The Story of the Zodiac
That's right... It's the freakin' weekend!
What are you planning to do with your Friday? I am dreaming of a steamy drink, some comfy weekend clothes, and a good movie. Wow, I guess I have already transitioned into my autumn brain. But hey, that's what happens when you're from Oregon and its September 21st :)
As far as this week's post goes, I was really having trouble brainstorming ideas. I feel like I haven't been very reflective in the past couple of weeks, as far as my posts go. Of course I love sharing pointers and recommendations with you all, but I think every once in a while it is good to contemplate things deeper than just the surface level. A couple of weeks back, I wrote a post called The Modern Day Inbetweener . It was my reflection on what its like in today's world to be a young woman who doesn't fit into the 'normative' body images in either groups. I found that not only the publishing of that piece, but also the process of writing it was very freeing. I was overwhelmingly proud to throw that thought into the world, even though it was somewhat sensitive. So, I thought today I would do something in the same vein, but with a slightly different twist.
I have always been interested in knowing how people tick.
What makes them rise and shine everyday? What makes them want to cut in-front of you in the grocery line without asking? What makes them smile at you when you look like your having a really rough day? There is something of a constant narrative in my head which encourages me to question why every person does what they do and believes what they believe. Is that odd? Maybe. But I feel like we've all done a bit of harmless people-watching in our lives :) But this insatiable curiosity has led me on the never-ending quest for answers. I suppose what you're thinking now is, uhhh I don't really think there is any definitive answers there Lucy. And trust me, I hear you and I agree with you. There really is none. Yes - that's the reason Social Science's exist, but those data-driven answers are not what I am looking for.
So, about a year ago, I turned to something I hadn't thought about since my friends and I played games with it in middle school: Astrology. An ancient tradition of reading the stars, Astrology attempts to explain the behavior of human and their environment. Beginning as a practice around the 17th century, Astrology was regarded as a scholarly study until around the 20th century. In fact, many famous writers including William Shakespeare and Dante Alighieri are known for mentioning it in their works. Though it is now recognized as a Pseudoscience, I think there is still some value in the lost art.
Though Astrologists and many other scientific figures assure us that Astrology is nothing more than phooey, I think they miss the point completely. Yes, in our modern definition of scientific fact, the effects of Astrology cannot be proven. But does that mean we should force the art of learning about people to be forgotten or shunned? Not in my view. So, inspired by an old book I found on the dusty shelves in my beach house, I started to investigate the art for myself. The book I found is called "The Universe Within" and was published around 1985. It delves deeper into the meanings of each star sign and Astrology's larger purpose. I know, to most people, I probably sound like a crazy person, but hear me out.
I will concede that scientists are most likely right on the nose: there is nothing provable about it. But I think the value lies not in the science of it, but in the reflection it forces you to do. When someone says to you, "You're a Sagittarius ?! all of your friends must love you!" or the dreaded "you're a Scorpio...?" comment, it forces you to look inward and think about who you are. It makes you conscious of the way you act when you're angry or can make you reflect on why you might be feeling sad. And sure, none of it is an answer, but it is the beginning of a self-reflective relationship. Personally, that is something that I think our society needs more of. We think often about the images that we project into the world: our social media sites, our resumes, even our work personalities. We spend endless amounts of time telling people who we are, but it seems that we spend little to no time asking ourselves, who am I? How can you possibly tell the world who you are authentically, if you haven't even given yourself the space to ask? Ramblings aside, I think the space that astrology gives us to reflect on our own personalities and choices is much more valuable than what science can 'definitively' tell us. So, I want to give you a chance to discover it if you never have. And if you're an Astrology fan already, then this will be old news, but I encourage you to read on anyway. Find your sign, read the section, and then follow the link to making a birth chart to see a more personalized version based on your birth time and place. Trust me, this is worth the one second you are not spending scrolling aimlessly through Facebook or Twitter. It's a moment to think about yourself and learn more about what makes you oh-so-unique!
Talk soon.
- Star Signs -
Capricorn -
Slow and steady, cool and calculating, Capricorn is a hard-working and successful force to be reckoned with! The Mountain Goat has a destination in mind and will stop at nothing to reach its goal. They combine their traditional methods with powerful determination to climb the ladder of success each and every day. Caring, conservative Capricorn is a great leader and a dedicated provider. They like to play hard, and work harder.
Aquarius -
Quirky Aquarius marches to the beat of its own drum! The Water-bearer is actually an Air sign whose dual nature creates a unique, intellectual, and social individual who cares deeply for community and mankind. While Aquarius prefers ideas over emotions, their stimulating personality earns them fast friends. The worldly Water-bearer is a progressive spirit who’s focused on the greater good. When this rebellious sign isn’t satisfied with the way things are, they’re experts at garnering the support they need to instigate change. Ruled more by the head than the heart, Aquarius’ brilliant ideas and visionary plans inspire us all to raise the bar in our everyday lives.
Pisces -
Dreamy, sensitive, and spiritual Pisces is drawn to all things mystical! The emotional Fishes are filled with so much compassion and empathy, they often put others’ needs before their own. Ruled by Neptune, Pisces is intuitive and incredibly creative by nature. With a soul as deep and vast as the oceans, Pisces thrives in a world of fantasy, where its imagination can flow freely. Driven by its strong connection to the spiritual world, the sign of the Fishes knows how to balance cold, hard reality with the warmth of love and understanding.
