An astrological influence in Asperger’s / autism?

This may seem like kind of an odd post.  But I turned 39 yesterday, it’s the last year of what has been a vivid, intense, and pivotal decade for me, so I’m feeling fairly reflective today, and besides–astrology is one of my primary interests (AKA “special interests”). 🙂

I’ve studied astrology actively since 1993.  In high school, I wrote my English Composition term paper on the subject.  It’s vast and I’m by no means (at all) an expert of any kind, but I usually know enough to get by.

It wasn’t always this way.  I was skeptical at first.  Very skeptical.  But then I thought it’d be wise for me to at least be semi-educated in something before dashing it and writing it off, so I decided to keep a neutral mind and look into it.

I started with my own chart first; after all, no one knows you better than yourself, and figured I’d be able to tell if the astrology field was pulling my leg or not.

What I found initially sent chills down my spine.  (How did they know??)

Fast-forward 23 years: I discover I’m actually Aspie/autistic.  And looking at my chart, my only reaction is “well, duh…”  Aspie clues were all over the place.

There’s no one “determining factor” or “perfect model chart” that all Aspie/autistic people share in common…at least, not that I know of.  It’s more like genetics and development; it’s a whole package, in which numerous elements all have their part/role.

Here’s mine (I used the AstroLab free generator, which is very accurate; I’ve had my chart cast several times, and it always comes up like this):

For the descriptions, I drew my information from several sources at once.  And no, these aren’t the descriptions that are so general and vague that they “could fit anybody”; they’re actually pretty specific. 🙂

I’ll copy-paste the text from the more detailed site (you saw that coming, right? I’m a Virgo, after all!), but for brevity, I’ve focused on the characteristics from each description that apply to my (relatively-textbook-Aspie) case, with the main ideas/words/concepts highlighted in green.

(Notes: 1) the text is really long, so I did some trimming and editing, none of which will take much away from the main ideas; 2) some of the descriptions are contradictory, and not all descriptions will hold true for everyone with that finding; this is normal, and indicates variable or different tendencies, based on specific factors or situations.  When trying to anticipate what the general default tendency will be, just look for multiple findings that echo the same “theme”; the stronger that “theme”, the stronger the characteristic/tendency.)

Sun in Virgo: Keywords: analytical, intelligent, reserved, critical, helpful, conscientious

Extremely careful and cautious by nature, you value neatness and order above all else. You rigorously practice high standards of living and conduct and you demand the same of everyone with whom you come into contact. At times, you are so supercritical that you are nit-picky. Extremely methodical and analytical, you are a perfectionist — this makes you the perfect person to carry out highly detailed, precise operations. But, at times, you pay so much attention to details that you lose sight of the larger issues.

Sun Conjunct Mercury:

Because your ego and your mind are aligned, you possess much mental energy.  You are highly intelligent with a drive to communicate with others.  You invest a lot of pride in your intellectual capacities.  You may not always listen as well as you speak, however!  You might be too busy thinking about what to say next.  But you are very curious and although you enjoy expressing yourself, you usually don’t dominate conversations completely.  As far as studying or learning goes, you are better off looking at the material than listening to a teacher.  It is very hard for you to passively listen and absorb information.

Sun Square Neptune:

A day-dreamer and idealist.  You struggle with defining who you are. You may struggle with early conditioning that made you feel tossed aside or neglected in some way, and certainly not directed or supported.  You are very sensitive, especially with regards to any real or imagined blows to your ego.  If the natal chart shows a strong sense of reality and a robust mind (Mercury and Saturn well-placed, for example), the negative interpretations of this aspect are less extreme.  It is useful to be able to connect any escapist or self-destructive behaviors with their probable source, which is likely to be a weakly-defined ego and identity in childhood.

The Moon represents the emotional responses, unconscious pre-destination, and the self-image.

Moon in Taurus:

Familiarity is crucial to these people.  They are earthy and strong-willed.  They feel with their senses and they are pretty much rooted in their ways.  They revel in material comforts–in fact, building a solid and comfortable home and foundation helps to keep them feeling safe and content.

It isn’t wise to try to push them into doing anything, but once they have made a commitment, they’re persevering.  There’s a steadiness to this position of the Moon that is comforting to those close to them.  But the conservative streak in these natives can be maddening to more progressive personalities.  They tend to go out of their way to avoid “messy” or unpredictable situations, crises, and emotional displays.  Instead, they focus on creating a reliable and secure life around them.

There is a serenity to them that is calming.  In fact, it takes a lot to really get to them.  However, they do get off-center every once in a while.  They are not the most adaptable people when their own routine is interrupted, for example.  Though some might be considered anal, most simply have a stubborn streak that keeps them rather resistant to change.  Rarely are they spontaneous sorts.  Uncomfortable with surprises, these natives value stability.  Their needs are strong but quite simple at the same time. The world of the five senses is all-important to these natives.  Their love of stability and steadiness can make them slaves to routine. However, they are loyal and capable people.

