Foundations of Astrology. The Signs of the Zodiac - Part 2

Aries

Aries is to do with understanding that which is through the facility of direct perception. Aries corresponds to the head and, as such, it can be a very intellectual sign. It is a sign of spontaneous and immediate action which has a very refreshing approach to life. This is the sign of action and Arian people are happiest when engaged on some definite course of activity. Arian people are very competitive, whether with others or against previous personal achievements. This sign is quick to anger and equally quick to regret such displays. These types of people often have a strong sex drive. They love the chase and indulging in physical pleasures, but tend to run a mile from any hint that a partner might want commitment, for this would limit their natural instinct for independence. Aries is very concerned with the self and self-actualisation. Arian people often make good and courageous leaders. However their impulsiveness means that sometimes they act without thinking, unwittingly stepping on the toes of others. Although good initiators of projects, Arians do not always see things through to their conclusion. There can be show-off or dare-devil tendencies with this sign. Arians do not make good followers of others. Yet they have an easy-going, independent and impulsive disposition.

Outspoken and frank, Arian people love challenges. However, they can suffer from impatience and tend to be highly strung. These fiery types need to learn to relax more and enjoy the moment. This now orientated sign points us to the immediate response. The gut instinct is that which governs the motivation behind the Arian impulse.

Taurus

Taurean people love to savour the sensual pleasures and comforts of life. Hence they like to take their time in what they do, enjoying the moment.

Taurus corresponds to the throat and these types of people will often have melodious voices. This sign has a great love of things that are demonstrably of practical utility. Taureans are great accumulators of useful and valuable possessions and know how to work hard to acquire a good quality of life. These types of people can be very good at any type of work to do with the hands such as massage, gardening and crafts. Taureans are very physically inclined and can appear to be quite sexy or seductive.

Taurus is a ponderous sign which will slowly deliberate or mull over what is here and now before moving on to new pastures. If action will increase the basic well-being, Taurus will be motivated. If not, then Taurus is resistant.

As they love stability and order, Taureans will tend to resist change. Yet such change can help them to grow and mature more fully. This law abiding sign understands the need for constancy and regularity for a well maintained and harmonious society. More than any other sign, Taurus is the sign to do with being grounded. Unless one has ones feet firmly planted on the ground, one will not be able to cope with the demands of life.

Gemini

Geminian people are known for their versatility, having the ability to quickly pick up on the schematic basis of what ever comes their way. Whether social, intellectual or the mechanical details of things, this sign is interested in how things work. This sign is pre-eminently involved with the mental dimension. The Geminian mind is always active and interested in the new. There is a very youthful quality to Gemini, hence frequency of interaction and interchange are important. Ruled by the planet Mercury, the trickster, this sign can be one that is not always altogether truthful but may at times bend the truth to suit its own purposes. The worst thing that a Geminian can suffer is boredom. Hence Geminis can have a dualistic nature, being involved in more than one project or viewpoint at a time.

Gemini is characterised by a constant unquenchable thirst for knowledge. The typical Gemini likes to know a bit of everything! Like the wind, Gemini will dabble into all sorts of areas of life, but nothing too involved because that would limit the ability to move on to the new.

It seems that there are two types of knowing which Gemini represents. One is based in the here and now and is very much in tune with what is. The other is very abstract and beyond the considerations of the mundane. It is the Geminian ability to quickly switch between one mode of operation to another that can so delight or bewilder those less mentally adroit.

Cancer

Cancer is a retentive sign. But the focus of accumulation lies in the field of memory more than that of possessions. Cancer is the sign which is most concerned with the past. Things that belong to the long ago and which may have little importance to others are still vital and alive for this sign. Cancer thus moves forward if it has had a positive grounding in that which has occurred before. If there are long-standing difficulties to progress however, Cancer can retreat from the involvement in the now and put out an apparently impenetrable exterior which masks the inner sensitivity and pain. Cancer can be very traditional, so having an early life which encourages this sign to develop healthy and forward thinking values will do wonders for Cancerian people as they get older, with the corresponding need to learn to re-define previous values with the changing norms and mores of society. There can be a suspicion of what is unfolding or is to come, except where something similar has been experienced before. Anything new needs time to be digested and assimilated before it will be wholeheartedly embraced.

Cancer is a sign of sensitivity to people and surroundings. On the surface Cancerians can seem to be tough, unbendable, obstinate, clever and driven. Yet those who know these types better see the sensitive, kindly and nurturing side of their characters. The typical Cancerian likes to be in amongst environments which feel like home. Any body or anything that allows one just to be as one normally would in their own environment will draw the Cancerian out of hir shell.

