Imagine looking up at the sky 5,000 years ago and believing the stars were writing messages for you! Astrology’s roots run deep, tracing back to around the 3rd millennium BCE when the stargazers of ancient Mesopotamia (Babylon) first read the skies to interpret divine omens for kings.
Over centuries this celestial wisdom spread, blending with Egyptian and Hellenistic traditions to become the personal horoscopic astrology familiar to us today. Preserved by Islamic scholars, astrology made a triumphant return to Europe in the Middle Ages, becoming hugely influential in the fields of medicine and academia.
The advent of the Scientific Revolution lead to a line being drawn between astrology and astronomy – and by the late 17th Century it was largely rejected as superstition or pseudoscience.
However, astrology proved resilient, surging back to popularity in the 20th century. History shows that people are most likely to look to the Zodiac in tumultuous times, with interest booming in the Great Depression of the 1930s and, more recently, the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Perhaps because astrology provides guidance and meaning, a framework for navigating the complexities of an uncertain world. A way for people to think about, understand, and validate their own personalities - but also to feel connected to something larger than themselves.
What Your Sign Reveals About Your Personality
Aries
Dynamic • Determined • Courageous • Competitive • Fiery
The first sign of the zodiac is a natural leader and likes to be charging at the front of the pack. Energetic and quick to take action, impulsive Aries will dive headfirst into the most challenging of situations.
These are singular personalities, who believe strongly in self empowerment and dislike having to rely on others. Uncomplicated and impatient Aries can get frustrated by the minutiae of life. Because they are direct and forthright themselves, they see diplomacy as an unnecessary distraction and despise manipulation.
Taurus
Practical • Sensual • Loyal • Dependable • Grounded
Steadfast Taureans make devoted, committed partners and reliable long-term friends. Ruled by Venus, the planet that governs love, beauty and money, Taureans are the most hedonistic sign of the zodiac.
They seek material and physical pleasures and love to surround themselves with comfort and luxury. Luckily they are also highly industrious, focused and determined to work for the rewards they desire.
Gemini
Adaptable • Lively • Imaginative • Quick-witted • Playful
Outgoing and loquacious, Geminis are the social butterflies of the zodiac. Usually juggling an array of pursuits and hobbies, Geminis are fascinated by new ideas and are often innovative pioneers.
Ruled by the messenger planet Mercury, communication is paramount to the expressive Gemini – and they often make excellent artists or writers.
Cancer
Tenacious • Imaginative • Emphatic • Protective • Intuitive
One of the most challenging signs to get to know, Cancerians can be defensive, appearing aloof and cold. Just like the crab, their celestial representative, they have a hard outer shell camouflaging a softer, vulnerable interior.
Perhaps best described by the proverb ‘Still waters run deep’, breach Cancer’s shy, placid exterior to find a highly intuitive, sensitive nature and a capability to ‘read’ people using their heightened emotional intelligence. Nurturing Cancerians are homebodies and love to create cosy personal sanctuaries.
With a tendency to be introverted, Cancer prefers deep intimate connections with a few people over socialising in larger groups.
Leo
Generous • Cheerful • Positive • Dramatic • Confident
Ruled by the sun and represented by the lion, Leos are dazzling personalities, full of vitality. They love to bask in the spotlight and fully embrace their status as the ‘kings and queens of the jungle’.
Not only are they natural leaders, Leos are highly creative, artistic and theatrical. Drama divas definitely, but it is also perfectly appropriate that the part of the body governed by Leo is the heart.
These are loyal dedicated friends and passionate lovers, who put their hearts into everything they do.
Virgo
Analytical • Diligent • Hardworking • Compassionate • Practical
The perfectionist of the zodiac, Virgo must remember that flaws are not the same as defects, there is beauty in imperfections and a little chaos is good for the soul. Virgos are so detail-orientated, logical and meticulous, that they can become overly concerned with chasing destructive ‘impossible’ ideals.
