Note that the dates following each sign can vary year to year, due to the elliptical orbit of the earth. There could be a difference of a day in some years. Those people born on dates at the very beginning or end of a sign's range are said to be born on the "cusp", and they should consult an ephemeris for the exact location of the Sun on the day they were born.

Speaking of selfishness, the Aries personality is often accused of being selfish and self-oriented. Certainly as the youngest of the signs, there is a bit of childish selfishness, but generally it is due to the need to be first. Aries can be very aggressive in asserting themselves, even pushy, depending on the situation. The energy of Aries can be very childlike, and thus they do well in situations dealing with children, and they relate very well to children in general. If we associate the energy of Aries to the spring, when flowers assert themselves into blossom through the hardened ground of winter, then we have a very accurate symbol of the Arian energy.

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Attracted to beauty and striving to attain it, people with a great deal of Taurus energy will often have nice homes. They can also make great parents, though in many cases, will find it hard to cut the apron strings. In many cases, those people with a great deal of Taurus energy can work well with their hands or with tools. In some cases they even make great artists. Taurus is also a good energy for the performing arts.

Two words that work well for Taurus are nurturing and as previously stated, hard-working. Taurus in general is very capable of working hard with the steady determination to see things through until the end. Nurturing goes along with this, whether it is the nurturing required to raise children or plant a garden. Taurus is a sign that is more than capable of seeing a task through. Here again, the only problem may come in the ability to let go. They will continue to coddle and care for their children long after the children need it, and probably for the lifetime of the Taurus.

The same can be said for their connections to other material things. They have an attachment to the things that belong to them. This again is a manifestation of Venus, the ruler. There is also a great pride in what belongs to them and they will also take good care of what is theirs. There is also a great pride in their children. Taurus is a very earthy sign, and this would explain their connection to things as well as the determination and ability to work hard. This also contributes to the way they think. They are more practical in thought and may not always be as good at random abstract thought. Keeping things clean and simple is preferred for most Taurus types. Having nice homes and families are very important for the Taurus to feel complete within themselves. Workaholic tendencies are one thing for the Taurus to be wary of, but by the same token, they have to be wary of going too much the other way and being lazy or spoiled.

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There is a strong nurturing quality affiliated with Cancer energy. As a result, they make great parents and know how to love unconditionally. Cancers are very emotionally sensitive, and that is one reason why the shell is so necessary to them. The ruler of Cancer is the Moon, and this is also the planet of women in general. It has been said that Cancer is the most emotionally aware sign. Family is probably one of the most important things in the life of a Cancer.

Cancers will also avoid mental and physical discomfort at all costs, thus they like things to be neat and clean. This energy is associated with being efficient, punctual and exact. There is a great deal of determination here to see things through. This may be one of the reasons they can be so successful in business.

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As an Earth sign, Virgo is happy helping or taking care of others, and are often concerned about security. Yes, Virgo is very practical and that includes the need to make and secure money. With their attention to detail, they are also very good with money. They know instinctively how to handle a budget. They can also live within their means. Virgo energy and how it applies to any given chart can be seen by comparing what planet you are dealing with as well as the house that Virgo energy falls into. This will tell you what area of your life Virgo energy is strongest in, as well as how you use that energy.

The other side of Virgo is that of diet and health. Virgo energy is also associated with things like cleanliness -- phobia of germs as well as hypochondria can also be associated with Virgo. When a planet does a transit through Virgo, depending on the planet, diets can be very effective. Virgo transits can also be effective in healing illness, again depending on the prognosis. This is not to say Virgo is the be all end all in healing. but it surely can help when well-placed in a chart or when there is a beneficial transit into the sign of Virgo. Virgos can also make good nurses and healthcare workers. Here again the desire to serve, combined with the practical application of Mercury, helps Virgo develop in "helping" careers. I will also point out that both secretaries and nurses can make good livings, another aspect of Virgo energy and the need for security. Editors and proofreaders are also obvious Virgo applications.

In astrology, Virgo is associated with the Virgin. This is not to say Virgos are not sexual... but they are said to be able to do without sex, as sex may not mean as much to them in the bigger picture. Priests for instance can often have Virgo in Venus. That is to say that the work they do is more than enough to fulfill them without an overwhelming need to express themselves sexually. This is not to say when in love Virgos are not wonderful lovers. Actually, with the desire to serve others, the sexual experience may be enhanced for the Virgo in love, as well as the loved one.

