From a poetic point of view, it is the language of the Gods. From a practical point of view, it encompasses astronomy, geometry, mathematics and psychology. It was also a prime diagnostic and therapeutic tool in medicine. Each part of the body, from head to toe is ruled by a different sign, e.g. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac rules the head, while Pisces, the 12th and last sign of the zodiac, rules the feet. It would explain why the word 'Headstrong' is frequently used to describe the Aries, and some of the finest dancers in the world were born under the sign of Pisces. Astrology is a reflection of our internal mechanism's attempt to define itself and provides an interesting dialogue between the self and others.
The common factor linking astrology, physics and psychology is Time. Time has always been central to astrology, and since the beginning of this century it has become so for physics and psychology as well. Astrology is a language which uses a series of symbols to create an identification between man and the universe. You are probably aware of your own sign of the zodiac and its symbol. The planets ruling the 12 signs of the zodiac also have their own unique symbol.
Years of experience have proved to me that astrology is a valid discipline with the vast potential to enrich and help us understand all phases of life. In my experience, it brings peace to a home, greater love to a marriage, and understanding to a child. The extraordinary endurance of astrology for over 7,000 years is surely enough to warrant our respect. When combined with our own experience in life, this discipline is an incredible encyclopedia of information. To study astrology is to empower yourself in all areas of life.
ELEMENTS AND MODALITIES:
If you read your daily horoscope, you will probably know there are 12 signs in the zodiac from Aries to Pisces. These 12 signs are divided into four elements:-
Water signs * Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio
Earth signs * Taurus, Capricorn, Virgo
Fire signs * Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Air signs * Aquarius, Gemini, Libra
Traditionally, water and earth signs are called the feminine or 'Yin' signs and their energies blend harmoniously together. Water signs are sensitive and emotional types who are highly intuitive and can be deeply spiritual. Earth signs, on the other hand, are practical, tenacious and security conscious. They help the water babies to keep their feet firmly on the ground and in return their practical worlds are enriched by the colour, imagination and love of the water signs. As earth needs water to survive, so too does water need earth to contain it. Generally speaking, this union is a strong, loving and practical one - a successful union, more often than not. Of course, other astrological factors such as position of venus, moon, etc. can sometimes throw a spanner in the works.
Fire and air are the masculine or 'Yang' signs and their energies blend harmoniously together. Fire signs are by nature, adventurous, outgoing, energetic and highly independent. Air signs, on the other hand, are intellectually stimulating people with very lively minds. They are interested in literature and the arts and are wonderful communicators - a bonus at any social event. Their ideas and genius are brought to fruition with the help of their dynamic fire sign friends, who simply make things happen. Just as fire needs air to fan it, so too does air need fire.This is quite a dynamic partnership which, like earth and water, is successful more often than not.
The zodiac is further divided into quadruplicities or modalities, as the signs of the zodiac are seen to possess qualities which relate to the seasons. The three modalities are as follows:-
Cardinal Signs *Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
(at the start of each season)
Fixed Signs *Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
(in the middle of each season)
Mutable Signs *Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
(at the end of each season)
Cardinal signs are the initiators in life and have strong leadership qualities. Fixed signs are steadfast and practical, and can also be tenacious and stubborn. The mutable types are very adaptable, versatile and good communicators. To use the analogy of a company: It is the cardinal types who might start it up. The fixed signs would maintain the company, and work hard to keep it running successfully, and the articulate mutable types would surely be the marketing/salespeople for the company. Get the picture?
In looking at a person's birth chart, a preponderance of fixed signs indicate that the individual is going to be quite stubborn and 'fixed' in certain ways, especially if these signs are in the earth sign of Taurus. A preponderance of cardinal signs indicate that the individual will have strong leadership qualities, and display initiative and originality, especially in the dynamic fire sign of Aries. If there is an abundance of mutable signs in a chart, this individual is likely to be very adaptable, and a good communicator with strong people skills. Interestingly, many successful writers belong to this sector.
