Have you often wondered why you do not seem to be all the characteristics of your Sun Sign (Star Sign)?. Perhaps, quite different. This is because you probably have an entirely different Moon Sign to your Sun Sign and your Mercury, which stimulates the way you think and make decisions, is very likely in a different Zodiac Sign as well.
Astrology is the making a map of the heavens (in our Solar System) for a particular date, even time of that day. Most notably it is the day on which a person was born. This is called a Horoscope, which is a Greek work meaning “a map of a time in the heavens”.
The Horoscope is a circle divided into 12 sections. These sections are called Houses. The entire circle covers life in total and each section or house represents different areas of life.
There is one house for each of the 12 Zodiac Signs.
When an Astrologer is drawing up a Horoscope and the person knows the time they were born, the Astrologer works out the Zodiac Sign their place of birth was passing through, at the time they were born. This marks the beginning point of that person’s Horoscope. It is called the Ascendant or the Rising Sign. This Zodiac Sign goes on the first section or the First House. Then all the other Zodiac Signs follow on in their unchanged order around the rest of the circle.
When a person is born on the same day in the same year they will share planets in the same Zodiac Signs unless a planet changes to another Zodiac Sign during the day. Their time and location of birth will place these planets in different Houses of the Horoscope and therefore generate their planetary characteristics and influences to completely different areas of life.
The Zodiac Sign on the Ascendant are the characteristics a person will utilise in new or strange situations. It is like the front door to the person. It is the way a person creates an impression. If a person does not let others past this sign, these people will not see into the rest of that person’s Horoscope (or them). A person’s physical build and looks are generally quite influenced by this sign. So is the way one dresses, the colours they like.
The Sign on the Ascendant is in the same sign as The Sun around sunrise. At any other time of the day or night, these two points are in different Zodiac Signs. This is why people all born in the same Sun Sign (Star Sign) do not look alike. If a birth time is not known, the Horoscope is drawn up at sunrise.
The Signs of the Zodiac are names, which have been given to different constellations or groupings of stars in the heavens. It has been the observation from here on earth, of the movement of the planets passing by each one of these Zodiac Signs, which has enabled man to establish time.
Man has established a day (in time) through the observation of the relationship of the Sun and The Moon, which gives us Sunrise as the beginning of the day and sunset as the beginning of the night.
Man has observed the passage of the Sun as it begins at the Zodiac Sign of Aries and passes by the other 11 Zodiac Signs, before coming back to Aries again. This takes 365¼ days (the cycle of the Sun). This is a regular cycle that can be totally relied upon. This man has called a year.
A day and a year are the most significantly recognised time cycles. Yet most people do not even stop to think about the fact that a day and a year are established from man’s observation of the movement of the Sun and The Moon in the heavens. This is what Astrology is all about.
All 12 Signs of the Zodiac fall into qualities called Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. These qualities are established from the beginning (Cardinal), middle (Fixed) and endings (Mutable) of the seasons.
The Cardinal Zodiac Signs being at the beginning of the seasons, initiate, are active, ambitious, enthusiastic and independent. Cardinal Signs seek a challenge. They have natural leadership skills. The Cardinal Signs of the Zodiac are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
The Fixed Zodiac Signs occur when the season has established itself and is therefore fixed. These signs have determination, good concentration, they are stable, reliable, build things up. Achieve results slowly but surely. Fixed Signs don’t like change. The Fixed Signs of the Zodiac are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
The Mutable Zodiac Signs occur as one season is finishing off and another season is about to begin. In other words, as one season is changing to another. These signs are changeable, versatile, adaptable, subtle, sympathetic, intuitive. Mutable Signs like to know what is expected of them, though this doesn’t necessarily mean they will accept it. The Mutable Signs of the Zodiac are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.
All the 12 Signs of the Zodiac also fall into the 4 elements of Creation called, fire, water, air and earth.
The Fire Signs have plenty of energy, they want to get going, no waiting around. They are up-front, honest and direct. Like to have fun. Can be bossy and forceful, especially Aries and Leo. Don’t be afraid to call their bluff. The Fire Signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
The Water Signs are sensitive and psychic. They have to “feel” comfortable. Often know more than they realise and have to learn to rely on their feelings. Can be emotionally manipulative. Don’t respond and they will change their tune. The Water Signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
The Air Signs are the communicators. They are full of ideas. Their minds need to be occupied through having contact with other people or learning. Can be rather detached. May also procrastinate. Don’t be afraid to demand their attention. The Air Signs are Libra, Aquarius and Gemini.
The Earth signs are the practical ones. They are interested in tangible, concrete results. They have good skills to organise. Accept responsibility quite readily. Can be too serious at times, perhaps a stick in the mud. Push them into a bit of fun. The Earth Signs are Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo.
