12 Zodiac Signs (Part 2)

In our  12 Zodiac Signs blog, we talked about how the elements and qualities are the basic ingredients of the zodiac signs ("Signs"). Each sign has a combination of basic attributes unique to itself. Then, we add the influence of its ruling planet and we get the complete features of the sign. However, the most important component of any sign is still the planet. A planet is always in one of the signs of the zodiac and in a house. The planet’s qualities like love, communication, emotions, etc. affect the main attributes of each sign.

The position where a planet rules a sign is also known as the “home position”. The Sun, the Moon and the three outer planets (Neptune, Uranus and Pluto) rule only one sign each. The inner planets rule two signs each. Astrologers believe that the inner planets need to rule two signs each for total expression, which means to be able to display all the characteristics that make up the total personality of the planet.

It is important to keep in mind that at the time of your birth your astrological chart may display any planets in the home position. However, a planet doesn’t stay permanently in its home position, but its vibrant energy is always in touch with its home sign, and also influencing any other planets visiting its home sign.

Today, we are going to explore each sign in depth. We’ll learn how a ruling planet affects the main attributes of each sign. For instance, the planet Mars rules Aries, and Venus rules both Taurus and Libra.

So, let’s find out exactly what this all means.

Aries

The Sun visits Aries each year on or about March 21 and leaves from Aries on or about April 19. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and is a Cardinal-Fire, masculine sign ruled by the planet Mars.

Aries is the sign of initiative, courage and action. It is symbolized by the Ram with head down and charging. It is from Mars where Aries gets the impulse and motivation to be first, vigorous and aggressive. Like Mars, Aries is the archetype of the warrior. Aries tends to act without thinking things through. As a fire sign, Aries feels very comfortable with extreme joy and extreme anger.

Aries people are usually born leaders, determined, generous, great talkers and they are beauty and harmony lovers. When Mars is at home in Aries, you are active and energized with plenty of energy. Aries loves leading any project, but they get bored easily. Mars loves to lead, but he doesn’t stay in the same place for long. Long-term projects are not as good since you would rather move on to more exciting things. Loyal friends are important to keep Aries people headed in a good direction.

As other planets pass through Aries, they will be highly charged, expressing themselves more honestly and strongly in your life.

Taurus

The Sun visits Taurus each year from April 20 to May 20. Taurus is the second sign of the Zodiac and it is a Fixed-Earth, feminine sign ruled by the Planet Venus. The sign is represented by the head and horns of a bull.

Taurus people are lovers of peace. They are trustworthy, persistent and generous friends. Venus, the planet of love and beauty influences Taurus to feel extremely sensual, with a desire and love of nature. Taurus is deeply connected to the Earth, and gets an urge to own material values. Taurus loves the good life, and wants good food, pleasure, and a nice place to live where they can feel safe and experience that unique connection to the earth. Taurus is cheerful and easygoing to a certain point, but as a fixed earth sign, Taurus is also the most stubborn of all the signs. Short-tempered Taurus seems to lose all self-control when pushed to the limits. Taurus needs to learn to let go of its natural attachment to the physical and welcome change as an expected process of nature.

Other planets passing through Taurus find a very supportive and balanced energy, feel more grounded in the physical and frequently search for a more solid form of expression than a different sign.

Gemini

The Sun visits Gemini each year from May 21 to June 21. Gemini is the third sign of the Zodiac and it is a Mutable-Air, masculine sign ruled by the planet Mercury. The sign is represented by the divine twins Castor and Pollux of Greek mythology.

Gemini people are versatile, generous, courteous and very sympathetic to suffering. Like Mercury the mythological messenger of the gods, Gemini likes to travel here and there, hoping for new and interesting adventures. Mercury, the planet of intellect and communication, influences the Gemini individual to be up-to-date with the latest news and always using the latest communication technology.

Gemini is a mutable-air sign with an urge to explore and understand their relationship to the rest of the world. It is the most mutable of all signs and is a rapid-fire thinker. Gemini's love keeping themselves busy and are ready to explore, understand and communicate.

Other planets passing through Gemini become more flexible and open in their intellectual expression.

Cancer

The Sun visits Cancer each year from June 22 to July 23. Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac and is a Cardinal-Water, feminine sign ruled by the Moon. The sign is represented by the “Crab and the Tortoise”.

