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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.
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 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.
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.
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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 |
A Ki-chan Creation
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