CHAPTER TWO

THE SUN SIGNS

Discover more about your astrological character and those around you. Use your discoveries to build on strengths, work with flaws and improve communication.

Your Sun Sign

This star is the most powerful force in your birth chart. It represents your creativity, your individuality and your character traits. It also represents the forces that drive you. Think of your sun sign as your ego, your essence and how you understand yourself. It is what is innate within you, and also your potential for personal growth and evolution. Understanding both the strengths and weaknesses of your sun sign can help you make better choices in life, but remembere that you are much more than just your sun sign. Your moon and rising sign are also influential, as are other planets.

On the cusp

The dates when one sun sign changes to another can vary between the 18th and the 23rd of each month. If your birthday falls between those dates, you were born on the cusp of two signs. If this is the case, the sun sign that your birth date falls into will be your official sun sign, but you should also familiarize yourself with the qualities of the other sign. For example, if you were born on 21 September you are technically a perfectionist Virgo but may sometimes feel more like a balanced Libra.

Be aware that the zodiac mirrors the journey from birth to old age. It begins with Aries, who often showcase the innocence of a newborn, and each sign after Aries grows until the zodiac completes with Pisces, often thought of as the ‘old soul’. This doesn’t mean that all Arians are immature and all Pisceans are wise, just that each sun sign can teach us something important about different ages and stages of our lives.

Born under the 13th sign?

According to recent NASA reports there may be 13 rather than 12 star signs. The 13th sign is called Ophiuchus and would be the sun sign for anyone born between November 29 and December 17. However, astronomy is not astrology. Astrologers have known about the Ophiuchus constellation for thousands of years but choose to leave Ophiuchus out of the equation and correspond the Zodiac with the 12 months of the year. Perhaps this is because Ophiuchus shares many of the characteristics typically associated with Sagittarius, such as being a light bearer, healer and dreamer.

The Elements

Most of us know our sun sign, but do you know which element your sun sign is associated with?

The twelve signs of the zodiac are governed by the four elements – fire, earth, air and water – and each element has distinct qualities that influence its associated signs.

ARIES, LEO and SAGITTARIUS are governed by the element of fire. Passion, spontaneity and motivation are key words here. Like the element of fire itself, fire signs provide warmth and enlightenment, but they also have the potential to burn out quickly or to cause great destruction if their sizzling enthusiasm is not well managed.

CANCER, SCORPIO and PISCES are governed by the element of water. Intuitive, intense and emotional, water signs are often mysterious and illuminating. They have the ability to adapt themselves to every situation with skill and grace, but their emotional intensity can turn to possessiveness and paranoia if not kept in balance.

TAURUS, VIRGO and CAPRICORN are guided by the element of earth. Tactile, grounded and practical, they are the most down-to-earth signs of the zodiac. They are reliable and highly productive, providing firm foundations on which to build towards success, but they also have a tendency to focus too much on the material or superficial and neglect what truly matters.

The element of air is the underlying force directing GEMINI, LIBRA and AQUARIUS. Communication, movement, adventure and inspiration are key words. Like a breath of fresh air, they can bring tremendous energy, insight and vision, but they can also be extremely unpredictable, depending on which direction the wind blows.

Aries: The Ram

21 March–19 April

You are a pioneer and one of life’s movers and shakers. Daring and full of initiative, you push the boundaries. Your love of adventure and independent spirit makes you a natural leader and motivator.

SHINING QUALITIES

Enterprising

Courageous

Enthusiastic

SHADOW QUALITIES

Impatient

Ruthless

Tactless

RULING PLANET

Mars

AFFIRMATION

I can lead with gentleness.

WORK

Aries are drawn to roles where they can lead, motivate and inspire, and they tend to do well because they are driven and inspire passion in others. If Arians can’t lead, they prefer to work alone and are great self-starters. They are skilled at initiating projects and need jobs that give them plenty of challenge and freedom of expression.

