Signs

Sun sign astrology

Sun-sign astrology is the form of astrology most commonly found in many newspaper and magazine columns. It is a simplified system of astrology which considers only the position of the Sun, which is said to be placed within one of the twelve zodiac signs depending on the month of birth. This sign is then called the sun sign or star sign of the person born that month.
Sun sign astrologers take this basic twelve-fold division and relate all the current movements of all the planets to each other, using traditional rules to divine meanings for each sign separately. Paradoxically, because the Moon has the fastest apparent movement of all the heavenly bodies, it is often used as the main indicator of daily trends for sun sign astrology forecasts.
Despite its vast popularity with the general public (e.g. in the UK over 60 percent of adults are said to read their "stars" first on opening a newspaper, a slightly higher proportion in the USA, there is much argument about the validity of sun sign astrology, particularly amongst astrologers of different persuasions. The more traditional the astrologer, the more likely they are to dislike sun sign astrology.

Astrological sign

Both Western and Vedic astrology employ a zodiac which divides the ecliptic into twelve astrological signs of equal length.
The Western tropical astrology starts with the first point of Aries, which is defined as the point at which the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun through the heavens) crosses the celestial equator at the spring equinox. It is important to note that the tropical signs are completely independent of the astronomical constellations after which they were originally named and no longer bear any relationship to them.
Western sidereal astrology and Indian Vedic astrology use signs which more or less coincide with the stellar constellations of the same name.
Because the calendar is defined by the movement of the Earth around the Sun, and its orbit is very nearly circular, the sign in which the Sun falls on any day of the year is fairly predictable, though it will vary a little due to the effect of the extra day in leap years. These dates are given in the article that deals with each sign individually. Sidereal astrology also has to adjust for the precession of the equinoxes which produces a slow change of the time of year when constellations are visible in the night sky over a 25,000 year cycle.
To determine the sign in which the moon and other planets fall on any given day, it is necessary to consult an ephemeris or use an astrological computer program which will have a built-in ephemeris; these computer programs make it quick and easy to calculate the natal chart (also called horoscope) so that the astrologer can spend more time interpreting the chart rather than actually calculating it.

Western astrology signification

The energies associated with each planet are affected by the sign in which they fall in the following way. (Though due consideration will also be given to other conditions within the astrological chart such as the effect of aspects to other planets, the house in which each planet falls, and the classical element in which the particular sign belongs to)

• - Aries (cardinal, fire, personal): assertively, impulsively, defensively, energetic, head down.

• - Taurus (fixed, earth, personal): resourcefully, thoroughly, devotedly, patiently, indulgently.

• - Gemini (mutable, air, personal): logically, inquisitively, fast.

• - Cancer (cardinal, water, personal): protectively, sensitively, clingingly.

• - Leo (fixed, fire, social): generously, proudly, theatrically.

• - Virgo (mutable, earth, social): practically, efficiently, critically.

• - Libra (cardinal, air, social): co-operatively, fairly, lazily.

• - Scorpio (fixed, water, social): passionately, sensitively, anxiously.

• - Sagittarius (mutable, fire, universal): freely, straightforwardly, carelessly.

• - Capricorn (cardinal, earth, universal): prudently, cautiously, suspiciously.

• - Aquarius (fixed, air, universal): democratically, unconventionally, detachedly.

• - Pisces (mutable, water, universal): imaginatively, sensitively, distractedly.

Western astrology classification

The four elements

Each sign is associated with one of the classical elements (fire, earth, air, or water) and one of the three modalities (cardinal, fixed, or mutable). It is also associated with an area of concern: personal, social, or universal.

• Fire signs are associated with action, passion, and energy. In combination with the other elements, fire feels that earth will smother it, water will drown it, but air will fan and enliven it.

• Earth signs are associated with sensation, stability and practicality. In combination with the other elements, earth feels that air will dry it, fire will parch it, but water will refresh and nourish it.

• Air signs are associated with thought, perspective and communication. In combination with the other elements, air feels that water will obscure it, earth will suffocate it, but fire will inspire and uplift it.

• Water signs are associated with growth processes, identification and emotion. In combination with the other elements, water feels that fire will make it boil, air will evaporate it, but earth will shape and channel it.

The Qualities

The Qualities assign the Signs into Quadruplicities, groups of four.

Cardinal signs are associated with initiation and creativity. They are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

Fixed signs are associated with focus, individuality and determination. They are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.

Mutable signs are associated with resourcefulness, holism and adaptability. They are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Phrases, keywords and concepts associated with each Western astrological sign

• Aries -- "I am," assertive, individualistic, enthusiasm, pioneering, leader, competitive, action-oriented, defensive, passionate, head/skull

• Taurus -- "I have," sensual, affectionate, possessive, cautious, acquisitive, musical, artistic, stubborn, patient, throat/neck

• Gemini -- "I think," curious, multi-tasking, talkative, sociable, duality, mercurial, whimsical, intelligent, informed, hands/lungs

• Cancer -- "I feel," sensitive, tenacious, family and home oriented, helpful, nurturing, moody, stomach/breasts

• Leo -- "I rule," passionate, bossy, loves attention, dramatic, independent, noble, creative, leader, egotistic, heart/back

• Virgo -- "I serve," practical, work and service oriented, critical, common sense, intelligent, health conscious, fussy, intestines/digestion

• Libra -- "We are," partnerships, balance, grace, charm, debative, open-minded, cooperative, social, ideas, lazy, kidneys/lumbar

• Scorpio -- "I desire," intense, controlling, sexual, confrontative, deep, skeptical, mysterious, obsessive, death, transformation, genitals/reproductive organs

• Sagittarius -- "I seek," philosophic, fun-loving, arrogant, adventurous, expansive, optimistic, blundering, believer, scattered, hips/thighs

• Capricorn -- "I build," ambitious, cautious, rigid, authoritative, cunning, competent, saturnine, inclined to politics/business, knees/skeleton

• Aquarius -- "I know," friendships, humanitarian, cause-oriented, the group, society, progressive, eccentric, elitist, sophisticated, objective, nervous system/ankles

• Pisces -- "I surrender," feeling, duality, idealistic, spirituality, acceptance, undiscriminating, soul growth, martyrdom, artistic, neglectful, compassionate, feet/immune system

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