Nicholas Devore's Encyclopedia of Astrology

Aries. The Ram. The first sign of the zodiac. Its symbol represents the head and horns of the ram. It is a symbol of offensive power - a weapon of the gods, hence an implement of the will. The Babylonians sacrificed rams during the period when the Sun occupied this sign, which occurs annually from March 21 to April 20. Astrologically it is the first thirty-degree arc beginning at the point of the Spring Equinox. It is the Leading quality of the Fire element: positive, diurnal, movable, dry, hot, fiery, choleric and violent. Ruler: Mars    Exaltation: Sun    Detriment: Venus    Fall: Saturn Temperamental Aries...     Who works from morn to set of Sun,     And never likes to be outdone?     Whose walk is almost like a run?     Who? Aries. Symbolic interpretation: Sprouting seed; fire in eruption; a fountain of water; a ram's horns. Aries is the embodiment of Self, the will to manifest, the adventurous spirit; desire, initiative and courage.     Taurus. The Bull. The second sign of the zodiac. Its symbol represents the head and horns of a bull. The sacred Apis was presumed to be the incarnation of the god Osiris - hence a symbol of a sepulchre or tomb. The Sun's entry into Taurus was celebrated as a Feast of Maya (Maia) - our May Day - the Sun represented by a white bull with a golden disc between his horns, followed by a procession of virgins, exemplifying the fecundity of Nature in Spring. The Sun is in Taurus annually from April 21 to May 20. Astrologically it is in the second thirty-degree arc from the Spring Equinox, from 30° to 60° along the Ecliptic. It is the Fixed quality of the Earth element, conferring external will power that, ordinarily passive, and negative, becomes obstinate and unbending when aroused. Negative, nocturnal, cold, dry and melancholy. Ruler: Venus    Exaltation: Moon    Detriment: Mars    Fall: Uranus Headstrong Taurus...     Who smiles through life - except when crossed?     Who knows, or thinks he knows, the most?     Who loves good things: baked, boiled or roast?     Oh, Taurus. Symbolic interpretation: The head and horns of a bull; the sacred Apis in whom the god Osiris was incarnate; a sepulchre or tomb. Taurus represents the manifestations of the Self, hence his basic possessions, and inherited tendencies.     Gemini. The Twins. The third sign of the zodiac. Its symbol represents two pieces of wood bound together, symbolical of the unremitting conflict of contradictory mental processes. The Sun is in Gemini annually from May 21 to June 20. Astrologically it is the thirty degree arc immediately preceding the Summer Solstice, marked by the passing of the Sun over the Tropic of Cancer, and occupying a position along the ecliptic from 60° to 90°. It is the Mutable quality of the Air element: positive, dual. Ruler: Mercury    Detriment: Jupiter Worrisome Gemini...     Who's fond of life and jest and pleasure;     Who vacillates and changes ever?     Who loves attention without measure?     Why? Gemini. Symbolic interpretation: Castor and Pollux; Bohas and Jakin, of Solomon's Temple; the Pillars of Hercules. Gemini establishes a relationship between the Self and substance, the linkage of rhythm and form.     Cancer. The Crab. The fourth sign of the zodiac. Its symbol presumably the folded claws of a crab, probably is intended to symbolize the joining together of a male and female spermatozoa - as indicative of the most maternal of all the signs. The Sun is in Cancer annually from June 21 to July 22. Astrologically it is the first thirty-degree arc following the Summer Solstice, marked by the Sun's passing of the Tropic of Cancer, and occupying a position along the Ecliptic from 90° to 120°. It is the Leading quality of the Water element: negative, cold, moist, phlegmatic, nocturnal, commanding, moveable, fruitful, weak, unfortunate, crooked, mute. Ruler: Moon    Exaltation: Jupiter    Detriment: Saturn    Fall: Mars Hard-Shelled Sympathetic Cancer...     Who changes like a changeful season:     Holds fast and lets go without reason?     Who is there can give adhesion     To Cancer? Symbolic interpretation: The claws of the celestial crab; two spermatozoa intertwined, signifying the male and female seed, implying retirement and nurturing; the crab or scarab. Cancer expresses the living organism, its capacity to grow.     