Astrology and Physical Appearance

[kronos]

This post is partly in response to lolajslayers thread on ascendant and physical features. I am not fully enlightened on this subject, but I would like to share with the community some of my basic beliefs on how and why our physical features emerge and how this relates to astrology.

Ancient and contemporary mystics and scientists are aware of what is called the akashic records or akashic field. I’m very new to this subject, but it’s basic tenet is that all of creation exists through vibrational fields of energy. Physical manifestation is the result of this all-encompassing record of vibrational energy.

Archetypes are subtle energy blueprints for all that manifests on the physical level of existence. This, I believe, is the key to understanding and discovering the nature of the differentiation of forms of manifestation.
Formative causation is a hypothesis created by micro-biologist Rupert Sheldrake which is the underlying reason for the existence of what he calls morphic resonance. The notion behind morphic resonance is very much in line with the akashic field. As a micro-biologist, Sheldrake has observed the evolution of species and how this relates to vibrational energy.

My belief is that all of the cosmos works together, resonating vibrational energy fields which are continuously manifesting on the physical and mental levels of existence. With that said, we can understand why movements of planets effects life on earth. And taking this a step further, we can understand why a constellation so far away can effect life on earth as well. In this understanding, I believe lies the reason for physically differentiated characteristics in plants, animals, and humans alike.

One example I can conjure up immediately is people who are born under the sign of cancer the crab. Is it just me, or do we Cancerians really look like crabs? I look at Cancerians and really do see the resonance of our ancient ancestors: crabs. Some cancerians that I know are bulky and some are thin and wirey, and so are various species of crabs. I also notice this in the eyes of Cancerians. They have a dreamy look in their eyes but also a sort of looniness, which I don’t think makes us any less attractive. You know how some crabs have eyes that stand on little stilts on top of their heads? And it looks like the right eye is pointing to the right and the left eye is pointing to the left? This one example of physical manifestation in the Cancerians I know. As for my ascendent, I have Scorpio rising at 15 degrees. This, I find, has manifested in my eyes as well as the dreamy quality of the crab’s eyes, making me feel like a hybrid of a crab and a scorpion.

Can this also relate to why so many indigenous and shamanic cultures look to animals as spirit guides and as sources of understanding their own identity as individuals and as cultures?

Anyone out there want to elaborate, please do.

[Polo]

It'd be easier to find out my ascendant by watching my actions, not by looking at my features. Anyway, I look a lot like my Sun sign.

[waybread]

I've never thought of anyone looking like a crab. Bulging eye stalks and 8 legs? Obviously I am missing something here. Note also that Cancer has other meanings besides the crab. It was a scarab beetle to ancient Egyptians. The constellation Cancer contains a central asterism called Praesepe (translated as "the manger" or sometimes as "the beehive") flanked by two stars called "the asses" (donkeys, that is.) In ancient times some people believed that the soul descended to earth through Cancer.

Although her book is "astrology lite", you might enjoy reading Linda Goodman's fun and witty book Sun Signs for more on ways that astrological Cancers are somewhat crab-like.

[Reyka]

It'd be easier to find out my ascendant by watching my actions, not by looking at my features. Anyway, I look a lot like my Sun sign.
This is interesting, kronos, and all. I can recognize some physical features in people that to me are standard of certain Sun Signs.
For instance, it happened to me to find that some Sagittarian women have bulging eyes (besides being beautiful and proportioned), and Scorpio men tend to have nice, regular and good teeth.
But most of the times it's easier for me to guess somebody's Ascendant than his/her Sun Sign... Maybe the Ascendant also gives hints about the type of clothes, colours, and accessories we wear? ;)
I've never thought of anyone looking like a crab. Bulging eye stalks and 8 legs? Obviously I am missing something here. Note also that Cancer has other meanings besides the crab. It was a scarab beetle to ancient Egyptians. The constellation Cancer contains a central asterism called Praesepe (translated as "the manger" or sometimes as "the beehive") flanked by two stars called "the asses" (donkeys, that is.) In ancient times some people believed that the soul descended to earth through Cancer.

Although her book is "astrology lite", you might enjoy reading Linda Goodman's fun and witty book Sun Signs for more on ways that astrological Cancers are somewhat crab-like.
I've never thought of anyone looking like a crab either, waybread! ahaha:D
I certainly don't want to look like one!

I didn't know the crab was like the scarab beetle to Egyptians !
And your story about the Cancer Constellation is particularly interesting as it makes me think of the nativity... That's to say- "Presepe" in Italian means "crib"... Maybe the two donkeys were once one donkey and one ox?
And "the soul (--> Jesus) descended to Earth through Cancer?
That's nice...
Was Mary a Cancerian??

