QUESTION:

... to cut a long story short, what can I say to stop myself from following a negative streak in my mind? Once it starts, there is just no stopping, resulting in my becoming angry and moody.

Dear client number 1,

Unfortunately I can only address one of your issues for the purposes of this column, and I have decided to go for the anger management which seems to be of concern to you.

There can be several ways of looking at anger management in your chart.

Natal Chart : Client 1

Your Mercury is placed in between Mars and Pluto, showing some intense and haphazard thinking patterns. We need to remember that Mercury is also your chart ruler (you have Gemini on the Ascendant) and therefore it has significance in your chart. You have six planets in the second quadrant of your chart (the family sector); with both the Sun (father) and the Moon (mother) being placed there. This shows an extensive involvement with the family and no matter what you do; the family will always be a big part of your life. The crescent moon phase also confirms that family values must be transcended and separated from individual growth. So perhaps there has been family pressure which forced you to do things you didn't want to do? Anger could be the result of that.

You seem to be a very self confident person (Jupiter and Venus in the 5th house) but Saturn in the 11th house shows a fear of groups of people or a mistrust in forming friendships. (I wonder then why this is showing with you being a sun sign Libra - the epitome of social activity.) Jupiter interrupts the core (born with that golden spoon in your mouth) and is also placed at a critical degree, the interpretation of that being "Faith in the ability to overcome difficulties and obstacles". This reaffirms your self confidence; therefore Saturn has to do either with parental or social conditioning, because everything goes against your natural sun Libra traits.

So now, let us ask, "How does this anger play itself out?"

Firstly, your sling type chart formation shows that your personal experiences are tested with challenges in your growth. Are you perhaps trying too hard to be everything to everyone (Sun Libra)? As it is, you are already very conscious of what others think of you (Chiron in Aries in the 10th house opposition Sun/Uranus in Libra in the 4th house), so when you have certain expectations from people around you which aren't met, there can then be disappointments and subsequent anger.

Secondly, remember that the sign of Virgo is the 'doubting Thomas', and you have the malefic planets Mars and Pluto in that sign in the third house - factors that contribute towards your negativity. You also have 48% mutability in your chart that tends to make one go in many different directions, not quite knowing what one wants.

The Mercury/Pluto conjunction lends itself beautifully to that well known expression "Too much thinking can be dangerous" - also an important aspect in your chart. In addition, you have Aries on your tenth house cusp - therefore you are seen by others as an angry person and wanting to express yourself effectively. Yet you are hesitant and very often unable to do so. The fact that your Ascendant has progressed into the sign of Cancer for the past 23 odd years - Cancer represents moodiness and resentment - and transiting Saturn (the test) has gone over your second house (house of self worth) in the last year or so, neither aspect has helped much to alleviate the situation. So where to from here?

I believe that your answer lies with your North Node in Pisces in the 9th house. In simple terms, move towards your spiritual truth. This becomes quite a challenge for you, because your North Node (your destined journey) squares Neptune (sign of spirituality) in your sixth house, creating that challenge towards soul growth. This frustrates you because, as it is, you are already trying to find spiritual answers and this in the chart, combined with Gemini on your Ascendant, shows that you are certainly torn between the spirituality of heaven and the materialism on earth. You also have Taurus on the 12th house cusp as a nasty, subconscious reminder of how lavish your previous life must have been. Strange that your part of fortune is so challengingly placed in your second house of money - what are the gremlins doing?

I see a message of abundance which is fine, as long as you don't neglect your spiritual Dharma. You will only find your answers by moving towards some kind of spiritual practice, thereby getting into attunement with your soul needs. You are indeed blessed by the Gods, in that you have the North Node at 0 degrees of Pisces, a very gifted position.

It must be mentioned that anger is perfectly normal, as long as it doesn't turn into a habit-forming pattern or towards violence ... and it needs to be expressed. However, spirituality and anger do not go hand-in-hand, but anger can be managed better when you work from spiritual space. So the trick here is to get your mind around that concept. You have Mercury in Virgo in the third house and would see the logic that anger is irrational and against your true soul essence. If your time of birth is correct, then there is a good possibility that you will be tested with anger management on the following dates:

• 27 September 2007
• 04 April 2008
• 25 January 2009

This happens when transiting Uranus opposes your natal Mars, which initiates sudden energy fluctuations. Diarize these dates and monitor your emotions around the dates given. The energy can be effective one week either way of the dates shown.

Transiting Saturn will also oppose your natal North Node around the 8th September 2007, which will give you the opportunity to face any new spiritual ventures head-on.

Mercury is powerful in your chart. You have the logic and power of Mercury to assist you, therefore use your mind wisely. Remember that your thoughts are powerful, and I quote Louise Hay who states that, "every thought you think and every word you speak creates your reality". This concept is confirmed by a DVD which is taking South Africa by storm, called The Secret. Try to get a copy if you can.

You are a well-balanced and spiritual being and have a strong mind to go with that. You know that anger does not serve you well; you know that logic and reason can overcome irrational emotional outbursts and you know that you are strong. You also know that you will flourish when you change your way of thinking. I would strongly recommend meditation (or relaxation exercises) and affirmation work too.

We cannot force others to always do things our way, we cannot change our family to what we want them to be, but we CAN choose to change our own way of thinking. It is really about ourselves, and only ourselves. Walk in peace.

With gratitude
Harry