Leo. The Lion. The fifth sign of the zodiac. Its symbol is possibly an emblem representing the phallus, as used in ancient Dionysian mysteries. It is also an emblem of the Sun's fire, heat or creative energy. The Sun is in Leo annually from July 23 to August 22. Astrologically it is the second thirty-degree arc after the Summer Solstice, marked by the Sun's passing of the Tropic of Cancer and occupying a position along the ecliptic from 120° to 150°. It is the Fixed quality of the Fire element, conferring an internal will motivated by an impulse of the heart. It is positive, hot, dry, choleric, eastern, diurnal, commanding, brutish, sterile, broken, changeable, fortunate, strong, hoarse, bitter, and violent. Ruler: Sun    Detriment: Saturn    Fall: Mercury Loving Leo...     Who praises all his kindred do;     Expects his friends to praise them too     And cannot see their senseless view?     Ah, Leo. Leo exemplifies the principle of cosmic splendor; wherein character defects due to planets in Leo persist through long periods, and good qualities from planets favorably aspecting the Sign are never lost.     Virgo. The Virgin. The sixth sign of the zodiac. Its symbol is probably a representation of the Girdle of Hymen, and has reference to the Immaculate Conception of a Messiah. It is usually pictured by a virgin holding in her hand a green branch, an car of corn, or a spike of grain. Spica is a star in the constellation of Virgo. Here was commemorated the Festival of Ishtar, goddess of fertility. The Sun is in Virgo annually from August 23 to September 22. Astrologically it is the thirty-degree arc immediately preceding the Sun's passing over the Fall Equinoctial point, occupying a position along the Ecliptic from 150° to 180°. It is the Mutable quality of the Earth element: negative, cold, dry, sterile, human; also critical, practical, helpful. Ruler: Mercury    Detriment: Jupiter.    Fall: Venus Critical Virgo...     Who criticizes all she sees:     Yes, e'en would analyze a sneeze?     Who hugs and loves her own disease?     Humpf, Virgo. Symbolic interpretation: A green branch; an ear of wheat or corn; the Immaculate Virgin who gives birth to a world-saviour. Form and the differentiation of sex. Discrimination through a critical analysis of the fruits of action.     Libra. The Balances, or Scales. The seventh sign of the zodiac. Its symbol, representing the balancing scales, is emblematic of equilibrium and justice. The Sun is in Libra annually from September 23 to October 23. Astrologically it is the first thirty-degree arc following the passing of the Sun over the Fall Equinoctial point, occupying a position along the ecliptic from 180° to 210°. It is the Leading quality of the Air element: positive, hot, moist, sweet, obeying: also restless, judicial. Ruler: Venus    Exaltation: Saturn    Detriment: Mars    Fall: Sun Introspective Libra...     Who puts you off with promise gay,     And keeps you waiting half the day?     Who compromises all the way?     Sweet Libra. Symbolic interpretation: The setting Sun; the central part of a balance, signifying equilibrium and justice. The sign of cosmic reciprocity, of cooperation rather than competition, of consciousness objectified through associations and partnerships.     Scorpio. The Scorpion. The eighth sign of the zodiac. Its symbol resembles that of Virgo, but with an arrow on the tail - doubtless to represent the sting. It is symbolized by the asp or serpent, harking back to the serpent of the Garden of Eden, and indicating that the will governs or is governed by the reproductive urge. It is sometimes symbolized by the Dragon, and is frequently linked with the constellation Aquilla - the Eagle. The Sun is in Scorpio annually from October 23 to November 22. Astrologically it is the second thirty-degree arc after the Sun's passing of the Fall Equinox, occupying a position along the Ecliptic from 210° to 240°. It is the Fixed quality of the Water element: negative, nocturnal, cold, moist, watery, mute, phlegmatic. Ruler: Pluto    Exaltation: Uranus    Detriment: Venus    Fall: Moon Ultimate Scorpio...     Who keeps an arrow in his bow,     And if you prod, he lets it go?     A fervent friend, a subtle foe -     Scorpio. Symbolic interpretation: The legs and tail of: a scorpion: the tail with the sting, the serpent. The alembic of the Zodiac, the sign of cosmic purpose, Scorpio is a success Sign. Self-contained, self-centered, and concentrated, it usually succeeds in what it sets out to accomplish; great personal magnetism and healing power.     Sagittarius. The Archer. The ninth sign of the zodiac. In Hindu astrology: Dhanus. Its symbol represents an arrow and a section of a bow, typifying aspiration. It is usually pictured as the Centaur: half horse, half man - representing the conflict between the philosophical mind and the carnal instinct of conquest; also aspiration supported by effort that aims at the stars. The Sun is in Sagittarius annually from November 23 to December 21. Astrologically it is the thirty-degree arc immediately preceding the Sun's passing over the Tropic of Capricorn, occupying a position along the Ecliptic from 240° to 270°. It is the Mutable quality of the Fire element: positive, hot, dry, changeable, bicorporeal, obeying. Ruler: Jupiter    Detriment: Mercury Pursuing Sagittarius...     