Astrological sign

Not to be confused with Constellation. "Birth sign" redirects here. For the album by George Freeman, see Birth Sign (album).

Anatomical Zodiac Man from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

In Western astrology, astrological signs are the zodiac, twelve 30-degree sectors that are crossed by the Sun's 360-degree orbital path as viewed from Earth in its sky. The signs enumerate from the first day of spring, known as the First Point of Aries, which is the vernal equinox. The astrological signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The Western zodiac originated in Babylonian astrology, and was later influenced by the Hellenistic culture. Each sign was named after a constellation the sun annually moved through while crossing the sky. This observation is emphasized in the simplified and popular sun sign astrology. Over the centuries, Western astrology's zodiacal divisions have shifted out of alignment with the constellations they were named after by axial precession[1] of the Earth while Hindu astrology measurements correct for this shifting.[2] Astrology (i.e. a system of omina based on celestial appearances) was developed in Chinese and Tibetan cultures as well but these astrologies are not based upon the zodiac but deal with the whole sky.

Astrology is a pseudoscience.[3] Scientific investigations of the theoretical[4] basis and experimental verification of claims[5] have shown it to have no scientific validity or explanatory power. More plausible explanations for the apparent correlation between personality traits and birth months exist, such as the influence of seasonal birth in humans.

According to astrology, 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 astronomy used 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 from Equinox and Solstice points (points relating to equal, longest, and shortest days of the tropical year), while Hindu astrology measures along the equatorial plane (sidereal year).

## Western zodiac signs

[edit]

### History

[edit]

Main articles: Zodiac and History of astrology

Further information: Babylonian astrology, Hellenistic astrology, and Ancient Egyptian astronomy

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 (). The great 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 of Hellenistic astrology as recorded in Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos in the 2nd century. Hellenistic astrology in turn was partly based on concepts from Babylonian 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 compendium MUL.APIN and its combination with the Babylonian lunar 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 of ancient 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 of Horoscopic astrology, employing the use of the Ascendant (the rising degree of the ecliptic, at the time of birth), and of the twelve houses. Association of the astrological signs with Empedocles' four classical elements 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 in Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos. 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

[edit]

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 the First Point of Aries which is the location of the Sun at the March 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 longitude intervals, 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.

Overview of Western astrological signs  Sign | Gloss | Symbol | Unicode Character | Approximate Sun Sign Start Dates[11] | Approximate Sun Sign End Dates[11] | Ecliptic Longitude
(a ≤ λ < b) | House | Polarity | Modality | Triplicity | Northern Hemisphere Season | Southern Hemisphere Season | Modern Ruler | Classic Ruler

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Aries | The Ram |  | ♈︎  | 21 March | 20 April | 0° to 30°  | 1  | Positive  | Cardinal  | Fire | Spring  | Autumn  | Mars
Taurus | The Bull |  | ♉︎  | 21 April | 21 May | 30° to 60°  | 2  | Negative  | Fixed  | Earth | Spring  | Autumn  | Venus
Gemini | The Twins |  | ♊︎  | 22 May | 21 June | 60° to 90°  | 3  | Positive  | Mutable  | Air | Spring  | Autumn  | Mercury
Cancer | The Crab |  | ♋︎  | 22 June | 23 July | 90° to 120°  | 4  | Negative  | Cardinal  | Water | Summer  | Winter  | Moon
Leo | The Lion |  | ♌︎  | 24 July | 23 August | 120° to 150°  | 5  | Positive  | Fixed  | Fire  | Summer  | Winter  | Sun
Virgo | The Maiden, Virgin |  | ♍︎  | 24 August | 23 September | 150° to 180°  | 6  | Negative  | Mutable  | Earth  | Summer  | Winter  | Mercury
Libra | The Scales |  | ♎︎  | 24 September | 23 October | 180° to 210°  | 7  | Positive  | Cardinal  | Air  | Autumn  | Spring  | Venus
Scorpio | The Scorpion |  | ♏︎  | 24 October | 22 November | 210° to 240°  | 8  | Negative  | Fixed  | Water  | Autumn  | Spring  | Pluto (or) | Mars
Sagittarius | The Archer (Centaur)  |  | ♐︎  | 23 November | 21 December | 240° to 270°  | 9  | Positive  | Mutable  | Fire  | Autumn  | Spring  | Jupiter
Capricorn | The Goat |  | ♑︎  | 22 December | 20 January | 270° to 300°  | 10  | Negative  | Cardinal  | Earth  | Winter  | Summer  | Saturn
Aquarius | The Water-bearer |  | ♒︎  | 21 January | 19 February | 300° to 330°  | 11  | Positive  | Fixed  | Air  | Winter  | Summer  | Uranus | Saturn
Pisces | The Fish |  | ♓︎  | 20 February | 20 March | 330° to 360°  | 12  | Negative  | Mutable  | Water  | Winter  | Summer  | Neptune | Jupiter

