WATERSIGNS
The 12 signs of the zodiac are subdivided according to the four classical elements of
earth, air, fire, and water. The three water signs (the water triplicity or water trigon)
are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Astrologically, water refers to sensitivity, intuition,
emotion, and fluidity. Water-sign sensitivity can manifest as artistic sensitivity, psy-
chic sensitivity, or as sensitivity to others. This element also embodies the traits of
compassion, nurture, and protection.
The emotional sensitivity of the water element shows itself somewhat differ-
ently in each of the signs of the water triplicity. Cancer’s watery nature typically mani-
fests as feelings about home, security, and family. Scorpio’s emerges as strong feelings
about sex, death, and occult mysteries. Pisces’s watery nature appears as mysticism,
sensitivity to music, and impressionability.
Negative water people can be moody, depressed, emotionally grasping, and
possessive. Unless counterbalanced by other factors, excess water in a chart indicates
an individual who is hypersensitive and overemotional. Conversely, lack of water can
indicate a person who is insensitive and unemotional.
One finds the same set of four elements and the same classification of signs by
element in Vedic astrology. The connotations are basically the same as in Western
astrology.
Water is also one of the five elements of Chinese astrology—earth, water, fire,
wood, and metal. In this system, the elements are not permanently associated with
each of the signs of the zodiac. Rather, each one of the 12 signs of the East Asian zodi-
ac can be a different element. The connotations of water in Chinese astrology do not
correspond with the connotations of water in Western astrology.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.WAXING ANDWANING
Waxing refers to indicate the increasing strength of any given astrological influence.
More commonly, waxing and waning refers to the Moon’s monthly cycle during which
the portion of its surface lighted by the Sun increases (waxes) or decreases (wanes) in
size. The increase or decrease in the Moon’s size is especially important in electional
astrology. The basic principle is that activities hoped to quickly expand, such as a new
business venture, should be initiated during a waxing (increasing) Moon. Activities
hoped to stop or slow down, such as the growth of hair after a haircut, should be
undertaken during a waning (decreasing) Moon.WEAKSIGNS
Traditionally, the weak signs were Cancer, Capricorn, and Pisces. Although one can
perceive the rationale for regarding Cancer and Pisces as “weak,” it is difficult to
understand why strong, stubborn Capricorn was thus designated.Water Signs
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