posted December 08, 2015 01:19 AM            

So, of course, one which remains among the most profound, the mysterious love story worthy of any big budget filmic retelling across the silver screen, Cupid and Psyche.

You know it, even if you think you don't. And you've seen versions of it all over the place. The young and beautiful mortal Psyche unwittingly drew the ire of the great goddess Aphrodite, whose temples were being left vacant in favour of suitors seeking Psyche. Poor girl couldn't help what she was. Long and short of it, Aphrodite sent her son (in this version) Cupid to ensure she was wed to a hideous beast. But in pricking himself with his arrow, he fell madly for Psyche, and thus began their quirky courtship, secret 'marriage', separation, trials to bring them back together, final reunion and truly blessed happy ending.

Now, I had the rare gift to study asteroids under the tutelage of some of the finest, pioneering astrologers, back in the '90s. One such remains Martha Lang-Wescott, who, it would seem, has a slightly different take on PSYCHE (16). As opposed to returning to the deep etymology (Greek for 'soul') or even the myth itself, she took the more modern expression of it: psyche, and began her research with a psychological focus.

Further, her own work came to reveal that it carries the connotation of psychological wounding; of 'issues'. Psychological trauma. Our baggage. So, not just our soul's longing here. But a repository of where our psyche has been damaged, or suffered. It's not PREY (6157) where we are subject to attack, nor is it DEJANIRA (157) where we feel victimised, or are susceptible to manipulation and being seduced against our better interests.

No, PSYCHE is somewhat unique as it represents psychological trauma and wounding we possess, often from the deep past. Childhood, adolescence. But her work has included its relationship to karmic wounding as well -- 'past life' psychological trauma.

Protecting our PSYCHE (both literally and figuratively) may never be so crucial as when we invite someone into our inner circle, to know our vulnerabilities, and, in tacit trust, to handle our baggage with care.

So, PSYCHE synastry tends to be extremely variable. No cookbook interpretations here. Just as we each have the capacity to become monsters or great healers due to our deep psychological wounds, so is the natal positioning of our own PSYCHE crucial when it comes to how it will operate with others. Not to mention, how any of our natal might function in relation to a contact with another's PSYCHE.

So I watch these contacts closely. They can be beautiful, when the energies represented in the other natal are warm, loving, gentle, and compassionate. When our wounds are treated with respect and care. I've seen the reverse, too. When callous misunderstanding and incompatibility leads to a domineering control tantamount to abuse. Opposing lifestyles and upbringings leading the aspecting energy to judge PSYCHE too harshly, overestimating her capacity while underestimating her ability. It's a delicate balance and requires careful awareness.

I've seen VALENTINE lift her up to become the best version of herself, as the deepest wounds heal over time with unconditional love, compassion, gentle honesty, and trust.

I've seen her bond on a powerful level with her 'PSYCHE sisters', as she shares commonality among these 'sign sisters', and can easily commiserate and unite. A loving support circle, no matter its size.

I've seen a hard SATURN bear relentlessly down upon her, as she's slowly ground to a fine dust. Tragic, as SATURN is taught to 'walk it off', or that it isn't allowed to have wounds, so it runs roughshod over PSYCHE's, oblivious to the healthy differences possessed by each, instead heaping criticism for her inability to be SATURN, worthy of his respect -- and love.

And PSYCHE isn't SATURN.

Or PLUTO. She isn't NEPTUNE, or the MOON, either. She's unique, special in her own way, and to be celebrated rather than demanded to conform or 'toughen up'.

She's the delicate faerie-tale princess within us all, psychically linked to nature in all its forms, the gentle messenger of love, kindness, dream, wondrous spirit, beauty, compassion, and joy. She plays no power games, and often does as she's told. But she has deep insecurities which can get the better of her, leading her innocence to becoming a tool for manipulation willingly exploited by others with the agenda she lacks.

When she falls in love, she falls completely, without reservation. She believes in the good, and that's what's unfortunately led her to suffer the bad.

She takes like a woman, but she breaks just like a little girl. That's PSYCHE. Love her, and you will nourish your soul's most youthful spirit, dancing in the land of dream, finding that love is all you need, and your prince will come.

