When we begin to discuss the signs in astrology, it is important to note that you are not just your Sun Sign, but you have all of the signs present somewhere in your chart. So, its important to learn the descriptions for each and every sign, not just one!
There are twelve signs, and each takes up 30° of the area of sky around the Earth and solar system that is called the Zodiac. The signs are the outermost portion of the Zodiac, so think of it as everything else falling within the signs. Where you were at birth is the center of the natal chart and the houses and planets then fall in between you and the signs.
The signs are not actual constellations in the tropical western astrology that we are looking at here. Instead, they are sections of sky that were named after constellations and related to the myths behind their names. Surprise: other than a growing minority group of astrologers who actually study the fixed stars and their place in astrology, tropical western astrology, except for the use of our Sun, has absolutely nothing to do with stars! It is popular to say, "What's in the stars?" or "star-crossed lovers," but this is just another common misconception about astrology that has been passed on for years and years.
Each and every sign will fall someplace in your personality and psychology, though some will likely be more prominent than others. Keep in mind as we go this one thing: The signs are a description...they are the adjective or adverb in astrology. The signs describe the planets and the houses!
ARIES-
Element: Fire
Quality: Cardinal
Duality: Masculine/Assertive
Ruler: Mars
Keyphrase: I AM
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and therefore is associated with new beginnings, births, beginnings, and new adventures.. Wherever Aries is in the Natal Chart will describe where you are a self-starter and have initiative. This is where you will enjoy setting things up and getting things moving, but lack follow-through. Because of Aries’ adventurous spirit and drive, this area of your life will be best suited when exciting as you will become bored easily if that area of your life is not fulfilled.
The other side of Aries is that this is not an area where you will think things through before jumping in. Aries tends to leap, then look, so to speak. While Aries is a great self-starter, it will usually rule an area of your life where you have a hard time focusing on finishing a task. Aries is the child of the signs, new and original. The downside is that like a child, you can become easily angered or selfish in the area of life Aries represents when things do not go as you wish. Aries also tends to be the most competitive side of our personality if it is not kept in check. As with all the signs, there are always planetary placements and other signs to balance this out! Mostly, Aries wants to experience, well…new and daring experiences!
TAURUS
Element: Earth
Quality: Fixed
Duality: Feminine/Receptive
Ruler: Venus
Keyphrase: I HAVE
Wherever you have Taurus in your chart, this is where you will be concerned about security. Taurus will bring a sense of steadfast reliability to whatever it touches. Whatever its zodiacal predecessor Aries lacked in patience, Taurus more than makes up for it. Taurus, being fixed earth, tends to be the steadiest, most reliable sign in the zodiac. This is where you have your feet planted firmly on the ground. Taurus will say something about where your value system is most important to you. Taurus shows where you are most dependable, and where you may have great patience to finish a task. It also will show something about how you feel about material things (money, decoration, bric-a-brac, etc.) and your practicality.
Here you will find your resources of persistence and thoughtful determination. Taurus is also related to love and sensuality, and you will find these issues or blessings (as the case may be) wherever Taurus sits.
The important part of Taurus to recognize is the ability to become possessive or jealous in the area of your natal chart it rules. Taurus rules values and material things, and placing too much emphasis on the material things in life is a downfall of Taurus. Taurus can easily become attached to and possessive with that which they love, whether it is a person or finances as the object of affection. It is also important to watch that this area of life so that what could be an area of permanence and grounding does not become an area of inflexibility and pride.
GEMINI
Element: Air
Quality: Mutable
Duality: Masculine/Assertive
Ruler: Mercury
Keyphrase: I Think
Gemini is a sign of duality. Wherever Gemini is in your life, you may find you are able to juggle several things at once. Gemini’s strong point is its adaptability. Gemini will show you where you will be able to learn things and change to grow as you learn. Here you will possess skills of communication, and be able to have versatile conversations. You probably have the ability to shape and change the area of you life containing Gemini as needed or as you see fit. Actually, you probably won't be happy in the area of your life where Gemini sits if you don't have several things going on at once! Gemini craves diversity, as it shows an area of intelligence in your life. Gemini will also show where your humanitarian concerns are often centered (along with Aquarius), and where you don't like to have to conform to others' standards. One of your greatest strengths here is your versatility and openness to change.
