Sun sign astrology


Sun sign astrology is a simplified system of Western astrology which considers only the position of the Sun at birth, which is said to be placed within one of the twelve zodiac signs. This sign is then called the sun sign or star sign of the person born in that twelfth-part of the year. Sun sign astrologers take this basic twelve-fold division and relate all the current movements of all the planets to each other, using traditional rules to divine meanings for each sign separately. Because the Moon has the fastest apparent movement of all the heavenly bodies, it is often used as the main indicator of daily trends for sun sign astrology forecasts.
Sun sign astrology is a pseudoscience
and the form of astrology most commonly found in many newspaper and magazine columns. Scientific investigations of the theoretical basis and experimental verification of claims have shown it to have no scientific validity or explanatory power.

History

Although William Lilly in the 17th century was the first newspaper astrologer, sun sign astrology was not invented until 1930. The astrologer R. H. Naylor was claimed by his newspaper to have predicted the crash of the R101 airship. This led to pressure on Naylor to come up with a simplified system of astrology suitable for a newspaper column. After some experimentation, Naylor decided on sun signs.

Sun signs

The following table shows the zodiac names in Latin, with their English translation and the individuals' names. It also shows the element and quality associated with each sign. The starting and ending dates of the sun sign are approximate, as they may differ from one year to another, due to the fact that the earth's orbit around the sun is not synchronous with earth's rotation. The exact date and time of sign entrance/exit must be obtained with appropriate software or with the help of an ephemeris.
SymbolSign namesIndividuals' namesEnglish nameElementQuality
PolarityAssociated
celestial body		Period of sun sign with approx. dates
1/2 days variation
CapricornCapricornThe Mountain Sea-GoatEarthCardinalNegativeSaturnWinter Solstice – the day before Great Cold
AquariusAquarianThe Water-BearerAirFixedPositiveUranus Great Cold – the day before Vernal Showers
PiscesPisceanThe FishWaterMutableNegativeNeptune Vernal Showers – the day before Vernal Equinox
AriesArian/ArienThe RamFireCardinalPositiveMars Vernal Equinox – the day before Corn Rain
TaurusTaureanThe BullEarthFixedNegativeVenus/EarthCorn Rain – the day before Summer Solstice
Cancer
CancerianThe CrabWaterCardinalNegativeMoonSummer Solstice – the day before Great Heat
LeoLeoThe LionFireFixedPositiveSunGreat Heat – the day before End of Heat
VirgoVirginThe MaidenEarthMutableNegativeMercuryEnd of Heat – the day before Autumnal Equinox
LibraLibranThe ScalesAirCardinalPositiveVenusAutumnal Equinox – the day before First Frost
ScorpioScorpioThe ScorpionWaterFixedNegativePluto First Frost – the day before Light Snow
SagittariusSagittarianThe ArcherFireMutablePositiveJupiterLight Snow – the day before Winter Solstice