posted March 15, 2014 09:38 AM            

I've dwelled on this topic in the past. Here's a useful excerpt I found from a website:

"A four-level hierarchy to explain the differences between apathy, sympathy, empathy and compassion.

posted March 15, 2014 09:52 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by seekinglight:
I'm sensitive and perhaps a bit empathic too, but I don't deal well with others' issues especially when they get too emotional/hysterical themselves. I absorbed too much and can get really low myself, so I have to shut down and run away. Not really proud of this, but that's the stage I'm currently in. I would need to learn to be emotionally grounded before I can be there for another.

I've dwelled on this topic in the past. Here's a useful excerpt I found from a website:

"A four-level hierarchy to explain the differences between apathy, sympathy, empathy and compassion.

1. Apathy = I don't care. You are unimportant to me.
2. Sympathy = I see you and I am feel sorry about your plight. This can feel like one-up/one-down. The person I "feel sympathy for" may feel pitied -- which doesn't feel good. But this is a step up from apathy. I might donate money or express concern from sympathy.
3. Empathy = I feel what you feel. This is a peer-to-peer experience. When you are sad, I feel the sadness in my body/mind/heart. This has a genuine caring texture to the person who is suffering. But you might feel like you are riding the emotional rollercoaster of emotions. You and I might feel unsafe and distance ourselves if feeling another's pain becomes too much.
4. Compassion = I feel what you feel and it doesn't overwhelm my circuits. My wisdom circuits remain active and I modulate my emotional state. I see a larger picture. I act skillfully to relieve suffer. "

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posted March 15, 2014 09:58 AM            

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Originally posted by Solar_Leo_Queen:
What specifically are you asking? Is it something that has to do with planetary aspects/placements?

I'd say I'm pretty empathetic. I have Moon in Cancer in the 1st house. This makes me absorb other people's emotions and project them outwardly. I care for people more than I should and go out of my way to help them. I get mood swings for no reason and this is because I'm an emotional sponge. If the environment I'm in is happy and alive, then I too would be happy and alive. If it's gloomy, then I'm gloomy. I share other people's emotions with them in a sense.

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posted March 15, 2014 09:59 AM            

Also, maybe, Moon in the 12the house.

posted March 15, 2014 10:03 AM            

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Originally posted by LeeLoo2014:
Ah, sorry, now I've read Solar Queen's post. So your Moon is in Pisces in the 4th house? That explains it! What are the aspects? Your chart is here? cause I can't see it.

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Here I can post it.

posted March 15, 2014 10:12 AM            

Moon in Pisces always needs time away from the harsh, prosaic realities of life, a dream, fairy tale "bubble" of their own to charge their batteries.

Here is an excerpt for you:

posted March 15, 2014 10:16 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Solar_Leo_Queen:
^ I am still learning to be compassionate. I'm on level 4 lol. I still kinda find it hard not to be dragged down by other people's emotions. Sometimes, I feel like some people are draining the happiness out of me way too much and once I realize this, I start to keep myself away from them. My friend has this effect on me. He has Aries moon and he's pretty immature with his emotions. He's violent and destructive when he's mad/sad and I always try to comfort him. Considering our moons are square and I have the more mature moon, I tend to get affected more than him. He makes me feel emotionally drained and so, in the past few weeks, I've been trying to ignore some of his childish fits. It's not that I don't care. It's just that I'd rather not be left emotionally drained when I really have nothing to be depressed about. I like to be happy (Gemini + Leo).

And good morning to you, too, Brobian I believe your Moon is in the 4th house. It's the house ruled by Cancer. This plus your Moon in Pisces equals very empathetic person. You are an emotional sponge like me.

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I'm guessing there isn't some switch to turn this off? lol

posted March 15, 2014 10:25 AM            

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Originally posted by LeeLoo2014:
You see? You also have Moon square Neptune and, moreover, trine Uranus. You have psychic abilities. That explains for a heightened,out-of-ordinary sensitivity. You must learn what your psychic abilities are and channel them for the benefit of yourself and the others. You should try meditation, try your telepathy/premonitory/astral powers. It is also very important for you to surround yourself by a beautiful, harmonious environment, with some magical touches and most of all, surround yourself with positive, loving, inspirational people.

