Signs and Stories
As the planets revolve around the Sun, your characters will move through the signs of the zodiac, and their stories will unfold. We’ll follow the plot, and discover what obstacles and conflicts keep them from reaching their goals. We’ll also study the ways that the symbolism of the same twelve signs can be the foundation of story structure, theme, and symbolism.
Thousands of years ago, when astrologers were first developing the principles of the art, they saw the planets rise and set against the backdrop of a different constellation each month.
There were twelve prominent constellations that resembled animals—one for each month of the year. Curiously enough, children who were born when each constellation was at its peak tended to embody the qualities of those stars—almost as if they were under the influence of a celestial spirit animal. The word zodiac, in fact, is Greek for “circle of animals.”
Eventually, twelve of those constellations became the twelve signs of the zodiac.
The signs aren’t literal. The constellations vary in size, and our view of them is always shifting. Instead, the signs are simply equal divisions of space, compartmentalized for convenience and symbolic significance.
The Circle of Animals
The zodiac’s signature animals can tell you a lot about each sign. Here’s a quick overview.
1. Aries, the ram—determined and headstrong
2. Taurus, the bull—confident, earthy, and strong
3. Gemini, the twins—curious and conversational
4. Cancer, the crab—hard-shelled, but softhearted
5. Leo, the lion—regal and brave; the king of the jungle
6. Virgo, the virgin—pure and self-controlled
7. Libra, the scales—constantly striving for balance
8. Scorpio, the scorpion—focused and intense
9. Sagittarius, the archer—driven to run and explore
10. Capricorn, the goat—a social and career climber
11. Aquarius, the water bearer—a visionary in service to a higher calling
12. Pisces, the fish—swimming in an alternate reality
Creative Guidance
Write about your characters as though they really were the animals that signify their signs. Refer to them not by name, but as animals. Describe their movements, physical characteristics, and interactions with others. Once your description is drafted, replace the animal references with your characters’ names.
In this section, you’ll learn the specific characteristics of each sign. First, however, let’s take a look at the general characteristics they share: the elements and the modes.
The Elements
For centuries, scholars and philosophers believed that the entire world consisted of just four elements: fire, earth, water, and air. Most also believed that the human body was made up of the four elements as well. Some people, for example, have always been considered “fiery,” while others can still be described as “earthy.”
Even though modern scientists have moved beyond elemental physiology, the ancient elements still constitute a useful psychological model—as well as a handy formula for understanding your characters.
• Fire signs—Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius—are as mesmerizing as fire itself. They give off heat and light that’s impossible to ignore and difficult to contain. They’re energetic, enthusiastic, spontaneous, impulsive, and optimistic. They’re dramatic, charismatic, and passionate. They’re impulsive, spontaneous, and action-oriented. They burn with passion. They’re spirited.
• Earth signs—Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn—are as stable and supportive as the ground beneath your feet. They’re solidly established in the physical and material realities of life. They’re sensible and capable, shrewd and secure. They’re practical and pragmatic. They’re cautious, slow-moving, thorough, and unhurried. They know the world will wait for them.
• Air signs—Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius—are quick-witted, with thoughts that are as fleeting as the wind. They’re curious and communicative. They rise above the mundane: they’re high-minded visionaries. They’re observant and well-informed. They’re intellectual, too. Their heads are filled with ideas and imagination.
• Water signs—Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces—are emotional and intuitive. Their moods can rise and fall like the tides. They can be turbulent and swirling, or deep and calm. They flow through the world of emotions and relationships. Water assumes the form of its container, and rises to its own level. Water signs are sensitive, sympathetic, nurturing, empathetic, compassionate, and instinctive.
The Drama and Conflict of Duality
In a world where opposites attract, all of the signs have characteristics that make them either masculine or feminine—or, in modern terms, active or receptive, extroverted or introverted, linear or circular, and yin or yang. They can complement each other, or they can clash, often in surprising ways.
• Fire and air signs are masculine. They’re outspoken, confident, courageous, and bold. They’re assertive. They don’t wait for results: they make things happen.
• Earth and water signs are feminine. They’re quiet and responsive. They’re naturally intuitive and understanding. They’re patient and strong, and they have the wherewithal to see events through to their conclusions.
In real life, of course, every individual embodies a blend of masculine and feminine qualities. In literature, however, it’s more interesting to allocate those characteristics in unexpected combinations.
Creative Guidance
Create a character whose basic nature is torn between outgoing masculinity and receptive femininity. It’s the type of conflict you often find in unwilling heroes—quiet, unassuming characters who find that fate forces them into an active role they wouldn’t choose for themselves.
In this case, however, you can create characters who don’t conform to the usual standards and expectations. Try your hand at an outgoing hero who has to hide his true nature, for example, to effect change behind the scenes.
Modes: Beginning, Middle, and End
The twelve signs aren’t just elemental. They can also be categorized according to mode—a technical way to describe their modus operandi, or their way of interacting with the world.
The modes are based on the fact that astrology is a calendar-based study. The twelve signs, just like the twelve months of the year, can be grouped into four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.
The signs fall into three corresponding modes: cardinal, fixed, and mutable. The modes parallel the beginning, middle, and end of each season.
• Cardinal signs mark the first month of each season—which means that they’re the signs that take charge, initiate change, and make new starts. Characters who embody a lot of cardinal qualities are leaders. It might help to remember that the first day of Aries marks the first day of spring. The first day of Cancer is the first day of summer. The first day of Libra is the first day of fall, and the first day of Capricorn is the first day of winter. Cardinal signs are courageous, energetic, and self-motivated. They’re unstoppable forces of nature.
• Fixed signs mark the middle months, which are the high point of each season. Just as you know that midsummer days are hot and midwinter nights are cold, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius are clearly defined. They’re steady, persistent, and enduring. It’s hard for fixed signs to change, which gives them a reputation for being stubborn, slow-moving, and deliberate, but they’re respected for their sense of purpose, strength, and endurance.
• The mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces bring each season to a close. Because they mark the change of seasons, they’re flexible, adaptable, and versatile. They can be fickle and chaotic, but they’re also friendly and cooperative. They can navigate through periods of transition and bring projects to a successful conclusion.
Pieces of the Puzzle
When you see the signs in order, it’s easier to picture their modes—cardinal, fixed, and mutable—along with their elements and qualities.
|
Element/Quality |
Cardinal Signs |
Fixed Signs |
Mutable Signs |
|
Fire/Active |
1. Aries |
5. Leo |
9. Sagittarius |
|
Earth/Receptive |
2. Taurus |
6. Virgo |
10. Capricorn |
|
Air/Active |
3. Gemini |
7. Libra |
11. Aquarius |
|
Water/Receptive |
4. Cancer |
8. Scorpio |
12. Pisces |
Creative Guidance
You might notice that the cardinal, fixed, and mutable modes parallel the beginning, middle, and end of basic scene and story construction, or the first, second, and third acts of a three-act story.
In each case, characters are presented with a mission or a challenge. They encounter resistance when they try to make changes, and eventually they reach a resolution—which, more often than not, simply lays the groundwork for a new set of problems and obstacles.
Compatible Signs
Some signs are compatible. Others mix like oil and water—or, more technically, fire and water.
Ancient philosophers came up with a schematic to demonstrate the qualities of each element, to illustrate the interactions of the elements. It’s based on four simple principles:
• Fire is hot and dry.
• Water is cold and wet.
• Air is wet and hot.
• Earth is dry and cold.
• Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
• Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
• Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
• Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
So what does that mean for your characters? To start, people who share the same element will always be compatible. They speak the same language, they share the same worldview, and they work with the same modus operandi.
Because opposites attract, you can also expect opposing signs—fire and water, and earth and air—to feel a certain attraction to each other, too. They see the world from completely different vantage points—which could lead to some great arguments—but they can also meet in the middle and come to a mutual understanding. In a sense, they complete each other.
But when you deal with impossible elemental combinations, you’ll create characters who will struggle when they’re paired off. Granted, they can meet and quickly find that each is an object of fascination to the other; that’s a common finding in relationship astrology. They might even share some qualities: hot, wet, cold, or dry. But some qualities are simply impossible to reconcile. Watery characters will never be able to understand their dry, dispassionate opponents of earth. Air will only inflame fire. Fire can’t touch earth, and air won’t appreciate water.
Basically, when a hot-blooded, fiery character squares off against a cold, calculating adversary of air, conflict is inevitable.
As a writer, you can use that to your advantage.
Behind the Scenes:
Temperament and Humor
You might have run across characters in medieval literature who were described in terms of their temperament and humor. It’s a form of character analysis that dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. The temperaments were based on the elements, and the corresponding humors were based on bodily fluids.
The sanguine temperament corresponds to air. Sanguine characters are breezy. They’re outgoing, friendly, talkative, impulsive, social, and charismatic. Like air, blood was warm and moist. (Sanguineous is derived from the Latin for “bloody.”)
The choleric temperament corresponds to fire. Choleric characters are energetic, ambitious, passionate, domineering, and aggressive. Like fire, yellow bile was warm and dry. (Chole is Greek for “bile.”)
The melancholic temperament corresponds to earth. Melancholic characters are obsessed with grave and heavy issues. They are quiet, thoughtful, introverted, and artistic, and are preoccupied with sadness and tragedy. Like earth, black bile was cold and dry. (Melanchole is Greek for “black bile.”)
The phlegmatic temperament corresponds to water. Phlegmatic characters go with the flow. They’re quiet, content, relaxed, kind, affectionate, and observant. Like water, phlegm was cold and moist. (Phlegma is Greek for “phlegm.”)
Not surprisingly, individuals who were unbalanced in their makeup were often thought to be sick—sometimes dangerously so—and in need of remedies and healing.
Creative Guidance
Think back to a relationship you’ve experienced that went horribly wrong. You can recall a romance, a family connection, or a friendship.
What elemental traits did you have in common? What ultimately drove you apart? Were you calm, cool, and collected, while your partner was a hothead? Were you temperamentally unsuited to each other?
Keep that relationship in mind, because it could be the foundation for a fictional tragedy that’s a lot more fun to write about than your real-life heartbreak.
Now, on to the signs themselves.
Would the world ever have been made if its maker had been afraid of making trouble? Making life means making trouble.
—George Bernard Shaw, Pygmalion
Characteristics
Invoke Aries, and you’ll call upon the primal passions of humankind—a hot-blooded, fiery-tempered masculinity, with a quick-trigger temper and an iron will.
Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, is the sign of leadership and initiation. That makes Aries adventurous, pioneering, and decisive. The typical Aries is a natural leader—but he rarely checks to make sure his followers are behind him. He’s independent, self-reliant, impulsive, and in charge.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Aries’ ruling planet, Mars, is the red planet traditionally associated with the unbridled energy and passion of war, aggression, action, and self-defense. In fact, Aries actually was the Greek god of war. The Romans called him Mars, and the two are practically inseparable. When your character is an Aries, he’ll be fearless, confident, courageous, and in control. Like a warrior, he’ll need to prove himself on the battlefield, in the boardroom, and in the bedroom.
Physical Association: Aries rules the head, so an Aries character will be a hard-headed, determined, take-no-prisoners leader who will do whatever it takes to assert himself. In an argument, Aries can outsmart, outmaneuver, and browbeat almost any opponent with the battery of facts at his disposal. Occasionally, you might think he’s got a thick skull, because it’s almost impossible to get him to change his mind.
Signature Animal: People with a strong Aries influence in their charts can be a lot like rams. They’re strong-willed, and they’re not afraid to butt heads or to use their superior knowledge and intellect as a battering ram. They’re fearless and competitive, and when they put their minds to something, they’re an unstoppable force. A strong Aries character is even willing to die for a cause. After all, rams were sacrificial animals in the ancient world.
Glyph: The Aries glyph looks like the horns of a ram.
House Rulership: Aries rules the first house of the natural horoscope, where astrologers look for information about first impressions and physical appearance.
Mode: Aries is a cardinal sign. The Sun is usually in Aries between March 21 and April 19, starting with the spring equinox. The sign marks the first month of spring and the first day in the astrological year. That starting position makes Aries a cardinal sign, too—a marker of change and individuation.
Element: Aries is a fire sign. It always runs hot; in fact, it’s brash and downright brazen. Aries is impulsive, impatient, and impetuous. He’s brave, bold, and adventurous. He’s passionate about the causes he believes in. He doesn’t doubt himself for a moment, or question the rightness of his cause. His confidence draws followers like moths to a flame. He’s inspiring, mesmerizing, and charismatic. He’s bright, optimistic, and direct. He takes direct, aggressive action, and he asserts himself in sudden, energetic bursts. He’s optimistic, exuberant, and enthusiastic. He’s ambitious and alert. He’s energetic and impulsive, but he’s got a short attention span, and he moves quickly from one goal to another.
Career Counseling
Characters with a strong Aries influence will be drawn to careers in the military, the paramilitary, and the police force. They also make excellent firefighters, mechanics, welders, and physical therapists.
Costume Department
Any character in Aries will don the uniform of a warrior and prepare to do battle. Sometimes the uniform is a suit of armor. Sometimes it’s a three-piece suit. Sometimes it’s a dress designed to lure men into submission. And sometimes it’s simply a brave face or a false front.
