A Beginner’s Guide to the Zodiac

The sun and moon’s journey through the cosmos and how they influence us

The zodiac is a system of astrology that assigns different constellations to the periods in which they appear. These constellations are then assigned traits and personality types, making them easy for people to identify with.

Each sign has specific characteristics and qualities that make it unique from all other signs. For example, the constellation Aries is typically associated with being aggressive and outgoing, while Taurus is associated with being stubborn and strong-willed.

Both the sun and the moon travel through the twelve houses of the zodiac, each experiencing the energies that each of the signs brings.

Sun’s Journey Through the Zodiac

The sun moves through each astrological sign approximately every thirty days, and people born under the sun signs are said to exhibit the qualities of that sign.

Aries (The Ram) March 21-April 19: People born under the sun sign of Aries, a fire element, are typically independent, headstrong, and courageous. Aries people are said to be impatient and impulsive, but also compassionate and passionate.

The planet that governs Aries is Mars, which is associated with energy, action, and initiation.

The tarot card connected with Aries is The Emperor. And the suit of wands represents the fire signs, including Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

Taurus (The Bull) April 20-May 20: People born under the sun sign of Taurus, an earth element, are typically practical and direct. Taureans are said to be stubborn and possessive but also patient and reliable.

The planet that governs Taurus is Venus, associated with love, art, beauty, desire, comfort, pleasure, finances, security, and stability.

The tarot card connected with Taurus is The Hierophant. And the suit of pentacles represents the earth signs, including Taurus, Capricorn, and Virgo.

Gemini (The Twins) May 21-June 20: People who are born under the sun sign of Gemini are typically smart and quick-witted but also restless and inconsistent. Gemini people are said to be indecisive, fickle, and unreliable.

The planet that governs Gemini is Mercury, associated with communication, information gathering, speaking skills, knowledge of facts and trivia, travel, and trade.

The tarot card associated with the sign of Gemini is The Lovers, and the suit of swords represents the air signs, including Gemini Libra & Aquarius.

Cancer (The Crab) June 21-July 22: People born under the sun sign of Cancer are typically nurturing and protective though they may also be moody and insecure. Cancerians are said to be sensitive and emotional but also determined and loyal.

Cancer is governed by the moon, which is associated with emotions, the subconscious mind, intuition, and cycles.

The tarot card representing Cancer is The Chariot. And the suit of cups represents the water signs, including Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

Leo (The Lion) July 23-August 22: People who are born under the sun sign of Leo are typically proud and charismatic but also often egotistical and self-centered. Leos are said to be creative and passionate but also domineering and demanding.

Leo is governed by the sun, which is associated with ego, identity, individuality, willpower, purposefulness, and leadership.

The tarot card associated with the Leo is The Strength. And the suit of wands represents the fire signs, including Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

Virgo (The Virgin) August 23-September 22: People born under Virgo, an earth element, are typically modest and reserved though they may also be obsessive and fussy. Virgos are said to be intelligent and logical but also pessimistic and hypercritical.

Virgo is governed by Mercury, which is associated with communication, information gathering, speaking skills, knowledge of facts and trivia, travel, and trade.

The tarot card associated with the sign Virgo is The Hermit. And the suit of pentacles represents the earth signs, including Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

Libra (The Scales) September 23-October 22: People born under Libra, an air element, are typically indecisive and changeable though they may also be idealistic and romantic. Libras are said to be diplomatic and fair-minded but also insincere and manipulative.

Libra is governed by Venus, which is associated with love, art, beauty, desire, comfort, pleasure, finances, security, and stability.

The tarot card associated with Libra is The Justice. And the suit of swords represents the air signs, including Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.

Scorpio (The Scorpion) October 23-November 21: People born under Scorpio, a water sign, are typically passionate and intense though they may also be destructive and vengeful. Scorpios are said to be intuitive and perceptive but also suspicious and paranoid.

Scorpio is governed by Pluto, which is associated with transformation, death, rebirth, sex, power, secrets, and intensity.

The tarot card affiliated with Scorpio is The Tower. And the suit of cups represents the water signs, including Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

Sagittarius (The Archer) November 22-December 21: People born under Sagittarius, a fire element, are typically happy and cheerful though they may also be reckless and irresponsible. Sagittarians are said to be expansive and truthful but also argumentative and tactless.

Sagittarius is governed by Jupiter, which is associated with good fortune, optimism, adventure, the high seas, justice, higher learning, religion, and spirituality.

The tarot card associated with Sagittarius is Death. And the suit of wands represents the fire signs, including Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

Capricorn (The Goat) December 22-January 19: People who are born under Capricorn, an earth element, are typically disciplined and responsible though they may also be pessimistic and cold. Capricorns are said to be ambitious and industrious but also unforgiving and ruthless.

