Astrology
for Magicians and Metaphysicists - Lesson 3
The Signs
As you have learned previously,
the planets indicate natural inclinations and motivations of the human being.
Now, you will see that it is the signs of the zodiac that reveal human attitudes
toward and manners of expression of these inclinations and motivations.
The sign in which the Sun falls, for example, will reveal the manner in
which the person seeks to integrate, to express, and to project.
Later you will see the sphere
of life upon which the planetary inclination, operating in the manner
of the sign, will be concentrated. Then, you will see how this particular
effort, manifesting itself in a certain manner, and concentrating upon
a specific area of life, will be qualified or modified by aspects to the
planet in question.
Now, remembering the presentation
of the zodiac in relationship to the Solar system, envision in your mind
the huge circle or belt surrounding the Earth, inside which the Earth
completes a rotation within the twenty-four hour period and a revolution
around the Sun within a one year period. Then, recall that outside this
huge circle or belt the outer planets are in constant motions in their
orbits around the Sun.
It is, therefore, this outside
the belt activity with which you are concerned as you begin to understand
planetary motion through the signs. The imaginary belt, or the zodiac,
naturally contains 360 degrees, since it is a circle. This circle is divided
into twelve equal parts, each part containing 30 degrees. These twelve
parts, then, are the signs of the zodiac.
According to its distance from
the Sun and its revolutionary speed, each planet spends a specific period
of time in each sign as it makes a complete journey around the zodiac.
It is this orderly progress through the signs that accounts for the changes
in manners of operation of the planetary inclinations and motivations.
Because the zodiac, being a
circle, has no beginning and no end, one must select a starting point
as a frame of reference. Astrologers have for centuries considered the
sign Aries to be the first sign of the twelve. This selection has a symbolic
meaning because the entry of the Sun into Aries on March 21 heralds the
first day of spring, the season of new life.
Therefore, using Aries as the
point of beginning, the signs in their natural manner in a counter clockwise
motion fall into the horoscopic chart as you see in the companion brochure.
Logically, the actual positions
of the signs in a specific chart will be determined through scientific
calculations, using the precise birth data of the person concerned. Nevertheless,
the order will always be the same; it is the horoscopic positions that
vary from one to the other.
Begin now to gain
an insight into the significance of the keywords that identify the attitudes
and manners of expression that are associated with each sign of the zodiac.
It will be obvious that the attitudes of expression are presented in the
form of adjectives and that the manners of expression are presented in
adverbs.
Sign |
Attitudes
of Expression |
Manners
of Expression |
| Aries |
Assertive,
Urgent |
Assertively,
Urgently |
| Taurus |
Enduring,
Possessive |
Enduringly,
Possessively |
| Gemini |
Versatile,
Variable |
Versatilely,
Variably |
| Cancer |
Sensitive,
Protective |
Sensitively,
Protectively |
| Leo |
Impressive,
Creative |
Impressively,
Creatively |
| Virgo |
Analytical,
Critical |
Analytically,
Critically |
| Libra |
United,
Harmonious |
Unitedly,
Harmoniously |
| Scorpio |
Intense,
Secretive |
Intensely,
Secretively |
| Sagittarius |
Free, Wide |
Freely,
Widely |
| Capricorn |
Prudent,
Reserved |
Prudently,
Reservedly |
| Aquarius |
Indifferent,
Unconventional |
Indifferently,
Unconventionally |
| Pisces |
Impressionable,
Intuitive |
Impressionably,
Intuitively |
At this point, you should readily
see that you can make the first step in interpreting the Sun in your chart,
although you have not learned to read a chart. Everyone knows the sign
of his own Sun; it is this knowledge that gave rise to pop-astrology.
Thus, if your Sun is in Libra, you can now say about yourself: "my inclination
to integrate, to express, and to project will operate unitedly and harmoniously."