[Is Cancer the coolest sign or what? :cool: ^_^]

[RayAustin]

I have a theory as to whether the sun sign will be the strongest in appearance or the ascendant... mainly by looking at the strength of the different rulers, and which one aspects the ascendant, if any. And if the sun sign had more planets in it or in conjunction with the sun, that might be a way that it figures more in the native.

And of course, if there are any stelliums either aspecting the ascendant or in the first house, this would theoretically alter appearance.

Of course, no one would actually look like a crab.. though they might have prominent arms like one, a short stocky figure, or long limbs somewhat disproportionate to the body, a somewhat disproportionate torso, certainly a large face, a short neck, inquisitive eyes. And it also then depends on which decan the ascendant ruler or sun happened to be in Cancer, because then there are also the scorpio, or pisces differentiations, scorpio giving probably a more stockier figure and more penetrating eyes and 'darkness', and pisces more of that general softness and roundness and adding to the 'moony' glowing face and dreamy look.

It seems by the way, that most cancer women are prone to roundness and curves, as well as ample in the bust area.. Haha.. :P

Ray:)

[Nexus7]

Isn't there a site called Astro-faces, that rounds up mugshots according to their Sun, Asc and Moon signs?

I've seen it, why not check it out? Obviously, it does not show up the whole body, nor body language, and certainly not any special.....erm, statistics....

[RayAustin]

Isn't there a site called Astro-faces, that rounds up mugshots according to their Sun, Asc and Moon signs?

I've seen it, why not check it out? Obviously, it does not show up the whole body, nor body language, and certainly not any special.....erm, statistics....

Yeah.. 'mugshots', lol. :D
The face I think is the most defining thing, the ascendant being in place of the head in the natal chart. And you definitely see the similiarities, though you really have to know how to see it, I think. In other words, there's going to be a majority of people probably, going, "I don't see it!"

[Reyka]

[...]
Of course, no one would actually look like a crab.. though they might have prominent arms like one, a short stocky figure, or long limbs somewhat disproportionate to the body, a somewhat disproportionate torso, certainly a large face, a short neck, inquisitive eyes. And it also then depends on which decan the ascendant ruler or sun happened to be in Cancer, because then there are also the scorpio, or pisces differentiations, scorpio giving probably a more stockier figure and more penetrating eyes and 'darkness', and pisces more of that general softness and roundness and adding to the 'moony' glowing face and dreamy look.

It seems by the way, that most cancer women are prone to roundness and curves, as well as ample in the bust area.. Haha.. :P
Ray:)
Being a Cancerian with Pisces Ascendant I think I can relate to the description in bold, though I am not really sure about the neck...
As a matter of fact I use to call my face a 'full moon' one.

On the other hand, I make an exception to the 'round, ample bust area' feature.:(

[RayAustin]

Being a Cancerian with Pisces Ascendant I think I can relate to the description in bold, though I am not really sure about the neck...
As a matter of fact I use to call my face a 'full moon' one.

On the other hand, I make an exception to the 'round, ample bust area' feature.:(

Lol well of course its not a solid rule. :) But its something I've noticed in other people I've known with cancer... moon, sun or asc.

[Reyka]

Lol well of course its not a solid rule. :) But its something I've noticed in other people I've known with cancer... moon, sun or asc.
As a matter of fact, all the Cancerian women I know are quite voluptuous, except for a couple of them born on my same day, who are skinny.

[RayAustin]

As a matter of fact, all the Cancerian women I know are quite voluptuous, except for a couple of them born on my same day, who are skinny.

I think it could depend on the moons placement, if it is in a fertile sign or not.. who knows :) Or maybe the ascendant ruler's sign placement?

Btw way what day are you born? Maybe the scorpio decan could produce skinniness.
I know for a fact my friend born on july 3, whose male, is tall and uber skinny!


A subject born within the Second Decan (July 3 to July 12...also known as the Scorpio Decante of Cancer) is likely to be medium to tall in height and slim...or even downright "skinny"...in build. The eyes of this type tend to be very round with the nose being straight and pointed. Despite the overall slimness, the cheeks of the face are prone toward plumpness. The body of the Second Decan of Cancer is relatively long in comparison to the length of the legs.


R

[waybread]

I think a number of things in a chart can overpower the conventional descriptions of rising sign--not to mention the person's genetics! Before I found my correct birth time, a professional astrologer told me that I "looked like a Leo". Yet actually my AS is in Virgo! A neat-freak I am not, with Uranus square AS, but I do express Virgo-esque personality traits.