Virgos, though associated with neatness and cleanliness, are not clean and neat in all areas of their lives. This is something to bear in mind, as I have personally met those with Virgo in personal placements or planets and they were sloppy and messy. But then again, they might be excessively concerned with their appearances. So what areas of your life are influenced by Virgo?

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Venus rules Libra, so therefore Libras are also fond of pretty things. They can also be very artistic. The side of Venus that tends to come out more in Libra than the other signs ruled by Venus is a tendency to be very flighty. Libras know by nature how to flirt and charm their way around any situation. Libra is said to love being in love and the whole concept of love.

Venus Rules Libra as it also rules Taurus. Taurus is a feminine sign whereas Libra is a masculine sign. Libra is also a cardinal sign, and thus we have that period of balance. One of the pitfalls of dealing with Libras or Libra energy is the fact that they can be so indecisive. They can be indecisive because Libras like to see all sides of a situation. It is the nature of Libra not to want to upset anyone and this can make them appear indecisive. There can also be a tendency to over-spend, particularly on lovely things. Clothing, for instance, is one way a Libra or someone with a great deal of Libra energy could spend his or her money.

The sign of Libra is known for being attractive, particularly the Libra Ascendant. They also love peace and harmony and will do everything they can to avoid confrontation or conflict. As attractive as they are, they do well with the opposite sex, and here we see the benefit of their ability and tendency to flirt. Libras make good partners, as they will concern themselves with the issues of fairness. They will also go out of their way to see things from all sides in any situation. Libra rules the house of partnerships and partners. Libras generally like small animals and pets.

Despite the fact that they can appear to be very flaky, they are actually very bright people. Libra is one of the Air signs, and as with all air signs, there is a high degree of intelligence. Libra has also been associated with the law and lawyers. Here again we see that sense of balance come into play, along with an interest in justice and fairness. The symbol of the Law, the Scales, is also one of the symbols used to represent the sign of Libra.

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Scorpions are very generous and loyal to those close to them. Depth is a keyword for Scorpios, as they are very deep people. They don't really do anything halfway and that includes being a friend or partner. They will go the extra mile to stand by those who are important to them, which may be the reason they do not take it well when they are crossed or deceived. Scorpions are known for their sting. Their anger is as deep as any of their emotions. That is why it is said to be the hardest placement for the Moon to be in. Scorpions can also be very jealous and possessive, feelings that are natural to energy that is so intense and deep. They don't love halfway. As an example of how you might use this information, when I first began my studies in Astrology, I would base my decisions as to whether or not to buy a book by reading what the book had to say about the sign of Scorpio. I felt that a good Astrologer would understand and write about the depth of Scorpio.

Because of the depth of Scorpio, this energy is often the most misunderstood. It is like this with all things we consider to be dark energy or from the dark side. We just don't know enough, so we are biased. Our bias is based in our fears. Scorpio is associated with the energy of Pluto. Again we see the darker elements at play. Pluto is associated with transformation and that process by which we destroy in order to rebuild -- thus the sign of Scorpio is associated with the reproductive organs and sex in general. Scorpions are said to be sexy and passionate, and more importantly, sex is very important to them within a relationship. This makes sense, again because of their depth. Being a water sign they can be very sensitive and moody, and this is by far the bigger issue for Scorpions. They can be very difficult to approach, particularly if they want to be left alone. The more Scorpion a person has in their chart, the greater their depth as a person. Also, the more likely they are to have a limited number of close associations in their life.

Scorpio is a fixed water sign. It is a feminine sign. The moodiness and sensitivity is different than Cancer, for example, because Scorpio is a fixed sign. The moods are deeper and are more likely to remain, thus they can and do hold grudges. As a matter of fact, if a Scorpio cuts you off, it is for good. Even if they do forgive you, they are not going to forget.

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For the most part Sagittarius is considered a cheerful energy. Those who have a Sagittarius rising in particular are known for their generosity and cheerfulness. My personal experience of Sun in Sagittarius is they can be too generous as people, often giving a complete stranger the shirt off their back. In part this is because they have such a happy-go-lucky attitude about life. Think of Jupiter and all that Jupiter represents. We know Jupiter is associated with luck and with expansion, and here we see that those with a good bit of Sagittarius in their chart can also have weight issues, particularly those with Sagittarius rising. When Jupiter makes a pass through one of our planets, it is said to bring fortune. Well, actually it may not bring fortune per se, but it sure does make you feel like it.

