancer formulates shape and canals, offering a challenge to keep water’s power effective and initiatory. Like a channel that guarantees a crop, the Cancer moves with productivity in mind. The Scorpio relegates watery power to high effect and supplies powerful towering showers and imaginative work so that diversity can reign and circulating fluids go all parts. Pisces knows ahead what the effect will be, and charmingly floats in places that others can not. Pisces can explain the tiniest little swirling bay in the quietest spring, and then be tossed and turned with the finality of the plan’s efulgence. Water signs give significance and meaning while others are more rudimentary.

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