Do her harm, judge her harshly and fail to recognise her powerful gifts, and she will wither away, leaving the absence of such youthful joy, curiosity, spirit, and unconditional love.

She's no fighter. She's a lover. No warrior -- just a princess. Our most classic understanding of the archetype. To be protected, appreciated, respected, and honoured so that she may shine.

I've become intimately familiar with my own over time. I've seen her slaughtered through abuse -- both intended, and sadly through a failure of empathy. I've learnt to guard and shelter her, building her up myself, to be the best version of herself.

I've seen how it's worth it, because a part of your soul is on the line.

Of course there's always help for troubled synastries in which one (or both) have 'PSYCHE issues'. It takes awareness on behalf of both to seek a gentle approach, counselling in some cases, to better support their partner and their most sensitive vulnerabilities.

posted December 08, 2015 02:34 AM            

However I do agree with Psyche being a place of utmost vulnerability and openness and hence of course the risk of being wounded increases of course.

posted December 08, 2015 03:51 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
Yes, but the ORIGIN really is the openness and astounding receptivity Psyche symbolizes, not wounding per se (though, yes, most probably it is going to happen over a certain time, comes with growing up and certain experiences).

I do like your delineation in your original post though.

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Right! It's the extreme openness. I've come to find that, yes, over time, sadly this is what becomes wounded and damaged. Be it overbearing parents or relatives, an abusive partner or spouse, or even some combination of the two.

Yet, I've been rather astounded at the accuracy of reviewing her in synastry, and almost always finding the 'story' to be very clear in the astrology.

The above examples, as you probably gathered, are both mine; in two very different relationships. The same PSYCHE, with vastly -- even opposite -- influences.

posted December 08, 2015 09:07 AM            

quote:

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No, PSYCHE is somewhat unique as it represents psychological trauma and wounding we possess, often from the deep past. Childhood, adolescence. But her work has included its relationship to karmic wounding as well -- 'past life' psychological trauma.

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In my case...my paternal grandmother's sun tightly conjunct my Psyche. I think it was not her intention to wound me, but I trace some of my deepest pain back to her.

Not to be confused with my maternal grandmother whose sun is on my antivertex; she was a godsend.

posted December 08, 2015 09:10 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
However I do agree with Psyche being a place of utmost vulnerability and openness and hence of course the risk of being wounded increases of course.

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posted December 08, 2015 09:20 AM            

I have it conjunct Mercury and I've been fortunate enough to never have been traumatized by anyone.

posted December 08, 2015 12:44 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Spongebob:
Psyche as trauma, though?

I have it conjunct Mercury and I've been fortunate enough to never have been traumatized by anyone.

Are we talking strictly synastry, here?

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By 34? You've not experienced trauma? Either you live in a bubble, have major issues with empathy, are in denial, or we need to define the context of this more thoroughly.

But even then, most have been bullied, or had a dear friend be cruel, or a lover devastate them -- something.

Nothing? Absolutely nothing? That's ... highly statistically improbable.

posted December 08, 2015 01:54 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
I`ve read her take on this, yes, but I`ve not been convinced.
What is the reasoning behind Psyche representing a wound?
Hopefully it is not to say that our (collective) Psyche is "damaged" by default?

However I do agree with Psyche being a place of utmost vulnerability and openness and hence of course the risk of being wounded increases of course.

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posted December 08, 2015 02:00 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Aubyanne:
Either you live in a bubble, have major issues with empathy, are in denial, or we need to define the context of this more thoroughly.

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I am sorry to say that, but the first part of this sentence comes across as very patronizing to me, Auby.

The second part however is that which I would want to underline. We need to define what we mean by "Trauma" more precisely.

posted December 08, 2015 02:04 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:

I am sorry to say that, but the first part of this sentence comes across as very patronizing to me, Auby.

The second part however is that which I would want to underline. We need to define what we mean by "Trauma" more precisely.

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Thats the whole thing, if we're talking about irreparable psychological damage that leaves someone a shell of a person then no, i havent experienced it.

posted December 08, 2015 02:12 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Spongebob:

Thats the whole thing, if we're talking about irreparable psychological damage that leaves someone a shell of a person then no, i havent experienced it.

If we're talking about run if the mill ups and downs but you bounce back, sure.

