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Author Topic:   Being funny vs. Trying too hard (long post)
mercmercy99
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posted August 22, 2018 01:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mercmercy99     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Growing up, I always was drawn to the class clowns in school. The kids I felt closest to were always the funny ones (11th house cusp in Sagittarius?). A good childhood friend of mine was crazy and would do anything to make people laugh. He'd say the most outlandish things and would always get in trouble for disrupting class. He was a bit of a nuisance sometimes. He had his off days where he just seemed to be a bother to the other kids, especially the girls. Girls would often feel grossed out by him because he was a young boy with stereotypical, over-the-top young boy humor. Another friend of mine who stands out in my mind is a girl who was less extreme than my other friend, but still killed with her humor and charm. Teachers loved her and most everyone liked her. She was easily one of the most popular kids in school, and I think it was mainly because she was just naturally funny and cool.

I've always viewed humor in a sort of scientific way, which is probably why I'm not very funny myself lol. Whenever I tried (and still try) to be funny, I cannot land a joke for the life of me. People have told me that I'm funny before, but I think that it's mainly because they've witnessed particular shots in the dark I've taken when it comes to my humor. A guy I know even called me "f#cking hilarious" once, but I still feel like he was trying to make me feel comfortable with him by deliberately complimenting me, as he's a very manipulative dude (but that's neither here nor there).

I remember wanting to be a comedian and even writing an essay about it in middle school. The essay was essential in seeing who would win a specific award given to gifted and talented kids. I chose to think out the box by writing about my love and admiration for comedy. I knew one other nominee who wrote about wanting to be a pediatrician and another who wrote about marine biology, but that was all too boring to me. I thought the teachers would see that I was different and unique and would admire that enough to choose me to win. I ended up not winning. Obviously. I remember showing my mom the essay so she could go over it. It was the first time she'd ever see my interest in comedy. She read it, looked at me with a serious look, and very bluntly told me, "But you're not funny." Thanks, mom.

It didn't hurt me though, oddly enough. Because I knew what she meant. I really wasn't funny (and still am not). I wasn't "the funny one". I'm not very witty, and I'm pretty aloof and not gregarious at all. It wasn't too bad when I was a kid, but now, it's pretty much what people notice the most about me. I'm very neurotic as well. I know all of this about myself, yet despite that, I still have a strong love of comedy and the "science" of humor. I love figuring out why certain people are funny. What inspired me to post this was a joke a friend of mine posted on facebook. I thought it was so clever, and I racked my brain over how good it was. He may have stolen it (it is facebook after all), but I couldn't find any evidence of that on Google. It's a very topical joke that blends absurdity and dark humor so well. It isn't gross, and it isn't obnoxious. I was so jealous reading it haha. If you want to know the joke, I'll post it in the replies. I don't want to further clog my post with even more words.

But my friend is another funny guy. He's known for being very social and friendly. He's kind of wacky, but without being obnoxious and immature. He's also very witty and can hold a conversation and make friends with anyone. This I am extremely envious of. I am like the complete opposite of that haha. I try too hard sometimes to tap into that social energy, but I almost always falter with it. The humor aspect obviously is a big factor for me. I just think that ultimately I overthink it to an extent where I'll never truly figure it out. It's too important to me.

With all that word vomit aside, my point with this post is to see what astrologically can point to that kind of authenticity in humor. What aspects and placements and house rulers and whatnot come into play? What might cause one to not be so successful with their humor? Are you like me, or are you known to be funny? Or do you just not think about this kind of stuff at all? Please feel free to let me know and/or ask me to clarify anything because I know this probably seems like a rambling mess.

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Somna7H
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posted August 22, 2018 02:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Somna7H     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the post.

The natal chart never change.
When I was a kid in school I was very serious, intense boy. No fun, no humour, no talking.
Now after 30+ I started to talking. Now I am 36 and little witty, have a bit of humour but not a hilarious person or clown.

------------------
My Chart: http://imgur.com/m0qQlLl

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Desiring Shadows
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posted August 22, 2018 02:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Desiring Shadows     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It sounds like you’re the Capricorn and he’s the Aquarius


Aquarius is more extroverted and silly
Capricorn more stoic and aloof

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mercmercy99
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posted August 22, 2018 02:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mercmercy99     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Desiring Shadows:
It sounds like you’re the Capricorn and he’s the Aquarius


Aquarius is more extroverted and silly
Capricorn more stoic and aloof


Funnily enough, I am an Aquarius rising with a lot of 11th house placements. But I'm also very Cap dominant as well.

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mercmercy99
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posted August 22, 2018 03:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mercmercy99     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Somna7H:
Thanks for the post.

The natal chart never change.
When I was a kid in school I was very serious, intense boy. No fun, no humour, no talking.
Now after 30+ I started to talking. Now I am 36 and little witty, have a bit of humour but not a hilarious person or clown.


Thanks for your reply!

What in your chart do you think indicates that seriousness when you were younger?

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cultstatus
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posted August 22, 2018 04:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cultstatus     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don’t know but I was just contemplating yesterday how annoying all the caps I’m friends with are. They really want to be funny, and they’re just not. Honestly they irritate me with their ‘hunour’ So much. I’m aqua and aqua Merc.

