Thursday, July 05, 2007

Sarcasm and Irony

Is it possible to identify a predisposition for using sarcasm, or the ability to appreciate irony, from a natal chart?

I've noticed that astrologers tend to point to Scorpio and Mars in particular when writing about this. Mercury has to be closely involved too, as we're considering styles of communication.

I am not a great fan of sarcastic humour - it usually aims to hurt, mock or offend another person. "Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit" was a warning drummed into me from an early age! Even so, it's almost impossible to stifle a guffaw at some of the satire (based on sarcasm and irony) aimed at any political or celebrity figures I happen to dislike. I have to admit, too, that I've been known to make the odd sarcastic remark.

Irony, in general, is not as deliberately hurtful as sarcasm, it has no target, it just "is". A situation can be perceived as ironic without anyone saying a word. It occurs when the exact opposite of reality is conveyed by word, deed or situation.

Sarcasm and irony are distant cousins - I like the explanation of the differences from Spindle Works
Here's a brief extract:

"Irony and sarcasm are not the same. An ironic word is born; a sarcastic one is made. Irony is expressed spontaneously; sarcasm can reflect upon its words. Irony sees the caricature and expresses it simply. Sarcasm sees the caricature too, and passionately reinforces it........ One is gripped by irony, but one grasps at sarcasm........Irony is the strength of the weak; sarcasm is the weakness of the strong."

I guess that one needs to have particular mental wiring to appreciate the irony in a situation. That same mental wiring may also be capable of bringing forth sarcasm.

I can see why astrologers would suspect that aspects involving edgy Scorpio and belligerent Mars might be significant factors to look for if trying to trace sarcasm in a chart. I wonder if hard-nosed Saturn and critical Virgo might have a hand in it too. The whole chart must be considered of course, not forgetting that background and family also play an important part. The kind of role models and teachers a person had in youth, who he/she has tried to emulate, social and racial background - all these are bound to be involved, equally with astrology.



HeWhoKnows is fond of sarcastic humour. I've tried hard to train him otherwise, but new tricks and old dogs spring readily to mind (was that sarcasm?) I've looked for indication of his liking for sarcasm in his natal chart. Sun at 1* Aries, with Mercury and Saturn at 29* and 26* Pisces respectively, means that all three could be said to be conjoined, though in different signs. Saturn might be the culprit there, perhaps sharpening a hard edge to an otherwise gentle communication style. No planets in Scorpio, but the nadir of HWK's chart (opposite point to midheaven) is only minutes away from the first degree of Scorpio, where also is found the point at which the Moon is farthest from Earth(also known as Black Moon Lilith). I wonder if this could be significant. Mars at 2* Sagittarius is trine his natal Sun at 1* Aries.

It's interesting to see those early degrees popping up here (again), involved in a particular type of humour. Early degrees have seemed significant in the charts of some cartoonists in earlier blogs, and HWK adores cartoons. His Moon and ascendant are in light-hearted Leo - this must be a saving grace, because his own sarcasm stops well short of being cruel.

My own Mars in Scorpio sextile Capricorn Mercury may partly account for my own lapses into sarcasm (of which I am less than proud!)

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