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posted December 08, 2015 02:45 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
I am sorry to say that, but the first part of this sentence comes across as very patronizing to me, Auby.

The second part however is that which I would want to underline. We need to define what we mean by "Trauma" more precisely.

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It was the sort of snark I use in my counselling. That was offensive? Huh. Well, I'd never met a 'freshly fallen snowflake' of 34, either, so I'm thinking, very sheltered life, or empathy disorder (they're tough to traumatise, for that reason), or something as simple as denial. Even if the individual just isn't allowed to be traumatised (due to upbringing) so they tout they're 'not traumatised'.

I've dealt with all of the above, so forgive the ostensible patronisation. I'm being completely serious. These could be viable explanations. The bit of casual treatment is my natural snark.

posted December 08, 2015 02:50 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Spongebob:

Thats the whole thing, if we're talking about irreparable psychological damage that leaves someone a shell of a person then no, i havent experienced it.

If we're talking about run if the mill ups and downs but you bounce back, sure.

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Ahhhhh, no. See, trauma comes in many forms. Some are more resilient than others, simply stated. But sometimes they're lying to themselves, too, or have issues. Take my ex producing partner. Deeply traumatised, won't admit to it. Almost like 'if I tree falls but no one hears it' in that regard.

We've all experienced some level of psychological trauma by a certain age, really. It's just the price of admission. How that's defined by the individual says more about the individual than any textbook definition, to be honest.

posted December 08, 2015 03:04 PM            

But of course that itself depends highly on how we define "Trauma".

Of course everyone has their share of negative experience that might or might have not resulted in certain mindsets, the person wouldn`t have developed without the experience.

is that always a Trauma?
I doubt that, but I do not think "negative experience= Trauma".

posted December 08, 2015 03:07 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Aubyanne:
Ahhhhh, no. See, trauma comes in many forms. Some are more resilient than others, simply stated. But sometimes they're lying to themselves, too, or have issues. Take my ex producing partner. Deeply traumatised, won't admit to it. Almost like 'if I tree falls but no one hears it' in that regard.

We've all experienced some level of psychological trauma by a certain age, really. It's just the price of admission. How that's defined by the individual says more about the individual than any textbook definition, to be honest.

There are lists, as it were, that have broken the whole thing down to a science. I'm not sure if that's truly helpful. What may be a 'normal up and down' could be deeply traumatic to another. That's just due to psychological differences, or, in some cases, early trauma weakening the psyche later in life. Many ways to view this.

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Starting to see where you're going with this..

Some people experience trauma but heal and don't get ptsd while others do and perhaps a heavily aspected and afflicted Psyche could be one of the markers that help make this distinction.

I have it conjunct my ex sun and he had the power to touch very deeply the depths of my Soul but also to destroy me once I let him in so deep, I experienced vulnerability at its peak with him. Our break up was traumatic for me, my Psyche natally squares my venus-mars and opposes my chariklo, eventually I healed but it was hard work.

I enjoyed reading this article a lot BTW, and like that you are exploring other manifestations of Psyche.

posted December 08, 2015 03:24 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Aubyanne:
Ahhhhh, no. See, trauma comes in many forms.

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posted December 08, 2015 03:34 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Aubyanne:
Ahhhhh, no. See, trauma comes in many forms. Some are more resilient than others, simply stated. But sometimes they're lying to themselves, too, or have issues. Take my ex producing partner. Deeply traumatised, won't admit to it. Almost like 'if I tree falls but no one hears it' in that regard.

We've all experienced some level of psychological trauma by a certain age, really. It's just the price of admission. How that's defined by the individual says more about the individual than any textbook definition, to be honest.

There are lists, as it were, that have broken the whole thing down to a science. I'm not sure if that's truly helpful. What may be a 'normal up and down' could be deeply traumatic to another. That's just due to psychological differences, or, in some cases, early trauma weakening the psyche later in life. Many ways to view this.

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I'm not sure what you want me to say? I have to stand by what I said. Sure, I've been though some less than positive things but honestly I'm not permanently psychologically-scarred as a result of it.

I feel like you're trying to demonize and pathologize people who have had a different experience. That's totally fine, because it doesn't affect my life in any way, but I'm not going to agree with something that isn't a part of my experience, just to avoid ridicule.

posted December 08, 2015 03:49 PM            

That's exactly what I'm talking about. Yes.

