Hi Dave, I asked this question in another thread (another new knowflake), but didn't really get an answer. I have bipolar disorder and I was wondering if anything in my chart indicated this. I know that Cancerians are moody by nature, but this is more than your typical moodiness. I have extreme problems in all areas of relationships and have been living the life of a hermit, isolating myself from everyone due to the shame I feel. Is there anything in my chart that shows this? Is there anyway that astrology can help me in this area? My birth info is July 18, 1956 3:10 AM Harrisburg PA USA Many Thanks, MoonLadyC

Moonlady,

I will have to get back to you tomorrow - I am wiped out at the moment!

Thanks

Dave

No Problem Dave, I know the feeling! MoonLadyC

Along those lines, Dave, I was wondering:

If both Saturn and Leo are in the 12th house, I heard this can be contributed to mental illness or depression.

thoughts?

thanks,

Nadir

MoonladyC,

I have finally had some time to do a quick look at your chart. I want to emphasize I know very little about medical astrology - the best source is the material by Ingrid Naiman, and that I can only take a quick look at what I can see in terms of your wanting to be a hermit.

Your Venus is in your 12th house, giving it a real sense of isolation - and that since it is trine Neptune, it is your place of escape - you have a desire to live in that world - it feels comfortable. And because your Moon is conjunct your node in Sag - it is definitely karmic in nature.

The nature of your question indicates to me that you want to get out of your isolation, which is good - and the timing is good that you want to, for in about 3-5 years, Pluto will be opposing your Venus and at that point you will have no choice. Jupiter in 2001 will conjunct your Venus, and a few years later Saturn will conjunct it (the 21st century ephemeris is out of print right now or otherwise I'd give more definitive dates.

I am sure Ingrid Naiman has a web site - you might want to do a search on one of the engines to look for it - I met her many years ago and she is the expert in this field, and I am sure that she may be able to assist you in healing yourself.

Dave

Thank you very much Dave, I'll try to find her. Oh, and can you please explain what you meant when you said I'll have no choice? No choice but to stay in my isolation or no choice but to get out? MoonLadyC

Dave~ FYI, her site is www.astroheal.com I emailed her, I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again, MoonLadyC

MoonladyC,

Thanks for finding the site. I'm sure Ingrid can help you.

What I meant about having no choice is that when Pluto opposes Venus you will have to deal with it whether you want to or not. By starting way ahead of time, when it happens the effects will be much better. And it looks like you want to get out of it.

Dave

Moonlady C,

Hi! Do you still live in PA? I'm near Pittsburgh, & my Brother lives in Lancaster.

I've been curious about Astrology & mental illness myself because I work in the mental health field & have a close friend who is also Bopolar. I noticed a book in a halfprice book store written by a Psychiatrist who is also an Astrologer(I think) who wrote a book about this subject, & almost bought it for my mother who's a Nurse Clinician working with Schitzophrenics. Unfortunately, I didn't get it at the time, & when I did go to get it, it was gone & I don't recall the Author's name.

I'm curious as to what you found out through that site, if you feel like sharing.

------------------
Love and Light,
Kelly

Hi Kelly ~ Alexandria told me about a book called Signs of Mental Illness by Mitchell E. Gibson, could that be it? Yes, I still live in Harrisburg, so I'm not very far from your brother. Ingrid Naiman emailed me back very promptly, but I'm afraid that her message went over my head, as most things do these days. Sometimes I wonder if maybe I'm not just hopeless. Thank you for responding. MoonladyC

Moonlady C,

You're not hopeless, a lot of this stuff is over my head too! Maybe you can post some of what she said & Dave or some of the other wonderful knowflakes here in Lindaland can help you to decipher it!

That might be the book, did you get it? I'll have to look for it, thanks.

Keep your chin up & focus on coming out of that shell of yours. My friend who happens to be Bipolar has a lot of the same fears you do, but there are people out there who are understanding, & don't label, and would love to know you! You have to start building trust somewhere, & it seems to me that this is the perfect place!

Take care,
Kelly

Hi Kelly ~ thanks for your support. I didn't get the book yet, but I plan too someday. Ingrid Naimam said that it's a Saturn-Neptune syndrome and that I will need to understand why I have the mood swings in order to gain insight into my moods and develop control. She also said that it will take months of therapy and commitment on my part, but this I already know. It's kind of hard to be in therapy without any money though. I feel so stuck. Thanks Kelly, MoonladyC

MoonLadyC, most psychiatrists and psychologists will work with you on a sliding fee scale. Let's suppose that last year you earned 15000.00 ~ they take the 15, multiply by 2 and arrive at a fee of 30.00 per session. Also, most states offer free services that might be worth looking into. I hope this helps.

