Bee La Rosa is a diviner, spiritual content creator, and artist. She offers dream interpretation, tarot readings, and astrological consultations. Her content is here to support others on their growth journey through healing and inner work.
Welcome back to my intro to astrology series! Last time I went over the planets and today I will be diving into natal chart structure and a little bit about houses. This series is here for people who are clueless about astrology and would like to develop a working knowledge of it. Soplease, do not use my series to administer astrological consultations to other people, as this will not prepare you to be able to ethically do that. This is to empower you to understand your own chart and understand what astrologers are talking about when you consult them.
We are now ready to start exploring charts. The components of a natal chart depict what positions the planets occupy in the sky relative to the zodiac and then divide the zodiac into houses. Houses are where deep astrological analysis is able to take place. We know there are 12 zodiac signs, and these also make up 12 houses in a natal chart. This is the part of natal astrology where people’s heads tend to start spinning. There are all kinds of different chart styles and housing systems and it can be difficult to understand what is being represented in a chart. To really understand what we are seeing in a natal chart, we need to start with the sky.
Above is a screenshot I’ve taken in the free stargazing application, Stellarium. This application allows us to observe a simulation of the sky outside. I’ve chosen a random location near the equator so that the ecliptic cuts as straight across the sky as possible. Then, I zoomed out so you could see the entirety of the sky. In red you can see the compass directions. When you look to the eastern horizon, you are looking towards a point in the sky that is referred to as the ascendant or lagna (Sanskrit) in astrology. The ascendant specifically is the point where the eastern horizon meets the ecliptic, and thus the zodiac. This point shifts around depending on how close or far away you are from the Earth’s equator. The zodiac sign where the ascendant falls is commonly called the rising sign because it literally rises above the horizon and across the sky throughout the day, just like our Sun. Opposite this point is called the descendant, at the western horizon where the sun sets. Between them lies the midheaven, which sits opposite the imum coeli – through the ground to the opposite side of the earth where you are located. In terms of natal astrology, these four points represent the cardinal houses (1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th houses).
Before we get deeper into houses we need to briefly go over chart design and components. A chart shows us the position of the zodiac signs and which of the 12 houses they occupy. There are many styles for how to draw a natal chart. The Western tradition typically uses a circle, while the Vedic tradition uses a couple different shapes: the “diamond chart” (North Indian Style), and the “square chart” (South Indian Style). All three are pictured below:
While they look vastly different from each other, these chart styles are all able to accomplish the same thing: giving us a pictorial representation of the positions of the planets, zodiac, and houses across the sky. Your chart style preference is largely going to come down to whether you prefer the houses to be stationary (Western Chart Style and North Indian Style), or the zodiac to be stationary (South Indian Style). I prefer the former, so I tend to use the Western and North Indian styles in my practice. The movement of the zodiac in these two styles is consistent with the way it looks in the sky, which is part of why I like it.
Circling back to before, now that we know about the cardinal points and chart styles we can start understanding how a chart relates to the sky. In any chart style, the ascendant or the 1st house always represents the eastern horizon, while the descendant or 7th house always represents the western horizon. The midheaven or 10th house always represents the highest point up in the sky, while the imum coeli or 4th house always represents the lowest point beneath the ground from where you are located. Therefore, houses 7 through 12 are “above ground” and visible to us in the sky, while houses 1 through 6 are “below ground” or not visible to us.
Now we are ready to dip into houses. In natal astrology, the zodiac is divided into 12 houses in addition to the 12 signs. There are many methods of calculating houses, but since this is meant to be an introductory level series I am going to focus on whole signs houses. In the whole signs scheme, each astrological house is the full 30 degrees of a sign, starting with the ascendant. The houses begin where the signs begin, which means the ascendant can fall anywhere within the 1st house.
Let’s cast a chart for the positions we captured in Stellarium. Note that since we are using the positions of the constellations themselves, this is going to be a sidereal chart. Using the image from before, we can see that the ascendant is located at the very end of Taurus in the sky, which makes Taurus the 1st house. This defacto makes the 7th house Scorpio. The midpoint between the two falls in Aquarius, the 10th house, which makes Leo the 4th house – which we cannot see in the sky because it is “beneath” us. Here is what such a chart would look like in the Western style:
You’ll find the ascendant, called the AC, is located at the very end of Taurus. The line that represents the ascendant-descendant axis is the plane from which we can observe the sky. Planets above this line are visible to us in the sky (depending on whether it it night or day, etc.), and if we were to look up at the night sky represented in this chart we would see Jupiter and Saturn among the stars. The other planets in the chart would not be visible because they are on the other side of the earth. If you remember, the lunar nodes are fictitious points in the sky, so we cannot see them regardless of where we are. You’ll also see a point in this chart called the MC; this is the true mathematically calculated midheaven in the sky, which doesn’t always fall in the 10th house depending on where on the globe you are located.
