Horoscopes

Characteristics of the Star Signs

A horoscope is a form of cosmic signature. It is a graphic representation of where the planets were at a particular moment relative to Earth. Every four minutes makes a difference. Clearly then, there are massive variations between any two charts. That said, some generalisations are possible. During the course of a year the Sun moves through each of the twelve signs. Individuals born under each of the signs seem to put the characteristics of their sign in their priority list for this lifetime. So, those born under Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) want to react quickly and intuitively to events. Those born under the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) have a need to at least understand practicalities. The people who tend to enjoy floating ideas and playing with words come from the Air group (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) whilst the ones for who feel the need to explore the facets of sensitivity come from the Water group (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces).

Every individual comes from the Stars and has inherent ‘star quality’ and some shine earlier than others. What follows below is a very rough and ready guide to the attributes your child may be seeking to perfect during this lifetime.

Aries	March 21 – April 20
	These children would love to be brave, to show courage and leadership. This is a steep learning curve. In their eagerness to be adventurous, to show initiative and enthusiasm they often fall at the first hurdle. They may be accident-prone and risk-taking can get then into all sorts of mischief. You may find yourself endlessly asking them to think before they act. They need fresh air and physical activity to thrive. They respond well to being given responsibility but need to be encouraged to analyse their actions. Given their tendency to rush headlong into action – or speech – before thinking, they can appear brutish and insensitive. Even so, they are warm-hearted and generous and know exactly how to say sorry and to leave others feeling better for being part of their world. It is not easy to parent these individuals as they seem to need to learn through experience and resist being told how and what to do. They learn quickly however. Indeed, they carry out most tasks ‘at speed’ and can amaze others with their accomplishments. A competitive streak is often present. They respond well to goals and targets – very often setting these for themselves.
Taurus	April 21 – May 21
	Taurus people are the zodiac’s great appreciators. They very often have an ear for music and certainly seem to enjoy life’s luxuries. They tend to be tactile. The feel of clothes matters to them so that your laundry skills may be put to the test! They also tend to be aware of the aromas around them and could be put off places (classrooms particularly) where the air is stale and the décor ugly. Comfort and stability is important to them. They like to feel that they can be relied upon and expect others to show similar commitment. They make loyal friends and have a happy knack of knowing how to cheer others up. Their home turf matters hugely to them. Whilst interested in other places, they value familiarity. Their ruling planet is Venus – the planet which appears as a Morning or Evening Star. Like the planet, they tend to be either very good first thing in the morning or late at night. Learning to pace their day can be difficult for them – particularly during adolescence. They can become fixated and, when thwarted, may behave like bulls in china shops. It may take time for them to recover good-temper after such incidents.
Gemini	May 22 – June 21
	Children born under this sign tend to be fidgety. Their minds require constant stimulation. Conversation is their life-blood – unless they have a good book to read. They thrive on ideas and discussion and can be excellent debaters. Being on the move suits them – though they are not suited to travelling alone. They thrive on company and have a range of interests. They are ideally suited to multi-tasking but run the danger of being jack-of-all-trades and master-of-none. Their highly tuned nervous systems require that they enjoy good quality air. They may also benefit from breathing exercises as they can over-stimulate and then exhaust themselves. Their minds tend to work faster than their physical systems and hand-writing can be a problem as a result. It is not easy for them to ‘live in the moment’, their minds generally race ahead and it is not always easy for them to keep up with themselves. This can lead to physical problems. They are not always good at listening to their inner voices and have a tendency to burn the candle at both ends. Learning to give their brains – and vocal chords – time off, can be quite a challenge.
Cancer	June 22 – July 23
	Memory is hugely important to these children. They need to know who they belong to and where they came from. They may show interest in their family tree or in the local neighbourhood and certainly need to understand what matters to those around them. Developing sensitivity is important to them. In their early years they may show all the signs of being incurable romantics or alternatively spurn all such gestures – but in such a way as to show you that they really do care. They like to have things to treasure and more than any other sign of the zodiac need to feel safe and secure. They respond well to the notion of a nest egg though their taste for luxury makes this reality difficult to achieve. They like to show leadership and many people from this sign go on to hold positions of authority. Some have entrepreneurial skills. An ability to nurture – whether that be a younger sibling, a pet, an idea or a collection is usually apparent. They tend to have a love of drama and to create it where necessary) and considerable artistic ability that can manifest in culinary skills.
