An introduction to the zodiacal cosmic stages
Astrology has gained popularity among people and those in need for answers & clarity on the age-old question “Who am I?”.
Although understanding each zodiac sign does have the beautiful effect of being able to uncover the essential traits & path of each sign, it can be tempting in the midst of an identity crisis to generalise or to limit oneself and say: “I am an Aries, therefore it is only normal for me to be hyper independent & fiery with a desire to achieve certain goals fast. It’s just who I am.”
But is identity, one’s whole identity nonetheless, limited to the one sign in our chart we relate best to? Is it that simple? What happens when we don’t relate to that sign anymore and relate more to the other? Does it mean that we were misguided all along or does it simply mean that we’ve used a complex cosmic language to fit our finite human perception of what our identity is, as a crutch to validate our best traits and our weaknesses. Are we who we think we are & who others perceive us to be or are we constantly evolving and unearthing different parts of ourselves, depending on the stage of our lives?
From an astrological point of view, I would suggest the latter. In the birth chart all of the signs are present despite of the planetary arrangements, therefore at one point in time or another we discover the essence of each sign. Be it through someone representing that sign or a transit & time-period activating that particular zodiac sign & planet associated with it in our lives. Each one of these stages will further reveal parts of our identity and subconscious impulses that inform it.
There are 12 cosmic stages that in essence relate to the 12 zodiac signs. Within those 12 zodiac signs there are 30 degrees, each degree bringing nuance to the sign & further revealing the treasures & lessons each cosmic stage brings. However, we’ll focus on the traits of the 12 zodiac signs as we know them.
To find the traits associated with your comfort zone, early life & your inner matriarch, read the sign that corresponds to your Moon sign.
To find the traits associated with your evolving identity, natural self-expression, your inner child & (interestingly enough) your inner patriarch, read the sign that corresponds to your Sun sign and 5th house.
To find the traits associated with your life path & the starting point of your cosmic stage, read the sign that corresponds to your Ascendant/Rising sign.
To find the traits associated with your career or professional path, read the sign that corresponds to your Midheaven/MC.
To find the traits associated with your love life and life partners, read the sign that corresponds to your Venus & Moon sign (if you’re a heterosexual man or lesbian woman) or your Jupiter & Mars sign (if you’re a heterosexual woman or a homosexual man) as well as the 7th house sign for any sexual orientation.
To find the traits associated with your impulses and natural (re)actions, read the sign that corresponds to your Mars sign.
Aries is the sign of the quintessential leader & is ruled by the planet Mars. There’s a desire to start or create something that will inspire others as well as incite admiration from them. Although it is a fire sign, one should be careful not to be fooled by the combative temperament this sign can exhibit at times, since Aries can be one of the most incredibly sensitive, emotional signs of the zodiac. Often their anger is fuelled not by competition but rather by intense suppressed emotion. They’re as ambitious as they are generous and incredibly intuitive which means they won’t tolerate emotional manipulation. They’re attracted to a rich inner life and admire it in others. Because of their ability to burn any untruths away, they develop a sixth sense - just like Aquarius, and they might even have spiritual or healing gifts, depending on how well they nurture them. Often very skilled and unapologetic in their pursuit of ambitions & goals, their role is to lead but they aren’t able to optimally do so until they’ve learnt the art of compromise & diplomacy, which they learn by associating with Libra. They’ll have a lot in common with the two other fire signs: Leo & Sagittarius. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Cancer, Capricorn, Scorpio & Virgo.
Taurus is the first expression of Venus & Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. It is associated with all things beauty, romance, luxury, finances, art & comfort. They’ll have an uncanny ability to preserve knowledge and a part of their path is to collect, preserve & share the knowledge they have mastered through their talents. More often than not, they’re immensely creative, one way or another. They’ve internalised the leadership abilities Aries mastered but they might not always have the need to be as competitive. It’s as if they’ve understood that they’ll get to the position they need to get to, in due time. Which is very reminiscent in tarot of the the Major Arcana Card: The Empress. No need to chase - rather they work diligently on their goals and attract the corresponding results & rewards for their efforts. Similarly to Virgo & Capricorn, they’ll be interested in some kind of alternative healing modality & spiritual knowledge at some point in their lives. Because they’re an earth sign, the reason for this will be practical & will need to have tangible results. They might seem like they conform to convention but they rarely do. They’ve understood the rules of society very well and will use it to their advantage; however, they’ll very rarely submit to authority figures unless they have an unexplainable admiration for them. Their role is to preserve, create a legacy & accumulate wealth, be it in the material or spiritual realm, but they aren’t able to optimally do so until they’ve learnt the art of complete surrender & devotion, which they learn by associating with Scorpio. They’ll have a lot in common with the two other earth signs: Virgo & Capricorn. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Leo, Aquarius, Libra & Sagittarius.
