Astrology Part Twelve - Pisces

Quick facts for Pisces:
You were born between February 20 and March 20
Your sign is the fishes
Your planet is Neptune
Your element is water
Your metal is tin
Your birthstone is the aquamarine
Your flower is the water lily
Your color is dark purple
Your body part is the feet
Your Tarot card is the Moon.

Strengths:
Compassionate, artistic, intuitive, gentle, wise, musical

Weaknesses:
Fearful, overly trusting, sad, desire to escape reality, can be a victim or a martyr

Likes:
Being alone, sleeping, music, romance, visual media, swimming, spiritual themes

Dislikes:
Know-it-all, being criticized, the past coming back to haunt, cruelty of any kind

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Cancer or Scorpio and to a lesser degree those born to Capricorn and Taurus.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Like the fish that symbolizes them, Pisces dislikes making waves and often prefers to ‘go with the flow.’ They’re the most sensitive of the signs, selfless, spiritual, and intuitive. You’ll often find them helping others without thought of getting anything back. They’re very friendly and popular and get along well with all kinds of people. Compassionate and charitable, they need to watch out or they’ll be taken advantage of by others.

Pisces is symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions. This represents the constant division of their attention between what is real and what is not. They’re kind and good natured, often generous, but are also somewhat weak-willed. They’re capable of hard work and dedicated service, but they also often take the role of a martyr. Pisces is compassionate, faithful, and caring and make pleasant companions, but they also tend to be very fond of gossip which makes them indiscreet in their conversations.

With Neptune as their ruling planet, Pisces are often intuitive and have an artistic talent. Neptune is the planet that rules creativity and dreams, and it encourages Pisces to explore their boundless imagination. They have a genial, pleasure-loving disposition and often succeed as journalists or actors. But they also tend to wear rose-colored glasses instead of addressing their problems, which gives them a reputation for being flaky or delusional.

Famous Pisces include: Albert Einstein, Victor Hugo, Daniel Craig, Elizabeth Taylor, Sidney Poitier, Bruce Willis, Dr. Seuss, Jon Bon Jovi, Drew Barrymore, Rue McClanahan, Michael Cain, Liza Minnelli, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Astrology Part Eleven - Aquarius

Quick facts for Aquarius:
You were born between January 21 and February 19
Your sign is the water bearer
Your planet is Uranus
Your element is air
Your metal is lead
Your birthstone is the amethyst
Your flower is violet
Your color is light blue
Your body part is the calves
Your Tarot card is the Star

Strengths:
Progressive, original, independent, humanitarian

Weaknesses:
Runs from emotional expression, temperamental, uncompromising, aloof

Likes:
Fun with friends, helping others, fighting for causes, intellectual conversation, a good listener

Dislikes:
Limitations, broken promises, being lonely, dull or boring situations, people who disagree with them

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Libra or Gemini, and to a lesser degree those born to Aries and Sagittarius.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Those born under the sign of Aquarius often have many friends and acquaintances, and feel their best when surrounded by other people in a group or community. While they’re normally sympathetic and compassionate, they’re also rigid in their opinions and tend to exaggerate grievances. Being somewhat impatient and a little temperamental, they have difficulty expressing their appreciation which leads them to be often thought of as cold and uncaring.

Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, the planet governing innovation, technology, and unexpected events. It is the most humanitarian astrological sign, and is the sign of philanthropists. They’re deep thinkers, often scholarly, and are interested in making the world a better place by helping others. However, they can become so focused on their plans for helping others that they often neglect their family and friends, which gives them the reputation of being distant and unapproachable in relationships.

Although Aquarians are often shy and quiet, they can also be eccentric and energetic with more humor than most people realize. Often physically large and somewhat slow, they’re gentle rather than forceful, not inclined to insist or demand their own way. They hate to be criticized and can have a bit of a stubborn streak. Their most exasperating character trait is their inability to explain themselves, but the know what they want from the future and can visualize exactly what they want to be doing five or ten years from now.

