TonytheRainbowHealer

Welcome to Astrology Month on my blog! I want to spend some time writing about many of the tools I use in my healing practice in addition to energy healing work, and I decided to dedicate an entire month to astrology. I know many people hear the words “what’s your sign?” and they want to roll their eyes and run towards the nearest door away from the freak that is asking the question.  I used to be one of those people.  And then while looking at a website on near death experiences, I read that people have been told about astrology when they have crossed over to the other side, and that we should pay attention to it because it means something.  I have based so much of my spiritual beliefs and spiritual knowledge on information from near death experiences which I have studied extensively.  In fact, the near death experience has pretty much become my version of the bible.  Heck…why read a religious book written by humans when you can learn about what real live humans have actually experienced and been told on the other side?  This prompted me to reexamine the topic of astrology and to pick up an astrology book.

My previous experience with astrology consisted of reading mundane and ridiculous horoscopes in magazines and newspapers that were made of a few vague lines that could apply to anyone.  Needless to say, I was still highly skeptical of this astrology stuff, however I was intrigued because other info I read regarding near death experiences led to my spiritual awakening so I gave it a chance.  The book I am referring to is called The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need, by Joanna Martine Woolfolk – I highly recommend this book if you would like to check out a beginner astrology book.  As I started to peruse the book, I flipped directly to my sun sign which is Pisces and read the description.  I was shocked to find the description which went on for several pages to describe me almost perfectly.  I was impressed, but still skeptical.  Perhaps this description just described everyone?  So I flipped to another sun sign and read that.  I quickly discovered that that sun sign did not describe me for the most part.  Hmmmm…I proceeded to read the entire book, and I couldn’t believe how complex astrology was.  I had no clue that we had an astrological chart and that all the planets and the moon in addition to the sun fell in different signs and that each planet symbolized a different aspect of our personality.  I had no clue that our charts were composed of houses and that each house symbolized a different aspect of our lives and that how the planets fell in the houses contained in our chart in addition to how they interacted with each other can form a sort of blueprint to our personalities and life plans.  As I read thorough all my chart aspects, I quickly could see how my chart was explaining my personality tendencies and some of the challenges I have faced thus far in this life.  I decided to start reading a more detailed monthly horoscope to investigate this further (I really like Susan Miller at www.astrologyzone.com, the AstroTwins at https://astrostyle.com/, Pam Gregory at https://www.thenextstep.uk.com/ and her youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwt5n0rp6dlApiUcHJbO8Vg, and they have lots of additional interesting articles to learn more about astrology on their sites).  As I began to follow astrology more, I began to notice major life events taking place around times when there were difficult aspects and transits of planets through certain areas of my chart.  I don’t feel it is a coincidence (actually there is no such thing as coincidences) when events like Mercury retrograde, Saturn returning to the place it was at when I was born, and solar and lunar eclipses coincided with struggles I was going through in my life.

Now do I believe astrology is the be all end all?  No.  Our souls are rich and complex, and there are other factors that can play into personality – for instance past life experiences (both in this current incarnation and in previous incarnations), family upbringing, cultural influence, etc.  I have often heard people try to explain twins as a reason for disproving astrology because they would have almost the same astrological chart (although just a few minutes different in birth time can skew and change the whole chart makeup!).  Again, every soul is a different soul and the astrological chart only indicates personality “tendencies.”  As I mentioned, there are other factors at work in shaping an individual’s personality.

We come into this world with a plan of the lessons we want to learn for our soul’s growth and this can be indicated in the individual’s astrological chart.  We choose our personalities, our life situations, our parents (yes you choose your parents), and we come in with a general blueprint for our life path.  We also come in with the gift of free will to change our plans at any given point to some degree and every decision we make at any given time can alter the course of our lives and the outcomes in the future.  Can astrology be used to predict events?  To some degree yes, but I tend to think of it more as a tool to show timing and conditions more akin to a weather report.  It gets at the when of events.  It can be very difficult to ascertain the what.  When examining my chart for instance, I have been able to recognize that a difficult period was coming up, but much less able to determine if the problem was going to come in the arena of friends and family, home, career, money, health, or romantic relationships for example. Or I might nail it down to a category like career but not have any idea what could possibly be happening in the field of career as there are endless possibilities.  Astrology is just too complex to find all the answers and the Universe doesn’t want us to be able to know everything in advance as that would defeat much of the point of being in these physical bodies living these lives on this planet.  Our main purpose for being here is for our souls to learn lessons and grow and expand spiritually.  Knowing everything would hamper our soul’s purpose.

