Introduction to the zodiac signs
The zodiacal circle is made up of 12 different astrological signs. The circle begins with Aries and concludes with Pisces. Your date of birth determines which Sun sign you are. However, it does not determine where the other 9 planets fall in your chart (I still refer to Pluto as a planet. It may be a dwarf, but it’s impact is definitely felt in the chart). Below is a brief description of each sign through the zodiac.
Aries
The Sun is in Aries from March 21 to April 19
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. It is the sign of the spring equinox and of all new beginnings. The key phrase for Aries is “I am”. Aries natives are the first to start whatever they set out to do. They are the leader of the pack.
Being a cardinal sign, Aries is great at initiating projects, although they may not always finish them. These folks are natural born leaders and pioneers. Aries is ruled by the planet Mars. In Roman mythology, Mars was the god of war and aggression. The element of fire is associated with Aries. Fire is about desire and warmth. Aries are energetic, innovative, original, pioneering, assertive, quick-tempered, strong, driven, leaders, ambitious, extroverted, sometimes aggressive, competitive, enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-assured.
Taurus
The Sun is in Taurus from April 20 to May 20
Taurus the second sign of the zodiac. They are sensual, enjoying all five physical senses from touch, smell, taste, vision to hearing. The key phrase for Taurus is “I value”. These folks love the good life and all it’s creature-comforts from good food to beautiful objects of art. While Aries is quick and agile, Taurus is slow and deliberate. They are a fixed sign which means they love to take their time and see things through to the end.
Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus. Venus is the Roman goddess of love and pleasure. Like the goddess herself, Taurus treasures all beautiful material objects. The element of earth is associated with Taurus which is why they love being in nature. Taurus is determined, efficient, stubborn, cautious, placid, persistent, enduring, introverted, conservative, conventional, materialistic, security conscious, stable, industrious, dependable, and generally have significant financial ability.
Gemini
The Sun is in Gemini from May 21 to June 20
Gemini is the third sign of the zodiac. Gemini is the eternal child of the zodiac. The key phrase for Gemini is “I think”. They are about collecting and disseminating ideas. Gemini’s are intellectually inclined and become easily bored if not mentally stimulated. Like a social butterfly, they spread their ideas and brand of fun around. Gemini is a mutable sign which is about changeability and adaptability. The planet associated with Gemini is Mercury. Mercury is the winged messenger of the gods. He represents communication and travel in all forms.
The element of air is associated with Gemini. Air signs are about expression of ideas, principles and social concepts. They intellectualize things. Gemini is flexible, versatile, restless, a jack-of-all-trades, lively, alert, quick-witted, literary, communicative, a good conversationalist, changeable, sociable, logical, ingenious, agile, dexterous, intellectual, and mentally ambitious.
Cancer
The Sun is in Cancer from June 20 to July 21
Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac. These folks wear their heart on their sleeve. The key phrase for Cancer is “I feel”. This is an extremely sensitive sign with strong emotional connections to the past, family and tribal roots. Traditions and homelife play a big role in their lives. They are protectective of their friends and loved ones. They are also very proctective of their own feelings and of being hurt. Cancer is a cardinal sign and is about initiating and starting new things.
Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which is constantly waxing or waning and rules the ebb and flow of the tides. The Moon is often associated with mothering, nuturing and fertility. The element of water is associated with Cancer. All water signs are about emotions and receptivity. Cancer is introverted, reserved, emotional, sensitive, moody, sympathetic, security-conscious, prudent, retentive, domestic, maternal, protective, quiet, calm, imaginative, conscientious, and quite the traditionalist.
Leo
The Sun is in Leo from July 23 to August 22
Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac. Leo is regal and majestic. There is a natural dignity and nobility about them. The key phrase for Leo is
“I will”. Leo has a great warmth and an ability to shine an immense generosity onto others. Leo is creative and great fun. It is a fixed sign and like all fixed signs it is consistent, loyal and dependable. Like its ruler the Sun, they are warm and constant. They also love being the centre of the universe and expect others to pay homage to them.
The element associated with Leo is fire. Fire is about enthusiasm and creativity. Leo is ambitious, a lover of limelight, speculative, extroverted, optimistic, honorable, dignified, confident, proud, exuberant, sunny, flamboyant, charismatic, dramatic, competitive, a leader and an organizer.
Virgo
The Sun is in Virgo from August 23 to September 22
Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac. Virgos enjoy indulging their practical and logical side. They are in their element poring over the nuts and bolts pieces of all puzzles. The key phrase for Virgo is
“I analyse”. They are the consumate worker-ant. They love serving. For them, god is in the details. Virgos are extremely health-conscious and fuss over their food and diet. Virgo is a mutable sign which is changeable and adaptable.
The planet associated with Virgo is Mercury. Mercury is the winged messenger of the gods. He co-rules Gemini and Virgo. In Gemini Mercury is more about communication. In Virgo, Mercury is about industry and mental agility. The element associated with Virgo is earth which is why they are grounded and practical. Virgo is responsible, sensible, logical, analytical, highly discriminating, a careful planner, precise and punctual, dedicated, perfectionist, critical, health conscious, somewhat introverted and shy.
