The Astrology of Self-Empowerment

So how do we find the parts of us that we once chose to forget, our shadows? We need a map... Astrology is a working path to consciousness and to an integrated, individuated identity.

Shadow Work & Astrology:

Mapping Self-Empowerment Through the Birth Chart

The law of resonance tells us that the world will reflect that which we believe about ourselves. Quantum physicians say our thoughts are energy, confirming what spiritual practices have claimed for a long time: what we wish for is what we call in.

It sounds simple, and yet — we don’t always get what we want. There is a catch. Nature has its poisons, as does the human brain. Our unconscious also gets a seat at the table. The deep-water gunk of behavioral patterns and unconscious self-beliefs manifests with equal fierceness. When you lay in bed daydreaming about finding your ideal job, you may also be screaming unconsciously that good things happen to others, but not to you. In our universe, everything multiplies, and so it abides, giving you more of what you believe. Not bringing the unconscious into alignment with your higher desires may just be what’s getting in the way of your self-realization. (Read on to find out what astrology shows us about each sign’s sabotage pattern.)

To find the light of our being, we must marry the night.

The need to be separate and individual is a fundamental human need – as argued by psychoanalyst and spiritualist Carl Jung. ‘If we don’t distinguish, we cease to be creatures,’ Jung tells us. Individuation then is the path to consciousness. In essence, it requires making the unconscious conscious as we journey toward authenticity, shedding societal masks and embracing our distinctiveness.

So how do we find the parts of us that we once chose to forget, our shadows? We need a map. From psychotherapy to hypnosis, many illuminative healing tools already exist. My exploration follows from Jung’s use of the ancient technology of consciousness, astrology, to navigate our inner terrains. I argue that astrology is a working path to consciousness and to an integrated, individuated identity.

Astrology as a Map to Consciousness

History, as we know, repeats itself, and there is a good reason for it. Astrology – the language of time – tells us our existence is cyclical in nature. We believe in the linearity of progress – and often associate more recent civilizations with being superior to their predecessors – but astrology suggests that, just like the planetary bodies in space, time moves not in straight lines but in circles. That which has happened once shall happen over and again, and not necessarily with more grace or better outcomes. And while this is true, the pattern does eventually shift: we don’t always make the same decisions. As a way to explain this, imagine the universe not as an endlessly self-repeating flat circle but as a helix whose energy is capable of leveling up and down as it gyrates. Our choices (our free will) do the moving.

So how does the cosmos link to consciousness? For millennia, we have traced repeating behavioural patterns on both collective and individual levels against the movements of the planets. The resultant identity signatures comprise the 12 archetypes we call the zodiac. Astrology is all-encompassing; therefore, it can be used to connect our individual experience to that of others. One’s life is a thread within the wider patchwork of collective history – no one is truly separate; we are all bound by the same principles and influences. To sit with my birth chart then, is to hear the wisdom of all human history funneled through my current conundrum.

Shadows in the Birth Chart

In popular culture, we associate astrology with our sun and rising signs (if you don’t yet know yours, calculate it here). We like to praise our own good qualities and scold the toxic traits of the signs of our exes. In this, we miss the fact that behind the hero (and villain) always stands his shadow.

Two by two, each sign is tied to a sibling — its opposite — completing the story. When there isn’t planetary energy on one side of the axis in the birth chart, we may wonder if the story is getting completed (and unfolded) unconsciously. As psychologist and astrologer Clare Martin says, in these storms, we cannot ‘come home to ourselves’ if we are living on one side of the axis. When fear starts to get in the way of action, the shadow is asking to be brought into consciousness.

Sewing his shadow to his back becomes the primary concern to the individuating person. Without it, he will remain half. They must choose to walk together.

Developmental psychology tells us the impressions from our infancy and early life become etched into our being forever. We inherit a lens early on through which we see the world. Astrologically, we call this lens the Ascendant / rising sign. It speaks to what motivates us and how we are perceived. The sign opposite the Ascendant, the Descendant, represents early life influences — our caretakers and how we viewed the outside world according to which we shaped ourselves as our corresponding Ascendant personas. The Descendant, this principle of what others are and we are not, then, is a prime candidate for an unconscious shadow story. (I will illustrate this shortly.)

