Astrology Basics: the Signs
Because birth chart readings are expensive. Today we tackle what a birth chart is and some key information about each sign!
So last week I started a horoscope writing series and I omitted natal astrology basics because I figured there were lots of other voices and it would bore y’all. I was wrong and have no problem admitting that. Let’s fix it! Today we’re talking about the basics of your birth chart. Please ask questions if you have any! Astrology is a huge topic and it can definitely be overwhelming at first. We’re gonna quickly cover basic information and then I have an organized list for each sign just in case you only want to study one at a time.
Your birth chart is a snapshot of what was happening in the sky at the exact moment you came to be! You can use any number of websites to get this info (astro-charts.com is my go to you do you). You’re gonna want to check the settings to see that they are in whole sign to make it easier when you’re just getting started. To get the most accurate chart you do need your birth time as this will give you your rising sign. If for whatever reason you don’t have access to it most astrologers just run it for noon to get a general idea of the planets. In this case disregard any information that isn’t a planet. Again, not ideal but it’ll give you a starting point.
Now lets talk signs and planets.
There are 12 signs in the zodiac wheel starting with Aries and ending with Pisces. Each sign is associated with a house and each house is divided into 3 decans. Each sign is ruled by a planet as are each of the decans. There are two rulers in certain cases with certain signs. Originally Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto weren’t discovered so they weren’t included until later. Every sign regardless has a ruler. The ruler aligns with qualities of the sign. It’s up to you which rulership you choose to use. Personally I like to use traditional rulers as they transit more quickly and feel more personal. If you have a planet in the sign that is associated with it it is referred to as domicile. A planet in the sister (opposite) sign is considered in detriment. Certain planets are exalted in certain signs as they are able to express the energy of the planet at a higher octave. The sister sign is considered at fall.
Each sign is a specific element and modality. We will briefly cover this now and go more in depth in the next post. The Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) are our initiators. They are know for their ability to lead and for the first sparks of passion to an idea. Then we have our fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius). They are our sustainers know for their dedication and fortitude. Then we have our Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) who take things from an idea into the physical world. Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) are known for their intellectual abilities and are very cerebral with processing and problem solving. Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) are known for their more rooted approach to things and patience to wait for things to come to fruition in their own time. Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) known for their passion and ability to take decided action. Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) know to hover between reality and our deeper sensibilities.
Below is everything you need to know as far as basics go for each sign. I’ve used traditional rulership but noted modern rulers. There is some differing information depending on sources regarding decans I went with the most commonly noted. This is just basic information altogether for reference. We will cover more in the future installments so don’t worry if you don’t understand everything right now. All of the following is information I’ve gathered from things I’ve read and come across over however long but I do encourage you to do your own research and take what best suits you given your research. I hope this is a helpful starting point!
Aries
Dates: March 21-April 19
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Mars, 2nd Decan Sun, 3rd Decan Venus
Represented by the Ram
Mythological Tale: Jason and the Argonaut
Element: Fire
Modality: Cardinal
Sister Sign: Libra
Planet: Ruler- Mars, Domicile- Mars, Detriment-Saturn, Exalted-Sun, Fall-Saturn
House Association: 1st beginnings and self expansion
Archetype: Warrior
Motto: I am.
Tarot Card: Emperor
Color: Red
Diurnal
General Observation: Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac and is all about initiating and leading. Known for quick action and fast decided direction.
Taurus
Dates: April 20-May 20
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Mercury, 2nd Decan Moon, 3rd Decan Saturn
Represented by the Bull
Mythological Tale: Europa and Zeus or Cretan Bull
Element: Earth
Modality: Fixed
Sister Sign: Scorpio
Planet: Ruler- , Domicile-Venus , Detriment-Mars/Pluto, Exalted-Moon , Fall-Uranus
House Association: 2nd Material values/comforts
Archetype: the Provider
Motto: I have.
Tarot Card: Hierophant
Color: Green
Nocturnal
General Observation: known for patient grounded approaches to life and being rooted in the material world by building a sense of security.
Gemini
Dates: May 21-June 20
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Jupiter, 2nd Decan Mars, 3rd Decan Sun
Represented by Twins
Mythological Tale: Castor and Pollux
Element: Air
Modality: Mutable
Sister Sign: Sagittarius
Planet: Ruler- Mercury, Domicile- Mercury, Detriment/Fall-Jupiter,
House Association: 3rd communication and learning (think with close friends/family and connections made early in life)
Archetype: Communicator
Motto: I think
Tarot Card: Lovers
Color: Yellow
Diurnal
General Observation: known for curiosity and quick wit. think of this sign as you would a human just coming into existence learning how to connect with the world around them.
Cancer
Dates: June 21-July 22
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Venus, 2nd Decan Mercury, 3rd Decan Moon
Represented by Crab
Mythological Tale: Twelve Labors of Hercules (Karkinos)
Element: Water
Modality: Cardinal
Sister Sign: Capricorn
Planet: Ruler-Moon, Domicile-Moon, Detriment-Saturn, Exalted-Jupiter, Fall-Mars
House Association: 4th home and emotional security
Archetype: Nurturer
Motto: I feel.
Tarot Card: Chariot
Color: Silver
Nocturnal
General Observation: this cardinal sign is known for its preparedness and adaptability. Much like a crab waiting for the full moon Cancer natives know how to wait things out until the right moment comes.
