Astrology-Central

Taurus: Divinatory Meaning

As the second sign of the zodiac, Taurus represents the second stage in the evolution of man and his place in the universe. The first thing man uses are his physical senses. What he can see, touch, and physically hold represents the reality of his position. Taureans seek to conserve physical resources and possessively cling to people whom they regard as their own. Personal security is their motivating force.

Taureans are stubborn and go at their own pace : slow. They get frustrated if not given enough time to assimilate new things. But they accomplish things in life because of their tenacity in sticking to projects in which others have long since lost patience or stamina. A Fixed sign and Bull-headed (as their symbol shows), they can be extremely formidable to those who try to force them into anything. It takes a lot to anger a Taurean, but once they do, do not argue with them. It is best to approach them indirectly. They will willingly follow someone they trust.

Venus, planet of beauty and pleasure, rules Taurus, and it gives its natives a tactile and sensuous nature, who love personal comfort and physical pleasure. Possessions and material things are very important. Taurus is the money sign of the Zodiac. But money is only a symbol of value, not value itself. Be careful not to get locked into the world of matter. The unevolved can resort to possessiveness and hoarding, confusing security with control and the tangible.

Being Earth, however, they are pragmatic and practical. They have a love of Nature and the land, as well as art, and may have a very pleasant voice.

With a methodical nature, they do best with a regular routine. They are not fond of change. This can hamper them if taken too far, making them afraid to take a chance, too conservative in their outlook, and preferring the old tried and true to anything new, and succumbing to habit. Taureans should also watch their love of rich food as they are likely to put on weight. 

The test of Taurus is to find what is of real value.

 KEYWORDS for TAURUS

Medically Speaking

Taurus rules the throat, tonsils, and the thyroid gland, the cerebellum, neck, vocal chords, tongue, mouth, lower teeth, right eye of the male and left eye of the female, upper food pipe, the gums and the middle ear. Watch for throat infections, goiter and respiratory ailments such as asthma. There can be diseases of the generative organs, liver, and kidneys, and of abscesses and rheumatism. Because their body type has an inclination to physical laziness, Taureans can be overweight.

Kabbalistic Connection

The Book of Formation says, “He crowned the letter Pei and created with it Venus in the world and Thursday in the year and the left nostril in the soul, He crowned the letter Vav and created with it Taurus in the world and Iyar in the year and the left hand in the soul.”

The letters Pei and Vav control the month of Iyar, and the constellation of Taurus.

Iyar is the second month after Nissan, and is completely under the influence of the period known as the Counting of the Omer. When Moses took the Israelites out of Egypt, they received freedom, liberty, and liberation without any effort. For that reason, the Light of Passover disappeared; in order to give us the opportunity to work and earn all that Light that we received for free.

John of Berry’s Petites Heures
France, Paris 14th Century.

Scorpio: Divinatory Meaning

Scorpio (8th house) is the Death sign and it is – in terms of the Soul and Personality. The Personality must die and give way to the Soul. It is the only sign with three symbols, indicating the mental, physical and emotional parts of the personality: the Scorpion who would rather sting himself to death than to pass up a chance at revenge, the Eagle who can fly close to the sun (Spirit), and the Phoenix who rises out of his own ashes. Where you find Scorpio in your chart is where transformation and resurrection must take place.

All water signs are emotional, but Scorpions are particularly irrational when it comes to their emotions. They go to extremes, in both positive and negative respects. There is only black and white in the world of the Scorpion; no gray areas. If you are not their friend, then you are by default their enemy, and you will most definitely be treated that way. As the Left Column of the water signs, Scorpios have a tremendous desire for power and control, and seek these measures at any cost. They do not waver, they do not falter, and they stay their course with total determination and strength, which can sometimes result in unnecessary force and violence.

Pluto rules life and death (transformation and ressurection), as well as the power and energy of the seed, which at best manifests itself as new life. It also gives Scorpios deep sexual desires that are rooted in the compulsion to propagate the human race. In their efforts to “be fruitful and multiply,” Scorpios can go so far as to damage their reproductive and sexual organs, leading to impotency, infertility, and cancer. Scorpio is a fixed sign, which means that they do not like change and want to harness total control over their lives and the lives of those around them. Their greatest fear is to lose control. In the Scorpio world of extremes, love is everything. If they feel their love is not reciprocated, this love can turn into hate. It is very difficult for Scorpios to forgive and forget. The typical Scorpio will not rest until he has hunted you down!

Scorpios see the world in black and white. People and relationships are being measured as friends and enemies. They are thorough; that is why they are not so easy to get along with. They can see right through you. A common physical trait are their penetrating eyes. They have the ability to find your weaknesses and strike. They are formidable enemies.

Scorpio is the symbol of sex and Scorpios are passionate lovers, the most sensually energetic of all the signs. For them, union with the beloved is a sacrament, discovering the meaning of that union which is greater than individuality, and is a marriage of the spirit as well as of flesh. They are capable of the greatest heights of passionate transport, but debauchery and perversion are always dangers, and Scorpios can become sadistic monsters of sensuality and eroticism.

They are good business people. They love money, money is power, and Power is everything — but they are truly powerful when they do not seek it for themselves. They are also good in politics, medicine, and research. They have the potential to be honest and straight, or go to the other way, to be famous mobsters and members of the crime world. It is no coincidence that the mob world is called the "Underworld" and is exactly what Pluto rules!

Scorpio’s biggest challenge is to use their power and talent for good, to relinquish control, to compromise with others. Scorpios get along with other water signs (Pisces and Cancer) and earth signs (Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo). It is very hard for Scorpios to get along with fire signs, especially with Leo, being the Left Column of fire opposite the water. Air signs also have trouble with Scorpio, since the Scorpio is too controlling and possessive, and no one can control air. As hard as they are to get along with, it is through cooperation within relationships, that they will achieve transformation. Their goals are reached through service, purity, compassion, and humility. Then they are truly magnanimous. Then they can be the strongest and most positive people to bring Light into the world.

 KEYWORDS for Scorpio

Medically Speaking

Scorpio governs the pelvis and reproductive and urinary systems and its subjects are said to be prone to ailments of the liver and kidneys, stones and gravel in the bladder or genitals, and other genital ills such as priapism. Abscesses, boils, carbuncles, fistulas, piles, ruptures and ulcers may also affect the Scorpions. 

Kabbalistic Connection

The astrological month of Scorpio, or as it is called in Hebrew Mar-Cheshvan (Bitter Cheshvan), is the Left column water sign, and is ruled by the plant Mars (Ma’adim) and Pluto.

The Book of Formation speaks of seven planets in the solar system. In the last century, three more planets were revealed and as a result, Pluto has been found to bear influence on the sign of Scorpio.

Mars, the traditional ruler of the month of Scorpio, is the planet and Greek god of war, which makes all Scorpios warriors who have the drive to eliminate their enemy no matter what toll it takes on anyone else. This is the hardest Tikun (correction) of Scorpions – to find the Central Column, control the urge to avenge, and to live, love and let go. Mar-Cheshvan, as the month is formally known, in Hebrew means bitter Cheshvan. However, it can be transformed into Ram Cheshvan (elevated Cheshvan). Our job throughout the month is to transform that which is bitter into sweet, that which is lowly to lofty. It takes a strong consciousness and self-control to achieve this transformation.

John of Berry’s Petites Heures
France, Paris 14th Century.

Leo: Divinatory Meaning

Leo is the most vital of the signs and has tremendous strength. There is great courage inherent in this sign, but they must temper it with responsibility and self-discipline or they will have many problems. They have a self-assurance and confidence that boosts those around them – and can anger others who envy or want their power.

They have a powerful intelligence and are very creative; have a broad philosophical, sometimes religious, outlook. Those who are devout may become very obstinate in upholding traditional beliefs and will cling tenaciously, but with complete sincerity, to practices and doctrines which liberal thinkers regard as absurdly out-of-date. This stubborness is a trademark of all the Fixed signs.

The unevolved Leo will display extreme arrogance, autocratic pride, haughtiness, self-centeredness, power-lust, greed for flattery, boastfulness, pomposity, snobbish superiority, and overbearing, and intolerant disdain of underlings. Leo’s downfall is not relegating authority to others. They think they have to do it all and many succumb to heart attacks because they just wear themselves out.

In relationships, Leo has a strong loyalty to those they love. As their opposite, Aquarius, can be too detached, Leo can be too attached. They need to learn a bit of detachment and let the Sun shine out to others. No one can be a true leader unless he/she is willing to be the servant of all. Their gift to the world is an Understanding Heart.

 KEYWORDS for LEO

Medically Speaking

Leo rules the heart, sides, and upper back (spine). Its natives are subject to a number of ailments: pain in the back and lungs, spinal complaints, diseases of the heart and blood, sickness in ribs and sides, convulsions, fevers; and the plague, pestilence, jaundice, and some afflictions of the eyes.

Kabbalistic Connection

Av is one of the three most negative months of the year. The other two are Tevet (Capricorn), because it is ruled by Saturn, which a planet of harsh judgments, and Tammuz (Cancer) because it is ruled by the moon. Av – sign of Leo – is ruled by the sun, and is the Left Column of the fire signs. This indicates an added influence of fire which is expressed as judgments, burning and consuming fire with no balance. This is the reason we experience a polarity of events, some negative and some positive. The Book of Formation says the letter Tet created Leo and the letter Caf created the sun. Together we get the energetic combination that controls the month of Av and Leo.

At the center of our solar system, the sun brings each of the planets light, heat and life, without which organic life could not exist.

But with the Egyptians the beginning of the year is not Aquarius, as among the Romans, but Cancer. For the star Sothis (Sirius) borders on Cancer, which star the Greeks denominate (Greek word) or the Dog. When this star rises they celebrate the calends of the month, which begins their year; because this is the place of the heavens where generation commences, by which the world subsists.
—Porphyry the Neoplatonist (233-305 A.D.)

 

John of Berry’s Petites Heures
France, Paris 14th Century.

Aquarius: Divinitory Meaning

Aquarius, with its two ruling planets, Saturn and Uranus, is a sign of transformation, rebellion, and breakthroughs. Aquarians are on a constant search for their identity, their uniqueness and their personality. They are brilliant people with open minds, new ideas, sometimes strange ones. They are most definitely unconventional and constantly seek to be different, different from their past or any other “normal” people. They are inventors, explorers, and do not care what people will say or think about them. They bring revolution and change everywhere they go. They are social planners, sociology workers, psychologists, unconventional healers and especially people who are open for new and higher consciousness.

Saturn crystallizes forms and structures. Self-control is Saturn’s highest expression. Uranus shatters forms and substance and seeks a new way of expression. Old molds and ways of doing things need to be removed, yet something must be put in its place. Without Saturn’s responsiblity and discipline, Uranus will cause irresponsible destruction and chaos. This is not true freedom, as that can only come from within. But Liberation together with Responsibility can accomplish anything.

Aquarians are foward thinkers, outgoing, and constantly looking to re-invent themselves and their surroundings. They are brilliant people with open minds, new ideas, though sometimes strange ones. They seek out the "different," are mental explorers, creative inventors, and do not care what people will say or think about them. They stir things up and bring revolution and change everywhere they go. This makes them work well in organizations or big business because they are willing to break new ground and see things from a different angle.

Often work will interest them more than personal relationships. They hate restraint of any kind and approach life though the mind and not the emotions. Strong willed, they have strong convictions, and cannot be pushed into anything. They easily see both sides of an argument and are quite tolerant of other viewpoints, and will even change theirs if it is logical. Aquarians filter everything through the mind and connect to others mentally. Sometimes, other signs just don’t get it, or get them. This metal approach to life, however, can drive some into an ivory-tower existence where they meditate on abstractions that bear little relevance to life. Obviously, they would get along best with the other air signs, Gemini and Libra.

This mental activity gives a scientific bent and many will seek out science fields to benefit mankind. They are loners and need "space." Even in company, they still feel apart and will follow their own path.

The unevolved natives can be critical and demanding, cold and unmoving, unemotional and even cruel. The evolved Aquarian is giving and magnanimous, and recognizes that we are all heading to the same place, even though we are on different paths.

 KEYWORDS for Aquarius

Medically Speaking

Aquarius rules the lower leg, calf and ankles, and the valves of the heart. Also the blood circulation and the oxidation processes in the body. The body is strong, but they prefer to work with their minds. There can be rare illnesses and nervous ailments (afflicted Uranus).

Kabbalistic Connection

Aquarius, D’li in Hebrew, is numerically 44, same as blood, Dam. This means that the month of Shevat can be connected to the energy of the tree – the Tree of Life, consciousness of certainty and Love Thy Neighbor as Thy Self, or conversely, to the consciousness of bloodshed.

Aquarius, the Water Bearer, from a 14th Century manuscript

The Fixed Signs like the status quo and will put up with almost anything rather than have to make any kind of changes. They like a routine, their routine, they like knowing what to expect tomorrow and the next day, and for this reason, will stick to something longer than they should, rather than edit anything. They are determined, persistent, stubborn, strong-willed, resolute, stable. Their minds are penetrating, and memories are excellent.

These signs are the middle months of each season.

The Fixed Signs doe in order follow the Equinoctial and Tropicks; and they are called fixed, for that when Sun enters into them, the season of the yeer is fixed, and we doe more evidently perceive either Heat or Cold, Moysture or Drinesse. The fixed Signes are these, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.
— William Lilly, Christian Astrology (1647)

Others are called immovable, and they are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius,
for they are the middle ones and the air stays in one element.
— Avraham Ibn Eza (1092-1167 C.E), The Book of Reasons

HOUSES: The Succeedent Houses (2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th) correspond to the Fixed Signs. Not as powerful as the Angular placements, they denote financial affairs, stability, and purpose.

TAURUS (Fixed Earth)

Taurus: Keywords are stubborn, materialistic, sensual. The most "fixed" of the fixed signs. People with several placements here (particularly Venus) incline to the more material, sensual side of life — and laziness.

LEO (Fixed Fire)

Leo: Keywords are flamboyant, showy, playful. This is the sign of show business. No matter what the profession, the typical Leo sun-sign (and Sun-ruled) people act as if they are on stage. They carry themselves regally. They need the attention, the applause, no matter what their profession.

SCORPIO (Fixed Water)

Scorpio: Keywords are secretive, obsessive, sexy. Scorpio has a talent for uncovering secrets, but you will never get anything out of them that they are not willing to share. Scorpio placements are good for any profession involving healing (death and rebirth – Pluto-ruled) or investigating (detective, scientific investigations, etc.). The tendency to extremes affects other areas of the life as well. The negative side of Scorpio is jealously and vengeance.

AQUARIUS (Fixed Air)

Aquarius: Keywords are strange, unusual, shocking, far-out, peculiar, socially-unacceptable, and all these only on a slow day! Uranus-ruled, this is also the sign of genius. In the horoscope, it shows where we have the potential to transcend the ordinary. This is also the sign of friendship; Aquarius sun-sign folks are said to be closer to their friends than to their own families.

*Trivia: Did you know that the Tarot major arcana card The World features the 4 fixed signs in the corners?