Post by Allan on Aug 8, 2007 22:26:35 GMT -5
The Zodiac is made up of 12 Signs that are based on constellation patterns in the night sky.
As the seasons change different constellations appear prominent in the sky. The
constellation under which you were born is sometimes called your Sun Sign, or your Star
Sign.
But before we delve into the meanings of the Signs, a brief explanation needs to be given
here of the two main types of zodiac systems that exist. (For further information on them,
an entire article on these systems is also provided as a resource.) The two systems are the
Tropical zodiac and the Sidereal zodiac. The Tropical zodiac system is based predominantly
on the Earth's position in relation to the Sun, with the Vernal Equinox marking the start of
the Zodiac at 0 degrees Aries. The signs of the Zodiac are actually sections of the sky
placed at certain angles to this starting point and they do not change, regardless of the
'actual' locations of the constellations of the same names. On the other hand, the Sidereal
zodiac system is based on the actual positions of the constellations for which the signs of
the Zodiac are named. Hence, the current position of 0 degrees Aries on a Sidereal chart
would be at approximately 6 degrees of the constellation Pisces, since the constellations
are in different areas than they used to be 2100 years ago. This method is more
astronomically based and literal than the Tropical method.
Which method to use, however, has been the subject of much debate. While sidereal astrology
is more accurate in relation to the planets' positions to the constellations of the
ecliptic, the tropical method is more accurate in terms of the planets' angular positions to
the Earth. So the question is -- Is the planetary influence more affected by its relation to
the constellation or its position relative to Earth. There is no absolute answer here, and
there is justification for both systems. For this course, we are using the Tropical method
and your charts were all done using that method. At the conclusion of the course, you might
like to have your chart cast by someone using the sidereal method, just to see what
differences arise due to the shifting of the planets in the constellations. But for now, we
turn our attention to the Signs.
The 12 Signs of the Zodiac are known to most people, but for quick reference, here is a
listing of the approximate dates when each sign is dominant, along with the animal or symbol
and Element which corresponds to that sign:
Aries (March 20 - April 20)
Ram
Fire
Taurus (April 21 - May 20)
Bull
Earth
Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
Twins
Air
Cancer (June 22 - July 22)
Crab
Water
Leo (July 22 - Aug. 22)
Lion
Fire
Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)
Virgin
Earth
Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 23)
Scales
Air
Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
Scorpion
Water
Sagittarius (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21)
Centaur
Fire
Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)
Goat
Earth
Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19)
Waterbearer
Air
Pisces (Feb. 20 - March 20)
Fish
Water
Other Ways to Classify the Zodiac Signs
There are several ways to classify the signs of the Zodiac. First, we speak of the Quality
of the Signs, what sort of basic characteristics that sign will have. In other words a trait
of Libra is the sense of fairness, but how will Libra interpret that trait? The quality of
the Sign determines the way we attack problems, sort through our emotional baggage and
generally face life. There are three main qualities which are:
Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable
Cardinal Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn
The Cardinal Signs are those which forge ahead. They bring into a situation a sense of
newness, energy and the desire to reach one's goals. There is a sense of authority of the
individual, a self-starter. Someone who has a good idea of his or her own direction. Now the
energy of Cardinal signs is not only found in one's chart if your Sun Sign is Cardinal, but
the same energy can appear in any planets in your birth chart that happen to be in Cardinal
Signs. That area of your chart indicates where you can most EASILY set goals for yourself
and feel confident with achieving them. The key to learning the 'feel' of how this affects
your chart is to take a look at the placement of all the above signs and where they appear.
If they have planets in those signs the effect will be stronger. You can learn a lot about
yourself by looking at the Cardinal signs and seeing where they appear in your chart. It
will give you some place to start seeing how astrology works for you. Then try taking a look
at the chart of someone you know well. The more you work with this type of factor and
compare it to what you are aware of about yourself and others, the easier it becomes to see
how it plays out in the birth chart. That fact will be true for every new feature of
Astrology you learn. For now, remember these key words about Cardinal signs: self-directed,
goal-oriented.
Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
The Fixed Signs sound like they would be 'fixated' easily and they are. These are the ones
who are steadfast, loyal, enduring, and sometimes hard to budge. They have the distinction
of making up their minds easily, but don't try to change them once they have decided!
They're fixed! And this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Look at the planets you have in fixed
signs to see where you have energy that is willing to endure, can stick it out for the long
haul and handles the rule book well. This type of energy stays inside the lines when it
colors, and after all, that makes the picture prettier, doesn't it? The key to understanding
Fixed signs and what they do for your chart is to remember the keywords: patient, sustained,
and structured. These traits will keep you from being kicked off the island, as Fixed Signs
do tend to be survivors!
Mutable Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces
The Mutable signs are not those which can be muted.... they are those which can be
transmuted, flexible, considered, adaptive, and cooperative. These folks can handle chaos.