Leo
Dates: July 23 -August 22
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Saturn, 2nd Decan Jupiter, 3rd Decan Mars
Represented by Lion
Mythological Tale: The Nemean Lion
Element: Fire
Modality: Fixed
Sister Sign: Aquarius
Planet: Ruler-Sun , Domicile-Sun, Detriment-Uranus, Exalted-Neptune, Fall- Pluto
House Association: 5th creativity, close connections, and self expression
Archetype: Performer
Motto: I will
Tarot Card: the Sun
Color: Gold
Diurnal
General Observation: known for charisma and presence not given enough credit in my opinion for shedding light on others.
Virgo
Dates: August 23-September 22
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Sun, 2nd Decan Venus, 3rd Decan Mercury
Represented by the Virgin*
Mythological Tale: Demeter
Element: Earth
Modality: Mutable
Sister Sign: Pisces
Planet: Ruler- Mercury, Domicile/Exalted- Mercury, Detriment-Jupiter , Fall-Venus
House Association: 6th day to day things
Archetype: Virgin*
Motto: I analyze
Tarot Card: Hermit
Color: Navy blue
Nocturnal
General Observation: Known for their logical approach this sign is highly observant and a deep thinker. They are know for their organization but I think much like a chess player they think far ahead and remain grounded but adaptable.
*Virgin here refers to the virgins of a temple, meaning they are known for their whole and complete dedication to a cause or deity not necessarily “purity”.
Libra
Dates: September 23 -October 22
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Moon 2nd Decan Saturn, 3rd Decan Jupiter
Represented by Scales
Mythological Tale: Astraea
Element: Air
Modality: Cardinal
Sister Sign: Aries
Planet: Ruler/Domicile-Venus , Detriment- Mars, Exalted-Saturn, Fall-Sun
House Association: 7th relationships and contracts
Archetype: Diplomat
Motto: I balance
Tarot Card: Justice
Color: Pink
Diurnal
General Observation: this sign is known for being charming and social and willing to sacrifice self comfort for balance in most cases.
Scorpio
Dates: October 23-November 21
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Mars 2nd Decan Sun 3rd Decan Venus
Represented by Scorpion
Mythological Tale: Orion and the Scorpion
Element: Water
Modality: Fixed
Sister Sign: Taurus
Planet: Ruler/Domicile-Mars/Pluto , Detriment-Venus, Exalted-Uranus, Fall-Moon
House Association: 8th shared resources and deep emotional relationships
Archetype: the Alchemist
Motto: I desire
Tarot Card: Death
Color: black
Nocturnal
General Observation: this sign moves in silence more often then not and is willing to deal with a lot of discomfort to keep it that way.
Sagittarius
Dates: November 22-December 21
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Mercury 2nd Decan Moon 3rd Decan Saturn
Represented by an Archer
Mythological Tale: Chiron
Element: Fire
Modality: Mutable
Sister Sign: Gemini
Planet: Ruler/Domicile-Jupiter, Detriment- , Exalted- , Fall-
House Association: 9th higher learning and life exploration
Archetype: the Explorer
Motto: I see
Tarot Card: Temperance
Color: Purple
Diurnal
General Observation: I think of this sign as a hands on learner much like their sister sign they are excited and curious about the world but less restrained in their approach to how they experience it.
Capricorn
Dates: December 22-January 19
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Jupiter, 2nd Decan Mars, 3rd Decan Sun
Represented by Sea Goat
Mythological Tale: Pricus
Element: Earth
Modality: Cardinal
Sister Sign: Cancer
Planet: Ruler/Domicile-Saturn, Detriment-Moon, Exalted- Mars, Fall- Jupiter
House Association: 10th higher ambitions and legacy
Archetype: the Achiever
Motto: I use.
Tarot Card: the Devil
Color: brown
Nocturnal
General Observation: known for their ambition and goal oriented action this sign is in my opinion the embodiment of that whole “eyes on the prize” thing. They know what they want and aren’t afraid to make the decisions needed to get it.
Aquarius
Dates: January 20-February 18
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Saturn 2nd Decan Mercury 3rd Decan Venus
Represented by Water Bearer
Mythological Tale: Ganymede
Element: Air
Modality: Fixed
Sister Sign: Leo
Planet: Ruler/Domicile-Saturn/Uranus, Detriment-Sun , Exalted- , Fall-Neptune
House Association: 11th connections and communication with outer world
Archetype: the Rebel
Motto: I Know
Tarot Card: the Star
Color: Turquoise
Diurnal
General Observation: known for innovation and associated with humanitarianism, this sign is known for rational empiricism.
Pisces
Dates: February 19- March 20
Decan Ruler: 1st Decan Jupiter, 2nd Decan Moon, 3rd Decan Mars
Represented by Fish
Mythological Tale: Eros and Typhon
Element: Water
Modality: Mutable
Sister Sign: Virgo
Planet: Ruler/Domicile-Jupiter/Neptune, Detriment-Mercury, Exalted- , Fall-Mercury
House Association: 12th
Archetype: the Escapist
Motto: I Believe
Tarot Card: The Moon
Color: Sea Green
Nocturnal
General Observation: Known fully immersed in the emotional and spiritual realm this sign is associated with empaths/empathy and mysticism.
I hope you found this helpful and that it gets you on your way to further learning and exploring astrology. Saturday we will be talking about the houses and signs. The horoscope series will be on pause until the intro series is complete.
Take care friends!!!
If you still have questions or would like to ask a question to be answered in a future installment leave a comment or send me a message!