I once read Linda Goodman suggesting that Cancerian women tend to be larger in the breasts and narrower in the hips than most women, who tend to be more "pear shaped".

[AquaScorpio]

I agree, I totally don't believe the Ascendant rules all of physical appearances although maybe they lay the framework. I guarantee if one was to look at me, and try to guess what my rising was based on my looks, they'd never guess Aries. I've heard Aquarius (my sun/mercury/venus/jupiter) and Scorpio (moon/mars/pluto) which is interesting. Perhaps it's what sign(s) rule your chart. Personally, I believe every sign, planet and degree have something to do with your looks and "energy" you give off.

Most people I've seen, the sun has fit their physical attributes more than their ascendant. Like someone said earlier though, it most likely depends on the planets aspecting the ascendant or the sun. In my case, I only have minor aspects with my Ascendant aside from being sextile Saturn and Trine Uranus. However I have a stellium in Aquarius and one in Scorpio. So perhaps those two signs manifest more in my physical appearance? Or perhaps my ascendant is the framework, and I look like a cross between an Aquarius and Scorpio. Who knows, this area of Astrology seems ver difficult to figure out.

[Reyka]

I think it could depend on the moons placement, if it is in a fertile sign or not.. who knows :) Or maybe the ascendant ruler's sign placement?

Btw way what day are you born? Maybe the scorpio decan could produce skinniness.
I know for a fact my friend born on july 3, whose male, is tall and uber skinny!
R
Isn't the Moon in Leo supposed to be very fertile in women? (And more specifically stand for a predominantly feminine offspring).

Very interesting the decan thing, as just yesterday I met a girl born on the 1st of July and another on the 3rd of July, and they are both very thin.
We have to be careful though, it all varies a lot if we are talking of males or females, as far as I know.
Anyway, I don't see the cheeks plumpiness and the body lenght thing.

I was born on the 26th of June (well it was actually still the 25th, astrologically speaking). What would my decan be? And what would it imply? If it's not going too much out of topic...

As for what waybread says: 'Cancerian women tend to be larger in the breasts and narrower in the hips than most women, who tend to be more "pear shaped".'
That can totally apply to Gina Lollobrigida, especially in that movie- "La Femme La Plus Belle Du Monde"
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LY4QV_n8GiU
But again, I find myself not falling into the category, as I do have some hips, and I like to think they make a comfy womb for babies to come. :)

[RayAustin]

A subject born within the Third Decan (July 13 to July 22...also known as the Pisces Decante of Cancer) is likely to carry the broad and heavy frame which is typically associated with the Sign of Pisces. The face will be broad and the height will be medium or average. Although plumpness is not necessarily inherent to this Decan of Cancer, it certainly is considered extremely commonplace. Both males and females customarily possess round faces, pale complexions and relatively large eyes.


:)

http://novareinna.com/constellation/cancerappearance.html

[Reyka]

^^ Thanks for the link!

"A subject born within the First Decan (June 22 to July 2...also known as the Cancer Decante of Cancer) is likely to be quite tall and very robust in build. The nose is customarily long and straight. The eyebrows are usually heavy and may also be rather bushy in character. The overall facial effect is that of an owl. If the coloring of this type is light, then the eyebrows will also be light. It is not unusual for men of this type to be well over six feet in height, with the women reaching a height of up to five feet ten inches."
Hum... Since the 'bushy' eyebrow feature is true, I don't know if I'd rather look like an owl or a crab... I think I'll go for the Moon! :D

And I am 5 feet 7 inches.

[RayAustin]

^^ Thanks for the link!

"A subject born within the First Decan (June 22 to July 2...also known as the Cancer Decante of Cancer) is likely to be quite tall and very robust in build. The nose is customarily long and straight. The eyebrows are usually heavy and may also be rather bushy in character. The overall facial effect is that of an owl. If the coloring of this type is light, then the eyebrows will also be light. It is not unusual for men of this type to be well over six feet in height, with the women reaching a height of up to five feet ten inches."
Hum... Since the 'bushy' eyebrow feature is true, I don't know if I'd rather look like an owl or a crab... I think I'll go for the Moon! :D

And I am 5 feet 7 inches.

For a woman 5'7" is "tall". Whether a woman is "tall" is definitely of social and genetic variables..

Hehe.. an owl face, that's funny!

