of the relative shortness of the Moon’s orbit, changes every two or three days. Planting
by the signs has been a regular feature of almanacs, such as The Old Farmer’s Almanac,
and in some agricultural regions (e.g., rural Appalachia) it is still practiced.
Agricultural astrology is the one area of contemporary astrology in which peo-
ple still rely on the traditional classification of fruitful signs and barren signs. If plant-
ed while the Moon (which rules the principle of conception) is in a fruitful sign, crops
supposedly grow bigger and better; planted in a barren sign, crops are less healthy and
less tasty. However, periods during which the Moon is in a barren sign are good for
cultivating the soil for healthy crops and for destroying weeds.
Sources:
Brau, Jean-Louis, Helen Weaver, and Allan Edmands. Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology.New
York: New American Library, 1980.
Riotte, Louise. Astrological Gardening: The Ancient Wisdom of Successful Planting and Harvesting
by the Stars.Pownal, VT: Storey Communications, 1989.
Starck, Marcia. Earth Mother Astrology: Ancient Healing Wisdom.Saint Paul, MN: Llewellyn
Publications, 1989.
AIRSIGNS
The 12 signs of the zodiac are subdivided according to the four classical elements—
earth, air, fire, and water. The three air signs (the air triplicity or air trigon) are Gemini,
Libra, and Aquarius. Astrologically, air is mental. For people in whom the air element
predominates, ideas and communication are the most important aspects of human life.
This mental trait shows itself somewhat differently in each of the signs of the
air triplicity. Gemini’s airy nature typically manifests as the ability to understand, uti-
lize, and communicate facts; Geminis are natural teachers and communicators. As
Libra’s symbol, the Scales, suggests, Libra’s airiness is expressed as the ability to make
comparisons by weighing and balancing. This sign has a highly developed social
nature that makes Libras talented hosts and insightful psychologists. Aquarius’s airy
quality appears as intuition and the ability to understand universal principles. Aquar-
ius also has a natural inclination to work with others for the uplifting of humanity.
Negatively, air people can be too intellectual and too verbal. Unless counter-
balanced by other factors, excess air in a natal chart indicates an individual who is
stuck at the mental level, never able to manifest ideas in a practical manner. Con-
versely, lack of air can indicate a person who has difficulty communicating and for-
matting clear ideas.
Sources:
Hand, Robert. Horoscope Symbols.Rockport, MA: Para Research, 1981.
Sakoian, Frances, and Louis S. Acker. The Astrologer’s Handbook.New York: Harper & Row, 1989.
ALBEDO
Albedo (literally, “whiteness”) is a measure of the power of a planet, moon, or asteroid
to reflect light.
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [13]
Albedo