Astrology · the path of the Sun in twelve stretches
Astrology
The Sun travels through twelve signs in a year. Yours is the stretch it was crossing on the day you were born.
Today the Sun is in Scorpio: October 23 – November 21.
- In black, the sign of that date: Scorpio.
- The red triangle links the three Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
- The dotted line crosses to its opposite: Taurus.
Astrology is a belief system with more than 4,000 years of history. Molino uses it as a tool for reflection and self-knowledge. Astrological interpretations don't constitute scientific evidence, predictions or diagnoses. Modern astronomy has shown that the positions of the stars have no verifiable influence on personality or destiny.
What astrology is
Astrology is a belief system that interprets the position of the stars at the moment of birth as a symbolic reflection of personality and life tendencies. It has more than 4,000 years of history.
It isn't astronomy. Astronomy is the science that studies celestial bodies. Astrology is an interpretive system that uses the same celestial bodies as symbols, not as causes.
Molino uses Western astrology as one of the systems that make up your personal map.
History
Mesopotamian astrology (c. 2000 BC): The Babylonians recorded planetary positions on clay tablets. Originally it was a religious practice tied to the gods.
Hellenistic astrology (c. 300 BC): After Alexander the Great's conquests, Babylonian astrology merged with Greek philosophy. The 12 zodiac signs, the houses and the aspects were codified.
Roman and medieval astrology: Astrology was practiced in Rome and re-emerged in Europe during the Renaissance. It was taught at universities until the 17th century.
Modern astrology (20th-21st centuries): It became part of popular culture. The sun-sign horoscope became its best-known form, although the full tradition is much more complex.
Elements and modalities
Elements
Fire
Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Energy · Passion · Initiative
Earth
Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Practicality · Stability · Common sense
Air
Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Intellect · Communication · Sociability
Water
Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Intuition · Emotion · Depth
Modalities
Cardinal
Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Home · Initiative · Action
Fixed
Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
Stability · Determination · Persistence
Mutable
Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
Adaptability · Versatility · Change
The 12 zodiac signs
Each sign has a traditional meaning in astrology. These interpretations belong to the tradition and don't represent scientific evidence.
- AriesMarch 21 – April 19
Fire · Cardinal - TaurusApril 20 – May 20
Earth · Fixed - GeminiMay 21 – June 20
Air · Mutable - CancerJune 21 – July 22
Water · Cardinal - LeoJuly 23 – August 22
Fire · Fixed - VirgoAugust 23 – September 22
Earth · Mutable - LibraSeptember 23 – October 22
Air · Cardinal - ScorpioOctober 23 – November 21
Water · Fixed - SagittariusNovember 22 – December 21
Fire · Mutable - CapricornDecember 22 – January 19
Earth · Cardinal - AquariusJanuary 20 – February 18
Air · Fixed - PiscesFebruary 19 – March 20
Water · Mutable
The difference between astrology and astronomy
Astronomy
A science that studies celestial bodies. It uses the scientific method, empirical observation and the formulation of testable hypotheses.
Astrology
A belief system that interprets astral positions as symbols. It doesn't use the scientific method. Its interpretations are cultural and symbolic.
Sources and references
Astrology
Encyclopaedia Britannica · https://www.britannica.com/science/astrology
Hellenistic Astrology: A History
Chris Brennan (2017)
Ancient Astrology Collection
University of Pennsylvania Museum
Babylonian Astronomy and Astrology
The British Museum
Calculate your Sun Sign
Enter your date of birth and calculate your Western zodiac sign.
Go to the calculator →Molino is an educational and entertainment platform. Its interpretations belong to the field of symbolic systems and don't constitute scientific predictions, diagnoses or professional advice.