Note that this latter sentence
contains the key words for the Sun and the key words for the manner of
expression of the sign Libra. Later, of course, you will be able to identify
the sphere of life upon which this inclination in the specified manner
will concentrate, as well as you will be able to make any modifications
that aspects may require.
Presently, however, study carefully
and thoughtfully the ensuing presentation of the signs. Note carefully
the key word extensions, the attitude expressions, the physiological associations,
the planet affiliations, and the concomitant relations.
Aries
Key Word Extensions
Assertively -- with a positive
and confident declaration
Urgently -- with a pressure for prompt attention Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
and will operate in a manner that reflects the Arien attitude of BEING and
will operate in a manner that reflects directness, boldness, impulse, spontaneity,
and fast motion. Physiological
Associations
Aries has an association with
the head, the face, the brain, and the adrenal glands. Difficult aspects
to an Arien ascendant or to planets in this sign may point toward a susceptibility
to afflictions of these parts of the body. Planet
Affiliations
Arien principles have a very close
correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planets Mars and
Pluto. Concomitant
Relations
Aries has an affinity with leadership,
initiative, pioneering, engineering, the armed forces, and sharp instruments.
Taurus
Key Word Extensions
Enduringly -- with unyielding
persistence
Possessively -- with a strong desire to dominate Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the Taurean attitude of HAVING and will operate in a manner that reflects
reliability, steadfastness, conservatism, slowness, thrift, and gentility.
Physiological Associations
Taurus has an association with
the neck, the throat, the larynx, and the thyroid gland. Difficult aspects
to a Taurean ascendant or to planets in this sign may point toward susceptibility
to afflictions of these parts of the body. Planet
Affiliations
Taurean principles have a very
close correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planet Venus.
Concomitant Relations
Taurus has an affinity with possessions,
money, building, architecture, banking, music, art, and growth from the
earth. Gemini
Key Word Extensions
Versatilely -- with an aptness
for change
Variably -- with a capacity for inconsistency Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the attitude of THINKING and will operate in a manner that reflects inquisitiveness,
mimicry, duality, changeability, mediation, and wit. Physiological
Associations
Gemini has an association with
the shoulders, the arms, the lungs, the chest, the nervous system, and the
thymus gland. Difficult aspects to a Geminian ascendant or to planets in
this sign may point toward susceptibility to afflictions of these parts
of the body. Planet
Affiliations
Geminian principles have a very
close correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planet Mercury.
Concomitant Relations
Gemini has an affinity with learning,
teaching, traveling, communication, journalism, and agencies.
Cancer
Key Word Extensions
Sensitively -- with an emotional
response to outside influences
Protectively -- with a defense against attack Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the Cancerian attitude of FEELING and will operate in a manner that reflects
moodiness, common sense, patriotism, and tradition. Physiological
Associations
Cancer has an association with
the stomach, the breasts, and the mammary glands. Difficult aspects to a
Cancerian ascendant or to planets in this sign may point toward susceptibility
to afflictions of these parts of the body. Planet
Affiliations
Cancerian principles have a very
close correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planet Moon.
Concomitant Relations
Cancer has an affinity with containers,
home, nourishment, commerce, and domesticity. Leo
Key Word Extensions
Impressively -- with an excitation
of admiration
Creatively -- with the power to produce Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the Leonian attitude of RESOLVING and will operate in a manner that reflects
generosity, creativity, power, and loyalty. Physiological
Associations
Leo has an association with the
spine, the upper back, and the Heart. Difficult aspects to a Leo ascendant
or to planets in this sign may point toward susceptibility to afflictions
of these parts of the body. Planet
Affiliations
Leonian principles have a very
close correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planet Sun.
Concomitant Relations
Leo has an affinity with fatherhood,
the theater, warmth, the performer, honor, jewelry, stockbroking and other
gambling. Virgo
Key Word Extensions
Analytically -- with the intention
of separating into parts
Critically -- with the purpose of making a judgment Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the Virgoan attitude of EXAMINING and will operate in a manner that reflects
productivity, thoroughness, memory, evaluation, and precision.
