Astrology has been around for thousands of years, and practically every ancient culture independently developed its own zodiac system. The fact that so many ancient cultures developed whole systems to tease out how these distant celestial bodies influenced our lives is no small historical coincidence. If you’ve ever laid outside on the grass on a warm summer night trying to find the Big Dipper, you’ve experienced a small taste of the wonder that sparked this worldwide fascination with astrology.
Let’s start at the beginning, like way back in the day (we’re talking the BC days). Originally scholars studied astrology and astronomy side by side: astronomy was studying the stars, and astrology was interpreting what those positions meant. Early astronomy texts provided scientific contributions like accurately timing the transits of the planets in the sky (which still stun modern-day scientists with their crazy high levels of astronomical accuracy). They also included astrological interpretation of what these movements meant for human life. Eventually, the two disciplines parted ways, but the language they use occasionally overlaps even today. This is why you might see a panic over “new zodiac signs” or astrophysicists weighing in on astrology. The two studies are sisters, not twins, and much like your eyebrows, they frame how we see the stars in our eyes.
The system that we use today is designated as tropical (or “Western”) astrology, and traces its roots back to Persia around 475 BC. Persian astrologers changed up the game and developed—drumroll, please—a twelve-sign zodiac! And that, friends, was the beginning of the Big Three signs and all the dynamic personal planets taking on a starring role in the way we practice astrology.
It’s good to start with the basics, and what’s familiar. You likely already know your sun sign, so you can start there. Getting to know the signs will help you get to know yourself, too, since you actually have a relationship to all the signs in your chart.
Aries
Who has the time to wait for some outside force to define your personality? Certainly not you. You’re the self-assured leader of the zodiac, charging into the fray headfirst as the first sign of the astrological year. Your sign is represented by the Ram and ruled by fiery Mars, the god of war who bestows the gifts of audacity, confidence, and decisiveness, and is fundamentally passionate and fearless. Although you may have moments of doubt, at your core, you have an unshakeable sense of purpose. Your power comes from your ability to initiate action and galvanize others.
Taurus
An expert in all things pleasurable, your inner compass points you toward beauty and sensuality. Like your celestial representative the Bull, you are a peaceful creature when you are in your own territory, surrounded by pleasant pastures. As an earth sign ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and money, you are firmly grounded in the material world while also having a preference for the very best it has to offer. In short? You’ve got a case of champagne tastes. Literally. Taureans are the gourmands of the zodiac and no one loves an elaborate meal and bottomless glasses of fine wine like you do.
Gemini
The trick to describing you is not trying to pin you down. Your sign is represented by the Twins and ruled by androgynous Mercury, the winged messenger god who can easily go from the heights of Olympus to the depths of Hades’ underworld. You delight in your ability to shapeshift, to go wherever the wind takes you. It’s not like you’ll have a short supply of interesting ways to apply your clever ideas. You’re endlessly curious. Imaginative. Bored easily. On the internet, you get a bad rap. But you know that. Here’s the thing: certain narratives in our society just don’t fit you. You are less interested in fitting in than you are in arriving at new synergies. You crave innovation.
Cancer
We never know what depths await simply by looking at its surface, especially when we’re looking at you. Your sign is represented by the Crab and ruled by the moon (aka celestial ruler of Big Feelings.) It is the manifestation of the common saying, “Never judge a book by its cover”. In your case, you may present a tough exterior to the outside world, but at your core, you are incredibly emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and generous.
Leo
When you are as luminous as the sun, people are going to notice you. They can’t help it! Anybody’s eye would be caught by the shiniest object in the room, and in any room you enter, that eye-catching shimmer is more than likely emanating from you. Represented by the Lion and ruled by the star at the center of our solar system, you are a natural leader. Make no mistake, you are not the zodiac’s middle manager—you were born under the particular celestial alignment that places a crown on your head and puts courage in your heart.
Virgo
For you, it’s all about the details. Like the goddess of wheat and agriculture that represents your sign, your personality is rooted in the abundance of the earth. You are attuned to the natural laws and order of the world we live in. You want to keep a sense of order and clarity, just like your ruling planet Mercury (when it’s on its best behavior). As the mutable earth sign, Virgo weathers every season of life with a grounded sense of ease. How you do the small things—attentively—is how you do everything.
Libra
This cardinal air sign represented by the Scales, you signify the basic drive for balance in all aspects of life. For Libra, justice and balance are beauty and beauty is the highest good. Venus, the planet that governs love, beauty, and money, rules this sign. Those with Libra in their chart display an obvious affinity for all the things that sparkle. As a matter of fact, “sparkle” might be a good word to describe you in general. You also have the ability to see any issue or idea from all sides and find just the right words to reach consensus and harmony. You could charm the birds out of the trees and you transform breakdowns in communication into breakthroughs.
Scorpio
Scorpio is Internet-famous for being a little intense and you have to admit, the internet might have a point here. You are determined to follow your instincts and get what you want. You are fundamentally drawn to and motivated by power. Scorpios tend to be more intimidating than intimidated no matter who or what they are up against. However, Scorpio has the heart of a lover and a healer, not a fighter. You have a deeply romantic mystique that people can’t stop talking about. Everyone wants to know what your secret is, unsurprising since secretive Pluto rules this sign.
Sagittarius
You’re always in pursuit—of adventure, of knowledge, of a better way to be. Sagittarius is a sign that is always on the go. Optimistic and adventurous, you always prefer to be out in the world living ferociously, rather than sitting still and planning out your days. Predictably, you’re not a fan of routines or mundane schedules. Once you’ve done something, what’s the point of doing it all over again the next day? You’ve got expansive Jupiter’s lucky backing in that, as it rules this sign and encourages your most madcap schemes.
Capricorn
With a stable approach to life, you’re focused on achieving your goals, but much like your namesake Seagoat, you’re not afraid to mix it up to get where you need to be. You spend your energy on things you deem worthwhile and you find frivolity wasteful and boring, much like your ruling planet Saturn. You care more about the demands of the real, material world than you do about the loftier things in life. Knowledge, conquering new challenges, the luxuries that the material world offers—for you, a goal isn’t reached until you (and the world) celebrate your accomplishment.
Aquarius
You’d think with a name like Aquarius, you would be an emotion-centered water sign, but nope! Always full of surprises, Aquarius is the last air sign in the zodiac, represented by the Water Bearer, the healer who pours this life-giving resource onto the land with the desire that all creatures should thrive. Always a few steps ahead of everyone else, it’s very Aquarius to have a problem with authority and be bored to tears by conventional ways of doing things. It’s no wonder that Uranus, the celestial ruler of innovation, technology, and surprises, also rules Aquarius.
Pisces
As the most psychic sign of the zodiac, you are already inclined toward soul-searching and self-knowledge that astrology offers us. Intuitive, emotionally intelligent, and given to daydreams and strong moods, Pisces is the mutable water sign that wears its heart on its sleeve. As the last constellation in the zodiac, Pisces has learned from all the signs that came before, with that knowledge comes a deep sensitivity and compassion for all other living beings. With Neptune, the planet that governs creativity and dreams, as your sign’s ruler, you have an expansive imagination and are more than likely a gifted creative. Represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, you live with one foot in reality and one foot firmly planted in the watery depths of fantasy and feeling.