But multiple shadows will reside in us outside of the Ascendant/ Descendant axis, and here we may imagine our entire birth charts read from the anti-point, each planet sitting in its opposite sister sign. The result would be the formation of an anti-chart, the not you chart.

Importantly, unconscious patterns lurk in empty signs (for example, an Aries rising with no personal planets in Libra). Oppositions in the birth chart such as Mars opposite the moon will represent conscious conflict.

I will now share first-hand experience of the Taurus-Scorpio consciousness quest, after which I will describe the shadows relevant for each sign.

My Shadow Story: Reclaiming Personal Power

To explain the Taurus-Scorpio axis, I will use a personal example. The rising sign, in this case Taurus, reflects the conscious principle (I am) and the sign opposite, Scorpio, the unconscious fear or shadow (I am not). We think of Taurus risings as people who are comfortable in their body, sensitive to their environment, people who are perhaps at times non-verbal but keenly attuned to comfort and beauty. Taurus represents nature and all her bounties and sensitivities. We may think of Taurus as a pre-verbal toddler. Accompanying it is the motto I (must) have. This principle can represent a healthy and necessary claiming of territory and nourishment: I accumulate and, in return, generously build. Alternatively, in its shadow, it can show up as a sense of entitlement, screaming to others Taurus has become dependent on I must have (at all costs); give me!

The difference is, as always, the choice we make, our free will. Often, however, choices are automatic, unconscious. What must be brought to light is the shadow of Scorpio. As long as Taurus depends on others for her nourishment, she remains a toddler devoid of agency. Scorpio represents claiming one’s personal power.

There was a period in my teens when I lived in secrecy and shame (Scorpio themes) around my gifts and identity (the rising sign). I was scared to come out in more ways than one. My unique fear? That the familiar comforts of life would be taken away. That I would be abandoned – death to the inter-dependent Taurus. The Scorpio shadow ruled my life.

This was also a period marked by a secret relationship with a Scorpio man whose sun sign is — to the degree — exactly opposite my ascendant. The outer world mirrors the inner; the universe brings you exactly what your unconscious is calling.

Crucially, this was a time when I wasn’t getting what I (consciously) wanted. I was blocked at every door by some obstacle. Though I clung to the angel numbers on my phone screen and often wished for things, I couldn’t manifest my desires at all — my fears and shame were stopping me.

The Scorpio shadow came to be lived out on more levels than just the psychological. If not tended to, shadows send signals through the body, too. Suffice to say that I spent these same years hiding away in shame of the acne that would not let me enter a room unselfconsciously. It is no surprise now to track that my skin miraculously cleared up for good the summer I came out of the closet with my then boyfriend and brought him home to meet my parents.

What I thought I didn’t have, the power of Scorpio, was what I needed to claim to get to the next level. This period demanded that I confront my fears of being abandoned. This is the shadow story: the I am not must become I am learning to be. Otherwise, denied, the shadow grows stronger.

This lesson was one to keep – to this day I look to my Scorpio friends and family as a natural reminder that being resilient in the face of pressure can be a choice that I too can access.

In Hard Times, Remember…

There are periods in our lives when irrepressible outside forces start to close in and overwhelm us. Tall waves may already be visible on the horizon despite your best efforts to calm them by manifesting, aligning, and following the ‘spiritual’ teachings we are accustomed to consuming with our breakfast. Some shadow patterns are larger than the individual, and once set into motion, they will come to pass.

This article is not a manual to a ‘right’ vs a ‘wrong’ way of living. It is my hope, however, that it can illuminate a more easeful way of life. All we can endeavor to do is begin to untangle the threads of our own contribution to a pattern, so that, although there may be a powerful tsunami right now, we may over time become the agent of change who breaks the cycle before its next quake.

