Astrology is one of the most controversial fields of knowledge, with origins reaching back to distant antiquity. It seeks to shed light on and bring order to the relationship between human beings and the cosmos, interpreting in its own particular way the cosmos’s influence on human life and nature.
Astrology itself is not in doubt, but the interpretation of the positions of stars and planets varies from one astrologer to another. As our Earth travels around the Sun, it is subject to various energetic influences such as gravity and magnetic and electric fields. Human beings are woven into this web of planetary influences.
Astrology helps you understand your own character and personality better, and it also helps shed light on the puzzle of living in harmony with those around you.
Astrology created a system of zodiac signs that distinguishes particular personality types, and more besides. The Earth orbits the Sun in twelve months, that is, in one year. Astrologers called the path the Earth traces through space around the Sun the ecliptic, and the zodiac was laid out along it.
The whole ecliptic was divided into twelve equal parts, and each was assigned one sign of the zodiac. The Sun spends roughly a month in each sign.
Each zodiac sign is ruled by a planet, which means that the planet reaches its greatest strength while it is in that sign.
In astrology the zodiac signs are grouped by element, by gender and by quality. There are four elements: air, fire, water and earth.
The air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Air symbolises quickness of thought, communication, delicacy and subtlety. The air signs are associated with ideas and with intangible, abstract concepts. This element unleashes great intellectual and artistic abilities, a need for social life and a sense of justice.
The fire signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Fire symbolises both destruction and creation. People with a fire sign are decisive, assertive, strong and energetic, and they strive for power.
The water signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. This element symbolises feelings, impressions, changeability, sensitivity and intuition. Its hallmarks include imagination, emotionality, a protective streak and courage, but also vindictiveness, cruelty and jealousy.
The earth signs are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. This element symbolises materialism and concreteness. Its hallmarks are practicality, precision, diligence, emotional coolness, excessive ambition and conservatism.
Among the twelve signs of the zodiac there are two genders: masculine signs – positive and active, linked to the Yang principle – and feminine signs, described as negative and passive, linked to the Yin principle.
The masculine signs are the air and fire signs. The feminine signs are the water and earth signs.
People whose horoscope is dominated by masculine signs are endowed with strength, energy and great drive. They are assertive and enterprising. Such a dominant masculine influence was traditionally considered favourable for men, but not for women.
Numerology and astrology
The last division is by quality: cardinal, fixed and mutable.
The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. They symbolise the will to act, the basis of all existence, and they shape the fate of every undertaking. People born under these signs are self-assured, authoritative towards others and active in launching new ventures.
The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. They mainly symbolise perseverance and stubbornness in pursuing goals, including spiritual growth. Their natives are marked by constancy, a clear sense of purpose and a readiness to reach their goal at any cost.
The mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. They symbolise thoughts, ideas, movement and change, as well as the ability to adapt to any situation. These people are full of ideas and imagination and keep adding to their experience, but they can also be nervous, superficial and indecisive.
Astrologers have long claimed that people’s traits, psychological tendencies and character allow them to be divided into twelve groups corresponding roughly to the twelve zodiac signs. Of course, this division is not exact. The number of possible variations is huge, because many factors shape a person’s personality. That is why it is worth getting to know your astrological profile. Try to look into your own potential – perhaps some of it has not yet come to light – and new prospects and possibilities may open up before you.
First published (Polish original): 13 November 2011. Written by astrologers and esoteric specialists working with our editorial team; edited and translated for HOROSCOP.SPACE. © All rights reserved.
