Power Issues: Sex, Money and Control

Personal power is an individual expression, and has different meanings for each person. As a woman in the world today, your opportunity to experience and express your personal power is largely dependent upon the manner in which you develop it. Particularly in the Western World, as times have changed and the power base has gradually evolved beyond the patriarchal control of the last centuries, women are seeking to define their place in the world: collectively and individually. Gaining influence in the world through career and financial development, you begin to understand the different levels of power. Within the family, your roles are also evolving. You are also more free to express your sexual needs and desires, and demand that you are respected as a person and not sexually abused. But everything stems from your ability to identify, embrace and assimilate the true nature of your power as an individual woman.

On a personal level, you can begin to identify much about your own power by looking deeply into the meaning of your 1st House: Your Personality Self. Early in your report you read about what you project about yourself as identified by your Ascendant. Your first House further defines that projection of the Self, and is an area where you carve out much about the way you show yourself to the world on your own terms.

Through your Leo Ascendant you can demonstrate a strong sense of presence. You may feel that you are only powerful when your presence is acknowledged by others and can even be demanding in your desire for attention when you're feeling insecure. The more demanding you become, the less powerful you are. The respect and admiration you desire arises when others show their loyalty from love, not from fear. Although you may think you always operate from a pure heart, take a careful look. Have you, in your need to establish yourself, been too self-absorbed? Self-awareness and self-absorption are very different. In the instance of self awareness, you are also sensitive to the needs and desires of others as individuals. This can be especially trying in relationship to your children. You can be such a marvelous light in their lives, and the path you've forged in the world can provide inspiration to them. If you try to force your will too strongly without honestly assessing what they may need or want for themselves, you may lose their deep trust. You demonstrate your greatest power when your actions, words and attitudes radiate from the heart of love. Then, your self-assurance is genuine and shines brilliantly through a regal personality.

With the energy of Neptune in your 1st House, your power as an individual may be difficult to grasp at first. You may be an exceptional actress, artist or performer - even if you're not on stage! Sometimes, you may be tempted to take on a role just because it will give you some sense of identity, and your roles may begin to feel like you. Although the roles you play may be a part of who you are, there is a core element to your being which is different from those roles. Finding the core self is your task, and it is through exploring your spirituality and creativity that you will locate the keys to this aspect of yourself. But you can also feel invisible some of the time, and may wonder why nobody seems to see you as you are. First of all, you have to become more aware of what you are projecting, and be willing to alter to your self-projection as you change and grow. You must also realize that you can be especially sensitive to the projections of others, and that this can be both empowering and defeating. If the projection is accurate, then it will support your sense of self. But if the projection is something that has nothing to do with who you really are, you will begin to feel lost, victimized and confused. Your relationships are a crucial means of learning about your personal power, because they will tell you what you are projecting and what others are projecting onto you. Learning about codependency and working to avoid the traps involved in codependent and addictive relationships is a major step in regaining your power and confidence. The rest of the work involves the fun part: making your dreams real. You're the only one who can do it, and you can be successful if those dreams arise from the promptings of your higher nature.

Another power space on your chart is your Midheaven. This point, which is usually at the top of your chart and marks the cusp of the 10th House, is like the crown and torch of the Statue of Liberty. Here too, are the indicators of the types of people you most admire, and the clues to what you need to develop within yourself to attain unshakable self-respect.

Through your Taurus Midheaven you seek power through establishing a solid and reliable base. This may include financial success, but should not be limited to material things alone, since you also feel more powerful when you know that your efforts, reputation and position will endure the test of time. You appreciate and admire those who know how to use their talents to create success and who know how to use and build upon their resources.

With the Sun in your 10th House you need recognition and you may be highly ambitious. Your sense of identity is strongly tied to your career and it is imperative that you develop a career path which looks good on you! You may excel in careers which allow you to take a position of leadership and where you can direct things in your own way. The nature of work which suits you best is further defined by your Sun's sign and aspects to your Sun, but the sign and ruler of your Midheaven (explained below) are also influences which you will incorporate into your sense of personal fulfillment through career.

Mercury's energy in your 10th House indicates that you can be highly adept in a career which requires you to develop your mind and communicative capacities. Whether you're writing, editing, teaching or researching, you'll enjoy a field which challenges your mind. You'll feel at home in a career centered around young people or work which requires keen manual dexterity.

