Taurus, the second sign of the zodiac, is symbolized by the bull. Persons born under this earthy, fixed sign are as strong, as steady as the enduring magnificence of a great mountain. Through the years, the mountain stands impervious to the onslaughts of weather, time, floods, droughts and fire, and remains beckoning our respect and admiration. Its presence creates a beautiful picture, a landmark, a symbol of security for us to identify with, now and for years to come. Taurus individuals are a lot like that beautiful mountain. They seem to have a timeless quality, solid as the Rock of Gibraltar, apparently unchanged by the tide of human events, and unmoved by the pettiness of other mortals around them. Removed as they might seem from human interaction, they still manage to fit into the picture quite admirably, like the mountain, beckoning our respect and admiration. They most often typify the solid citizen and can be found in occupations such as a real estate broker, banker, farmer, financial consultant and the like. But even the mountain, steady as it may seem, will every once in a while, every once in a great, great while, give in to its inner rumblings and spew forth its torrents of utter devastation as a volcano. Nothing can stand in the way of its tremendous power, nor be untouched by its destructive flows. And when all the dust has settled, everything seems to return to its former tranquility, not to be disturbed again for another hundred years or so.
Taureans disposition will probably show their destructive side a few times more per century than the volcano, but not many times more. They are very slow to anger and may even bear indignities silently for many years without complaint. The full extent of their fury may erupt only a few times in their entire lifetime, but when the Taurean's temper finally blows, there is unleashed a destructive force that indeed bears resemblance to that of a volcano. The scathing wrath of a Scorpio doesn't compare to the bull's intemperance. The analogy of 'a bull in a china shop' accurately forebodes the kind of destruction that is likely to attend their blind rage.
This is not to say that the Taurean personality is by any means cruel, overreacting, or violent. Quite the opposite is true. May-born are the most placid, self-controlled individuals you'd ever want to meet. They don't want to go out of their way to hurt you; they just want to be left alone. Their normally staid countenance and easy-going manner bespeak a reverence for the earth, and a desire for harmony among its inhabitants. It takes an awful lot to make the Taurean angry, and the bull will normally take all kinds of insults, derisions, or off-color remarks quite easily in stride, keeping his emotions in check beneath a strong, cool composure. But try and impose one indignity more than he's willing to bear, or wave one red flag too many in the bull's idyllic pasture, and you had better run for your life. The bull will flare his nostrils, lower his horns and charge! Make no bones about it. The Taurean's fury, once set in motion, is impossible to stop and must run its course. No amount of reasoning or logic will prevent it.
Physically, you can expect Taureans to very much resemble their zodiacal mascot, the bull. The shape of the face is often square, and the ears are usually small and close to the head. The hair is generally dark, ranging in texture from the wavy to curly to crinkly, and you may notice a tuft or curl of hair above the center of the forehead, curiously similar to the growth between the bull's horns. The eyes are soft and affectionate, much like a puppy dog's, and members of the opposite sex can find it hard to resist their seductive charm. The neck is usually short and sturdy-looking. The general countenance is serene, characteristic of their zodiacal mascot, combining great mildness with great strength. They are often big-boned with large, imposing bodies, giving an appearance of weightiness in every sense of the word. They appear to have an extra layer of insulating fat, distributed more or less evenly over the entire body. This layer of fat is by no means unattractive, appearing solid, and well suited to the Taurean frame. Consider the likes of Taureans Ann Margret or Cher, and you need wonder no longer just how appealing May-born can be! In spite of the fact that many Taureans give the impression of bigness, they aren't exactly what you would call fat. Stocky or solid far better describes them, and the average Taurean wouldn't be the least bit offended by these terms.
The big-bodied image of Taureans, however, can be misleading and should not become too firmly implanted in one's mind. Many are quite thin, even frail, their appearance defying the usual Taurean physical characteristics. These May-born will probably have a Gemini, Sagittarius, or Pisces Ascendant which will greatly alter the classical Taurean appearance. Nowhere else in the zodiac are physical characteristics so mitigated by other planetary influences than in Taurus. How else are you going to explain those May-born slight-of-frame such as Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, or Audrey Hepburn? Varied as the natives of this sign may appear, there is one telltale characteristic which will always give the elusive bull away. The eyes will appear to bulge slightly, having a conical or pointed shape at the cornea. Sound too easy to be true? Just look closely at your Taurean friend next time you run into him, and when he catches you examining his eyes, just tell him your making sure he is who he says he is.