Beside the planetary glyphs you will see numbers. These numbers tell us what degree of a zodiac sign the planet occupies. Zodiac signs are measured in degrees and minutes. Degrees represent the angular degrees of a circle – the zodiacal wheel being a 360 degree circle divided into 12 sections. Minutes are a single degree divided into 60 parts. Each zodiac sign is 30 degrees long, starting with 0 degrees and 0 minutes going up to 29 degrees and 59 minutes. In this chart you will see that the Moon is located at 9 degrees and 59 minutes of Leo – this Moon is in the very end of the 10th degree of Leo. Meanwhile, Mercury is located at 21 degrees and 01 minutes of Virgo, meaning Mercury has just entered the 22nd degree of Virgo. Degrees can carry some meaning, but it is not necessary to know in great detail at this stage. A general rule of thumb for degrees is that the higher a degree is, the more “mature” that planet is considered to be. A planet such as Mars at 0 degrees and 48 minutes Gemini is considered a very “young” planet, just getting started in his journey through Gemini.
By now, you should be able to look at a chart and be able to tell what was going on in the sky at the moment for which the chart was cast. Now we can look deeper at houses and what they represent in a chart, in the next article. See you next time.
I am currently studying to become a professional astrologer and if you are interested in receiving a brief consultation please check out my rates and services page. I am grateful for opportunities to practice my skills and increase my experience.
🌕 Full Moon Forecast 🌕 Evaluating Relationships, Spiritual Evolution 🪐✨
Greetings! My name is Bee La Rosa, the Moon Lodge Mystic. I am a spiritual content creator, diviner, and artist. I offer tarot readings, dream interpretation, and Vedic astrology consultations. I also craft custom jewelry, malas, and art commissions. Please feel free to reach out! I love connecting with others.
*DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links with Amazon. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting me by making purchases through these links.
This is a general reading for entertainment purposes only. Watching my content does not constitute an advisory relationship such as therapy or legal counsel. I am not a certified medical or therapeutic professional. My readings are for confirmation of what you already intuitively know for yourself, not to get answers. General readings like this are like forecasting the weather for the entire planet – I can say that it is summer in the northern hemisphere, but summer looks very different from region to region. So please use your best judgment, take what resonates and leave the rest.
🌑 September 2022 NEW MOON 🌑 Collective Horoscope and Tarot Reading ✨🔮
Greetings! My name is Bee La Rosa, the Moon Lodge Mystic. I am a spiritual content creator, diviner, and artist. I offer tarot readings, dream interpretation, and Vedic astrology consultations. I also craft custom jewelry, malas, and art commissions. Please feel free to reach out! I love connecting with others.
*DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links with Amazon. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting me by making purchases through these links.
This is a general reading for entertainment purposes only. Watching my content does not constitute an advisory relationship such as therapy or legal counsel. I am not a certified medical or therapeutic professional and my readings do not constitute professional advice. My readings are for confirmation of what you already intuitively know for yourself, not to get answers from me. General readings like this are like forecasting the weather for the entire planet – I can say that it is summer in the northern hemisphere, but summer looks very different from region to region. So please use your best judgment, take what resonates and leave the rest.
Welcome back to my intro to astrology series! Last time I went over the zodiac signs and their attributes. Today I will be diving into the planets and their various attributes. This series is here for people who are clueless about astrology and would like to develop a working knowledge of it. Soplease, do not use my series to administer astrological consultations to other people, as this will not prepare you to be able to ethically do that. This is to empower you to understand your own chart and understand what astrologers are talking about when you consult them.
The Planets
In sanskrit the planets are referred to as grahas, which means “to grasp,” in the sense that these celestial objects are regarded as representations of universal truths that grab hold of us. As human beings, we are grabbed by the influence of the planets – and this is reflected in the rich tradition of stargazing and mythmaking that has been present throughout the history of humanity as we covered in the history of astrology. Humans have always been gripped by the heavens.
In astrology when we talk about planets, we include the Sun, Moon, and the two lunar nodes even though they are not technically planets. The Sun and the Moon are known as luminaries because they give off light. The lunar nodes are mathematical points in the sky where the paths of the Sun and the Moon meet – meaning eclipses happen when the Sun and Moon come in conjunction with these points. They are not true planets, but for the purpose of astrology it’s convenient to refer to them all as planets.
In traditional astrology we use the 9 planet scheme (the 7 planets and the two lunar nodes) primarily for natal readings. The 7 planets are what’s visible in the sky to the naked eye: the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. We see the Sun during the daytime (and sometimes the Moon!), and during the nighttime we can observe the Moon and the other planets in the sky. They appear as bright shining stars – but unlike the stars, which remain stationed relative to each other, the planets move across constellations. Ancient astrologers used to study the night sky to track the movements of the planets, using the data they gathered to calculate their trajectories and predict their movements.
