Negative sign

This article is about the astrological term. For the mathematical use, see Plus and minus signs.

In astrology, a negative, ceptive, dispassive, yin, nocturnal or feminine sign refers to any of the six even-numbered signs of the zodiac: Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn or Pisces.

These signs constitute the earth and water triplicities.

Introduction to signs

In astrology there are two groups: positive and negative. These two groups also include six individual signs that are called zodiac signs. The negative signs associated with the zodiac are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces. The positive signs associated with the zodiac are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius.[1] The twelve signs are divided into two groups based upon one's exact time and place of birth. The negative and positive signs alternate, starting with Aries as positive and Taurus as negative and continuing this pattern through the list of zodiac signs.[2]

Different types of sign terminology

The signs negative and positive are referred to as a negative-sunsign or a positive-sunsign. There are many terms used in astrology to differentiate the two groups. In Chinese astrology, the two groups are categorized as yin and yang, corresponding respectively to negative and positive. Standen explains that different astrologers may refer to signs by different names. For example, an astrologer may refer to positive signs as masculine and negative signs as feminine.[3] Each sign is divided into two main types: active and passive. As a general rule, the active type will be called masculine and the passive type will be called feminine.[4]

Negative Zodiacs

Zodiac signs associated with the negative are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces. Note that there is no value judgment attached to the terms negative or positive. They may be likened to polarities in a magnet: one side is positive and one side is negative. Neither side is "good" nor "bad"—they are merely different.

The “Sunsign Effect”

The sunsign effect is a pattern of alternating high and low extraversion-scores for the 12 signs.[5] Introvert is a person who gains energy when alone and spends it when with other people. Extravert is a person who gains energy from socialization, expending it when alone. Jan J.F. van Rooij did an experiment on Introversion-Extraversion: astrology versus psychology, to see if those in the negative sunsign were introverted and those in the positive sunsign were negative. Van Rooijs did this experiment on those with astrological knowledge and on those with no astrological knowledge. His results showed that negative sunsign people are not that responsive to the outer world and are accordingly not influenced that easily by astrological information. They rely more on their own ideas and feelings, thus proving his point that people who are born with the negative sunsign are introverted, and those born with the positive sunsign are extroverted.

Element Associated with negative signs

Earth and Water are the elements attached to those who are in the negative sign. Earth is the element of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Water is the element of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Elements are the basic traits of the signs. They reveal the fundamental aspects of the personality. “Water signs are attuned to waves of emotion, and often seem to have a built-in sonar for reading a mood. This gives them a special sensitivity in relationships, knowing when to show warmth and when to hold back. At their best, they are a healing force that bring people together -- at their worst, they are psychic vampires, able to manipulate and drain the life force of the closest to them”.[6] Hall explains that water signs are more in tune with their emotions and are comfortable showing them. Water signs bring a certain presence to a situation; they seek out the problem and fix it. “Earth signs are sensual, meaning they engage with life through the five senses. It takes time to sense the dense physical world, and earth signs can operate at a slower, more thorough pace than the other elements. Theyʼre oriented toward whatʼs real, and often this makes them very productive, able to create tangible results.”[7] Earth signs are described by Hall as earthy people. These signs focus on the things that connect us to the earth: things which bring peace, as opposed to focusing on the material world.

See also

References

  1. ↑ van Rooij, Jan J. F. (1993). "Introversion-Extraversion: astrology versus psychology". Department of Psychology, University of Leiden, The Netherlands 16 (6): 985–988. doi:10.1016/0191-8869(94)90243-7. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  2. ↑ Emerson, Michael. "History of Astrology-Origins and Beginnings". Astrology insight. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  3. ↑ Raaj Sudhanshu, Rajendra. "Positive & Negative Sign". Subhanshu.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  4. ↑ Standen, Anthony (1975). "Is There An Astrological Effect On Personality". The Journal Of Psychology 89 (2): 259–260. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  5. ↑ van Rooij, Jan J. F. (1993). "Introversion-Extraversion: astrology versus psychology". Department of Psychology, University of Leiden, The Netherlands 16 (6): 985–988. doi:10.1016/0191-8869(94)90243-7. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  6. ↑ Hall, Molly. "The Water Element". About.com. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  7. ↑ Hall, Molly. "The Water Element". About.com. Retrieved December 1, 2011.