ASTROLOGY: What's your sign?

What's your Zodiac sign? Yeah, ok so, what is a Zodiac sign?

Astrology has been around for ages. I mean, a real, real long time. People used the stars for navigation, entertainment, and even as a way to help people interpret and understand life and other people. According to Nikki Van De Car, writer of Practical Magic: A Beginner’s Guide to Crystals, Horoscopes, Psychics & Spells, western astrology is centered around the date of birth and based on Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos (the most authoritative text on astrology and based on Babylonian astrology). She advises her readers to keep in mind that cycles and changes in the “heavens” are reflective of cycles and changes on Earth and not causative. What this means to me is the stars mirror our life events here on earth and could be used as a guide to a greater understanding of day-to-day living.

So, what does all this REALLY mean....

I'm a Leo. I was born in the beginning of the month of August. The constellation Leo comes from an ancient Greek legend, which identifies Leo as the “Nemean Lion” Hercules took down as the first of his 12 labors. Cool, huh? So, if your birthday is between July 22-August 22, then - surprise! - your a Leo too!

There are 12 signs of the Zodiac (just one of many parts in Astrology.

Twelve Signs of the Zodiac (in order according to the astrological calendar:

-Aries (March 20- April 19)

-Taurus (April 20- May 20)

-Gemini (May 20- June 20)

-Cancer (June 20- July 22)

-Leo (July 22- August 22)

-Virgo (August 22- September 22)

-Libra (September 22- October 23)

-Scorpio (October 23- November 21)

-Sagittarius (November 21- December 21)

-Capricorn (December 21- January 19)

-Aquarius (January 19- February 18)

-Pisces (February 18- March 20)

Just like my sign in Leo, each has a story, traits and characteristics to match.

Aries Traits:

Strengths: Courageous, determined, confident, enthusiastic, optimistic, honest, passionate

Weaknesses: Impatient, moody, short-tempered, impulsive, aggressive

Aries likes: Comfortable clothes, taking on leadership roles, physical challenges

Aries dislikes: Inactivity, delays

Famous people who are Arians: Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham, Sarah Jessica Parker, Heath Ledger, Rosie O’Donnell, Gloria Steinem, Marc Jacobs, Emma Watson, Big Sean, Kristen Stewart, Robert Frost, Thomas Jefferson

Taurus Traits:

Strengths: Reliable, patient, practical, devoted, good voice responsible, easygoing, calming

Weaknesses: Stubborn, overpossevive, overprotective, uncompromising

Taurus likes: Gardening, food, being home, music, high quality clothes, working with hands

Taurus dislikes: Sudden changes, insecurity of any kind, rushing into things

Famous people who are Taureans: Adele, Stevie Wonder, Robert Pattinson, Chris Brown, Queen Elizabeth II, Sam Smith, Megan Fox, William Shakespeare, Harper Lee

Gemini Traits:

Strengths: Gentle, affectionate, curious, adaptable, ability to learn quickly and exchange ideas

Weaknesses: Nervous, inconsistent, indecisive

Gemini likes: Music, books, magazines, chats with nearly anyone, short trips around the town

Gemini dislikes: Being alone, being confined, repetition and routine

Famous people who are Geminis: Angelina Jolie, Kanye West, Prince, Johnny Depp, Donald Trump, Ice Cube, Alanis Morissette, Iggy Azalea, Troye Sivan, North West, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Morgan Freeman, Blake Shelton, John F. Kennedy

Cancer Traits:

Strengths: Loyal, affectionate, nurturing, good cooking, strong, protective

Weaknesses: Insecure, moody, trouble at controlling their emotions, shy

Cancer likes: Holding on to memories, saving money, loyal friends and family

Cancer dislikes: Not having enough in life, family suffering

Famous people who are Cancerians: Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Selena Gomez, Khloe Kardashian, Vin Diesel, Robin Williams, Lana Del Rey, Courtney Love, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, Gerald R. Ford, George W. Bush, Ernest Hemingway, Emily Bronte, Giorgio Armani, Oscar de la Renta

