Insight On Astrology III: Your Access and Guide to Context

By Lamar J J Young

Who are you? Who are they? Who are we? Why did this happen? And where do we go from here? These are the kinds of questions commonly asked as we try to find meaning—meaning in our purpose and meaning in our existence. Our species is engaged in a continual evolutionary process that causes us to question not only other humans and the things happening around us but also ourselves. Examining intent and motivation is a key component in the process of unraveling the mysteries associated with our existence in the here and now. The Insight on Astrology series is a tool we can utilize in getting answers and understanding context. Rooted in the tenets of metaphysics, this book, along with Young's two prior books, What's the Deal with My Sign and What's the Deal with Your Sign, is a part of a library of resources that may make you, as well as others, appreciate astrology, where seeking a deeper meaning beyond the generic and arbitrary is the ultimate goal. Given some of the rather profound challenges our species faces as we move further into the twenty-first century, your letting the Insight on Astrology III: Your Access and Guide to Context book be a part of your reading selection is indeed a wise choice. Though varied in our perception and behavior, we're nonetheless intractably interconnected, and Insight on Astrology III: Your Access and Guide to Context may be that beacon in mending it altogether, where it all simply makes sense. Enjoy, and may your reading be fulfilling!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781662407239

Book preview

Zodiac Sign Symbols

Image result for Twins duality

The Astrological Evolutionary Continuum

The Signs Categorization

The Planets

In Western astrology, each of the twelve zodiac signs are governed by a particular planet from our solar system, and consequently, this affects the sign’s personality traits. Your sun sign or your traditionally assigned zodiac sign is directly influenced by one of these planets. Based on the Earth’s rotation and orbit, one of the nine planets of the solar system is at its closest or has the clearest view in a certain month. Western or Europeanized cultures, as well as some traditional sub-Saharan African cultural groups, have attributed particular qualities to each of these planets, thus lending certain capabilities and activities to each planet respectively. I wouldn’t profess to have any advanced astronomy knowledge or technical celestial training; however, as an avid studier of astrology for decades, I can tell you that the continual movement within our solar system certainly has an impact on some of the events and decisions here on Earth. From such things like agriculture, leisure activities, fertility, travel, interpersonal communication, to the tides of our oceans, all are affected by the positioning of one of these nine familiar celestial bodies. Moreover, depending on the positions these planets are located during the month (and even the day) of birth, then the impact can become more personal, as there may be some strengths or weakness in your own personality matrix. Again, we’ll let the people who are technically trained in astronomy to handle the exact positioning. In the meantime, here’s a broad description of the celestial bodies associated with our twelve zodiac signs.

Sun

The solar system’s primary source of energy. Its photosphere is comprised of mostly hydrogen and helium. Technically, by virtue of its composition, it’s not a planet, but instead astronomers define it to be a star. Stars exist throughout the Milky Way galaxy and are spherical masses of hot plasma. Astrologically, the sun has been commissioned with the most important cosmic role as it’s the source of one’s identity and concept of self. Associated with vitality, strength, expression, creativity, life force, health, and individualism, the sun’s presence in our world has been tremendously powerful. Cosmically linked to the human ego, the sun illuminates a person’s dominant and most pronounced traits. Ancient Western or European mythology called it Sol, Helios, or Apollo, and as twentieth-century European astrologers often referred to it as the source of light, it’s been understood that the masculine or day side of our world is directly influenced and linked to the sun. In African mythology, there are various names, from Adroa, Cagn, Amma, Leza, Nyame, Olorun, to Obatala, all of whom were known to be the creator, divine authority, and the essence of clarity. From eastern to western to southern Africa, these mythological figures were revered as supreme comparative to other deities and possessed a profound sense of self and restraint in light of their power. Fast-forward to today and the same characteristics and principles apply, where the sun is still our source of reliable energy, as it’s used as one of the primary sources of modern-day sustainable energy. The sun is pure, unrelenting, consistent, intense, direct, searing, and invigorating. Given these qualities, folks with a heavy sun presence are keenly aware of self, as they possess an intense self-confidence and a deep understanding of their own presence. Matters of the heart and personal passions are commonplace, as these reinforce the sun’s purity as a source of energy. Moreover, people with strong sun influences have an uncanny inner vitality, as problems, mishaps, and ineptness are minimized, which makes way for a genuine aura of optimism, where strength is derived from a positive sense of self. Astrologically, in fact, all signs are referred to as sun signs because this is a reference to the direct zodiac sign in the calendar month to which a person was born, so the connection that one has to their selves resides and exists in everyone. However, of the twelve zodiac signs, there’s only one that’s directly and exclusively governed by the sun; that is Leo.

Mercury

The smallest and physically closest planet to our star or sun, Mercury has traditionally been associated with human communication and all things related to transference. Known as the messenger planet, Mercury influences our language, way of speaking, relating, translating, transmission, daily commute, short travel, meetings, and commerce. The smallest planet in our solar system, Mercury is a rocky planet with no atmosphere, and therefore, much of what comes into its orbit is able to penetrate and make direct hits to its surface. Similarly, our direct or immediate perception tends to be influenced by this planet’s positioning in our chart. Transactional in nature, people who have strong Mercury influences are exceedingly witty, verbally clever, analytic, dissecting, lyrically fluid, and educational. Mercury and its aura are commissioned to take things apart and then put them back together, thus giving people with its influence great teaching skills. And although this planet affects our ability to criticize, it also affects our ability to receive criticism, as any heavy Mercurian presences makes it rather hard to see the overall or bigger picture, especially as it relates to our own faults. Being exact and understanding various components in an unemotional way is embedded in the Mercurian narrative. There’s a correlation with some of West Africa’s cultures and the qualities of Mercury. Anansi, a mythological figure, is affiliated with cleverness, cunningness, and trickery. People who are able to speak multiple languages, juggle varying bits of information, and possess a jack-of-all-trades persona are the folks who cosmically have intense Anansi or Mercurian influences. Things from marketing, translations, writing, public speaking, data keeping, data analysis, to interpretations are the unique parts of the human experience where this planet is most dominant. Two zodiac signs are directly governed by Mercury, Gemini and Virgo.

