Keywords: Devotion, Fidelity, Infidelity, Marriage, Patriarchy, Children, Betrayal, Steadfast, Loyalty, Relationship, Revenge, Rivals, Commitment, Jealousy, Legal Contracts, Responsibility, Obligations, Structure, Restrictions, Chastity, Obsessions, Soul Mate, Reciprocity, Compromise.
Juno~Marriage Goddess |
Juno is the goddess of marriage and was known for her fidelity and loyalty to her husband Zeus/Jupiter. Her color is lavendar or lilac. The 6th month of June was sacred to her and traditionally many marriages take place during the month of June. Juno symbolizes the principle of relationship and like the sign of Libra, our most intimate partnerships. She symbolises the principle of relatedness and commitment to another over time. She also signifies the consummation of marriage and is also linked to the sign of Scorpio. Children and their rights are linked to Juno in the horoscope.
Click here for more on: Juno Mythology
Juno in the horoscope may point to a “Soul Mate" partner and is often an indicator of compatibility between two birth charts. Juno yearns for a deeply committed, mystical, and sexually fulfilling relationship. Unfortunately many of Juno’s expectations in marriage to Jupiter were not fulfilled or realized. Jupiter betrayed Juno by having numerous affairs while holding her loyal to him in her sexual chastity. He simply felt it his right and privilege to wander around. Since her relationship needs were not met, Juno subsequently experienced a variety of complexes as a result of holding in emotional pain, which included jealousy, abandonment issues, sacrifice, playing victim, giving away power, manipulation, patterns of oppression, possessiveness, and anger to name a few.
Juno wanted a relationship that was fair and reciprocal. However, what she experienced with Jupiter were power struggles, infidelity, oppression, disappointments and conflicts when she was faced with the reality of her marriage for what it really was. Bringing the symbol of Juno in our relationship today is quite different. Having one monogamous relationship our entire life is no longer the norm, nor is it practical. Individuals live so much longer and are more spiritually aware and growth oriented. It is more common for people to engage in serial monogamy where people have 3 or 4 long-term partners or even marriages during their lives. Humans are not naturally monogamous, although planets in some signs may be prone towards the desire for monogamy. It is a choice some people make for themselves and their relationship. That choice is one of maintaining intimacy, security, and stability within an existing partnership. Let’s face it, the more distractions or people you bring into a marriage the greater likelihood for that marriage or relationship to break down over time anyway. Those distractions may include involving too many friends and family members who may harbor resentment and jealously and attempt to sabotage, consciously or unconsciously, a relationship. The high incidence of infidelity taking place within the workplace is a testament of this. Fear of commitment or being truly “intimate” with a partner may also cause one or both to seek excitement outside of the marriage. Cyber affairs come to mind.
“Men don’t respect us when we allow them to be selfish. They want us to call them on it, but nicely, so they can grow and be happier with themselves and with us in a relationship.”
~Dr. John Gottman
Perhaps Juno's expectations in her marriage to Jupiter/Zeus were unrealistic. She assumed that in marriage she would be Jupiter’s only sexual partner. When she discovered this was not the case, she remained steadfast and faithful to him regardless of his unfaithfulness! This was a choice. Her faithfulness was one of Juno’s finest attributes. She stood by her man, no matter what. However, some of her anger was vented to "the other women" even though it was Jupiter/Zeus who usually seduced them. The unfortunate part of this was that her unhappiness and sadness was internalized. The sexual boundaries in their marriage were betrayed. When hurt and pain are internalized and feelings are unfulfilled, a variety of pathologies can result i.e.: resentment, regret, bitterness then depression. She might have asked herself some questions: How much must you sacrifice, compromise or accept to be in this marriage or any relationship? When does being overly "tolerant" and denying personal needs betray the "Self" and what is valued? Is your compromise appreciated?
Astrologically, Juno may also signify the lack of acknowledgment received from a partner and the emerging resentment when needs are not met. It also indicates certain obligations and responsibilities that are willingly attended to. Juno also provides structure to the house to which it resides.
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for way too long
I keep dreaming you’ll be with me
…and you’ll never go
Stop breathing if…
I don’t see you anymore…~Far Away by Nickelback
When a vow of marriage is taken, many people are of the belief that their spouse automatically takes a vow of fidelity. How many people ask their partner, beforehand, if they desire only one sexual partner during marriage and, more importantly, can they be monogamous? Given the high incidence of “affairs” in our society, individuals need to discuss issues of fidelity “before” they legally tie the knot, don’t you agree? It is mostly assumed if you have a legal contract, a marriage certificate, it implies fidelity and that marriage equals a monogamous relationship. In actuality, it implies a legal and financial contract. Actually, the vows of marriage state nothing remotely insinuating fidelity.