The outer planets Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto can be used but they are often interpreted more as generational planets because they are so slow-moving. It takes between 7 and 20 years for these planets to travel across a single zodiac sign – so their placement in the natal chart is not particularly distinguishing to the individual as they will share the placement with everyone else who was born in the last two or so generations as them. Exceptions are made when an outer planet is closely associated with one of the other 9 planets, but for now it is not necessary to go into detail about them. Below is a table of the 9 planets and their attributes.
Planet Name
Glyph
Description
Sun
☉
The Sun is representative of our personal power and self-expression. Some archetypal associations with the Sun include patriarchs such as father and king. The Sun is a hot planet and burns quite bright – getting too close can burn others, which is why the Sun is so associated with the Self. Leo, which is ruled by the Sun, is commonly associated with children. If you think of a baby, they are totally unashamed to be themselves and this is the essence of the Sun. Babies and toddlers can also be incredibly self-centered, though. Emphasis on the Self naturally leaves less room for others, but shining our light can also act as a beacon of inspiration to others.
Moon
☽
The Moon is our psyche – which includes our sensory perceptions and emotions. This planet represents the mother and our relationship to family in the natal chart. The Moon is highly sentimental because of the association with mother – when we are born, we are one with our mothers and if our mother is a good mother, she nurtures and protects us. When we feel safe and secure, we can delight in our sensory experiences and emotions without fear of danger. We are free to be vulnerable, therefore the moon represents our vulnerable nature as well.
Mercury
☿
Mercury is the discriminating intellect – the part of our mind that learns and measures the value of things. Mercury is associated with merchants, commerce, communication, education, and also an element of trickery and fickleness. Mercury is very quick, second in speed only to the Moon, representing the speed at which one’s analytical mind operates. Mercury’s fickleness means that interests or ideas may be fleeting, but also it can mean flexibility and adaptability to changing environments – a great trait for commercial development and investing.
Venus
♀
Venus represents our relationships and how we express affection and appreciation to others. Venus is associated with aesthetic pleasures, romance, and love especially. Reciprocity is a big aspect of Venus – the act of receiving and giving in equal measures in one-to-one relationships. This idea of reciprocity is central to the creative process and divine inspiration – therefore, Venus is also heavily associated with artists of all kinds.
Mars
♂
Mars is the warrior planet – driven, passionate, assertive, and courageous, he goes for what he wants and is highly focused on goals. Mars is often associated with athleticism, physical strength, competition, and conquest. As such, Mars is also associated with military and warfare. Mars is incredibly tactical and executes action with great precision.
Jupiter
♃
Jupiter represents higher consciousness and spiritual knowledge. The Sage is Jupiter’s archetype. Where Mercury is concerned with counting, measuring, and naming, Jupiter is concerned with philosophy, religion, and deep spiritual contemplation. Jupiter seeks to explore ideas and abstract thought. Through spiritual seeking, one finds transcendence and becomes uplifted, therefore Jupiter is associated with beneficence, expansiveness, and idealism. Jupiter is also associated with wealth and abundance.
Saturn
♄
Saturn is the planet of karmic debt and structure. Where Jupiter is expansive and uplifting, Saturn restricts and brings things back down to earth. Saturn represents longevity, obstacles, discipline, responsibility, and commitments. Saturn’s influence can feel like a dense and heavy burden in our lives, but the lessons we learn through Saturn’s hardships are what turn coal into diamonds. In truth, the world needs Saturn’s influence – we need limits in our lives, as without them we would not experience containment and would easily dissipate into nothingness. Thus, Saturn is also strongly correlated to physical matter as well.
North Node (Rahu)
☊
The North Node (referred to as Rahu in Vedic Astrology) is representative of the mythic dragon’s/serpent’s head. This is the first planet on our list that is not a true celestial object – it is merely a mathematical approximation in the sky, used to predict eclipses. When the Sun or Moon crosses the lunar nodes in the sky, it is said that they are being swallowed by the dragon’s head. The Sun and Moon become digested and transformed by their encounters with the nodes. The North Node generally shows us where we desire to grow and explore in our life, and in the case of Rahu, creates obsessions and addictions, as well as powerful material manifestations. The dragon’s head is always seeking to reunite with its body, the tail or Ketu, and so it is important to consider them as a pair.
South Node (Ketu)
☋
The South Node (referred to as Ketu in Vedic Astrology) is representative of the mythic dragon’s/serpent’s tail. The lunar nodes are always exactly opposite each other in a natal chart, and for the most part are always in retrograde motion. This comes back to the myth of the dragon who seeks to swallow the Sun and the Moon, both which can never travel in retrograde motion; they are endlessly being chased by the nodes. Where the North Node/Rahu draws us into the material realm, the South Node/Ketu creates withdrawal and detachment. The South Node/Ketu is also associated with extrasensory perception, hidden knowledge, and past lives.
Each planet is commonly associated with a deity or mythic character depending on the region where the astrological practice originates. These associations carry archetypal experiences that inform the significations of the planets. In Hindu mythology, the planets themselves are deities and are also associated with more central deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Parvati, and so on. In Greek mythology, the planets are heavily associated with the Olympian pantheon. It is worthwhile to explore the mythological associations with the planets to get a clearer understanding of the archetypal themes they represent in the natal chart.