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

[edit]

In Western astrology, the polarity divides the zodiac in half and refers to the alignment of a sign's energy 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, and Aquarius. 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, and Pisces. Negative signs make up the earth and water triplicities.[20]

#### The three modalities

[edit]

The modality or mode of a given sign refers to its position in the season it is found in. Each of the four elements manifests in three modalities: cardinal, fixed, and mutable.[21] Since each modality comprehends four signs, they are also known as Quadruplicities.[22][23] For example, the sign Aries is found in the first month of spring in the Northern 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]

Modalities of astrological signs  Modality  | 3 primes | Alt. symbols[28] | Keywords[29][30] | Fire signs  | Water signs  | Air signs  | Earth signs

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Cardinal |  |  | Action, dynamic, initiative, great force | Aries | Cancer | Libra | Capricorn
Fixed |  |  | Resistance to change, great willpower, inflexible | Leo | Scorpio | Aquarius | Taurus
Mutable |  |  | Adaptability, flexibility, resourcefulness | Sagittarius | Pisces | Gemini | Virgo

#### Triplicities of the four elements

[edit]

Main article: Triplicity

Further information: Classical element

The planets' sign positions on May 16, 2012. The signs are colored according to the associated element. Each planet is represented by a glyph next to its longitude within the sign. Additional symbols may be added to represent apparent retrograde motion (℞), or apparent stationary moment (shift from retrograde to direct, or vice versa: S).

The Greek philosopher Empedocles identified fire, earth, air, and water as elements 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 each classical element is associated with three signs[22][23] The four astrological elements are also considered as a direct equivalent to Hippocrates' 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 begin natal chart interpretations by studying the balance of elements in the location of planets (especially the Sun's and Moon's ascendant signs) and the position of angles in the chart.[36]

Triplicities of the four elements  Polarity  | Element  | Symbol[37] | Keywords  | Sign triplicity

|
|
|
|

Positive  | Fire |  | Assertion, drive, willpower  | Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Air |  | Communication, socialization, conceptualization  | Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Negative  | Earth |  | Practicality, caution, material world  | Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Water |  | Emotion, empathy, sensitivity  | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

#### Celestial body rulerships

[edit]

See also: Domicile (astrology)

Representation of the western astrological signs in a 1716 Acta Eruditorum table illustration

Rulership is the connection between planet and correlated sign and house.[38] The conventional rulerships are as follows:[9][39]

* Aries: Mars
* Taurus: Venus
* Gemini: Mercury
* Cancer: Moon
* Leo: Sun
* Virgo: Mercury
* Libra: Venus
* Scorpio: classically Mars, Pluto starting in the 20th century
* Sagittarius: Jupiter
* Capricorn: Saturn
* Aquarius: classically Saturn, Uranus starting in the 20th century
* Pisces: classically Jupiter, Neptune starting in the 20th century

#### Dignity and detriment, exaltation and fall

[edit]

A traditional belief of astrology, known as essential 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 and Detriment: A planet is strengthened or dignified if it falls within the sign that it rules. In other words, it is said to exercise Rulership 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 in Detriment (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 or Decan, which together are known as describing a planet's Essential dignity, the quality or ability of one's true nature.[40]

* Exaltation and Fall: A planet is also strengthened when it is in its sign of exaltation. 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 its fall, 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 considers Accidental dignity of planets. This is placement by house 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 of Accidental Debilities, such as retrogradation, Under the Sun's Beams, Combust, and so forth.

