According to Sandy

I call them the “Big 10”. Yes, there are only 8 “planets” (Pluto was classified as a “planet” again in January 2018″ after being labeled  “dwarf” in 2006), but the 2 luminaries – Sun and Moon – are always included when discussing Astrology.

Planets are the spark plugs in an Astrology chart. They each have a job to do as they energize the many facets of an individual’s personality and life. In addition, a planet is said to have “rulership” of a particular sign (it will be at its happiest and most potent energy when transiting there – fully expressed).

The Planets are listed below along with their Zodiac sign rulerships and duties:

Sun * Leo: Life force, self expression

Moon * Cancer: Emotions, sub conscious, nurturing

Mercury * Gemini and Virgo: Communication (when Mercury goes retrograde, we need to watch what we say and write), transportation, education

Venus * Taurus and Libra: Love, beauty and how we view/value ourselves and money

Mars * Aries: Action, conflict, sexuality

Jupiter * Sagittarius: Expansion, recreation, philosophy

Saturn * Capricorn:  Discipline, boundaries, authority

Uranus * Aquarius: Change, the unconventional, extremes

Neptune * Pisces: Spirituality, dreams, illusion

Pluto * Scorpio: Unconscious, breaking down and rebuilding, secrets

The location of a planet in a birth chart – its House placement, its Astrology Sign – can influence how we act / respond in particular areas of our lives as they currently transit and move around our chart today. 

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“Match Maker, Match Maker…” Looking for that sizzling, fascinating partner? Your match? – Or – A buddy? A sidekick? A trustworthy accountant?

“Hey, what’s your sign?” – may not be as old school as you think. Zodiac signs are grouped from Aries to Pisces – all 12 have a “partner”. Either you will find spending time with a person from the other sign tangy and energizing or there may be a need for tender attention and compromise.

Sun Signs are listed below with their direct opposites. Consider them the other side of your Astrology coin, the other half of your puzzle:

Aries: March 21-April 19 (Energetic, Impulsive)  and

Libra: Sept 23-Oct 22 (Charming, Social)

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Taurus: April 20-May 21 (Solid, Responsible, Patient)  and

Scorpio: Oct 23-Nov 21 (Intense, Deep Connections)

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Gemini: May 22-June 20 (Changeable, Communicator, Versatile)  and

Sagittarius Nov 22-Dec 21 (Adventurous, Enthusiastic, Optimistic)

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Cancer: June 21-July 22 (Family Oriented, Emotional)  and

Capricorn: Dec 22-Jan 19 (Authority Figure, Disciplined, Traditional)

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Leo: July 23- Aug 22 (Pride, Fun Loving, Generous)  and

Aquarius: Jan 20-Feb 18 (Unpredictable, Freedom loving)

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Virgo: Aug 23-Sept 22 (Practical, Responsible, Service)  and

Pisces: Feb 19-March 20: (Dreamer, Sensitive)

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Some people may get confused about their Astrology birth sign because they were born on the edges of a Sun sign’s duration – 28, 30, or 31 days, at the very beginning or at the very end of the Solar stay.

Aries: March 21-April 19

Taurus: April 20-May 21

Gemini: May 22-June 20

Cancer: June 21-July 22

Leo: July 23- Aug 22

Virgo: Aug 23-Sept 22

Libra: Sept 23-Oct 22

Scorpio: Oct 23-Nov 21

Sagittarius: Nov 22-Dec 21

Capricorn: Dec 22-Jan 19

Aquarius: Jan 20-Feb 18

Pisces: Feb 19-March 20

Just to add to the fun, the start / end dates of a Sun Sign’s duration may “calendar travel” from year to year. The Astrological sign changeover can be anywhere from the 18^th to the 23^rd of the month. The Earth’s rotation actually determines the start dates of a sign – not the Sun. The dates can vary depending on when a leap year occurs.

Regardless of date of birth, you have a Sun Sign (only 1!). If you were born on a Zodiac sign transition day, you just need to have complete birth info – specific time/place/date- to really find out which one is yours.

The Sun Sign is the light reflecting the self.  How we behave when our backs are to the wall, pressed, fight or flight situations, etc. As complex people, we radiate several lights – perhaps just not all at the same time.

~ * ~ As the world turns ~ * ~

The Sun flows from one Zodiac sign to another. Since the Earth wobbles, it takes slightly more than 365 days — actually 365 + 1/4 days. Because of this, our calendars must be adjusted to compensate for this difference.

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Chakras ~ seven Hindu energy centers of the body, beginning at the base of the spine to the top of the head, that assist us in our flow thru life. The theory is that “balanced” Chakras lead to a balanced, fully expressed life experience = good health. Expressions such as, “cleansing” or “unblocking” refers to re aligning ourselves with what our bodies are telling us. Interesting.

(There are many online sites that provide the “how to”s.)

