Gemini is the third astrological sign of the zodiac spanning 21 May – 20 June. It’s also the first air sign – the others being Libra and Aquarius. Gemini’s symbol is the twins.
The colour associated with Gemini is yellow and the Planet is Mercury. Gemini is associated with the mutable quality; that of change, the unexpected, the future and the intertwined old and new.
- Dates: May 21-June 20
- Symbol: Twins
- Element: Air
- Colour: Light green, yellow
- Day: Wednesday
- Planet: Mercury
- Quality: Mutable
- Most compatible: Sagittarius, Aquarius
- Birthstones: Agate, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Moonstone, Pearl, Sapphire
- Scent: Mint, lemon and honeysuckle
Traits of a Gemini
Strengths: Gentle, affectionate, curious, adaptable, ability to learn quickly and exchange ideas
Weaknesses: Nervous, inconsistent, and indecisive
The gentle winds of a Gemini bring with them change. Individuals born under this star sign are known for their curiousness, adaptability and ability to pick things up quickly.
Gemini also love to talk, they’re not one to hold back what’s on their mind and want to share their thoughts and ideas with others. Obviously, such a racing mind can bring with it elements of inconsistency and indecisiveness, but that doesn’t hold back this air element from exchanging ideas.
Gemini are often curious, expressive and quick witted and sometimes feel there’s not enough time to experience all the things they’d like to. There’s two sides to a Gemini, the outgoing, sociable and ready for fun one, which can quite swiftly change to its more serious, restless and thoughtful twin.
Mercury is Gemini’s ruling planet, the pinnacle of communicating, writing, movement and the mind. This often makes Gemini competent artists and writers, using their open mind and flexibility to create.
Often a Gemini feels there’s a part of them missing, which makes them prone to seeking new friends, companions and people to talk to.
The Gemini constellation
The Gemini constellation contains 85 stars visible to observation on Earth without a telescope, the brightest of which are the orangey Pollux, followed by the blue-white Castor. The Gemini constellation sits with Taurus to its west and Cancer to its east. Auriga and Lynx reside to its north and Canis Minor its south.
The best way to find Gemini in the night sky is to locate its two brightest stars - Castor and Pollux - eastward from the familiar “V” shape of Taurus and the three stars of Orion’s belt.
The Eskimo Nebula or Clown Face Nebula sits within the constellation, named for its resemblance to a person wearing a parka. The Medusa Nebula is also in Gemini.
Gemini is also home to the Geminids, a bright meteor shower, peaking on December 12-14. It’s one of the richest meteor showers with approximately 100 per hour. A more recently confirmed meteor shower - the Epsilon Gemenids peaks on October 18-29.
Gemini in History and Mythology
In Ancient Greek and Roman mythology Castor and Pollux were twin brothers known as the Dioscuri. They had different fathers; Zeus was the father of Pollux and Tyndareus the king of Sparta was the father of Castor. Their mother was Leda who was famously seduced by Zeus in the guise of a swan. Some accounts tell of them being born in an egg along with their twin, or half-sisters Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra.
When Castor was fatally wounded by their cousin Idas in a feud over cattle, Pollux was given the choice by Zeus of spending all his time on Mount Olympus or giving half his immortality to his mortal brother. He opted for the latter, securing their immortality together as a constellation in the sky.
The pair were regarded as the patrons of sailors, to whom they appeared as St. Elmo's fire, and were also associated with horsemanship.
In ancient Sparta the Dioskouroi were particularly important due to being associated with the Spartan tradition of dual kingship. When the Spartan army marched to war, one king remained behind at home, accompanied by one of the Twins.
Some famous Gemini
- Marilyn Monroe
- Morgan Freeman
- Johnny Depp
- John F Kennedy
- Angelina Jolie
- Tupac Shakur
- Paul McCartney
- Clint Eastwood
- Natalie Portman
- Helena Bonham Carter
- Nicole Kidman
- Judy Garland
- John Wayne
- Venus Williams
- Che Guevara
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