Astrology believes in a celestial map of stars and planets that dictates our lives. It is an ancient practice.
Developed around the 2nd century BC, the zodiac diagram charts 12 astrological signs.
These twelve symbols show how Earth, revolving on its axis, completes a yearly orbit through space.
Signs of the Zodiac
The 12 zodiac signs are the fundamental principle of astrology.
Each sign has its characteristics, colour, myths, and animals.
They all have an individual approach to life.
They have frustrating weaknesses and dynamic strengths.
The Western astrology zodiac is divided into twelve constellations.
Each one occupies 30° of celestial longitude and represents a specific sign.
The signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
Dates Of the Signs
The signs’ dates change yearly because the Equinox date isn’t precise.
This causes the start date of Aries to change, but it’s always between March 19 and 21.
Natal Chart
Astrological charts are magical, telling the story of who you were born to be.
At birth, every person is given a chart that astrologically defines all aspects of them.
Even down to their sensitive angles.
So what’s yours?
A Birth Chart might seem like it just tells your physical features and personality traits.
In reality, there’s much more than meets the eye.
For example, there’s something called “sensitive angle.”
Where it falls within their chart can change everything about an individual.
This is due to its intensity when combined with other elements.
Or how close planets may get at different points during life cycle phases.
For example, when a woman is pregnant.
Opposites and Elements
Each sign has an opposite, which results in 6 opposite couples.
Air and fire elements are opposites and water and earth are opposites.
Aries is opposite to Libra
Taurus is opposite to Scorpio
Gemini is opposite to Sagittarius
Cancer is opposite to Capricorn
Leo is opposite to Aquarius
Virgo is opposite to Pisces
Polarity – Positive and Negative
The zodiac signs are divided in half.
One part of the sign’s alignment can be positive or negative with different attributes.
The active or positive polarity signs are Aquarius, Libra, Leo, Gemini, Sagittarius, and Aries.
They are the odd-numbered signs, also called masculine signs, yang or expressive, and they make up the air and fire triplicities.
Cancer, Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces, and Capricorn are the passive or negative polarity.
They are the even-numbered signs, also called feminine signs, yin or receptive, making up the water and earth triplicities.
The Three Modalities
The position of a sign in the season it is found is called the modality or mode.
There are three modalities: cardinal, fixed, and mutable.
Each modality has four elements assigned to it.
That’s why they are also known as Quadruplicates.
The Signs
Let’s look at each zodiac sign in more detail.
Aries – March 21- April 19
Symbol: The Ram
Modality: Cardinal
Element: Fire
Ruling Planet: Mars
Date: March 20 to April 19 2021
Traits: Gets bored easily
- Always complies when dared
- Easily forgets what made them angry
- Sees Life as a game they can win
Aries is the first sign of the astrological zodiac.
In other words, they are independent and brave enough to take on life head-on.
They do not just observe life from afar, like some people do with their lives.
Aries also possess a fiery demeanour that comes out in every sense.
This fire shines through when an Arian talks, acts, or even reacts.
All because Mars rules over them as well!
Taurus: April 20 – May 20
Symbol: The Bull
Modality: Fixed
Element: Earth
Ruling Planet: Venus
Date: April 19 to May 20 2021
Traits: Doesn’t like big changes
- Always on the same outfit
- All in or nothing.
- Stays home always
Taurus is a dualistic sign with both an Earth and a Fixed nature.
They are extremely stable individuals.
They are intensely stubborn and loyal to others and their material possessions.
Taurus has Venus ruling it.
This means love for oneself and the desire to please those around them to provide comfort or luxury.
This can be seen through their tendencies towards food!
If you leave them alone, they will generally be peaceful.
However, they become tenacious fighters if provoked (perhaps by not listening).
They charge forward without fear.
Gemini: May 21 – June 20
Symbol: The Twins
Modality: Mutable
Element: Air
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Date: May 20 to June 21 2021
Traits: Knowledgeable about everything
- Always tries to make jokes in every situation
- Charismatic
- Playfully argues and flirts at the same time
Gemini is a sign that loves to communicate with themselves and others.
They are ruled by Mercury, the communicative planet that also rules communication in our physical world.
Gemini stands out as being able to think about things from two perspectives at once:
- Their inner thoughts are communicated outwardly through interacting with other people or ideas.
- Or what they read/hear externally, making them adaptable and flexible, just like their split symbol – twins!
Cancer: June 21 – July 22
Symbol: The Crab
Modality: Cardinal
Element: Water
Ruling Planet: The Moon
Date: June 21 to July 22 2021
Traits: Always there for everyone
- Has only one firm boundary
- Wants comfort
- Highly sensitive person
Cancer is the first water sign of the zodiac and also one with many nurturing qualities.
Cancer is associated with domestic life/past, emotions, and other empathic abilities.
Their feminine energy helps them connect with these on a natural level.
Cancers have this hard exterior that covers up how very sensitive they can be internally as well.
Just like crabs carrying around their home on their back for protection from change when it comes too close to them.
All symbolic representations represent what cancer embodies: strength under vulnerability.
Leo: July 23 – August 22
Symbol: The Lion
Modality: Fixed
Element: Fire
Ruling Planet: The Sun
Date: July 22 to August 22 2021
Traits: Exudes creativity and warmth
- Craves a luxurious lifestyle
- Wants to be exceptional and noticed
- Really big personality
Leo has a fixed sign and is very confident.