Sometimes they even thrive in it. Having more than one opinion on the table doesn't bother
them in the least, in fact two or more of those opinions may be theirs... The energy of the
Mutable signs is pliable, adaptable to new ideas and changeable. These are the people you
want on a team or a committee because they can referree in situations when two or more
conflicting ideas arises. They can see both sides and have no trouble adapting to changes in
venue or sudden interruptions in their schedule. They are more spontaneous than the fixed
signs, but not as likely to see things through to the end. On balance, it is important to
remember that it is good to have some of all these qualities in your chart and it is quite
likely that a missing quality or a quality that is represented only once in your chart will
affect you significantly. But not necessarily is that a bad thing. Many times, knowing there
is a missing quality pushes an individual to work hard to gain that missing ability, which
allows for significant growth. Keywords for Mutable signs are: flexible, adaptable, and
cooperative.
Elements and the Sun Signs
This may seem to go without saying but really the Elements are key to knowing each of the
Sun Signs' characteristics. We now know for example that Aries is a Cardinal sign. We also
know it is a Fire Sign. So we start with someone born in the Springtime when everything is
just emerging, like new plants and budding leaves. That person is self-directed, like a
flowering bulb, you need not worry with a lot of pruning, prodding and poking -- this flower
will bloom where it was planted without a lot of intervening. Not like a Rose which requires
pruning, feeding, spraying for bugs.....and on and on. Aries is too independent for that
kind of fuss and muss! And besides, Aries is a Fire Sign. Fire possesses its own spark, and
Aries is the first Sign out of the gauntlet. It is the pioneer, the adventurer, the
risk-taker. No one needs to tell an Aries to get going, because the chances are, they took
off already and where were you?! Aries is the spark of ignition in the committee of Sun
Signs. The one who says, okay, enough talk. Let's start already. And if no one else agrees,
no matter! The fire is lit and it will burn to light the way! Because Aries is a cardinal
sign and knows where it is going without the need of anyone else trying to guide it.
(self-directed, goal-oriented)
Gee, that wasn't so complicated, was it? Let's try it with Gemini, a Mutable sign. Okay,
Gemini is flexible, a Summer time sign, it shines brightly and tends to have lots of
opinions....going back to the flower analogy, Gemini is more like a plant that trails or
vines, one that grows on a fence, perhaps. It may bend toward the sun or grow climbing
toward the sun on a trellis. Mutable and adaptable, it may need to be staked up to keep it
growing in one direction since it tends not to worry about such things, but it will be an
easy to grow type of flower. Gemini is an Air Sign and that means it will shed a pleasant
fragrance, no matter what kind of flower it is.... Now to bring this back to us humans, what
that gives us in the way of characteristics is a person who has influence, likes to talk
(sheds its fragrance), and is willing to hear others out too. This all connects.....if you
like to talk you will be the one having an influence if others hang back and don't say
anything. You may not know where you are going, like the Cardinal signs, but you are
flexible about how you get there and hearing others out / exchange of ideas with them is
part of how you find your way. You aren't too concerned about being straight and tall and
you are more interested in the journey than the getting there, but you have the tools needed
to achieve your goals just the same.
If this seems like a long way around to get to the meaning of each Sun Sign, perhaps the
following analysis will help. Try to see if you can pick out the places where each sign's
traits can be traced back to Quality and Element correspondences.
Sun Sign Energies
Aries
Aries is the first sign. The Environment in this part of the Zodiac is new, fresh and
undifferentiated energy. Action feeds on itself -- doing something just to keep busy. Think
of busy metropolitan cities, like New York and L.A. Everywhere there is change, one building
is going up while another is being torn down. The newness of Spring ushered in as Winter is
on its way out. Everyone is in motion. Work and play is attacked with equal enthusiasm.
Courage, energy and the willingness to risk everything as you rush forward into new
territory. Think of pioneers, groundbreaking ideas, a spontaneous outpouring of feelings and
ideas that are turned into actions. There is great passion here, enough to conquer all foes.
This allows others to come along afterward and settle the land they have discovered. Aries
is the energy of the life force at the moment of its inception. It is the initial impulse
through which the potential becomes actual, and it is therefore associated with the
beginning of any cycle. It is the spark to start.
Taurus
Unlike the pulsating energy of the Aries environment, the energy here is a quiet atmosphere,
focused and steady. The fire of life that was generated by Aries is given opportunity to
grow in Taurus, the energy of green pastures and fields of growing wheat or corn. It is the
energy of heavy trucks carrying dirt out of great holes in the earth where new
buildings/homes will soon arise. Taurus is the development and growth where activity and
energy is never random. There is also possession. Material goods are counted, weighed and
measured. Imagine Fort Knox, stockpiles of goods, food, silver and gold. Think of the
Egyptian and Mayan storehouses of their treasures, the "gnomes" of Zurich which guard the
secret Swiss accounts of the world's wealthiest people. Feel the comfort of goosedown, the
warmth of wool and the softness of fine leather. Taurus is the stage in the cycle when
physical contact, form and structure are most important. Taurus wants to be comfortable.
Gemini
As the third stage in the cycle of existence, Gemini is the mental energy of ideas,
understanding, communication. Descartes said, "Cogito ergo sum" -- I think, therefore I am.