Additionally, the traits that I have listed in the above table are influenced and sometimes intensified or impaired based on the zodiac sign that a given planet occupies. We will be going over this in the following section.
Dignities & Compatibility
The planets are good at being themselves, and the zodiac signs essentially represent the environment in which a planet is trying to express itself. Some environments are more compatible with the traits expressed by the planets than others. When a planet is placed in a compatible or supportive environment, its traits are able to bear fruitful results to the native. Likewise, when a planet is placed in an environment that is incompatible or unsupportive, we can see the planet struggle to achieve its purpose. We know what zodiac signs are harmonious for a planet by assessing that planet’s dignities and its compatibility with other planets that rule the zodiac signs.
As a general rule of thumb, planets that own fire and water signs get along with other planets that own fire and water signs. Likewise, planets that own earth and air signs get along with other planets that own earth and air signs. It makes sense, because the elemental qualities are in part related to the kinds of traits and themes that are represented by a planet. The fire and water signs are owned by the Sun, the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter, while the earth and air signs are owned by Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. The Moon is a bit of an exception to this rule, and is friendly towards all other planets. Again, this is a rule of thumb, so there will be nuance that can be discerned by more experienced astrologers.
Dignities, on the other hand, refers to a given planet’s preferred signs to be in. First and foremost, planets like to be in signs that they rule, known as domicile. We learned what signs the planets rule in the last article. Additionally, each planet also has a sign that they especially like, and when a planet is in that sign it is considered exalted. A planet in its sign of exaltation is able to embody the highest expression of its natural gifts. The opposite of exaltation is debilitation and the opposite of domicile is fall or detriment. As a rule, the sign of a planet’s debilitation or detriment is opposite its sign of exaltation or domicile, respectively. Why is that the case? It is because the sign that is opposite a given zodiac sign exhibits qualities which are in a polarizing relationship to the given sign. That is why we considered the signs as pairs in the last article – they form opposites that resist each other, but also benefit from learning from each other. When a planet finds itself occupying a sign which is opposite its domicile or exaltation, that planet is out of its element, where its natural traits are challenged or inadequate for the environment. A person who has only ever known warfare and violence, for example, is going to have under-developed empathy and compassion for others. Take this person out of a warzone and place them into a children’s nursery and they are going to find that all the skills and traits they’ve learned through war are wholly inadequate for tending to babies and children. Below is a table of the planets and their dignities:
Planet
Domicile
Fall/Detriment
Exaltation
Debilitation
Sun
Leo
Aquarius
Aries
Libra
Moon
Cancer
Capricorn
Taurus
Scorpio
Mercury
Gemini, Virgo
Sagittarius, Pisces
Virgo
Pisces
Venus
Taurus, Libra
Scorpio, Aries
Pisces
Virgo
Mars
Aries, Scorpio
Libra, Taurus
Capricorn
Cancer
Jupiter
Sagittarius, Pisces
Gemini, Virgo
Cancer
Capricorn
Saturn
Capricorn, Aquarius
Cancer, Leo
Libra
Aries
You’ll see that the lunar nodes are missing from this list – that is because they don’t rule zodiac signs. There are some schools of thought that do assign rulership of some signs to the nodes, but I do not think that is helpful for developing a working knowledge of astrology and can create some confusion. In my opinion it is best to start out with the very bare basics before adding in more nuanced takes on astrological theory.
Know that there is no cause for panic if you have any planets in their fall or debilitation. It simply brings challenges to the areas of life those planets represent; the native generally has to work harder to practice and feel confident wielding the under-developed attributes of a fallen or debilitated planet, which has its own benefits. Even though it can take a long time to learn such lessons, often the people who have had to struggle the hardest to learn something end up mastering it in ways that others with natural acuity do not or take for granted. It takes more conscious effort to become good at something that doesn’t come naturally to us, so please do not despair. Likewise, there are some drawbacks that can be experienced with planets that are in exaltation or domicile – it all depends on context.
If you’ve been following along this far, then I would like you to challenge yourself with the following question: Why is a given planet exalted in the sign of its exaltation, and not some other sign? Choose your favorite planet and use the knowledge you’ve learned from the previous articles so far, then comment below with your answer. Next time we will be learning about the housing system and house lords. Take care.
I am currently studying to become a professional astrologer and if you are interested in receiving a brief consultation please check out my rates and services page. I am grateful for opportunities to practice my skills and increase my experience.
🌝 September 10 FULL MOON Tarot Reading and Astrology Forecast 🌟
Greetings! My name is Bee La Rosa, the Moon Lodge Mystic. I am a spiritual content creator, diviner, and artist. I offer tarot readings, dream interpretation, and Vedic astrology consultations. I also craft custom jewelry, malas, and art commissions. Please feel free to reach out! I love connecting with others.
*DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links with Amazon. If you purchase a product through the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. You experience no additional charge. Thank you for supporting me by making purchases through these links.
This is a general reading for entertainment purposes only. Watching my content does not constitute an advisory relationship such as therapy or legal counsel. I am not a certified medical or therapeutic professional. My readings are for confirmation of what you already intuitively know for yourself, not to get answers. General readings like this are like forecasting the weather for the entire planet – I can say that it is summer in the northern hemisphere, but summer looks very different from region to region. So please use your best judgment, take what resonates and leave the rest.
Welcome back to my intro to astrology series! Last time I went over the tropical and sidereal zodiacs and today I will be going over the zodiac signs. This series is here for people who are clueless about astrology and would like to develop a working knowledge of it. Soplease, do not use my series to administer astrological consultations to other people, as this will not prepare you to be able to ethically do that. This is to empower you to understand your own chart and understand what astrologers are talking about when you consult them.
From here on out, the information I write about is going to be primarily sourced by my experience with Vedic astrology and traditional methods. You may find some of the information doesn’t exactly match up if you are used to modern Western astrology. Vedic and Western have a lot in common, but some marked differences as well. Also please note that these articles are not meant to instruct you in Vedic astrology – I am not teaching Vedic astrology here. I am trying to focus on the areas where Vedic and Western overlap and will clarify differences where appropriate. Here we go!
Overview
As we covered in the previous article, the zodiac is made up of 12 signs which are derivative of the 12 constellations that cross the ecliptic. These constellations are associated with various myths and symbols which inform their archetypal significations within astrology. (If you are serious about astrology, then I highly recommend taking up comparative mythology as a side study to enhance your understanding!) Each sign has a set of attributes: a glyph, a symbol, an element, a modality, and a ruling planet. Below you will find a table outlining the different signs and their attributes, then we will break each section down individually.
Sign Name
Glyph
Symbol
Element
Modality
Ruling Planet
Aries
♈︎
Ram
Fire
Cardinal
Mars
Taurus
♉︎
Ox/Bull
Earth
Fixed
Venus
Gemini
♊︎
Twins or Couple (Vedic)
Air
Mutable
Mercury
Cancer
♋︎
Crab
Water
Cardinal
Moon
Leo
♌︎
Lion
Fire
Fixed
Sun
Virgo
♍︎
Woman/Virgin
Earth
Mutable
Mercury
Libra
♎︎
Measuring Scales
Air
Cardinal
Venus
Scorpio
♏︎
Scorpion
Water
Fixed
Mars*
Sagittarius
♐︎
Centaur with Bow & Arrow
Fire
Mutable
Jupiter
Capricorn
♑︎
Sea Goat or Makara (Vedic)
Earth
Cardinal
Saturn
Aquarius
♒︎
Water Bearer/Jug of Water
Air
Fixed
Saturn*
Pisces
♓︎
Two Fish
Water
Mutable
Jupiter*
*In modern traditions, Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, Aquarius by Uranus, and Pisces by Neptune. I do not use these ruler schemes. Instead I use the traditional scheme of rulership that was in place before these planets were discovered (within the last 3 centuries). I will expand more on this later.
Elements
Each zodiac sign has an element, of which there are four: fire, earth, air, and water. Each element belongs to a group of three signs. Each zodiac sign of a given element has some qualities in common with each other.
Fire is hot, passionate, and inspired. The quality of fire is much like actual fire – it can take quite a bit of effort to get started, but quickly consumes everything around it once it gets going if the fire is not contained or controlled in some way. Fire needs fuel to keep it going or it will smolder and die out. Fire signs generally exhibit a lot of vitality, warmth, and enthusiasm. Too little fire means little action or willpower, too much fire becomes all-consuming and scorches the environment and surrounding people. Just enough fire keeps everybody warm and joyful. These signs include Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
Earth is down-to-earth, sensual, and material. Earth signs are concerned with what can be touched, seen, heard, smelled, or tasted – the material plane. They carry a quality of being grounded and slow-moving. Earth can be hard as a rock, or loose and workable like soil. Highly pragmatic, earth signs are interested in establishing a solid foundation upon which something can be built that will last eternity. These signs include Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Air is quick, cerebral, and communicative. These signs tend to inhabit the mental plane more than the material. We interact with air through our breath and speech – talking is technically all exhalation! See how well you can be heard without any air in your lungs. Breath is also one of those unique bodily functions that is both autonomous and voluntary. Controlling the breath is an effective way to regulate our mind when it is stirred. We see these kinds of concepts at the core of the air signs. These signs include Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
Water is flowing, spiritual, and sentimental. Water takes the shape of whatever container it is held by. Without a solid container, water slips through, always flowing down the path of least resistance. Water is often associated with the emotions but it really encompasses more than that and includes your perception and how it guides your feelings. Water signs can be quite sensitive and deeply spiritual as a result. These signs include Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
Modalities
Next we will go over modalities. There are three modalities: cardinal, fixed, and mutable. Modalities can be thought of as the “modus operandi” of the zodiac signs. Each modality belongs to a group of four signs. Zodiac signs of a common modality tend to orient themselves to the world in a similar way.
