Astrology and the Zodiac
Before The Great Disaster, so it is said, there were those that used the position of the sun and the moon, and their points of rising and setting in the sky to divine the future. The original research which developed into the Astrology of today has been lost; it was probably an art developed hundreds, or maybe thousands of years before the Disaster. The methods involved in using Astrological techniques are straightforward, it is just a calculation of the positions of celestial bodies at the time of an omen or event, but the divination is open to interpretation, and so the results are difficult to measure for accuracy. This annoys most practitioners of magic, as they normally work with forces and energy sources which, despite being chaotic in nature, can be controlled in a predictable way. Without he underpinning of hard science and repeatable measurement, the world of astrology, they claim, is little more than a parlour game.
Astrology in Arthea is a pretty serious subject to those who concern themselves with it. Most peasants are aware of the importance of Omens and are prepared to accept the judgment of astrologers, as the prediction of the future cannot immediately be tested.
The astrological charts can only allow so much information to be discovered. They can be used to determine the more important events with some accuracy, but the more trivial the event, the less likely it is that a definite prediction can be made, or even whether any can be made at all. And there is also the possibility that the reader may miss the signs altogether.
Predictions of the future is not the only use of astrology. It is believed that the position of the major bodies in the sky at the time of birth can be used to predict the personality traits and life path of an individual. This means it is sometimes used to determine the suitability of individuals for particular tasks. The positions of the sun and the moon are the most important of the bodies, but others do have an effect.
There are 24 sun signs in Arthean astrology, each runs for sixteen or seventeen days each year, and the first and last days of adjoining signs overlap. They are determined by the positions of constellations in the sky, which (loosely) resemble the sign being depicted. Most astrologers will tell you that the stars have moved somewhat since The Great Disaster - so there is less resemblance today to their depicted image than at any time in history.
The Sun Signs
The Wind, "Enneth"
15th - 30th Bara. While often a quiet personality, those born under the sign of the wind can make themselves heard. They tend to be private, sharing little about themselves with others, but once they find an attainable ideal or goal there are few who can stop them reaching it. They have an ability to work relentlessly to achieve their goals, sometimes being completely ignorant of the effects of this upon others.
The Book, "Paergor"
30th Bara - 15th Onara. As a store of knowledge, the book cannot be argued against. It holds, in plain writing, deep knowledge and curious thoughts, and those born under this sign easily follow this pattern. Often they delight in talk or debate, and see the spoken word as an art form. This makes those born under the sign of the Book difficult to beat in an argument. They often dislike any form of change, and they sometimes work to maintain that which is outdated or redundant, even though all others may want to be rid of it. They tend to be great lovers of history and things of the past.
The Tree, "Feltad"
15th - 30th Onara. Those born under the sign of the tree tend to be solid and dependable, and are able to manage their affairs with precision. Unfortunately they also tend to be stubborn and are often unmanageable by others. They are often loners, usually in need of little help, thought heir personalities can change from season to season. Often they are lovers of nature and all growing things.
Ice, "Ice"
30th Onara - 14th Juem. While giving the impression of calm efficiency, those born under the sign of Ice tend to be easily crushed under pressure, or can melt once the heat is applied. Sometimes the ice manifests itself as a cold personality, often as one who mixes little. Whatever they seek, it is never seen as permanent, it may last for a while, but they seldom have any interest in things which may stand for long. Sometimes they may shun hot weather, preferring the rain and cloud.
Gold, "Tannel"
14th - 30th Juem. Those born under the sign of Tannel often have a reputation as a schemer or plotter. They are often a grabber or coveter, their lives being rules by precious goods, although they gleam among company with natural charisma. Some have logical minds, with a strong aptitude for mathematical sciences. They also tend to be good with strategies, making good military advisors or strategy game players.
The Sage, "Sorna"
30th Juem - 15th Siphus. The wisdom of the sage is often above question, as he is a keeper of knowledge, and is regarded as an expert in his field. Those born under this sign, likewise, are often wise. Sometimes however, they can appear too smart for their own good, and often believe that they can make the final decision about all matters. They also tend to have good memories, and a flair for the written word. This makes them good as scribes or poets, and if they can master these arts, will always be in great demand.
The Soldier, "Larl"
15th - 31st Siphus. Those who are born under the sign of the soldier tend to have a good tactical ability. Often they are good leaders of men, or good assessors of individual fighting ability. Sometimes they understand good fighting, and can see bettere techniques, even though they may not be warriors themselves. Often they prefer brawling to armed combat, but their skills as leaders of men set them apart. They are often able to mix their tactical skills with their leadership skills to give them ability in the field of combat above those of others. They tend to favour all things military, and often have difficulty fitting in with civilian lifestyles.
The Rat, "Taggrand"
31st Siphus - 15th Abanacon. Within astrology, The Rat is seen as the schemer, the plotter, often cunning, usually devious. The Rat can always be relied upon to come up with a suitable plan, whatever the situation, but his guile must always be watched. To many born under the sign of The Rat, their plans can often favour solely themselves, providing problems for all others, even friends. It isn't unusual for them to have a strange sense of humour.
The Actor, "Chiarco"
15th - 30th Abanacon. As with actors, those born under the sign of Chiarco are often flamboyant, or larger than life. Sometimes they need to act this way to support a big ego, or to seek attention from others. Often they are vain or overconfident, sometimes just brash. They tend to mix well with others, hating to be alone, often they live their lives solely for the benefit of friends, judging themselves solely by the impression they make on others.