In their expression and manner Taureans convey a feeling of extreme nonchalance. The image Taurean Bing Crosby presented in his "road movies" with Bob Hope is hardly that of the excitable type. Even though he faced extreme danger, this venerable Taurean, unlike his Gemini sidekick, seemed to take it all in stride, with hardly a flicker of anxiety. Too often the Taurean nonchalance is mistaken for disinterest or apathy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Taureans are intensely aware of their surroundings, and they haven't been cut short in the feelings department either. They have a reputation for passion second only to Scorpio. Just try and violate a moral or philosophical issue the Taurean really believes in, and you may have a bull opposite your corner ready to lower his horns. In most cases, however, these May-born aren't going to get all hot and bothered over something unless they feel it is really deserving of their attention. Taureans have an air of imperturbability about them which can make you think you're talking to a brick wall. They really do feel what you're talking about; they'd just rather not give you a reaction until they have had time to think about it. Besides, they'd rather see you do all the work canvassing the issues, investigating the pros and cons, and finally bringing back to them the distillation of all your effort. Taureans have a knack for drawing things to them, and it is amazing how people will almost bend over backwards to do for them.
The Taurean is very slow to form any new opinions. He has to weigh things very carefully, sometimes even for years, before accepting any new idea, concept, or philosophy. But when he does, you can be sure it will be based on the foundations of logic, moral righteousness, and cautious conservatism, and he'll probably believe in it for the rest of his life. Taurus-influenced individuals are actually the stabilizing factor in society. They help keep the rest of us from rashness or impetuousness, and prevent us from changing too fast. When those of any group or faction, be they political, moral or philosophical, get too far out of line, it is the bull which gathers them back into his never-changing pasture, to reaquaint them with the virtues of tradition, 'tried-and-true' methods, conservatism and common sense.
It doesn't take a lot of change to keep the average Taurean happy. In fact, he'd probably be quite content to follow the same routine for years without any real changes, excepting perhaps a continual rise in his income. Just plunk the average Taurean down in his old familiar easy chair, let him read the financial news or stock market reports, and he'll let the rest of the world go by. Try and get him to sit in another chair or read the sports page instead, and he'll balk. Most Taureans don't like a change in routine. It somehow disturbs their equilibrium. If you're married to a May-born, don't let him come home to find that you've rearranged the furniture or re-painted the walls a different color. The shock will be too much for his system, and he may actually appear to get physically ill. The secret to handling the average Taurean is to warn him at least a week ahead of time of any changes that may be coming up. That way he'll have plenty of time to prepare himself and gradually accept the new conditions. But try to spring a change on him suddenly, and you'll be confronting a brick wall. Most Taureans don't like to be pushed around by what they consider flights of fancy, but if given enough time, they can adapt to almost anything.
What has been sometimes been attributed to Taurus as sluggishness is actually a quality of inertia. Like a locomotive, they are slow to get moving, but once in motion, and having gained momentum, they are impossible to stop. Taureans can be powerhouses once they feel what they are doing is right or productive. Whoever accused them of sluggishness had seen them before they had gathered steam. At full throttle, the Taurean is a tireless worker, keeping to the straight and narrow track and will not stop until he has reached his goal or objective. Though you may try to deter him from his self-appointed path, the bull will forge ahead letting nothing stand in his way. If he has made an error in judgement along the way, he himself must see his oversight, steer himself in the new direction, and continue on. The bull will rarely succumb to outside influences when pursuing his goals.
If you have deduced from this that the Taurean is a bit stubborn, you are wrong. He is a lot stubborn! When his mind is made up, it's made up, and all the forces of Aristotelian logic or psychoanalytical persuasion won't deter him from his point of view! The bull will seem quite unruffled if you get frustrated with his hard-headedness. After all, he knows the real truth, doesn't he? Your arguments will only seem left-wing or extremist to him, and why should he waste time arguing over something that's already been settled in his mind? May-born can sometimes hold onto a belief or attitude long after all sense of logic or reasoning has proved them wrong, and trying to argue with them about it is a losing proposition from the start. Just give the bull a little time, however, and he'll come around, though he may be too proud to admit he was actually ever wrong. On the plus side, the Taurean will never keep you guessing about where he stands. His opinions are never 'way out,' radical, or too progressive, and you can count on his usually conservative stance now or years from now. He'll never ride the fence on an issue, and will even defend his cause vehemently, if necessary. Though he may not be overly expressive or verbal on the issues, his confident silence seems only to reaffirm the solidity of his position, and indeed, the veracity of his beliefs.
As friends or mates, Taureans will always be there when you need them. Their attribute is constancy, and you'll have comfort in knowing that, like the great mountain, they'll weather even the toughest of times and come away just as before, but stronger. Definitely the strong, silent type, their calm exterior reflects the strength of inner convictions. Taurean Gary Cooper is a perfect example of the bull's uncanny ability to display great strength without moving a muscle. With a bull in your corner, you will have a most trustworthy ally, whose strength of character stands like a mighty oak, and whose affections can be as permanent, as enduring as the earth itself. To those who really know the bull, this can be a comforting thought indeed.