astrological signs

Both Western and Vedic astrology employ a zodiac which divides the ecliptic into twelve astrological signs of equal length.

The Western tropical astrology starts with the first point of Aries, which is defined as the point at which the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun through the heavens) crosses the celestial equator at the spring equinox. It is important to note that the tropical signs are completely independent of the astronomical constellations after which they were originally named and no longer bear any relationship to them.

Western sidereal astrology and Indian Vedic astrology use signs which more or less coincide with the stellar constellations of the same name.

Because the calendar is defined by the movement of the Earth around the Sun, and its orbit is very nearly circular, the sign in which the Sun falls on any day of the year is fairly predictable, though it will vary a little due to the effect of the extra day in leap years. These dates are given in the article that deals with each sign individually. Sidereal astrology also has to adjust for the precession of the equinoxes which produces a slow change of the time of year when constellations are visible in the night sky over a 25,000 year cycle.

To determine the sign in which the moon and other planets fall on any given day, it is necessary to consult an ephemeris or use an astrological computer program which will have a built-in ephemeris; these computer programs make it quick and easy to calculate the natal chart (also called horoscope) so that the astrologer can spend more time interpreting the chart rather than actually calculating it.

The dates of the astrological signs in different systems

The following table compares the dates that the sun enters a sign in tropical (Ptolemaic) and sidereal (Vedic) astrological systems, and the date when it enters the astronomical constellation by the same name using the International Astronomical Union (IAU) 1930 definition of the boundaries. The dates can vary by as much as 2 days, from year to year, depending on the cycle of leap years, and the precession of the perihelion of the Earth's orbit over many centuries.

The "tropical" zodiacal dates (those that divide the zodiac starting with the northern hemisphere vernal equinox) are used primarily in the United States and western Europe. The "sidereal" dates (those that divide the zodiac starting with the alignment of the Sun with a distant star in Aries) are used primarily in India. Many people who don't know anything about constellations have heard about the signs of the Zodiac in an astrological context.

Western astrology signification

The energies associated with each planet are affected by the sign in which they fall in the following way. (Though due consideration will also be given to other conditions within the astrological chart such as the effect of aspects to other planets, the house in which each planet falls, and the classical element in which the particular sign belongs to)

• - Aries (cardinal, fire, personal): assertively, impulsively, defensively, energetic, head down.

• - Taurus (fixed, earth, personal): resourcefully, thoroughly, devotedly, patiently, indulgently.

• - Gemini (mutable, air, personal): logically, inquisitively, fast.

• - Cancer (cardinal, water, personal): protectively, sensitively, clingingly.

• - Leo (fixed, fire, social): generously, proudly, theatrically.

• - Virgo (mutable, earth, social): practically, efficiently, critically.

• - Libra (cardinal, air, social): co-operatively, fairly, lazily.

• - Scorpio (fixed, water, social): passionately, sensitively, anxiously.

• - Sagittarius (mutable, fire, universal): freely, straightforwardly, carelessly.

• - Capricorn (cardinal, earth, universal): prudently, cautiously, suspiciously.

• - Aquarius (fixed, air, universal): democratically, unconventionally, detachedly.

• - Pisces (mutable, water, universal): imaginatively, sensitively, distractedly.

Western astrology classification

The four elements

Each sign is associated with one of the classical elements (fire, earth, air, or water) and one of the three modalities (cardinal, fixed, or mutable). It is also associated with an area of concern: personal, social, or universal.

• Fire signs are associated with action, passion, and energy. In combination with the other elements, fire feels that earth will smother it, water will drown it, but air will fan and enliven it.

• Earth signs are associated with sensation, stability and practicality. In combination with the other elements, earth feels that air will dry it, fire will parch it, but water will refresh and nourish it.

• Air signs are associated with thought, perspective and communication. In combination with the other elements, air feels that water will obscure it, earth will suffocate it, but fire will inspire and uplift it.

• Water signs are associated with growth processes, identification and emotion. In combination with the other elements, water feels that fire will make it boil, air will evaporate it, but earth will shape and channel it.

The Qualities

The Qualities assign the Signs into Quadruplicities, groups of four.

• Cardinal signs are associated with initiation and creativity. They are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
• Fixed signs are associated with focus, individuality and determination. They are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
• Mutable signs are associated with resourcefulness, holism and adaptability. They are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Phrases, keywords and concepts associated with each Western astrological sign

• Aries -- "I am," assertive, individualistic, enthusiasm, pioneering, leader, competitive, action-oriented, defensive, aggressive, intemperate, violent, fiery, powerful, extreme, arrogant, uncontrolled and unrestrained, quick, passionate, determined, fresh, head/skull

• Taurus -- "I have," sensual, affectionate, possessive, cautious, acquisitive, musical, artistic, stubborn, solid, earthly, strong, patient, sturdy, slow, kind, just, throat/neck

• Gemini -- "I think," "I know," curious, multi-tasking, talkative, sociable, duality, mercurial, whimsical, intelligent, restless, quick, informed, hands/lungs

• Cancer -- "I feel," sensitive, tenacious, family and home oriented, helpful, nurturing, moody, watery, protective, emotional, crabby, moody, loving, stomach/breasts