Like a soldier, your Aries character will be tall and sinewy. When he stands, he’ll stand at attention. Even when he’s at ease, a part of him will remain on guard, constantly tracking the movements of his troops and watching the perimeter for approaching armies.
Because Aries rules the head, you can also expect an Aries character to wear headgear, whether it’s a helmet, a dashing hat, or a crown. An Aries woman won’t let her hair go unadorned; she’ll be a trendsetter, and she’ll wear a hairstyle designed to make a strong first impression.
Your Aries character will also have a prominent forehead, either because it’s broad or high. He’ll probably have a scar from an old fight, or a birthmark from a past life. And because Aries is ruled by the red planet, he might also have red hair.
Comfort
As the planets move through the signs, some will feel happy to reach Aries. Others will be looking for an early exit.
Mars, for example, feels perfectly at home in Aries. According to the ancient system of planetary dignities, he’s in his own house, so he’s in complete control of his surroundings.
When the Sun passes through the sign, it’s an exalted visitor; both Mars and the Sun are fiery leaders.
Venus, on the other hand, is debilitated in Aries, because the goddess of love just doesn’t belong on a battlefield. And when Saturn falls in Aries, he’s an unwelcome guest; the independent, free-wheeling nature of the sign isn’t suited to the limitations and restrictions imposed by Father Time.
Compatibility
To determine how well your Aries characters will relate to other signs, consider the elements. When Aries joins forces with other fire signs, a few small flames can grow into a raging conflagration. Air feeds fire, and can lead to tremendous blowback. Water will either extinguish flames or dry trying. And while earth can offer up fuel for the fire, the land itself won’t burn. In fact, a groundbreak is usually an effective way to stop fire in its tracks.
You can also look at Aries’ position on the zodiac wheel. Aries and Libra are polar opposites, which mean they see the world from opposing points of view. Because opposites attract, however, the two signs will often meet in the middle. Aries squares off against Cancer and Capricorn; while they share the same cardinal drive for leadership, they tend to operate at cross-purposes. On the wheel, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius form a triangular ring of fire; their shared element makes them kindred spirits.
The Aries Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Aries, you probably write like you’re on fire. You’re passionate and driven. You’re direct and to the point. You can write to inspire, and you can lead your readers directly to the conclusions you choose.
You’re smart. You base your work on sound logic and reasoning. Once you’ve finished your first draft, however, you don’t enjoy the rewriting or editing process. You’re impatient and you want to move on to the next project.
Twenty Questions
1. How is your character like a ram?
2. Aries rules the head. Describe your character’s head.
3. How does your character style his hair?
4. Does your character wear a hat? He should. Describe it.
5. Aries is a sign of confrontation. Write a scene in which your character confronts an opponent over an inconsequential activity or event.
6. Confrontation finds Aries even when they’re not looking for a fight. They project an air of confrontation, so they seem to attract conflict, too. Have your character be attacked by a random stranger in a public place, like a coffee shop or a movie theater.
7. Put some fighting words in your characters’ mouths.
8. Aries is ruled by Mars, the red planet. How does that play out in real life? What makes your character see red?
9. Play with this idea: What if your character perceived red in a way different from the rest of us?
10. Make the color red a focal point for your writing. Write as many synonyms as you can for red. Sprinkle them liberally throughout your story, without being too obvious.
11. Assume that love and hate are simply two sides of the same coin. Then write about the connection between red wine and blood.
12. Look around you. Where do you see the color red in your immediate environment? How does it affect you? How do you use the color red in your everyday life?
13. Do you edit with a red pencil or pen? Why or why not?
14. Think about sacrificial lambs. How does your character compare to them?
15. Aries expresses passion more readily than most. How does your character display passion?
16. Write a scene in which he reveals his passion without explicitly talking about it. Use body language, gestures, and understated remarks. Write between the lines. Make implications and suggestions.
17. Now let your character put his passion into words. Remember to write from his point of view, based on his experience and perspective.
18. Give your character a scar, birthmark, head wound, or head ailment. Describe it in detail. What’s wrong with his head? How did it happen? How does it affect his daily life?
19. Aries rules the first house of self-image and public appearance. It’s the face we show the world. Describe your character, in depth, physically, as a stranger would see him. Start at the head—an obvious Aries starting point—and work your way down.
20. Finally, describe how your character looks from behind, when he’s not face to face with the public or an opponent. Put it in context. Who can see him from that vantage point, and why?
He lay on his back in his blankets and looked out where the quartermoon lay cocked over the heel of the mountains. In the false blue dawn the Pleiades seemed to be rising up into the darkness above the world and dragging all the stars away, the great diamond of Orion and Cepella and the signature of Cassiopeia all rising up through the phosphorous dark like a sea-net. He lay a long time listening to the others breathing in their sleep while he contemplated the wildness about him, the wildness within.
—Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses
Characteristics
When you want to connect with your Taurus characters, simply think back to your high school years, when you longed for beauty and high fashion that were just beyond your reach. It doesn’t matter how rich or stunning you actually were; inside every Taurus, there’s a goddess struggling to break free.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Taurus is ruled by Venus, the goddess of love and the planet of beauty, grace, and charm. Any character with a strong Taurus connection will be driven to fulfill their soul’s calling for elegance and refinement.
Physical Associations: Taurus rules the neck and throat, so Taurus characters have lovely voices. They’re talented singers and musicians, with more than their fair share of rhythm and grace. They also make excellent dance partners.
Signature Animal: Like the sign’s signature animal, the bull, Taurus characters are creatures of comfort. They’re sensual. Beauty and splendor make them feel alive.
Glyph: The glyph for Taurus looks like the head of a bull, or the ring in a bull’s nose. Taurus can be bull-headed: stubborn, immovable, and almost impossible to placate. Taurus can also be bullish when it comes to the practice of their beliefs. Just remember that when you mess with the bull, you get the horns.
House Rulership: Taurus is the sign of security and stability. It rules the second house of the horoscope chart, where astrologers look for information about money and property, material resources, and spiritual treasures.
Mode: Taurus is a fixed sign. The Sun is usually in Taurus between April 21 and May 21—the second month of spring, when the season is in full flower.
Element: Taurus is an earth sign, which makes it practical, patient, and persevering. Taurus is grounded, stable, and reliable. The sign is also a mark of dedication, determination, discipline, and dependability. It’s hard-working and industrious. Taurus will literally move heaven and earth to reach its objectives. Loyal and steadfast, Taurus is a rock of solidarity and comfort in difficult times. Taurus can be possessive and materialistic. Characters with a strong Taurus influence are conventional. They cling to tradition. They’re slow to adapt to cultural trends, and they’re not particularly fond of revolutionaries or eccentrics.
Career Counseling
Thanks to their fixed earth qualities, Taurus characters make excellent managers, bankers, bookkeepers, accountants, landscapers, farmers, and chefs. Add ruling planet Venus to the mix, and you could find yourself with a decorator, designer, beautician, or stylist. You can also put Taurus’s beautiful voice to work with a career in music, theater, public speaking, public relations, or broadcasting.
Costume Department
Characters in Taurus automatically become creatures of comfort. Their energy is focused on earthy, grounded, physical realities. They dress themselves in classic styles, with elegant and long-wearing jewel-tone fabrics. They also make sure their surroundings are appointed in the finest style they can afford.
Taurus rules the neck and throat, so you’ll find that characters with a strong Taurus influence have a lovely speaking voice, with words and whispers as pleasant as a song. They may have singing or musical ability. At the very least, they’ll have an innate gift for choosing the perfect background song or setting.
Physically, Taurus characters are sturdily built, with muscular legs and shoulders. Their eyes are big and soft, with a placid, steady gaze. Taurus men have thick bull necks, while the necks of Taurus women are long and slender. Their hair tends to be naturally curly or wavy. In real life, you probably don’t want to tell your Taurus friends that they look like contented cows, but you can certainly keep the analogy in mind when you’re creating fictional characters.
Comfort
Some planets are more suited to the sign of Taurus than others. Venus rules Taurus, so when she’s in the second house, she’s the queen of the castle. The Moon is exalted in Taurus; the goddess’s maternal qualities dovetail perfectly with the comforting, stable energies of the sign. Mars, on the other hand, is debilitated in Taurus; the god of war doesn’t want to settle down.
Compatibility
To determine how well your Taurus characters will relate to other signs, consider the elements. When Taurus combines with other earth signs, they literally build on each other’s strengths. When earth mixes with air, the combination usually stirs up some dust—and could even lead to a windstorm. Earth and water can be a nurturing combination; rain nourishes natural growth. Earth and fire are generally a neutral combination, unless the earth is used to break a firestorm or quench the flames of desire.
You can also consider Taurus’s position on the zodiac wheel. Taurus and Scorpio are polar opposites, which means they see the world from opposing points of view. Because opposites attract, however, the two signs can meet in the middle. Taurus squares off against Leo and Aquarius; while they share the same fixed qualities of consistency and stability, they tend to operate at cross-purposes. On the wheel, Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn form a supportive, earthy pyramid of power. Their shared energy makes them especially well suited to work on building projects together.
The Taurus Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Taurus, you’re thoughtful and methodical in your work. You enjoy the creative process of thinking and creating. You prefer to read—and write—works of genuine substance and lasting value and importance.
You love beautiful language, and you might have a tendency to develop flowery prose.
Your physical environment plays a key role in your work. You probably enjoy listening to music while you write, and you like to be surrounded with your reference materials and resources.
Twenty Questions
1. Astrology offers one of many mixed metaphors when it gives us a bull—a decidedly masculine creature—as the symbol of a feminine sign. Why do you think that is?
2. Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty and attraction. Think about the inherent contradiction in describing a cow as a beautiful, feminine creature. Can a woman be one thing on the outside, and something else entirely on the inside?
3. Describe your character as if she were a bull—or, to be technically correct, a cow, or any large, plodding, heavyset creature.
4. Research the myth and legend of Europa. She fell in love with Jupiter when he turned himself into a bull and seduced her. Since Europa wasn’t the first woman on Earth to fall for a line of bull, her experience should be easy to incorporate into a story.
5. Taurus rules the neck and throat. Describe your character’s neck.
6. Now describe your character’s voice.
7. Describe your character’s speaking habits and patterns.
8. Give your character a verbal tic. Does she stutter? Clear her throat a lot? Does she whisper, shout, or use a sing-song lilt? Does she have an accent?
9. What does she say when she’s surprised?
10. What does she say when she wants attention?
11. Historically, cattle were a measure of wealth, as valuable as real estate. A healthy herd of cattle represented a guarantee of prosperity—of food, and milk, and breeding. What does your character invest in? What security does it provide?
12. Taurus rules the second house, where astrologers look for information about values and possessions. What does your character prize the most?
13. How much money does she have in the bank?
14. How did she earn it?
15. As an experiment, strip your character of her wealth and worldly goods. How does she react?
16. Taurus characters have an innate need for beauty and style. Consciously or unconsciously, their craving for culture and sophistication enters into every decision they make. How does your character dress? How does she decorate her home?
17. What happens if your character is too poor to afford nice things?
18. What happens if she has the genetic misfortune of looking like a cow? What if she’s a Minotaur—a pure and lovely soul trapped in the body of a monster? Well, then you know her secret drives, desires, and motivation.
19. In mythology, the Taurean Minotaur was a monster trapped at the center of a winding maze. Play with that idea as you write your next story. Think of your plotline as a maze of twists, turns, and unexpected developments.
20. Along those same lines, think of your story as a circular construction. Build a reference to the end of your story into the beginning. Your character will come back to his starting point, changed. What will still be recognizable? What will change?
“My mind,” he said, “rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession, or rather created it, for I am the only one in the world.”
—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Sign of the Four
Characteristics
You probably won’t have any trouble coming up with dialogue for your Gemini characters. In fact, you’ll be lucky if they let you get a word in edgewise.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the planet of speed and communication—which means that Gemini characters are the great communicators of the zodiac. They are insatiably curious, talkative, flirtatious, and playful, with a wide range of thoughts, interests, and experiences to share and compare. They’re quick-thinking and smart. Mercury was the messenger of the gods, but he was also the patron of salespeople, liars, and thieves. There’s quite a bit of overlap in those three departments. There’s a trickster aspect to Mercury’s role.
Physical Associations: Gemini is ambidextrous: it rules the dual embrace of shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. Gemini also rules the twin chambers of the lungs, which control the air we breathe and use to communicate. As luck would have it, those are the exact same body parts we use to reach out and touch someone—either in person or long-distance.
Signature Animal: The sign of the twins represents the duality of two separate individuals, working in tandem. The two kindred spirits make the most of two identities, two ideals, and the intersection of two points of view. The sign also describes the intersection of separate viewpoints, primarily through communication. People communicate in a variety of ways, and Gemini covers the spoken word, written word, and body language. After all, facial expressions are a universally recognized form of communication.
Glyph: According to myth and legend, the glyph for Gemini depicts two brothers, Castor and Pollux. They were great warriors, noted for their devotion to each other, and Zeus created the constellation Gemini in their honor.
House Rulership: Gemini rules the third house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about communication, learning styles, and elementary education. It controls the free and open expression of ideas—and it lends a sense of magic to written and verbal communication. Gemini also rules short trips and sibling relationships. Gemini can be a Jack of all trades; its wide-ranging interests make it versatile, open to new experiences, and willing to try anything once.
