ASCENDANT SIGN: AQUARIUS
Your Aquarius Ascendant indicates that you are an individual with a strong physique (particularly the legs) and a great deal of physical stamina. With an Aquarius Ascendant, you are apt to have a great deal of stubbornness and find it difficult to break undesirable habits and behavior patterns. Independence is a hallmark of your personality and you tend to be highly opinionated. It is almost impossible for others to convince you to change your ideas unless you become convinced on your own that such a change is necessary.

Aquarius indicates intellectual orientation, and most Aquarius Ascendant individuals are likely to possess remarkable mental poise. With an Aquarius Ascendant, you are rarely frightened or affronted by sudden shocks, surprises, or the abnormal and bizarre. Your particular mental orientation gives you an air of detached interest, and as a rule, you remain unaffected and uninfluenced by such social trappings as status, power, and wealth. You are interested in people for their own sake, not their wealth or status. With a minimum of effort you are able to attract many friends and acquaintances.

Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, planet of upheaval and change, as well as by its ancient ruler, Saturn, planet of restriction and structure. Strangely enough these two very different influences can be compatible in the personality of an Aquarius Ascendant individual. There is the strong possibility you will experience at least one or more dramatic changes of direction in your life, many times this happens through some quirk of fortune or circumstance over which you have no control. These changes can occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Though Saturn's influence implies a stable, calm disposition, the influence of Uranus means you are also capable of behaving in quite unexpected ways. It is a mistake to predict what you will do in any given situation. You are often argumentative and love to play devil's advocate. You demand a lot of personal freedom, and when you marry, that need becomes an issue if your marriage partner is too dependent or possessive. You can get restless if there isn't enough in your immediate environment to stimulate you physically or mentally. You are keenly interested in the future and have a great interest in the past, but you can also somehow lose track of what's going on in the present, and as a result, you can appear out of step with the rest of society. This is when you step into the eccentric zone.

You are likely to develop interest in science, sociology, music or design. Financial theory is less interesting than its application. Nervous conditions and stiffness or inflexibility of the bones and joints are some common physical complaints you are likely to experience.

SUN
On the first page of Genesis it says, "God made the Sun to rule the day and the Moon to rule the night and to be for signs and wonders." To the ancients, the Sun was known as Shamash, Ra, Apollo "breaker of family curses" and Tonatiuh, "dispenser of fate". The Sun gives you light and life. It also represents how and where you shine. The Sun is the star of self-expression, ego-identity, leadership, honor, glory and pride.

The illustration for the Sun features a corona, which literally means "crown." Solar flares are it's key visible features. The sunspot cycle of 22.22 years constitutes one heart beat/drum beat for the Sun. As such, it is the chief symbol for the circulatory system and the pulse of life.

MOON
Astrologically speaking, the Moon is an instinctual force. It is an ever-changing symbol of your emotional life including such things as home, family, mother, dreams, feelings, the public, women and your early childhood. The Moon represents your environment, the one you were born into and the one you create for yourself. It also talks about your support system, and your "involuntary nervous system." More than that, the Moon symbolizes your unconscious life. The Moon represents what happens while you're sleeping. The Moon is the intermediary between the Earth and the universe, and you're somewhere in the middle. Because of this positioning, understanding how the Moon figures in your life is essential for happiness and personal growth. One thing that was very striking to the astronauts on the moon was that they were able to look back and view the Earth. That's why the illustration includes a reference to Planet Earth in the background. Also, very much like Mercury, the moon's surface is excessively made up of craters. The craters were drawn to overlap to suggest expanding ripples of water drops.

Historically, some of her names are Isis, Diana, Artemis, Selene, Hecate, Sin, Nanna, Mona, Heng O and the Moon goddess.

MERCURY
Astrologically speaking, the planet Mercury is the conceptual force. It is a symbol of your mental life and such things as your mind, ideas, analytical abilities, as well as your sense and style of communication. Mercury describes patterns of thought, of learning and of assessing reality. Consequently it affects your self image and the force of your thought. It's what Dr. Timothy Leary calls "laryngeal manual dexterity" - which is the ability to manipulate symbols and artifacts. Mercury also represents the respiratory system. Mercury is youthful and it is the symbol of wit and levity. The planet Mercury is pretty much featureless except for craters and, in fact, circular mountain ranges of craters. There is a major circular mountain range like a "bull's eye." The illustration uses this feature for the head phones. Other than that, the features represent astrological information. The extra mouth and eye is unexpected and makes you do a double-take. Mercury is the symbol of titles and it's appropriate that Mercury is known as: winged messenger, herald, arbiter, scribe of the gods and inventor of writing. He also has many names including Loki, Nebu, Trickster, Piltzintecuhtli and Hermes. More than ever in this age of multimedia information and disinformation, understanding the limitations and advantages of Mercury's placement in your chart heralds both survival and success.