Gemini is the prince/princess of the zodiac wheel. Ruled by Mercury - the messenger, Gemini is the swift one, the pursuer of solutions in all life areas. They’re natural communicators, exceptionally witty, artistic & gifted, in their younger years they can have difficulty connecting with their heart due to the excess of mental energy overwhelming them, even though they are very sensitive. However, in time they learn that although this excess mental energy serves them in their intellectual & artistic pursuits, it also drains them & disconnects them from their body & heart centre. They can miss out on a lot of their potential when they’re involved in too many projects & although it is undeniable that they are multitalented, just like Virgo, they’re prone to overstimulating their nervous system and are meant to learn to find balance & focus on the bigger picture. Music and the spoken word is especially healing and inspiring for them. It can inform a lot of their artistic & altruistic goals as well as their higher values. By associating with Sagittarius they gain a sense of adventure, optimism and a taste for exploring uncharted territories they might not have had the desire to explore on their own. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Virgo, Pisces, Capricorn & Scorpio.
After initiating leadership with Aries, preserving knowledge & attracting abundance with Taurus, developing communication mediums & artistic expression with Gemini - we get to Cancer, The Nurturer. They’re the mother of the zodiac and have an uncanny ability to take care of those around them without draining themselves. They effortlessly inspire others to do better in every aspect of their lives. Although they can be emotionally manipulative at times (hence the clash with Aries) they don’t see the harm in it, for they represent the Moon and it’s eternal waning & waxing phases, which in turn represent the light & dark aspect of the goddess. Wherever this sign falls in the birth chart, is where we are to learn to be both emotionally generous but also have clear-set boundaries. Cancer has a desire to provide and create a legacy for those they’re responsible for. They have an artistic, emotional heart but in times of balance, they have a very rational mind. They learn to set the right boundaries & lean into their stable inner nature, when associating with Capricorn. They’ll have a lot in common with Scorpio & Pisces. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Libra, Aries, Aquarius & Sagittarius.
Now we reach Leo, the 5th sign that some might argue should be the first. And if you speak to a verbally uninhibited Leo, they might as a matter fact claim that yes, they are first. And in many ways, they are. They’re the first to offer a helping hand to a friend in need, they’re the first to motivate those around them to pursue their dreams, they’re the first to want to perform and entertain those around them, partly for acclaim but mostly to light up their day and see them smile. They have this in common with the last fire sign, Sagittarius. In Leo, Cancer’s generosity and emotional space matures and becomes more solid and less prone to the waxing and waning effects the Cancer individual might be in pursuit of mastering. In Leo, all the previous sign further culminate and one desires to shine for it all. It wants the attention & recognition for any ability they’ve chosen to master. And they do master anything they touch, they’re not as concerned with perfection as Virgo which “coincidentally” is the next sign, but they do a remarkable job at anything and any life path they apply themselves to. With time, especially after age 30, they come into their own and start to exude a noticeable yet quiet confidence and escape the desire to please, which might have motivated their pursuits earlier on in life. They learn to detach their self-esteem and ego from the validation of others when associating with Aquarius. They’ll have a lot in common with Sagittarius & Aries. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Pisces, Taurus, Scorpio & Capricorn
They serve society and those around them without need for recognition or at least, so it seems. Meet Virgo, the most kind-hearted archetype of the zodiac wheel. They have a soft spot for anyone who needs them. Be it abandoned animals or those that society has rejected. They have an uncanny eye for detail and will plot a masterplan for you to use in order to become your optimal self. They’re the friend you wish you had, the child you pray you’ll have but if you prove yourself to be unauthentic or deceptive, after one too many chances, they’re the kind of opponent you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. If you’re lucky, they’ll freeze you out but if not… ask a Scorpio for help, you’ll need it. They’re Mother Mary & Madonna and no matter which path they choose, you’ll see one and find out about the other in due time. Their duality and sense of right & wrong make them excellent lawyers, Justice seekers, psychologists and health advisors but just like Gemini, they tend to be multitalented and if only they would see it, they’d understand that the world is their oyster. Some of the best designers and artists will have Virgo or 6th house placements, just to give an example. Although Pisces helps them expand their inner life and creative nature, Leo helps them see their own shine & inspires them to emancipate from the compulsive need to serve everyone but themselves - they finally learn that in serving & knowing themselves first, they can finally be of true service to others. They also understand in due time that any need for escapism be it through substance abuse, mental health challenges or a lack of ability to commit, is due to the fear of their lack of confidence that their “raw, unrefined selves” will be accepted. As much as virgo likes to keep structure and routine, they’re secretly rebellious in the most refined of ways. If there’s a father figure wound, they’re best suited to ask a Libra or Aries for advice - they’ll know how to help them regain inner and outer authority. They’ll have a lot in common with Capricorn & Taurus. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Gemini, Sagittarius, Aquarius & Aries.
