Signs

When the ancients noticed the planets moving along the ecliptic path, they also noticed the background of fixed stars behind that path. It would be as though you noticed a background of billboards around a racetrack. You could tell the positions of the horses around the track just by identifying the billboards behind each horse. The ancients used the background of fixed stars the same way. They divided their racetrack (the ecliptic into 12 equal sectors. Each sector was named after the fixed-star group seen in that sector. Aries the ram, etc.--the ancients referred to these sectors as the "little zoo", which in Greek is "zodiac".

The planets represent the energies which drive your physical, emotional mental and intuitional systems. These energies manifest themselves differently depending on the positions of the planets in the signs of the zodiac. Different signs channel the energies into different behavior patterns, which are then recognized as personality traits. In a word the traits associated with each sign are as follows:

Positive - pioneering, executive, competitive, impulsive, eager, courageo us, independent, dynamic, lives in present, quick

Negative - domineering, quick tempered, violent, intolerant, hasty, arrogant, "me first", brusque, lacks follow through

Aries is the sign of the pioneer and leader. It is always impulsive, concentrated and spontaneous. Acts first and think about what you have done later. Rushing in where others fear to tread, the Aries energy is attention getting. It always provokes a response from the surroundings, from other. There is something essential and instigative that starts or causes something else to happen - a reaction or response.

Positive - patient, conservative, domestic, sensual, thorough, stable, dependable, practical, artistic, loyal

Negative - self indulgent, stubborn, slow moving, argumentative, possessive, greedy, materialistic

Taurus manages to respond, possess and "have" just about everything possible. This is a nurturing and fertile sign in that any seed or impluse is cradled, bringing forth growth and development. Taurus is the way we bringing forth growth and development. Taurus is the way we "have" things, how we possess and acquire things. There is something gentle, regular, steadfast, and determined about Taurus. Always accepting, mothering, Providing a base for - a matrix or womb where growth takes place.

Positive - dual, congenial, curious, adaptable, expressive, quick witted, literary, inventive, dextrous, clever

Negative - changeable, ungrateful , scatterbrained, restless, scheming, lacking in concentration, lacking in follow through

Gemini is concerned with connections and communication of all kinds - letters, wires, telephones, voice, thoughts, writing and mental processes in general. Gemini is the gadfly, the communicator, the gossip of the Zodiac. Searching conversations, scientific inquiry, research, and so on belong here. Gemini energy is unattached independent, and inquisitive.

positive - tenacious, intuitive, maternal, domestic, sensitive, retentive, helpful, sympathetic, emotional, patriotic, good memory, traditional

Negative - brooding, touchy, too easily hurt, negative, manipulative, too cautious, lazy, selfish, sorry for self

Cancer is the Mother of the Zodiac, always making a home, protecting and providing for others. A sensitive sign where feelings and real experience count more than cold logic. It doesn`t get any ore physical and emotional than here. This sign has a sense of substance, a home base or foundation. Cancer energy is always limiting, bringing us down to Earth, grounding our ever thought in experience, in substance.

Positive - dramatic, idealistic, proud, ambitious, creative, dignified, romantic, generous, self assured, optimistic

Negative - vain, status conscious, childish, overbearing, fears ridicule, cruel, boastful, gaudy, dictatorial

Leo energy is expressive, emotive and concerned with awareness and a sense of pride and ownership. Here is always a sense of home base or confidence from which the aggressive and outgoing Leo energy operates. Often very artistic and always theatrical and expressive, this sign is good for creativity and the arts. Warn and bighearted, this sign belongs to love of animals, sports and children

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Positive - industrious, studious, scientific, methodical, discriminating, fact finding, exacting, clean, humane, seeks perfection

Negative - critical, petty, melancholy, self centered, fears disease and poverty, picky, pedantic, skeptical, sloppy

Virgo energy is analytical and precise, always separating what is out moded and of no further use. A mental sign, where thinking and examining are in high focus. Also a different kind of mother, here an endless caring and worrying ( fussing) about just about everything. Always compassionate and responsive, Virgo energy is service oriented above all, Often thinking and caring more about what others are doing and thinking than for self.

Positive - cooperative, persuasive, companionable, peace loving, refined, judicial, artistic, diplomatic, sociable, suave

Negative - fickle, apathetic, loves intrigue, peace at any price, pouting, indecisive, easily deterred

Libra energy is always facilitating and responsive, assuming the appropriate reaction or response to any question or statement. What is sometimes seen as two faced. This is certainly the social sign, par excellence. Impersonal and impartial, this sign doles out only what is demanded, never overdoing things.

positive - motivated, penetrating, executive, resourceful, determined, scientific, investigative, probing, probing, passionate, aware

Negative - vengeful, temperamental, secretive, overbearing, violent, sarcastic, suspicious, jealous, intolerant

Scorpio is the most famous sign. Intense, passionate and very personal, it rushes past superficialities and right to the heart of any matter. A loyal friend but a fanatic foe, this sign does well in politics and all areas where someone who dares is rewarded. Often associated with sexual energy, perhaps due to its tendency to strip away veneer, laying bare anything that is there. 

Positive - straightforward, philosophical, freedom loving, broad mined, athletic, generous, optimistic, just, religious, scholarly, enthusiastic

Negative - argumentative, exaggerative, talkative, procrastinating, self indulgent, blunt, impatient, a gambler, pushy, hot headed

Sagittarius is nothing if not direct, candid and to the point. Sometimes harsh, this energy always is concerned with the absolute truth of the subject at hand. Associated with philosophy, religion, and all things that last, Sagittarius energy is always welcome in politics as well as social and community endeavors, where its basic fairness and evenhandedness is helpful.