Who loves the dim religious light:     Who always keeps a star in sight?     An optimist, both gay and bright -     Sagittarius. Symbolic interpretation: The centaur; an arrow with a short section of the bow, the symbol of enthusiasm and effort, aiming at the stars. Significator of cosmic progress and abundance, that perverted becomes prodigality.     Capricorn. The mountain-climbing goat. The tenth sign of the zodiac. In Hindu astrology, Makarar - and considered by the ancients to be the most important of all the signs. Is it possible the ancients recognized in the Winter Solstice the point of gravitation that controls the Sun's orbit? Its symbol represents the figure by which the sign is often pictured - that of the forepart of a goat, with the tail of a fish - vaguely suggesting the mermaid. Sometimes also by the sea-goat, or dolphin. It is said to have a reference to the legend of the goat and the Sun gods. The Sun is in Capricorn annually from December 22 to January 20. Astrologically it is the first thirty degrees following the Winter Solstice, marked by the passing of the Sun over the Tropic of Capricorn and occupying a position along the ecliptic from 270° to 300°. It is the Leading quality of the Earth element: negative, nocturnal, cold, dry, obeying. Ruler: Saturn    Exaltation: Mars    Detriment: Moon    Fall: Jupiter Relentless Capricorn...     Who climbs and schemes for wealth and place,     And mourns his brother's fall from grace -     But takes what's due in any case?     Safe Capricorn. Symbolic interpretation: A goat with a fish's tail, signifying extremes of height and depth; changes wrought by time; union of the Christian and Jewish religious dispensations. The sign of Initiation, of Cosmic Order and justice, wherein the Individuality is developed, and humanity fulfills its obligations to others.     Aquarius. The Water Bearer. The eleventh sign of the zodiac. Its symbol represents a stream of water, symbolizing the servant of humanity who pours out the water of knowledge to quench the thirst of the world. The Sun is in Aquarius annually from January 21 to February 20. Astrologically it is the second thirty-degree arc following the Sun's passing of the Winter Solstice, occupying a position along the Ecliptic from 300° to 330°. It is the Fixed quality of the Air element, in which the will is largely motivated by reasoning processes - whether sound or unsound. It is positive, hot, moist, sanguine, rational and obeying. Ruler: Uranus    Exaltation: Mercury    Detriment: Sun Deliberate Aquarius...     Who gives to all a helping hand,     But bows his head to no command -     And higher laws doth understand?     Inventor, Genius, Superman - Aquarius. Symbolic interpretation: Waves, of water, or the vibrationary waves of electricity; parallel lines of force. The humanitarian principle coordinating spirit and matter, that prompts all acts of unselfish love; that sees, feels, and acts for others as though all were one Self.     Pisces. The Fishes. The twelfth sign of the zodiac. Its symbol represents a pair of great sea-horses or sea-lions, yoked together, who dwell in the innermost regions of the sea; symbolical of life after death; of bondage - the inhibiting of self-expression except through others; and of the struggle of the soul within the body. The Sun is in Pisces annually from February 21 to March 20. Astrologically it is the thirty degree arc immediately preceding the passing of the Sun over the point of the Spring Equinox occupying a position along the Ecliptic from 330° to 360°. It is the Mutable quality of the Water element; negative, cold, moist, obeying, fruitful; also effeminate, idle, sickly and unfortunate. Ruler: Neptune    Exaltation: Venus    Detriment: Mercury    Fall: Mercury Soulful Pisces...     Who prays, and serves, and prays some more;     And feeds the beggar at the door -     And weeps o'er loves lost long before?     Poor Pisces. Symbolic interpretation: Bondage, captivity; the inhibition of natural expression. Silent, passionless, all-comprehending, granting to every creature the power to act according to its development and capacity. Its imaginative faculties are a great contradiction. The ability to abstract one's self from his immediate surroundings and throw himself into an imaginary life. Often termed the Sign of Self-denial and of withdrawal; of the Messiah or Outcast.

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