The danger of Gemini used for its lower side is inconsistency and sometimes fickle behavior. Gemini can also manifest as high strung, or as a feeling that one needs to change to please others. Gemini has great learning potential, though if bored you will scratch the surface without going further. This can make you a "jack of all trades, master of none" in the area Gemini rules. It is essential to remind yourself when dealing with your Gemini tendencies to sometimes look a bit deeper and focus a little longer when on an important project.
CANCER
Element: Water
Quality: Cardinal
Duality: feminine/Recpetive
Ruler: The Moon
Keyphrase: I FEEL
Cancer is the mother of the zodiac. Wherever Cancer is in your chart, you will be nurturing and emotional. The higher side of Cancer is very intuitive and expressive. This is the area of your life where you are able to put yourself into other people’s shoes and be understanding of their needs. Cancer likes to take care of others. Its placement may show the side of you that is a homebody, your needs to feed, clothe, and be there for those around you. Dedication and imagination are among the virtues of the Cancerian side of you. This is an area of sympathy and empathy in your life, and the place you like harmony and the easy going side of life.
Cancer, like all water signs, is also very deep. Cancer as symbolized by the crab sometimes tends to be overly emotional or moody. When faced with tragedy, problems, or turmoil, if the area of your life affected is ruled by Cancer, you may try to side step or deny a problem, as a crab would do. Cancer also has a very hard time letting go over emotional highs or lows, and has a problem with clinging to people or issues that would rival Scorpio.
LEO
Element: Fire
Quality: Fixed
Duality: Masculine/Assertive
Ruler: The Sun
Keyphrase: I WILL
Leo likes to be the center of attention. Wherever you have this in your chart you will probably enjoy being in the public’s eye, or at least always find yourself there. This is the area of your life that tends to be dramtic. Your Leo will show where you are generous and don’t accept second best either for yourself or for those you care about. Like all Fire signs, Leo shows where you are enthusiastic and energetic. Leo can also show where you are intensely loyal to those who treat you well. You will stand strong on your beliefs in this area, and your will is often strong but fair. This can be a very warm-hearted side of you.
The lower side of Leo is the ability to be bossy and controlling. The Lion is the King of the Jungle, and the Leo in your chart can show up as a kingly or pompous attitude about that area or expression in your life, and you want to make sure you are not talking down to others. Leo can show up as terribly condescending or with a "my way or the highway" attitude.
VIRGO
Element: Earth
Quality: Mutable
Duality: Feminine/Receptive
Ruler: Mercury
Keyphrase: I ANALYZE
Virgo likes to be of service. Wherever you have Virgo in your chart, you will like to do things to help others on a personal basis. Virgo is discerning and intelligent, rational and particular. In the area of your life Virgo rules through the natal chart you will like to have all your ducks in a row. Virgo likes to get and process information to get to the very bottom of an issue or circumstance to find the best and most complete answer to any problem through logic and practicality. Virgo shows a source of reliability in your life, as well as where you are most health-conscious.
When used for its lower side, Virgo can be an area in which you nearly worry yourself to death. This can become an area in which you are incredibly critical of others or yourself. An overuse of the analytical process can cause this area of your life to become messy and disorganized, as you can spend more time thinking and less time actually doing something. In the realm of meanness, the popular "Bad Boy" Scorpio has nothing over Virgo. With Virgo, you have the ability to express yourself so hypercritically that you can truly hit people with your words where they live. It is important to understand this side of yourself, as the lower side of Virgo, though possible to transcend through other placements is the hardest one to recognize in ourselves, and therefore one of the hardest to gain control over and modify. Be careful not to take fussiness and worry to an extreme here, as anything expressed negatively through Virgo can ultimately hurt your health not to mention those close to you.