Below are the 7 Chakra points with their energy centers, colors and gemstones:

1- Root: Base of the spine (survival issues)/ Red – Garnet

2- Spleen: Below the navel (emotions) /Orange- Carnelian

3- Solar Plexus: Above the navel (our energy center)/Yellow – Citrine

4- Heart:  Chest (Love for others)/ Green – Aventurine

5- Throat: Base of the throat (inner voice) / Blue – Turquoise

6- Brow:  Third eye (knowing) / Blue Indigo- Lapis

7- Crown: Top of head (healing energy) / Purple – Amethyst

BTW: While traveling in Egypt, our esteemed guide shared that the 7 Chakras correspond to the Sacred Temples along the Nile:

1- Aswan (Root)

2- Kom Ombo/ Edfu (Spleen)

3- Dendera, Luxor (Solar Plexus)

4- Abydos (Heart)

5- Saqqara (Throat)

6- Giza (Brow)

7- Heliopolis (Crown)

We know that our Sun Signs have their colors, their birth stones and their personality traits. But, wait – there’s more!

According to traditional Astrology, a Zodiac sign also has jurisdiction over a particular part of the anatomy:

Aries:  Head / Face (“Head strong”)

Taurus:  Neck (A sore throat can really be a problem for a truth talking Bull)

Gemini:   Hands, arms (“Twins” people talk with their hands a lot)

Cancer:  Breasts (Of course the nurturer)

Leo:  Heart (…of a lion!)

Virgo:  Bowels (Cleansing the system for good health)

Libra:  Kidneys (Balancing the body fluids)

Scorpio:  Reproductive system (No more needs to be said)

Sagittarius:  Hips, liver (Sag’s symbol is always a centaur with a wine pouch?)

Capricorn:  Skeletal structure (bones, bones, bones…)

Aquarius: Legs (Support for all those spontaneous moves)

Pisces:  Feet (Pedicures are a good thing)

The ancients thought that those parts of the body ruled by your Sun Sign were particularly sensitive and vulnerable.  Perhaps. But I do think we need to take care of them regardless and listen when they speak and tell us something is out of whack.

Treat our body parts well, and they will be kind to us in return.

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The Moon affects our subconscious (the Sun = conscious). As the Lunar orb  moves thru the 12 signs of the Zodiac, about 2 ½ days in each sign, our moods and feelings can change according to the characteristics of each sign. It can make us sensitive to emotions, undercurrents, vibrations that surround us and influence how we act/react during a day. (Whenever I write something like this, I hope no one gets visions of those Full Moon Werewolf movies from the 30’s and 40’s.)

Not everyone is affected by Moon transits all the time and in the same way. Sometimes the mood won’t be picked up on. There is always additional planet activity in a chart creating other energy. Often, there is so much going on in a life, time isn’t taken to notice that when the Moon is in Gemini, people get way too chatty, or if the Moon is in Capricorn, too many folks want to take charge of a work project and boss everyone around.

If you don’t “feel” the difference, don’t worry about it – your subconscious is still doing something 🙂

The Moon in Astrology Signs:

Aries: Volatile, “me first” attitude, high energy

Taurus: Solid, sensual, stubborn, money focus

Gemini: All about communication, loves juggling 2 conversations/ ideas at once (Master Multi-tasker)

Cancer: Nurturer, emotional, family concerns (Moon ruler)

Leo: Fun with the drama, looking for the spotlight, generous

Virgo: Health, work, details, responsibility

Libra: Social, good time to re decorate (home or self), relationships rule

Scorpio: Passion, sensitivity, intensity and focused

Sagittarius: Looking for adventure, laughter, more is more, bigger is better

Capricorn: Authority, organization, in charge

Aquarius: Sudden, extreme actions, rebellion, independent

Pisces: Intuitive, impressionable, creative, unclear

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We are NOT one dimensional – we have Astrological layers! There are 12 signs of the Zodiac. In addition to the characteristics that are assigned to a Sun sign, each will also have traits of one of 4 Elements – Air, Fire, Water, Earth and exhibit the behaviors of one of 3 personality types (modes) – Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable.

The attributes that are associated with these Elements and Modes add depth to the personality of our Sun sign and therefore, depth to us.

Elements: (Triplicities)

Air: Analytical, social, cerebral – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Water: Emotion, sensitive, artistic – Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Fire: Enthusiasm, energy, volatile – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Earth: Dependable, practical, hardworking – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Modes or Type: (Quadruplicities)

Cardinal: Initiators, leaders – Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn (Notice that they follow the Equinox/Solstice seasonal changes in North America)

Fixed: Focused, stubborn – Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius

Mutable: Flexible, changeable – Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces

Sun Signs:

Aries:  March 21- April 19 * Cardinal / Fire

Taurus:  April 20-May 20 * Fixed / Earth

Gemini:   May 20-June 20 * Mutable /Air

Cancer:  June 21-July 22 * Cardinal / Water

Leo:  July 23- Aug 22 * Fixed / Fire

Virgo:  Aug 23-Sept 22 * Mutable / Earth

Libra:  Sept 23-Oct 22 * Cardinal / Air

Scorpio:  Oct 23-Nov 21 * Fixed / Water

Sagittarius:  Nov 22-Dec 21 * Mutable / Fire

Capricorn:  Dec 22-Jan 19 * Cardinal / Earth

Aquarius: Jan 20-Feb 18 * Fixed / Air 

Pisces: Feb 19-March 20 * Mutable / Water 

Zodiac signs, along with their Elements and Modes, can contribute to how we operate, how we respond and often how we get along with one another.

