Natal chart interpretation is a fun and interesting practice of introspection. Understanding the planets is important but understanding the zodiac signs is equally so. How much do you truly know about the signs of the zodiac? Use this guide to deepen your knowledge and increase understanding!
The Zodiac Signs: An Overview
There are twelve signs of the zodiac, representing twelve 30 degree sections of the Earth's 360 degree rotation around the Sun beginning when the first point of the Aries constellation passes through the Vernal Equinox on or around March 21st each year. Rooted in Babylonian and Hellenistic cultures, each sign is named after a constellation the Sun passes through in the sky.
It's important to note that the planetary placement in a particular zodiac sign has different meanings, centered around basic characteristics. It would be audacious of me to give full descriptions of each sign because how those signs influence your placements differs by planet. Instead, I'll give you the basic characteristics so you can better interpret how each sign presents. This should make it easier for you to understand the meaning of a planetary placement within each sign. Let's start with the definition of each attribute: polarity, triplicity, modality, and ruling planet.
Attributes Defined
Polarity
In Western astrology, polarity refers to the energy or force of each sign. Moreover, polarity describes the relationship between two opposite signs of the zodiac. Think of this less about exertion and more about attraction; like a magnet, opposites attract. There are positive and negative polarities, but I prefer to think of them in the traditional masculine and feminine definitions. Positive polarity is assigned to the odd-numbered sign of the zodiac and can be thought of as active, expressive, and masculine. Negative polarity is found in the even-numbered signs and thought of as passive, receptive, and feminine. Another easy association is that positive polarity exists in fire and air signs while negative polarity is associated to water and earth signs.
Triplicity
In the fifth century BCE, a Greek philosopher named Empedocles identified four classical elements that "explained" the nature of all matter in simplistic terms. Did anyone watch Captain Planet as a child? If so, you can probably name the four classical elements based on each character's power: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Trivia question - what was the fifth power from Captain Planet? Find the answer at the bottom of the page!
Triplicity describes the three zodiac signs belonging to the same element. Each sign of the same triplicity is 120 degrees apart and forms angles to each other; these are called trines. Each trine represents the 360 degrees of the Earth's rotation around the Sun. Trines are powerful, free-flowing connections, suggesting that signs sharing an element have a natural comfort level and compatibility and often share common qualities.
Ancient astrologers used qualities to describe the seasons as they changed rather than the names we use today. Those qualities - hot, dry, cold, and wet - were then given to the classical elements. The relationship of seasonal qualities to the elements is not 1:1; each element is comprised of two qualities. The chart below demonstrates these relationships.
Now that you understand these relationships, here is the elemental rulership for each triplicity.
Fire (hot, dry): Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Earth (cold, dry): Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Air (hot, wet): Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Water (cold, wet): Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Modality
The modality of a sign is its position within the season in which it is found. There are three modalities comprised of four signs each, called Quadruplicities. These modalities represent how the elements and signs are able to move and evolve with time. Think of each sign's modality as their modus operandi - the particular way or method of how they get approach activity.
Cardinal signs mark the beginning of each season and represents initiation. Dynamic and action-oriented, these signs like to control their environment. The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.
Fixed signs fall in the middle of each season and represent sustainability. Determined and unyielding, these signs are preservationists. The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.
Mutable signs represent the end of each season and the power of change. Adaptable, flexible, and changeable with their environment, the mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.
Ruling Planets and Essential Dignities
The association of ruling planets to signs was based on the ancient observation of seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. Each of the seven classical planets rules one or more of the zodiac signs based on the seasons; modern astrology includes the modern planets as co-rulers for certain signs. It's important to note here that the planets, much like people, play favorites. This favoritism is multi-dimensional; to truly understand the influence of the planets in each sign we use the essential dignities listed below.
Domicile: This is the sign over which a planet has rulership, sometimes ruling more than one sign. Rulership means the planet has her most powerful influence when positioned in that sign. Expressions in domicile are authentic, raw, fluid, and uninhibited.
