Sun Hard Moon

When the Sun and the Moon are combining unfavourably in your chart, it means that you're likely to have difficulty succeeding in life. You may have trouble in money matters, struggle with employment, and suffer at the hands of other people. You should be particularly wary of troublesome women, who could create obstacles to you achieving your goals. In some cases, this combination can also mean that you suffer from ill health, which further hinders your chances of success.

Moon Hard Neptune

The Moon is making a difficult aspect to the planet Neptune in your birth chart indicating that you've a sensitive nature, and are prone to spending long periods of time in solitude in the safety of your home. Sometimes you thoroughly enjoy your own company, but at other times you can feel somewhat despondent and confused, tired and caught in a web of inexplicable emotions. The problem may be that you're unrealistic in your expectations of yourself and your loved ones, idealising them only to be disillusioned when they fail to live up to your expectations. A more realistic approach can be helpful. You're often confused about your direction in life, wondering if you'll ever fulfil your dreams. Your home needs to be your haven from the world because you feel overwhelmed by the harsh realities of the world, and you need to shut away. If this isn't possible then it's likely that you'll be distressed. Depending on other influences in your chart it's possible that you spend long periods living in a fantasy world. Family members may have stories about your daydreaming ways as a child, which continue well into adulthood. It's also possible that your loved ones feel the need to bring you back down to earth, believing that this will help you cope with the world. Nevertheless you have learned to trust your own instincts, telling you of a need to escape somewhere to dream, even if it's only one room. In this case a room with a beautiful view would definitely appeal to your aesthetic nature. It's likely that your relationship with your mother, grandmother, or an important woman, has played a key role in your life, positively or negatively. On the negative side it's possible that this mother figure demanded that you ignore your sensitive nature, turning your back on your artistic and spiritual gifts. On the other hand perhaps she cosseted you as a child and adolescent, fanning your unrealistic view of the world. Another scenario could have been that your mother was unwell, or regularly adopted a victim-like approach to life, which forced you into the role of caretaker at a young age. Whatever the scenario in your childhood, the outcome is likely to be your own struggle to face your responsibilities while still finding time for your spiritual, artistic, or contemplative needs. It's possible that this same woman, or another woman, could have encouraged you to develop the imaginative side of your nature. Perhaps this woman had artistic or spiritual gifts, or encouraged your own talents. Whatever the scenario, it's likely that you've an idealised or distorted picture in your mind of this woman, which affects your adult relationships with your loved ones. Your lesson is to learn to balance your needs for artistry, spiritual pursuits or moments of quiet contemplation with the practical, and very-real, demands of the mundane. This is when you are most likely to appreciate the soothing nature of your home. Your house may also be a restful haven for your loved ones, because you've a flair for creating a peaceful environment. You've the ability to listen with sensitivity to other people's problems and plans, or to create a beautiful environment with artistic ornaments, soothing music and indoor plants and flowers. Perhaps you also have artistic talents, which can be displayed in your home. You may find a great sense of satisfaction in living close to water, or surrounded by nature.

Moon SesquiSquare Neptune

During this period you are more sensitive to other people and your surroundings. For this reason you may feel confused. Your former goals may have lost some of their meaning. Try not to be too concerned. You simply need to slow down, rest and reflect on some important aspects of your life.

Moon Soft Uranus

The Moon is making contact with the planet Uranus in your chart suggesting that your home life is never dull. You're a resourceful, inventive and independent person, who needs a stimulating household in order to feel fully alive. If your home and family don't provide a little excitement, then you're likely to find it difficult to settle in one place. As it is you're often restless, seeking adventure and change. You enjoy the unconventional side of life and need excitement, and are likely to show the wilful side of your nature if forced to conform to other people's demands. You're a unique individual with many enterprising ideas, enjoying the freedom of expressing yourself in unconventional ways and attracted to exciting and different activities in which you excel. It's possible that you're drawn to unusual houses, or to out-of-the-way locations. You may enjoy living in a commune rather than a traditional family situation. Whether you realise it or not, others may see you as a little eccentric. As long as you can accept and enjoy your individual qualities, then your loved ones are also likely to appreciate your unique contribution to family life.

