Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Leo and Me

One of the gifts Graham received for his recent birthday was a gift certificate to a book store. The two of us whiled away some time perusing all the titles before one of the books Graham (and I, heh!) chose was  Georgia Nicol's book You and Your Future, a book on astrology.

Both of us watch Georgia on Global News on Sundays and have enjoyed her sense of humour and her accuracy. But I had no idea she would teach me something as profound as the Rising sign.

The Rising Sign is based on the time of day you were born, as opposed to the Sun Sign which is based on the day of the year you were born. Most of us know our Sun Sign...be it Pisces, or Cancer, or Taurus, etc.

Georgia writes that the Rising Sign is my persona. It is how I project myself outwardly to the World, with my appearance and my personality. She tells me it's the style I use to get what I want, now and in the future. It indicates to me how I will make things happen in my life.


Now, I have always been happy with my Sun Sign of Pisces. It seemed to cover most of the peccadilloes in my personality. It sat right with me.


Georgia says my Rising Sign shows how I survived in my family.  Upon looking back, had I only had Pisces in my sign, I would have been swallowed whole in my family group, instead of only some parts of me.


Keeping Georgia's warning in mind about her Table of signs as being too simplistic (she suggests using an astrologer or Googling the Rising Sign Calculator in order to find your accurate Rising Sign), I found my Rising Sign to be....Leo!!


Ouch. Leo was my mother's Sun Sign. It was not until a year or two before she died that I grew closer to my mother, that I began to understand her. I wonder what my mother's Rising Sign was; there is no way to find that particular nugget now. Leo has never been a favourite sign of mine, keeping my mother's persona in mind.


And in looking up family members' Rising Signs, I find Brianna, my granddaughter, and Graydon, my grandson, have Leo Rising,  Graydon and his Dad both have Aries in their makeup (one as a Rising Sign and one as a Sun Sign), that Graham has Pisces Rising, and Heidi, my daughter, is a Pisces with Libra Rising. The twins are Pisces with Aries rising.


How very strange to find how intertwined we all are, in the eyes of Astrology!



I find the section on Leo with trepidation. I know quite a few people whose Sun Sign is Leo; I've liked and even loved them. I wondered what the negatives were in regard to Leo...had my mother been stuck in that contrary area?

And sure enough, the pessimistic words flew off the page on the negative qualities of the Leo archetype. Arrogance, pride, extravagance, ostentatious, egocentric, patronizing, opinionated, didactic, and uncompromising...all of these fit my mother well.

And then I think...do all these words fit me, as well?


But according to Georgia's book, Leo's are also generous, principled, honourable, warm-hearted, forthright, energetic, brave and intelligent. Certainly my mother's friends thought so of her.


Georgia presents three broad qualities of the sign of Leo. She states the sign of Leo is creative, generates warmth, radiance and generosity, is a leader with a need for recognition.


AAAargh!!! The last part...the need for recognition...that part does not sit well with my Piscean sensibilities. But oh! did my mother ever require recognition! There were never enough compliments to make my mother happy, and I cringed each time she sought them.


Suddenly, in a strangely obscure way, I understand why I secretly love compliments, yet spurn them when they arrive as unimportant (Piscean)...and why my granddaughter, a Sagittarius with Leo rising, loves recognition, accepts compliments with grace and loves to create happy situations.

My mother loved to create situations, as well. However, many of hers were not as happy as I might have liked...

As I think about all this, I realize I have much to thank my mother for. My mother had many tough times, many crises in her life. She chose to become embittered; her choice led to my being strongly averse to living my life in that way. I watched her as a child and later a teen, at home, and I made a very strong, conscious choice to use optimism and hope, instead. I made the choice to work my Leo aspect in the most positive manner I could, even though I didn't realize how important Leo rising in my sign was, at the time.


Leo is the sign of the Sun. Leo is the Lion. I learn, by reading Georgia's book, that Leo can be timid, but will rarely show it. How true that is...I will face down any situation with a roar, yet tremble inside the whole time I do it.


Georgia went a little further for me, after I'd written to tell her how much I'd enjoyed her book. She actually drew out my Natal Chart and sent it to me, along with the other signs I need to read. She also told me I had the stronger Leo aspect, while my mother was the 'authority' in my life...and Georgia says...Of course you would clash!


Of course! I wish I'd known this years ago!

Georgia also advised me to read all twelve signs with reference on How to Be Happier  Chapters. Within the first few paragraphs on the Piscean chapter, I find familiar waters. I find, more than any other sign, Pisces people have the strongest ability of all the Astrological signs to manifest their core beliefs. Whatever Pisces thinks about their World becomes reality. 


For example, were I to wear rose-coloured glasses, as I try to do, most of the time, the World becomes a wonderful, magical place. Yet, were I to believe the opposite, I could become my own worst enemy...because the World, or at least my World, will become whatever my negative thought patterns conjure up.


No kidding.