Air signs are usually most compatible with Fire and Earth are most compatible with Water.

But, as always – it’s all good.

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Just about everyone knows their Astrology Sun Sign, based upon their date of birth, along with their personality traits, etc. 

But there’s more. Zodiac signs are in harmony with certain  gemstones and colors which can enhance self expression, (showing up & showing out).

The gems listed next to the Sun Signs below may differ from the traditional “Birth Month” stones that are familiar.

*Aries (March 21-April 19) = Gemstone: Garnet /Power color: Red, fiery colors

*Taurus (April 20-May 21) = Gemstone: Rose Quartz / Power color: Soft rose-pink

*Gemini (May 22-June 20) = Gemstone: Agate / Power color: Yellow

*Cancer (June 21-July 22) = Gemstone: Emerald /Power color: Moon colors – silver, pale gray

*Leo (July 23- Aug 22) = Gemstone:Tiger’s Eye / Power color: Sun colors – Gold, orange

*Virgo (Aug 23-Sept 22) = Gemstone: Carnelian/ Power color: Deep green

*Libra (Sept 23-Oct 22) =  Gemstone: Opal, Agate / Power color: Blues and violets

*Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) = Gemstone: Topaz / Power color: Deep, dark shades of red

*Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) = Gemstone: Citrine, Sodalite / Power color: Lilac, Mauve

*Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) = Gemstone:  Obsidian, Onyx/ Power color: Black, grays

*Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) = Gemstone: Blue Tiger’s Eye / Power color: Ultramarine blue

*Pisces (Feb 19-March 20) = Gemstone: Amethyst / Power color: Purple

Yes, this can all just be a great excuse to buy a lovely rock for the jewelry collection and add some colorful finery to your wardrobe – but, it can also be used as a way to have fun while fully expressing your power.

*Let yourself glow!

No matter what else is going on, (and there has been so much lately), the Vernal Equinox will spring into the Northern Hemisphere. This year, Spring happens on Tuesday March 19, 2024.

Astrologically speaking, the 1^st day of Spring is also the day the Sun enters the 1^st degree of the 1^st sign of the Zodiac – high energy Fire sign Aries. Ruled by warrior planet Mars, Aries is “out front”, physical, impulsive, prone to rushing and risk taking. We can bungee jump off that mountain of ideas and projects that has been stewing all winter – the universe will support. However, let’s be active with purpose and focus rather than act just because we’re bored. Risk vs reckless~ don’t be careless. Think a project through and complete it. But, don’t forget to have fun. Spring has sprung and everyone can use a little bit of controlled craziness every once in awhile.

Also, giving potential snap and crackle to our interactions, Communication planet Mercury is transiting Aries from 3/11/to 5/16/24. Writing, speaking, may have more quickness, edge and bite – you’ll be great in debates? Create powerful tweets? (Just watch the snark) There will be a Mercury Retrograde period from 4/1 to 4/25/24.

As always, those most affected have the Sun and/or Rising sign in Aries, but the rest of us will still feel the feisty vibes somewhere in our lives depending upon where the Fire sign appears in our chart.

Aries Sun*Spring Equinox: 3/19/24 ~ 11:06 PM EDT / 8:06PM PM PDT

~ Gemstone: Garnet * Power Color: Fiery Red * Body Part: Face ~

*FYI – This year, March 19^th is also designated as “International Astrology Day”. Always observed on the Equinox, it is a celebration of the ancient art of Astrology. Celebrate your Star Sign!

In the past 12 months, the Sun has visited all the Astrology signs and the cycle starts anew. Let’s spring into action! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist it ;-).

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The Sun floats into the 12^th and final sign of the Zodiac – imaginative, impressionable, intuitive Pisces on Sunday, February 18, 2024. Feelings are heightened. Pisces is a sensitive Water sign and if too much emotion sends you off course, focus on the task at hand to stay grounded and connected to reality. Keying in to adverse energy or vibrations is no excuse to drift or evade life. Stay steady and productive. Tap into all that compassion and kindness that Pisces is known for and spread it around. Sympathy and empathy abounds, but take off the rose colored glasses – offer assistance where it is genuinely needed. This may affect all of us regardless of astrology sign.

Mystical Neptune, Pisces’ Planet ruler, will transit until January 2026 (happens about every 165 years). It’s been visiting since February 2011. It has a reputation for clouding the waters, fading boundaries and fostering escapism. But, all those things that make life unsettled can also enhance imagination and creativity.

Innovations in music, dance, and theater will probably bubble to the surface faster than usual. The subconscious can be a treasure trove of ideas now. Keep paper and pencil handy, jot down your dreams.

Saturn, planet of boundaries, transits Pisces from March 2023 until February 2026. With fluid, watery Pisces, disciplined Saturn can be used to add steadiness and focus.

~ Sun in Pisces – February 18, 2024:  11:13 PM EST / 8:13 PM PST

* Gemstone: Amethyst * Power color: Purple * Body Part: Feet

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