Pope Benedict XVI
challenges and difficulties

Pope Benedict XVI has a critical, cynical attitude towards many religions and philosophies. Without realizing it, he prevents himself from appreciating new viewpoints and attitudes. Joseph Ratzinger is more rigid and dogmatic than he realizes. His approach may also be too intellectual or moralistic. Pope Benedict XVI takes his own political beliefs and spiritual philosophy very seriously, worrying and fretting if he is not 100% clear about some ideology or theory.

His attitude toward religion, philosophy, and politics is very conservative and possibly narrow or rigid. On the one hand, Pope Benedict XVI may believe in nothing that is speculative or intangible, requiring proof for any idea presented to him. Each idea is thoroughly and systematically examined. On the other hand, The Pope may tenaciously cling to his grand philosophical or metaphysical beliefs and opinions, refusing to modify them or to be open and receptive to others' insights and perspectives.

His overall outlook on life is serious, and Pope Benedict XVI may feel that life or God will punish him if he does not watch his steps!

Lacking confidence in himself, Pope Benedict XVI has the feeling that his luck has abandoned him. He is inclined to sit and wait for the right opportunities to come along, placing too much emphasis on wishful thinking and is disappointed when nothing happens.

He is susceptible to deception by others and may encounter people who dissuade him from his objectives and try to use his vulnerability to their advantage. Pope Benedict XVI should watch his relationships very carefully so he will not get seriously hurt or disappointed.

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

When under stress, Pope Benedict XVI is apt to shut off the flow of his emotions and ignore his needs and feelings in order to do what he perceives as his duty or simply what the practical realities of the situation dictate. This can lead to a certain rigidity and inflexibility. If overdone, self-control, self-discipline, or an exaggerated concern over what society, family or others expect of him, makes life more of a burden than an adventure.

Fostering his tender, caring, feminine, and nurturing aspects is an important step in Pope Benedict XVI's growth. Pope Benedict XVI needs to learn how to nourish and lovingly tend to both himself and others. Letting himself be taken care of sometimes is okay!

It is in trying to strike a balance between Joseph Ratzinger's inner, personal life and his career or involvement with the world at large that he is most likely to wrestle with these issues. Pope Benedict XVI needs to focus attention on his home and family situation, and create a secure inner anchor.

The following are specific activities that will support Pope Benedict XVI in his growth. These may or may not feel natural to Joseph Ratzinger, and he may initially resist or feel awkward about them, but they are crucial to his path to wholeness.

Pope Benedict XVI should become a warrior and cultivate a positive, victorious, active approach to life and to any problems he faces. It is in Joseph Ratzinger's best interest to act on his own behalf instead of stalling, waiting or hoping someone else will do it for him. Pope Benedict XVI needs to assert himself openly and courageously and not to be afraid to make mistakes or stumble; there are bound to be a few trial runs to any new initiative. The Pope needs to foster a healthy fighting spirit, pick himself up, and go! He also should learn to appreciate conflict and confrontation as a means to grow.

The Pope has an inner need to share his experiences with others and he talks to his friends and acquaintances in a very open manner. Socially minded, Pope Benedict XVI likes to cultivate close relationships, especially with women.

Astrological factors in this Astro Profile section:

Saturn in Sagittarius

Saturn in 9th house

Saturn Opposition Jupiter/Neptune

Saturn Opposition Neptune/Asc.

N. Node in Cancer

N. Node in 4th house

N. Node Conjunct Mars

N. Node Opposition Moon/Asc.