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   The Zodiac

Astrology has been studied and practiced since ancient times. The early Egyptians and Greeks, the Chinese and Indians, the Mayans and Aztecs all practiced astrology and used it in the course of their daily lives.

However, much of the astrology practiced today in the United States and other western countries is not a true employment of traditional astrology and it has degenerated to being mostly used for “entertainment”, as in the case of “Sun Sign” horoscopes.

Horoscopes are based on very limited elements of the true study of astrology. Horoscopes are created using the basic Sun Signs and the influences on them from planetary movements to produce some “common denominator” prognostication. Since no two people of any particular sun sign have the same astrological chart, horoscopes are rarely, if ever accurate. It is more wishful thinking on the part of the individual to see relevance in the vague and general  forecasts.

To begin to understand the true utility of astrology, you must first unlearn what you already know about astrology.

A common misconception of Western Astrology is that the western horoscopes “Sun Signs” are in correspondence with the identically named constellations. "They are not".

Western or “Tropical Astrology” is a system of astrology based on a Zodiac, whose reference points are the equatorial solstice points of the tropical year. For the modern tropical astrologer it is of no concern that the solstice points or “tropics” have drifted from one constellation to another over the millennia, due to the precession of the equinoxes.

Tropical Astrology is not based on the constellations, but on the seasonal cycles. The signs of the zodiac have no real connection to the constellations outside of sharing the names. The influences of the zodiac originate not in the heavens, but from the energy of the Earth.

The ancient astrologers were not aware of this astronomical phenomenon of precession, but it was not relevant to their system anyway. The ancient astrologers interpreted the signs of the zodiac according to the seasons and not the constellations.

The corresponding of the names of the constellation to the Signs of the Zodiac, while causing confusion in the understanding of the nature of the signs today, is an unfortunate, but understandable, misunderstanding.

For the ancient astrologers, living in a simpler time, it was easier to visualize the Sun, Moon and planets moving through the constellations which they could actually see in the sky. It was something that they could relate to from their understanding of life as they knew it. The system of astrology practiced at the time of the ancients was based on cycles. Each of the Signs of the Zodiac was associated with the energies that were experienced during the cycles of the year and the foundation of the symbolism of the signs was therefore seasonal in interpretation.

In ancient times the people understood that they were a part of the Earth and its seasons. They understood their connection to the animals, the plants and the minerals of the Earth and the energies residing within them. It was a time when gods and goddesses not only walked the Earth, but breathed spirit into all of its manifestations.

The true usefulness of astrology and the zodiac in our modern age is not in the promise of the divination of trivial events in our increasingly shallow existences. The true value of the study of astrology lies in its ability to awaken us and to reconnect us with the cycles of Nature and the corresponding cycles of our lives. The zodiac is magic flute that plays a rhythmic tune to which we can dance in harmony with the Earth.

Traditional Western Zodiac

Aries

(The Ram)

 In astrology Aries is ruled by the planet Mars.

The tropical duration of Aries is March 21 to April 20.

Taurus

(The Bull)

 In astrology Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus.

The tropical duration of Taurus is April 21 to May 20.

Gemini

(The Twins)

In astrology Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury.

The tropical duration of Gemini is May 21 to June 21.

Cancer

(The Crab)

In astrology Cancer is ruled by the Moon.

The tropical duration of Cancer is June 22 to July 22.

Leo

(The Lion)

In astrology Leo is ruled by the Sun.

The tropical duration of Leo is July 23 to August 23.

Virgo

(The Virgin)

In astrology Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury.

The tropical duration of Virgo is August 24 to September 22.

Libra

(The Scales)

In astrology Libra is ruled by the planet Venus.

The tropical duration of Libra is September 23 to October 22.

Scorpio

(The Scorpion)

In astrology Scorpio is ruled by the planet Mars.

The tropical duration of Scorpio is October 23 to November 22.

Sagittarius

(The Archer)

In astrology Sagittarius is ruled by the planet Jupiter.

The tropical duration of Sagittarius is November 23 to December 22.

Capricorn

(The Sea Goat)

In astrology Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn.

The tropical duration of Capricorn is December 23 to January 19.

Aquarius

(The Water Carrier)

In astrology Aquarius is ruled by the planet Saturn.

The tropical duration of Aquarius is January 20 to February 19.

Pisces

(The Fish)

In astrology Pisces is ruled by the planet Jupiter.

The tropical duration of Pisces is February 20 to March 20.

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The Medicine Wheel

The Medicine Wheel is representative of American Indian Spirituality. It symbolizes the individual journey we each must take to find our own path. Within the Medicine Wheel are The Four Cardinal Directions as are the Four Cardinal Points within the Wheel of the Zodiac. It is a centering device for our consciousness and we can use the Medicine Wheel to understand our life and the purpose of our Spirit Walk.

The North Wind holds the body, plants and animals, the color white and the time of Childhood.  It is the land of the Wolf.

The East Wind holds the mind, air, the color yellow, of finding the group to which you belong and the time of Adolescence. It is the Land of the Bear.

The South Wind holds the heart, fire, the color red and the time of Adulthood. It is the Land of the Buffalo.

The West Wind holds the spirit, the water, the color blue and the time of the Elders. It is the final life stage in The Wheel. It is the time of the Elder to pass on knowledge to the next generation so that The Wheel may begin a new circle of life. It is the Land of the Thunderbird.

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Native American Astrology

Native Americans throughout time have held sacred, the connection between nature, animal, and man. Native American astrology is based upon your birth animal totem, which is the animal spirit that you are born under. A birth totem is similar to an astrological sign of the zodiac. Your birth totem can tell you many things about your personality, your attitudes, your abilities and your short comings. These totems are often referred to as solar totems because they encompass many aspects of the "solar" system. From seasonal relationships to moon phases. But a birth totem is not the same thing as a spiritual totem or having a particular animal as a spirit guide. Those relationships are purely spiritual in nature. The animal acts as a teacher along your path specifically for spiritual understanding and growth.

 

Native American Zodiac

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The Falcon

March 21-19 (Aries)

The Awakening Time

Clan: Thunderbird

 

The Beaver

April 20-May 20 (Taurus)

The Growing Time 

Clan: Turtle

 

The Deer

May 21-June 20 (Gemini)

The Flowering Time

Clan: Butterfly

 

The Woodpecker

June 21- July 21 (Cancer)

The Long Days Time

Clan: Frog

 

The Salmon

July 22-Aug 21 (Leo)

The Ripening Time

Clan: Thunderbird

 

The Bear

Aug 22- Sept 21 (Virgo)

The Harvesting Time

Clan: Turtle

 

The Raven

Sept 22- Oct 22 (Libra)

The Falling Leaves Time

Clan: Butterfly

 

The Snake

Oct. 23- Nov 22 (Scorpio)

The Frost Time

Clan: Frog

 

The Owl

Nov-23 -Dec 21 (Sagittarius)

The Long Nights Time

Clan: Thunderbird

 

The Goose

Dec 22-Jan 19 (Capricorn)

The Renewal Time

Clan: Turtle

 

The Otter

Jan 20- Feb 18 (Aquarius)

The Cleansing Time

Clan: Butterfly

 

The Wolf

Feb 19- March 20 (Pisces)

The Blustery Winds Time

Clan: Frog

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astrology@spiritwalkministry.com

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