A happier Leo, on the other hand, should forego their
pride and arrogance...so much a part of this sign. I hope my Sun sign of Pisces will help me achieve the positive parts of pride and arrogance. Georgia, in her book, explains the difference.


I've heard Georgia say many times, on television, that astrology is all about math. Looking at my chart, I believe it...it looks like some mathematical test I failed at some point in my school years...


Astrology is great fun for me...I check where the stars and planets are every morning on the Cosmic Calendar. I have the added bonus now of having two signs to help me make sense of my day.


Even in times of angry disputes with my mother, a Leo, somewhere inside, no matter how ridiculous her assumptions, I knew where and how she had arrived at her conclusion. Somewhere inside myself, I understood her.


Georgia's book was really cheap at the price, if it means I move that much further along the completely convoluted journey of life.

I'm so glad I was with Graham, when he went shopping for his birthday gift...

18 comments:

  1. Astrology can be an interesting way to better understand our own personalities as well as the characteristics of those around us. But whenever we are born and whatever our sign it seems we humans all share similar negative and positive traits to differing degrees at different stages. Life provides an array of tools to teach lessons along the way to those who want to learn. And as Maya Angelou once said so succinctly: When you know better you do better. :)

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  2. Hi Marion, I was told years ago that my rising sign is Cancer. It makes a lot more sense to me than my sun sign, Scorpio. My persona is all Cancer but I get a lot of inner strength from the Scorpio, I think.

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  3. ah, marion, do you know that i am a leo? i believe i can fairly say that i have learned humility along the way and i work hard not to stumble over my ego. i still succumb to pride, rejoice at compliments and will take the reins when i can. but i think and hope i have evolved.

    i follow astrology too. to me, it simply makes sense. pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and carries the weight and burden of all the signs before it. it is also the sign of many priests and shamans; and because it has the widest range of all the signs, there are some pretty unsavory pisces also :^)

    your mother sounds so authoritative that she had to be right. that is hard for any child, let alone a sensitive one.

    ah, from the beginning i have felt you and i understand one another. pershaps no surprise there, my dear friend.


    kj

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  4. this is so interesting. i did have my chart done years ago but forget what my rising sign is. Sun sign is Libra.

    I see astrology and other similar things much the way the first commentor does. interesting guideposts and focus for the day/days. But that we all share these similar traits at differing cycles of our lives.

    How wonderful though that the last two years with your mom opened up insights not available to you when your were younger. And also that your mom, who she was, continues to unfold for you as you grow older and wiser and deeper perhaps.

    hey, happy birthday to you...ooops I mean to Graham. What a sweetie to share his birthday bounty with you.

    PS my son is a Pisces. He is very spiritual and shamanistic.

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  5. "Life provides an array of tools to teach lessons along the way to those who want to learn." These ancient tools, such as astrology, the study of the gods, and the Tarot have helped me greatly in understanding myself and others. I agree, too, that one must have an interest/passion to really want to learn about the self using these tools. xx

    Annie,

    My moon is in Scorpio. To paraphrase Georgia's words, Scorpio's passionate intensity is this sign's strength...but also its Achilles heel.

    you present yourself as Cancer, Annie, a strong sign on its own, but on reading about Scorpio, I can see you as one. xx

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  6. kj,

    Do you know your rising sign? It would be interesting to know that. You ARE a Leo, though, it fits you. I knew you were, I remember a recent birthday, heh, heh! And I marvelled then,at how well we understand each other...well, of course!

    I love astrology and the way the stars and moon and planets affect our being. The moon has a huge effect on me, throughout its cycles, and it's so helpful to know what planet and star is where.

    I can imagine what a bad Pisces might be like. There are good and bad sides to the archetype of every sign! xx

    Sukipoet,

    You are SUCH a Libra, Suki! I see you as elegance personified. The tough thing about Libra, I think, as my daughter found out when she renovated her home, is the inability to choose, to make decisions. And she was continually searching for balance, which she found, eventually. Libra is a really wonderful sign, in my opinion...surrounded by beauty! xx

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  7. Very interesting post, Marion! I confess to liking Astrology - but now knowing too much about it. Suki DOES seem the embidiment of *Libra* and KJ exemplifies a real *Leo*! You, my dear, while showing many *Pisces* signs....dreamy, mysterious....a lover of Nature...and so gentle...must have something with *Fire* or *Earth* too..for you have such inner strength and force of will.

    I only know my *Sun* sign - Scorpio....and I think it pretty much defines me.... both good and not-so-good traits.... perhaps one day I will have my chart done!

    Warm Hugs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  8. I find it interesting how a parent can have an influence on a child by showing the child how NOT to live and react to the world around them. My mother could never accept a compliment. She would just say, "You flatterer" which was really insulting to a person trying to sincerely give a compliment. I thrive on compliments but didn't know it was because of my astrological sign. :0

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  9. i too am a Leo and have always felt proud of that fact. I don't know my rising sign but am going to try to find out as this is all so interesting.
    I heard recently that there were "adding" a 13th sign, and it seemed all wrong to me - you can't change who/and what I am.
    anyway - lovely post Marion

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  10. I wonder if time of birth would be on your mother's birth certificate?

