Have you ever been asked about your sun, moon, or rising signs? If you were completely unaware of what this meant, it might be a good idea to learn more about your astrological birth chart. Astrology is one of many divinatory tools that help us understand how the universe is impacting our daily lives, and a reminder that we are all connected and impacted by energies beyond our sight. Understanding the basics of astrology through the signs, the houses, and their planetary rulers can provide a helpful foundation for beginners.
Astrology Basics
Astrology interprets the planets’ movements to understand the impact they have on one’s reality and anticipate what is to come. Western astrology, also known as modern astrology, is the most popularized version of the practice and is based on traditional astrology, which has roots in ancient spiritual practices of indigenous cultures. Modern astrology differs from traditional astrology by acknowledging the planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. In modern astrology, there are 12 zodiac signs which are associated with 12 houses and a specific planetary ruler.
The planets symbolize the “what,” the houses symbolize the “where,” and the zodiac sign symbolizes the “how.” The zodiac signs are energetic expressions of the constellations they represent. The houses represent the area in life where specific experiences will occur. The planetary rulers determine what themes are experienced in life.
It is also relevant to note the four elements in astrology: earth, water, air, and fire. Within the 12 zodiac signs, each element is represented by three astrological signs. In addition, the modalities of the zodiac signs can tell us a lot about their energetic expression. The cardinal, fixed, and mutable modalities are each represented by four zodiac signs. Lastly, half the signs are associated with masculine expression or extroverted energy, while the other half are associated with feminine expression or introverted energy. Let’s further explore how these astrology basics can help us understand the archetype of all the zodiac signs.
Aries
Aries is the first sign in the zodiac wheel which begins the astrological calendar and ushers in the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Aries is ruled by the planet Mars which is associated with willpower, aggression, and sexual drive. This informs the Aries archetype of being ambitious, go-getters, impulsive, or quick to rage. Since it is the first zodiac sign, it is associated with the first house. The first house in astrology is known for personal identity and self which means Aries prioritize their self-expression as a core part of their identity. Aries is a fire sign and fire energy is associated with creativity, passion, and inspiration. In addition, it is a cardinal sign which means initiator of projects and tackling issues head-on.
In summary: Aries is a masculine, cardinal, fire sign ruled by Mars.
Taurus
Taurus is the second sign in the astrological calendar which means it is associated with the second house in astrology. The second house is known as the house of values, both material and immaterial. This makes Taurus prioritize financial stability as a core part of its identity. Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus which is associated with beauty, money, pleasure, romance, and feminine expression. This is where the Taurus archetype of seeking a luxurious lifestyle comes from. Taurus is also an earth sign, and earth energy prioritizes stability, practicality, and patience. In terms of modalities, Taurus is a fixed sign which means stabilizing long-term energy needed to execute projects. Since it is ruled by Venus, Taurus is considered a feminine sign.
In summary: Taurus is a feminine, fixed, earth sign ruled by Venus.
Gemini
Gemini is the third sign in the astrological calendar known for its mutable modality making it adaptable, free-flowing, and versatile. It is ruled by the planet Mercury which is associated with intellect, communication, and processing information. Gemini is also associated with the third house which is known for siblings, neighborhoods, travel, and learning. This means Gemini’s communication and thought process is a core part of their identity. It is also an air sign and air energy centers intellect, curiosity, and socialization as part of its expression. As a result, Gemini is quick-witted, which means Geminis are often in their head, but their great communication makes them the life of the party. Due to their expressive communication, Geminis are considered masculine in expression.
In summary: Gemini is a masculine, mutable, air sign ruled by Mercury.
Cancer
Cancer is the fourth sign in the astrological calendar known for being cardinal in modality because it launches the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Cancer is ruled by the moon, which is a celestial body that differs from the other planetary rulers. The moon is associated with intuition, emotions, and the inner world. In addition, Cancer is associated with the fourth house which represents childhood, home life, and your roots. This makes Cancers prioritize nurturing through empathy as a core part of their identity, which informs the stereotype of Cancers being overtly emotional or cry babies. It is also a water sign and water energy centers feelings, intuition, and receptivity as part of its expression.
In summary: Cancer is a feminine, cardinal, water sign ruled by the moon.
Leo
Leo is the fifth sign in the astrological calendar, and it is known as the only zodiac sign ruled by the sun. The sun is known for nourishing life on Earth through its bright light. This informs the Leo archetype of commanding an audience and standing out in whatever room they occupy. Leo is also associated with the fifth house which is known for children, romance, creativity, and sex. As a fixed sign, it is unwavering in its beliefs because it has long-lasting willpower to see things through. In addition, Leo is a fire sign ruled by the Sun which heightens its expressive energy and social capacity. This means a focal part of Leo’s identity is its expression of creative energy and inner child.
In summary: Leo is a masculine, fixed, fire sign that is ruled by the sun.