Libra, sibling of Taurus, child of Venus. If Aries is the sign of the Sunrise, then Libra is the sign of Sunset. They’ve taken it upon themselves to make the human experience a tad more harmonious than they've found it. Just like Leo, they have a desire to be recognised for their efforts but what they crave the most is acceptance. At some point in their lives, this sign has experienced rejection from figures important enough to have put a significant dent in their self-esteem. With time though, they heal, rise above it and find purpose in their desire to help others heal and find justice. They don’t find the need to do so in a confronting or transformative way - leave that to Scorpio - but rather they do so by doing whatever they do best since like Taurus and the other two air signs Aquarius & Gemini, they tend to be good learners and can master a few skills or disciplines in their lifetime. Be it writing, advising, guiding, creating & launching inspiring projects or finding ways to mediate and solve problems in a peaceful way. At times though, the desire to keep the peace at any cost can cause them to harbour not only deep resentment resulting in outbursts only an Aries would understand, but it also nurtures the tedious habit of people-pleasing. This is the one habit that not only quells their potential but also keeps feeding the wound of rejection and desire for acceptance. When Libra learns the necessity of having a strong sense of self, sets the right boundaries and taps into a healthier method of creating a peaceful environment, their lives starts to shift for the better. They learn this best when interacting with Aries. Gemini & Aquarius are the ones they’ll have a lot in common with. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Capricorn, Cancer, Taurus & Pisces.
Scorpio, ruled by Mars & Pluto, the sign of the underworld. They’ve gained this reputation not because they wanted to know the dark side of humanity, but rather because at one point in their lives, they were forced to. The scenarios can range from very dramatic & wounding to having had a brief encounter with the darkness the human experience inevitably offers. This makes them experts in human behaviour which is something to admire & to be wary of. In their unhealed aspect, they can use this knowledge to accumulate power in society or over others, a.k.a. use manipulative tactics, but in their healed aspect they have immense compassion for humanity and have a true inner need to assist in the transformation of people & society. They’ll understand the “why” behind human behaviour & their patterns, and will want to help them heal or bring solutions to society that benefits everyone, which is what draws Aquarius to them. They make them excellent psychologists, politicians, civil agents, public figures, researchers, occultists, activists, entrepreneurs and… comedians. They often have a dark sense of humour but their observations are usually correct. Due to their deep attachment to those they care about, they can be emotionally distant at first. They’ll have the need to truly understand the person they’re dealing with before promising total devotion and surrender to that relationship (this goes for both personal and professional relationships). So they may be marked as avoidant whereas they truly are anxious at heart in their attachment style, they have this in common with the other two water signs, Cancer & Scorpio. Due to Scorpio’s connection with sexuality, they tend to go through intense experiences in that regard or they crave it. Often times, they’ll also go through a brief transitional time in pursuit of their own sexual identity and preferences, in their younger years or whenever Pluto makes an activating transit. Because they’re so comfortable with intensity and chaos, they sometimes forget that life can be beautiful, simple & joyous, filled with moments of stability & sensuality. Taurus is the best sign to teach them this. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Aquarius, Leo, Aries & Gemini.