Through the influence of Mercury in semisextile aspect to your Midheaven you experience a need to stimulate your mind through your life path. You'll feel most empowered working in a field which is mentally creative or challenging, and may even present concepts which can bring positive or innovative changes into your work environment.

Although you may not be driven to accomplish success for the power it brings, you can enjoy positive benefits from becoming an influential woman. Your aims are underscored by your desire to express your artistry and creativity, and by cultivating your talents, you will achieve great success. You may also do quite well in the business world, since you have a good understanding of money and the value of things. Being a woman works to your advantage, because you innately know how to use your feminine strengths to your advantage. This aspect helps to assure that others will acknowledge the value of your efforts in your chosen field of endeavor.

You have some impatience with your career development with Mars in semisquare aspect to your Midheaven. Ambition does accompany your aims, and you are not likely to stop until you've achieved the success you desire. But sometimes your own frustrations or inability to handle power are troublesome. You need excellent outlets for diffusing your anger if you are to be successful in the world. Staying physically active can help, and choosing life work which challenges you to utilize your courage and strength can be a perfect match for your energy.

Someone once said that money makes the world go around, and from all evidence, it certainly seems to be a powerful force. Money, in fact, symbolizes power. With money, you can have what you want. With more money, you can have more of what you want. Without money, you may want what you cannot have. Your relationship with money is an extremely intimate and seductive force. The way you use your resources - money, time, energy - says a lot about how you perceive your own power and personal worth. This facet of yourself is expressed through the 2nd House of your chart. Here, you express your value systems. The important special link between finances and self-esteem cannot be understated, and is especially important for you as a woman. In order to extract the real value of your talents and services from others in the world (such as what you are paid from your job), you must first value yourself.

The qualities of Virgo radiate through your 2nd House, adding discrimination to the manner in which you use your resources. Whether you're expending time, money or energy, you like to know where it's going and what effect it will have. You may be quite adept at handling money, and are not likely to waste your resources on something of poor quality or questionable value. You're the woman who'll take the time to read about your purchases or to investigate the feasibility of a projected budget. Mercury's energy influences this house, stimulating your need to gain an understanding of the best ways to handle your finances. But you are also learning about the power of your mind in attracting the kind of resources you need. Your self-esteem can be strengthened by maintaining a keen awareness of the manner in which you use your available resources. Getting the best use out of what you have makes a lot of sense to you.

Just because your 2nd House is empty do not think that you'll be without money. This can, in fact, be a strong indicator that money matters will not be a primary drive in your life. Self-esteem issues may not be extremely powerful for you either, although you can strengthen your sense of self-worth by embracing the qualities associated with the sign which is on the cusp of this house.

Resources which you share with others are reflected in the 8th House of your chart. Whether you're considering joint property and finances, inheritance, insurance settlements or tax obligations, this area is not as free and easy as the 2nd House, which seems more like what you want for yourself alone. Another layer of this part of your life deals with your sexuality, and the manner in which you open intimately to others. This is a very personal space, and it is probably one of the most guarded aspects of any woman's psyche. It is here that much wounding has taken place over many centuries, and it is here that the mask of propriety has to be removed in order to openly accept and integrate that fact that you are a person who needs wholeness and healing, and who yearns to bond at the most alchemical level with life itself.

Here you also find your compulsions. It's no wonder that you don't display this part of yourself to just anybody. You have to feel safe to open this facet of yourself, and you realize that this vulnerability can be used against you in power plays. But what you may not always remember is that this is also where you have the power! In true tantric traditions, it is through the vessel of a woman's sexual energy that a couple can ride the wave of sexual ecstasy. This also extends to the other power aspects of any relationship. If your transformational and magical qualities are blocked, the whole of the relationship will suffer.

The influence of Pisces on your 8th House adds a need for drama and romance as key ingredients in your intimate relationships. You may think this is the way everyone approaches intimacy, but it's not true! To unlock your deeper yearnings, you might enjoy role playing or sharing your fantasies. You may also be very drawn to a partner who shares similar spiritual aspirations. It's important to learn the difference between spiritual bonding and fanciful romance, and it may take some time before you've clarified them. Within the union you desire, both partners surrender to the experience of love and allow the flow of love itself to change them. You may be attracted to men who are wounded in some way, and may feel that loving can heal them. This may be true, but if you sacrifice yourself in the process, you'll only be left with feelings of disappointment. The same is true in matters of joint finances, because you can go too far trusting your partner financially. Even if he manages the money, you need to sit down on a regular basis to discuss where you are so you are not shocked into disbelief if problems arise. But you need to also avoid making your partner the scapegoat for your financial problems.

