The Day of Long Odds
So, it’s my birthday this Friday the 13th and I decided to share some astrological insight into yours truly using an adaptation of the entry for August 13 in the book The Secret Language of Birthdays by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers.
The 13th day of August is labelled as The Day of Long Odds in this book. Now, I am no follower of astrology and am usually rather cynical of the esoteric world, but I do find the allusions to my life quite unsettling in the below excerpt. What do you think?
Strengths
Indomitable
Spirited
Courageous
Weaknesses
Quirky
Oversensitive
Insecure
Normally 13 is not an unlucky number, per se, but those born on August 13 at various times in their lives have to face seemingly insurmountable odds in their fight to come out on top and stay there. Securing a desired position, struggling to reach personal goals, or searching for a fulfilling relationship are lifelong challenges for them. Whether born unusual or made unusual through circumstance, August 13 people have a highly unique personality and outlook on life.
One might think that those born on this day would be depressed by the sometimes crushing weight of difficulties or challenges. Yet, although they can occasionally suffer from quite deep depressions, understandably, and feel beaten down by life, they more often maintain a cheerful, buoyant disposition to the world. Highly sensitive to criticism, and prone to thinking the worst of themselves, they may nonetheless keep any insecurities to themselves and manage to remain friendly, open and above all, active. One should not make the mistake, however, of thinking one can get close to an August 13 person easily; those born on this day generally have to know someone for months or even years before they allow that person into their private life.
Being unique, even strange individuals, August 13 people are attracted to others of an unusual nature as well; conversely they have little in common with straight-laced or highly conventional people. Yet, while those born on this day may soar toward the highest forms of idealism in their own philosophy or projects, they generally remain suspicious of those whose ideas seem unrealistic or overly optimistic. A powerful urge to rebel against any form of imprisonment, fascism or oppression marks this day. Yet, as they themselves have leadership potential, August 13 people must keep their own authoritarian tendencies in check.
Many August 13 people have an attraction to danger that is not so much about risking death or injury, but triumphing over great odds. Achieving the impossible is what they are after, and even the timid born on this day generally reject a life without challenge where safety or security is assured. Indeed, those August 13 people who have somehow managed to remain protected from accident or misfortune are quite capable one day of amazing those around them by taking great risks. All August 13 people have the strength of the long breath—they are willing to wait for what they want, and most often know the right moment to strike. Unfortunately, what they achieve or acquire is not always of lasting value, as ironic misfortunes seem to dog their footsteps. Those born on this day who do recognize and take pleasure in how unusual they are are unlikely to even bother to achieve social stability or acceptance but prefer to cut their own strange path through life. But through all their trials and tribulations, just enough good fortune seems to smile on August 13 people to get them through, and they can receive help at the most unexpected moments.
Numbers and Planets
Those born on the 13th day of the month are ruled by the number 4 (1+3=4), and by the planet Uranus which often indicates erratic, unconventional behaviour. Those ruled by the number 4 tend to be difficult or argumentative, since they often see things in quite a different light from everyone else; because the number 4 traditionally represents rebellion, idiosyncratic beliefs and a desire to change the rules, August 13 people are reinforced in all of the foregoing behaviour. This hot quality is emphasized for those born on this day by the strong influence of the Sun and its energetic effects on Uranus. Although the number 13 is considered unlucky by many people it is, rather, a powerful number which does carry the responsibility of using its power wisely or inviting self-destruction.
Health
Usually those born on August 13 have their own strong preferences in matters of diet, exercise, and health regimens. In regard to sleep habits, however, most August 13 people generally heed conventional wisdom and try to get seven to eight hours of sleep almost every night. (For many August 13 people, their dream life and unconscious are of the utmost importance and they will go to great lengths to protect them.) Whether active or inactive, August 13 people are generally unconcerned about health problems. If challenged to overcome physical disabilities or faced with slim chances in an operation, those born on this day stand a much better change of winning out that most, primarily because they have experience combating long odds.
Born on This Day
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