The science of astrology and the 12 zodiac signs are believed to be at least 3,000 years old and originated in ancient Babylonia, and Egypt.
The zodiac signs can be grouped in two ways. First, they can be categorized by four elements which are Fire (Sagittarius, Leo and Aries), and persons born under Fire tend to be imaginative, inspirational, exciting and intense. Next is Earth (Capricorn, Virgo and Taurus) and persons born under this element tend to have stability and common sense. Next is Air (Aquarius, Libra and Gemini) and persons born under this element tend to be intellectual and sociable. And, lastly there is Water (Scorpio, Pisces and Cancer) and person born under these signs tend to have great intuition and are very emotional.
The other means to categorize the zodiac signs are to separate them into three modes. These modes are based on creativity. Mutable is one mode that includes Pisces, Sagittarius, Virgo and Gemini and are very flexible and adaptive. Fixed mode is another and includes the zodiac signs Aquarius, Scorpio, Leo and Taurus and possess characteristics such as endurance, perseverance, sustainability and solidify change. Cardinal is another mode which includes the zodiac signs of Capricorn, Libra, Cancer and Aries and persons in this mode tend to make things happen.
The purpose of the zodiac signs is to give a person insight into their lives. People born under a certain sign tend to possess similar traits and characteristics. Zodiac signs are determined by your date of birth and allow you a very accurate portrait of your character. An individual can understand themselves and their potential by knowing their zodiac sign. The science of astrology and the 12 zodiac signs are believed to be at least 3,000 years old and originated in ancient Babylonia, and Egypt.
Aries rules the 1st house and is represented by the Ram. The 1st house is about the self, the physical body, the beginnings of things... it's the "us" in us Vs them. It's about how we appear to others. Aries is also about beginnings. It's the infant of the zodiac... inquisitive, self-absorbed and fearless. It can be extremely idealistic and high-minded...or simply a brat! But then, in astrology as in all the metaphysical arts and sciences, nothing is simple. Aries is a fire sign
Taurus rules the second house, which is about what we value (or have) material possessions and natural talents. Taurus is an earth sign and is represented as a bull. It can be soft and sensuous or stubborn and unyielding. Taureans are actually most comfortable playing a designated role. As long as their minds are clear, they can be the best of whatever they can imagine.
The 3rd house belongs to Gemini, the twins. They are air signs and as such, frequently seem to "live" in their heads. The twins mirror each other in many ways and frequently pick as partners people who represent what they see as their bad side. Although Gemini does a lot of thinking and flitting around, they are extremely tactile-liking to touch and be touched. It is said that more body workers have prominent Gemini in their charts than any other sign. Everyday things are represented by the 3rd house. Things with which we are familiar-neighborhoods, lower education, siblings, near travel.
Cancer represents the 4th house-which is home. As a Crab, it carries its home on it's back. It is about nurturing and being nurtured. Cancerians frequently have abandonment issues and can be afraid of giving of themselves for fear of not getting in return. they are either the all encompassing PARENT or the needy Child. And in keeping with the foundational aspects of the 4th house, they can be the most giving, caring and confidence building of all of the signs. Cancer is a water sign, flowing and soothing at it's best, wearing away at its worst.
Leo the Lion wears the face of the Sun and the 5th house. Leo is the second of the Fire signs and is all about respect. If he does not get the respect that is thought to be deserved, he can truly be a beast, rather than the regal, wise and protective king that he is. Leo can also be playful and childlike. The 5th house is about children, playing, acting and gambling...casual dating rather than a long term commitment. Leos love the spotlight, which is what makes them such good actors. If properly adored, they are extremely loyal and generous.
The 6th sign and house is Virgo. Virgo has a bad rep as critical and nitpicking. which they can be! Inside though, they are more demanding of themselves than any others. Virgos can be great organizers or terrible slobs. Male Virgos seem to embody the critical aspects more than females. They can also be self-sacrificing and helpful to a fault. Service to others is a place they excel. In old-fashioned astrology the 6th house represented pets, servants, health and work, as opposed to career. Today it is much more about care-taking of those who are seen to be less fortunate including ourselves when we feel helpless. Virgo is an earth sign and id seen as a sheaf of wheat or a Vestal priestess.
As we enter the 7th house, which is ruled by Libra, another air sign, we bring with us all that we have learned about ourselves so far. It is now that we begin to integrate the personal "Us" with the out-in-the-world" Them". In my opinion, the seventh house is as much about integration as partnership, which is, after all the ultimate integration! Partnerships are not just romantic or social and the 7th house represents all types of committed relationships with committed being the key word.
