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In Astrology , the Signs of the Zodiac represent twelve equal segments or divisions of the Zodiac . According to astrological theory, celestial phenomena reflect or govern human activity on the principle of " As Above, So Below ", so that the twelve signs at the same time are held to represent twelve basic personality types or characteristic modes of expression. Jeff Mayo, ''Teach Yourself Astrology'', p 35, Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1979 In Western and Indian astrology, the twelve signs are associated with constellations, while in Chinese Astrology there is no connection with constellations, as it is simply the line of the equator that is divided into twelve equal segments. In Western and Indian astrology, the emphasis is on space, and the movement of the sun, moon and Planets in the sky through each of the zodiac signs. In Chinese astrology, by contrast, the emphasis is on time, with the zodiac operating on cycles of years, months, and hours of the day. A common feature of all three traditions however, is the significance of the Ascendant or rising sign, namely the zodiac sign that is rising (due to the rotation of the earth) on the eastern horizon at the moment of a person's birth. THE THREE TRADITIONS The three main traditions of astrology, the Western, Indian and Chinese, share the same fundamental idea of a twelve sign zodiac with the signs divided into four basic types. It is possible to match up the twelve signs across the traditions, and despite differences, a basic similarity can be seen in their characteristics. The following table shows the twelve signs and their sub-division into four categories as they correspond across the three traditions: Note: The Chinese zodiac traditionally begins with the Rat despite the appearance of the Dragon in the first place in the table, and the numbers in brackets indicate this. The Western and Indian traditions agree on the sub-division of signs using the four elements of , Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. This system does not directly correspond with the Western and Indian use of elements, so it is important not to confuse them. It is possible to match up the signs of the three traditions because each one links the twelve signs to a different month of the solar year, and these roughly coincide across all three. The Western and Indian signs differ by about a month, due to different ways of measuring the Zodiac , which has meant their divergence over time from a common origin. The Chinese ''lunar'' or month signs are based on the Chinese agricultural calender Theodora Lau, ''The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes'', pxxvii, Souvenir Press, New York, 2005 of Solar Term s and straddle the two other traditions, overlapping each one by about two weeks. This Chinese calendar is separate from the better known Sixty Year cycle of years, in which each year is linked to a different zodiac sign and element. THE ZODIAC , Medieval Woodcut s ]] See Also: zodiac In Western , and (via Indo-Greek transmission in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC) Indian , Astrology , the Zodiac divides the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun through the heavens) into twelve astrological signs of equal length. The Western Tropical Astrology starts with the First Point Of Aries , which is defined as the point at which the Ecliptic crosses the Celestial Equator at the Spring Equinox . It is important to note that the tropical zodiac signs at this stage no longer bear any relationship to the astronomical Constellation s after which they were originally named, due to a phenomenon known as the Precession Of The Equinoxes which produces a slow change of the time of year when constellations are visible in the night sky over a 25,000 year cycle. Western Sidereal Astrology and Indian Indian astrology use signs which more or less coincide with the stellar constellations of the same name, although this involves adjustments to allow for the precession of the equinoxes. Star signs and sun signs An important distinction that is often confused in Western Astrology is the one between ''star signs'' and ''sun signs''. A star sign is simply the popular name for a zodiac or astrological sign, one of the twelve signs of the Zodiac which originated from the 'stars' or Constellation s of the same name. Each of the zodiac or star signs occupies a different portion of the sky as seen from the earth, which remains fixed over time (or at least changes only very slowly over the centuries). By contrast a Sun Sign refers to the star sign or zodiac sign that the sun happens to occupy in its Annual Journey around the sky (different of course from its daily rising and setting). Sun signs last about a month each, as the sun travels through each of the star signs over the course of a year. Because the Calendar is defined by the movement of the Earth around the Sun , and its orbit is very nearly circular, the sign in which the Sun falls on any day of the year is fairly predictable (though it will vary a little due to the effect of the extra day in leap years). In other words, it is very easy to know what any individual's sun sign is, as the only information usually needed is their birthday. The confusion arises because people generally refer to their own sun sign as simply their 'star sign'. Also, sun signs are the basis of the Daily Or Weekly Horoscopes that widely appear in magazines and newspapers, which usually also refer just to the 'stars' and 'star signs'. The distinction between star signs and sun signs is important because the Moon and Planets also travel through