Moon Soft Mars

The Moon is making an aspect to Mars in your chart indicating that your home life is active and boisterous, rather than a peaceful environment. Fortunately you're an impulsive and emotional person, who prefers action to becoming bored by inactivity. You're likely to feel more comfortable when faced with a challenge. For this reason you may enjoy working around the house or working from home. It's possible that your need for an active home life stems from your childhood home environment, which was busy and boisterous. Perhaps your mother, or a strong woman in your household, was vivacious and dynamic, possibly even fiery. In some cases male members of the family can display these traits. Either way at a young age you learnt how to enjoy a spirited home life, which you've carried into your adult life. You need to be wary of a lack of sensitivity to other people's feelings. Not everyone is as feisty as you. You could also try to avoid becoming embroiled in arguments with women. This could be difficult as you're impetuous, liable to act without thinking. Mostly you enjoy the challenge of new activity, but at times your vigorous nature can land you in hot water.

Mercury Soft Saturn

The planet Mercury is making favourable contact with the planet Saturn in your birth chart indicating that you've good intellectual abilities. Your mind is contemplative and profound, capable of concentration and comprehension. Therefore you're likely to shine in pursuits such as study, writing, publishing, lecturing, teaching, travelling, diplomacy, and business. You may be particularly interested in science, politics or medicine. You're fortunate to have good judgement and reasoning powers, as well as an excellent memory. You may have had difficulty expressing yourself as a child, but as an adult you're able to speak your mind in a logical and methodical manner. The saying "older and wiser" certainly applies in your case. You're a sensible person, able to make careful plans and carry them through to completion. Depending on other aspects in your chart you're more likely to take a traditional path in your education, rather than explore unchartered territory. The steady approach to education and communication suits you. You've the ability to become a voice of authority in your field of expertise, particularly a field which requires business acumen, good communication skills and common sense. In other words, you're capable of achieving whatever you set your mind to.

Mercury Hard Pluto

The planets Mercury and Pluto are combined in your birth chart suggesting that your education and communications are coloured with highs and lows. On the positive side you've a probing mind and the ability to assess situations rapidly, which can lead to success in your studies. You're likely to excel in any education process which requires research and intense work. It's also likely that these gifts will help you excel in any professional or personal situation which involves counselling or crisis work. Your insightful mind proves invaluable in such situations. You enjoy investigating mysteries and probing for hidden truths. Although you can be secretive by nature, you find it difficult to appreciate other people's need for privacy. You feel impelled to uncover any secret, be it personal or societal. Fortunately you also know how to keep secrets. It's likely that you've learnt to rely on your own judgement from an early age. Perhaps a threatening environment, at home, in your neighbourhood, or at school, meant that your instincts were a vital means of survival. It could also have been a crisis, ranging from a traumatic change of school or a death, that led to your ability to see situations clearly and honestly. The gifts can be used to benefit your adult life, and other people. However, problems are likely to arise because of your inability to see the lighter side of life, and to accept that occasionally you might be wrong! You are a deep thinker with wonderful powers of concentration, but you can become obsessive, seeing only innuendos and subtleties in communications, rather than the bigger and often brighter picture. This obsessive side of your nature means that you also tend to believe that others are opposed to your thoughts and ideas, when perhaps they're not. You need to battle to overcome your tendency to create conflict and then seek revenge in such situations. If you believe that you're losing sight of the plot, then seek advice from a trusted friend or colleague. You are at your most powerful when using your insights for positive purposes. In particular your honesty and insights can be useful in a counselling situation, but be careful of taking these talents out of the consulting room unless invited to do so. Friends and loved ones may not always appreciate your ability to get straight to the point, particularly if they're feeling vulnerable or emotionally distraught. You need to learn tact and diplomacy and sensitivity to other people's pain. Your gifts, combined with compassion, make you a powerful advocate in any field.

Venus SesquiSquare Neptune

It is time for reflection rather than action. Artistic events, spiritual retreats and sojourns in nature are ideal for contemplative stage of your life. You are likely to have romantic notions right now. Let your imagination run wild. Indulge in a little daydreaming and avoid making life-changing decisions. Contracts, both business and personal, are best let alone because you are not in a practical mode - quite the opposite. Cast off as many responsibilities as is reasonable in your current circumstances and take pleasure in this creative and romantic phase. If you try to force practical matters now then you are likely to be disappointed. The more that you can relax and enjoy this phase the more you will feel rested and rejuvenated for the next phase.