------------------
Peace be with you all,

Laura Elizabeth

Thank you Laura Elizabeth, but I was seeing a doctor who worked with the county and was on a sliding scale fee. I was let go in October because of my inability to pay. I'm currently living on my son's child support which is only $40 per week. Once I buy food it's gone. My med's are about $200 a month, so even if I could see the doctor I couldn't afford the meds. Right now, as I see it, my only choice is welfare, which I haven't been able to do thus far. I know your heart is in the right place, thank you. MoonLadyC

Dear MoonladyC--

I don't know that much about mental illness.I have suffered from depression--and some other junk. I had an AWFUL LOT of years in therapy.
Doesn't make me an expert in anything but my own mind and how IT works.
The real world still throws me for a loop tho'

But I feel sad that you are up against it right now.
You must'nt give up hOpe ---hOpe is what brought you here!!
Kelly is right ---this is a good place to practice up on people.
Do Not be ashamed for being Bi-Polar. It's not your fault. And you do not owe anyone any explanations either.

You're here right?? OK So that means you want to change things.
One thing at a time.

You can make some phone calls from home and check out what might be out there to help you.
It could be some kind of community service --or helping and elderly person or weeding the city flower beds could be traded for some therapy.

And the phone calls alone would be good practice.

Do you leave the house for your yard or a nearby park?
Sometimes when people put me off I like to just listen to the birds in my yard.

On the money--have you looked into the WIC program?
They provide lots of good food for free. Milk peanut butter cereal like that.It works kind of like food stamps but it covers specific food items---so that you can spend your cash a little further.
I was on welfare for two years when Joanne was born--so I know how scary it can be. But you just might have to take that step.
Only for a while.---None of this HAS to be permanant unless you choose it to--and I do not think thats what you want.

I bet Dave can help you read that e-mail---as soon as the knowflakes start talking degrees of anything I'm lost --- but ya just gotta keep trying you know?

Pluto can force some changes on you that you'll never see coming--so I think Dave is right when he says you should start practicing now----so it will be easier when the BIG changes come.

I know how frightening it can be to take a step that has always seemed so far away.
I will never forget the terror I felt the night I took what I knew was my last drink.
Oh I was scared. I never felt so alone in my life.
But I made it. One day at a time. Sometimes one hour or minute at a time.
I've had some tremendous reasons to start again.
The roof at my business suffered 130,000.00 worth of damage during the blizzard of 1999.
I was sober only three days when I heard this big BOOM over my head-------my hands shook for a week.
I found a kitty in the road three months sober----it was'nt my kitty but I had to take care of it.
You see I started drinking when my cat was murdered in 1988.
So there I was 11 years later--three months sober--holding a bleeding dying kitty in my arms along side the road at 1 AM after work.
I sat on the curb and held him and remembered my Ginny Boots and thinking of Karma.
I never delt with it when it happened --so here I was dealing with it now.

I could go on and on with the challanges that have reared their ugly heads since I decided to sober up---but I am here to tell you ---1 year 1 month 17 days sober---and 52 pounds lighter--- ---If you REALLY want it nothing not even YOU can stand in your way.
The biggest obstacle I have had to hurdle has been ME every step of the way.

The answers are within you--and the Stars can help you find them.

Any time you want to talk--I and all the other Knowflakes are here.

With all these tidbits of wisdom to be found in this Magical place ----yOu will find what yOu are Looking fOr.

Peace My Friend,

Searching

BTW--

I believe there is a nice Roller Rink in Harrisburg--Thats what I do for a living---

A rink is a neat place to be alone in a croud.
It's not a sport that you need anyone else for---just concentrating on the skating could keep your mind off being around people--and if you get scared --you can always leave.
Just a thought.

Searching,

Very well said!!! That goes for me too Moonlady C - we're here for you, to lend support. You can do anything you set your mind to, just take that first step.
Searching had many good suggestions, pick one & try it. I know it's probablly not easy to have to look at the possibility of having to go on welfare, but try & look on the bright side. You can get medical assistance which will enable you to get therapy & medication which will help you to get on your feet & feel good enough to be able to find a job. Like searching said, it dosen't have to be for a long time.