Moon in Pisces always needs time away from the harsh, prosaic realities of life, a dream, fairy tale "bubble" of their own to charge their batteries.

Here is an excerpt for you:

[b]Moon in Pisces
Your emotions are expressed sympathetically and compassionately. You are sensitive, kind and gentle, imaginative, shy, tender-hearted, and have an innate understanding of how other people feel and react to situations. It hurts you if another is hurt. Because of your kindness and non-judgmental attitude, people in trouble, pain or confusion come to you hoping to find answers. It is difficult for them to think that you may be in pain yourself, but even if you are, you will do your best to help them or teach them. You seem to sense that all the pain you have suffered is for a higher purpose, if only to teach others or help show them the way. At times, though, your soft-hearted is taken advantage of and then you feel the need to withdraw, to regain your strength and composure. Music plays an important part in your life and you are instinctively drawn to it. It is as a voice from your spirit's true home. It helps you to express the emotions within that sometimes are so nebulous or vague that they cannot be put into word. You have a very romantic nature and can fall in love with love. Sometimes your feelings and fantasies get so carried away that you become overly emotional or sentimental, much to the dismay of those around you. You have your moody spells that people do not know how to deal with. You are not afraid of difficult or hard work and you especially like to work for those less fortunate than yourself. You prefer to work behind the scenes, as you may be easily drained of energy by others. There may be talent in art, dancing or music. Tendencies to day-dreaming may need to be controlled.[/B]

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Within moments of meeting a person, I will know them, I will know what they have in their heart. I will know if they are loving, hateful, evil, compassionate. I'm not sure how I know, I just do. People are like open books to me and I can read all their pages. I can see a lie as clearly as the sun in the sky.

I love music and if you come relatively close to my house, you'll hear me singing loudly. I also love to write poetry and songs.

I'm like a Bard lol

posted March 15, 2014 10:36 AM            

I think that is what you need. You need someone to talk to and someone who is willing to listen to all your frustrations.To me, she is like an emotional healer. If you can find someone like her, I bet you, that person will be of really great help to you. There's really nothing wrong with being angry. I've learned in the past few months of my philosophical studies that it is not a negative thing to be mad or even sad. They're human emotions and you need to find expression for them or else they will keep building up inside you. Like you said, the more you kept them in, the stronger they got. You need to release all that you keep inside your heart.

posted March 15, 2014 10:43 AM            

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Originally posted by Solar_Leo_Queen:

And honestly, I don't think bottling up your emotions inside you is a good thing to do. Personally, I think it causes more anxiety and may eventually lead to depression.

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This would explain why, shortly after my divorce, I fell into a deep depression and then into alcohol abuse and substance abuse for a couple years.

I have actually had thoughts about just opening up to someone. However, most people aren't going to be wanting some grown man crying on their shoulder.

posted March 15, 2014 10:50 AM            

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Originally posted by Brobian:
This would explain why, shortly after my divorce, I fell into a deep depression and then into alcohol abuse and substance abuse for a couple years.

I have actually had thoughts about just opening up to someone. However, most people aren't going to be wanting some grown man crying on their shoulder.

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Pisces also tends to use drugs or alcohol to somehow kind of "escape" reality. Since your Moon is squaring Neptune, this tendency is increased. You have to be careful not to use those as a form of escape.

posted March 15, 2014 10:52 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Brobian:
Then I have this mind numbing fear of letting anyone get to close. If a woman tries to get to close, or tries to get in my heart, I'll be out the door quicker then the light can come one. I'll run all the way home, locked down the house, and then stare out from behind the blind, just shaking in fear.

