posted February 13, 2003 06:03 AM              

I stopped trying to convince them because it's useless. I don't want to waste time arguing about a silly thing like that (not that I think astrology is silly, but arguing about whether it works or not is silly from my point of view because I KNOW it does and I don't care if other people don't think so). They believe one thing, I believe another and that's that.
I just argue with people who WANT TO believe it and are looking for someone to convince them - so I give them what they want, I talk to them about astrology and stuff. As for the others - if they want to, they will discover astrology by themselves, and if not, it's their loss (or not ).

And yes, many times they look at me as if I'm stupid, but I don't really have that problem, I've always been regarded as somewhat odd and "with my head in the clouds", but I don't consider myself stupid, so I don't have a problem if someone thinks I am.

Just leave them be, Wave, and surprise them from time to time with an accurate astrological interpretation and leave them baffled. That usually shuts people up. Knowledge is power, right?

morgana

posted February 13, 2003 09:12 AM            

Some people challenge you and say....ok "What sign am I"...

posted February 13, 2003 10:05 AM              

Wave,

I pretty much agree with what Morgana said - - people are going to believe what they want to believe - - however, I do enjoy pointing something obvious out to a sceptic that has to do either with their chart or circumstances.

For example...when Mercury is RX and a "non-believer" is having car trouble or something else associated with this transit and they're complaining about it...I'll comment, "Well, Mercury is retrograde right now and things like this happen more frequently during this time". Almost always, they'll say, "Really?" and start asking me more about it. Or...if a person of a particular Sunsign is behaving in a way typical of their sign, I'll bring it to their attention, especially if it is negative and they're annoying me, lol.

I know a Virgo who thinks Astrology is nonsense, so when he starts going overboard with criticism (of me or someone else) I'll say, "I guess you can't help it, being such a Virgo!" I smile when I say it, and it usually helps to disperse some of his negativity because he smiles too. (No offense meant to any Virgos here. I admire the positive qualities very much!) One more example: My brother is Capricorn and his GF is Aries. They both have a Gemini Moon which goes a long way towards keeping them close, but when a problem does crop up it usually has to do with her impulsiveness clashing with his cautiousness...and it most often centers around money. When he starts complaining to me about this (and he is not into Astrology), I'll explain the natural differences of their Sunsigns and suggest he use the Gemini energy he shares with her to talk things through. He is a big enough person to admit that doing this has helped their relationship, and I smile to myself, knowing that Astrology really does work.

So...I guess what I'm saying is that while I realize it's pointless to try and "convert" someone, I enjoy "slipping in" a little Astrological truth when the opportunity presents itself.

posted February 13, 2003 11:51 AM              

Twin Lady, funny you mentioned a Virgo, my roommate is a Virgo and a total non-believer. We debate this and he shruggs it off as Cosmo gossip-type stuff. He wouldn't believe [or understand] anything I say about the houses/solar/lunar signs, so I switch gears and ask him if he believes in a "soul"... which stumped him. I believe Linda's insights into the soul and the life of our soul, are almost as valuable as her interpretations of Astrology.

The thing that gets me is when people come to me with questions on why someone is acting a certain way, I explain their motives/thoughts and they're well received, but if I mention my use of Astrology, my input loses validity. Frustration!

posted February 13, 2003 12:01 PM              

******

I suppose the worst criticism, and the least called for, comes from a few medical scientists who use arguments that are no longer scientifically valid and are unworthy of their own status in the world of science. But scientists generally love to argue, and it is rare that a group of scientists is in complete accord, even when talking about their own field. I always wonder why some scientists are so reluctant to study astrology, yet are so ardent in refuting it. For instance, if they feel it is a superstition, long dead and buried, why bother to bring it up so frequently? If it is nonsense, then someone should examine it thoroughly and come up with a valid thesis against it. I defy any thinking person to study astrology seriously for a year and still maintain that it is not valid. Astrology is based on the laws of the universe that are the very laws of science, of action and reaction, and of cause and effect.

