#astroscales

[astrochats]

Astro Scales: the breakdown by sign

In our first post, we introduced the Astro Scales system and discussed each element’s heart and head values. In this post, we will further break down each element into its three signs, and explain what distinguishes the signs from one another.

The Astro Scales system derives its name from a pair of scales, where we envision head and heart values being weighed against each other. Some signs weigh the head value above the heart value, some weigh the heart value above the head value, and some place an equal weight on both values, balancing the scales.

For example, while all fire signs struggle with the primary conflict of now vs. later, we argue that the charging ram Aries weighs now, the fire heart value, above the head value of later. By contrast, the archer Sagittarius believes in the value of biding their time, despite the draw of fulfilling their desires immediately; thus Sagittarius weighs head over heart. Meanwhile, proud Leo, king of the jungle, constantly balances immediate reward against delayed gratification. 

We observe these 3 configurations of the scales (heart over head, balancing both, head over heart) in all 4 elements, giving each of the 12 zodiac signs its own distinctive character.

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Fire signs (now vs. later)

Aries: now

The first sign in the zodiac, Aries the ram bursts into existence with an uncontainable life force, as if to announce to the world, “I am here.” It’s therefore no surprise that Aries leads with the heart value of now over the head value of later. Although Aries understands on some level that waiting can lead to greater rewards, the cost of forgoing the immediate rush of instant gratification is often too high for this impatient sign. More so than any other fire sign, Aries embodies the action principle of fire: a flame’s existence depends on a continued fuel source, or it will be extinguished. Thus it is important for Aries to feel a sense of forward momentum with all of their actions, and stasis is very uncomfortable for them. Aries may feel anxiety about not getting what they have set their minds to and if they cannot follow through with their plans, they can feel lost and unlike themselves. It’s instinctual for Aries to prioritize the desires of their heart above the head. This means that while Aries is very good at making decisive moves to instigate the outcome they desire, others can feel steamrolled or ignored in Aries’ hasty actions.

Leo: balancing both

Ruled by the Sun, Leo is a sign that flourishes when it’s in the spotlight. Leos are generous with their warmth and their love; being around them can feel like basking in warm sunshine. Leos shine brightest when surrounded by other people, and their need for continuous attention from others explains why Leos balance the heart value of now against the head value of later. For Leo, balancing these values means pursuing all of their immediate desires, while making concessions so as not to lose their audience. The lion is the king of the jungle, and like all kings, Leo walks a fine line between luxuriating in all the perks of being at the top, yet always being aware of the precariousness of their position. There is always someone next in line, waiting to usurp a king who shows weakness or loses the support of his followers, and proud Leo feels keenly the cold shadow that descends upon them when the spotlight is turned on someone else. For this reason, it is rare to see two Leos in one group of friends. Though people are quick to characterize Leos as overconfident and self-absorbed, these traits can be attributed to this sign’s tendency towards idealism and a general wholehearted optimism for life. 

Sagittarius: later

Although Sagittarians may be known for their impulsivity, a second look at this sign reveals a surprising willingness to bide their time. Note that of all the fire signs, Sagittarius is the only one represented not by an animal, but by the archetype of the archer -- the hunter, who must lie in wait for the perfect moment to strike, reflecting how Sagittarius weighs their head value of later over their heart value of now. Another aspect of the Sagittarian mythology involves the figure of the centaur, a half-human, half-horse. While Sagittarius may feel the primal urge of now from beneath its hooves, its higher faculties are able to temper these urges. Ruled by Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion, Sagittarius is willing to take a gamble on waiting until later in the hope of reaping greater rewards. Sagittarius feels most like themselves when they have the freedom to explore various options and are able to escape when life gets too restrictive. These tendencies result in the endless optimism and adaptability Sagittarians bring to all of life’s ups and downs, but can also result in an impression of flightiness and unreliability.

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Water signs (feeling vs. fantasy)

Scorpio: feeling

Of the three water signs, Scorpio alone is represented by a non-water-dwelling animal. Compared to the dark, nurturing ocean depths where Cancer and Pisces live, the harsh, flat desert where the scorpion dwells contains few hiding places; here, everyone is stripped bare. Similarly, this sign favors the heart value of raw feeling over the head value of fantasy, which they see as a watery world of self delusions and concealments. Even as they are drawn to the boundless promise of the mystical and fantastic, Scorpio accepts that they live in the physical world and must adapt to its harshness rather than seeking escape in dreams. Scorpios feel things intensely, and they have a hard time hiding or masking their emotions, seeming even to revel in the darker side of their nature. Since they see the world and other people with clear eyes, without the veneer of idealism, they find trust and vulnerability difficult. Scorpio’s combination of intensity and penetrative perception gives them a magnetic quality, which can be attractive to many. But when tangling with this guarded sign, know that physical passions do not necessarily translate into emotional intimacy.

