Drawing on Your Strengths: Your Astrological Sun Sign by Pam Younghans In these times of uncertainty and change, it is more important than ever that each of us draws upon our personal strengths as a means of supporting ourselves, our loved ones, and the evolution of our planet. Through astrology, we can discover much about a basic strength and purpose that each one of us carries — through the symbology of our birth sign. Most of us know our sun sign; when I say, "I’m a Taurus," what I’m really saying is that from Earth’s perspective, the sun looked like it was in the constellation of Taurus at my birth. So the stereotypical question, "What’s your sign?" is actually a good starting point, because knowing someone’s "sun sign" tells a tremendous amount about what motivates and fulfills that person. Of course, it’s not the whole picture. There are ten celestial bodies used on a regular basis in astrology, and each one shows an important aspect of our personality and purpose. However, it is the sun that shines through as a core descriptor of someone’s personal identity, motivation, and direction. What are the strengths of each sign, and how do we make full use of that potential? The following are short descriptions of the 12 signs of the zodiac, and the gift that each offers: Aries If you were born while the sun was in Aries, your primary purpose in this life is to build courage, to break through fear, to be the initiator of projects and ideas. You are the Ram, a fire sign, full of spirit and stamina, ready to take on the world if need be. A strong "will to exist" keeps you going, and it is that intensity and vitality you can offer to the rest of us, when the future seems overwhelming and the light has gone from our eyes. You’re not willing to give in or give up, and we need your strength at this time. Taurus Your main purpose, Taurus, is to find inner peace, to live simply and in accord with planet Earth. Indeed, you are an earth sign, focused on your experience in this reality and learning how to create a physical world that sustains you. As Taurus the Bull, you are best defined by Ferdinand the Bull, who loved to smell the flowers and refused to fight in the bullring. When you succeed in finding that place of serenity within you, time has no meaning and contentment abounds. That is the gift you can hold for each of us now, when we feel fearful and caught up in the complexity of events. You help us realize that there is a solid place within where we can go to find solace and comfort. Gemini Your gift, Gemini, is in your openness to new information and in your willingness to dialogue. The sign of the Twins represents communication, the sharing of ideas, and the ability to listen. As an air sign, you see things from a more objective point of view than some of us do. This is your contribution: you are curious about life, about people, about ideas. You encourage learning, helping each of us gain the information needed to understand the changes in the world. You appreciate the complexity and variety of the world, and you can help us see how very interesting and enlightening these times truly are. Cancer Cancer, you are a nurturing sign, promising that in your embrace we can find the kind of security we especially need right now. As a water sign, your perspective is emotional, but as the Crab, your energy is best used in protection rather than in waging battle. Your first and last defense, Cancer, is your hard shell, which allows you to be in the world and yet not be damaged by the upheaval. You can teach us about keeping our boundaries intact, about taking care of our emotional needs, and about allowing ourselves to trust the people and situations that have our best interests at heart. Leo As the Lion, you know how to roar, how to take charge, and how to live in the moment. You are a fire sign, full of potential and wanting more than anything to express your talents. You have a wonderful ability to play and be spontaneous, and it is this strength you can offer us. You can help the rest of us realize that it’s okay to be ridiculous once in a while, that not everything has to be so serious. We need to reconnect with a sense of aliveness and joy, and you model that ability through your own willingness to play and be involved in life. Your gift, Leo, is the ability to lighten the load of too much thinking. Virgo You, Virgo, are the worker of the zodiac; your gift is your awareness and an ability to sort through your experience and make sense of it all. You are not content with the status quo, but are always looking for ways to do and be better than before. As an earth sign, you bring ideas into concrete form and offer them to others. It is in the offering of reason and solution, of ways to heal and reorganize, that you assist us now. We are at a loss to know the purpose of it all, and the lack of direction leaves us feeling perplexed and confused. The solutions