Libra
The Sun is in Libra from September 23 to October 23
Libra is the seventh sign of the zodiac. The emphasis for Libra is about others, not self. Libra’s operate better in partnerships. The key phrase for Libra is “I balance”. Libra epitomizes balance, harmony and a sense of fair play. They shy away from conflict and confrontation. Libra is a cardinal sign which is about initiating and starting things.
Libra is ruled by Venus. In ancient Roman mythology, Venus was the goddess of love and beauty. She co-rules Taurus and Libra. In Taurus she about material beauty and money. In Libra she is about higher, loftier principles such as justice, peace, romantic love and marriage. The element associated with Libra is air. Air signs are about expression of ideas, principles and social concepts. Libra is idealistic, a peacemaker, diplomatic, refined, poised, gracious, kind, courteous, fair-minded, sociable, charming, artistically creative, affable, cooperative, extroverted, and usually somewhat indecisive.
Scorpio
The Sun is in Scorpio from October 23 to November 21
Scorpio is the eighth sign of the zodiac. Scorpio is intense and straight-to-the-point. The key phrase for Scorpio is “I desire”. These folks are complex and cunning. Nothing gets past them. No stone is left unturned. Scorpio’s have tremendous regenerative powers. Pluto is the considered the ruler of Scorpio alongside Mars. Pluto is the Roman god of the underworld and Mars is the god of war. This exemplifies the concept of the phoenix rising from the ashes. No matter how many times you knock a Scorpio down, it will rise again, like a cat with nine lives. It is a fixed sign and like all fixed signs, they stay the course until the end.
The element of water is associated with Scorpio. Water is about emotions although Scorpio does not like to show that side of itself. Scorpio’s are determined, powerful, strong-willed, forceful, bold, courageous, enduring, competitive, resourceful, researcher, an investigator, secretive, mysterious, penetrating, psychic, self-reliant, and introverted.
Sagittarius
The Sun is in Sagittarius from November 22 to December 21
Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the zodiac. The key phrase of Sagittarius is “I see”. Sagittarians would rather learn on their own, through travel and experience, then take someone else’s word for it. What Sagittarius wants most is to know the meaning of life. Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius. The Roman god Jupiter is the leader of all gods. He is expansive and generous which describes Sagittarius to a tee. Sagittarius is mutable which means they are open to all things and adapt quickly.
The element associated with Sagittarius is Fire. Fire is about desire and warmth. Sagittarius is idealistic, optimistic, freedom-loving, casual, friendly, buoyant, gregarious, enthusiastic, philosophical, studious, farseeing, direct, outspoken, honest, loyal, restless and loves travel.
Capricorn
The Sun is in Capricorn from December 22 to January 19
Capricorn, the tenth sign of the zodiac and is all about hard work and being resourceful. The key phrase for Capricorn is “I use”. Deeply conservative, ambitious and cautious, this Saturn-ruled sign has the determination and patience to take the hard and lonely road. As a cardinal sign, it is goal oriented and ambitious. Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn. Saturn is known as the father of all gods in Roman mythology. He is associated with discipline, restriction or delays.
Capricorn is associated with the element of Earth and is the most mature of the earth signs. Like all Earth signs, Capricorns are sensible and have their feet firmly planted on the ground. Capricorn is ambitious (power, position, money), organizational, self-disciplined, rigid, thrifty, prudent, security-conscious, conservative, responsible, practical, persistent, political, business oriented and methodical.
Aquarius
The Sun is in Aquarius from January 20 to February 18
Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac. Those born under this sign have the foresight to carry us into the future. The key phrase for Aquarius is “I know”. Aquarians are visionaries and their goal is to make the world a better place. It is a fixed sign which is about structure and seeing things through to the end. Uranus is the ruler of Aquarius. Uranus was the Roman god of the heavens. He is associated with chaos. Like Uranus, Aquarians thrive on chaos and change. Aquarius is the most developed, and mature of the air signs. It is concerned with social structures and political systems.
Aquarius is individualistic, unconventional, progressive, unique, independent, humanitarian, altruistic, visionary, perceptive, intellectual, logical, ingenious, inventive, unpredictable, detached, friendly, and scientific.
Pisces
The Sun is in Pisces from February 19 to March 20
Pisces is the last sign of the zodiacal cycle. They are selfless, spiritual and very focused on their inner journey. The key phrase for Pisces is
“I believe”. The intuition of the Pisces-born is highly evolved. They have a sixth sense and very are receptive of others. Pisces is a mutable sign which changeable, adaptable and fluid. Neptune is the ruler of Pisces. Neptune is the Roman god of the seas. Neptune’s function is to dissolve the hard and fast boundaries of the real world. Not surprisingly, Pisce can sometimes have difficulties, telling fantasy from reality and escape into their dreams.
Appropriately, Pisces is associated the element of water. Of all water signs, it is the most mature. Pisces are super-sensitive, impressionable, peace-loving, serious, sympathetic, charitable, compassionate, artistic, creative, dreamer, dedicated, imaginative, psychic, shy, introverted, spiritual, and reclusive.