Sorry if I sound like I'm telling you what you should do, that's not my intent at all. I just feel bad about your situation, & wish there was something I could do to help!

Hang in there

------------------
Love and Light,
Kelly

MoonladyC-

I'm back today ---and I am sending yOu a big HUG Feel it?

Kelly -- I'm blowing yOu kisses!!!

John Lennon really knew what he was singing when he sang "Imagine all the people sharing all the world"

OK HUGS TO EVERYONE!
And Pussycat whisker kisses too!!

Searching

Moonlady C,

Hope your doing ok, I've been thinking about you & am sending Positive loving vibrations your way! ...And a big hug too! How old is your son, I have a son too, he's 11.

Hi Searching, thanks for the kisses, I got a warm fuzzy feeling inside! I responded to you on the Chinese Zodiac post about our similar birthdays - both being Virgo's, 2's, & a year apart. I thought we might have a lot of similar planets, but there weren't too many, I think you have a lot of Libra if I recall correctly? I only have one planet in Libra, my Mars. But, I have a lot of Air with my Asc & Moon in Gemini! There appear to be many of us Virgo's here - it probablly has to do with our anxious anticipation for the discovery of Vulcan!?

Take care ladies - xoxo,
Kelly

Hi Kelly & Searching, Thank you to you both for all your kind words. I feel like such a fool, emailing people with questions and then not being able to understand or follow thru with the advice I'm given. I feel as if I'm just wasting everyone's time on my trivial problems. I'm so sorry for that.It used to hurt when my ex-boyfriend (a Leo) would say "This isn't Rocket Science!!!" and he said it often. He'd get so irritated with my incompetence. I know that it's frustrating for others, but it's even more frustrating for me because I can't walk away from it. He finally walked away for good on New Year's Eve. I'm sad that he left, but I know that our time together had to end.
Kelly, My son is 10, he'll be 11 on July 22. He has the traits of both Cancer and Leo, I strongly suspect he is bipolar as well, but he has only been diagnosed as Dyslexic.I remember reading in one of Linda's books that being on the cusp doesn't mean you have personality traits of both signs, that you are either one or the other. Did I get that right? Well, I can see both Cancer & Leo in my son very strongly and he sees it as well. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?
Searching, I know that there are several skating rinks in town, but I really can't be in a crowd of people, even one or two people make me nervous. Besides, I'm very uncoordinated! I don't attach anything to my feet that has wheels!!! My son, on the otherhand, is a wiz on rollerblades and the skateboard. He's been snowboarding lately and picked it up quickly.I'm so glad he's not entirely like me!
Thanks again... moonladyc

Dear MoonladyC--

Hi!

You Know--I just came home after 15 hours at my rink. I've had almost 250 people thru my hands today.
One at a time.
I fitted their childrens feet by hand.
I cleaned up their spilled popcorn and soda.
250 people who tramped snow covered boots across my lobby and peed in my toilets.
I smiled so much my face hurts. And my ears are ringing.

In LIGHT Of all that maybe the skating idea was'nt too brilliant.

Anyway---YES Linda DID teach that their is no such thing as a cusp---so to speak.
She said that you are either one or the other--but you can't be both because the Sun can't be in two sign at the same time.

Was that relationship signs?---I think so.
But I am not positive.

When I thought Joanne --my oldest daughter was a Capricorn--I really struggled with all those Aquarian traits in her. To be fair --as a Virgo I think Life would have just been easier if she had been a Capricorn.
Dave lOoked it up for me and she is an Aquarian by just 12 minutes!
She has Mercury and Neptune in Capricorn. Mix that with Scorpio rising---and I think thats what I was picking up on.
Once I knew for sure she is an Aquarian everything else just fell into place with much more clarity---and made me feel a whole lot better as a Mom to understand what made this kid tic. She's a piece of work ---I'll tell you that---has been from the first breath.
She has a Taurus Moon and Mars in Scorpio.
If ever Linda needed an example of a child for whom the "time out chair" would be a useless waste of time ---this is the kid.
By the time I got done "keeping" her in the chair--neither one of us could remember why she was sent there in the first place.

*Msic NOtes*
"Those were the days my friend --we thought they'd never end---------"

So yes --find out for sure what your son is --and go from there.