Famous Aquarius include: Abraham Lincoln, Eddie Van Halen, Bob Marley, Lewis Carroll, James Dean, Alice Cooper, Sheryl Crow, Don Cherry, Neil Diamond, Jennifer Aniston, Ellen Degeneres, and Johnny Winter.

Astrology Part Ten - Capricorn

Quick facts for Capricorn:
You were born between December 23 and January 20
Your sign is the seagoat
Your planet is Saturn
Your element is earth
Your metal is lead
Your birthstone is the garnet
Your flower is the carnation
Your color is deep blue, black, and brown
Your body part is the knees
Your Tarot card is the Devil

Strengths:
Responsible, disciplined, self-control, good managers

Weaknesses:
Know-it-all, unforgiving, condescending, pessimistic

Likes:
Family, tradition, music, understated status, quality craftsmanship

Dislikes:
Almost everything at some point

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Virgo and Taurus and to a lesser degree those born to Pisces and Scorpio.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Those born under the sign of Capricorn are all about hard work. They’re ambitious and determined as well as practical and realistic. Shrewd and to the point, they’re meticulous with details and produce the maximum effect with the minimum of effort and energy. They’re masters of self-control, able to learn from their mistakes, and are first-class people to have in charge.

Saturn’s influence makes Capricorn practical and responsible. They can be a tad materialistic bordering on greedy, but never carried away by it. They often have an economical streak, especially with words – they say what they have to say in the fewest words possible. This way with brevity can make them appear domineering, cold, distant, and unforgiving.

Capricorn represents time and responsibility. They set high standards for themselves and are usually clear headed and self-critical. They tend to be over serious, pessimistic and emotionally inhibited. They’re often serious by nature and prone to guilt feelings and focusing too much on the past. However, they’re also said to age backward, becoming increasingly youthful, optimistic, and playful as they mature.

Famous Capricorn include: Mozart, Schubert, Martin Luther King Jr., Benjamin Franklin, Anthony Hopkins, Elvis Presley, Al Capone, Howard Hughes, Robert W. Service, Isaac Asimov, A.A. Milne, Rod Steward, Orlando Bloom, Diane Keaton, and Dolly Parton.

Astrology Part Nine - Sagittarius

Quick facts for Sagittarius:
You were born between November 23 and December 22
Your sign is the archer
Your planet is Jupiter
Your element is fire
Your metal is tin
Your birthstone is the turquoise
Your flower is the narcissus
Your color is light purple
Your body part is the thighs
Your Tarot card is Temperance

Strengths:
Generous, idealistic, great sense of humor

Weaknesses:
Promises more than can deliver, very impatient, will say anything no matter how undiplomatic

Likes:
Freedom, travel, philosophy, being outdoors

Dislikes:
Clingy people, being constrained, off-the-wall theories, details

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Aries and Leo and to a lesser degree those born to Aquarius and Libra.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Curious and energetic, Sagittarius is the most enthusiastic of travelers in the zodiac. They enjoy the freedom that travel brings them almost as much as the knowledge they gain from other cultures and philosophies. They can be found traveling all over the world on thrill seeking journeys and make excellent storytellers, relating the tales of their adventures.

The Sagittarian enthusiasm knows no bounds, they possess a great sense of humor and powerful curiosity. With their clear thinking they’re able to see the big picture and are filled with idealism. They can be ambitious, but are able to transform their thoughts into action to achieve their goals and succeed in life.

Sagittarius is honest, optimistic and enthusiastic. They love to socialize and be physically active. Though generosity comes naturally to them, they tend to be possessive. With their magnetic sense of humor they easily attract friends and lovers. They’re inquisitive and witty, loyal and demonstrative in their affections. But they’re often impatient and can be tactless in the way they say or do things. Though they know a great deal, they don’t know everything and sometimes come across as pretentious or arrogant.

