The Astrological Signs of the Zodiac - A Description
Let us have a look now into the specifics of each astrological sign and how that might apply to us. It is easy to see how each month in the unfolding of the year is different.
If you live in a place that has four seasons, you can strongly sense that your life has an ebb and flow related to the seasons. You may be acutely aware of changes in your energy, emotions, sleep patterns, and ambitions as the seasons change. The astrological signs represent that cycle of evolution of energy.
Below are the astrological signs with their dates, element, and gender, and characteristics of people born under each sign. Notice how as the signs progress throughout the astrological year they represent new stages of learning, evolution, and personal growth in the circle of life.
Aries: The Initiator & Warrior
March 21-April 20
Ruling Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Gender: Masculine
March 21-April 20
Ruling Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Gender: Masculine
Aries begins at the Spring Equinox, the point when the Earth enters into a period of longer days and shorter nights. Aries is a powerful symbol of new beginnings, energy, light, and creativity. People born under the sign of Aries may well turn out to be great leaders-if they can keep their aggression and tendency to dominate others in check. Aries must always be undertaking new projects, especially creative endeavors, to keep their high energy occupied. They are extroverts and tend toward impulsivity. Their challenge is to properly channel their energy.
Taurus: Planter and Beautifier of Life
April 21-May 20
Ruling Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Gender: Feminine
April 21-May 20
Ruling Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Gender: Feminine
At this point in the year the Northern Hemisphere is free of its winter snows and it is time to attend to caring for the Earth and planting crops. Taurus people are very much in tune with the Earth. Due to the influence of Venus, they have a great love for beauty found in things such as art, jewelry, and the natural landscape. They are loyal, patient, and deliberate in working toward their goals, just as farmers must be in tending their crops from planting through harvest. When a Taurus person undertakes a project, it most likely will be completed! Grounded in reality and the physical world, they excel at professions such as artist, farmer, the financial sector, and politics.
Gemini: Inspired Communicator and Curious Butterfly
May 21-June 21
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Gender: Masculine
May 21-June 21
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Gender: Masculine
Geminis have great minds! They are fast learners and interested in a great variety of topics, so they accumulate a large store of knowledge. Additionally, the have the ability to communicate their knowledge very well and make great conversationalists. They need the stimulation of moving like a butterfly from one thing that catches their interest to the next. This gives them flexibility-they don't get stuck for long in one place and are always ready for a new challenge. A drawback of their fascination with details is that they might miss the bigger picture. They excel in all fields involving the written or spoken word.
Cancer: The Archetypal Mother
June 22-July 22
Ruling Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Gender: Feminine
June 22-July 22
Ruling Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Gender: Feminine
The symbol for Cancer is the crab, symbolizing Cancer's strong association with water, a feminine element. On planet Earth, water is the origin of all life, so Cancer is associated with giving life. The Cancer person is the consummate mother, always concerned with caring for others, whether family, friends, or associates. Cancers also need to acknowledge that they need to be cared for themselves in order to be emotionally balanced! They are more emotional than practical. Their creative side might lead them into professions in the arts, theater, and music.
Leo: The Lion King
July 23-Aug 22
Ruling Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Gender: Masculine
July 23-Aug 22
Ruling Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Gender: Masculine
By the end of July the summer sun is blazing and crops are bursting with their life force. Leo is a highly energetic, masculine fire sign. Leos can be none other than kings, leading all types of enterprises with their strong personalities. They need to be independent in their work, not submissive to others. They have a sense of entitlement and expect to be served. Fortunately, their strong, egocentric, masculine side is balanced by devotion to their children, a warm heart, and generosity. Leos' courage pays off in the business world, where they take risks that lead to success.
Virgo: The Analyzer and Organizer
Aug 23-Sept 22
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Element: Earth
Gender: Feminine
Aug 23-Sept 22
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Element: Earth
Gender: Feminine
By September the summer Sun is fading, and crops are ready to be harvested. Virgos have none of the fiery dominance of their summer predecessor, the Lion. They are reserved people who don't boast about themselves or behave flamboyantly. They are quietly reliable, attending to the smallest details of any project in an organized way, making them good lawyers, doctors, and scientists. That trait can be carried to a fault when they fail to see the bigger picture. They are more intelligent and analytical than emotional, which serves them well in complex tasks but may prevent them from establishing deep relationships. Virgos are practical people, good with their hands, and combining those qualities with their attention to detail they could excel in professions as jewelers and dentists.
Libra: The Judge and Harmonizer
Sept 23-Oct 22
Ruling Planet: Venus
Element: Air
Gender: Masculine
Sept 23-Oct 22
Ruling Planet: Venus
Element: Air
Gender: Masculine
The symbol for Libra, a scale, indicates Libra's strong need for balance. Libras are very oriented toward other people and skillfully tuned into their needs and emotions. Their preference in relationships is for harmony and love-they are peacemakers. Others are drawn to them for their sociable charm. Putting together those qualities, they make wonderful psychologists and mediators, as well as friends and partners. Because they have the ability to see both sides of things, it can be difficult for them to make decisions. Their love of harmony and balance draws them to beauty in the arts and wherever else they can indulge their aesthetic sense.
Scorpio: Phoenix Rising from the Ashes
Oct 23-Nov 22
Ruling Planet: Pluto
Element: Water
Gender: Feminine
Oct 23-Nov 22
Ruling Planet: Pluto
Element: Water
Gender: Feminine
Scorpios are powerful, intense people who pursue their goals with great determination. Once they've decided to do something, they give themselves over to it and nothing can distract them from their purpose. They are perfectionists, sometimes to the point of obsession. They are deep, complex, brilliant people who excel in their endeavors. Their single-mindedness can make them rigid and lead to black-and-white thinking. That lack of flexibility, combined with their tendency to manipulate others, can make it difficult to be in an intimate relationship with a Scorpio. Because Scorpios are drawn to extremes, they find themselves continually transformed by cycles of death and rebirth-such as the end of a relationship and the beginning of another. This is how they learn.