What is the Zodiac? The zodiac is something that has been considered by us in its parts, but only esoterically (secretly) has the “circle of animals” been considered as a whole, as a unified process displaying a complete spectrum of human growth and experience. Exoterically, we read about one part of the wheel known in the newspaper horoscope as our “sun sign.” If since the earliest of times the zodiac has been universally used to distinguish or reflect certain character traits, this “Animal Wheel” of the Greeks (ζoδιακός, zōdiakos)–the line we trace in the sky as the Sun (Self) travels across the ecliptic–then it would have to contain all possible human traits, as a year holds all the possible dates. It must have this completeness if it is to hold any value in accurately picking out particulars of a character. And it does. The zodiac is the book of life, a complete mirror of all the possible states of matter, motion, and consciousness on earth. These three, matter, motion, and consciousness, correspond and agree, and correlate to the classifications of Self, Not-Self, and the Relation between them. The 12 signs outline the evolution of the human psyche, and create a living philosophy for one who can follow the blending and balancing of these 12 steps.   The 12 Steps as shown by the Zodiac

1. Aries, “I am,” the Head. This is the emergence of self-awareness, the assertive fire of life manifesting the principle of activity. The individuality starts here as the face makes the most distinguishable part of a person, and develops the persona.
2. Taurus, “I have,” the Throat. The self identifies with substance, as a toddler may do when it voices the word “Mine!” and the earth sign creates its resources and values. Manifestation is the principle, and here we learn to create as God did with his “Word.”
3. Gemini, “I think,” the Arms. Reaching out to connect with others through the principle of rationality, this air sign develops an intelligent relationship to the environment, developing the mental processes.
4. Cancer, “I feel,” the Breast. Emotional foundations are established when this water sign connects to and creates the family, creating personal integration. This is the principle of nourishment and care, and the sustainment we get from our roots.
5. Leo, “I show,” the Heart and Back. The security was created in the 4th stage to now allow the soul to externalize itself in self-expression. The principle of creativity, the creative extension of self, is manifested as love, children, drama, etc.
6. Virgo, “I analyze,” the Stomach and Bowels. After the self extends in Leo, it is brought back inward to manifest the principle of discrimination, where self-examination leads to clarity. Just as the digestion process works to eliminate that which the body doesn’t need, Virgo purifies the dross.
7. Libra, “I relate,” the Kidneys. The principle of balance is formed when this sign creates our first polarity, opposite the sign of Aries. Partnership and harmonization are the instincts of the soul which soberly sees the other. Clear perception is created in the self.

---

A new dimension of understanding is opened up to us now that we are halfway through the circle. We learn something of the unified principle which the two opposing signs are revealing through their opposite qualities. They are the positive and negative ends of one pole. “Pick up one end of the stick, and you pick up the other.”

---

8. Scorpio, “I transform,” the Genitals. It is interesting that this sign rules our “private parts,” as this sign is about transformation by merging with others. After forming partnerships in the air sign of Libra, the self goes deeper beneath the surface in this water sign, and death and rebirth is the principle of Scorpio. While the fixing of values was learned in Taurus, regeneration and control of desire by the soul is the stinging lesson of Scorpio. 9. Sagittarius, “I seek,” the Thighs. The soul searches for meaning out in the world now that it has found inner sexual transformation through Scorpio. Exploration is the principle of the sign of the centaur, and the expansion of awareness through philosophy. Consider this in opposition to Gemini’s youthful search for info and rationality. 10. Capricorn, “I utilize,” the Knees. The self now seeks a social participation, and “the goat” climbs the mountain it set out to climb by securing a vocation. Order is the principle, and accomplishment is the aim of Capricorn. This is the polar opposite to Cancer’s “stay at home” attitude, which was necessary for the growing of a family. 11. Aquarius, “I’m different,” the Ankles. Just as the ankles can go in all weird directions, while the knees of Capricorn above prefer to keep to the same direction, Aquarius has the impulse to create social reform through aspiration, ideals, and originality, which is now possible thanks to Capricorn’s establishment of order. “The water bearer’s” creativity is employed in a more humanitarian way than it was in the interpersonal sign of Leo. It is interesting to note that this is the age we are just now entering, the “Age of Aquarius.” 12. Pisces, “I imagine,” the Feet. This last stage has to do with self-transcendence, completion of karma, and the preparation for a new cycle. This is where the self dissolves in the unity of spirit. Unity is the principle, and compassion and devotion at the highest level is developed in Pisces, to the point of “losing oneself.” The self-surrender that Pisces experiences accounts for the compensated aggression and self-assertion expressed in the sign of Aries.   To sum up,

1. Initiative/Impulsiveness – Aries
2. Productivity/Materialism – Taurus
3. Intelligence/Superficiality – Gemini
4. Care/Insecurity – Cancer
5. Love/Pride – Leo
6. Clarity/Criticism – Virgo
7. Diplomacy/Indecision – Libra
8. Regeneration/Abuse of Power – Scorpio
9. Wisdom/Delusion – Sagittarius
10. Accomplishment/Opportunism – Capricorn
11. Originality/Rebelliousness – Aquarius
12. Compassion/Martyrdom – Pisces

  The person born under a sign is here to learn the lesson and develop the qualities inherent in that ray through what is called the personality. The sun is the dominant force in the universe, so when the sun takes its place in one of the signs of the circle at the time of birth, the ego manifests here the need to express this type of life.

---

“Esoteric Astrology teaches this truth of man’s divine inheritance through an ancient symbology which takes for its central symbol the Sun.” – Alan Leo, “Esoteric Astrology”

Want a reading from Christian Klausner? get one here