LIBRA
Element: Air
Quality: Cardinal
Duality: Masculine/Assertive
Ruler: Venus
Keyphrase: I BALANCE
In the area of life where Libra sits you will need and crave balance in your life. Depending on where it is placed or the planets and aspects involved, this could either be very easy or quite tough to attain. This will also show where you have the skills of diplomacy and peace keeping. You will enjoy, and sometimes need other people in to share this area of your life with, as it shows a place where you will need others for feedback. This is an area of life that you will almost undoubtedly find romantic or search for a glimmer of romance in it. Social skills, beauty and grace are most often found within the area of the natal chart containing the symbol of Libra.
The hardest lesson to learn surrounding Libra is the need to have others around you and relationships. You can find yourself in the middle of a situation here where you are desperately trying to find a balance, and could easily lose your conviction in the process. This sometimes can occur when getting in the middle of an argument between two or more persons. In an effort to see both sides and agree with everyone for the sake of keeping the peace, you can fall into the trap of seeming two faced or giving up your own opinion on the situation. You also need to be careful of people who will take you as gullible. In your effort to take people at face value and see the best in them, you can be taken for an elaborate ride by unsavory folks trying to take advantage of your good will in this area of your life.
SCORPIO
Element: Water
Quality: Fixed
Duality: Feminine/Receptive
Ruler: Pluto (Mars co-rules Scorpio, as it was the ancient ruler before the discovery of Pluto)
Keyphrase: I DESIRE
Scorpio is undoubtedly the most complex of all the signs. Scorpio often gets a bad reputation, of which it is usually undeserving. The first expression of Scorpio, which is the lower side symbolized by the serpent or scorpion can be possessive, jealous, unrelenting, and vengeful. While extraordinarily passionate and intense about everything from sensuality to spirituality, this side of Scorpio has a very hard time letting go of something it is passionate about. When you think in terms of Fixed Water, you can think in terms of the old cliché "still waters run deep".
The Eagle is the next step up in evolution of the expression of Scorpio. While still intense and passionate, if this is the symbol you relate to in your chart, you will find that this area will be able to soar above adversity and use the intense power of emotional/spiritual expression to overcome problems. This expression of Scorpio tends to be very mentally determined and agile. The downside to the Eagle is that this a powerful expression of symbolism when you think it terms that at any given moment the eagle can swoop out of the sky with the cunning ability to take down its prey or enemy. While the eagle can fly high and be a vision of beauty and spirit, it is not so far above swooping down and ending an uncomfortable situation with force if necessary.
The most evolved expression of Scorpio is the Phoenix, known to rise from the ashes of death to become even more powerful than before. The Phoenix is the expression of Scorpio that feel it has found its deeper purpose in life. This symbol is reminiscent of Scorpio’s ruler Pluto in that it deals with incredible drive and perfection in transformation. This side of Scorpio shows the same degree of intensity of the other symbols, but used to better the area of life it surrounds. This side of Scorpio can make enormous changes it itself and people around them through passion for life and intuition. This side of Scorpio is able to use deep spiritual and analytical mental processes to solve problems and to get any job done. The biggest downfall here is that issues can be taken to extreme or in some cases people who do not have much self esteem can be turned off to the intense charisma of this part of Scorpio. Some people can come uncomfortable with the incredible drive in which you express this area of your life.
In most cases, people will express a mix of these three symbols in the area of life Scorpio represents. It is usually best to acknowledge these traits and attempt to use them to the Phoenix potential.
SAGITTARIUS
Element: Fire
Quality: Mutable
Duality: Masculine/Assertive
Ruler: Jupiter
Keyphrase: I SEE
Sagittarius brings optimism, higher thought, and philosophy to the area of life in which it falls in the natal chart. This will symbolize an area in your life in which you need to have freedom for yourself to do your own thing. You will not like to be tied down in this area. When happy with this area of your life, you will be jovial and have a great sense of humor. You will also need to be challenged in this area of life on a regular basis, either through others or by seeking adventure or travel on your own. If this area of life becomes stagnant, you can become bored and discontent very quickly.