Physiological Associations
Virgo has an association with
the hands, the abdomen, and the intestines. Difficult aspects to a Virgoan
ascendant or to planets in this sign may point toward susceptibility to
afflictions of these parts of the body. Planet
Affiliations
Virgoan principles have a very
close correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planet Mercury.
Concomitant Relations
Virgo has an affinity with the
physician, the nurse, the server of people, charity, editing, medicine,
food, and hygiene. Libra
Key Word Extensions
Unitedly -- with a goal of combining
Harmoniously -- with the desire to manifest agreement Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the Libran attitude of BALANCING and will operate in a manner that reflects
diplomacy, cooperation, sincerity, refinement, and neatness.
Physiological Associations
Libra has an association with
the kidneys, the lumbar region, the lower back, and the endocrine glands.
Difficult aspects to a Libran ascendant or to planets in this sign may point
toward susceptibility to afflictions of these parts of the body.
Planet Affiliations
Libra principles have a very close
correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planet Venus.
Concomitant Relations
Libra has an affinity with partnerships,
art, symmetry, justice, romance, peace, and law. Scorpio
Key Word Extensions
Intensely -- with an air of strong
concentration
Secretively -- with an apparent intent to conceal Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the Scorpionic attitude of DESIRING and will operate in a manner that reflects
subtlety, fervor, shrewdness, and tenacity. Physiological
Associations
Scorpio has an association with
the genitals, the bladder, the pelvis, and the gonads. Difficult aspects
to a Scorpionic ascendant or to planets in this sign may point toward susceptibility
to afflictions of these parts of the body. Planet
Affiliations
Scorpionic principles have a very
close correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planets
Pluto and Mars. Concomitant
Relations
Scorpio has an affinity with passion,
sexuality, waste disposal, research, policement, and the underground.
Sagittarius
Key Word Extensions
Freely -- with an objection to
impediments
Widely -- with a liking for breadth Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the Sagittarian attitude of SEEING and will operate in a manner that reflects
cheerfulness, optimism, curiosity, and foresight. Physiological
Associations
Sagittarius has an association
with the hips, the thighs, the buttocks, the liver, and the pituitary gland.
Difficult aspects to a Sagittarian ascendant or to planets in this sign
may point toward susceptibility to afflictions of these parts of the body.
Planet Affiliations
Sagittarian principles have a
very close correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planets
Jupiter and Neptune. Concomitant
Relations
Sagittarius has an affinity with
foreign travel, horsemanship, philosophy, religion, legal matters, publishing,
publicity, and exploration. Capricorn
Key Word Extensions
Prudently -- with the desire to
avoid error Reservedly -- with a reticence to expose opinions or affairs
Attitude Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the Capricornian attitude of USING and will operate in a manner that reflects
purpose, patience, quiet, resourcefulness, and efficiency. Physiological
Associations
Capricorn has an association with
bones, the knees, and the skin. Difficult aspects to a Capricornian ascendant
or to planets in this sign may point toward susceptibility to afflictions
of these parts of the body. Planet
Affiliations
Capricornian principles have a
very close correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planets
Uranus and Saturn. Concomitant
Relations
Capricorn has an affinity with
old age, politics, responsibility, seriousness, persistence, government
service, and public administration. Aquarius
Key Word Extensions
Indifferently -- with an apparent
impartiality or lack of concern
Unconventionally -- with a strong feeling for the unusual Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the Aquarian attitude of KNOWING and will operate in a manner that reflects
idealism, progressiveness, brotherhood, and reformation. Physiological
Associations
Aquarius has an association with
the ankles, the calves, the shins, and the circulatory system. Difficult
aspects to an Aquarian ascendant or to planets in this sign may point toward
susceptibility to afflictions of these parts of the body. Planet
Affiliations
Aquarian principles have a very
close correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planets
Saturn and Uranus. Concomitant
Relations
Aquarius has an affinity with
clubs and societies, eccentricity, humanitarianism, aerial matters, the
inventor, theory, and civil service. Pisces
Key Word Extensions
Impressionably -- with a high
degree of receptivity
Intuitively -- with the faculty to know through the senses Attitude
Expressions
A planet in this sign will assume
the Piscean attitude of BELIEVING and will operate in a manner that reflects
hospitability, kindness, compassion, reticence, and fluidity.
