Learn More about Your Birth Signs

Birth signs, also known as astrological signs or sun signs, represent twelve equal divisions or segments of the zodiac. A specific name is assigned to each of these divisions or phase of interval - Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The position of the sun during a person's birth is believed to determine his or her characteristic traits or personality.

The Four Classical Elements

Birth signs are also associated with the classical elements - water, earth, fire, and air. Air and Fire signs are believed to be extroverted, positive, and masculine signs, while Earth and Water signs are known for being introverted, negative, and feminine signs. Libra, Gemini, and Aquarius are Air signs, while Leo, Aries, and Sagittarius are Fire signs. Virgo, Taurus, and Capricorn make up the Earth signs, while Scorpio, Cancer, and Pisces are Water signs.

Quadruplicities

The birth signs are also assigned into Quadruplicities, or three groups made up of four signs. The three resulting qualities are believed to be representative of the trinity, or the three different aspects of God. Cardinal signs, Fixed signs, and Mutable signs make up the Quadruplicities. 

Associated with creativity and initiation, Cardinal signs consist of Cancer, Libra, Aries, and Capricorn. Characterized by individuality, determination, and focus, Leo, Scorpio, Taurus, and Aquarius make up the Fixed signs. The Mutable signs, or those associated with holism, resourcefulness, and adaptability are Virgo, Sagittarius, Gemini, and Pisces.
 

Other Qualifications

Several other classifications, other than the classical elements and quality, are used to better understand the symbolism of birth signs. One such qualification is the sequential cycle, which is used to metaphorically describe the processes involving birth, development, and eventual death of humans and societies. This type of classification is more commonly used for defining planets. The sequential cycle for birth signs involves Personal Signs, Interpersonal Signs, and Transpersonal Signs. 

Aries, Gemini, Taurus and Cancer - the Personal Signs - are associated with competition, energy, earthly pleasures, moodiness, wit, and communication. People with personal signs tend to be very aware of themselves. They always try to be honest and without pretensions.

Leo, Libra, Virgo, and Scorpio - the Interpersonal Signs - are associated with creativity, kinship, material accumulation, justice, ideals, profoundness, religion, the occult, and logic. People who belong to this qualification are concerned mostly with how they do in the social setting. 

Capricorn, Aquarius, Sagittarius, and Pisces - the Transpersonal Signs - are associated with stardom, material accumulation, professionalism, democracy, culture, travel, philosophy, art, universal love, and psychic abilities. People with this sign tend to be very concerned with humanity.

Planetary Rulerships

Each sign is also believed to be ruled by a visible planet. Traditional rulerships make up the following:

Aries - Mars
Taurus - Venus
Gemini - Mercury
Cancer - Moon
Leo - Sun
Virgo - Mercury
Libra - Venus
Scorpio - Mars
Sagittarius - Jupiter
Capricorn - Saturn
Aquarius - Saturn
Pisces - Neptune

Most proponents of traditional astrology adhere to the belief in a rulership system. 

There are many ways by which you can use horoscope dates to get to know your own self and the people around you on a deeper level. Explore the topic even more and learn to use cosmic energy to your advantage.