Astrology 101: What Does it Really Mean?



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The term, "What's your sign," is ultimately derived from astrology, the study of the movement of the stars in the sky and how those positions can affect humans. One's sign is determined by the way in which the stars were positioned in the sky when they were born. There are 12 signs that last about a month, depending upon the year. For example, a person born April 6th would be an Aries, the first of sign of the zodiac. Above is a chart of each astrological sign, the corresponding dates, the symbol associated with each, and the season in which they occur. If one is born between a sign, for example, April 20th, (which would be right at the end of Aries, but the beginning of Taurus) then they are said to be on the cusp. This means they could very well possess traits of each sign.

All signs, from Aries to Pisces, have corresponding traits that give a general, let me emphasize, general idea of what a person will be like upon meeting. Of course, these traits can vary depending on other factors, which I will get into at a later time. For instance, Virgos are known for being analytical and reserved, Cancers for being moody and emotional, and Libras for being friendly and fair. Again, these are very general and do not detail the many facets of one’s personality. Each sign is also divided into an element group: earth, fire, air, and water. There are three signs in each element; the signs in these elements share common characteristics and usually understand and get along with each other very well. 



Photo provided by Google Images


Pictured above is the symbol for Pisces, which is two intertwined fish.
Each sign has a corresponding symbol that details a certain quality it
possesses. It makes sense that fish would be used as Pisces is a water sign.



The element of fire contains Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. All are known for being outgoing, freedom-loving, temperamental, and are feelers more than thinkers. This simply means they are not analytical and go with their emotions and a sense of skin; they do not rationalize. Earth signs, Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, are the rationalizers. Unlike fire signs, they are not usually emotional, viewing emotion as a weakness. They are reserved, calm, practical, patient, and reasonable. The element of Air is comprised of the signs Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra, which are also analytical, but in a way different from Earth.  These signs are very communicative and social; they are objective and rational and crave their freedom above all else. Water signs, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, are described as quite emotional; these signs are marked by a moodiness that is caused by their ever-changing emotions. They tend to put the needs of others before themselves and can often retreat into their own private worlds when the life becomes too much for them. They can also be social, but not to the extent of a fire or air sign.