Venus

The second planet from the sun, Venus is often called Earth’s sister planet, and this is because of its size and mass composition. Besides our moon, Venus is also the second most bright celestial object in our solar system, and this is due to its highly pressurized atmosphere of 96 percent carbon dioxide. Its dense, gaseous atmosphere causes it to have a mesmerizing pastel shade. Astrologically, it is known as the planet of love, harmony, pleasure, euphoria, and aphrodisiac sensations. Venus, cosmically, is a softener, as it influences our ability to see the beauty in every situation. It’s our pleasure principle, as it blinds or shields us from life’s harsh realities. It preys on our vices and need for gratification. In ancient European mythology, it is known as Aphrodite and embodies prosperity, sex, desire, and fertility. In some African cultures, this planet is represented by the goddess Oshun. Usually portrayed as a beautiful woman in a yellow dress, she is often associated with dance, especially erotic dancing. As the ruler of marriage, Venus is commissioned to exemplify the feminine essence, and in African culture, Oshun is often prayed to for the elimination of female disorders. A person who’s highly susceptible to be given to things that focus on the libido and pleasurable typically has strong Venus influences in their personality. Venus is a seducer and prevents us from recognizing crucial details, as it clouds our perception and ability to self-regulate. Our connection to euphoria, neurosis, hypnosis, being mesmerized, and habitual behaviors is generally attributed to the amount of Venus that’s found in our chart. Moreover, humans who are conciliatory, agreeable, and seek ways to create synergy are known to have a strong Venus presence in their persona. As of today, two zodiac signs are directly governed by this planet, Taurus and Libra.

Mars

Traditional Western astrology has described this planet to be the symbol of war, assertion, efficiency. Often referred to as the red planet, Mars has been the object and focus of human curiosity for several decades as its composition and orbit are very similar to Earth’s. Astrologically, it’s the sole ruler of the zodiac sign Aries, and prior to the late twentieth century, it was also semiaffiliated with Scorpio, as prior to the twenty-first century, Scorpio had two celestial influences, Pluto being the other. Astrologers, as well as Western mythology, have attributed its qualities to all things masculine, as combat, initiative, anger, competition, personal drive, execution, extroverted passions, conflict management, defense, sex drive, adrenaline, competitive contact sports, and confrontation are things within the human persona that are attributed to and influenced by the Martian position. Some West African cultures, from Senegal, Gambia, to Mauritania, have a mythological figure called Takhar, who has similar qualities, as Takhar is the god that protects people from injury. As this God is often called upon as a preventive technique, people of the Serer religion use Takhar’s vengeance as a means to deter others from committing crimes. Other African cultures, such as the Buganda and Yoruba, also have similar mythical deities. Kibuka, the war god, with the Buganda people of Central Uganda, is a figure known to kill enemies and is an assistant in time of war. The Yoruba people of West Africa have a god named Ogun, whom they affiliate with war and iron. Traditionally in their culture, warriors, hunters, blacksmiths, technologists, and even drivers are followers of this god. In its totality, this planet affects the human drive, our ability to get things done, defense mechanisms, as well as our ability to compartmentalize and efficiently rearrange things in our lives. Moreover, it governs our ability to manage emergencies and mobilize ourselves in a crisis.

Moon

One of the two most influential celestial bodies not just astrologically but in astronomical science as a whole. Historically, the moon has always played an integral role in the lives of humans, as many of our activities and facets of life, such as farming, traveling, fertility, timekeeping, and even the weather, are affected by the moon and its phases. While the sun represents the forces of day, masculinity, and consciousness, the moon, on the other hand, is our world’s subconscious, unconscious, inconspicuous, and inertness. Astrology and metaphysics have linked our feelings, emotional engineering, memories, moods, and ability to sympathize with this planet. Moreover, the instinctual and shelter in-place facets of our world are guided by the moon, so consequently, our perception of home, protection, childhood, and mothering is generally centered on this celestial body’s sphere of influence. The things that we may consider or associate as secure, especially our memories of childhood rearing and homelife, are things in the human psyche that are deeply affected by the moon’s position. Maternal in nature, the moon is usually given a female identity, as our species’ ability to nurture, birth, and heal is all connected to the moon and its positioning at the time of our birth. The West African Ibo culture from Nigeria commonly associates Ala, the mother goddess, ruler of the underworld, and goddess of fertility, to such of the Western culture’s moon-related activities. Mami Wata, another mythical figure throughout the sub-Saharan areas of Africa, is known as the water deity who’s maternal, heals, cares, and loves. In fact, women who are barren often call upon her spirit for fertility. In European culture, the ancient Romans referred to this planet and things associated with it as Luna or Diana. Although all signs’ emotional framework may be influenced by this planet, Cancer, however, is the only sign that’s directly governed by it.

Jupiter

The largest celestial planet in our solar system. Known as a gas giant, Jupiter has a mass of one-thousandth that of our solar system’s star, but it’s so large that it’s two and half times larger than that of all the other planets combined. Though it’s 365,000,000 miles, or 588,000,000 kilometers from the Earth, Jupiter is the third brightest natural object in our night sky, after the moon and Venus. It’s sheer volume, strong magnetosphere, and size are overwhelmingly massive, as it has its own inner celestial system with seventy-nine revolving moons and a faint planetary ring system orbiting its equator. Historically, Jupiter has had a major role in our mythology, given such names as Zeus, Guru, Jove, Phaethon, or Jovian, and in ancient African cultures, it was referred to as Orunmila, Orula, Orunla, or Katonda. Because of its physical presence, this planet, irrespective of ethnic origins, has commonly been associated with education, wisdom, divinity, philosophy, teaching, mentorship, and a total embodiment of knowledge. Ancient Western or European cultures attributed such things as luck, fortune, and expansion to this planet’s sphere of influence. African cultures, particularly those from the central eastern areas, had a view of this planet liking it to a father or judge figure. A mixture of Ngai and Kaang African mythical figures, characteristics of this planet are those that lend itself to broad-minded creativity, deep spirituality, with a connection between the spiritual and physical realms. Humans have always had a positive view of Jupiter, where we’ve seemed to have connected a sense of enlightenment, spiritual wokeness, and access to a higher meaning. Like its size, everything we’ve connected this planet to is contextually large and far-reaching. Similarly, folks who have strong Jupiter influences in their chart will have strong inclinations to bypass the small stuff, by focusing on matters that are bigger than them. Our ability to visualize and think about the greater good is connected to how much Jupiter influences our personality matrix. Astrologically, from the twentieth century and prior, two zodiac signs were directly associated with this planet, Sagittarius and, partly, Pisces. Now as we’ve moved deeper into the twenty-first century, only Sagittarius is governed by Jupiter, as Neptune has replaced Jupiter as the sole ruler for Pisces. This larger-than-life persona is deeply embedded within the Sagittarian narrative and gives people of this zodiac sign a rare courage to visualize a world beyond the immediate.