Leo	July 24 – August 23
	The lion’s roar often develops early. Some see this as attention seeking. Yet there is often very good reason for these individuals to take centre stage. Like fire itself, their moods mimic anything from dying embers to forest fire – but at every stage can hold your attention. Individuals born under this sign can be charismatic and compelling. Channelling their dramatic talent is not easy. Acquiring the technical skills that would turn them from amateurs to professionals can be difficult. They like to have fun and are resistant to tedium. They need to be flattered and cajoled – or even bribed – through their studies. They can however, be persistent, diligent and resilient once they set their sights on a particular goal. They can also appear stubborn and fixedly determined – and, in consequence, are not easy to live with. Learning when to give up or to acknowledge other people’s talents can be testing for them. Yet they are quite able to give full-some praise where necessary and like nothing better than to be bask in the reflected glory of a friend’s success. Equally they require that their own efforts are acknowledged. They offer loyalty, demand its return and can be generous to a fault.
Virgo	August 24 – September 23
	It’s often been suggested that Virgo people have the task of clearing-up after the five signs that go before them. There’s a little truth in this. These individuals have an eye for detail and instinctively see which tasks need to be done. This quest can lead them into difficulties however – especially during adolescence when it seems that each of their friends requires assistance with something or other. Developing discriminating skills is essential. All too often they have several tasks on the go at once. Despite the fact that they would love their affairs to be running smoothly and efficiently, they can give the impression of being careless, untidy and chaotic. Like their Gemini friends, Virgo individuals have highly tuned nervous systems. They too need air – but they also need structure and routine. It’s all too easy for them to worry about and to become anxious. Good quality sleep is as essential for their well-being as a regular diet – even if this takes the form of 17 mini-meals a day. There is a tendency to fuss. Part of the learning curve for this group is coping with other people’s change-ability. Happily Virgo people often have a highly developed sense of humour and witty repartee that gets them through.
Libra	September 24 – October 23
	Those born under this sign are usually good at reasoning, questioning and debating and are driven by the need to find harmony. As a result, individuals born under this sign eventually develop diplomatic skills. Generally they are independent thinkers. They enjoy working in partnership and are able to see ways in which one person’s talents can compliment another’s. It is during adolescence that they hone these skills, often passing through a highly argumentative phase en route. Family life affords a near perfect setting for them. They may rock the family boat yet, with their understanding of the way in which each family member processes words and actions, know exactly how to restore harmony. These people have an artistic eye and simply cannot function well in ugly surroundings. They appreciate fashion and style and often excel in subjects that require careful presentation. Romance matters hugely to them and they show as much interest in their friends relationships as in their own one-to-one experiences. They cannot tolerate injustice and often get involved in group activities that are focused toward helping others. They place high premium on pleasing friends and some family relationships may suffer temporarily in consequence.
Scorpio	October 24 – November 22
	Sometimes people born under this sign act as though they’ve taken courses at charm schools before arriving on Earth. They are charismatic, funny, warm and thoughtful – though all these characteristics may be apparent more to those who know them least during their teenage years. These individuals are driven by a need to understand what motivates others. They work hard to discover other people’s emotional IQ. Indeed, uncovering anything – from the mysteries of life to family skeletons appeals hugely to them. They have a gift for sleuthing and enjoy activities that require that awkward questions be asked and old items or ideas exposed. Should this cause other people pain, they have extraordinary knack for knowing how to heal that person’s wounds. All this said, they can be magnificently silent, uncommunicative and apparently cruel to immediate family at times. Yet they are super-sensitive themselves and can hold grudges and remember the tiniest of incidents from years gone by. They value loyalty and integrity in others and in times of crisis are unwavering and caring. They may be intense and possessive and can at times appear brooding. Their determination and persistence is often remarked upon. It is not uncommon for them to show entrepreneurial skill.
