A Zodiac Walkthrough
One of the great things about astrology is how multi-layered it is. This week on the blog, we are looking at the zodiac signs and the different ways they are grouped together by shared traits. We will start by going through the 12 signs, then looking at how they are grouped by element and finishing with the modalities that build on each other.
The first sign of the zodiac is Aries, symbolised by the Ram. They are spontaneous and enthusiastic, an outgoing sign that is a go-getter. The energy here represents new beginnings, adventure, and courage. The part of the body associated with Aries is the 'head'.
The second sign is Taurus, symbolised by the Bull. They are slower and more relaxed, liking to do things in their own time and seeking pleasure along the way. The energy here is possessive, calm, relaxed, materialistic, and loves creature comforts. The part of the body associated with Taurus is the 'neck and throat'.
The third sign is Gemini, symbolised by the Twins. This is a flirtatious and seeking energy. They represent communications, and are impulsive, changeable, inquiring, intelligent, and exploring. The parts of the body associated with Gemini are the 'lungs, arms, and hands'.
The fourth sign is Cancer, symbolised by the Crab. They are inward-looking and moody with a changeable temperament. They represent the home, and the energy is shy, emotional, intuitive, protective, and domestic. This is the mother of the zodiac. The parts of the body associated with Cancer are the 'stomach and breasts'.
The fifth sign is Leo, symbolised by the Lion. They are brash, confident, self-assured and generous. The energy represents ownership, pride, the ego, power, children, and passion. They work well alone and can have an “everything revolves around me” attitude. The part of the body associated with Leo is the 'heart and spine’.
The sixth sign is Virgo, symbolised by the Virgin or the Maiden. They love to help other people and pay attention to the details of life. The energy represents an attention to detail that can be worrying, practical, analytical, and discriminating. They are clean, a perfectionist, and conscientious. The part of the body associated with Virgo is the 'colon'.
The seventh sign is Libra, symbolised by the Scale. This sign can easily relate to other people and governs relationships and partnerships. They represent marriage and union, and partnerships. The energy is diplomatic, compassionate, and balanced. The part of the body associated with Libra is the 'kidneys'.
The eighth sign is Scorpio, symbolised by the Scorpion or Eagle. This sign rules all things taboo - sex, taxes, and death. They are inward-looking, mysterious and secretive. The energy is intense and represents rebirth, responsibility, and purification. They are the mafia of the zodiac and are genuine. The part of the body associated with Scorpio is the 'sexual organs'.
The ninth sign is Sagittarius, symbolised by the Archer. This is the arrow that flies, they go for it and have an I can do it attitude. The energy represents truth, religion, and philosophy. They are generous, frank, and enthusiastic. They use reason rather than emotion and are the adventurer of the zodiac. The part of the body associated with Sagittarius is the 'lower back and thighs'.
The tenth sign is Capricorn, represented by the Goat. This is the high achiever of the zodiac who works hard and long and understands what it will take to get to where they want to be. The energy represents a practical vision, while being unemotional, sober, orderly, and controlling. It can be manipulating, but it is powerful and dependable. The part of the body associated with Capricorn is the 'knees'.
The eleventh sign is Aquarius, symbolised by the Water Bearer. This is the inventor who looks to the future. The energy is detached, unconventional, humane, independent, and warm. It’s all about teamwork and friends. The parts of the body associated with Aquarius are the 'legs and hips'.
The final sign is Pisces, symbolised by the Fishes. They are soulful and psychic and go with the flow. The energy is intuitive, accepting, understanding, and impressionable. The part of the body associated with Pisces is the 'feet and ankles'.
The Four Elements are used to describe the four unique personality types associated with the zodiac signs. The elements exhibit profound influence on basic character traits, behaviour, emotions, thinking and intuition. They are reflected in our relationships, our ambitions or lack thereof, and the unexpected turns and twists that add spice to our lives. Fire and air are outwardly reaching elements, reaching up and out, while earth and water turn inward and downward.
