I have Neptune opposing my natal Mars at the moment, and I'm in the brink of making a career decision. After a few assessments in a career exploration program, I am beginning to confirm that makeup artistry is right for me. Although my heart feels at peace with this decision (given that my values align with this occupation), I have this bad habit of second-guessing myself. First of all, because I'm somewhat fearful of financial instability (I had a really cynical makeup artist instructor) and secondly, I was raised to think that makeup artists are somewhat "lower class" because a university degree is not required to be one. I guess you can say, they're not as "intelligent" which I don't believe at all - but the habit is ingrained in me and Im afraid of rejection mainly from family.

Despite this fear I feel, I'm running with it, but I want to make sure I'm not making a mistake.

With Neptune opposing natal Mars in Leo in 5th (my chart ruler)... Does this mean that I could be in "lalaland" and not being realistic? I am also having Saturn Return, which is the reason why I've come to this career exploration to identify my values, work personality, and aptitudes.

I know that Mars influences actions and Neptune fogs it up. I also have my natal Saturn/Neptune square activated so I'm often struggling with the realm of reality and feelings.

Natal Mars also conjuncts natal Jupiter in Virgo, squares Uranus, trines Neptune and sextiles Pluto).

Can anyone give me more insight on this aspect? 

Not to sound all high and mighty, etc, but Lunalie: you will make mistakes in life -- and that's okay too. It's expected, actually, for us humans. And you may have one career now and then 5 years later, you'll have another calling. Doesn't mean what you do now was a waste, really.

Fuck college degrees. I have an MFA from the top school in what I studied and it really matters squat in my opinion. I mean: do what makes you happy. I'm all for liberal arts education but that doesn't always prepare you for a career --

Figure out what calls you and begin....

Making other women feel beautiful and strong about their appearance is really really important, I think. Issues of self-esteem, etc. That's really making a difference on a 1:1 level....

As for neptune, it moves so damn slowly, watch what the orbs are that you are using and for sure you could research what that energy or cycle is like for others..which I guess is what you are doing here. No doubt it causes some confusion... are you gonna dream today or are you gonna do (for me, mars neptune makes me feel paranoid)

Somehow I think you'll make the right decision

moonpluto:

My attitude on college degrees has changed over the years. I guess to me it's just residual fear that family would not be so pleased. However, I've already decided that whether or not they approve, I will continue with this program. Who knows where it may lead me, right? Everything feels right.

With regards to mistakes - you are right... It's a scary thing sometimes to think that you have made a mistake, but my career counselors did say that values change whenever you go through a major life change. I am sure that if I start popping babies (which is not anytime soon), my perspective will shift a whole lot.

This calling I have is something I felt since I was a lot younger. I think it's because I've been through a tough childhood/teenage life having to go through a lot of self esteem issues. Chiron conjuncts my Venus in 2nd (in Taurus) so healing is in the stars for me... add to that the 12th house sun and an 8th house Scorpio. I guess it took over a decade to figure out how this will manifest itself.

With regards to Neptune... So basically paranoia is almost a form of "Fog" right? I do find myself getting paranoid though not so much with regards to the career issue. And I read somewhere that Neptune can slow a person down... which means, my usually vibrant Aries energy can be slowed for a bit - which I am feeling significantly. I actually feel easily tiresome and lethargic for no reason!  

lunalie, why the insecurity about $?

maybe this is where some answers to your questions lie?

are you hugely in debt and need a steady income to make ends meet?

do you have goals of a financial nature pushing you (ie. you want property etc)?

do you have familial pressure?

do you feel like a more "legit" adult when financially stable?

i'm just wondering...hope this helps 

sorry...just noted you have venus/chiron in taurus in the 2nd...taurus natural house...

why have i not noticed this before. beauty is in your dna, no? 

In America, if you aren't totally financially stable it's a "sin" -- that's how it feels to me. "Protestant work ethic" perhaps? Not sure....

Lunalie - it sounds like you feel limited and there's fear, too. This sounds very saturn! Saturn return for you, right?

I say, take your time, no rush, but be true to yourself, whatever it is. Maybe my "advice" is too uranian-- I remember too you are of asian descent or just grew up in SE asia? Family and familial obligations are really really intense Asian-style, and you also have moon in cancer...