To wrestle with the dark is to be a part of nature; it’s the other side of us. One can run from it, sometimes deliriously, into escapism, depression, or disease, but all we’re running from is our own shadow. That which is asking to be expressed must be brought into the light of our own consciousness for the sake of our mental, spiritual, and physical wellbeing. The path to individuation may ask us to look inwards every once in a while, but when we confront our fears, the energy of our thoughts will begin to invite – not repel – our wishes, and life will conspire to bring our inspiration into being.

The root fear of your sign (described below) may be triggering. It may bring up resistance. If it does, notice it, and sit with it. It is when we pause that we awaken.

Sign-by-Sign Shadows

Taurus-Scorpio, the Fear of Poverty

If Taurus must learn to face the fear of scarcity by being resilient & proactive even when things get hard, Scorpio is invited to stop living in scarcity. A Scorpio rising is empowered, magnetic, competent, and compassionate. Yet, part of how she developed these qualities may stem from a lack of trust in the universe. She exists in survival mode, ensuring she is always switched on and seductive, so that everyone is gravitating to her. This way, she remains in control. The world is not seen as safe, and resources are hoarded. There are threats to her security everywhere. For Scorpio, the shadow of Taurus says I don’t / won’t have. This scarcity mindset can be shifted by consciously learning to relax in the loving arms of the universe. Fuse your power with that of the universe; don’t go at it alone.

The shadow of Taurus is co-dependent.
The shadow of Scorpio is a forever survivor.

Gemini-Sagittarius, the Fear of Judgment

Freedom is our birthright to explore ourselves; something we cannot do if we are unconsciously trapped by the fear of judgment.

We call Sagittarians ‘adventurers’ and ‘travelers.’ This is because Sagittarius describes the principle of making meaning of our earthly existence. To make sense of anything, we must go out into the world and collect data. If early on, exploring was unsafe, perhaps due to strict parenting or other limitations on our freedom, perhaps we were cut off from this sacred opportunity and must heal our sense of adventure.

Sagittarius gathers lived experience and makes conclusions from what he has found (for example, people are inherently good, or all people are sinful). This is where religion emerges, too, as do all belief systems. It’s a central part of the existence of a Sagittarius to continuously experience life to the fullest to make meaning and adjust his interpretation of it. But to do so, one needs Gemini, the brain, who finds sources and gathers information. Gemini is always yearning for stimulus and multiplicity. He can debate in favor of anything, and can be found hiding behind any argument and thread of logic.

The shadows of this axis limit or expand our freedom. Perhaps we grew up to seek escape and are always escaping into the next place, game, or relationship. Perhaps we came to fear self-discovery and became prisoners to the culturescape, denying ourselves the importance of developing our own beliefs and taste. The underlying shadow may be guilt towards exploring or settling down.

The shadows of Gemini are endless summers.
The shadows of Sagittarius are over-analysis and speaking too soon.

Both can be marred by indecision and inaction when they fall prey to the fear of judgment. They need practices which calm the mind and ground the body.

Cancer-Capricorn, the Fear of Death

This pair creates structures and boundaries, be they safety blankets (Cancer) or trampolines for success (Capricorn). A hunger for nurturance and posterity ensures the survival and longevity of family and our species. Here are the stewards protecting our hearts and goals. When this axis contains a shadow, the fear of survival is activated and certain guards come up. Themes of maturity or, conversely, the Peter Pan syndrome can close the person off from the natural cycles of life.

The parts of us that once felt unwanted may have hardened into tough and proud, self-sufficient exteriors. Alternatively, they may have us escape into despondent inner worlds. Moodiness and control over the feelings of others can haunt relationships.

The unconscious may be prone to addictions to work or various escapes trying to numb the fear of the inevitable. Developing confidence and self-compassion as well as a more realistic outlook on life are keys to allowing feeling to flow safely.

This axis invites softening into the vulnerability of being human, apologizing, and letting tears flow.

The shadow of Capricorn says I don’t feel.
The shadow of Cancer says I am not useful.

Leo-Aquarius, the Fear of the Loss of Love

Vibrant identities are formed on this axis, sometimes by external fire. The parts of us that want to be individual do not exist in isolation; they are here to share the joy. Sometimes, however, everyone else closes in on our world attempting to re-shape it. The underlying fear is a choice between being used and being exiled. Here, we seek to please but we also seek to create, and we must find a balance between individuality and permeability.

