WHAT’S YOUR SIGN?
“ALYSSA PARKER, 19, LIBRA, VEGAN” – THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF A TYPICAL BIO YOU’LL SPOT ANYWHERE ON SOCIAL MEDIA. ASTROLOGY IS OFTEN USED AS A PERSONAL IDENTIFIER, THOUGH IT IS NOT ROOTED IN SCIENCE. WE DELVE INTO ALL THINGS ASTROLOGICAL, TO FIND OUT JUST WHAT IT IS ABOUT THESE SIGNS THAT APPEAL TO SO MANY PEOPLE. AFTER ALL, YOU’VE PROBABLY BEEN ASKED AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, “WHAT’S YOU SIGN?”
Your star sign is one of 12 astrological signs, based on a set of constellations (patterns of stars which have been identified and named) in the sky.Your sun sign refers to the position of the Earth in relation to those constellations at the time of your birth.
It all started out with ancient astrologers, who tracked the movement of stars and identified the constellations of the zodiac.These kinds of observations helped with scientific discoveries, such as the way the sun travels.
Back then – and even now many people believe it – it was thought that the position of the stars influenced the way of life on Earth, due to the kind of energy they emit, as well as the effects of the moon – its effect on tides, for example.This centres around the idea that the stars and other celestial bodies move in a certain rhythm.
The zodiac refers to the circle of life, and the stories told regarding each of these signs carry a description of one’s self, ego and identity.The horoscopes which are ever so popular in the Western have a range of influences, from Greek philosophy to mythology, Egyptian mathematics and Babylonian astrology.
The Babylonian astrologers became good predictors of certain events, such as eclipses. This sparked the idea that observations of the stars could be used as a means to make predictions of individual futures, which is often what we find in horoscope pages today.
Medically speaking, there has been some research conducted on how people born during a certain time of the year are more or less likely to develop certain disorders.
Another form of astrology is that of the Chinese zodiac, which works in a yearly cycle and influences decision-making in China, from personal life to business.
While there are the common sun signs which inform a certain persona, there are also moon signs. These can be calculated based on the exact time of day you were born and
in what month.The moon sign is said to be representative of the private self. It is focused on your emotions, fears, longings and obsessions that hide beneath your sun sign and inform your relationships.
Ever wondered what “Mercury in retrograde” means? Well, it occurs three to four times a year, when the planet nearest to the sun appears to be moving backwards – from east to west. But this is merely an optical illusion and one which isn’t likely to impact you or your day very much.
While much of astrology remains mystical and lighthearted, some of the descriptions can be uncanny in their representations of people. Astrology works as a social tool used to discuss one’s self in terms of relations, emotions and personality in society.
People have been counting on the stars for ages. Seeing a shooting one – which isn’t really a star at all – is said to bring luck for those who wish on these meteors. For others, destiny exists and fate is written in the stars.When it comes to astrology, the position of stars at the time of your birth may have an influence on who you are – but only if you believe it does.