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Did you feel special enough today?

By Dana Gerhardt

You should.  On a daily basis, feeling special keeps your Sun happy.   You’re wired for this.    Your Sun is your ego.   And an unfed ego grumbles.   Denied affirmation and appreciation for too long, it becomes wild and voracious, a danger to the other planets in your chart.  And to the people in your world.

Sun signs aren’t just the index to horoscopes.  They’re instructions.  They tell you how best to give your ego the healthy stuff it needs to keep you bright and sparkly.   A Taurus Sun needs a dose of nature daily.  Gemini needs the delight of chatter.  A 5th House Sun must have the freedom to play.   But all Suns need to feel important.   After all, this is the “I’m the center of the solar system!” archetype.

Whatever your Sun’s sign or house, feeling special and worthy of attention is a daily must-have for your Sun.   You need to shine.   You need to feel competent and gifted.  You need to feel like you matter.  This fuels a healthy ego.  Yet most approaches tell us to do the opposite.  They tell us to tame, hide, or deny our ego.  And controlling this lion is hard.

Many seek the help of spiritual masters.  I live in a town where famous gurus often visit. I remember one particularly famous one who offered darshan — a sacred event in which one sees and is seen by a genuine divine being. Several hundred of us descended on the church.  Then, in a gesture obviously designed for subduing egos, we knelt and crawled to her little rug.  There we offered our bent heads to her transformative touch.

She touched me.  I’ll admit it: I felt nothing.

But I did feel something a couple weeks later in the YMCA parking lot. As I opened my car door, a toddler appeared (his mother was standing nearby). He had the biggest bluest eyes I’d ever seen. “Washoonaym” he said.

After a confused moment, I realized his meaning. “It’s Dana,” I replied, “And what’s your name?” He didn’t answer, but turned again with great enthusiasm to his mother, “It’s Dana!” He clapped his hands with glee. His mother and I smiled at each other and as I walked away, I heard him say again, “Her name is Dana!” His mother softly instructed, “You should have told her your name.”

But I was already gone… into the bliss of being touched so deeply by this little guru whose teaching was just what I needed.  His giddy un-self-consciousness was like a Zen stick on my head, rousing me from an episode of self-absorption (sure sign of an underfed ego).

The little boy’s joy in seeing me, a stranger, was instantly infectious.  His joy woke me up and said: Forget your little ring of troubles and savor life!  Feel the delight of meeting everything with a spirit that’s fresh and alive!

As I consider my vows for this Taurus New Moon, I still remember that bliss.  And I can summon it.  I can imagine myself greeting everyone and everything with the same un-self-conscious enthusiasm as that little boy had shown me.  I can see myself stepping out my door and shouting “It’s a blue sky!” Or in the afternoon, at Starbucks, I might sing, “It’s the guy making coffee and his name is Aaron!” And if I could see you reading this, I’d want to say “It’s you! It’s you! I’m so glad you’re here!”

You see, when you give the Sun, energetically, the effect is just as good as receiving it.  Your ego gets the boost.  Even better, you reverse the usual black magic of holding others hostage for your bliss.  (Grumble.  Grumble.  They just don’t appreciate me!)   Again, energetically, it doesn’t matter whether you hear it said or say it yourself.  You just need to fill your space with a little solar positivity each day.   Like me remembering my parking lot guru, you can summon a joyful solar moment from your memory.  Or you can build new neural loops, sending new happy thoughts to start their revolving in your head.

Here are a few of my favorites from my Bliss Tape for the Sun.  Feel free to cycle a few of these through your mind.   Or let them inspire you to invent Sun cheers of  your own.

I treasure my own company.
It’s fun to be me!
More and more, I see myself as a person of great value.
More and more, I recognize, I have much to offer this world.
I’m capable and confident.
Throughout the day, I can hear myself say, “I got this. I can do it. Good job!”
Today I love myself, just the way I am, right now.
I am who I choose to become.
More and more, I behave in the ways that make me proud.

 

The Sun, Moon and Venus are the three planetary archetypes of your bliss.  You need each in the proper dose, every day, to enjoy your birthright of happiness.  Learn more in my free book, The Bliss Recipe,  which you can download here.

Is your Sun, Moon, or Venus feeling underfed?  Give yourself the Bliss treatment with  my  ultra-nourishing Bliss Tapes.  Each pleasurably passive practice is 22 minutes (20 minutes is the minimum your body needs to shift its rhythm).  Unwind physical tensions, clear energy channels, and refresh your thoughts and spirit–all while lying in bed!

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About Dana Gerhardt

A popular columnist with The Mountain Astrologer since 1991, Dana Gerhardt is an internationally respected astrologer. She has lectured extensively and written for astrology publications on several continents. Her ongoing passions are the moon and living the intuitive life. Dana worked for many years in the corporate sector, where she observed the undeniable influence of natural cycles. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles and did graduate work in literature at Columbia University and CSULA. Dana can be contacted by email.

Comments

  1. Miriam says

    May 5, 2019 at 6:15 pm

    I can’t download a copy of the Bliss Recipe if I’m ALREADY getting the newsletter????????

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      May 6, 2019 at 8:32 am

      Miriam, the link is IN the newsletter! Scroll down to the bottom of our last email and you’ll see the link to download the book.

      Reply
  2. CindyW says

    May 3, 2019 at 6:47 am

    LOVE this post, Dana! I will print it to remember it. (and as one with a family member who goes to lots and lots of gurus, I kind of laughed when you said you felt nothing with the famous guru … I’ve had that experience, and also the life-changing one when a particular spiritual master really was all they claimed. Then I progressed to lose everything in my life, which Jung would have said was a good thing!) I listen to a guided imagery thing which is kind of like your little blissful song – it’s a meditation on “I Am Love”. But others work too – will have to listen to the Bliss Tapes! Thank you!

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
Balsamic Phase

in the
Sign of Gemini


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon conjunct Venus, 7:03am  Jun 26 2022
  • Moon sextile Jupiter, 1:26pm  Jun 26 2022

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Gemini


Enroll in Dana Gerhardt’s Moon Workshop!
Your Venus Unleashed!
Moonshadow Eclipse Report
Moonprints Lunar Report
Steven Forrest’s Transit/Progression report
Mary Shea’s Solar Return report
John Townley’s Lunar Return report

© 2000 - 2022 Mooncircles.com

Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.