Venus Soft Saturn

The planets Venus and Saturn have combined in your chart indicating that you're seeking commitment and security in your primary relationship. Positively speaking this can be a rewarding, long-term relationship with someone trustworthy and reliable. You're faithful and loyal, a dependable, stable and dutiful partner. You value a long-lasting relationship, and are willing to take your time in establishing a permanent partnership. As a young adult you may favour a traditional marital relationship, complete with a formal ceremony and traditional wedding vows. This could change later in adulthood, when you're more likely to consider commitment in other forms. You're likely to achieve your objective of a worthwhile, long-term relationship after careful consideration and planning. On the other hand if you're not careful you may become involved with someone who tries to control your movements and behaviour. Depending on other influences in your chart you may be shy and inhibited in your personal relationships, and be fearful of standing up for your rights. One of your parents may have been too strict, eroding your confidence and ability to make your own way in the world. Consequently you fear expressing yourself, particularly in intimate relationships, and harbour feelings of being unattractive. While your personal relationships may prove difficult you've the ability to form good business partnerships. This is probably because business partners don't require intimacy or emotional vulnerability, which you find frightening. It's also possible that you're attracted to someone much older or perhaps your primary partner is also your business partner. The good news is that once you overcome your feelings of inadequacy you've the ability to form secure and long-lasting relationships based on firm foundations. As your confidence grows you may also enjoy organising social occasions.

Venus Hard Moon

You're likely to experience problems in your relationships, particularly your relationships with women. This is because of the difficult combination of the Moon and the planet Venus in your chart. On the one hand you could tend to take your relationships for granted, spending little time or effort on improving yourself or your friendships. As a result you're likely to be somewhat unpopular and lose face. If you're looking for favours from your friends, or for a satisfactory primary relationship, then you need to take stock and improve your attitude. On the other hand it's also possible that your friends tend to take you for granted. On a more positive note you enjoy the company of other people, and may benefit through your relationships with women, but probably only with some effort on your behalf.

Venus Soft Mars

The planets Venus and Mars are combining in your chart indicating that you seek a stimulating and romantic relationship. You're charming and assertive, passionate and alive, and admire these qualities in a potential intimate partner. You love to share your adventures with your partner, and it's likely that your relationship will inspire both you and your partner to explore new territory. You need only be wary of holding unrealistically high expectations of your partner, as this can lead to difficulties. This is more likely to be the case when you're young and idealistic. You're liable to disappointment, perhaps even angry feelings, when your partner fails to live up to your expectations. You could also feel angry if rejected in love. Fortunately you've an irrepressible side to your nature, on which you can rely in times of relationship trouble. You're a loyal and fun-loving partner with an ability to balance intimacy with independence.

Venus Hard Neptune

The planets Venus and Neptune are combining in a manner which indicates disappointment in your primary relationship. The problem is that you're idealistic and unrealistic when it comes to personal relationships, lacking the discriminatory powers needed to form a steady and lasting partnership. This applies to both your personal and business partnerships. Consequently you often feel disillusioned and sorry for yourself, blaming others for failing to live up to your expectations. It's possible that your partner is indeed deceiving you in some manner, but it's also possible that you're not being honest. Either way it's likely that you're seeing your primary relationship through rose-coloured glasses, and as a result conflict arises because of your lack of discernment. You're caught in a web of fantasies and romantic illusions, either of your own or your partner's making. Coming to terms with the reality of your relationship helps you obtain a better understanding of your primary relationship, and prevents you from becoming disillusioned. Taking off the rose-coloured glasses means that you can make a proper assessment of your primary relationship. As a result you'll experience fewer feelings of resentment and disappointment, and won't be in danger of overlooking some major flaws such as drug addiction or deceit. With the right partner you'll enjoy a sense of peace and fulfilment. You may also enjoy artistic or spiritual pursuits together. You're ardent and loving, responding quickly to your partner's need. In turn you benefit from acts of kindness, love and appreciation.

