The Twelve Signs

As the Sun appears to journey across the ecliptic in the sky, it passes through the twelve divisions of space we call The Zodiac Signs. Despite the name, The Astrological Zodiac is not literally synonymous with the constellations from which each sign is named. They are instead constructed from the combination of elements and modes, built from sensitive points along the Sun’s path through the ecliptic.

When astrological bodies pass through these signs, their significations change, becoming “colored” by these elements and modes. The following are each of the twelve Zodiac Signs in order.

ARIES ♈︎ - CARDINAL FIRE

Aries begins the Zodiac with a bang. Composed of the Fire Element and the Cardinal Mode, Aries is energetic force. It is constantly, moving, pushing, and advancing toward goals, like a fire quickly enveloping whatever it touches. Aries conveys passion, and the strength to change situations. Aries is owned by Mars, who himself is the planet of willpower. The Sun especially enjoys this sign.

TAURUS ♉︎ - FIXED EARTH

Taurus continues the Zodiac, simultaneously embodying continuation itself. It is Fixed Earth, meaning it conveys practical staying power. Unlike Aries, it is calm, neutral, and still, not going anywhere at all and maintaining its state. It conveys cultivation and nourishment, as solid earth is both fertile enough and stable enough to facilitate life. Taurus is the ground beneath our feet, blessing us with the ability to stand firm and tall. It is owned by Venus, who thrives supporting the ones she loves. The Moon adores this sign as well.

GEMINI ♊︎ - MUTABLE AIR

Gemini, the first Air Sign, is also the first Dual, or Mutable Sign. The combination of the dexterity and freedom of the Air Element with the changeability of the Dual Mode defines Gemini as the Sign of malleability. Indeed, Gemini’s meaning is that it means something different in different contexts. Like a chameleon, it seamlessly integrates into the current situation, mimicking (or mocking?) with great accuracy. It is a light, free and fun sign, conveying young people. It is excellent for learning. Gemini’s owner is Mercury, who’s just as adaptable as he is.

CANCER ♋︎ - CARDINAL WATER

Cancer, The Cardinal Water Sign, is the embodiment of incorporation. It is in a constant state of receiving, and therefore is easily able to mirror that which exists around itself. It conveys sensitivity, intimacy and closeness, and represents homely, safe environments. Cancer is the free, natural, flowing state of emotion that facilitates inner peace and tranquility. It’s owner is The Moon, but Jupiter greatly favors it as well.

LEO ♌︎ - FIXED FIRE

Leo is the Fixed Fire Sign. When fire becomes fixed, it’s upward nature is maintained by the staying quality of the Fixed Mode to create supremacy. Leo is the peak of any situation, ruling powerfully from its position of precedence. It is sharp both in its intuition and its behavior, and so it is best suited for solitude. The Sun is the owner of this sign.

VIRGO ♍︎ - MUTABLE EARTH

Virgo is Mutable Earth, meaning that it symbolizes practical changes. Virgo is the ways in which the Earth shifts, which can be anything from deconstruction and decay to organization and analysis. Virgo is the small pieces - the finer details of life. It is precise, but it is not cruel - it’s sharpness is merely a result of its accuracy. It is highly analytical and follows logical functions. Mercury, the planet of intellect, rules this sign.

LIBRA ♎︎ - CARDINAL AIR

Libra, the opposition of Aries, represents many things that Aries cannot. Where Aries is violent and forceful, Libra is easy and convenient. Where Aries is self centered and independent, Libra is social and connected. Cardinal Air describes how intellect moves, and more specifically, how it is carried seamlessly from person to person. Libra conveys easy connections and the encouragement of peace between entities. Fairness & equality are primary examples of this facilitation. Venus, the fairest of them all, owns this sign. Saturn greatly appreciates this sign as well.

SCORPIO ♏︎ - FIXED WATER

Scorpio is Fixed Water. When flexing, changing, moving, water becomes still, the freedom of emotional expression becomes stifled. Scorpio embodies this restriction of spiritual freedom. The only place the ever changing Water element can go from here is down. And so, Scorpio is everything from repressed feelings, to the unsavory topics that arise from emotional depravity. Scorpio is the dark, hidden side of things (Whereas Leo is the bright, obvious side). It is associated with the occult. Mars, the cunning manipulator owns this domain.

SAGITTARIUS ♐︎ - MUTABLE FIRE

The final Fire Sign, Sagittarius is Mutable Fire. As if Aries, who is Cardinal, and Leo, who is fixed, had combined, Sagittarius symbolizes simultaneous advancement and staying power. Sagittarius is growth. Any kind of advancement and proliferation is the domain of this sign. It is the ways in which established concepts become widespread influences. This sign is owned by Jupiter, who himself is responsible for growth.

CAPRICORN ♑︎ - CARDINAL EARTH

Concluding the three Earth Signs is endurant Capricorn. Cardinal Earth is the way in which practical things move - that is, through the force of external stimuli. A boulder can only travel when pushed or with the help of gravity. Capricorn represents inevitability and loss of control. It is the way in which we are made to do things, whether we’d like to or not. It conveys burdens, weights, and responsibilities. Because of this, Capricorn conveys the staying power required to survive unfortunate circumstances. This sign is owned by similarly everlasting Saturn.

AQUARIUS ♒︎ - FIXED AIR

When Air becomes Fixed, it’s active, stimulated nature becomes confined to a single location - this is decentralization. Indeed, Aquarius is the inherent instability and uncertainty of things - opposite Leo, which is clarity. Because of this, it is associated with speculation and prolonged thought, as well as variety and possibility. It is purely conceptual and is driven entirely by logic. It’s owner is Saturn, the planet of both objectivity and obscurity.

PISCES ♓︎ - MUTABLE WATER

The Final Sign of the Zodiac, Pisces is Mutable Water. Like all mutable signs, it describes a form of change. Pisces simultaneously receives - like Cancer - and maintains - like Scorpio, creating the result that is amalgamation. Indeed, Pisces is about the combination of things. It conveys unity and togetherness, as well as all forms of intimate connection. It’s boundless, infinitely consumptive nature lands it as the property of Planet Jupiter - although Venus is deeply in love with this sign as well.