#### Additional classifications

[edit]

Further information: Decans

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]

* The spring season is when daylight is increasing and there is more daylight than darkness.
* The summer season is when darkness is increasing and there is more daylight than darkness.
* The autumn season is when darkness is increasing and there is more darkness than daylight.
* The winter season is when daylight is increasing and there is more darkness than daylight.

### Western sign gallery

[edit]

* Aries at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Taurus at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Gemini at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Cancer at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Leo at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Virgo at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Libra at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Scorpio at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Sagittarius at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Capricornus at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Aquarius at the Wisconsin State Capitol

* Pisces at the Wisconsin State Capitol

## Indian astrology

[edit]

Further information: Hindu astrology

This section needs expansion. You can help by making an edit requestadding to it . (April 2024)

|

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.

### Nakshatras

[edit]

Main article: Nakshatra

A nakshatra (Devanagari: नक्षत्र, Sanskrit nakshatra, a metaphorical compound of naksha- 'map/chart', and tra- 'guard'), or lunar mansion, is one of the 27 divisions of the sky identified by prominent star(s), as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology (Jyotisha).[50] "Nakshatra" in Sanskrit, Kannada, Tulu and Tamil and Prakrit refers to stars themselves.

## Chinese zodiac signs

[edit]

Main article: Chinese zodiac

Chinese astrological signs operate on cycles of years, lunar months, and two-hour periods of the day (also known as shichen). A particular feature of the Chinese zodiac is its operation in a 60-year cycle in combination with the Five Phases of Chinese astrology (Wood, Fire, Metal, Water and Earth).[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 of Snake Jupiter is in the Sign of Gemini, in the year of Horse Jupiter is in the Sign of Cancer and so on. So the Chinese 12-year calendar is a solar-lunar-jovian calendar.

### Zodiac symbolism

[edit]

The following table shows the twelve signs and their attributes.

Symbols in Chinese zodiac astrology  Sign  | Yin/Yang  | Direction  | Season  | Fixed Element  | Trine

|
|
|
|
|

Rat | Yang  | North  | Mid-Winter  | Water  | 1st
Ox | Yin  | North  | Late Winter  | Earth  | 2nd
Tiger | Yang  | East  | Early Spring  | Wood  | 3rd
Rabbit | Yin  | East  | Mid-Spring  | Wood  | 4th
Dragon | Yang  | East  | Late Spring  | Earth  | 1st
Snake | Yin  | South  | Early Summer  | Fire  | 2nd
Horse | Yang  | South  | Mid-Summer  | Fire  | 3rd
Sheep | Yin  | South  | Late Summer  | Earth  | 4th
Monkey | Yang  | West  | Early Autumn  | Metal  | 1st
Rooster | Yin  | West  | Mid-Autumn  | Metal  | 2nd
Dog | Yang  | West  | Late Autumn  | Earth  | 3rd
Pig | Yin  | North  | Early Winter  | Water  | 4th

### The twelve signs

[edit]

Chart showing the 24 cardinal directions and the symbols of the sign associated with them.

In Chinese astrology, the zodiac of twelve animal signs represents twelve different types of personality. The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat, and there are many stories about the Origins 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 twelve Earthly Branches. The Chinese zodiac follows the lunisolar Chinese 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]

