Earth Sign Astrology
December 10th, 2007 by jim1537
Regarding astrology, almost everybody knows what “sign” they are and it’s not unusual for many people to read their daily horoscopes. And of course, “my sign is,” as it is often stated in popular culture, is simply your sun sign - meaning the position of the sun in the sky at your exact time of birth. Say, if you’re born on August 29, your sun sign is indeed Virgo at approximately 6 degrees.
Your sun sign embodies your basic personality, the ego, your sense of “I am.” It is the foundation of who you are and in a fundamental way; the inner you. It represents your basic personality and make up in ordinary daily life; when things are “normal.”
But how many people know about their earth sign - which is the opposite of one’s sun sign? If your sun sign is Aries, then your earth sign, or polar opposite is Libra. Not many people realize just how vital it is to look at your earth sign as well as you sun sign to gain a deeper understanding of how we deal with life’s struggles.
Your earth sign is your survival sign, representing how you cope with adversity and tough times, in a sense, your survival skills on this earth. Just like a turtle goes within its shell, and a bee stings, your earth sign provides you with the skills needed to deal with stressful times. When the chips are down, if you’re afraid or in a panic, you will draw upon and emulate your earth sign, (again, the exact opposite of your sun sign). When your existence takes you out of your normal comfort zone, when life throws you a curve ball, and especially in issues that deal with survival, you will call upon your earth sign.
In studying astrology for an extended time with world-class astrologers beginning when I was a teenager, and having utilized astrology in my psychic practice now for over three decades, it is quite fascinating to me how people so strongly pull on their earth sign in difficult times.
Below, I would like to take you through a journey of all twelve signs of the zodiac, shedding light on the qualities of our sun signs and our earth signs, and then demonstrating how we react when drawing upon the qualities of our earth sign, both positively and negatively.
Sun Sign: Aries - Earth Sign: Libra
Aries are usually self-starters, like being in control, are aggressive, sometimes impulsive and impetuous, and like the symbol of the Ram, charge headfirst into situations. Ruled by Mars, Aries make great athletes, as they are naturally competitive. Aries also make strong leaders, as they possess dynamic, energized personalities and are action-based individuals. Many a prominent figure in this world has born under the sign of Aries, such as musician and social activist Bob Marley.
But when an Aries finds their back against the wall, they immediately draw upon the strength of their earth sign, or survival sign, Libra. In this mode, they will seek compromise, look toward partnership to resolve conflict, as they try to find harmony. Attempting to find balance, they don’t like things being topsy-turvy. Peace must be achieved in order to create the desired answer needed.
When pulling on the negative aspect of their earth sign of Libra, an Aries would become uncertain, ambivalent, and internally unable to make a decision or a decisive move. Procrastinating, avoiding conflict and not facing issues, one may simply keep avoiding what needs to be done.
Sun Sign: Taurus - Earth Sign: Scorpio
Ruled by Venus, Taurus the bull is known for being stubborn, and making very prodding steps, even digging their heels in. Taureans are steady, rock solid and resist change. They like material comfort and the finer things in life, and often have very pleasant tones to their voices. Many a great singer including Barbra Streisand has been born under the sign of Taurus.
When the chips are down and a Taurus pulls on their opposite sign Scorpio, they become secretive, strategic, calculating, and burn with an inner intensity designed to resolve the conflict at hand. Where Taurus would pragmatically move step by step, Scorpio may sting by attacking the situation with an all or nothing passion and
intensity, all designed to win.
If a Taurus was pulling on the weaknesses of their earth sign Scorpio, they would let their anger get the best of them, unravel any sense of good judgment through indulging in dark and revengeful emotions. Feeling vindictive and needing to get even, they may foolishly shoot from the hip and ultimately undo their own position.
Sun Sign: Gemini - Earth Sign: Sagittarius
The sign of the twins, Gemini, is versatile, flexible, changeable, a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none and likes variety in their lives. Ruled by Mercury, Geminis learn quickly, are dexterous with their hands as witnessed by musician Prince, communicate well and can lose interest in things easily. They tend to see things in the small and immediate picture and for the short run. Probably the worst thing for a Gemini is when they get bored.
When stressed, they would immediately think as Sagittarians do: outside of the box, call upon the big picture, think philosophically and bring about change. In this survival mode, one will reject orthodox thinking, and try something unconventional and brand new if needed.
Pulling on the self-destructive aspect of their earth sign Sagittarius, Gemini would become too grandiose in their approach, thinking in much too big of terms that are unrealistic and not practical for a solution. Careless, even false answers are just grabbed out of thin air, and thrown at the problem in a frivolous fashion.
Sun Sign: Cancer - Earth Sign: Capricorn
Cancer the crab, ruled by the moon, is a sign of deep emotion, intuition, and sometimes, even oversensitivity. Liking family, cooking and the home, Cancers need security. When they are hurt or feel threatened, they withdraw in their shell, as indicated by the
glyph of the crab, and retreat for safety. Like Helen Keller, Cancers use their deep ability to feel: their environment, other people’s needs, their own emotions, and are often naturally quite psychic.