each of the star signs, although at very different rates. For example the moon travels through the entire zodiac in a month, while Jupiter takes about twelve years to complete the journey. To determine the sign in which the moon and other planets fall on any given day, it is necessary to consult an Ephemeris or use an Astrological computer program which will have a built-in Ephemeris . Therefore each person not only has a 'sun sign', they also have a 'moon sign', 'venus sign', 'jupiter sign' and so on. Each person also has a 'rising sign' or Ascendant , the star sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of their birth. Professional Horoscopers would say therefore, that each person does not have merely one star sign, but many star signs that need to be combined into an individual Horoscope or Natal Chart if a full picture of their personality is to be discovered. WESTERN ZODIAC SIGNS The signs affect the energies of each planet in a characteristic way when it enters each sign (though due consideration will also be given to other conditions within the astrological chart such as the effect of Aspects to other planets, and the House in which each planet falls). Each sign is associated with one of the Classical Element s (fire, earth, air, or water) and one of the three qualities or modalities (cardinal, fixed, or mutable). It is also associated with an area of concern: personal, social, or universal. Zodiac symbolism See Also: Astrological symbols This table shows the zodiac names in Latin with their English translation. It also shows the element and quality associated with each sign. The twelve signs The following are the characteristics of the Western Zodiac signs as understood by astrologers: Robert Pelletier & Leonard Cataldo ''Be Your Own Astrologer'' pp 24 - 33, Pan Books Ltd, London 1984; Maritha Pottenger, ''Astro Essentials'', pp 31 - 36, ACS Publications San Diego, 1991 ; Jeff Mayo, ''Ibid'', pp 41-55, 1979 Astrologers consider each of the signs to represent an ideal type. In other words, no individual shows all of the characteristics of any one sign. Rather each person is a combination of many signs, which must be assessed as a whole in that person's Horoscope or Natal Chart .
The four elements See Also: Triplicity Each sign is associated with one of the Classical Element s (water, fire, earth and air.) Robert Pelletier & Leonard Cataldo ''Ibid'' p 43, 1984; Maritha Pottenger, ''Ibid'', pp 383 - 93, 1991 Fire and Air signs are Positive or extrovert, masculine signs; while Water and Earth signs are Negative , introvert, feminine signs.
In various belief systems, four is considered an earthly number, there being four elements. Three is considered a divine number, and there are three qualities. Three plus four equals seven, a number often signifying the union of heaven and earth. The Three Qualities The Qualities assign the Signs into Quadruplicities, three groups of four. Robert Pelletier & Leonard Cataldo ''Ibid'' p 44 , 1984; Maritha Pottenger, ''Ibid'', pp 383 - 93, 1991 They are occasionally referred to as crosses because each quality forms a cross when drawn across the zodiac. Christian astrology relates the three qualities to the three aspects of god in the trinity.
Additional classifications While knowing the element and quality of a sign is sufficient to define it, several other groupings can be used for those interested in better understanding their symbolism. The most common is a sequential cycle detailed below. Although most commonly used to define planets, it is valid for signs as well. This cycle has been used as a metaphorical descriptor of the process of birth, development, and death, of humans, societies, or even humanity.
Planetary rulerships In ( Mars ), Taurus ( Venus ), Gemini ( Mercury ), Cancer ( Moon ), Leo ( Sun ), Virgo ( Mercury ), Libra ( Venus ), Scorpio ( Mars ), Sagittarius ( Jupiter ), Capricorn ( Saturn ), Aquarius ( Saturn ), Pisces ( Jupiter ). Many modern, psychologically-oriented Astrologers believe that Uranus is the ruler or co-ruler of Aquarius instead of Saturn, Neptune is the ruler or co-ruler of Pisces instead of Jupiter, and that Pluto is the ruler or co-ruler of Scorpio instead of Mars (with other modern astrologers claiming that Pluto rules Aries and ''not'' Scorpio). Traditional astrology adheres to the rulerships system listed in the paragraph above, and the Debate continues between those who consider the newly discovered planets as rulers or co-rulers of certain signs and those that do not. Some astrologers do not even use the astrological signs at all (mostly Cosmobiologists and Uranian Astrologers/ Hamburg School); therefore they do not take into account planetary rulerships and the essential dignities when interpreting an astrological chart. Dignity and detriment, exaltation and fall A traditional belief of astrology is the idea that the sun, moon and planets are more powerful and effective in some signs than others, because the basic nature of both is held to be in harmony. By contrast, the sun, moon and planets are held to find some signs to be weak or difficult to operate in because their natures are thought to be in conflict . The most important of these categories are Dignity, Detriment, Exaltation and Fall.
In traditional astrology, other levels of Dignity are recognised in addition to Rulership. These are known as Exaltation (see below), Triplicity , Terms Or Bounds , and Face or Decan , which together are known as describing a planet's '' Essential Dignity '', the quality or ability to give of one's true nature. Contemporary traditional astrologers like John Frawley or J Lee Lehman explain further on the concept of Essential Dignity.
