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As the Planets in the natal chart could be said to describe WHAT is happening, and the Houses indicate WHERE it is happening, the Signs reveal HOW.
Just about everyone knows his or her "Sun Sign," but do you know your Rising Sign? Your Moon Sign? How about your Merc Sign or your Mars Sign? Just what the heck are all these "signs," anyway?
The word zodiac means "circle of animals." This circle, represented by the zodiacal chart wheel, is actually the cosmic "belt" along which constellations are observed. When looking at the sky, the planets, Sun and Moon, will appear to move through these constellations, along the plane of the ecliptic.
Some of these constellations have been deemed astrologically important through many centuries of direct observation and study. These "important" constellations are what we know as the "signs of the zodiac;" 12 signs of 30 degrees each, for a 360-degree circle.
Webster's New World Dictionary gives the following definition of the word sign:
The Signs of the Zodiac are symbols with specific and accepted meaning -- although there is the occasional discrepancy among astrologers as to exactly what those "specific, accepted" meanings are! -- which indicate facts and qualities about ourselves and the world we live in, and convey information to us through the chart.
The astrological descriptions and qualities generally given for "Sun Signs" are actually characteristics, not only of Sun Signs, but of the signs themselves. When any planet is in the sign, or when the sign rules a house cusp, the Planet or House will be affected differently, depending on the Sign in question. When you've learned the basic characteristics of each of the Signs, it will be possible to read the chart and understand the flavor of the Sign as it "spices" each natal planet or house.
I used the word cusp above. This word refers to the lines in the chart which mark the beginning of each House, and should not be interpreted as referring to individuals born on a day when the Sun transitions from one Sign to another. Many people, including experienced and respected astrologers, have taken to informing folks that if they were born on a day when the Sun changes signs -- such as November 22, when the Sun moves from Scorpio into Sag -- that they were "born on the cusp," and will "demonstrate characteristics of both signs." I could not disagree with this more strongly!
Let me illustrate the reason with an analogy. I was born in San Diego, California, just a couple miles from the U.S./Mexican border. This does not give me any sort of "dual citizenship." Even if I had been born mere inches from the border, the birth took place on U.S. soil; ergo, I'm an American. It's the exact same principle: an individual born on the day the Sun changes signs is still being born while the Sun (or any other planet) is in one or the other. If one knows the exact time of birth, the chart will reflect which. There will be no astrological "dual citizenship," any more than being born a mile from the border would make one "both American and Mexican" (or Canadian, or anything else!).
I have no idea why experienced astrologers are jumping on this "cusp" bandwagon, but if you encounter this idea, it is, simply, misinformation. If you're confused about Sign placement, have your natal chart erected. This should be sufficient to clear up any confusion!
To learn more about the Signs, their characteristics, and their meanings within your chart, click on the graphics below.
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