Under duress, Cancerians draw upon their survival sign of Capricorn, switching from feeling emotional to being: logical, rational, and in control. In this polar opposite energy they plan, detach, and look for bottom line hard cold facts. In Capricorn mode, they want to be the boss now, and take complete charge of the situation and “take care of business.”
Drawing upon the negative side of Cancer’s survival sign Capricorn, one would become negative, morbid and fatalistic in their belief in a true resolution being able to be achieved. Pessimistic thinking would undermine the situation at hand and prevent them from seeing an optimistic answer.
Sun Sign: Leo - Earth Sign: Aquarius
Leo the lion comes from the heart; a place of pride and nobility. Ruled by the sun, Leo does indeed rule the jungle and must feel important; needing to be the center of attention and the benevolent benefactor of generosity. With their often-large egos, even arrogance, Leo likes to be the star of the show. Many a great entertainer has been born under the sign of Leo, such as Mick Jagger. Leo’s can also be quite sentimental, as their heart does rules their head, so to speak.
When a Leo feels under the gun, they will immediately lean on their polar opposite sign of Aquarius. In this mode, one: thinks of solutions for the problem at hand in a humanitarian and broad minded way, factually, with complete unattachment, always looking for the highest good to come out of the situation at hand. There is a clear and enlightened answer, and it shall be found!
The negative side of Leo’s survival sign of Aquarius brings one to a place of coldness, too much detachment bordering on being non sympathetic and uncaring. Simply processing the situation mentally and intellectually without a sense of empathy does not fix the issues.
Sun Sign: Virgo - Earth Sign: Pisces
Virgo the virgin loves to analyze, dissect and pick things apart. As a perfectionist ruled by Mercury, Virgos are critical, both of others as well as themselves, possessing unusually high standards that are hard to meet. Leonard Bernstein represented the Virgo ability of being able to pay attention to detail as he meticulously did as an orchestra conductor. Purity and cleanliness are also both Virgo attributes, while they also are most at home being in service to others. Sometimes they may over analyze a situation and knit pick to a fault, having a hard time simply letting it mentally go.
It times of stress, Virgo switches to the opposite modality of being a Pisces. Here, one dreams, intuits, escapes from reality into fantasy to let the problem get solved. Using a sense of faith and intuition, they may let things go to arrive at the proper conclusions in an intuitive way. In time, the answer will come, magically; even mystically.
When Virgo is in survival mode and functioning in the negative aspect of Pisces, they can escape into self-delusion, self-pity and wallowing in the troubles that are going on. Even alcohol or drugs can numb the pain, but a negative sense of running away is the mode of reaction. Not facing reality provides a sad but safe place.
Sun Sign: Libra - Earth Sign: Aries
Libra, the sign of the scales, likes balance, harmony and peace. Fairness and justice are important to this Venus ruled sign, but they can sometimes become indecisive, even procrastinating in their search for things to be equitable and fair. Libras do not like when the scales are tipped to either side; but prefer for things to be in absolute balance. Julie Andrews is a perfect example of how Librans often have a strong sense of what is beautiful, can be quite artistic and graceful.
When life throws a curve ball to a Libra, their actions will be quickly become swift and energized. “Something needs to be done here now,” is what one might declare. Pulling on their Aries survival sign, they immediately want to manifest a plan of action; it must be initiated as soon as possible, right now. They now become the leader, not the one who compromises to make everyone happy. They are in fight mode and will do their best to get the job done.
The negative side of Libra’s opposite sign, Aries, brings about unpredictable and impetuous choices that are not well thought out or properly executed. Hitting their head against the wall, a lack of temperance or reason is heightened by irrational actions out of the blue too aggressive and forceful.
Sun Sign: Scorpio - Earth Sign: Taurus
Scorpio the scorpion can sting and can even get vindictive. Ruled by Pluto (and in old school astrology, considered to be co-ruled by Mars), Scorpios are passionate, highly sexual, fixed, calculating, intense and secretive. There is no middle ground for them. They are either seen as the eagle flying high above the clouds and rising above the lower world, or as the scorpions down and dirty in the dust. You’ll find many a Scorpio to go through transformations in a given lifetime, as Pluto, their ruling planet, brings about death and rebirth. Many a celebrity who represents sex appeal is born under the sign of Scorpio, such as Rock Hudson.
In tough times, Scorpio will call upon the attributes of their earth sign Taurus by planting themselves in the ground and heeding all of their inner intensity. Here, they quickly become level headed, steady, slow moving and prodding in looking for a solution. There won’t be a rush to judgment, or a “throw the baby with the bath water out” mentality in this instance. Passion is replaced with a steady, calm, step-by-step approach to seek a resolution.
When a Scorpio falls back on the negative side of their survival sign Taurus, one digs their heels in stubbornly without any flexibility or openness to new insights. Looking at things from a fresh perspective is not in play here, as the negative Taurus energy will shut down any movement or progression toward resolution, and fall back on being fixed and rigid.
