Three weeks ago we started talking about the origins of the zodiac and the personal signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer.

We will continue with the social signs. Leo, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio are called the social signs because after the journey through the personal signs, Leo is the first sign that has to do with the real interaction of the self with his/her environment. It is the “coming out” from the personal boundaries, to establish a social contact in terms of the “I-You” relationship. We will understand later.

From Aries (the beginning of the self), Taurus (the self seeks for security), Gemini (the self learns to use his/her mind) and Cancer (the self-begins to feel emotions), the next step is Leo: the expression of the creative self.

Let us remember, that each sign has the potential to unfold in a negative or positive way (depending on the environment and other qualities of the soul). The aim here is to give the general attributes of the genuine sign, the positive and the negative potential side.

LEO

All the impulse, need for physical security, mind thinking and emotions from the personal signs have already passed. Now, the self has got into another level. The level of self-expression.

The person now knows itself, has been able to sense its instincts, its needs, its mind and its emotions. Has a strong image inside about who he or she is, and the next step is to project it. To express it. To shout it loud. The person, simultaneously, has been able to see and experience reality, the world.

The person has been able to see nature, to see colours, to see other people, other animals and objects. The person has then internalize the outer reality and merge it with his/her own identity fire, which then he/she projects out with a whole different and unique essence. This is what we call creativity.

Leo is creativity, colours, music, playing, touch, words, forms and design.

Fixed fire, Leo comes to represent the ever-lasting fire burning within the abstract self. The middle of summer. That which makes us unique creatures carrying a divine creative potential that can transform what we know out, in other infinite ways.

Art: the action to evoke feelings by producing something (unique). This is Leo. The art from Leo can be anything: painting, cooking, singing, playing music, designing, dancing, inventing, building, writing, or simply observing and appreciating the beauty of life on Earth. The beauty that our Sun star gives us.

Therefore, Leo is also joy. Funny, playful and loving creatures. The Sun rules Leo. Like the big feline animal, that likes to play in the sun, to have fun, to have joy and produce joy in others. Leo cares for others, Leo is generous and noble. Leo likes enjoying with other people, playing and having good time.

Pure radiant smiles are typical of genuine Leos. They can be so lovable and charming.

These persons know their hearts. Leo rules the heart. And the Sun, our life giving star, rules Leo. Therefore, they are carriers of the fire of life within. Their heart and their will. They know what they are worth and what they can do. So then, Leo is also confident and very proud.

Pride. This is a word usually associated with Leos and lions. Lions are exuberant and magical super creatures, misunderstood in society. Lions radiate a strong life power, a deal of energy comparable with the strength from the Sun. These animals are dignified and proud. The rest of the animal kingdom knows it.

Of course, we as animals, have the potential to degrade qualities. Leo in extremes, can indeed become very proud, and reach the level of egocentrism. The world then mutates, and becomes an entity that “turns around” the person, around the self, around Leo! This is the other side of Leo: extreme individualism, self-absorption, egocentrism and pomposity.

If we take this into another level, then Leo can play the role of the kid, who melodramatises everything that goes around, taking what others do very personal, and becoming mad when he or she does not receive the self-approval he/she is expecting to receive (because he or she deserves it!) Then Leo reacts defensively (like the Lion who feels “threatened”).

Leo is also associated with kids. The bountiful playful kid, but who can also be very sensitive to approval from other people.

A properly integrated Leo energy, will create an individual that possesses a radiant life spark, self-confidence, and strength. This person will also be owner of a strong creative power that he or she has successfully identified, mastered and expressed it. Usually these people will be attracted to all sort of forms, colours, elements or words. They will have a peculiar presence that comes from their solid identity. They will have endurance to create and obtain what they deserve. And last but not least, they will have a very warm, joyful personality that relives everything and everyone around, these are sunny people.

However, when the Leo energy has not been successfully dealt with, or the person possesses other stronger qualities in their personality, the Leo energy can be degraded. As a result, we can find the opposite: an individual who lacks confidence, and seeks for everyone else’s approval. An individual that has not sensed his or her inner creative fire and has let been dragged down in the society chaos jungle of standards, common ideologies, mainstream and restrictions.

Let us remember that humans are the only species on Earth that destroy life by reason thinking through abuse. Through misunderstanding the environment and nature. Humans destroy animals, big mammals like us, felines, big felines, and humans themselves. The social world has brought order, but has also destroyed the divine fire in so much people.

