With Christmas creeping around the corner, I only felt it was necessary to write  about gift-giving and the influence of Astrology. Early this morning, after sleeping off what else, but a Christmas party, I stumbled upon a thread at Linda-Goodman.com — “The right kind of gift” . Naturally, it got the wheels turning about whether we can actually see what kind of gifts a person would prefer in the chart. I know, some people would feel this is an absurd theory, using pop-astrology to answer silly questions about even sillier things…. but hey, if it gets me thinking, I have to check it out.

When it comes to gift giving, I think of the 5th/11th axis, or the axis of love. The 5th house of the chart is naturally ruled by Leo, and represents among many other things, “love given”. The sign on it’s cusp partnered with planets, aspects, the ruler of the house, and its aspects tell us about how we demonstrate and give love to others. It can details our attitudes towards love giving and our habits too.

The 11th house, on the other hand, is a different story. Ruled by Aquarius, the 11th house is all about what we get from others. As this house represents friendships and our relationships with groups, the 11th house shows “love received”. How others express love to us, how we want to receive and be shown love- not necessarily how others give it.

Recognizing these themes leads me onto a ridiculous theory that the sign on the 5th house cusp represents how we approach gift-giving, and the sign on the 11th house cusp represents the gifts we want to receive.  The natural associations of the Sun and Uranus suggest to me we look to them too, in addition to the sign on the cusp, its ruler and its aspects, along with planets within the specific house. I would also suggest that since Venus is the natural ruler of desire, Venus by aspect, sign, and house will show us what kind of “things we desire” (Venus).

Using this theory to make generalizations (which I totally don’t agree with by the way), I’ve ended up with some interesting assumptions about Astrological Christmas shopping.  Posted below are a couple examples,  using Aries/Libra and Taurus/Scorpio:

The energy of Aries is centered around the idea of impulse and directness. Wherever the sign Aries shows up in the natal chart, assume the native’s attitudes towards that area of life are straightforward and direct. This is where (or how) they get things done, and done fast! On the 5th house cusp, when the individual feels like dousing themself in the Christmas spirit, they dive in head first (and often blindly), making impulse buys and blazing through the lines. Expect their gift shopping to be done months in advance, or last minute, but if you asked for something, thats what you got. By converse effect, with the 11th house in Libra- they can be quite indecisive about what they want. Get them things that can be used in different ways, like a reversible jacket, or a pair of sneakers they can sync with their exercise routine. Whatever it is, make it tasteful, charming, and not too gaudy. Sentimental items work too. Generally, an Aries/Libra love axis is associated with Sagittarius Ascendants, so with Sag being arguably the most generous sign in the zodiac, don’t skimp out.

Taurus energy is a whole another story. Unlike the fiery directness of Aries, Taurus is patient, cautious, and thoughtful. They weigh a decision before making the most practical choice. I actually have this one. Expect someone with the sign Taurus on the 5th house cusp to get you what you need. Not only what you need, but expect things that will be valuable, a great deal, and will benefit you in some way. Don’t expect anything showy, gaudy, or frivolous, as that isn’t Taurus’ style at all. Shopping will be done over time, between late November through Christmas itself. These people also have their 11th house cusp in Scorpio. They expect you to think about their gifts before you buy them. It has to have sentimental meaning, and it has to appeal to their inquisitive side. Scorpio energy is intense and intimate, therefore the more personal the gift, the better. Gifts that reflect an inside joke, or related to some obstacle they’ve been tackling works best. Handmade gifts work too, as these are the most personal and show the individual you care. However, quality is imporant. For the most part, these people have Capricorn on the Ascendant, a sign that not only recognizes value, but puts it to good use. They can smell a cheapskate or a cop out from a mile away.

These are just a couple of examples.  Obviously, planets in the 5th and aspects will modify the generalized description, but it doesn’t hurt to check it out for yourself.  Personally, I have Taurus on the 5th and Scorpio on the 11th. The generalization is true–  I find it easiest to use what someone “needs” as a guideline in my gift giving, and I have always said that I prefer something handmade, as its more personal and shows that the individual has taken the time to truly understand me, and isn’t just giving me something generic.

However, this is modified by my Sag Ascendant-  I’m a generous gift-giver.  I’ll get people what they need and then some, it’s never one gift or two-  but three, four, or five.  I care more about giving than I do about getting.  I also have Venus, the 5th ruler, in the 11th, so I’m satisfied or accepting (Venus) of all love I receive (11th house).  Interesting that the 5th ruler (gift giving) is in the 11th house (gift receiving)-  I make it a rule that if I cannot afford to get someone a gift, I make sure they don’t get me one.  Fairness (Venus) comes first, and to receive without giving, in my opinion, just isn’t.

My 5th ruler, Venus, also trines Jupiter (my chart ruler). Jupiter is the planet of generosity and increase.  The trine provides opportunities for me to “exhibit great generosity through gift giving”.  It’s funny how astrology works.   I suggest you check it out, it couldn’t hurt.  If you know someone’s chart, take a look at their 11th house for gift ideas, and if you’re curious about your gift-giving style, peek at your natal 5th house-   it can’t hurt!