Characteristics of Zodiac Signs

By Patricia Lantz C.Ht.Astrologer

"I am large, I contain multitudes" is a line from Walt Whitman's Song of

Myself that reminds people they are never just one thing. There are many
facets of "you." Astrologically, this is revealed by the differing characteristics
of the 12 signs of the zodiac. Every birth chart contains all 12 signs. The
various planets and placements in your birth chart express themselves
according to its placement in one of the 12 signs, and they speak of the many
different facets of "you."
The Zodiac Signs and Your Natal Chart
Your horoscope contains much more than just your Sun's sign. In addition to your Sun, it also
contains your Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, as well
as the 12 houses, and many other important points. Each is associated with an astrological sign.
 Related Articles

 Characteristics of Star Signs

 Female Cancer Zodiac Sign Personality Traits and Tendencies
 Best and Worst Personality Traits for All Zodiac Signs
The sign, planet, and house combinations are the most basic statements astrology can make about
an individual. While the sun shines its light on everything and gives it life and vitality, in one
way or another, all 12 signs are represented in every individual's horoscope.

If you're unsure of your natal chart positions, you can look them up at CafeAstrology on
their free Natal Chart report.

The Zodiac Signs

In Natal astrology, the 12 signs of the wheel of the zodiac represent the developmental cycle of
selfhood and the processes of life.

Aries - I Am
Aries is the archetype of the Warrior. It's masculine
(outgoing), cardinal (initiating), fire(passionate), and the first sign of the zodiac. On the most
basic level, Aries is about the development of self and is inextricably connected with the concept
of beginnings and charging full speed at life. It is about the physical "you," the excitement of
being alive, and the desire to get started with creating something new.

Positive Aries is:

 Pioneering
 Fearless
 Versatile
 Passionate
 Courageous
Negative Aries is:

 Insensitive to others
 Difficult to deal with
 Lacking in follow through
 Confrontational
 Inpatient
The house and planets defined by Aries in your birth chart gift you with the energy, enthusiasm,
will power, and ability to make a personal impact.
Taurus - I Have
Taurus is the archetype of the Farmer. It's is a feminine
(receptive), fixed (unmovable), Earth (practical) sign, and the second sign of the zodiac. On the
most basic level, Taurus is about the survival of self and acquiring all the practical resources
necessary to ensure that survival. Taurus is concerned with finishing, holding onto, and
maintaining whatever is started or acquired. It's the epicurean "you" and your ability to thrive in
the material world and enjoy all the richness and pleasures it has to offer.

Positive Taurus is:

 Dependable
 Generous
 Down to earth
 Patient
 Persistent
Negative Taurus is:

 Stubborn
 Plodding
 Self-Indulgent
 Materialistic
 Possessive
The house and planets defined by Taurus in your birth chart gift you with the opportunity for
personal stability and prosperity.

Gemini - I Think
Gemini is the archetype of the Jester. It's the third sign of the zodiac, masculine
(outgoing), mutable (changeable), and air (mental). At its most basic, it involves acquiring
whatever information is necessary to further the personal impulse "to be." It's Gemini that
encourages you to circulate and collect experiences and information that aid you in intellectually
defining yourself. Gemini is the curious "you" and your ability to be in touch with who you are
on an intellectual level by the mental examination of alternative thoughts and ideas.

Positive Gemini is:

 Versatile
 Sociable
 Open minded
 Intelligent
 Witty, lively, and Fun
Negative Gemini is:
  Scattered
 Superficial
 Inconsistent
 Gossipy
 Two-faced
The house and planets defined by Gemini in your birth chart gift you with the ability to process
experience and information mentally and give it personal meaning.

Cancer - I Feel
Cancer is the archetype of Mother. It's the feminine (receptive), cardinal
(initiating), water(emotional) sign. At its most basic level, it's charged with creating a sense of
security for the self through the sensitive attunement to emotions. Cancer is the emotional "you,"
your sense of belonging and connection to mother, family, culture, and heritage.

Positive Cancer is;

 Sensitive
 Protective
 Supportive
 Empathetic
Negative Cancer is:

 Clinging
 Dependent
 Suspicious
 Insecure
 Moody
The house and planets defined by Cancer in your birth chart gift you with the capacity to deal
with others up close and personal on the feeling dimension of human experience.

