According toastrology, celestial phenomena relate to human activity on the principle of "as above, so below", so that the signs are held to represent characteristic modes of expression.[6] Scientific astronomyused the same sectors of the ecliptic as Western astrology until the 19th century.
Various approaches to measuring and dividing the sky are currently used by differing systems of astrology, although the tradition of the Zodiac's names and symbols remain mostly consistent. Western astrology measures fromEquinox andSolstice points (points relating to equal, longest, and shortest days of thetropical year), whileHindu astrology measures along the equatorial plane (sidereal year).
The twelve ecliptic signs. Each dot marks the start of a sign and they are separated by 30°. The intersection of the celestial equator and the ecliptic define the equinoctial points: First Point of Aries () and First Point of Libra (). Thegreat circle containing the celestial poles and the ecliptic poles (P and P′), intersect the ecliptic at 0° Cancer () and 0° Capricorn (). In this illustration, the Sun is schematically positioned at the start of Aquarius ().
Western astrology is a direct continuation ofHellenistic astrology as recorded in Ptolemy'sTetrabiblos in the 2nd century. Hellenistic astrology in turn was partly based on concepts fromBabylonian tradition. Specifically, the division of the ecliptic in twelve equal sectors is a Babylonian conceptual construction.[7] This division of the ecliptic originated in the Babylonian "ideal calendar" found in the old compendiumMUL.APIN and its combination with the Babylonianlunar calendar,[8] represented as the "path of the moon" in MUL.APIN. In a way, the zodiac is the idealisation of an ideal lunar calendar.
By the 4th century BC, Babylonian astronomy and its system of celestial omens influenced the culture ofancient Greece, as did the astronomy of Egypt by late 2nd century BC. This resulted, unlike the Mesopotamian tradition, in a strong focus on the birth chart of the individual and the creation ofHoroscopic astrology, employing the use of theAscendant (the rising degree of the ecliptic, at the time of birth), and of the twelvehouses. Association of the astrological signs withEmpedocles' four classicalelements was another important development in the characterization of the twelve signs.
The body of the Hellenistic astrological tradition as it stood by the 2nd century is described inPtolemy'sTetrabiblos. This is the seminal work for later astronomical tradition not only in the West but also in India and the Islamic sphere and has remained a reference for almost seventeen centuries as later traditions made few substantial changes to its core teachings.
Western astrological correspondence chart
The following table shows the approximate dates of the twelve astrological signs, along with the classical[9] and modern[10] rulerships of each sign. By definition,Aries starts at theFirst Point of Aries which is the location of the Sun at theMarch equinox. The precise date of the Equinox varies from year to year but is always between 19 March and 21 March. The consequence is the start date of Aries and therefore the start date of all the other signs can change slightly from year to year. The following Western astrology table enumerates the twelve divisions of celestial longitude with the Latin names. The longitudeintervals, are treated as closed for the first endpoint (a) and open for the second (b) – for instance, 30° of longitude is the first point of Taurus, not part of Aries. The signs are occasionally numbered 0 through 11 in place of symbols in astronomical works.
The twelve signs are positioned in a circular pattern, creating a pattern of oppositions related to different philosophically polarized attributes. Fire and air elements are generally 180 degrees opposed in Western astrology, as well as earth and water elements.[12] Not all systems of astrology have four elements, notably the Sepher Yetzirah describes only three elements emanating from a central divine source.[13] Spring signs are opposite to autumn ones, winter signs are opposite to summer ones and vice versa.[14][15][16][17]
Aries is opposite to Libra
Taurus is opposite to Scorpio
Gemini is opposite to Sagittarius
Cancer is opposite to Capricorn
Leo is opposite to Aquarius
Virgo is opposite to Pisces
Polarity
InWestern astrology, the polarity divides the zodiac in half and refers to the alignment of a sign'senergy as either positive or negative, with various attributes associated to them as a result.[18]Positive polarity signs, also called active, yang, expressive, or masculine signs, are the six odd-numbered signs of the zodiac:Aries,Gemini,Leo,Libra,Sagittarius, andAquarius. Positive signs make up the fire and air triplicities.[19][20]Negative polarity signs, also called passive, yin, receptive, or feminine signs,[19] are the six even-numbered signs of the zodiac:Taurus,Cancer,Virgo,Scorpio,Capricorn, andPisces. Negative signs make up the earth and water triplicities.[20]
The three modalities
The modality or mode of a given sign refers to its position in theseason it is found in. Each of the four elements manifests in three modalities:cardinal,fixed, andmutable.[21] Since each modality comprehends four signs, they are also known as Quadruplicities.[22][23] For example, the signAries is found in the first month of spring in theNorthern Hemisphere, so practitioners of astrology describe it as having a cardinal modality.[24] The combination of element and modality provides the signs with their unique characterizations. For instance, Capricorn is the cardinal earth sign, impressing its association with action (cardinal modality) in the material world (earth element).[25][26][27]
The planets' sign positions on May 16, 2012. The signs are colored according to the associated element. Each planet is represented by aglyph next to its longitude within the sign. Additional symbols may be added to representapparent retrograde motion (℞), or apparent stationary moment (shift from retrograde to direct, or vice versa: S).