The Gambler, "Geldos"
30th Abanacon - 16th Ulunacon. Those born under the sign of The Gambler are often lovers of risk. If the stakes high enough, the thrill of the risk will be enough reward and winning is a bonus. Usually, it is not the prize which attracts them to a risk, but the opportunity to pit themselves against the odds. Sometimes, they seem overconfident, but the thrill of the gamble can drive them on. As friends, they are often unstable, but usually they will not harm others. They also tend to not be long lived the thrill of the risk usually leads them to an early end.
Gemstone, "Rol"
16th Ulunacon - 1st Semot. The Gemstone is a symbol of solidness and strength to those born under it. It suggests a level-headed approach to life and possibly a higher than average intelligence. Although they can be curt, with abrasive personalities, Rolians can also be a tower of strength when needed. They often have a smart business mind, and are generally good with money; they are usually good savers.
The Eagle, "Ennta"
1st - 16th Semot. Those born under this sign tend to be observant, and watch others well. They try very hard to fit in with their surrounding, and usually dress smartly. Whatever they turn their mind to, they always seem to have some natural talent for, and can cope with many difficult tasks. Their great failing is often a easiness to fall to boredom, and as a result struggle with mundane tasks.
The Blade, "Sint"
16th - 31st Semot. A symbol of the sharp mind; those born under Sint often possess a ready wit, and a good eye for fine detail. Usually they enjoy a good battle, whether in combat, between two debaters, or in the market between buyer and seller, the more heated the exchange, the more enjoyable it is for a Sintan. At times they also have a tendency to be narrow-minded, and guilty of ignoring matters in the periphery.
The Messenger, "Tebeleth"
31st Semot - 15th Dusemot. Those born under the sign of Tebeleth tend to be good with written words. They often display an aptitude for memorising written text and repeating it much later. They are also good with animals, some make excellent farmers. Their particular forte seems to lie with animals which are used as mounts, pack animals or other beasts of burden, particularly horses, oxen and mules.
The Ship, "Temarian"
15th - 30th Dusemot. The sign of the ship is known for the water instincts it gives to those born under it. Many Temarians are fishermen or sailors, and some are navigators or just live by rivers. Their enthusiasm for all things aquatic makes them useful in many ports or coastal towns, where many end up living. Although they tend to be excellent sailors, they are generally poor at planning and activities which involve strategy, and hence tend not to sail far alone. They also tend to be less productive with their hands, and seem not to be good at manufacturing.
The Wheel, "Sumno"
30th Dusemot - 16th Lapuada. The wheel lends the trait of an order and tidiness to those born under it. They are often warm characters mixing well, but relying on others to make the Sumnoan the centre of the family or communal unit. The Sumnoan likes life to revolve around them. They often have a strong sense of humour.
The Pauper, "Reeger"
16th Lapuada - 1st Escuda. This is the sign of the carer, and those who pay close attention to detail. Those born under this sign are often said to dwell upon trivial matters, while paying scant attention to the larger tasks, as they seem to want to deal with matters in turn as they arise. Generally, they make poor organisers, but when they do take on tasks, they do them well.
The Rose, "Toralar"
1st - 17th Escuda. This sign is known as the Bright Flower; those born under it are often sweetly scented. While they tend to have better looks than most, they also tend to be obsessed by cleanliness. All things have to be neat and clean - not only the body but all things that surround the Toralar in everyday life. Often they will live in comparative luxury compared to others of their social station, as they are prepared to work continually on their surroundings.
The Goat, "Simb"
17th Escuda - 1st Vinuada. Renown for their strong maternal instincts, those born under this sign are often good with children. The goat is known as the "Milk Giver", and is also known for its stubbornness. They are likely to settle with a family and are difficult to move once established. Sometimes they can be very possessive about their spouse.
The Boar, "Cheechan"
1st - 16th Vinuada. Those born under this sign tend to be strong characters, often overweight or overpowering in their personality. They tend towards physical strength rather than dexterity, and their personalities often reflect this, seeking to firmly talk down others in arguments rather than persuade them of a new point of view.
The Anvil, "Elb"
16th Vinuada - 1st Eluta. The Anvil is the sign of stubbornness or those that follow through their work even to a bitter end. They tend to be level headed, and often capable of keeping cool even during moments of intense pressure, or during periods of extreme stress. Their strong exterior is matched by their heart of iron, which sometimes makes them appear cold and callous.
The Water Sign, "Aquan"
1st - 16th Eluta. Those born under the Water Sign are often seen as lacking in willpower. While they tend to be long lived, they also tend to lack drive or ambition, they tend to be phlegmatic. They are often seen as poor speakers or debaters, and can give in very easily to verbal pressure. The sign of water is also the sign of life, and those born under it often make exceptional healers, and, while they may lack skills as a debater, they voice is uplifting and can deliver hope and reassurance to those in pain.
The Builder, "Rala"
16th - 31st Eluta. The sign of the 'Maker'; Ralans are often headstrong and normally proceed through life with a blinkered approach. Whether intentional or not, they are often ignorant of the needs or wishes of others, although they do tend to make good manual workers. They are often blessed with high dexterity, and can build intricate works with the crudest of tools.
The Holly, "Soota"
31st Eluta - 15th Bara. The Evergreen sign; those born under the sign of Holly tend to have an unquenchable enthusiasm for their role or task. They often have positive and inquisitive attitudes, yet their personalities are undermined by the prickliness of the holly. They can sometimes seem to be natural winners, with few failures to their name, yet this, coupled with their abrasive personality can easily lose them friends.
It can never be stressed more firmly that astrology is only a guide. Those who rely solely upon it as a judge of character or to determine their future plans are on a slippery slope. The whole subject is open to interpretation in many ways, and there can never be a definitive guide to astrological divining. If the sun signs are used to judge character, those using it should bear in mind that there are exceptions to each sign, the descriptions given here cannot encompass all the traits, and that everything here is subject to interpretation.