Leo - I Will
Leo is the archetype of the Hero. It's masculine (outgoing), fixed (unmovable), fire (passionate),
and the fifth sign of the zodiac. At its most basic level, Leo represents the individual human
shining in its own glory and becoming intensely self-aware and self-conscious. Leo is the loving
"you." It's your capacity to love yourself and share that love with others.

Positive Leo is:

 Generous
 Determined
 Confident
  Loyal
 Magnanimous
Negative Leo is:

 Arrogant
 Selfish
 Intolerant
 Pretentious
 Authoritarian
The house and planets defined by Leo in your birth chart gift you with the motivation to shine
and dramatically express your talents and specialness to others.

Virgo - I Analyze
Virgo is the archetype of Craftsman. It's a feminine (receptive), mutable (changeable), Earth
(practical) sign and the sixth sign of the zodiac. At its most basic, Virgo is about the sacredness
of the human experience and becoming an expert technician of the earthly skills you've chosen to
master. It's the humble doer "you" that enables you to cope skillfully with and organize your
mundane life, point out errors, fix situations and things, and be of service to others.

Positive Virgo is:

 Precise
 Discriminating
 Dutiful
 Healthy
 Service-oriented
Negative Virgo is:

 Critical
 Self-effacing
 Nitpicky
 Fault finding
 Judgemental
The house and planets defined by Virgo in your birth chart gift you with efficiency and precision
in action and thought.

Libra - I Balance
Libra is the archetype the Judge. It's a masculine (outgoing), cardinal (initiating), air (mental)
sign, and the seventh sign of the zodiac. At its most basic, Libra is about the creation of beauty,
social harmony, and the expression of fairness. Libra is the charming, aesthetic "you" that is
concerned with balance and your ability to judge fairly and have a conscious awareness and
consideration of others.

Positive Libra is:

 Cooperative
 Courteous
 Refined
 Social
 Impartial
Negative Libra is:

 Inconsistent
 Vain
 Wavering
 Flirtatious
 Indulgent
The house and planets defined by Libra in your birth chart gift you with a set of principles that
are expressed through judging outward appearances, behavior, and actions.

Scorpio - I Desire
Scorpio is the archetype of the Magician. It's the feminine (receptive), fixed (unmovable), water
(emotional) sign of the zodiac. At its most basic level, Scorpio is about a knowing what is
beyond intellectual understanding. Scorpio is the deeply secretive "you" that charged with
investigating the pain of life, death, rebirth, and other mysteries of life.

Positive Scorpio is:

 Magnetic
 Fierce
 Loyal
 Resourceful
 Powerfully perceptive
Negative Scorpio is:

 Possessive
 Obsessive
 Controlling
 Vengeful
 Suspicious
The houses and planets defined by Scorpio in your birth chart gift you with the ability to move
through pain, transform, and rebirth yourself.

Sagittarius - I Aim
Sagittarius is the archetype of the Explorer. It's masculine (outgoing), mutable (changeable), fire
(passionate) sign of the zodiac. At its most basic, Sagittarius about the endless quest for
knowledge. Sagittarius is the joyful "you." It embodies your capacity for optimism, sociability,
expansiveness, and hope for the future.

Positive Sagittarius is:

 Honest
 Optimistic
 Adventurous
 Independent
 Friendly
Negative Sagittarius is:

 Reckless
 Tactless
 Irresponsible
 Superficial
  Over confident
The house and planets that are defined by Sagittarius in your birth chart gift you with optimism,
philosophical understanding, a restless sense of adventure, and an idealistic faith in the future.

Capricorn - I Use
Capricorn is the archetype of self-mastery. It's feminine (receptive), cardinal (initiating), Earth
(practical), and the tenth sign of the zodiac. At its most basic, it's about setting goals and a
commitment to excellence. Capricorn embodies your ability to be devoted to duty, fulfill your
responsibilities, and ultimately be successful in the material world.

Positive Capricorn is:

 Ambitious
 Wise
 Disciplined
 Trustworthy
 Patient
Negative Capricorn is:

 Pessimistic
 Stubborn
 Self-centered
 Cynical
 Detached
The houses and planets defined by Capricorn in your birth chart gift you with the ability to reach
heights of achievement and the recognition that comes from years of work.

