This is something I've wondered about frequently. Lately I've been thinking about all the Fire in my chart...read somewhere that Fire is 'instinctual'

I have very good survival instincts. Every now and then someone tries to give me a reason why I should be more fearful in the world, and I'm discovered about myself part of the reason why I'm not more so, is because I trust I can react in any kind of situation appropriately. I trust myself in this regard %100. 

I used to think I was intuitive because of psychic activity but now I'm beginning to think that that is instinctual, too. Specifically my psychic activity is a byproduct of instinctiveness.

Does this make sense? 

Anyway, do you find yourself more of one or the other? What are your thoughts on your own instincts and intuitions?

Also if anyone has a suggestion about what they think rules these two things astrologically (I'm guessing the Luminaries) I'm all ears.

kash, fire is confidence and spirit and intuition all in one! Yah us fire signs!

And instincts.

Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.

Do you think this has to do with Cap moon as well?  Cap is cardinal when need be...no pussy footing around when you're hanging on the edge of the cliff!!  I don't have Cap moon but as I've mentioned, just abt everyone else in my family does...it may have rubbed off a bit...at least, I remind myself to trust my instincts.

This is connecting  with Shell's post on intuition vs. fear...  if you can't be sure, then you have to trust your instincts will lead you out of danger's way.  

I can see fire reacting swiftly to gut feelings...even before gut feelings are recognized?  Kash, maybe your fire in combo with your earthy sun and moon paves the way to fast, earthy and very sound instincts.   It's good whatever it is!! 

I think intuition comes in different forms/feelings and since I'm heavily water influenced, I get my intuitions from the feeling world--I sense how other people are behaving/feeling and respond appropriately. 

As far as instincts, I try to keep them separate in that instincts are basic human needs/desires--food/shelter/sex. We have the power to change how we feel (intuit) about these desires, but our basic instincts are survival and our behavior will respond to deprived situations before our feelings.

I don't know if that makes sense. Damn Neptune is direct and headed toward my Mercury (again). :) 

I think most definitely being intuitive is a survival skill, one that once was a very strong part of surviving, going way back to cave man (and woman!) days.  "Just have a bad feeling", "This dosen't feel right", "I just don't trust him", etc., this is all about self-protection, and survival.  In my opinion, anyway.

thanks lindsey

I'm also wondering whether 'instinctive' is the result of a more internal trigger, and 'intuitive' is more external.

Ie. intuitive nature evoked through interaction/response/observation of others and instinctual evoked through a personal grid-system. 

I do have good physical reflexes that show up psychically. I like to test myself by guessing the colour of the car behind me when I'm on my bicycle or something like that

Kash--IMO, instinct is more expressive (originating from inside to the out), while intuition is more receptive (pulling on the outside from inward).  Properly integrated, they're both psychic as all get out.

Instinct is suited for transforming your environment based on your inner drives, intuition operates to transform your inner self based on your environment.

thanks wanderstar, your description is terrific.