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What Are Zodiac signs?

Zodiac signs are usually the base of astrology; a form that most people know or understand. They are figurative symbols that describe aspects of a person's personality or life.  Traditionally, the signs are representative of constellations in our sky that have the most significance to us when a planet is crossing within those patterns.   Today, the signs have come to be more figurative than literal/visual signs, and have thus been more affiliated with certain months of the year, along with birthstones and birth colors.

However, while this concept may work for the sun (the "planet" that has the most influence on seasonal months) and its signs, there is more to our surrounding universe than the sun which can cause confusion if one only determines their planetary signs according to months of the year. This is why it is important to determine planets in a sign according to the distance of the planet in or near a sign by degree, using mathematical calculations. This is done through a natal or transit chart. (I will discuss it further in the next section). There are 12 signs in all, each representing a different symbol.  Some of the symbols of the zodiac are animals or objects we may recognize in our everyday world...yet some symbols are representative of things only the Ancient Greeks related to.

 

How did the zodiac signs come to be affiliated with Astrology?

The astrological method that modern (both Western and modern Vedic) astrologers follow is strongly influenced from Greek and Roman astrology.  However, the ideas behind what the zodiac symbols represent dates back even to the Hellenistic period throughout the Sumerian, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Persian, and Babylonian civilizations.  

Astrology is initially based off of the positions of star patterns in the sky that were used in astrology to predict the nature of events.  Many cultures in the past affiliated these patterns in the sky with events in regards to terrestial climate changes.  This was especially so when it came to Indians, Chinese, and Mayans.  

Today, astrology has been used to describe varying aspects of a person's personality and is used to predict certain life events surrounding an individual.  This however, is mostly done by following the PLANETS positions through the zodiacal signs (as well as the planet's aspects and the planet's house placements).  This is also what determines horoscopes, which can only be accurately understood through a person's birth chart.  

  A birth chart reveals all of the planets in signs that were positioned at the time you were born.  Each "planet" or star in your chart will be positioned in one of the 12 signs of the zodiac.  These planets will influence the natures of the sign as a result, because each planet highlights different areas of our life and personality that is related to that planetary desire.

 

What affect do the planets have on the signs?

The signs do not have significance in our personal lives unless there are planets positioned there. Otherwise, the signs are like empty, unoccupied buildings (a building is only significant when someone is living there).  When a planet is positioned in that sign, it brings life to it.  The planets are representative of human desires that are inside all of us. Because our needs and desires are what make us feel "alive", the signs cannot be examined without the planets that occupy them.

To add, the planets also have relationships with one another, and this is most understood through the planetary aspects. Planetary Aspects are connections one planet has with another that are based upon the degree (estimated distances) of the sign the planets are occupying.  When the planets form aspects with one another, this can alter the way planets are expressed...it will also alter the nature of that particular zodiac sign.  This is good, because all of these things give us individuality. 

Which is interesting to note is that the houses also have cusp signs. (I will explain more about this). Cusp signs do not exist when it comes to planets in signs, despite the fact that sun sign astrologers try to incorporate it. This could never work when it comes to planets in signs because planets have specific positions by degree.  Natal houses are "invisible", so the signs typically represent the nature of that "area" in the birth chart.  A houses can be represented by more than one sign, hence why the signs are referred to as "cusp" signs. 

 

How do cusp signs work when it comes to the natal houses?

The signs of the houses are generally referred to as cusp signs. The cusp signs of the houses usually reflect the natures of the house and usually two signs are positioned in between each house.  However, there are four very important cusp signs that have much more distinction; the rising/ascendant, the Imum Coeli, the falling descendant, and the midheaven natal signs. These signs and their degree represent the point at which the ecliptic crosses north, south, east, and west of the horizon. The rising/ascendant sign (usually found near the 1st house) is the most well known (and the most important) cusp sign because it usually represents our outer appearance or our initial social behavior. The midheaven sign (which is usually found near the 10th house) is also a very distinct sign in our natal chart because it represents our reputation and our social/career status.  The descendant sign usually represents the types of people and situations we attract to us, which is why it is usually opposite the rising (the position representing our initial appearance).  Finally, the Imum Coeli represents our roots; our family etting, family traditions, and home life (which is why it is opposite the midheaven sign that represents our more public/career life).

 

What is the purpose of this website?

This website focuses on what each sign represents and how the signs are influenced by the planets and the houses.  I will be reviewing the stories behind the signs, as well as comparing the differences and similarities of each planetary or house position involving the signs.

If you want, visit Music and Venus or Dignities and Debilities to learn more about astrology!

Also, visit my newest link, Mars and Sports. 

*NEW TO THE ZODIAC WEBSITE* 

Curious as to which planets have the most influence on our love lives and how? Visit the Planets&Lovers section here on the website!