12 SIGNS

One of the starting points for understanding astrology is understanding the 12-fold
cycle of the zodiac: THE SIGNS. These show how things are happening on a
chart.

To understand signs, think of them as lenses through which planetary light must
pass. Each planet (Sun and Moon included) symbolizes a different energy force, and
the sign each is passing through at any given time conditions that energy in a way
consistent with the meaning of that sign. For example, when Mars is in Aries, it is in
a sign it is compatible with, and the light or energy of Mars comes through bold,
direct, uninhibited, very fiery. When Mars moves into grounded and sensual Taurus,
the energy of Mars must work through the denser, slower style of Taurus. Mars is

still Mars, though. But if Mars in Aries is a flame-thrower, Mars in Taurus is baking
bread.
All the planets pass through all the signs, usually in direct motion (from Aries to
Taurus to Gemini to Cancer and so on), but sometimes in the opposite direction for
various periods of time. These reversals, from our Earthly perspective, are called
retrogrades. (The Sun and Moon are never retrograde.) The planets move through
the signs at different speeds, taking from 1 month (in the case of the Moon) to over
240 years (in the case of Pluto) to move through all 12 signs.
When a person says they have Venus in Leo, for instance, it means Venus was in
that sign on the day they were born. If they say they have Venus at 15 degrees of
Leo, it means that Venus had passed through about half of that section of the sky
we associate with the sign of the Lion.
We all have the influence of all 12 signs operating all of the time. Likewise, at the
moment you were born, the energies of all 12 signs were present in various ways
some of them were more emphasized than others (due to the groupings of the
planets in one or more signs, or because a particular sign was on the horizon at
your birth). Also, the 12 signs wrap around your chart and influence the different
areas of your life, no matter where the planets happened to be in the sky at the
time you took your first terrestrial breath. Each sign primarily influences one of the
12 houses in your chart.
The signs (and planets) act as basic archetypes in astrology. Archetypes are internal
forces that influence the psyche. The study of the infinite combinations of signs,
planets, aspects, and houses, and how they manifest in humans and human affairs,
is downright exciting and enlightening.
The twelve signs of the Zodiac are each divided into several sets of groups, or
numbers. They are divided into two's (dualities), three's (triplicities), four's,
(quadruplicities) and six's (polarities).

Dualities
The twelve zodiac signs are each divided into two groups: 6 Masculine and 6
Feminine.
Masculine signs are direct and energetic. These signs are outer-directed and find
their strength through direct action. Feminine signs are receptive and magnetic.
These signs are self-contained and find their strength through inner reserves.
The 6 signs with the Masculine Duality are: ARIES, GEMINI, LEO, LIBRA,
SAIGTTARIUS, and AQUARIUS

The 6 signs with the Feminine Duality are: TAURUS, CANCER, VIRGO,
SCORPIO, CAPRICORN, and PISCES.

Triplicities
The twelve zodiac signs are each divided into four groups containing three signs
each. Each of these groups of 3 are called Triplicities, and each one is associated
with a particular Element. The four elements are: Earth - Air - Fire - Water.
The 3 FIRE Signs are: ARIES, LEO, and SAGITTARIUS. Fire Signs are Active and
Enthusiastic.
The 3 EARTH Signs are: TAURUS, VIRGO, and CAPRICORN. Earth Signs are
Practical and Stable.
The 3 AIR Signs are: GEMINI, LIBRA, and AQUARIUS . Air Signs are Intellectual
and communicative.
The 3 WATER Signs are: CANCER, SCORPIO, and PISCES. Water Signs are
Emotional and Intuitive.

Quadruplicities
The twelve zodiac signs are each divided ino three groups containing four signs
each. Each four-sign group is called a quadruplicity, and each one represents a
quality. The three astrological qualities are: Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable (or
common). The quality of a sign signifies its interaction with the outside world. It's
"outer self expression".
The 3 CARDINAL Signs are: ARIES, CANCER, LIBRA, and CAPRICORN.
Cardinal Signs are enterprising and outgoing. They are the initiators of the zodiac.
The 3 FIXED Signs are: TAURUS, LEO, SCORPIO, and AQUARIUS. Fixed Signs
are resistant to change. They are the perfectors and finishers rather than the
initiators.
The 3 MUTABLE Signs are: GEMINI, VIRGO, SAGITTARIUS, and PISCES.
Mutable Signs are flexible, versatile, and adaptable. They are able to adjust to
different circumstances easily.
Each astrological sign has a unique combination of Duality (energy), Triplicity
(Element) and Quadruplicity (quality). Not one signs shares a similar combination.

