Here at Numerologist.com our focus of course, is numbers. But as some of you know, both Roy and I are also well-versed in Astrology. And if you’re anything like us, you too are fascinated with more than one system of divination.

Here at Numerologist.com our focus of course, is numbers. But as some of you know, both Roy and I are also well-versed in Astrology. And if you’re anything like us, you too are fascinated with more than one system of divination.

This is why I thought it would be fun for me – and hopefully, super-helpful for you – to offer you a monthly Astrology post. Here’s where I’ll elaborate on a specific aspect of astrology each month in order to help you gradually build an understanding of this ancient system of knowing.

To begin, I’d like to focus on the broadest topic: Zodiac Astrology. What is Zodiac Astrology and how can you gain insight into yourself using it?

The term ‘Zodiac Astrology’ refers to a particular element of astrology. Specifically, it’s the 12 signs that make up the circle, or Zodiac Wheel. This circle of 12, 30° (30-degree) segments, is a kind of celestial coordinating system, based on the apparent path of the sun over the course of a year, across the ‘celestial sphere’ as we perceive it from here on Earth.

Technical concepts aside, this system was developed by the Babylonians almost 3,000 years ago, at a time when astrology and astronomy were not seen as separate systems of study.

Today we see zodiac astrology most commonly in newspapers and many magazines, where simple, ‘horoscope’ forecasts are offered, based solely on your sun sign and how it relates to the transits and aspects of planets in our solar system.

If ‘reading your horoscope’ is the extend of your astro-knowledge right now, please understand … there is much, much more to this complex and ancient system of divination than that!

There’s a whole lot more to astrology than simply what sign the sun was in at the moment of your birth. In fact, to be well-versed in this ancient divination system, you would know about the sun, moon and all the planets in our solar system. You’d know about the houses, signs and aspects, retrograde motions, progressions and transits.

And it’s my aim with this column, to get you well on your way to knowing all of these things But I want to be sure you enjoy the journey. That’s why you’ll find the list below pretty simple to start. I want you to have a solid foundation to build on, and that means one layer of info at a time!

From those early days in Babylon until today, the study of astrology has continued, with much more involved than simply zodiac sun signs (the sign location of the sun at the moment of someone’s birth). But in order to really use astrology for greater self-understanding, knowledge of the zodiac signs is essential. So in this, our first astro-blog post, let’s have a brief look at each of the 12 …

Aries is the 1st sign in our zodiac wheel. It’s symbol is the Ram. Its qualities are associated with the 1st house (the 1st 30 degrees). Another way of saying this is that Aries is the ‘natural ruler’ of the 1st house. Aries carries the elemental quality of Fire. The Sun is in Aries* between March 21-April 19 each year.

Taurus is the 2nd sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the Bull. It is the natural ruler of the 2nd house and it’s elemental quality is Earth. The Sun is in Taurus* between April 20-May 20 each year.

Gemini is the 3rd sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the Twins. It is the natural ruler of the 3rd house and it’s elemental quality is Air. The Sun is in Gemini* between May 21-June 20 each year.

Cancer is the 4th sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the Crab. It is the natural ruler of the 4th house and it’s elemental quality is Water. The Sun is in Cancer* between June 21-July 22 each year.

Leo is the 5th sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the Lion. It is the natural ruler of the 5th house and it’s elemental quality is Fire. The Sun is in Leo* between July 23-August 22 each year.

Virgo is the 6th sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the Virgin. It is the natural ruler of the 6th house and it’s elemental quality is Earth. The Sun is in Virgo* between August 23-September 22 each year.

Libra is the 7th sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the Scales. It is the natural ruler of the 7th house and it’s elemental quality is Air. The Sun is in Libra* between September 23-October 22 each year.

Scorpio is the 8th sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the Scorpion. It is the natural ruler of the 8th house and it’s elemental quality is Water. The Sun is in Scorpio* between October 23-November 21 each year.

Sagittarius is the 9th sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the Archer. It is the natural ruler of the 9th house and it’s elemental quality is Fire. The Sun is in Sagittarius* between November 22-December 21 each year.

Capricorn is the 10th sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the Goat. It is the natural ruler of the 10th house and it’s elemental quality is Earth. The Sun is in Capricorn* between December 22-January 19 each year.

Aquarius is the 11th sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the Water-Bearer. It is the natural ruler of the 11th house and it’s elemental quality is Air. The Sun is in Aquarius* between January 20-February 18 each year.

Pisces is the 12th sign of the zodiac. It’s symbol is the 2 Fish. It is the natural ruler of the 12th house and it’s elemental quality is Water. The Sun is in Pisces* between February 19-March 20 each year.

*These dates are approximate and can change from year to year – especially during leap years!