Saturn

Located as the sixth planet from the sun and the second largest in our solar system, Saturn is probably the most recognizable planet due to its pronounced collection of condensed frozen ice particles that circle its equator, commonly known as the rings of Saturn. With its sixty-two moons—one of which, named Titan, is the largest orbiting moon in our system and, in fact, is the only moon to have a substantial atmosphere—Saturn is a significantly large planet whose outer layer is comprised mostly of gas. At its radius, it’s roughly nine times larger than the Earth, and on its surface, it’s been calculated to have winds up to 1,100 miles per hour. What’s interesting about Saturn is that beneath its surface, the planet’s core is comprised of iron, nickel, and a unique blend of metallic hydrogen. Why’s this interesting? Well, traditionally, Saturn, at least from Western or European culture, has been associated with agriculture, wealth, generations, legacy, time, dissolution or dismantling. Iron and nickel are metals that are not only durable but also increase value over time because of their important usage in the building or construction process, and as with anything in the construction business, there’s also a level of destruction. Much of what we’ve associated Saturn with is centered on the notions of value and wisdom, both of which require some sort of shedding or reconstruction of our consciousness. Each of the nine planets has a revolution or a period of time it takes them to revolve around our star, the sun, and for Saturn, it’s a bit long. It takes Saturn nearly thirty Earth years to complete its cycle around the sun, and every seven years in this process, a quarter of the cycle is complete. The number 7 in our world represents a phase of completion, as every seven years our species enters new stages of awareness. Saturn, astrologically, has the same impact and is our celestial body that embodies the principles of aging and experience. Other cultures on our planet have also linked this planet to similar tenets. For example, in some western African traditional cultures, this planet is manifested through the god called Omulu, who is known as the lord of death and disease. Also referred to as Babaluaye, this mythical figure invokes wrath and discipline for people’s transgressions and deviations from social contracts. Consequently, he is commissioned to oversee such epidemics such as influenza, HIV/AIDS, and leprosy. Similarly, some cultures in eastern Africa have a mythological figure called Ngai, and he is the protector or keeper of the land. Folks who exemplify discipline and faithfulness will be rewarded in a practical sense, like Kenya’s Gikuyu people were through their being granted the ability to proliferate their legacy and lineage. Though Saturn is traditional in its purpose, as it represents growth, administration, and prosperity, its methods, however, are destructive because of its cosmic power to rip and dismantle the old or useless portions of our existence. Consequently, Saturn is closely linked to karma and the reaping-what-is-sown notion, as cosmically it’s a part of our consciousness that actually evokes the premise of consciousness. Those of us who have strong Saturn influences in our chart, like Capricorn, are susceptible to be highly disciplined, possess a remarkable foresight, respect for authority, exceptional planning, and have a deep affinity to having and leaving a legacy, virtues, prestige, inheritance, and long-lasting reputation.

Uranus

Numerically, it’s positioned as the seventh planet from our solar system’s star or sun and is our system’s third largest celestial body. One of two of our solar system’s ice giants, Uranus is mostly comprised of frozen particles of water, ammonia, methane, and other hydrocarbons. Of the nine planets, it has the coldest atmosphere, with temperatures reaching as low as -371 degrees Fahrenheit, with winds reaching upward to 560 miles per hour. With twenty-seven satellite moons, it’s a very complex planet, as its appearance, rotation, and radius versus mass are completely different from that of the other eight major celestial bodies in our system. Its axis of rotation, for example, is tilted in a way where its north and south poles are located where other planets have their equators. Moreover, scientists have discovered that the Uranian axis of rotation is nearly parallel with the plane of the solar system. This gives it seasonal changes completely unlike those of the other planets, whereby one pole faces the sun continuously and the other faces away. Only a narrow strip around its equator experiences a very rapid day-and-night cycle, but with the sun low over the horizon. Because of its extremely far distance from the sun and its axial tilt occurring at the two major solstices, each pole gets around forty-two years of continuous sunlight, then followed by forty-two years of darkness. These kinds of characteristics have allowed this planet in Western or European culture to be associated with our world’s principles of individuality, unconventionality, ingenious discoveries, electricity, revolution, and social egalitarianism. The ancient Greeks called it Ouranos, meaning sky or heaven, and it was known to be the father of open air and the parent of the titans. Similarly, West African traditional or ancient cultures have a mythological figure likened to that of Uranus, called Rahu. Rahu usually takes a feminine appearance or energy and is the god of wind, thunder, magic, and the commotion heard in the marketplace. She represents hurricanes, tornadoes, other chaotic weather phenomena, as well as sudden change. Fast-forward to the twenty-first century and Uranus is still connected to such characteristics, as it represents our outward ability to socialize and other extroverted activities that affect our ability to innovate and express individualism. Interestingly, Uranus has a mass disproportionate of its radius and consequently appears larger than what it really is. Similarly, those with strong Uranus influences, such as the zodiac sign Aquarius, may have a larger-than-life persona, with inclinations of eccentric behavior that’s usually manifested through sudden changes, moments of erratic yet genius behaviors, and futuristic insight.

