Anne Massey’s astrology blog

Let’s begin with basics

The twelve signs of the Zodiac are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. If you look at the illustration you can see that the circle is divided into 12 equal segments, each spans 30 degrees, the circle of course is 360 degrees.

Each one of the signs has an image of its element behind the word. Elements one of the primal foundations of the signs, these describe our temperament and what behaviour is most natural for us. However, there is one important division to consider before we discuss the elements. That is the feminine and masculine; yin and yang, positive and negative, passive and active—polarity and duality form a natural foundation for elements and many other concepts in astrology.

 Masculine and Feminine signs

Half of the signs are masculine and half are feminine signs. Masculine signs (see adjacent graphic + signs on white back ground) are proactive, action-oriented, and linear with an outward expression—they want to make an impact. Those signs are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. This is not about gender as in men and women, however there are similarities. How often have you heard the statement, men are logical women are not, or that men are aggressive women submissive.

Masculine signs want to leave an impression, take charge and make things happen. Masculine energy desires submission, is extroverted and assertive, and wants to produce change— they act with intent and determination. Masculine signs are result-oriented, convincing and self-reliant.

In the image you can see the green and red lines—the first connection between the signs in the same gender is the hexagon-pattern. This contains to large equilateral triangles. The red lines connect the opposing signs, which always repeat ‘gender’.

The feminine signs are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces (black background in the image). The feminine signs are receptive, submissive, passive and do not like change. These signs have an inward expression. Feminine signs are potentially introverted, sensitive to the needs of others, supportive and right brain thinking. Feminine energy reflects upon issues, beliefs and ideas.

In contrast to masculine linearity femininity is associated with right-brain thinking and processes, linked to creativity, the imaginary world of possibilities and the one that does not work systematically toward a solution. Feminine energy formulates ideas, beliefs and concepts.

All of the signs of same gender-masculine or feminine-are connected with a hexagon shape. A hexagon contains two large triangles, which connect signs with the same element. The opposite sign for each sign is of the same gender. The intent of relationship analysis is to investigate compatibility.  Active signs (people) get along with similar active signs (people).

In astrology there are two so called Lights—the Sun and the Moon. The Sun shines and the Moon reflects Sun’s light. The Sun is masculine and the Moon feminine. In the adjacent graphic there are some contrasting words, the feminine in white against black and the masculine black and white. Just think about writing in black and white… the imagery it conjures.

The circle was always one of the primary feminine symbols as opposed to lines associated with the masculine principle . Lines divide, circles unite. The yin and yang symbol is black and white. The feminine half is black with a white circle in the centre. It absorbs rather than reflects. Black and white are actually defined as values, white is reflective. The duality has been defined by a multitude of methods; everything has a polarity. The four elements have varying density; Air is the lightest, Fire the is heavier, Water is the next and Earth has the highest density—thus the two lighter elements were deemed masculine or more accurately, perhaps, positive. The split in two-dualism-always brings the opposite to the picture, as in one of the common statements we make “opposites attract”.

Relationships and oppositions

Positive signs get along best with other positive signs. The way they operate and their basic similarity makes the relationship function with ease. Similarly the negative signs get along with other negative signs. Typically horoscopes in newspapers, magazines and websites concentrate on the Sun signs, which changes once a month. According to gender Leos get along with Aries and Sagittarius; Aries gets along with Leos and Sagittarians. Sagittarians get along with Aries and Leo. These three signs represent the masculine element of fire (inspiration) and are readily inspired by everything new and the realm of possibilities. The elements will be discussed in the next instalment of the ABC’s of Astrology. 

Copyright Anne Massey 2009

This article is available in Finnish at www.astrotieto.com