Iris Murdoch
challenges and difficulties

She is very self-conscious and has a great need for ego-affirmation and praise. Expressing herself freely and openly is not easy for Murdoch. Iris Murdoch tends to work hard at playing and "having fun", rather than being light-hearted and spontaneous. Developing self-love and self-acceptance regardless of her "performance" is an important task for Iris.

Iris Murdoch has a mature, disciplined, serious attitude toward life which colors everything she does. Caution and realism are her virtues though Iris limits herself at times by being too careful, shy, or fearful, and not believing in herself enough or being assertive when necessary. Others find Iris Murdoch difficult to get to know intimately, as Murdoch tends to distance herself from them or to put forth a rather stern, "adult" face to the world.

Iris Murdoch seesaws between playing it safe, and doing something unique and original, between self-control and letting loose, between being a responsible adult and a rebellious adolescent, between what Iris has to or should do and what her spontaneous impulses tell her to do. All of this creates enormous inner tension as well as friction with people in her environment. Iris Murdoch may, for instance, bitterly resent government or authority figures who "crush her individuality", yet ignore her obligations and responsibilities, thus ensuring that they will pursue her. Learning to give each side its due is an ongoing challenge for Murdoch.

Her attitude toward life is quite serious and she is very thorough. Iris has the need to be by herself and think out everything very carefully before she takes action. Iris Murdoch may enjoy doing some type of creative art work shaped from hard or heavy materials.

Now we will discuss patterns of behavior which Iris Murdoch instinctively and habitually reverts to when under stress - a mostly subconscious process that she is apt to over indulge in because it is so familiar and hence easy for her. The direction Iris Murdoch needs to follow in order to develop balance, greater awareness, and wholeness is also described.

It is easy for Iris Murdoch to become distracted from her path by the multitude of interesting choices, possibilities, and options available to her. Iris Murdoch needs to develop single mindedness and focus. Until Iris directs her attention to some of the big questions, such as "What is my life's purpose?" "What is really important to me and essential to my happiness?", she is apt to dabble, scatter her energies in many directions and engage in activities which are entertaining but ultimately neither fruitful nor enriching.

Having an overall vision for her life and aligning her daily activities so that they support rather than detract from Murdoch's larger purpose in life, is a significant step toward her personal development.

It is in trying to strike a balance between Murdoch's inner, personal life and her career or involvement with the world at large that she is most likely to wrestle with these issues. Iris Murdoch needs to focus attention on her home and family situation, and create a secure inner anchor.

Her feelings are heightened when she is with others and Iris Murdoch has the ability to open up to them and show her feeling without reservation. Lead by her instincts, Iris is likely to have many spontaneous relationships with other people.

Iris Murdoch has a strong desire to acquire a leading position in her community. Although she is very capable of assuming leadership, Iris also has a tendency to impose her will upon others. But in spite of that, she is likely to be successful.

Astrological factors in this Astro Profile section:

Saturn in Leo

Saturn in 1st house

Saturn Opposition Uranus

Saturn Conjunct Mercury/Venus

N. Node in Sagittarius

N. Node in 4th house

N. Node Conjunct Venus/Uranus

N. Node Opposition Mars/MC