That might well sum up Gemini. The life force arises in Aries, develops physically in
Taurus, and then settles down to the awareness of thought in Gemini. It reflects on itself
here. Language is learned, communication takes place, information is acquired, processed,
and shared. It is not the mental energy that creates libraries or universities, but it wants
instead to know, to inform. It is energy that seeks cleverness, imitation, education. It is
the learning of grammar school and trade school, a practical learning. Arts and crafts,
newspapers, magazines, and in some cases, record-keeping. Think of people oriented systems,
the community, gossip, neighborhood watch, the PTA. Also the postal system, communication by
email, business office lounges, meetings, and the like. It is local transportation...bikes,
cabs, buses. This energy is both physical and mental, a culmination of everything in the
stars so far. Think of the energy that ripples the water and carries aloft the seeds of
plants -- like the seeds of ideas and change that flow from place to place.
Cancer
The fourth sign is Cancer, and here we enter an environment totally dominated by emotional
energy. The life force of Aries adapts to the physical world in Taurus and attains awareness
in Gemini. Now it is focused on the needs and desires which come to the fore in Cancer. As a
new stage in the cycle of existence, the energy of Cancer is, after the creation of life
itself, the strongest energy of all. However is requires nurturing before it can function,
like the Rose which requires such special care, it is worth the effort to see it bloom. It
constantly seeks to feed on itself. It is immature and uncontrolled, bouncing back and forth
between extremes. Protective, self-serving, and intolerant, it is the Crab which seeks to
destroy whatever threatens it. Yet it is also the positive energy of putting down roots,
building strong foundations, raising families, bringing together those who share similar
beliefs and common goals. It is sentimental, it grasps ideas well and it is amazingly
successful. Because this energy does not exist outside the human spirit, it is important to
understand its duality. It is the heart of darkness which is also loving and giving. All
that is good and all that is evil is embodied here. Emotional energy gives us our unique
place in the cosmos.
Leo
The environment of Leo, fifth sign of the Zodiac, is akin to the atmosphere of Aries. There
is great stimulation and vitality in the energy here. It is sustained and motivated
activity. As part of the cycle, Leo is the energy that seeks to experience itself through
recreation or re - creation. What began in Aries as the Life spark, now developed through
physical, mental and emotional levels, has become a full out flame in Leo that adds new
dimensions to the stages that preceeded it. Leo's energy seeks to achieve great physical
accomplishment and physical pleasure, to add humor, imagination and depth to mental
awareness, and increase emotional capacity for enjoyment and inspiration. The energy in Leo
requires recognition -- it demands an audience. Uncontrolled, it is capable of consuming
everything in its path. It is the energy of adventure and amusement, of noble gestures and
grandiose schemes. It seeks freedom from the mundane in order to pursue the fantastic.
Virgo
The environment of Virgo, sixth sign of the Zodiac, is more subdued than Leo, though no less
active in its own way. As Part of the cycle we're following, Virgo is energy focused on
gathering what has been gained and putting it to some higher purpose. Crops are beginning to
be harvested, skills are developed, information is beginning to be organized and desire is
sacrificed in the line of duty. In this part of the zodiac, virtue is its own reward. It is
the energy directed to the ordinary, to the weaving the fabric of life, to carrying out of
mundane tasks. It is the energy of household gods dedicated to the glory of the folded
laundry and the clean bathroom. It is the overseer of goods and services, the one who
handles the money. It is the necessary which is taken for granted, yet it is missed
immediately when absent. Think of the pharmacy, the school, the local newspaper, the grocer,
the tailor, the traveling salesman. The energy here is competence, cleverness, and
expectation. It is energy too easily inhibited by stronger forces, too easily trapped by its
own standards.
Libra
Libra is the seventh sign of the Zodiac, the mental energy that dominates and makes this
part of the cycle deceptivley quiet. Physical and emotional activity are carefully weighed
and measured here. It is energy directed inward and outward in equal measure. Extremes are
avoided here. The middle course is always taken because when it is off balance, this energy
is paralyzed. The maturity gained in previous cycles is the energy of Libra focused on
civility and behavior and good attitude. As in Gemini (air) there is an emphasis on ideas
and communication, but the energy here is more concerned with how it is shared --
cooperation and interaction. Refinement and considered judgment hide the strength of Libra's
strategy and manipulation. This is the environment of the general not the foot soldier, the
designer not just the builder, the judge, not the executioner. In the cycle of existence,
Libra is the energy that sustains the balance between the physical and mental, between
spiritual and nonspiritual, and between the individual and society.
