These zodiac symbols are  a handy form of shorthand. Astrologers use these zodiac symbols to quickly show the astrological sign of a house or planetary placement.    

ARIES   March 21 - April 19
Element: Fire
Ruling Planet: Mars           Key Phrase, “I seek my Self in activity.”

Symbol: The Ram.  The glyph shows the horns of the ram – an aggressive, adventurous and indefatigable animal. The energy and assertive, feisty qualities of the ram are always associated with the sun sign Aries. Another interpretation of the glyph is that it shows the eyebrows and nose of a human face. Aries rules the head, and is traditionally thought to be a headstrong sign – acting first and thinking about it later on. This is the first sign of the zodiac, and like a child is ever ready to start anew and set off on adventures. *Key Words - Positive: pioneering, executive, competitive impulsive, eager, courageous, independent dynamic lives in present.  Negative: quick tempered, hasty “me first,” domineering  needs follow through                                   

TAURUS  April 20 - May 20

Element: Earth
Ruling Planet: Venus           Key Phrase “I seek my Self through what I have and value.”

Symbol:  The Bull. The Chaldeans, Ancient Egyptians and the Greeks are all associated with the mythology of the bull-king, and much bull symbolism is found in these ancient cultures. This glyph denotes the round face and upwardly curving horns of the bull – a magnificent animal that is hard, if not impossible, to budge; possessive about its space; dangerous when roused; but can be lazy, slow moving, and sensual. Taurus can be very concerned with material security, and acquiring wealth – becoming possessive about possessions and cautious about change. * Key Words - Positive: patient, conservative, domestic sensual, thorough, stable, dependable, practical, artistic, loyal. Negative: stubborn, self-indulgent, possessive, greedy, materialistic, strong temper, sometime slow to get things done, suspicious of new ideas.

GEMINI   May 21 - June 20
Element: Air
Ruling Planet: Mercury       Key Phrase:  “I seek my Self through what I think.”

Symbol: The Twins. The sign of the Twins is symbolized by two upright ‘I’s, rather like the Roman numeral II.  Gemini is a dual sign, traditionally representing all forms of duality – such as light and dark, positive and negative, quiet and talkative. Traditionally, the Gemini character is versatile and communicative but prone to rapid changes of mood and fluctuating energy levels. Those close to a Gemini often feel as though they are living or working with at least two different people like two twins each with a different nature.  * Key Words - Positive:  Outgoing, versatile  active, adventurous, quick starter, energetic, independent, enthusiastic good talker. Challenging: Impulsive, rash, head strong, impetuous, pushy, scattered, self-centered talks too much, nervous.


CANCER   June 21 - July 22

Element: Water
Ruling Planet: The Moon      Key Phrase: “I seek my Self through what I feel.”
Symbol:  The Crab. Two circles with tails represent either a woman’s breasts, or alternatively, the crab with its powerful, curving claws. The breasts symbolize motherhood and nourishment – key Cancer concerns, while the crab symbol suggests the sidelong approach and incredible tenacity associated with this sign - and its symbolic creature.  The crab’s hard shell protects its vulnerable interior too. Cancerians are usually very emotionally self-protective and butter-soft within. * Key words – Sensitive nurturing, intuitive, traditional, comfort loving, domestic, food oriented, psychic,  tenacious, perceptive of motives.  Challenging – Oversensitive, dependent, irrational, stuck in  past, clinging, acquisitive self indulgent, moody.

LEO  July 23 - August 22

Element: Fire
Ruling Planet: The Sun    Key Phrase:  “I seek my Self through what I create.”

Symbol: The Lion. A curving line represents the lion’s mane, the symbolic animal belonging to this sunny, summer sign. Some important Leo characteristics are feline in nature – the proud, graceful bearing; the need for rest followed by intense activity; the sensual love of pleasure and playful qualities. The lion’s roar, too, can be easily imagined when an angry Leo finally lets off steam. Leo’s make good leaders and actors, someone who create and present an idea or art form. Warm and steady, they have a stabilizing effect and bring persistence to goals. *Key words – generous, dramatic, courageous, fun loving, self expressive, attention getting, dominate, stubborn, overbearing, proud, ambitious, boastful, status conscious, romantic optimistic, vain, pretentious, warm, idealistic.


VIRGO August 23 - September 22

Element: Earth
Ruling Planet: Mercury      Key Phrase: I seek myself through what I learn.”

Symbol: The Virgin.  The Virgin of Virgo is the only female sign in the Zodiac, the other single human figure being the male Water Bearer of Aquarius. The maiden, or virgin, usually holds a ripe ear of wheat, linking her with ancient goddesses such as Roman Ceres and the Greek earth goddess Demeter. The coiled ‘M’ of this glyph is said to represent the intestines, a part of the body ruled by Virgo, or the ovaries, vagina and uterus.  Virgo is traditionally linked with health, hygiene, and all forms of service and healing. Virgos are often most concerned with diet, and suffer from nervous indigestion when upset or worried. Known for their analytical nature, they learn quickly and present objective points to with insight and clarity .   *Key Words: analytical, thorough, industrious, unassuming, precise, orderly, fussy, shy, practical, critical, sensible, pedantic, petty, accurate, health oriented, unassuming, cooperative, studious, discriminating


LIBRA  September 23 - October 22

Element: Air
Ruling Planet: Venus    Key Phrase: “I seek my Self through what I unite.”