In addition, individuals with a weakened Leo can have such a small inner fire, that their will and confidence is just the same as their inner fire: down, low, weak. As a result, they become very sensitive to other people’s approval, to other people’s ways of thinking and to other people’s way of thinking about them.

VIRGO

Once the person has been out and showed what they have to give to the world from their pure heart, there comes another facet: judgement.

Judgement itself is the observation of something and the final opinion whether this something needs mastery, change or improvement in order to attain perfect harmony. Right results. Correct outcomes. Like its symbol, the virgin.

In Virgo, this takes the form of work, because only through constant work, we can get the perfect results. Only through constant work, we can make something fruitful from the Earth’s resources, from people’s resources (skills), from us. Only through service, we do the right thing for the community.

This is Virgo. Analytical, critical, sharp and hard working. Virgo uses his mind (Mercury also rules Virgo) in order to analyse through critical thinking, what are the resources (Earth) available and how can we exploit them in order to attain perfection. The right thing for the community.

These guys are extremely clever, and their mind is blow-minding. Because of their need to do the right thing, they are strong workers, devoted to their work or passion, loyal to their devotion and incredibly inventive. They also will always be there to support their loved ones (or anyone), because they find ease on serving and helping other people.

Virgo is mutable earth. The change from the warm colourful sunny days into the gray beautiful skies of autumn. We can see it in the fashion trends palette: summer is vibrant, autumn is usually darker and opaque colour shades. Virgo is the mutation.

Their mind mutates, because it is constantly thinking, analyzing and working on which is the correct way to attain the perfect results. It can be very hard for Virgo to make a quick strong decision (because they think all the possibilities that can affect the outcome!).

This of course, does not only manifest through work, but also in their personal and relationship lives. Virgo, can be so critical towards their partners, friends and colleagues. Their criticism takes the form of the other person not meeting the attributes that Virgo thinks are correct or good. In some cases, it can lead to problems with relationships and at the workplace.

But this is not the worst extreme. The strongest negative facet of Virgo, is towards himself. One of the most negative things you can do to your own self is being too harsh on you. And this is the downside of Virgo: being extremely auto-critical. They can push themselves so much in order to get the perfect harmony. They can over-analyse their actions, their results, and become obsessive with the fact that it is not good enough! This of course, can lead to a complex of not being worthy, and constantly pushing themselves, exploiting themselves in order to reach that perfect harmony they are looking for.

Then, Virgo is related to health and physical appearance. Of course, it is important and good to be physically healthy and to look physically good. This is Virgo’s way of thinking. And this is good. They take good care of what they eat, they do exercise to attain physical strength (and attractiveness).

A proper used Virgoan energy, will lead to an exceptional individual, that uses his mind analytical skills in order to discern what is the best way to exploit the resources we have, and to produce the best results. An individual that is devoted to provide, to serve and to work. People that have a sense of help and kindness with others.

An individual with morals, with ideals of what is correct, and an open to accept (and analyse) other inputs. These people will also be concerned with their health, trying to keep illness away, and have a good looking appearance. In the end, they have good and pure desires to serve and help life on Earth, thinking always on making this world a better place. That is beautiful.

However, when this situation is not properly integrated with other qualities within the psyche of the person, it can lead to an over-critical individual who constantly judges himself/herself and others. A person whose mind is totally restless, exhausted and that is constantly working on thousands of ideas and probabilities. A person that denigrates itself as not being good enough (most of the times unconsciously). And then commits self-punishment (through psychological soft or strong ways, depression, anxiety or abstaining from goods).

In addition, they can be overly critical and demanding from others, they can have a lack of trust in others and other’s work, a lack of confidence in others’ capabilities to produce perfection, they can become cold and bitter, and then create such a stress and responsibility within themselves, which then can lead to the opposite: illness.

LIBRA

After the first reaction of judgement, our first scanning of another person and determining whether the other has the potential to establish a stronger or deeper “relationship”, it comes Libra.

The scales. Why the scales? Is it about justice? Not necessarily. Is it about opposites? Not necessarily.

The scales are the representation of optimal balance and harmony. Libra is harmony between two (or more of course). But let’s stick to the number two for our description.

Two persons, two different vectors of energy, two facets, two centres of knowledge and experience. This is Libra: the dynamic exchange between two in order to attain harmony.

Libra is therefore associated with our ability to establish relationship and partnerships. Love, work, friends and family.

The beginning of Autumn. Colorful leaves start falling from trees. A need to rebalance the body integrity and strength, to prepare before the cold winter comes.