Aquarius - I Know
Aquarius is the archetype of the Wise Man. It's masculine (outgoing), fixed (unmovable), air
(mental) and the eleventh sign of the zodiac. On the most basic level, Aquarius is the open and
forward thinking mind. It embodies the ability to tap into the collective and share what's learned
with the rest of humanity.

Positive Aquarius is:

 Intelligent
 Open-minded
 Inventive
 Original
 Independent
Negative Aquarius is:
  Unpredictable
 Aloof
 Extremist
 Chaotic
 Unreasonable
The houses and planets defined by Aquarius in your birth chart gift you with the ability to
distance yourself and open your mind in a way that gives you a broad and objective view of
humanity as a whole.

Pisces - I Believe
Pisces is the archetype of the Martyr. It's feminine (receptive), mutable (changeable), water
(emotional), and the twelfth sign of the Zodiac. On the most basic level, it's the sign of universal
peace and love. Pisces is about the search for bliss and the belief in something that connects all
of life.

Positive Pisces is:

 Compassionate
 Understanding
 Imaginative
 Selfless
Negative Pisces is:

 Escapist
 Weak-willed
 Over-sensitive
 Pessimistic
The houses and planets defined by Pisces are where you have deep empathy for others and where
you struggle and make many sacrifices in an attempt to connect to something ethereal.

Signs, Planets, and Houses

Like your personality and your life, an astrological birth chart contains many components. There
are planets and houses, and both take on the energy of a particular sign of the zodiac. The
characteristics of each of the twelve astrological signs listed above are not meant to be
exhaustive; they are only a synopsis of what you can find covered in detail in many excellent
books. One of the best for beginners is Steven Forrest's The Inner Sky.

Zodiac Symbols and Meanings

 By Jacqueline DautajCertified Astrologer; NCGR Member

Each sign of the zodiac has a specific symbol that is associated

with it, and that symbol often reflects the inherent
characteristics of the sign. See how well your zodiac symbol
demonstrates and illustrates your astrological profile.
Zodiac Symbols for Each Sign
The particular symbols and glyphs associated with each sign quickly sum up each one's
inherent nature.This is quite helpful because it means that you don't need to have in-depth
knowledge of the astrological signs in order to determine what a particular sign governs
within the zodiac wheel.

Related Articles

 Characteristics of Zodiac Signs

 Compatible Zodiac Signs
 Horoscope Cusps and Meanings

Aries
The first of the twelve zodiac signs, the Aries symbol is the ram, a male sheep that climbs to
the highest peaks in the land, sometimes, just to enjoy the view! These adventurous and
spirited individuals are equipped with the formidable horns of the ram, a clear deterrent to
others should they be foolish enough to threaten! Additionally, you can also spot an Aries
sun or Aries ascendant by his or her characteristic walk; the head usually leans slightly
forward. Many astrologers believe this can be attributed this to the sign's symbol, the ram.

Taurus
Taurus' guiding principle is "I maintain" and its symbol is the bull. In fact, the bull was once
seen as a highly erotic, sensual and fertile creature. Amazingly enough, drawing the outline
of the bull (an upside down triangle with two horns) yields the outline of the female womb
and Fallopian tubes! Is this where the highly sensual, erotic and pleasure loving attributes of
Taurus come from? Perhaps!

Gemini
Ah Gemini. There may not be as many news cable networks if it weren't for Gem's inherently
chatty and inquisitive nature! This sign's zodiac symbol is the Roman numeral II, and it
symbolizes the sign's twin identities. There are no masculine or feminine energies attributed
to this sign, for as the first air sign, Gem rules neutrality. As such, Gemini is regarded as
androgynous (Remember this only deals with the sun sign here!) and because of this, has
the capacity for divine wholeness.

Cancer
Sweet Cancer feels deeply, and so it is no surprise that this sign's symbol represents a deep
well of emotion; the crab. Note that the crab has a soft underbelly and a hard outer shell. It
is very easy to wound Cancers, but they may not show it.

Think about the movements of crabs. They tend to dart left and right, zigzagging from side
to side in search of prey. If danger approaches, they go into their shell. If there is a chance
that their prey will get away, they snap!