VENUS
Astrologically speaking, the planet Venus is the force of affinity. Venus represents a good part of what you attract, cherish, enjoy and are receptive to. Venus describes much of what makes your life worth living: love, civilized sex, seduction and creativity. Venus is also an indicator for many of the qualities you look for in a mate and your sense of femininity. More than a symbol of your values, Venus represents beauty, devotion to pleasure, appreciation of art and romantic longings. Venus rules such things as skin, hair & kidneys.

The planet Venus is swathed in layers of sulfuric acid clouds. In the illustration, her hair looks like swirling formations of clouds. If we were to be able to get beneath the layers of the clouds, the surface would look very much like the older face. It is volcanic, hard and cracked.

The sunrise and sunset suggested in the two corners are there because Venus is referred to as the "Morning Star" and the "Evening Star." The stars are in her eyes for the same reason. The young face seems relevant to the more conventional images of Venus. In fact, women have a different kind of power when they are younger than when they are older. Both are pertinent to the personality of Venus astrologically. Femininity has many aspects to it.

This "goddess of beauty and lady of battle" was an historical personage known both as Ishtar and Indira. While Venus first and foremost loves her pleasures, she also knows that it is sometimes necessary to prepare to go to war to secure them. To gain deep rapport with Venus, study her ways in one of the glorious cities named in her honor such as Vienna and Venice.

MARS
Astrologically speaking, the planet Mars is the force of motivation and mobilization. It is a symbol of your drive, action and energy. The placement of Mars in your chart influences the condition of your muscular system. Mars is associated with a lot of "A" words: aggression, anger, arousal, ardor, and appropriate assertiveness. Mars also represents things that are urgent, things that trigger your temper, and things that you furiously pursue. Mars indicates many of your issues with men and the "male ego." Mars is the father of Cupid or Eros. Lusty love and passion are Mars driven. To the Greeks and Romans, Mars was the divine consort for Aphrodite and Venus. Mars is a strong protector and defender of hearth and home and his devotees.

Mars has very striking volcanic craters and canyons that suggest that rivers have flowed over the surface in the past. The illustration includes a reference to the famous "face and pyramids on Mars." There are dark areas on Mars that are used as the eye patch. Mars is also seriously bombarded, pitted and scared which fits the personality of the warrior. Indicated here also are the two moons. One of them is striking him on the cheek and the other one is floating above the surface.

In times past, Mars was known as the "god of fire and war." It is a symbol for armed forces and the issues and values for which you fight.

JUPITER
Astrologically speaking, the planet Jupiter is the force of encouragement and expansion. Jupiter is the biggest planet and possibly a sun in the making. No matter what, Jupiter measures up big. It is a symbol of your success, luck, optimism, generosity, blessings, good fortune, adventure and opportunities for growth. Life is a bowl of cherries and more is never enough for Jupiter. In its expansive sense, Jupiter also represents how you can become over-inflated, hot, greedy, over-zealous, righteous and extravagant.

Jupiter is made up almost entirely of gasses. In the illustration you see bands of clouds swirling around in ovals. The "red spot" on Jupiter was turned into a cigar. Jupiter has also been observed to have one ring which was turned into a tilted halo to suggest both a benefactor and a rapacious one. His 16 moons are seen in orbit. Jupiter, "the dispenser of law and giver of gifts," also known as Jove, Zeus, Marduk, Thor, Tlaloc, "Lord of Rain and Earthly Paradise," also represents your fondest beliefs, your knowledge, your path or calling and your sense of personal direction. Jupiter is a social, communal force. It's very much about assimilation. Jupiter's placement indicates your most important beliefs and opportunities for glory

Saturn is illustrated wearing a clock face because clocks are strong representations of the way that we structure our lives. The clock is covering his head to make reference to the caps that cover the heads of religious figures.

Hard work and perseverance are also saturnian concepts and that's not all bad. "The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine." Saturn represents mastery, seasoned professionalism, efficiency, consolidation and dependability. This Khronos, Odin, "star of limiting the place" also represents daddy, and Jehovah complexes.