Famous Sagittarius include: Sir Winston Churchill, Walt Disney, Brad Pitt, Samuel L. Jackson, John F. Kennedy, Keith Richards, Jane Austen, Tina Turner, Mark Ruffalo, Lucy Liu, Jake Gyllenhaal, Scarlett Johansson, Jimi Hendrix, and Bruce Lee.

Astrology Part Eight - Scorpio

Quick facts for Scorpio:
You were born between October 24 and November 22
Your sign is the scorpion
Your planet is Mars
Your element is water
Your metal is iron
Your birthstone is the topaz
Your flower is the chrysanthemum
Your color is red
Your body part is the genitals
Your Tarot card is Death

Strengths:
Resourceful, brave, passionate, stubborn, a true friend

Weaknesses:
Distrusting, jealous, secretive, violent

Likes:
Truth, facts, being right, longtime friends, teasing, a grand passion

Dislikes:
Dishonesty, revealing secrets, passive people

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Cancer or Pisces, and to a lesser degree those born to Virgo and Capricorn.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Scorpio is ruled by Mars, the planet of courage, energy and activity. People born to this sign are passionate and assertive, often uninhibited and impatient. Though they are also known for being calm and cool, they would rather be active than sit around doing nothing. The sign of Scorpio governs the genitals, giving this sign the reputation of being the most sexual of the signs. But they also crave physical closeness, spiritual illumination, and emotional intimacy.

Being very dedicated to what they do, Scorpios make excellent leaders. Their curiosity is vast, making them great investigators. They’re determined and decisive, and have a positive attitude that makes them very thorough. To them, work is a pleasurable pastime and they take offense when anyone tries to turn their work into a burden. They know what they want and aren’t afraid to work hard to get it, although their need to be in control can make them a little overbearing.

Scorpio is great at keeping secrets and if there’s a mystery afoot you can count on Scorpio, with their keen sense of intuition, to get to the bottom of it. Their world tends to be black and white and they have little use for the shades of grey between. They hate dishonesty and can be very jealous and suspicious. Scorpio is always plotting several steps ahead, and like their spirit animal, they will sting when least expected.

Famous Scorpios include: Katy Perry, Christopher Columbus, Hillary Clinton, Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pablo Picasso, Katherine Hepburn, Bob Ross, Marie Antoinette, Whoopi Goldberg, Julia Roberts, Matthew McConaughey, and Joaquin Phoenix

Astrology Part Seven - Libra

Quick facts for Libra:
You were born between September 24 and October 22
Your sign is the scales
Your planet is Venus
Your element is air
Your metal is copper
Your birthstone is the opal
Your flower is the cosmos
Your color is yellow
Your body part is the lower back and buttocks
Your Tarot card is Justice

Strengths:
Cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social

Weaknesses:
Indecisive, avoids confrontations, will carry a grudge, self-pity

Likes:
Harmony, gentleness, sharing with others, the outdoors

Dislikes:
Violence, injustice, loudmouths, conformity

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Aquarius and Gemini, and to a lesser degree those born to Sagittarius and Leo.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Libra is the only sign of the zodiac represented by an inanimate object, but the scales reflect the Libra’s fixation with balance and harmony. They are true team players with a strong sense of fair play. Lovers of justice, they have a strong aversion to conflict and are good at weighing issues and reaching a compromise. In a constant search for justice, they always try to see that justified claims are met.

Libras are great at launching new initiatives, however they often struggle with indecision. They have a strong intellect and a keen mind and learn best by using their intuition. One of their greatest pleasures is enriching their lives with music, art, and travel. They are artistic and stylish, fond of expensive things, but when bored they can be somewhat apathetic and lazy.

Those born under the sign of Libra are peaceful, fair, and they hate being alone. Relationships are important to them to find their balance. They’re adept at navigating social situations, resolving conflicts with ease simply by turning on the charm. Libras are exceedingly trustworthy and very sensitive, and are devoted strategists who thrive on organizing groups to get the job done.