Sagittarius	November 23 – December 21
	Those born under this sign modify a natural propensity for to take part in adventurous activity and risk-taking with a need to know and to understand options. They have a thirst for knowledge and for experience. As they grow older, they may be thought of as ‘walking encyclopaedias’. During adolescence their interest in a wide range of subjects can cause disquiet. It may appear that they have no clear strategy – other than to have fun. Their very enthusiasm for life and willingness to have a go at anything usually results in a frenetic social life that appears – on the surface – to leave little time for study. Yet people born under this sign usually assimilate information quickly and coupled with a positive attitude usually achieve success. Those close to them may end up worrying for them and clearing up after them. They are not known as good organisers! It is normal for them to have a wide circle of friends and, if necessary, to acquire language skills not taught in school so that they can communicate with people from other cultures. In youth they take on the role of barrack-room lawyers, but later in life, with knowledge and experience, they may be powerful advocates.
Capricorn	December 22 – January 20
	The ‘inner parent’ of people born under this sign tends to be close to the surface. Responsibility comes to them naturally and they can usually be entrusted with domestic chores. They may also show extraordinary independence and courage, coupled with a willingness to think well ‘outside of the box’. They are naturally goal-orientated and generally see the benefit of taking advice from people who’ve ‘been there and done that’. They like to work steadily through known paths to reach success. It’s once they’ve achieved a set goal that they then show flair. At this point they push boundaries. Whilst initially they may seem to take a prudent, cautious approach – even, possibly, displaying anxiety when they don’t feel they’ve passed their own quality control- they can show remarkable skill in identifying opportunities – and seizing them. Like mountain goats they show remarkable agility – not necessarily physical. Yet they benefit from physical activity and often excel in sports. The concept of working hard and playing hard in equal measure comes naturally to them. There is a latent acceptance that hard work will eventually bring reward. Even so, their self-confidence takes some time to acquire. Between ages 13 and 16 their self-confidence comes under siege and requires careful nurturing.
Aquarius	January 21 – February 19
	Aquarius born people are often thought of as the ‘original thinkers’ of the zodiac. They love playing with ideas and it is common to find them attracted to subjects that are complex. They love words too and have a wonderful ability to mix with people from every sort of background. It is common then for them to have a wide circle of friends. Joining groups – or even starting groups – comes naturally to them. Yet they do not follow blindly. It is almost as though they need to understand the thinking of a group before they can develop their own particular path. During adolescence as they try out their logic within the family, they can appear argumentative and ‘stroppy’. As another of the Fixed signs of the zodiac they can also appear stubborn and difficult. Yet they are fiercely loyal and have unquestionable integrity. A tendency to see the world in black and white can get them into trouble. Discovering shades of grey is troubling for them. Yet they are compassionate, forgiving and as sensitive as any of the Water signs. They are proud too. It is not easy for them to admit an error of judgement although they demand that others face up to their responsibilities.
Pisces	February 20 – March 20
	Creativity oozes from people born under this sign. They have rich imaginations and uncommon artistic ability – traits that are usually visible in their early lives. Determining reality from fantasy can prove a problem however. They are naturally and perhaps incurably romantic, and are often portrayed as having no sense of direction. They may also be accused of being forgetful, excessively untidy and careless. Their emotional control may leave something to be desired – especially during adolescence. When they find something they like – whether that’s a person, a subject or a hobby – they may show signs of addiction. They can find it hard to say ‘no’ to friends and may subsequently get themselves into trouble – occasionally seriously. Theirs is a world where there are few boundaries. Learning that conforming to the status quo is pre-requisite to entering the adult world can be an excessively painful experience. They are gifted in role-playing however and may show considerable talent in the dramatic arts. Freedom of movement is important to them. Ability in the swimming pool or on the dance floor is common. They also enjoy being part of something larger than themselves. Perhaps this is why they’re drawn to events that attract large crowds! Despite this, it’s hard for others to enter their inner world.