Moon in VIII (8th House):

While you have a strong need for emotional security, you are also a person who is drawn to pushing your own limits, and many lifestyle changes can be the result of this need to challenge, or reinvent, yourself emotionally.  You are always fascinated with how people work, taboos, secrets, and all that is forbidden or hidden.  You are a person who is intimate, deep, and intensely loyal to a partner.

Moon Square Venus:

Because you value harmony, you may find yourself giving in to others too easily, especially in the first half of life.  Resentment is possible, as you can feel that you are the one who seems to do all the acquiescing.  There can be a distinct tendency to become friends with people too readily, simply because there is a strong need for approval and a hunger for receiving affection.  Peace and harmony are important to you–perhaps too much so, as you can easily be taken advantage of.  Insecurity is something that you need to deal with at some point in your life.

Moon Opposition Uranus:

There’s a feverish, non-constructive restlessness.  This may make you too susceptible.  Your life is full of change.  You can become irritable and stubborn at times due to an inner restlessness that is hard to satisfy.  You may have difficulty concentrating on a job.  Nervous strain.  You may be prone to mood swings.

Mercury represents communication, thought processing style, and logical spirit.

Mercury in Virgo:

You discuss, deduce, and judge.  You reason logically and accurately.  You tend to spend a lot of time on practical matters and keeping things in order.  Sometimes nit-picky and nervous, occasionally secretly feeling that you handle matters better than others.

Mercury in XII (12th House):

You often have difficulty expressing yourself, especially when young.  You may not talk much, and typically don’t speak just for the sake of it.  You work best in remote and quiet places.  You’re discrete and philosophical.

You’re not always quick to speak or communicate, especially in childhood, as you need to develop trust in your own abilities to express yourself.  You make an excellent confidante–you are very discreet and secrets go into the vault.  You might make matters too complex by over-analyzing motives or hunches, and then have problems acting on your intuition as a result.  You are very attracted to symbols, sentiment, imagery, and paradoxes.  You prefer not to focus on facts and learn best when ideas are presented visually, emotionally, or imaginatively.  Learning to communicate clearly is a challenge for you, but one that might put an end to feelings of guilt, of being misunderstood, and to attracting unpleasant situations or duplicitous people into your experience.

Mercury Square Neptune:

You are happy in your dreamworld.  Confronted by reality, you can be hesitant, incapable of being tested and fall back into your imaginary world.

Mercury Retrograde (a huge Introvert factor):

When Mercury is retrograde at birth, the thinking processes are generally more acute, and the sense of humor rather quirky.  People with Mercury retrograde take in information differently than those with Mercury direct in their natal charts.  How many people are born with a retrograde Mercury? Roughly 18%.

Some people with this position struggle with doubts about their perceptions or their ability to learn, and there can be a lot of thinking, double-checking, and reviewing of thoughts and ideas before communicating them.

Venus represents an interest for emotions and values, exchange and sharing with others.

Venus in Leo:

Sincere, frank and warm affections; full of tenderness.  High hopes in love.  Very warm-hearted and generous with loved ones.

Venus in X (10th House):

Your best years are in the parental home and also the last years of life.  That said, the rest are not unhappy, but contain certain hurdles.  Others tend to respect you for your charming manner, and you have many admirers, although some of these are admirers from afar, as there is an aura about you that is charming yet strangely (and intriguingly) distant.  You have a great need to be recognized or admired for your charm, beauty, or loving manner, but should be careful not to become too wrapped up in what others think of you, as you might come across as phony or superficial. Some people with this position are “married” to their work.

Venus Trine Neptune:

At times, your professional life may be unstable. You have a taste for the Arts, are a dreamer, are easily influenced and romantic.  You’re emotional and very sensitive.  Creative, gentle, and adaptable, you naturally express the finer qualities of mysterious and dreamy Neptune in your love relationships.  Your imagination is rich and your fantasy world well-developed. You are turned off by rudeness and crudeness, and are drawn to beauty in its many forms. You are very giving and generous, but may be a little on the submissive side, failing to take the initiative when situations call for it.

Mars represents the desire for action and physical energy.

Mars in Cancer:

These people seem to resist change and to shy away from direct confrontations.  They need to feel secure before they act; as a result, they can appear rather slow at times.  They may appear weak to some, but they can be very strong.  Their strength lies in their tenaciousness.  The protective nature of Cancer is best expressed when Mars in Cancer natives are turning the energy outward–when they are being the protectors of others.  Turning it inwards is what creates problems.  They can have defensive reactions and bursts of emotional displays when feeling cornered.

