A Bit About
Astrology
vortex
The Zodiac

 

Page 1 of 2

 

Astrology is about the interaction between the Planets (including the Sun and Moon) and the Signs.  The relationships between them and their interactions are mathematically based, and Astrology studies these mathematical cycles.  Each Sign represents a different aspect of the whole human; Aries starts the cycle, representing the Self, and Pisces completes it, representing the mass unconscious of all mankind.  In between, each other Sign carries the energy of a different phase of man's evolution within the universe.

Astrology can be understood as a philosophy that helps to explain life, rather than as a predictive tool.  Astrology does not tie you into being a certain way and it does not predict everything about you.  Astrology explains the energy in your life and its potential challenges and possibilities, but you can evolve from your chart.

Astrology is about YOU, in what you can learn from it can help you make a choice.  There is a connection between all living things and all matter on this Planet.  Astrology ties humans together:  we are all faced with the same Planetary interactions, and we are all part of the same cycles.

While the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant are considered the three most important points of the chart, it is a common misconception to think there is nothing beyond one’s "Sun Sign".  Each planet and point (such as the Ascendant and Midheaven) is important in the delineation, as each represents another facet and modifier of the personality.

 

Sun Star Signs/Sun Signs

Originally referred to as your Sun Sign, your Star Sign represents the Sign of the Zodiac that the Sun was in at your birth.  The Sun rules the conscious identity, willpower and ego.  It is the core of your potential and uniqueness as an individual; who you are and what you are about.  It is the True Self, without doubts, without fears, without boundaries.

Your Sun Sign represents the main direction and focus you want your life to take and your determination to accomplish what you set out to do.  It is your personal honesty and integrity and your ability to command respect and authority, to impress and influence others.

 

Moon Moon Signs

 

Your Moon Sign represents the Sign of the Zodiac that the Moon was in at your birth.  Thus, in order to find your Moon Sign, your time and place of birth will need to be known.

The Moon astrologically relates to one’s emotions and security needs.  It represents sensitivity, moodiness, fluctuation, how we seek to nurture and be nurtured, and the private life.

The Moon represents the unconscious, the habits and instinctual behavior patterns we drift into when we are not operating from the realm of ego and consciousness (Sun). It is your instincts, those primal stirrings that creep into your thoughts.

To view the Moon's phase as it is at THIS VERY minute, or for the Moon's astronomical data, please click here.

 

Rising Signs

 

Your Sun Sign is only the tip of the astrological iceberg.  Your Rising Sign -- or Ascendant -- reflects your outer personality, or physical characteristics and image.  It's the face you show to the rest of the world, your mask and outward behavior.  Literally, it is the constellation that was ascending on the eastern horizon at the hour of day you were born.  Here again, you will need to know your birth time and place in order to find your Rising Sign.

Your Sun has to collaborate with your ascendant in order for you to achieve your goals.  It determines what you want to do, according to the needs of your Sign.  Your ascendant carries them out in its own particular style.  When your Sun Sign and Rising Sign are in harmony (in the same element) or complementary (earth and water, or fire and air), you'll have an easier time achieving your goals.  If the two signs are opposing (fire and earth, air and water) or in conflict (fire and water, air and earth), it may mean you'll have to negotiate and find more creative ways to express yourself -- but it can also make for a more complex and interesting personality.

If you've ever read descriptions of your Sun Sign and thought, "This isn't me," it's probably because your Rising Sign is the antithesis of what your Sun Sign represents.  You can be a feisty Aries warrior, but if you've got mellow Taurus as a Rising Sign, you'll appear to be as contented as a cow.

 

Elements and Qualities

 

Many people don't realize how important the Elements and Qualities are in true Astrology.  It's the combination of Elements and Qualities that makes the Signs what they are.  Each of the twelve Signs is a unique combination of one of the four Elements and one of the three Qualities.  The importance of Elements and Qualities in our lives is their demonstration that we are all part of the environment.

 

Understanding The Elements

 

The four Elements defined in Astrology are the major classifications that define the nature of the Signs.

The Elements in Astrology are not "made up"; they are the same Elements known by ancient people:  Fire, Earth, Air, and Water.  These four Elements sustain life and enable man's survival, both in ancient times and today.  How they combine with each other and in us determine how we deal with the world around us; in Astrology they are an important way for us to come in tune with nature and understand how nature effect us, both within ourselves and in our interactions with each other.  They teach us that we are not separate from nature, we ARE nature.

