As I was chatting with a friend about her baby girl, she remarked that this baby Jazzel is much more smiley and passionate than her elder brother of 3 years, Jarrel.  She reasoned that it must have been reflective of the emotional and physical condition of the mother when she was pregnant with either babies.  This is because she noted that when was pregnant with Jazzel, she underwent less stress at work and also consumed more tonic.  So that is the likely reason for Jazzel being smiley and passionate?

While I did not disagree with her, I told her another very important factor from Chinese Metaphysics point of view that resulted in such a huge difference between Jazzel and Jarrel.  Jazzel was born in the season of summer while Jarrel was born in the season of winter as depicted in Bazi theory.  As such, while Jazzel is passionate, Jarrel is in the exact opposite spectrum of being aloof despite both babies inheriting the same genes from the same set of parents.  So while genes and environment have always been viewed as the 2 key components that affect one’s character, this case illustrated the need for our society to recognize month of birth as another key determinant of character.

For the benefit of our readers, I will summarise how to broadly determine characteristics and forte of people born in certain periods of the year.  The way to assess this is to consider the Bazi season and month of birth of the person.  Bazi season of birth is closely linked to the 4 seasons in the Northern Hemisphere.  As such, if you are already aware of your own season of birth, you may not need to check the Chinese Summer calendar to know your own Bazi season of birth unlike your counterparts in the Southern Hemisphere and Equatorial regions.  For the benefit of these readers,  Summer in the Bazi context usually starts somewhere in Feb 4 or Feb 5 of each year and one month typically contains about 30 days while one season contains about 91 days.  Readers may also like to visit my forum for clarifications about their month and season of Bazi birth.

People born in the Spring Months are usually kind and creative.  Those born in the third month of Spring will differ slightly in that they do not display their creative traits as much, but yet they do possess innate creative instincts.  Empirical evidence can be seen that a higher percentage of artistes, especially those in the music industry, are born in the months of Spring.

People born in the Summer Months are usually passionate and expressive.  Those born in the third month of Summer will differ slightly by being passively expressive (eg sulking or crying are more commonly seem in their form of expression).  People born in the months of Summer are usually good actors or actresses or are suited to be in the service industry.

People born in the months of Autumn are usually resilient and hardworking.  Those born in the third month of Autumn will differ slightly in that they are more trustworthy.  People born in the months of Autumn are typically suited to be lawyers or legal enforcers.

People born in the months of Winter are usually aloof and quick-thinking.  Those born in the third month of Winter will differ slightly to the extent they are more pragmatic.  People born in the months of Winter are suited to be businessmen or consultants whereby analytical, quick-thicking and objectivity are key traits that will bring success in this industry. 

Lest any readers object vehemently that their characteristics are not consistent with their month of birth, I will qualify that this article only teaches a generalized way of assessing characteristics using Ba Zi.  As Ba zi character determination are also affected by other variables besides month of birth, there will be some people that do not conform to general patterns of their month or season or birth.  To zoom into the details of a person’s Ba Zi, it is better to learn how to read or consult Bazi professionals.

I am a Fengshui Practitioner in private practice and I specialise in Bazi, ZWDS, Flying Star Fengshui, I-Ching and other Chinese Metaphysics tools. My blog site is at: http://fengshuiforward.com and http://fengshuiforward.com/forum

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/astrology-articles/forte-character-determination-from-ba-zi-1534665.html

After the excitement of last week with many relevant aspects and transits we will start into a new round of adjusting and reorienting ourselves with Sun in Libra. This is the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring below the equator. Days are getting shorter and the general energy is turning more inwards. We will discuss the planetary color for September 21 and 22, 2009. This discussion of the planets and their dynamics is also applicable whenever you have those planetary constellations in your own, personal chart.

The equinox is one of the pivotal points of the year and being in Libra it asks us for choices in the direction we want to take for the rest of the year. Let us have a look at the qualities of Libra and what it brings to the table for us.

Libra: The Judge and Harmonizer
The ruling planet of Libra is the goddess Venus and the time of the year for the Sun in Libra is September 23 to October 22. Libra is attributed to the element air and the masculine gender. With that we have a sign which is mentally oriented and that shows in how the Libra will approach life and love.