HOME

Aries are not natural home-makers. Their preference is to be out doing, and when at home they tend to work on projects to advance their career. However, they often require a place to retire to when they need to regroup, so they ensure that their home is exactly the way they want it to be.

PLEASURE

This is the sign that loves to move and be constantly on the go. Arians prefer to run rather than walk, and seek adventure and fun in all that they do.

ARIES IN SHADE

Their love of action means Arians suffer from a tendency to burn out quickly. They can be too impatient to finish tasks and quickly bore of routine. They can also be selfish, tactless and poor listeners, with their competitive nature making them especially bad losers.

TRY THIS Arians need to learn the importance of patience and dedication to see things through and succeed. Practise the Aries Ritual for Motivation shown here.

Taurus: The Bull

20 April–20 May

Born under the sign of the bull, you know what you want and are very good at getting it. Grounded and strong-willed, you are invaluable in a crisis. Your driving force is determination. A delightful combination of strength and softness, stability and creativity, you are blessed with natural charm.

SHINING QUALITIES

Resilient

Sensual

Tenacious

SHADOW QUALITIES

Stubborn

Inflexible

Risk-averse

RULING PLANET

Venus

AFFIRMATION

I can let go of what is holding me back.

WORK

Taureans are drawn to financially rewarding jobs. They tend to do well because they’re ambitious and have a high level of endurance – pulling an all-nighter is par for the course. Taureans crave structure and they are experts in turning an idea into reality.

HOME

Quality means everything to the Taurean – they would rather do without than make do. Their home and everything in it matters. When a Taurean is on top form, their home is beautiful, with everything in its perfect place.

PLEASURE

This is the sign that most appreciates giving or receiving a good massage, sweating it out in a sauna or indulging in great food and drink.

TAURUS IN SHADE

Their love of routine means they can get stuck in a rut. They are also averse to change. Even if something is not working out, a Taurean is reluctant to shake things up. And they can be stubborn: Taureans like to work at their own pace and don’t take kindly to being told what to do.

TRY THIS Taureans tend to hold on to grudges and past wounds, which can keep them stuck in the past. Practise letting go with the Pisces Forgiveness Spell shown here.

Gemini: The Twins

21 May–21 June

Born under the sign of the twins, you are blessed with great versatility. You thrive at multi-tasking and are a born communicator with considerable charm. Your driving force is curiosity. You love to learn and need to keep your agile mind constantly stimulated.

SHINING QUALITIES

Entertaining

Agile

Stimulating

SHADOW QUALITIES

Deceitful

Shallow

Poorly informed

RULING PLANET

Mercury

AFFIRMATION

I am a person of integrity and depth.

WORK

Geminis tend to be drawn to careers in the media, writing, advertising, politics, sales, teaching, or any career that requires great communication skills. Highly sociable, they work best when part of a team and in careers that offer plenty of variety.

HOME

Geminis rarely settle in one place for long. They love to experience new locations but, wherever they go, they ensure that their homes are welcoming and warm places in which to entertain.

PLEASURE

Mental and physical challenge is important. Their constant need to stretch themselves gives them an infectious, youthful energy. Routine is something they don’t cope well with.

GEMINI IN SHADE

A love of constant stimulation means that Geminis risk becoming depressed when confined by routine. They can be superficial and unwilling to look beneath the surface of things or within themselves for answers. They can also be trouble-making gossips.

TRY THIS Geminis must learn to connect to deeper feelings and love themselves rather than looking for affirmation from others. Practise the Venus Self-Love Spell shown here.

Cancer: The Crab

22 June–22 July

Your driving force is intuition. A fascinating combination of mystery and openness, gentleness and resilience, you are sensitive and giving and you inspire others to be emotionally honest.

SHINING QUALITIES

Compassionate

Imaginative

Gentle

SHADOW QUALITIES

Protective

Defensive

Moody

RULING PLANET

The moon

AFFIRMATION

I can love and trust myself completely.

