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An
Introduction to Astrology The astrological calendar begins on the vernal equinox, (first day of spring) or March 20th at zero degrees of the Phoenix. Each sign contains 30 degrees of a three hundred and sixty degree circle, ending at 29 degrees of the Dolphin. There are twelve creatures of the zodiac, one for each sign. These in turn become rulers of a given year in combination with one of the four primal elements (fire, earth, air, water). Each element rules for four consecutive years. Beginning with the Fire Phoenix, Fire Bull, Fire Pegasus, Fire Serpent, Earth Salamander, etc. The signs and elements rotate through their twelve and sixteen year cycles, for a Grand Golden Cycle of forty-eight years. Finally there is the Cycle of Ages, in which twelve forty-eight year cycles are grouped into the longest cycle again ruled by a creature of the zodiac. Due to the precession of equinoxes, the order is reversed so that the Great Phoenix Cycle is followed by the Great Dolphin Cycle, the Great Gryphon Cycle, etc. These cycles are five hundred and seventy-six years long, and often coincide with great changes in the ages man, the rise and fall of empires and the like. These are frequently used by dwarves, elves, and other long lived races for whom the year is a brief span of time. Each of the signs of the zodiac is in turn ruled by a planet. The moon rules the sign of the serpent, the time of greatest growth. The sun rules the sign of the salamander, the time of ripening before the harvest. Each of the other planets is lord of a pair of signs which are equidistant from the sun-moon pair, and proceed from the planet closest to the sun to that which is the most distant. Thus mercury rules the Pegasus and the Unicorn, and Venus rules the Bull and the Raven. Mars rules the Phoenix and the Turtle, and Jupiter rules the Dolphin and the Dragon, and Saturn rules the Bear and the Gryphon. Each sign and planet reflects in its course through the zodiac and its relationship with each other the different and various elements of which personality, behavior, and actions are composed, as well as the greater events which shape the world and our experience in it. The chart below shows the various
signs and their corresponding dates in the reckoning of Evendarr. These dates
may vary slightly from year to year.
The Zodiac The zodiac consists of twelve equal parts which together constitute the annual cycle of Tyrra's orbit around our star, the sun. The astrological year begins on the vernal equinox at the moment the sun crosses Tyrra's equator on its northward journey. The twelve signs of the zodiac are classified in two ways: by element, and by quality. The primal elements are Fire (energy and enthusiasm), Earth (practicality and stability), Air (intellect and communication), and Water (emotion and sensitivity). The qualities are Cardinal (generates energy/beginning of season), Fixed (concentrates energy/the height of the season) and Mutable (distributes energy/the end of the season). Each sign is governed by a planet which symbolizes its essence. What follows is a brief description of each sign of the zodiac . It may serve as a general indicator of those persons and events which are native to it. It must be remembered, however that the factors comprising the makeup of any person or event are many and complex. A sun sign description is far from complete. In addition, the signs described here are those customarily used by humans. Other races may have chosen differing symbols, although the interpretations are largely the same. Phoenix: Cardinal Fire. (ruler Mars) This is the first sign of the zodiac and begins at the vernal equinox. Natives of the Phoenix tend to exhibit both the qualities of the magical bird whose glyph symbolizes this sign as well as those attributed to Mars, the planet which rules it. This sign is characteristically energetic and often impulsive. Natives of this sign often have great courage but may lack discretion. They are often pioneers in the magical arts but are inclined to attempt new magicks before completing the research necessary to guarantee success. They prefer to lead rather than follow. Bull: Fixed, Earth. (ruler Venus) The second sign, it marks the height of the spring season. Natives of the Bull tend to exhibit the qualities of both the powerful animal whose glyph symbolizes the sign, as well as the planet Venus, which rules it. They are patient, and often stubborn. They are endowed with great loyalty, but may lack in flexibility. They are lovers of beauty and attuned to nature, but may remain fixed in old patterns long after the need for change has become evident. They are the staunchest of followers, but can also be excellent leaders if circumstances require. Pegasus: Mutable, Earth (ruler Mercury) The third sign, it marks the end of the spring season. Natives of the Pegasus tend to exhibit the qualities of both the flying horse whose glyph symbolizes their sign, and the planet Mercury, which rules it. They are curious and often restless. They are gifted with eloquence, but may lack consistency. They love to collect information on all subjects, both worldly and magical, but may lack the perseverance to achieve expertise in any one area. They are the most versatile of thinkers, and can apply themselves to any enterprise they choose. Serpent: Cardinal, Water (ruler