The symbol for Libra, a scale, indicates Libra’s strong need for balance. Libras are very oriented toward other people and skillfully tuned into their needs and emotions. Their preference in relationships is for harmony and love—they are peacemakers. Others are drawn to them for their sociable charm. Putting together those qualities, they make wonderful psychologists and mediators, as well as friends and partners. But because they have the ability to see both sides of things, it can be very difficult for them to make decisions. It would be good for them to remember that sometimes it is better to just decide on a less then ideal choice and get moving instead of staying on the fence of indecision.

Their love of harmony and balance draws them to beauty in the arts and wherever else they can indulge their aesthetic sense. Libras in general are good with people and they are artistically inclined. These are the two areas they excel in.

Moon in Scorpio
The Moon position in Scorpio is one of the most intense ones of the year. It is about getting real, knowing who you are including the areas of shadow and denial. The gift of this Moon is to be really honest with oneself. Only with that kind of honesty we will be able to move forward with clarity and purpose. Scorpio people are always reinventing themselves and are not allowed to stay in one place or indecision for very long. They are asked to allow deep transformation to happen, to be the Phoenix out of Ashes and soar out of the burning fire where the old structures of the self are burned and deeply transformed.

In the two and a half days the Moon is in one sign every month, we get a taste of the potential and challenges the signs are representing. If we know what astrological Moon position is active we have the ability to consciously choose how we want to use it to our advantage and we can tell how it will fit in with the rest of our personal horoscope. I see the Moon position as an emotional spot light helping to bring awareness into the inner world of feelings.

Moon in Scorpio and Sun in Libra
The combination of Moon in Scorpio with Sun in Libra is putting us to the test. We have to develop a willingness to let go, get ready for profound changes and make good decisions. I know that is not the easiest task and we have been asked to adjust to changes in our society and tightening the belt for some time now. We constantly have to monitor our thoughts and fears in order to stay in balance. And this is exactly what we need to do now with total clarity and determination. Scorpio is not a timid one and will help the Libra energies to a good, honest and more profound start into the rest of the year.

Suggestion
As usual you might sit with a cup of tea and your journal for your inquiry. I always say that because it creates a little ritual for your inner connection with your higher self. This is a good time for you to take inventory in your relationships and ask yourself how you are able to deal with changes and challenges to the status quo. Are you growing in your relationship? How are your communication skills? Is there an area with your partner which needs to be addressed with honesty without attacking your loved one? How is your balance between intimacy and autonomy? Would you like to be more autonomous and free or are you yearning for a deepening of your love?

In relationships we are asked to learn tolerance and respect for the differences we have. Our intimate relationship is usually the most profound area of spiritual teachings to help us grow out of our childhood traumas and conditioning. In relationships we are the most vulnerable and unconsciously reactive to outer stimulus. We usually are very emotional, tend to be righteous and truly think if just the other person would change in that and that way, we would be happy.

Of course we can not expect to change our partner — we can only learn to adjust our own expectation to a level of a more harmonic togetherness. Most struggle and fights in relationships are our desperate trying to fix something in the outside in order to feel better inside. Has it ever worked for you? It never has for me!

All your power and freedom is inside of you and how you adjust your thoughts and feelings without the dependency on outer circumstances. That could mean that you keep focusing onto the parts of your partner you love and pull your attention away from the parts you are reacting to. Abraham Hicks, who is a wonderful teacher on the subject of Law of Attraction, puts it this way.

– By My Attention to Things, I Am Making Choices…
What people do not understand is that you do not choose something by looking at it and shouting Yes, I would like some of that! You make your choices by your attention to things. In this Universe that is based on attraction, when you look at an unwanted thing, your attention to it causes an activation of the Vibration within you, and then the Law of Attraction brings more like it into your experience. – Abraham- Hicks

Find an Anchor for the Quality you Want to Achieve in your Life
When I want to focus onto something I love about my husband I focus onto his love for our cat Angelito. Angelito came to us 8 days old and we bottle feed him around the clock. It was an amazing time to care for such a vulnerable being and was a big gift for both of us. Even if we both were his caregivers he bonded more deeply with my husband. His mother was dying at that time and he was in a very vulnerable place. The tiny kitten would sit on his chest, on his heart and they had that special sweetness and melting. The cat is now 2 years old and the first thing it does coming into the house, is running up to him and sit on his chest for a minute. I look at them having that bonding communion and it never fails to touch my heart. That quality of being one with each other and deeply loving for that moment in time has become my anchor for the love I desire to manifest deeper and deeper in my life and with my husband. I want to inspire you to put some thought to this in your own life. Find something to focus on and to direct your attention towards.

