Astrology
The idea that the movements of the sun, the moon, and the planets through the heavens influence our lives goes back thousands of years. As early as 3000 BC, the ancient Mesopotamian civilizations recorded the movements of these celestial bodies, and endowed their gods and goddesses with the power and attributes of the heavenly bodies. The Greeks saw them as representations of their own deities, and the Romans gave the five known planets-- Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn-- the names that we still use today.
Everything under the Sun
Our Sun sign is the astrological sign of the zodiac that the powerful Sun is passing through at the same time of our birth. Using symbolic language, the Sun sign in astrology describes how we express ourselves most naturally. The Moon is astrology is the feminine counterpart of the Sun. It represents our emotional responses and our links with the past.
*Note: The Sun sign spends one month in each zodiac sign
The Moon passes through every sign each month
Aries
Mar 21-April 20
Courageous, passionate, enthusiastic, and assertive, Aries people are inclined to rush into things. This fire sign is associated with spring-- a time of renewed growth and energy.
Taurus
April 21-May 21
Those born under this earth sign are said to be practical and reliable, yet with a stubborn streak. Sensuous Taureans have a love of beauty and may have beautiful voices.
Gemini
May 22- June 21
Versatile and quick-witted, those born under the sign of the twins can also be changeable. Geminis are communicative people and need to know what is going on around them.
Cancer
June 22-July 22
Cancerians are said to be sensitive, home-loving types who will retreat into their shell if upset. This water sign is associated with the family, and many Cancerian have very close family ties.
Leo
July 23- Aug 23
The typical Leo likes to be the center of attention and can have a powerful personality with a touch of the dramatic. Warm and loyal, Leos have a generous and friendly nature.
Virgo
Aug 24- Sept 23
Cautious and quite private, the practical Virgoan pays attention to detail and likes to be well prepared. Virgoans may take a special interest in their health and diet.
Libra
Sept 24- Oct 23
The symbol of the scales indicates that justice and fairness are important to Librans. Charming and diplomatic, Librans need harmony and are upset by discord.
Scorpio
Oct 24- Nov 22
Intense and passionate, with a love of mystery and secrets, Scorpios are loyal and private people. Not known for their moderation, they react strongly, especially when threatened.
Sagittarius
Nov 23- Dec 21
Enthusiastic, direct, and adventurous, Sagittarians love to learn. With a great desire for freedom, Sagittarians can become restless if life becomes routine, and many enjoy traveling.
Capricorn
Dec 22- Jan 20
Cautious and disciplined, the earthy Capricorn is hard working and has marked urge to succeed. Those born under this sign can resist change or be high climbers.
Aquarius
Jan 21- Feb 19
Independent and with a reformist streak, Aquarians are individualists who rarely subscribe to conventional views. Champions of new causes, their opinions can appear dogmatic.
Pisces
Feb 20- Mar 20
The typical Pisces is imaginative and intuitive and has a very compassionate nature. The fish symbolism reflects the rather slippery and changeable quality of the sign.
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Wheel of Fortune
This astrological wheel shows 12 "houses," each representing one-twelfth of the heavens at the time of birth. The outer ring shows the signs; the inner ring shows the element assigned to each. Fire signs are energetic and forceful; water signs are emotional and intuitive; air signs are objective and logical; earth signs are practical and reliable.
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Planetary Rulers
In astrology, the ten planets ( the Sun and Moon are treated as planets, although technically a star and a satellite ) represent basic drives or characteristics that are common to everyone. The sign the planet occupies at birth, it's position, and the aspects it makes, color the expression of it's energies. Below are the associations for each planet.
Sun
The central creative force in the zodiac, the Sun has masculine attributes and is linked with rulers and fathers. It is associated with the heart and it's metal is gold. The Sun rules the sign of Leo.
Moon
Associated with mothers, the body, and childhood, the Moon is the Sun's female counterpart. Linked to the stomach and the womb, it's metal is silver. The Moon rules the sign of Cancer.
Mercury
Fast-moving Mercury represents the mind and the urge to understand and communicate. Linked with the shoulders, arms, and nervous system, Mercury rules Virgo and Gemini.
Venus
The planet of love, attraction, beauty, and cooperation, Venus also represents what we value in life. It is linked with the kidneys and is the natural ruler of Taurus and Libra.
Mars
Named after the god of war, Mars symbolizes direct energy and getting what we want. Ruler of Aries and Scorpio, Mars is associated with the head, and with iron and steel.
Jupiter
The largest known planet, Jupiter expresses expansion, exploration, and the search for knowledge and meaning. Jupiter's associated body part is the liver, and it rules Sagittarius and Pisces.
Saturn
Once the farthest known planet, Saturn represents order, limitation, and responsibility. It is associated with the skeleton and the skin, and rules Capricorn and Aquarius.
Uranus
Discovered only in the late 18th century at a time of revolutions and social unrest, Uranus represents individual freedom, new ideas, and dramatic change. It is the ruler of Aquarius.
Neptune
Neptune discovered in the middle of the 19th century, symbolizes the intangible and the extraordinary. The planet of fantasy and dreams, Neptune rules the sign of Pisces.
Pluto
Pluto represents powerful, hidden forces beyond our control, and is named after the Roman god of the underworld. It is associated with life, death, and renewal, and rules Scorpio
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Mapping The Skies
As men and women gazed up at the night sky, the patterns created by the stars suggested familiar objects or animals. They named the stars according to what they saw---- Leo for Lion and Gemini for twins---- and included these images in their early maps.
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Chinese Astrology
The Chinese system is based on the year of birth. Each of the 12 animal signs occurs every 12 years according to a lunar calendar that begins around January/February. The signs are further defined by 5 elements, wood, fire, air, metal, and water.
Rat
( e.g. 1948 )
The rat is ambitious, hard-working, and liable to accumulate money. Rats may be reserved and shy.
Ox
( e.g. 1973 )
The intelligent and hard-working ox can be stubborn. But once aroused, an ox's feeling's are deep.
Tiger
( e.g. 1962 )
The tiger takes risks, but is usually born lucky. Tigers have a sensual nature and often act on impulse.
Rabbit
( e.g. 1987 )
The rabbit is artistic, thoughtful, intelligent, and lucky, and often pursues a comfortable lifestyle.
Dragon
( e.g. 1940 )
Dragons are strong willed and fiery. They are usually successful, and either marry young or stay single.
Snake
( e.g. 1953 )
Snakes are pleasure-loving, with a tendency to be secretive. They are as energetic and self-reliant as dragons.
Horse
( e.g. 1990 )
Freedom-loving, good-humored, and generous, the horse is a popular and rather unpredictable character.
Boar
( e.g. 1959 )
Those born under the boar tend to be sociable, loyal, and reliable, with a passionate nature.
Dog
( e.g. 1934 )
Dogs are intelligent, affectionate, honest, and loyal. They are objective, but can be inflexible.
Rooster
( e.g. 1957 )
Disciplined and good at organizing others, the rooster can be eccentric, but has a sense of humor.
Monkey
( e.g. 1992 )
The charming and conceited monkey can be promiscuous when young, but is more settled later.
Sheep
( e.g. 1943 )
Those born under this sign tend to feel easily hurt. Their compassionate nature makes them popular.
* For more on the Zodiac, view the FAQ Page
Parts extracted from the book "Signs & Symbols"