WORK

Cancerians do well in careers that utilize their powerful intuition. They are often drawn to jobs that involve mentoring, caring for, nurturing or helping others. They may also gravitate towards careers that are artistic and creative in some way.

HOME

Home is where the heart of a Cancer-born person is likely to be. Their home is their cosy sanctuary, a place where they can withdraw to and shut out the world.

PLEASURE

Helping others gives this sign tremendous pleasure. They love to nurture, protect, advise and care for others and they make truly loyal and wonderful friends.

CANCER IN SHADE

Their love of helping others can mean they forget to tend to their own needs. There is a tendency to worry, be overprotective and controlling. If things don’t go their way, Cancerians retreat into their shell. They can also hold very deep grudges and be emotionally manipulative.

TRY THIS Cancerians are sometimes overly anxious and defensive, which can lead to misunderstandings and feelings of isolation. Practise the Clarity of Mind Visualization shown here.

Leo: The Lion

23 July–22 August

Born under the sign of the lion, you tend to ooze charisma and self-confidence. You are warm-hearted and visionary – your driving force is your huge heart. Generous and bold, with a larger-than-life personality, you like to live your life to the full.

SHINING QUALITIES

Sunny-natured

Passionate

Glamorous

SHADOW QUALITIES

Arrogant

Narcissistic

Attention-seeking

RULING PLANET

The sun

AFFIRMATION

I can shine and encourage others to shine with me.

WORK

Leos bring laughter and light to any situation and are well suited to careers that use their creative and visionary abilities. They make great managers, bosses and entrepreneurs, sensing trends before others do and leading the way for others to follow.

HOME

Luxury means everything to Leos – they need to be surrounded by both beauty and comfort. Their home and everything in it will look expensive and tasteful, but it will also feel inviting and warm.

PLEASURE

This sign loves the good life and takes great pleasure in delicious food and wine and the company of others. Leos are typically the life and soul of the party.

LEO IN SHADE

Without rest, Leos need to always shine can lead to burnout. There is also a tendency towards arrogance and an unhealthy dependence on the admiration of others for validation. They can suffer from hurt pride very easily if others disagree with them, and they boast to mask their insecurities.

TRY THIS Leos tend to hog the limelight and ignore the opinions of others, which can make them enemies. Practise the Cancer Ritual for Better Communication shown here.

Virgo: The Virgin

23 August–22 September

Trustworthy and hardworking, with immaculate timing and presentation, your presence is often a healing one. You are organized, efficient, practical and showcase razor-sharp perception and insight. You are quietly creative and pay attention to detail. Your driving force is towards perfection.

SHINING QUALITIES

Insightful

Considerate

Refined

SHADOW QUALITIES

Pedantic

Critical of self and others

Fussy

RULING PLANET

Mercury

AFFIRMATION

I can focus on the power and magic of the now.

WORK

Virgos may be drawn to work that requires concentration and close attention to detail. Their quick, analytical mind, reliability and courteous manner make them essential-team players who are often the backbone of an organisation.

HOME

Virgos take great pride in an organized, clean and tidy home. Everything will have its place, and there will be a minimum of clutter but an abundance of beautiful detail.

PLEASURE

Virgos have a fastidious approach to life, and any unhealthy habits will be minimized. They have an incredible work ethic and any downtime will be scheduled and productive rather than restful.

VIRGO IN SHADE

With their passion for perfection, Virgos can be extremely hard on both themselves and others. They can set impossible standards and be super-critical and fussy. Their painstaking attention to detail also means they often lose sight of the bigger picture and the joy of what they are involved with.

TRY THIS Virgos tend to minimize their own needs in favour of those of others. Practise the Sun-Sign Self-Care fix shown here.

Libra: The Scales

23 September–22 October

Born under the sign of the scales, you are open-minded and passionately believe in justice. Your driving force is harmony. You have an amazing ability to find the perfect compromise and see every side of the argument. Idealistic and diplomatic, you dream of a more peaceful world.