In my experience, I do think that when a luminary is conjunct another's PSYCHE, it will be a deep experience with extreme variability, depending upon the positioning of the luminary.

Like your ex, my husband's SUN is on my PSYCHE.

Along with his ...

SATURN. PRIAPUS. And NESSUS.

The best way to describe it most accurately is that he has a very clear idea of how the world should work, and what people should do. How they should behave. He respects Saturnine types, though they ironically don't have much for him, as he's too Priapic and driven to satisfy his own desires. They tend to see him as selfish, pleasure-seeking, domineering, and deeply vindictive. He takes genuine joy out of litigation, because he's 'on the right side' of the lawsuit. His world is also very binary and black and white. He 'lawyers' everyone into submission, or just frustration.

The other day, he asked me (when drunk and high, as that's when he's contemplative) if we would be happy if he were more like Jack. I wasn't sure what he was asking. But it turns out he was asking, as usual, why we don't have a good sexual relationship -- or one that I'm just obligated to rather than enjoy. I really hadn't the strength for it, but I found myself saying that I DO wish he were nicer. Just nicer. And didn't attack me so much.

He thought, because he'd decided that he would be brutally honest always that it meant his partner would appreciate it. But I reminded him that he's brutally honest in his OPINIONS and fails to see that they are NOT objective reality. (Except he claims of course that they are.) He has a very high opinion of himself which the world occasionally supports, but has lately taken to knocking down. So, he might see some things more clearly. Truly objectively. We'll see.

I said that I don't want a parent, but a partner. I don't want to be 'fixed' or have my husband truly believe I need fixing -- and he's fine and dandy, outside of when he wants to get kinky, in which case he's completely submissive. (And he doesn't think he's the least bit mercurial or 'like two people'. Hello! Gemini! Anyway.)

This concept seemed entirely foreign to him. Be nicer, don't tear someone down with his 'honesty', or saddle them with a list of their faults, and they'll be more attracted to him.

I guess it's good he may be figuring this out at 42. But I'm not going to hold my breath. As the PSYCHE caught in his SUN-SATURN-PRIAPUS-NESSUS, I'm pretty beaten down after several years of his playing Pygmalion, never offering me true respect, but saying how he'd love me if I admitted to my brokenness so that we could work together to fix me.

posted December 08, 2015 03:53 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Spongebob:
For what it's worth, where I come from, trauma is something like rape, almost being murdered, or something. Not every small thing gets turned into something larger and freaked out about. We pretty much cope, heal and move on.

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posted December 08, 2015 04:37 PM            

Delighted to see that you've decided to start a post on this topic as I've been quite interested in learning about the Psyche, what it really is and how it affects a person or a couple in synastry. So thank you! Very interesting read indeed!

As to my own question, I am curious what you think of this:

1. His Saturn in Scorpio conjuncts my Psyche in Scorpio in 12 H (orb is about 1, maybe 2 degrees).
2. His Vesta conjuncts my Psyche (about the same - 1 to 2 degree orb).
3. His NATAL Psyche is conjunct at 0 degree with his Chiron in Gemini and maybe his Moon in Gemini (wide orb though, maybe up to 5 degrees, can't really tell looking at the chart). I don't know the house it fall in for him though because I don't know his exact TOB.

posted December 08, 2015 05:07 PM            

I'm keeping men's SATURNs far from my PSYCHE from here on out.

Now, to be fair, it's also got NESSUS-PRIAPUS in that mix. But being married to a SATURN/SUN is tough enough. That it's right on my PSYCHE has been really tough.

posted December 08, 2015 05:15 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Aubyanne:
My honest opinion, Curious?

I'm keeping men's SATURNs far from my PSYCHE from here on out.

Plus, this guy's got CHIRON conjunct his PSYCHE? At 0º? Oooh, boy. That doesn't sound great.

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Uummm, really that bad? I mean does Saturn act like a restrictive force in this case or what? Like I will not feel at ease or won't feel understood?

And what does it MEAN exactly - "oooh, boy"? Lol He's got a TON of personal issues, like deep wounds that he's gonna bring into a relationship?

Sorry, it's just sometimes I am not sure how to interpret your poetic/"colorful" expressions