And as life seemingly becomes lighter again after the Scorpionic experience, we meet Sagittarius. Sagittarius is the explorer of the zodiac, the seeker of truth. Higher truth. They’re eternal students at heart and have a true knack to be able to find the silver lining in everything life throws at them. It is this optimism that creates this perception that they’re lucky and favoured by the Divine. They’re ruled by the planet Jupiter, which among other things, rules knowledge, divinely bestowed luck and abundance. However, don’t forget that Sagittarius only became Sagittarius after having experienced something of Scorpio, a transformative experience. Perhaps they’ve lost a friend early on in life, repressive encounters with authority figures or they’ve never had a conventional childhood due to intense outer circumstances their parents went through. It could be anything, but you can rest assured that if they seem lucky, it’s because they’ve earned it. In their shadow aspect they can be optimistic and test their luck and abundance to the point of it being hedonistic & inciting escapist behavioural patterns. In their healed aspect, their need to escape transmutes into a need to broaden their horizons and share the knowledge and experiences they’ve had with others. A trip, a book, a college course or a particular culture might be especially inspiring to them and set the tone for their next venture. And ventures & ideas, they’ll have a lot of. Just like Gemini, they’re multi talented but might have issues finishing what they’ve started. Gemini teaches them the value of details and of perfecting certain skills so they may put all their knowledge and experience to good use. Now all they need is an earth sign or a Saturn transit to help crystallise it all. Sagittarius gets along swimmingly with Leo & Aries. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Pisces, Taurus, Cancer & Virgo.
Just in time for the maturation process of the human experience, we get Capricorn. The Father, the authority figure, the stern teacher and ambitious seeker of worldly status, all ruled by Saturn. This is the stage where we learn how to mature and adult in the world. Often, those with a prominent Capricorn or Saturn signature in their chart, will have had experiences that encouraged rapid growth and mental maturing. This could be due to burdens of authority figures, familial circumstances or simply because the native felt the pressure to perform. The pressure to be “good”. Great students though they might be slow to learn, once they understand a topic, they absolutely master it. They’re very discerning and have a true eye for all that is luxurious or beautiful. They share this with their other earth sign friends, Virgo & Taurus. Depending on the rest of chart, the early pressure to be responsible and please the authority figures, often result in a moment of rebellion and a desire to leave the nest as soon as it’s legally allowed. So, like Scorpio, Capricorn knows people but even more, Capricorn knows society. It knows its hierarchy and the fallacies it contains. Depending on their free will and natural temperament, pre-Saturn Return, they’ll rebel against it and deny their personal ambitions in favour of doing something beneath their natural abilities or they’ll feed into the societal pyramid and make their way to the top. Post- Saturn Return is when they really come into their own and find a way to combine all of their experiences into a career which aligns with their inner authority, rather than it being a reaction to experiences with outer authorities. Capricorn (or dominant 10th house placements) is the one sign that will thrive best when having a career/ independent business over having a limited job in their mature years - it’s the working to live vs living to work philosophy. They learn how to release control, nurture their heart and surrender to the emotions when they connect with a Cancer figure. Once in flow, they’re among the most generous, caring and responsible signs of the zodiac. They just learn through lots of trial and error. Any escaping from reality turns into a bitter lesson of self confrontation, and at times, the enviable loss of a family or work structure they created during their years of lack of self awareness. They genuinely care and sincerely want others to fulfil their potential and worldly goals. And if you keep them around for long enough, you’ll find that they can be extremely romantic and devoted. They’ll have a lot in common with Virgo & Taurus. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Aries, Libra, Gemini & Leo.