1. 子 Rat (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Water): Rat years include 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032. The Rat also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Rat are 11pm – 1am.
2. 丑 Ox (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Earth:[54] Ox years include 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033. The Ox also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Ox are 1am – 3am.
3. 寅 Tiger (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Tiger years include 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034. The Tiger also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Tiger are 3am – 5am.
4. 卯 Rabbit (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Rabbit Years include 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035. The Rabbit also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Rabbit are 5am – 7am.
5. 辰 Dragon (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Earth[54]): Dragon years include 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036. The Dragon also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Dragon are 7am – 9am.
6. 巳 Snake (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Fire): Snake years include 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037. The Snake also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Snake are 9am – 11am.
7. 午 Horse (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Fire): Horse years include 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038. The Horse also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Horse are 11am – 1pm.
8. 未 Goat (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Earth[54]): Goat years include 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039. The Goat also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Goat are 1pm – 3pm.
9. 申 Monkey (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Monkey years include 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040. The Monkey also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Monkey are 3pm – 5pm.
10. 酉 Rooster (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Rooster years include 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041. The Rooster also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Rooster are 5pm – 7pm.
11. 戌 Dog (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Earth[54]): Dog years include 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042. The Dog also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Dog are 7pm – 9pm.
12. 亥 Pig (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Water): Pig years include 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043. The Pig also corresponds to a particular month in the year. The hours of the Pig are 9pm – 11pm.

### The five elements

[edit]

* 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 signs Tiger and Rabbit.[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 signs Snake and Horse.[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 signs Ox, Dragon, Goat and Dog.[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 signs Monkey and Rooster.[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 signs Rat and Pig.[54]

The five elements operate together with the twelve animal signs in a 60-year calendar. The five elements appear in the calendar in both their yin and yang forms and are known as the ten Heavenly Stems. The yin/yang split seen in the Gregorian 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]

## See also

[edit]