Cancer: balancing both

Cancer the crab walks between the watery world of fantasy and the earthly sands of real sensation. Though they are often stereotyped as sensitive and moody, this reputation stems from the tug-of-war between Cancer’s heart value of feeling and head value of fantasy. Far from being mutually exclusive, this sign’s heart and head values often feed into and build upon each other. For a Cancer, real-life feelings are heightened by their fantastical imaginings, while their fantasies are imbued with real attachment. For example, in everyday conflicts, it comes naturally for Cancer to cast others in the roles of hero and villain. Conversely, this sign’s romantic daydreams can replicate or even surpass the giddy euphoria of actually falling in love. Because Cancers attach equal weight to their fantasies and their lived emotions, it can be extremely painful and disappointing for this sign when experiences don’t live up to the expectations set by fantasies; this is when Cancer may retreat without warning behind a spiky exterior. However, a person who is able to coax this sign out of their shell will find a uniquely soft and nurturing nature: a Cancer’s affection is given wholeheartedly and without reserve.

Pisces: fantasy

Pisces the fish lives entirely submerged in the ocean depths of fantasy, so much so that Pisceans often seem to inhabit their own plane of existence. With this sign of dreams, the subconscious, and the spiritual, the head value of fantasy comes so naturally that they may have difficulty separating fantasy from their emotional reality. For Pisces, fantasy involves a predisposition towards creating deeper meaning from the apparent randomness and chaos of life. This may morph into existential dread if Pisces begins to consider the possibility that reality is actually random and devoid of meaning. Everyday, practical matters tend to fade into the background in the face of these looming existential questions, which may contribute to this sign’s “head in the clouds” reputation. While Pisces, like other water signs, is highly emotionally attuned, their fixation on fantasy can make it difficult for this sign to express or indeed, truly experience their immediate feelings. This results in Pisces’ susceptibility to absorbing the feeling currents of others around them, as well as their reputation for empathy and sensitivity. A Pisces who is too detached from the truth of their own feelings can become oversensitive and withdrawn.

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Earth signs (conviction vs. compromise)

Taurus: conviction

Famously stubborn, Taurus’s stability comes from their firm heart value of conviction, which they weigh over the head value of compromise. Because Taurus’s sense of identity is so grounded in their personal convictions, being confronted with the necessity of compromise can feel like an affront to Taurus’s self-image. This is why Taurus, more than any other sign, is known to fear change despite recognizing the importance of growth -- after all, compromise by definition requires us to leave our comfort zone in some way. Like the immovable bull, Taurus prefers to stick to what they know and trust, not only in their beliefs but also in their habits and environments. While they are aware, as all earth signs are, that there are times when we must prioritize practicality and/or the common good, it costs more comparatively for a Taurus to repress their innermost beliefs. Although this sign may come across as stubborn and obstinate at times, others know that they can trust Taurus to be honest and reliable.

Virgo: balancing both

The maiden associated with Virgo embodies purity of course, but also carries a sheaf of wheat, representing the harvest. These two symbols encapsulate Virgo’s balancing act between their heart value of conviction and their head value of compromise: while it is important for Virgo to uphold the purity and clarity of their personal convictions, this service-oriented sign may not always find it necessary or appropriate to impress these convictions upon others. The harvest is emblematic of humans’ interdependence with each other and with nature; Virgo’s approach to compromise follows a similar principle of being conscious of how your actions affect others. They are careful not to be offensive or take up too much space, and tend to disdain those who act rudely or thoughtlessly. Balancing conviction and compromise can be a struggle for Virgos, who feel they must remain true to themselves even as they wish to avoid making a fuss. This may account for some of this overanalytical sign’s tendency towards anxiety and neurosis. Virgos treat each word and action they put into the universe with extreme care, but even so, they may stay up late at night regretting their decisions.

Capricorn: compromise

Even as the mountain goat Capricorn steadily ascends the mountain, it never loses sight of its grounded perspective. Capricorns weigh their head value above their heart value; although they have as strong a sense of their convictions as other earth signs, it is unlikely that a Capricorn will allow these private convictions to interfere with their ability to compromise. Compared to other earth signs, Capricorns tend to come across as more patient when dealing with people because they try to accommodate everyone’s differences in order to move forward. Another way to understand this value could be “compartmentalization,” something that comes naturally to this sign. Some may call Capricorns cold because of their ability to put distance between their actions and their personal feelings/allegiances; they would simply call themselves realistic. Compromise serves most Capricorns well -- in the long term, they will be able to build respect, recognition and a reputation of dependability in the eyes of others.  

