Astrology Glossary & Study Resources

Signs are 12 slices of the zodiacal pie of 30 degrees each. Since the Greeks liked order, these 12 signs are equal size, which is not the case of the constellations in the heavens. Therefore the 12 signs may use the symbolism of the constellations, but do not correlate in exact position to where the baby was born in relation to the sky.

Elements divide the 12 signs into 4 qualities. This is from ancient physics: earth, air, fire and water. The 3 earth signs are Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo. Air signs are Libra, Aquarius and Gemini. Fire signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius and water are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

Earth signs see the world in ways they can touch, feel and smell. They have strong practical sides and are bound to the body. Said to be similar to Jung’s “sensation” type…realistic, down-to-earth, sensible, plodding

Air signs are in their head. They talk, gather information and value verbal communication. They are the “thinking” type… analytic, objective, worry, spinning wheels

Fire signs act on intuition. They function best when inspired. They are people who respond to hunches, speculation, fantasy, imaginative, impulsive

Water signs are the “feeling” personalities. They sense what’s the value of a situation and people’s reaction to it. They are the “gut” people: subjective, personal, valuing intimacy, humane, overly sensitive

Modalities are the 3 characteristics of the 12 signs. Cardinal (beginning, starts the seasons, impatient) are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Fixed (stubborn, persistent, slow to change) are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Mutable (flexible, resourceful, indecisive) are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

One of the best libraries on the web for basic astrology to advanced is Astrodienst.