URANUS
Astrologically speaking, Uranus is the force of liberation. It's no accident that Uranus was rediscovered in the period between the American and French revolutions with their emphasis upon liberty. Uranus is where you change unexpectedly and are surprised. It's where you are unusual, eccentric and extraordinary. Uranus represents the new ideas that you are open to and where you are disinclined toward cohesion. Uranus appears totally featureless. But, part of the concept of the artwork was suggested by the fact that Uranus is tipped over on its side as it circles the sun so that we end up looking at its poles. The television screen personality is based on astrological characteristics and is tilted head first like the planet itself.

Uranus is also a symbol for electro-magnetic energy and, naturally enough Uranium. Uranus represents disruption. It only takes one brief flash of uranium to make a big boom. The root word of Uranus is "Anu," the first supreme being in Sumerian cosmology who changed the course of the world by affecting mankind's evolution.

NEPTUNE
Neptune represents fads, impressionability, style, glamour, imagination and inspiration. Neptune, Poseidon, "The Artful Creator" also represents your charisma, creativity, and your spiritual life. Neptune is a symbol of your immune system, parts of your aura and subtle body.

Until the Voyager fly-by, almost nothing was known about Neptune. Interestingly enough, the planet is made up almost entirely of water and is blue. Neptune is also the windest planet. In the illustration, the eyes and cheeks are drawn to look like wind swept weather patterns. Neptune's rings look like the ones shown in comics to convey drunkenness. Ditto with it's moons.

Neptune is the force of deep space and the force of consciousness expansion. Neptune can be spirits in a bottle of one sort or another, the communion of the saints, and a great shroud of fog in between. Neptune describes where and how you yield, suffer, escape and waver. It also describes where you are confused and self-deluded.

PLUTO
Astrologically speaking, the planet Pluto is a symbol of what the ancients used to call the "secret parts," including reproductive and elimination systems. Pluto is the force of cleansing. Are we talking about taking a bath or enema? Are we washing our hands or confessing our sins? There are physical cleansings such as a juice fast which can be spiritual cleansings as well. There is therapy combined with meditation.

Pluto is still unvisited by spacecraft. It's appearance is extremely mysterious. One thing that is known is that Pluto has a moon that rotates around it. So far from the Sun, Pluto is a dark world. In the illustration, both Pluto and it's moon receive slivers of light. The woman looking through the keyhole give personality to Pluto's sense of mystery. Pluto is the death goddess and ultimate controller of unseen, forbidden and underworld forces. Words that are rooted in Pluto such as plutonium (a deadly radioactive poison) and plutocracy (the secret rule of the wealthy class) leave little trace and yet tell much to those who seek. Pluto represents trust and violation of trust, control, obsessions and power struggles. Pluto is the force of intense transformation, so make the most of it. Analyze your situation and deal with deep psychological and political sludge. Much fate is associated with Pluto, not many choices. When Pluto reaches out to touch you, you must restructure your self and your life, or Plutonian fates may give you a terminal nudge. Pluto is also the force of technical manipulations. In addition, Pluto represents "living hell" stories, second chances, rising up from the ashes and resurrections.

You are here to start something new, to go where no one else has gone and to do what no one else has done. The stars dare you to be a pioneer, a champion and a doer. Like your gemstone, the diamond, you can be hard headed, multi-faceted, brilliant and beautiful.
Sexually, you've got some naturally hot stuff. One of your chief symbols is the flame of the torch. Consider it to be the sacred fire of the inner temple, and the force will always be with you and your enterprises.

The cute little lamb, the fast, strong ram is your totem. This creature is known for being hard headed and direct. Aries is a cardinal, fire sign represented by the flame of the torch. Just as a state or province has its governor, each sign of the zodiac is said to have its ruler. Aries is ruled by the planet Mars.

Because you have the sun in Aries, you also have planet earth in Libra. You can ground yourself and get in touch with the Earth by taking long walks with your partner. Get a badminton set.

Practice your tennis game on clay courts or grass. Make a date to go walking in a safe, beautiful environment at dawn and sunset.

Some famous people with the sun in Aries are: Houdini, Charlie Chaplan, Thomas Jefferson, Wilhelm Reich, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Steinem, Leonard Nimoy, Cy Young, W. C. Fields, James Clark, and Otto von Bismarck.

