Zodiac Sign

Shortened term: Sign

The twelve signs of 30 degrees which make up the 360 degree zodiac:

Aries Abb L47_252 Libra Abb L48_246 Taurus Abb L46_218 Scorpio Abb L44_205 Gemini Abb L42_262 Sagittarius Abb L43_197 Cancer Abb L30_130 Capricorn Abb L45_214 Leo Abb L32_137 Aquarius Abb L49_249 Virgo Abb L27_109 Pisces Abb L24_071

There is an inherent logic behind the sequence of the twelve signs. The first sign is Aries which embodies the dynamic potential and will to go down unexplored avenues present at the start of any process. The second sign Taurus then gives this process the necessary stability. Taurus strives to create secure and pleasant surroundings. After Taurus has ordered a house, Gemini can go about making contact with others. Gemini is the most communicative sign of the zodiac; it hates being alone, it is curious about anything and open to new ideas.

Cancer follows this first contact with the outside world and signalises a return to things more familiar. Cancer prefers to concentrate on its immediate surroundings of family and children to make them feel warm and secure and expects the same from them in return. The next sign after Cancer is the playful Leo. It represents the time of childhood when the world is full of possibilities without regulations and duties. These conditions allow originality, generosity and creative impulses to flourish. However, the following sign of Virgo is aware of the need to look ahead and provide for future needs. To achieve this, Virgo is systematic and analytical, and rather than striving to be the centre of attention prefers to work for the greater good.

After Virgo has made the necessary provisions, the time has come to enjoy the more aesthetic aspects of life, i.e. time for Libra. It coincides with the beginning of autumn, the last time before the coming winter that nature presents herself in all her colourful glory. Libra seeks to further harmonious cooperation. After the beauty of autumn comes the descent into the underworld, the kingdom of Scorpio. Scorpio's motto is "Death and Becoming" which refers to the process of letting go of the beautiful trappings of life and immersing oneself in the world of intensive inner experiences. Scorpio is passionate and deeply empathetic. The next sign after Scorpio is Sagittarius which longs to soar to the heights to the same degree that Scorpio longs to plumb the depths. Sagittarius is the sign of great idealism that heralds the coming kingdom of heaven after the experiences in the underworld. Sagittarius is continuously driven by enthusiasm and optimism and is a searcher who is never satisfied with the humdrum experiences of everyday life.

The next sign Capricorn shows how to create structures at such lofty heights. It attains its high goals through discipline, perseverance and determination. No other sign is considered to be as ambitious because Capricorn, like the Sun at the winter solstice, is capable of concentrating on what is essential. Airy Aquarius uses its originality and unconventionality to transcend the strict discipline of Capricorn. Aquarius is idiosyncratic and refuses to bow to any kind of convention, but as a free thinker full of creative and innovative energy, Aquarius longs for an exchange of ideas with individuals on similar wavelengths. All plans and intellectual constructs dissolve in Pisces and long to unite with the divine source. Pisces, the most spiritual of all signs, is very intuitive, sensitive and profound.

The zodiac signs are linked to the four elements fire, earth, air and water together with the three qualities cardinal, fixed and mutable. There are also six pairs of opposing signs which are said to form polarities (Aries/Libra, Taurus/Scorpio, Gemini/Sagittarius, Cancer/Capricorn, Leo/Aquarius and Virgo/Pisces).