Projection
A psychological experience in which people are confronted with unconscious aspects of their own personalities in the external world. Both positive and negative traits can be projected, and not only onto actual people. It is equally possible to project onto an idea or other culture.
An example of projection would be the individual who finds it difficult to be self-assertive but is extremely aware of others who are able to do so. She might feel that such people are admirable in a positive way, or hostile and aggressive. If she fears expressing hostility or aggression herself and denies that she experiences these emotions, they become part of her shadow of repressed feelings. The shadow consists of personality traits that an individual vehemently denies belonging to him, which leads to repeatedly being confronted with them in the external world.
Projection is not necessarily negative, however. "A projected image is a hidden inner potential. When the time has come to develop this potential the first step is often to become aware of it in another person. In positive cases, we recognise that this has something to do with us."[1] The aim is to actively integrate projections into one's own life. Astrology can help in this process because it shows all aspects of an individual's personality, whether or not a person is aware of them or considers them to be positive or negative.
The descendant and any planets in the Seventh House indicate the aspects of a person's personality that are most likely to be projected. The lack of a particular element in the horoscope or intercepted signs are also possible candidates for projection. Outer planets such as Pluto opposite a personal planet such as the sun are also likely to be projected onto people who seemingly exhibit the outer planet's traits.
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Notes and References
- ↑ Howard Sasportas and Liz Greene, 2009, The Twelve Houses, LSA/Flare, pp. 41-49