Symbols of the Zodiac

You may notice that on the top page of the Lunar Mandala Calendar there are little symbols next to the date every 2-3 days or so. These symbols represent the signs of the zodiac that the moon is moving through.

Traditionally the signs of the zodiac, or Zoidion, were regarded as the homes of the planets. Each planet has a sign or two that is its home. Different planets are also said to have dignity in the houses of other planets, for instance, Mars is exalted in Saturn's home of Capricorn and the Moon is exalted in Venus' sign of Taurus.

When reading a natal chart, looking at what dignity a planet has can give information as to how much strength a planet has to be themselves within the context of a person's life. 

The moon is the fastest and swiftest moving planet in the sky. She moves from sign to sign about every 2.5 days. Tracking her movement through the signs, as well as the aspects she makes with other planets, can provide a qualitative picture of what type of energy to expect day-to-day.

Below you will find a diagram of the zodiacal symbols and the signs they represent. If you don't already have the symbols memorized, take a few minutes to write your own key. The practice of writing the symbols down will help you memorize what they signify!

Aries: Masculine, Fire. Home of Mars. Moveable/Cardinal

Taurus: Feminine, Earth. Home of Venus. Solid/Fixed

Gemini: Masculine, Air. Home of Mercury. Double-bodied/Mutable

Cancer: Feminine, Water. Home of the Moon. Moveable/Cardinal

Leo: Masculine, Fire. Home of the Sun. Solid/Fixed

Virgo: Feminine, Earth. Home of Mercury. Double-bodied/Mutable

Libra: Masculine, Air. Home of Libra. Moveable/Cardinal

Scorpio: Feminine, Water. Home of Mars. Solid/Fixed

Sagittarius: Masculine, Fire. Home of Jupiter. Double-bodied/Mutable

Capricorn: Feminine, Earth. Home of Saturn. Moveable/Cardinal

Aquarius: Masculine, Air. Home of Saturn. Solid/Fixed

Pisces: Feminine, Water. Home of Jupiter. Double-bodied/Mutable