The
astrological Zodiac comprises twelve
constellations of
stars which lay 8-90 to either side of the Sun’s ecliptic
(apparent
path through the sky). We know them as Aries (begins 21 Mar), Taurus
(begins 21
Apr), Gemini (begins 22 May), Cancer (begins 22 June), Leo (begins 24
July),
Virgo (begins 24 Aug), Libra (begins 24 Sept), Scorpio (begins 24 Oct),
Sagittarius (begins 23 Nov), Capricorn (begins 23 Dec), Aquarius (begins21 Jan) and Pisces (begins 20 Feb).
THE BASIC
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ZODIAC SIGNS
ARIES the Ram. The
zodiac sign ruled by Mars the god of war.
Adventurous, impulsive
(pushy), .energetic, enthusiastic
quick-witted, confident, pioneering, courageous, quick-tempered,
daredevil,
restless, argumentative.
TAURUS
the Bull.
The zodiac sign ruled by Venus, the goddess of love. Patient, practical,
reliable, stubborn (try
moving a 2 ton bull who doesn’t want to move!), financial security
is most important, cautious, inflexible, fixed, self-indulgent, greedy,
gluttony.
GEMINI the Twins.
The sign the Zodiac ruled by Mercury the messenger of the Gods. Talkative,
adaptable, spontaneous, communicative, versatile, nervous, mentally
active,
flirtatious, inconsistent, youthful, inquisitive. CANCER the Crab.
The sign the Zodiac ruled by the Moon. Emotional,
defensive, intuitive, domestic, homely, family is everything, maternal,
never
admits a relationship will end, instinctive, possessive, cautious,
moody,
changeable, clinging.
LEO the Lion.
The
sign the Zodiac ruled by the Sun. Dramatic,
autocratic, energetic, impressive (just ask them!), proud, spontaneous,
assertive, broad-minded, generous, bossy, dogmatic, patronizing.
VIRGO the Virgin.
The sign the Zodiac ruled by Mercury. Over critical,
analytical, practical, logical, tidy, hygienic, diligent, meticulous,
perfectionist, shy, conservative.
LIBRA the Scales.
The sign of the Zodiac ruled by Venus. Indecisive,
diplomatic, frivolous, affectionate, romantic, charming, compromising,
peaceable, flirtatious, self-indulgent.
SCORPIO the Scorpion.
The sign of the Zodiac ruled by Pluto. Intense,
fanatical, secretive, emotional, possessive, jealous, stubborn,
regenerative,
suspicious, argumentative, penetrating, magnetic, forceful,
controlling, obsessive.
SAGITTARIUS the Archer.
The sign of the Zodiac ruled by Jupiter. Optimistic,
idealistic, freedom-loving, adventurous, extravagant, nature-loving,
love of
outdoors, tactless, superficial, irresponsible. CAPRICORN the Goat.
The sign of the Zodiac ruled by Saturn. Ambitious, perseverance,
hard-working, enterprising, conservative, disciplined, practical,
patient,
industrious, reserved, pessimistic, miserly.
AQUARIUS the Water-carrier. The sign of the Zodiac ruled by Uranus.
Detached,
eccentric, inventive, reformative, intelligent, idealistic,
unconventional,
progressive, dogmatic, original, a space-person, humanitarian,
unpredictable. PISCES
the Fish.
The
sign of the Zodiac ruled by Neptune.Emotional,
imaginative, impressionable, creative, secretive, receptive,
indecisive,
inhibited, sympathetic, humanitarian, selfless, idealistic, vague,
weak-willed,
easily led.
THE BASIC
ASTROLOGICAL MEANINGS OF THE PLANETS
SUNThe Sun rules:
the spirit, the ego, the male,
authority, the will to live, the urge to rule, willpower, the
conscious,
dignity, figures in power, the spirit . MOONThe Moon rules:
the emotional response,
female, fertility, the wife, the family, the nation, the subconscious,
memory,
sensitivity, changeable, hereditary qualities. MERCURYMercury
rules: communication, awareness, thought, the nerves, the messenger (of
the
Gods), observation, speed, logic, intellect, dexterity, speech, reason.
VENUSVenus rules: love, the
arts, affection, physical
attraction, beauty, money, luxury, pleasure, peace, vanity, gluttony.
MARSMars rules: energy,
courage, war, the sex
urge, aggression, ruthlessness, the muscles, action, strength,
incisiveness,
enjoying work and fighting. JUPITERJupiter
rules: expansion on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual,
travel, optimism, generosity, extravagance, justice, religion,
philosophy,
higher education.
SATURNSaturn rules: discipline,
tradition,
constriction, the father, the law, responsibility, separation,
solitude, the
past, patience, solidity.
URANUSUranus rules: freedom,
revolution,
rebellion, sudden change, independence, the erratic and unconventional,
eccentricity, brilliance, originality, science, detachment.
NEPTUNENeptune
rules: formlessness, drugs, imagination, fantasy, receptivity,
compassion,
delusion, deceit, illusion, idealism, music, poetry, mysticism,
martyrdom, the
intangible, obligation, imagination, theft, fraud.
PLUTOPluto rules: regeneration,
force majeure,
the collective unconsciousness, obsession, reproduction, elimination,
brutality, dictatorship, beginnings and endings, passion, birth, death,
rebirth, criminality, sainthood, research, propagandists.
MOON’S NODEThe Moon’s Node
rules: karmic relationships,
blood-ties, alliances, associations, meetings, personal involvements.
ASCENDANTThe Ascendant rules:
the personality, the
environmental factors of the individual. It is the zodiac sign rising
on the
eastern horizon at one’s time of birth. It is the way someone is seen
by the
outside world.
MIDHEAVENThe Midheaven rules:
the aim in life,
ambition, the profession.