A patriarchal society assumes, then imposes, monogamy and restricts the basic, inherent instinct to sex and procreate, at will. Monogamy, celibacy, and fidelity are choices. It should never be assumed or taken for granted. It is human nature, and a basic right to change one's mind about it. A problem arises when one of two partners changes his/her mind then doesn't remember to inform the other. Astrologer Jeffrey Green comments on this and states that the concept of monogamy, one sexual partner for life, exists because men wanted to own and possess their partners. The beginning of patriarchy has its roots in the knowledge that men have an “interest” in and contributed to the conception of children; this was the beginning of patriarchy. Their partners were automatically considered property to own. When women marry they suddenly become Mrs. “His last name”.
However, fast forward to 2010, many women are choosing to not conceive children or have decided to adopt instead. What of the divorced baby boomers who have remarried 2 or 3 times who chose to not conceive children? What about Generation's X and Y who are either cohabiting or marrying later and may never conceive children? Men and women are choosing to marry later in life or not at all. These are some of the many issues tied Juno symbolism.
I believe in karma, what you give is what you get in return,
I believe you can’t appreciate real love until you get burned.
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side.
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye.
I believe you can’t control or choose your sexuality,
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy.~Savage Garden - Affirmation
The house in which Juno resides in your birth chart points to where you are most committed or obsessed. For instance, Juno in the 10th house might show a person most committed to work and their profession. It might also say that having a “wife” or “husband” and having the identity of being “married” is important to the career. Juno conjunct (close in degree) the Sun would manifest similarly and might also say “I don’t exist without a partner” or “I need a committed partner or I am committed to partnering”. My own Juno resides in house 9 in the sign of Leo, the house of higher learning, beliefs, spirituality, philosophies, and long distance travel. On more than one occasion I've been in a relationship with someone from another country, ethnicity or a partner who traveled to another country for employment. I'm committed to sharing philosophies of life and spirituality (9th house) with a partner. In the sign of Leo, I tend to attract an individual with Sun, Moon or Ascendant in Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) or an assertive, fun-loving personality. Juno in Leo in the 9th house would show the need for a loyal and devoted partner, one to feel proud of (Leo) who may also be a mentor or paternal figure, or a desire for him to fill this role.
Today, the placement of Juno may also symbolize the area of life where you should be open to change and balance in your relationship. If Juno lived today, perhaps she would have divorced Jupiter or maintained an open marriage (what's works for you, works for me too). Perhaps she would not have accepted the back seat in marriage. Women today want equal say in their relationships and don’t necessarily see it their duty to stay and protect the home life, particularly if children aren't involved, if it means betraying their own sense of Self. Couples have many choices today, thankfully.
Juno is currently transiting at 21+ degrees of Leo, soon to enter the 22nd degree. 21 degrees of any fixed sign, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio & Aquarius is considered a critical degree. Critical means that there is some area of life that needs to be addressed for natal planets or when they progress, or receive transits to that degree. It's important to not in synastry, relationship compatibility where healing can take place. Crisis = opportunity.
As seen on a Church bulletin board posted on a main road near my home:
“Forbidden fruits, create many jams.”~The Old Tennant Church, N.J.
If you want to learn more about this topic and others, schedule a phone or e-mail consultation at Fuchsiastars@aol.com. Thank you, and have a wonderful day!
Lorraine Valente
FuchsiaStars@aol.com
http://www.fuchsiastars.com/
I've noticed that too many tight Juno interactions between charts seems to lead to enmity- whether the people are in an intimate relationship or not.
ReplyDeleteHi Astrofix,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insightful response. In my experience, it really depends on the planetary connections and nature of those planets as well as how Juno and the contact planets are already integrated in the individual's charts. I have seen the dynamic where one person's Jupiter was conjunct another's Juno and the "myth" really did play out between them! I've not necessarily seen other connections manifest negatively and of course, you need to look at the entire chart,and look towards the rule of three,locating 3 instances of the possibility Actually, in many instances have seen "healthy" intimate relationships including marriages take place when one's Juno formed a connection with the partner's Sun, Moon, Ascendant or Venus.
Lorraine