Leo
The symbol for mighty Leo's ruler is the life-giving sun itself. Represented by a circle with a
single dot in the middle, the symbol is meant to echo the shape of the sun, while the dot in
the middle represents the infinite source of divine energy and vitality that resides within
each person. This symbol of Leo, therefore, represents complete self-realization and
massive stores of creativity. Additionally, the lion with his pride, his pack and with his king
of the jungle status, also accurately represents fun-loving Leo!

Virgo
Virgo is typically represented by the Virgin, an effort to show how in the sixth sign and in the
second of the earth signs, it is now time to let the child go. This typically requires a sense of
reality and practicality which are hallmarks of the Virgo personality. Things being neat, a
sense of order and a fail-proof plan are all Virgo traits.

Libra
Libra is born at a time of year when daytime and nighttime are perfectly equal, and
therefore, it's only fitting that the scales of justice are this sign's symbol. Libra traditionally
invites comparisons, whether it is in the form of order, size, color, time or just plain old
judgment; this is where Libra is in his or her element.

Scorpio
The glyph of Scorpio is an M with the final slash of the M pointing upward in an arrow shape.
This symbol has been interpreted to mean inherent sexuality, or just being ready to strike.

What is truly exciting about Scorpios is that they are the only sign of the zodiac to have not
one, not two, but three symbols! The scorpion, the eagle and the phoenix are truly telling
symbols of the strength and diversity of this much maligned sign.
Sagittarius
The centaur has long been the symbol for Sagittarians (the arrow is the sign's glyph).
Astrologers feel that the symbol of the centaur, a creature that is half man, half horse,
represents man's ability to rise above his animal instincts, while maintaining some of the
animal's awesome power and strength.

Capricorn
The goat is the ancient symbol of Capricorn, and it represents one who climbs to the top of
the mountain with the aim of spreading his knowledge. Keep in mind that the goat is a very
special animal. This is an animal that can survive when the soil is very poor and conditions
are adverse. The goat also tends to be a solitary figure. For the goat, even if the climb to the
top is solitary, the view from there is well worth the trip!

Aquarius
Your symbol, Aquarius, is the image of a male (although in some very old texts it was a
woman) kneeling and holding two jugs in a downward, pouring gesture. The jugs are said to
contain life-giving water and symbolize mankind's collective knowledge. This water is
poured into the cosmos for the benefit of all mankind.

Pisces
Perhaps one of the most famous zodiac symbols of all are the fish. Tied together with a
single cord, one fish swims upstream while the other swims down. This symbol suggests the
need to reconcile and integrate both the material and ethereal worlds into one.

Language Without Words

The point of symbols is that they are universal. In other words, you don't need to speak a
particular language, or be able to speak at all, in order to interpret the symbol's meaning.
This is especially true when it comes to astrology.

Astrology is based on the ancient esoteric schools of mysticism, a time when knowledge
had to remain secret, and symbols readily helped in this feat. To those without ancient
wisdom, the symbols were just pictures. For those who understood the root of the symbols,
the images were gateways to even more arcane knowledge. By understanding the symbol
associated with each of the zodiac signs, you move one step closer to comprehending that
ancient wisdom.

Health Astrology

By Patricia Lantz C.Ht.Astrologer

Medical astrology is the branch of astrology that deals primarily with health
concerns. Whereas most astrologers seek to glean the deep truths of a
person's psychological makeup from an individual's natal chart, medical
astrologers look at the same individual's natal chart to determine which, if
any, health issues one is likely to experience throughout the course of her life.
Uses of Medical Astrology
Medical astrology should not be used to diagnose illness. However, a competent medical
astrologer can analyze a person's birth chart to determine:

 Periods of stress or lowered vitality when one could have health problems
 Bodily strengths and weaknesses
 Proneness to various disease states
 A tendency toward various types of illnesses
 Nutritional deficiencies
 The severity and duration of the disease
 The course of a disease by the use of a chart called a decumbiture chart
  The best date(s) and time(s) for an elective procedure, such as surgery
Related Articles
 Understanding Astrology in the Elizabethan Era
 Dark Side of an Aquarius
 Virgo Characteristics

How the Signs of the Zodiac Relate to the Body

A good way to begin understanding medical astrology is to gain an understanding of how
the astrological signs of the zodiac relate to the various parts of the body. In medical
astrology each sign of the zodiac is associated with an anatomical location in the body. The
specific indications of each sign in terms of parts of the body are derived from the sign's position
within the wheel of the zodiac, as well as the sign's basic symbolism and archetypes.

