posted April 02, 2018 07:12 PM            

What being an Empath means, kind of mixed me up. I hear so many claim to be an Empath yet people say it's rare. I thought about this when someone on reddit asked other Pisces mooners if they were Empaths and many said yes. Although Im not a Pisces mooner, Im a 12th house mooner, and I asked how does one know they are one?

I explained how I as a child and growing remember feeling a lot for more vulnerable things and people. For instance, I cried watching the movie Radio. I really felt so sad that people treated him like that. It made me want to go and hug him. I cried watching Boy in the Striped Pajamas when they killed the old Jewish man. We watched the movie in class so I was a bit embarrassed to cry in front of everyone but I felt sad and bothered for a whilr because of that scene. I remember in school not liking other kids making fun of others or bullying them. And I especially didnt like kids laughing at others embarrasment. I didnt like seeing other kids alone or left out. I explained this to her, however I said I cant really say Im an Empath. For one I think there are many others out there like me, so at what extend can I claim I "feel" more than others. For that reason I cant really say how I am.

OP told me that Im probably just an Empathetic person and not an Empath. Possibly. Im pretty sure I can still identify my feelings from someone else's. However, if we really think about what an "Empath" means, there is no actual evidence of being an "Empath". What I mean is, that it's a feeling. So if one is really an Empath how can they ever know? For instance, how can one REALLY be sure they feel what the other is feeling? How can truly know that? Yeah you may feel it, but you cany claim you know your feeling EXACTLY what that person is feeling? You can physically look at feelings and compare them and say "oh yeah they are feeling exactly what the other person is feeling" no you cant because feelings aren't physical. Also if Empaths can feel what another person is feeling from afar, even if they dont know them how did they know that they were feeling their emotions? I mean for someone to claim that they feel exactly what another feels sounds like something an understanding person wouldn't say. Like you yourself may feel like you can put yourselves in their shoes, but you cant be 100 person sure you are feeling what they are. This is just my observation.

Lately Ive been feeling sad because reading about being an Empath , being an Aquarius moon I feel it's impossible for me to be ons. And I feel horrible. One of the most things I desire of myself is having understanding/compassion towards others. Especially towards vulnerable, weak or misunderstood humans and especially animals which hold a special place in my heart. But I begin to doubt myself. Because I dont think I am an Empath and I feel like I should feel deeper. Even though I would say Im emotional based on things I read on being an Empath makes me doint myself as a person. I start to worry what if Im actually a cold person. I have felt too self concious of how I feel that I feel like a fake. And I dont want to be. I feel like I have nothing to offer if I cant feel more deeply. Not saying I dont feel, just that compared to what people claim an Empath is makes me feel like I should feel more deeply. Of course, not to the point that it affects me from actually taking action on doing things unselfishly and out of true understanding and care. Because I think that's most important. However, people claim being an Empath is a gift and only these people can ever have it. But Im wondering if one can tap more into it?

I have a Pisces(Sun, Mercury, and Venus) and 12th house stellium (moon, Uranus, Jupiter, and Neptune) could I potentially develop into an empath? Can someone do so? Anything in a chart that gives on potential to become one? Or am I screwed to be a horrible person? I blame my Aquarius placements. I feel like it's going to drag me down 😔Please I woild like some help. Im feeling bad about myself.

posted April 02, 2018 07:42 PM            

I believe we all have innate abilities, and that by tapping in to our intuition, we will strengthen them. We do not all need to be able to feel what another person feels, or hear what they are thinking, or see what they are seeing. That would be a boring and redundant way of life.

It sounds like you are very warm, and compassionate, and caring. It sounds like you are wonderfully empathetic. You could try working on your chakras to open yourself up to more intuitive work, but let it guide you to you.