In addition to Essential dignity, the traditional astrologer considers '' Accidental Dignity '' of planets. This is placement by House in the chart under examination. Accidental dignity describes the planet's "ability to act". So we might have, for example, Moon in Cancer, dignified by rulership, is placed in the 12th house it would have little scope to express its good nature. The 12th is a cadent house as are the 3rd, 6th and 9th and planets in these houses are considered weak or afflicted. On the other hand, Moon in the 1st, 4th, 7th or 10th would be more able to act as these are Angular houses. Planets in Succedent houses of the chart (2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th) are generally considered to be of medium ability to act. Besides Accidental Dignity, there are a range of ''Accidental Debilities'', such as retrogradation, Under the Sun's Beams, Combust, and so forth. JYOTISH OR INDIAN ZODIAC SIGNS Jyotish astrology recognises twelve zodiac signs, or Rashis verified by Pandit Jaitly: It can be seen from the table above that the signs of the Western and Indian zodiacs are very similar in their meanings. To put it another way, they are simply the same signs in their Latin and Sanskrit forms. Indian versus Western zodiac Indian astrology uses the "sidereal" zodiac, which relies on the position of the constellations; while most Western astrologers use the "tropical" zodiac which divides the zodiac starting with the northern hemisphere Vernal Equinox . Over the centuries this has led to a divergence between the two zodiac systems. This divergence can be seen in the following table which compares the dates that the sun enters a sign in tropical (Western) and sidereal (Indian or ''Jyotisha'') astrological systems; and the date when it enters the astronomical Constellation by the same name using the International Astronomical Union (IAU) 1930 definition of the boundaries. It can be seen that the Indian sidereal dates are much closer to the IAU dates on account of both being based on the constellations. The Western zodiac, on the other hand, has diverged by about a month from the original constellation based zodiac. The dates can also vary by as much as 2 days, from year to year, depending on the cycle of leap years, and the Precession of the Perihelion of the Earth's orbit over many centuries. Nakshatras See Also: Nakshatra The twelve signs of the zodiac are not given the same prominence in Indian astrology that they are in the Western tradition. Instead the emphasis is on the system of 27 (or 28) nakshatras or lunar mansions, which have been used in Indian astrology since Vedic times. The nakshatras consist of equal divisions of the moon's path along the ecliptic and function in a similar way to the signs of the zodiac in that they represent different personality types. It is considered that the position of the moon in a particular nakshatra at the time of person's birth will give a strong indication of that individual's character and of the kind of path they will follow throughout life. CHINESE ZODIAC SIGNS See Also: Chinese astrology Unlike the Western or Indian zodiacs, the Chinese zodiac signs are not derived from constellations, and are not assigned to sections of the ecliptic. Instead, Chinese astrological signs operate on cycles of years, lunar months, and two-hour periods of the day (also known as ''shichen''). A particular feature of the Chinese zodiac is its operation in a Sixty Year Cycle in combination with the Five Elements of Chinese astrology ( Wood , Fire , Earth , Metal , and Water ). Zodiac symbolism The following table shows the twelve signs and their attributes. The twelve signs In Chinese astrology the zodiac of twelve animal sign represents twelve different types of personality. The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat, and there are many stories about the Origins Of The Chinese Zodiac which explain why this is so. When the twelve zodiac signs are part of the sixty year calendar in combination with the five elements, they are traditionally called the twelve Earthly Branches . The following are the twelve zodiac signs in order and their characteristics. Theodora Lau, ''Ibid'', pp2-8, 30-5, 60-4, 88-94, 118-24, 148-53, 178-84, 208-13, 238-44, 270-78, 306-12, 338-44, 2005 Note: The first symbol is simply the name of the animal written in Chinese, while the second Chinese symbol is the character specifically used in astrology to denote the animal sign. #鼠 子 Rat (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Water): The Rat person is forthright, inquisitive, honest, hardworking, industrious, thrifty, generous to close family and friends, bright, intuitive, sociable, shrewd, clannish. They can also sometimes be gossipy, critical, over-ambitious, avaricious. The Rat's good entrepreneurial skills, quickness to exploit opportunities and good eye for detail means they can achieve financial success. Also good writers, doctors, nurses. Rat years include 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996. The month of the Rat is Dec 7 - Jan 5, and the hours of the Rat are 11pm - 1am. #牛 丑 Ox (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Water): The Ox person is dependable, calm, methodical, patient, hardworking, ambitious, conventional, disciplined, steady, modest, fair-minded, logical, resolute, tenacious. They can also sometimes be stubborn, narrowminded, materialistic, rigid, demanding and nurture grievances. The Ox can attain prosperity and success