The challenges in this area of your life surround how you express it outwardly. Sometimes you will get so wrapped up in what you are doing, that you are not minding your words. Sagittarius has the habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, appearing tactless and insensitive. While you may only be trying to strike up a conversation or make a joke, your words can come out as insult if you unwittingly hit upon a sensitive issue. Another downfall is the urge to try to push your beliefs about this area of your life on others, or try to convince people your way of looking at things is the only correct way. Restlessness and perpetual boredom in this area of your life can manifest, and this can reflect as carelessness or irresponsibility for your actions.
CAPRICORN
Element: Earth
Quality: Cardinal
Duality: Feminine/Receptive
Ruler: Saturn
Keyphrase: I USE
Capricorn describes a need to climb in career or social status where it is found in the chart. Capricorn will focus on the traits you have that are mature, disciplined, and reserved. This area of your life will have focus and practical purpose. You will be able to recognize opportunity in this area of life. Wherever Capricorn falls, you will understand how to "catch bees with honey rather than vinegar" by using your ability to control a situation, and your skills for thinking or talking your way out of trouble.
The lower side of the Capricorn symbol is the ability to internalize control issues. This can also show an over-conservative area of your life, as well. Capricorn is the sign of the dictator, and if you use it in this way you could be very oppressive towards others. Capricorn can also add an attitude of pessimism toward the area of your life in which it falls. You might need to look at the aspects from any planets there to find a way to release your rigidity over issues.
AQUARIUS
Element: Air
Quality: Mutable
Duality: Masculine/Assertive
Ruler: Uranus
Keyphrase: I KNOW
Aquarius will show how you are independent, humane, and inventive in the area of life it sits in. A strong Aquarian placement can show someone who is intelligent, eccentric, and issue conscious. Aquarius cares about humanity as a whole, and in most cases, where it is in your chart will reflect this in the area of your life it represents. Aquarius gets a bad reputation for being "cold" in their personal relationships. In my experience, I find that even though at times it might seem this way, Aquarius is actually quite passionate about what or whom it holds in affection. It may at times seem cold due to the fact that this area of your life is expressed in terms of friendship. The Aquarian symbol brings with it a need to put friendship and mental connections above all other aspects of relationship. While the symbol is not outwardly gushy and emotional, this does not lessen that it does indeed have feeling.
The downside of the Aquarian symbol is that often it is hard to see a single issue once it is involved. You may neglect individual people or things that relate to this area of your life in search for the greater good or the big picture. Aquarius also dislikes authority and tends to snub it. While it is important to use the Aquarius symbol to further you in your individual thought and action, it is also important to have respect for people who have rightfully risen to a particular position in life or business. To snub these people for the sake of snubbing authority itself does a grave injustice to what you might actually learn from them.
PISCES
Element: Water
Quality: Mutable
Duality: Feminine/Receptive
Ruler: Neptune
Keyphrase: I BELIEVE
Pisces will fall into the area of your life that will have an intuitive, mystical quality about it. Pisces symbolizes the process of the unconscious, so you may be closest to understanding the inner workings of your own mind in this area of life. This would be an area where you would show your kindness, compassion, and understanding. You have great faith that things will work out for the best in this part of your life. This area also shows a great place to express your creativity and imagination.
The downfall of Pisces is the ability to lose touch with what is real in your life. Pisces tends to like to escape reality through any means available. This can be through imagination, over-sleeping, or substance abuse. Pisces also can become trapped in lies, lying to self and others. There is also a problem with following people or concepts with blind faith, sometimes in a destructive manner. Because the need to believe is so important to the area of your life Pisces sits in, you can tend to be gullible in this area.
Sub-Map of Beginner Pages
|Tips on Learning Astrology|Signs|Planets|Rulers| |Elements|Masc. & Fem.|Qualities|Houses| |Aspects|Astrology Chat/Class|Rising Signs|
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© 1998 Nancy Leigh Jobes, O.M. All Rights Reserved. Do Not Copy Without Permission.