The Gem for the Day is the Herkimer Diamond
In Vedic and Western astrology using gemstones is recommended for pacifying difficult astrological constellations. The Herkimer Diamond is a stone for balance and will serve the general situation of intense Scorpio Moon energy and Libra needs. The Herkimer Diamond is one of the true birthstones of Libra. It is a wonderful ally for meditation and can also be made into jewelry.

– Found in Herkimer, New York, this is a double-terminated rock crystal with such clarity and brilliance that it was named after the most reflective and brilliant stone there is, the Diamond. A handful of Herkimer Diamonds are as dazzling as real Diamonds. The most common material on earth, silica, becomes a sparkling little gem in the Herkimer Diamond.  

This stone grows in small air pockets in the mother matrix rock material. It starts as a small seed crystal and grows outward from the center. Some collector’s pieces are displayed still embedded in a pocket of air in the mother matrix.

This stone is amazing in its beauty, clarity, and perfection. Unlike the Diamond, which must be cut and polished to bring out its beauty, the Herkimer Diamond is perfect in its natural state and requires no cutting or polishing at all. It is untouched by the human hand.

Balancing the Aura and Stabilizing Our Energy
The Herkimer Diamond has a very special place among the gems because of its superior qualities. It is worn most beneficially over the heart. Sitting on the heart chakra, which is the middle one of the seven, it balances the whole energetic system. Thus it is able to strengthen our auric field against all kinds of radiation, including electro smog and negative thought projections. We are constantly targeted by radiation in our daily lives, especially in urban areas. It is known that sitting in front of a computer for several hours can lower our white blood cell count, which inevitably impacts our health. The Herkimer Diamond in its perfection and balance between the negative and positive points can balance us and strengthen our own energy field.

This stone also strengthens our auric field against negative emotional or mental projections. I have made many Herkimer Diamond pendants for people who work in the healing professions to help them stabilize and treat their clients without picking up their imbalances. The more sensitive you are the more likely you are to pick up on disharmony in your outer field. The Herkimer Diamond is your ally in maintaining your own balance and strength.

Balancing the Brain
This stone also balances the right and left hemispheres of the brain, the creative and logical, the female and the male sides in us. Most of us tend toward one side or the other. The Herkimer Diamond balances us out in the middle between the two. The creative mind and the logical and scientific mind are enhanced by each other’s qualities: the creative mind benefits from greater focus and logic and the scientific mind draws on more creative and intuitive resources. The two hemispheres join forces, resulting in inventions and discoveries beyond the known.

Stimulates Creativity and Inspiration
The Herkimer Diamond’s brilliancy stimulates our inspiration and connection to higher truth and wisdom. Clarity of thought and a peaceful mind are a matter of balance.
The Herkimer Diamond can be worn very beneficially over your heart or as earrings close to the brain. For jewelry seek the clearest and most perfect crystals. For meditation or even under your pillow you may choose a larger crystal, which might not be quite as perfect as the smaller ones. The larger stones have inclusions and rainbows that make them very beautiful nonetheless. The Herkimer Diamond is a gift in its perfection and balancing qualities, a visual reminder of God’s perfect creation.

[Adapted from my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones That Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul © 2008 by Shakti Carola Navran. Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. 2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989. All rights reserved, used by permission of the publisher.]

I hope you enjoyed the discovery of this truly magnificent stone! I wish you a very enchanted journey into the mysterious world of healing gemstones! If you enjoyed this article and my perspective on things, you might want to come and visit my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss regularly the actual, universal, astrological forces as well as gemstones and inspire you to use them wisely for a more successful and joyful life.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

Astrological Weather is Quiet on Wednesday

With all this intensity we all have to deal with these days we have a little of a breather with Moon in Taurus! Taurus is the first earth sign in the evolution and unfolding of the zodiac and brings our intention and focus onto real and palpable things around us.