 Aries is associated with the head, brain, skull, cranium, eyes, pituitary gland, and the
adrenals.
 Taurus is associated with the neck, mouth, jaw, throat, medulla and brain stem, larynx,
thyroid, vagus nerve, and vago-parasympathetic nervous system.
 Gemini is associated with the chest, lungs, respiratory tract, and nervous system.
 Cancer is associated with the stomach, uterus, and female breasts.
 Leo is associated with the heart, circulatory system, major arteries, and thoracic spine.
 Virgo is associated with the intestines, especially the duodenum and small intestine.
 Libra is associated with the kidneys, lower back, genitourinary tract, and lumbar spine, as
well as the hair, skin, and all aesthetic body parts.
 Scorpio is associated with the eliminative organs - colon, rectum and bladder - as well as
the sexual organs, gonads, and genitalia.
 Sagittarius is associated with the locomotor apparatus - the hips, loins, thighs, and buttocks
- as well as the liver.
 Capricorn is associated with the knees, bones and joints, the skeletal system, and the
structural connective tissue.
 Aquarius is associated with the shins, calves, and ankles, as well as the sympathetic
nervous system and the peripheral vascular system.
 Pisces is associated with the feet and lymphatic system.
As an example, eating disorders are common among Sun sign Virgos, as are stomach ailments
like ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, while Sun sign Sagittarians are vulnerable to conditions
that affect the hips, loins, thighs, or buttocks.

The Planets in Medical Astrology

The astrological planets can sometimes have a similar meaning to the signs in that if a planet
is afflicted, it affects the sign the planet rules.

As an example, sometimes a difficulty with the Sun (no matter what sign the Sun is in) can
indicate a heart problem because the Sun is the ruler of Leo, and Leo rules the heart. However,
this would need to be confirmed by other planetary indications.

Generally, the astrological signs are the anatomical correspondence, and the astrological planets
correspond to the physiology. To understand this, the medical astrologer must know how each
planet reacts or acts to indicate a possible disease state in the body.

The descriptions that follow are descriptive of a planet involved in some way in a hard aspect or
in combination with another planet.

 Afflictions to the Sun can result in inflammation, infection, fever, and energy problems.
 Affliction involving the Moon can be descriptive of emotional disorders, water retention,
allergic reactions, mucous formation, altered body rhythm, acute ailments, or female
disorders.
 Affliction involving Mercury can describe mental or nervous disorders, respiratory
disorders, and possibly speech disorders. It can sometimes indicate hormonal problems.
 Afflictions involving Venus can indicate an imbalance of bodily energies, benign growths, a
blood sugar imbalance, problems with the venous circulation, and a lack of tone.
 Afflictions to Mars can result in inflammation and infection, fever, blood ailments, wounds,
acidosis, burns, surgery, sudden illness, and muscular disorders.
  Afflictions to Jupiter can indicate problems with arterial blood circulation, disease caused
by excess, obesity, difficulty in fat assimilation, or problems with the function of the liver.
 Afflictions to Saturn are indicative of chronic disease, hardening, crystallization,
obstruction, malignancy, atrophy, skin disease, and under activity of the organ ruled by the
sign Saturn tenants in the chart.
 Afflictions to Uranus can result in incoordination, spasm, sudden illness, convulsions,
seizures, stress-related ailments and heart palpitations, and accidents caused by electricity or
explosion.
 Afflictions involving Neptune can indicate drug addiction, alcoholism, coma, poisoning,
malignancy, hidden illness, a drug overdose, drug sensitivity, lowered immune system, and
misdiagnosis.
 Afflictions involving Pluto may indicate malformation, malignancy, massive infections,
bacterial infections, or amputation.

The Brain and the Body Are Intimately Intertwined

It's important to remember that most hard aspects in a natal chart or by transit will express
themselves at the level of psychological issues or events only. However, a psychological issue or
an event, such as a minor accident, may be the background of physical or heath problems.