Mode: The Sun is usually in Gemini between May 22 and June 21. The sign marks the third and final month of spring. That makes it a mutable sign: it’s flexible, spontaneous, adaptable, and able to ease the transition from one season to the next. Gemini can also be scattered, fickle, nervous, restless, easily bored, and eager to move on to something new and exciting.
Element: Gemini is an air sign. The element of air symbolizes intellectual energy. It’s curious, versatile, smart, and eager to learn. Gemini characters have lofty goals and aspirations, and they seek their fortune in the heady atmosphere of clouds and sky.
Career Counseling
Your Gemini character will always be Mercurial. He could be a professional communicator, engaged in broadcasting, journalism, marketing, or advertising. He could be a messenger, mail carrier, courier, or delivery person. He might also take the low road, and become a con man or a thief.
Costume Department
Any character in Gemini will be a messenger—either a bearer of glad tidings or a harbinger of doom. You can dress him in uniform, or simply let him freelance. Typically, that messenger will do double duty as a scholar or a hobbyist.
He’ll be fidgety and restless: his mutable air sign can’t be contained in a physical body or bound to Earth’s gravity for too long at a stretch. He’ll be light on his feet; he might be an excellent dancer. He’ll be wiry and thin, with long legs, arms, and fingers. He’ll have pointy facial features—and thanks to Mercury’s trickster influence, he’ll have a devilish grin.
Comfort
Mercury rules Gemini; it’s one of the only signs where he truly feels at home. When Jupiter passes through the sign, however, it’s debilitated; the expansive planet wants to see the big picture, but in Gemini, he’s forced to deal with minutiae.
Compatibility
To assess how well your Gemini characters will relate to other signs, consider the elements. When airy Gemini catches up with other air signs, they can join forces in a whirlwind of shared ideas and communication—or collide, like two massive cloud forms, in a thunderclap of energy. Gemini’s airy nature can feed and inspire fire—or blow it out. Gemini also stirs up trouble with water; the air will either evaporate water, or whip it into a frenzy of crashing waves. When Gemini’s air brushes past the surface of the earth, it can either blow gently over the earth, raise clouds of dust, or twist and turn into a tornado.
You can also look at Gemini’s position on the zodiac wheel. Gemini and Sagittarius are polar opposites. Gemini focuses on short trips, while Sagittarius is interested in long-distance travel. While their plans are diametrically opposed, there is room to meet in the middle. Gemini squares off at 90-degree angles to Virgo and Pisces; while they share the same easygoing flexibility, they tend to operate at cross-purposes. On the wheel, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are all air signs; their shared element helps them communicate on the same elevated level.
The Gemini Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Gemini, you were born to write. You can write about any subject under the Sun—and you can write quickly and intelligently. Your wide-ranging interests give you a head start in developing any subject. You also have a lot of sources at your disposal. You might specialize in journalistic reports, firsthand accounts, and true stories. You’ll probably manage to be published and get paid for writing, because you know that a writer needs an audience, and you’ll be frustrated if your message goes unheard.
Twenty Questions
1. Gemini is the sign of the twins. Does your character have a secret double—or an alter ego, like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? If not, give him one.
2. Gemini rules the arms and hands. Describe your character’s hands. Are they long and graceful, or square and chunky? How would he describe his hands?
3. Palm readers note that the length of the fingers is directly related to the speed of thought. People with short fingers think quickly; it doesn’t take long for their thoughts to travel. People with long fingers are more careful. The line of thought is longer. If you were a palm reader, what would you say about your character’s fingers?
4. Gemini is a sign of communication. How old was your character when he learned to talk?
5. What were his first words?
6. Gemini is also the sign of siblings and cousins. Describe your character’s immediate and extended family. He’ll be heavily influenced by siblings and cousins—and if he’s an only child, with no peers in his generation, he’ll be notably affected by their absence.
7. Gemini rules elementary education. Describe your character’s grade-school years.
8. Gemini rules the immediate neighborhood. Describe the places where your characters live.
9. Gemini also rules routine habits and daily routine. Describe a typical day for both your hero and your villain.
10. Any character with a strong Gemini component automatically becomes lighter than air, curious, inquisitive, charming, and chattering. He’ll be talkative, curious, and quick-witted. His IQ rises, but his attention span gets shorter. Give your character a touch of ADD—and at least three hobbies.
11. Some Mercurial characters are too clever by half. They can be devious. Turn one of your supporting players into a trickster.
12. Play with the idea of parallel story construction. Tell the same tale from two points of view, or from two points in time.
13. Create a parallel universe for your character.
14. Write about two people who were switched at birth.
15. Write about someone who finds himself involved in a case of mistaken identity.
16. Write about a romantic hero who’s fickle and inconstant.
17. Write about someone who’s torn between two lovers.
18. Write about someone who’s having an affair.
19. Gemini characters can read subtle clues in body language, because language and communication are their forte—no matter how the information is delivered. Write a scene in which few words are exchanged but much is said.
20. Write about a character who’s of two minds on every subject.
She had only to stand in the orchard, to put her hand on a little crab tree and look up at the apples, to make you feel the goodness of planting and tending and harvesting at last. All the strong things of her heart came out in her body, that had been so tireless in serving generous emotions. It was no wonder that her sons stood tall and straight. She was a rich mine of life, like the founders of early races.
—Willa Cather, My Antonia
Characteristics
It might take some time to get to know your Cancerian characters. As a rule, they’ll be somewhat reserved, reclusive, and self-protective—much like their signature creature, the crab.
If you want your Cancer characters to reveal themselves, get them angry. Back them into a corner. Poke them with a stick. There’s an element of danger involved, but you can’t get close to a Cancer by keeping your distance.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Like her ruling planet, the Moon, the crab can be moody. Just as the Moon changes from day to day, and the tides rise and fall in response, Cancer can be imaginative and wildly responsive to fluctuations in the environment around them. She can be overpowering, suspicious, and, when she’s living out the archetype of the dark mother, smothering with her affections.
Physical Associations: Cancer rules the breasts and stomach—which clearly indicates a mother’s lifelong role as a nurturing presence in her children’s lives. For most mothers, feeding their children is a primary part of their jobs—first by nursing their children as infants, and later by filling their stomachs with home-cooked meals.
Signature Animal: Crabs are designed to be defensive. Their hard shell offers a tough, nearly impenetrable barrier between the dangers of the outside world and the vulnerable creature inside. Crabs scuttle sideways when they move; they rarely take a direct course. They even put out feelers to sense the direction they should travel. When they sense danger, they lash out, with sharp, pinching claws that can amputate and maim their tormentors. At the same time, however, that drive for protection and defense makes watery Cancer one of the most nurturing signs of the zodiac. A typical Cancerian character is a caregiver. She’s maternal, nurturing, and sensitive.
Glyph: The glyph for Cancer looks like the claws of a crab, or the breasts that nurture and sustain a child’s life.
House Rulership: Cancer rules the fourth house of motherhood, home, and family life—the foundation of the chart. Cancer is also one of the most patriotic signs: Cancer will fight for home and country.
Mode: The Sun enters Cancer on the summer solstice, which usually falls around June 21. The sign marks the first month of summer. That makes it a cardinal sign of leadership, initiation, and new beginnings.
Element: Because they’re water creatures, Cancerians are sensitive and intuitive.
Career Counseling
Cancerians are maternal—but they’re suited to a whole world beyond motherhood. Cancer characters are creative problem solvers. They know how to multitask, and they know how to manage people. Your Cancer character could stick with nurturing, and establish herself as a homemaker, caregiver, chef, or restaurateur. She could also be a small business owner, real estate agent, or interior designer. She could work with children as a teacher or a nurse. She could also be a counselor, therapist, psychologist, or public relations professional. Like her ruler, the Moon, a Cancer character will be tuned in to public moods and perceptions.
Costume Department
Any characters in Cancer might seem to shift shape, like the Moon. They could have a secret dark side. They’ll probably seem a little ethereal—especially since they favor silver and white.
Cancer rules the breasts and stomach, so look for big breasts, a barrel chest, or a pot belly. A Cancerian might also have a beaming face and broad smile, round and full like the Moon.
Subconsciously, Cancers tend to hide beneath a shell and dress defensively. There is always something between them and others, whether it’s a suit of armor or an apron.
Cancerian characters have round faces, wide eyes, and innocent expressions. They typically have crooked teeth and short, upturned noses, with pale skin and rosy cheeks. They tend to daydream a lot. They’re short, soft, and round, and they tend to be top-heavy. In fact, they always seem a little shorter and a little heavier than they really are, and even thin Cancerians will be curvy.
Comfort
Even though Cancer is the sign of home and family life, the planets don’t always feel comfortable and at home when they pass through the sign.
The Moon, of course, is most at home in Cancer, the sign of its own domicile. Mars, on the other hand, is in its fall in Cancer. Mars is the warrior planet, and no one wants their home to be a battlefield or to find their home at Ground Zero in an attack. Jupiter is exalted in Cancer, because Jupiter is the Greater Benefic, and it loves to shower its loved ones with gifts. Saturn, however, is debilitated in Cancer. Saturn wants to create order, but Cancer prefers a gentler form of discipline than Saturn can provide.
Compatibility
How do the signs relate to one another? When water nourishes earth, it nurtures the soil and promotes growth. When Cancer combines with fire, however, it either quenches the flames or sizzles, steams, or evaporates. Water will dampen air; it could even lead to a downpour of torrential proportions. And when one body of water flows into another, it takes the shape of its container and rises to its own level.
You can also consider Cancer’s position on the zodiac wheel. Cancer and Capricorn are polar opposites, which means they see the world from opposing points of view. Capricorn is in a position of public visibility, while Cancer is safely ensconced at home. Because opposites attract, however, the two signs complement each other. Cancer squares off against Aries and Libra; while they share the same cardinal signs of leadership and initiation, they tend to operate at cross-purposes. Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are all water signs, so their shared emotional energy makes them especially well suited to friendship and bonding.
The Cancer Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Cancer, you write to help and advise others. You might specialize in writing about subjects that enhance home and family life, like parenting, cooking, and interior decorating. You have an intuitive sense about the information your readers want, and a special skill for presenting that information in language they understand.
You have a gift for making money at whatever you do, so writing could be a perfect second job for you. You might even do most of your writing after dark. After all, you’re ruled by the Moon, so moonlighting seems only natural.
Unfortunately, you’re extremely sensitive to criticism, so you’re probably better off not reading your reviews unless they’ve been pre-screened by someone who loves you.
Twenty Questions
1. How is your character like a crab? Does she hide within her shell, or does she go on the offensive? Is she easily frightened or provoked? Describe how she acts with family and friends. Compare that behavior to her demeanor at a party, or in a crowd.
2. Cancerians are extremely sensitive. How does your character protect herself emotionally?
3. How does she defend herself when she’s attacked?
4. Cancer rules the breasts and stomach. How does your character feel about her figure?
5. What does your character like to eat?
6. What does she like to cook? Is she a good cook?
7. Describe your character’s kitchen.
8. Symbolically speaking, how does your character feed herself—not just physically, but spiritually and intellectually?
9. Cancer is also a sign closely associated with motherhood. Describe your character’s mother.
10. What lessons did your character learn at her mother’s knee? Were they helpful? Were they true?
11. Create a character based on your mother’s astrological signature.
12. Write what you know about your mother’s childhood, and then compare it to your own.
13. If you have brothers or sisters, call them and ask them to describe their childhood perceptions of your mother. The differences might surprise you. Incorporate them into a profile of a completely fictional character.
14. Write about a grandmother—either one you had or one you wish you had.
15. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which means that Cancerian characters are constantly cycling through emotions and experiences. What cycles does your character continually repeat?
16. As the Moon pulls at the earth, the lives of Cancer-based characters seem to ebb and flow like the tides. Describe your character’s highest highs and lowest lows.
17. The crab carries its home on its back. What does your character always carry with her to remind her of home or to make her feel at home? What does she keep in her purse? What’s in the glove box of her car?
18. The Moon is associated with silver, prized not only for its intrinsic value but also its reflective properties. When your character is deep in thought, what’s on her mind?
19. Cancerians can be reflective—but they can also be distracted by shiny trinkets and baubles. When your character looks around, what catches her eye?
20. Write about a baby who’s abandoned on a doorstep.
When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
—William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Characteristics
Be very careful when you add a Leo to your cast of characters. Leos love the limelight—which means you might have a hard time convincing your supporting players that they’re not the stars of the show. After all, everyone is the hero of their own story, with goals and motivations, drives and desires, and inevitable conflicts that threaten to thwart their objectives. Every individual has a life of their own, even if most of the action happens behind the scenes.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Leo’s ruling planet, the Sun, is also used to being the center of the action. It’s the center of the solar system, and every other heavenly body revolves around it. In astrology, the Sun symbolizes the ego and individuality of the self. Apollo, the god of the Sun, embodies the regal qualities of both the planet and the sign. He’s fiery and charismatic. He’s mesmerizing and dramatic. He’s a majestic source of light, heat, and inspiration. He’s spontaneous, gregarious, and outgoing. He’s daring and determined, powerful, and born to lead.
