dadsnook2000
Signs -- what are they?
There are several observations that can be made about astrological signs:
** They are mathematical constructs that are projected onto the stars, the celestial sphere that surrounds the earth. On this basis, they are nothing in themselves.
** They are used as a reference and measuring tool to aid us in locating stars and planets and other "bodies" and points which we both observe in the celestial sphere and place upon our two-dimensional charts.
** This reference circle is seen to start at the Aries Point which is where the Sun crosses into its northern portion of its annual cycle and synchronizes the seasons of earth. These seasons are goverened by the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its orbital place about the Sun.
From these three statements we might choose to make this statement, "The Signs are seasonal-based relative to the Earth-Sun relationship. From this we can say that the seasons affect our culture, our life environment, our health. The seasonal Sun then become a powerful focus of culturally related meanings.
Since a cycle, which the Earth's path about the Sun and its axis tilt provides us with, is a continuous phenomena we have to reconcile how Signs and their distinct segmentation of meanings and be reconciled with the smooth flow of a cycle! What exactly is a Sign?
A SIGN IS: A broad set of statements and generally accepted meanings which are a cultural distillation of beliefs. Each Sign is a contiguous step in a whole cycle of meaning -- it derives much of its validity of meaningful statements from being part of a "wholeness" of thought.
When we write/read a sentence, a phrase, a page, or a chapter about a Sign (the more that is said the better we relate to it) we gather in an essence of that Sign's meaning. We don't use every word we read, we don't agree or disagree with every word or phrase, but we do relate to selected portions of it and by doing so we accept it. Collectively, we all broadly agree on much of the general meaning of a sign, so we therefore believe that Signs are "true".
Because of the broadness of meanings we can meld the segmented view of a sign with a continuous flow of a cycle -- if we are flexible mentally, or if we use a house system for a chart which places the house-cusps where we need them to be so as to affirm what we believe we see for meanings.
We have other questions to consider relative to Signs. Do they apply just to the Sun? The planets have no seasonal influence in the way the Sun does. So why should we apply Sun-Sign meanings to planets?
And there is another question to consider. Which zodiac is correct? With some 25 degrees of difference between the Tropical-Seasonal zodiac and the Sidereal zodiac which is right? If an astrologer from both systems can tell a client about their life and the situations they are facing, how can be both be right? Which is wrong? Remember, 25 degrees of the Signs that each are using are different from what the other is using. Only 5 degrees of each are in the same Sign-space.
I'd be interested to hear what anyone has to say relative to these questions. Note, I do not use signs as a general rule. I can obviously use them quite well and in a detailed fashion, but I choose not to use them. Yet, my astrology is very detailed, very confident, very accurate. So, given all of this, what are Signs, what are their value, which type of signs are right, why do they work or not work? As astrologers, we all have to be comfortable with these issues. Dave
There are several observations that can be made about astrological signs:
** They are mathematical constructs that are projected onto the stars, the celestial sphere that surrounds the earth. On this basis, they are nothing in themselves.
** They are used as a reference and measuring tool to aid us in locating stars and planets and other "bodies" and points which we both observe in the celestial sphere and place upon our two-dimensional charts.
** This reference circle is seen to start at the Aries Point which is where the Sun crosses into its northern portion of its annual cycle and synchronizes the seasons of earth. These seasons are goverened by the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its orbital place about the Sun.
From these three statements we might choose to make this statement, "The Signs are seasonal-based relative to the Earth-Sun relationship. From this we can say that the seasons affect our culture, our life environment, our health. The seasonal Sun then become a powerful focus of culturally related meanings.
Since a cycle, which the Earth's path about the Sun and its axis tilt provides us with, is a continuous phenomena we have to reconcile how Signs and their distinct segmentation of meanings and be reconciled with the smooth flow of a cycle! What exactly is a Sign?
A SIGN IS: A broad set of statements and generally accepted meanings which are a cultural distillation of beliefs. Each Sign is a contiguous step in a whole cycle of meaning -- it derives much of its validity of meaningful statements from being part of a "wholeness" of thought.
When we write/read a sentence, a phrase, a page, or a chapter about a Sign (the more that is said the better we relate to it) we gather in an essence of that Sign's meaning. We don't use every word we read, we don't agree or disagree with every word or phrase, but we do relate to selected portions of it and by doing so we accept it. Collectively, we all broadly agree on much of the general meaning of a sign, so we therefore believe that Signs are "true".
Because of the broadness of meanings we can meld the segmented view of a sign with a continuous flow of a cycle -- if we are flexible mentally, or if we use a house system for a chart which places the house-cusps where we need them to be so as to affirm what we believe we see for meanings.
We have other questions to consider relative to Signs. Do they apply just to the Sun? The planets have no seasonal influence in the way the Sun does. So why should we apply Sun-Sign meanings to planets?
And there is another question to consider. Which zodiac is correct? With some 25 degrees of difference between the Tropical-Seasonal zodiac and the Sidereal zodiac which is right? If an astrologer from both systems can tell a client about their life and the situations they are facing, how can be both be right? Which is wrong? Remember, 25 degrees of the Signs that each are using are different from what the other is using. Only 5 degrees of each are in the same Sign-space.
I'd be interested to hear what anyone has to say relative to these questions. Note, I do not use signs as a general rule. I can obviously use them quite well and in a detailed fashion, but I choose not to use them. Yet, my astrology is very detailed, very confident, very accurate. So, given all of this, what are Signs, what are their value, which type of signs are right, why do they work or not work? As astrologers, we all have to be comfortable with these issues. Dave