The Elements influence the way we think, and within a horoscope they can be seen as a quick summary of the Planetary influences.  The Elements indicate a person's first reaction to what happens to them, how they think, how that individual will respond to what occurs in their life.  If you understand what is prominent in your chart and in the charts of others -- if you have a number of Planets in Fire Signs, for example -- you get a very good indication of what motivates and inspires that person.  Conversely, the Elements that are lacking in a chart indicate the areas of life in which a person may need additional strength.

Each Element reflects a quality of human nature.

Fire, the first Element, is assigned to Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
Man could not survive without Fire; in ancient times it was relied upon for light and heat.  It is the basic building block of technology.  Fire Sign people thus radiate warmth and heat, but they can also get too hot:  and if they do, don't touch!  Fire Signs can be rash, but they are courageous and creative; they bring enthusiasm, spontaneity, and zeal to the zodiac.

Earth, the second Element, is assigned to Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Earth is what grounds us and supports us; it literally holds us up.  In both ancient times and today, it was under our feet, stabilizing us, and providing us with crops and homes; Mother Earth is an appropriate epithet.  Earth Sign people are practical and logical in a sometimes illogical world.  Earth Signs can be possessive, but they are cautious and conservative; they bring dependability, practicality, and reliability to the zodiac.

Air, the third Element, is assigned to Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
Although invisible, Air is all around us; we quite literally could not breathe without it!  It transmits sound and light, without which we couldn't communicate.  Air Sign people are intellectual and mentally driven; they tend to respond to the world through intellect, rather than physical action, practicality, or emotion.  For this reason, Air Signs can be cold, but they are alert and curious; they bring intellect, perception, and logic to the zodiac.

Water, the fourth Element, is assigned to Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
One needs only look at a map and see the Water that covers most of the Earth to understand its importance.  Water is sacred in some cultures, and it purifies and washes away dirt while gently nourishing the crops that need rain to survive.  Water Sign people are emotional and nurturing.  Water Signs can be easily hurt, but they are receptive and responsive; they bring sensitivity, responsiveness, and emotional depth to the zodiac.

 

When Your Element Conflicts With Another

 

When we think about how to combine the Elements of each Sign, to understand how people of different Elements work together, we think about how they go together in nature.  When one Element dominates another, it can throw the partnership off balance.

If Fire and Fire are unbalanced, they throw off a lot of sparks and quickly runs out of control.

If Fire and Earth are unbalanced, Fire burns the Earth away or is smothered by it.

If Fire and Air are unbalanced, Fire turns the Air smoky and consumes it or is blown out.

If Fire and Water are unbalanced, Fire boils the Water away or is itself doused by it.

If Earth and Earth are unbalanced, they become heavy and unwieldy.

If Earth and Air are unbalanced, vision is obscured by the wind-whipped dust.

If Earth and Water are unbalanced, it turns to mud.

If Air and Air are unbalanced, storms may rage out of control.

If Air and Water are unbalanced, they may be whipped together into a frothy foam, devoid of substance.

If Water and Water are unbalanced, floods may obliterate everything in their path.

 

Understanding The Qualities

 

The three Qualities defined in Astrology are, after the Elements, the second major classification that defines the nature of the Signs.

Within a horoscope, the Quality describes a person's attitudes in life and they way they approach projects.  The three Qualities are Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable.

The Cardinal Signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.
These four Signs are the initiators of the zodiac.  Their common characteristics include action and drive; they have initiative and strong motivation.  On a team, Cardinal Signs are the people who come up with ideas and get the project moving, but they are not very good at completion and follow-through.

The Fixed Signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.
These four Signs are the members of the zodiac who dedicate themselves to seeing projects through to completion.  Their common characteristics include determination and persistence; they are stable and self-reliant.  On a team, Fixed Signs are the people who keep a project going and see it through to the end, but they can also be stubborn and inflexible.

The Mutable Signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.
These four Signs are the flexible members of the zodiac, happy to fill an assigned role.  Their common characteristics include adaptability and changeability; they are flexible and versatile.  On a team, Mutable Signs adapt easily to changing conditions, and they don't have a particular agenda, but they can be wishy-washy or inconsistent.

 

... continued on Page 2 of 2 ...

 

 

Western Astrology Chinese Astrology Western/Chinese Synthesis
Aries | Taurus | Gemini
Cancer | Leo | Virgo
Libra | Scorpio | Sagittarius
Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces
Rat | Ox | Tiger
Cat | Dragon | Snake
Horse | Goat | Monkey
Rooster | Dog | Pig
Aquarius/Rat | Cancer/Dog
Cancer/Snake | Leo/Horse | Leo/Snake Pisces/Dragon | Sagittarius/Rooster
Taurus/Pig | Virgo/Monkey

 

 

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