The Twelve Signs and Their Symbols

A sign is a thirty-degree division of the circle of the sky — a kind of address; whichever sign the significator (the person asking, or the thing asked about) occupies, that is where you read the manner of that person or that thing. The symbol is only a short label; knowing the sign tells you not who the significator is, but how it behaves.

Aries

Fire, cardinal; ruled by Mars. Hot and dry; a fiery, enthusiastic and eager temperament. Because it is cardinal, when a significator sits here the matter moves quickly and may change soon.

Taurus

Earth, fixed; ruled by Venus. Cold and dry, a weighty and substantial temperament. Because it is fixed, when a significator sits here the matter remains in place, does not change easily, and endures.

Gemini

Air, mutable; ruled by Mercury. Hot and moist, a lively and social temperament. Because it is mutable, when a significator sits here the matter falls between cardinal and fixed and proceeds at a medium pace.

Cancer

Water, cardinal; ruled by the Moon. Cold and moist, a quiet and gentle temperament. Because it is cardinal, when a significator sits here the matter moves quickly and may change soon.

Leo

Fire, fixed; ruled by the Sun. Hot and dry; a fiery, enthusiastic and eager temperament. Because it is fixed, when a significator sits here the matter remains in place, and is solid and enduring.

Virgo

Earth, mutable; ruled by Mercury. Cold and dry, a weighty and substantial temperament. Because it is mutable, when a significator sits here the matter falls between cardinal and fixed and proceeds at a medium pace.

Libra

Air, cardinal; ruled by Venus. Hot and moist, a lively and social temperament. Because it is cardinal, when a significator sits here the matter moves quickly and may change soon.

Scorpio

Water, fixed; ruled by Mars. Cold and moist, a quiet and gentle temperament. Because it is fixed, when a significator sits here the matter remains in place, changes with difficulty, and endures.

Sagittarius

Fire, mutable; ruled by Jupiter. Hot and dry; a fiery, enthusiastic and eager temperament. Because it is mutable, when a significator sits here the matter falls between cardinal and fixed and proceeds at a medium pace.

Capricorn

Earth, cardinal; ruled by Saturn. Cold and dry, a weighty and substantial temperament. Because it is cardinal, when a significator sits here the matter moves quickly and may change soon.

Aquarius

Air, fixed; ruled by Saturn. Hot and moist, a lively and social temperament. Because it is fixed, when a significator sits here the matter remains in place, and is solid and enduring.

Pisces

Water, mutable; ruled by Jupiter. Cold and moist, a quiet and gentle temperament. Because it is mutable, when a significator sits here the matter falls between cardinal and fixed and proceeds at a medium pace.

Sample question: "Will tomorrow's job interview go well?" — first you look at the sign occupied by the querent's (your) significator; that sign describes your state and manner at that moment.

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