Why is Pisces, Virgo and Cancer considered the most feminine zodiac signs

Cancer is cardinal water ruled by the moon and symbolized by the crab

Virgo is mutable earth ruled by mercury and symbolized by a woman

Pisces is mutable water ruled by Jupiter and symbolized by the fishes
 

CapAquaPis

Well-known member
You have the "masculine leaning" feminine of Taurus ruled by Venus - an earth and fixed sign in the spring of the first half of the year, the first "feminine" sign.

Then there's the similar nature of Scorpio ruled by Pluto - an air and fixed sign in the autumn of the second half of the year, a sign of pregnancy like Virgo, and in between is Libra, also venusian, and in air group like Gemini and Aquarius.

And the last one is Capricorn ruled by Saturn - an earth and cardinal sign in the winter of the second half of the year, opposite the maternal/-ity sign of Cancer.
 

IleneK

Premium Member
Cancer is cardinal water ruled by the moon and symbolized by the crab

Virgo is mutable earth ruled by mercury and symbolized by a woman

Pisces is mutable water ruled by Jupiter and symbolized by the fishes
First of all, these three signs are not universally considered the most feminine signs. All earth and water signs are feminine. The degree to which they are more or less feminine depends upon their condition and how and to which planets they are in relationship.
You have the "masculine leaning" feminine of Taurus ruled by Venus - an earth and fixed sign in the spring of the first half of the year, the first "feminine" sign.
Aries is declared by some the first sign of the zodiac; the primal asserting masculine/positive energy ruled by Mars.
Taurus is the primal receptive, feminine, holding into place what Aries brings forth, ruled by Venus. Taurus possesses great staying power, certainly greater than Aries, the powerful sprinter but not marathoner.
However, Taurus and Venus' immense power should not be mistaken for masculine. It is fully and wholeheartedly feminine.
 
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I don’t know about Pisces but Yh the other two could be the most feminine but Taurus is more on the feminine side than Pisces even if we’re symbolized by a male animal Pisces is ruled by a masculine planet
 

IleneK

Premium Member
I don’t know about Pisces but Yh the other two could be the most feminine but Taurus is more on the feminine side than Pisces even if we’re symbolized by a male animal Pisces is ruled by a masculine planet


Taurus, ruled by Venus, is also symbolized by the cow in Vedic astrology and other mythology. The bull signifies Taurus earth strength.
 
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JUPITERASC

Well-known member
Cancer is cardinal water ruled by the moon and symbolized by the crab

Virgo is mutable earth ruled by mercury and symbolized by a woman

Pisces is mutable water ruled by Jupiter and symbolized by the fishes
Source: Introduction to Hellenistic Astrology :smile:
Moon completes sidereal cycles with 27.32166 days and anomalistic cycles with 27.55454 days.
Ascending Node completes retreating sidereal cycles with 18.61295 years.
Moon is moistening and moderately heating, benefic, feminine and nocturnal. Moon makes those born under her white, with fine figure, beautiful eyes, having excess of moist. Moon controls life, light, kingship, the household, high priesthood, affluence, gathering of the masses, foresight, the body, travel, fortune, appearance, outcomes, possessions, cohabitation, housekeeping, gains and expenditures, cities, assemblies, ships, the mother and the conception, the respiratory system, the upper gastrointestinal tract, the eyesight, especially the left eye, glass and reflection, silver, white colours and salty tastes. It is chronocrator over infancy up to the 4th year.

The zodiac completes a sidereal cycle in 23.93446 hours. The twelvefold circle has no beginning, but it is so-held to begin with Cancer.
The image of the Crab is feminine, nocturnal, changeable, watery, amphibian, notable, silent, fertile, digging, with many limbs, two-coloured, rising backwards, lying and of the west wind. It indicates household, travel, obstacles, water and celebrations. Depending on the placement of the houseruler, men born under the influence of Cancer are small, popular, ambitious, wealthy, travelling and wandering because the Crab and the Moon do not walk straight, lavish, mindful, public, cheerful, with large face, wide head, sunken eyes, higher lower part of the body, crooked teeth, shaggy hair, dark, theatrical, constantly changing, luxurious, pleasure-loving, party-giving, unsteady of mind, getting involved in the many activities, saying one thing, but thinking another, hucksters, retailers, moneylenders, gardeners and those who cultivate plants.

Domicile of Moon, exaltation of Jupiter, depression of Mars, it controls the chest, the respiratory system, the upper gastrointestinal tract and the eyesight, especially the left eye. It causes skin diseases on account of the rough skin and blindness on account of the Beehive Cluster. It is like-empowered with Taurus and like-ascending with Libra, tall in the Northern Hemisphere and short in the Southern Hemisphere. It is summery, hot and dry for the north, and wintry, cold and moist for the south. Cancer commands Scorpio for the north and obeys it for the south. Cancer controls Noumidia, Carthage, Africa, Bithynia, Phrygia and Colchica. The back and the first two feet are rising up to the 7th degree, the next two feet and the Beehive Cluster up to the 13th, the head and the next two feet up to the 19th, the last two feet and the arms up to the 26th, and the pincers up to the 30th.