Neptune

One of the two ice-giant planets in our celestial solar system. Quite the large planet, as its volume is nearly fifty-eight times greater than the Earth, and it has thirteen known satellite moons. It’s an extremely distant and mysterious planet with an exceedingly cold atmosphere, as its cloud tops temperature has been recorded as -361 degrees Fahrenheit. Neptune’s atmosphere is also quite active, as it, similar to Jupiter, has a great dark spot that’s a result of the strongest winds ever recorded in our solar system, at 1,300 miles per hour. Western or European mythology has also given it the name Poseidon. The Indian Hindu people refer to it as Varuna. In both cultures, this planet is associated with water. Poseidon, the god of the sea, is commissioned to govern over seafaring activities and even the weather. The Indian god Varuna is known as the god of rain. Astrologically, we’ve known this planet to be that of dreams, illusions, psychic or paranormal abilities, and activities receptivity, subconscious connectivity, and nonverbal communication. A strong Neptunian presence generally affects our ability and desire to empathize with the known and unknown, as well as the energy needed to transition from one existence to the next. Moreover, psychological health along with unexplainable occurrences tend to fall into the Neptunian sphere of influence. Similar to the moon, where emotions are the focus, Neptune takes it a bit further, where it affects our ability or desire to understand the unexplainably deep and hidden emotional phenomena. A heavy Neptunian presence causes our species to be in tune to rare occurrences, such as déjà vu, epiphanies, and catharsis. The twelfth house in the astrological development continuum is directly governed by this planet, and similarly, Pisces have the complex and mystical aura necessary to absorb the nuances in our world. With Neptune as sole celestial governing body, Pisces has the rare ability and responsibility to serve as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious realms.

Pluto

A celestial body that, since the twentieth century, has been included in the solar system’s organized orbiting structure. Located in an area called the Kuiper belt, which is a group of celestial bodies beyond Neptune, it’s the most distant major planet from our sun. In fact, because of its size, a radius that’s 0.1868 of Earth’s, modern astronomers have referred to it as dwarf planet. Though it’s dwarfed by comparison to the other eight planetary bodies, Pluto, with its five moons, is the largest object in the trans-Neptunian Kuiper belt. Moreover, astrologically, this planet has a large and very influential impact on our species’ evolutionary process in the metaphysical context. Since its discovery in 1930, much of what modern science, particularly in the fields of energy and weaponry, can be attributed to the Plutonian influence. After the First World War, European nations were on a quest to develop a lethal deterrent as a means to intimidate and prevent invasion, hence the nuclear armament age and production of plutonium. The radioactive chemical Pu 94 was isolated for the first time in 1940, where it was discovered by scientists at the University of California at Berkeley that this element can sustain a nuclear chain reaction. This is also near or immediately after European neurologist Sigmund Freud introduced psychoanalysis therapy, a method using human’s subconscious as a means to unearth and provide context for behavior. It was during this time that the premise of gender identification and sexuality was openly analyzed, where techniques such as free association and transference were credible tools in the psychotherapeutic world. It was during this twentieth-century era where dark matter, deeper, and more sinister aspects of our world, became the focus of not only scientists but public policy makers as well. Though there’s no direct correlation between this planet and the African culture, there are a few mythical figures that are reminiscent to the Plutonian energy. The West African Yoruba culture calls upon the spirit of Ketu, which is a rainbow serpent often called Oxumare or Osumare, to evoke the spirit of death and facilitate connections between various realms of existence. The Egyptian mythological figure Anubis also has similarities to the powers of Pluto, as it is the god of mummification, death, and afterlife. Astrologers have assigned the zodiac’s eighth astrological house and sign, Scorpio, to this small yet extremely powerful planet. With heavy Pluto influences in one’s chart, a person will be susceptible to not only having a keen interest in transformation, internal power, and subconscious matters but also an innate ability to discover meanings beyond the surface. So consequently, those with a heavy Plutonian presence may excel at detective or crime scene investigation work, surgery, psychology, and psychiatric medicine. This planet’s influence on our species’ evolutionary process is unprecedented, as it has given us an opportunity to explore and define our deepest desires, triggers, and neurotic energy.

Aries: Mars; confrontation, efficiency, initiation

Taurus: Venus; comfort, harmony, satisfaction

Gemini: Mercury; communication, translation, selectivity

Cancer: Moon; emotion, nurture, intuition

Leo: Sun; vitality, creativity, individuality

Virgo: Mercury; selectivity, functionality, analysis

Libra: Venus; pleasure, refinement, romance

Scorpio: Pluto; concentration, regeneration, investigation

Sagittarius: Jupiter; philosophy, expansion, fortune

Capricorn: Saturn; discipline, legacy, structure

Aquarius: Uranus; humanitarianism, universality, revolution

Pisces: Neptune; spirituality, subconscious, mysticism

Introvert and Extrovert

Intelligent beings in our world, humans, are divided into two camps, introverts and extroverts. This divide is a rather stark and readily visible component in examining the human personality, and subsequently, it’s a good starting point in the understanding of astrology or any other metaphysical content. Primarily rooted in the four elements, a person’s temperament or the element to which they belong is a strong determiner of their initial reaction to outside stimuli, whether it be good or bad. With a total of twelve zodiac signs, where six are introverts and the other six are extroverts, the laws of nature bless us with the probability of having half of our species belonging to either side. People who are born to the earth and water elements are the world’s introverts and our species protectors and collectors. Air and fire element folks, interestingly, serve as our extroverts and the human representation for communication and expression. Astrologers and metaphysics enthusiasts from the twentieth century and prior have commonly referred to this aspect as the masculine and feminine components of the human personality matrix. Over time, and as we’ve evolved, the qualities that were associated with traditional feminine or masculine behavior have become morphed and, interestingly, integrated. And although the genetic X and Y chromosomes have remained intact, the traditional behaviors we formerly associated with femininity and masculinity are, to some degree, shared by both genders, hence the rise of binary and even transgender identities.

The fields of psychology, behavioral science, and psychiatric medicine highlight the complexities within the human personality matrix, and to that end, yes, it’s true that we can find people who possess an equal or similar quantitative amount of both introvert and extroverted qualities. Subsequently, this illuminates the substantive and qualitative value in studying astrology and the tenets of metaphysical science, as these subjects may speak more poetically about the interconnectedness between our behavior, existence, and purpose with the celestial and geospatial environment. And as evolution will have it, individually, each of us is inevitably bound to more appropriately incorporate both introvert and extrovert qualities in our behaviors in an effort to perfect our existence and become closer to our higher selves.