If you’re new to astrology, this monthly post is designed to take you, step-by-step, through the basic elements. In this way, you’ll learn exactly the way I did – by beginning with the simplest elements, applying them to your own chart, and then moving on to learn more. In time, you’ll be amazed at how much you understand about both yourself and the correlation of energies reflected by the planets, signs, houses and aspects!

Tropical astrology

Tropical astrology

Tropical Astrology is the old astrological division of the sky. When the Zodiac was invented, the position of the constellations were written down. But since then, the whole Zodiac has shifted almost a whole sign due to the Precession, so whoever was once born a Virgo, is now probably born a Leo - with the personality changes that come with it. Tropical Astrology ignores this, and keeps using the old tables - which have nothing to do with where the planets actually are in the sky.

Sidereal Astrology acknowledges the problem with the shifting signs, but digs itself deeper into the ludicrous: The more sidereal astrologers try to follow the real division of the sky, the more they are distancing themselves from the old wisdom. Sidereal astrologers cannot claim to build on ancient knowledge, but have to change the signs and characteristics over time. They are in turn making the whole concept of Astrology invalid. The real astronomical signs are a few days off from the Sidereal system by now - so not even Sidereal Astrology is using the correct star signs.

Sidereal astrology uses the actual constellation in which the sun is located at the moment of birth as its basis; tropical astrology uses a 30-degree sector of the zodiac as its basis. Tropical astrology is the most popular form and it assigns its readings based on the time of the year, while generally ignoring the positions of the sun and constellations relative to each other. Sidereal astrology is used by a minority of astrologers and bases its readings on the constellations near the sun at the time of birth.

According to some astrologers, the data support the hypothesis that there is a connection between heavenly bodies and human events. There are correlations too synchronous to be mere chance between astrological signs and such things as personality, emotions and human destiny.

Greeks – fundamental astrology

Greeks – fundamental astrology

Greek astrology is often, and more properly, referred to as Hellenistic astrology. It actually originated in Egypt at some point after the conquest by Alexander the Great and the beginning of the Christian era. Hellenistic astrology also comprises Byzantine and Roman astrology. It’s therefore more a reference to the general geographic area and an era in history, rather than to one particular society or culture.

While Hellenistic astrology can’t be linked to any one individual or culture, it is the root of all modern, or Western astrology. There are numerous documents written in Greek, although some are written in Latin, that are devoted to natal astrology. This is the branch of astrology that concerns the individual. Part of the reason that it’s difficult to source these documents to any one individual or culture is that they span a period of time of about 800 years.

But that doesn’t mean that important Greek philosophers and scientists haven’t been part of the development of astrology. Hippocrates used astrological interpretations as part of his medical diagnostic system. Pythagoras studied in Egypt, and while nothing in writing exists of Pythagoras’ theories, he is attributed with stating that the Earth, Planets and fixed stars revolved around the sun, thousands of years before Galileo! Later though, his theory was refuted by Aristotle who declared that the Earth was the centre of the world.

Following Alexander’s conquest of Mesopotamia, Greek astrology began to take on a more personal approach. The Zodiac and planets being made to correspond to figures from their mythology; the Stoic philosophers are especially receptive to astrology. Greek astrology influences the metaphysical astrology of India. In approximately 70 BCE, the Greeks devised the first personal horoscope based on time of birth and in 30 BCE, the Emperor Augustus had his horoscope charted and interpreted by Thrasyllus.

Elements in astrology

Elements in astrology

Groups of signs in astrology share certain characteristics that are classified according to four earthly elements – fire, air, water and earth. It helps explain why some signs are more compatible than others.

The Fire signs are Aries (March 21 to April 19), Leo (July 23 to August 22) and Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21). Fire people are leaders, dynamic. They light up everything around them. Because Fire needs Air to exist, Fire signs are most compatible with the Air signs. Water is anathema to Fire and a Water person could try to dampen the dynamism and enthusiasm that defines Fire.

The Air signs are Aquarius (January 20 to February 18), Gemini (May 21 to June 21) and Libra (September 23 – October 22). These are the idea signs, the air that breathes a spark into a flame. They can’t be tied down. They require freedom of movement and thought.

The water signs of Cancer (June 22 to July22), Scorpio (October 23 to November 21) and Pisces (February 19 to March 20) are characterized by the phrase still waters run deep. They’re emotional and sensitive, given to deep thoughts and conversations. Just as water can blur an image or hide secrets within its depths, so do Water signs have secretive emotions and abilities. The Water signs are most compatible with Earth signs.

The Earth signs are Taurus (April 20 – May 20), Virgo (August 23 to September 22) and Capricorn (December 22 to January 19). They are stable and consistent. While not as compassionate as the water signs, they are nonetheless nurturing. They can be rigid (stick in the mud) and easily stuck in routines. They are most compatible with Water signs, as Water is necessary for the Earth to properly nurture growing things. Earth helps Water contain itself, which is often necessary for survival on the planet.