Feel the fear and do it anyway?/astrology question

justbe

Good policy? Or..sit and try to understand the fear. Wanting some much needed spontaneity and freedom all around but it feels like fear is holding me back. I can't quite put my finger on what "it" is exactly.

With regards to astrology, do you all view this as something to take in to consideration with how you view yourselves? The reason I ask is that my sign sort of has shyness/apprehensiveness as a trait. I think the ancients came to a profound understanding of innate personality traits and I just wanted to if these are traits we worth with/through or if they are pretty much the permanent (wink wink) story/qualities of our lives? Do you believe that original nature transcends astrological tendency essentially.

Jeffrey

I think astralogy is based on Rorshack (inkblot) vision.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorschach_test

justbe

@Jeffrey are you implying that there is essentially a non-descript figure (in this case phenomena) and astrology is the grouping of people based upon how they view life?

justbe

with life/phenomena being the non-descript figure

Jeffrey

People are reading into the structure of the astralogy. They are seeing constellations. That is the meaning of constellations. Its just stars and someone sees a picture.

Similarly someone gives a general platitude about a sign and people read into it and trace the patterns of their life into the sign.

This is why you can read an astrology report for the wrong sign and the wrong day and it still sounds true.

Mr_Serenity

Yes, don't let the fear control you. Just realize it's there, sit with it, understand where it comes from. Then do what you have to do to overcome it. It may take several tries. It may get so overwhelming that you have to expose yourself to it several times to overcome it completely. It really depends what this fear is though.

Some fears are instinctual and healthy. Some are irrational. So it's important to know if what you're feeling is healthy or unhealthy for you. If it's an unhealthy, irrational fear then it be in your best interest to forget about astrology. Because if you follow astrology too closely, it's just an excuse telling you how you should feel. It can be a handicap even, since it may make you expect too much or expect too little.

Don't let astrology dictate how you're supposed to feel or make you superstitious. Be in the present moment, and have some fun. Listen to yourself, know yourself, and go for what you want.

Jeffrey

Yup astralogy works with creative forces. It stokes them. But it can also be blinders.

Jeffrey

"god put a song on my palm that you can't read"

SimpleWitness

Time and correspondence: the attributes of the seasons, pattern when the sun and moon is within certain houses, etc. Look up an aspecterian.

Behavior may have much to do with the season in which one is born. It actually has very little to do with the stars. They are not even aligned the way they used to be. They used to mark the space between cusps(they used to mark the houses), but there are 13 constellations in aspect now, yet, there are always 12 houses(the space between cusps.) Pattern of behavior or certain characteristics, may have depended upon the tide in which one was born. Not so much the stars. Still, it is not certain to even be worthy of theory, so, don't take this for truth. It is, none the less, very interesting.

aMatt

Good policy? Or..sit and try to understand the fear. Wanting some much needed spontaneity and freedom all around but it feels like fear is holding me back. I can't quite put my finger on what "it" is exactly.

When you feel this fear, what does it seem to be attached to? What is it that gives rise to the fear?

Asked differently... when you feel the urge to be spontaneous, what stops it?

ownerof1000oddsocks

I think that fear functions to make us aware of something. In relation to memories, maybe it's something that didn't go quite right or something that's different to the way we think it should be. So everytime we're reminded of x situation, the feeling kicks in and suddenly we're on high alert, paying attention to our surroundings. We're forced to step outside of our comfort zone.

The 'trait' tells us that something is natural: ah ok! is it just me; am I in the driving seat here, or is my brain a higher power, keeping me in check?

Personally I am a firm believer of 'saddling up anyway' (to an extent). Take the risk, measure it up, if it pays off, do it again. Thinking about the way I am doesn't change the way I am. Also reducing attachment seems to lessen how I gravitate towards certain pursuits, and shy away from others, allowing freedom to think about the important ones.

Isn't that part of why we meditate, after all, so we're not tossed around on a stormy sea?

justbe

@aMatt

The thing that stops the urge to be spontaneous seems to be this invisible barrier in my head. I guess I feel it most when I happen to be "inside of my head" and feeling really conscious about myself.

If we increase awareness about ourselves through vipassana, doesn't that make us more "self-conscious" in a sense and thus less able to be actively spontaneous because we are always focused in on ourselves and the world around us as opposed to just letting go and seeing what happens? Though I guess that could lead to heedlessness

aMatt

There is a difference between being mindful and being self conscious.

Perhaps just notice the doubt (invisible barrier) instead of swirling around about not being spontaneous. If you can just be alert to the doubt, you are already doing the right thing for you in the moment. "Oh, this is doubt, let's work with that" instead of "Why can't I say what I'm thinking?!"

As you let doubt dissolve, confidence will take its place... so be alert!

AMH

Hmm, on the first question I would look at your general response to life and move towards whatever that middle way is for you. Some of us are too impulsive and others are too apprehensive. So facing a fear is important, use the information fear gives us, and then move into action. I tend to have areas I am stalled in apprenhension but others where I appear fearless. If anxiety and apprehension are crippling an area of your life then working on that with meditation or even with a guided counselor can be a great help.

Astrology, well the daily deal is not something i put a lot of faith into. How many times have you looked at the horoscope in the paper that said something wonderful and you just had a regular day, did not win lotto or anything. But the descriptions of personality for whatever reason, seasons or stars or whatever, seem to be pretty darn good. I can't tell you what sign you are but when I know it then it helps to understand. I think that it is not what you have to accept about yourself however it is your challenge in life. So i am double Scorpio (my rising as well as my sun). I learned about astrology many years ago and have made a concerted effort to not be the negative type who goes after justice in my own eyes. Oh the urge is there, I doubt I will be as peaceful of a Buddhist as others, but i do not go out and cause harm as much as I can. Meanwhile the passionate nature and interest in dark things is just something I accept about myself without judgement, just watch to see how extreme they get. So your sign may just show you what you need to work on for balance in your own life.