As an example, suppose the Sun is Square Saturn in an individual's natal chart. This indicates the
person's life force is held back in some way. Psychologically, this is an individual who feels
unworthy, has a lot of inner tension, and feels restricted or weighed down by duties and
responsibilities. However, this is an individual who is also motivated to push through those
feelings, work harder, and never give up.

When it comes to health, individuals with Sun Square Saturn can suffer from overwork and
exhaustion, which can result in all sorts of health issues, including chronic fatigue, chest pain,
and heart palpitations. These health concerns are likely to be exacerbated by
difficult transitsor progressions. This is where the predictive aspect of medical astrology comes
in.

Can Astrology Predict Future Health Issues?

Medical astrology delves into the more predictive aspects of astrology. The field of astrological
interpretation is divided into two main groups: the predictive and the deductive. Although these
two groups may go by a variety of labels, in general, the deductive deals mainly with what exists
in a person's natal chart, whereas the predictive may look into a natal chart or an event chart,
create horoscopes for a future date, and make predictions about the future based on those. The
difference lies in a distinction between "what is" and "what will be."

The predictive aspect of medical astrology advances preventive medicine to an entirely different
level. No longer is prevention limited to nutrition and health maintenance, but it can be targeted
at strengthening specific areas of the body against upcoming health challenges, as indicated by
future transits and progressions to the natal horoscope.

Medical Astrologers
Hippocrates, one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine, said, "A physician
without knowledge of astrology has no right to call himself a physician." Medical astrology was,
for thousands of years, an essential part of medicine. It's a complex astrological discipline that
requires years of study and a keen, analytical mind, as well as knowledge of the body.

Though it's not for the novice or amateur astrologer, there are many experienced astrologers who
specialize in medical astrology. Additionally, most medical astrologers are also practitioners of
some kind of alternative medicine or therapy, be it herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, or
others, and most will frequently refer clients to therapists and therapies they can't provide.

The Doctor of Last Resort

Certainly astrology itself is far more than the daily horoscopes found online or in magazines and
newspapers. This brief overview only scratches the surface of medical astrology. Astrology is a
complex study, and medical astrology is an even more complex and specialized field. Though in
the postmodern era, a medical astrologer might seem to be the doctor of last resort, this type of
astrology done by an expert in the field of medical astrology can complement your consultations
with a physician or alternative health care practitioner by leading you to ask the right questions.

Horoscope Sign Chart Angles Explained

By Patricia Lantz C.Ht.Astrologer

 The four angles are a fundamental principle of astrology. They are the
backbone of any horoscope, and the most personal points in a chart. To find
the angles of your horoscope, you must know your complete data; the date,
location, and the exact time of the birth or event. The four angles are
astrology's way of accurately geopositioning you in your life.
The Four Angles
The concept of angles is based on divisions of the circle described by the path of the sun and
planets across the sky from east to west as seen from the rotating Earth. They are crucial to the
understanding of the meaning of the birth chart or event and for accurate forecasting.

Related Articles

 Horoscope Sign Date Charts

 Horoscope Cusps and Meanings
 Astrological Houses

The Ascendant and Descendant

The ascendant (Asc) is the sign that was rising over the eastern horizon at the moment and place
of birth. It is the most important angle of the horoscope. Directly across from the Asc you'll find
the second important angle, the descendant (Dec). The Dec is the sign that's setting in the west at
the moment and place of birth. The Asc is sometimes called your rising sign.

 The Asc is the cusp of the first house of self. It relates to Aries and its ruler Mars. It suggests your
instinctive overall outlook on life, outward appearance, as well as how others perceive you, but not
necessarily how you see yourself.
 The Dec is the cusp of the seventh house and refers to partners and relationships. The Dec relates
to Libra and its ruler, Venus. The sign on your Dec suggests the kinds of people you're the most
attracted to and, if the rest of your horoscope agrees, those you're most likely to consider for a
mate.

The Medium Coeli and Imum Coeli

The two other angles are the Medium Coeli (MC), Latin for "middle of the sky." The MC
represents the highest point in the sky. The sign on the MC is directly overhead at the moment
and place of birth. The angle opposite the MC is called the Imum Coeli (IC), Latin for the
"bottom of the sky." The sign on the IC was on the other side of the Earth at the moment and
location of your birth.