I have friends who are very skilled and tuned in, psychic, clairvoyant, etc. I am not. But I am intuitive and I have a solid grasp on why people act the way they do, and their emotional make up. I think that's a pretty solid skill, and it helps me accomplish what I need to in my life. I wish I were psychic too, but it's not a skill I have so I have to figure out my life without it!

posted April 02, 2018 08:42 PM            

It's rough for empaths...and empaths are not necessarily good people (and can even be psychic vampires). To genuinely feel the energy and emotions (and even thoughts and impulses) of others can be exhausting at best, and can conceivably be too much for one's sanity. I know one genuine empath who was forced to drop out of society who lives mostly with plants and animals. He prefers talking with people over the phone or computer because being around them, feeling their energy, can be very hard for him. (Likewise, he's less likely than me to get teary over a show or movie, because he doesn't get the energy from a TV show, and if he does then it will be the actors rather than the characters, but he won't go to movies because the others there will be a distraction at best, and even be intolerable no matter how quiet they may physically be.)

I've worked as a volunteer off and on for years with the homeless and the disabled. I am empathic (not to be confused with spineless or bending over backwards, nor out to coddle most people) but not an empath. I'd think being a genuine empath would be a hindrance to such work, possibly even making it impossible. To use an imperfect analogy, I'd think being an empathic empath would be like someone who loves cats but can't be around them without getting sick due to allergies.

There should be no moral obligation to be an empath, even if it was something you could develop, anymore than someone with poor vision is morally obligated to improve their vision. And more importantly, there's a difference between acting out of empathy and acting out of guilt. The latter will really trip you up and can make you an easy target that will prevent you from genuinely helping others by tricking you into supporting the wrong people, even into becoming an enabler rather than a helper.

And a lot of people who claim to be empaths are actually just projecting their own biases and imagination into those around them. Interesting enough, the rare people who had a sharp intuition or clairsentient abilities don't talk about it, at least not casually, probably because they don't see it as a great gift, and that it's inclined to make people either uncomfortable (even avoiding the said person) or focus even more (uncomfortable) attention on them as they seek out their insights or try to get something out of them (that is,very self-absorbed and trying to take advantage of someone with paranormal insight). The people always talking about how psychic or psychic like they are are typically wrong more often than not, and even less likely than ordinary people to read a person or situation right (maybe it's a variant of the Dunning-Kruger effect ).

posted April 02, 2018 09:51 PM            

There are plenty, especially here, who like to label other according to their own astrological misconceptions.

Don't judge yourself badly ,especially based on aqua placement, i am one and I can tell you it gives us sometimes the necessary distance with facts or beliefs that enable us to detach ourselves.

Everyone feels, an aqua moon feels too, i am a libra moon and i feel. I have other water palcements such as rising or mc, mercury and venus, and vertex although I am not sure yet how to understand that one.

It is the same for you, and don't think a cancer moon is necessarily a more empath person, it could well mean a more selfcentered, childish, overreacting brat.

posted April 03, 2018 12:25 AM            

Become more selfless.

posted April 03, 2018 06:11 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by SecretGeek:
Where is your Moon?

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It's Aquarius in the 12th house (:

posted April 03, 2018 06:16 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by mereiposa:
I think the fact that you worry you are not empathetic enough is a good sign that you are indeed quite empathetic. My belief here is not to worry about identification with the label of "empath". Feel what you feel, and let your intuition guide you. You do not need to meet standards or qualifications that another person set up so that you feel warranted as a special type of person.

I believe we all have innate abilities, and that by tapping in to our intuition, we will strengthen them. We do not all need to be able to feel what another person feels, or hear what they are thinking, or see what they are seeing. That would be a boring and redundant way of life.

It sounds like you are very warm, and compassionate, and caring. It sounds like you are wonderfully empathetic. You could try working on your chakras to open yourself up to more intuitive work, but let it guide you to you.

I have friends who are very skilled and tuned in, psychic, clairvoyant, etc. I am not. But I am intuitive and I have a solid grasp on why people act the way they do, and their emotional make up. I think that's a pretty solid skill, and it helps me accomplish what I need to in my life. I wish I were psychic too, but it's not a skill I have so I have to figure out my life without it!

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Thank you(: your words did make me feel a bit better. I have been trying to not concern myself too much with standards or qualifications, but it can be hard sometimes. I have been trying to work on my inner self withour caring how pthers may see me. I ultimately dont care about the label as much of the feeling. It's quite easy for me to doubt myself. But I do appreciate your words. I definitely will take your advice(:

posted April 03, 2018 06:29 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
By my standards you are empathic, but not an empath. And that's a very good thing!