Libra is cardinal air. As we saw before, air is exchange. Knowledge, communication, and energies move through air. Cardinal: a step out of our self (Aries, the polarity of Libra is Aries: the personal self), into exchanging with another on a one-to-one relationship.

The aim of Libra is the search for optimal balance, beauty and harmony in this new relationship with another person. Libra is ruled by Venus.

The aspect that Venus rules over Taurus, has to do with personal “beauty”, personal “pleasures”, personal “security” through delight attachment. On the other side, Venus rules over Libra through the dynamic of finding beauty or harmony between two.

Therefore, Libra has a lot to do with mutual learning, mutual growth and mutual cooperation. Both persons in a relationship want exactly that: beautiful, serenity, symmetry, peace and balance.

And this is the tricky part in a relationship: we are not the same and we do not have the same needs, qualities, habits and expectations. We are all different. Keeping a relationship is a progressive work of mutual reception, acceptance, learning, open perspective, mutual cooperation, enjoyment and forgiveness.

As dealing with relationships, Libra is associated with loving relationships, especially with marriage, since marriage itself represents the progressive life project of two persons. In addition, Libra is associated with work partnerships, work colleagues, social environment and acquaintances. A person’s ability to establish fruitful and positive relationships at work, will always be a plus in their professional arena.

In addition, Librans love beauty. They love art, symmetry, design and also enchantment. Librans like to beautify (Venus attribute), they like to appreciate beauty and art. They like to create (from the primal quality of harmonizing elements into perfection).

Flowers, art, history, elements, decoration, fashion, spaces, design and creations. These are words related with active Librans. Peace, serenity, calmness, logical understanding, communication, diplomacy and tolerance. These are words related with passive Librans.

A genuine Libran energy, will embody a person with the ability to successfully master his or her relationships. A person who understands what a relationship is about: understanding the other one, helping the other one, teaching the other one, loving the other one. This Libran will also be able to identify if the other person does help him or her to grow, to learn, to feel understood, to feel loved and to feel in peace. In addition, these persons will have a serene personality which often seeks balance in their surroundings: people, spaces, environment and possessions.

They will not get into trouble too often, because they don’t like the disharmony from trouble. They will always see a new point of view to mediate things. Some of them will excel in social diplomacy, some of them will excel in arts or sciences that deal with treating other people. Some of them will excel in designing and creating beautiful elements or spaces. Some of them will be great teachers. Some of them will simply possess an outstanding calm personality. It is about harmony, balance and peace.

However, when Libran energy becomes distorted, it can get people into several problems. In one hand, relationships can become the problem for these persons. The person makes of relationships, a need. They need another person or other people in their lives. But they have not yet mastered the Aries-Taurus-Gemini-Cancer aspects of themselves. When the individual has not dealt their personal issues (pertaining with their identity and their sense of personal security), they will project their issues into the other person, creating relationship problems. This situation can be common in marriages, love relationships, work relationships and friendships.

As a result, the individual can be submerged into a toxic relationship. In some cases there will not be a toxic relationship, but rather they will need to be with another person, without deeper reasons, leading to empty relationships and the ever-lasting feeling of “something is missing”.

In some other cases, the individual will not be able to handle relationships at all, choosing loneliness rather than companionship, living in the polarity of Libra: Aries. At the same time, this situation becomes an issue, since the person will indeed feel loneliness and a critical self-judgement. The cardinal quality of air becomes distorted, and the individual cannot engage into proper correspondence with another one, blocking the energy and creating disharmony.

SCORPIO

To finish with the social signs, we will talk about Scorpio. What comes after we establish a relationship and identify it as a potential fruitful relationship?

It comes depth. It comes merge. It comes penetration into the other’s soul.

In mainstream astrology and media, Scorpio, to me, is the most wrongly portrayed sign of the Zodiac. In astrology there are some signs that can be a bit difficult to fully understand (like Taurus and Leo for example). But Scorpio is very comprehensible. It is just wrongly depicted.

Let’s start with that simple word: depth. The need for depth in life’s experiences. Relationships, expression, art, work, dedication and emotions. Scorpio at its simplest, is that. Depth.

Now, where does depth reside? Inside. In the darkness. To get there, we need to penetrate.

A golden powerful treasure is buried deep down in an island. You first need to be the one who finds it (Leo), analyse and think where and how to find it (Virgo), understand the signs to the correct spot (Libra) and start digging down the darkness of earth, until you find that powerful treasure (Scorpio).