Physiological Associations
Pisces has an association with
the feet. Difficult aspects to a Piscean ascendant or to planets in this
sign may point toward susceptibility to afflictions of these parts of the
body. Planet
Affiliations
Piscean principles have a very
close correspondence to the inclinations and motivations of the planets
Neptune and Jupiter. Concomitant
Relations
Pisces has an affinity with illusions,
delusions, spiritual matters, mysticism, alcohol, drugs, the sea, institutions,
and abstractions. These,
then, are the twelve attitudes and manners of expression through which
a planet will operate as it makes its never ending journey through the
zodiac, spending a certain period of time in each of the signs. These
attitudes and manners are made even more clear, however, through three
systems of grouping the signs: sextuplets, triplicities, and quadruplicities.
The
Sextuplets
The first of these groupings,
the sextuplets, concerns positive and negative polarities. Beginning with
Aries, the signs have been traditionally classified alternatively as positive
and negative; that is, Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius
are positive signs; Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces
are negative signs. These
two classifications do not carry a connotation of superiority and inferiority;
instead the term positive means outgoing or active. Correspondingly the
term negative means indrawn or passive. In other words, a planet in a
positive sign is prone to operate somewhat extravertedly; and a planet
in a negative sign is prone to operate somewhat introvertedly.
Consequently, you should become
familiar with the key words for this particular grouping of the signs.
Grouping |
Attitude
of Expression |
Manner
of Expression |
Positive |
Vigorous |
Vigorously |
Negative |
Passive |
Passively |
Thus, in the interpretation
of a planet in a sign, you must consider, in addition to the key words
for the sign itself, the key word for the positive or negative grouping.
For example, if your own natal Sun is in Libra, you would now say this
about yourself: "My inclination to integrate, to express, and to project
will operate unitedly, harmoniously, and vigorously." Note that the key
word vigorously is added because Libra is a positive sign.
On the other hand, if your
natal Sun is in Virgo, a negative sign, you would say this: "My inclination
to integrate, to express, and to project will operate analytically, critically,
and passively."
The
Triplicities
The next of these groupings, the
triplicities, concerns itself with the four basic elements in man -- fire,
earth, air, and water. Beginning with Aries and continuing in natural order,
the signs are grouped by the elements in that order; hence, the fire signs
are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius; the earth elements are Taurus, Virgo, and
Capricorn; the air elements are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius; and the water
signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. This
method of grouping the signs was developed when astrologers discovered
that the three signs of each group share a common basis for harmony through
the element. In addition, each grouping has a correspondence to the ancient
concepts of the choleric (fire), the melancholic (earth), the sanguinic
(air), and the phlegmatic (water) temperaments.
Consequently, you should become
familiar with the key words for this further grouping of the signs.
Element |
Attitude
of Expression |
Manner
of Expression |
Fire |
Forceful |
Forcefully |
Earth |
Cautious |
Cautiously |
Air |
Pensive |
Pensively |
Water |
Emotional |
Emotionally |
Now, in the interpretation
of a planet in a sign, you must consider, in addition to the key words
for the sign itself and the key words for the positive and negative grouping,
the key word for the element associated with the sign. For example, if
the natal Sun is in Libra, you would take on the additional insight as
follows: "My inclination to integrate, to express, and to project will
operate unitedly, harmoniously, vigorously, and pensively." Note that
the word pensively is added because Libra is an air sign.
Correspondingly, a natal Sun
that is in Virgo, an Earth sign, would be interpreted in the following
fashion: "My inclination to integrate, to express, and to project will
operate critically, analytically, passively, and cautiously."