Gratefulness

We here in Hawaii can settle down after the excitements of the forecasted hurricane which didn’t hit and slowed down to a tropical depression. The air here today seems so clean and there is a quietness and freshness in the air which inspires me to start anew from a place of gratefulness and wonder. As a member of the CERT the Communal Emergency Response Team here on Maui I have been part of the preparations of the Civil Defense setup. I feel so touched and grateful for all those beautiful people and volunteers who have been working so hard to be prepared for the hurricane as good as possible for many hours.

And what grace to be spared the experience of a hurricane and all the loss of life and material things. It made me so happy to be a part of something bigger and focused on the bigger picture then just my own wellbeing. You should try it out it is heady stuff!

The Moon: Our Mirror of Feelings

Approximately every 2 ½ days the Moon, the fastest planet in Astrology is moving into a new astrological sign.  When the Moon is moving on into a new sign there is a different energetic emotional quality to be felt. Moon represents our way we filter the events in our environments emotionally. The Moon has a magnetic quality and describes our receptivity. Following the movement of the Moon will help us to understand our often impulsive reactions to the events in our life.

Following the Moon transiting through the potential of possible reactivity will ease the surprise of it and gives us awareness for ourselves and a choice to some degree.

Taurus known as the Planter and Beautifier of Life (April 21–May 20)

When the Sun is in Taurus, at this time of the year the Northern Hemisphere is free of its winter snows and it is time to attend to caring for the Earth and planting crops. The sign of Taurus is ruled by Venus and is considered a feminine earth sign.

Taurus people are very much in tune with the Earth and often have a green thumb. They love to be in nature or do gardening. Due to the influence of Venus, they have a great love for beauty found in things such as art, jewelry, and the nature. They are loyal, patient, and deliberate in working toward their goals, just as farmers must be in tending their crops from planting through harvest. When a Taurus person undertakes a project, it most likely will be completed! Grounded in reality and the physical world, they excel at professions such as artist, farmer, the financial sector, and politics.

Everything they approach will be with a very grounded and practical perspective! They are very good organizers and appreciate, need and create beauty all around them. There is certain sensuality around them. They approach life through their senses and like to enjoy themselves and others.

Invitation

With Taurus Moon you are invited to focus onto the beauty in your life! The beauty which is already there or the one you want to create around you. Maybe it is a good time to redo your bedroom or your living room; put things in order, refresh the color on the wall or hang up a new picture. It is a good time to have some friends over for a dinner or make time for some love making…

The Mars Jupiter Trine

The assertive Mars is joining hands with expansive, optimistic Jupiter. A trine is a so called harmonious aspect which means the players are well in tune with each other and usually find a way to harmoniously align their energies depending on the particularities of the involved planets. Of course even a trine with actors like Saturn, Pluto, Uranus and Neptune will give us a little more challenge when they touch the personal planets of ours.

With Mars in Gemini and Jupiter in Aquarius, both signs of air; our mental busyness might be more pronounced. Have you heard about the “monkey mind”? That is a good metaphor  for the relentless activity of our mind, constantly processing thought forms and trying to figure things out. The “monkey mind” also stands for the critical nature of the mind and its constant evaluating and criticizing of our own activities and others.

This trine is offering us a good chance to learn how to use our mind properly instead of being used by it. We have to learn to take charge of our mind, learn how to quieten it and find peace of mind in a stressful and fast world.

What are You Putting into Your Mind?

One way to do that is to monitor what kind of mental diet we are feeding ourselves with. Do we expose ourselves to lots of news (always depressing isn’t it?)? What kind of movies do we watch? Do we watch a thriller and then go to bed? What kind of books do you read? Is it material which helps you to expand and grow? How do you uplift your spirit?

The Challenge

I took on this challenge for a week of not reading books or newspapers and not watching movies or TV. That was an interesting experience! Suddenly you have all that extra time on your hand and what do you do with it? For me it was a time I meditated more, visited friends I haven’t seen for a time, putting my closets in order and just sat more with myself thinking and contemplating.

