Groups

As well the four elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water, star signs are divided into three groups: Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn are Cardinal signs; Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius are Fixed signs; and Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces are Mutable signs. Cardinal signs are associated with enterprise and initiating projects -- these people cause things to start and happen. Fixed signs are concerned with maintaining and stabilizing, protecting what they have.

And Mutable signs are concerned with changing situations -- these people readily accept change (whereas Fixed signs oppose it).

Astrological Wheel of Life

As well as the basic qualities each element and group contributes to an individual, the position of a person's sun sign in the astrological wheel also determines their character. The astrological wheel can be seen as a life cycle, with each sign representing a stage of personal growth and development along the course of a life. For example, Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac, and the traits of Aries can be likened to those of a newborn baby, the very first stage on life's journey.

Individuals born under Aries are known for being forthright and having little regard for how their actions may affect others. They are often accused of being selfish. However, included in the positive traits of this sign, is the ability to see the potential in a situation or idea, as though they are seeing something through the eyes of a baby, with all the wonderment associated with it.