Post by KittyLane on Jan 29, 2007 10:37:09 GMT -5
"Falling in love" is a universal, archetypal experience of the heart which happens at least once to virtually everyone living on the planet. "Happens to" is right on the mark. And maybe "strikes" or "zaps" are even better descriptions of what "falling in love" feels like.
As explained in Part 1 of this series of articles on "Romancing the Zodiac," the ancient Greeks understood the experience of "falling in love" through the myths pertaining to the god of love, Eros (son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love).
Eros had two types of arrows (gold tipped and lead tipped) with which he pierced the hearts of both mortals and gods. Eros's gold tipped arrows evoked desire and irresistible attraction, while his lead tipped arrows filled the mortal or god with disgust and repulsion. To the mortal or god wounded in the heart with his special arrows, it was a wounding of desire (gold) or disgust (lead) which suddenly, seemingly came from "out of the blue." The mortal was then destined (and under the compulsion) to live out this wounding of the heart, often behaving in irrational ways and committing mad, irrational acts of passion.
One such myth of Eros and his arrows concerned the solar god Apollo (he who brings light) and a beautiful river nymph, Daphne (laurel). Daphne was Apollo's first love. Eros struck Apollo with one of his (Eros's) gold tipped arrows; and so Apollo immediately became inflamed with desire and love for the lovely river nymph.
Sadly, at the same time, Daphne was struck with Eros's lead tipped arrow of disgust and repulsion. The more ardently Apollo pursued his true love, Daphne – the more she (Daphne) became repulsed by Apollo. Apollo pursued Daphne relentlessly across the face of the earth, and he would not (could not) give up. Finally – Daphne, exhausted and terrified, cried out to Mother Earth for help. Mother Earth then transformed river nymph, Daphne, into a laurel tree. Apollo went away rejected and mournful. (Can anybody say, "Been there, done that?)
In Modern Times
In modern times, Sun Sign Astrology and Sun Sign compatibility have gained great popularity. And although (as most any astrologer will be quick to tell you) there is much, much, much more to astrological compatibility – Sun Sign comparisons are nevertheless a very good place to start.
In the birth chart, the Sun symbolizes our true heart (the true inner us) which we develop and learn how to let shine through over the course of a lifetime. One reason why the comparison of Sun (heart) Signs is a good place to start is: It's our hearts (Suns) which are pierced by the god of love's golden arrows. Also significant is that gold is the metal historically associated with the energies of the Sun and of the heart.
Potential Longevity
In long term romantic relationships, it's considered helpful for the two people involved to share Sun (heart to heart) connections through which they can understand and complement one another. And I hate to break it to all you romantic thrill seekers out there, but the comparison of Sun Signs has the most to do with potential longevity of a relationship... the comparison of Sun Signs has very little to do with the initial attraction and excitement which brings lovers together in the first place.
In the next article of this series "Romancing the Zodiac," I'll be discussing some of the basics of how Sun Sign compatibility actually works. Then in subsequent articles I'll be inching away from Sun Sign comparisons, while keeping to some very basic concepts which are important when determining astrological compatibility and (for all you romantic thrill seekers) initial attraction. It's basic stuff that virtually anyone with a calculated birth chart can start using and figuring out for themselves (it's the old "give a man a fish or teach a man to fish" principle).
astrology.about.com/od/sunsignlove/l/aa062199.htm
As explained in Part 1 of this series of articles on "Romancing the Zodiac," the ancient Greeks understood the experience of "falling in love" through the myths pertaining to the god of love, Eros (son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love).
Eros had two types of arrows (gold tipped and lead tipped) with which he pierced the hearts of both mortals and gods. Eros's gold tipped arrows evoked desire and irresistible attraction, while his lead tipped arrows filled the mortal or god with disgust and repulsion. To the mortal or god wounded in the heart with his special arrows, it was a wounding of desire (gold) or disgust (lead) which suddenly, seemingly came from "out of the blue." The mortal was then destined (and under the compulsion) to live out this wounding of the heart, often behaving in irrational ways and committing mad, irrational acts of passion.
One such myth of Eros and his arrows concerned the solar god Apollo (he who brings light) and a beautiful river nymph, Daphne (laurel). Daphne was Apollo's first love. Eros struck Apollo with one of his (Eros's) gold tipped arrows; and so Apollo immediately became inflamed with desire and love for the lovely river nymph.
Sadly, at the same time, Daphne was struck with Eros's lead tipped arrow of disgust and repulsion. The more ardently Apollo pursued his true love, Daphne – the more she (Daphne) became repulsed by Apollo. Apollo pursued Daphne relentlessly across the face of the earth, and he would not (could not) give up. Finally – Daphne, exhausted and terrified, cried out to Mother Earth for help. Mother Earth then transformed river nymph, Daphne, into a laurel tree. Apollo went away rejected and mournful. (Can anybody say, "Been there, done that?)
In Modern Times
In modern times, Sun Sign Astrology and Sun Sign compatibility have gained great popularity. And although (as most any astrologer will be quick to tell you) there is much, much, much more to astrological compatibility – Sun Sign comparisons are nevertheless a very good place to start.
In the birth chart, the Sun symbolizes our true heart (the true inner us) which we develop and learn how to let shine through over the course of a lifetime. One reason why the comparison of Sun (heart) Signs is a good place to start is: It's our hearts (Suns) which are pierced by the god of love's golden arrows. Also significant is that gold is the metal historically associated with the energies of the Sun and of the heart.
Potential Longevity
In long term romantic relationships, it's considered helpful for the two people involved to share Sun (heart to heart) connections through which they can understand and complement one another. And I hate to break it to all you romantic thrill seekers out there, but the comparison of Sun Signs has the most to do with potential longevity of a relationship... the comparison of Sun Signs has very little to do with the initial attraction and excitement which brings lovers together in the first place.
In the next article of this series "Romancing the Zodiac," I'll be discussing some of the basics of how Sun Sign compatibility actually works. Then in subsequent articles I'll be inching away from Sun Sign comparisons, while keeping to some very basic concepts which are important when determining astrological compatibility and (for all you romantic thrill seekers) initial attraction. It's basic stuff that virtually anyone with a calculated birth chart can start using and figuring out for themselves (it's the old "give a man a fish or teach a man to fish" principle).
astrology.about.com/od/sunsignlove/l/aa062199.htm