through fortitude, hard work and natural leadership qualities. Ox years include 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997. The month of the Ox is Jan 6 - Feb 3, and the hours of the Ox are 1am - 3am. #虎 寅 Tiger (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Wood): The Tiger person is unpredictable, rebellious, colorful, powerful, passionate, daring, impulsive, vigorous, stimulating, sincere, affectionate, humanitarian, generous. They can also sometimes be restless, reckless, impatient, quick-tempered, obstinate, selfish. The Tiger person will trust to luck and their own charisma and daring to achieve success, and their idealism and humanitarian instincts will inform their goals. Tiger years include 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998. The month of the Tiger is Feb 4 - Mar 5, and the hours of the Tiger are 3am - 5am. #兔 卯 Rabbit (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Wood): The Rabbit person is gracious, kind, sensitive, soft-spoken, amiable, elegant, reserved, cautious, artistic, thorough, tender, self-assured, astute, compassionate, flexible. They can also sometimes be moody, detached, superficial, self-indulgent, opportunistic, lazy. The Rabbit person will pursue objectives methodically but unobtrusively, using friendliness and amiability to persuade others, and inscrutability and astuteness to outwit their opponents. Rabbit Years include 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999. The month of the Rabbit is Mar 6 - Apr 4, and the hours of the Rabbit are 5am - 7am. #龍 辰 Dragon (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Wood): The Dragon person is magnanimous, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, direct, eager, zealous, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, ambitious, generous, loyal, idealistic. They can also sometimes be arrogant, demanding, eccentric, dogmatic, over-bearing, impetuous, brash. The Dragon person needs a mission or goal in life, and they will rely on their strength and confidence to achieve it. Good educators, instructors and sportspeople. Dragon years include 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000. The month of the Dragon is Apr 5 - May 4, and the hours of the Dragon are 7am - 9am. #蛇 巳 Snake (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Fire): The Snake person is a deep thinker, wise, mystic, graceful, soft-spoken, sensual, creative, prudent, shrewd, ambitious, elegant, cautious, responsible, calm, strong, constant, purposeful. They can also sometimes be a loner, bad communicator, possessive, hedonistic, controlling, ruthless, distrustful, vengeful. The Snake person can pursue goals ruthlessly and with calculation, and strives for control though power. Good politician, business person, theologian, philosopher. Snake years include 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001. The month of the Snake is May 5 - Jun 5, and the hours of the Snake are 9am - 11am. #馬 午 Horse (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Fire): The Horse person is cheerful, popular, quick-witted, changeable, earthy, perceptive, talkative, agile mentally and physically, magnetic, intelligent, astute, flexible, open-minded. They can also sometimes be impetuous, hot-tempered, rude, stubborn, lack stability and perseverance. The Horse person is success and performance oriented and relies on their astuteness and keen minds and persuasive abilities to achieve it. Horse years include 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002. The month of the Horse is Jun 6 - Jul 6, and the hours of the Horse are 11am - 1pm. #羊 未 Sheep (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Fire): The Sheep person is righteous, sincere, sympathetic, mild-mannered, shy, artistic, creative, gentle, compassionate, understanding, mothering, determined, peaceful, generous, seeks security. They can also sometimes be moody, indecisive, over-passive, worrier, pessimistic, over-sensitive, complainer. The Sheep person relies on their good nature and sensitivity to persuade others to meet their needs and use subtle, indirect methods and persistence to achieve them. Good at artistic and creative pursuits. Sheep years include 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003. The month of the Sheep is Jul 7 - Aug 7, and the hours of the Sheep are 1pm - 3pm. #猴 申 Monkey (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Metal): The Monkey person is an inventor, motivator, improviser, quick-witted, inquisitive, flexible, innovative, problem solver, self-assured, sociable, polite, dignified, competitive, objective, factual, intellectual. They can also sometimes be egotistical, vain, selfish, cunning, jealous, suspicious. The Monkey person is competitive and success oriented and uses their guile, charm and self confidence to achieve their goals. Good actors, writers, lawyers, diplomats, sportspeople, teachers. Monkey years include 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004. The month of the Monkey is Aug 8 - Sep 7, and the hours of the Monkey are 3pm - 5pm. #雞 酉 Rooster (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Metal): The Rooster person is acute, neat, meticulous, organized, self-assured, decisive, conservative, critical, perfectionist, alert, zealous, practical, scientific, responsible. They can also sometimes be over zealous and critical, puritanical, egotistical, abrasive, opinionated. The Rooster person uses their good administrative skills, and efficient, precise