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The Taurus I period takes Manifestation as its central image. This period can be likened to the time in a child's life when real power can be exercised, often by giving concrete form to ideas and implementing them effectively. Learning to build physical structures and to set up workable systems is part of this manifestative process. The days that comprise Taurus I symbolically reveal the elementary school-aged child developing an ever-evolving individual personality of his or her own within the larger structures of established institutions and society. Problems involving power struggles, diplomacy, autonomy, compromise, survival, and defense arise on a daily basis and must be met. Out of this crucible character is formed.
{April 25 - May 2}
Those born during the Week of Manifestation are hard-headed pragmatists and are among the most dominant individuals of the year. When seized by an idea or plan, they will not let it rest until it is implemented. Rarely will this idea be one that has not already been proven, or does not show great promise; they are convinced of most of their enterprises’ success from the start.
Manifesting or giving shape to a concept might include setting up a home or family as well as a business or other organization. A feeling for structure, particularly of a hierarchical kind, comes naturally to these individuals. Technically oriented, they love to find out how and why things work, not hesitating to take them apart and put them back together again. This penchant for practical analysis applies to artistic and financial models as well as mechanical ones.
Although their leadership abilities are undeniable, it is less the kick of leading others that drives them than the vision of personally implementing their ideas through group endeavors. These people prefer sitting and ruling the roost to vying with others for power or seeking new worlds to conquer. Among the most stubborn of all people born this month, they are impossible to convince of the need for change, unless you can demonstrate that they will gain an unequivocal advantage by modifying their plans.
As bosses but also as co-workers, they can be highly successful through their diplomacy and their understanding of their colleagues’ needs. Their role at work often mirrors that at home: they are protectors and nurturers. The Week of Manifestation boss stresses employees’ need to get along with each other and to work as a team. These people are not always psychologically prepared for infighting, or for situations in which they are ignored, belittled or unappreciated. They are quite capable of getting rid of troublemakers but may also withdraw, or even fall into a depressive slump. In the same way, they become bewildered and confused when their generosity in personal relationships goes unappreciated. This works against their ability to implement their ideas. Learning not to take things personally, and particularly not to feel let down or betrayed when people disagree with them, will increase their effectiveness.
These individuals are intensely physical people; sex, food, comfort, and sports and recreation of all kinds are important to their mental and physical well-being. One way to get close to them is to share a daily regimen with them, perhaps jogging, swimming, squash or tennis. This kind of activity will help build a bond of mutual trust, allowing them to open their hearts and share their secrets. These people usually know when to stop in the area of physical endeavor, but overindulgence in sedentary pleasures can be damaging and dangerous to them. Often passionately interested in food, they can have major problems with overweight, alcohol, high cholesterol and related physical disorders.
They can avoid many problems by adjusting their self-image to correspond more with reality. What they think they are (tough, no-nonsense, stable) and what they really are (sensitive, emotional, tending to exaggerate) are too often at variance. Unfooled by their cool, often gruff exterior, those who know them well know how emotionally vulnerable they are, and instinctively seek to protect them. In business and social affairs, they can easily be knocked off-balance, particularly when they put on a big act for the benefit of others, who may perceive them as blowhards. Sticking to the issues, being themselves, and avoiding personal involvements are essential for their relations with fellow employees. Above all, they should avoid trying to show how generous and big-hearted they are; they should learn to let their actions speak for themselves. Smugness and a know-it-all attitude only arouse resentments that can backfire later.
In relationships with these people, head-on confrontations should be avoided. A much more sensible method, particularly when they are your parents or mates, is to appeal to their need for affection and harmony. Emotional manipulation or appeal, particularly at moments of good feeling, is likely to work better than knock-down, drag-out argument. Since they like to run the show, shouldering huge burdens all day at work, they may feel that the relief of the peaceful home environment is worth protecting at all costs.
Of course, this peace can have its downside: they can be so happy with their living situation that they ignore its warning signs. Prone to procrastination, they often downplay matters needing attention, whether a squeaky door, a drafty window or the needs of a family member. Their desire for peace and quiet, and their resistance to change, can become oppressive, even stifling, to those who live with them.
In general, those born during the Week of Manifestation tend to preserve and hold on to what they’ve got. At some point in their lives, however, they may have to learn to walk away from a relationship instead of trying to hold it together or patch it up: if it falls apart, something better may emerge. Should they fail to learn this, their inability to let go may leave both them and their partners in limbo. Their conviction that problems may get better, or may go away, only makes painful issues harder to deal with. Such avoidance may lead both parties to feel trapped: unable to work things out yet unable to leave.
Strengths: Productive, Physical, Tenacious
Weaknesses: Stubborn, Smug, Exaggerating
Planetary Ruler: Venus
Element: Earth