Nurturing. Mothering. These experiences are associated with womanliness, but are not the sole definers of your womanhood. Although women are the only ones who can become mothers, it is not necessary to be a mother to become an exceptional nurturer! Nurturing is a natural expression for women - but the manner in which it is done is very individualized. Whether with children, lovers, partners, friends - or even with your own parents - you have ample opportunities to nurture others. The person who needs your nurturing most, however, is YOU. Although caring for others can fill a special place in your soul, the way you care for yourself is especially important. You may derive nourishment from developing your talents and skills, or through your work. Study or travel can be nourishing. And something as simple as a long soak in the tub can refill your spirit. Part of nourishing yourself is physical, part emotional and part is definitely environmental: what you create in a home. In exploring these factors together, you can begin to see the link between these different levels of personal fulfillment.

Yet another facet of your Moon beyond what you've already explored, is what your Moon shows about your deepest needs. You can only feel whole when these needs are answered and fulfilled. Although it is tempting to look outside, your wisdom tells you that a great part of the responsibility for nourishment comes from within yourself.

Your profound need for independence and autonomy driven by your Aries Moon can sometimes lead to your feeling that you're rushing through life. Although slowing down may not be the answer all of the time, allowing ample space in your life for enjoyment can help you put the brakes on. Your playful attitude and love of challenge may encourage you to pursue sports as a favorite pastime, and staying active is one of the most nurturant things you can do for yourself. When you let your energy become stagnant, your emotional vitality sags. When nurturing others, it might be easier for you to play than it is to discipline, and consequently, your children may think of you more in the context of fun. That's okay with you, and you probably feel the same way about your intimate connections - if they're not fun, what good are they? Your passion ignites when you're smiling, and you smile a lot when you're enjoying a challenge. You also have a powerful protective streak, and if anyone you love needs a defender, you're there. You might also need to cultivate relationships which give you a sense that you, too, have somebody on your side. Standing on your own is okay, but your soul fills up when you can share your joy with those you love.

Saturn also plays a positive role in nurturance. Despite the bad rap Saturn sometimes receives, this energy is necessary to your stability and growth. Through Saturn, you learn to take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Saturn also seems to be the repository of your fears, and it's important to understand and deal with these emotions in order to be whole. Trying to repress such feelings blocks your ability to feel the positive, supportive energy that life has to offer. In many respects, the energy of Saturn is played out in your life by your experience with authority figures. Your mother and father, extended family and teachers were your primary Saturnian influences when you were a young girl, and their direction and guidance still whisper in the way you approach establishing your personal security. As an adult woman, you express Saturn through the manner in which you take responsibility for yourself and your needs for stability and security.

Your interest in restoration permeates every part of your life, and is strongly influenced by your Saturn in Scorpio. Even if you sometimes fall short, you understand the importance of making the most of your life and its resources. Your influence upon others who cannot see the value in something on the surface can be immense, because you are the master of removing the crust and exposing the jewel at the core. You may also know when there's nothing there to expose, in which instance you can take what is useless or outworn and recycle it in the best possible manner. This attitude may be especially emphasized since you are a woman and experience the variations related to the cyclical changes within your own body. You can learn to make the use of the different levels of energy which occur at different times to become more productive, more secure and more confident in the natural order of things.

Your 4th House illuminates what you need in a home environment, where you will feel most comfortable and how you like to live. It is here that you create a feeling of safety, where you can let your hair down and be yourself.

The qualities of Leo radiate through this part of your chart, indicating that you need a home which is solid, strong and where you can occasionally hold court! Although you may not always entertain, you love having a place which is warm and inviting to others. Plenty of light will feel most nurturing, so make sure the sun can shine in. In the winter you'll adore a warm fire. Your decor may range from simple to lavish, although you to love to add dramatic touches. The influence of your Sun in this house adds a need to feel that you are in control of your personal environment. Even though you may be generous and enjoy entertaining, you're not likely to appreciate unannounced or uninvited visitors.

With the Sun in your 4th House you're definitely Queen of the Castle! You need a home which reflects your personality, not just a place to live. Anyone who visits will see your special touches. You may also enjoy inviting special friends into your personal space, and family gatherings at home an be quite meaningful to you. Family is important, and the creation of your own family may take a strong priority. You may become the matriarchal leader of your family, and your influence and ideas can have a powerful effect. If you feel that you are carrying on the traditions of a long line of influences, it's probably true. And if you are inclined to alter or change those traditions, you can probably accomplish your aims as long as your approach flows from love and not unresolved anger or competitiveness.

Mercury's energy in your 4th House adds a liveliness to your home space. There may always seem to be ample communication happening at your house, with either friends or family sharing ideas or someone on the telephone. This placement also stimulates a need to express your feelings, and in your personal relationships, you can be quite animated in showing your emotions. When you're upset, you can even be a little high-strung. This energy is unsettling in the home environment and sometimes brings frequent moves. Your tendency to worry about family and home matters is also amplified, and if you're fretting over possibilities, may miss the opportunity to experience what is actually happening. At home, you need a place for reflection where you can write letters, make entries in your personal journal or read quietly.

With Pluto in your 4th House, you prefer a home space that shields you from the intensity of the world and protects you from prying eyes. You may have a special desire to restore an older or vintage home. If you're so inclined and have the knack of taking a place that may appear worn down, shabby or in a state of disrepair into a new life. This talent also extends to your ability to re-establish your sense of security if you've experienced a major change or crisis. Even if your life has taken turns which have left you feeling spent, you can regenerate and begin anew. Your relationship to your family of origin may have its hidden side, but you are the only one who can heal your hurts from the past. One of your tasks may be to transform the old patterns of your "family fate" and to take the soul of your family onto a different course. But watch the temptation to compulsively repeat bad habits you learned at home. Some of them may not serve you particularly well now!