Venus Soft Uranus

The planets Venus and Uranus are connected in your birth chart indicating that you value freedom and individuality in your most intimate relationships. In fact you're determined to be recognised as an individual by your primary partner, sometimes to the extent that you won't allow anyone to curb your sense of freedom. You're attracted to an unusual, active or lively partner, rather than someone staid. For this reason your primary partner is likely to be inventive, extraordinary or involved in an unusual occupation. This isn't everyone's idea of an ideal partner, but it suits you. You seek spontaneity and intellectual stimulation from your primary relationship. Depending on other influences in your chart, commitment isn't a major part of your vocabulary, and can be something that you tend to avoid, preferring to be "footloose and fancy free". It's likely that you're afraid of losing your independence, or perhaps you simply don't like the confines of a conventional relationship. Fortunately you're likely to have many friends and potential partners. Your bright and magnetic personality attracts potential life partners like moths to a flame. You enjoy socialising and have a wide circle of friends, and believe that it's important that a life partner share your friendships. Your best friend should be your partner, as far as you're concerned.

Mars Soft Uranus

You're positive, self-confident and enterprising. This is because the planets Mars and Uranus are combining positively in your chart. You're enthusiastic and highly self-motivated, if somewhat impulsive, enjoying adventure and new horizons. You do need to be wary of accidents caused through your own rash actions, particularly as you're courageous and likely to be attracted to risky sports and activities. Your dangerous driving on the road is also likely to cause a few hair-raising moments, both for you and other drivers. You're full of good ideas, and once you've determined on a course of action, then you've plenty of motivation to see it through to successful completion. You're independent and prefer to be given plenty of room to carry through your own ideas in your own way. Fortunately this combination usually indicates that you succeed in your wishes, as well as your projects. It's even possible that you'll rise to prominence during your lifetime because your "do or die" attitude to achieving your goals.

Mars Conjunct Midheaven

Mars is at the highest peak of your horoscope. Being at the summit when you were born suggests that this archetype is in high focus in a vocational analysis. Your independent and entrepreneurial spirit needs to be recognised and fostered along with your competitive drive and ambition. You need challenges, direction, goals and tough training to focus your forceful instincts into successful outcomes. Therefore it is probable that you will be a pioneer, an intrepid explorer or a challenging voice in your chosen field of endeavour. Your vocation is your invitation to adventure and through following its path you will find the stimulus you need to feel fully alive and satisfied.

Jupiter Hard Saturn

You can succeed in achieving your life goals, but only after you've learnt to balance the conventional and unorthodox sides of your nature. This is because the planets Jupiter and Saturn are making a difficult aspect in your birth chart. There is a dissident side to your nature, which you've difficulty keeping under control. Unrestrained enthusiasm can lead you into trouble. At other times there's an orthodox side which is overly cautious, causing you to hesitate unnecessarily when action is required. Finding the right balance is hard work. Generally speaking you're a poor judge of when to take action and when to wait patiently. As a result you're likely to suffer financial loss if speculating in the business or financial world. You would also do well, if possible, to steer clear of lawsuits. On a positive note when you can blend the two opposing forces you're capable of great things. You can enjoy success in self-employment or be a valued member of a team, particularly in the business world. Once a balance is achieved you're sure of achieving your objectives in life.

Saturn Hard Uranus

When you're not rebelling against authority, or anyone who tries to curb your individual rights, then you're able to succeed in achieving your ambitions. However, the combination of the planets Saturn and Uranus indicate that you're likely to sabotage your own success through wilful behaviour. You need to overcome your wayward tendencies, and learn to compromise, otherwise your career suffers. On a positive note you're independent, resourceful and self-motivated, all of which enable you to eventually achieve success in whatever you turn your mind to. You may discover that you've natural abilities in the fields of science, mathematics, business organisation, industry and metaphysics. It's likely that you'll succeed in any career that utilises your gift for blending the old with the new.

Saturn soft Venus

The planets Venus and Saturn are combining favourably in your chart indicating that you've an appreciation of the artistic side of life, perhaps even an ability to work in an artistic field. You've a good eye for beauty and structure, which may be reflected in your ability to create a beautiful home environment, or which could be reflected in your career choice. The arts, interior decorating, hairdressing, beauty therapy, architecture or creative design may appeal. Whatever your choice of career, it's likely to reflect your ability to successfully combine work and creativity.

Neptune trine NorthNode

With Neptune trine the North Node, you experience natural ease as the Angelic hosts enter into your life with Tamiel. You are inclined to think that anything is possible when this aspect is active in your life, perhaps because so many Angelic energies contribute to your lively imagination.

