I've been studying astrology for about 18 years now and it's exciting to see how many people are turning to this ancient wisdom for guidance. The zodiac signs are essentially archetypes or symbols. In Jungian psychology an archetype is: a collectively inherited unconscious idea, pattern of thought, image, etc., universally present in individual psyches (thank you dictionary.com.) As the definition implies, these symbols are present in everyone (in each person's psyche.) The zodiac signs and the planets in our solar system reflect things back to us since in a sense they are us and we are them. It's all connected - everything in this Universe exists together. Just like a recent video I watched on a talk with Sadhguru - half of a human's breathing apparatus exists outside of the physical body. As we exhale, the trees inhale and vice versa. Each person contains all 12 zodiac signs within them to varying degrees. A birth chart (a picture of the sky based upon the date, time and location of your birth) will reveal the way each sign is expressed through you depending upon the house that it falls in and depending upon the location of the planets. Below is a list of the zodiac signs and what they symbolize. Feel free to save this article for quick reference.
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ARIES - THE WARRIOR
Aries is a fire sign, ruled by Mars and has a yang or masculine charge. Some adjectives that describe Aries are: bold, confident, spontaneous, high-energy, active, dominant, independent. Aries is a cardinal sign (its mode is to move through the world as a leader) and it is often a catalyst for change and growth. Aries rules will, determination, drive, raw energy, independence.
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TAURUS - THE WORKER
Taurus is an earth sign, ruled by Venus and has a yin or feminine charge. Some adjectives that describe Taurus are: steady, dependable, stable, tenacious, determined, practical, productive. Taurus is a fixed sign (its mode is to move through the world as a stabilizer and manifestor.) Taurus rules the physical domain - sensual pleasures, physical objects, the body and money.
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GEMINI - THE COMMUNICATOR
Gemini is an air sign, ruled by Mercury and has a yang or masculine charge. Some adjectives that describe Gemini are: talkative, communicative, curious, intellectual, out-going, amiable and dynamic. Gemini is a mutual sign (its mode is to move through the world as adaptable, changeable and flexible.) Gemini oversees the media, technology, information, friends, siblings, short trips.
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CANCER - THE MOTHER
Cancer is a water sign, ruled by the Moon and has a yin or feminine charge. Some adjectives that describe Cancer are: moody, sentimental, nostalgic, emotional, compassionate, intuitive, receptive. Cancer is a cardinal sign (its mode is to move through the world as a leader or catalyst.) Cancer rules the home, comfort, security and maternal energy.
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LEO - THE DIVA
Leo is a fire sign, ruled by the Sun and has a yang or masculine charge. Some adjectives that describe Leo are: vivacious, passionate, bold, fun, expressive, playful, creative, dramatic. Leo is a fixed sign (its mode is to move through the world as a stabilizer and manifestor.) Leo rules creativity, children, theater, dating and romance.
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VIRGO - THE PURIFIER
Virgo is an earth sign, ruled by Mercury and has a yin or feminine charge. Some adjectives that describe Virgo are: clean, organized, meticulous, logical, practical, helpful. Virgo is a mutable sign (its mode is to move through the world as adaptable, changeable and flexible.) Virgo rules health, wellness, healthcare, daily work, organization and perfection.
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LIBRA - THE MEDIATOR
Libra is an air sign, ruled by Venus and has a yang or masculine charge. Some adjectives that describe Libra are: balanced, beautiful, peace-loving, relationship-oriented, thoughtful, fair, cooperative, collaborative. Libra is a cardinal sign (its mode is to move through the world as a leader or catalyst.) Libra rules legal matters, relationships, business partners, justice and harmony.
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SCORPIO - THE SHAMAN
Scorpio is a water sign, ruled by Pluto and has a yin or feminine charge. Some adjectives that describe Scorpio are: intense, deep, tenacious, perceptive, intuitive, motivated, secretive. Scorpio is a fixed sign (its mode is to move through the world as a stabilizer and manifestor). Scorpio rules death, rebirth, transformation, the occult, secrets, taxes, inheritance.
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SAGITTARIUS - THE EXPLORER
Sagittarius is a fire sign, ruled by Jupiter and has a yang or masculine charge. Some adjectives that describe Sagittarius are: optimistic, worldly, generous, honest, freedom-loving, philosophical, spiritual. Sagittarius is a mutable sign (its mode is to move through the world as adaptable, changeable, flexible.) Sagittarius rules world travel, higher education, philosophy, politics, religion, truth seeking.
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CAPRICORN - THE FATHER
Capricorn is an earth sign, ruled by Saturn and has a yin or feminine charge. Some adjectives that describe Capricorn are: ambitious, practical, stable, organized, serious, mature, capable, orderly. Capricorn is a cardinal sign (its mode is to move through the world as a leader or catalyst.) Capricorn rules business, career, life purpose, structure, foundation, the passage of time and paternal energy.
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AQUARIUS - THE VISIONARY
Aquarius is an air sign, ruled by Uranus and has a yang or masculine charge. Some adjectives that describe Aquarius are: eccentric, forward-thinking, democratic, progressive, independent, unique, genius. Aquarius is a fixed sign (its mode is to move through the world as a stabilizer and manifestor.) Aquarius rules groups, teams, humanitarian endeavors, the future, innovation.
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PISCES - THE HEALER
Pisces is a water sign, ruled by Neptune and has a yin or feminine charge. Some adjectives that describe Pisces are: mystical, imaginative, sensitive, compassionate, artistic, ethereal. Pisces is a mutable sign (its mode is to move through the world as adaptable, changeable and flexible.) Pisces rules spirituality, solitude, dreams, symbols, altered states of consciousness, addiction.