Do you think it is possible to separate fear from confidence?
I think confidence is a Saturn issue. Confidence is vital for Authority. Authority entails Respect. All of these terms are ruled by Saturn, lord of Status and the giver of Authority. (I'm in a mood for capitals today.) A badly aspected Saturn can show where we lack confidence, where we feel we lack authority and cannot be seen as reliable. It shows dependancy and where we would like to be independant and not have to rely on others. I think this is similar to fear but it is not nearly so emotional.
This kind of fear- confidence based fear, I think of as based on the earth signs, for it stems from a lack of solid foundations. A lack of trust, a lack of something being established.
I would suggest this is a useful way to interpret Saturn.
As for the second kind of fear- phobia, or irrational or emotional fear- maybe this is Neptune's domain? Fear of the unknown is countered by faith, and all of these things are tested by Pisces and the 12th house. We find the 12th house shows us what our subconscious is struggling to comprehend, as the mutable signs are based upon comprehension- intellectual, practical, philosophical and spiritual (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces respectively.)
I think one's faith can demonstrate one's fear. Those with a strong faith in having a divine purpose for instance often have this faith stemming from a an original fear that they have no such purpose and are futile.
A third kind of fear reminds me of terror. It is fear of pain, in all forms and I would associate it with Pluto. I think this is much more instinctive- part of a survival instinct. Fear of violence, or emotional vulnerability, abuse, death. I think the opposite of this fear is courage, strength and truth, as can be seen from Pluto and Mars moving from Scorpio to Aries, the courageous fighter. In some respects Scorpio is also associated with the unknown and hence the previous form of fear. I guess with two water signs there is an inevitable overlap. However Scorpio fights fear by recognising it, and Pisces fights it by not believing in it.
So three kinds of fear-
1) Fear as a lack of authority, being inhibited.
Represented by Saturn and Capricorn.
Overcome by experience and confidence,
2) Fear as the unknown, fear as darkness, or the irrational or obsessive
Represented by Neptune and the 12th house- paranoid enemies
Overcome by faith? love? All that jazz. Putting unknown fears to rest
3) Fear of the known- terror, fear of death, enemies, pain,
Represented by Pluto and Scorpio and the 8th house
Overcome by courgage, truth, acceptance,
Any thoughts? I guess the Moon would also be a good connecting point of all of these three types of fear. The moon, exalted in Taurus has an earthy and watery quality to it that unites all three types. I think we are more afraid in childhood...
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