Detriment: This is the sign opposite to a planet's domicile. Planets in detriment are least comfortable and influential, therefore reducing their strength and restricting their influence.
Exalted: Think of this as your best friend; not everyone has one. She doesn't have as much power as when in domicile but is an honored guest and center of attention. The planet is comfortable, welcomed, and exists in an environment that fosters her expression.
Fall: Conversely, the Fall is the opposite sign placement from Exaltation. Considered the weakest of placements, perhaps even weaker than the Detriment, the Fall represents disfunction of the planet's expression and often presents as awkward, inappropriate, and uncomfortable.
Planet | Domicile | Detriment | Exaltation | Fall |
Sun | Leo | Aquarius | Aries | Libra |
Moon | Cancer | Capricorn | Taurus | Scorpio |
Mercury | Gemini and Virgo | Sagittarius and Pisces | Virgo | Pisces |
Venus | Libra and Taurus | Aries and Scorpio | Pisces | Virgo |
Mars | Aries and Scorpio | Libra and Taurus | Capricorn | Cancer |
Jupiter | Sagittarius and Pisces | Gemini and Virgo | Cancer | Capricorn |
Saturn | Capricorn and Aquarius | Cancer and Leo | Libra | Aries |
Attributes of the Zodiac Signs
Each sign is compromised of four attributes; how those interact with each other produces a sign's basic characteristics. Here's a high level overview of each sign's characteristics. A word of caution: no one is perfect, and as such no placement or sign is without fault. That said, try to look objectively at the information presented and how these traits manifest in your placements. Hey, by the way... did you guess the fifth, and perhaps most important, element from Captain Planet? Say it with me... Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, HEART! Does your heart feel a connection to any placements in your natal chart? Subscribe below to dive even deeper into natal chart placements and interpretations. Believe it or not, we're just getting started!
Sign | Polarity | Modality | Triplicity | Rulership | Characteristics |
Aries | Positive | Cardinal | Fire | Mars | Willful, feisty, self-centered, courageous, bold, foolhardy, independent, straightforward |
Taurus | Negative | Fixed | Earth | Venus | Practical, creative, loyal, possessive, dependable, temperamental, sensually indulgent, down-to-earth, persistent |
Gemini | Positive | Mutable | Air | Mercury | Curious, elusive, unpredictable, playful, changeable, versatile, childlike, romantic, friendly, talkative, having a keen intellect |
Cancer | Negative | Cardinal | Water | Moon | ​Cautious, protective, nurturing, secretive, instinctive, needy, sensitive, funny, empathetic, deeply complex |
Leo | Positive | Fixed | Fire | Sun | ​Distinctive, provocative, demanding, goal-oriented, flamboyant, self-made, warm, outgoing, sincere, loyal |
Virgo | Negative | Mutable | Earth | Mercury | Discriminating, obsessive, realistic, analytical, reliable, self-contained, obsessive, knowledgeable, predictable, modest, street-smart, detailed |
Libra | Positive | Cardinal | Air | Venus | Harmonious, civilized, intellectual, elegant, sophisticated, seductive, creative, witty, balanced, sociable, and people who maintain their status quo |
Scorpio | Negative | Fixed | Water | Pluto/Mars | Intense, magnetic, erotic, challenging, secretive, powerful, broody, passionate, immovable, and penetrating |
Sagittarius | Positive | Mutable | Fire | Jupiter | Adventurous, hilarious, extroverted, romantic, spirited, unstoppable, generous, happy, open-minded |
Capricorn | Negative | Cardinal | Earth | Saturn | Organized, respectful, devoted, classy, staid, materialistic, serious, ambitious, practical |
Aquarius | Positive | Fixed | Air | Uranus/Saturn | Original, idealistic, rebellious, independent, inventors, open-minded, honest |
Pisces | Negative | Mutable | Water | Neptune/Jupiter | ​Dreamy, erratic, kind, creative, romantic, compassionate, elusive, imaginative, sensitive |