Are you up for this challenge? I promise you it will be an amazing experience and I would love to hear from you about it!

Meditation

You have heard me talk about the multiple benefits of meditation many times. If you want to read more about it go to my article Neptune’s Properties, Sobriety and the Art of Meditation.

Meditation is the best way to find peace of mind and your inner connection to your higher self and the divine. Whatever works for you best is the way to go. You can just sit and be aware of your breath and your thoughts, you can dance and shake your body and then go into profound inner silence or you can use crystals and gemstones to help you align and balance.

Me – I am very passionate about healing gems and all the different applications of those enchanting allies to raise my frequency for balance and more joy. I have even written a book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery about my over 30 years experience in the field of healing gemstones, meaningful jewelry and astrology. I am a Taurus as well so I am lazy! I like to just lie down and put some stone onto me and sink inside…I love it!

If you enjoyed this post and my musings, I invite you to come and visit my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog  where I discuss the universal, astrological forces and the healing gems to inspire you to use them wisely for a successful and joyful life.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

Shakti Carola Navran is originally from Germany, living in Maui, Hawaii, is a professional jeweler, astrologer and author with a lifelong spiritual journey; she has been crafting personalized Soul Jewelry since 1977.
In her book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul she teaches you about how to read your personal horoscope and blue print for your life. Then you will be able to balance yourself in your most important areas with your 12 main healing gemstones, you could call your true birthstones.
Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul. Find out more about it on her website http://www.JewelryandGemsforSelfdiscovery.com and see her astrological weather report at http://www.jewelryandgemsforselfdiscovery.com/blog/ .

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/astrology-articles/moon-in-sensual-and-earthy-taurus-marsgemini-and-jupiter-aquarius-trine-august-12-13-2009-1122353.html

The Energy Cycle of Life

Astrological signs are a beautiful way to represent the changing, cyclical patterns of energy that we all feel as we go through life. Each segment of our life—whether it’s a day, a week, a month, or a year—and our life as a whole, has a beginning, a middle, and an end.

These time periods have very different energy qualities. At 7:00 a.m. we feel full of energy and ready to begin our day. By 10:00 p.m. we look forward to restful sleep to recharge our energy. Monday feels very different from Wednesday and Sunday, doesn’t it? In spring we come out of our hibernation and feel infused with energy. By November in the Northern Hemisphere we look forward to curling up by the fire with a hot cup of tea and a good book as we enter a slower, more contemplative period.

Each phase of the life cycle has its own qualities that can be enhanced by understanding the energy pattern of that period. The astrological signs will teach you how to maximize your potential throughout the year and in each phase of your life.

The Twelve Astrological Signs

There are 12 astrological signs, named for constellations. On a horoscope they are arranged around the outer ring of the chart. The planets are on the turning zodiac ring inside the ring of signs. As that ring turns, the planets move through each of the astrological signs in the course of one year. The 12 signs are:

1. Aries

2. Taurus

3. Gemini

4. Cancer

5. Leo

6. Virgo

7. Libra

8. Scorpio

9. Sagittarius

10. Capricorn

11. Aquarius

12. Pisces

The Signs as the Theater of Life

As you look up at the sky at night, you can imagine the planets as actors on a stage. In a sense, the astrological signs are the “stage” where the planets act out their roles. Each stage has its own particular energy pattern that influences the planets as actors. As a planet enters a sign, it comes under the influence of the energy pattern of that sign.

So we might say that “Mars is in Leo now,” which means that Mars is now being influenced by the energy pattern of the sign of Leo. When Mars has finished its role in Leo it will move on to its next stage, Virgo, where things will be quite different for Mars! So Mars always retains its own qualities, but those are modified according to the sign that Mars is in.

The Character & Energy Patterns of the Signs

The signs get their characteristics from where they fall in the yearly cycle of one revolution of the zodiac, which represents one revolution of the Earth around the Sun. During that year, all life on Earth goes through one cycle of evolution.

If you live in a place that has four seasons, you can strongly sense that your life has an ebb and flow related to the seasons. You may be acutely aware of changes in your energy, emotions, sleep patterns, and ambitions as the seasons change. The astrological signs represent that cycle of evolution of energy.