When I first came to this site--I was sooo overwhelmed from the joy of being here---I really got carried away.
Unfortunately for anyone who wanted to talk about something else --it also just happened to be a time in my life when my past was back for another round of Karma.
Whether it's mine or his ---I still have yet to LEARN.

This place feels so safe---because even tho' we don't really knOw each Other---we all KNOW and LOVE Linda.
So it is really easy to go on about stuff here that you would not carry on about in our own little worlds.
Very few people around my life hear me talk about Joe. Not like I have here.
But I feel that HERE is the only place I am going to get the answers I am "searching" for. I have unloaded here in a way that I am embarrassed about too. And I am kind of ashamed that I have appeared to be selfish at times too. *shudder*
Listening to you I realized that for all of us this place holds a special place where we can "let gO and let GOd". Even tho' it feels uncomfortable at times --perhaps this is the only way we can get where we need to be in order to fulfill our own destiny on this Earth.
I don't really care what others say about my situation----I don't want to hear about his upbringing or any other reason why he has done what he has done.
I want spiritual answers. The kind I am finding here and in my church.
Mixing the two has been kind of like mixing Chiropractic care with medical care---they help each other out and make each other stronger--so then I am stronger too.
I want to come to such a HUGE point of understanding that I am filled with fOrgiveness. not what I have now---this coming and going thing---but REAL forgiveness.
That's why this place is so important for you and me and everyone else here.
We can all help each other Learn and Love--absolutely truthfully.
And THAT is pretty damn cool.

So rattle on and fret and stew and worry and cry and CELEBRATE and LOVE and LAUGH and SEE THE LIGHT!
If they have'nt kicked ME out yet--then it must be that everyones "stuff" is welcome!

FOrgive me Crystal fOr the shOOt frOm the hip language.

Love and HUGS to you hon'

Searching

Kelly---after I finish this thread--I'll head over to the chinese zodiak and we'll chat there.

Moonlady, to respond to your astrological question about being on the cusp of a sign -- you're right, Linda DID say that your Sun sign is definitely one sign or the other, never a "mixture" of the two. But it's important to remember that that's only the SUN sign ... the positions of the Moon, Ascendant, and personal planets also have a lot to do with the personality traits you express. In particular, Mercury and Venus are always close to the Sun, so it VERY often happens that these strong personality factors are in the sign adjacent to the Sun sign ... and this can account for having a personality that shows both influences.

Without your son's time and place of birth I can't do an exact chart, but I did a quick solar chart for July 22, 1989 (hope that's right) and it looks like his Sun is in Cancer, with Venus, Mercury, AND Mars in Leo -- no WONDER he shows qualities of both signs!!!

Love,
Greg

moonlady... did she email you back?
I have suffered from depression on and off for about 5 years now and I really don't want to have to rely on medication to keep me afloat...
I am studying mental disorders at great length in my psychology degree but I would be fascinated to understand the implications to astrology...
please let me know
*smiles*
cObWeBsOuL
xoxoxoxoxox

hi everyone ~ My son was born 7/22/89, you got that right Greg, his birthplace was Hershey, PA and his time of birth was sometime around 2AM, I just checked his birth certificate for the exact time, but it's not listed, I'll have to dig thru the papers I got when I was in the hospital, there in a box...somewhere! He is the sweetest kid you'd ever want to meet, very loving, always polite, extremely moral.He has many interests, he's especially into anything to do with nature. He's decided that he's going to be an underwater photographer someday and he's held this idea for the past several years. He's a very likable kid, but he has a very hard time making friends as he is terribly shy. He is also very sensitive and cries easily. He can't cope with anger, just as I can't. Did he learn this from me or is it genetics or astrology? He's had a very difficult time in school (he missed about 5 months between last year & this year), his emotions making him an easy target for bullies. I want to help him, but having the same problems myself, I really don't know what to do.
Cobwebsoul, I'm assuming that you are asking about Ingrid Naiman when you asked if she emailed me back... Yes she did, but I don't know how to reply to her.Her last email says: "I suppose the question is whether you want help and then whether you can offer something in return for the help as the process is bound to involve a bit more than a magic wand? Spices are a good start, maybe the least expensive but also least focused strategy. Good Luck, Ingrid" I do want help,the thing is, at the present time I have nothing to offer in return. Therapists don't work on the barter system, at least none that I know. Does anyone know what spices she was referring to or how to use them? I'm at a loss, I don't know how to respond to her email, I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thank you all very much. MoonLadyC