SIGNS AND THEIR OPPOSITES:
Next in our search for deeper astrological knowledge, let's look at 'opposites' . Just as there as two sides to a coin, we too have our opposite side. In truth, we need to look to our opposites to complement and complete us. We learn lessons from each other.
Opposites are six months apart and are as follows:-
Aries opposite to Libra
Taurus " Scorpio
Gemini " Sagittarius
Cancer " Capricorn
Leo " Aquarius
Virgo " Pisces
Our opposites are fascinating to observe. Many times an individual's opposite sign will manifest itself, such as the Virgoan becoming sensitive and emotional, like the opposite sign of Pisces; or Pisceans becoming nit-picking and perfectionistic in true Virgo style. Virgoans look at life through a microscopic lens and Pisceans through a telescopic lens. The danger of the Virgoan position is that one sometimes cannot see the forest for the trees, while the danger of the telescopic approach is that one overlooks important fine details. When Virgo and Pisces combine energies they make an incredible duo - one of the strongest polarities of the zodiac.
Opposites of the same gender can sometimes dislike or be distrustful of each other, as they may see qualities in the other that they admire and wish for themselves. Sometimes opposing natures can cause total disharmony. If pleasant, charming Libra could learn from their opposite, Aries, the art of saying 'No' nicely, life would be so much easier for them. Librans will tell you that they love being honest and direct - it gives them a sense of control. Aries has absolutely no problem at all telling people where to go, and might benefit from a dose of diplomacy from their opposite Libra!
The chemistry between opposites of the opposite gender is frequently highly charged. Certainly opposites do attract, but likewise they can repel. To reach one's fullest potential, it is wise to study one's opposite sign, and take on board some of those qualities you know you lack. When you hear a woman say of her mate, "He makes me feel complete", she is likely talking of her opposite sign, when all is going well. However, when you hear a friend say, "We are just too different", it may be a polar opposite union gone terribly wrong. When problems arise in the Taurus/Scorpio union, third party intervention may be necessary, as both are fixed signs, and equally stubborn in their ways.
The 'Big Three' building blocks of your birth chart are the Sun, Moon and Ascendant. If you know what signs these are in - you're off to a great start!
SUN:
Our sun sign (the sign you are born under - be it Aries to Pisces) is very important. It is that divine spark within us which expresses our individuality and vitality. The symbol for the Sun is a circle with a dot in the middle. The circle represents infinity, a perfect shape without beginning or end, signifying that there is no end to our potential. The dot in the middle is the seed of spiritual power. Traditionally, the sun rules Leo, the fifth sign of the zodiac.
MOON:
As the Sun is our celestial father, the Moon is our celestial mother. The influence of the moon is more subtle - our instinctive responses to life. The moon represents our emotions, feelings, subconscious, instincts, inherited traits and memory. It is the 'female' in us, which is why I view a man's moon sign as being a very important piece of information to know. It gives a very good idea of how he viewed his mother and how he will treat you! The Moon may be likened to the soul, and the Sun to the spirit.
ASCENDANT:
The Ascendant, or Rising sign, as it is also called, is the sign which was on the eastern horizon at the time of your birth - which is why time of birth is so important. The earth does a complete rotation on its axis every day and in so doing, all of the twelve signs rise over the eastern horizon daily. Imagine, if you will, the zodiac revolving around us like a gigantic hula hoop. At a given moment one sign of the zodiac is rising over the eastern horizon and another sign is setting in the west.
The Ascendant describes the surface or 'outer' you. In childhood, the Ascendant will signify physical appearance and how other people view the child. It represents the attitudes which shape the way we present ourselves to the world - the voice we use when answering the phone - how we went the world to view us. Sometimes when guessing a person's sign, they will frequently see the Ascendant before the actual Sun sign. It is the proverbial door to your house! - the 'house' being you. But as they say - never judge a book by its cover! You need to go beyond a person's ascendant to see the Real person within. An extroverted sun sign Aries born with a shy Virgo ascendant is going to be considerably toned down in the way they present themselves to the world - get the gist?
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