More You Know: Astrology

Unlike natural and applied sciences, astrology is thought of as a pseudoscience to some people.  The beliefs of astrology center around information about humans in relation to celestial cycles and astrological signs.  There are twelve Western signs, known as the zodiac, and related to constellations in the sky.

Western Signs

The signs are in the order of Aries (Ram), Taurus (Bull), Gemini (Twins), Cancer (Crab), Leo (Lion), Virgo (Maiden), Libra (Scales), Scorpio (Scorpion), Sagittarius (Archer/Centaur), Capricorn (Goat), Aquarius (Water bearer), and Pisces (Fish). 

Every sign is linked to the four elements of Water (negative), Fire (positive), Earth (negative), and Air (positive).  Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are linked to fire.  Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are linked to air.  Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are linked to earth.  Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are linked to water. 

There are three modalities Cardinal belongs to Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn.   Fixed belongs to Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.  Mutable belongs to Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.

As you can see below, each element has three signs and each modality has four signs.

What are the dates and ruling bodies of each sign?  Here they are and will start with beginning of Aries and end with Pisces. 

Aries is from March 21 to April 20 and ruled by Mars and opposite is Libra.

Taurus is from April 21 to May 20 and ruled by Venus and opposite is Scorpio.

Gemini is from May 21 to June 21 and ruled Mercury and opposite is Sagittarius.

Cancer is from June 22 to July 22 and ruled by the Moon and opposite is Capricorn.

Leo is from July 23 to August 23 and ruled by the Sun and opposite is Aquarius.

Virgo is from August 24 to September 21 and ruled by Mercury and opposite is Pisces.

Libra is from September 22 to October 22 and ruled by Venus and opposite is Aries.

Scorpio is from October 23 to November 21 and ruled by Pluto and opposite is Taurus.

Sagittarius is from November 22 to December 21 and ruled by Jupiter and opposite is Gemini.

Capricorn is from December 22 to January 20 and ruled by Saturn and opposite is Cancer.

Aquarius is from January 21 to February 19 and ruled by Uranus and opposite of Leo.

Pisces is from February 20 to March 20 and ruled by Neptune and opposite of Virgo.

Other cultures follow astrology a little differently and the most notable ones are Mayan, Vedic, Celtic, and Chinese.  The Celtic and Chinese animal signs are below.

Celtic Signs

December 24 to January 20 is a deer or stag.

January 21 to February 17 is a cat.

February 18 to March 17 is a snake or adder.

March 18 to April 14 is a fox.

April 15 to May 12 is a bull or cow.

May 13 to June 9 is a seahorse.

June 10 to July 7 is a wren.

July 8 to August 4 is a horse.

August 5 to September 1 is a salmon.

September 2 to September 20 is a swan.

September 30 to October 27 is a butterfly.

October 28 to November 24 is a hound or wolf.

November 25 to December 23 is a hawk.

Chinese Signs

There are twelve signs and are based on year.  The signs are Boar, Dog, Rooster, Monkey, Sheep, Horse, Snake, Dragon, Rabbit, Tiger, Ox, and Rat.  Every sign is linked to the five elements of Metal, Earth, Fire, Water, and Wood.

Tiger is from first lunar month, from February 4 to March 5, and no match with Monkey.

Rabbit is from second lunar month, from March 5 to April 4, and no match with Rooster.

Dragon is from third lunar month, from April 5 to May 4, and no match with Dog.

Snake is from fourth lunar month, from May 5 to June 5, and no match with Pig.

Horse is from fifth lunar month, from June 6 to July 6, and no match with Rat.

Goat is from sixth lunar month, from July 7 to August 6, and no match with Ox.

Monkey is from seventh lunar month, from August 7 to September 7 and no match with Tiger.

Rooster is from eight lunar month, from September 8 to October 7, and no match with Rabbit.

Dog is from ninth lunar month, from October 8 to November 6, and no match with Dragon.

Pig is from tenth lunar month, from November 7 to December 6, and no match with Snake.

Rat is from eleventh lunar month, from December 7 to January 5, and no match with Horse.

Ox is from twelfth lunar month, from January 6 to February 3, and no match with Goat.

As you can see below, each element has three signs and each modality has four signs.