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 sins 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 wee 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

 

A Free Astrology Course in Natal Astrology
Lesson 4