Our new Personalised Astrology Book is all about the archetypes and rituals of the reader’s sun sign. All you need is the reader’s name and birthdate, and you can create a zodiac guide unique to them in a few minutes. The archetypes of zodiac sign character traits come from centuries of stargazers finding patterns and wisdom in the skies. Here are some snippets from the book to summarise how the zodiac signs break down into archetypes.
If you’re an Aries, you have the mind of a pioneer
Aries is the sign of the spring equinox, symbolised by the vitality of its animal symbol, the ram. The growing power of the spring Sun reflects your key trait of extraverted vigour and a capacity for continual regeneration.
Top three traits: vitality, extraversion, directness
If you’re a Taurus, you’re grounded in nature and the senses
Yours is one of the oldest of the star signs, with origins in the celestial imagery of Mesopotamia, where the star-bull represented the fertility of spring. The tireless ox which patiently ploughed the fields inspired these ancient peoples to see this constellation as the Bull of Heaven, honoured for its power and strength.
Top three traits: serenity, endurance, connection to nature
If you’re a Gemini, you’re a passionate communicator
Myth abounds with stories of twins. In Greek myth, the twins were Castor and Pollux, one immortal, born of Zeus, and one mortal, born of an earthly king. Gemini has one foot in the heavens and one on the ground. Thus you thrive on variety, change, and the edginess of contrast and difference. Your wide-ranging interests become a melting pot for creative innovation.
Top three traits: creativity, sociability, problem-solving
If you’re a Cancer, you’re a compassionate protector
Cancer is a sign of changing moods and tones. As a creature of the sea, the crab symbolises the ocean tide that ebbs and flows according to its own unseen rhythms. You are at home in the rich world of your imagination, with its storehouse of impressions and stories.
Top three traits: Intuition, empathy, wisdom
If you’re a Leo, you have the heart of a leader
In ancient times, the Sun reached its summer zenith in the constellation of the lion. Since then, the lion has been a symbol of strength, power and majesty. Your sign is the one linked most closely to the Sun itself, the brightest body in the sky and the shining centre of the solar system.
Top three traits: Leadership, integrity, boldness
If you’re a Virgo, you create order out of chaos
In the wheel of the zodiac, Virgo is the sign of the harvest, represented by the goddess holding a sheaf of wheat. Through careful craft and understanding of the mysteries of nature, the function of this sign is symbolically to sort wheat from chaff, so that what is yielded up is useful and productive.
Top three traits: pragmatism, resourcefulness, mind-body awareness
If you’re a Libra, you’re the wise adjudicator
In the wheel of the zodiac, Libra occupies the halfway point of the autumn equinox. As a time of balance between light and dark, in ancient times it represented the moment in the year when equilibrium is briefly restored, a time set aside for evaluation of resources before the onset of autumn and winter. Through an innate understanding of the cosmic principles of balance and equality, Libra assesses, takes stock and recalibrates, restoring the world to its rightful harmony.
Top three traits: rationality, diplomacy, good aesthetic tastes
If you’re a Scorpio, you radiate self-mastery
Scorpio is the most enigmatic of the zodiac signs. Where others might be content with what they can easily see or do, your courage takes you beyond, probing the depths to eliminate whatever is untrue, insincere, or no longer serving a useful purpose.
Top three traits: magnetism, stoicism, honesty
If you’re a Sagittarius, you’re full of adventurous spirit
The archer shoots the arrow into the far distance, not knowing where it will land. This is part of the excitement of life for you, since you identify yourself as a citizen of the world and long to see all that it has to offer. Indeed, other worlds beyond the earthly may excite you too, with thoughts of space travel and parallel universes just waiting to be discovered.
Top three traits: confidence, spontaneity, optimism
If you’re a Capricorn, you radiate mastery and strength
Capricorn is the mountain goat, sure-footed in its determined ascent to the summit. Your trajectory is upwards, striving towards accomplishment and a position of respect. You prefer actions that preserve and invest over than ones that waste or gamble, and you shine in roles of responsibility.
Top three traits: ambition, persistence, discipline
If you’re an Aquarius, you’re a friend to all
Aquarius is the sign of the water bearer, a curious image since Aquarius is an air sign. The water pouring so generously from the jar is a symbol of knowledge acquired, thoughtfully processed, and then poured forth in a never-ending stream for the benefit of others.
Top three traits: selflessness, objectivity, teamwork
If you’re a Pisces, you’re a true visionary
Pisces is the sign of the fishes, bound to each other by a cord. In the constellation, as in the astrological glyph, the fish are swimming in opposite directions, one upwards from the ecliptic and the other along it. In this image is the dilemma of Pisces: knowing that one must live in the world, but always longing to escape from it.
Top three traits: creativity, compassion, storytelling