Leo

Leo is the sign to do with the heart. Hence the reason that people born under this sign can so often suffer from heart- ache/break in the field of relationships. Yet this sign can cause as much heartbreak as it may suffer! With a strong attraction to the opposite sex, Leonians know how to make people admire them.

Leo can be the most dignified and spiritual of the signs, radiating the purity of essence. Yet it can also be a sign which is too easily influenced by that which will gain it popularity. Leonians tend to lap up flattery, but must be careful that they do not expect that everything should be done for them with little given back in return. This sign is concerned with making the right impression and if there is a purity of motive, then the impression that motivates will be pure. However, if the motive is to win people over, as special favourites who will mollycoddle to their needs, then Leo becomes tyrannical and lacks its real vital connection with source.

Leo is concerned with the understanding and expression of ego. The typical Leo likes to have fun and to be involved in lively or stimulating situations. Anything that is entertaining or increases the basic vitality is a part of Leos reason for being. There is a high degree of ambition and self-assurance with this sign. Such high confidence helps these people to succeed in virtually any area of life. Leo is the sign of kingship. Many succumb in the presence of the pure radiation emanating from the Leonian aura.

Virgo

Virgo is concerned with process and procedure. The typical Virgo needs to be engaged in a hundred and one different important projects and ventures (or at least one or two!). Anything that extends the mind in a practical way will attract the Virgoan interest. The analysis and understanding of the intricacies of the ways things work is Virgos domain, hence its reputation for striving after perfection in whatever it does.

The Virgo part of our nature is that which seeks to dissect what is and to reformulate or clean-up the way the parts interact and work so that the overall performance of the whole is improved. Unfortunately, Virgo can sometimes get so caught up in the intricacies of things that the overall synthesis gets lost in the complicated mesh of details. Virgo is noted for its critical qualities which is ideal for skilled work of every kind but it is this strength which can be its weakness in relationships. No-one appreciates an overly picky or fussy friend and the need for Virgoan people to relax their high personal standards in the social dimension is paramount.

This sign can be excessively shy and it is necessary for Virgoan people to learn to open up and express some of their feelings and needs if they are to avoid a life of bachelorhood or spinsterhood and isolation from meaningful social contact. There is little that can escape the Virgoan ability to see it's internal workings, once such discerning intelligence is applied to the matter at hand.

Libra

Libra is pre-eminently involved with the seeking for equilibrium and the right response to what is. Although regarded as being a ‘masculine’ sign, there is something very feminine-like about Libran people, both male and female.

The seventh sign of the zodiac begins the second half of the zodiac. This half is to do with the connection between self and other than self. Libra, of all the zodiacal signs, is therefore best known in its aspect as the sign of relationships. The give and take of relationships is Libras forte. Hence Librans can be so willing to compromise. Libra, being an air sign, needs others to bounce its ideas off. Other people are necessary for the balancing of the perspective of the self. The subtleties, niceties and nuances of the social dimension are almost as important to Librans as breathing! Hence Librans can so often make such good counsellors, diplomats and peace-makers.

Paradoxically, Libra can be a very black and white sign, seeing things as being either this way or that. It can take Libra a while to reach a decision because this sign likes to weigh up all the pros and cons of what is involved. Yet once a decision is made it is well-informed.

The typical Libran environment is well designed and aesthetically pleasing. Works of art are often found in the Libran domain. Music and culture also feature strongly.

Scorpio

Scorpio is an all or nothing sign. That which people with Scorpio type qualities strong in their make-up get involved with has to be something which they are passionate about. This sign will brook no half measures, yet in its own domain it can be very sensitive to all that becomes involved within its essential field of activities.

Scorpio is essentially a sign of transformation. Like the snake shedding its skin, that which meets the eye is a mask which covers the inner life of this sign. Of all the signs of the zodiac, Scorpio is the most shamanistic and healing because it can penetrate to the essence. This sign is charismatic and manipulative for it touches on the pulse of what is. Scorpio is the sign to do with the understanding of the hidden dimensions of being. The typical Scorpio needs depth. Anything that promises more than can be normally fathomed by the ordinary mortal mind has the potential to spark the Scorpio curiosity. Socially this sign can appear at times to be withdrawn from the main action, yet in fact Scorpio is very aware and watchful of all that is happening. This sign has much need for self-control, as it is so aware of the energies of “good and evil” and how easy it is for one to turn into another.