Astrology aims to help us focus our energies better, gain a deeper understanding of our positive traits, and deal with the negative ones. We can use this knowledge to realise our full potential and live our best life. We all need air to breathe, water to cleanse us and sustain our growth, fire to shelter us from the cold and nourish us, earth to live on together with all the living things and to grow our food. All the elements are equally important, so let's take a more in-depth look at each of them.
The element of fire has two sides. It can be destructive and associated with anger, war and aggression. But it can also be a source of life, warm and comforting. The Sun, for example, is a giant ball of fire in the sky that could wipe out life on Earth, but right now it is sustaining that life. Fire is associated with the realm of action, creativity, and desire.
The three zodiac signs representing fire are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. All fierce signs. While Aries can be reckless and aggressive, they are also assertive and brave. Aries is the sign that takes action. They are a leader and great at starting new things. Leo is considered self-centred and egotistical, but they are also warm and loving, self-confident and creative. The uninhabited, cheerful and visionary Sagittarius can also be reckless and restless.
The element of earth is the most grounded, representing nature. This is the element of stability, home, security and nourishment. Animals find their homes in the earth, and it is from the earth that food grows. Earth is associated with the practical matters of life, what we need.
The three earth signs are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. All hard-working and practical signs. While Taurus can be a creature of comfort, often lazy and self-indulgent, they are also reliable, determined and consistent. Virgos can often be seen as fussy, pedantic and over-critical, but they are also efficient, organised and skilful. The most ambitious of the zodiac is Capricorn. They can be cold and controlling, but they are also disciplined, responsible and successful.
The element of air is essential to life. We breathe it in, we can feel it on windy days, and see its effect on plants and trees. It represents free spirit, independence, knowledge and strategy. Air is associated with thought, ideas and inspiration.
The three air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. These are the most social of the signs, able to communicate and express themselves. Gemini can be quite an inconsistent and easily distracted sign, but they are also expressive, alert and responsive. While Libra can be indecisive and inactive, they are also sociable and balanced. Aquarius is the independent, progressive and experimental sign that can also be rebellious and unreasonable.
The element of water is again essential for all life. Water symbolises calmness, peace and transformation. Water is very soothing and is often used to cleanse and purify. This is the realm of emotions.
The three water signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. These are the more emotional and dreamy signs. Cancer can be moody, insecure and over-emotional, but they are also nurturing, caring and protective. Scorpio gets a bad reputation for being jealous, possessive and secretive, but they can also be passionate and capable of great transformation and healing. Pisces is the gentle and imaginative sign that can also be gullible, ungrounded and have a victim mentality.
The 12 signs of the Zodiac are also separated into 3 qualities, which are Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. These are the unique ways that each group of signs navigate life, reacting to what is going on around them and expressing themselves.
The Cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. They are enterprising and outgoing. The Fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. They tend to be resistant to change. The Mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. They are adaptable and changeable.
Each sign of the same quality expresses that quality differently. For example, Aries and Cancer are both Cardinals, but Aries is of Fire and Cancer of Water. Therefore, both Aries and Cancer show signs of enterprising, but Aries will show an initial enthusiasm towards enterprising in the beginning, whereas Cancer will steadily show the quality through emotions.
When the Sun moves into a Cardinal sign, it marks the astrological start of a season. Aries marks the start of Spring, Cancer the start of Summer, Libra is the start of Autumn, and Capricorn is the start of Winter. These are the goal-focused signs. They are motivated, decisive, enterprising and vigorous. They get things started.
The cardinal signs are followed by the fixed signs. These signs are related to determination, focus and individuality. They fix in place the things started by the cardinal signs. They are persistent and reliable, steadfast and stable.
The fixed signs are then followed by the mutable signs, which bridge the gap between seasons. These are the most flexible signs and are related to adaptability, resourcefulness and holism. They can be easily influenced, but they also bring change.
I hope you have found this week's blog helpful and insightful. If you are interested in diving into your birth chart and understanding more about yourself, then book a moon reading using the button below.