 The MC is the cusp of your tenth house and refers to your career, status, aim in life, aspirations
and public reputation. The MC relates to Capricorn and its ruler Saturn. The sign on your MC
suggest how the public sees you and how best to make your mark in the world.
 The IC is the cusp of your fourth house and refers to your roots and the least conscious part of
yourself. The IC relates to Cancer and its ruling planet, the Moon. The sign on the IC suggests your
 beginnings in life, your cultural and parental influences, and what you need for security and
relationships within your home and family life.

The Cross of Matter

Together the for angles make up what astrologer call the "Cross of Matter." This is the cross
that's formed in a chart by the intersection of the Asc/Dec and the MC/IC; it's the astrological
signs on these four points that enables an astrologer to understand how an individual is likely to
deal with their physical world.

The Importance of the Angles

While the sign and degree of each angle are important, the angles also divide the circle of the
horoscope into hemispheres and quadrants, which can reveal a lot about an individual. Each of
the four quadrants contains three of the astrological houses, completing the frame of the
horoscope.

The Hemispheres
When you draw a line from the Asc to the Dec, the upper half of the circle is the southern
hemisphere, and the lower half is the northern hemisphere.
  The southern hemisphere is associated with qualities that are out in the open and easily visible.
When the majority of planets are in the upper half of a chart, the personality is extroverted,
approachable, and receptive.
 The northern hemisphere is associated with characteristics that are not easily seen. When the
majority of planets are in the lower half of the chart, the personality is inner-directed tends to be
private.
 The western hemisphere is associated with behavior that is responsive to others. When the
majority of planets are located on the right-handed side of the horoscope the individual are at
their best in partnership or collaboration with other.
 The eastern hemisphere is associated with behavior that is self-directed. When the majority of
planets are located on the left-hand side of the horoscope, the individual is someone who works
well alone and is likely to move ahead independently.

The Four Quadrants

The quadrants are numbered in a clockwise direction. Each is associated with a particular area of
focus.
  The first quadrant is the area of personal interest. When many planets are located here, it
describes a person who is self-seeking and inner-directed.
 The second quadrant is focused on creative activities. Someone with many planets in this area of
the horoscope is productive and often artistic.
 The third quadrant is the area of the chart that refers to relationships. Those with a majority of
planets in this area of the chart prefer to interact with others.
 The fourth quadrant is the universal quadrant. Those with many planets in this area of their chart
are often interested in society as a whole, as well as their position in the universal whole.

Transits to the Angles Move Your Life Along

The Asc, Dec, MC, and IC are the four cardinal points in the structure of a horoscope. They are
where the action happens. Every truly significant happening in your life has involved a transit to
one of these four angles. Whether the transit will be jolting, inspiring, depressing or joyful, etc.
depends on the actual planet involved and the effect it will have on your life depends on the rest
of your chart.

 When the Asc receives a significant transit, it implies a call to action. The individual will feel they
are under pressure to change and have an urge to take independent action. A major transit to the
Asc can change the way others see you, whether that's having a child, gaining weight, getting
serious about weight loss, deciding to have cosmetic surgery or a significant change in your hair
and wardrobe.
 When the Dec receives a major transit, issues regarding relationships will be brought to the
forefront. This could be something like a new significant other, marriage, a divorce, a business
partner, or a court case between two people.
  When the MC receives a significant transit, career and social status come to the four front. It could
be that you get fired, get an award, a significant raise, decide to change careers or take on a
heavier workload, whatever it is you will be rearranging the manner that you are seen publicly.
 When the IC receives a significant transit home, family, or your physical abode become areas of
concern. It could be something like redecorating your home or adding a new room. Perhaps a
member of your family is leaving, or you'll have to deal in one way or another with Mom or Dad.
When the IC is activated, something will be happening in your family or home.

Astrology Is About Time

Professional astrologers always ask the client for their time of birth, and too often they get
answers such as: "I was born between 5 and 6 am." "I'm not certain, but it was around 8:30 PM."
However every 4 minutes, a new degree of a particular zodiac sign appears on the Asc, and
consequently, the opposite degree appears on the Dec. And most likely this will change the
degree on the MC and therefore the degree on the IC, as well as many if not all degrees on the
house cusps. Yes, having an accurate time of birth is very important in natal astrology and
forecasting