The Zodiac is a division of the sky with 12 segments named after constellations, but other cultural traditions exist. Astrology uses the zodiac to interpret charts and horoscopes based on birth month and time. Signs are also associated with classical elements.
The Zodiac is an astronomical division of the sky through which all the apparent paths of the sun, moon and major planets pass. The zodiac is believed to have 12 segments, each covering 30°, and each of which is named after a constellation, groups of stars that acquired names in the Greco-Roman tradition, often after animals and mythological characters. Note that there are other cultural constellation traditions that are not part of this system. For example, there are Native American, African, Hawaiian, Aboriginal Australian, and Arab constellations.
Zodiac measurements were originally taken from the point of the vernal equinox, but due to the movement of the vernal equinox along the ecliptic, the constellations of the zodiac no longer properly correspond to 30° segments. Zodiac comes from the Greek root meaning “animal” and many of the zodiac constellations are considered to represent animals. Beginning with the vernal equinox as first set, this is the order of the zodiac:
Zodiac SignSymbolApproximate Dates AriesMarch 21-April 20TaurusApril 21-May 21GeminiMay 22-June 22CancerJune 23-July 23LeoliumJuly 24-Aug 23VirgoAugust 24-September 23LibraSeptember 24-October 23ScorpioScorpioOctober 24-November 22SagittariusArcherJanuary 23-December 22CapriciousJanuary 23-December 19Capricious January 20-December 19 March 20th
Astrological traditions, which study the celestial bodies and their influence on human life, also make use of the zodiacal system. In Western astrology, signs are used to interpret an astrological chart which is often based on the time and place of the event being charted, often the time of a person’s birth. Zodiac symbols are also commonly seen on horoscopes found in newspapers and on the internet. Unlike astrological charts, newspaper horoscopes are based only on the month of your birth. Each sign is considered to have general characteristics shared by all people born in that sign’s month.
There are sets of signs associated with each of the four classical elements of earth, air, fire and water. Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are said to be water signs. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are called the fire signs. Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are considered air signs. Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are classified as earth signs.
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