Scorpio
From the mentally energized realm of Libra, we pass into the watery realm of Scorpio, the
8th sign of the Zodiac. Emotional energy here is the ruling force. It is not the obvious or
wildly emotional environment of Cancer, because it has passed through the balance of Libra
and it now exerts control over the expression of its energy. It is more intense and more
patient. It is the energy of observation, analysis and penetration. It seeks to recognize
its own motivation and behavior. It separates the relevant from the trivial, fathoms the
depths, and unlocks the secrets. It is instinct and resourcefulness. As a stage in the
cycle, Scorpio is focused on emotional control as a means of becoming more powerful. The
inclination to protect that prevails in Cancer is expanded in Scorpio's environment to the
ultimate preservation, which is regeneration. It is the energy of transformation. It is
development, conservation, and use of basic resources. Think of urban renewal, recycling,
and waste management. Think of the cook, the butcher, the gardener and the renovator.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius is the ninth sign and the environment in this part of the Zodiac is active,
restless, like the season in which it occurs. It is an energy focused on the physical,
intellectual, and emotional attainments acquired in all the previous stages. It seeks the
total experience. Everything is the biggest and the boldest. It is the adventure, passion,
joy and spiritual development. It turns information into knowledge and knowledge into
wisdom. It is the creative force so dynamic and unique as to almost be a religious
experience. It cannot or will not function when it is confined or limited. The energy here
is abundance, the grand gesture, exaggerated pageantry. Think of universities, libraries,
theaters, and museums. Think of art dealers, publishers. Sagittarius is inspiring and
prophetic; it is status-seeking, righteous and fanatic. It is energy constantly seeking
beyond its own bounds. As part of the cycle, Sagittarius is the spirit seeking its outer
limits.
Capricorn
By the time the energy of life has reached the 10th sign of the Zodiac, it has grown heavy.
At its best, Capricorn provides the spirit with proper focus as the guardian of time and
space. In this environment, the energy is focused on the big picture, the structure that
contains the parts that make up the whole. It is the foundation. Think of the clock, the
calendar, the outline. They are bound by the limits of what they measure. Capricorn is the
one who plays by the rules, in fact, it worships the rulebook. It is the energy of limits
and regulations that must be observed in order to be stable and endure. It is the energy of
authority and control. It is also ambitious, devious and cunning. It is the ends that
justify the means. Capricorn energy is also longevity, the rewards of hard work and
dedication. Its natural inclination is serious, formal and never random. There is no
spontaneity here. It is the energy of experience. It never assumes. Think of a virgin forest
in awesome maturity, a fine wine that has aged to perfection. Think of the richness of
tradition and the legacy of remembrance.
Aquarius
From the mountains of the goat, (Capricorn), the cycle passes on to the ethereal realm of
Aquarius, dominated again by the energy of ideas and communication. The energy of the
eleventh sign is focused on all that has been learned in the previous cycles. It is
philanthropic and wants to make it all work out to the benefit of humankind. In this stage,
knowledge is transformed into principles and ideals. It is the energy of universal language
and communication. This is a strange environment because the prinicple force represents
society, but it does not become one of the crowd. It tries to retain the needs of the many
while never sacrificing the one. If the uniqueness of the one is lost, so is the uniqueness
of all. It is energy unbiased, singular and independent. It is communication that seeks the
widest possible audience. Think of radio, telephone, telegraph. Think of science,
technology, the computer. It is an energy that is democratic and liberal, yet conservative
and traditional. It is stability being upset by the unpredictable, and then, the
unpredictable being made stable. It is the energy of groups and organizations who share the
same interests and goals.
Pisces
The 12th and final sign of the Zodiac is Pisces. As the last stage of the cycle is reached,
Pisces signifies the energy of the subconscious, the power of spiritual and emotional
ideals. It is an environment ruled by emotional energy-- energy of a remarkable kind. Easily
consumed by action of Fire, overwhelmed by the responsibility of Earth, blown away by the
Air of confusion, and drowned in the Water of Need. Yet Pisces is able to still survive them
all. It is energy that must devote itself to survival or risk its own destruction. Illusion
here becomes reality and reality becomes illusion. It is inner strength and unseen power.
Piscean energy comes from hidden dreams and inner struggles. Think of the fragile beauty and
incredible strength of a spider's web. Think of a flower growing out of a rock and the
reflection of the big wide world in a raindrop.
That's it, folks.....hope you get a better picture now of the power and energy behind the
signs, rather than simply a bunch of words that label people with traits. Now if you're
looking for listings of traits, you can consult any of a number of books for those, but I
caution you, most people don't like to be labelled and most labels don't entirely fit the
people. It is better to know the energy behind the Sign in general anyway because you have
to apply it to a lot more than just your Sun. You need to know how the various planets act
in the signs and how the signs affect the Houses. This is like many other "Skill building"
courses. Everything builds on what comes before it. Since that is true, it is best to really
master the nature of the signs before you move on.
To give credit and for your further research, I borrowed and adapted some of the above
information from: The Instant Horoscope Predictor by Julia Lupton Skalka.
I would also recommend:
Painless Astrology by Paul V. Beyerl
Intuitive Astrology by Elizabeth Campbell
Astrology for the Millions by Grant Lewi
The Twelve Houses by Howard Sasportas
The Creative Astrologer by Noel Tyl
You will hear a lot from me about Rob Hand, Dane Rudhyar, and Noel Tyl as their work is
absolutely foundational to modern astrology interpretation. Not everything written by a
great astrologer is easy to understand, but eventually, you will be glad you have some of
those books on your shelf!