Cancer people are protective, emotional, sympathetic and elephant-like in their powers of recall. From the Moon, Cancer is deeply linked to the universe and experiences a full range of emotions and feelings. The Moon is very protective of her children, thus Cancer people do an outstanding job loving, protecting and preserving their families. They are super dedicated to their children. As a matter of fact, Cancer will never feel completely happy and fulfilled without the love of their family.

Cancer is a cardinal-water sign always motivated to take action and initiate plans. As a water sign, Cancer operates on the emotional plane and is concerned with creating an emotional and soul identity.

Other planets passing through Cancer become more sensitive and emotional.

Leo

The Sun visits Leo each year from July 24 to August 23. Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac and it is a Fixed-Fire, masculine sign ruled by the Sun. The sign is symbolized by the lion, and like the king of beasts they are born leaders.

Leos are generous and kind-hearted, creative, faithful and loving. Leo is ruled by the Sun and from the Sun, Leo gets an incredible urge to be creative and a leader. However, Leos can be a bit lazy at times and like the cat, Leos are fond of basking in the Sun. But if Leo enjoys their work, whatever it may be, any inherent laziness will ge gone.

As a fixed sign, Leo sustains and maintains what has been created before. Leo wants to win the approval of the group by being special. As a fire sign, Leo is extremely honest and likes to be the center of attention. They can have powerful egos. Leo has an impulse to do things in a very big way with the desire to make sure that everyone understands how special Leo is. This desperate need for approval can make Leo a very easy target for manipulation.

Other planets passing through Leo become more open, generous and creative. They also tend to be a bit self-centered.

Virgo

The Sun visits Virgo each year from August 24 to September 22. Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac and it is an Earth-Mutable, feminine sign ruled by the planet Mercury. The sign is represented by a vestal virgin holding a sheaf of wheat.

Virgos are meticulous, methodical, perfectionists and good magnetic healers. “To be of service,” is a Virgo’s motto because they enjoy doing things for others. Virgos like to choose their friends and relationships with care as well as their health and nutrition. The planet Mercury rules Virgo, making Virgo's intellectually oriented and capable and efficient in all they undertake. They are excellent planners and designers.

Virgo is a mutable earth sign and is involved in the processes of healing, adaptation and change. They are concerned with completing things and becoming whole. Virgos desire is to have and make a good appearance. As an Earth sign, Virgo operates in the realm of the physical, the material and of the practical. Virgo has a tendency to become too focused on the little things and has a difficult time seeing the big picture. When this ability for detail becomes negative, Virgo will become picky and over critical.

Other planets passing through Virgo become more focused on the physical plane and being extremely precise and efficient.

Libra

The Sun visits Libra each year from September 23 to October 22. Libra is the seventh sign of the zodiac, and it is a Cardinal-Air, masculine sign ruled by the planet Venus. The sign is symbolized by the “scales”.

Libra people are generous, romantic, peaceful and warmhearted. Libra is the first sign that acknowledges others as individuals with equal feelings, drives, wants and needs. Venus rules Libra and through Venus, Libra gets greatly inspired by both beauty and relationships. Libra energy often seems to feel that it is incomplete and needs a relationship in order to become whole. This strong desire for relationships can sometimes lead to dependence on others.

As a cardinal sign, Libra is involved in the initial creative process and has a devoted sense of justice. They have an amazing understanding and appreciation of the laws of balance, harmony and love. As an Air sign, Libra operates in the mental and social plane and Libra has an amazing ability to see both sides of any situation with a great deal of objectivity. Libra’s inner and outer beauty makes life cheerful for anyone who is lucky enough to be part of their fascinating circle.

Other planets passing through Libra become more balanced in their expression and tend to see both sides of any issue.

Scorpio

The Sun visits Scorpio each year from October 23 to November 22. Scorpio is the eighth sign of the zodiac and it is a Fixed-Water, feminine sign ruled by the planets, Mars and Pluto. The sign is symbolized by the Scorpion and the Eagle.

Scorpio people are loyal, intense and very intuitive. From Mars, the planet of action, Scorpio is motivated to face and recognize their obstacles and fears. Scorpio is also the sign of regeneration and transformation. Mars rules their energy levels and libido. Mars also influences Scorpio to experience intense and emotional connections with other individuals through sex and by connecting with other individuals on a soul level. Scorpio and Pluto are attracted through transformation and the cycles of death and rebirth, but Pluto lacks the essential emotional ingredient that is a vital part of Scorpio’s personality. However, Mars feel very comfortable with intense emotions and Scorpio reveals the receptive and unconscious spirit of Mars.

