Water World

In the early 60's, in what seemed a rare and unprecedented moment, my parents announced that we were taking a trip to some exotic island. Being a water sign (times 3) I was enchanted at the idea. I had never been out of the West Virginia Valley so any mention of something across the border would conjure up National Geographic-like images of natives with straw skirts and exotic fish. We due to leave in what would seem to be the longest 2 weeks of my life but on THE 14th DAY, we got up early, packed the car and headed for…Virginia Beach.

I remember being enthralled by the water, the hotel rows, and "normal" looking natives. We landed at our hut oddly named "The Ebb Tide Inn" and quickly made friends with our "hut-mates"(another normal looking group consisting of Mothers, Fathers and children). They invited us to go "Crabbing"(apparently a common word meaning "to fish for crabs"). I was not aware of my zodiac sign at the time (Cancer the Crab) or I wouldn't have been so surprised by the exuberance I had at the thought of coaxing these clawed creatures to shore and netting them in a big tank.

The technique is simple; a chunk of fish is tied to a rope and tossed into the waves; in seconds you feel the tug and you slowly pull your chunk toward the shore holding a net in your hands. There in the shallow part of the water I could see this huge shelled creature grabbing at the fish and with a swoop of my net I'd reach in and scream with excitement. "Into the tank!" yells my dad and I squeamishly shake my new friend "Snippy" into a vat filled with what looks like hundreds of his family and friends.

Watching the antics of the crabs was like seeing a Laurel and Hardy comedy sketch. These guys were talking to each other, telling the funniest jokes, tickling each other and offering their claws as reassurance to their less trusting Crab Cousins. I was enthralled; it was more fun than I can ever remember. I had no clue that we were going to eat them…and alas, I was fairly traumatized when my friends were later tossed into a boiling vat of water, screaming in pain. The adult's laughed offering support like, " Be tough, they can't feel a thing." But I knew differently and all I could think about was my friend Snippy and how he must have felt betrayed. I cried and the adults told each other that I was just over-tired.

You don't have to be a water sign to be sad for Snippy and his friends but it's likely the Water signs who, in this situation, would feel guilty and responsible for what happened, as if it really happened to their family. It may appear narcissistic but water signs do feel somehow responsible for what others are feeling, it's what being empathetic is all about and it is difficult for them to separate their feelings from the feelings of others. Once a feeling is absorbed by the water sign the original cause of the feeling is essentially forgotten. This phenomenon is seen over and over in situations of domestic violence where the victim somehow feels guilty and responsible for the actions of the abuser.

Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces comprise the 3 water signs of the zodiac. You could have any one of the 10 planets located in water and at least 2 or 3 houses in your chart are ruled by water as well. If you think about the nature of water you can more deeply understand its translation into your life.

In your mind, fill a container with water, or better yet, fill up a room. Notice how the water takes the shape of its container. This is a good metaphor for how water signs will adapt to feel whom ever they are around. That's often why Water signs are seen as defensive or moody; they have to protect themselves from the constant influx of others, especially if they don't like how you feel.

Imagine a water sign person in a retail store where customer after customer comes in contact with them, each carrying a different agenda or emotion. The Water employee easily spots insincerity or manipulation. On first contact, their agile feelers have assessed your motive and depending on what they find will respond, instantly. You will likely not have a clue as to what they are reacting to, but they will react.

Picture a still lake, like a sheet of glass and then picture trying to sneak in the water without making a ripple. It's impossible because water is receptive, that is, water signs adapt for you, they respond to you. Some people enter the water slowly and others make a whooping splash yet each creates anything from a huge wave to a little ripple and water signs are in every moment reacting to each motion. Those of you with little water will have a hard time understanding the concept but try scanning every person you come into contact with, "feel" them if just for a second, most of you would be exhausted but water signs never stop, there is no choice.

We are in a culture that tends to "worship" air ( ideals) and fire (activity) and to shun feelings. It is reflected in the battle of men and women (particularly in the work place) but more accurately stated it is the battle between the masculine (air and fire) and the feminine (water and earth). This feminine side is in all of us though women are more fully supported to listen to their feelings; they are not immune to the denial of them; encouraged by cultures that worship the mental or masculine aspect. The feelers just aren't trusted. They are accused of being soft, manipulative, easy prey for the mentally strong and fickle in their convictions. Their attention is on relating not competing, analyzing not proselytizing.

It's hard to be a water sign, "Be tough" is the message we tend to honor, showing fear is weak, as is crying or sadness. It's the curse of living in a male dominated society but men aren't the only culprits, many of the women I know judge their "feminine" side and overcompensate by admiring a ruthless, masculine type image. "I'm not an actress, I'm an actor" yells the Hollywood female who now cherishes to strip herself of a title that might imply being female. Who can blame her, we are in a culture where there is no female deity being honored, no part of her psyche sees women (a symbol of the feminine) being respected or worshiped. Studies have shown, cultures that worship a feminine and masculine deity are more balanced and have much lower incidences of abuse between the genders.

Hell, let's face it, it's hard to be human. If it weren't for strong determination and the understanding of an astrological map I'm sure I'd be sound asleep on the inside while simply going through the motions of existence. Water signs live in a world of wonder and imagination. They see inside the person not the persona. They respond to feelings as if they are real and tangible but how much respect would you have for a leader who said "It just doesn't feel like today is a good day for a meeting"? Personally, I'd respect him/her but I know I'm in the minority. All the signs have a greatness to them. This month it's the honor of water, the feminine aspect of our psyches. It's healthy to accept who you are even if you are in a culture that disagrees with you. I cried when Snippy died, I cry at movies and cancel meetings when the feeling isn't right. I will likely never be a world leader but I am willing feel every aspect of my life, each pain, each loss, each simple joy. It's tedious, not always pleasant but it's important to my essential chemistry. But I can't just honor my feelings, I have to offer them the internal guidance and support of my mind, of objectivity; then I'll have the balance that I seek outside of myself, because I have opened the inner dialogue between my inner God and Goddess. Thanks for Reading.
Mark Steven Husson