SHINING QUALITIES

Fair

Peace-loving

Elegant

SHADOW QUALITIES

Indecisive

Needy

Lazy

RULING PLANET

Venus

AFFIRMATION

I can listen to my inner voice and follow the answers there.

WORK

Librans are often drawn to justice and the law, and any work that requires diplomacy and tact. Their love of beauty may also draw them to artistic endeavours but, whatever they do, they always bring harmony and balance to the work place.

HOME

Librans like their homes to be luxurious and beautiful, but even more important to them is comfort. They want their private space to be as relaxing, harmonious and peaceful as possible.

PLEASURE

With their taste for the good things in life, Librans love to eat the finest foods and to wear the finest clothes. They have exquisite taste and, whatever their budget, will look like a million dollars.

LIBRA IN SHADE

Indecisive to a fault, Librans can adjust their behaviour to suit others and become untrustworthy and less credible in the process. They can also be extremely self-indulgent, materialistic, shallow and vain. They hate being alone and can become dependent in relationships.

TRY THIS Librans can be superficial at times and this will push authentic people away. Practise the Inner Power Visualization shown here.

Scorpio: The Scorpion

23 October–21 November

You are a dynamic achiever, capable of beating the odds. You have tremendous willpower and enviable determination. Deep and intense, you can see right to the heart of the matter. Your driving force is self-control.

SHINING QUALITIES

Resilient

Penetrating

Intuitive

SHADOW QUALITIES

Vindictive

Controlling

Jealous

RULING PLANETS

Mars and Pluto

AFFIRMATION

I can forgive myself and others.

WORK

Scorpions are drawn to leadership roles, but whatever work they do their gut instincts guide them. Great motivators, they have a remarkable ability to focus on what matters most and see beneath the superficial, which can make them a tremendous force for good in the world.

HOME

Scorpios love the idea of regeneration and their homes are often in a state of transformation as they experiment with different styles. Whatever theme they choose, they will demonstrate a taste for the dramatic or unusual.

PLEASURE

Scorpio is a deeply passionate sign and Scorpios often have a number of loyal friends and admirers. Taking it easy doesn’t come naturally to people born under this sign; they love to work and play hard.

SCORPIO IN SHADE

Scorpios have a tendency towards self-destructive and addictive behaviour. In relationships their fear of being alone can make them jealous, manipulative and controlling. They can also bear grudges and be hypocritical, accusing others of what they themselves are guilty of.

TRY THIS Scorpios find it almost impossible to admit they are wrong or to learn from their mistakes. Practise the Learning from Yourself fix shown here.

Sagittarius: The Archer

22 November–21 December

Born under the sign of the archer, you are a seeker of knowledge and thrive on challenges. You are an optimist and risk-taker with an insatiable appetite for life. Your thinking is philosophical and you are imaginative and creative.

SHINING QUALITIES

Adventurous

Charming

Far-sighted

SHADOW QUALITIES

Scattered

Restless

Unreliable

RULING PLANET

Jupiter

AFFIRMATION

I can seek the extraordinary in the ordinary.

WORK

Sagittarians are drawn to careers that offer freedom, travel and stimulation. Whatever field they choose, the most important consideration is that it is challenging and provides an opportunity to learn new things.

HOME

The home of a Sagittarian will have a bohemian feel. They don’t tend to value material things and hate being tied to one place, but when they find the home of their dreams, it becomes their haven.

PLEASURE

One of the most energetic signs, Sagittarians love to eat heartily and burn it off with vigorous exercise. Being physically or intellectually tested is what truly fulfils them.

SAGITTARIUS IN SHADE

Sagittarians can be wildly uninhibited at times and this can come across as rudeness. Their restless nature also means they are prone to carelessness and a scattered, unproductive approach to life. In relationships, commitment is an issue.

TRY THIS Sagittarians are full of optimistic potential but turning their brilliant ideas into reality can be a struggle. Try the Sagittarius Focus Mantra shown here.

