Astrological Signs

Astrology is a set of systems and traditions founded on the belief that the positions of the sun, the moon and the planets can explain or predict fate, personality, human affairs, and other earthly matters.

One of the most popular astrological traditions is that of horoscopes. The horoscope is divided into twelve different celestial houses which cover different areas of life. Horoscopes are based on two-dimensional diagrams of the heavens created for specific moments in time. These diagrams are then used to interpret the inherent meaning of the alignment of celestial bodies. Calculations performed in creating a horoscope involve arithmetic and simple geometry which serve to locate the apparent position of heavenly bodies on desired dates and times based on astronomical tables.

Symbol: ♈
Name: The Ram
Element: Fire
Quality: Cardinal
Polarity: Positive
Planet: Mars
Period of Birth: March 20 - April 19

Aries is the first astrological sign in the Zodiac, named for the constellation of Aries and called The Ram after the golden ram that rescued Phrixos, taking him to the land of Colchis.

The Aries symbol ♈ represents the face and horns of a ram.

Symbol: ♉
Name: The Bull
Element: Earth
Quality: Fixed
Polarity: Negative
Planet: Venus
Period of Birth: April 19 - May 20

Taurus is the second astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Taurus. Taurus is identified with Zeus, who assumed the form of a magnificent white bull in order to seduce Europa, a legendary Phoenician princess.

The Taurus symbol ♉ represents the face and horns of a bull.

Symbol: ♊
Name: The Twins
Element: Air
Quality: Mutable
Polarity: Positive
Planet: Mercury
Period of Birth: May 20 - June 20

Gemini is the third astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Gemini. Gemini were the twin brothers, Castor and Pollux, who are known collectively as the sons of Zeus.

The Gemini symbol ♊ represents a companion.

Symbol: ♋
Name: The Crab
Element: Water
Quality: Cardinal
Polarity: Negative
Planet: Moon
Period of Birth: June 20 - July 22

Cancer is the fourth astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Cancer. Hera swore to kill Heracles. During a battle between Heracles and Hydra, the goddess Hera sent a crab to aid the serpent. But Heracles, being so strong, killed the crab by smashing its shell with his foot. As a reward for its service, Hera placed the crab's image in the night sky to form the constellation Cancer.

The Cancer symbol ♋ represents the claws of a crab.

Symbol: ♌
Name: The Lion
Element: Fire
Quality: Fixed
Polarity: Positive
Planet: Sun
Period of Birth: July 22 - August 22

Leo is the fifth astrological sign of the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Leo. Leo was the Nemean Lion which was killed by Hercules during one of his twelve labors, and subsequently put into the sky.

The Leo symbol ♌ represents the lion's head and mane.

Symbol: ♍
Name: The Virgin
Element: Earth
Quality: Mutable
Polarity: Negative
Planet: Mercury
Period of Birth: August 22 - September 22

Virgo is the sixth astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Virgo. Astraea was the virgin-goddess of justice. During the Golden Age she dwelt upon the earth with humankind, but was driven away by the lawlessness of the later Bronze Age. Zeus then placed her amongst the stars as the Virgo constellation along with her scales of justice, Libra constellation.

The Virgo symbol ♍ represents a sheaf of barley.

Symbol: ♎
Name: The Scales
Element: Air
Quality: Cardinal
Polarity: Positive
Planet: Venus
Period of Birth: September 22 - October 23

Libra is the seventh astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Libra. Libra is considered to depict the scales held by Astraea (identified as Virgo), the goddess of justice.

The Libra symbol ♎ represents scales.

Symbol: ♏
Name: The Scorpion
Element: Water
Quality: Fixed
Polarity: Negative
Planet: Mars
Period of Birth: October 23 - November 21

Scorpio is the eighth astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Scorpius. Scorpio was a friend of Taurus the bull, who was hunted and killed by Orion. In retaliation for his friend, Scorpio stung Orion to death, but was crushed beneath the hunter's feet when he thrashed about in his death throes. All three were then put into the sky by Zeus so that their story would be remembered.

The Scorpio symbol ♏ represents the stinger of a scorpion.

Symbol: ♐
Name: The Archer
Element: Fire
Quality: Mutable
Polarity: Positive
Planet: Jupiter
Period of Birth: November 21 - December 21

Sagittarius is the ninth astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Sagittarius. Sagittarius is identified as a centaur: half human, half horse. The Centaur Chiron was the son of Philyra and Saturn, who said to have changed himself into a horse to escape his jealous wife, Rhea. Chiron was eventually immortalized in the constellation of Sagittarius.

The Sagittarius symbol ♐ represents the arrow of the centaur.

Symbol: ♑
Name: The Sea-Goat
Element: Earth
Quality: Cardinal
Polarity: Negative
Planet: Saturn
Period of Birth: December 21 - January 19

Capricorn is the tenth astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Capricornus. When the goat-god Pan was attacked by the monster Typhon, he dove into the Nile; the parts above the water remained a goat, but those under the water transformed into a fish.

The Capricorn symbol ♑ represents the body and head of a goat with the tail of a fish.

Symbol: ♒
Name: The Water Carrier
Element: Air
Quality: Fixed
Polarity: Positive
Planet: Uranus
Period of Birth: January 19 - February 18

Aquarius is the eleventh astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation Aquarius. Aquarius is sometimes identified with Ganymede, a beautiful youth with whom Zeus fell in love and, in the disguise of an eagle carried off to Olympus to be cup-bearer to the gods.

The Aquarius symbol ♒ represents ripples of water.

Symbol: ♓
English Name: The Two Fish
Element: Water
Quality: Mutable
Polarity: Negative
Planet: Neptune
Period of Birth: February 18 - March 20

Pisces is the twelfth astrological sign in the Zodiac, which started from the Pisces constellation. Pisces represents the fish into which Aphrodite and her son Eros transformed in order to escape the monster Typhon; they are tied together with a cord on their tails, to make sure they do not lose one another.

The Pisces symbol ♓ represents two fish tied together and swimming in different directions.