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Air signs (knowledge vs. faith)

Aquarius: knowledge

Ruled by Uranus, the planet of revolution and rebellion, Aquarius the water bearer is characterized by independence, originality and humanitarianism. Aquarians are not known to be followers; their determination to walk their own path emerges from their heart value of knowledge, which they prioritize over the head value of faith. If you want to recruit Aquarius to your cause or way of thinking, you’d better be prepared to explain every step of your logic. For Aquarius, blindly following a belief that is not their own feels like a betrayal of the principle to seek truth. Even if an Aquarius hasn’t yet developed their own perspective on a subject, they are eager to pick holes in someone else’s viewpoint in order to better understand the other person’s logic. Since Aquarians tend to forget that most people’s beliefs include emotion as well as logic, this sign runs the risk of coming across as cold or unemotional. Yet it is equally common for Aquarians to attract those who admire their unique perspective. 

Libra: balancing both

Portrayed as a pair of scales, it comes as no surprise that Libra is the air sign that balances the heart and head values of knowledge and faith. The heart value of knowledge gives Libra a clear view of their own beliefs, though they are unlikely to offer these opinions unless pressed or in the company of someone they fully trust. This is because Libra wishes to avoid conflict and maintain a sense of equilibrium in most situations, and it comes naturally to this sign to reflect other people’s opinions back at them, telling others what they most want to hear. Libras are seen by some as indecisive or “fake” because their behavior can change depending on their company. However, this is not to say that Libras are simply humoring the other party; they believe that each person has their own truth that they live by and they are willing to reconcile disparate opinions with their own, especially when faced with an emotionally charged appeal. In this way, this harmony-seeking sign can manage knowledge and faith simultaneously without sacrificing either; the result is Libra’s distinctive charm and agreeable nature. 

Gemini: faith

Gemini’s ruler Mercury is the fastest-moving planet in our solar system. Accordingly, Gemini, the mercurial twins of the zodiac, always thinks a million thoughts at once. Their talkative, loud exterior tends to mask their propensity to overanalyze and doubt their own logical flow. Gemini weighs their head value of faith over the heart value of knowledge: it is often easier for a Gemini to take someone else’s words as truth rather than stick to their own knowledge, unless the other person’s opinions strongly contradict systems that they already know to be correct. Although Gemini is much maligned for the stereotype of being “two-faced,” this sign isn’t being consciously duplicitous; they are simply so faith-oriented that it is difficult for them to maintain their former beliefs in the face of someone else’s forceful opinions. A Gemini’s fluid, fast-paced thought process can accommodate many different and conflicting truths in rapid succession -- to arrive at a single, final truth is the real challenge for this sign. For Gemini, knowledge seems less like a stable destination and more like a never-ending journey of considering each possibility and perspective.

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Thanks for reading! xxx fon & bells 

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[astrochats]

Astro Scales: an overview

The basic premise of the Astro Scales system assumes that each astrological element (fire, water, earth, and air) is defined through two competing values. Of these two values, one represents the needs of the heart, while the other represents the logic of the head. Although the head/heart values come from different places, both of these values feel instinctual and fundamentally necessary to that element. Because these values are so instinctual, it can be easy for each element to assume that everyone else shares the same primary values as themselves.

Each of the elements has a different set of head/heart values. They are as follows:

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Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)

now vs. later

Fire is a highly instinctual element. A flame doesn’t know why it burns, just that it must continue to burn bright. Fire signs are instinctively attuned to their desires, and fulfilling those desires can feel like a matter of life and death. This results in the fire sign’s primary conflict between fulfilling their desires immediately and realizing that other considerations may force them to wait; in other words, a fire sign wants to have their cake and eat it too. If left to its own devices, a fire sign’s heart tells them to go after what they want in the most direct way possible (now). The conflicting head value is the fire sign’s awareness that immediate gratification may have consequences that prevent later gratification (later). 

Imagine the scenario of deciding whether or not to confront a friend whose behavior has hurt you in some way. For a fire sign in this situation, their heart value tells them to express their hurt right away, in the most direct manner. The conflicting head value, which might prevent them from taking this action, tells them to consider the potential consequences: perhaps confronting the friend will cause them to lose that friendship, to weaken their social network, or to miss out on later opportunities this friendship could bring them. The fire sign’s ultimate action will depend on whether the head or heart wins out in this particular scenario. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius place differing weights on head vs. heart values; this is true of the three signs in each element, and we will discuss each sign’s specific scale breakdown in our next post.