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posted March 15, 2014 10:56 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Solar_Leo_Queen:
Pisces also tends to use drugs or alcohol to somehow kind of "escape" reality. Since your Moon is squaring Neptune, this tendency is increased. You have to be careful not to use those as a form of escape.

And yes, I see why you're scared of talking to someone about your situation. Honestly, if you go see a therapist, they couldn't really care less if you're a grown man or not. Heck, it's their job to help you and they get paid to do it. They'll get fired if they even try to criticize you lol. But if it's a friend, find someone you know who is compassionate--someone who will listen and not judge you for it. Or maybe go see a spiritual healer. They're good, too. I might send an energy healing ball for you if you want. They don't instantly heal. They're like spiritual meds. They heal you over time. I don't know if you believe in this whole spiritual stuff but I'll do it anyway.

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I actually climbed out of that low, and in the past 6 years I have really grasped complete control of my life. I've got custody of my children, got an amazing job promotion, I'm a 9th grade high school drop out who makes 6 digits a year. My life is actually really good at the moment.

I am just tired of being that frightened little boy from my childhood. I'm tired of worrying about what people might think of me if they knew the real me.

posted March 15, 2014 11:00 AM            

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Originally posted by Barbiegirl19:
I'm a Cancer mars and also a quadruple Libra and feel that I'm very empathetic and put myself in other people's shoes a lot. I'm sensitive to other people's feelings until they cross me or upset me than I'm the opposite. I will go to great lengths to show just how much I don't like or care for that person. I don't like holding grudges necessarily I just treat people the way they treat me, especially if it's questioning or making fun of my logic. I was a very emotional child and cried about everything. Now that I'm older it's more about self perseveration. I will do whatever I have to do to protect my heart and my feelings.

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Dang, that sounds like a page out of my book lol. To protect mine, I stay home. My heart out in this world, is akin to a mouse in a rattlesnake pit.

Not a good outcome

posted March 15, 2014 11:01 AM            

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Originally posted by Solar_Leo_Queen:
Lol that's just your Scorpio and your Sun + Jupiter being in the 8th house. You don't easily let people in because it makes you feel uncomfortable and you feel like people are invading your privacy.

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LOL, this is actually an understatement. It's far worse

posted March 15, 2014 11:05 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Brobian:
I actually climbed out of that low, and in the past 6 years I have really grasped complete control of my life. I've got custody of my children, got an amazing job promotion, I'm a 9th grade high school drop out who makes 6 digits a year. My life is actually really good at the moment.

I am just tired of being that frightened little boy from my childhood. I'm tired of worrying about what people might think of me if they knew the real me.

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Your past is your past. It doesn't mean it is who you are now. What matters is the present. If you're living a good life, then keep doing it. Make the most of what you have today and the future will reward you with more. Honestly, no one should feel dragged down by their past. I don't necessarily mean cut ties with your past, but I mean like, you gotta acknowledge that you made mistakes and you have learned from them. Because of you making those mistakes and learning from them, you are where you are now. And as you can see, you're happy and contented. You have a good job and got custody of your kids. The only thing you really need is to cleanse yourself of all your old negative emotions that keep resurfacing.

posted March 15, 2014 11:05 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Brobian:
I actually climbed out of that low, and in the past 6 years I have really grasped complete control of my life. I've got custody of my children, got an amazing job promotion, I'm a 9th grade high school drop out who makes 6 digits a year. My life is actually really good at the moment.

I am just tired of being that frightened little boy from my childhood. I'm tired of worrying about what people might think of me if they knew the real me.

---

Your past is your past. It doesn't mean it is who you are now. What matters is the present. If you're living a good life, then keep doing it. Make the most of what you have today and the future will reward you with more. Honestly, no one should feel dragged down by their past. I don't necessarily mean cut ties with your past, but I mean like, you gotta acknowledge that you made mistakes and you have learned from them. Because of you making those mistakes and learning from them, you are where you are now. And as you can see, you're happy and contented. You have a good job and got custody of your kids. The only thing you really need is to cleanse yourself of all your old negative emotions that keep resurfacing.