Capricorn: The Goat

22 December–19 January

Patient and persistent, disciplined and reliable, you have the willpower to succeed. Your driving force is ambition. Your practicality, wisdom and strong sense of justice make you a person of honour and integrity.

SHINING QUALITIES

Courageous

Dependable

Determined

SHADOW QUALITIES

Materialistic

Narrow-minded

Pessimistic

RULING PLANET

Saturn

AFFIRMATION

I can be both ambitious and caring.

WORK

Capricorns are drawn to careers in which there is a clear structure so that they can achieve something meaningful, and climb the ladder of success. They excel in work that offers them an opportunity to mentor and advise. Capricorns love nothing more than to be the person people turn to in times of crisis.

HOME

Those born under this sign value material possessions highly. They choose properties that are sound investments for their future and take the very best care of them.

PLEASURE

Capricorns need reminding of the importance of rest and relaxation in their lives. With their unbeatable work ethic, unwinding on a regular basis is essential for their well-being.

CAPRICORN IN SHADE

Ruthless and ambitious, Capricorns can hurt others to get to where they want to be. Their preoccupation with material things means they easily lose sight of what truly matters, while their cautiousness can lead to missed opportunities.

TRY THIS Capricorn ambition means many are workaholics in danger of experiencing emotional burnout and losing motivation. Try the Calm Down Ritual shown here.

Aquarius: The Water-Carrier

20 January–18 February

You have a vision for a better world and the determination and discipline to create positive change. Your driving force is humanitarianism. Highly original and innovative, you are often way ahead of your time.

SHINING QUALITIES

Original

Visionary

Idealistic

SHADOW QUALITIES

Chaotic

Stubborn

Rebellious

RULING PLANETS

Saturn and Uranus

AFFIRMATION

I can express my originality with compassion.

WORK

Aquarians need a career that offers them an opportunity to be inventive, creative and original. They excel in anything that helps human beings learn and progress in some way.

HOME

The homes of people born under this sign may be quirky or have highly unusual features. Aquarians may prefer to build their own homes from scratch or modify existing properties in some original way.

PLEASURE

Aquarian downtime is likely spent engaging in some eccentric or unusual hobby or interest that they are passionate about, from sky-diving to science-fiction conventions.

AQUARIUS IN SHADE

Aquarians can be unpredictable and unnecessarily rebellious at times. They are prone to crankiness and cynicism, so others often feel they must walk on eggshells around them. They can be insensitive and tactless, and become so driven that loved ones are neglected.

TRY THIS Aquarians can be unkind towards themselves and others in pursuit of their goals. Practise the Compassion Spell shown here.

Pisces: The Fish

19 February–20 March

You are deeply sensitive to the needs of others and never miss an opportunity to do good, where you can. Generous to a fault, your driving force is compassion. Your powerful intuition and ability to see the bigger picture means that you can make your life as enchanting as your dreams.

SHINING QUALITIES

Imaginative

Artistic

Compassionate

SHADOW QUALITIES

Indecisive

Unrealistic

Co-dependent

RULING PLANETS

Jupiter and Neptune

AFFIRMATION

I can dream of success and beauty for myself.

WORK

Pisceans are multi-talented and can adapt to almost any situation. As long as they listen to their intuition, they have the determination and intelligence to succeed at whatever they focus on.

HOME

The Piscean home is almost always exquisitely beautiful. Being sensitive souls, they also want it to be a safe and peaceful haven that they can retreat to if they feel overwhelmed.

PLEASURE

Pisceans often prioritize the well-being of others over their own and derive great pleasure from caring for others. Downtime is crucial for Pisceans, because having sufficient dream-time is essential to them.

PISCES IN SHADE

Instead of tackling their own fears and issues, Pisceans can easily lose their sense of self by immersing themselves in someone else’s life or adapting their personality to accommodate others. They are also prone to chronic indecision, endlessly weighing up pros and cons but doing nothing to move their lives forward.

TRY THIS Pisceans often lose sight of their own identity and needs due to putting others first. Practise the Colour Visualisation for Protection fix shown here.