There Is No Self-Care, Without Embracing The Spiritual Essence Of Astrology
A beginners’ guide to connecting with the cosmos and tapping into your innermost self.
Reading my daily horoscope is one thing, but decoding and learning about the beautiful intricacies of my birth chart is another. Astrology is a tool that keeps me yearning to learn more about my personality, desires, strengths, and even my weaknesses. There is nothing that satisfies me more than knowing that there is a tool purposed to create an alignment between my personal path and purpose. And while astrology can be mystifying for some, the cosmic science has helped me deepen my consciousness and awareness about myself the world around me. Beyond the moon and the eeriness of retrogrades, astrology has become a phenomenal practice of self-care. Through pouring a little bit of the Universe into myself, I am filled with an abundance of possibility. Here is your beginners guide to connecting with the cosmos and tapping into your innermost self.
The zodiac signs and birth dates ✧
Aquarius: January 20th — February 18th
Pisces: February 19th — March 20th
Aries: March 21st — April 19th
Taurus: April 20th — May 20th
Gemini: May 21st — June 20th
Cancer: June 21st — July 22nd
Leo: July 23rd — August 22nd
Virgo: August 23rd — September 22nd
Libra: September 23rd — October 22nd
Scorpio: October 23rd — November 21st
Sagittarius: November 22nd — December 21st
Capricorn: December 22nd — January 19th
The elements ✧
Earth Element
Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Earth signs are typically your more grounded, practical and balanced signs of the zodiac — also known as the “down to earth” individuals. Moreover, earth signs are such logical thinkers, which is greatly appreciated, but on the flip side they can be so consumed with their tasks or objectives that they can overlook the feelings of others. This can also allude to earth signs being so invested in their work or goals, that they miss out on the beauty and the good in their journey. These individuals can also be reluctant to change and not the easiest to convince, if you don’t come with the facts or rational reasoning. This can in turn be the cause of their greatest weakness — stubbornness. Earth signs are also good for steering away from unnecessary risks and are sure to plan things out before making any final decisions. And although earth signs can be very by the books, they do appreciate the finer things in life as they work so hard to create a life of abundance and comfortability.
Water Element
Zodiac Signs: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces
Fluid, flowing and wavering are your water signs. These individuals are the ones that’ll keep in their feelings and are very in tuned with their emotional needs and desires. Because of their intuitiveness, water signs are often guided by their intuition or their “gut feelings”. Water signs are typically the most sensitive and feel more intensely than other elements. These individuals can fall in love easily and feel most inspired or moved by the struggles of others. Like air signs, water signs can also possess a creative niche. Secrets and mystery also represent water signs as they enjoy their privacy and alone time.
Fire Element
Zodiac Signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
Fire signs ultimately represent energy, action and creativity. Also known as the life of the party. Seizing opportunities, following their intuition and making rather quick moves or decisions is in their nature. These individuals are very in tune with their appearance and noteworthy of their reputation from others. Fire also have a tendency to be passionate and temperamental. Think of it this way, as a fire can keep you warm, it can also do a great deal of destruction. Fire signs are also not the greatest at opening up and can at times shy away from being vulnerable. They are not your go-to’s that wear their hearts on their sleeves — it is the fear of their reputation being frowned upon by showing emotion. The fire signs that tap into their sparkle and glow are the ones who are lively and boldly courageous. Fire signs are also often an inspiration to many, but on the flip side selfishness and their ego can bring out their shadows— there is always darkness where there is light.
Air Element
Zodiac Signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
Also known as the intellects or “winds of change”, air signs typically represent curiosity, and get a kick out of analyzing and probing into others’ brains. Often times, air signs are constantly in deep thought about one thing or another and can seem spacey or detached, which might ultimately make it difficult for someone to know what’s going on in their heads. On the bright side, like the wind, air signs truly know how to be adventurous and have a good time. Spontaneity is their second nature. In essence, air signs value their independence and crave emotional and expressive freedom to fly and move at their own beat.
Zodiac signs and modalities ✧
Modalities are also known as the qualities of each sign and they also represent the varied mode of expression for all of the signs. Modalities are important in understanding both the universe and astrology as each of the modalities are centered around the four seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall), which also aligns with each of the four elements (Earth, water, fire and air). Luckily, there are only three modalities to focus on: Cardinal, fixed and mutable. It’s also important to note that not all of the zodiac signs in one elemental group have the same modality — each are unique.
Cardinal
Zodiac Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn
Cardinal signs are at the start of each season. Aries signs start the summer, Cancer signs start the summer, Libra signs kick off fall and Capricorn signs are the first winter signs. Because these signs kick off the seasons, these individuals are typically the initiators or the leaders, per say, and the filled with ideas. These individuals are also the trendsetters and value originality. Cardinal signs are very energetic and possess great ambition to get projects started, but on the flip side, many projects may go unfinished as they are much fonder of starting projects rather than finishing them.
Fixed
Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius
Fixed signs are at the middle of each season. Fixed signs are very stable and determined to get to the finish line. Because these signs are in the middle of the season, the energy often shifts to a more slow and steady one. When it comes to projects, these individuals are more likely to buckle down and make sure to get through the crux of the work. Fixed signs also have challenge in being open-minded and exploring viewpoints other than their own. Fixed signs also have a difficulty taking criticism, as they sometimes believe their decisions are right majority of the time. Because the energy is fixed for these individuals, they sometimes have a hard time changing their ways and their behaviors. Though, slowly but surely they’ll get the hang of it.
Mutable
Zodiac Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Pisces and Sagittarius
Mutable signs are at the end of each season. These individuals are a bit more loosened up as the intense and ambitious energies from both cardinal and fixed signs have faded. Mutable signs are more prone to change as these individuals are more adaptable, flexible and versatile. In essence, these individuals are more like the go with the flow type. These are the signs to help others move through transitions. More often than not, you can lean on these zodiac signs to provide thoughtful advice on how to get from point A to point B.
Sun, Moon and Rising signs ✧
For starters, you can find out what your sun, moon and rising sign are by typing in your birth date here. Often times, people only mention their sun sign, when others ask “what’s your sign?” However, in order to fully understand the totality of your birth chart, you must also take into account both your moon and rising signs. All three of these signs are what make up the true essence of who we are. Be sure that when reading daily horoscopes, to read up on the horoscopes for your moon and rising signs too.
Sun Sign
Sun signs encompass our outermost nature, our attitudes and even describes your life’s expression. Think of your sun sign as the boss of your personality.
Moon Sign
The moon sign is based on where the moon was positioned during the time of your birth— Your innermost world. It represents your inner emotions and intuitiveness. We feel the impact of the moon more intensely as the moon changes signs every 2–2.5 days. Your moon sign is what you might often connect with the most, simply because no one knows your emotional desires better than you. Your moon sign will also expose ways in which you are impacted by different experiences. Think of it this way, just as the moon is constantly changing and orbits the earth each month, so are your emotions and experiences.
Rising Sign (Ascendant)
Probably one of the most important of the three, for various reasons. Astrologically, the rising sign is considered the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon during the time you were born. Your rising sign is the surface of your personality. If someone says you remind them of a certain sign, or you act like a sign other than your sun sign, it’s likely they are referring to your rising sign. In essence, it is who you seem to be on the outside or the mask you wear on a surface level to protect the inner-working of your moon sign. When reading your horoscopes, it’s best to read for your rising sign before your moon and sun signs.
“There can be no comprehensive self-care without comprehensive self-understanding, and this is exactly what Astrology provides.”
Jaliessa Sipress, Astrologer and founder of Obsidian Moon Astrology