Cardinal signs are pioneering, initiating, and natural leaders. Cardinal signs are very independent in that, their course is not easily swayed by others. These signs represent the four cardinal directions: North, South, East, and West. The idea is that they point the way and carve out paths. The cardinal signs include Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.
Fixed signs are stationary, rooted in place, and conservative in the sense that they focus on conserving what is already there. Fixed signs are very slow to change or there is a very gradual accumulation of momentum to their actions. Sustained, incremental results is the name of the game with these signs. The fixed signs include Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.
Mutable, sometimes called movable, signs are adaptable, flexible, and even somewhat fickle. These signs are most susceptible to being influenced by others. While cardinal signs are motivated leaders forging their own path, and fixed signs are stationary, mutable signs are open to being carried wherever the wind will take them. They can be seen as somewhat passive, but their adaptability also allows them to take advantage of opportunities that others might be blind to. The mutable signs include Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.
Ruling Planets
In traditional astrology – that is, astrology that was practiced prior to the 19th century – only five planets and the two luminaries are recognized: the Sun (luminary), the Moon (luminary), Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. That is because these are the planets that are visible in the sky to the naked eye (and are bright enough to be distinguished from stars). Later on, we eventually discovered Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto and modern astrologers began to use these planets in place of or as co-rulers of certain signs which were highlighted in the table from earlier. Many of the significations that are associated with these modern outer planets were traditionally associated with Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. For the purposes of this series, I will not be including use of the outer planets as I prefer to focus on traditional foundations.
Each zodiac sign is ruled by a planet, with which they share significations. To planets, zodiac signs are kind of like bedrooms in a mansion, and the bedrooms are decorated to the planet’s liking. Planets having rulership over signs is part of why the movements of the planets are important – the planets act as ambassadors for the signs over which they rule as they travel around the zodiac, conducting business.
The scheme of rulership begins with the luminaries and then is distributed sequentially across the planets from closest to furthest away from the sun. It is helpful to imagine that the zodiac is a ladder, with the Sun at the bottom of one leg and the Moon at the bottom of the other leg. Going up the ladder, we have Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and then Saturn. Like so:
Rulership Ladder
Sign
Planet
Planet
Sign
Aquarius ♒︎
Saturn ♄
Saturn ♄
Capricorn ♑︎
Pisces ♓︎
Jupiter ♃
Jupiter ♃
Sagittarius ♐︎
Aries ♈︎
Mars ♂
Mars ♂
Scorpio ♏︎
Taurus ♉︎
Venus ♀
Venus ♀
Libra ♎︎
Gemini ♊︎
Mercury ☿
Mercury ☿
Virgo ♍︎
Cancer ♋︎
Moon ☽
Sun ⨀
Leo ♌︎
Learning the rulership scheme is helpful for understanding how all the signs in the zodiac are activated and contributing to the overall world the native experiences. You’ll notice that some of the zodiac signs are associated with traits that can seem quite negative, but that isn’t necessarily the case. We look to the placement of the ruling planets in a chart to assess how a sign’s traits will manifest in the life of the native.
The Signs
We are now on to the bread and butter of this post: the zodiac signs! I know that for a lot of people this is the part of astrology that they are the most familiar and comfortable with. Most everyone knows their sun sign and what signs are compatible with them, etc. A lot of people own zodiac merchandise or love to read their horoscopes in newsletters.
It made sense to start where people are most comfortable, but I do want to stress that the zodiac is really just one component of astrology. There is a tendency to become so identified with one’s zodiac sign that the wood kind of gets lost among the trees. As we get deeper into the series, this will become more obvious as we cover topics like planets, their dignities, houses, and timing. For now, let’s turn to the signs.
Having covered the elements, modalities, and ruling planets, you may be able to have a loose general feeling for what archetypal associations are affixed to each sign. Element and modality together actually give quite a lot of information about a sign. The other details come moreso from the mythological traditions that are associated with the constellations (or seasons). Another aspect to consider is the opposing pairs that the zodiac signs form with each other – each axial pair forms an archetypal paradox that impacts each other. I’ll be lightly touching on those here.
Aries ♈︎
Element: Fire Modality: Cardinal Ruling Planet: Mars
Aries is the considered the first sign in the zodiac. The constellation of Aries is represented by a charging ram. Knowing what we know about the fire element and cardinal modality, we can say that Aries is highly willful, likes to take charge, and is passionate. Opposite Aries is Libra, which is diplomatic, concerned for others, and strives for balance. Each zodiac sign forms a pair of opposites like this – so if we know that Libra is very cooperative, gracious, and yielding, then we know that Aries can be self-centered, concerned with power, and independent. These traits are not intrinsically bad. There are times where it is important to be selfish. The way we assess whether these traits will manifest auspiciously or disastrously is by looking to the placement of the ruling planet, Mars, which we will cover in later articles. Being ruled by Mars, Aries is very much driven by conquest and power, which is why Aries is passionate and willful.
Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac and represented by a bull. With the element of earth and fixed modality, Taurus is often described synonymously with the idiom “as stubborn as a bull.” Taurus is quite concerned with material comforts and therefore also gets associated with wealth – not winning the lottery type of wealth, but the kind of wealth that is steadily gained over the course of life. Taurus can be quite sensual and reserved, as well as grounded. Scorpio sits opposite Taurus and often gets a bad rap for being possessive and explosive, but that is not quite the case. Scorpio is highly spiritual and devotional – which is the complement to Taurus’ deeply grounded and material nature. Ruled by Venus, Taurus is very much interested in what feels good and is aesthetically pleasing, hence why Taurus is considered the most materialistic sign of the zodiac.
Gemini ♊︎
Element: Air Modality: Mutable Ruling Planet: Mercury
Gemini is the third sign of the zodiac and represented by twins, or a man and woman in the Vedic tradition. Gemini is primarily concerned with the dissemination of information. Think newspaper headlines, news feeds, instant communication or letters, etc. Its mutable nature is observable in the way that information tends to fluctuate and move in currents. This sign is highly focused on minute details and facts, as opposed to philosophizing and contemplating universal truths as Sagittarius, Gemini’s opposite, is wont to do. Gemini and Sagittarius are also both signs associated with travel – as in, the spread of information and ideology. Being ruled by Mercury, Gemini can be quite playful and mischievous due to their quick intellect and wit, but also keenly communicative.
Cancer ♋︎
Element: Water Modality: Cardinal Ruling Planet: Moon
Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac and represented by a crab. Cancer is associated with all the qualities of mother – nurturing, protection, family, sentimentality. As a cardinal water sign, Cancer is concerned with matriarchal values such as familial traditions and vulnerability. The relationships we form in our family of origin form the foundation for how we relate to transpersonal mothers and fathers (such as God or Goddess), which is how the water element’s spiritual nature comes out in Cancer. Opposite Cancer is Capricorn, another earthly material sign. Unlike Cancer, Capricorn hides emotions and vulnerabilities and prefers to be firmly rooted amongst material institutions rather than familial bonds. Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is deeply related to our perceptions which are imprinted upon by our early childhood family experiences and contribute significantly to how secure and supported we feel in the world.
Leo ♌︎
Element: Fire Modality: Fixed Ruling Planet: Sun
Leo is the fifth sign in the zodiac and is represented by a lion. Like a lion, Leo is proud and regal. This sign is more patriarchal and has deep associations with royalty and power – which bears relationship to its fixed quality and the endurance of dynasties of power. Leo is kingly, which is not to say that it is egomaniacal and controlling (though this could certainly come up), but rather Leo is a leader that is responsible for the needs and administration of his kingdom. Leo’s highest expression embodies courage, power, and a healthy dose of self-importance. In contrast, Leo’s opposite is Aquarius, which is the most democratic sign of the zodiac. If you are aware of history then you understand that monarchies and democracies are fundamentally opposed – Aquarius believes that power should be distributed amongst everyone equally, while Leo wants all the power for itself. Sometimes it is good for there to be a person with a bit more power than everyone else steering the ship, and there are times when democratic values are more important. Ruled by the Sun, Leo is deeply related to authenticity and self-identity, including the ego, but also the Higher Self.
Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac and is represented by a maiden woman. Virgo is very much associated with the discriminating intellect – taking stock, measurement, and appraising material objects. Virgo likes to count and account for details. This goes back a ways to when early agrarian societies would be observing Virgo season to harvest their crops and begin taking inventory and planning for how to make their harvest last through the winter. This is where Virgo gets its associations with perfectionism and organization. Sitting opposite from Virgo is Pisces, which is less concerned with details and more concerned with big picture perspectives and immaterial reality. Pisces is transcendent, while Virgo is more prosaic or earthly. Both are mutable signs, and this quality is observed in how Virgo’s preparations and plans need to be tailored and adapted to the changing landscape. Virgo’s mutable nature runs in line with the idiom “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” if that makes sense. Being ruled by Mercury, Virgo again embodies mercurial qualities such as playfulness, analytic intellect, adaptability, and communication.
Libra ♎︎
Element: Air Modality: Cardinal Ruling Planet: Venus
Libra is the seventh sign in the zodiac and is represented by the measuring scales or scales of justice. This air sign is heavily associated with the arts and creative expression, as well as mutual exchanges in partnerships and relationships. The glyph of Libra is actually depicting the Sun setting – this is where we get the idea that Libra is about relating, sharing, and giving rather than the all-for-one conquesting mentality we see in Aries. As a cardinal sign, Libra represents the self-initiated drive to reach out to others and create space for reciprocal relationships. Ruled by Venus, Libra places great value on aesthetic pleasure and intimacy.
