CHAPTER II
THE SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC
The Zodiac is an imaginary belt of the Heavens through which the Sun and planets move in their apparent revolutions round the Earth. It extends from 23° 27′ above the plane of the Equator to the same distance below it, being bounded by the Tropic of Cancer on the North and by that of Capricorn on the South. The Ecliptic is a circle transecting this belt at an angle of 23° 27′ to the plane of the Equator. The points where it cuts the Equator are called the Equinoxes.
The Ecliptic is divided into twelve equal sections, counting from the Vernal Equinox. These are called the Signs of the Zodiac. Each sign occupies 30 degrees of the circle.
Their names and symbols are as follows:—
| 1. Aries, the Ram ♈ | 7. Libra, the Balance ♎ |
| 2. Taurus, the Bull ♉ | 8. Scorpio, the Scorpion ♏ |
| 3. Gemini, the Twins ♊ | 9. Sagittarius, the Hunter ♐ |
| 4. Cancer, the Crab ♋ | 10. Capricornus, the Goat ♑ |
| 5. Leo, the Lion ♌ | 11. Aquarius, the Waterman ♒ |
| 6. Virgo, the Virgin ♍ | 12. Pisces, the Fishes ♓ |
For Astrological purposes they are grouped according to the element and the constitution which they represent, thus:—
| ELEMENTS. |
|---|
| Fire—Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. |
| Earth—Taurus, Virgo, Capricornus. |
| Air—Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. |
| Water—Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. |
| CONSTITUTIONS. |
|---|
| Movable—Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricornus. |
| Fixed—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius. |
| Flexed—Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces. |
Every alternate sign, beginning with Aries, is male and the rest are female. Aries, male; Taurus, female; Gemini, male; Cancer, female, &c. The signs Aries, Leo, Capricornus are called barren, while Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are fruitful. Aries governs the East, Cancer the North, Libra the West, and Capricornus the South.