It's rough for empaths...and empaths are not necessarily good people (and can even be psychic vampires). To genuinely feel the energy and emotions (and even thoughts and impulses) of others can be exhausting at best, and can conceivably be too much for one's sanity. I know one genuine empath who was forced to drop out of society who lives mostly with plants and animals. He prefers talking with people over the phone or computer because being around them, feeling their energy, can be very hard for him. (Likewise, he's less likely than me to get teary over a show or movie, because he doesn't get the energy from a TV show, and if he does then it will be the actors rather than the characters, but he won't go to movies because the others there will be a distraction at best, and even be intolerable no matter how quiet they may physically be.)

I've worked as a volunteer off and on for years with the homeless and the disabled. I am empathic (not to be confused with spineless or bending over backwards, nor out to coddle most people) but not an empath. I'd think being a genuine empath would be a hindrance to such work, possibly even making it impossible. To use an imperfect analogy, I'd think being an empathic empath would be like someone who loves cats but can't be around them without getting sick due to allergies.

There should be no moral obligation to be an empath, even if it was something you could develop, anymore than someone with poor vision is morally obligated to improve their vision. And more importantly, there's a difference between acting out of empathy and acting out of guilt. The latter will really trip you up and can make you an easy target that will prevent you from genuinely helping others by tricking you into supporting the wrong people, even into becoming an enabler rather than a helper.

And a lot of people who claim to be empaths are actually just projecting their own biases and imagination into those around them. Interesting enough, the rare people who had a sharp intuition or clairsentient abilities don't talk about it, at least not casually, probably because they don't see it as a great gift, and that it's inclined to make people either uncomfortable (even avoiding the said person) or focus even more (uncomfortable) attention on them as they seek out their insights or try to get something out of them (that is,very self-absorbed and trying to take advantage of someone with paranormal insight). The people always talking about how psychic or psychic like they are are typically wrong more often than not, and even less likely than ordinary people to read a person or situation right (maybe it's a variant of the Dunning-Kruger effect ).

If you want to help people then do so (out of compassion, not out of guilt or misguided obligations), don't worry about getting inside their heads. Plenty of people would appreciate if you didn't.

---

Thank you so much I found your post very interesting and informative (: It's interesting to hear about your friend. Ive always wondered if Empaths offer a shoulder to lean on or act out their compassion. Because they may feel others feelings as their own, I have wondered if they ever have the ability to offer help towards others. I have heard so much about Empaths using their gift to understand others on a deep level. A level that an average person, such as myself, cant reach. So I do feel bad at times that I can't have that ability as I truly want to. But maybe my Aquarius moons adds detachment. It gets frustrating to me because I feel bad about myself.

But hearing what you said, I think it helps me to see it in another perspective. Soaking up everyone else's emotions can be very hard, I can only imagine. Even though I may not be an Empath, I at least want to help others and be understanding. I hopefully can at least be that. Cause ultimately I think that is most important to me. Thanks for the advice (:

posted April 03, 2018 06:38 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by pire:
You probably just read a book or some astrologer that label your aquarius placement in a light that doesn't fit your observations of yourself.

There are plenty, especially here, who like to label other according to their own astrological misconceptions.

Don't judge yourself badly ,especially based on aqua placement, i am one and I can tell you it gives us sometimes the necessary distance with facts or beliefs that enable us to detach ourselves.

Everyone feels, an aqua moon feels too, i am a libra moon and i feel. I have other water palcements such as rising or mc, mercury and venus, and vertex although I am not sure yet how to understand that one.

It is the same for you, and don't think a cancer moon is necessarily a more empath person, it could well mean a more selfcentered, childish, overreacting brat.

