Astrological Cusps - Earthlore Explorations Astrology Foundation Stone of Learning

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hose of us born close to the end of one sign and approaching another, say within 2 degrees of the beginning degree of the next sign, are referred to as being born on 'The Cusp'. The cusp, of course, is the point at 0 degrees of the new sign.

There are differing opinions among Astrologers as to just what being born on a Cusp means. Some suggest that where a sign ends and another begins there is a hard line of demarcation. One type suddenly ends and another type suddenly begins. Absolutely untrue! Rather, there is a fading out of the influence of the current and a gradual increase in traits related to the following sign.

So, if I am born at 28 degrees of say Virgo; the Virgo traits

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will be waning and Libran traits, the following sign, will be increasing. Also, if I am born at 1 degree of Libra I will have overtones of Virgo traits still visible and working in my general character.

So the questions is, "What traits apply to me, born on the cusp of two signs?"

The answer is: People born on a cusp have traits that merge, blend and collide. There is ambivalence in a cusp sign. Rather than giving you a lesson in Astrology, the meanings for the cusp signs follow.

The Solar Zodiac
Art by: Yuriko Takata

Degrees related to Cusps

I use the term degrees when I explain how cusp signs work. For those of you who may not understand what degrees represent in Astrology here is a quick explanation.

When a chart is cast for your date of birth, or any other date, it is based on a circle, the circumference of which has 360 degrees. The circle is divided into twelve parts called Houses, each equal to 30 degrees of the circle for a total of 360. Within the framework of the Houses lie the Signs. So, once more we have twelve signs with 30 degrees each. One degree and 30 degrees is the exact cusp of the sign. I allow 2 degrees on either side for the coming in and fading out of the influence.

Reference Table of Sun Sign Cusp Dates

17 April - 21 April: Aries-Taurus
18 May - 22 May: Taurus-Gemini
19 June - 23 June: Gemini-Cancer
20 July - 24 July: Cancer-Leo
20 Aug - 24 Aug: Leo-Virgo
20 Sep - 24 Sep: Virgo-Libra

21 Oct - 25 Oct: Libra-Scorpio
20 Nov - 24 Nov: Scorpio-Sagittarius
19 Dec - 23 Dec: Sagittarius-Capricorn
17 Jan - 21 Jan: Capricorn-Aquarius
17 Feb - 20 Feb: Aquarius-Pisces
18 March - 22 March: Pisces-Aries

Because the traits of one sign sometimes predominate over the next sign, I look to the placement of Mercury to further define the cusp sign.

Mercury is never more than 28 degrees from the Sun, either ahead or behind the Sun. So, Mercury is always in your sun sign or in one of the two signs on either side of your Sun sign. Although the position of Mercury is very important in everyone's chart, it is a pivotal position when you are born on a cusp.

Say your sun sign is 29 degrees Virgo. If Mercury were behind the Sun, a lesser degree than the Sun, than it would be in Virgo too, reinforcing the Virgo traits. Remember, Mercury is never more than 28 degrees behind or ahead of the Sun. If Mercury were ahead of the Sun, then it would be in Libra, emphasizing the Libran traits. Mercury shows how you think and communicate. Mercury is prominent in making analytical judgments. Mercury makes intellectual judgments devoid of feelings.

Virgo by Susan Seddon Boulet

Following this you would look to Venus. Venus is never more than 46 degrees from the position of the Sun, either ahead or behind it. Venus shows how you feel, how you value anything based on judgment. Good or bad, like or dislike, pleasant or unpleasant. Venus makes value judgments, based on feelings.

The Sun, Mercury and Venus represent the basic self. What you are predisposed to. The undeveloped self, before personality, the Moon, is formed.

Zodiac - Artwork by: Liz Jardine

Z o d i a c
Art by : Liz Jardine
This is meant to give you a basic understanding of the cusp influence. Looking at Mercury and Venus, the judgment qualities of thought and feeling, we get better insight into the influence governing the cusp type.

Your astrology chart is interpreted as a whole, therefore, just giving a view of certain parts is not really telling the whole story. To know the whole story, you really need to have your chart setup and analyzed by a person thoroughly versed and completely competent in the art and science. If you wish to study beyond the Sun sign influences, it may be time to have a chart drawn and interpreted for yourself. If this is a sincere interest, send us an e-mail and we will provide you with more information and recommend several options.

Write to: horoscopes@elore

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