A Mystical Menagerie
Astrology shouldn’t guide your life anymore than Tarot should. It is NOT a religion. At best, it is insight, and like Tarot, provides a way to examine the why behind your why.
Which means that, yes, most of the signs have attributes that might be contradictory...then again, so do many people!
Astrology is about archetypes, and if you finf you don’t fit any description perfectly, GOOD. That really wouldn’t be healthy. For what it’s worth, astrologers have said that the birth chart of a saint or other enlightened person is unreadable: those people have already figured out whatever the universe was trying to tell them, and they go by their own direction now.
“Fate is the question I throw. You can find the answer.”
– Yoo Deok-Hwa (The Lonely and Great God)
Please do not use astrology to make important decisions! In fact, maybe don’t use it even to make trivial ones. All of these systems—Astrology, Tarot, Runes, what have you—should be used as a means to hone your instincts. Again, the why behind the why.
As long as you promise not to decide who your romantic partner should be or when to take an important meeting with astrology, let’s begin.
Let's talk about a few basics before we get into the signs of the Zodiac (which takes it's name from the same word as "zoo").
The "Classical" Planets
Astrology uses planets to symbolize aspects of personalities. As such, original systems of astrology all over the world used seven “planets” (Sun and Moon included) because that was all they could see with the naked eye. (And that’s why seven is such a magical number in so many systems, and why some things—like musical notes—are shoe-horned into systems of seven items.)
Here are the “planets” and what they do in our charts.
The Sun
We know now, of course, that the Sun is a star, but the ancients knew that it was the biggest, brightest body in the bunch. As such, they assigned it the biggest role: our drive to be, and where we feel most “seen”. When people ask “What’s your sign?” they’re referring to your Sun sign.
The Sun rules the sign Leo.
The Moon
Almost as important as the Sun, the Moon symbolizes our emotions and subconscious.
The Moon rules the sign Cancer.
Mercury
The first actual planet, Mercury symbolizes our communication style and mental/cognitive profile.
Mercury rules the signs Gemini and Virgo.
Venus
Venus is emotions, but those that specifically relate to us with others, which is part of why this is sometimes seen as the planet of romance.
Venus rules the signs Taurus and Libra.
Mars
Mars is planet of our energy, action, and drive.
Mars rules the sign Aries.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest of the planets, obvious even without a telescope, and while some call this a planet of expansion, it might be better to think of this as the planet of our ambitions. This is also, I think, where the planets get a little less personally relevant, as Jupiter spends about one year in each sign. I think of this as a generational planet.
Jupiter rules the sign Sagittarius.
Saturn
If Jupiter symbolizes ambition, Saturn is the planet that pumps the brakes. It symbolizes our limitations as well as where we feel vulnerable. As it take a little over thirty years to go through every sign of the Zodiac, this is also considered the planet of maturity.
Saturn rules the sign Capricorn.
The “New” Planets
As these planets take so long to traverse through the Zodiac, they are less useful in and of themselves, but do give some insights when their relationship to the other planets in our charts are analyzed.
Uranus
Uranus is our urge to change it up, and where we want to express our non-conformity.
Uranus rules the sign Aquarius.
Neptune
Neptune is a grown-up version of Uranus. Instead of trying to stick it to the man, it wants to know why “the man” exists in the first place—and where he can best be challenged.
Neptune rules the sign Pisces.
Pluto
Pluto is our urge to deeply understand—and rebuild.
Pluto rules the sign Scorpio.
Understanding the Signs of the Zodiac
Every sign is a unique combination of Element and Character.
The Elements
Fire
This element corresponds to energy and will.
Earth
This element corresponds to practical matters and substance.
Air
This element corresponds to mental energy.
Water
This element corresponds to emotional energy.
Character
Cardinal
Cardinal signs are dynamic with a drive to lead.
Fixed
Fixed signs are a force to be reckoned with; it might be easier to move around them than to move them.Fixed signs are a force to be reckoned with; it might be easier to move around them than to move them.
Mutable
In contrast to Fixed signs, Mutable signs move almost too easily. On the plus side, they are very adaptable.
The Signs of the Zodiac
Aries the Ram
Cardinal Fire. This sign is excited about an idea, a person, or just their own will, and moves forward, sometimes without thinking the consequences through.
Taurus the Bull
Fixed Earth. Let’s call Taurus “committed”. At best, they are patient; at worst, stubborn. Give them time to think something through thoroughly.
Gemini the Twins
Mutable Air. This sign can struggle with duality, or reconciling what might feel like warring impulses. Intelligent, but sometimes difficult to pin down.
Cancer the Crab
Cardinal Water. This sign can be centered on its feelings. Protective of its emotions, but also of others.
Leo the Lion
Fixed Fire. This sign has an admirable belief in itself, and expects everyone to recognize them for their talents (and preferably keep quiet about what still needs work).
Virgo the Virgin
Mutable Earth. This sign is about purity: of thought, intention, and even emotion. As the world is an impure place, this sign is also known for its nervous character.
Libra the Scales
Cardinal Air. This sign is all about balance. Other people tend to enjoy being around Libra because they want to make everyone comfortable—until they have to make a decision. Very difficult to be decisive when you want to see all sides first—but not impossible.
Scorpio the Scorpion
Fixed Water. This sign is all about depth and mystery. The stereotype has them as sex-obsessed, but what they’re really looking for is an understanding of the world we can and can’t see.
Sagittarius the Centaur
Mutable Fire. This sign is known for adventure, but really they’re on a philosophical quest to answer many of the same questions Scorpio has. Gregarious and extroverted, their sunny demeanor can hide deep pessimism, which they’re desperate to be rid of.
Capricorn the Goat
Cardinal Earth. This sign is the adult of the Zodiac. Known for maturity and practicality, they’re also given to being somber and serious—and all from a young age. On the plus side, they age well!
Aquarius the Water Bearer
Fixed Air. This sign can see the big picture, which is great unless you need someone you can share individual feelings with. It’s not that they don’t care, it’s that they’re at a different scale.
Pisces the Fish
Mutable Water. This sign has the same drive to understand as Scorpio and Sagittarius, but they can be easily overwhelmed by their feelings. Known for escapism that can sometimes lead to substance abuse, they are also out-of-the-box thinkers given to brilliance.
No, Seriously, What's My Sign?
Planetary positions change! While I can tell you the range of dates for a given Sun Sign, it's best to consult a chart. Here's a link to the free reports from Cafe Astrology.
Those of you born into the internet age cannot imagine what a convenience it is to have these charts available with a few keystrokes. It used to take books and painstaking calculations to figure out much of the information that's now available within five seconds.
A big, huge note of caution: in order to get accurate information, you're entering your date of birth. That, in combination with an email address, is extremely valuable marketing information (plus the fact that you're indicating an interest in astrology).
Please, I beg you, don't make it worse by buying anything from these sites, and thus giving anyone your credit card information. Clear whatever cookies you have to, add things to your spam account after you get an initial report--in other words, practice good internet hygiene.