Juggling All The Balls

In continuing this on-going series of building characters through use of astrology and the Tarot, we have to juggle a bit. Begin by throwing the first ball into the air—our sign is dual in nature (two sides clearly evident), 

then add that it is an air sign (associated with the mind and mental agility), 

further add something we haven’t mentioned before—it’s a mutable* sign (changeable—with mercurial-like qualities because the swift footed planet Mercury rules it). 

(*Like the elements of earth, air, fire and water, signs also fit into categories of mutable, fixed or cardinal. For further details go here.)

Can you juggle one more ball? Add the Tarot card of the Lovers. Keeping all those balls in the air? That's Gemini. If you dropped a few, let's try adding them one at a time.

The symbol for Gemini is the Twins and the Tarot card is The Lovers.

I tried to think from the end backwards for character building on Gemini. What characters in movies would fit a Gemini. I immediately thought of Thelma and Louise—those women who were fun and witty, brave and quick, and took to the road to have their moment of freedom and cleverness, but when they became unfocused and went too far the only way out of their mess was down (in their case literally over a cliff).

Without being as obvious as “twin” characters like Thelma and Louise, I also thought about Ocean’s 11 (George Clooney and/or Brad Pitt) and other great heist films with actors who put together clever ways to rob a bank, jewelry store or museum, and reacted instantly to situations, but with nervous temperaments. The type of character who would be the mastermind, clever enough to devise the plan, charismatic enough to keep the group together and be successful, could very well be a Gemini.

 

The strengths of a Gemini are that they are energetic, clever, witty, adaptable and have imaginative qualities. On their weak side, they can be superficial, impulsive, restless, fickle, devious and indecisive.

One strong trait is that of independence, a must with them. They don’t like being pinned down by anyone or by any rules. They want to experience the world on their own terms.

They make interesting and exciting friends because they are always learning new things and going different places—taking in the world on their own terms, thus having lots to talk about and entertain you with. They are great communicators and are the go-to person if you need advice. They will have the latest gossip and dish the dirt with an interesting flare—a social butterfly.

But, they can lack perseverance. Gemini can easily go off topic, exploring another thought or idea. They can appear superficial, forming opinions on matters without diving fully into the subject or situation and exploring it fully. This can lead them into thinking they know everything. Their minds are too busy to be concerned with fine details and they would rather be naive then know the depressing truth-they do not want anything putting a damper on their freedom or positive energy.

If they disperse their energy on different tasks and not focus on one thing, they can leave a trail of unfinished projects in their wake and appear wishy-washy and changeable on a whim. Because of their logical bent, they can be thought of as cold and unemotional but it’s simply how they function—they connect in their own way.

Their lightness of spirit and youthful exuberance help them to appear forever young. Eventually though, they need time by themselves in order to recharge.

The Greek myths can further explain Gemini and where the symbolic origin of the twins comes from, but that is too long for this post. You can go to Star IQ for a quick lesson in the Greek pantheon of the gods that affect this sign (Mercury, Greek messenger of the gods, Castor & Pollux, the Trojon war and all its characters (Helen, fathered by Zeus and Athena, Hera and Aphrodite, etc.). I can’t get that in-depth here (that would be a Gemini trait, to go off subject and wander about for new and interesting tidbits of information).

 

And, I’m only mentioning that the tarot card of the Magician is relevant to Mercury (and thus to Gemini) in passing, because we need to concentrate on The Lovers card.

The Rider-Waite-Smith lovers trump, numbered six (like the six stars in Castor), is a representation of the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the garden before the fall. Behind the two lovers stands an angel. Eve stands next to the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and around that tree is coiled the snake that circles the waist of the magician in card one of the tarot. Adam stands next to the tree of life with its twelve fruits, one for each sign of the zodiac.

In the Hebrew bible, God created Adam in God's image and likeness. Because Adam was lonely, God took a rib from Adam to create Eve, also in his image and likeness—a type of twinship. Adam and Eve were the lovers who started the human race. The serpent convinced God's human creations to eat the forbidden fruit (perhaps an apple as in the myth of Helen of Troy). Human suffering and misery was the outcome of that primal choice. (taken from: Star IQ.)

The lovers represent the union of opposites. That perfect understanding of Yin and Yang. So, when building a Gemini character, their learning arc will be from the individual, self-centered viewpoint to a more universal understanding. They will see the symmetry in seeming opposites, and that it is really all one movement. Without getting too metaphysical, at the end of Gemini's chameleon personality arc, he/she will broaden the mind and expand the sense of connectedness with life; bringing many sides together into an adapted whole. The Gemini will be able to communicate effectively, think clearly, work dutifully and heroically, as well as leave their fickleness behind when loving and sharing themselves with their friends and companions. 

Other sources used for this article: Astrology on Line,  Zodiac Signs Astrology and Astrology.com

Did I confuse you, or did you manage to keep all those balls in the air to understand this sign?

Can you think of another movie with a Gemini character?