Physical Associations: Leo rules the heart and spine. It’s no accident that we use the terms heart and backbone to describe the bravery and courage of heroes—as well as those they inspire.
Signature Animal: The lion is the king of beasts, which is one reason so many kings seem to display lions on their coat of arms.
Glyph: The glyph for Leo looks like a lion’s tail or a lion’s mane. Leo is represented by a lion, the king of beasts, who hunts and dispatches his prey without bitterness, recrimination, or regret. The lion is also an alchemical symbol for the Sun—Leo’s ruling planet—along with gold and sulphur.
House Rulership: Leo rules the fifth house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about recreation, procreation, and creativity. It’s a playful sign that ultimately leads Leo to the joys of fatherhood and family life.
Mode: The Sun is usually in Leo between July 21 and August 23. Leo, the fixed fire sign of the zodiac, rules the hottest month of summer, when the earth is closest to the Sun, the days are long and scorching, and the season is at its peak.
Element: The sign is unmistakably fiery.
Career Counseling
Any characters in Leo will automatically assume the mantle of a king. They might shine as a business executive, a leading man, or a politician. Leos make excellent models, movie stars, and media personalities, too.
Costume Department
Any planet or personality in Leo becomes regal, like the king of beasts. They’re dramatic and showy. They dress for success—and attention.
Because Leo rules the heart and spine, you can expect a Leo character to be confident, brave, and fearless. He’ll wear fiery colors that can’t go unnoticed, like red, orange, and gold. In fact, Leo expects to be seen and admired. Expect them to wear athlete’s clothing or uniforms; they love to play for pay.
Leo personalities typically have thick manes of hair, with large, catlike eyes and a graceful way of walking. They carry themselves with pride. They’re usually tall, with thin waists and trim legs. They move slowly but dramatically, and they speak loudly, with bearing and authority.
Comfort
The Sun rules Leo, so when it passes through this sign, it once again returns to its proper place at the center of the solar system. Mercury, the sign of speed and communication, doesn’t mind delivering messages to the Sun; in fact, he’s always in close proximity. Mercury is in fall when he’s forced to stay for an extended visit in the Sun’s house, however. He doesn’t have time to linger. Saturn is also debilitated in Leo, because the planet of structure and stability doesn’t mesh well with valiant individualism.
Compatibility
To determine how well your Leo characters will relate to other signs, consider the elements. When fiery Leo joins forces with other fire signs, the conflagration can only grow—or even explode. Fire is fueled by air signs. Water will either extinguish fire or be evaporated by the encounter. And while fire can burn growth and structures to the ground, pure earth will extinguish flames.
You can also consider Leo’s position on the zodiac wheel. Leo is diametrically opposed to Aquarius; Leo’s desire for individuality directly contradicts Aquarius’s emphasis on friends and social groups. Leo squares off at a 90-degree angle to Scorpio and Taurus. They’re all fixed signs, but they tend to work at cross-purposes. Leo’s fellow fire signs, Sagittarius and Aries, can join forces to build a ring of fire, fueling each other’s needs for adventure and exploration.
The Leo Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Leo, you have a flair for dramatic language and self-expression. You write to be noticed—and admired.
There’s a playful tone to your writing, which translates into a love of puns and wordplay. You’re a visual thinker, with an eye for descriptive phrasing. Your sentences are active, not passive—you specialize in being direct and to the point.
You probably like writing about children, sports, or hobbies.
Twenty Questions
1. How is your character like a lion?
2. Leo characters typically have a thick mane of hair. Does your hero fit the bill? Describe his hairdo.
3. Is your hero naturally courageous, or is he a cowardly lion? How do you know?
4. Leo is the sign of showmanship. Put your hero on center stage. How will he perform? What will he perform?
5. How does your hero deal with stage fright?
6. Look up the Sun signs of your favorite celebrities. How do they remind you of your protagonist?
7. Write about a lion tamer or a circus.
8. Use all five senses when you write. Sight is the most obvious and most used. But how does a lion smell? Sound? Feel? While you can’t exactly taste him literally, what taste does a lion’s smell leave in your mouth? Work it in when you can. Hint at the taste of blood and raw meat. Keep your descriptions primal, like the lion himself.
9. Leo is ruled by the Sun. What happens when your hero steps out into the light?
10. What would happen if he were cut off from the Sun, and trapped inside?
11. Write about a character who spends his nights awake. Why is he up? What does he do while the rest of the world is asleep?
12. Write a short story that describes a planetary or zodiacal character who’s forced to spend time in an uncomfortable, unfamiliar place—like a god or goddess in exile.
13. Leo rules the fifth house, where astrologers look for information about creation, procreation, and recreation. What are your character’s hobbies?
14. What does he do after work and on weekends?
15. Does your character have a secret skill that no one knows about? Describe it.
16. Does your character have children? What are their names and ages? What are they like?
17. Run through the list of signs for story ideas you can express in a single sentence. Imagine, for example, that Leo, the lion, is forced to fight for love, or that Cancer, the crab, must come out of her shell to nurse a stranger in a war zone. Consider what would happen if Gemini, the twins, were separated at birth—but they experience a series of mystical coincidences that draw them together at the worst possible moment.
18. Become a master of age progression and regression, and write about your Leo character at different stages of life. You can repeat the experiment with the rest of the cast, too. Astrology will help you discover how their innate personality traits rarely change.
19. Write a story about two people looking up at the night sky when the constellation Leo begins to move.
20. Rewrite a myth or fable about a lion.
Whenever you feel like criticizing any one … just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.
—F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Characteristics
Your Virgo characters offer a fascinating study in character analysis. When you create a Virgo character, you’re actually creating a complement to Gemini, because both are ruled by Mercury.
Both signs are predominantly intellectual. While Gemini is curious and communicative, however, Virgo is conscientious and contemplative.
Virgos are patient, practical, and prudent. They’re diligent, resourceful, and organized. They’re dedicated to their work, and they’re remarkably patient and calm. They can be demanding—but they expect more from themselves than from others. In fact, Virgos often isolate themselves in an effort to live up to their own high standards.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Both Virgo and Gemini are ruled by Mercury, the god of thought and communication.
Physical Associations: Virgo rules the nervous and digestive systems, and most Virgos are keenly aware of their health and nutrition. They recognize the fact that they are what they eat. In fact, the Virgo virgin is usually pictured holding a sheaf of wheat.
Signature Animal: Virgo is represented by a virgin—more spiritual than physical. A virgin is wholesome, holy, and pure. That doesn’t mean that a Virgo character is destined for a life of celibacy. In Latin, Virgo means “unmarried” or “self-possessed.” Ultimately, most duty-bound Virgos give of themselves by choice, not out of a sense of obligation. They have integrity, and they always stay true to themselves. Historically, unmarried temple virgins served their communities by living exemplary lives of public service and personal responsibility.
Glyph: The glyph for Virgo looks like a pair of angel wings, or a woman with her legs crossed.
House Rulership: Virgo rules the sixth house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about work and service to others.
Mode: The Sun is usually in Virgo between August 23 and September 23. The sign marks the third and final month of summer. That makes it a mutable sign: it’s changeable and varied, to ease the transition from one season to the next.
Element: Virgo is an earth sign, grounded in the practical realities of physical existence.
Career Counseling
Virgos are analysts and problem solvers. They make excellent researchers, librarians, analysts, and statisticians. Their fascination with food may lead them into the field of nutrition, and their obsession with health makes them excellent nurses, therapists, medical technicians, and doctors. Their Mercurial skill with language also equips them for careers as writers, editors, and translators.
Costume Department
Any planets or personalities in Virgo pay close attention to detail. They don’t dress to impress; they dress in fashions that serve a function. They’re utilitarian and practical, prepared for emergencies, and, like Mercury, ready to travel on a moment’s notice. They might seem dry and serious, but they have a droll sense of humor that passes over most people’s heads. They might even seem to dress down so they won’t be noticed, as if they’re wearing a cloak of invisibility.
Your Virgo characters will probably have fair skin and doll-like features, including round eyes and delicate lips. Most people think they’re beautiful, but Virgos will always be self-conscious and critical of their own appearance.
Because Virgo rules the nervous system, they’ll have long arms and long fingers, and they’ll seem to be perpetually in motion. Virgos look fragile, but they can surprise you with their strength.
Comfort
As the planets travel through the zodiac, some will settle into Virgo with a sigh of relief. Others will struggle to get comfortable.
Mercury, the ruler of the sixth house, is both dignified and exalted in Virgo. Jupiter, however, is debilitated there, because it’s forced to narrow its focus and pay attention to detail. Venus, the goddess of love and affection, makes a poor choice of roommate for the virgin. Promiscuity and celibacy are a bad match.
Compatibility
To determine how well your Virgo characters will relate to other signs, consider the elements. When Virgo combines with other earth signs, they literally build on each other’s strengths. When earth mixes with air, the combination usually stirs up some dust—and could even lead to a windstorm. Earth and water can be a nurturing combination; rain nourishes natural growth. Earth and fire are generally a neutral combination, unless the earth is used to break a firestorm or quench the flames of desire.
You can also look at Virgo’s position on the zodiac wheel. Virgo and Pisces are polar opposites. Virgo wants to pay precise attention to detail, but Pisces wants to float through an alternate reality. Virgo squares off against Sagittarius and Gemini. While they share the same easygoing mutability, their missions are elementally at odds. Virgo has the most in common with her fellow earth signs, Capricorn and Taurus; all three are practical, grounded, and resourceful.
The Virgo Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Virgo, you’re disciplined and determined. You’re studious, too. You enjoy doing research, and you’re methodical and analytical in your approach. You like to be precise, and you’ll work long and hard to find just the right word.
You don’t mind sharing your knowledge with other writers. In fact, you probably enjoy proofreading and copy editing as much as writing, whether you’re checking your own work or acting on behalf of others.
Twenty Questions
1. Virgo is ruled by Mercury—the same planet that rules Gemini. In Virgo, however, Mercury becomes serious and high-minded. How will that affect your heroine? Describe her in two different moods, one silly and one serious.
2. Virgo rules the sixth house of work and service to others. Write about someone who helps others at her own expense.
3. Write about someone who has a lot of servants. How does she treat them?
4. What do the servants think of her?
5. Virgo is the sign of the virgin. How did your heroine lose her virginity?
6. If she hasn’t lost her virginity yet, would she like to? How can you make it come about in your story?
7. What part of herself does your character keep private even from her most intimate friends and romantic partners?
8. Consider the possibilities of an interspecies romance, and write about the relationships between the signs of the zodiac. How do the signature animals interact? How do they form allegiances? How do they fight, and how do they make love?
9. Create a character who conforms almost completely to the description of a Virgo—but throw in one characteristic that’s completely out of character for the sign.
10. Create a full-fledged horoscope for a Virgo character, or simply pick and choose the bits and pieces you’d like to explore. The process of researching and applying astrological traits is very Virgoan.
11. Draft a brief treatment for the same story as a short story, novel, movie, play, or poem.
12. Virgo rules the nervous and digestive systems. Write about a character who has an unusual diet.
13. Virgo is often associated with sickness and health. Describe the worst illness your character has ever suffered.
14. How can you tell when your hero is nervous or distressed?
15. Virgo also rules everyday duty and responsibility, like those associated with pets and plants. How does your character tackle her daily obligations?
16. How did she manage her chores as a child?
17. Describe your heroine’s pets.
18. Review all the signs of the zodiac, and work the signature animals of each sign into the sequence of a story.
19. Research the myths and legends you associate with your characters. Remember that even a character’s name is linked to ancient gods and goddesses, or their more modern incarnations, like biblical figures, saints, and historic figures.
20. Give your character a theme song, and explain why you chose it.
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
—Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Characteristics
Libra makes an excellent partner in crime—or in creative writing. She’s a social creature, with a fondness for dialogue and expansive discourse. When you include her in your stories, you’ll feel like you’re writing about a friend.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Like Taurus, Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and attraction. Both Libra and Venus represent the epitome of charm and grace, designed to attract and appeal.
Physical Associations: Libra rules the kidneys, which help keep the whole body in balance, as well as the lower back, the graceful seat of power.
Signature Animal: Libra is the only sign that’s not represented by a living creature. That’s odd, because Libra is probably the most social animal in the zodiac. Librans have an innate need to balance themselves through relationships with others. They also crave human connection through the beauty and harmony of art and culture. Libra is skilled at solving problems, compromising, and arranging diplomatic solutions for any conflict. Libra knows there are two sides to every story, and when called upon to mediate, can be an exceptional arbitrator. Occasionally, Libra’s need to see both sides of any issue can make it seem indecisive. Libra’s charm, however, makes up for it. Almost everyone is familiar with the scales of balance, as well as the goddess of justice who’s usually seen holding them. It’s a reminder that your Libra character is dedicated to the pursuit of balance and equanimity—even if she struggles to achieve that balance for herself.
Glyph: The glyph for Libra looks like a perfectly balanced set of scales.
House Rulership: Libra is the seventh sign. It rules the seventh house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about marriage and partnership—as well as open enemies. If that doesn’t make sense at first, think about your ex-husband.
