PeiWen
15-03-2004, 10:15 AM
Horoscope columns in popular newspapers and magazines might lead you to suspect that the zodiac signs in which the Sun appears in horoscopes is of such over-riding importance that little else matters. The truth is that the zodiac signs in which the Sun appears is assigned much more importance in modern astrology than was the case in ancient times. Then, each planet (the Sun and the Moon being counted amongst the planets) signified a particular area of life as indicated in the individual birth chart. In particular, the planet that rules the ascendant (the zodiac sign rising at birth), and its sign and house position, was seen as having special significance for the individual. I believe this ancient tradition still holds true. Nevertheless there is no doubt that sun signs in horoscopes do have importance (the ancients acknowledged this too), and I offer these thumbnail sketches of the meaning of each. The twelve zodiac signs are divided into four elements: Fire - Aries, Leo and Sagittarius; Earth - Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn; Air - Gemini, Libra and Aquarius; Water - Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
Another way of classifying the zodiac signs is according to their so-called quadruplicities. The three quadruplicities can be seen as different ways of being creative. The four cardinal, Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, have in common the impetus to initiate or create, or to counter one initiative with another. The four fixed, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, are inclined to sustain or stabilise what has already been created, or to resist or practise endurance in the face of another's initiative. The four mutable, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, take what has been created and attempt to alter or adapt it.
Combine the four elements with the three quadruplicities, and we find that each of the zodiac signs has a unique combination of the two. For instance, Taurus alone is fixed earth, Sagittarius alone is mutable fire. These four links will take you to a very brief sketch of the characteristics of each element, and of the differences between each sign of that element on account of the varying quadruplicities. Each page contains links that will take you to more detailed descriptions of each of the zodiac signs, or you can go straight to the ones which interest you using the links above.
Zodiac Signs: Fire
The fire element desires freedom.
Earth
The earth element needs security.
Air
The air element (like fire but with a different emphasis) desires freedom.
Water
The water element (like earth but with a different emphasis) needs security.
copyright: Psychological Astrologer Richard Hills
Another way of classifying the zodiac signs is according to their so-called quadruplicities. The three quadruplicities can be seen as different ways of being creative. The four cardinal, Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, have in common the impetus to initiate or create, or to counter one initiative with another. The four fixed, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, are inclined to sustain or stabilise what has already been created, or to resist or practise endurance in the face of another's initiative. The four mutable, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, take what has been created and attempt to alter or adapt it.
Combine the four elements with the three quadruplicities, and we find that each of the zodiac signs has a unique combination of the two. For instance, Taurus alone is fixed earth, Sagittarius alone is mutable fire. These four links will take you to a very brief sketch of the characteristics of each element, and of the differences between each sign of that element on account of the varying quadruplicities. Each page contains links that will take you to more detailed descriptions of each of the zodiac signs, or you can go straight to the ones which interest you using the links above.
Zodiac Signs: Fire
The fire element desires freedom.
Earth
The earth element needs security.
Air
The air element (like fire but with a different emphasis) desires freedom.
Water
The water element (like earth but with a different emphasis) needs security.
copyright: Psychological Astrologer Richard Hills