I've been studying astrology since my teens, but it has taken me until my fifties to appreciate the extent to which the attention I've paid to synastry was a self-protection mechanism and an exercise in ego. That old saying about either wanting to be right or loving (or some shit like that. I don't remember exactly.) is super annoying, but also true. But I would replace the second option with curious. As in, do you want to be "right" by looking at a potential or new partner's chart, telling yourself that you know who and how they are? Or do you want to be curious about who and how they live out the template they've been given, treating them as the mystery they are?
I now choose the second option given the opportunity every time (While at the same time I'll admit I've spent over 20 years now working my way steadily through all the water signs and it might be time to move on, Asha. Ha!)
Started out writing snarky blog reviews, eventually reviewed books at a magazine, quickly switched to raves only because I didn't want to add to the vitriol. Now I'm just editorial -- this not that, only share what I love. Now I'm a book author myself and hate Goodreads. I'm at the point where I need to ask people to review my book who have loved it and am feeling a deep aversion to the ask.
I am not done reading the whole post but I just finished the section on synastry and YES, YES, YES this is exactly how I feel and I'm so glad to see someone else put it so eloquently. THANK YOU JEANNA!
On the writing of critiques: some people believe they need to voice an opinion on Everything and share it Everywhere. Best to avoid them.
On relationship horoscopes: I have my chart and I have my husband's chart, but I haven't had anyone look at them together. All I know for sure is: we both have Scorpio Rising and Venus in Scorpio, and his lunar nodes are the exact opposite of mine. We don't get snippy with each other very often, but when we do...
When I first started getting into astrology, I realized I (aries sun) on paper was not a perfect match for my husband (capricorn sun). Whenever we hit a roadblock in our relationship, my brain would go "is it because our signs clash??" It's hilarious to think about now! I love how you've highlighted how important maturity is in a relationship. Because ultimately I feel like we've reached this point in our marriage where our maturity and our commitment to understanding one another has gotten us much farther than any sign compatibility would.
I love your take on the synastry bit, I’ve always questioned how seriously to take those theories so this gives me some insight into an alternative, thank you!
On reviews: I’d also say that avid readers have good insights. I know a Bookstagrammer that reads almost exclusively romantasy books and her opinions about them are really clever and thoroughly thought out. For example, a popular romantasy author just released a very highly awaited third book in a series (it’s House of Flame and Shadow if anyone cares lol) and her review did contain criticism but it wasn’t meant to tear down the author. I think obviously there’s a lot of morons on Goodreads who just want to be haters, but when faithful readers who know the genre well make critical observations, they should carry weight.
I do think it's clear that my answer on book reviews is very, very specifically geared to *authors* who are reviewing other books, especially in-genre. It's not meant to be applied to the general public.
I love your answer about book reviewing, I was thinking how great it would be to have more reviews on astrology books by astrologers. But not critiques as such, more like a synopsis.
I've been studying astrology since my teens, but it has taken me until my fifties to appreciate the extent to which the attention I've paid to synastry was a self-protection mechanism and an exercise in ego. That old saying about either wanting to be right or loving (or some shit like that. I don't remember exactly.) is super annoying, but also true. But I would replace the second option with curious. As in, do you want to be "right" by looking at a potential or new partner's chart, telling yourself that you know who and how they are? Or do you want to be curious about who and how they live out the template they've been given, treating them as the mystery they are?
I now choose the second option given the opportunity every time (While at the same time I'll admit I've spent over 20 years now working my way steadily through all the water signs and it might be time to move on, Asha. Ha!)
I love curiosity. I love learning! A beautiful approach. But also one that, to your point, can reveal patterns 😂
Started out writing snarky blog reviews, eventually reviewed books at a magazine, quickly switched to raves only because I didn't want to add to the vitriol. Now I'm just editorial -- this not that, only share what I love. Now I'm a book author myself and hate Goodreads. I'm at the point where I need to ask people to review my book who have loved it and am feeling a deep aversion to the ask.
This is a whole entire mood!
I am not done reading the whole post but I just finished the section on synastry and YES, YES, YES this is exactly how I feel and I'm so glad to see someone else put it so eloquently. THANK YOU JEANNA!
Azur, that means so much coming from you! Thank you, as ever, for reading.
On the writing of critiques: some people believe they need to voice an opinion on Everything and share it Everywhere. Best to avoid them.
On relationship horoscopes: I have my chart and I have my husband's chart, but I haven't had anyone look at them together. All I know for sure is: we both have Scorpio Rising and Venus in Scorpio, and his lunar nodes are the exact opposite of mine. We don't get snippy with each other very often, but when we do...
😈
Sounds like the intensity works for y’all! ♏️♏️♏️
When I first started getting into astrology, I realized I (aries sun) on paper was not a perfect match for my husband (capricorn sun). Whenever we hit a roadblock in our relationship, my brain would go "is it because our signs clash??" It's hilarious to think about now! I love how you've highlighted how important maturity is in a relationship. Because ultimately I feel like we've reached this point in our marriage where our maturity and our commitment to understanding one another has gotten us much farther than any sign compatibility would.
I love your take on the synastry bit, I’ve always questioned how seriously to take those theories so this gives me some insight into an alternative, thank you!
On reviews: I’d also say that avid readers have good insights. I know a Bookstagrammer that reads almost exclusively romantasy books and her opinions about them are really clever and thoroughly thought out. For example, a popular romantasy author just released a very highly awaited third book in a series (it’s House of Flame and Shadow if anyone cares lol) and her review did contain criticism but it wasn’t meant to tear down the author. I think obviously there’s a lot of morons on Goodreads who just want to be haters, but when faithful readers who know the genre well make critical observations, they should carry weight.
I do think it's clear that my answer on book reviews is very, very specifically geared to *authors* who are reviewing other books, especially in-genre. It's not meant to be applied to the general public.
Yep, just continuing the conversation
I love your answer about book reviewing, I was thinking how great it would be to have more reviews on astrology books by astrologers. But not critiques as such, more like a synopsis.