Famous Libra include: Pope Paul VI, Mahatma Gandhi, Truman Capote, Angela Lansbury, Will Smith, F, Scott Fitzgerald, Hugh Jackman, T.S. Elliot, Viggo Mortensen, John Lennon, Augustus Caesar, Ray Charles, Matt Damon, and Kublai Khan.

Astrology Part Six - Virgo

Quick facts for Virgo:
You were born between August 23 and September 23
Your sign is the Virgin
Your planet is Mercury
Your element is earth
Your metal is quicksilver
Your birthstone is the sapphire
Your flower is the aster
Your color is dark violet/navy blue
Your body part is the stomach
Your Tarot card is the Hermit

Strengths:
Loyal, analytical, kind, hardworking, practical

Weaknesses:
Shyness, worry, overly critical of self and others, all work and no play

Likes:
Animals, healthy food, books, nature, cleanliness

Dislikes:
Rudeness, asking for help, taking center stage

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Taurus and Capricorn, and to a lesser degree those born to Cancer and Scorpio.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Logical and practical by nature, Virgos are much like a computer in their systematic approach to life. Their tidy minds are suspicious of abstract ideas and attitudes. They’re excellent fact-finders and usually get things right the first time. They’re cautious, discrete, modest, and practical.

While they can be picky and critical, Virgos are also industrious, methodical, and efficient. They pay attention to even the smallest of details, which makes them one of the most careful signs of the zodiac. Perfectionists at heart, they use their minds and resourcefulness to problem-solve. Their methodical approach to life ensures nothing is left to chance.

Virgos are usually most happy when they’re of service to others, and make kind and supportive friends. They’re genuinely affectionate, but they tend to shrink away from getting too close to anyone. Changeable as well as adaptable, they’re quiet and undemonstrative in their affairs. Although they can be tender, their heart is often closed to the outer world which makes them one of the most misunderstood of the signs.

Famous Virgo include: Queen Elizabeth I, Adam Sandler, Keanu Reeves, Alexander Skarsgård, Freddie Mercury, Sean Connery, Michael Keaton, Jesse James, Mother Teresa, Stephen King, Idris Elba, and Chris Pine.

Astrology Part Five - Leo

Quick facts for Leo:
You were born between July 23 and August 22
Your sign is the Lion
Your planet is the Sun
Your element is Fire
Your metal is gold
Your birthstone is the sardonyx and ruby
Your flower is gladiolus
Your color is orange
Your body part is the heart and spine
Your Tarot card is Strength

Strengths:
Creative, passionate, generous, warm-hearted, cheerful, humorous

Weaknesses:
Arrogant, stubborn, self-centered, lazy, inflexible

Likes:
Theater, taking holidays, being admired, expensive things, bright colors, fun with friends

Dislikes:
Being ignored, facing difficult reality, not being treated like a king or queen

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Sagittarius or Aries and to a lesser degree those born to Gemini and Libra.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

The lion is the natural symbol of kings and rulers, so it’s no wonder that Leos are self-confident, and obvious leaders. They make good friends or lovers, putting their heart into every relationship. They’re generous and loyal, self-confident and attractive, and have the ability of uniting different groups of people to lead them towards a shared cause.

Leos have a great deal of respect for those in authority or power, and are often interested in politics. They’re almost impossible to bully. They like to be in charge, often ruffling a few feathers to get there, and they’re good at delegating to others. Their ambition and drive will have them seeing any project they undertake through to completion.

As a Fire sign, Leo is warm-hearted and in love with life. They’re outgoing, dramatic, creative, and self-confident. While they can be generous, it’s usually only to boost their own reputation. They’re brave in an emergency, easily taking the initiative to resolve complicated situations. When there are no emergencies or problems to solve, they tend to be very casual and take their own superiority for granted.

Famous Leos include: Napoleon I; Alexander the Great; Aldous Huxley, Alfred Hitchcock, Chris Hemsworth, Jason Mamoa, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Antonio Banderas, Bill Clinton, J.K. Rowling, Jennifer Lopez, and Barack Obama.

