Professional Documents
Culture Documents
v
Constellations of the Zodiac
Ancient astronomers noted that the sun
makes a yearly journey across the
celestial sphere, part of which is
represented in the picture by the blue
band. The ancient astronomers associated
dates with the constellations in this narrow
belt (which is known as the zodiac),
assigning to each constellation of stars the
dates when the sun was in the same
region of the celestial sphere as the
constellation. The twelve zodiacal signs for
these constellations were named by the
2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, as
follows: Aries (ram), Taurus (bull), Gemini
(twins), Cancer (crab), Leo (lion), Virgo
(virgin), Libra (balance), Scorpio
(scorpion), Sagittarius (archer), Capricorn
(goat), Aquarius (water-bearer), and Pisces
(fishes).
Microsoft Corporation. All Rights
Reserved.
Microsoft Encarta 2009. 19932008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights
reserved.
Andromeda
Andromeda is a "V" shaped constellation
best viewed in the fall if you live in the
Northern Hemisphere. Andromeda lies
close to the north pole, so only a few in
the Southern Hemisphere can see this
strangely shaped constellation in the
spring.
Big Dipper
The Big Dipper is a constellation of seven
stars in the northern celestial hemisphere.
It is also known by the names Ursa Major
Eridanus
Eridanus is known as the Celestial River. It
most often related to the Nile or Euphrates
Rivers because they were so important to
ancient civilizations. Eridanus is the
second longest constellation in the night
sky.
Cygnus
Cygnus, the Swan, is also known as the
Northern Cross because of its shape. The
I
"I am"
March 21 - April 20
1st Fire sign - 1st Cardinal sign (spring
equinox) - Masculine
In analogy with Mars, his ruler, and the 1st
House
Aries governs the head.
"I have"
April 21 - May 20
1st Earth sign - 1st Fixed sign - Feminine
In analogy with Venus, her ruler, and the
2nd House
Taurus governs the neck and the throat.
The Constellation Hercules, the great
Aquila
Aquila, the celestial eagle, is one of the
three constellations which have bright
stars forming the Summer Triangle. A
nearly perfectly straight line of three stars
symbolizes part of the wings.
"I think"
May 21 - June 21
1st Air sign - 1st Mutable sign - Masculine
In analogy with Mercury, his ruler, and the
3rd House
Gemini governs the arms, the lungs and
the thorax.
"I love"
July 23 - August 22
2nd Fire sign - 2nd Fixed sign - Masculine
In analogy with the Sun, his ruler, and the
5th House
Leo governs the heart and the spine, and
the eyes, according to some authors
"We think"
November 22 - December 20
3rd Fire sign - 3rd Mutable sign - Masculine
In analogy with Jupiter, his ruler, and the
9th House
"We achieve"
December 21 - January 19
3rd Earth sign - 4th Cardinal sign (winter
solstice) - Feminine
In analogy with Saturn, her ruler, and the
10th House
"I serve"
August 23 - September 22
2nd Earth sign - 2nd Mutable sign Feminine
"We love"
January 20 - February 18
3rd Air sign - 4th Fixed sign - Masculine In
analogy with Uranus, his ruler with Saturn,
and the 11th House
"We have"
October 23 - November 21
"We serve"
February 19 fvrier - March 20
3rd Water sign - 4th Mutable sign Feminine
In analogy with Neptune her ruler with
Jupiter, and the 12th House
Pisces governs the feet and the blood
circulation.