The energy patterns of the signs almost constitute a personality type, a typical mode of expression of the sign. For example, Aries, because it is the first sign of the zodiac and is associated with spring, symbolizes new energy, new beginnings, new growth, expansion of all creation. Those energy qualities are correlated with personal qualities such as courage, extroversion, aggression, and so on. It is not hard to see why Aries is called “the warrior,” and how an astrological sign can take on human personality characteristics.

The Dates of the Signs

Viewed from the Earth, the Sun appears to change its position in the sky as it moves through the year (actually it’s the Earth that tilts on its axis). The Sun moves into each constellation on a specific date. So when we say that the dates for Aries are March 21 to April 20, we mean that the Sun appears in Aries on those dates.

The Genders & Elements of Signs

Each sign is considered either masculine or feminine and is associated with one of the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire, or Water. As you might already have guessed, Aries, for example, is a masculine fire sign.

Your Birth Sign

At the moment of your birth—the most important day of your life—you come into the world under the influence of the energy of that specific moment generated by the heavenly bodies, how they stand in relation to each other, and the astrological sign of your birth date. You are infused with those energies and will be influenced by them throughout your lifetime. This is not at all surprising, given that you are an energy being! All of these energy relationships and their meaning are revealed by your horoscope.

When you are born you are like a seed that contains all the information and potential that will make it grow into a specific plant. Your horoscope is a chart of the beginning of your life (or of an event later in life). Like a seed, it contains information about the energy pattern that makes you who you are and points to your recurring life themes.

Understanding thyself

Learning about your sign can help you understand the themes that you experience in your personality, challenges and successes, relationships, health, and goals and dreams. Seeing those patterns will help you find ways to get around your challenges and work with your best qualities.

In my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul I teach you how to read your horoscope and how to find the main themes in your chart. Then you will be able to balance yourself with your 12 main healing gemstones, you could call your true birthstones.

You may also visit me at the Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss the actual universal, astrological forces and inspire you to use them wisely for a successful and joyful life. Healing gemstones are suggested as tools to balance and come into alignment with the cosmic flow and can be used to create custom designed soul jewelry.

I hope you enjoyed this look into the mysterious stars and their meaningful interconnectedness with us.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Make sure you read the second part of The Astrological Signs of the Zodiac – A Description of the Twelve Signs

Shakti Carola Navran is originally from Germany, living in Maui, Hawaii, is a professional jeweler, astrologer and author with a lifelong spiritual journey; she has been crafting personalized Soul Jewelry since 1977.
In her book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul she teaches you about how to read your personal horoscope and blue print for your life. Then you will be able to balance yourself in your most important areas with your 12 main healing gemstones, you could call your true birthstones.
Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul. Find out more about it on her website http://www.JewelryandGemsforSelfdiscovery.com and see her astrological weather report at http://www.jewelryandgemsforselfdiscovery.com/blog/ .

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/astrology-articles/introduction-into-the-astrological-signs-of-the-zodiac-part-i-1007209.html

The Energy Cycle of Life

Astrological signs are a beautiful way to represent the changing, cyclical patterns of energy that we all feel as we go through life. Each segment of our life—whether it’s a day, a week, a month, or a year—and our life as a whole, has a beginning, a middle, and an end.

These time periods have very different energy qualities. At 7:00 a.m. we feel full of energy and ready to begin our day. By 10:00 p.m. we look forward to restful sleep to recharge our energy. Monday feels very different from Wednesday and Sunday, doesn’t it? In spring we come out of our hibernation and feel infused with energy. By November in the Northern Hemisphere we look forward to curling up by the fire with a hot cup of tea and a good book as we enter a slower, more contemplative period.

Each phase of the life cycle has its own qualities that can be enhanced by understanding the energy pattern of that period. The astrological signs will teach you how to maximize your potential throughout the year and in each phase of your life.