Sun Sign: Sagittarius - Earth Sign: Gemini
Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, loves freedom. Sagittarians forgive and forget, and always try to see the big picture in everything. Thinking small is not typical for the sign represented by the archer, and small crises tend to bore these individuals. Big plans, and a broad perspective make Sagittarians expansive in their decisions and goals. Free spirited, often wanting to have a good time, Sagittarians love a good party, such as Frank Sinatra.
In a crisis, Sagittarius, now drawing upon their earth sign Gemini, tends to think of multiple options: try this first, try that next, and don’t be afraid to consider all avenues available. “The answer is right here somewhere,” one may say. Drawing on the versatility of their opposite sign Gemini, they look at a problem from any number of angles to get things done and rather quickly. Don’t take too much time looking at just one solution, but go through a series of options till you get it fixed. If one thing doesn’t work, immediately go to the other. Talk it out and verbally express what needs to be achieved, as that will help bring about solutions.
If a Sagittarian pulls on the lower side of their earth sign, Gemini, they would immediately become scattered, grasping for straws, as if they were going around in circles. Fickle and flitting from thing to thing, energies would become all over the place, so to speak, with no clear plan of action.
Sun Sign: Capricorn - Earth Sign: Cancer
Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, likes to be in control. Many Capricorns like Richard Nixon have been dominant political figures. Being the boss, thinking in rational, factual terms, are all hallmarks of the sign symbolized by the goat. This sign doesn’t like to be wrong, and can argue a point to the end to prove that they are indeed correct. Sometimes cold, Capricorn often leaves emotion out of the equation, in favor of facts and figures.
When under fire, Capricorn will indeed exchange logic for emotion and intuition. Going into survival mode and calling upon their earth sign Cancer, one withdraws, and feels the situation out, both emotionally and intuitively. What feels right becomes the mode of operation in this type of situation, and the gut level instinct overrules anything rational and logical. What becomes real is what one feels.
If a Capricorn felt out of control and started dealing with the negative side of their survival sign Cancer, they would withdraw into a cloud of intense, even melodramatic emotions. Sadness and oversensitivity would cause then to shut down and lick their
wounds. Retreating into their shell, they would have no desire to come back out.
Sun Sign: Aquarius - Earth Sign: Leo
Ruled by Uranus (and once considered to be co-ruled by Saturn), Aquarius is one of the most intellectual signs of the zodiac. Questioning authority and convention, many a socially conscious person like Oprah Winfrey has been born under the sign of Aquarius. Represented by the water bearer, this sign is humanitarian, detached, innovative, pioneering and looks at life through humanitarian eyes. Forward thinking in a non-emotional way, Aquarians view everyone in this world as one piece of the bigger, collective whole.
When challenged and in rocky waters, Aquarians flip the coin, so to speak, and emulate their earth sign, Leo. In this mode, one gets angry and wants to solve the crisis by ruling the roost, and roaring like the lion. With their head held high, it’s time to be the king, and restore order in the jungle, meaning whatever the actual crisis is, it must be put to an end once and for all.
However, if an Aquarian slipped into the negative side of Leo, their opposite sign, they would become loud, arrogant, boastful and bossy. Thinking they could steam roll over anyone or anything in the way, they would lose any sense or reason or rational perspective. I am not just the king, but a dictator, becomes their motto.
Sun Sign: Pisces - Earth Sign: Virgo
Pisces, ruled by Neptune (and formerly believed to be co-ruled by Jupiter), is represented by the glyph of the fishes. Pisces is perhaps the most sensitive sign of the zodiac. With an innate sense of living in their dreams, Pisces can escape reality; sometimes through spiritual / religious faith, clairvoyance, and work professionally in illusion, such as film and photography. When a Pisces pulls on their higher self, they receive transcendent information from a higher source, such as Albert Einstein did.
When difficulties confront a Pisces, one might think that they would just run and hide, but quite the contrary. They would pull on their earth sign, Virgo and begin to look at things in a meticulous, analytical way. Weighing in on every minute detail, paying attention to facts and dissecting the situation becomes the mode of action here. Being critical with high standards, this resolution will be one that demands to be noticed, as it will be chock full of important subtleties.
On the other hand, when Pisceans negatively pull on their polar opposite of Virgo, an individual would become neurotic, over picky, not seeing the forest from the trees, so to speak and think about everything too much. Refusing to relax with the problems at hand, too much over analysis doesn’t allow spirit to offer a true resolution.
As you see above, we don’t just remain centered in our primary personality energy, based on our sun sign. We flip the coin and pull on our earth sign, our survival sign, which interestingly is the exact opposite of our basic personality make up. Most of us would have never have thought of such a phenomenon occurring and it is through the study of astrology that we attain this awareness.
Try this simple exercise of recalling how you’ve reacted in situations where the chips were down and some aspect of survival issues were at stake. As you recollect, ask yourself, “Was I behaving like my sun sign or my earth sign?” Chances are, you drew heavily upon that inner survival strength that comes from our ally - our earth sign.
Category: A Better Life | No Comments »
