Sun in Taurus - April 20th - May 21st - “Raging Bull or Serious Cuddle Bunny?”

#5, The Hierophant is the tarot card
for Taurus - Faith, belief systems. From
"Wizard's Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner and
John J. Blumen 

There’s a distinct difference in the meaning of the words, sensual and sensuous, and no sign in the zodiac illustrates that difference better than Taurus the Bull. ‘Sensual,’ is defined as “an arousing gratification of the senses, particularly sexual.”  ‘Sensuous,’ however, relates “to matters of the senses rather than intellect.”  You enjoy the feel of water surrounding you as you swim, the taste of good chocolate in your mouth, the smell of roses in the garden and the visual spectacle of a brilliant sunset.  These things are experienced through heightened senses, not heightened sexuality.  They are sensuous experiences.  Of course, I suppose it depends on what you’re doing in the rose garden with the chocolate, doesn’t it?

The sign of the bull rules the second house of the zodiac where astrologers seek information about money, material success and spirituality. Taurus’ love luxury, but that doesn’t mean they are materialistic by nature. They simply experience life sensuously.  Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and beauty.  It’s the sensuous beauty of an object, its sight, touch, smell or taste, that engages bull people, not the blind thrill of acquisition.  Taurus is an earth sign and its people are hard working. Likewise, they enjoy rewarding themselves for their efforts.  

Taurians are also highly spiritual individuals and they have a

The Empress is tarot's association
for Venus, ruling planet of Taurus
From "Steampunk Tarot"© by Barbara
Moore and Aly Fell

knack for turning their homes into warm and inviting sanctuaries for themselves and their loved ones. They remain cool and collected in a crisis and make wonderful friends. Their best relationships are with the water signs, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. When Taurus falls in love, they fall hard and they usually stay that way. 

Like everyone else, they have flaws.  Taurus’ infinite patience also translates into a stubborn streak.  They don’t necessarily have a quick temper, but they love a good argument and their stubbornness can make it difficult to change their minds.  

In tarot, the Sign of the Bull is ruled by #5, The Hierophant.  There’s that spiritual intensity again.  Taurus’ ruling planet, Venus, is governed by # 3, The Empress.  The Empress expresses Taurus’ opulent nature. All good things flow in the garden of the Empress and there is no better place for a Taurus to be.  After all, lush green is their signature color.  Enjoy these special people.  They can teach us a lot about enjoying life.

LADY ORACLE

Virgo - Analytical and Precise, or Fussbudget? # 9, The Hermit

VIRGO -  AUGUST 23RD THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23RD

#9, The Hermit who rules Virgo
withdraws gains wisdom through for solitude
and introspection RWCS, US Games Edition

If you're planning a major event like a wedding or a safari, Virgos are great to have around.  Not only are they by nature, organized and meticulous, they are also clever with their hands, intelligent and when they are centered, they are very charming.  Take a look at the people you know who belong to service groups like ELKS, or who sit on committees for charity organizations.  There's bound to be more than a few Virgos in the mix.  Members of the sixth sign of the Zodiac can't resist the chance to serve humanity anymore than they can resist the chance to organize.

Virgos compartmentalize their feelings better than most of us and

#1, The Magician governs Virgo's ruling planet,
Mercury.  The Magician is focused intention
and manifestation, "Wizard's Tarot" ©
by Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen

because they can do so with such ease, they are often accused of being unfeeling.  Far from it.  Although they may be very sympathetic to someone's plight, they conceal their concern under a facade of detachment.  That's very handy in a crisis when it's better to let cooler heads prevail.  Virgos are articulate, have a good grasp of finite principles, but are less at home with abstract concepts and personal philosophies.  If you're going to theorize around a Virgo, make certain your ideas can be attributed to an established school of thought.  They like staying inside the lines.  However, if you are waging a campaign of any kind, a Virgo is a masterful tactician.

With all these excellent qualities, why are Virgos the Zodiac's poster child for OCD?  That would be because Virgos are perfectionists.  Luckily, Virgos are also fair-minded and rarely ask more from anyone else than they are willing to give of themselves.  They will also cut you a break.  Of course, that's where we come back to the whole issue of being centered and grounded, isn't it?  Ungrounded, Virgos can be nit-picking fussbudgets.

In tarot, Virgos are represented by #9 in the Major Arcana, The Hermit.  This is not surprising given Virgo's hidden depths.  The Hermit is a seeker of truth and often withdraws from life to sort out inner turmoil.  He learns his lessons well and when he emerges from his self-imposed exile, he is both stronger and more insightful for his time in solitude.  The Hermit, like a Virgo, will return to the world, holding up a lamp to light the way.  They are not a guru, nor are they interested in becoming one.  They simply light the path and it's up to you whether or not you choose to follow it.

Virgo is an earth sign and its members usually prefer the tones of terra firma around them - greens, browns, shades of yellow and orange, etc.  Their ruling planet is Mercury, which governs communication.  If you are in a relationship with a Virgo, honor their time and space while they are in exile.  Likewise, insist they respect your need to be less than perfect and maybe just a tad bit messy.

Up Date for August 26, 2013 - Mercury entered Virgo on August 23rd and remains until the wee hours of September 9th!

Mercury in Virgo combines intellect with an appreciation for finely tuned systems.  Expect a quicker than average grasp of patterns and rhythms, as well as an almost uncanny ability to refine and reduce the complex into the easily understood.  Mercury  is in its home sign and that means heightened communications all across the board.  

LADY ORACLE