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Somna7H
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posted August 22, 2018 04:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Somna7H     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by mercmercy99:
Thanks for your reply!

What in your chart do you think indicates that seriousness when you were younger?


May be Progressed Chart or Transiting of outer slow moving planets ?
Change of Progressed Asc etc.
Sorry I'm not a Astrologer but I love Astrology and trying to know myself through this subject.

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Desiring Shadows
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posted August 22, 2018 04:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Desiring Shadows     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by mercmercy99:
Funnily enough, I am an Aquarius rising with a lot of 11th house placements. But I'm also very Cap dominant as well.

Well just because someone is an energetic imprint astrologically doesn’t mean they have to fulfill those destined qualities. We can know about ourselves and still be true to ourselves without having to change who we are

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capricorncheriscty
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posted August 22, 2018 03:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for capricorncheriscty     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
When I was younger and had transit Uranus in Pisces in my 10th and transit Neptune in Aquarius in my 9th everybody thought I was funny. Annoying but funny lol. I was one of the class clowns for my small group of friends, but that was about it. No one else. Surprisingly, Uranus in Aries in my 11th kind of saw me not having many friends and I definitely felt less funny and easy to be around. Must've been bc it was conjunct my Moon in Aries. Uranus really numbed my Moon, I became quiet and joked less and didn't find humour in life as easy as I did before. Neptune also went into my 10th house. Everything was melancholy and things would jolt into my life randomly, like a burst, and then leave almost as quickly and it just made me tired and fatigued all the time. It was around that I stared showing signs of my chronic depression and ultimately became less funny I suppose? I am definitely a try hard with humour after those joint transits of Uranus in Aries and Neptune in Pisces. Before, I could just crack jokes easily without even feeling the need to be dramatic or overly cruel. It's hard now, I can't remember how to have fun.

I am starting to feel a little better now that Uranus is away from my moon but it is still conjunct my Jupiter and I still feel the lack of being able to have fun, which is so odd because you would think those two planets in conjunction would be fun fun fun. I just feel held back and not able to make people smile as much as I used to. It might be that Neptune is still in my 10th?

From my personal experience, I think that afflictions/certain placements to the Moon/4th and Saturn/10th (uranus/11th too maybe since its a brother to saturn) can make someone a bit of a try hard with humour/not funny. I think because those two houses/planets are very important to emotions and how we handle ourselves around others and so if they are very murky looking in transit or natal it can be someone who doesn't know how to handle themselves very well, aka a try hard?

Also don't quote this one, I might delete later lol

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Lerena
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posted August 22, 2018 06:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lerena     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think people that are funny have less restraint. Funny people are more comfortable with risk and this would potentially explain why the "class clowns" get into so much trouble: getting into trouble doesn't stop them from making jokes and expressing their sense of humor, because the consequences don't scare them. Making the joke is therefore worth it no matter what happens.

The above explanation is why I believe some people aren't funny. When I was younger, I believe I was funnier. This changed after Saturn started transiting my 1st house. Why? Because it was also transiting my 1st house when I started to become more restrained and put my sense of humor on a leash to avoid offending people.

If you're more serious, that means you're more concerned with not coming across as an idiot. Well, to be funny, you can't always care about how people view you. That will take the fun out of comedy.

In theory, if you want to become funny, you must allow yourself to be less controlled. There must be less of an effort to avoid holding back just so you're not "childish" or "immature." You can learn to pinpoint when humor is appropriate, but you'll never learn this if you can't risk failing to be funny.

If Saturn's transit through my 1st house means anything, people with a lot of Capricorn placements or an active Saturn in their natal charts probably struggle with being funny. This doesn't mean it's impossible for them to be funny. They just aren't a natural at it and it takes more effort on their part.

I hope what I'm saying is true. I've been trying to figure out why I've lost my ability to be funny. I want it back.

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meltypie
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posted August 23, 2018 12:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for meltypie     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think I can be pretty funny, I have in my fifth house, the house of expression, Mercury-Mars, and Venus-Neptune-Uranus. Mercury trines my ASC by 1-2 degrees.

But it's all in Cap so my humour tends to be more earthy/realistic/dry and a tad dark. Also can be a little offensive because of the conjunction to Mars.

I do feel more restrained and have always felt some sort of restraint in expressing myself because I felt that I had to be serious and "in control of the situation" like some heavy responsibility's resting in the back of my brain, but I'm 100% sure my Virgo ASC contributes to this. Oh, and my Moon opposite and Sun square Saturn

I also find I can truly express myself and let myself be funny only when I'm comfortable and letting random crud flow outta my mouth lol the more I think about it the less funny and more inhibited I become but the higher chance I'll say something that completely misses or is too dark/offensive making myself look lame and depressing so it's DEFINITELY A RISK Lol

And my sister has Mercury in Aquarius, semi-sextile mine. Our way of thinking and conversations just really don't blend well together. Humour is pretty subjective.