Aquarius - Saturn’s second sign and the pride and joy of Uranus - the rebel of the Zodiac. They’re more concerned with universal love than interpersonal love, which at times can lead to bouts of loneliness even when everything seems to be picture-perfect. And that’s exactly the issue. Whenever Aquarius submits to a picture-perfect life, they tend to have somehow committed an act of self-betrayal. Whether it’s saying “Yes” to a marriage proposal, when what they actually meant to say was: “I’ll commit to you but don’t trap me in an institutional concept that has little use in this day and age”. Or whether it’s accepting the promotion and abundance that comes with the job they thought they should take but completely goes against their ever evolving personal code of ethics. Convention & Aquarius don’t mix well. Like Virgo, they might have a father wound that somehow chipped away at their identity. However, they tend to be able to emancipate from it a bit quicker when Uranus aspects their Sun or Venus sign or when Uranus makes an aspect by transit on their Midheaven, natal Saturn or Ascendant. It’s often these transits, followed by Saturn transits that help them break away from any restrictive life choice they’ve convinced themselves they should make. Aquarius is the sign associated with fulfilling hopes & wishes for oneself & humanity. It’s the ultimate altruistic human stage and it’s the sign & cosmic stage that will further usher in the infamous Age of Aquarius. It’s the sign of human advancement, new technologies that are of service to humans, New world economies, advanced currency forms, the exploration of new planets, astrology, ego-less art, Advanced medical research & finding global, accessible solutions to most of our earthly struggles. It’s an exciting sign and it’s one we’re collectively witnessing and will further witness as Pluto starts its journey in Aquarius in 2023. Aquarius learns to be its healed self when it learns the need to acknowledge their talents, values, unconventional yet innovative life view and share it all with the world. They learn this in part with Leo. They have much in common with Gemini & Libra. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Taurus, Scorpio, Cancer & Virgo.
And thus we end with Pisces. Ruled by Jupiter and Neptune. The more boundless, fantastical form of Sagittarius. It is here where we start to wonder, is life but a dream? What is the meaning of all this? It's the last stage of the human experience, the stage preparing us to leave it behind and embrace whatever follows. With Pisces, all of the other signs have been internalised and therefore all of the understanding and lessons are deeply imprinted upon the collective subconscious. For Pisces individuals though, this can be exceedingly overwhelming. So overwhelming because they feel everything, and at times, so inundating that in order to cope they escape, and this includes all forms of escapism. You’ll find the younger Pisces daydreaming, listening to music, creating art, dreaming of a place far far away from where the restrictions have placed them. They dream of a different life, a life they’re sure they could live if only they would have the means to or the legal age for it. Then when they enter their young adult years, they might find other ways of escaping. Perhaps travelling to a land they’ve been manifesting since they saw it in a movie. Or throwing themselves into a relationship that requires such devotion they can’t help but lose themselves. More commonly, trying intoxicating substances for the first time whilst trying to keep a grip on what’s real and what’s not. People find them beautiful, ethereal to look at. Even Soothing to be around - perhaps because they know Pisces feels them and sees behind the facade? Perhaps because Pisces projects back to them whatever it is that they desire to see. Which at times means they also attract those that sense their Jesus or saviour complex and try to use that to their advantage. Another way of the Piscean is that they have such a fear of losing control because they subconsciously know that once they slip, they just might keep on slipping and so they forgo any fantasy or escapism.
These Neptunian stories keep playing out till they’re faced with a harsh wake up call. A Saturnian or Plutonic moment that teaches them that both the need to stay in control as well as the need to lose control is straying them away from their path. And what is their path? Whatever it is they desire it to be, they have a natural ability to make their dreams into a reality so long as they keep a daily routine that balances out their productivity and need to retreat. This is something they often learn when meeting a Virgo. They have a lot in common with Scorpio and Cancer although, due to the watery nature and the intensity of it, they might find that their shadow side is being mirrored right back to them, which might cause a victim mentality during the immature years. They learn most of their life lessons & experience growth with Gemini, Sagittarius, Leo & Libra. As they mature and pass their Saturn Return, they get more of a grasp on how they can be of service to their community and eventually to society. They are naturally inclined to spread messages and ideas of healing and inspiration, create solutions and services that heal others and further help them connect to their divinity. Many media moguls for example have this placement prominently placed in their chart. They love connecting people and teaching them ways of co-existing in a harmonious, prosperous way. You can find them in every industry, from orthodox to unorthodox, this archetype permeates all of society. It is the personification of the proverbial angel and devil on earth and what this can cause and bring. In Pisces we either find hell or paradise. It’s the dark night of the soul bringing liberation once we make it through and that’s the promise of the cosmic cycle of life.