The Introverted Soul

Introverts are people who tend to more comfortably withhold energy. They’re retentive when it comes to personal exposure and eliciting their inner feelings. They tend to appreciate silent expressions of gratitude as well as various other forms of unspoken communication. It’s difficult for them to provide quick, on-the-spot reactions or quick answers that represent their true thoughts or feelings. Not to imply that they’re liars; it’s just that introverts are generally unwilling to participate in situations that are invasive or things that demand some sort of gut-wrenching or instinctive action, at least on an immediate basis. This is because they tend to value deliberative processing, analysis, prodding, information vetting, emotional filtering, and just good ole-fashioned time. Introverts are protective of not only of their own feelings and well-being but that of others as well. So it’s likely that these people may clam, bide their time, calculate, observe, and operate in circles where their feelings can be nursed, cultivated, and safeguarded.

Your introverted signs are Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

Earth Signs

Taurus is a protector of personal desires, the status quo, and the collector of possessions, material objects, and subordinate people. The Bull or Cow prefers to be in a position where things circulate them, as they may quite intensely and stubbornly massage situations that allow them and the things around to remain the same or, at the very least, move at a pace they deem appropriate.

Pop culture rub: They’re neurotic, stubborn, and stingy motherfuckers who use money to get what they want.

Virgo is a collector of information, facts, tools for efficiency and the protector of perfectionism, service, and purity. The Virgin may vacillate between being a communicator and doer, whereby they may tend to readily speak about how things can be better and more functional. They’re also doers, whereby they may quietly provide services to others for the same reasons.

Pop culture rub: They’re self-righteous, overly critical bastards who can’t take being wrong.

Capricorn is a protector of capital investments, invested energy, structured time, and the collector of practical ideas and enterprising concepts that yield long-term benefits. The Goat represents the zodiac’s culmination of self-initiating urges and social deconstruction ideals for the purpose of personal recognition and societal rules of engagement.

Pop culture rub: They’re calculating, lonely, and devious bitches who can’t find anything right in anything.

Water Signs

Cancer is a protector of feelings, inner fears, and personal agendas and the collector of memories, psychic information, and sentimental values. The Crab is a bit different from other introverts in that they often rely on instincts that are molded by careful observation, planning, and their childhood experiences. An initiator of healing, they’re the zodiac’s leader in holistic and emotional repairment.

Pop culture rub: They’re touchy, wannabe-boss bitches who cry and panic whenever the wind blows.

Scorpio is a collector of all things emotional. The Scorpion collects fear, adulation, joy, anger, speculation, rage, excitement, jealousy, abandonment, wholeness, to enlightenment. Scorpions are the zodiac’s fighter and protector of resources and deeply embedded thoughts, desires, and sexual yearnings, all in an effort to stabilize the environment to yield the results that they desire.

Pop culture rub: They’re angry, devious assholes who use pussy, dick, and other people’s weaknesses for clout.

Pisces is a protector of emotional freedom, fluidity, as well as emotional dependency. Though communicative, the Fish are the zodiac’s most clever at disguising what they say from what they truly want to say, as protection of all feelings, theirs and others’, is paramount. A collector of psychic experiences, Pisces hoards a plethora of diverse inner thoughts and feelings.

Pop culture rub: They’re all-over-the-place, disloyal train wrecks who are attentive to both everything and nothing at the same time.

The Extroverted Soul

Extroverts are people who tend to be more comfortable with exerting energy and freely expressing ideas. As they are expressive and uniquely communicative, it’s not uncommon for these people to operate in a manner where their lives are lived out loud and on display for public consumption. Subsequently, extroverts may, in fact, be rather easy to gauge and understand, as they behave in such a way where verbal communication, transference of ideas, confrontation, and dynamic action are commonplace. Unlike introverts, where there may be more continuity between those particular six zodiac signs with respect to personifying the core tenets of introversion, extroverts, on the other hand, tend to be more diverse and possess a greater degree of variety among the six of them. Within the extroverts, there’s a camp of folks who, by no other better definition, are communication enthusiasts, where moments of verbal exchanges are intoxicatingly sought after, yet interestingly they have moments of relative silence, isolation, and absenteeism. This would be folks who belong to the air element. The other camp are performance seekers, where the actual act of doing things is the best indicator of how they’re feeling and their psychological health. Typically, these folks are fire signs. Though these camps may express themselves differently, the mere fact that expression in and of itself is their driving force is enough to classify them as extroverts.

Your extroverted signs are Gemini, Libra, Aquarius, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

Air Signs

Gemini is the zodiac’s master communicator. The Twins fluently communicate a diversity of thoughts, ideas, and interpretations simultaneously. Their expressive natures are injected with a sublime sense of fluidity, indifference, flexibility, and extreme vocality, yet for the sake of personal identity and psychological preservation, they may occasionally display detachment and disengagement.

Pop culture rub: They’re high-strung, bipolar, gossipy bitches who have panic attacks if ever caught red-handed.

Libra is a communicator of negotiation, merging, conciliation, mental agreement, and psychological understanding. The Scales assertively communicate a sense of fairness, equity, and social justice. Their expressive natures can be feisty and restless, as it’s important for them to direct and orchestrate, yet for the sake of balance, the Scales may have periods of inactivity.

Pop culture rub: They’re promiscuous, wannabe-fabulous bitches who fake-smile and manipulate their way through everything.

Aquarius embodies the entire notion of communication and idea transference. This embodiment is by virtue of how they live, where the Water Bearer is on a constant quest for knowledge, answers, deeper understanding, various interpretations, and the truth as they see it. The Water Bearer tenaciously seeks and develops theories in an effort to stabilize the world around them yet may withdraw in an effort to protest or gain psychological equilibrium.

Pop culture rub: They’re neurotic, mean-spirited assholes who try to outsmart everyone but don’t know shit themselves.

Fire Signs

Aries is an expresser of direct action on a personal level. Their identity is defined by how they’re able to perform, achieve, solve, defend, and create. Restless and anxious, their souls are cosmically young and possess the capacity to explore, innovate, and interject. The Ram’s narrative is one of fighting for the right to exist and be heard.

Pop culture rub: They’re insecure, coward-ass bullies who try to use intimidation and tough talk yet are the first to run and hide when shit hits the fan.

Leo is an expresser of brand expansion. An active seeker of identity stabilization, the Lion performs actions that solidify their self-awareness as well as inject excitement and confidence in others. Leo embodies the intense solidification of self-assurance and consistent willpower in order to yield a sunny and stable outcome for personal gratification.