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Water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)

feeling vs. fantasy

Water is the domain of intuition, emotions, and the unconscious. Water signs are known to have powerful gut instincts; while they are generally less interested in analyzing the reasons why they do something, they know what feels right to them. For water signs, what they feel and what is real are one and the same. Thus we use the term “feeling” to encompass the unfiltered emotional sensation at the core of water signs’ heart value. If the heart value of feeling represents water signs’ raw emotions when meeting the world, their head value of fantasy reflects their need to filter mundane or senseless realities through the rose-tinted lens of a meaning-filled narrative. Water signs can grow very attached to the fantasies they create, even to the point of denying their true feelings in order to sustain a fantasy; therefore, breaking that fantasy can manifest as a real emotional loss. 

A water sign in the same scenario described above will behave differently than a fire sign. Led by their heart value of feeling, a water sign’s first instinct is to respond with their authentic emotions. This may look like lashing out -- purely venting their feelings rather than attempting to start a dialogue or solicit a response from the other party. It may be difficult for the water sign to suppress the overwhelming, even physiological response their emotions generate. The head value of fantasy can play out in multiple ways. For one, the water sign’s prevailing ideal of the friendship or friend in question may lead them to hold back their feelings out of fear that a confrontation would lead to the end of the friendship, and consequently their fantasy. They may think, “This person is my closest, dearest friend. I’m nothing without them.” However, fantasy could also lead the water sign to cast themselves as a victim and their friend as a villain, and they may even carry out this new narrative through a dramatic confrontation that seems disproportionate to the initial offense.

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Earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)

conviction vs. compromise

Earth signs are unshakeable in their principles: “No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it.” Just as the mountain will not bend to outside forces, earth signs’ heart value of conviction in what they know to be true gives them a strong sense of self. An earth sign will not violate their principles unless their competing head value of compromise overrules the heart. For an earth sign, the idea of compromise is based in an understanding that we all have our own convictions; in order to be fair to everyone’s convictions, some small sacrifices or concessions must be made. This may be why earth is known to be a more practical and worldly element. 

An earth sign in the scenario described above would feel compelled to confront their friend if the friend had offended their principles. They might not be led so much by their feelings of hurt, as a water sign would, but rather by a righteous sense that the friend wronged them. The value of compromise might come into play if the earth sign realized that speaking their mind would not result in a better outcome for all parties: perhaps the confrontation would make things awkward in the future, create unnecessary drama, or seem inappropriately timed. If the earth sign’s desire to maintain stability overruled their trust that their friend would be receptive to their concerns and change the hurtful behavior, the earth sign would feel disinclined to make trouble by confronting the friend, and might instead avoid them or keep them at a distance.

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Air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)

knowledge vs. faith  

A keyword for air signs is “systems”. Air signs enter the world as a blank slate, and build their understanding of the world through logic, reason, and systems of their own creation. This is why air signs’ heart value is knowledge: their trust in the logical process through which they have come to understand the world. Anything that defies logic can feel incomprehensible to an air sign and make them feel lost – this is when they lean on their head value of faith in others, trusting that someone else’s knowledge or beliefs can guide them in the absence of their own knowledge. Ironically, the realm of feeling and emotion (which necessarily defies logic) is often where air signs rely on their head value the most. 

An air sign in the scenario described above would wait to confront a friend until they were able to understand their own feelings/position in a very systematic way -- they might prefer to write down their feelings in a letter or a list, and might even consult with other friends to confirm their own position before having the confrontation. They would choose not to confront the friend if they still had enough faith in that person to give them the benefit of the doubt, or if they thought that the friend in question was immovable. Regardless, air signs would aim to resolve the situation without being overly emotional or talking about how it made them feel, unless they could be relatively objective about it. 

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Final notes

After reading through this post, you may be thinking, “But I can relate to many/all of these values and conflicts. How is it possible for anyone to only hold one pair of these values?” Indeed, most people will relate to experiencing all four of these head/heart conflicts at one time or another -- all of these pairs of values speak to universal facets of the human condition, and all four speak to a crucial tension between the self (heart) and others (head). But our theory posits that an element’s head/heart values are not just “important” or “relatable” to that element -- they in fact reveal the element’s very essence, the basic matter that joins together and comprises all three signs of that element.

You may also be wondering how the Astro Scales system takes into account the many planets and signs that comprise a person’s entire natal chart. Generally, we feel that since the sun sign represents a person’s ego or soul, most people’s values will align with the element of their sun sign (so a person whose sun is in Aries will be defined through the now vs. later values of fire). However, if you have a strong influence of another element(s) in other areas of your chart, that element’s values will also likely play a role in your overall value system.

Look forward to our next post, where we will break down all four elements by sign and explain how the scales are balanced differently for the three signs within each element.