As the seasons change different constellations appear prominent in the sky. The
constellation under which you were born is sometimes called your Sun Sign, or your Star
Sign.
But before we delve into the meanings of the Signs, a brief explanation needs to be given
here of the two main types of zodiac systems that exist. (For further information on them,
an entire article on these systems is also provided as a resource.) The two systems are the
Tropical zodiac and the Sidereal zodiac. The Tropical zodiac system is based predominantly
on the Earth's position in relation to the Sun, with the Vernal Equinox marking the start of
the Zodiac at 0 degrees Aries. The signs of the Zodiac are actually sections of the sky
placed at certain angles to this starting point and they do not change, regardless of the
'actual' locations of the constellations of the same names. On the other hand, the Sidereal
zodiac system is based on the actual positions of the constellations for which the signs of
the Zodiac are named. Hence, the current position of 0 degrees Aries on a Sidereal chart
would be at approximately 6 degrees of the constellation Pisces, since the constellations
are in different areas than they used to be 2100 years ago. This method is more
astronomically based and literal than the Tropical method.
Which method to use, however, has been the subject of much debate. While sidereal astrology
is more accurate in relation to the planets' positions to the constellations of the
ecliptic, the tropical method is more accurate in terms of the planets' angular positions to
the Earth. So the question is -- Is the planetary influence more affected by its relation to
the constellation or its position relative to Earth. There is no absolute answer here, and
there is justification for both systems. For this course, we are using the Tropical method
and your charts were all done using that method. At the conclusion of the course, you might
like to have your chart cast by someone using the sidereal method, just to see what
differences arise due to the shifting of the planets in the constellations. But for now, we
turn our attention to the Signs.
The 12 Signs of the Zodiac are known to most people, but for quick reference, here is a
listing of the approximate dates when each sign is dominant, along with the animal or symbol
and Element which corresponds to that sign:
Aries (March 20 - April 20)
Ram
Fire
Taurus (April 21 - May 20)
Bull
Earth
Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
Twins
Air
Cancer (June 22 - July 22)
Crab
Water
Leo (July 22 - Aug. 22)
Lion
Fire
Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)
Virgin
Earth
Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 23)
Scales
Air
Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
Scorpion
Water
Sagittarius (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21)
Centaur
Fire
Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)
Goat
Earth
Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19)
Waterbearer
Air
Pisces (Feb. 20 - March 20)
Fish
Water
Other Ways to Classify the Zodiac Signs
There are several ways to classify the signs of the Zodiac. First, we speak of the Quality
of the Signs, what sort of basic characteristics that sign will have. In other words a trait
of Libra is the sense of fairness, but how will Libra interpret that trait? The quality of
the Sign determines the way we attack problems, sort through our emotional baggage and
generally face life. There are three main qualities which are:
Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable
Cardinal Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn
The Cardinal Signs are those which forge ahead. They bring into a situation a sense of
newness, energy and the desire to reach one's goals. There is a sense of authority of the
individual, a self-starter. Someone who has a good idea of his or her own direction. Now the
energy of Cardinal signs is not only found in one's chart if your Sun Sign is Cardinal, but
the same energy can appear in any planets in your birth chart that happen to be in Cardinal
Signs. That area of your chart indicates where you can most EASILY set goals for yourself
and feel confident with achieving them. The key to learning the 'feel' of how this affects
your chart is to take a look at the placement of all the above signs and where they appear.
If they have planets in those signs the effect will be stronger. You can learn a lot about
yourself by looking at the Cardinal signs and seeing where they appear in your chart. It
will give you some place to start seeing how astrology works for you. Then try taking a look
at the chart of someone you know well. The more you work with this type of factor and
compare it to what you are aware of about yourself and others, the easier it becomes to see
how it plays out in the birth chart. That fact will be true for every new feature of
Astrology you learn. For now, remember these key words about Cardinal signs: self-directed,
goal-oriented.
Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
The Fixed Signs sound like they would be 'fixated' easily and they are. These are the ones
who are steadfast, loyal, enduring, and sometimes hard to budge. They have the distinction
of making up their minds easily, but don't try to change them once they have decided!
They're fixed! And this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Look at the planets you have in fixed
signs to see where you have energy that is willing to endure, can stick it out for the long
haul and handles the rule book well. This type of energy stays inside the lines when it
colors, and after all, that makes the picture prettier, doesn't it? The key to understanding
Fixed signs and what they do for your chart is to remember the keywords: patient, sustained,
and structured. These traits will keep you from being kicked off the island, as Fixed Signs
do tend to be survivors!
Mutable Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces
The Mutable signs are not those which can be muted.... they are those which can be
transmuted, flexible, considered, adaptive, and cooperative. These folks can handle chaos.
