Understanding Your Inner Feminine Self

Although the temptation is to think that just because you are a woman you are in touch with your inner feminine self, this is a much more complicated task than it appears to be! First of all, the model for the true power of femininity has been lost over recent history and is now becoming re-energized. Recovering this power is a personal task for each woman, and learning to use feminine power constructively on a collective level is another challenge for today's woman. This process is the cradle of self-healing, and provides the essence of your personal security.

The primary energies associated with your inner feminine self are the Moon and Venus, but Neptune and Pluto are also significant in your experience and expression of this part of your psyche. The Moon is the energy which filters through your subconscious self, and tells the story of your connection to the part of you which provides nurturing, support, care and comfort. The person who projects the model for your Moon energy is your mother, and you see her through the lens of your own emotional matrix, signified by the Moon. As you mature, you learn to send this energy into the world, but to be truly effective, you must first own this energy and know how to use it to care for yourself!

Through the energy of your Aquarius Moon, you have your own unique style of expressing your femininity. You can be outspoken, and may express attitudes which go against the grain of conservative thinking. You've never liked the thought of being saddled with traditional roles, and even if you have children, you're not likely to take on the job of mother in a conventional manner. As a revolutionary type of woman, you might prefer to be considered for who you are as a person. Your feminine self is not necessarily crippled by this attitude, but you may have a little trouble expressing your tender emotions or giving in to your feelings, even when they are overwhelming. What you dislike most about emotionality is the fact that emotions do not make sense. Well, it's the truth, but not everything in life is logical, Ms. Spock. You feel the way you feel, and expressing those feelings does not diminish you or your power. In fact, it is through that very expression that you may become fully authenticated! Your unpredictability is rivaled only by your need for personal space, and you may be uncomfortable in relationships which have a lot of requirements. Unconditional love and acceptance are your watchwords, but you may not always find this, even from yourself, once you cross the threshold of intimacy. If you feel you've gotten in over you head, your attempt to stabilize yourself may be a bit radical, and your lover or partner may experience your withdrawal as aloofness or coldness. Unless you want to underscore this impression, you must clarify that you simply need a little time and space to get clear about your feelings. Then, be honest with yourself about what precipitated your bolting through the door. That fear of losing your independence and autonomy may have grabbed you by the throat. But you may also simply need a change. Trust your intuitive sensibilities to guide you. Be honest about the way you feel and give up on the idea that you will always understand your emotions. They simply are. And they are an important part of you.

With your Moon in a supportive trine aspect to your Sun, you may be quite capable of integrating the masculine and feminine elements of your psyche. This indicates that your experience of relationships between men and women has not been especially difficult. In fact, you may have a strong connection to both your mother and father. Your experience of life as a woman is not likely to seem especially limited, since you may be quite comfortable dealing with the world on your own terms without feeling that you have to be in conflict on gender issues. Self-respect and sincerity radiate through your personality, and men and women alike may respond to your requests or leadership. But you may not feel particularly motivated to achieve high levels of success, since it might seem easier to take the easier road. This is fine as long as you're happy with your life. But if you feel you want or need more, you may simply need to get moving and set your sights on options which will allow continual growth on every level.

With your Moon conjunct Jupiter, you are a die-hard optimist, and your energy can inspire and encourage others, too. More likely to think about conquering the horizon ahead than staying in the present moment, you are also quite independent and don't like to think about setting personal limitations. Consequently, it's easy to overdo it. Whether you make promises which are later difficult to fulfill or indulge yourself too frequently, you can get in over your head before you know it. Try to stay in the present moment some of the time. You can be difficult to pin down, and your adventurous spirit may be more at home when you're on the move than when you're in the kitchen.

Your tendency to hang onto every emotion is underscored by the square aspect between your Moon and Saturn. You can easily become overwhelmed by your fears, and may sometimes feel so anxiety-ridden that you are paralyzed. It's easy for you to become overly dependent upon others, because you may be afraid of taking responsibility for yourself. It is important for you to feel needed, and in order to accomplish this in a healthy way, you need to understand the true nature of control. You are a prime candidate for a co-dependent relationship in which you set the limits for others because they refuse to set limits for themselves.