My point is just that you've got some heavy transits, family, and your own self to deal with-- maybe with the way that Kashmiri was asking you questions, you can figure out what this fear is about, what's underneath it--

Okay just something to think about if it resonates for you. My two cents....

Hi ladies! :)

Ok to answer your questions kashmiri:

- Money and I... well we don't get along. I've been known to be tens and thousands of dollars in debt but miraculously, I would manage to bring the balance down to zero - but it would take YEARS to do this! Right now, I am at my last $1000+ in debt and a part of me just wants to clear it all so I can attain some sort of "freedom." 

- With that in mind - well, I left my family in the US and am really thousands of miles apart from them. It was a choice I made. My relatives here dislike me so I have no real safe "refuge" in family so this is really hitting me hard. I've managed to finance everything on my own without asking anyone for money for over 5 years now and the thing is... Toronto is VERY expensive. I don't share an apartment. I have bills to pay. And I worry that I would be unable to provide myself with a safe, secure home. Living with others - I am not sure it's an option for me because I have had terrible experiences with that.

I could ask to move in with my BF and our best friends (they all live together), but they all are pretty happy where they are.... even with a meddling landlady. Also... I am always so scared that living with someone means that the relationship becomes based on convenience. I value my relationship so much that I don't want it to come to that.

- I don't really care for property or owning anything.

- Familial pressure: not so much, though I have a feeling my Mom will be somewhat disappointed or worried all the time if I were to return to school and pursue La Vida "Hobo" haha!

- Hmm... I don't really need to feel more "legitimately adult"...  It's really moreso where I need to ensure that I can survive on my own. I don't need a lot of money... Just enough so I can stash some away on a rainy day - just in case the time comes where the rug will be pulled under my feet (and I would not have Employment Insurance since I will be self-employed).

The life/career I want is so fluid that it doesn't tie me down to a regular job where a regular paycheck matters. I guess for once in my life, I'm pursuing what it is I want yet I am just not used to all the issues involved.

And yeah... Beauty has been in my DNA. Everything I played with as a kid is beauty-related. I gravitate to anything "Venusian" without even trying. The weird thing is, I was never that typical "fashionista." you won't see me owning labels ;) I've suffered through self esteem issues all my life and I've always noticed the transformative effects of beauty can have this effect on the soul deep down. I don't mean look trendy and hot, but moreso where people enhance their features and express their true authentic selves with clothing and makeup. (I also have a Mars in Leo in 5th conj. Jupiter - my chart ruler and a North Node conjuncting that as well).

moonpluto: yes, sin! i'm currently sinning like mad. just got my 'currently owed' student loan update and nearly fainted on the spot!!

lunalie all of those thoughts are so valid...I liked hearing about your take on relationships, too...I think it's awesome you are down to your last $1000-

I am amazed and totally cheered to hear you are living in TO in your own pad...man if you can do that, you're doing so well already. 

So the question: transiting Neptune on your Mars in Leo. I would say here, with your desire to create a career in makeup artistry, sure! It may be fogging your desire (Mars) but also:

the opposition of T.Neptune and Jupiter? I have this aspect natally; it's like jumping into the ether over and over, it's really challenging to see where that Jupiter energy goes! how close in degree is the conjunction? 

another question: are you planning entering the field in a more than entry-level position? or would you like to do it solo, as a free-lancer? i am wondering because i have known people who worked at M.A.C. and places like that, or H. Renfrew, and they used it as their launching pad. 

i think it's great you have thought about all these reasons...i think that's half the battle, just being 'awake' and having goals.

Hey Kash :)

I live on my own mainly because the hefty salary of a web designer allows me to do so :P Now I have to probably live like the rest of the world: live with pain in the ass roommates and sacrifice this lovely Cancerian home I have. Ugh... No likey :(

But yeah... I'm even more confused than ever (gotta love Neptune!)... It's almost as if the limiting Saturn is being aided by Neptune opposing Mars and Jupiter! After doing another test, I started questioning again, but not so much a fear-based question but more so like... "Well what the hell do I really want to do? What the heck am I?"

The career counselor asked me A LOT of questions. She determined that I seem to have this natural personality for coaching and counseling: both of which I've always preferred - but in what??? I did not feel Psychotherapy was "creative" enough when I was in university that despite m y high grades and my strong interest in the field, I still said no. And after the workshop, a few people who knew I was into astrology had me read their charts and I was apparently pretty dead on. The career counselor saw all this and mentioned that I do have a knack for coaching of some kind... Which honestly, I have ALWAYS known innately... I am also a problem-solver... I think that is where my creativity comes in. But it seems that I'm not drawn to superficial problems but something... well... deeper than that... 

