Understanding Astrology

Basic astrology
The first thing that the would-be astrologer should do is discard the idea that all forms of astrology is superstition mingled with the paranormal which can only be understood by mystics steeped in occult lore. Today, some astrology is presented this way, but this is not true "traditional astrology". Did you know that Astrology was considered science in man's early history? And some still do,with good reason (you will find out why later). Also until just a short time ago it was considered the same as astronomy, an extension of it if you will, and uses the same tables as do the astronomer and the navigator.

Do not expect that horoscopes (from anyone at all) tells you your irreversible future!. We are not lame puppets dangling on some mad God's string! Though God knows our future, rest assured we have not been stripped of our free will! Astrology only tells us tendency, personality and probability. Though these are very strong and WILL occur if unchecked, it is still not the end all and be all. What astrologers try to do is to describe tendencies in the characters of individuals, to suggest dangers, challenges and opportunities which may come to them, and to advise how to react to those circumstances when they do arrive.

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The Dates of the Astrological Signs , the "Zodiac"

Although we are use to our year beginning on January 1, it was only in the middle of the eighteenth century that it was decided that the year should begin then. Before then December 25 began the year, and after the Conquest of the Normans, March 25 became New Year's Day. It was this way until 1752. The first sign of the zodiac, Aries, was placed at the beginning of the year from the spring equinox, March 21. The others were assigned accordingly as shown below. Each sign was given characteristics of its own.

The dates assigned to the signs of the zodiac are as follows, although different "astrologers" assign slightly different dates, the ones who use the constellations use significantly different dates. The table below gives the dates and the most usual variations of each sign. The approximate dates between which the sun appears in the constellation each year are shown. Neither the signs nor the constellations change places at exactly midnight sharp GMT on the dates given below, so at the beginning or end of each period you may see a variation of up to a day.

An individual born into the main portion of any of the periods below, can say with safety that they are a Gemini or a Leo, etc. But if your nativity took place on one of the borderline dates (know as a "cusp") you will need to know the exact time and latitude/longitude of the event to be certain which is your exact Sun sign (as it is called).

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Click the Zodiac sign name for information about each sign.

Characteristics of the Signs

In addition to the individual characteristics listed on these pages, the signs of the zodiac are classified in three other ways. Each is either positive "masculine",(spontaneous and self-expressive) or negative "feminine" (withdrawn and passive).; each is assigned one of the four principle elements of fire (Fire is lively and aggressive), air (Air is lively in mind and fluent in expression), earth (Earth is matter-of-fact and controlled), and water (Water is sensitive and intuitive). These are known as the triplices. Fire, air, earth and water. Triplicity? there are four not three? "Triplicity" meaning triplicate or three, because there are three zodiac signs for each element. Each sign is either cardinal, fixed or mutable (the quadruplices because there are four zodiac signs to each one). The qualities of cardinal, fixed and mutable are respectively, initiative(cardinal), steadfastness(fixed), and changeableness, adaptability(mutable). Can you see a connection? steadfast is fixed and changeableness is "mutable"? Most all things in astrology form "logical" connections.

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TIP: look for these logical connections, it will make memorization easier, as well as understanding deeper.

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The table below lists their characteristics.

There is far, far more to astrology then is listed here. The information above is supplemented by information throughout the rest of this site. I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my little site so far! Please continue, your stop will not be complete without viewing the other points of interest here!

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