Sometimes they even thrive in it. Having more than one opinion on the table doesn't bother
them in the least, in fact two or more of those opinions may be theirs... The energy of the
Mutable signs is pliable, adaptable to new ideas and changeable. These are the people you
want on a team or a committee because they can referree in situations when two or more
conflicting ideas arises. They can see both sides and have no trouble adapting to changes in
venue or sudden interruptions in their schedule. They are more spontaneous than the fixed
signs, but not as likely to see things through to the end. On balance, it is important to
remember that it is good to have some of all these qualities in your chart and it is quite
likely that a missing quality or a quality that is represented only once in your chart will
affect you significantly. But not necessarily is that a bad thing. Many times, knowing there
is a missing quality pushes an individual to work hard to gain that missing ability, which
allows for significant growth. Keywords for Mutable signs are: flexible, adaptable, and
cooperative.
Elements and the Sun Signs
This may seem to go without saying but really the Elements are key to knowing each of the
Sun Signs' characteristics. We now know for example that Aries is a Cardinal sign. We also
know it is a Fire Sign. So we start with someone born in the Springtime when everything is
just emerging, like new plants and budding leaves. That person is self-directed, like a
flowering bulb, you need not worry with a lot of pruning, prodding and poking -- this flower
will bloom where it was planted without a lot of intervening. Not like a Rose which requires
pruning, feeding, spraying for bugs.....and on and on. Aries is too independent for that
kind of fuss and muss! And besides, Aries is a Fire Sign. Fire possesses its own spark, and
Aries is the first Sign out of the gauntlet. It is the pioneer, the adventurer, the
risk-taker. No one needs to tell an Aries to get going, because the chances are, they took
off already and where were you?! Aries is the spark of ignition in the committee of Sun
Signs. The one who says, okay, enough talk. Let's start already. And if no one else agrees,
no matter! The fire is lit and it will burn to light the way! Because Aries is a cardinal
sign and knows where it is going without the need of anyone else trying to guide it.
(self-directed, goal-oriented)
Gee, that wasn't so complicated, was it? Let's try it with Gemini, a Mutable sign. Okay,
Gemini is flexible, a Summer time sign, it shines brightly and tends to have lots of
opinions....going back to the flower analogy, Gemini is more like a plant that trails or
vines, one that grows on a fence, perhaps. It may bend toward the sun or grow climbing
toward the sun on a trellis. Mutable and adaptable, it may need to be staked up to keep it
growing in one direction since it tends not to worry about such things, but it will be an
easy to grow type of flower. Gemini is an Air Sign and that means it will shed a pleasant
fragrance, no matter what kind of flower it is.... Now to bring this back to us humans, what
that gives us in the way of characteristics is a person who has influence, likes to talk
(sheds its fragrance), and is willing to hear others out too. This all connects.....if you
like to talk you will be the one having an influence if others hang back and don't say
anything. You may not know where you are going, like the Cardinal signs, but you are
flexible about how you get there and hearing others out / exchange of ideas with them is
part of how you find your way. You aren't too concerned about being straight and tall and
you are more interested in the journey than the getting there, but you have the tools needed
to achieve your goals just the same.
If this seems like a long way around to get to the meaning of each Sun Sign, perhaps the
following analysis will help. Try to see if you can pick out the places where each sign's
traits can be traced back to Quality and Element correspondences.
Sun Sign Energies
Aries
Aries is the first sign. The Environment in this part of the Zodiac is new, fresh and
undifferentiated energy. Action feeds on itself -- doing something just to keep busy. Think
of busy metropolitan cities, like New York and L.A. Everywhere there is change, one building
is going up while another is being torn down. The newness of Spring ushered in as Winter is
on its way out. Everyone is in motion. Work and play is attacked with equal enthusiasm.
Courage, energy and the willingness to risk everything as you rush forward into new
territory. Think of pioneers, groundbreaking ideas, a spontaneous outpouring of feelings and
ideas that are turned into actions. There is great passion here, enough to conquer all foes.
This allows others to come along afterward and settle the land they have discovered. Aries
is the energy of the life force at the moment of its inception. It is the initial impulse
through which the potential becomes actual, and it is therefore associated with the
beginning of any cycle. It is the spark to start.
Taurus
Unlike the pulsating energy of the Aries environment, the energy here is a quiet atmosphere,
focused and steady. The fire of life that was generated by Aries is given opportunity to
grow in Taurus, the energy of green pastures and fields of growing wheat or corn. It is the
energy of heavy trucks carrying dirt out of great holes in the earth where new
buildings/homes will soon arise. Taurus is the development and growth where activity and
energy is never random. There is also possession. Material goods are counted, weighed and
measured. Imagine Fort Knox, stockpiles of goods, food, silver and gold. Think of the
Egyptian and Mayan storehouses of their treasures, the "gnomes" of Zurich which guard the
secret Swiss accounts of the world's wealthiest people. Feel the comfort of goosedown, the
warmth of wool and the softness of fine leather. Taurus is the stage in the cycle when
physical contact, form and structure are most important. Taurus wants to be comfortable.
Gemini
As the third stage in the cycle of existence, Gemini is the mental energy of ideas,
understanding, communication. Descartes said, "Cogito ergo sum" -- I think, therefore I am.
