Happy Birthday, Severus
Jan. 9th, 2006 01:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stuttermoanMy beloved astrology book, (The Secret Language of Birthdays by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers), has some interesting things to say about Snape's birthday. JKR has made some references to modeling the Houses after elements, so it wouldn't surprise me if she uses astrology in her character building.
There are some Book 6 spoilers below, if anyone's still worried about that.
Capricorn - January 9 - The Day of Ambition
"Strengths - Resilient, Purposeful, Resourceful
Weaknesses - Controlling, Inflexible, Stressed"
Yes.
"The tough, hard-driving individuals born on January 9 are highly ambitious people, not only for themselves, but for their family as well."
Well, we've seen plenty of tough and hard-driving, but the family thing isn't quite as apparent. Harry's slant on canon makes it a bit hard to prove. The Occlumency scene seems to show us that his early home life was far from ideal. However, we're indirectly shown that Snape does feel some loyalty to his parents. His use of his mother's maiden name, Prince, for one. Also, assuming the house at Spinner's End belonged to his parents, he seems to be keeping it (although that might be more about money and convenience than loyalty).
"January 9 willpower is not to be underestimated and those born on this day are capable of applying great pressure to bend others to that will."
'Pressure' being intimidation, convincing arguments, or flat-out misrepresentation, depending on the situation. We've seen a lot of the first with students, especially Harry. The second (and perhaps the unproven third) has been demonstrated by his dealings with both 'sides' of the war. He manages, somehow, to convince Dumbledore of his regret. He manages to remain equally convincing among Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
Although there are some obvious skeptics on both sides, Snape easily disarms every suspicion, either through action or reason. Dumbledore's trust, and influence, have kept him not exactly accepted, but at least tolerated in wizard society. And he tears through Bella's entire list of doubts during the Spinner's End scene. We know she's not convinced, but she certainly backs down, especially after the Vow.
"...those born on this day are capable of making weighty mistakes and miscalculations as well."
Well, from the 'Snape-is-not-evil' viewpoint, there are a few outstanding bad choices. First, the whole Death Eater thing itself. Second, the botched overhearing of the prophecy, which resulted in deaths for which he is supposedly regretful.
From the view that he isn't on either side, becoming a Death Eater amounts to two mistakes: he becomes a servant of one master, and then falls under another master in an effort to escape the first.
From the 'Snape-is-evil' viewpoint, I'd say his only mistake is choosing (what has to be, unless JKR really wants to drown in angry fanmail like Dursleys in Hogwarts letters) the losing side.
"January 9 people highly value personal initiative, personal responsibility, and personal freedom. Because of this they may at times lose sight of more social or universal goals, and perhaps fail to understand or appreciate how the group-oriented mind thinks..."
In other words, does not play well with others, looks out for #1. Our typical snarling, self-interested introvert.
"...learning to treat people as ends in themselves rather than means to an end will take them farther in the long run. Cultivating perhaps less dynamic, but more human values such as kindness, understanding and acceptance is crucial to their growth and indeed their ultimate success."
I have no specific thoughts on that part; I just thought it was interesting.
"January 9 people do not react well to being opposed in their endeavors. A quite ruthless side of their personality can emerge in such situations. Battlers, they use whatever weapons are at their disposal to overcome their adversaries, and fully expect the same in return."
If we assume, for a moment, that the ruthlessness we're shown is simply one side of Snape, what opposition is bringing it out? Here's our big blank spot: what is his true motivation?
"However, learning to view events in less black and white terms, and to recognize that present rivals can be future helpmates and friends ultimately widens their understanding and strengthens their position in the world."
From this, I conclude that Goldschneider and Elffers are confessing their OTP to be Snarry. Seriously though, Snape would stand to gain a lot more by relating to others less like tools to be used, and more like actual people.
Numbers and Planets (9 and Mars)
"The planet Mars is forceful and aggressive, embodying male energy, but for January 9 people its influence can be colored by Saturn, ruler of Capricorn, which here grants seriousness of purpose but also potentially manipulative tendencies."
Manipulative tendencies? Really?
Tarot (The Hermit)
"...represents meditation, isolation, and quietude."
"...also signifies crystallized and ultimate discipline."
"...positive side of this card is stick-to-it-iveness, purpose, profundity and concentration."
"...negative qualities include dogmatism, intolerance, mistrust and discouragement."
Sounds about right to me.
Advice
"Watch children at play. Learn from them. Don't allow your ambition to lead you away from the best in you. Remain open to advice; take what others say about you seriously."
(Snarry chan, specify Goldschneider and Elffers!) The advice about ambition is definitely sound; it was Snape's ambition that got him into such a dangerous situation to begin with.
There are some Book 6 spoilers below, if anyone's still worried about that.
Capricorn - January 9 - The Day of Ambition
"Strengths - Resilient, Purposeful, Resourceful
Weaknesses - Controlling, Inflexible, Stressed"
Yes.
"The tough, hard-driving individuals born on January 9 are highly ambitious people, not only for themselves, but for their family as well."