~ Sybil Leek, My Life in Astrology, 1972

also see http://lovestarz.com/leek.html

I like to tell people things that are true about them and their current situation, like when they have car trouble during Mercury Rx, be totally accurate, then wait for them to come and ask for more. Otherwise, I generally do not have friends that are not open to astrology. I test people first, at least get them to understand some things about their sign, so that they will say to others, or in my presence, things like, "Well, that's because I am an Aquarius I guess, or so I've heard," at least acknowledge it. I met an Aquarius girl Sunday who told me that she has such a hard time putting her plans into action, that she is always held back. She told this to a room of about 200 people. I approached her and told her after the meeting that she probably has some planets in Pisces, possibly Mars in Cancer, and maybe some challenging aspects to the Water planets. She asked if I could tell her anything else, and I told her to email me her birth data. If and when she does, I'll take it from there. When I see her again this weekend, I will wait for her to come up to me and ask questions, and if she doesn't, someone else will get the benefit of my insights, not her. So basically I withhold further info unless they ask me, yet I get them curious and interested with some basic observations matter-of-factly, and then wait for them to come back and ask for more. So make them beg for it (not literally), and if not, don't preach, just wait for the true believers to approach you, and they will, since so many people are open to it.

Love,
Carlo

posted February 13, 2003 11:53 PM              

yep, us Aquarians are just used to being ahead of the times, just kidding, I don't even own a cell phone

Carlo that Aquarius sounds like me taking forever to do things!

posted February 14, 2003 11:42 AM              

Solar & Lunar influences I wholeheartedly accept & I think can be justified...

posted February 14, 2003 04:18 PM              

For having something called "free will", we can modify for best or for worst our chart... the planets, the transits, they indicate that something can happen, but our actions are the decisive factor for that thing happens or not.

A natal chart is a plan that we drew for ourselves before being reincarnated, but not necessarily, we will follow this plan.
We can overcome our chart, or we can drive our life in a wrong way, then, that initial plan will be lost...
Astrology doesn't fail... we failed..

As you say in America...this is my 2 cents

posted February 14, 2003 06:53 PM            

Hi Lost Leo
Transits are actually very interesting - more so the outer planet transits. Whilst I am a big believer in free will if you look at which houses the outer planets are currently transiting in your natal chart - you will most definately find you have something going on there. It doesn't mean it has to be bad...can just as easily be good but usually there will be some kind of attention to those issues with relationship to which planet is transiting the house.

I think the only way to get to grips" with ascendants is to look at people you know well. Find out their ascendant and then watch them It is interesting.

posted February 17, 2003 06:38 AM              

I see we all have a similar way of dealing with "non-believers".

Jakie,
I agree with you a 100 %!! That's what I always say: your chart is your potential, not your destiny (which a totally inaccurate word and a paradox by my opinion).

Yeah, Cat,
I usually guess the Asc. more often than the Sun sign.
Why do you think men with fire ascendants lose their hair?
What about men with Virgo ascendants?

As for what Lost Leo said about transits,
I've also noticed that usually they don't work for me, at least not in exactly the same way that they should, but I think that's because one doesn't look at all the planetary positions combined which is very exhausting for someone who is not expert at astrology, and there's the FREE WILL again - when I read my coming transits, I think I subconsciously stop them from realizing in that time, so many times the effects are delayed for a year or so, or they don't even happen.

posted February 17, 2003 10:14 AM              

When I wrote my previous reply, I couldn't think of any fire asc. men, that's why I asked about Virgo asc. (my boyfriend), but now I remembered some men all with Sagittarius Rising, but interestingly, none of them are bald (yet, haha), although they are in their 30's. It is true that their hairline is a bit higher in front, though...

We've slided a bit off topic...

posted February 18, 2003 11:32 AM              

As for the transits, I figure I'm still just an amateur, I'll figure them out and try to exercise my free will as time goes by... I hope.

And maybe the Ascendant thing, I might just be oblivious. There's a weird cycle I go thru w/ friends that I've noticed thru life.
At first meeting, I say little & try to be funny, everyone likes me. Second, if I like them, we become closer friends, they get to know the REAL me and can't stand me, whether it be a month or a year of distance, it happens. Then sure enough, after that cooling down period (I never give up on friends) they accept me for what I am, and I let them in my inner circle, forever.