Aries -
Upbeat and ready for anything, Aries is the first sign of the zodiac -- the pioneer and the initiator! Ruled by Fire, the Ram lives in the moment and moves fast and furiously. They're natural-born leaders, and impossible to ignore! They are always ready to take charge and conquer whatever challenge they meet. Courageous and competitive, Aries is a powerful force, carving paths through new territory to find undiscovered treasures. This fearless sign lives life as a warrior, infusing everything it touches with fire, passion, and strength.
Taurus -
Successful, sensual, and sensible, Taurus the Bull wants to indulge in anything it can touch, smell, and taste! Taurus knows how to slow down and appreciate the finer things in life. The stable Bull is both patient and determined, leading a life that’s balanced with hard work and great reward. Taurus is also known for being stubborn, but it's not about standing in the way -- Taurus' stubbornness comes through in its sense of determination. Refusing to give up, Taurus will push through to the end, no matter what tries to block its path. Careful and low-risk, the Bull knows that slow and steady wins the race.
Gemini -
Here come the Gemini Twins, going a mile a minute! Clever and curious Gemini is a sign that thinks fast, communicates well, and is full of ideas. Their versatility and adaptability stem from their split personality -- part intellect, part scatterbrained! The Twins are powered by information and feel most at home when sharing thoughts and conversations with others. Gemini is like a sponge, soaking up as much information as they possibly can. Whether it’s through reading, talking, or writing, Gemini’s thirst for knowledge is constant. As the most talkative sign of the zodiac, the Twins are known to be social, and are always on the lookout for a good time. Thriving on variety, you never know what you’ll get with Gemini!
Cancer -
Tough on the outside but soft on the inside, Cancer the Crab is a sensitive sign that cares deeply about others. Tenaciously loyal and loving, Cancers are the nurturers of the zodiac, and will fiercely protect themselves and anything they hold dear. They are lovers not fighters, but will always fight for who they love. Embodied by the Crab’s hard shell, Cancer prizes comfort, security, and protection. This sign is connected to the grace and ferocity of motherhood, making them both emotional and intuitive, and highly influenced by subconscious thought and feeling.
Leo -
Fun and flirtatious Leo heats things up as the most expressive sign of the zodiac! Ruled by the vibrant Sun and driven by the warmth of its Fire element, the charming, magnificent, and dramatic Lion is the life of the party and loves attention. With its shining heart of gold, Leo is a loyal lover and a proud and courageous leader. This sign of the Lion embodies an air of royalty, just like the kings and queens of the jungle. Sometimes expressive to a fault, Leo has never been known to keep its feelings hidden! Steer clear of Leo’s drama, and you’ll find some of the most generous souls you’ll ever meet.
Virgo -
Perfection comes in the form of Virgo, the sixth sign of the zodiac. This hardworking, detail-oriented, and critical sign is represented by the Virgin for its pure and discriminating nature. Observant Virgo is quick to notice flaws and fix them, helping others reach their highest potential. One of Virgo’s strongest abilities is to take in a wealth of information, and pick out only what’s important and useful. This makes Virgo one of the most productive and efficient signs of all.
Libra -
Gracious, fair, and balanced Libra is among the most social and popular signs of the zodiac! Ruled by Venus, Libra is a loving sign that focuses strongly on partnership and prioritizes the needs of others. This sign of the Scales is blessed with a natural sense of right and wrong, making them very focused on justice, honesty, and fairness. As the sign of balance, Libra represents both the head and the heart -- they focus on logic and fact to ensure everything is on the up-and-up, but really thrive in the mutual feelings and closeness of one-on-one relationships. Beautiful both inside and out, Libra stands for harmony, elegance, and equality.
Scorpio -
Successful, sensual, and sensible, Taurus the Bull wants to indulge in anything it can touch, smell, and taste! Taurus knows how to slow down and appreciate the finer things in life. The stable Bull is both patient and determined, leading a life that’s balanced with hard work and great reward. Taurus is also known for being stubborn, but it's not about standing in the way -- Taurus' stubbornness comes through in its sense of determination. Refusing to give up, Taurus will push through to the end, no matter what tries to block its path. Careful and low-risk, the Bull knows that slow and steady wins the race.
Sagittarius -
Adventurous, optimistic, and lucky Sagittarius aims high and shoots for the stars! Ruled by Jupiter, the planet of growth and opportunity, the sign of the Archer is an eternal student, looking for enlightenment through new ideas, people, and places. Sagittarius is on the hunt for the biggest, best experiences life has to offer! They have a positive and outgoing personality that makes them the life of any party. With a love of adventure and all things exotic, the worldly Archer just wants to soak it all in. Sagittarius is driven by a constant need to explore and expand its mind, heart, and awareness to the fullest extent. Fiery and free, Sagittarius knows that the only limits are the ones we create ourselves.
If you want a more serious representation of your astrological chart, go here and put in the info to get your full birth chart: https://astro.cafeastrology.com/natal.php