With Mars in your 8th House you may feel driven to explore your sexuality as fully as possible. This can be positively regenerating, if your relationships are healthy. But you can also run into major power struggles if you've not established your own sense of strength. Sometimes, it's difficult for you to draw the line between pain and pleasure, and although you may push your limits, sometimes you can exhaust your own energy if you go too far. You may also experience cruelty, abuse or emotional pain through your intimate relationships, particularly if you jump into situations before you've explored their true nature. Although this energy can ultimately bring healing into your life, you need to clarify for yourself why you attract abuse in the first place if you are to avoid falling into the same traps in the future.

You may need to gain a deeper insight into your sexuality and emotional attachments with Uranus in your 8th House. You can be rather impulsive in your sexual attraction and can become addicted to the part of your sexual relationships which is exciting and all-consuming. You know the feeling: it's when you've lost your mind and tingle all over when you think about that man. This chemistry is enticing, but is only one key to opening a much more satisfying door. The problem you may run into is remaining focused throughout the different stages of a relationship and allowing yourself to rekindle this passion. You need intimate relationships which allow a lot of room for experimentation and ample opportunities to keep your options open. This can be difficult if you're looking for a traditional marriage, so drop the traditional part, and create your own approach to experiencing an abiding love. You will never enjoy a relationship which takes away your independence, and if you are in a situation which is stultifying, your first response will be to rebel against it. This is the way you regain your power. Maybe the best step is to avoid giving it up in the first place!

Mars energy is about getting what you want by going after it. Mars is drive. Mars is courage. Mars is desire. Mars is unabashed sexuality. Mars is the fuel for personal power. Men do Mars quite effectively, right down to fighting and war. But you also have a warrior spirit, an Amazon Self. This is your Mars. If you fail to own and utilize your own Martian force, you lose power.

Your personal power arises first within your artistic sensibilities with Mars in Pisces. When your energy is flowing through your creativity, you are whole and complete. This spiritual force can also be experienced through adopting a more introspective approach to life, and through surrendering to your higher needs to support and guide you. Your power is directly linked to that of the Source, from whose heart you feel true compassion. Sexually, you love romance, role-playing and lovemaking which involves the stuff dreams are made of. The right setting is important, and you can really open to your lover when you feel secluded from intrusions from the outside world. You may dream of the perfect lover but attract needy men or men whose dreams are totally unrealistic. If that's the case, take a look at your own need to rescue - if you are sending out those rescue beams, you'll get plenty of willing, wounded men who are in need of repair. You may be the one sending out the wounded victim vibes, so be careful: if you seem to be too needy, you'll find men who want to control and direct your life for you. That is definitely not power. This vacillation between addiction and codependency can be your pattern until you turn inside and discover the real power which resides deep within yourself. You have unlimited power to create life on your own terms, but it must be focused in order to manifest.

Since you have Mars in trine aspect to Saturn, your deliberate focus of energy can work to your advantage. You will probably resist outside controls, because you are quite capable of directing and controlling your own energy. When you need to be cooperative, you can, and when you are in situations which require you to take direction, you can be graceful about it. You don't like giving away your power by taking on useless power struggles.

With Mars and Pluto in a trine aspect you may have an excellent ability to bring about transformational change through directing your personal dominion in positive ways. This is an aspect of magical strength and power, but only works if you consciously work to develop it. Your sexuality can be one of your gifts and the way you use your personal magnetism can dictate the difference between success and failure in every arena of your life. You need a place to exercise your magnetism in creative ways.
You have some impatience with your career development with Mars in semisquare aspect to your Midheaven. Ambition does accompany your aims, and you are not likely to stop until you've achieved the success you desire. But sometimes your own frustrations or inability to handle power are troublesome. You need excellent outlets for diffusing your anger if you are to be successful in the world. Staying physically active can help, and choosing life work which challenges you to utilize your courage and strength can be a perfect match for your energy.