Mode: The Sun is usually in Libra between September 23 and October 22. The sign marks the first month of autumn. That makes it a cardinal sign: it takes a leadership position and initiates change and forward movement. Libra is a cardinal sign. Its start marks the first day of fall. Like Aries and Cancer before it, Libra is a leader and an initiator, an agent of change and decisive action.
Element: Libra is an air sign. In astrology, the element of air symbolizes intellectual energy—and Libra is intelligent. It’s extroverted, communicative, and conversational. Libra is interested in others, and she’s able to express that interest in an utterly charming fashion.
Career Counseling
Libra is the sign of grace and balance, which makes it uniquely equipped to serve as a judge, arbitrator, negotiator, mediator, marriage therapist, ambassador, artist, musician, or dancer.
Costume Department
Any planet or personality in Libra is automatically graceful, charming, and easy on the eye. Like Venus, her ruler, Libra will dress herself in fashion’s most becoming styles, tailored to perfection and designed to attract admiration. Look for an engagement or wedding ring; partnership is important to a Libra.
Any character in Libra will be physically attractive, with or without clothing. Libra women have the figure of a dancer, with equally graceful movements and poses.
Most Librans have a matched set of dimples, either on their cheeks, noses, knees, or elbows. They have symmetrical, heart-shaped faces, with chiseled, refined features. They might not be classic beauties, but they’re always physically striking.
Libra characters also have melodious voices and infectious laughter.
Comfort
As the planets move through the signs, some will feel comfortably at home in Libra. Others will be decidedly uncomfortable.
Venus is in dignity in Libra, her natural home. Mars, however, is debilitated there. The god of war doesn’t necessarily want to devote himself to love and partnership. Saturn, the judge, is exalted in Libra, where he ensures that the scales of justice are evenly balanced. The Sun is in fall in Libra. As the king of the solar system and the center of attention, he doesn’t share power well.
Compatibility
When airy Libra catches up with other air signs, they can join forces in a whirlwind of shared ideas and communication—or collide, two massive cloud forms, in a thunderclap of energy. Libra’s airy nature can feed and inspire fire—or blow it out. Libra stirs up trouble with water, which can only react by quietly evaporating or being whipped into crashing waves. Air can blow gently over the earth, or raise clouds of dust.
To determine how well your Libra characters will relate to other signs, you can also consider their position on the zodiac wheel. Libra and Aries are polar opposites. Libra desires partnership, while Aries craves independence. Libra squares off against Capricorn and Cancer; although they share the same cardinal drive for leadership, they tend to operate at cross-purposes. Libra communicates best with the other air signs, Aquarius and Gemini. Their shared energy guarantees constant chatter and scintillating conversation.
The Libra Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Libra, you have a gift for understanding complex relationships. You’re able to tackle difficult subjects with charm and grace, and balance both sides of any issue. While you might be good at writing about legal affairs and business arrangements, you’d probably rather write about the finer pleasures in life—especially love, romance, and culture. You’re a fair-minded patron of the arts, and you’d make an excellent art, movie, or theater critic.
Twenty Questions
1. Libra is the sign of balance and partnership. Is your character in a relationship? Describe his partner.
2. How did they meet?
3. Now describe the relationship. What does your character get from his partner, and what does he give?
4. What keeps them together?
5. How will your character cope when his relationship is threatened? Will he celebrate, or will he be unbalanced? Write it and see.
6. Describe a particularly bad breakup your character suffered in the past.
7. Send your character to a marriage therapist. What will he discuss?
8. Our most intimate partners also know our darkest secrets and our deepest fears. What secrets could your character’s partner tell you about him?
9. Most Librans try to find themselves by comparing and contrasting their own experience with other people’s. What does your character see when he looks into a mirror or catches his reflection in a store window?
10. Libra is an air sign, signifying its connection to intellect and thought. Does your hero follow his head or his heart? How so?
11. Think of the Libra signature as the scales of justice, and plunge your character into a legal nightmare. Divorce might work, or embezzlement, or any dispute that involves the betrayal of trust in a relationship.
12. Write about a lawyer, a judge, or an officer of the court.
13. What do you believe about justice? Is it a theme of your work?
14. Write about a character who must choose the lesser of two evils.
15. Now write about a character who must choose the greater of two evils.
16. Write about an unlikely partnership between good and evil.
17. Write about an arranged marriage.
18. Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and attraction. Unfortunately, the word Venus is the source of the word venereal. If you want to plunge your hero headfirst into drama and conflict, you might want to infect him with an unpleasant social disease.
19. Describe your character’s musical tastes. What is his favorite song?
20. Libra is an artistic sign. Draw, paint, sketch, or create a collage about a character with all the attributes you can link to the qualities of a sign—whether that happens to be Libra or not.
My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people don’t know.
—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
Characteristics
If you’re writing a mystery, a thriller, or a dark, gothic romance, you’ll probably want to cast a Scorpio in a leading role.
While most people fear death, Scorpios are unafraid of darkness. In fact, they’re fascinated by it. They’re drawn to the dark rites of transformation, compelled by the mysteries of life and death, and propelled by the allure of sex and the aphrodisiac of power.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Scorpio’s ruler, Pluto, is the planet of death, regeneration, and unavoidable change. In ancient myth and legend, Pluto was the lord of the underworld and the keeper of the souls of the dead. Before Pluto’s namesake planet was discovered, however, Mars was Scorpio’s ruler—and today, the sign is still colored by the passion of the god of war.
Physical Association: Scorpio rules the genitals. As a result, Scorpio characters are mesmerizing and seductive, and they’re constantly in search of intimacy. Because so few people appreciate their fascination with power and control, however, they tend to scare off most prospective companions.
Signature Animal: The Scorpio glyph looks like a scorpion: a stealthy, hidden creature that defends itself with a poisonous barb. When Scorpios feel threatened or wounded, they lash out. They don’t forget any damage that’s been done. They can even be obsessive. Occasionally, Scorpio is represented by an eagle, a bird of prey, or a phoenix, the mythical bird that dies and is reborn from its own ashes.
Glyph: The glyph for Scorpio is designed to look like a stick-figure scorpion, complete with a stinger on its tail.
House Rulership: Scorpio rules the eighth house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about shared resources and life-changing experiences.
Mode: The Sun is usually in Scorpio between October 23 and November 22. Scorpio rules the second month of autumn, when the days and nights are in perfect balance, and the season is at its peak. That makes it a fixed sign: established, clearly defined, and overflowing with emotional energy.
Element: Scorpio is a water sign—but because it’s fixed water, it often seems to be preternaturally calm. Remember that you can’t always gauge the depth of a Scorpio character by skimming the surface. Still waters run deep.
Career Counseling
Scorpio characters can pursue their darkest fantasies and fascinations in careers that count on research and investigation. They make excellent detectives, spies, psychiatrists, psychologists, coroners, and morticians.
Costume Department
Any planet or personality in Scorpio immediately takes on a brooding, dark, intense quality. While they might not lurk in shadows, they dress to recede into the background, where they can observe the world around them.
Scorpio characters are dark and strikingly handsome. Their eyes are piercing, with a gaze that can see into other people’s souls. They have good bone structure, with high cheekbones and sculpted features. While Scorpios can seem brooding, they can also look like they’ve been carved from stone. When a Scorpio is observing the world, it’s impossible to know what he’s thinking behind his mask of impassive objectivity.
How does Scorpio dress? Sexy. Just for size, try slipping your character into a little black dress, in homage to Scorpio’s contemporary ruler, Pluto, or a revealing red gown in deference to Scorpio’s classical ruler, Mars.
Comfort
As the planets circle the zodiac, they’ll all travel through Scorpio at some point. Mars, the ancient ruler of Scorpio, is dignified and comfortably in command of the sign. Venus, however, is debilitated; her basic nature clashes with the call of the battlefield and the ghastly realm of death and destruction. The Moon is in fall in Scorpio, for similar reasons. The Moon wants to nurture and protect her children, not kill them.
Compatibility
To assess Scorpio’s compatibility with other signs, consider the elements. When water overcomes the earth, it can either wash away the soil or nourish the land. When Cancer combines with fire, it either quenches the flames or sizzles, steams, or evaporates. Water and air inevitably lead to clouds and rain; the mixture could even cause a hurricane. But when one body of water flows into another, a pool is formed.
You can also look at Scorpio’s position on the zodiac wheel. Scorpio and Taurus are polar opposites. Scorpio wants power and control over the dark mysteries of life, but Taurus simply wants to ensure her comfort and security. Scorpio squares off against Aquarius and Leo. That’s because all three are fixed signs, determined and set in their ways, and working at cross-purposes. Scorpio understands the other water signs, however. Scorpio, Cancer, and Pisces have an emotional bond, and they can commiserate with each other.
The Scorpio Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Scorpio, you’re comfortable writing about the darker things in life. You know how to bring shadowy forces into the light, where you can study them at your leisure. You have the guts to write about sex, death, and resurrection. You might even enjoy writing about taboo subjects.
Twenty Questions
1. How is your character like a scorpion?
2. Scorpio rules the reproductive organs. What does that mean for your character? Is she fertile or infertile? How have children—or their absence—changed her life?
3. Scorpio is deeply connected to sexuality—but it doesn’t necessarily lead to promiscuity. In fact, a very, very Scorpionic character might avoid sex altogether. Does your character abstain from sex? Why or why not?
4. Scorpio is a deep and quiet water sign, fixated on emotional connections—and consequences. Some might even say it’s the sign of obsession. What obsesses your character? How does she handle her obsessions?
5. Define your character’s most pressing need—and then invent at least three ways to keep her from attaining it.
6. Scorpio is also the sign of death and regeneration. Write about an accidental death, a murder, or an easy passage into the afterlife. Then write about someone who’s resurrected from the dead.
7. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, the dark lord of the underworld. What dark mysteries has your character experienced?
8. Write about the underworld, populated by spirits, ghosts, and shades of the past.
9. Describe the setting of the underworld as if it were a character in and of itself.
10. What ghosts from the past haunt your character’s everyday life?
11. What ghosts and spirits haunt her dreams?
12. Write about gods in modern times—with or without their full power. Start with Pluto; pluck him from the underworld, and plant him firmly in an ordinary human existence. How will he adapt?
13. Outline short conversations between Pluto and the ordinary people he meets during the course of a day.
14. Give Pluto a catchphrase. How does it sum up your character’s life and times?
15. Sprinkle your text with astrological omens as a form of foreshadowing.
16. Write about an unexpected inheritance.
17. Write about an inheritance that’s been denied, delayed, or withheld. What was the result?
18. Write a poem about sex, death, and other people’s money.
19. Have your character write a letter to someone who has died.
20. Use tarot or astrology cards to visualize your characters.
When you reach for the stars, you are reaching for the farthest thing out there. When you reach deep into yourself, it is the same thing, but in the opposite direction. If you reach in both directions, you will have spanned the universe.
—Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration
Characteristics
The archer of Sagittarius is a wily creature. Half-man, half-beast, he’s a seamless blend of restless adventurer and ribald philosopher. He’s a happy-go-lucky traveler who wanders the world in search of honest and visionary companions. He’s enthusiastic, independent, footloose, and fancy-free—and he’s got a wandering eye. Follow him, and you’ll be off on the journey of a lifetime.
For Sagittarius—the sign of long-distance travel, higher education, and philosophy—getting there is half the fun. Sagittarius characters are always chasing the adventure and excitement that are waiting on the other side of the horizon. They’re impulsive, restless, and on the move.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion. Jupiter imbues your Sagittarian characters with optimism, good humor, and old-fashioned good luck, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Physical Associations: Sagittarius rules the hips and thighs—the “horsey” part of the legs that can bear weight and carry a rider across long distances of time and space.
Signature Animal: Sagittarius is represented by the archer, and in most renditions, that archer just happens to be a centaur—half-man, half-horse. He’s tame, but he’s wild at heart—and he typically has a wandering eye, always wondering what’s over the horizon.
Glyph: The glyph for Sagittarius looks like an arrow. With a single movement, the archer can unleash his weapon and send it soaring to a new land. Just as an arrow flies through time and space, physical and intellectual journeys broaden the mind and expand our horizons.
House Rulership: Sagittarius is the ninth sign. It rules the ninth house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about higher education, philosophy, and long-distance travel.
Mode: The Sun is usually in Sagittarius between November 21 and December 20. This sign marks the third and final month of fall. That makes it a mutable sign: it’s changeable and varied, to ease the transition from one season to the next. Sagittarius will try anything once—and maybe twice, just for good measure.
Element: Sagittarius is a fire sign. In astrology, the element of fire symbolizes spiritual energy.
Career Counseling
Your Sagittarius characters are well suited to careers as philosophers, ministers, priests, rabbis, lawyers, politicians, professors—and, of course, explorers. Don’t try to fence them in. They’re restless and easily bored by routine. It’s their nature to be adventurous and outgoing, meet new people, and test the boundaries of human imagination.
Costume Department
Any planets or personalities in Sagittarius will need plenty of pockets. A travel vest will do nicely: they can stuff it with books, brochures, train tickets, and passport—even if that passport happens to be a library card.
Sagittarian characters are physically appealing. They’re tall and handsome, with cheerful faces and ready smiles. Most have a tendency to grin broadly—but it’s endearing rather than ridiculous. Because they’re half-horse, they gallop through life, chasing from one place to another and tripping over themselves in their enthusiasm to reach the finish line.