Luckily they are kind-hearted, have a deep sense of humanity, and are always quick to help and support friends and family.
As an earth sign, they tend to be best at practical guidance, using their keen intellect and resourcefulness to solve problems.
Libra
Cooperative • Fair-minded • Balanced • Diplomatic • Gracious
Libra is represented by the scales, reflecting this air sign’s obsession with balance and symmetry, its desire for justice and harmony. Librans seek equilibrium in every area of their lives and tend to be happiest within congenial and peaceful relationships.
Utilising their considerable tact and charm, Libras enjoy engaging with a wide variety of friends and acquaintances: they can fit in with anyone, anywhere. Librans hate conflict and are masters of diplomacy and compromise, so they can be very effective mediators.
Scorpio
Passionate • Secretive • Enigmatic • Powerful • Seductive
Much misunderstood, Scorpio can be intimidating – these are people unafraid of controversy, who don’t back down easily, and often appear more like a fire sign when they assert themselves. In fact Scorpios are governed by water, and like their fellow water signs Cancer and Pisces, are highly intuitive and psychic.
This is Scorpio’s central conflict: they are driven by, and derive strength from, emotions – yet the intensity of these very emotions can be overpowering and leave them feeling vulnerable .Thus, they are guarded, with a tough outer shell, just like their namesake. Get beyond their defences and Scorpio is loyal and loving: make them an enemy and watch out for the sting in their tail.
Sagittarius
Optimistic • Enthusiastic • Adventurous • Flexible • Humorous
With an inherent need for change, adaptable Sagittarians are fuelled by wanderlust, the travellers of the zodiac with a penchant for exploring different countries and cultures.
The archer doesn’t just seek the physical thrills of roaming the world: their quest is for philosophical and spiritual adventures, and the knowledge that comes with new experiences.
Endlessly curious, Sagittarians make fabulous storytellers and attract friends and lovers with their witty, magnetic personalities. Just don’t try to restrict their freedom, Sagittarius resents boundaries and is always on the move.
Capricorn
Disciplined • Responsible • Sardonic • Focused • Serious
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet considered to be the ‘taskmaster’ planet, stoically concerned with discipline and time, learning lessons and understanding limitations. Capricorns are ambitious, hardworking (sometimes to the point of being workaholics) and organised – able to use their time as effectively as possible.
They are highly self-critical and analytical; they always endeavour to discover their mistakes and learn from them. With these skills, Capricorns can become very successful in their chosen careers; they are the natural CEOs of the zodiac.
Aquarius
Progressive • Idealistic • Humanitarian • Eccentric • Independent-minded
The deep-rooted humanitarian quality within Aquarius is reflected by the sign’s representative, the water bearer, a healer who bestows water (symbolic of life itself) across the land.
These revolutionary and visionary thinkers want to change the world for the better. With a natural distrust of authority and traditional conventions, these free-spirited folk are motivated by a desire for an egalitarian society.
It should be remembered that these water bearers are actually ruled by the air, so they definitely lean towards logical rather than emotional. This is an advantage in that it allows objectivity, but has also resulted in Aquarians gaining a reputation for appearing cold and aloof despite their compassionate convictions.
Aquarius
Intuitive • Dreamy • Artistic • Compassionate • Wise
Represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, Pisces can struggle with the division between fantasy and the real world. As the final sign in the zodiac, Pisces has absorbed characteristics of all the other signs, hence its highly changeable nature.
The lessons learned also bring great empathy and compassion, but sensitive Pisces must take care not to be overwhelmed by emotions, to remain grounded (appropriately the part of the body governed by Pisces are the feet!). Pisceans are ruled by Neptune, the planet associated with dreams, illusion and creativity – they are often naturally musical and artistic.
While these impressionable folk love to explore the realm of imagination and make believe, they must take care not to delude themselves in order to avoid the harsh truths of reality.