Snape as Scorpio (Was: Phoenix fire?)

[houyhnhnm102]

No: HPFGUIDX 154188

Carol responds:

> The ESE!Snape faction will point out that, with the 
> exception of self-indulgence, he fits the negative 
> traits pretty well.

> But Snape also shows some of the positive traits 
> that you listed.

houyhnhnm:

I agree that Snape exhibits some of the positive traits of water.  In 
fact, I think he is the *only* Slytherin character we have seen who 
does.  

Of course he shows the negative side as well and the negative side 
frequently dominates him.  It is Snape's struggle to overcome the 
negative and actualize the positive side of his Slytherin nature that 
makes him such a fascinating character.  And the fact that he seems to 
want to so badly is what makes him a sympathetic character for many.

The reason Snape (and others of that House) have not succeeded in 
evolving into the Good Slytherin yet is that Voldemort is still out 
there and Hogwarts is still divided against itself.  Hogwarts and the 
WW have to become united and whole before the full potential of 
Slytherin can come into its own.
 
> Carol, wondering if there's a connection between 
> Healer!Snape and Fawkes, who, like the portraits, will 
> have overheard most of Snape's conversations with Dumbledore

houyhnhnm:

I do also believe that there is some kind of connection between 
Snape and Fawkes.  When I looking for descriptions of the sky
outside Dumbledore's office, I was really struck by the fact 
that the first thing Harry sees when he goes to Dumbledore's 
office for the last time is the light from the sunset reflected
in Fawkes' eyes.

"Fawkes the phoenix looked around, his bright 
black eyes gleaming with reflected gold from the sunset beyond the 
windows."

Fawkes' red and gold plumage has been practically crammed 
down our throats, but I don't think our attention has ever 
been drawn to the color of his eyes before (although it is
mentioned when he is in the chamber of secrets with Harry--
"a beady black eye") at least not the way we have been beat 
over the head with Snape's black eyes.  I don't know what 
it means, but I think there is some kind of connection.

akh quips:

> There's one small problem: astrologically speaking, 
> they're Capricorns.

houyhnhnm:

I don't think Rowling was going for cheesy newspaper horoscope sun 
signs in using astrological symbolism and, obviously, if a person's 
birthday determined their house placement there would be no need for 
the Hat.

The Gryffindors are mixed with respect to sun sign.  Harry, Neville, 
Fred, George, Ginny, Hagrid, Bill, and Charlie all have fire sign 
birthdays.  Ron, Percy, Hermione, Angelina Johnson, Molly Weasley, and 
Minerva McGonagall do not.

The only other character from another House that I can find on the 
Lexicon is Professor Flitwick--Libra.  Appropriate.

But of course, as anyone who has dabbled in the Dark Arts knows, it is 
the *overall* influence in the horoscope that is important, not just 
the sun sign.  I did horoscopes for Snape for both 1959 and 1960.  If 
born in 1060, he does have a preponderance of water and air (and I bet 
the Hat thought long and hard about putting him in Ravenclaw, too).  If 
born in 1959, he has Jupiter in Scorpio--very appropriate for a potions 
master.  so, take your pick ;-)