Pop culture rub: They’re self-centered, stubborn, wannabe-so-important motherfuckers who try to outshine everyone yet are really not that special.

Sagittarius is an expresser of diverse, broad-minded, and impersonal ideals. A surveyor of sorts, the Centaur is an active communicator and fighter of social justice, philosophical freedom, and personal expression. With a flair of complexity, Sagittarius is a vocal proponent of all sorts of actions that illuminate freedom and elevate consciousness.

Pop culture rub: They’re superbraggadocious, unreliable assholes who talk more game and are all over the place yet are going nowhere.

Fire

Infuse your life with action. Don’t wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your beliefs, honor your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen…yourself, right now, right down here on Earth.

—Bradley Whitford

Aries

The initiator of creative projects, pioneer in defending one’s identity, and passionate fighter.

Leo

The noble and inspirational pacesetter, confident creator, and performer of inner strength and vitality.

Sagittarius

The feisty philosopher, broad-minded communicator, fortunate idealist, and wise optimist.

*****

As we study astrology, the acknowledgment and understanding of the basic principles that guide this metaphysical subject are needed in order to appreciate the context of a human’s personality. Fire is one of the four basic elements, which gives us the raw, unfettered, and to some extent, brutal personification of the human dynamic. In its natural state, fire is the core element that’s needed for all things to move, combustion, or at the very least, project movement, as its proprieties are comprised of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor. And when in its gaseous form, it can project heat, light, and energy. Similar to this chemistry explanation, fire signs are, in many ways, our world’s sources of energy. These people tend to thrive when there’s some sense of activity, action, and most definitely, fuel.

Personal passion rules the day, and they can often be consumed with matters of personal callings and issues that involve some sort of contention. Fire sign folks can be drawn to causes, especially those that resonate with an underdog theme, and consequently, this makes for a bit of a confrontational vibe in their persona. Not to be confused with confrontation for the sake of confrontation, as that can be defined as petty, and pettiness is, in fact, the antithesis of the fire sign mission. In fact, these people, albeit feisty in their delivery, are actually much more reserved if there’s no gain or no potential for the creation of something new or different from a confrontation. So it’s very rare, if even at all, for these people to engage in rhetorical arguments or circular conversations. With fire, the fuel must lead them to something, someone, or somewhere. While combustion and directed energy are ongoing narratives, creation is the ultimate resounding factor with all three fire signs. Therefore, it’s rather difficult for an Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius to understand much of anything beyond a linear or point-A-to-point-B way of thinking. Sure, they can intellectually handle conceptual material, but for optimization, fire signs are more adept at not only dealing with resistance but, in fact, also even creating it, with the eventual goal of having something new come out of it.

Interestingly, the fire element is historically associated with the early Greek physician Hippocrates’s four temperaments theory as being choleric. According to this theory, choleric people are described as being ambitious, extroverted, independent, decisive, and goal-oriented. Subsequently, it was the Greek thought during the medieval and renaissance period that such people were dominant, results-oriented, natural leaders who occasionally displayed violent, vengeful, and short-tempered behaviors.

Instincts are strong with people of this element. They’re able to ascertain key information from internal hunches. And although they are not as observant as the other instinctual element of water, fire, however, is fairly gifted at sensing danger, people’s intentions, and actions. This has a lot to do with and can be attributed to the very composition of fire. It’s a bit of an erratic substance that exists where there’s fuel and therefore can seem to zigzag in a somewhat-unorganized pattern. And although fire sign people are creatures of linear thinking, astrologically, how this manifests in the human personality is that Aries, Leo, and Sagittarians are people who truly follow a train of thought. That process may seem to be unrhythmic or somewhat disorganized, but it’s an attempt to capture fuel or a source. As a result, fire sign folks are least likely to waste time with people who may not seem to yield a spark or support to their personal agenda. So to others it may appear that fire signs have a short attention span or even appear a bit callous.

To some extent, that assertion has a level of merit, but not entirely true, as the very essence and psychological survival for these three signs deeply depend on their ability to blaze new territory, pioneer, speak out, express themselves, create, defend, and avoid constraints. These attributes to their emotional and spiritual core are, in essence, responsible for these people having a rather arrogant dismissiveness to anything that hinders them from voyaging ahead and getting their way. Aries is more direct and confrontational. They fight. Leo is more prideful and confident. They control. Sagittarius is more communicative and cunning. They disregard. So while, indeed, most fire signs are rather expressive and seemingly built for confrontation, they don’t willingly choose to quarrel or combat. It’s just that they, much more than the other elements, are exceedingly more familiar with the proprieties of confrontation and the results it yields. These people are active, and assertion is deeply wired in their DNA.

This leads me to the performance narrative that resonates with fire sign people. They’re ability and desire to do something resonates quite heavily within their self-concept, and in fact, especially with Aries and Leo, their very identities can be directly tied to what they’re able to perform. All three of these zodiac signs are doers and much rather not sit on their hands in just about any situation. The intensity to react and assert is so strong with them that it permeates in their relationships. In love, they’re apt to do something for you as opposed to having a soft, gentle, self-reflecting, heart-wrenching, vulnerable conversation. With many of them, the expression of love is just that, an expression. They’d rather show you something or perform a physical act rather than feeling vulnerable or stationary. Similar to earth signs, there’s a propensity to buy their loved ones items as opposed to verbally saying how much their partner, children, or dear friends mean to them. However, unlike earth signs, fire folks are way more generous, as there’s a rebelliously excessive and braggadocios narrative with our dear Aries, Leos, and Sagittarians. Moreover, if they love you, they’d rather confront a foe and defend you in an argument as opposed to visiting your house, where they, in their view, are forced to listen to your weeping and wining about a situation. Sympathy, empathy, and external sensitivity do not come natural to them, as they’re essentially wired more for life’s confrontation and the self-projection of their own views. To the more traditional, sensitive, and conciliatory signs, especially those belonging to the water element, this not only can be unnerving and hurtful but also downright offensive. This is why it’s important to not place fire sign people in situations where they must merge with others, where they must exhibit a great amount of vulnerability and sympathizing.