The first 7° belong to Mars - hostilities, dangers, travel
The next 6° belong to Venus - passionate, graceful
The next 6° belong to Mercury - intelligent, trade, speech
The next 7° belong to Jupiter - good fortune, some are religious
The final 4° belong to Saturn - irregular, restless

Eyes - Mercury and moderately Mars
Claws - Saturn and Mercury
Beehive Cluster - Mars and the Moon
Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis - Mars and the Sun

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Mercury completes 46 sidereal cycles and 145 synodic cycles with 46 years.
It has retreating arcs of 12 degrees for 20 days.
Mercury is alternating between moistening and drying, and common. Stilbon makes those born under it sallow, of moderate height, graceful, with beautiful eyes, moderately curling hair, having excess of moist when morning rising, and light, with straight hair and olive complexion, lean and spare, glancing brilliant eyes, somewhat ruddy, having excess of dry when evening rising, and in general, youthful and athletic, articulate, versatile, intelligent, tricky, busy, curious and efficient. Mercury controls law, intelligence, speech, reason, commerce, youth, education, writing, games, disputation, brotherhood, interpretation, messengers, numbers, calculation, geometry, deception, theft, community, exercise, service, profit, inventions, attendance, athletics, wrestling, hearing, declamation, certification, supervision, weighing and measuring, testing coins, versatility, critical thinking, judgement, marketing, banking, temple builders, modelers, sculptors, doctors, teachers, lawyers, orators, philosophers, architects, musicians, diviners, dream interpreters, sacrificers and augurs, astrologers, prophets, braiders, weavers, weight lifters, gamblers, mimes, sleight of hand, methodical work, military strategy, labour contracting, rhythmic performance, authority, luxury, renting, display of public service, irregular and disturbed outcomes with malefics, the vestibular system, the gustatory system, the auditory system, currency, copper, varied colours and pungent tastes. It is chronocrator over childhood up to the 14th year.



The image of the Maiden is feminine, nocturnal, double-bodied, human, winged, common, eloquent, infertile, incomplete, handsome, standing and of the south wind. It indicates exchanges, affairs, eloquence, trade and mysticism. Depending on the placement of the houseruler, men born under the influence of Virgo are large, well-proportioned and graceful, articulate, meticulous, popular, mystical, temperate, with fine face, fine straight body, round beautiful bright eyes, drawn nostrils, fine lips because the Maiden is charming in conversation, exchanging, thick chin, bright hair, useful, industrious, pure, modest, well-educated, lovers of learning, always ready to do everything when provoked, writers, physicians, business expediters, administrators of goods, stewards, secretaries, accountants, workers in fields, actors, astrologers, spendthrifts in youth, but who become prosperous over the course of time.

Domicile and exaltation of Mercury, depression of Venus, it controls the abdomen, the vestibular system, the gustatory system and the auditory system. It is equinoctial, like-empowered with Pisces, like-ascending with Leo and like-engirding with Gemini, tall in the Northern Hemisphere and short in the Southern Hemisphere. It is autumnal, cold and dry for the north, and vernal, hot and moist for the south. Virgo controls Babylonia, Mesopotamia, Assyria, Hellas, Achaia and Crete. The head and the shoulders are rising up to the 7th degree, the hands, the abdomen and the wings up to the 17th, the lower parts up to the 21st, the robe up to the 28th, the feet and Spica up to the 30th.

The first 7° belong to Mercury - teachers, philosophers, mathematicians
The next 10° belong to Venus - cheerful, freedom from oppression and care
The next 4° belong to Jupiter - notable and with friendships
The next 7° belong to Mars - brilliant, some belong to the military or tribunals
The final 2° belong to Saturn - ups and downs, notable, risks

Head and Zavijava - Mercury and moderately Mars
Southern Wing and Girdles - Mercury and moderately Venus
Vindemiatrix - Saturn and Mercury
Feet - Mercury and moderately Mars
Spica - Venus and moderately Mars

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Jupiter completes 6 sidereal cycles and 65 synodic cycles with 71 years.
It has retreating arcs of 10 degrees for 120 days.
Jupiter is heating and moderately moistening, benefic, masculine and diurnal. Phaethon makes those born under him light, of good colour, moderately curling hair, large eyes, tall, commanding respect, having excess of hot and moist when morning rising, and light, with lank hair, bald in the front and on the crown, with average stature, having excess of moist when evening rising, and in general, cooperating, distinguished, advising, truthful, beneficent, efficient and outgoing. Jupiter controls begetting of children, childbirth, faith, love, desire, alliance, knowledge, justice, friendship with great men, prosperity, payments, large gifts, abundance of profits, governments, honours, authority over temples, arbitration of disputes, brotherhood, fellowship, inheritances, adoption, fidelity, the livelihood of the father, confirmation of good things, deliverance from bad things, freedom, entrustments, treasures, stewardship, athleticism and zealotry, the reproductive system, the digestive system, the integumentary system, sacred objects, tin, brilliant colours and sweet tastes. It is chronocrator over early old age up to the 68th year.