Moon) The fourth sign, it marks the beginning of the summer season at the summer solstice. Natives of the serpent tend to exhibit the qualities of both the mysterious reptile whose glyph symbolizes their sign, and the Moon, which rules it. They are sensitive, and often possessive. They have natural psychic ability, but may lack objectivity. They are nurturers and have an especial love of woodlands and the sea, but they can permit their judgment to be clouded by strong emotions. They tend to think intuitively, and often "know" things without being able to rationally explain them. Salamander: Fixed, Fire (ruler Sun) The fifth sign, it marks the height of the summer season. Natives of the Salamander tend to exhibit the qualities of both the fire lizard whose glyph symbolizes their sign, and the sun, which rules it. They are noble of bearing and often proud. They have great dignity, but may lack modesty. They are natural leaders, and command respect with ease. They must guard against the tendency to form too high an opinion of themselves. They have perseverance and can turn failure to success by inspiring others to excellence. Unicorn: Mutable, Earth (ruler Mercury) The sixth sign, it marks the end of the summer season. Natives of the Unicorn tend to exhibit the qualities of both the magical equine whose glyph symbolizes their sign, and the planet Mercury, which rules it. They are discriminating and often critical. They have great analytical ability, but may lack compassion. They have an attunement to the bounties of nature, and are innately sensitive to matter concerning illness and health. They dislike excess and self indulgence and have little sympathy for the troubles of others when they are caused by foolish behavior. Raven: Cardinal Air (ruler Venus) The seventh sign, it begins on the fall equinox. Natives of the Raven tend to exhibit the qualities of both the arcane bird whose glyph symbolizes their sign, and the planet Venus, which rules it. They are diplomatic, and often indecisive. They have a n innate sense of justice, but may lack a sense of proportion. They seek harmony in all things, but can explode in anger of they are forced to remain long in an unpleasant situation. They forgive easily but never forget an injustice, and will dedicate themselves with all necessary effort to righting a wrong. Turtle : Fixed Water ( ruler Mars) The eighth sign, it marks the height of the autumn season. Natives of the Turtle tend to exhibit the qualities of both this silent and powerful amphibian whose glyph symbolizes their sign, and the planet Mars, which rules it. They are passionate, and often jealous. They are gifted with a natural talent for research and magic, but may lack respect for other's opinions. They are secretive and never reveal the full extent of their knowledge on many things. They are fiercely loyal friends, but may become implacable enemies with an unquenchable thirst for vengeance upon those who have wronged them. Dragon: Mutable, Fire ( ruler Jupiter) The ninth sign, it marks the end of the autumn season. Natives of the dragon tend to exhibit the qualities of both the magical beast whose glyph symbolizes their sign, and the planet Jupiter, which rules it. They are philosophic and often exaggerate. They have an affinity for the magical and metaphysical, but lack in self discipline. They are visionaries and promoters but will not advocate well for anything which they do not truly believe in themselves. They are often good leaders but may carry on their campaigns beyond the bounds of good sense. Bear: Cardinal, Earth (ruler Saturn) The tenth sign, it begins at the winter solstice. Natives of the bear tend to exhibit the qualities of both the ursine predator whose glyph symbolizes their sign, and the planet Saturn, which rules it. They are stable and often inflexible. They usually just, but often lack in mercy. They are capable leaders but can also function quietly in the background where it proves necessary. They are tireless workers and have an instinctive talent for organization but may have difficulty delegating responsibility to others. Gryphon: Fixed, Air (ruler Saturn) The eleventh sign, it marks the height of the winter season. Natives of the gryphon tend to exhibit the qualities of both the magical flying creature whose glyph symbolizes their sign, and the planet Saturn, which rules it. They are idealists and often are eccentric. They are egalitarian, but may lack in focus. They are natural reformists, but may seek change for its own sake through revolution rather than through patience and persistence. They are often psychically inspired and tend to think in terms of society as a whole rather than a collection of individuals. Dolphin: Mutable, Water (ruler Jupiter) The twelfth sign, it marks the end of the winter season. Natives of the dolphin tend to exhibit the qualities of both the remarkable aquatic mammal whose glyph symbolizes their sign, and the planet Jupiter, which rules it. They are psychically gifted. They are often escapists. They a great affinity for the mystical, but may lack practicality. They have an instinctive understanding of the watery elements, but can become caught up in their own emotions of those of others. They are capable plotters, who must always have a secret of their own to carry about. |
Cycle of Ages
Great Golden Cycle
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