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The Basics of Astrology

zodiac symbols



The Basics of the Astrological/Zodiac Signs

There are 12 astrological signs. The twelve signs of the Zodiac are each divided into several sets of groups, or numbers. They are divided into two's (dualities), three's (triplicities), four's,(quadruplicities) and six's (polarities).

 Zodiac Sign Dualities
 Zodiac Sign Triplicities
 Zodiac Sign Quadruplicities
 Zodiac Sign Polarities

Dualities

The twelve zodiac signs are each divided ino two groups: Masculine and Feminine. Six signs are masculine and six of the signs are feminine. This is known as the signs Duality. This is not to be confused with the literal (and more sexist) veiw of masculine/feminine. A "feminine" sign is not any more "feminine" in the literal terms than a "masculine" sign, and vice versa. Everyone has both masculine and feminine qualities, but the astrological distinctions made here with the signs Duality, meerly is a symbollic expression of the sign, and how it experiences itself to find balance with the opposite energetic expression.

Masculine Signs are direct and energetic. These signs are outer-directed and find their strength through direct action.

Feminine Signs are receptive and magnetic. These signs are self-contained and find their strength through inner reserves.

The 6 signs with the Masculine Duality are: ARIES, GEMINI, LEO, LIBRA, SAGITTARIUS, and AQUARIUS

The 6 signs with the Feminine Duality are: TAURUS, CANCER, VIRGO, SCORPIO, CAPRICORN, and PISCES.


Triplicities

The twelve zodiac signs are each divided ino four groups containing three signs each. Each of these groups of 3 are called Triplicities, and each one is associated with a particular Element. The four elements are: Earth - Air - Fire - Water. In Astrology, an element symbolized a fundamental characterization of the sign. Each elemental group will express energies or personality traits that represent one of these basic four elements.

The 3 FIRE Signs are: ARIES, LEO, and SAGITTARIUS.
Fire Signs are Active and Enthusiastic.

The 3 EARTH Signs are: TAURUS, VIRGO, and CAPRICORN
Earth Signs are Practical and Stable.

The 3 AIR Signs are: GEMINI, LIBRA, and AQUARIUS
Air Signs are Intellectual and Communicative.

The 3 WATER Signs are: CANCER, SCORPIO, and PISCES.
Water Signs are Emotional and Intuitive.


Quadruplicities

The twelve zodiac signs are each divided ino three groups containing four signs each. Each four-sign group is called a quadruplicity, and each one represents a quality. The three astrological qualities are: Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable. The quality of a sign signifies its interaction with the outside world. It's "outer self expression".

The 3 CARDINAL Signs are: ARIES, CANCER, LIBRA, and CAPRICORN
Cardinal Signs are enterprising and outgoing. They are the initiators of the zodiac.

The 3 FIXED Signs are: TAURUS, LEO, SCORPIO, and AQUARIUS
Fixed Signs are resistant to change. They are the perfectors and finishers rather than the initiators.

The 3 MUTABLE Signs are: GEMINI, VIRGO, SAGITTARIUS, and PISCES
Mutable Signs are flexible, versatile, and adaptable. They are able to adjust to different circumstances easily.

Each astrological sign has a unique combination of Duality (energy), Triplicity (Element) and Quadruplicity (quality). Not one signs shares a similar combination. Because each sign is unique in this way, each sign will express the characteristics of its quality, element, and duality differently.

ARIES: Masculine - Fire - Cardinal
TAURUS: Feminine - Earth - Fixed
GEMINI : Masculine - Air - Mutable
CANCER: Feminine - Water - Cardinal
LEO: Masculine - Fire - Fixed
VIRGO: Feminine - Earth - Mutable
LIBRA: Masculine - Air - Cardinal
SCORPIO: Feminine - Water - Fixed
SAGITTARIUS: Masculine - Fire - Mutable
CAPRICORN: Feminine - Earth - Cardinal
AQUARIUS: Masculine - Air - Fixed
PISCES: Feminine - Water - Mutable


Polarities

The twelve signs of the zodiac are also divided into six groups containing two signs each. Each 2-sign group is called a Polarity (which means "opposite"). So each zodiac sign has an opposite sign in the other half of the zodiac. The two signs express opposite characteristics from one another.

ARIES and LIBRA are Polarities.
Aries is the sign of Self
Libra is the sign of Partnership

TAURUS and SCORPIO are Polarities.
Taurus is the sign of Personal Possessions
Scorpio is the sign of Shared Possessions and Legacies

GEMINI and SAGITTARIUS are Polarities.
Gemini is the sign of Self-Expression
Sagittarius is the sign of Philosophy and Higher Thinking (expression on a wider level)

CANCER and CAPRICORN are Polarities.
Cancer is the sign of Home Life
Capricorn is the sign of Public Life

PISCES and AQUARIUS are Polarities.
Leo is the sign of Personal Pleasure and Creativity
Aquarius is the sign of Hopes and Ideals on a Larger Scale

VIRGO and PISCES are Polarities.
Virgo is the sign of Work and Self-Improvement
Pisces is the sign of Dreams and Self-Delusion

Each astrological sign would do well in learning the qualities and characteristics of its opposite sign (polarity).
Learning to balance these opposite energies will bring the personality and expression more into balance and harmony.

What's Your sign?

the twelve zodiac - astrological signs


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