Sagittarius people tend to go overboard too easily. Exaggerating the truth is not beyond the energy of a Sagittarius. It is not that they are trying to lie -- rather, it is more that their joy of telling the story spills out, and the story is exaggerated or artificially enhanced as a result. There is a joy of life in the energy of Sagittarius, but they also have a great love of argument and arguing. They are indeed born debaters, and can get stuck on one idea to the point of stubbornness. Often they will argue until they find a better perspective, and even when they now know they are wrong, they will still argue. At some point, when that better perspective if sound, they can do a complete 180 and act like this new point of view was their idea in the first place.

Sagittarius is also the sign of the teacher. In being a teacher, they can be very philosophical, and might sit around all day and debate and discuss religion, philosophy and politics. These are the subjects of a Sagittarius -- no matter what viewpoint they hold or which side of the debate they are on, they will be ardent about it.

Sagittarius is also the sign of the sportsman or the outdoorsman, as those born under this sign like to be outside. A Sagittarius Mars often only likes to wear the most comfortable clothes -- jeans and tee-shirts would be their uniform. When it comes to choosing a pet, Sagittarius likes dogs, particularly large dogs. Sagittarius is also a mutable sign, in that they can sway like the wind and are often not very dependable. At the very least, they may have issues with being on time. They are also not very organized and often have real issues with keeping their home environment clean and orderly. They are just too busy with other things. They have a different set or priorities. Sagittarius would prefer to have fun, then to clean. Here again we see the energy of Jupiter at work, or shall we say at play. It is no wonder Sagittarius falls in the autumn months, the time leading into the holiday season. Just the mere fact that many of us are gift shopping at that time of year is so very Sagittarius -- being generous and giving gifts is certainly Sagittarius energy. No matter that we will pay for it later, literally, when the Sun moves into Capricorn, a sign ruled by Saturn.

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Capricorns can also be very ambitious with regard to money and finance, as well as power. They can make good executives and in general have good organizational skills. They will strive for positions of security and power and can be very good and effective in running a company or a store of some kind. If fact, Capricorns in general make good store managers. They have a natural ability as retail managers. Managing merchandise is one of the great talents of the Capricorn. These are people who have great patience and perseverance in obtaining their goals in life. The symbol of Capricorn is the Mountain Goat for his great ability to climb great heights regardless of how long it takes.

Capricorn is also symbolized in religion, particularly the Christian religion. The whole concept of ritual is very Capricorn. The concept of working hard and making sacrifices in order to get to the highest level of achievement is very much a Capricorn trait. Providing for their families can inspire them to make great sacrifices, but it is also possible that the family will also be sacrificed along the way. Capricorns are often accused of being cold hearted, but I think it may be more that they are focused on where they are headed and they don't let things distract them. They are more likely to keep their noses to the grindstone, sometimes loosing perspective on what might be more important in life. Learning to stop and smell the roses could be an issue for Capricorns.

One thing is for certain; it is not likely a Capricorn would miss his/her mark in life. Ambition can be second nature to the Capricorn, but they need to learn that there is more to life. It is also not uncommon for a Capricorn to wait until later in life to start a family. It may be due to the fact that they spend the better part of their youth creating financial security, leaving little time to go out and set up a family and create roots. When Mars or Venus fall in Capricorn there could also be an attraction to spouses or mates who are considerably older and more mature. Again, that attraction to someone who might be more stable and more secure in life is one of the energies of Capricorn, related to their pursuit of security and power.

Capricorns can be great providers for their families and in general, very warm and well-liked people. This is not necessarily an outgoing sign, but they are generally very well respected within their own circle or community. Often they are pillars within their respective communities. No matter what, Capricorns are not likely to fail, but they need to remember those who are close to them as well as those who helped them to get where they are.

