When the Stars Speak

Understanding the Signs of the Zodiac

The stars have a lot to say. They influence you every day, whether you are knowledgeable or receptive to this or not.

If you are interested in learning more about yourself and what has helped to make you who you are since birth, understanding the signs of the zodiac might be fascinating to you. Even skeptics might find themselves surprised by some of the accuracies they find while studying their signs.

If anything, it’s always fun to explore something from a different perspective. Astrology has been present for centuries and rooted in beliefs across the world.

Take a moment to analyse yourself and those close to you and see if you can uncover some truth from the stars’ alignments.

Sun Signs The most popular aspect of astrology and what you might already know is your sun sign. To figure out your sun sign all you need to know is your date of birth.

Then you can probably find the horoscope section in your local paper or online and see what sign your birth date falls within.

There are twelve signs of the zodiac, meaning that the sign that the sun was traveling through at the time of your birth is your sun sign.

The position of the sun in your birth chars governs your individuality, distinctive style, and your drive to fulfill your goals in life.

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If you are born at the very beginning or end of an astrological sign, you are on the ‘cusp.’ To be more specific, you are on a ‘cusp’ if your birthdate is within the first five days or the last five days of a sign.

If this is the case for you, you are under the influence of both signs, however, your true sun sign holds a stronger influence over you.

The twelve signs of the zodiac are:

Aries (March 21-April 19) Taurus (April 20-May 20) Gemini (May 21-June 20) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Leo (July 23-August 22) Virgo (August 23-September 22) Libra (September 23-October 22) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Your Sun Sign Explained Aries (March 21-April 19) The Ram Fire Sign Ruled by the Planet Mars Characteristics:

Leader
Energetic
Accepts challenges
Risk taker
Jealous
Impulsive
Brash

Concerned with:

Action and adventure
Asserting themselves
Competition and winning or being first
Having personal control
Courage and honesty

Taurus (April 20-May 20) The Bull Earth Sign Ruled by the Planet Venus

Characteristics:

Careful and conservative outlook
Dependable and loyal
Loving and artistic
Thorough and attentive
Stubborn
Tendency to be self-indulgent
Materialistic

Concerned with:

Beauty and romance, sentimentality
Wealth and prosperity
Nature, harmony and love of living things
Habit and organization
Cautiousness & trustworthiness

Gemini (May 21-June 20) The Twins Air Sign Ruled by the Planet Mercury Characteristics:

Youthful and quick
Inquisitive
Entertaining and charming
Inventive
Gossipy and noncommittal
Impatient and fickle
Dual personality

Concerned with:

Communication and articulation
Wit, instinct and persuasion
Intellect and education
Curiosity and exploration
Attention to details

Cancer (June 21-July 22) The Crab Water Sign Ruled by the Moon Characteristics:

Kind and compassionate
Helpful and protective
Shrewd and intuitive
Easily hurt and moody
Possessive

Concerned with:

Sensitivity and defense
Home, protection and comfort
Family and sentimentality
Money, business, and response to public need
Nurturing instincts

Leo (July 23-August 22) The Lion Fire Sign Ruled by the Sun

Characteristics:

Honest and loyal
Friendly and kind
Courageous
Sense of dignity and pride
Stubborn and arrogant
Cold-hearted when hurt

Concerned with

Pleasure, fun and playfulness
Romance and love affairs
Taking risks
Performance, drama and the limelight
Appreciation and compliments

Virgo (August 23-September 22) The Virgin Earth Sign Ruled by the Planer Mercury Characteristics:

Humane and helpful
Witty and charming
Organized and knowledgeable
Cranky and irritable
Nervous and worried

Concerned with:

Self-perfection
Altruism and responsibility
Strength of character
Logical thought and hard work
Cleanliness and Health

Libra (September 23- October 22) The Scales Air Sign Ruled by the Planet Venus Characteristics:

Good companion and sincere
Excellent mediator and negotiator
Charming and cooperative
Loving and romantic
Narcissistic
Indecisive

Concerned with:

Partnerships and relationships
Ideas, opinions, and diplomacy
Harmony and balance
Tact, argument and self-control
Rational thought

Scorpio (October 23- November 21) The Scorpion Water Sign Ruled by the Planets Mars and Pluto Characteristics:

Emotional and sensual
Protective and passionate
Compassionate and concerned
Quick tempered and suspicious
Secretive and moody

Concerned with:

Pushing the boundaries of discovery
Regeneration and transformation
Social revolution and change
Passion, life and sensuality

Sagittarius (November 22- December 21) The Archer Fire Sign Ruled by the Planet Jupiter Characteristics:

Frank and open
Sees the best in people, optimistic
Spiritual and enthusiastic
Happy-go-lucky
Happy-go-lucky
Indulgent and uncommitted

Concerned with:

Philosophy, idealism and spiritual growth
Positive outlook and optimism in forward thinking
Travel and freedom of movement
Imagination and aspirations
Wit and intellect

Capricorn (December 22- January 19) The Goat Earth Sign

Ruled by the Planet Saturn Characteristics:

Cautious and realistic
Hard working and good organization skills
Calculates risks effectively
Loyal and concerned
Egotistical and unforgiving
Anxious tendencies

Concerned with:

Practicality, realism and accomplishment
High status and good quality with success
Responsibility, difficulties and problems
Wisdom and loyalty
Sensitivity to beauty

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

The Water Bearer Air Sign Ruled by the Planet Uranus and Saturn Characteristics:

Independence of thought and action
Communicative and inventive
Intense interest in people
Communicative
Unwillingness to fight for beliefs
Uncertainty and lack of confidence

Concerned with:

Scientific analysis, experimentation and detachment
Friendship, courtesy and kindness
Eccentricity and independence
Recognition and creative arts
Mystery, intrigue and originality

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

The Fishes Water Sign Ruled by the Planet Neptune Characteristics:

Loving and caring
Shy and mystical
Understanding of others
Creative
Self-pitying
Can lose touch with reality

Concerned with:

Compassion, sympathy and love
Art, drama, music, and dance
Sensitivity and intuition
Fulfillment of life
Unusual talent, memory and wisdom

Birth Chart

Astrology for each individual goes much deeper than sun signs though, and the above descriptions just scratched the surface. Everyone has a complete birth chart.

This is the alignment of all the planets at the time of their birth. Each planet and the zodiac sign it falls within reveals varying characteristics and life traits. For example, the moon sign reveals a person’s inner emotions.

If you are interested in learning more about the signs of the zodiac, there are various online Birth Chart calculators you can use or visit a local professional.