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  11. Robin,

    According to Georgia's book, as a Scorpio, you have amazing determination! You are resourceful, accomplished, heroic,resilient, and wholehearted, amongst other things. Your opposite sign is Taurus, and the opal, blood red carnelian and garnet are your symbols. You don't like pettiness. Animal symbols are scorpion, eagle and the snake. I wish I knew what your ascendant or rising sign is, Robin...xx

    Jan,

    You are so right! It is a gift, I think, to be able to accept compliments gracefully, without that strange feeling that it can't be true.

    So many people I know have written or told me they were Leo or Leo rising. Without knowing it, I have surrounded myself with Leos, all of them the most loving of people. And strangely, there are hardly any Pisces...xx

    Mim,

    There you go...warmth, radiance and generosity embody you. You've got such a big heart, Mim...and your creativity is off the charts...James Cameron is a Leo! You constantly think outside the box...xx

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  12. Goatman,

    It may be. But I have lost contact with family members who have that particular document. It would be interesting to know what my mom's rising sign is. Perhaps we were more closely intertwined than I knew, during all those teen years where we clashed so mightily..

    I hope you're well, Lyle, I think about you often. I have an email that is still in draft, heh, but I will get that out to you soon. So much has happened lately that I'm way behind on correspondence...Give my best to your lady! xx

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  13. I should have known you were a Pisces - we often think alike! I didn't know until today though, thanks to this post, that I had a rising sign - Libra! Isn't it fun to learn more abut yourself?

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  14. haha, as a Leo, I'm glad you've come to understand us better ;)

    I had my natal chart done a couple of years ago and I swore I saved it in a document. I can't find it! You made me curious to go back to read it again. I hope I come across it. My rising sign is Cancer which I feel fits my persona;lity better. (nurturer, rescuer, etc.) But of course I have all the POSITIVE Leo traits!

    I have a Pisces friend and believe me I know you're right about manifesting. She truly manifests like no one I've ever seen before. The Universe listens and delivers every time! I had another Pisces friend (no longer a friend) who could literally step in poop and come out smelling like roses. She got everything she put her mind to but then she bragged about it.

    Interesting and fun post Marion! I wish I wasn't so behind in life right now, but I do like the job and being around all those health nuts!

    For a monthly forcast of your horoscope, you may want to check out Susan Miller at astrologyzone.com. I really like her!

    Happy weekend!

    xo
    Lo♥

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  15. My sun sign is common-sense Virgo, which never explained the wild person who loves to argue and hitchhiked to New York, etc. Virgoes would NEVER do that, but an Aries would. ;)

    My daughter is Aries, Virgo rising and I am Virgo, Aries Rising. Long ago, we decided we would try to get along by appealing to these yin-yang elements in ourselves, and we finally succeeded.

    At her age (27), I was thinking all kinds of intense thoughts, but my life was in chaos. She is very domestic and has it all sorted out already. Our approaches to life have been the epitome of our rising signs, but our inner thoughts and ideas, exactly like our sun signs.

    Rising fire signs are usually compatible, nice to hear you are a Leo Rising! :D

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  16. Pauline,

    Wow, Pauline...you are exactly the same as my daughter. My daughter is also a teacher...and she writes, as well. How lovely! No wonder I always feel as if I've come home when I visit your blog...xx

    Studio lolo,

    I am awestruck by the amount of Leo's I know. I had no idea! Plus, you're Cancer rising...Graham's sign. I would have pegged you for one, and with the sun sign of Leo...well, you're just a very nice person, lo! Cancer will have you as a homebody, and Leo certainly jumps up your creativity! xx

    Daisy,

    Wow. My ex husband was a Virgo. And you're right, he'd never have hitchhiked anywhere!! You are the same sign as my grandson, who has Leo rising. Aries...the war god. Ah, yes, Daisy...and with Virgo, you will make sure everything is perfect! I'm glad you and your daughter finally got it right...xx

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  17. marion, my rising sign is either aries or libra and my moon is either aries libra. i forget which is which. i do know i would like to walk around 100 blocks to avoid conflict and i have a strong sense of fairness and justice, a definite libra trait. i try to keep that aries part in check!

    love love love always
    kj

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  18. Very interesting!
    I'm glad you liked the book. I have ..hmm.. 75 books on astrology? Lost count actually. There was a time when I was much more involved with it. I'm still on the committee of a small, local group that meets once a month to listen to lectures on various astrological topics but I'm not at expert level so some of the talks are a bit advanced for me. It's still fascinating though.

    Sag sun, Cancer moon, Cap rising. Nice to meet you. :)

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