The image of the Fishes is feminine, nocturnal, double-bodied, watery, oceanic, notable, silent, fertile, passionate, missing limbs, two-coloured, mobile, lying and of the west wind. It indicates governorship, travel, wealth, water and summons. Depending on the placement of the houseruler, men born under the influence of Pisces are small, disproportioned and awkward, complicated because of the directions of the Fishes, changeable, restless, mystical, slight, wandering, popular, slightly sallow, delicate, with ruddy head, fish eyes, beautiful hair, soft hands, bright voice, white in complexion, traders, endowed with genius, unsteady, trustworthy, full of ideas, philosophers, commanders of fleets, marines, sailors and business expediters.

Domicile of Jupiter, exaltation of Venus, depression of Mercury,
it controls the feet, the reproductive system, the digestive system and the integumentary system. It causes skin diseases on account of the rough skin. It is equinoctial, like-empowered with Virgo, like-ascending with Aquarius and like-engirding with Sagittarius, short in the Northern Hemisphere and tall in the Southern Hemisphere. It is vernal, hot and moist for the north, and autumnal, cold and dry for the south. Pisces controls Phazania, Nasamonitis, Garamantica, Lydia, Cilicia and Pamphylia. The southern fish body is rising up to the 12th degree, the southern fish tail up to the 16th, the southern cord up to the 19th degree, the northern fish up to the 28th, and the bond up to the 30th.

The first 12° belong to Venus - fertile, jealousy, with many enemies
The next 4° belong to Jupiter - advancement, elevation, commanding
The next 3° belong to Mercury - intelligence, well-grown, highly frivolous
The next 9° belong to Mars - violent, excessive, with many accusations
The final 2° belong to Saturn - virtuous, wise, dominant

Head of the Southern Fish - Mercury and moderately Saturn
Body of the Southern Fish - Jupiter and Mercury
Southern Tail and Cord - Saturn and moderately Mercury
Body of the Northern Fish - Jupiter and moderately Venus
Northern Cord - Saturn and Jupiter
Bond - Mars and moderately Mercury

Bibliography:
Robbins, F. E. (1940). Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos. William Heinmann, London. Retrieved from http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Ptolemy/Tetrabiblos/home.html
Valens, V. Anthologia. Translated by Mark Riley. Retrieved from https://www.csus.edu/indiv/r/rileymt/Vettius Valens entire.pdf
 

IleneK

Premium Member
Taurus, ruled by Venus, is also symbolized by the cow in Vedic astrology and other mythology. The bull signifies Taurus earth strength.
And it’s what Zeus used to seduce a beautiful goddess
Hi, GC,

I don't believe I quit follow the connection of your reply to my comment?
Could you say a bit about more about what the actions of Zeus/Jupiter might have to do with the symbolism of Venus/Taurus?
 

david starling

Well-known member
Taurus, ruled by Venus, is also symbolized by the cow in Vedic astrology and other mythology. The bull signifies Taurus earth strength.

There are 3 "Earth" signs. There are 3 physical environments of the planet Earth, and, the Earth signs tend to focus on the physical.

"Fixed" Earth is the most solid, and is represented by the solidly built, land dwelling Bovine species. It's the most "down to Earth" sign.

For the physical watery environment, the more fanciful symbolism includes the Sea goat, or Goat fish, known as Capricorn.

And, for Earth's atmosphere, which surrounds the entire globe, we have the most changeable environment, relating to the "Mutable" sign, Virgo, often depicted as winged.
 

david starling

Well-known member
Since this is Sun-sign astrology, the 3 signs mentioned are more likely to adapt to, and to accommodate the needs of others, which is considered "feminine" in our culture.
 

IleneK

Premium Member
There are 3 "Earth" signs. There are 3 physical environments of the planet Earth, and, the Earth signs tend to focus on the physical.

"Fixed" Earth is the most solid, and is represented by the solidly built, land dwelling Bovine species. It's the most "down to Earth" sign.

For the physical watery environment, the more fanciful symbolism includes the Sea goat, or Goat fish, known as Capricorn.