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AQUARIUS: (January 21 - February 19 ~ Masculine / Air / Fixed) An air sign, Aquarius is ruled by the planet of Uranus. Aquarians are known for being detached and objective even in situations that directly involve them. Other keywords would be intellectual, futuristic and analytical. Like the planet they are ruled by, they tend to be erratic and unique. They are often rebels and as a result can be leaders, but not in the way Leo, its opposite, is the leader. Aquarians tend to be reluctant leaders, and are a bit too self-absorbed to really effectively lead others.

Aquarian minds can focus heavily on one subject and not even notice what else is going on around them. People with these types of minds tend to be mathematically inclined. They are generally good in science as well. Aquarians do well with anything that is related to the future. They are often said to be 50 years ahead of their time. which enables them to be able to forecast or intuit future trends. Aquarians are also technology-oriented; computers in particular can be a special interest to them. Uranus is the planet that they say rules electricity, and Aquarians, like the planet, can be very electric in their personalities. It is not unusual for these people to change conversation in the middle, even while someone else is still speaking. This change in conversation may be totally off the subject.

As people, Aquarians are humanitarians. They are intolerant of prejudice of any kind. They are born knowing that all men are created equal. They will fight for what they believe in, and that includes fighting for the rights of others, especially the "underdog". With their ability to be objective and detached, they are often accused of being cold hearted and unfeeling, yet Aquarians can be warm gregarious people. By the same token, they are so unpredictable that they could be supporting you one moment and the next they are off doing their own thing. They are known for giving mixed messages in a relationship, and the men in particular can be very difficult to pin down in a relationship. However, once you get an Aquarius committed to something, as a fixed sign, they stay with it.

Aquarians can be philosophical and analytical, and are stimulated by intellect. They are said to be just as interested in what is in a person's head or mind as they are concerned with what a person looks like. Aquarians generally enjoy conversation and are said to be telephone people, doing a great deal of work and contact via the phone. Wherever Aquarius energy comes into play in your chart is no doubt the area of your life where you are the most rebellious. This is the area of your life that you will find you need the most freedom to be who you are. This might be the area where there are the greatest number of changes. For example, if you had Uranus in the 6th house or Aquarius as the cusp of the sixth house, your workdays change from day to day. No routine is achieved or work may be seasonal or schedules change from season to season, and it might be said that no two days are alike. There could be a need to work independently or out in the field where there are no bosses or people looking over your shoulder. Freedom and independence are two Aquarian keywords.

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Pisces is a sensitive energy. These people tend to be very sensitive, particularly of themselves, and they can also be psychically sensitive, common among the water signs. These are people who can walk into a room and pick up all the energy of what is going on. This is sometimes extreme, making it difficult for someone with a great deal of Pisces to be comfortable in crowds. Neptune, the planet of confusion, rules Pisces and this is what can happen to Pisces when they feel overwhelmed by all they sense in a crowd. However, unlike Cancer or Scorpio (two other water signs), a Pisces doesn't seem to have the ability to shield themselves as does a Cancer, nor are they as intense as a Scorpio. So their survival skills are not as honed.

Pisces is also a sign that when there is excess or when there are hardships, these people have a hard time dealing with reality. Drugs and alcohol should be avoided in the case of these people, because they may be tempted to turn to these substances to deal with these extremes. I have personally known people with Pisces Mars who had problems and issues with substance abuse. Now this is not to say that that everyone with this position of Mars has this problem, but certainly the energy of Pisces is more conducive to this manifestation.

Pisces people in general can be great sources of comfort to those who are going through difficult times. They are very empathetic as well as sympathetic people by nature. They can make great caretakers, but they need to be aware of the potential for people to take advantage of them. Pisces are wonderful at listening to the woes of others, but due to the fact that they are so mutable, they tend not to be very steady and can change their minds and their mood at a moment's notice. They can be in the middle of something and then decide not to go through with it for one reason or another. They are not always the most dependable people, but if you need someone to listen to your tales of woe there can be no one better then a Pisces or someone with a good amount of Pisces in their chart.

Pisces Moon can be a great energy for counseling. Here again, the tendency to pick up the energy from whomever they are counseling looms, so Pisces has to also learn to protect themselves. Their ability to pick up energy can be detrimental to their own psychic emotional well-being. They can also be very psychic; mediums are common with this energy, as are people with an innate wisdom. Here we see that old energy of the Zodiac, the culmination of all the signs in one energy, so it is no wonder these people can be flighty and flaky. In extreme cases, they can even be a bit unbalanced.

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