Leo Traits:

Strengths: Creative, passionate, generous, loving, loyal, romantic

Weaknesses: Bossy, always worrying about what others think, self judgment, stubborn

Leo likes: Being in charge, attention, drama, happy people

Leo dislikes: Failing, being wrong, being hated, disagreement

Famous people who are Leos: Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, J.K. Rowling, Barack Obama, Demi Lovato, Cara Delevingne, Daniel Radcliffe, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence, Yves Saint-Laurent

Virgo Traits:

Strengths: Intelligent, practical, hardworking, health conscious, polite

Weaknesses: Modest, shy, overly critical

Virgo likes: Money, caring people, being comfortable, having fun, being helpful

Virgo dislikes: Stupidity, vulgarity, clutterness,

Famous people who are Virgos: Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Nick Jonas, Jimmy Fallon, Blake Lively, Adam Sandler, Stephen King

Libra Traits:

Strengths: Cooperative,diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social

Weaknesses: Indecisive, avoids confrontations, will carry a grudge, self-pity

Libra likes: Harmony, gentleness, sharing with others, the outdoors

Libra dislikes: Violence, injustice, loudmouths, conformity

Famous people who are Librans: Kim Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Gwen Stefani, John Lennon, Mahatma Gandhi, Vladimir Putin

Scorpio Traits:

Strengths: Powerful, wise, great leaders, great secret keepers, good at expressing their feelings

Weaknesses: Jealousy,

Scorpio likes: Being in control, like to win, being competitive

Scorpio dislikes: Losing, being insincere, getting hurt physically and mentally

Famous people who are Scorpios: RiceGum, Katy Perry, Lorde, Hillary Clinton, Drake, Katy Perry, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Klein

Capricorn Traits:

Strengths: Responsible, great talker, disciplined, self-control, good managers, nice

Weaknesses: Know-it-all, sassy, unforgiving, expecting the worst

Capricorn likes: Family, tradition, music, quality craftsmanship

Capricorn dislikes: Almost everything at some point

Famous people who are Capricorns: David Bowie, Kate Spade, Edgar Allen Poe, Elvis Presley

Aquarius Traits:

Strengths: Progressive, original, trustworthy, independent

Weaknesses: Temperamental, uncompromising, aloof

Aquarius likes: Fun with friends, helping others, fighting for causes, good listeners

Aquarius dislikes: Limitations, broken promises, being lonely, boring situations, people who disagree with them

Famous people who are Aquarius: Bob Marley, Harry Styles, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Bobby Brown, Nick Carter, Taylor Lautner, Ed Sheeran, Shakira, Abraham Lincoln

Pisces Traits:

Strengths: Compassionate, artistic, intuitive, gentle, wise, musical

Weaknesses: Fearful, overly trusting, desire to escape reality

Pisces likes: Being alone, sleeping, music, romance, visual media, swimming

Pisces dislikes: Know-it-all's, being criticized, cruelty of any kind

Famous people who are Pisces: Albert Einstein, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, George Washington, Carrie Underwood, Kurt Cobain, Drew Barrymore, George Washington

There is so much more information that can be found about your sign and how it relates to you. I am going to share a few of my own favorite resources and websites that I used to learn about this topic. I hope you have enjoyed reading this week's post! One last thing;

What is your sign? Be sure to write a comment below!

For more information visit you local library or bookstore:

Van De Car, Nikki. 2017. Practical Magic: A Beginner’s Guide to Crystals, Horoscopes, Psychics & Spells.

Crawford,S. & Sullivan,G. 1998. The Power of Birthdays, Stars, & Numbers.

Goldschneider,G. & Elffers, J. 1994. The Secret Language of Birthdays: Your Complete Personology Guide for each Day of the Year.

Or visit on the web:

Cool Blogger: https://www.nikkivandecar.com/

Complete Natal Chart: http://astro.cafeastrology.com/natal.php

Daily horoscope: http://astrostyle.com/

Overall Astrological Happenings: http://foreverconscious.com/

The Lion,

Kait the Writer