It seems odd that the time of year you are born could dictate your personality, but there is definitely something to it. Most of you at least know your sign, some would say it is a silly concept, others follow Astrology, religiously.
So here's a little history on the subject: It starts with Astronomy, the science of studying stars. The Mesopotamians recognized prominent star patterns in the sky and named them about 5,000 years ago. Then the Babylonians created the concept of the Zodiac which is the succession of the constellations in which the planets and sun appear to proceed in their transit through the sky. Then, of course, the Greeks incorporated astrology into their stories of Gods and Goddesses.
There are twelve major constellations: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius. The constellations were given symbols, mostly animals which correlate to the shape of the constellation. For example, Cancer's symbol is a Crab and Leo's is a lion. So the thing that determines your sign is the sun being in a certain constellation, so if the sun is in Cancer's constellation when you are born, then you are a Cancer.
The Sun goes through these constellations the same time each year: Capricorn from December 22nd-January 19th, Gemini from May 21st-June 20th, and so on and so forth.
It is widely believed that your sign plays a part in your personality.
-Capricorns are ambitious, reserved, and pessimistic.
-Aquarius is humanitarian, independent, and unpredictable.
-Pisces is sensitive, kind, and secretive.
-Aries is energetic, confident, and selfish.
-Taurus is warmhearted, persistent, and inflexible.
-Gemini is youthful, witty, and inconsistent.
-Cancers are sympathetic, intuitive, and changeable.
-Leos are generous, broad-minded, and interfering.
-Virgos are analytical, intelligent, and fussy.
-Libras are diplomatic, sociable, and self-indulgent.
-Scorpio is determined, magnetic, and compulsive.
-Sagittarius is optimistic, good-humored, and restless.
These are just some broad terms to describe the signs all-around. Of course, not every Sagittarius is the same as every Sagittarius, but they all have similar qualities. They are funny, not afraid to say what's on their mind, and always ready for the next adventure. Gemini is known for its 'Jekyll-Hyde' personality, one minute they are joking and happy, and the next they are pissed off. Capricorns (like me) are generally to themselves, focusing a lot on their goals.
Sure, daily horoscopes in the newspaper are probably unlikely, but the all-around notion of Astrology has some truth to it.
Today, the New Moon is in Sagittarius, meaning a new lunar cycle is starting in the Sagittarius constellation. Astrologists try to discern the meaning behind moon cycles in the different constellations, this one focuses on change and letting go of old patterns that bog you down, to bring about a new you. Not to sound like a nut, but I did wake up feeling like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, with a clear mind and ready to take a new version of myself.
Believing or not believing, 'to each his own', but as for me, I think there is something to it. If you are interested in getting into astrology, make sure to look at credible sources, people that actually know what they are talking about and follow celestial and lunar patterns.
Let me know what you think!