That might well sum up Gemini. The life force arises in Aries, develops physically in
Taurus, and then settles down to the awareness of thought in Gemini. It reflects on itself
here. Language is learned, communication takes place, information is acquired, processed,
and shared. It is not the mental energy that creates libraries or universities, but it wants
instead to know, to inform. It is energy that seeks cleverness, imitation, education. It is
the learning of grammar school and trade school, a practical learning. Arts and crafts,
newspapers, magazines, and in some cases, record-keeping. Think of people oriented systems,
the community, gossip, neighborhood watch, the PTA. Also the postal system, communication by
email, business office lounges, meetings, and the like. It is local transportation...bikes,
cabs, buses. This energy is both physical and mental, a culmination of everything in the
stars so far. Think of the energy that ripples the water and carries aloft the seeds of
plants -- like the seeds of ideas and change that flow from place to place.
Cancer
The fourth sign is Cancer, and here we enter an environment totally dominated by emotional
energy. The life force of Aries adapts to the physical world in Taurus and attains awareness
in Gemini. Now it is focused on the needs and desires which come to the fore in Cancer. As a
new stage in the cycle of existence, the energy of Cancer is, after the creation of life
itself, the strongest energy of all. However is requires nurturing before it can function,
like the Rose which requires such special care, it is worth the effort to see it bloom. It
constantly seeks to feed on itself. It is immature and uncontrolled, bouncing back and forth
between extremes. Protective, self-serving, and intolerant, it is the Crab which seeks to
destroy whatever threatens it. Yet it is also the positive energy of putting down roots,
building strong foundations, raising families, bringing together those who share similar
beliefs and common goals. It is sentimental, it grasps ideas well and it is amazingly
successful. Because this energy does not exist outside the human spirit, it is important to
understand its duality. It is the heart of darkness which is also loving and giving. All
that is good and all that is evil is embodied here. Emotional energy gives us our unique
place in the cosmos.
Leo
The environment of Leo, fifth sign of the Zodiac, is akin to the atmosphere of Aries. There
is great stimulation and vitality in the energy here. It is sustained and motivated
activity. As part of the cycle, Leo is the energy that seeks to experience itself through
recreation or re - creation. What began in Aries as the Life spark, now developed through
physical, mental and emotional levels, has become a full out flame in Leo that adds new
dimensions to the stages that preceeded it. Leo's energy seeks to achieve great physical
accomplishment and physical pleasure, to add humor, imagination and depth to mental
awareness, and increase emotional capacity for enjoyment and inspiration. The energy in Leo
requires recognition -- it demands an audience. Uncontrolled, it is capable of consuming
everything in its path. It is the energy of adventure and amusement, of noble gestures and
grandiose schemes. It seeks freedom from the mundane in order to pursue the fantastic.
Virgo
The environment of Virgo, sixth sign of the Zodiac, is more subdued than Leo, though no less
active in its own way. As Part of the cycle we're following, Virgo is energy focused on
gathering what has been gained and putting it to some higher purpose. Crops are beginning to
be harvested, skills are developed, information is beginning to be organized and desire is
sacrificed in the line of duty. In this part of the zodiac, virtue is its own reward. It is
the energy directed to the ordinary, to the weaving the fabric of life, to carrying out of
mundane tasks. It is the energy of household gods dedicated to the glory of the folded
laundry and the clean bathroom. It is the overseer of goods and services, the one who
handles the money. It is the necessary which is taken for granted, yet it is missed
immediately when absent. Think of the pharmacy, the school, the local newspaper, the grocer,
the tailor, the traveling salesman. The energy here is competence, cleverness, and
expectation. It is energy too easily inhibited by stronger forces, too easily trapped by its
own standards.
Libra
Libra is the seventh sign of the Zodiac, the mental energy that dominates and makes this
part of the cycle deceptivley quiet. Physical and emotional activity are carefully weighed
and measured here. It is energy directed inward and outward in equal measure. Extremes are
avoided here. The middle course is always taken because when it is off balance, this energy
is paralyzed. The maturity gained in previous cycles is the energy of Libra focused on
civility and behavior and good attitude. As in Gemini (air) there is an emphasis on ideas
and communication, but the energy here is more concerned with how it is shared --
cooperation and interaction. Refinement and considered judgment hide the strength of Libra's
strategy and manipulation. This is the environment of the general not the foot soldier, the
designer not just the builder, the judge, not the executioner. In the cycle of existence,
Libra is the energy that sustains the balance between the physical and mental, between
spiritual and nonspiritual, and between the individual and society.