The Greek philosopherEmpedocles identified fire, earth, air, and water aselements in the fifth-century BC. He explained the nature of the universe as an interaction of two opposing principles, love and strife, which manipulate the elements into different mixtures that produce the different natures of things. He stated all the elements are equal, the same age, rule their own provinces, and possess their own individual character. Empedocles said that those born with nearly equal proportions of the elements are more intelligent and have the most exact perceptions.[31][32]
The elemental categories are called triplicities because eachclassical element is associated with three signs[22][23] The four astrological elements are also considered as a direct equivalent toHippocrates' personality types (sanguine = air; choleric = fire; melancholic = earth; phlegmatic = water). A modern approach looks at elements as "the energy substance of experience"[33] and the next table tries to summarize their description through keywords.[34][35] The elements have grown in importance and some astrologers beginnatal chart interpretations by studying the balance of elements in the location ofplanets (especially the Sun's and Moon's ascendant signs) and the position ofangles in the chart.[36]
A traditional belief of astrology, known asessential dignity, is the idea that the Sun, Moon, and planets are more powerful and effective in some signs than others because the basic nature of both is held to be in harmony. By contrast, they are held to find some signs to be weak or difficult to operate in because their natures are thought to be in conflict. These categories are Dignity, Detriment, Exaltation, and Fall.
Dignity andDetriment: Aplanet is strengthened ordignified if it falls within the sign that it rules. In other words, it is said to exerciseRulership of the sign. For example, the Moon in Cancer is considered "strong" (well-dignified). If a planet is in the sign opposite which it rules (or is dignified in), it is said to be weakened or inDetriment (for example, the Moon in Capricorn). This may also be termed a "debility".[40]
In traditional astrology, other levels of Dignity are recognised in addition to Rulership. These are known as Exaltation,Triplicity,Terms or bounds, and Face orDecan, which together are known as describing a planet'sEssential dignity, the quality or ability of one's true nature.[40]
Exaltation andFall: A planet is also strengthened when it is in its sign ofexaltation. In traditional horary astrology, this denotes a dignity just less than rulership. Exaltation was considered to give the planet's significance(s) the dignity of an honoured guest: the centre of attention but constrained in power. Examples of planets in their Exaltation are: Saturn (Libra), Sun (Aries), Venus (Pisces), Moon (Taurus), Mercury (Virgo, although some disagree with this classification), Mars (Capricorn), Jupiter (Cancer). A planet in the opposite sign of this is in itsfall, and thus weakened, perhaps more than Detriment.[40] There is discord as to the signs in which the two extra-Saturnian planets may be considered to be exalted.[41]
Planetary positions in Western astrology
Planet (Symbol)
in dignity
in detriment
in exaltation
at fall
Sun ()
Leo
Aquarius
Aries
Libra
Moon ()
Cancer
Capricorn
Taurus
Scorpio
Mercury ()
Gemini and Virgo
Sagittarius and Pisces
Virgo
Pisces
Venus ()
Libra and Taurus
Aries and Scorpio
Pisces
Virgo
Mars ()
Aries and Scorpio
Libra and Taurus
Capricorn
Cancer
Jupiter ()
Sagittarius and Pisces
Gemini and Virgo
Cancer
Capricorn
Saturn ()
Capricorn and Aquarius
Cancer and Leo
Libra
Aries
In addition to essential dignity, the traditional astrologer considersAccidental dignity of planets. This is placement byhouse in the chart under examination. Accidental dignity is the planet's "ability to act". So we might have, for example, Moon in Cancer, dignified by rulership, is placed in the 12th house it would have little scope to express its good nature.[42] The twelfth is a cadent house as are the third, sixth and ninth and planets in these houses are considered weak or afflicted. On the other hand, Moon in the first, fourth, seventh, or 10th would be more able to act as these are Angular houses. Planets in Succedent houses of the chart (second, fifth, eighth, eleventh) are generally considered to be of medium ability to act. Besides Accidental Dignity, there are a range ofAccidental Debilities, such as retrogradation, Under the Sun's Beams, Combust, and so forth.
