Everything in nature functions in accord with the 12 principles of the zodiac.  Each sign represents an important principle of nature.  The same principles represented by the signs of the zodiac are also represented by the planets, the Sun and the Moon.

Of the 12 principles involved, they can be divided up into 6 pairs, each representing opposite phases of the same principle.  Carl Payne Tobey described these pairs and called them Mate Signs.  Prior to 1781, we only knew of the Sun, Moon and 5 planets.   While the Sun and the Moon are assigned to their own signs, Leo and Cancer, respectively, each of the 5 planets are assigned to two signs each.  Mercury co-rules Virgo and Gemini, Venus co-rules Libra and Taurus, Mars co-rules Scorpio and Aries, Jupiter co-rules Sagittarius and Pisces, and Saturn co-rules Capricorn and Aquarius.

As the three new planets have come along, modern astrologers have reassigned rulerships to the signs. Uranus is now aligned with Aquarius, Neptune with Pisces, and Pluto with Aries.   However, the original design continues to provide a deep understanding of the underlying connectivity between these 6 pairs of Mate Signs.

SELF-INTEREST:

CANCER:  Introverted, insecure, moody, internal, feminine                       LEO:  Extroverted, self-confidant, vital, external, masculine

MENTALITY, COMMUNICATION & NERVOUS SYSTEM:

VIRGO:  Material plane, detailed, focused, methodical                      GEMINI:  Abstract plane, scattered, ignores rules & routines

FRIENDS, PLEASURES, LUXURIES & BEAUTY:

TAURUS:  Natural, material, earthy, comfort-oriented, family                 LIBRA:  Refined, abstract, intellectual, elegant, social, friends

AMBITION, AGGRESSION & SEXUALITY:

SCORPIO: Family loyalty, draws strength from others, controls       ARIES: Independent, inner reliance, loner, own business, leads

BELIEFS, KNOWLEDGE, MORALITY & UNDERSTANDING

PISCES: Esoteric, spiritual, psychic, mystical, elusive, secretive    SAGITTARIUS: Exoteric, religious, intuitive, direct, outspoken

TIME & ORDER:

CAPRICORN: Conservative, traditional, habitual, rule-follower   AQUARIUS:  Liberal, futuristic, spontaneous, rule-breaker

©2016  Diane Elizabeth Clarke