and methodical nature to achieve their goals. Good accountants, scientists, administrators, teachers, nurses. Rooster years include 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005. The month of the Rooster is Sep 8 - Oct 7 and the hours of the Rooster are 5pm - 7pm. #狗 戌 Dog (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Metal): The Dog person is honest, intelligent, straightforward, loyal, sense of justice and fair play, attractive, amiable, unpretentious, sociable, open-minded, idealistic, moralistic, practical, intelligent, affectionate, ''dogged''. They can also sometimes be cynical, lazy, cold, judgmental, pessimistic, worrier, stubborn, quarrelsome. The Dog person uses their sense of fair play, determination and practicality to achieve their goals. Good soldiers, teachers, lawyers, judges, doctors, religious workers. Dog years include 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006. The month of the Dog is Oct 8 - Nov 7, and the hours of the Dog are 7pm - 9pm. #豬 亥 Pig (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Water): The Pig person is honest, simple, gallant, sturdy, courageous, persevering, resolute,sociable, peace-loving, patient, loyal, hard-working, trusting, sincere, diligent, calm, understanding, thoughtful, scrupulous, passionate, intelligent. They can also sometimes be naive, over-reliant, self-indulgent, condescending, fatalistic, materialistic. The Pig person uses their patience, hard work, strength, sociability and loyalty to achieve their goals. Good teachers, fundraisers, club and society organisers. Pig years include 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007. The month of the Pig is Nov 8 - Dec 6, and the hours of the Pig are 9pm - 11pm. The four trines The twelve animal signs are also broken into four categories of three signs each, known as ''trines''
The first trine consists of the Rat, Dragon, and Monkey. These three signs are intense and powerful individuals, capable of great good or great evil. They make great leaders, but the three have different approaches. Rats and Dragons have a tendency to be quite dictatorial and autocratic, whilst Monkeys are more diplomatic. Frustrated when hampered, these signs are ruled by highly potent energy and unpredictability. They are intelligent, magnanimous, charismatic, charming, authoritative, confident, eloquent and artistic. They can also be tyrannical, bombastic, prejudiced, deceitful, imperious, ruthless, power-hungry, and megalomaniacal.
The second trine consists of the Ox, Snake, and Rooster. These three soul mates conquer life through endurance, application, and slow accumulation of energy. Although each sign is fixed and rigid in opinions and views, they are genius in the art of meticulous planning. They are hardworking, discreet, modest, industrious, charitable, loyal, punctual, philosophical, patient, and good-hearted individuals with high moral standards. They can also be self-righteous, vain, critical, judgemental, narrow-minded, petty, and pessimistic.
The third trine consists of the Tiger, Horse, and Dog. These three signs seek one another, and are like-minded in their pursuit of humanitarian causes. Each is a gifted orator and excels at verbal communication. Relationships and personal contact are of highest priority and each one seek their intimate soul mate. Idealistic and impulsive, the Tiger, Horse and Dog follow the beat of their own drummer. Defiant against injustice, these three signs wilt without large amounts of physical affection and loyal support for causes. They are productive, enthusiastic, independent, engaging, dynamic, and honourable. They can also be rash, rebellious, quarrelsome, hot-headed, reckless, anxious, moody, disagreeable, stubborn, and selfish.
The fourth trine consists of the Rabbit, Sheep and Pig. The quest for these three signs is the aesthetic and beautiful in life. Their calm nature gives them great leadership abilities. They are artistic, refined, intuitive, and well-mannered. These souls love the preliminaries in love, and are fine artists in their lovemaking. The Rabbit, Sheep and Pig have been bestowed with calmer natures than the other 9 signs. These three are compassionately aware, yet detached and resigned to their condition. They seek beauty and a sensitive lover. They are caring, unique, self-sacrificing, obliging, sensible, creative, empathetic, tactful, and prudent. They can also be naive, pedantic, insecure, cunning, indecisive, and pessimistic. The five elements The elements differ in Chinese astrology from their Western counterparts: Air is not one of the elements as defined by the Chinese. Instead, Wood and Metal are elements alongside Earth, Fire and Water. In addition, the elements also govern various aspects of one's personality, and are assigned to various other things such as directions (North, South, East and West), colours, seasons and planets. The characteristics of the five elements are as follows: Theodora Lau, ''Ibid'', ppxxx- xxxvi, 2005
The five elements operate together with the twelve animal signs in a Sixty Year calendar. The five elements appear in the calendar in both their yin and yang forms and are known as the ten Heavenly Stems . When trying to calculate the relevant year of the cycle in relation to the Western calendar, an easy rule to follow is that years that end in an even number are yang, those that end with an odd number are yin. The cycle proceeds as follows:
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