Equirectangular plot of declination vs right ascension of the modern constellations with a dotted line denoting the ecliptic. Constellations are colour-coded by family and year established.(detailed view)
Each sign can be divided into three 10° sectors known as decans or decanates, though these have fallen into disuse. The first decanate is said to be most emphatically of its own nature and is ruled by the sign ruler.[43] The next decanate is sub-ruled by the planet ruling the next sign in the same triplicity. The last decanate is sub-ruled by the next in order in the same triplicity.[44]
While the element and modality of a sign are together sufficient to define it, they can be grouped to indicate their symbolism. The first four signs, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer, form the group of personal signs. The next four signs, Leo, Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio form the group of interpersonal signs. The last four signs of the zodiac, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces, form the group of transpersonal signs.[45]
Dane Rudhyar presented the tropical zodiac primary factors,[46] used in the curriculum of the RASA School of Astrology. The tropical zodiac is the zodiac of seasonal factors as opposed to the sidereal zodiac (constellation factors). The primary seasonal factors are based on the changing ratio of sunlight and darkness across the year. The first factor is whether the chosen time falls in the half of the year when daylight is increasing, or the half of the year when darkness is increasing. The second factor is whether the chosen time falls in the half of the year when there is more daylight than darkness, or the half when there is more darkness than daylight. The third factor is which of the four seasons the chosen time falls in, defined by the first two factors. Thus[47][48]
Thespring season is when daylight is increasing and there is more daylight than darkness.
Thesummer season is when darkness is increasing and there is more daylight than darkness.
Theautumn season is when darkness is increasing and there is more darkness than daylight.
Thewinter season is when daylight is increasing and there is more darkness than daylight.
In Indian astrology, there are five elements: fire, earth(Land), air, water, and ether. The master of fire is Mars, while Mercury is of land, Saturn of air, Venus of water, and Jupiter of ether.
Jyotisha recognises twelve zodiac signs (Rāśi),[49] that correspond to those in Western astrology. The relation of the signs to the elements is the same in the two systems.
Anakshatra (Devanagari: नक्षत्र,Sanskritnakshatra, a metaphoricalcompound ofnaksha- 'map/chart', andtra- 'guard'), orlunar mansion, is one of the 27 divisions of the sky identified by prominent star(s), as used inHindu astronomy andastrology (Jyotisha).[50] "Nakshatra" in Sanskrit, Kannada, Tulu and Tamil and Prakrit also, thus, it refers to stars themselves.
Chinese astrological signs operate on cycles of years, lunar months, and two-hour periods of the day (also known asshichen). A particular feature of the Chinese zodiac is its operation in a60-year cycle in combination with theFive Phases ofChinese astrology (Wood,Fire,Metal,Water andEarth).[51]Nevertheless, some researches say that there is an obvious relationship between the Chinese 12-year cycle and zodiac constellations: each year of the cycle corresponds to a certain disposal of Jupiter. For example, in the year ofSnake Jupiter is in the Sign of Gemini, in the year ofHorse Jupiter is in the Sign of Cancer and so on. So the Chinese 12-year calendar is a solar-lunar-jovian calendar.
Zodiac symbolism
The following table shows the twelve signs and their attributes.
Chart showing the 24 cardinal directions and the symbols of the sign associated with them.
InChinese astrology, the zodiac of twelve animal signs represents twelve different types of personality. The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of theRat, and there are many stories about theOrigins of the Chinese Zodiac which explain why this is so. When the twelve zodiac signs are part of the 60-year calendar in combination with the four elements, they are traditionally called the twelveEarthly Branches. The Chinese zodiac follows thelunisolarChinese calendar[52] and thus the "changeover" days in a month (when one sign changes to another sign) vary each year. The following are the twelve zodiac signs in order.[53]
子Rat (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Water):Rat years include 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032. TheRat also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theRat are 11pm – 1am.
丑Ox (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Earth:[54]Ox years include 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033. TheOx also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theOx are 1am – 3am.
寅Tiger (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Wood):Tiger years include 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034. TheTiger also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theTiger are 3am – 5am.