Well, we've seen plenty of tough and hard-driving, but the family thing isn't quite as apparent. Harry's slant on canon makes it a bit hard to prove. The Occlumency scene seems to show us that his early home life was far from ideal. However, we're indirectly shown that Snape does feel some loyalty to his parents. His use of his mother's maiden name, Prince, for one. Also, assuming the house at Spinner's End belonged to his parents, he seems to be keeping it (although that might be more about money and convenience than loyalty).
"January 9 willpower is not to be underestimated and those born on this day are capable of applying great pressure to bend others to that will."
'Pressure' being intimidation, convincing arguments, or flat-out misrepresentation, depending on the situation. We've seen a lot of the first with students, especially Harry. The second (and perhaps the unproven third) has been demonstrated by his dealings with both 'sides' of the war. He manages, somehow, to convince Dumbledore of his regret. He manages to remain equally convincing among Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
Although there are some obvious skeptics on both sides, Snape easily disarms every suspicion, either through action or reason. Dumbledore's trust, and influence, have kept him not exactly accepted, but at least tolerated in wizard society. And he tears through Bella's entire list of doubts during the Spinner's End scene. We know she's not convinced, but she certainly backs down, especially after the Vow.
"...those born on this day are capable of making weighty mistakes and miscalculations as well."
Well, from the 'Snape-is-not-evil' viewpoint, there are a few outstanding bad choices. First, the whole Death Eater thing itself. Second, the botched overhearing of the prophecy, which resulted in deaths for which he is supposedly regretful.
From the view that he isn't on either side, becoming a Death Eater amounts to two mistakes: he becomes a servant of one master, and then falls under another master in an effort to escape the first.
From the 'Snape-is-evil' viewpoint, I'd say his only mistake is choosing (what has to be, unless JKR really wants to drown in angry fanmail like Dursleys in Hogwarts letters) the losing side.
"January 9 people highly value personal initiative, personal responsibility, and personal freedom. Because of this they may at times lose sight of more social or universal goals, and perhaps fail to understand or appreciate how the group-oriented mind thinks..."
In other words, does not play well with others, looks out for #1. Our typical snarling, self-interested introvert.
"...learning to treat people as ends in themselves rather than means to an end will take them farther in the long run. Cultivating perhaps less dynamic, but more human values such as kindness, understanding and acceptance is crucial to their growth and indeed their ultimate success."
I have no specific thoughts on that part; I just thought it was interesting.
"January 9 people do not react well to being opposed in their endeavors. A quite ruthless side of their personality can emerge in such situations. Battlers, they use whatever weapons are at their disposal to overcome their adversaries, and fully expect the same in return."
If we assume, for a moment, that the ruthlessness we're shown is simply one side of Snape, what opposition is bringing it out? Here's our big blank spot: what is his true motivation?
"However, learning to view events in less black and white terms, and to recognize that present rivals can be future helpmates and friends ultimately widens their understanding and strengthens their position in the world."
From this, I conclude that Goldschneider and Elffers are confessing their OTP to be Snarry. Seriously though, Snape would stand to gain a lot more by relating to others less like tools to be used, and more like actual people.
Numbers and Planets (9 and Mars)
"The planet Mars is forceful and aggressive, embodying male energy, but for January 9 people its influence can be colored by Saturn, ruler of Capricorn, which here grants seriousness of purpose but also potentially manipulative tendencies."
Manipulative tendencies? Really?
Tarot (The Hermit)
"...represents meditation, isolation, and quietude."
"...also signifies crystallized and ultimate discipline."
"...positive side of this card is stick-to-it-iveness, purpose, profundity and concentration."
"...negative qualities include dogmatism, intolerance, mistrust and discouragement."
Sounds about right to me.
Advice
"Watch children at play. Learn from them. Don't allow your ambition to lead you away from the best in you. Remain open to advice; take what others say about you seriously."
(Snarry chan, specify Goldschneider and Elffers!) The advice about ambition is definitely sound; it was Snape's ambition that got him into such a dangerous situation to begin with.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-01-10 02:07 am (UTC)To his weighty mistakes and miscalculations you can add following Lupin into the willlow and maybe the unbreakable vow.
I think it's also entirely possible that Goldsschneider and Elffers ship Snupin though.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-11 01:45 pm (UTC)Excellent examples, both.
"I think it's also entirely possible that Goldsschneider and Elffers ship Snupin though."
Definitely. Either that or Snack. =)
no subject
Date: 2006-01-10 09:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-11 01:47 pm (UTC)Came here through a friend of a friend of a--you get the point.
Date: 2006-01-11 04:57 am (UTC)Only one question:
The pensieve seems to show us that his early home life was far from ideal.
Wasn't that scene revealed through the occlumency lessons rather than the pensieve?
Re: Came here through a friend of a friend of a--you get the point.
Date: 2006-01-11 01:37 pm (UTC)Thank you. =) I'm planning on doing more soon.
"Wasn't that scene revealed through the occlumency lessons rather than the pensieve?"
Yep, you're right. I'll fix that.