An Overview of the basic system of correspondences
From MagickBook
Contents |
Introduction
Like almost all symbolic systems, Astrology is strongly imbued by the concept of correspondence. Every element of the astrological system (planets, houses, signs, aspects, etc.) has its own set of keywords and correspondence relationships. This article explores only the basic ones related to the signs.
Sign Correspondences
Summary
| Symbol | Sign | Element | Rythm | Polarity | Ruler | Exalts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | Fire | Cardinal | Positive | Mars | Sun |
| Taurus | Earth | Fixed | Negative | Venus | Moon |
| Gemini | Air | Mutable | Positive | Mercury | |
| Cancer | Water | Cardinal | Negative | Moon | Jupiter/Neptune |
| Leo | Fire | Fixed | Positive | Sun | Pluto |
| Virgo | Earth | Mutable | Negative | Mercury | |
| Libra | Air | Cardinal | Positive | Venus | Saturn |
| Scorpio | Water | Fixed | Negative | Mars/Pluto | Uranus |
| Sagittarius | Fire | Mutable | Positive | Jupiter | |
 / 
| Capricorn | Earth | Cardinal | Negative | Saturn | Mars |
| Aquarius | Air | Fixed | Positive | Saturn/Uranus | Mercury |
| Pisces | Water | Mutable | Negative | Jupiter/Neptune | Venus |
Elemental relationships
One of the oldest (i.e. probably predating Claudius Ptolemy's 2nd. Centrury CE works) symbolic links in Astrology is the relationship between the signs of the zodiac with the Four Classical Elements.
| Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are Fire signs. | Some keywords of Fire: Vitality, Differentiation, Self assertion, leadership, aggressiveness, extroversion, verticalness, heat, dryness, change. |
| Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are Earth signs. | Some keywords of Earth: Practicality, sensuality, richness, materiality, dryness, coldness, fertility, structure, limits, purpose. |
| Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are Air signs. | Some keywords of Air: Levity, lightness, aloofness, relationships, ingenuity, mind, thought, communication, learning, movement. |
| Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are Water signs. | Some keywords of Water: Family, tradition, memory, emotion, love, fusion, dilution, possession, feelings, empathy, jealousy. |
The zodiacal wheels on the above table show how the spacing of the signs on the Ecliptic result in fully regular configurations. Each sign of the same element is separated from the other by 120°. The composite figure below shows the complete superimposed elemental triangles.
The Rhythm or mode
Besides their relationships with the classical elements, the signs of the zodiac also exhibit common "modes" of operation. These modes are patterned in their relationship with the seasons of the standard tropical year. When taken in groups of three consecutive signs, they closely follow the sequence of the seasons:
- Aries, Taurus and Gemini are the signs of spring.
- Cancer, Leo and Virgo are the signs of summer.
- Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius are the signs of autumn.
- Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces are the signs of winter.
The first in each group marks the "start" of the season. Each one, according to its nature, embodies the concept of beginnings, creation and differentiation from the previous stage. These are called cardinal signs. They are the signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
The second in each group brings depth and growth to the season. Their nature is one of concentration, focus and stillness. They are called fixed signs. They are the signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
The final sign in each seasonal group is tasked with blurring the limits, shaking the structure created by the fixed stage and prepare us to the changing towards the next season. They are highly adaptable signs, and so they are called mutable signs. They are the signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.
Polarity
A related correspondence to the elemental ones is what is often called the polarity of the signs. By tradition, the "masculine" elements (Fire and Air) are considered to be of positive/active polarity. By the same token, the "feminine" elements (Water and Earth) are considered to be of negative/passive polarity.
In a nutshell, this means that the fire and air signs are positive or active, and the earth and water signs are negative or passive. This is no moral or value judgment, but a way to describe the way the elements interact. For example, active or positive signs confer extrovert/leading personalities, while passive or negative signs confer personalities that are "down to earth" and calm.
One needs both of these qualities to have an equilibrated life.
A mesh of symbols
These correspondences create, when combined, a very tight system. Each element has three signs, and each one of those signs is of a different rhythm. They are interleaved in the zodiac in sequences: the elements go Fire-Earth-Air-Water and the rhythm goes Cardinal-Fixed-Mutable, with everything starting with Aries (Cardinal fire).
The polarity is also oscillating: Aries is positive, Taurus is negative, Gemini is positive, Cancer is negative and so on.