卯Rabbit (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Wood):Rabbit Years include 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035. TheRabbit also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theRabbit are 5am – 7am.
辰Dragon (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Earth[54]):Dragon years include 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036. TheDragon also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theDragon are 7am – 9am.
巳Snake (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Fire):Snake years include 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037. TheSnake also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theSnake are 9am – 11am.
午Horse (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Fire):Horse years include 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038. TheHorse also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theHorse are 11am – 1pm.
未Goat (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Earth[54]):Goat years include 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039. TheGoat also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theGoat are 1pm – 3pm.
申Monkey (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Metal):Monkey years include 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040. TheMonkey also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theMonkey are 3pm – 5pm.
酉Rooster (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Metal):Rooster years include 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041. TheRooster also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theRooster are 5pm – 7pm.
戌Dog (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Earth[54]):Dog years include 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042. TheDog also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of theDog are 7pm – 9pm.
亥Pig (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Water):Pig years include 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043. ThePig also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of thePig are 9pm – 11pm.
The five elements
Wood: The wood person has high morals, is self-confident, expansive and co-operative, with wide and varied interests and idealistic goals. The direction associated with Wood is East, and the season is spring, which makes it the fixed element for the animal signsTiger andRabbit.[54]
Fire: The fire person has leadership qualities, dynamic passion, and is decisive, self-confident, positive, and assertive. The direction associated with Fire is South, and the season is summer, which makes it the fixed element for the animal signsSnake andHorse.[54]
Earth: The earth person is serious, logical and methodical, intelligent, objective and good at planning. The direction associated with Earth is Center. The season for Earth is the changeover point of the four seasons. It is the fixed element for the animal signsOx,Dragon,Goat andDog.[54]
Metal: The metal person is sincere, has fixed values and opinions, is strong of will, and has eloquence of speech. The direction associated with Metal is West. The season for Metal is Autumn. It is the fixed element for the animal signsMonkey andRooster.[54]
Water: The water person is persuasive, intuitive, and empathetic. The water person is objective and often sought out for their counsel. The direction associated with water is North. The season for Water is Winter. It is the fixed element for the animal signsRat andPig.[54]
The five elements operate together with the twelve animal signs in a60-year calendar. The five elements appear in the calendar in both their yin and yang forms and are known as the tenHeavenly Stems. The yin/yang split seen in theGregorian calendar means years that end in an even number are Yang (representing masculine, active, and light), those that end with an odd number are Yin (representing feminine, passive and darkness), subject to Chinese New Year having passed.[54]
^Sven Ove Hansson; Edward N. Zalta."Science and Pseudo-Science".Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved6 July 2012.There is widespread agreement for instance that creationism, astrology, homeopathy, Kirlian photography, dowsing, ufology, ancient astronaut theory, Holocaust denialism, Velikovskian catastrophism, and climate change denialism are pseudosciences.
^Vishveshwara (1989). S.K. Biswas; D.C.V. Mallik; C.V. Vishveshwara (eds.).Cosmic Perspectives: Essays Dedicated to the Memory of M.K.V. Bappu (1. publ. ed.). Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.ISBN978-0-521-34354-1.
^Sachs (1948), p. 289.Isolated references to celestial "signs" in Sumerian sources are insufficient to speak of a Sumerian zodiac, see Rochberg (1998), p.ix.
^Hoffmann, Susanne M. (2017).Hipparchs Himmelsglobus: ein Bindeglied in der babylonisch-griechischen Astrometrie?. Wiesbaden: Springer Spektrum.ISBN978-3-658-18683-8.OCLC992119256.
^abCarol Wills (2007)."Rulerships".Astrology Now. Archived fromthe original on 2020-10-28. Retrieved2007-11-29.
^abvan Rooij, Jan J. F. (1993). "Introversion-Extraversion: astrology versus psychology".Department of Psychology, University of Leiden, the Netherlands.16 (6):985–988.doi:10.1016/0191-8869(94)90243-7.
^"Accidental Dignity".www.gotohoroscope.com. Astrological Dictionary 1998–2007. 26 November 2007.Archived from the original on 3 January 2008. Retrieved29 November 2007.
Sachs, Abraham (1948), "A Classification of the Babylonian Astronomical Tablets of the Seleucid Period",Journal of Cuneiform Studies, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 271–290.doi:10.2307/3515929.JSTOR3515929.
Sutton, Komilla (1999).The Essentials of Vedic Astrology. England: The Wessex Astrologer Ltd.
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