• Leo -- "I rule," passionate, bossy, loves attention, dramatic, independent, noble, creative, leader, egotistic, sunny, bright, kingly, powerful, heart/back

• Virgo -- "I analyze," practical, work and service oriented, critical, common sense, modest, intelligent, health conscious, fussy, helpful, loving, flexible, intestines/digestion

• Libra -- "I balance," partnerships, balance, grace, charm, debative, open-minded, cooperative, social, ideas, lazy, kidneys/lumbar

• Scorpio -- "I desire," intense, controlling, sexual, confrontative, deep, skeptical, mysterious, obsessive, death, transformation, genitals/reproductive organs

• Sagittarius -- "I seek," philosophic, fun-loving, arrogant, adventurous, expansive, optimistic, blundering, believer, scattered, hips/thighs

• Capricorn -- "I use," ambitious, cautious, rigid, authoritative, cunning, competent, saturnine, inclined to politics/business, knees/skeleton

• Aquarius -- "I know," friendships, humanitarian, cause-oriented, the group, society, progressive, eccentric, elitist, sophisticated, objective, nervous system/ankles

• Pisces -- "I believe," feeling, duality, idealistic, spirituality, acceptance, undiscriminating, soul growth, martyrdom, artistic, neglectful, surrender, compassionate, feet/immune system

The signs in Jyotish astrology

Jyotish astrology recognises twelve zodiac signs, or Rashis:

Western astrology traditional rulership versus modern rulership

In traditional Western astrology, each sign is ruled by one and only one of the seven visible planets (note that in astrology, the Sun and Moon are termed The Lights by astrologers, while the other bodies are called planets, which literally means wanderers, i.e. wandering stars as opposed to the fixed stars). The traditional rulerships are as follows: Aries (Mars), Taurus (Venus), Gemini (Mercury), Cancer (Moon), Leo (Sun), Virgo (Mercury), Libra (Venus), Scorpio (Mars), Sagittarius (Jupiter), Capricorn (Saturn), Aquarius (Saturn), Pisces (Jupiter).

Many modern, psychologically-oriented astrologers believe that Uranus is the ruler or co-ruler of Aquarius instead of Saturn, Neptune is the ruler or co-ruler of Pisces instead of Jupiter, and that Pluto is the ruler or co-ruler of Scorpio instead of Mars (with other modern astrologers claiming that Pluto rules Aries and not Scorpio). Traditional astrology adheres to the rulerships system listed in the paragraph above, and the debate continues between those who consider the newly discovered planets as rulers or co-rulers of certain signs and those that do not.

Some astrologers do not even use the astrological signs at all (mostly Cosmobiologists and Uranian Astrologers/Hamburg School); therefore they do not take into account planetary rulerships and the essential dignities when interpreting an astrological chart.

A planet is strengthened (dignified) if it falls within the sign that it rules. If a planet is in the sign opposite that which it rules, it is said to be weakened (detriment).

Furthermore, a planet is also strengthened when it is in its sign of Exaltation. For example, the Moon in Cancer is considered "strong" (well-dignified), while in Taurus the Moon is said to be in its Exaltation. In traditional horary astrology, Exaltation denotes a level of dignity somewhat exaggerated compared to rulership. Seventeenth century astrologer William Lilly compared rulership (e.g. Moon in Cancer) to a king on his throne, with considerable dignity. Exaltation was considered to give the planet (or what it signified in a horary chart) dignity, with the metaphor of an honoured guest - who is the centre of attention but the extent of their ability to act is limited.

A planet in the opposite sign of its Exaltation is said to be in its Fall (e.g. Moon in Scorpio), and thus weakened, perhaps seemingly more so than Detriment.

Examples of planets in their Exaltation: Saturn (Libra), Sun (Aries), Venus (Pisces), Moon (Taurus), Mercury (Virgo, although some disagree to this classification), Mars (Capricorn).

In traditional astrology, other levels of Dignity were recognised in addition to Rulership, Exaltation, Detriment and Fall. These are known as Triplicity, Term, and Face or Decan which together are known as describing a planet's Essential Dignity, the quality or ability to give of one's true nature. Contemporary traditional astrologers like John Frawley or J Lee Lehman explain further on the concept of Essential Dignity.

In addition to Essential Dignity, the traditional astrologer considers Accidental Dignity of planets. This is placement by house in the chart under examination. Accidental dignity describes the planet's "ability to act". So we might have, for example, Moon in Cancer, dignified by rulership, is placed in the 12th house it would have little scope to express its good nature. The 12th is a cadent house as are the 3rd, 6th and 9th and planets in these houses are considered weak or afflicted. On the other hand, Moon in the 1st, 4th, 7th or 10th would be more able to act as these are Angular houses.

Planets in Succedent houses of the chart (2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th) are generally considered to be of medium ability to act. As well as Accidental Dignity, there are a range of Accidental Debilities, such as retrogradation, Under the Sun's Beams, Combust, and so forth.

See also

• Astrology
• Age of Aquarius

External links

• Sun Signs Discussion Forum An interactive discussion forum which deals with everything and anything to do with Sun Signs.

• Rulerships - This site deals with the traditional rulership system as used in Classical Astrology.

• Rulerships & Essential Dignities - Useful resources on planetary rulerships & essential dignities.

• Horary Rulership - Learn more about the rulership system as it applies to horary astrology.