There is a difference between guiding, helping and teaching others and taking responsibility for them when they need to carry their own burdens. If you have children, you may find it difficult when you need to let them go during different stages in their growth. Your fears about the harm they could experience can thwart their ability to live full lives. These fears may be the result of the things you learned from your own parents, although you have the power to break this chain of family fate. If you gradually begin to create situations which allow children to develop their own ability to make good decisions and fend for themselves, you can release your protective grasp more easily. Teach your children to trust their own instincts, and learn from them the healing power this can bring. Your depression and anxiety may be related to a biochemical imbalance, and you might want to discuss your concerns with a physician or holistic health practitioner. If you are depressed, a physical condition in which serotonin levels are blocked, you may experience a miraculous shift in your attitudes and energy levels when these blocks are removed. But you can also help to facilitate a change by staying physically active, eating healthy whole foods and getting plenty of rest and relaxation.
The energy of your Moon in semisquare to Uranus adds a rebellious quality to your femininity. You cannot maintain situations which are personally inhibiting without running headlong into your own needs for independence. The manner in which you stage your rebellions makes all the difference in whether or not they support your growth or undermine your effectiveness as a whole woman.

Your Moon is opposition to Neptune, indicating that you are profoundly sensitive at an emotional level. Your imagination, creativity and spirituality are important elements in your life, and you need ample outlets to develop them. Although it may be somewhat difficult for you to maintain your emotional boundaries, you do need to find a way to determine the difference between your real feelings and the feelings you have because of your association with others. Your sensitivity draws others into your life who may be in need of acceptance, support and rescue. In fact you feel that you are a magnet for people who need help, and may be drawn toward work which allows you to give of yourself to the world. You are a woman who feels everything, and your compassion can be immense. But in order to avoid drowning in the woes of the world or in the miseries of life, you need to develop an emotional filter. Part of that filter is structured through your creative expression, since when you're flowing with this energy, you can release and open your energies toward healing. Another element of your filter can be strengthened through meditation, or taking time to separate yourself from the demands of the world. In your intimate relationships you are a prime candidate for co-dependency, so be on the alert. You may always be working to keep your awareness levels clear, so that you know you real feelings. It is so tempting to rescue others. Before you dive into the turbulence, can you swim? Sacrificing yourself can be quite costly. If you are confused about what you need, you are likely to be too deeply immersed in something or someone, and can benefit from developing some outlets which provide objectivity. As a mother, you may be especially sensitive to your children and their needs. In fact, your psychic sensitivity to their feelings can be amazing. Your spirituality and compassion can be a wonderful comfort for them. You can also allow them to take advantage of you, since you are susceptible to their emotional blackmail - so be on the alert, especially when your children get older.

Your Moon is in the Disseminating Moon Phase of the Lunation Cycle. The idea behind this lunar phase is that of broadcasting seeds, and although there is a masculine quality implied, this phase is definitely one which requires yin, or feminine, levels of continuity. You may feel driven to teach others, to share what you know, and are quite comfortable in the role of mentor. In fact, your mentoring flows so naturally that others may not realize that you're passing on to them a truly powerful depth of knowledge and understanding. Your own understanding of yourself and life experience can be enhanced when you open yourself and release your power, creativity and understanding into the world. The archetypal quality associated with this moon phase is that of "The Companion," the essence of equality, trust and sharing. It is crucial that you maintain a strong connection with the core of your being, so that you remain aware and awake, instead of allowing your own direction to be shaped by beliefs, ideals or attitudes which seem more powerful than your personal focus. Instead of being driven by these beliefs and ideals, you grow more fully into yourself when you add your ingredients to the soup and alter the outcome. Your crusade can be quite exciting.

