What is an Astrological Sign?

by Bob Hoffman

In astrology, there are three major groupings that relate to the zodiac: Signs, Planets, and Houses. These three groupings are all related to each other making it a bit easier to remember their when you are trying to recall their meanings.

Each month I will be writing about each one of the Zodiac Signs, so as we go through the astrological year, you will find out some of the more basic things about them. When it is Aries time (like now), I will write about that, and so on. When we have completed the entire year you will have had a chance to look at them at the time they are occurring, thus giving you a handle on the meanings of each one.

First, let me clarify the differences between Signs, Planets, and Houses.

Signs

Signs are our "attitudes" or "character patterns". They show how our energies are conditioned to operate. Another way to define Signs would be to say they are the twelve "developmental ways of acting or being," or twelve "basic characteristics or styles of behavior". The one word I would use is "styles".

Planets

Planets represent ten psychological "functions of the psyche" or "capacities to act". These fundamental functions are constantly evolving through phases of cyclical development. this means that you can become more adapt and refined in your behavior and responses to life as you gain experience. The one word I would use is "actors".

Houses

Houses of an astrological chart (birth or other types) represent twelve "human developmental focuses of activity" or "basic human environments". The Houses are "where" a person focuses their Planetary activities, and Signs are "how" they tend to act in relation to a given House activity. The one word I would use is "activities".

So, Actors display Styles in their Activities

If this is somewhat confusing, don't feel alone. It takes awhile to get it. The beauty of it is that each Sign has a corresponding Planet and House that has a similar meaning! This makes the study of one (in this case Signs) a great help in understanding the others (Planets and Houses). Don't worry about remembering the differences between each. It will come clear eventually. So, lets begin our study of Signs starting with the first.

Aries

Aries is the point of all beginnings. It is the primal unleashing of self-expression, assertion, and the joyous outburst of creation. It is the initial thrust of a new developmental cycle. Now, energy is propelled into a new direction where there is forceful action, initiative, and optimism. This force is symbolized by the Ram that lowers it’s head and charges forward come what may. It is primal instinct in it’s most raw form; unrestricted, and unadulterated. Each sign is a reaction to the previous one. Aries impulsiveness and quickness is a reaction to the reflective and vacillating energy of Pisces. During this time of year we yearn to break free of winter and from the cabin fever that set in during the cold weather. You should see how my cats are breaking for the door every morning now that it is spring--that’s Aries energy!

Some of the keywords and phrases used to describe Aries would be:

I'm sure you get the picture and could add many other meanings for Aries. Once you get the basic idea, it is not so hard to see the meanings, especially if you know people who exemplify many of these traits. They most likely have a lot of Aries energy in their birth chart. It is easy to get confused however. Leo and Sagittarius also have many similar traits because they are all "Fire Signs". Explaining that is way beyond the scope of this article.
One of the confusing things about trying to understand the basic meanings of any Sign is the mixture of the good, bad, and the ugly attributes when describing a particular Sign. I explain that elsewhere in my writings. However, it is basically that people manifest different levels of maturity and do not necessarily show some of the poor attributes of their particular Sign. The way a Sign is inclined to “act” or “be” falls within a spectrum of possible responses ranging from a positive manifestation (mature response), to a generally mixed (developing) one, to a negative manifestation (immature or overreaction).

Arian energy in general naturally tends to develop the following attributes:

The Vernal Equinox

At two times of the year, the Celestial Equator (a projection of the earth’s equator onto the sky) and the Sun, in it’s journey along the Ecliptic (an imaginary circle marking the Sun’s seeming “movement” around the earth) cross paths. Again, Equinoxes are the points where the Ecliptic crosses the Celestial Equator. The Sun does this once at the first point of the Sign of Aries, called the Vernal Equinox, and again at the first point of the Sign of Libra, called the Autumnal Equinox. This Spring (Vernal) Equinox was the obvious choice for the beginning of the astrological year because the attributes of that point seem to correspond most directly to the “beginning” of things. As I stated above, look at what the energy is like in the early spring--you can feel it.

The beginning of any cycle of experience is always the same. It is the “initial impulse” towards anything. It is the time where the initial “idea” begins for any project or goal. We always start with an idea of where something can go, be it psychological or physical. If you want to build a physical item, such as a house, you start with that--”I want to build a house”! You have begun. It is the identifying of where you want to go. Aries is the simplest of Signs. I don’t mean that Arian people are simple! Each Sign around the zodiac moves from the simple to the complex in order; Pisces being the most complex.

Aries People

People who are born during this time will exemplify much of the strong and direct mannerism outlined above. Of course, we all have some form of “Aries” energy, just more or less of it, shown in a person’s personal birth chart (their primal beginning). People born under Aries will have more trouble finishing the multiple projects they have begun, thus completing few. They do not usually live sedentary lives because they would likely explode from the inactivity. They are often the first ones out of the gate, thus being of a pioneering nature and will test the limits. On the down side, they may be somewhat foolhardy. A person born under Aries is at their best when they are striving for originality rather than novelty. To be original means that they are inventive, and a great thinker. To be novel means their ego comes first. Aries people should always try to strive for the highest forms of their Sign rather than to just “be first”. The trappings of egotism are their downfall, so they need to assert the opposite of their self-centered nature and embrace more partnership oriented and selfless acts. This will bring out the very best in them.

Additional Facts About Aries

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