Scorpio is a fixed, water sign concerned with transformation and change. As a water sign, Scorpio behaves on the emotional level. They are concerned with their emotional and spiritual self-worth.

Other planets passing through Scorpio sense an air of change and transformation and become more emotional in their expression.

Sagittarius

The Sun visits Sagittarius each year from November 23 to December 20. Sagittarius in the ninth sign of the zodiac and it is a Mutable-Fire sign ruled by the planet Jupiter. The sign is represented by a centaur holding a bow and an arrow pointing to the sky, indicating aspiration and high ideals.

Sagittarius people are progressive, optimistic, enterprising and very straightforward. Jupiter, the planet of abundance and growth, guides Sagittarius to always seek out new experiences through travel, meeting new people, and gaining new knowledge. In other words, Sagittarius knows how to love the good things that life has to offer.

As a fire sign, Sagittarius is concerned with self-worth and seems to know what they want. They're always ready to enroll in new adventures. As a mutable sign, Sagittarius is always concerned with completing one goal before beginning the next one.

Other planets passing through Sagittarius become more self-sufficient and more open to change.

Capricorn

The Sun visits Capricorn each year from December 22 to January 20. Capricorn is the tenth sign of the zodiac and it is a Cardinal-Earth sign, ruled by the planet Saturn. The sign is represented by the “Goat”. Goats love to climb to reach their food and fun. Capricorn never gives up on his climb to the top.

Capricorn people are loyal, deep thinkers and seekers of intellectual growth. Saturn, the planet of responsibility and limitations rules Capricorn and influences the sign to understand that a functional society needs structure, laws and authority. Saturn says, “we get exactly what we deserve”, and the Capricorn individual understands that we must work hard to earn what we desire.

As a cardinal sign, Capricorn is very creative and loves to take responsibility. They work very hard to achieve their goals. As an earth sign, Capricorn is very practical and concerned with appearance. Capricorn is attracted to science, governments, architecture and finances.

Other planets passing through Capricorn become more focused, practical, and ambitious in their expression.

Aquarius

The Sun visits Aquarius each year from January 21 to February 19. Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac and it is a Fixed-Air masculine sign ruled by the planets Saturn and Uranus. The sign is symbolized by the “Water Bearer” and represents intuition.

Aquarius people are humanitarian, self-sufficient and kind-hearted. The Aquarius individual defines themselves through group association and through being an equal member of the collective group. Saturn, the planet of responsibilities and limitations influences Aquarius to be deeply concerned and aware that the rules of society are equally spread to the collective group. Uranus, the planet of change and revolution, motivates Aquarius to fight when those rules don’t grant personal freedom and equality to society.

As a fixed sign, Aquarius is involved in sustaining and maintaining what has been created and initiated before. However, Aquarius can be very stubborn and resistant to change and they can be either a reformer or a rebel. As an air sign, Aquarius works in the intellectual and social plane and wants to build a sense of social, mental and intellectual self-worth. However, Aquarius can be inclined to live in an idealistic world rather than a practical one.

Other planets passing through Aquarius tend to operate on the intellectual plane and become more focused on the group rather than on an individual level.

Pisces

The Sun visits Pisces each year from February 20 to March 20. Pisces is the twelfth sign of the zodiac and it is a Mutable-Water, feminine sign ruled by the planets, Jupiter and Neptune. The sign is represented by two fish tied together and swimming in opposite directions, representing the lower and higher natures.

Pisces people are emotional, compassionate and great lovers of nature. Jupiter, the planet of faith and expansion, influences Pisces to be a very charming person to be around. Pisces strength is about faith and highlights the spiritual aspects of Jupiter. Neptune, the planet of our dreams and idealism, points out the spiritual connection that encompasses our being. Pisces strongly aligns the inner connectivity with spiritual awareness.

As a mutable sign, Pisces wants to adapt, change and be complete. As a water sign, Pisces works on the emotional level and is concerned with healing and completing on the emotional and spiritual plane.

Other planets passing through Pisces become more sensitive and receptive to the spiritual and emotional plane.