Now, there may be an Aries, Leo, and even an extroverted Sagittarian who are reading this with skepticism, as some fire signs in their view are quite sensitive, caring, and sympathetic. Yes, to some extent this may be true, as there are always various things that can affect a human’s personality matrix, such as their parents’ rearing and genetic pool, the environment in which they were raised, the region of the country or planet they reside, and as the more technical astrologers will attest, it may depend on the planetary positioning during their time of birth. However, the very premise of astrology is rooted in our world’s building blocks, which are the elements. Fire, by virtue of its composition, is not an element built or used for conciliation, nurturing, or healing. From a scientific definition, fire is the conversion of oxygen to the stronger bonds of carbon dioxide and water, which results in a combustible reaction referred to as ignition. Because of this, humans have traditionally utilized fire in agriculture for clearing land, cooking, generating heat and light, propulsion, incinerating, cremation, or even weaponizing it as a mode of destruction. So astrologically, fire sign people are better apt at clearing and removing things like delusion, misguided thinking, misconceptions, fear, apprehension, doubt, and the general constraints of ineptness to make way for the creation of something new.

Given the composition of such an element, it’s fairly easy to believe that fire sign folks probably need for nothing. Indeed, their exceedingly confident and nearly invisible demeanor can, in fact, overwhelm others to the point where people are a bit reluctant to offer assistance or comfort. Herein lies the awkward position this element holds in our world. Though they are fairly uncomplicated people, they’re nonetheless the most misunderstood bunch. This element holds this sort of strange place, as while it’s so useful, for it provides heat, energy, clarity, and momentum, it also must simultaneously be avoided for its destructiveness. It’s a very consuming and, in many ways, unrelenting vibration that is, however, gravely needed in a very specific manner. Because of this, fire sign people may end up operating out of isolation, and for some of them, especially the communicative Sagittarians, this may be a bit unpleasant. What others need to understand is that fire is, in fact, a sensitive element, and those under this element are capable of being hurt. Their sensitivity is usually displayed when or if their abilities are criticized or questioned.

You see, our Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius folks are ego-driven individuals, and any implication that they’re incompetent really throws them for a loop. This is their kryptonite. They can be quite the cantankerous and/or wounded person if made to feel weak, insignificant, inept, helpless, or restricted. And what’s really unfortunate in this equation is that they’re also quite the emotional human being. Albeit they’re not as emotionally diverse as our dear water signs, as fire is much more familiar with two spectrums of emotion, elation to anger, and anything in between is foreign territory. So when faced with adversity, they’re apt to respond in a fairly predictable manner, with extreme anger or wounded exhaustion. They’re quick to ignite and rip someone to shreds; however, their emotionalism makes them smart, as they’re able to usually very quickly assess the potential collateral damage, and therefore what you may find is that many of them will exude a cool to a pompous demeanor that’s truly unique to a fire sign. But rest assured, underneath that apparent calmness is a blazing inferno that, given the right conditions, will ignite swiftly.

While this is a fairly robust general characterization of the three fire zodiac signs, there are some differences between the three to which I will explain in more detail within their respective chapters. For now, here’s a snippet of what separates them. Aries is the first fire sign and, in fact, is the first zodiac sign in the entire astrological human development, which probably makes them the clearest representation of what the element has to offer. They, as a member of the cardinal modality, are visibly more forceful, expressive, and willing to jump into situations. Therefore, they may seem to have the fieriest temperament and demeanor. Leos are the second fire sign and are affected by the fixed modality, which lends itself to a much more controlled personification. Leos, as explained in their chapter, are somewhat constricted by the mixing of their element and modality, as there are internal mechanisms within Leos that force them to be more purposeful, controlled, and intense in their approach. Sagittarius is the last of the fire signs and belongs to the mutable modality, which gives them the faintest vibration of the element. Although Sagittarians are quite the feisty bunch, they’re, however, transitional, which makes them more willing to connect with various entities in order to bring forth a change. Invariably, there may be some variations in their persona that give them a wider scope, versatile demeanor, and a seemingly wiser soul.

Irrespective of the particular sign, we can indeed rely on each of them to provide us with an understanding of how action should be directly tied into what we feel. Our dear fire sign friends, loved ones, coworkers, and neighbors are, without a doubt, our world’s quintessential doers. Sure, some of them may have a reserved outer appearance, but what exists in all of them is a thirst for some form of action, excitement, a challenge, and an opportunity to perform. Of all the elements, our fire signs are indeed the most interesting bunch, for without them, our world will be a less entertaining place. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, by all accounts, are our species’ best example of raw courage, linear thinking, and an unadulterated manner of connecting passion to action.

Earth

The practical man, as this word is often used, is one who recognizes only the material needs, who realizes that men must have food for the body, but is oblivious of the necessity of providing food for the mind.

—Bertrand Russell, The Problems of Philosophy

We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.

—Jesse Owens

Capricorn

The practical enterpriser, initiator of material matters, and disciplined leader.

Taurus

The protector of resources, pragmatic caretaker, and consistent pacesetter.

Virgo

The realistic critical communicator, rational analyzer, and prudent doer.

*****

The beauty of astrology is that it is rooted in four primary elements (fire, earth, air, water). These elements interact and enable the other. Of the four, earth is the least conspicuous and overtly recognized. Essentially, this is because the properties that comprise earth are rudimentary and considered to be the most natural and organic. Earth’s composition is rocks and nearly all solid minerals known to humankind, such as copper, zinc, iron ore, uranium, coal, silver, platinum, etc. Unmanipulated, unmixed, and left in its natural state, the solids that are in our soil are nonreactionary and simply just solid material that holds its shape, composition, and texture. Similarly, earth sign folks can be stable, firm, procedural, visibly inert, collective, instructional, stoic, and a bit predictable. While the other elements can have a touch of malleability, earth, however, is fairly, if not completely, steady and immovable. Moreover, unlike fire, air, and water, earth is not easily swayed by sensation, driven by emotional hunches or unfounded ideas, nor are they overly dreamy. Their worldview is derived from proven facts and centered in the here and now. Astrologically, the souls of earth signs yearn for practicality, purpose, and sensibility. Therefore, reality has the greatest meaning with people of this element. While they may enjoy entertainment, the arts, and forms of music, earth signs are acutely aware of the difference between fantasy and what’s real.