Because they’re ruled by expansive Jupiter, Sagittarian characters always seem larger than life—and once they start trying the local cuisine, they actually do gain weight. You can also spot a Sagittarius by the stains on their shirts. They don’t sit still or stop talking while they eat.
Comfort
Like the wandering stars they are, the planets all take turns passing through Sagittarius. Only one can call it home: Jupiter, the king of the gods, is in complete command when he returns to the sign he rules.
Mercury, on the other hand, functions at a loss. He rules short trips, not long journeys.
Compatibility
To determine how well your Sagittarius characters will relate to other signs, consider the elements. When fiery Sagittarius joins forces with other fire signs, the conflagration can only grow—or even explode. Fire is fueled by air signs. Water will either extinguish fire, or be evaporated by the encounter. And while fire can burn growth and structures to the ground, pure earth will extinguish flames.
You can also look at Sagittarius’s position on the zodiac wheel. Sagittarius and Gemini are polar opposites—but they’re both students. Gemini rules elementary education, and Sagittarius is in charge of higher learning. Sagittarius squares off at a 90-degree angle to Pisces and Virgo. While the three signs share the same easygoing mutability, they’re all in different elements. Sagittarius is most like the other fire signs of the zodiac, Aries and Leo. He’s not as egocentric, but when it comes to exploration and adventure, he’ll give them a good run for their money.
The Sagittarius Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Sagittarius, you’ve been a reader and a writer all your life. Sagittarius rules publishing, in all its forms, so you’ll probably be published at some point—even if you’re not right now. You write to connect with other people, to exchange ideas, and to be recognized for your own authority. You might specialize in legal, religious, or academic subjects. While you can be deeply philosophical, you’re also gentle, generous-minded, and good-humored in your work.
Twenty Questions
1. How is your character like a horse?
2. How is he like an archer? What targets does he shoot for?
3. Describe your character’s gait as he walks across a room or down the street.
4. Send your character on a trip, a foreign vacation.
5. Write about a character who is a blend of man and animal—a hybrid creature, like the centaur, half-man, half-horse, who often represents the archer of Sagittarius.
6. Write about an archer.
7. Write about a horseman.
8. Write a modern western.
9. Sagittarians are honest and outspoken—almost to a fault. Describe an incident during which your character seemed to suffer from hoof-in-mouth disease.
10. Force your character to lie to preserve and protect the truth.
11. Sagittarius rules the ninth house of higher education, long-distance travel, and philosophy. How far did your character get in his education?
12. Has he traveled? How far?
13. What languages does your character speak?
14. How does he feel about foreigners?
15. What are your character’s political views? Is he liberal, conservative, or disinterested?
16. Is he religious, or is he a skeptic? What religion does he practice?
17. What’s his relationship with God?
18. Is he scientific, or superstitious?
19. Start your character on a journey of a single step—and then force him to take two steps back as a result. In fact, try to develop a series of complications that will interfere with your hero’s journey.
20. Rewrite the same scene from the perspective of two characters, or the same character in a different place and time.
Mr. Darling used to boast to Wendy that her mother not only loved him but respected him. He was one of those deep ones who know about stocks and shares. Of course no one really knows, but he quite seemed to know, and he often said stocks were up and shares were down in a way that would have made any woman respect him.
—J. M. Barrie, Peter and Wendy
Characteristics
Capricorn characters are all business—because Capricorn is a pragmatic sign. People who are born when the Sun is in Capricorn are usually hard workers, high achievers, and responsible partners both at work and at home. Characters with a strong Capricorn influence typically feel driven to prove themselves in business and society.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the ringed planet of boundaries and limitations. Capricorn characters are practical creatures, firmly bound by gravity and rooted in the material world. They’re closely acquainted with both the pleasures and pain of physical existence.
Physical Associations: Capricorn rules the knees, shins, and ankles—three components that are critical to anyone who wants to climb mountains and reach the pinnacle of career and social success. Capricorn also rules the skeleton and the skin, which provide structure to the human form.
Signature Animal: Like the sure-footed mountain goat, Capricorns are constantly climbing in search of greener pastures. They’re ambitious, driven, disciplined, and industrious. They’re also prudent, patient, stable, and enduring. Some artists depict Capricorn as a hybrid creature, half-goat and half-fish. The imagery dates back to myths about the Greek god Pan, who jumped into the Nile to escape the monster Typhon. When he was submerged from the waist down, his legs turned into a fish tail, but his upper body maintained its goat-like form.
Glyph: The glyph for Capricorn looks a little like a goat, in profile. Its pointed face looks like a V, and its body is muscular and lean.
House Rulership: Capricorn is the tenth sign of the zodiac. It rules the tenth house of career and social status—both of which often come at great expense. No one understands that cost better than a Capricorn, who will pay almost any price for the privilege that power can bring.
Mode: The Sun is usually in Capricorn between December 21 and January 20. The sign marks the beginning of winter. It’s a cardinal sign of leadership and initiation, which introduces a season of change and new beginnings.
Element: Not surprisingly, given its mountainous connections, Capricorn is an earth sign. In astrology, the element of earth symbolizes stability and security. It’s the sign of tangible property, material resources, and physical existence.
Career Counseling
Capricorn is the sign of business and career—so if your Capricorn character can make money in a profession, he’ll prove himself in it. Capricorn characters are ideally suited to careers in the corporate world, where they can become captains of industry. They like big business. They can also do well in careers where they have status and authority. They can be judges, police officers, headmasters, and high school teachers.
Costume Department
Even when they’re wearing t-shirts and shorts, Capricorn characters look like they’re dressed in three-piece suits. Like Saturn, the god of time, they always wear watches—and for the most part, they’re dead serious about keeping track of time.
Any planet or personality in Capricorn seems serious and reserved. Capricorn children are especially so—but it’s the one sign whose natives are said to grow younger with every passing year. So, at first glance, Capricorn characters might seem humorless, but look again, and you’ll see a twinkle in their eyes. Rather than being joyless, they have a surprisingly dry and clever wit. They crack jokes at the most unexpected moments, and while they might catch their audience off-guard, they have an impeccable sense of comedic timing.
Capricorns speak with authority. They have strong, powerful voices, and they expect to be heard, seen, and obeyed. They’re careful about where they walk and where they set their feet. They move slowly and deliberately, whether they’re climbing toward the pinnacle of success or simply crossing the room. Since Capricorn rules the bones and skin, they have chiseled features and straight, white teeth.
Comfort
Around the world or around the universe, there’s no place like home. Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, is exceptionally well dignified in his domicile. The Moon, however, is debilitated; she’d rather be home than out and about in public. Mars is exalted in Capricorn, where it can put its executive skills to good use in business. Jupiter is in fall in Capricorn, the sign of business and industry, because there every reward must be earned.
Compatibility
To gauge how well your Capricorn characters will relate to other signs, consider the elements. When earthy Capricorn combines with other earth signs, they literally build on each other’s strengths. When earth mixes with air, the combination usually stirs up some dust—and could even lead to a windstorm. Earth and water can be a nurturing combination; rain nourishes natural growth. Earth and fire are generally a neutral combination, unless the earth is used to break a firestorm or quench the flames of desire.
You can also consider Capricorn’s position on the zodiac wheel. Capricorn and Cancer are polar opposites, which means they see the world from opposing points of view. Capricorn is in a position of public visibility, while Cancer is safely ensconced at home. Because opposites attract, however, the two signs complement each other. Capricorn squares off against Aries and Libra; while they share the same cardinal signs of leadership and initiation, they tend to operate at cross-purposes. On the horoscope wheel, Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo form an earthy pyramid of power. Their shared physical energy makes them especially well suited to work on building projects together.
The Capricorn Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Capricorn, you’re all business when you put pen to paper. You write serious prose, for mature audiences. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re stodgy, though: your dry wit is always written between the lines. You probably like to write about business and finance, with a dash of politics and economics thrown in for good measure. You’re a clear thinker with a definite message to share, and you always get right to the point.
Twenty Questions
1. Capricorn is represented as a goat—and in some cases, a sea goat. How is your character like a goat? How is he like a fish?
2. Mountains symbolize obstacles to be overcome. What mountain is your character determined to climb?
3. What mountain of obstacles can you create to rise up in front of him?
4. Write about a social climber. What motivates his behavior?
5. It’s often said that Capricorns are “born old.” Describe your Capricorn character’s childhood appearance. Did he look like a little old man?
6. Capricorn rules the bones and skin. Describe your character’s complexion.
7. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the god of time. Write a scene in which time seems to come to a standstill.
8. Saturn could be compared to the Grim Reaper. How would your character react if he opened the door to find him standing there?
9. Can the Grim Reaper ever be an angel of mercy?
10. How would your character act if he were forced to play the role of the angel of death?
11. What does your character do for a living? Try to create a career path with an unexpected twist, like a doctor who’s addicted to drugs, or a teacher who can’t read.
12. Does your character like his job? Why or why not?
13. Describe your character’s boss, co-workers, and underlings.
14. How has your character been rewarded for his work?
15. Capricorn rules the tenth house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about social status. Develop a storyline in which your character’s reputation is destroyed by scandal.
16. Base a character or a story on a prominent public figure.
17. Write about a character who has no class.
18. Go outside, look at the stars, and invent a constellation of your own, complete with modern mythology.
19. Use daily horoscopes to inspire story ideas.
20. Recast a favorite book, movie, or television show with characters based on the planets.
Looking at these stars suddenly dwarfed my own troubles and all the gravities of terrestrial life. I thought of their unfathomable distance, and the slow inevitable drift of their movements out of the unknown past into the unknown future.
—H. G. Wells, The Time Machine
Characteristics
Aquarius is the sign of social consciousness and futuristic thinking—and the stars of its show are the visionaries who dream of a brighter tomorrow.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, the unconventional planet—which is one reason why Aquarians can be unpredictable characters. They’re usually free thinkers. They’re eccentric. And despite their love of humanity, they’re not so fond of people on a one-to-one basis.
Physical Associations: Aquarius rules the shins, calves, and ankles. Most people are comfortable stepping into the river of time, but few characters dare to submerge themselves completely in the ever-changing future, as Aquarians do.
Signature Animal: Aquarius is usually pictured as young man with an amphora—a two-handled, oversized jar that held water or wine. According to myth and legend, he’s Ganymede, the handsome young cupbearer of the gods. He lived with the gods on Mount Olympus, where he kept their cups filled with ambrosia—the elixir of life, the nectar of the gods, and the drink of immortality. This imagery confuses a lot of people, who assume that Aquarius must be a water sign. Instead, it’s an air sign. Aquarius is the sign of friends and social groups who gather to share their hopes, dreams, and ideas over a drink or two.
Glyph: The wavy glyph that represents this sign can symbolize waves of air, or wine sloshing around in a cup.
House Rulership: Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac. It rules the eleventh house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about social groups, social causes, and technology.
Mode: The Sun is usually in Aquarius between January 21 and February 20. This sign marks the third and final month of winter. That makes it a mutable sign: it’s changeable and varied, to ease the transition from one season to the next.
Element: Aquarius is an air sign. The symbolism dovetails nicely with the fact that Aquarius, like Uranus, is comfortable broadcasting its technological vision over the airwaves.
Career Counseling
Aquarian characters are well suited to inventive and technological careers. They can be scientists, computer technicians, and software developers. They’re masters of space-age technology, so they’re comfortable in the cockpit of a jet or a space shuttle. They can also be mad scientists, alchemists, and inventors. They’re visionaries, so they also make great novelists, photographers, and film makers.
Costume Department
Picture the most eccentric-looking person you can imagine, and you’ll have found your Aquarius character.
Aquarians themselves aren’t unattractive. In fact, just the opposite is true. They’re usually just too preoccupied to pay attention to their looks. When they’re busy pursuing their visions, their hygiene suffers. Their hair is messy and they could use a shower. Their clothes are wrinkled and mismatched. They might have forgotten to put on pants, or socks, or shoes. They look like they haven’t slept for a while—because they haven’t. They could use a little less coffee, and a little more food.
Comfort
Are you comfortable in a crowd? Are your characters? Saturn is—he’s the traditional ruler of Aquarius, the sign of social groups and causes. As master of the domain, he can structure them in ways that boost their effectiveness and appeal.
The Sun, on the other hand, is debilitated in Aquarius—because he doesn’t want to share the limelight.
Meanwhile, Mercury is exalted in Aquarius, the airy, intellectual sign that’s associated with the technology of modern communication.
Compatibility
To determine how well your Aquarius character will relate to other signs, consider the elements. When airy Aquarius catches up with other air signs, they can join forces in a whirlwind of shared ideas and communication—or collide, like two massive cloud forms, in a thunderclap of energy. Aquarius’s airy nature can feed and inspire fire—or blow it out. Aquarius also stirs up trouble with water; the air will either evaporates water, or whip it into a frenzy of crashing waves. When Aquarius brushes past the surface of the earth, it can either blow gently over the earth, raise clouds of dust, or twist and turn into a tornado.