Another common misconception from skeptics is that astrology can’t possibly mean anything because the planets are too far away to have any impact on us here on Earth.  It is a proven fact that the sun and the moon clearly have an impact on us while on this planet.  They impact tides and weather and ask anyone who works in a hospital, and they will tell you how they notice all the “crazies” come in during the full or new moons.  I worked in an ER for a local hospital system, and the nurses and I would always discuss this.  Of course the rest of the planets have an affect on us!  This solar system is like our school.  Our classroom is Earth, but the rest of the bodies of energy known as planets, also are here to assist with our lessons in our classroom.  Skeptics are stuck looking at this existence in a linear physical fashion so of course it appears the planets are too far away.  But this existence is not linear and purely physical.  There are many other layers such as emotional, mental, and spiritual, and there is no time and space on the other side.  All energy (WHICH IS ALL PLANETS) and everything in existence is connected;  we are all ONE.  That is not just a cliché new age phrase, it is one of the great spiritual Universal truths.  The planets are even connected to our chakra system so what happens with all of them (both at time of birth and as they transit through their orbits and cycles through our lives) affects us all. Here is a link to some interesting scientific studies into astrology.

The Zodiac

For this week, the astrological topic I want to discuss is the Zodiac (and by Zodiac I am referring to the Western classic Babylonian Zodiac, not the Chinese Zodiac).  There are two main types of systems of astrology: Western or tropical astrology and Hindu or sidereal astrology.  Western astrology divides the Zodiac based on the Sun’s position as it moves through the ecliptic and celestial sphere over the course of the year.  Hindu astrology does the same but also bases the positions of the zodiac on constellations and fixed stars beyond our solar system as opposed to corresponding with the natural change in seasons as the earth moves in it’s orbit over the year.  My astrology articles are based on Western astrology rather than Hindu astrology as that system resonates with me more. While the Zodiac signs are probably somewhat familiar to many people due to the ever present horoscope listings in magazines, newspapers, and online, many people do not really understand how they were derived.  The Zodiac can be divided up in several different ways:

THE GENDERS (DUALITIES):  First, the Zodiac can be divided in two genders with six Zodiac signs making up each of the two genders: masculine and feminine.

Masculine: (Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius); These signs are direct and energetic. The energy expresses outward. Masculine signs find their strength from action.

Feminine: (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces); These signs are receptive and magnetic.  The energy expresses inward. Feminine signs are self contained and find their strength through inner reserves. 

THE QUALITIES (QUADRUPLICITIES): Second, the Zodiac can be divided in three sectors with four signs making up each sector.  These sectors describe a certain quality of each of the signs, and the three sectors are cardinal, fixed, and mutable.

Cardinal: (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn); Cardinal signs are enterprising and outgoing.  They are initiators. Fixed: (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius); Fixed signs are resistant to change. They perfect and finish things rather than initiate and originate. Mutable: (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces); Mutable signs are flexible, versatile, and adaptable. They are able to adjust to differing circumstances. 

THE ELEMENTS (TRIPLICITIES):  Third, the Zodiac can be divided in four sectors with three signs making up each sector.  These four sectors are also known as the four elements: fire, earth, air, water.

Fire: (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius); Fire signs are active, enthusiastic, and are driven to express the self and to create. Earth: (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn); Earth signs are grounded, material, cautious, practical, and stable. Air: (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius); Air signs are mental, intellectual, and communicative. They socialize and conceptualize. Water: (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces); Water signs are emotional, intuitive, empathetic, and sensitive. 

OPPOSITES (POLARITIES):  Fourth, the Zodiac can be divided up into six polarities, or in other words, six pairs of signs that are opposite each other.