Symbol:  The Scales.  Libra is the only zodiac sign represented by an inanimate object, the scales of balance and harmony. The Sun begins to travel through the sign of Libra at the autumn equinox in late September, when the day and night are of equal length. Libra is concerned with justice, and the scales of justice in which evidence is weighed. Libra’s reputation for indecisiveness stems from their desire to evaluate everything so that they can make a perfectly balanced judgment. Libra is a complex sign, relating to marriage and the united of opposites.  Diplomatic and consensus oriented, they help bring harmony to organizations. They are known for good taste and love of ideas.  * Key Words:  refined, cooperative, charming, indecisive, needs partnership, companionable, judicial, sociable, fickle, easily deterred,  desires approval, artistic, persuasive, peace loving,  astute

SCORPIO October 23 - November 21

Element: Water
Ruling Planets: Mars and Pluto  Key Phrase: I  seek myself through knowing my desires.

Symbols: The Scorpion and The Eagle.  The ‘M’ like glyph with an arrowed tail is said to represent the scorpion and its deadly sting. Intense and brooding, Scorpios do have a certain reputation for revenge and retribution – the ‘sting in the tail’ is considered part of their character. The Eagle represents the higher nature of Scorpio -  concerned with transformation and rebirth through ecstatic sexual love, plus the ability to make a conscious decision to rise far above jealousy, resentment and poisonous, destructive urges.  Intense emotions and “read between the lines’ insight, they make great detectives researchers who want to know secrets. *Key Words:  intense, passionate secretive determined, compulsive, sexual, vindictive, regenerative, healing, sarcastic, suspicious, investigative, overbearing, stubborn, moody, temperamental,  resourceful, mysterious, probing, motivated

SAGITTARIUS  November 22 - December 21

Element: Fire
Ruling Planet: Jupiter  Key Phrase: “I seek my Self through study and action.”

Symbol:  A centaur (half man, half horse) with a bow and arrow. The glyph shows an arrow, or occasionally a bow and arrow. The mythic centaur has the upper body of a man, and the legs and lower body of a horse – ever restless and eager to gallop off in search of new horizons, like many people born under this sign. The arrows represent ambitions, dreams and hopes being shot into the air towards some mystical target. Sagittarius is often a philosophical character, able to see paradox and duality because they are an essential part of the Sagittarian personality. A straight shooter who tells it like it they make good foils for evaluating people and situation. They see the cultural relativity in ideas, religion, philosophy, law and resources for information.  *Key Words:  Enthusiastic, straightforward, broadminded, argumentative, blunt risk taking, travel oriented, restless, independent, talkative, scholarly, athletic,  exploratory, ethical, impatient, exaggerative, generous

CAPRICORN  December 22 - January 19
Element: Earth
Ruling Planet: Saturn  Key Phrase:  I seek myself through being practical

Symbol:  The Sea Goat, a mythical creature with the upper body of a goat and the tail of a fish.  The ‘V’ shaped glyph is said to represent the goat’s horned head, with the curling, sinuous fish’s tail behind. There are a number of sea gods in ancient myth, ruling over the mysterious unconscious realms of the ocean. When the goat climbs up onto the land, it brings spiritual wisdom to the practical tasks and need to build, symbolized by the earth. Capricorn is an ambitious sign, but able (in its highest expression) to understand that simply satisfying the material ego is never truly fulfilling.  “The goat climbs high,” meaning that they can climb the ladder of success. An ability to always remain grounded makes they a stabilizing force.  *Key Words: cautious, responsible traditional, realistic, disciplined, dominating, rigid,  decisive, trustworthy, status seeking, economical, conservative, authoritative, pragmatic, perfectionist, well focused

AQUARIUS  January 20 - February 18

Element: Air
Ruling Planets:  Uranus     Key Phrase: I seek my self in unique points of view.”

Symbol: The Water Bearer is pictured as a man holding a large jar or vessel, from which water pours out onto the land. The glyph is two wavy, zig-zag lines, representing the water (also an Ancient Egyptian hieroglyph), or alternatively the electricity associated with Aquarius’ planetary ruler, Uranus. Aquarius is an airy, intellectual sign, thinking, talking and analyzing everything. They can be emotionally detached, but have strong feelings about justice and human rights. The water pouring from the jar symbolizes communication – the endless pouring out of mental energy and original ideas which often typifies an Aquarian personality. It also means the desire to serve the greater good, for water nourishes everyone. * Key Words: friendly, non-conforming, progressive, artistic, logical, altruistic, rhetorical, imaginative, dreamer, inspiriting, detached, sympathetic, cold, unpredictable, stubborn, impersonal, subjective, abstract thinking, innovative, romantic


PISCES  February 19 - March 20
Element: Water
Ruling Planets:  Neptune      Key Phrase: “I seek my Self  in visions of possibilities.”

Symbol: The Two Fishes, joined together, but swimming in opposite directions. Another dual sign, like Gemini, the two fishes of Pisces represent the lifelong battle of the Piscean nature. One fish swims towards the soulful, mystical oceans, intent upon sacrificing itself for the good of others, or for some spiritual or political belief. The other swims towards self-fulfillment, and achieving personal goals. Piscean intuition, symbolized by the waters in which the fishes swim, is what makes it possible for them to sense the whole picture and balance their inner struggle. Learning how to trust and develop their intuition is especially important for this complex, sensitive sign. Sensitive to all the senses, Pisces are known be great at design and acoustics.  *Key Words: compassionate, musical, shy, intuitive, sentimental and over sentimental, dreamy, self doubts, self sacrificing, melancholy, indolent, artistic, charitable, introspective, visionary, dependent, mystical, inspired