You can also look at Aquarius’s position on the zodiac wheel. Aquarius and Leo are polar opposites, which means they see the world from two different vantage points. Aquarius is high-minded and visionary; Leo sees himself as the center of the universe. Aquarius squares off against Taurus and Scorpio. The three signs share the same fixed mode, but they’re typically too stubborn to work well together. Aquarius communicates best with the other air signs, Gemini and Libra; their shared element gives them plenty to talk about.
The Aquarius Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Aquarius, you write to change the world and create a brighter, better tomorrow. You have a utopian vision for the world that you want to share. You’re an idealist, and your writing is one way you can effect real change. You’re comfortable with the tools and technology of writing, too. In fact, you might not even rely on traditional publishing. You might self-publish your work, or broadcast your message through video or multimedia.
Twenty Questions
1. Aquarius, the water bearer, is a glorified waiter—and you can tell a lot about people by the way they treat the waitstaff at a restaurant. How does your hero deal with those who serve him?
2. What gods—real or imagined—does your character serve?
3. Is your character an idealist? Why or why not?
4. Write about a character who loves humanity but hates all the people he knows.
5. Aquarius rules the eleventh house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about friends. Describe your character’s social networks.
6. What brought them together? What keeps them connected?
7. How does your character behave at parties?
8. Is he good at small talk? What does he talk about?
9. Is your character outgoing or shy?
10. What is your character’s favorite joke?
11. What are your character’s dreams and visions for the future?
12. What social causes does your character support?
13. Aquarius is linked to eccentrics—and fools. How can you tell the difference?
14. Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, the planet of freedom, rebellion, and reform. What will your character rebel against, and why?
15. Will he succeed? How?
16. Both Uranus and Aquarius are linked to technology. Imagine a scientific discovery that could transform the world of your story.
17. Invent futuristic technology for your characters, or set your story in the future.
18. Aquarius is an air sign. Is your character intelligent, or simply an airhead?
19. Give your character an eccentricity. Consider, for example, an old-school hippie who’s secretly a conservative at heart, or a university president who wears women’s underwear under his three-piece suits.
20. Aquarians often break social norms. What boundaries will your characters cross? Will they be bigamists, nudists, or something even more unconventional?
Seaward ho! Hang the treasure! It’s the glory of the sea that has turned my head.
—Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island
Characteristics
Pisces is the most mystical sign of the zodiac. While most people live entirely on the dry land of observable reality, Pisces characters are almost more comfortable swimming through the deep waters of intuition and spiritual transformation.
Pisces characters are sensitive and sympathetic. They’re dreamy and idealistic. They’re imaginative; sometimes it’s hard for them to recognize the boundary between their visions and reality. More than anything, they’re romantics who believe that beauty is truth and truth is beauty.
Fact Sheet
Ruling Planet: Pisces is ruled by Neptune, the planet of mystery and illusion. Neptune dissolves borders, just as a gently flowing river erodes its banks and waves wash away the shore.
Physical Association: Pisces rules the feet—the one part of the human form that’s most in contact with the grounding qualities of the earth, but always ready to wade into the watery realm of emotion. On land, Pisces characters can be restless, changeable, and self-destructive. In water, their energy flows in more appropriate channels, and Pisces becomes adventurous, imaginative, creative, and artistic.
Signature Animal: Pisces is represented by a pair of fish. In Greek mythology, the two were Aphrodite and her son Eros. They turned themselves into fish to escape the monster Typhon, and they tied their tails together to make sure they didn’t lose each other.
Glyph: The Pisces glyph looks like two fish, tied with string.
House Rulership: Pisces is the twelfth sign of the zodiac. It rules the twelfth house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about our deepest, darkest secrets and desires—all submerged in the waters of memories, dreams, and reflections.
Mode: The Sun is usually in Pisces between February 19 and March 20. This sign marks the third and final month of winter. That makes it a mutable sign: it’s changeable and varied, to ease the transition from one season to the next.
Element: Pisces is a water sign, which symbolizes Pisces’ deep reserves of emotional energy.
Career Counseling
Because Pisces is so mystical, Pisces characters make great psychics, mediums, astrologers, and tarot readers. They can also be yoga masters and meditation guides. They can draw and paint their visions, too, or transform their ideas into stirring poetry and song.
Neptune’s influence, however, often factors into the career path of some Pisces characters. They find themselves irresistibly drawn to drink—or drugs—where they can drown their sorrows and submerge themselves in an alternate reality. Send your character off to recovery, and then they can find work as bartenders and rehab counselors.
Pisces characters can also be excellent healers who feel at home as doctors, nurses, and therapists in hospitals and clinics.
Costume Department
When they’re in their own element, Pisces fish are shimmering and mesmerizing. Don’t fight it. Put your characters in swimsuits and scuba gear, and plunge them into the surf. If that’s not possible, at least make sure they can dress in iridescent colors and scintillating jewels. They might even appreciate a few tattoos that look like scales.
Pisces characters are short, with soft skin and wavy hair. They move as if they’re swimming, even on land. They’re tranquil; they seem to float through life, with a dreamy expression and a tendency to drift off during conversation.
Comfort
Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces, which makes the king of the gods feel as comfortable in water as on land. Mercury, however, is debilitated when he falls in this sign, because he’s forced to wallow in the depths of Pisces’ watery emotions. Venus is exalted in Pisces, a sign of emotional partnership and connection.
Compatibility
To determine how well your Pisces characters will relate to other signs, consider the elements. When watery Pisces nourishes earth, it nurtures the soil and promotes growth. When water combines with fire, however, it either quenches the flames or sizzles, steams, or evaporates. Water will dampen air; it could even lead to a downpour of torrential proportions. And when one body of water flows into another, it takes the shape of its container and rises to its own level.
You can also look at Pisces’ position on the zodiac wheel. Pisces and Virgo are polar opposites. Virgo wants to pay precise attention to detail, but Pisces wants to float through an alternate reality. Pisces squares off against Sagittarius and Gemini. While they share the same easygoing mutability, their missions are elementally at odds. Pisces has the most in common with the other water signs, Cancer and Scorpio. Together, they can go with the flow.
The Pisces Writer
If you have the Sun, Moon, or Mercury in Pisces, you write to escape the harsh realities of everyday life and connect with kindred spirits. You’re a born mystic—and when you write, you almost go into a trance. You’re a natural empath and healer, and you might write about spirituality, meditation, or psychic ability. You should definitely keep a dream journal.
Twenty Questions
1. The symbol for Pisces depicts two fish, tied together. What ties your character to other people? Is there one person in particular with whom she’s inextricably linked?
2. How is your character like a fish?
3. Pisces rules the twelfth house of the horoscope, where astrologers look for information about buried secrets. What has your character submerged deep beneath the surface?
4. Snoop around in your character’s medicine chest, cabinets, and drawers. What does she have hidden away from public view?
5. What skeletons are rattling in her closets?
6. Does your character have any repressed memories? Send your character to a hypnotist to find out.
7. Pisces is ruled by Neptune, the planet of glamour and illusion. What veil clouds your character’s view of reality?
8. The twelfth house was traditionally linked to institutions like hospitals, asylums, and prisons. Has your character ever spent time in a secure facility? Why? Was she a client, or a care provider?
9. Set a story in the lockup of your choice.
10. Pisces is a mystical sign. Is your character psychic? How does that help or hinder her in her daily life?
11. Pisces is also a sign associated with vivid dreams. How could you use that in a story?
12. What thoughts bubble to the surface when your character is alone?
13. Pisces personalities tend to be highly addictive. You could write about a character who’s hooked on alcohol or drugs—or you could devise an even more unusual addiction, like helium, or strong cheeses, or online crossword puzzles.
14. Pisceans are also escapists. Who—or what—does your character want to flee?
15. Where will she go?
16. Immerse your character in a realm completely different from her own. The naturally watery character associated with Pisces could be submerged in a fiery hell—perhaps of her own making.
17. Pisces is a mutable sign. Pisces characters can go with the flow. Is that one of your heroine’s strengths, or is it her weakness?
18. Pisces rules the feet. How would you describe your character’s feet?
19. What kind of shoes does she wear?
20. How does she stay grounded?
Mix-and-Match
Character Creator
Conflict and contradiction are hallmarks of the human experience, as well as the essence of good drama. With this mix-and-match character creator, you can develop characters that struggle against their own natures. You can invest them with unreasonable demands and unattainable desires. Simply give each character a role based on a planetary archetype in column A, combined with drives and desires from a zodiac sign in column B.
To heighten the drama even further, cast against type. Make a star a supporting character. Force a stand-in into a leading role. Turn your love interest into a hero. Surprise your readers with unexpected and unconventional combinations.
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COLUMN A Central Casting |
COLUMN B Character Types |
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Planetary Roles |
Zodiac Signs |
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Planet/Asteroid |
Literary Archetypes |
Sign |
Motivation, Drives, and Desires |
Typical Careers |
|
Sun |
Hero, |
Aries (Ruled by Mars) |
Independence, Importance, Decisiveness, Leadership |
Politician, Civic Leader, Business Executive, Soldier, Fighter, Athlete, Police Officer, Firefighter, Mechanic, Construction Worker, Surgeon, Dentist |
|
Moon |
Best Friend, Roommate, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Queen, Girl Next Door |
Taurus (Ruled by Venus) |
Grace, Beauty, Comfort and Stability |
Designer, Decorator, Singer, Musician, Sculptor, Art Collector, Banker, Financial Manager, Beautician |
|
Mercury |
Brother, Sister, Cousin, Sidekick, Gossip, Neighbor, Comic Relief |
Gemini (Ruled by Mercury) |
Communication, Information, Conversation, Clever Discourse |
Writer, Journalist, Broadcaster, Advertiser, Communicator, Grade School Teacher, Messenger, Mail Carrier, Taxi Driver, Courier |
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Venus |
Lover, Love Interest, Object of Desire, Temptress, Seductress, Unfaithful Wife |
Cancer (Ruled by the Moon) |
Nurturing, Emotional Security, |
Homemaker, Caregiver, Chef, Restaurateur, Small Business Owner, Gardener, Farmer, Patriot |
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Mars |
Antagonist, Adversary, Opponent, Warrior, Patriot, Compatriot, Comrade-in-Arms |
Leo (Ruled by the Sun) |
Dignity, Respect, Love, Honor, Admiration, Fame, Fortune |
Actor, Entertainer, Model, Movie Star, Media Personality, Politician |
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Jupiter |
Benefactor, Kindly Uncle, Generous Grandfather |
Virgo (Ruled by Venus) |
Perfection, Discipline, Organization, Self-Control |
Librarian, Researcher, Analyst, Nutritionist, Doctor, Nurse, Therapist, Medical Technician |
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Saturn |
Father Figure, Authority Figure, Teacher, Commander, Disciplinarian |
Libra (Ruled by Venus) |
Refinement, Grace, Charm and Popularity, Balance and Equanimity |
Judge, Arbitrator, Negotiator, Mediator, Marriage Counselor, Ambassador, Artist, Musician, Dancer |
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Uranus |
Rebel, Revolutionary, Instigator |
Scorpio (Ruled by Pluto) |
Spiritual Depth, |
Detective, Spy, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Coroner, |
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Neptune |
Free Spirit, Mystic, Celebrity, Addict |
Sagittarius (Ruled by Jupiter) |
Experience, Expertise, Knowledge, Authority, and Credentials |
Traveler, Explorer, Philosopher, Minister, Priest, Rabbi, Lawyer, Publisher, Professor |
|
Pluto |
Grim Reaper, Mass Murderer, Serial Killer, Demon, Vampire, Monster |
Capricorn (Ruled by Saturn) |
Power, Recognition, Social Status, Financial Success |
Big Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Captain of Industry, Philanthropist, High School Teacher, Police Officer, Judge |
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Ceres |
Earth Mother |
Aquarius (Ruled by Uranus) |
Innovation, Social Change, Visionary Thinking |
Pilot, Astronaut, Scientist, Inventor, Computer Technician, Software Developer, Novelist, Photographer, Filmmaker, Humanitarian |
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Pallas Athena |
Activist, Amazon Warrior |
Pisces (Ruled by Neptune) |
Idealism, Mysticism, Compassion and Healing |
Psychic, Medium, Astrologer, Tarot Reader, Yoga Master, Bartender, Rehab Counselor |
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Juno |
Faithful Partner, Jealous Wife |
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Vesta |
Strong Single Woman |
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Lilith |
Woman Scorned |
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Chiron |
Wounded Healer |
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Creative Guidance
It’s important to note that astrology is a visual art. It’s based on the observation of the stars and constellations. While there’s a mathematical and scientific component to them, they’re all illustrated with pictographic glyphs and symbols. If you’d like even more visual reminders about the imagery and associations of astrology, check out my books Tarot for Writers and Tarot and Astrology.
Behind the Scenes:
The Twelve Labors
of Hercules
Let’s conclude our survey of the signs with a brief journey through one of the greatest astrology-based legends of all time: the twelve labors of Hercules. It demonstrates clearly how storytellers have tapped into the power of myth and legend for centuries.
Here’s a brief overview.
Hercules was half-man, half-god. And even though Jupiter was his father, Hercules had the misfortune of having Hera for a stepmother. That’s because Hercules was the result of Jupiter’s affair with a woman named Alcmene.
Hera did everything in her power to keep Hercules from being born. When that failed, she sent snakes to kill the infant Hercules in his crib. Hercules strangled them before they could bite.