Astrology Part Four - Cancer

Quick facts for Cancer:
You were born between June 22 and July 22
Your sign is the Crab
Your planet is the Moon
Your element is water
Your metal is silver
Your birthstone is the ruby and the pearl
Your flower is water lily
Your color is turquoise
Your body part is the breast
Your Tarot card is The Chariot

Strengths:
Tenacious, highly imaginative, loyal, emotional, sympathetic, persuasive

Weaknesses:
Moody, pessimistic, suspicious, manipulative, insecure

Likes:
Art, home-based hobbies, relaxing near or in water, helping loved ones, a good meal with friends

Dislikes:
Strangers, any criticism of Mom, revealing of personal life

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Pisces and Scorpio, and to a lesser degree those born to Taurus and Virgo.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Cancers care deeply for their families and are often found in the caregiver role. They are very loyal and form close attachments to those they love. They’re able to empathize with the pain and suffering of others and are quick to offer help. But they are just as quick to avoid conflict, and often suffer from mood swings. They can also be somewhat controlling.

Their homes are their sanctuaries, and they’re excellent hosts. Entertaining is one of their favorite pastimes. They are most happy and content when they are surrounded by family in a harmonious home.

Cancers are highly intuitive and sensitive, and often sentimental. Like the crab, they’re shielded by hard external shells and are extremely self-protective. At first glance they can seem cold or distant, but in time their gentle nature and compassion will shine through.

Famous Cancer include: Julius Caesar, Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, Pearl S. Buck, Louis Armstrong, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Sylvester Stallone, Kristin Bell, Tom Cruise, Will Ferrell, Kathy Bates, and Harrison Ford.

Astrology Part Two – Taurus

Quick facts for Taurus:
You were born between April 21 and May 20
Your sign is the Bull
Your planet is Venus
Your element is Earth
Your metal is Copper
Your birthstone is the emerald
Your flower is lily-of-the-valley or rose
Your color is deep yellow
Your body part is the neck and throat
Your Tarot card is The Hierophant

Strengths:
Reliable, patient, practical, devoted, responsible, stable

Weaknesses:
Stubborn, possessive, uncompromising

Likes:
Gardening, cooking, music, romance, high quality clothes, working with hands

Dislikes:
Sudden changes, complications, insecurity of any kind, synthetic fabrics

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Capricorn or Virgo, and sometimes Pisces or Cancer

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

The second sign of the Zodiac, Taurus enjoys the good life - both physical pleasure and material goods. But although like the bull they can be somewhat bull-headed and stubborn, sometimes that stubbornness is simply commitment, their desire to finish a task no matter what. Taurus isn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and work hard to earn big rewards. They find it easy to make money and they’ll stay on the same project for years until it’s completed.

Taurus is modest and doesn’t seek popularity. They’re sensitive, keen witted, and humble by nature. Their truthfulness makes them good-natured, reliable, and faithful friends. They’re always there for the people they love. The influence of Venus ensures they enjoy being surrounded by beauty and love, comfort and luxury.

As an earth sign, Taurus has the ability to see things from a grounded, practical, and realistic perspective. They tend to be overprotective, conservative, and devoted to both people and ideals. They’re patient, loyal, dependable, and often somewhat conservative. However, they don’t like sudden changes or criticism.

Famous Taurus include: Queen Elizabeth II, William Shakespeare, Robert Browning, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Sigmund Freud, Kelly Clarkson, Barbara Streisand, Renee Zellweger, Dwayne Johnson, and Audrey Hepburn.

Astrology Part One - Aries

Quick facts for Aries:
You were born between March 21 and April 20.
Your sign is the Ram
Your planet is Mars
Your element is Fire
Your metal is Iron
Your birthstone is the diamond
Your flower is honeysuckle
Your color is deep red
Your body part is the head
Your Tarot Card: The Emperor

Strengths:
Courageous, determined, confident, enthusiastic, optimistic, honest, passionate

Weaknesses:
Impatient, moody, short-tempered, impulsive, aggressive

Likes:
Comfortable clothes, taking on leadership roles, physical challenges, individual sports

Dislikes:
Inactivity, delays, work that does not use one's talents

Your best matches are those born under the sign of Sagittarius or Leo, and sometimes Aquarius or Gemini.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Being the first sign of the zodiac, it’s no surprise that Aries loves to be number one. Aries rules the head and often literally walks head first, leaning forward for speed and focus. They tend to be brave, bold, and ambitious. They’ll dive headfirst into a challenge and like to throw their weight around.

