What cannot be seen, that which is hidden, immediately directs the thoughts of those who understand astrology to Scorpio and the eighth house; therefore, anyone with strong Scorpion aspects in their chart, or where the eighth house is filled with planets, will be induced to hide part of their personality or conceal their plans or the ways in which they carry them out. But each one of us has their own shadowy side, which is nothing other than the unconscious mind, symbolised by Neptune and Pluto. Neptune represents the higher level of the unconscious, which displays itself in emotion, sensitivity, anxiety, panic, feelings that make the individual react by fleeing; an escape that can be channelled into art, music and travel, both mental and geographical, if the planet is in positive aspect in the chart, or, if harmed, with alcohol, drugs, smoking and health problems, including mental illness. Pluto symbolises the deep unconscious, a dark place where the most painful traumas are stored in the hope of cancelling them from the memory, otherwise the individual would be unable to survive; Pluto is given the task of concealing and transforming these traumas in order to push them beyond the limits of the conscious mind, moulding the individual’s peculiar psychological character, which will vary depending on the trauma experienced, and therefore according to the negative aspects that it forms with the other planets. The dissembler par excellence is Scorpion Pluto: the planet often makes the personality inaccessible even to the subjects themselves, who act on impulses from deep within, impermeable to any analysis. Another way of concealment that is typical of the sign of Pisces is the escape from one’s own self as well as from others. In order to exemplify what has been outlined up to this point, a number of birth charts will be presented with specific emphasis on the issue in question.
always felt about any initiative he might undertake: the conflictual relationship with the father was transformed, as the dissonant relationship between the Sun and Pluto classically shows, into insecurity and lack of self confidence, notwithstanding his optimistic, happy appearance, reflecting Jupiter in conjunction with the Sun and in trigon to the Ascendant.
The subject’s Moon presents in conjunction with Pluto. Indeed, notwithstanding the fact he declared a preference for the father, due to his unconscious need for his approval and esteem, he had a much calmer relationship with his mother, who proved fundamental to his growth and his work. Indeed, with the feminine luminary lying in the third house, his professional choice was in the editorial field, in which he managed to find fulfilment and express all his creativity and imagination.
At a certain point, he met the woman of his life, who turned out to be a great support, encouraging him to make those changes he feared so much.
The Sun in the ninth house in conjunction with Jupiter shows the way he only felt able to live freely and expand his personality without any fear during his travels, but as soon as he returned to the daily round, he once again experienced the subtle feelings of castration and limitation that had always accompanied him.
by Carla Pretto
translated by Nick Skidmore