AQUARIUS
Essentially, you're friendly and like people. But if the people are emotionally needy, then you need space. You can march to the beat of a different drummer. You can have an eccentric temperament and can be just a bit stubborn, unpredictable and contrary.

You can become a fabulous communicator, perceptive, intelligent and highly intuitive. Strengthen your originality and independence. You're no snob or hypocrite. On the contrary, you have the potential to develop tremendous social skills. The more you adopt the "live and let live" attitude, the more friends you will make. The amethyst is a symbol of sincerity and good for Aquarius.

The totem for Aquarius is the water bearer. In this, "the age of Aquarius" it is your duty, privilege and honor to spread the "waters of life" or new ideas as you see fit. Aquarius is a fixed, air sign represented by Ben Franklin's kite getting struck by lightning. Just as a state or province has its governor, each sign of the zodiac is said to have its ruler. Aquarius is ruled by Uranus.

Because you have the sun in Aquarius, you also have planet earth in Leo. You can ground yourself and get closer to the Earth by enjoying more picnics and having more fun with the environment. Purchase and play the Camping Trivia Game. Enjoy more kayaking, canoeing and white-water rafting. Buy a swing set. Build some sand castles. Try your hand at sand painting.

Some famous people with the sun in Aquarius are Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Telly Savalas, Virginia Woolf, Babe Ruth, Mia Farrow, Carl Icahn, and Yoko Ono.

TAURUS
Essentially, you need to be assured that everything's O.K., safe and secure. Once that's taken care of you are ready for gracious living. That is to say, you need some good food, antique furniture and passionate sex. You like to touch nice things, own nice things, wear nice things, eat nice things and have nice things. In fact, "I Have" is something of a Taurean philosophy of life.
It is important that you acquire some mastery over the physical, practical and earthly world. Then, paradoxically, you must learn to let go. You will only find security by acquiring a sense of self that is separate from what you possess. Actually, it's not so much about what you possess, but about not being in "survival jeopardy". The emerald is a symbol of success in love and is good for Taurus.

The Bull, an ancient fertility symbol is the totem for Taurus. Taurus is a fixed, earth sign represented by fertile fields on rolling hills. Just as a state or province has its governor, each sign of the zodiac is said to have its ruler. Taurus is ruled by Venus.

Because you have the sun in Taurus, you also have planet earth in Scorpio. You can ground yourself and get in touch with the earth by making love in outdoor settings. Write a new clause in your will allocating funds for an environmental program. Invest more in a mutual fund that invests in Earth-conscious businesses. Make an effort to watch the leaves change. Enjoy some spelunking (cave exploration).

Some famous people with the Sun in Taurus are Shakesphere, Barbara Streisand, Leonardo de Vinci, Willie Nelson, Orson Welles, Katharine Hepburn, George Lucas, Malcolm X, William Hewlett, and Cher.

GEMINI
Essentially, you're articulate, versatile and adroit. Put another way, you like variety. You're an idea person. It seems that your mind naturally likes to go from subject to subject. You have varied interests and like to keep up with what's going on in the world. You are encouraged to cultivate your natural communication skills. You're the original "quick study" who grasps facts, concepts and ideas. On the other hand, you can get bored easily and do not like things to drag along.

Your best friends are the ones who appreciate your sense of humor. Follow your curiosity. Travel and education tend to bring out the best in your personality. Meet some new people. Pearls and moonstones signify good health and can be of special benefit to Gemini.

The totem for Gemini is the twins. A typical Gemini has at least two sides to their personality. A Gemini will often think one way and feel another. Gemini is a mutable, air sign represented by the wind sock. Just as a state or province has its governor, each sign of the zodiac is said to have its ruler. Gemini is ruled by Mercury.

Because you have the sun in Gemini, you also have planet earth in Sagittarius. You can ground yourself and get in touch with the earth by enjoying more camping trips. Visit some national parks. Go back to school and take some classes in conservation. Enjoy some cross-country skiing. Purchase a subscription to Mother Earth News, or Earthwatch Magazine or Backpacking Magazine. Dig through stacks of National Geographic.

Some famous people with the sun in Gemini are: Walt Whitman, Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Stravinsky, Confucius, Kirk Kerkorian, and Paul McCartney.

PISCES
It's fair to say that you're imaginative, a dreamer, and even mystical. You certainly seem to absorb and drink in your surroundings more than most people. You have your mood swings and can benefit from live music and dance.