This is Scorpio. Depth. Darkness. The need to penetrate into things and people in order to see their real souls. The need to penetrate into actions, work, activities to see the bottom line of all. To investigate. That golden treasure that all experience has.

In the mystery of life, however, the secrets of existence can be so strong and powerful, that Scorpio can dwell between realms. Sometimes, in order to see something clearly, we have to trespass this realm and then come back reborn. This is why Scorpio is associated with transmutation and regeneration.

The scorpion bites, and can be mortal. Sometimes we need to “die” (figuratively) and rebirth with a new perspective after coming from the depths of the underworld. The middle of autumn and the early announcement of the coming deadly winter.

That is the powerful depth of the mysteries of life and existence itself. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto (lord of the underworld and transformation). In old astrology, Scorpio was ruled by Mars because of its active (sometimes destructive) principle. The destruction principle is so commonly misinterpreted. The lesson from Scorpio is that destruction brings new life. Crises brings knowledge. Mistakes lead to learning. Falling can makes us stronger.

Fixed water. Fixed emotions. Scorpians know what they want. They know it so good, because they have gone to the depths of their souls and they have seen their desires. And their fixed emotions are powerful. The engine that will drive them to obtain what they want.

And here is the part were the media distorts Scorpio. Ambition, treason, interest, money, power, possession, control, owning, surpassing, stepping over others, desire, sex and death. These are usually words associated with Scorpio in mainstream astrology.

This can be indeed correct. But only for those who want that.

Again, let’s recapitulate. Scorpio digs down the depths of people and experiences. Scorpio digs down their own depths and find their raw desires and wishes. Then, Scorpio, possessor of a strong emotional fixed power, will work in order to get what they want

But what they want, can be anything. Can also be to become a good professional person. Can also be to become a better person. Can also be to become an artist, a good parent, an astrologer, a chef, to become the CEO, to become the assistant, to be a priest, to be a nun and devote to Church, to build their house, to fall in love and create a family, to be the best friend.

The main idea is that Scorpians know their depths. And often, they will want to dig down yours too (if you’re interesting for them). They will observe you, research you with their intuition, with their penetrating eyes. The secretive Scorpian will do this very discretely, with only few words, not saying things about their own selves, but silently digging you down. They have the power to do so. Reason why they are associated with intensity.

Being a water sign, their emotions are fixed, and intense. They will be forever loyal to those who have won their trust. Scorpians don’t trust easily. In fact, it is very difficult for them to trust others and to open up to others. They will scan you deep down, but they won’t reveal themselves fully to you. You have to win their trust. Then, they will be loyal, and will protect and defend you.

They are passionate with what/who interests them. Strongly passionate. When they feel let down, or disturbed, they will often become emotional, and in some cases, they will emotionally attack and defend.

Sex, is a physical experience (Taurus, the polarity). But for Scorpio, sex becomes a deeper experience when one can merge with the other and feel (water) the bliss from the union.

Now, there are two Scorpians. Both of them know what they want (and will get it!) Both of them have intensity.

One type will project this intensity very clearly and very strongly. Their presence is strong and it is felt by those around. These are quite magnetic persons. They will also be noticed when absent.

Then we have the taciturn Scorpian, who operates with discretion, low profile, silence, deep observation, strong intuition (almost unconsciously), usually saying sarcastic few words, and who will get to you and your emotions.

A good Scorpian energy will be emotionally strong, and will have no insecurity about what he or she wants. They will get it. He or she will often have a strong presence (either physical or subtle). This person will experience life at its deepest. This individual will be extremely loyal and protective of those who win their trust. He or she will be excellent at what they do professionally, because they are passionate (they can be good at anything they choose to be their life: business, arts, human arts, culture, investigating, mystery arts, science, teaching, anything). They will have high set of values.

A negative Scorpio energy, however, can embody a person that either has dark desires, or a person that cannot trust anyone. The person with dark desires, can make their dark desires true, no matter the ways they will use to get these done. That is when we find the traitor, the backstabber, the dangerous person, or the venomous scorpion.

The person that has bright desires, but who does not how to open up and trust, will often have difficulties with relationships, with sharing (either giving or accepting to receive) resources, with sharing experiences, and with letting go to love. Will embody a quiet person, silent, secretive, mysterious, with deep eyes, and few strong words that can be hurting in some cases.

In any case, the Scorpian person will often be the character of self-transformation (through life experiences), or will be an agent of transformation for other people’s lives.