Introduction to the Signs

As we begin the discussion of the signs used in astrology, it is important to note that you have all the signs somewhere in your astrological make-up. Though most folks know of only their Sun Sign, that is actually only one of many different aspects of your personal natal chart.

There are twelve signs, and each takes up 30° of the area of sky around the Earth and solar system that is called the Zodiac. If you do the math, 30 X 12 = 360, so the twelve signs make a circle. You will notice that most natal charts are circular for this reason. The signs are the outermost portion of the Zodiac, so think of it as everything else falling in the signs. Where you were at birth is the center of the natal chart and the houses and planets then fall in between you and the signs.

As I mentioned in the last article, the signs are not actual constellations in tropical western astrology. Instead, they are sections of sky that were named after constellations and related to the myths behind their names. Surprise: other than a growing minority group of astrologers who actually study the fixed stars and their place in astrology, tropical western astrology, except for the use of our Sun, has absolutely nothing to do with stars! It is popular to say, "What's in the stars?" or "star-crossed lovers," but this is just another common misconception about astrology that has been passed on for years and years. Another tip: If an astrologer ever promotes that they can tell you "what's in the stars for you," you can be pretty rest assured that it is a gimmick. They'd like your money but you probably won't get much back from them! This is not to put down the astrologers who use fixed stars, or heliocentric astrology. Much to the contrary. Most of those folks actually wouldn't be using the catch-phrases to begin with, as their mode of study is quite intense, and most would like to see more seriousness in astrology.

We went through how the signs are broken down, and over the next few weeks we will go through their symbolism as well. It is important to note first, however, to not run to read just your Sun Sign, but to read them all. Each and every one will fall someplace in your personality and psychology, though some will likely be more prominent than others. First, we will go through the categories the signs fall in, then we will split them into three per article, so you will have them all in the passing of a month! Keep in mind as we go this one thing: The signs are a description...they are the adjective or adverb in astrology. The signs describe the planets and the houses!

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