So now I get this dilemma where yes... I want to coach but to coach in the realm of beauty? Does that make it superficial because at times I can see how it is NOT superficial. So really... Much thinking needs to be done. I would only really go into makeup artistry to get the skill and at the very least, exciting enough jobs to get me by while my real purpose is to really raise spirits and enhance self esteem of men and women out there through encouraging creative self expression... Ugh. So yeah.. This is tough :( I have much much much to think about.

I think the main problem is that since we are now in hard times, it is really difficult to get a job and a salary, so leaving one is a big risk, as there is much less optimistic by employers.

Anyway, I was struck by the Uranian light, and I am now quiting my job, so I will take the big risk. I have absolutely no debts, I even have much money saved (thanks to my 8th savvy Saturn!)

I absolutely live a very simple (and cheap) life, except for a few travels once in a while (Im Sag).

Now I am growing my own food which helps a lot too! Anyway, I still have the fear of having no money, no salary, but I dont give a damn to that fear (fear is always there, its biological, you just have to win and learn to deal with it, not fooling, wisely of course)

Here goes my Saturn advice: If you like your job stick with it, if not seek changes until you have some plan or pressure becomes unbearable (health risk). By reducing your bills and needs, you need to earn much less, and you have more time and self to seek to do a different thing. Everyelse that comes from mother culture (like protestant work ethic, worthiness, success), put away, that is outside interference, only in our hearts is our truth path.

Lunalie - you are in TO! I'm here too and have a few ideas. First I work in TV (as a video editor) and am part of a film club. Would love to have you involved. It's great for networking etc. We just had a makeup artist come in to give a talk/presentation and there's also a gal who i met who gets work on film sets. General Post is a new company that represents freelance crew. It's still just getting off the ground as crewing in canada is not usually done through agents.. but still it may land work. Hasn't for me yet. :P And if you want to help make people beautiful and feel good about themselves, I know of a job club that would love to have your services to help give makeovers to those who need them to look good for interviews.

But toronto is great for living as a makeup artist, even though it's still expensive, because of the availability of production companies.

As for the astrology. Neptune opposed mars could also mean that you are sensitive to how others projections could limit your actions. IE someone's money fears are rubbed off onto you and slow down your desire to act.. and or piss you off and make you more invested in taking action. I can't really see how this can hurt you long term. There IS money in makeup artistry if you are a natural at it and know how to smooze with film folk. Or tv folk. TV stations hire makeup people for their on-air talent. TV/online production might be one to watch. Once pluto hits aquarius in 15 years it's gonna explode and is what is fueling that neptune at the moment. In the meantime with pluto in cap everyone is feeling the pinch of not having extra money. So you are in a good position to undercut other experienced people who won't adjust their prices. Sorry my scorpio mind always sees these things and mentions it to help others see the potential.

sometimes the transit simply describes the situation quite perfectly, so rather than fear what the transit may "do" to you.. decide what you'll "do" with it.. Mars is what you do..and it sounds like you are a darned fine creative person.. so that's what you "do".. Neptune is inspiring your innate creativity and your desire to transcend material realms to do something you love.. Mars and Neptune can bring platonic love.. in this case it fits with the plan is all.. and natally the two are good buddies.. go test that water, can you do both careers side by side?

To live in fear of what may happen isn't a good way to be.. it's cheating life itself.. and I'm as guilty of doing that now and then as anyone. I'm reminding myself as much as anyone else here.. and Lunalie.. you're a rags to riches lass by the sound of it anyway.. you KNOW you can do well. You KNOW you can strike through the debt line and turn it into credit..

So what's making you most wary? Is it that you're not quite ready to choose the path that's right, like a newly emerged butterfly waiting for its wings to dry in the sun, but anxious that you'll miss the chance to fly?

Wondering about beauty therapy possibilities for those with scars.. teaching them to use make up skills.. or art therapy as a medical tool? Colouring the world brighter for the visually impaired.. something that satisfies the soul a little too..even as an add-on..

Good luck Lunalie.. whatever you do.. you draw a lot of good vibes your way.