Capricorn is governed by Saturn, which is associated with karma, structure, limits, responsibility, perseverance, and aging.

The tarot card associated with the zodiac’s Capricorn is The Devil. And the suit of pentacles represents the earth signs, including Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

Aquarius (The Water Bearer) January 20-February 18: People born under Aquarius are typically innovative and idealistic though they may also be unemotional and detached. Aquarians are said to be progressive and humanitarian but also aloof and eccentric.

Aquarius is governed by Uranus, which is associated with knowledge, independence, unconventional thought and action, scientific progress, astrology, and astronomy.

The tarot card representing Aquarius is The Star. And the suit of cups represents the water signs, including Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

Pisces (The Fish) February 19-March 20: People born under Pisces are typically artistic and compassionate though they may also be indecisive and too sensitive for their own good. Pisceans are said to be as versatile as any sign but also as self-sacrificing as they come.

Pisces is governed by Neptune, which is associated with dreams, inspiration, deception, masochism, drugs, chaos, magic, music, and spirituality.

The tarot card associated with the zodiac’s Pisces is The Moon. And the suit of cups represents the water signs, including Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

The Moon’s Journey Through the Zodiac

While the sun has its journey through the zodiac, the moon also has hers.

The sun travels through a single house in about 30 days. The moon, however, takes about 28 days to go through all 12 houses. This means the moon is in each house for just two and a half days.

The moon governs our emotions and instincts. She rules over our subconscious mind and the way we feel about ourselves on a daily basis. Her phases (waxing, full, waning, and new) are said to affect everything from the tides to our mental state. So does her journey through the zodiac.

Aries: This is a time when we are highly independent and driven. We are more focused on our own needs and less concerned with the feelings of others. This is a good time to start new projects or set new goals for ourselves.

Taurus: This is a time when we are more sensual and tactile. We want to feel comfortable and secure and may be resistant to change. This is a good time to relax and enjoy the simple things in life.

Gemini: This is a time when we are more talkative and social. We want to connect with others and express ourselves. This is a good time to sign up for that class you’ve been thinking about or go on that blind date you’ve been putting off for so long.

Cancer: This is a time when we are more emotional and sensitive than usual. We may be more vulnerable than usual and need reassurance from those around us. This is a good time to nurture yourself by spending some quality alone time doing something that makes you happy on the inside or catching up with an old friend who will make you feel good about yourself.

Leo: This is a time when we are looking for adventure, romance, fun, freedom, creativity, and self-expression. If your relationships aren’t making you happy, this is a good time to go out and find yourself some pleasure.

Virgo: This is a time when we are more critical of ourselves, our surroundings, and those around us. We are likely to be very analytical during this phase which makes it easy for us to see where improvements need to be made. This is also a good time to make those changes you’ve been thinking about making.

Libra: This is a time when we are looking for balance in all things — career, relationships, and family life. Much like the sign itself, Libra can go either way, but instead of being peacekeepers as they usually are, people born under Libra may try too hard to please others at this point in their journey through the zodiac.

Scorpio: This is a time when we are more intense than usual. We want to delve deep into our feelings and explore our darker side. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it. On the plus side, this is a great time for self-discovery, but on the minus side, it can also be a time when we let our emotions get the best of us.

Sagittarius: This is a time when we are more optimistic and happy-go-lucky than usual. We want to see the good in everything and everyone. This is a great time for travel, learning new things, and expanding your horizons.

Capricorn: This is a time when we are more focused on our responsibilities than usual. We want to get things done efficiently and effectively. This is not the best time for spontaneity, so go ahead and plan that vacation you’ve been putting off if finances allow it, otherwise save up for next year around this time.

Aquarius: This is a time when we are more detached than usual. We can see both sides of an argument or issue while still feeling removed from the situation, which allows our unbiased opinions to prevail. This is a good time to communicate your feelings clearly without fear of judgment about what you have to say.

Pisces: This is a time when we are more imaginative and dreamy than usual — almost as if we have left our bodies and are living in a world of fantasy. This is a great time for creative pursuits such as painting, writing, or working on that craft project we’ve been putting off.

Conclusion

There are many complex layers to astrology and the zodiac that take years to comprehend and master. However, with a general guide, you can understand the influences we each are under as the sun and moon make their way through the solar system.

If you think about it, this Astro-connection is really no different than saying that our moods are influenced by the weather or that today was a good hair day, so we feel more confident than usual.

The zodiac is simply another way of looking at the world around us and understanding how we as humans interact with it.

Not a member of Medium yet? Can’t read more than three stories? Become a member to unlock more stories like this one. When you use my link to join Medium, you’ll support my writing and the work of other writers on the platform. It’s a small monthly fee with big benefits:

Another writer worth reading is Adrian Heroux. Here’s the piece that caught my attention: