CONCERNING THE SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC
The zodiac is a band or belt, measuring about 14 degrees in breadth,
but, as Venus sometimes appears to have more than her real latitude,
it is more correctly considered to be 18 degrees in breadth. The
_ecliptic_, or path of the Sun, passes exactly through the centre of
the zodiac, longitudinally.
The ancients divided the zodiac into _ten signs_--Libra being
omitted altogether, Virgo and Scorpio being merged into one, thus:
Virgo-Scorpio. This accounts for the similarity of their symbols,
[Virgo] [Scorpio].
Ptolemy divides the zodiac into twelve equal parts, of 30 degrees each.
He says: "The beginning of the whole zodiacal circle (which in its
nature as a circle can have no other beginning or end capable of being
determined) is, therefore, assumed to be the sign Aries, which
commences at the vernal equinox in March."
One of the many objections urged against Ptolemy's system of astrology
is that the signs are continually moving from their positions; but
Ptolemy seems to have been aware of this motion of the signs, and has
met this objection by what he says in the twenty-fifth chapter of the
first book of the _Tetra-biblos_, where he makes it clear that the
respective influences he ascribes to the twelve signs were considered
by him to belong rather to the _places_ they occupied in the ambient
than to the stars of which they are composed; and he especially speaks
of the _ambient_ as producing the effects attributed to the respective
signs of the zodiac when in the ascendant in a nativity; thus his
astrology is just as applicable to modern astronomy as it was to his
own.
The signs have been divided into four _triplicities_, thus: _fiery_
[Aries], [Leo ], [Sagittarius]; _earthy_, [Taurus], [Virgo],
[Capricorn]; _airy_, [Gemini], [Libra], [Aquarius]; and _watery_,
[Cancer], [Scorpio], [Pisces].
The _bicorporal_, or double-bodied, signs are [Gemini], [Pisces], and
the first half of [Sagittarius]. The _fruitful_ signs are [Cancer],
[Scorpio], [Pisces]; the barren signs are [Gemini], [Leo], and
[Capricorn].
These descriptions are useful in showing the modifications brought to
bear (by the sign ascending) on the planet's influence. But, when no
planets are in or near the ascendant at birth, the following
descriptions of the temperament and form of body produced by each sign
ascending at birth should be used.
Aries ([symbol]) is a hot and fiery sign and produces a lean body,
spare and strong, large bones, grey eyes, with a quick glance and sandy
or red-coloured hair. The temper is violent. It governs the head and
face; its colour is white.
Taurus ([symbol]) differs greatly, in its effects, from the preceding
sign; it is cold and dry, and gives a broad brow and thick lips. A
person born under it is melancholy and slow to anger but, when roused,
furious and difficult to be appeased. It governs the neck and throat;
its colour is red.
Gemini ([symbol]) is in nature hot and moist and produces a person of
straight, tall body, sanguine complexion, brilliant eyes and light
brown hair. The temperament of those born under Gemini is lively and
the understanding good. This sign governs the arms and shoulders; its
colours are red and white.
Cancer ([symbol]) is by nature cold and moist; it produces a native
fair and pale, short in stature, with a round face, sand-coloured brown
hair and grey eyes. Those born under it are phlegmatic, indolent and
gentle tempered. Women born under this sign generally have many
children. It governs the breast and stomach; its colours are green and
russet-brown.
Leo ([symbol]) is a fiery, hot and dry sign. When it rises at birth
without any planet being near the ascendant, the native will be of tall
stature, with yellow hair, ruddy complexion and oval face, and he will
have a quick glance and a strong voice. It governs the heart, the back
and the neck; its colours are red and green.
Virgo ([symbol]) is an earthy, cold, barren, feminine sign. When it
ascends, it shows a well-formed body, slender and tall, straight,
dark-brown hair and a round face. The mind of the native is ingenious,
but rather inconstant. It governs the belly; its colour is black
speckled with blue.
Libra ([symbol]) is an aërial, sanguine, masculine, hot and moist sign.
Rising at birth it produces a well-made body, with long limbs, an oval
and beautiful face, sanguine complexion, straight flaxen hair and grey
eyes. Those born under it are courteous, just and honourable. It
governs the loins; and the colours under its rule are black, crimson
and tawny.
Scorpio ([symbol]) is a moist, phlegmatic, feminine sign. It gives a
strong, corpulent body, low stature, thick legs, hair growing low on
the forehead and heavy eyebrows. Those born under this sign are
reserved, thoughtful, subtle and malicious. It governs the lower parts
of the body; the colour under its rule is brown.
Sagittarius ([symbol]) is a fiery, masculine sign. The person born
under its rule is handsome, with a rather long face and features,
chestnut hair, inclined to baldness and ruddy complexion; the body
strong and active. Those born under this sign are fond of field sports,
are good riders, and are lovers of animals. They are kindly, generous
and careless of danger. This sign governs the thighs and hips, and
rules yellow and green.
Capricorn ([symbol]) is an earthy, cold, dry, feminine sign. It
produces a person of slender stature, with a long neck, narrow chest
and dark hair. The mind is quick, witty and subtle. It governs the
knees and hams and, in colours, it rules black or dark brown.
Aquarius ([symbol]) is an airy, moist, masculine sign. In a nativity
where no planets are in or near the ascendant, it would produce a
person of a well-set, strong body, long face and delicate complexion,
with brown hair. It governs the legs and ankles and rules the
sky-colour or blue.
Pisces ([symbol]) is a watery, cold and feminine sign. It produces a
person of short stature and fleshy body, with a rather stooping gait.
Those born under its influence are indolent and phlegmatic. It governs
the feet and toes and presides over the pure white colour. It is
needful to remember the colours belonging to the signs, as they are
especially useful in horary questions.