you offer help us address our problems one step at a time, so that we can gradually feel more in charge of our lives once again. Libra You offer us perspective through your ability to see both sides of the issue, Libra. Your symbol is the Scales of Justice, assuring us that we will eventually regain a sense of harmony and balance. As an air sign, you contribute to the reasoning process and help us know what is fair and just. When we feel too rigid in our ideas, or when we too dogmatically assume that we are right and the other is wrong, you can help us balance our perspective and see that not every issue is black and white. In your capacity to rise above the emotions of the moment and see the peaceful solution, you offer us the possibility that reason can prevail. Scorpio Depth and intensity are your birthrights, Scorpio. You are a water sign, dedicated to the experience and transformation of emotions. Recently we have become aware of many destructive feelings that have lain dormant in us for years — angers, fears, and desires for revenge have all come to the surface. Scorpio, you assist us most now not through the symbol of the Scorpion, but through your alternate symbol of the Eagle. It is with an eagle’s piercing eyesight that we can see truth without fear, that we see the entire landscape that includes both the dark and the light. You offer us that opportunity through your own willingness to see and experience all the emotions that rise up in you, for we then know that these feelings will not destroy us but offer us a more complete picture of our human experience. Sagittarius You are dedicated to the search for meaning in life, Sagittarius, yet you are willing to adjust philosophies as you gain more insights and more experience. This flexibility is important now, for as the Archer, you understand that the world contains a multitude of religious and spiritual beliefs, and you are open to new ways of thinking. We follow your lead, for you are a fire sign, concerned with the process of being and becoming. It is you we look to when we feel stuck in our old mindsets, for you help us accept and rejoice in the differences. We ask you to share your faith and enthusiasm with us, for we need those qualities now. Capricorn Your symbol can be perplexing, Capricorn, for it is a mythical creature. Known as the Sea-Goat, it has the legs of a mountain goat and the tail of a fish, symbolizing the fact that you can go anywhere and do anything you set your mind to. Nothing can stop you once you’ve decided on a goal, and you achieve that goal through self-reliance and self-mastery. These qualities and your sense of integrity are what cause us to admire you and to follow your lead. As an earth sign, your goals are well defined and realistic. When you see that our emotions have drained us, remind us of our goals, and share with us your gifts of self-determination, discipline, and persistence. You can help us look beyond the discouragement to the vision of fulfillment and success. Aquarius Although you are called the Water Bearer, Aquarius, you are an air sign, pouring out the snakes of knowledge from your jar. Your humanitarian perspective is a guiding force for our new age, for you are dedicated to each person’s right to freedom of expression and information. You offer us an awareness of new potentials, as well as a resistance to outdated techniques and solutions. When we seem to be stuck in old ways of reacting and thinking, we look to you to stimulate our thoughts, to help us rebel against the status quo. You have a unique perspective, Aquarius, a different way of looking at reality. You assist us in seeing solutions that have never been attempted before. Pisces The two Fish that symbolize your sign, Pisces, are swimming in opposite directions — one heading up toward the surface, the other diving down into the sea. You are here on Earth, and yet you are also part of another reality. The watery nature of your sign confirms the emotional qualities you carry, and yet they are also spiritual qualities: compassion, understanding, trust, and surrender. Your deep knowing that this world is not the final reality is your gift to the rest of us, Pisces. You teach us how to meditate, how to pray, and how to release the final outcome, knowing that it is guided by a Higher Intention. You assist us in transcending the restrictions of the earth plane, and you help us tap into our spiritual dimension as the ultimate answer and solution. Pam Younghans is an astrological interpreter with offices in Bellevue, Washington. This article introduces a 12-month series, debuting in the April issue, exploring each of the astrological signs in greater depth. In addition to personal sessions and classes, Pam offers a free weekly astrological update by e-mail. For more information, call (425) 445-3775, e-mail <AOA444@aol.com>, or see Pam’s Web site at <http://www.pamsastrology.freeservers.com/>.