* Influence of seasonal birth in humans
* Chinese zodiac
* Glossary of astrology

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Bobrick (2005), pp. 10, 23.
2. ^ Johnsen (2004).
3. ^ Sven Ove Hansson; Edward N. Zalta. "Science and Pseudo-Science". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 6 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."
4. ^ 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. ISBN 978-0-521-34354-1.
5. ^ Carlson, Shawn (1985). "A double-blind test of astrology" (PDF). Nature. 318 (6045): 419–425\. Bibcode:1985Natur.318..419C. doi:10.1038/318419a0. S2CID 5135208. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-02-16. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
6. ^ Mayo (1979), p. 35.
7. ^ 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.
8. ^ Hoffmann, Susanne M. (2017). Hipparchs Himmelsglobus: ein Bindeglied in der babylonisch-griechischen Astrometrie?. Wiesbaden: Springer Spektrum. ISBN 978-3-658-18683-8. OCLC 992119256.
9. ^ a b Carol Wills (2007). "Rulerships". Astrology Now. Archived from the original on 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
10. ^ Hone (1978), p. 21.
11. ^ a b Jeremy B. Tatum, "The Signs and Constellations of the Zodiac Archived 2023-06-01 at the Wayback Machine", Journal of the Royal Society of Canada, 104 (2010), 103--104.
12. ^ "Opposition". dichesegnosei.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2017-07-16. Retrieved 2017-07-27.
13. ^ "WoC :: Sefer Yetzirah". www.workofthechariot.com. Archived from the original on 2023-01-20. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
14. ^ "The element of Air". dichesegnosei.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2017-07-29. Retrieved 2017-07-27.
15. ^ "The element of Fire". dichesegnosei.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2017-08-08. Retrieved 2017-07-27.
16. ^ "The element of Water". dichesegnosei.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2017-07-22. Retrieved 2017-07-27.
17. ^ "The element of Earth". dichesegnosei.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2017-06-30. Retrieved 2017-07-27.
18. ^ Hall, Judy (2005). The Astrology Bible: The Definitive Guide to the Zodiac. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p. 137\. ISBN 978-1-4027-2759-7.
19. ^ a b Standen, Anthony (1975). "Is There An Astrological Effect On Personality". The Journal of Psychology. 89 (2): 259–260\. doi:10.1080/00223980.1975.9915759. PMID 1151896. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
20. ^ a b van 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.
21. ^ Arroyo (1989), p. 29.
22. ^ a b Pelletier, Robert, and Leonard Cataldo (1984). Be Your Own Astrologer. London: Pan Books. pp. 43–44
23. ^ a b Pottenger, Maritha (1991). Astro Essentials. San Diego: ACS Publications. pp. 31–36.
24. ^ Woodwell 2019, p. 26.
25. ^ Hone (1978), p. 75
26. ^ Tierney, Bil (2001). All Around the Zodiac: Exploring Astrology's Twelve Signs. Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 978-0-7387-0111-0.
27. ^ Woodwell, Donna (2019-11-19). The Astrology Dictionary: Cosmic Knowledge from A to Z. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-5072-1144-1.
28. ^ As used in Sepharial's "The Manual of Astrology"-Brazilian edition (1988) by Editora Nova Fronteira S/A, Rio de Janeiro
29. ^ Hone (1978), p. 40
30. ^ Arroyo (1989), p. 30
31. ^ Charlie Higgins (1997). "Astrology and The Four Elements". Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
32. ^ Ajay Mohan (2002). "Astrology and The Four Elements". Archived from the original on 2020-05-14. Retrieved 2017-08-03.
33. ^ Arroyo (1989), p. 27.
34. ^ Arroyo (1989), pp. 30–34
35. ^ Hone (1978), p. 42
36. ^ Arroyo (1975) pp. 131–140.
37. ^ Glyphs from the alchemical symbology.
38. ^ Hone (1978), p. 22
39. ^ Shamos, Geoffrey (2013). "Astrology as a Social Framework: The 'Children of Planets', 1400–1600". Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture. 7 (4): 434–460\. doi:10.1558/jsrnc.v7i4.434.
40. ^ a b c "Glossary of Astrological Terms". Logos, Asaa 1998–2004. 26 Nov 2007. "Logos Professional Astrology - Glossary of astrological terms". Archived from the original on 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
41. ^ Hone (1978), p. 144
42. ^ "Accidental Dignity". www.gotohoroscope.com. Astrological Dictionary 1998–2007. 26 November 2007. Archived from the original on 3 January 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2007.
43. ^ Hone (1978), p. 87
44. ^ Hone (1978), p. 88
45. ^ "An Introduction to Astrology." Spiritsingles.com 25 Nov.2007. "Astrology Horoscope Chart". Archived from the original on 2007-12-09. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
46. ^ Rudhyar (1943)
47. ^ Armstrong, Robin (2009). "The Signs and the Houses". RASA School of Astrology. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
48. ^ Armstrong, Robin (2009). "I Ching: The Sequence of Change". RA Publications. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
49. ^ Sutton (1999) pp. 74–92.
50. ^ Sutton (1999), p. 168.
51. ^ "'Almanac' 'lunar' zodiac beginning of spring as the boundary dislocation? – China Network". 16 February 2009. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
52. ^ Novak, Sarah. "The Chinese Zodiac". Faces. 34: 42.
53. ^ Theodora Lau, Ibid, pp. 2–8, 30–5, 60–4, 88–94, 118–24, 148–53, 178–84, 208–13, 238–44, 270–78, 306–12, 338–44, 2005
54. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Chinese Astrology: Exploring the Eastern Zodiac by Shelly Wu

## References

[edit]

* Arroyo, Stephen (1975). Astrology, Psychology and The Four Elements. California: CCRS Publications
* Arroyo, Stephen (1989). Chart Interpretation Handbook. California: CCRS Publications. ISBN 0-916360-49-0
* Bobrick, Benson (2005). The Fated Sky: Astrology in History. Simon & Schuster. 369 pp.
* Caiozzo, Anna (2003). Images of the Sky. Paris-Sorbonne. Signs and Constellations. Archived 2021-04-17 at the Wayback Machine
* Eric Francis (2016). "Why Your Zodiac Sign is Not Wrong"
* Hone, Margaret (1978). The Modern Text-Book of Astrology. Revised edition. England: L. N. Fowler & Co. Ltd. ISBN 085243-357-3
* Johnsen, Linda (2004 March). A Thousand Suns: Designing Your Future with Vedic Astrology. Yes International Publishers.
* Mayo, Jeff (1979). Teach Yourself Astrology. London: Hodder and Stoughton.
* Rochberg, Francesca (1998), "Babylonian Horoscopes", American Philosophical Society, New Series, Vol. 88, No. 1, pp. i–164. doi:10.2307/1006632. JSTOR 1006632.
* Rudhyar, Dane (1943). Astrological Signs – The Pulse of Life.
* 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. JSTOR 3515929.
* Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology. England: The Wessex Astrologer Ltd.