Scorpio is a very emotional sign which will be completely candid about its feelings to someone who has won its complete trust and much more guarded and hard to pin down with those who it is less sure about.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius is the sign to do with the expansion of the mind. The typical Sagittarian needs space and plenty of it! The bigger the environment and the broader the opportunities, the more happier Sagittarius is.

This positive and enterprising sign is ever in search of adventure and the new. Sagittarians are the visionaries of the zodiac. Far away is the destination which few can see but Sagittarians have far-sight and can make their way to their target no matter how distant. This is a sign which can see the overall schemata; therefore the way the whole works.

Sagittarius improves the little for the good of the greater. Open and optimistic, Sagittarians usually are quick to recover from disappointment. This is a sign which is attracted to religion, the ultimate and the understanding of the bigger picture. Hence these types of people have great faith and are charitable to those in need. Negatively, Sagittarius can be tempted to waste its resources and energy, speculating on a large scale. Positively, it contributes greater understanding to whatever it is involved with.

It is the urge to acquire new knowledge and insight which motivates the sign of the archer. This may explain the Sagittarian impulse to travel to far away places or to engage in creative research.

Capricorn

Capricorn is the sign of accomplishment and practical wisdom. The more success notched under the belt, the more at ease Capricorn feels. This is a very rational and business-like sign. Capricornians aim at mastery of skills that will get them ahead in life and have great patience and ability to pass on or teach the knowledge they have acquired.

Capricorn is a sign of longevity. Patience is its motto. With proper planning, this sign will get virtually whatever it wants, in the due course of time. Paradoxically, Capricornians behave as if they were older than their chronological age when younger, and become more youth-like as they get older.

Reserved and loyal, unpretentious, yet success orientated, Capricornians do not seek the limelight. These types of people can suffer from depression or melancholy more often than most, unless they take the right precautions. Capricornians need to have goals and targets that can be realistically attained and a stable home-life with mature but light-hearted friends and associates.

Above all Capricorn represents mastery. Once the lesson of mastery of the external world is learnt - then the challenge that Capricorn represents is to move beyond grasping for the external and to work at taking effective responsibility for the inner world.

Aquarius

Aquarius is known as the sign of humanity. This means that this is a sign that is very concerned with human activities. Aquarius likes to be involved in group ventures and projects, whilst keeping an emotional distance at the same time! However, unless these types of people have a leading or important role, they may prefer to do things by themselves. This abstract sign is more concerned with principles than it is with feelings. Yet if someone wins the heart of an Aquarian there is virtually nothing they will not do for them. Concerned with equality, Aquarians have the ability to see other peoples points of view. This sign has much tolerance for the differences and vagaries of human nature.

Aquarius spans the whole range of human potentialities from the ordinary to the crazy and the outright brilliant. Anything to do with academics or pure thought will often attract the Aquarian interest. This sign can be very conservative and traditional on the one hand and completely over the top and downright zany on the other. Aquarius is the sign to do with innovative participation in the social domain. The typical Aquarian needs variety and stimulating new things to come their way, especially as related to group happenings or the intellectual sphere.

Aquarius is the seed sign for the innovative and experimental. It is new knowledge that this sign offers and such knowledge may both revolutionise and disturb.

Pisces

Pisces, the mystic sign, is the sign that is to do with empathy for all things. Of all the signs, Pisces is the most impressionable. It is a sign that is completely sensitive to the subtle nuances of the environment that surrounds it. Chameleon-like, the Piscean character can change to fit the situation it finds itself in. It is not uncommon for Piscean people to take on certain attitudes or the mannerisms of people that feature strongly in their life. Hence the strong mediumistic and clairvoyant qualities of this sign and the need for Piscean people to choose carefully who they associate with, which is not so easy for such an indiscriminate and compassionate sign to do.

Good natured, generous, caring, friendly and kind, Piscean people make many friends. Piscean people need periods of rest and seclusion to purify themselves of the influences of others and to recharge their own energy and to touch base with themselves. Piscean people can make great care-givers but must work hard to develop their own personality, if they do not want to risk becoming dissociated and confused about who they are. The typical Piscean needs to be able to drift in and out of every place and field of “reality”, as feels right to them at the time. That is being a part of all that is around, but not necessarily obliged to anything.

It is the knowledge for which one has no adequate words, but just feels to be so, that the last sign of the zodiac encompasses.

Copyright. Stephen Winder.

Return to main page