I am an Aries with Virgo Rising and Moon. Isn’t this like a contradiction?? Aries is said to be aggressive and impulsive, while Virgo is over critical and conservative. Aries is impatient and Virgo is the perfectionist. Since both my Rising and Moon is Virgo, am I like a Virgo with Aries traits or vice versa?

— ArianVirgo

Hi Arian Virgo—

I am Aries with Libra rising, also two very different signs, so I can relate to your question. And my teacher explained it to me this way: Your chart is like a patchwork quilt. There are no or’s or but’s, only and’s. You are Aries, and you are Virgo.

I agree it’s a contradiction. But most of us have contradictory or conflicting parts of self. It’s part of the human condition! Conflict creates energy, and your art of living is about blending these two sides of yourself in a way that creates energy that supports you, rather than energy that drains you.

Can you not be an impatient perfectionist? Both impulsive and critical? A cranky curmudgeon? And can you not be a detail-oriented, efficient go-getter as well?

I see it this way: your Aries Sun is your basic character, your heart, your essence, the “model of car” you are, if you will. Some of us are Fords, others are Volkswagens, some are Hondas. Let’s say you’re a Dodge Ram. Your Virgo Moon and rising are the tools and talents you have in order to keep your big, powerful truck on the road. The Moon is your fuel tank, as it represents the kind of nurturing that enables you to get moving. Virgo needs gentleness, something or someone to serve, and a sense of order. Virgo would be a Honda tank— to run a Ram truck on a Honda tank, you need to fill the tank carefully and often, and keep it maintained meticulously and with discrimination. (Virgo Moon people do tend to have delicate digestive systems, both physically and energetically. You have to be mindful of what you let in.)

In my car metaphor, I guess the ascendant would be your steering wheel. Anyone else have a suggestion?