They like to be the first in everything - from work to social gatherings. They make good leaders and managers and have excellent organizational skills, but they don’t usually like working for other people. Often they don’t finish what they start, preferring to leave it to others.

The ram symbolizes energy, initiative, and aggression; Aries can be blunt and to the point, often ramming their ideas down other people’s throats. As well, they’re known for their tempers, which can be explosive, although an outburst will likely fizzle out as quickly as it starts.

Famous Aries include: Adolph Hitler, Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Charlie Chaplin, Sigmund Freud, Niccolo Machiavelli, Elton John, Mathew Broderick, Robert Downey Jr., Heath Ledger, and Quentin Tarantino.

Astrology – Introduction

Did you read your horoscope today? Chances are, even if you didn’t you at least know what sign of the zodiac you were born under. Astrology seems like the logical thing to follow my series on divination. After all, what better way to tell your fortune than through the stars?

Astrology has been around since 3,000 B.C. when ancient star-gazers studied the heavens and realized the stars followed a cycle every year. The Babylonians realized it took 12 lunar cycles (months) for the sun to return to its original position. They then assigned names to the 12 constellations that were linked to the progression of the seasons.

With their newly created astrological charts, they were able to predict the recurrence of the seasons. This enabled them to create an agricultural calendar that predicted the dates for the sowing of crops and harvesting,

Astrology was introduced to the Greeks early in the 4th century B.C. Later it was embraced by the Romans (the Roman names for the signs of the zodiac are still used today) and the Arabs. Now it has spread throughout the entire world.

The signs of the zodiac are as follows:

Aries, the Ram - March 21 to April 20, ruler of the head
Taurus, the Bull - April 21 to May 20, ruler of the neck and throat
Gemini, the Twins - May 21 to June 20, ruler of the arms
Cancer, the Crab - June 21 to July 22, ruler of the breast
Leo, the Lion - July 23 to August 22, ruler of the heart
Virgo, the Virgin - August 23 to September 22, ruler of the stomach
Libra, the Scales - September 23 to October 22, ruler of the kidneys
Scorpio, the Scorpion - October 23 to November 22, ruler of the pelvis
Sagittarius, the Archer - November 23 to December 21, ruler of the thighs
Capricon, the Seagoat - December 22 to January 19, ruler of the knees
Aquarius, the Waterbearer - January 20 to February 19, ruler of the legs
Pisces, the Fish - February 20 to March 20, ruler of the feet

Some interesting Zodiac facts:

The term zodiac derives from Latin zōdiacus, which comes from the Greek zōdiakos kuklos, meaning circle of animals.

Astrology is considered to be both a science and an art. It has scientific status because it requires mathematics and an understanding of Astronomy, and art because interpretation is necessary to bring the different aspects together.

Interest in astrology waned with the rise of Christianity, but became popular again when Nostradamus published his book of prophecies in 1555.

Those born under the signs of Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius tend to be extroverts, while those born under the signs of Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces tend to be introverts.

At one time astrology and astronomy were considered part of the same science, however while astronomy went on to become one of the hard sciences, astrology is often thought to be a pseudo-science.

More than one third of all Americans believe in astrology.

Astrologers claim that the moon has the same effect on humans as it does on the ocean. If the moon can affect the huge tides it cannot fail to affect the human body, which consists of 75 per cent water.

The zodiac cycle starts with Aries because March 21 is the spring equinox.

Adolf Hitler is thought to have used an Astrologer throughout the Second World War.

Join me here next week to explore the first sign of the zodiac, Aries.