The sign that is on the cusp or beginning of this house also indicates a lot about who should be considered as your partner... more about that later.
Libra as represented by a set of scales, indicates balance-and balance is the ultimate goal sought by all of us. At it's craziest, Libra is seen as wishy-washy, indecisive, waffling. In reality, Libra has a hard time because it really CAN see most sides of all issues, and so makes every effort to be fair.
Scorpio, often the most misunderstood of all of the signs (Virgo/Pisces being the others) rules the 8th house, the house of other people's money, transformation/transmutation/death, inheritance, what others value about you and-gasp-SEX....which in and of itself is all about life/death. Scorpio is not only a water sign, it is what is called the fire of water... and is the only water sign that will fight for what it believes... Aquarians plan revolutions, but Scorpios are at the barricades. There are 3 distinctly different types of Scorpios-Scorpion, Eagle, Phoenix. The Scorpion is the definition with which most are familiar... secretive, back-stabbing, sexual-very much attuned to the sensual. The Eagle soars above all that is mundane... it is fierce, brave and committed to the defense of what is right. And the ultimate Scorpio, the Phoenix which rises from its own ashes, ever changing, growing and learning. Which are you?
The ninth house is ruled by mutable fiery Sagittarius. It is usually depicted as Chiron, the centaur (part man, part horse) or arrows flying upward to heaven. Chiron was teacher to heroes and gods... the gentle wounded healer he was the only immortal centaur-wounded and in terrible pain, he finally was allowed to give his life in exchange for Prometheus-the bringer of fire to humans. The 9th house is about higher learning, foreign travel (or travelers) philosophy, belief systems.
Sagittarius is most comfortable teaching... or just telling others what to do! They are freedom loving and will not be bound in traditional relationships... most athletes have predominant Sag in their charts, and they are frequently represented as horses or motorized vehicles--movement.
Capricorn the earthy Goat rules the 10th house of career, or one's place in the world. They are seen as authority figures, people in charge, doers, controllers...and sometimes extremely religious or spiritual... their main fault is that in spite of their attachment to legality, Capricorns can be guilty of making or enforcing rules they themselves do not follow. Blinded by their own ambition, and obsessed with their goals, they can adopt the philosophy that the end justifies the means In keeping with the 10th house, they are very aware of their place in the sun, their social standing and career. At their best, they are wise and benevolent rulers, parents, and partners, although they are frequently alone.
The 11th house of groups, friends and altruistic endeavors is ruled by Aquarius, the ultimate Air sign. What is usually unknown or forgotten about those free spirited souls is that they are ruled by Saturn as well as Uranus, and as such can be rigid-the destroy the village to save it mentality. It is said that only other Aquarians can truly appreciate them! Portrayed as free spirits, they have an underlying need for structure, foundation and order... they often think their feelings rather than feel them because they are too intense to actually experience. Aquarius' house also depicts your capacity for happiness as well as hopes and dreams. Friends and friendships are the most important things in the life of an Aquarian, so if you hope to win one over, first and foremost be their friend.
The 12th and final house belongs to Pisces, the final water sign, seen as fishes swimming in opposing directions. Pisces is a complex and often misunderstood sign, seeming vague or dreamy. Pisces is born knowing, and spends the rest of life figuring out what it already knows. They find it difficult to deal with people and situations that do not live up to their ideals. They really can see things clearly, they just don't want to accept things as they really are...Warts and all is not in the Pisces vocabulary... the warts are simply not seen, or if seen, thought of as some great cause or martyrdom. Seeking greater perfection than the real world is capable of producing, they often turn to religion or other spiritual and philosophical disciplines...or sales! Pisces can be the most persuasive sales person, unfortunately and often selling themselves on the most outrageous plots or schemes. Perfection is their ultimate goal. And, if they cannot find it in the real world, they often turn to a fictionalized version, becoming remarkable writers, actors, clergy, inspirational speakers, super sales people... or they can deaden their senses with drugs, alcohol or other forms of self delusion. It really is hard to be all knowing and not all powerful at the same time. The 12th house in traditional astrology used to be called the house of self undoing
Aries 
Taurus 
Gemini 
Cancer 
Leo 
Virgo 
Libra 
Scorpio 
Sagittarius 
Capricorn 
Aquarius 
Pisces 