Because each sign is unique in this way, each sign will express the characteristics of
its quality, element, and duality differently.
ARIES: Masculine - Fire - Cardinal
TAURUS: Feminine - Earth - Fixed
GEMINI : Masculine - Air - Mutable
CANCER: Feminine - Water - Cardinal
LEO: Masculine - Fire - Fixed
VIRGO: Feminine - Earth - Mutable
LIBRA: Masculine - Air - Cardinal
SCORPIO: Feminine - Water - Fixed
SAGITTARIUS: Masculine - Fire - Mutable
CAPRICORN: Feminine - Earth - Cardinal
AQUARIUS: Masculine - Air - Fixed
PISCES: Feminine - Water - Mutable

Polarities
The twelve signs are also divided into six groups containing two signs each. Each 2sign group is considered a Polarity. So, each zodiac sign has an opposite sign in the
other half of the zodiac. The two signs express opposite characteristics from one
another.
ARIES and LIBRA are Polarities. Aries is the sign of Self. Libra is the sign of
Partnership
TAURUS and SCORPIO are Polarities. Taurus is the sign of Personal
Possessions. Scorpio is the sign of Shared Possessions and Legacies
GEMINI and SAGITTARIUS are Polarities. Gemini is the sign of Self-Expression.
Sagittarius is the sign of Philosophy and Higher Thinking (expression on a wider
level).
CANCER and CAPRICORN are Polarities. Cancer is the sign of Home Life.
Capricorn is the sign of Public Life.

LEO and AQUARIUS are Polarities. Leo is the sign of Personal Pleasure and
Creativity. Aquarius is the sign of Hopes and Ideals on a Larger Scale.
VIRGO and PISCES are Polarities. Virgo is the sign of Work and SelfImprovement. Pisces is the sign of Dreams and Self-Delusion.

Some other correspondences (very basic listing):

Phrase
Aries: I Am
Taurus: I Have

Gemini: I Think
Cancer: I Feel
Leo: I Will
Virgo: I Analyze
Libra: I Weigh
Scorpio: I Desire
Sagittarius: I See
Capricorn: I Use
Aquarius: I Know
Pisces: I Believe

Basic Keyword(s)

Aries: Action, Self-Assertion

Taurus: Stability, Harmony
Gemini: Versatility
Cancer: Tenacity, Fertility
Leo: Power, Affection
Virgo: Discrimination
Libra: Balance, Partnership
Scorpio: Emotional Drive, Discord
Sagittarius: Foresight, Aspiration
Capricorn: Ambition
Aquarius: Forward, Altruism
Pisces: Sympathy
Basic Tendency
Aries: Impulsiveness
Taurus: Persistence
Gemini: Diffusion
Cancer: Patriotism
Leo: Leadership
Virgo: Impulsiveness
Libra: Justice
Scorpio: Investigation
Sagittarius : Honesty
Capricorn: Caution
Aquarius: Progress
Pisces: Idealism
12 Phases
Aries: Starting
Taurus: Embodying
Gemini: Connecting
Cancer: Experiencing
Leo: Awareness
Virgo: Conservation
Libra: Objectifying
Scorpio: Analyzing

Sagittarius: Encapsulating
Capricorn: The Vision
Aquarius: Planning
Pisces: Sacrificing
Critical Degrees
Aries: 1, 13, 26
Taurus: 9, 21
Gemini: 4, 17
Cancer: 1, 13, 26
Leo: 9, 21
Virgo: 4, 17
Libra: 1, 13, 26
Scorpio: 9, 21
Sagittarius: 4, 17
Capricorn: 1, 13, 26
Aquarius: 9, 21
Pisces: 4, 17