If you’re diving deeper into astrology but don’t know where to start, understanding the 12 zodiac signs is the basic foundation to first build. Like the Gregorian calendar begins from January and ends in December, the zodiac also has its own astrological calendar that begins with Aries and ends with Pisces. Once you master the order of the zodiac signs, the rest of the astrological concepts become easier to understand, as they correlate to the 12 signs.
When memorizing 12 signs may sound daunting, it’s a lot easier than you think. Along with using this post as a reference, you can also download my 12 Signs in 12 Days eBook so that you can better understand the zodiac wheel.
Start By Learning the 4 Astrological Elements
The 12 signs are divided into 4 different elements: fire, earth, air and water. Each element represents generalized and overarching energy that its group represents.
Fire
Fire signs are energetic and exciting signs: when you’re with them, it’s never a dull time. They are enthusiastic and spontaneous individuals who want to try new things, which instills bravery and some trailblazing qualities into their personality. They are proactive individuals who believe they are the creators of their fate. On the lower side, they have a tendency to be impulsive due to this brave behavior and are known for having short fuses. They also have a tendency to be very loud or carry themselves in a way that demands attention.
Earth
Earth signs have very stabilizing energy, which makes them comforting to be around. They have a relaxed, patient, and sometimes even quiet demeanor, which can make others write them off as wallflowers. Unlike the confident disposition that fire signs possess, earth signs are comfortable being in the background and can refrain from putting themselves out there, because they are aware that they have a limited amount of energy and decide to expend it on individuals whom they trust or deeply care about. They are dependable friends with smaller social circles and are practical in their approach to life. On the lower side, they are so consistent and stable that sometimes they can be stubborn or unwilling to try new things or ways of thinking.
Air
Air signs are natural communicators that crave connection with others, which makes them highly talkative and curious individuals. They are typically the friendliest at a party, as they are socially-oriented and love to explore the minds of others outside of their own. Because communication is their focus, they are highly intellectual and logical people who are often philosophical. They are amazing problem solvers and have a tendency to think of a plan A, B, C, all the way to Z. Because they are so mentally occupied, they have a tendency to overthink, can be highly critical, and sometimes even indecisive.
Water
Water is associated with emotions, so those under the influence of water tend to be deep feelers. They aren’t all dramatic across the board: because they are more in-tune with their emotions, they are highly intuitive and may even appear psychic. These individuals are receptive to the emotions of others, which gives them a very nurturing and empathetic demeanor. On the unaware side, they may have a tendency to overreact to situations or have big displays of emotions.
Remember the signs in order
Understanding the element groups is only one part of remembering the signs. It is crucial to remember them in the right order, as the astrological season is a journey through the development of human consciousness. We begin with Aries, which embodies a new spirit with optimism, potential, and a childlike desire to experience the world. Taurus is next, which represents the physical development of the human senses. Gemini follows afterward, which signifies the mental development of communication and intellect. After Gemini comes Cancer, which embodies human emotion. As we move through the signs, the next one becomes progressively more complex as the wheel progresses: they layer on top of each other like an onion and represent our growth as human beings, from birth to death. I cover more of this in my free eBook, “12 Signs in 12 Days.”
The zodiac wheel moves through the 4 elements in order: fire, earth, air, and water. We repeat the same elemental order three times until we reach the last sign of Pisces.
Another way to group the signs is by the 4 weather seasons. Aries, Taurus, and Gemini are in the spring, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo are during summer, Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius are in the fall, and Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces are during winter.
Look at the signs as energies, not personalities
When you see the zodiac signs as personalities, it creates too much rigidity and not enough room for overlap. You may come across an Aries person that is softspoken, and this may contradict the typical aggressive Aries personality. But if you get to know them, they may simply possess that proactive Aries energy in their work or education, and not just in the way they carry themselves or communicate.
12 signs may feel overwhelming to remember, but it takes time. Start with Aries and slowly move your way through the wheel, using the qualities of the 4 elements and 4 seasons as guides. When you learn the 12 signs in the right order, it becomes a powerful tool to understand both yourself as well as others around you through the astrological illustration of human consciousness. If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to download “12 Signs in 12 Days” for an in-depth guide on remembering all 12 zodiac signs.
To learn about the 4 astrological elements, check out the posts below:
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