Hypotheticals are not desirable. Conceptualism is an intellectual activity and not a creed to live by or to operate from. They don’t see life through special lenses, nor do they choose to filter what’s really going on around them. If something is dirty, then it needs to be cleaned. If something is confusing, then it needs to be studied. If something is weakened, then it needs to be fortified. If something doesn’t work, then it needs to be replaced. To this end, utility is very important to these people, and as a result, the notion of efficacy is a resounding narrative throughout their lives, whereby the value of things and people comes into question quite often. Although earth signs are fairly stable creatures, they’re nonetheless realists, and albeit, much to the detriment of Taurus, and perhaps a bit Capricorn, they therefore know that circumstances may change. When this does happen, they are extremely susceptible to assessing value, and since they’re so attached to stability and a sense of normalcy, external change causes them to question the people and things around them. For a Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo, everything has a reason. Nothing is an unexplainable phenomenon. So when confronted with challenges, changes, or unexpected occurrences, these three signs will extract uselessness, and they’ll reassess the value of everything within their sphere, as in their view, it’s the malfunction or obsoleting of something or someone that has caused the disruption.

Interestingly, the earth element is historically associated with the early Greek physician Hippocrates’s four temperaments theory as being melancholic, or as the Australian psychotherapist coined it, avoiding. In this particular theory, melancholic people have tendencies of being deep thinkers who are analytic and detail-oriented. Typically, introverted, they make efforts to avoid being singled out as they strive for perfection within themselves and their surroundings. This theory goes on to describe them as self-reliant, thoughtful, reserved, and often anxious.

The issue of worthiness is a reoccurring theme in the lives of our dear Capricorns, Taurus, and Virgos. They’re experts at determining the value of things, and in fact, as they age, they can easily do this within seconds. Our more mature and savvy earth signs, with just a glance at something or someone, are able to make judgment calls and determine worth. Heavily manufactured, overly cosmetic, or seemingly fake materials or people are, in a typical earth sign’s view, detestable and a distraction from organicity. Keeping things in its raw state or, at the very least, enhancing its natural beauty is paramount to these people, and anything that deviates from that is interpreted as unreal and less than serious. Consequently, earth signs make excellent reviewers and critics. Their matter-of-fact demeanors are able to cut through a lot of fluff and examine the actual object or service that’s being rendered.

For example, if they’re vacationing or in the market of buying and are told that something as simple as bedding is luxurious, an earth sign is able to ascertain if the padding is down bedding or foam. If it’s fur or fiber, they’re able to tell the difference between alpaca versus chinchilla. One would think that someone with such keen material inspection may be gaudy or excessive. Not earth signs. In fact, their taste is impeccable, so things like clothing, furniture, house decor, and even automobiles are all subject to minimal overtures. They, of course, seek to enhance the natural beauty in just about everything they interact with, so for example, you’ll find that they’ll intelligently accent just one wall in their home or quite perfectly highlight a particular color or fabric that complements the overall aesthetics. This sort of discernment, discretion, and selection applies to just about everything they choose to interact with and do. Unlike fire signs, and in some cases air signs, very rarely with earth signs will one find an over-the-top approach to anything to which they’re involved. Earth’s sensibilities are, in fact, the most powerful asset these people possess, and the world of art, fashion, and construction has been transformed by their contributions. Some of our world’s most successful fashion designers belong to this organically practical and aesthetically sensible element. Karl Lagerfeld, Thierry Hermès, Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin, Valentino Garavani, Miuccia Prada, Carolina Herrera, Jean Paul Gaultier, Stella McCartney, and Kate Spade, to name just a few, are all born to either the Capricorn, Taurus, or Virgo vibration.

Given their extreme usefulness and keen sense of beauty, earth, indeed, however has some rather deep deficiencies that can make them a bit unsavory and, to some extent, isolated creatures. Their spirits are deeply connected to the material world, and therefore they can be overly concerned with matters of measurement and the value of the return of their investment. This not only applies to the obvious things, such as business dealings or normal, everyday-market-type exchanges, but also to their personal relationships, like with their children, partners, close friends, and loved ones. Similar to the fire signs, where there can be an aura of dismissiveness to things that are undesirable, an earth sign’s detestableness, however, is more rooted in the actual value and worth people and things have. In an earth sign’s view, folks and things have to measure up to what they set as a standard. If someone or something is useless or constantly comes up short, they’ll not only discredit it but can also, quite ruthlessly, discard it. Sure, they’re patient. Earth is indeed the calmest element and very comfortable cultivating the things and people around them; however, out of all the elements, these people have the most clear and resolute bottom line.

This patience has a limit, and it varies between the three earth signs, as Taurus may, in fact, have the most patience, then Capricorn, and last is Virgo. Once in their mind this grace period has expired, the dismantling process begins. To that end, they’re notorious for using resources as leverage. They’re expert withholders. They’ll withhold just about anything, such as information, money, resources, and yes, even love and affection. Others can see the worst of this if our dear Capricorns, Taurus, and Virgos are ever made to feel ostracized or embarrassed. These people are committed to saving face and exuding a respectable image. The idea of and their actual net worth, along with their legacy, are life-sustaining issues for them. It means absolutely everything. So unfortunately, it can get quite nasty and ugly when you’re dealing with an earth sign that believes they’ve been made to feel worthless. The issue of resources builds resentment, and as a result, these people unfortunately can sever relationships, even the relationships that are, in some sense, positive, which leads to a sort of dysfunctional and mean-spirited interpersonal dynamic.

Worthiness is why these people work so hard. The folks of this element are known to toil long hours and spend a great amount of energy engaged in professional or some kind of compensated activity. Burning the midnight oil, especially for the opportunity to gain some type of material reward, is nothing foreign for these people. Sure, they’d like to have a break just like everyone else, but the question of worthiness and long-standing security is a resounding theme within their spirit, and it keeps them from letting loose and cutting a rug. They are nearly perfect examples of pinned-up frustration and resentment. Unfortunately, the excessive energy spent on making things work is not solely by choice, as they’re actually wired to believe it is by necessity. Interestingly, earth yearns for nourishment, relaxation, love, and yes, even fun. All three earth signs really appreciate a good time away from the hustle and bustle. Sure, they may have their different approaches, as Taurus would likely turn to food, alcohol, massages, or personal libido pleasures. Virgo is more susceptible to engage in the arts and entertainment. Then Capricorn would more likely