The totem for Pisces is two fish, thus, essentially, there are two of you. One fish is kind, dolphinesque, loving, tolerant and more long-suffering than most people. The other fish can bite with shark's teeth. You don't want to hurt people, unless you are feeling righteous and need to punish the guilty.

The bloodstone is symbolic of courage and good for Pisces. Pisces is a mutable, water sign represented by the geyser. Just as a state or province has its governor, each sign of the zodiac is said to have its ruler. Pisces is ruled by Neptune.

Because you have the sun in Pisces, you also have planet earth in Virgo. You can ground yourself and get closer to the earth by starting a new walking program. Visit your local park, arboretum or nature center. Check out your local health food store. Put some plants in your work space. Make sure you know what goes into the food that you eat. Enjoy a facial with clay.

Some famous people with the sun in Pisces are, George Washington, Albert Einstein, David Gilmour, Gloria Vanderbilt, Gutenberg, Sibil Leek, Ralph Nader, Edgar Cayce, Sidney Poitier, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

VIRGO
How is it that people tend to associate perfectionism with you? Can it be that people think that essentially you're level-headed? Do you have a flair for statistics and analysis? Is it that you're highly selective and discriminating? What about your inquiries and examinations?

Probably, you are more practical and methodical than the average person. You are not prone to brag or boast and can handle money well. You can be cautious in matters of the heart. You like to do things for people and tend to be more of a giver than a taker. However, you do need to be thanked. Sapphires symbolize clear thinking and are good for Virgo.

The totem for Virgo is the virgin or angel holding grains. She is very much the earth mother goddess. This is a symbol for a simple diet and pure foods. Virgo is a mutable, earth sign represented by the small town in the gentle, rolling hills. Just as a state or province has its governor, each sign of the zodiac is said to have its ruler. Virgo is ruled by Chiron.

Because you have the sun in Virgo, you also have planet earth in Pisces. You can ground yourself and get closer to the earth by finding sanctuary in a natural setting. Take more walks in secluded areas. Collect evidence against a polluter. Enjoy some bird watching. Get a membership in the Cousteau Society. Plant a tree near a prison or hospital. Walk barefoot on wet, dew-covered grass.

Some famous people with the sun in Virgo are Sophia Loren, Sean Connery, Lily Tomlin, Raquel Welch, Grandma Moses, Tolstoy, H. L. Mencken, John Coltrane, Pavlov, Warren Buffett and Liliuokalani.

SCORPIO
Essentially, you're a strong individual, an extremely good friend, a formidable enemy, prone to intense likes and intense dislikes. You live relatively in the world of black and white.

You've little time for superficial people, places or things. You prefer deep commitment, deep conversation and deep thoughts. If you can't tell it like it is, you prefer to keep quiet. It should be mentioned that you have your share of secrets.

Your eyes. We could write a whole book about the looks that you give. We'd have a chapter on staring and a chapter on x-ray vision. No doubt people say things about your eyes: "If looks could kill," "I feel like you're mentally undressing me," etc. You've proven to everyone that you can hold on. Your staying power is second to none. Now learn to let go. Every day find something to sell, give away, throw out or burn. If you want to get the most out of life, let go of old crap, literally, figuratively, and most of all, psychologically.

You have forgiveness issues that tend to make your personal relationships challenging. People whisper about your sex life. They dare to include you in their most passionate fantasies. Love it or hate it, yours is the fate of a "sun sign Scorpio." You must contend with powerful desires.

Topaz signifies fidelity and is good for Scorpio. The totem for Scorpio is the scorpion, a creature known to sting when bothered. A lower form of Scorpio is the snake and a higher form is the eagle. Scorpio is also represented by the phoenix rising from its ashes. Scorpio is a fixed, water sign represented by the iceberg. Just as a state or province has its governor, each sign of the zodiac is said to have its ruler. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto.

Because you have the sun in Scorpio, you also have planet earth in Taurus. You can ground yourself and get closer to the earth by spending your money in more practical ways. Cut back on environmentally destructive spending. Open a new savings account in a strong local savings bank. Take a more ecological view of your own economy. Check out the fit between your values and Earth values.

Some famous people with the sun in Scorpio are Lorne Michaels, Picasso, William Penn, Christopher Columbus, Sally Field, Joni Mitchell, Mohammed, Prince Charles, Martin Luther, Goldie Hawn, Roberto Goizueta, and Voltaire.