The Twelve Astrological Signs

There are 12 astrological signs, named for constellations. On a horoscope they are arranged around the outer ring of the chart. The planets are on the turning zodiac ring inside the ring of signs. As that ring turns, the planets move through each of the astrological signs in the course of one year. The 12 signs are:

1. Aries

2. Taurus

3. Gemini

4. Cancer

5. Leo

6. Virgo

7. Libra

8. Scorpio

9. Sagittarius

10. Capricorn

11. Aquarius

12. Pisces

The Signs as the Theater of Life

As you look up at the sky at night, you can imagine the planets as actors on a stage. In a sense, the astrological signs are the “stage” where the planets act out their roles. Each stage has its own particular energy pattern that influences the planets as actors. As a planet enters a sign, it comes under the influence of the energy pattern of that sign.

So we might say that “Mars is in Leo now,” which means that Mars is now being influenced by the energy pattern of the sign of Leo. When Mars has finished its role in Leo it will move on to its next stage, Virgo, where things will be quite different for Mars! So Mars always retains its own qualities, but those are modified according to the sign that Mars is in.

The Character & Energy Patterns of the Signs

The signs get their characteristics from where they fall in the yearly cycle of one revolution of the zodiac, which represents one revolution of the Earth around the Sun. During that year, all life on Earth goes through one cycle of evolution.

If you live in a place that has four seasons, you can strongly sense that your life has an ebb and flow related to the seasons. You may be acutely aware of changes in your energy, emotions, sleep patterns, and ambitions as the seasons change. The astrological signs represent that cycle of evolution of energy.

The energy patterns of the signs almost constitute a personality type, a typical mode of expression of the sign. For example, Aries, because it is the first sign of the zodiac and is associated with spring, symbolizes new energy, new beginnings, new growth, expansion of all creation. Those energy qualities are correlated with personal qualities such as courage, extroversion, aggression, and so on. It is not hard to see why Aries is called “the warrior,” and how an astrological sign can take on human personality characteristics.

The Dates of the Signs

Viewed from the Earth, the Sun appears to change its position in the sky as it moves through the year (actually it’s the Earth that tilts on its axis). The Sun moves into each constellation on a specific date. So when we say that the dates for Aries are March 21 to April 20, we mean that the Sun appears in Aries on those dates.

The Genders & Elements of Signs

Each sign is considered either masculine or feminine and is associated with one of the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire, or Water. As you might already have guessed, Aries, for example, is a masculine fire sign.

Your Birth Sign

At the moment of your birth—the most important day of your life—you come into the world under the influence of the energy of that specific moment generated by the heavenly bodies, how they stand in relation to each other, and the astrological sign of your birth date. You are infused with those energies and will be influenced by them throughout your lifetime. This is not at all surprising, given that you are an energy being! All of these energy relationships and their meaning are revealed by your horoscope.

When you are born you are like a seed that contains all the information and potential that will make it grow into a specific plant. Your horoscope is a chart of the beginning of your life (or of an event later in life). Like a seed, it contains information about the energy pattern that makes you who you are and points to your recurring life themes.

Understanding thyself

Learning about your sign can help you understand the themes that you experience in your personality, challenges and successes, relationships, health, and goals and dreams. Seeing those patterns will help you find ways to get around your challenges and work with your best qualities.

In my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul I teach you how to read your horoscope and how to find the main themes in your chart. Then you will be able to balance yourself with your 12 main healing gemstones, you could call your true birthstones.

You may also visit me at the Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss the actual universal, astrological forces and inspire you to use them wisely for a successful and joyful life. Healing gemstones are suggested as tools to balance and come into alignment with the cosmic flow and can be used to create custom designed soul jewelry.

I hope you enjoyed this look into the mysterious stars and their meaningful interconnectedness with us.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Make sure you read the second part of The Astrological Signs of the Zodiac, Part II

Shakti Carola Navran is originally from Germany, living in Maui, Hawaii, is a professional jeweler, astrologer and author with a lifelong spiritual journey; she has been crafting personalized Soul Jewelry since 1977.
In her book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul she teaches you about how to read your personal horoscope and blue print for your life. Then you will be able to balance yourself in your most important areas with your 12 main healing gemstones, you could call your true birthstones.
Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas on how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul. Find out more about it on her website http://www.JewelryandGemsforSelfdiscovery.com and see her astrological weather report at http://www.jewelryandgemsforselfdiscovery.com/blog/ .

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