* v
* t
* e

Astrology

History of
astrology|

* History of astrology
* Astrology and science
* Astrology and astronomy
* Musica universalis
* Tetrabiblos

Astrologers|

* Astrologers by nationality
* List of astrologers

Traditions,
types,
branches and
systems|

Astrology by tradition
Babylonian astrology
Burmese zodiac
Early Irish astrology
Chinese astrology
Christian views on astrology

Magi
Cosmobiology
Astrology in Hellenistic Egypt
Hamburg School of Astrology
Hellenistic astrology
Hindu astrology

Nadi astrology
Jewish astrology

Jewish views on astrology
Hebrew astronomy
Maya calendar
Astrology in the medieval Islamic world
Astrology in Sri Lanka
Tibetan astrology
Western astrology

Astrology by type
Agricultural astrology
Astrometeorology
Electional astrology
Esoteric astrology

Classical planets in Western alchemy
Geomancy and astrology
Tarot card reading
Financial astrology
Heliocentric astrology
Horary astrology
Horoscopic astrology
Judicial astrology
Karmic astrology
Katarchic astrology
Locational astrology

Astrocartography
Medical astrology
Mundane astrology
Natal astrology

Horoscope
Psychological astrology
Sidereal and tropical astrology
Sun sign astrology
Synoptical astrology

Related topics|

* Astrology and science
* Archaeoastronomy
* Astrological age
* Astrological aspect
* Astrological symbols
* Astrology and the classical elements
* Cultural influence of astrology
* Glossary
* Planets in astrology
* Zodiac

* v
* t
* e

Zodiac

Astrological signs|

* Aries
* Taurus
* Gemini
* Cancer
* Leo
* Virgo
* Libra
* Scorpio
* Sagittarius
* Capricorn
* Aquarius
* Pisces

Concepts in
Western astrology|

* Element
* House
* Modality
* Polarity
* Triplicity

Related|

* Astronomy
* Axial precession
* Constellations of the Ecliptic
* Ecliptic coordinate system
* Ophiuchus
* Planets in astrology
* symbols
* Zodiacal light

* v
* t
* e

Chinese zodiac

Chinese Zodiac members|

* Rat
* Ox
* Tiger
* Rabbit
* Dragon
* Snake
* Horse
* Goat
* Monkey
* Rooster
* Dog
* Pig

Other Zodiac members|

| Korean|

* Sheep (Goat)

|

Japanese|

* Sheep (Goat)
* Wild Boar (Pig)

Filipino|

* Ram or Sheep (Goat)

Vietnamese|

* Water buffalo (Ox)
* Cat (Rabbit)

Cham|

* Turtle (Monkey)

Malay|

* Nāga (Dragon)
* Mousedeer (Rabbit)
* Tortoise (Pig)

Khmer|

* Nāga (Dragon)

Thai|

* Nāga (Dragon)

Tai Lue|

* Elephant (Pig)

Gurung|

* Cow (Ox)
* Cat (Rabbit)
* Eagle (Dragon)
* Bird (Chicken)
* Deer (Pig)

Bulgar|

* Wolf (Tiger)

Tibetan|

* Bird (Chicken)

Old Mongol|

* Leopard (Tiger)
* Crocodile (Dragon)

Kazakh and Kyrgyz|

* Snail (Dragon)

Turkic peoples
(Volga Bulgars, Kazars, etc.)|

* Camel (Rat)
* Leopard (Tiger)
* Fish or Crocodile (Dragon)
* Hedgehog (Monkey)
* Elephant (Pig)

Persian|

* Whale or Crocodile (Dragon)

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template