All my decan says I will talk with the hands, look a lot younger than my years, and be skinny. All of these are true. :D

[ScorpiosRock]

I think even though both ascendant and sun sign is important the sun has more direct effect on actual appearance. Ascendant apperance is more how people see you status rather than actual appearance. It does affect your physical appearance though. It depends on which has more emphasis in your chart and remember to also consider venus and its aspect to both your sun and ascendant.

I'd put it as such (when it comes to appearances):

sun - physical appearance

ascendant - a balance between physical appearance and status

midheaven - status

[Reyka]

I think even though both ascendant and sun sign is important the sun has more direct effect on actual appearance. Ascendant apperance is more how people see you status rather than actual appearance. It does affect your physical appearance though. It depends on which has more emphasis in your chart and [...]
I reckon you are right.
And kudos for putting it so well.

[ScorpiosRock]

Thanks Reyka.

[waybread]

Scorpios Rock--you might well be correct about the ascendant and status. For what it's worth, the conventional meaning of the MC is that it indicates one's public image, which oftentimes relates to one's career. The AC indicates one's body and personality. Someone with Leo rising might be very status conscious, but I am not so sure about Aquarius rising.

The way I would make this distinction is by considering a public figure. Take Barck Obama. His public image today (MC) is as President-elect, a man who broke the colour barrier in the White House, a political campaigner, &c. His personality (AC) would be discribed more as affable, articulate, cool under fire, affectionate towards his family, and so on. Body-wise he is tall and very thin (AC).

Obviously the AC and MC are strongly inter-related, as senior politicians (MC) have to have a suitable personality (AC) to win votes and present themselves well to votes and the media.

I suddenly thought, though, that with younger people (like students), the MC isn't yet well developed, at a pre-career phase of life. Yet perhaps their MC indicates being known as the athlete, or the yearbook editor, the goth, the faltering student, &c.

Can you say more about the connection you see between the AC and status?

[ScorpiosRock]

Waybread:

Let me put it this way:

1. Status and reputation are linked concepts in this repect.

2. Status/reputation is what someone is known for or seen as.

3. MC is not essentially only your career. That is why it can also represent your father in the earlier stages of your life. MC is the direction that you are seen going in your life (like you mentioned, the arty kid or the jock, the goth etc.).

I'll use myself as an applied example here again:

I am a Scorpio Sun, Libra MC and Capricorn ASC.

sun - physical appearance

Scorpio Sun -

Physical appearance - I am tall and naturally light blonde with with potent looking blue eyes that appear dark even though they are blue. Katherine Hepburn was this kind of Scorpio, the ice blonde scorpio. One of my Scorpio friends also looks like this. Now obviously the fact that I am a Scorpio alters my inner being as well, so the other planets in the chart shapes my Scoprio personality. But this is personality and mentality and we're focussing on physical appearance.

ascendant - a balance between physical appearance and status

Capricorn ASC -

Physical appearance - I have a typical Capricorn/Satunian high hairline and my hair is curly, also typical Capricorn. My slightly irregular teeth are also rather Capricorn than Scorpio and I have a fair skin.

Status - Even though I'm not, I have always been seen as conservative, typical to Capricorn (this lends itself to reputation rather than status). I always tend to say "Hang on, lets think about it before doing it". I have my own business typical to Capricorn and people always expected me to do well professionally. I'm proud of the fact that I carry myself at an above average social stature and people respond to this daily.

midheaven - status

Libra MC -

Status (reputation) - My MC is emphasized with Mars and Venus conjunct it. Libra and Venus allows me to work with beautiful things. I work in fashion, own my own business. People know this and they respect my work. I was always seen as a creative/creator. Now this Is practically all that I am and I am perfectly happy with that. My status thus reads that I am creative and a business owner and good as a designer and I can do/create (mars) beautiful (venus) things. My reputation also suggest that I get on well with others and create a hamonious atmosphere wherever I am.

Hope this helps.?.

[cloibne]

I am interested in physicality expressed in charts because as I became more and more enamored of the study of Astrology I would read things about myself that were supposedly undeniably expressed in my chart. Physical traits that should be easily judged but they were not physically expressed in my body were supposedly expressed by my Sun. I then learned about the Ascendant and then First House.Then, I began to learn about aspects and other heavenly bodies' influences.

Here is a quote from Yahoo Answers by Left-T that I thought was well detailed and fun:

"
Libra rising normally makes for someone tall if in the 1/2 half of the sign. Graceful body, smooth hair often jet black. Eyes range from green to blue but always large and clear.
Persons are usually good looking especially the female counterpart.
Their can also be fair hair and blue eyes, nose straight.