What did others expect of you as a child that you came to expect of yourself? What does authenticity look like for you now? And how do we meet the world and participate in it while honoring ourselves?

The unconscious fear asks that we investigate our relationship to praise and achievement. Leos carry the shadow of being a lonely leader and exile; they must meet society at its level. Aquarians must find themselves and their individual fire and not allow others to take credit for their work.

The shadow of Leo says I am an individual — I am not of the people.
The shadow of Aquarius says I am the people — I am not an individual.

Virgo-Pisces, the Fear of Poor Health

These two signs teach us about religious commitment. Even as we give ourselves over to order, routine, and remaining in perfect health, unconscious echoes lure us to kick up our feet and procrastinate, or worse, to throw a self-pity party or invent illnesses that make work impossible.

The shadow of devotion — escapism — wants us to honor the part of us that is not a doer but a dreamer. She deserves a place at the table, too; both need to exist. Otherwise, chaos threatens to show up and consume our life.

Guilt calcifies and turns into self-flagellation for the Virgo-Pisces person who hasn’t let self-compassion in. The shadow manifests itself as a strong desire to bend to others for approval or worse: poor health as a way to earn others’ pity. On the other hand, one may use control to maintain their position and may develop obsessions.

Either way, the medicine is willpower. The development and exercise of one’s will is essential to heal any sense of defeat that may have been instilled during childhood. Being hurt by life in the past was not a choice, but remaining its victim now is.

The shadow of Pisces says I am not perfect.
The shadow of Virgo says I am not connected; I am insular.

Libra-Aries, the Fear of Old Age / the Fear of Impotence

Autonomy on the one hand VS unity and interdependence, all of them fundamental to existence. But which to choose? Mythologically, the Aries-Libra person is asked to balance their Mars and Venus energies (the masculine and feminine).

Investigate the parental relationship and leave outdated models behind. If there was war at home early on, survival to old age is not guaranteed – the prime unconscious concern of the Aries/ Libra person – and potency and fury are seen as threats. This can lead to weak will and perceived impotence. The medicine is in discovering the might of Mars: one must heal their relationship to anger and sex. Learn to express yourself even if it is not always courteous.

The reverse can be true, too: if the child felt rejected, perhaps, to prove his worth, he grew up to be the best at everything. However, the fear of old age lives in the denial of its inevitability. Life, love, and relationships are destroyed in an effort to keep playing the game; to keep being young. Reclaim your authority by healing Venus: develop an appreciation for love, fairness, art, beauty, and equality. Softness can be power, too. There is wisdom in old age.

The shadow of Libra writhes and says I am not angry.
The shadow of Aries says I am not old and I need not be fair.

The Way Forward

These fears are unconscious, meaning their effects are felt but the idea of them isn’t always obvious or present to the mind. While fear keeps us safe – and so has a powerful hold over us – it is often the illusion of safety that prevents genuine connection, wrecking our relationship with ourselves, with other humans, and with our dreams and aspirations. If astrology has anything useful to say about humanity, it is how it is in our hands to intentionally use our energy – our thoughts and actions – to better our lives and the lives of those around us. If this resonates with you and you’d like to work together on your unique wrestle with these patterns and beyond, let’s connect.

About the Author

Panayot Gaidov is a writer, astrologer, and transformation coach based in London, UK, helping creatives all over the world unlock new facets of themselves and their vocations.

In his life, Pani describes himself as both cerebral and goofy, at once serious and absurd, his words always heartfelt. His love for storytelling and client work stems from growing up ambitious and realizing that freedom and happiness come from living in truth – even when it’s unconventional. When it seems out of reach, let’s arrive together at a deeper knowing.

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Murray Stein - JOURNAL OF JUNGIAN THEORY AND PRACTICE VOL. 7 NO. 2 2005,
Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich, the Original Version, Restored and Revised
developmental psychology and epigenetics
Sky Scholar III Wisdom from group gatherings

Shadow Work & Astrology: Mapping Self-Empowerment Through the Birth Chart