Scorpio
From the mentally energized realm of Libra, we pass into the watery realm of Scorpio, the
8th sign of the Zodiac. Emotional energy here is the ruling force. It is not the obvious or
wildly emotional environment of Cancer, because it has passed through the balance of Libra
and it now exerts control over the expression of its energy. It is more intense and more
patient. It is the energy of observation, analysis and penetration. It seeks to recognize
its own motivation and behavior. It separates the relevant from the trivial, fathoms the
depths, and unlocks the secrets. It is instinct and resourcefulness. As a stage in the
cycle, Scorpio is focused on emotional control as a means of becoming more powerful. The
inclination to protect that prevails in Cancer is expanded in Scorpio's environment to the
ultimate preservation, which is regeneration. It is the energy of transformation. It is
development, conservation, and use of basic resources. Think of urban renewal, recycling,
and waste management. Think of the cook, the butcher, the gardener and the renovator.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius is the ninth sign and the environment in this part of the Zodiac is active,
restless, like the season in which it occurs. It is an energy focused on the physical,
intellectual, and emotional attainments acquired in all the previous stages. It seeks the
total experience. Everything is the biggest and the boldest. It is the adventure, passion,
joy and spiritual development. It turns information into knowledge and knowledge into
wisdom. It is the creative force so dynamic and unique as to almost be a religious
experience. It cannot or will not function when it is confined or limited. The energy here
is abundance, the grand gesture, exaggerated pageantry. Think of universities, libraries,
theaters, and museums. Think of art dealers, publishers. Sagittarius is inspiring and
prophetic; it is status-seeking, righteous and fanatic. It is energy constantly seeking
beyond its own bounds. As part of the cycle, Sagittarius is the spirit seeking its outer
limits.
Capricorn
By the time the energy of life has reached the 10th sign of the Zodiac, it has grown heavy.
At its best, Capricorn provides the spirit with proper focus as the guardian of time and
space. In this environment, the energy is focused on the big picture, the structure that
contains the parts that make up the whole. It is the foundation. Think of the clock, the
calendar, the outline. They are bound by the limits of what they measure. Capricorn is the
one who plays by the rules, in fact, it worships the rulebook. It is the energy of limits
and regulations that must be observed in order to be stable and endure. It is the energy of
authority and control. It is also ambitious, devious and cunning. It is the ends that
justify the means. Capricorn energy is also longevity, the rewards of hard work and
dedication. Its natural inclination is serious, formal and never random. There is no
spontaneity here. It is the energy of experience. It never assumes. Think of a virgin forest
in awesome maturity, a fine wine that has aged to perfection. Think of the richness of
tradition and the legacy of remembrance.
Aquarius
From the mountains of the goat, (Capricorn), the cycle passes on to the ethereal realm of
Aquarius, dominated again by the energy of ideas and communication. The energy of the
eleventh sign is focused on all that has been learned in the previous cycles. It is
philanthropic and wants to make it all work out to the benefit of humankind. In this stage,
knowledge is transformed into principles and ideals. It is the energy of universal language
and communication. This is a strange environment because the prinicple force represents
society, but it does not become one of the crowd. It tries to retain the needs of the many
while never sacrificing the one. If the uniqueness of the one is lost, so is the uniqueness
of all. It is energy unbiased, singular and independent. It is communication that seeks the
widest possible audience. Think of radio, telephone, telegraph. Think of science,
technology, the computer. It is an energy that is democratic and liberal, yet conservative
and traditional. It is stability being upset by the unpredictable, and then, the
unpredictable being made stable. It is the energy of groups and organizations who share the
same interests and goals.
Pisces
The 12th and final sign of the Zodiac is Pisces. As the last stage of the cycle is reached,
Pisces signifies the energy of the subconscious, the power of spiritual and emotional
ideals. It is an environment ruled by emotional energy-- energy of a remarkable kind. Easily
consumed by action of Fire, overwhelmed by the responsibility of Earth, blown away by the
Air of confusion, and drowned in the Water of Need. Yet Pisces is able to still survive them
all. It is energy that must devote itself to survival or risk its own destruction. Illusion
here becomes reality and reality becomes illusion. It is inner strength and unseen power.
Piscean energy comes from hidden dreams and inner struggles. Think of the fragile beauty and
incredible strength of a spider's web. Think of a flower growing out of a rock and the
reflection of the big wide world in a raindrop.
That's it, folks.....hope you get a better picture now of the power and energy behind the
signs, rather than simply a bunch of words that label people with traits. Now if you're
looking for listings of traits, you can consult any of a number of books for those, but I
caution you, most people don't like to be labelled and most labels don't entirely fit the
people. It is better to know the energy behind the Sign in general anyway because you have
to apply it to a lot more than just your Sun. You need to know how the various planets act
in the signs and how the signs affect the Houses. This is like many other "Skill building"
courses. Everything builds on what comes before it. Since that is true, it is best to really
master the nature of the signs before you move on.
To give credit and for your further research, I borrowed and adapted some of the above
information from: The Instant Horoscope Predictor by Julia Lupton Skalka.
I would also recommend:
Painless Astrology by Paul V. Beyerl
Intuitive Astrology by Elizabeth Campbell
Astrology for the Millions by Grant Lewi
The Twelve Houses by Howard Sasportas
The Creative Astrologer by Noel Tyl
You will hear a lot from me about Rob Hand, Dane Rudhyar, and Noel Tyl as their work is
absolutely foundational to modern astrology interpretation. Not everything written by a
great astrologer is easy to understand, but eventually, you will be glad you have some of
those books on your shelf!