An Alien's Zodiac

When I first arrived in the USA with my new husband, in late 2004, I wasn't immediately overwhelmed with enthusiasm for the American way of life. For moral support I used to contribute to a couple of immigration message boards where new immigrants in similar situations would share their experiences. Someone there once helpfully posted details of a pattern of experience which had been found to apply to new immigrants in any country, and had adapted it specifically for aliens in the USA. I dutifully copied this to my Document File for future reference. I came across it the other day when doing a housekeeping purge. The pattern does, indeed, fit my own experience, I recognise it easily from this vantage point.

As I read and re-read the five stages it struck me that they are akin to the progression of the zodiac signs - not precisely, but broadly. Here's that list with the addition of a few smileys to liven it up, and my astrological comments:

1. The honeymoon period when all seems new and interesting. It is a very exciting time for all. (ARIES/TAURUS/GEMINI ~ enthusiasm for the new, new material things, open to be sociable with new acquaintances)




2. Period of weariness from the adaptation to a new environment. During this phase you start to understand, that you must work to adapt to a new life. You feel pressure, isolation, irritation, disorientation, and depression or apathy. You can start to eat and sleep too much. You can become upset over trifles. You, at times, feel ill. (CANCER ~ become tired, moody and easily emotional, sorry for oneself)

3. Period of non-acceptance of the culture of the host country. In this period you suddenly feel animosity to the USA and are surprised, how Americans can live how they live. You begin to question why you have come to America. (LE0/VIRGO/LIBRA/SCORPIO~ an arrogance emerges -my country's better than your country. Criticism of just about everthing. Trying to be more fair-minded but become indecisive and flip-flop from day to day. More emotion and bitterness emerge)

4. New culture starts to make sense. You start to acquire new knowledge and skills. As you gain confidence, you become more sociable. You start to feel satisfaction that you begin to understand the American culture.
(SAGITTARIUS/CAPRICORN ~ a wiser more philosophical stage begins. Common sense and a practical frame of mind emerges.)

5. Adaptation to new the culture. There is a feeling of comfort. You begin to feel and seek interaction with the new cultural environment. You accept life and conditions of American culture and take pleasure in making the distinctions between your new culture and the old. (AQUARIUS/PISCES ~ One begins to embrace the new and feel spiritually more in tune with surroundings).

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What the person who posted the above list didn't say, however, is that the immigrant can experience re-runs of some of the stages at any time, rather like going through a retrograde period. Although I consider that I completed the 5-stage cycle some time ago, I do still return to stages 2 and 3 on occasion. I'm experiencing a retrograde right now! Retrogrades are always temporary, of course, and for this The Husband is thankful.