Saturn plays the role of the big controller in your life. Sometimes that control seems to come from outside. You know - all the rules and regulations, the authority figures, the intimidating people who tell you what to do - this is the Saturn of the outside world. But you have the same traffic cop in the back of your own mind, telling you what is right and wrong, chiding you when you make a mistake, holding you back when you're about to do something stupid. Saturn control can be a good thing. This is your energy for self-discipline, clarity and focus. You need Saturn. But you need Saturn in its most productive sense. You do not need the guilt, intimidation and self-limitation that keep you from having what you require from life.

You are learning about the power of ultimate life experiences with Saturn in Scorpio. Although you can be very controlling, you may also attract people who test your self-control and whose emotional impact in your life tests the line between love and hate. You can be an extremist, and if you allow your energy to swing too far in one direction, the drain of energy required to bring everything back into balance can drain your power. You need to experience what it's like to exercise power over your own life, and may fight bitterly with anyone who tries to get in the way of decisions which involve your personal sanctity - decisions over such things as reproduction, medical care, choices about death. Before you can deal with these things effectively, you have to know how you feel and what drives you in these matters. Just giving in to your fears, guilt or shame in these areas will quickly drain your vital force, and leave you open to the control of others. You are faced with learning the difference between destructive uses of power and healing transformation.

The square aspect between your Moon and Saturn can stimulate negative attitudes toward yourself and your needs, and may even add a feeling of resentment toward yourself for being a woman. Your relationships or your conditioning have illustrated that being a woman is a liability, you have two choices. By accepting this condition, your power as a whole person is inhibited. By deciding to overcome the obstacles in your path, your power grows. But you must guard against a tendency to develop harsh emotions, since when you are cold or unfeeling, you're denying a part of yourself. Taking responsibility for your feelings is very different from inhibiting your needs or repressing your nurturant qualities. You can be powerful and be a woman, too.

You may spend a lot of energy trying to get out of responsibilities with Jupiter in square aspect to Saturn. If you were to apply the same amount of energy toward those same responsibilities, you would feel self-confirmed and accomplish more in the long run! The easy way out is not the path of greatest reward for you, and waiting for somebody to come along and rescue you will only result in disappointment and lack of self-trust. You may not trust your own abilities, but how will you know whether or not you're capable unless you try? And if you refuse to try because you're not an expert, well, you already know the answer to that one. Genius is created, it doesn't just "happen".

You have the knack of using your ingenuity to your benefit with Saturn in trine aspect to Uranus. You may be blessed with many talents, but until you apply the discipline, effort and energy to them which are necessary to develop them to their fullest may only accomplish mediocre success. It can also be tempting to live vicariously through your talented children, although if you put your energy into supporting and guiding them to do what they need to do for themselves you'll learn something about yourself in the process! To become totally free to be yourself, you can use your respect for the traditions of the past and then alter them to support and reflect your unique self expression. You're the woman who will start family traditions of your own and can extend that same energy into the social system through your efforts in your career.

Saturn's square to Neptune can have a real dampening effect upon your dreams. Yet it can also provide a good contrast between illusion and possibility. Through developing your link to your spiritual self and integrating that spirituality into your everyday life, much of the frustration of this aspect will dissipate. Just believing in something because that's what you were taught can actually drain your spiritual power. You need to find that link between your beliefs and the reality of your life. You may always be a little skeptical, but you don't have to let it ruin your life. Go ahead, get on the haunted house ride at the fair, anyway. You might have a wonderful time!

Plutonian control is sometimes difficult to grasp, but it's definitely there. When you feel this control from outside yourself, it is undermining and extremely intimidating. The force of Pluto is buried deep within your psyche. It is unleashed and grows in a manner like the process of mitosis in a fertilized cell, which is altered, splits off, combines with other cells and ultimately becomes an organism. Through Pluto, you experience the power of life, birth, healing, and the ultimate change of death. If you are trapped in a mire of shame, guilt and self-destructiveness, you may have undergone a Plutonian transformation as a result of trauma earlier in your life. But it is this same force which plants the seeds of change that eventually can lead to the creation of a new self.
With Pluto in your 11th House, you may meet many of your power issues within the social sphere, particularly around special interest groups or when dealing with political processes. You're not the women who enjoys sitting on the sidelines if you're part of a group, especially if something could be done more effectively. If you have not developed a strong sense of your own ideals and beliefs you can fall under the influence of others who would usurp your power in order to boost their own. But once you've awakened to your own ideals, drives and directives, you can be a highly influential leader and instigator of social change. The extent of your efforts depends upon you and the choices you make for yourself.