The Quadruplicities
The last of the three groupings,
the quadruplicities, concerns itself with the three basic characteristics
of INITIATIVE, STABILITY, and ADAPTABILITY; thus, the groups are called
cardinal, fixed, and mutable. Beginning with Aries and continuing in natural
order, the signs are grouped by these characteristics in that order; hence,
the cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn; the fixed signs
are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius; and the mutable signs are Gemini,
Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. This
method of grouping the signs was developed when astrologers discovered
that the four signs of each group share a common basis for starting, staying,
and adjusting. Further, this method of grouping has a symbolic relationship
to the sun's apparent journey through the signs as this journey marks
the seasons of the year. For example, the Sun enters Aries on March 21,
the first day of spring; hence, new startings take place. Next, the Sun
enters Taurus on April 21; hence, spring is staying. Finally, the sun
enters Gemini on May 22; hence, spring is adjusting to the approaching
summer.
Similarly, you can follow through
and see that each group of three successive signs is related to the onset
of, the fixation to, and the changing of a season.
Consequently, you should become
familiar with the key words for this last grouping of the signs.
Classification |
Attitude
of Expression |
Manner
of Expression |
Cardinal |
Enterprising |
Enterprisingly |
Fixed |
Stable |
Stably |
Mutable |
Adjustable |
Adjustably |
Finally, in the interpretation
of a planet in a sign itself, you must consider, in addition to the key
words for the sign itself, the key word for the positive or negative grouping,
and the key word for the element -- the key word for the classification.
Thus, the natal Sun in Libra would now be initially interpreted as follows:
"My inclination to integrate, to express, and to project will operate
unitedly, harmoniously, vigorously, pensively, and enterprisingly." Note
that the key word enterprisingly is added because Libra is a cardinal
sign.
On the other hand, a natal
Sun in Taurus, a negative, earth, fixed sign, would be initially interpreted
as follows: "My inclination to integrate, to express, and to project will
operate enduringly, possessively, passively, cautiously, and stably."
At first, this kind of structure
may seem quite awkward or pompous. Nevertheless, you will eventually see
that the Sun in Taurus ultimately would be interpreted in a fashion such
as this: "My natural urge to become a significant part of the environment
will manifest itself in an inobtrusive manner that may go unnoticed to
others. At the same time, there is beneath this quiet cleverness a certain
amount of persistence and prudence that will sustain me through any difficulties
that I may encounter as I reach for that which I feel I must have."
Review regularly, now, these
key words that are associated with the signs, as well as the physiological,
planetary, and concomitant correspondences. In the chart below, you see
the planets that are called the rulers of the signs. This term does not
connote any dictatorial type of ruler. Instead, ruler suggests affinity.
Begin, also, to use the symbols for the signs and for the planets.
Sign |
Keywords |
Pos/Neg |
Element |
Classification |
Aries |
Assertive
Urgent |
Vigorous |
Forceful |
Enterprising |
Taurus |
Enduring
Possessive |
Passive |
Cautious |
Stable |
Gemini |
Versatile
Variable |
Vigorous |
Pensive |
Adjustable |
Cancer |
Sensitive
Protective |
Passive |
Emotional |
Enterprising |
Leo |
Impressive
Creative |
Vigorous |
Forceful |
Stable |
Virgo |
Analytical
Critical |
Passive |
Cautious |
Adjustable |
Libra |
United
Harmonious |
Vigorous |
Pensive |
Enterprising |
Scorpio |
Intense
Secretive |
Passive |
Emotional |
Stable |
Sagittarius |
Free
Wide |
Vigorous |
Forceful |
Adjustable |
Capricorn |
Prudent
Reserved |
Passive |
Cautious |
Enterprising |
Aquarius |
Indifferent
Unconventional |
Vigorous |
Pensive |
Stable |
Pisces |
Impressionable
Intuitive |
Passive |
Emotional |
Adjustable |
|