Scorpio ♏︎
Element: Water Modality: Fixed Ruling Planet: Mars
Scorpio is the eighth sign of the zodiac and is represented by the scorpion. Scorpio is often a misunderstood sign, being labeled as crazy or possessive. Scorpio, like other water signs, is deeply devotional and spiritual. In fact Scorpio is the most devoted sign, due to its fixed nature. The reason why Scorpio sometimes gets a bad rap is because of the fixed nature of water – the emotional life of Scorpio is something that builds deeply over time. Where Taurus is fixed earth, which focuses on the endurance of accrued material goods and wealth, the fixed water aspect of Scorpio is that enduring nature of deeply held emotions that build up over time and this is what fuels the devotional nature of Scorpio. Combined with the fiery nature of Mars, you can compare Scorpio to the way bodies of water take a long time to heat up – but also hold their heat for long periods of time. Think about it: once a kettle of water has boiled it can take a good hour before it cools back down, and it takes a LOT of energy to be able to boil it quickly too.
Sagittarius ♐︎
Element: Fire Modality: Mutable Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the zodiac and is represented by a centaur wielding a bow and arrow, also called the archer. Sagittarius is a highly ideological sign, and in Vedic astrology this sign is often referred to as the battlefield – as in, ideological debate and righteousness. Sagittarius is deeply concerned with philosophical values in a way that can even border on evangelism if an idea is inspiring enough – this is a fire sign, after all. Its mutable nature is reflected in open-mindedness and adapting one’s beliefs as experiences emerge that bring about new revelations. Sagittarius often gets described as optimistic because Sagittarius loves to feel inspired and explore new territory of belief and meaning-making. Where Gemini wants to disseminate objective facts and information, Sagittarius is after the big picture and big questions left unanswered by minute details. Ruled by Jupiter, Sagittarius expresses aspects of scholarship, inspiration, expansiveness, and righteousness.
Capricorn is the tenth sign of the zodiac and is represented by the sea goat or the makara, another half-terrestrial half-aquatic creature, in Vedic astrology. Capricorn is heavily associated with brick and mortar institutions (think courthouses or prisons), manual labor, and traditions. Capricorn is considered quite conservative and reserved, preferring to keep strong boundaries and emotions at bay. Grounded, focused, and industrious, Capricorn is known as the taskmaster and represents the working class. Where Cancer is concerned with maintaining the hearth of home, Capricorn is focused on stoking the furnaces of industry and work in society. Ruled by Saturn, Capricorn takes on the qualities of commitment to traditions, labor, and austerity.
Aquarius ♒︎
Element: Air Modality: Fixed Ruling Planet: Saturn
Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac and is represented by the water bearer or jug of water. This sign is associated with humanitarianism, and the reason for that is because Aquarius is concerned with establishing structures of society that serve a purpose beyond the pursuit of power for the sake of the ego, compared to Leo. Where Leo is concerned with personal power, Aquarius is concerned with the people’s power and thus is an incredibly democratic sign and is often associated with revolutionary movements. Aquarius is also associated with culture, the sciences, and free expression of ideas. Aquarius represents the love of the people, and as such Aquarius strives to achieve in the name of the greater good. The fixed nature of Aquarius comes into play when we look at the idea of giving oneself to a bigger purpose, the results of which will carry on a legacy of its own long after we have passed on. Ruled by Saturn, Aquarius is concerned with humility, examining boundaries and limitations (especially to break through them when they are not in alignment with the highest good of all), and politics.
Pisces ♓︎
Element: Water Modality: Mutable Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Finally we come to Pisces, the twelfth zodiac sign which is represented by the two fish. Pisces is the end of the zodiac, where everything returns to universal consciousness. Thus, Pisces is a sign of surrender and transcendence as our egos give over and merge with the oneness of all of existence. Its mutable nature is perhaps self-evident in the fact that a single droplet of water in the ocean must be entirely flexible and passive to be able to give up its droplet-ness in order to embrace its ocean-ness, if that makes sense. In contrast to the very detail-oriented and meticulous Virgo, Pisces is all about the big picture and expansive consciousness. Suffice to say, you won’t find Pisces sorting seeds or laundry – this is the hippie sign. The dissolution of boundaries and defined measurements or values makes Pisces incredibly empathic and susceptible to losing oneself in the experiences of others. Ruled by Jupiter, Pisces takes on the aspects of spiritual seeking and expansive consciousness.
Closing
We’ve made it to the end. This was a long one but it was important for laying down the foundations of the topics to come. Now you are aware of the zodiac signs, their elements, modalities, and ruling planets. You see the opposing patterns between each signs – and you will see with the traditional rulership scheme, that the same planets tend to oppose each other. This is worth noticing as it will give greater context to why certain planets get along better with others. My next article will be diving into the planets and their roles in natal astrology.
I am currently studying to become a professional astrologer and if you are interested in receiving a brief consultation please check out my rates and services page. I am grateful for opportunities to practice my skills and increase my experience.
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