Virgo
Virgo is the sixth sign in the astrological calendar and is also ruled by the planet Mercury. As a result, it is similar to Gemini since they share the same planetary ruler, but it is an earth sign. This Earth energy makes Virgo practical, logical, and perfectionistic. However, Virgo is also a mutable sign which makes it more flexible and adaptable than the other earth signs. Virgo is also associated with the sixth house in astrology which is known for daily routines, work, health, and service to others. As a result, Virgo prioritizes self-improvement and service to others as a focal part of its identity. Unlike Gemini, Virgo is an introverted sign that uses the mind to analyze information internally.
In summary: Virgo is a feminine, mutable, earth sign ruled by Mercury.
Libra
Libra is the seventh sign in the astrological calendar which is also ruled by the planet Venus. Unlike Taurus, Libra is an air sign that deals with social connections with other people. Since it is ruled by Venus, Libras are known to be stylish, flirtatious, and prefer the finer things in life. Libra is associated with the seventh house in astrology, which is the house of marriage and relationships, both romantic and platonic. Libra is also a cardinal sign which is why it begins the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Even though it is Venusian, Libra is considered masculine in expression because it is a cardinal sign that prioritizes building connections. This means a valuable part of Libra’s identity is understanding itself in relation to other people.
In summary: Libra is a masculine, cardinal, air sign ruled by Venus.
Scorpio
Scorpio is the eighth sign in the astrological calendar known for intense transformations. Scorpio is unique because it was traditionally ruled by Mars but in modern astrology, it is ruled by Pluto. Pluto is a planet associated with death, rebirth, power, control, and sex. Since Pluto is the darkest planet in our solar system, it is associated with deep parts of our psyche. Scorpio is also associated with the eighth house which is known for death, shared resources, the occult, or anything taboo. Scorpio is also a water sign whose emotions run deep making it highly intuitive. This means Scorpio prioritizes deep emotional connections and transformations as a focal part of their identity. In addition, Scorpio is a fixed sign, making it loyal and unwavering with internal willpower. Due to its depth and focus on internal change, Scorpio is considered a feminine sign.
In summary: Scorpio is a feminine, fixed, water sign ruled by Pluto.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius is the ninth sign in the astrological calendar which is ruled by the planet Jupiter. Jupiter is the planet of expansion due to its characteristics of abundance, luck, opportunity, and optimism. The ninth house associated with Sagittarius is known for travel, higher learning, spirituality, and belief systems. Sagittarius is also a mutable sign which values adventure and does not like being put in a box. It is also a fire sign that is very passionate and vocal about its beliefs. Based on this, we can conclude that a core identity of Sagittarius is seeking knowledge to better understand itself and the world. In addition, Sagittarius is masculine in expression because it pursues higher learning through travel, education, or learning about foreign cultures.
In summary: Sagittarius is a masculine, mutable, fire sign ruled by Jupiter.
Capricorn
Capricorn is the 10th sign in the astrological calendar which means it is associated with the 10th house. The 10th house is the house of responsibility, and it deals with career advancement and public reputation. Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn which is the ruler of time, discipline, restrictions, laws, and limitations. This informs Capricorn’s central identity of prioritizing work advancement above everything else. Capricorn is also an earth sign that prioritizes financial stability through continuous discipline and patience over time. It is also a cardinal sign which ushers in the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Despite its masculine expression and authoritative nature, Capricorn is considered a feminine sign because earth energy is nurtured through resources and material stability.
In summary: Capricorn is a feminine, cardinal, earth sign ruled by Saturn.
Aquarius
Aquarius is the 11th sign in the astrological calendar, and traditionally, it was also ruled by the planet Saturn. In modern astrology, Aquarius is an air sign ruled by the planet Uranus and it is intellectual, observant, and concerned with collective wellness. Uranus is a planet associated with revolution, inventions, humanitarianism, and rebellion. It is associated with the 11th astrological house of good fortune known for friendship groups, social networks, community, hopes, and aspirations. This means Aquarius views community building and humanitarianism as an important part of its identity. As a fixed sign, Aquarius is reliable, and objective in its beliefs which allows it to uphold the goals of the collective. It is masculine in expression because it uses thoughts to consciously connect with the collective.
In summary: Aquarius is a masculine, fixed, air, sign ruled by Saturn.
Pisces
Pisces is the 12th and final sign that concludes the astrological calendar. In traditional astrology, the planetary ruler of Pisces was also Jupiter but in modern astrology, it changed to the planet Neptune. Neptune is the planet of dreams, illusions, the divine, addiction, and the subconscious. This explains the archetype of Pisces being dreamy, spiritual, imaginative, and sometimes delusional. Pisces is associated with the 12th house of transcendence known for spirituality, past lives, institutions, solitude, and sacrifice. As a water sign, Pisces is represented by the darkest depths of the ocean which are unknown to the world. It is mutable as well which informs the flighty and escapist nature of Pisces. The internal and reflective nature of the sign makes it feminine in expression. As a result, a core identity of Pisces is its ability to imagine and connect with the soul.
In summary: Pisces is a feminine, mutable, water, sign ruled by Neptune.
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