• Aries (self) versus Libra (partnership, others)
• Taurus (personal possessions, form and the material) versus Scorpio (legacies and shared possessions, transformation, destruction)
• Gemini (self expression, lower mind) versus Sagittarius (philosophy and higher thinking; expression on a wider level)
• Cancer (home, private, domestic life) versus Capricorn (public life, career and reputation)
• Leo (personal pleasure and creativity) versus Aquarius (hopes and ideals on a larger group-oriented scale)
• Virgo (work, service, self-improvement, physical health) versus Pisces (dreams, self-delusion, vision, spiritual health)

THE SIGNS:  You will notice above that no sign in the Zodiac has the same gender, quality, and element, thus we have 12 unique signs that make up the entire Zodiac.  The 12 descriptions below are from an archetype perspective and will be very general.  Pages and pages could be written about each sign (and indeed already have been!).  My purpose here is to give a brief summary.  The dates below are approximately when the sun is in that sign but it can change depending on the year.  If you have planets within a few degrees (or few days depending on how you look at it) of when the planets change signs, then that planet is “on the cusp” of the other sign it is close to.  In those cases, people with cusps have a blend of both energies from both signs for that particular planet, however the sign it truly falls in by degree in the chart will be the dominant sign.  I am writing the symbol for each because if you think about the qualities of what the symbol for each sign represents, you get an idea of the sign itself.

Aries: (Masculine, Cardinal, Fire); March 21 to April 19; Symbolized by the Ram; Keyword is “I Am”; Opposite of Libra; Ruling planet is Mars; Rules the head.  Aries is active, energetic, excitable, impulsive, optimistic, assertive, sexual, able to climb great heights, and open to change and new experiences.  Aries is very self-oriented and “me first.”  The Mars aspects of this sign indicate war, aggression, conflict, courage, passion, competition, tension, accidents, and rules over fire and danger.

Taurus: (Feminine, Fixed, Earth); April 20 to May 20; Symbolized by the Bull; Keyword is “I Have”; Opposite of Scorpio; Ruling planet is Venus; Rules the neck and throat.  Taurus is quiet, affectionate, patient, stable, determined, practical, stubborn, strong, plodding, both fierce and gentle, and resistant to change.  It is the sign of accumulating money, property and possessions, and experiencing the material world with all their senses.  The Venus aspects of the sign indicate a love of beauty, luxury, arts, pleasure, emotions, and also exceptional creative ability.

Gemini: (Masculine, Mutable, Air); May 21 to June 20; Symbolized by the Twins; Keyword is “I Think”; Opposite of Sagittarius; Ruling planet is Mercury; Rules the hands, arms, shoulders, and lungs.  Gemini is lively, energetic, versatile, and intellectual, lives primarily in the mind rather than the emotions, and is extremely adaptable to new situations.  It is the sign of thought and communication on a personal level as well as duality and humanism.  The Mercury aspects of this sign indicate communication, travel, quick cleverness, and a nervous temperament.

Cancer: (Feminine, Cardinal, Water); June 21 to July 22; Symbolized by the Crab; Keyword is “I Feel”; Opposite of Capricorn; Ruling planet is the Moon; Rules the breasts and stomach. Cancer is receptive, sensitive, moody, imaginative, sympathetic, kind, emotional and possesses an active, shrewd, and intuitive mind.  They retreat into their hard shell exterior in order to protect their sensitive inside.  Cancer is the sign of home and family life, and Cancers are happiest surrounded by the familiar and those whom they love. The Moon aspects of this sign govern emotions and intuition.

Leo: (Masculine, Fixed, Fire); July 23 to Aug 22; Symbolized by the Lion; Keyword is “I Will”; Opposite of Aquarius; Ruling planet is the Sun; Rules the back, spine, and heart. Leo is enthusiastic, expansive, creative, generous, extravagant, dogmatic, regal, brave, dominating, noble, proud, indolent, and fixed in opinion. It is the sign that governs pleasure and creativity. They look at what they can get out of life for themselves. The Sun aspects of this sign indicate light, heat, energy, vitality, and authority.

Virgo: (Feminine, Mutable, Earth); Aug 23 to Sept 22; Symbolized by the Virgin; Keyword is “I Analyze”; Opposite of Pisces; Ruling planet is Mercury; Rules the nervous system and intestines. Virgo is reserved, modest, practical, discriminating, industrious, analytical, painstaking, seeking to know and understand. It’s the sign of work, self-improvement, purity, service of oneself and one’s talents in helping others. Virgos are perfectionists who dissect facts in order to find truth and obtain all available information.  The Mercury aspects of this sign indicate communication, intelligence, reason, and a high strung temperament.