They are also passionate and ambitious.
This can be seen in their love for the outdoors or how they entertain others.
The Lion’s pride does not falter when faced with adversity.
As long as that person remembers what Leo had done for him/her.
It only changes if you show no loyalty towards anyone who wronged them before.
Then, it shows forgiveness regardless of whether there was any wrongdoing at all!
Virgo: August 23 – September 22
Symbol: The Virgin
Modality: Mutable
Element: Earth
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Date: August 22 to September 22 2021
Traits: Always overwhelmed by so many ideas
- Exceptional spatial awareness
- Quick-fix mentality
- Judgemental, but with good intentions
The mutable Earth sign of Virgo has a humanitarian spirit and thirst for perfectionism.
They are grounded in tradition.
They take care to notice the smallest details.
This allows them to change the world around us into something better.
Libra: September 23 – October 22
Symbol: The Scales
Modality: Cardinal
Element: Air
Ruling Planet: Venus
Date: September 22 to October 23 2021
Traits: Always indecisive
- Open-minded and broad-minded
- Avoids conflict
- Really good aesthetics
Libras are the most connected to relationships and partnerships.
They crave fairness in all of them.
They are an air sign.
Moreover, they enjoy intellectual pursuits as much as physical ones.
But justice is their main concern when it comes to these two realms.
Libra has a deep understanding of balance.
The Scales will reflect this.
The Scales reflect her dualistic nature and polarity-seeking personality traits.
Scorpio: October 23 – November 21
Symbol: The Scorpion
Modality: Fixed
Element: Water
Ruling Planet: Pluto
Date: October 23 to November 22 2021
Traits: Gives eye-to-eye contact always
- Can’t be sure if they’re serious or joking
- OK, with awkward silence
- A leather jacket always fits.
Scorpios have a calm demeanour unless they are tested.
This is why the Scorpio’s symbol is that of the Scorpion, which may seem easy-going at first glance.
But if threatened, these creatures will sting with their strongest and quickest actions.
Their emotions are strong and fixed by design.
It should be no surprise to anyone else that they can tap into those unseen parts of our world.
Cancerians do, too.
Mars and Pluto rule over this sign during its astrological cycle, which occurs every 2 years.
You know how passionate things become for them when out on dates!
Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21
Symbol: The Archer
Modality: Mutable
Element: Fire
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Date: November 22 to December 21 2021
Traits: Super-likable person at the party
- Always true no matter the situation
- Self-improves themselves
- Opinions are based on pure emotion
Sagittarius is the symbol of duality and a Fire sign.
They are intuitive, powerful, natural philosophers.
They stand ready with an arrow on their bow, aiming to penetrate darkness before it can take hold.
Their intuition guides them through life’s mysteries.
They balance both physical reality and spiritual intuition at the same time.
Remain open-minded to new perspectives on old ideas.
Society handed them down over time.
Capricorn: December 22 – Jan 19
Symbol: The Sea Goat
Modality: Cardinal
Element: Earth
Ruling Planet: Saturn
Date: December 21 to January 20 2021
Traits: Already an adult from age six
- Slow to warm up to people
- Don’t let emotion get in the way of success
- Always responsible
Capricorns are the cardinal of Earth signs.
They have a ground-based sense and use their ambitious nature to create stability in solid reality.
Capricorns enjoy being admired or respected.
Given that they are an earth sign, they view this as evidence of success.
They value realism and tradition, grounded in reproduction stemming from sensual awareness.
If you want someone who gets things done with orderliness and doesn’t compromise on time, look no further than this.
Aquarius: January 20 – February 18
Symbol: The Water Bearer
Modality: Fixed
Element: Air
Ruling Planet: Uranus
Date: January 19 to February 18 2021
Traits: Love personal freedom
- Always feel like they don’t belong
- Not a big fan of individuals, but love humanity
- A strong believer in concepts, not feelings
The Aquarius sign is one of the most introspective and extroverted signs, as they are both thinkers and doers.
They possess great humanitarian qualities.
These qualities manifest in their actions for social justice.
Their goals may be lofty at times.
They always strive to achieve them with determination.
They want to give back what they have been given by helping others succeed where they have failed before.
Pisces: February 19 – March 20
Symbol: The Fishes
Modality: Mutable
Element: Water
Ruling Planet: Neptune
Date: February 18 to March 20 2021
Traits: Zero boundaries
- Can’t tell if they are 5 or 50 years old
- Loves fantasy
- Hyper Romantic
Pisces is the final sign of the zodiac.
It symbolizes ‘coming around full circle’ in physical growth and spiritual enlightenment.
Pisceans have a spiritually-based mindset that makes them tremendously intuitive, psychic and empathic.
Their deep passion for understanding karma, religion, and the spirit world leads to adaptability.
They can deal with people who do not live up to expectations.
Pisces are known as dreamy individuals who sometimes find it hard to deal with those who can’t live up to their high ideals.
Summary
As you have now read, the zodiac signs have their approach to life.
Astrology is a way to understand the world in which we live and to have a better sense of self.
No zodiac sign can be perfect on its own.
Many different signs and meanings make up the whole wheel of astrological understanding.
We hope you now grasp the basics, and we have more about astrology on this site.
Hana is a numerology, tarot and astrology expert who studied extensively in India and made some amazing connections in that time. Her goal is to teach people how to live lives of passion and purpose by utilizing numbers, tarot and the planets as a guide.