After years of torment, Hera eventually tricked Hercules into murdering his own wife and children. Grief-stricken, he fled to the Temple of Apollo to get advice from the Oracle of Delphi. There he was told that he could atone by serving the cruel King Eurystheus.
Eurystheus demanded that Hercules complete twelve impossible tasks—which just happen to correspond to the twelve signs of the zodiac.
1. Aries and the Girdle of Hippolyta: Hippolyta was the queen of the Amazons, and she owned a magical belt—or girdle—that had been given to her by the god Aries. King Eurystheus’s daughter wanted it for herself. Hercules charmed Hippolyta, and she was willing to give him the belt—until Hera interfered. She posed as an ordinary woman and planted seeds of distrust and dissent among the Amazons, who feared that Hercules was planning to carry away their queen. When they confronted him, Hercules overreacted and killed Hippolyta, and then left with the belt. How does the story connect to Aries? The constellation Andromeda sets in Aries. The constellation looks like Queen Hippolyta, right down to her three-starred belt. The Pleiades can be found there, too. The Greeks called the Pleiades the seven sisters, like a band of Amazons.
2. Taurus and the Cretan Bull: When a giant bull started wreaking havoc on the island of Crete, destroying crops and demolishing orchard walls, Eurystheus sent Hercules to capture the animal. Hercules simply strangled the bull with his bare hands. Eventually the bull was sacrificed to the gods, which is how it found its way into heaven as the constellation Taurus.
3. Gemini and the Cows of Geryon: Geryon was a three-headed giant who lived on the island of Erytheia. He had a herd of red cattle, guarded by a two-headed hound named Orthrus. Hercules killed the dog with a single blow from an olive branch, and then shot Geryon with an arrow that had been dipped in the venomous blood of the Lernaean Hydra. The stars helped ancient storytellers share the tale. They pointed out how Hercules crossed the deserted open space of Gemini to reach Geryon’s dairy cows in the Milky Way. They also referred to Capella, the shepherd’s star, the dog-shaped Canis Major, and the Dog Star Sirius.
4. Cancer and the Hydra: Hera had raised a nine-headed Hydra to kill Hercules. Instead, Hercules killed the monster—but only after realizing that simply cutting off its heads wouldn’t work. For every head the hero cut off, two more heads grew in its place. Hercules called his nephew Iolaus to help; Iolaus used a torch to cauterize each stump before a new head could grow. When Hera saw that Hercules was winning his battle, she sent a crab to annoy and distract him. Hercules crushed it under his foot and kept fighting. Hera honored both the monster and the crab by turning them into the constellations Hydra and Cancer.
5. Leo and the Nemean Lion: The Nemean Lion was a shapeshifter who posed as a damsel in distress and devoured any warrior who came to her rescue. Hercules tried to shoot the lion with arrows, but its fur was impenetrable. Eventually, Hercules simply strangled the lion with his bare hands. For the rest of his labors, Hercules wore the lion’s skin like armor. The lion, of course, is Leo’s signature animal.
6. Virgo and the Erymanthean Boar: On his way to kill a wild boar, Hercules visited the centaurs—wild creatures that were half-men, half-horse. They started drinking wine; the centaurs got drunk and attacked Hercules. He defended himself with poisoned arrows, and in the process, he struck his friend and teacher Chiron. The wound was agonizing, but because Chiron was immortal, even death couldn’t offer a release. Ultimately, Chiron agreed to trade places with Prometheus, who was chained to the top of a mountain where an eagle continually ravaged his liver. Unfortunately, Chiron still couldn’t die, and the eagle attacked him until Hercules shot it from the sky. Relieved of his suffering, Chiron told Hercules that he could catch the boar by driving it into heavy snow. When the Sun is in Virgo, it’s directly above the constellation Centaurus, which marks Chiron’s place of honor in the heavens.
7. Libra and the Apples of the Hesperides: The Hesperides were three nymphs who guarded the golden apples of immortality. Hercules actually tricked Atlas into picking some of the apples for him, by offering to hold up the heavens in Atlas’s place. When Atlas declared that he didn’t want to resume his duties, Hercules tricked him again, saying he just needed a minute to adjust his cloak. Atlas shouldered his burden once more, and Hercules fled with the apples. The constellation Ursa Minor, directly above Libra, was once thought to be the Hesperides. It includes three bright stars.
8. Scorpio and the Golden Hind: The goddess Artemis owned a Golden Hind, a magical stag that was so fast it could outrun an arrow. Hercules tracked and hunted it for a year. Eventually he captured it. While King Eurystheus had hoped that Artemis would punish him for capturing her sacred animal, Hercules begged for her indulgence and promised to return it after presenting it to the king. Hercules had to be clever to keep his promise: he pretended to hand the animal over to the king, but the minute he let it go, the Hind bounded back to Artemis. At one point, the constellation Hercules was considered to be a stag. It’s next to the arrow-shaped constellation Sagitta, and it rises when the Sun is in Scorpio.
9. Sagittarius and the Stymphalian Birds: The Stymphalian birds were man-eating vultures with bronze beaks and metallic feathers. Hercules used a rattle to frighten them into the air, and then shot them down with his bow and arrow. When the Sun is in Sagittarius—the sign of the archer—three constellations associated with birds also happen to rise: Lyra, Aquila, and Cygnus.
10. Capricorn and the Augean Stables: King Eurystheus gave Hercules a task he knew was impossible: he gave him a single day to clean the Augean stables, where one thousand immortal cattle were housed. The stables hadn’t been cleaned in decades, but Hercules simply rerouted two rivers to wash out the filth. The constellation of Capricorn was once known as Augeas, because the Sun seems to stable there during the winter.
11. Aquarius and the Mares of Diomedes: A man named Diomedes had stolen horses from an enemy king, and Eurystheus ordered Hercules to steal them back. Unfortunately, no one told Hercules that the horses were mad from eating human flesh. When Hercules asked his companion Abderus to guard the mares while he fought Diomedes, the horses ate the boy. Hercules retaliated by feeding Diomedes to the horses, too. The horses were contented with their feast, and Hercules simply bound their mouths shut and took them home. When the Sun is in Aquarius, the stars of the winged horse Pegasus rise in the heavens. In fact, Pegasus almost seems poised to eat the human form of Aquarius beneath him.
12. Pisces and the Hound of Hell: Cerberus was a three-headed dog who guarded the entrance to Hades’ underground realm. Eurystheus wanted Hercules to capture Cerberus alive, without using weapons. Athena, Hermes, and Hestia helped him in and out of the underworld, and Hades gave him permission to take his pet to Eurystheus. Hercules dragged the dog home. Eurystheus was so afraid of the animal that he agreed to release Hercules from his labors if he would simply return the hound to Hades. Astrologically, the constellation Pisces resembles two forms who are trapped and bound, just like some of the souls Hercules encountered in his travels through the underworld.
Creative Guidance
1. Borrow the idea of Hercules’ twelve labors, and give your character twelve zodiac-based challenges to overcome.
2. Use the twelve signs as the foundation of a travelogue, and write about the signs as if they were foreign places—either cities, states, or countries.
3. Describe opposing signs of the zodiac as two very different countries, opposite in every respect.
4. Develop a theme based on planetary archetypes and zodiac symbolism:
• Aries—independence
• Taurus—security
• Gemini—curiosity
• Cancer—emotional security
• Leo—pride
• Virgo—discipline
• Libra—partnership
• Scorpio—mystery
• Sagittarius—exploration
• Capricorn—success
• Aquarius—vision
• Pisces—connection
Many writers are familiar with the Hero’s Journey—the mythical literary model that Joseph Campbell first outlined in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces.1 The Hero’s Journey involves several rites of passage, all of which revolve around a basic storyline of separation, initiation, transformation, and return. The model dovetails with a number of popular epics, including Star Wars and the Harry Potter series. And even though the Hero’s Journey dates back to the Iliad and the Odyssey, the storyline feels fresh and familiar to modern audiences, too.
The Hero’s Journey corresponds perfectly with the archetypes of the zodiac. In fact, the Hero’s Journey can even be mapped on the zodiac wheel.
Stages of the Hero’s Journey
• Aries: The Call to Adventure. As a story begins, the hero is plunged into a new world—and a new reality. He’s expected to leave his old world—and his old self—behind. While Aries is the sign of self-awareness, leadership, and initiation, personal growth always comes at a price. No one likes to leave the comfort of his old way of life behind.
• Taurus: Refusal of the Call. Unwilling to leave the life he’s always known, the hero initially refuses to heed the call. Like Taurus, he fights to maintain the comfort and security of home. He might also recognize that he’s not up to the task that’s being asked of him—because he’s not. Heroes aren’t born: they’re made.
• Gemini: Allies, Mentors, and Helpers. Gemini is the sign of intellect, thought, communication, and community. Forced to move out of his comfort zone, the hero learns that he doesn’t have to rise to the challenge on his own. As he embarks on his journey, he meets a series of messengers, guides, and magical helpers. Some of his allies aren’t obvious: they serve as guardians and gatekeepers, and it’s their job to test the hero’s commitment to his calling. He’ll meet them coming and going, both as he embarks on his adventure and as he tries to make a return trip home.
• Cancer: The Crossing of the Threshold. The hero finds his footing in the new world and develops the foundation he needs to proceed with his quest. Cancer is the sign of home and family life, and at this point, the hero realizes that home is wherever he hangs his hat; it’s an internal state. Likewise, he recognizes that family connections are emotional, and relationships can be chosen.
• Leo: The Road of Trials. Leo is the sign of courage and creativity. Like the king of beasts, the hero is forced to prove his courage and determination through a series of tests, tasks, or ordeals. Each challenge seems insurmountable, and they only increase in difficulty.
• Virgo: The Belly of the Whale. Virgo is the sign of intellect and discrimination. As the story reaches its climax, the hero finds himself in “the belly of the whale”—the final line between his old life and the new world that awaits him. Imprisoned and isolated by events and circumstances, the hero is forced into a period of self-examination. He finds the strength to overcome his fears. He faces his demons and slays his dragons. He realizes that true transformation occurs internally, through conscious analysis and choice.
• Libra: Allies and Enemies. Libra is the sign of intimate partnerships—and open enemies. As the story unfolds, the hero grows through his relationships with others. While he finds comfort and reassurance among those who swear allegiance to his cause, it’s his sworn adversaries who force him to compete at a higher level.
• Scorpio: The Ultimate Ordeal. Scorpio is the sign of death, transformation, and unavoidable change. As the story moves toward its climax, the hero must fight for his very life—and come to terms with a devastating loss in the process. Once he’s no longer afraid to die, he’s free to live life to its fullest. A hard-fought victory at this stage will leave him feeling reborn, with a new awareness and a new appreciation for life.
• Sagittarius: The Ultimate Boon. Sagittarius is the sign of long-distance travel, philosophy, and higher education. A hero initially sets out in search of a mythical prize—a Holy Grail. After the ultimate ordeal, the hero discovers that his quest wasn’t actually for a tangible reward, but for spiritual mastery. Each step of the journey along the way served to prepare him for that realization, and helped purify him to receive it. Once he passes through his ordeal and claims his reward, he realizes his ultimate truth and discovers the meaning of life.
• Capricorn: Recognition and Reward. Capricorn is the sign of career, social status, and public recognition. Once the hero has captured his prize, he’s publicly recognized for his victory. That recognition, however, rings hollow, because he’s still a stranger in a strange land. He needs to make his way back home.
• Aquarius: The Return. Aquarius is the visionary sign of friends, social groups, and personal causes. At this stage of the Hero’s Journey, the hero’s experience has broadened his vision and endowed him with a sense of vision and idealism. His new friends beg him not to leave. Circumstances demand, however, that he fight his way back to those he left behind.
• Pisces: Return with Elixir, Master of Two Worlds. Pisces is the mystical sign of spiritual growth. As the story concludes, the hero comes full circle. He returns to his starting point. He’s not the same man, though. He’s been transformed, both physically and spiritually. He’s irrevocably changed, because he’s conquered his primal drives and desires, and now he’s the master of the inner and outer planes of existence. By the conclusion of the story, the hero has developed a sense of mastery over both of the worlds he’s experienced. He can bridge the gap between ordinary life and magical ability, along with the extremes of physical and spiritual existence, inner and outer realities, and human and divine interactions. Ultimately, the hero will discover the best prize of all: wisdom.
Like a horoscope chart, the best stories come full circle, as characters move through phases of experience and understanding and then return to their starting point, older, sadder, wiser, forever changed, and richer for the experience.
Creative Guidance
1. Send your character into a world completely different from his own. Perhaps his ordinary world is one of brightness and illumination. How does he deal with a shadowy reality? How does he find his way through darkness?
2. A hero’s journey can be literal or metaphorical. Perhaps your character was born into the wealth and privilege of a New York penthouse, but he’s compelled to travel to the slums and favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Maybe he’s used to the bright lights of the big city, but then wakes up to find himself in the hills of Tennessee.
3. The concept works both ways: maybe he’s a creature of darkness, like a vampire, who’s cursed to rise with the Sun. Be creative. Simply take a character who’s comfortable in one realm, and plunge him into a whole new world. The trip will be good for both of you.
1. Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949; reprint, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1972).