Through the energy of Venus you express your feminine wiles, and also locate the part of yourself that needs to be emotionally expressive. Your sense of inner beauty and feelings of personal worth are also functions of Venus. Venusian energy is part of your connection to other women, and the placement of Venus in your chart can tell you a lot about your openness and acceptance of your own femininity. Although your Moon may indicate your basic emotional nature, the manner by which you express your feelings is frequently through Venusian energy.

Through the energy of Venus in Aries, you project a special flair, and can be quite effective initiating romance and sending out the right signal when you're attracted to someone. You love the rush of passion which ignites at a moment's notice, and are more inclined to follow those feelings than to ignore them. It's unlikely that you have ever accepted the idea that it's the woman's place to wait for a man to take the first steps in a relationship, since when you experience attraction you can be quite driven to pursue your feelings. This directness can be intimidating to those who are reticent about expressing themselves or their feelings. For you the feelings of the moment are extremely important, and you're most comfortable when you can address them immediately. If this sounds as though you are impatient, well, you already know that story. Waiting is not your style. You enjoy being noticed, and may look great in bright colors, especially red shades, which enhance your fiery energy. Getting somebody's attention, after all, is the first step!

Through the sextile of Venus and Jupiter you express a heightened sense of confidence in yourself as a woman. Your feminine attributes work to your advantage, even in business circumstances, where your artistic sensibilities and taste may be quite attractive. You may also appreciate and support the efforts of other women, and can work quite well in concert with others focused on a similar goal or cause.

If any woman has vision, it is you. Your grasp of the essence of what is and what can be is reflected in your imaginative artistry and gift for adding a special dimension to whatever you do. With Venus in trine aspect to Neptune, your awareness can transcend the ordinary, and you feel it through your heart. You believe in love and know its power. Sometimes, others may think you're an angel, and that's okay with you! Of course you know that you are only human, but may long for the perfection you sense in the spiritual realm of reality. In your self-expression through music, the arts, drama, and even common everyday experiences, you can take your life one step closer to paradise. Your emotional sensibilities are heightened through this connection, adding a level of compassionate love to your life. Sometimes you may feel disappointed in human nature and the human condition, but by opening your heart to those around you and developing your connection to the truth of love, you can make a difference.

Although the planets Neptune and Pluto move very slowly and are generational in nature, they do have an influence upon your psyche. These energies define much about the collective experience which shapes your inner self. You're experiencing Neptunian energy when you're in the midst of reverie, when you're deep in dreams and when you're feeling compassionate. Neptune drives your imagination, the realm of illusion and your psychic sensibilities. Because Neptune is difficult to grasp on a physical level, there is a lot about this energy that can be problematic, and when you are caught in the negative grasp of Neptune, you can give in to addictive behaviors, escapism and deception manifesting. But you do have a way of channeling this energy. It is through Neptune that you find the heart of compassionate love and understanding. This is the doorway to your inner self.

With Neptune in Leo, you are part of a generation of women who felt it was important to assert personal autonomy and who needed to be recognized as individuals in their own right. Although you may have a strong appreciation for the men in your life, you are part of the generation, born from 1916 - 1929, who brought women into the spotlight. Personal image has also played a powerful role in your sense of individual identity, and you understand the importance of feeling strong within yourself. The changes initiated by your generation, such as women's suffrage, are still extremely influential in the shift in attitudes which is continuing to evolve in today's society.

Pluto represents the primordial essence. It is from this level that all transformation occurs: birth, death, illness and healing. It is also here that the powerful kundalini force continually regenerates itself. This is the space of all creation and all power. It is the space of origin: the Great Mother.

With Pluto in Cancer, you are part of a generation of women born from 1913 to 1938 who have had to learn about the importance of strong families and what it means to be tied to a particular family heritage. You have been alive through the challenge of hate mongers like Hitler who violated the very sanctity of human life. You have been part of the powerful woman's revolution, even if you were not actively burning your bra, which has altered the very nature of families and women's roles in society. These things have had a powerful influence upon your own psyche as an individual, too. You have learned that the sanctity and power of life may rest in finding a true sense of home within yourself.