Most people are familiar with the 12 signs of the zodiac ("circle of animals" or "circle of living beings").However, the 12 signs have their roots in what the ancients believed were guides or gods having material existence. These gods dwelled within an 8 to 9 degree celestial belt called the ecliptic. Astronomically speaking, the ecliptic is the orbit of the earth as viewed from the Sun. However, since astrology is geocentric in application, the term is reversed. Astrologers view the ecliptic as the path the Sun takes while orbiting the earth.
The zodiac itself is ancient with roots lying deep within the Mesopotamian culture. Centuries later, new developments sprang from Greek culture. Greco-Roman Philosophers and astrologers adapted the celestial science to fit their archetypes. The Greeks renamed the signs and expanded upon the Mesopotamian legacy by infusing astrology with Greek daily culture. Prior to the Greeks, it is unclear if what we know as personal horoscopes were cast for the "masses." Mesopotamians and Egyptians both used a combination of astronomy, mathematics, earth science, and prophecy to advise their rulers. The personal horoscope is a very late addition to astrologic application. The sign names we recognize in the West today have their roots in antiquity. The astrological year is measured by the 12 lunar cycles which correspond to planting, tending, fruition, and harvest, thus creating 4 major cycles ruled by 3 signs each>
Planting begins with Aries, the newborn of the zodiac, who infuses existence with vital energy that later will be stablized by gentle, persuasive Taurus. In Gemini, the bright seedling of identity springs forth and covers the earth disseminating the message of life.
By the time of the summer solstice, mother-moon Cancer, anchors the seedling and fills it with the season's rain water so that roots will bind firmly into soil. The seedling becomes a plant manifesting the genetic materials inherited from the parent. In Leo, the seedling stands tall and grandly displays its generous, benevolent identity to the raging heat of August sun. But by Virgo time in September, the plant beings to discriminate, to go inward and prepare for the harvest.
By the time we reach Libra, day and night meet as one at the equinox. As early autumn days grow shorter, the sap of trees and plants begins to draw away from flashy florals and lush leaves into trunk or stalk. Integration begins. By Scorpio we have the harvest. And what the cosmos has sown through man, plant and animal, is transformed forever. What was still is, yet the form of the entity is irreparably changed. In Sagittarius, the mature entity is ready to quest for that which is higher than self; to unite instincts with intellect. To do so means taking Scorpio's plutonic transformation outward to create wisdom out of immature folly.
The cycle is completed through Capricorn, the structurer and the tester, who, with the disruptive Aquarian thrust toward freedom from all constriction meets oneness, dissolution, and absolute compassion in the depths of Pisces renewing waters. Thus, we arrive again at Aries in the spring. Humans, plants, and animals begin another karmic journey on the evolutionary path.
James R. Lewis makes an interesting point when discussing how deeply astrological nomenclature and symbology affects our modern thinking. In his excellent "Encyclopedia of Astrology," Jim says, "Zodiacal symbolism can be found throughout history, and zodical expressions are still in use in modern English -- for example, "bullheaded" is an allusion to Taurus, the Bull, and "crabby" is an allusion to Cancer the Crab. The popularity of "Sun sign" astrology has kept these ancient symbols alive, so that automobiles have been named after some of the signs (the Taurus and the Scorpio, for example)."
Astrology is a crystal we gaze through - a tool of precision honed on trained perception. What elation we feel when our astrologer tells us the trial will end; the money for school will come; or that the lover will return. How do stargazers know? How do we who study glyphs, degrees and aspects speak with such astonishing accuracy?
The celestial science demands rigorous study, years of practice, and finally a leap into faith -- that what we see with our eyes and grow in our hearts is true: that cycles of time and planetary movement reflect the rightness of the cosmos. So many want the gift of a lucky fixed star on the Midheaven, or a trine between the benefics, Venus and Jupiter. They think that privilege and honor are the recipe for success.
But more important is the state of the soul. The spiritual quest of the client, and the earnest search for the ground of one's being. We will have our tests and trials on the spiritual walk. Everyone has Saturn, the tester, somewhere in the birth chart. How do you integrate the gray one? And what of the Moon's silvery walk across the nodal path of destiny? Can we escape our calling?
Your being was consolidated at the instant of your birth. Your star chart is a photograph of the universe the milisecond you nakedly wailed into the cosmic stream. You are all of earth's past consciousness as well as the seedling struggling toward our future.