You also have to look at Jupiter to tell you what you find funny. People whose sun connects with my Jupiter are really funny to me. Tho Jupiter makes a lotta hard connections in my chart (middle of T-square with Sun)

I find people with a strong Jupiter/air are funny and less offensive generally.

Edit: And Cancer.

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Odette
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posted August 23, 2018 01:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Odette     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think you’re being much to hard on yourself...
Do you have Mercury/Saturn aspects?

Ironically, it sounds like you’re taking humour very seriously... a bit too seriously.
If you could find a way to relax in social situations, I think you’d see that your reactions and comments would be a lot more easygoing and genuine.

You are over-thinking it!

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mercmercy99
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posted August 23, 2018 03:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mercmercy99     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Odette:
I think you’re being much to hard on yourself...
Do you have Mercury/Saturn aspects?

Ironically, it sounds like you’re taking humour very seriously... a bit too seriously.
If you could find a way to relax in social situations, I think you’d see that your reactions and comments would be a lot more easygoing and genuine.

You are over-thinking it!


I have Mercury square Saturn! I feel like that's all I have to say about it haha. But yes, you're right. I know it. It's been my main struggle, I think.

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mercmercy99
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posted August 23, 2018 03:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mercmercy99     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by meltypie:
I think I can be pretty funny, I have in my fifth house, the house of expression, Mercury-Mars, and Venus-Neptune-Uranus. Mercury trines my ASC by 1-2 degrees.

But it's all in Cap so my humour tends to be more earthy/realistic/dry and a tad dark. Also can be a little offensive because of the conjunction to Mars.

I do feel more restrained and have always felt some sort of restraint in expressing myself because I felt that I had to be serious and "in control of the situation" like some heavy responsibility's resting in the back of my brain, but I'm 100% sure my Virgo ASC contributes to this. Oh, and my Moon opposite and Sun square Saturn

I also find I can truly express myself and let myself be funny only when I'm comfortable and letting random crud flow outta my mouth lol the more I think about it the less funny and more inhibited I become but the higher chance I'll say something that completely misses or is too dark/offensive making myself look lame and depressing so it's DEFINITELY A RISK Lol

And my sister has Mercury in Aquarius, semi-sextile mine. Our way of thinking and conversations just really don't blend well together. Humour is pretty subjective.

You also have to look at Jupiter to tell you what you find funny. People whose sun connects with my Jupiter are really funny to me. Tho Jupiter makes a lotta hard connections in my chart (middle of T-square with Sun)

I find people with a strong Jupiter/air are funny and less offensive generally


I have Mercury trine ASC too. And I have Jupiter in the 5th house, which I think is part of the reason I care so much about this kind of stuff. It's hard seeing something so analytically sometimes because it can be counterproductive to what you're actually trying to achieve. Humor should just happen. I hate to think about it as one of those things where you either have it or you don't, because like you said, it's pretty subjective. But for me, it seems that way sometimes.

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mercmercy99
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posted August 23, 2018 03:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mercmercy99     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Lerena:
I think people that are funny have less restraint. Funny people are more comfortable with risk and this would potentially explain why the "class clowns" get into so much trouble: getting into trouble doesn't stop them from making jokes and expressing their sense of humor, because the consequences don't scare them. Making the joke is therefore worth it no matter what happens.

The above explanation is why I believe some people aren't funny. When I was younger, I believe I was funnier. This changed after Saturn started transiting my 1st house. Why? Because it was also transiting my 1st house when I started to become more restrained and put my sense of humor on a leash to avoid offending people.

If you're more serious, that means you're more concerned with not coming across as an idiot. Well, to be funny, you can't always care about how people view you. That will take the fun out of comedy.

In theory, if you want to become funny, you must allow yourself to be less controlled. There must be less of an effort to avoid holding back just so you're not "childish" or "immature." You can learn to pinpoint when humor is appropriate, but you'll never learn this if you can't risk failing to be funny.

If Saturn's transit through my 1st house means anything, people with a lot of Capricorn placements or an active Saturn in their natal charts probably struggle with being funny. This doesn't mean it's impossible for them to be funny. They just aren't a natural at it and it takes more effort on their part.

I hope what I'm saying is true. I've been trying to figure out why I've lost my ability to be funny. I want it back.


Everything you wrote is so true. And I tell myself to not care all the time, but I think that defeats the purpose a bit lol.

I'm scared though because my Saturn is currently transiting the 11th house. I think the next few years are just gonna feel like a downward spiral, making me feel worse about stuff like this.

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mercmercy99
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posted August 23, 2018 03:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mercmercy99     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by capricorncheriscty:
From my personal experience, I think that afflictions/certain placements to the Moon/4th and Saturn/10th (uranus/11th too maybe since its a brother to saturn) can make someone a bit of a try hard with humour/not funny. I think because those two houses/planets are very important to emotions and how we handle ourselves around others and so if they are very murky looking in transit or natal it can be someone who doesn't know how to handle themselves very well, aka a try hard?

Ha, I have Uranus in the 11th, so what you're saying could be true. My moon and Saturn are also pretty busy in my chart, so that could also be right.

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