I think you may very well be AND develop your empath qualities. It is in all of us, although some are wired differently and in ways that does it more quickly or naturally, you may be one of those

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Yes I do feel like I have felt these stereotypes of my moon as bad, which makes me feel like I am destined to never be able to feel like a Water moon feels. However, I do think you're right. Ive known quite a few watee moons who weren't necessarily selfless or nice. So maybe it's a misconception. Sometimes I feel like giving up on myself but I will try to become a more better person, or at least the person I wish to be(: thanks for your input!

posted April 03, 2018 07:58 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by SoulOfABird:
Yes I do feel like I have felt these stereotypes of my moon as bad, which makes me feel like I am destined to never be able to feel like a Water moon feels. However, I do think you're right. Ive known quite a few watee moons who weren't necessarily selfless or nice. So maybe it's a misconception. Sometimes I feel like giving up on myself but I will try to become a more better person, or at least the person I wish to be(: thanks for your input!

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Oh my gosh, yes! All signs have a positive and negative expression! I am both sides of mine.

I am an Earth Moon, Capricorn. I am supposed to be cold and heartless and only focused on money or advancing or whatever they say. Yes, I can appear cold and I am ambitious and want to achieve great things, but I am not heartless and cruel. I have great depth to my emotions, I just don't show them to everyone. And I am steady as a rock, even when the world is falling apart around me.

When I was younger I didn't know how to balance this, and all the other aspects in my chart. I feel like most of my 20s were spent in the negative sides of my signs. I look back now and think I was such a huge jerk! But it took all of those life experiences to figure out what I needed to do to be the higher side of my signs.

Give yourself time. You want to be empathic, therefore you will. Don't judge yourself too much and know that you are learning. This is how you get there!

posted April 03, 2018 08:21 AM            

In the reverse though, 'an empath' can learn to be tougher and better protected.

You do hear about people have head injuries which entirely alter their levels of psychic and emotional capacities. I wouldn't recommend this as a way to increase ones sensitivity though ;-)

posted April 03, 2018 08:26 AM            

Moon in the 12th is incredibly sensitive and naturally compassionate. Please learn to love who you are, know that being easily drained by people, places and events is a downside of being born an empath that you may not enjoy one bit.

Accepting the self is what makes you a great healer and support system for others. If your energy is clear and vibrant then you are automatically going to spread that. :-)

posted April 03, 2018 11:01 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by waxlobster:
SoulofaBird - try to trust your life path and your choice of strengths and weaknesses in this life.

Moon in the 12th is incredibly sensitive and naturally compassionate. Please learn to love who you are, know that being easily drained by people, places and events is a downside of being born an empath that you may not enjoy one bit.

Accepting the self is what makes you a great healer and support system for others. If your energy is clear and vibrant then you are automatically going to spread that. :-)

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Totally agree!

posted April 03, 2018 11:08 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by SoulOfABird:
It's Aquarius in the 12th house (:

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posted April 04, 2018 04:46 AM            

I can't say if you're an empath or just empathetic, but why would you want to be an empath per se? As I said before, you are what you are and that's fine! Either way you have beautiful things to offer to others.
How do you know you're an empath? I personally found out I was an empath when years ago, I sat down on a bench, waiting for the train, just chilling. It was early in the morning on a weekend day so there was nobody else. I had no specific emotions whatsoever. After a few minutes, someone sat next to me and within a few seconds I felt a wave of sadness come over me. Suddenly I was SO SAD. Mind you, I didn't even look up. I didn't even know how that person looked like. We didn't exchange words whatsoever, but still I felt this enormous shift in emotions. That's when I had the AHA moment. Like.. okay this emotion is definitely from this person.
So if you can have a shift in emotions with just being in the presence of someone else, without no specific reason you can think of, then you're an empath.

posted April 05, 2018 05:47 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Bearee:
First of all, I think you should be happy with the gifts and talents you're born with. You're made with precision and there are no mistakes. Everything has its meaning, so you should focus on what you can, what comes natural to you, and make it your power

I can't say if you're an empath or just empathetic, but why would you want to be an empath per se? As I said before, you are what you are and that's fine! Either way you have beautiful things to offer to others.
How do you know you're an empath? I personally found out I was an empath when years ago, I sat down on a bench, waiting for the train, just chilling. It was early in the morning on a weekend day so there was nobody else. I had no specific emotions whatsoever. After a few minutes, someone sat next to me and within a few seconds I felt a wave of sadness come over me. Suddenly I was SO SAD. Mind you, I didn't even look up. I didn't even know how that person looked like. We didn't exchange words whatsoever, but still I felt this enormous shift in emotions. That's when I had the AHA moment. Like.. okay this emotion is definitely from this person.
So if you can have a shift in emotions with just being in the presence of someone else, without no specific reason you can think of, then you're an empath.