Negative - egotistic, domineering, unforgiving, fatalistic, the mind rules the heart, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status seeking

Capricorn is the Business energy of the zodiac, for it is the very opposite of the emotional Cancer. Given to clear headedness and practical insight and vision, this sign always takes a distanced perspective, a cool appraisal. Logical and painstaking, Capricorns love hard work and earned results. Money and things in general are very important.

Positive independent, inventive, tolerant, individualistic, progressive, artistic, scientific, logical humane, intellectual altruistic

Negative - unpredictable, temperamental, bored by detail, cold, to fixed in opinion, shy, eccentric, radical, impersonal, rebellious

Aquarius the sign of humanitarian goals and altruism. Always impartial and nonsectarian, Aquarius energy is communal (even global). The focus is on the goal, and the goal is always one that is for the many and not the few. Thus sign is connected to farseeing visions, world views, and group work of all kinds. This sign tends towards coolness, independence.

Positive - compassionate, charitable, sympathetic, emotional sacrificing, intuitive, introspective, musical, artistic

Negative - procrastinating, over talkative, melancholy, pessimistic, emotionally inhibited, timid, impractical, indolent, often feels misunderstood

Pisces energy runs deep and toward the psychological - whatever is beneath the surface. This sign is understanding, patient, and long suffering. Pisces tend to absorb all the little barbs and digs coming from outside. They always have their mind on an inner goal, something more important. They are very forgiving and accepting - giving of themselves for the sake of more important issues.

ELEMENT

Every SIGN falls into a group of signs, either fire, earth, water, and air; depending on their orientation in the zodiac. These ancient astrologers had associated each Element with their temperaments, and each group of elements are at 120 degree angles to each other. These four groups of signs: fire, earth, air, and water, combine to form two major groups that represent two fundamental approaches to life; active and passive. The fire and air signs make up the active or masculine signs, while the earth and water signs make up the passive or feminine signs. It is unfortunate that the ancient astrologers called the active signs masculine and the passive signs feminine.

Fire - The houses of life or personal houses. People with many planets in these houses are inspirational and dynamic. They have great energy and enthusiasm, motivating power and religious convictions.

Aries First house - Body

Leo Fifth house - Soul

Sagittarius Ninth house - Spirit, mind

Enthusiastic, courageous, passionate and impulsive. A person with a predominance of Fire signs brings an impulsive enthusiasm.

Earth - THe house of substance or possessive houses. People with many plants in these houses are stable and usually are the backbone of the communities and families. Their outlooks and vocational aptitudes are concrete and practical.

Taurus Second house - possession, finances

Virgo Sixth house - occupation

Capricorn Tenth house - recognition, environment

Practical, materialistic, conservative, and inhibited. A person with a predominance of Earth signs introduces a stabilizing influence.

Air - the house of relationships or relative house. People with many plants in these houses are the people who need people. These house placements all describe the individual in relation to other members of the community.

Gemini Third house - relatives and neighbors those we do not select, family

Libra Seventh house - close relationships and partners those we select for one to one relationships, marriage, union

Aquarius Eleventh house - social and mental relationship those we select for shared interest, friendships.

Intellectual, adaptive, impractical, and superficial. A person with a predominance of Air signs puts everything on an intellectual level.

Water the houses of endings or terminal house. People with many plants in these houses are sensitive and feeling, they are the psychoanalyst and religious figures. These houses describe the innermost soul and the probable way that we well leave this earth. Not when, just how.

Cancer Fourth House - the end of the physical body

Scorpio Eighth house - liberation of the soul, death

Pisces Twelfth house - philosophic death, the results of the course of life we choose to take.

Emotional, sensitive, placid, and susceptible. A person with a predominance of Water signs will flood everything with deep emotional actions and reactions.

Another group of traits occurs among SIGNS which are 90 degrees apart from each other. There are four signs in each group of QUALITIES, which are cardinal, fixed, or mutable. They indicate the basic kinds of activity a person will be engaged in - getting things started, keeping them going, or steering them in different directions.

The next refinement of your analysis would be to notice the NATURAL DISPOSITION of the native. Here, you can 'count' the Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable features of the chart. Of course, you need to know the signs here this is the first time they 'make an appearance' in this method of sorting things out. Some astrologers will just use the planets and the ascendant, others will add the MC, nodes, and part of fortune. You are looking for a strong preponderance here based upon oppositions within the quadratures. And it is quite possible for a chart to have no natural disposition!

Cardinal Signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn)-- Initiating, enterprising, ambitious, domineering.

A person with a predominance of Cardinal signs is anxious to see things get started. A CARDINAL NATURAL DISPOSITION native will have a "let's DO it" attitude to life. They like to jump right in and fix problems, be very active. They think of events and activities.

Fixed Signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius)-- Determined, conventional, organizing, dogmatic.

A person with a predominance of Fixed signs is more likely to be stubborn and unyielding. A FIXED NATURAL DISPOSITION native will have a "let's get the facts" attitude to life. They like to organize, make plans, have agenda. They think of 'programs'.

Mutable Signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius)-- Adaptable, imaginative, tutorial, critical.

A person with a predominance of Mutable signs will be adaptable and willing to make most of the compromises. A MUTABLE NATURAL DISPOSITION native will have a "let's take a poll" attitude to life. They ask first "how will this affect other people?". They need to know how it is to live with things. They think of lifestyles.

When there is emphasis in two of the quadratures and none in the third, then the third quadrature is delineated as NEGATIVE NATURAL DISPOSITION. This is not read as 'bad', it is rather that emphasis is placed here by the STRONG lack; it is in the nature of a default. The native would HAVE the attributes of the missing quadrature in the usual way but would 'come by' these attributes by the outstanding lack of emphasis. This is not uncommon.

When all three quadratures are equally emphasized by opposition then a species of generalized (perhaps dramatically so) activity is indicated.