A weakness is the lack of flexibility in dealings with other people, possibly due to your confusion about what they want or how you fit into their plans. Another possible problem concerns dreams that disturb your peaceful sleep.

If you have difficulty establishing good contacts with other people, call upon Tamiel and the heavenly hosts for comfort and support. They can stimulate imaginative ways of getting your ideas across to others.

On the up side, you can develop your psychic sensitivity so that you know what is coming in the next moment or the near future. This way you feel better prepared and can appear more adaptable, even if you still feel a bit foggy about the details.

With a host of Angels behind you to bolster your courage, you find that engaging with others in social activities becomes easier.

NorthNode Soft Neptune

You're on a spiritual quest, and your destiny is linked with expressing your artistic and creative talents. This is indicated by the association of the North Node and the planet Neptune. Your challenge is to discover your highest potential, which may be expressed through spiritual or artistic groups.

SouthNode Soft Jupiter

The South Node and the planet Jupiter are combining to suggest that you'll strike problems if you take part in grandiose schemes which are not based on solid groundwork. You're being challenged to develop your expansive ideas in a practical manner. Your quest is to work in a realistic and down-to-earth manner towards your goals.

SouthNode Soft Neptune

You've a tendency to daydream and live in a fantasy world, possibly even escaping into the world of drugs and depression. This is because of the association of the South Node and the planet Neptune in your chart. Your quest in this life is to put your creative talents to positive use.

Chiron square Mercury

You are a very original thinker, one-of-a-kind, a true innovator and proud of it. A wound, very early in life, made you realize just how different your thinking was than of those around you. You probably embraced this discovery of being different and may even have felt happy about it.

The wound can cause you to stick to your conclusions rather than considering what other people have to say and there are times when this actually is a negative trait. Sometimes your conclusions are right on, but not always and you can have a blind spot about this.

As you heal, you will learn to listen, not only to your own logic, but also to that of others, and learn that at times others may be right.

And you speak your mind! (Try to stop you!) Have you heard the song with the refrain, ‘I did it my way’? That one is your theme song.

Some people love and admire you for your mind, and your words, but you have no trouble compiling lists of the enemies you have made among people who are too easily offended. There is even a tendency in you to try doing particular things just to disprove some statement that these things are impossible, cannot be done.

You can have a rather sharp wit, even a bit biting if you choose. Rarely do you find anyone with this aspect who is not rather intelligent. Chiron seems to push Mercury to learn more, find out more, and think more. Often, when you were growing up, you had trouble sticking to certain lines of thinking, and discovering (sometimes traumatically) that you had to change your thinking. Once you learn, through such forced changes, that your mind must adapt, be willing to try new ways of thinking, you then relish trying new and experimental approaches.

Chiron conjunct Moon

No matter what the rest of your chart is like, this aspect makes you very sensitive to vibrations of all types, so you must learn early in life some deep philosophy which takes into account unseen forces. If you don’t, you can grow up terrified of forces beyond your control. For some, this takes on a deep interest in a profound religion, but in whatever direction you were pulled towards, you needed some belief that allowed you to accept your sensitivity, and to accept the forces around you as part of the universe.

You are also extremely susceptible to influence from your personal environment, and soon develop very unique criteria (tastes) about what it takes to make you comfortable. For some it is a choice to live in a residence that other people would feel are anything but normal. (One person I know sought out a place to live in that is haunted; another moved into a house made entirely of rubber tires.)

There is a side to this aspect that can be summed up in the phrase, ‘the hunger’. On some level as a child you felt you were not getting enough of your needs fulfilled, perhaps not enough food, or enough nurturing, or comfort. As a result, until you heal the wound, you seem never to quite get your fill of something. For some, it is food, and they eat way too much; for some it is security, and they fear going out into the world; for some, it is the warmth of a companion, and they are very needy in relationships. The key to healing is to delve into the roots of your feelings, understand why you felt deprived, and forgive those who made you feel that way. In this way you can free yourself from the hunger that is rooted in the wound, and live more in the present.

Should you choose to, you can easily sway people’s emotions because you are able to tune into feelings common to everyone; some emotions most people can identify within themselves. You probably have an instinctive understanding of how to help others, as you have a deep empathy for the pains and sufferings they feel. Especially those that suffer because they must go without.