Libra: (Masculine, Cardinal, Air); Sept 23 to Oct 22; Symbolized by the Scales; Keyword is “I Balance”; Opposite of Aries; Ruling planet is Venus; Rules the lower back, buttocks, and kidneys. Libra is active, artistic, balanced, easygoing, peaceable, prizes beauty and harmony, is diplomatic, polished, and very socially inclined. It’s the sign of marriage and partnership, and its natives function best in a union and lose their positive outlook and equilibrium when forced to be alone. It’s the sign of order and justice. The Venus aspects of this sign rule pleasure, social pursuits, art, adornment, self-indulgence, love, and luxury.

Scorpio: (Feminine, Fixed, Water); Oct 23 to Nov 21; Symbolized by the Scorpion; Keyword is “I Desire”; Opposite is Taurus; Ruling planet is Pluto; Rules the genitals. Scorpio is imaginative, passionate, emotional, subtle, persistent, intense, secretive, obstinate, and unyielding. It’s the sign of inheritance and legacies.  Its natives are given a sense of purpose and destiny and find happiness dispensing their life-force to others.  The Pluto aspects of this sign rule regenerative forces, transitions, beginnings, endings, death, and destruction.

Sagittarius: (Masculine, Mutable, Fire); Nov 22 to Dec 21; Symbolized by the Archer represented as a Centaur – half man, half horse; Keyword is “I See”; Opposite is Gemini; Ruling planet is Jupiter; Rules the liver, hips, and thighs. Sagittarius is energetic, ambitious, generous, freedom-loving, direct, a seeker of challenge, and open to new ideas and exploration. Sagittarius is the sign of philosophy, higher learning, high aims, broad concepts, and a lover of outdoor activity and the chase. They are most happy discovering new ideas, exploring distant places, and not getting tied down with personal commitments.  The Jupiter aspects of this sign rule good fortune, optimism, expansion, and abundance.

Capricorn: (Feminine, Cardinal, Earth); Dec 22 to Jan 19; Symbolized by the Goat; Keyword is “I Use”; Opposite is Cancer; Ruling planet is Saturn; Rules the bones, joints, and knees.  Capricorn is reserved, prudent, patient, uses strategy instead of force, seeks security, is acquisitive, disciplined, determined, and quick to seize opportunity. Capricorn is the sign governing reputation, career, public life, and standing in the community.  They seek honor, praise, and approval from the world at large but remain reserved in private relationships. The Saturn aspects of this sign rule obstacles, limitations, restrictions, discipline, and responsibility.

Aquarius: (Masculine, Fixed, Air); Jan 20 to Feb 18; Symbolized by the Water Bearer (a human pouring water); Keyword is “I Know”; Opposite is Leo; Ruling planet is Uranus; Rules the circulatory system, shins, and ankles.  Aquarius is assertive, independent, progressive, analytical, original, inventive, and has strong dislikes and firm opinions.  It is the sign of hopes, dreams, friends, and wishes. They tend to be idealistic humanitarians who are concerned with the larger issues of the world but remain personally detached in their own relationships.  The Uranus aspects of this sign rule change, disruption, the unconventional, the unexpected, inventions, aerodynamics, modern science and technology.

Pisces: (Feminine, Mutable, Water); Feb 19 to March 20; Symbolized by Two Fishes connected and pulling in opposite directions; Keyword is “I Believe”; Opposite is Virgo; Ruling planet is Neptune; Rules the feet.  Pisces is receptive, intuitive, emotional, imaginative, romantic, impressionable, mystical, adaptable, and very changeable.  It is the sign of dreams, hidden depths, shifting emotional currents, conflicting desires, extremes of temperament, and mysticism. Pisces tend to trust their intuitions and feelings and tend to seek more spiritual values in life. The Neptune aspects of this sign rule illusion, glamour, mystery, secrets, and deception.

And now something fun to do!  If you have not pulled up your own astrological chart, you can easily do that here. Once you get there, click on one of the free horoscopes (I recommend ‘chart drawing, ascendant’).  You will need your exact day, time, and place of birth to be able to accurately pull up your astrological chart.  Once you get your chart up, you can see what signs all the planets fall in on your chart as well as your ascendant/rising sign (listed as AC on the chart).  You will be able to read descriptions for all the planets in your chart now when reading horoscope articles and books.  I hope this was interesting and/or helpful. Until my next post friends!