Uranus rising usually gives a great love of truth. (I know, I have it rising in Gemini), love of romance, and love of occult sciences. It gives independence and eccentricity.
It gives a strange expression to the face and the eyes are often steel grey or bluish shade and the white of the eye is often visible around the iris. Nose is large; the person is often hasty, acute and often difficult to understand.

Moon gives a borad forehead, small nose and the tip stubbed. Hands and feet are small... face is usually round or Moon shape especially if rising in Cancer.

Sun gives a stornger body and vitality; complexion is fair; hair is fair or golden, blue eyes and strong chin.

Mercury gives a slim body, black hair , usually grey eyes, sharp in expression; nose is long, narrow and pointed, usually bent; lips are thin

Venus gives a handsome body; full face and full lips; straight short nose; susually brown but often blue eyed; oval face and with dimples in cheek and chin.

Mars gives fair or red hair; the moustache is fairer than the hair and beard. Eyes have a quick glance; nose is somewhat bent in the upper 1/2part; lips are thin ; chin narrow; eye-brows beautifuly curved.

Jupiter gives a square chin, full face and full eyes which may be proturbing somewhat. Complexion is fresh, fair fair or brown; eye expression is sharp and fiery; baldness often occurs early.

Saturn gives a tall wiry stature, oval thin head; hair dark; eyes brown or blue; seldom looks in the eyes and fixed to the ground usually.

Neptune gives large dreamy eyes;

One final note, if Uranus is within 1 deg of the conjunction of Ascendant, one can expect several accidents during his lifetime

4 years ago "


I am interested in trying to decipher physicality as expressed in my natal chart because my degrees seem to suggest that my Sun and Venus conjuncted and that my ascendant and mercury conjuncted.
I am still learning how degrees and houses work.

What about parents influencing physicality as expressed in a natal chart?
Can a parent's sign or planets representing parents define how the child's physicality will be influenced by the parents or other family members ( ie: looks like grandma, intelligence like father)

[princess valhalla]

my daughter is the same ice blonde scorpio! she has almost white blonde hair and very blue eyes, yet she still has that intense dark look in her eyes. never heard that term before but i like it. tired of everyone assuming all scorpios have dark black eyes and hair. lol :)

she is also very thin with long arms and legs. she will probably be an above average height adult.

[cloibne]

my daughter is the same ice blonde scorpio! she has almost white blonde hair and very blue eyes, yet she still has that intense dark look in her eyes. never heard that term before but i like it. tired of everyone assuming all scorpios have dark black eyes and hair. lol :)

she is also very thin with long arms and legs. she will probably be an above average height adult.

If we want to really fully follow astrological rules as regards deciphering looks, the Sun sign is far from the main determinate of looks. 1st house has more influence and many sites and books claim that the physical appearance is a combination of Sun, Moon and Ascendant sign.
For example,my family has strong Scorpio and they are all darker than myself ( they also have other strong supposed 'darker' influences...although, I have 3 Leos in my family, none of whom are blonde,which Leos are supposedly prone to be). I am a Taurus and have read both that I am prone to brown and blonde hair but I had red hair as a child, probably due to my strong 1st House Aries , if we are to beleive that Astrology can outline our very physical selves and not just our spirits or life paths.
I have also read little things here-and-there about retrogrades, placements of parents' signs and certain planets' relations, usually as regards Venus ( and Uranus, I think...but I could be remembering wrong). My Ascendant's ruler is opposite my First house with my Venus both of which I have read can affect the looks in extreme ways or in balancing ways, especially since the Ruler is in Libra, My Sun Sign's sister planet and opposing Venus' sign but, once I start getting into all that intricate variations on theory I get a little lost.

Maybe not all Scorpios are dark but a lot of them are and the Scorpio influence even when not the sun sign tends to be that of adding darkness. I have read Scorpios can be taller than other signs or shorter but rarely average height.I have also read that Scorpios, if Scorpio is influencing the physical in a chart, are naturally lanky but need to watch against overinduglence which can cause weight gain.
Leonardo Dicaprio and Ryan Gosling are both Scorpios with strong Libra and Venus both influences can create lighter coloring, supposedly.

[princess valhalla]

well she has aries ascendant and sun, moon and jupiter in scorpio. Her father is the same very blonde, blue eyes, aries ascendant, scorpio sun and capricorn moon. Her father is very tall and thin as well. He eats tons and doesn't put on weight. There is a certain type of scorpio that fits both his and her physical characteristics although alot of scorpios are dark.
here is proof. lol :)