Mars in IX (9th House):

Deeply rooted opinions, which you know how to defend energetically.  At a certain moment of life, you can fight for a particular ideal but might abandon it along the way, being less convinced than at the beginning of its virtue or because you realize that it is a losing battle.

Jupiter represents expansion and grace.

Jupiter in Cancer: – These people attract most good fortune when they are sympathetic, charitable, use their powers to save and accumulate, and comfort others.  Real estate and the food industry can be prosperous avenues.  Value tradition and work towards security.  Rely mostly on gut instincts when it comes to pursuing goals and business success.

Jupiter Trine Uranus: – These people know what’s going on at a glance.  They thirst after knowledge, and tend to be good organizers.

Saturn represents contraction and effort.

Saturn in XI (11th House):

These people appreciate the company of older people of intelligence and good counsel.  These will help success in professional life.  Usually have few friends and may have difficulty in finding a partner.  Can be very reserved and shy.

Uranus represents individual liberty, egoistic liberty.

Uranus in Scorpio: – Intelligent and subtle.  Adores research, inquiry, investigation.

Uranus in II (2nd House): – Work environment may be variable.  Insists on complete autonomy and freedom; unhappy when micromanaged.  May be suitable for self-employment.

Neptune represents transcendental liberty, non-egoistic liberty.

Neptune in Sagittarius: – Likes traveling long distances in a relaxed manner.  Drawn to the foreign and exotic.

Neptune in III (3rd House): – Has a lot of imagination, high ideals.  Can be nostalgic.  Dry, cold facts are hard for them to absorb, so traditional academics might not appeal.

Pluto in Libra: – Looks for new ways to relate to others.

Pluto Conjunct Ascendant: – Often “loners” who feel keenly different from those around them.  One thing these people do exceptionally well is get to the heart of the matter.  You don’t beat around the bush or play games, for you don’t have time or patience for such frivolous pursuits.  You’re able to read between the lines of any messy situation and see what’s really going on behind the scenes.  You don’t accept anything at face value, which makes you incredibly perceptive.  That’s how you prevent people from taking advantage of you, so believe in your ability to cut through all the lies and tricks in the world.

House I is the area of self identity.  The ascendant is a symbol of how one acts in life.  It is the image of the personality as seen by others, and the attitude that one has towards life.

Ascendant in Libra: – Look a little closer at their lives, and these nice people may have had quite a few problems in their relationships.  These natives attract others to them effortlessly. Besides, they simply don’t know what to do with themselves without a significant other. Libra rising generally appear to be smoothing everything over.

House II is the area of material security and values. It rules money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions.

House II in Scorpio: – Financial success may come through handling other people’s money and resources or thanks to an inheritance.  Financial ups and downs are very possible, but in later life, finances can be substantial.  Private about revealing their worth.

House III is the area of social and intellectual learning.

House III in Sagittarius: – People with this finding often study for a long time, and may be erudite.  Very intelligent, an open and independent spirit, will have a connection with foreign countries.  Fertile intelligence.

House IV is the area of home, family, roots, and deep emotions/sense of self-worth.

House IV in Capricorn: – After working all your life to obtain your objectives and finally having reached that goal, you may want to retire in peace and quiet and to have a retirement full of contemplation, with few tasks, close to nature.  As you’ve been very careful with money all your life, you will administer the properties you’ve acquired.

House V is the area of creative self-expression, romance, entertainment, children, and/or any other joint creations.

House V in Aquarius: – Doesn’t like routine and the banal.  Often romantic, full of fantasy and imagination.  Definitely a friend one can count on.  May choose to adopt children instead of creating them, or may choose not to have children altogether.

House VI is the area of learning by material transaction.

House VI in Pisces: – Job in commerce.

House VII is the area of one-to-one relationships such as marriage and partnership, and of social and intellectual action.

House VII in Aries: – Often doesn’t want to change life/domestic habits, so domestic quarrels are common.

House VIII is the area of emotional security and of security of the soul.

House VIII in Taurus: – Happy old age, natural death. (OK, cool!)

House IX is the area of learning that shapes the identity.

House IX in Gemini: – Likes studying, is open to anything new, accepts and recognizes their errors, always develops in a positive sense.  Likes travel, discovery, meeting new people and knows how to appreciate them.

House X is the area of material action. The Mid-heaven represents the work one will do in life, the place one will take in the world of society.  It becomes more important as one grows older

House X in Cancer: – Professional success thanks to sense of duty and application to their work.

House XI is the area of search for social and intellectual security.

House XI in Leo: – Friends are not always chosen by chance.  Even if the feelings of friendship are sincere, these friends must automatically bring something – professional help for example.

House XII is the area of education and of emotion.

House XII in Virgo: – Work in a research lab.

(Regarding the last line: Seriously…they said that.) 🙂

Well, I think this is my longest post to date, so if you’ve read this far, kudos and thank you! ❤