And, for Earth's atmosphere, which surrounds the entire globe, we have the most changeable environment, relating to the "Mutable" sign, Virgo, often depicted as winged.


Nice. Thank you, David.
 

dr. farr

Well-known member
Personally I do not consider these (or ANY) signs as”MOST“ feminine; that they are reactive, passive, receptive in quality, yes, definitely (and therefore “feminine” within the old-time concept of that term), but per]sonally I do not regard them as being moreso PER SE than the other “feminine” signs (note that I am only stating my personal opinion here)
I am not referring to the mythology connected with these signs, but rather to the qualities of influences each sign potentially exhibits.
 
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I saw this on google and I think whoever put Libra & Geminis before Capricorn and Scorpio doesn’t realize that the earth signs and water signs are known to be associated with feminine energy
B79318BD-32FD-4622-9CC8-1561A41125BD.jpeg
 

dr. farr

Well-known member
whoever wrote that list is clearly equating the elements with masculine and feminine, earth being feminine fire being masculine (although traditionally water-moist & cold-would be considered “most feminine” rather than earth-which is cold & dry-thus cancer rather than Virgo should have been listed first,according to gender/elemental quality criteria);
this is, of course, standard traditional elemental categorization, which is fine, but in characterizing the signs I think it is an over-simplification which, unless more fully elaborated, might lead to a degree of misunderstanding in actual delineative practice-one must always be aware of the possible pitfalls from making generalizations; regarding masculine/feminine, this is only one of several qualities characterizing each sign; the gender characterization should not be ignored, but it should not be over-emphasized either (at least in my opinion}
 
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CapAquaPis

Well-known member
3+3 nations have Cancer birthdates or national holidays: The US (Jul 4), Canada (Jul 1) and Cherokee Nation's reservation status (Jul 9). Also Quebec's St Jean Baptiste day (Jun 24), France's Bastille day (Jul 14) and in sidereal, Puerto Rico Day (Jul 26) and the US officially came to be on Aug 2, 1776 according to the British who wanted to reclaim their colonies but failed in the Revolutionary war. And 3 more born under the virgin mother sign as opposed to the Moon Mama sign: California statehood (Sep 9), Mexico's independence (Sep 16, 1821, about 11 years to have Spain recognize their former colony became its own nation) and again, the Cherokee but their tribal government formed on Sep 6, 1839 after the western half relocated to Indian Territory, now the state of Oklahoma. I can think of nearby Texas became a republic on Mar 10, 1836 (to later joined the US on Dec 29, 1845) to been partially Piscean. And all the Cancer-born nations in the Parans-(Descendant) sun chart have a Pisces-4th, while the Virgin-birth nations have Pisces rising opposite.
 

JUPITERASC

Well-known member
whoever wrote that list is clearly equating the elements with masculine and feminine, earth being feminine fire being masculine (although traditionally water-moist & cold-would be considered “most feminine” rather than earth-which is cold & dry-thus cancer rather than Virgo should have been listed first,according to gender/elemental quality criteria); this is, of course, standard traditional elemental categorization, which is fine, but in characterizing the signs I think it is an over-simplification which, unless more fully elaborated, might lead to a degree of misunderstanding in actual delineative practice-one must always be aware of the possible pitfalls from making generalizations; regarding masculine/feminine, this is only one of several qualities characterizing each sign; the gender characterization should not be ignored, but it should not be over-emphasized either (at least in my opinion}
Indeed :)

.
 

DarkLover

Active member
Cancer is cardinal water ruled by the moon and symbolized by the crab

Virgo is mutable earth ruled by mercury and symbolized by a woman

Pisces is mutable water ruled by Jupiter and symbolized by the fishes
What's really funny is my wife is a Cancer and can act very macho, controlling, and bossy at times. She had a reputation of starting fights and "beating up" other girls she didn't get along with in school. She got expelled in school for fighting. She has gotten at fist fights on jobs she has had, beaten up female co-workers who challenged her to a fight. My wife has a "I am boss my way or highway" attitude. What she says goes at work, in he family, or with anyone. I am a Scorpio (Nov 17), but my wife always wins the arguments. She is a Cancer born July 20, 1968 but she acts more like an Aries :)
 

david starling

Well-known member
What's really funny is my wife is a Cancer and can act very macho, controlling, and bossy at times. She had a reputation of starting fights and "beating up" other girls she didn't get along with in school. She got expelled in school for fighting. She has gotten at fist fights on jobs she has had, beaten up female co-workers who challenged her to a fight. My wife has a "I am boss my way or highway" attitude. What she says goes at work, in he family, or with anyone. I am a Scorpio (Nov 17), but my wife always wins the arguments. She is a Cancer born July 20, 1968 but she acts more like an Aries :)
Don't mess with Mama! :lol:
 
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