You most likely had a mother who was quite unique in some way, perhaps a researcher or pioneer in some area, or simply someone who loved to open new doors to see what was on the other side. Or she may have been involved in medicine, health, or healing, trying to find out how to help people. As a result you inherited a deep curiosity yourself, and an instinctive dislike of closed doors, a belief that nothing should block you from finding answers.

Chiron square Venus

Everyone, male and female, has a feminine side; an anima or animus. With Chiron square Venus, there is a lot of pain deep within connected with this part of our nature. Any aspect between Chiron and Venus shows that there were major issues dealing with your sexual role, and/or your relationship with members of the opposite sex. When this aspect expresses negatively, it can be the most extreme case of being unable to deal with one’s own anima or animus as the case may be.

Perhaps you were if a male ridiculed for your feminine side as a child. Or perhaps you were not allowed to indulge in it. (I’ve seen, for example, cases where a male child was discouraged from doing things like painting, or enjoying poetry, made to feel these were ‘not appropriate’ for boys.) Another possibility is the other extreme, that you were judged for being too male, having too much ‘testosterone’, so to speak.

The healing begins when you embrace your feminine side, and find a way to balance it with your masculine side, bringing about wholeness. When the wound is really intense, I have seen some males with extreme ‘macho’ behaviour along with a lot of difficult relationships, and other males going in the exact opposite direction, becoming super-feminine and still having trouble with relationships.

This aspect does give you a completely unique taste in the arts,such that it could lead you to create a whole new style or school of art, if you express the artiste within you. You find beauty in objects others may overlook, look down on, or close their eyes to. When it comes to personal value systems, yours is distinctly unique. Many people with this aspect follow their own path privately within society; others leave society altogether. For some there arises a personal imperative to show society where and how it is wrong to teach others about false values versus true values.

Chiron quincunx Saturn

For you people, the search is on for some version of true reality, something beyond what the world around you perceives as the way things are. You do not accept the idea ‘this is the way things must be’, unless it comes from what you conceive as an indisputable source. And of course it is very rare that you can find such a source, all people being human/fallible, after all.

This aspect seems to work as almost a compulsion to seek truth, to seek the answers to whatever questions or problems you are concerned with. As a result, you can become extremely knowledgeable on a great many subjects, most especially, on the one particular topic that is your quest. On a negative level, you can become the very thing you cannot easily accept in others, you can come to consider yourself as an indisputable source. Even if you don’t actually perceive yourself this way, you can appear to other people as though they think that way. On a more positive level this aspect almost always leads you to become a figure of respect in your field even among those who don’t see eye to eye with you.

Chiron square Pluto

There is a deep wound because you were made to feel you were not in control of yourself, your life, or your direction, and as a result, there is a very strong need to be the master of your own fate, the captain of your own ship. There is almost the feeling that ‘it cannot be any other way’. On a positive level you develop a great deal of self-control and a thirst for new and better ways to improve yourself.

Another side to the wound is that you are extremely sensitive to the environment. If healing has not begun, there is the danger of feeling that other things, and people, are encroaching on ‘your space’, or that others are trying to take your power away from you.

Another expression of this square is the need for continual self-discovery, and a great deal of curiosity to delve into the unknown. The negative expression is an anxious concern that others are delving too deeply into your personal affairs, interfering, and invading privacy.

Still another manifestation of this aspect is the desire for a world in which every person should have the right to manage his/her own life. Positively, you will go out of your own way to help others do this, striving to secure for each individual the same opportunities. In the negative expression there is a danger of dividing people in to ‘us and them’, and trying to give opportunities to ‘us’ at the expense of ‘them.’

Chiron sextile Midheaven

The Midheaven is how you are seen by the public, and is what has often been called the ‘ego ideal’ that is, what role you want to strive to become. This is why it is tied in to career; think of the child who speaks about what he ‘wants to be when he grows up’ and you’ll have a good idea of the Midheaven energy.

Chiron shows that at some point when you were growing up, there was pain associated with what you wanted to be when you matured. It may be that you were made to feel that you had to find the right career and nothing else would do. Or it may be that some adults tried to force you into accepting the idea that you would never become anything important without working very hard at it, that nothing would ever come easy for you. In any event, on some level, it became extremely important that you find out what you want to do with your life, the role you want to play, and that you are sure it will be the ‘right objective.

This aspect also gives you the ability to help open doors for other people, to be the person that helps someone get their foot in the door if needed.