Can you become an empath? I don't know for sure but I think you can if you focus on your spirituality. You become more sensitive to your energyfield and this way realize how you subtly feel and suck in emotions of others. I think some people are naturally more in tune with their energyfield (empaths) and some people learn it along the way with the intention of being more in tune with themselves. Yeah, that's what I think....

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Wow that is so interesting. Thank you for sharing that with me. It's interesting to get a grasp of it from an actual empath. Yeah I don't get that way. I am not that in tuned with my surroundings and tend to live in my head a lot. I may notice other people's emotions. But not actually feel it completely as my own. I tend to just understand and recognize emotions and feelings and dont judge others. I may feel it as my own a bit, but not intensely.

The reason I would wish to be an Empath is because I want to be able to feel others pain like that. I want to completely understand others feelings so I can help others genuinely. I do think it's a really good thing to have. I do know there are some bad things to it. But if Empaths are able to take more control of it then I believe it is a special thing to have. I think it's better than not having it at all. I feel better about myself and happier when I can genuinely understand and help especially helpless things. But I got an Aquarius moon so you know how that goes. It probably keeps me to be able to do this at full capacity which sucks. I feel bad a lot of the time because of it.

Because you have this gift I think you are quite lucky. You don't see it as a good thing? There are so many amazing things that comes along with it. And not everyone has those abilities. So yes I think it's a good thing. You can use being an Empath for so many things like making the world a better place. So I think it's really a good thing to have.

I dont really believe it's something anyone can be, so I don't think that I can become one, I just thought it was worth asking to be sure. I dont have any other particular natural gift though honestly. Nothing particularly special that can be useful. I dont have any particular talents. Yeah nothing lol but thank you for the advice. I appreciate it. Maybe someday I can find something I am good at.

posted April 05, 2018 09:36 PM            

I’m very intuitive and very empathetic. My boyfriend says I can easily put myself in other peoples shoes and understand a viewpoint from their eyes, which I guess isn’t common? It comes so naturally to me that I didn’t realize it wasn’t common. I’m guessing this is just my compassionate and empathetic side.

Can I feel others pain? This is a hard question. I don’t feel what they are feeling but I pick up on it sooo easily that I can feel myself reciprocating and mirroring their emotions. Is that what being an empath is? I’m not really sure. But I also feel like I turn it off most of the time. If I’m around someone who is negative I have to pray for protection so that their negativity won’t affect me because otherwise it 120% absolutely will. Sometimes it’s really exhausting that I am so receptive about other people’s emotions because it really does affect me.

posted April 06, 2018 02:47 PM            

Your main questions are best put to an actual Empath. Friend Wilbert Stephenson if you're on facebook and ask him.

As to the astrology, first order of business is not resorting to "I'm screwed" and blaming particulars of your chart. You chose them. You've developed those qualities as part of your soul history. If you are so easily down on yourself, but so emotionally open to others' emotions, that is not a good place to be. None of the astrological particulars matter if they are simply used to reinforce low self-esteem and a blaming mindset.

Yes, you have some markers that could allow you to develop the qualities of an Empath, but self-acceptance is more important and comes first. Think of it as developing in increments over time due to an intention, say an intention to live the Golden Rule more deeply.

Self-doubt is common. I have experienced lots of it, but it is better to examine it internally, to write it out and look at it. Find the fear, guilt, shame under it, and dispose of them. That may mean digging out the key moments in your life such thought forms took hold in your emotions. Then give voice to your positive insights, affirmations, and intentions (rather than to the doubts). Other people cannot always affirm you. It is most powerful when you do it for yourself. Don't confuse that with ego.