April 20 – May 20
INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever looked at an open field and watched the cattle grazing on the grass, or lounging in the shade under a tree? They stop to look up at you and watch you for a minute or two with a slow gaze before deciding that they want nothing to do with you, and they go back to grazing. Underneath that calm, docile nature is a beast. Cows weigh a lot, and the average bull can get up to 2,400 pounds and the females about 1,600 pounds. That is a lot of power behind something that is so gentle. But that is precisely how Taurus people are.
Taurus people are born under the sign of the Bull, and if you are luckily enough to be born under this sign, you are patient, stable, reliable and practical. You have no issues with those around you, in fact, you are one of the most generous and kind people of the zodiac. But make no mistake, you have the power to trample anyone who gets in your way and put people in their place if they step out of line with you. Just like the grazing cattle in the field, you will scope out what is going on and shrug it off as long as it doesn’t pose a threat to you or your family.
Taurus represents power and strength and is considered to be one of the oldest constellations known to man that dates back to the Bronze Age and depictions of Taurus can be found on cave walls. The Taurus is the second sign on the zodiac wheel and is the first earth sign which gives you, Taurus the practical mindset and natural ability to remain grounded.
BASIC PERSONALITY:
You Taurus have several strengths which include being reliable, patient, efficient, devoted, responsible, and stable. You crave these things. If your world is in turmoil, you don’t know what to do. You have your set routine, and you like to stick with it. Sheldon from the television show, “The Big Bang Theory” is a perfect example of your traits that go to the extreme. Like Sheldon, you have your schedule as to what to eat on what day, and you rarely ever change that schedule.
You are the first when it comes to harvesting the fruits of your labor. You love everything that is right and beautiful, and like many superheroes, you depend on truth and justice. You are very sensual and tactile. Human touch is crucial to you. You like to feel things, not just emotionally, but with your hands too. If a piece of fabric doesn’t feel soft to the touch, you won’t wear it. You have sensitive skin and enjoy the finer things.
However, stubbornness is a trait that you just can’t seem to get away from. You are set in your ways. Just like cattle, it can take a lot of effort to get you to do something you don’t want to do. And you have the patience to stand your ground till other people give up.
Because you are an earth sign, you are overprotective of your loved ones and have an intense possessiveness about you. You are a hard worker and make friends easily due to your practical voice of reason in chaotic situations. Bulls are often known for their stubbornness, but it can also be interpreted as a complete commitment to the execution of tasks. This makes them excellent workers and great friends, because they are always there, no matter what.
Your biggest weaknesses are your stubbornness and possessiveness to the point of being uncompromising at times. But unlike Aries, who loves the game, you love the spoils of the game and will plow through your jobs and projects till completion. You see things to the end and reap the rewards of your labor. You are ambitious and will set up a 10-year plan even if that means accepting a career you are not happy with just because the money is stable and guaranteed.
You don’t get caught up in schemes or scams due to your practical mindset, and when things are not right, you set the record straight. You are the true conservative, and are fragile with your money, but only until you know that all the bills are taken care of, then you like to splurge. You work hard for the things you have and know the value of money and relationships.
While you do have somewhat of a short temper, it is quickly defused. You don’t like to be mad or upset for too long. You just want calm green, peaceful pastures to spend your days.
NEGATIVE TRAITS:
You are not one for surprises. In fact, any sudden changes will throw you off balance. You don’t like to rock the boat, or have the boat rocked by others. And forget about have a dysfunctional family life, you need that stability in your life, or your whole world will seem like it is falling apart.
As a Bull, you have a very bad habit of surrounding yourself with clutter. You like the finer things, and everything that you buy has some sentimental memory attached to it, so it is hard for you to get rid of things. Holding on to things that you believe are yours flows into your romantic life as well. Often, you will start to see your partner as a possession and cling to them. Your possessiveness may even turn to jealousy if it is not kept in check.
ROMANTIC INFLUENCES:
You are most compatible with Virgos and Capricorns, and these people will most likely be your biggest allies and lasting friendships. Your soul mate will probably be a Scorpio. You like to spend a lot of time at home surrounded by your loved ones. If you need to take a step back from reality, you enjoy turning off your phone and zoning out to a movie for a while with your love snuggled next to you.
You like to keep your mate happy, and you are very generous with your money and emotional support as you are eager to express your affections towards them. But you expect the same from your partners. You need to have the emotional security or the relationship just won’t work, as your jealousy may get in the way of the harmonious balance you so crave. If your partner is in distress, you will gladly hand over money or do anything to help them out as you show your affection through gifts and material things.
FRIENDS:
Family and home are vital to you. You are loyal and always willing to extend a helping hand. Many of your friends you have known since childhood. You love to surround yourself with kids as their playful nature fills you with joy. You would rather go to family gatherings than head out to clubs or bars. In fact, you often throw house parties to bring your friends and relatives over instead of heading out. You bring the party to you and have a blast with people that are close to you.
However, getting out some of the time is also important, and you tend to wander to bars or clubs that have a hole in the wall feel, instead of ones that are big and loud.
CAREER and MONEY:
You love the idea of money and the security it can bring and so you will work hard in order to earn more. At work, you are reliable, hardworking, patient and thorough which makes you the go-to guy at work. When a new project comes up, you are the first to get on the bandwagon to see it to completion. While you may not like the project, the reward that comes with completing and obtaining the goal is what drives you towards the finish line.
You are excellent at managing money and may find yourself in a career as a banker or insurance. The stock exchange also holds interest for you, but you would be most happy at in a career that allows you to work with your hands. Careers like construction, agriculture or even horticulture will be best suited for you.
HEALTH and BODY:
You are robust and have great physical stamina. You are unlikely to suffer any significant health problems while you are young. But it is something entirely different when you get older. As you grow older, you tend to overindulge in food and drink and may put on some extra weight. You also have a sensitive throat, which may sometimes lead to congestion. You need regular exercise and would do well in the garden or some other outdoor activity.
RULING PLANETS and HOW THEY AFFECT YOUR SIGN:
VENUS in TAURUS:
As a Taurus, you are ruled by the planet Venus. This is the main reason why you have the habit of thinking that your loved ones are possessions. Venus influences your style and love of all things beautiful, from the soft fabrics to nature, Venus holds onto you and you to her. Venus is also behind why you crave material things. When Venus is in Taurus, you might find yourself browsing through the different homes for sale or the urge to start a family.
THE MOON IN TAURUS:
The moon is particularly compelling in Taurus as it begins to rule your emotions. The moon may sway you to feel a certain way and shift the tides. For the ever stable Taurus, these changes are not welcomed and may feel as if they are a threat. The moon puts you in a state of defense and may send you into a fit during this time. But, the moon is always shifting, waxing and waning and so will your intense mood swings. Try to keep your head down and stay focused on the tasks at hand, separating yourself from any emotional stress.
MERCURY IN TAURUS:
When Mercury is in Taurus your ability to think clearly and rationally shines. However during this time, you may find yourself more of a thinker than a doer. You are plotting your next move and making sure your ducks are in a row before making any decisions. During this planning stage, you need to realize that every stone has been turned over and that it is time for action.
MARS IN TAURUS:
Mars brings out the wild side in you. Your energy is high, and your drive is even higher. Your sex life is joyful during this time. When Mars is in Taurus, your emotions are heightened which can be both good and bad. If your temper flares during this time, it will be like a bull in a china shop destroying everything so take extra care as to what comes out of your mouth. During this energetic time, you will be in the best mood to make money and set up that nest egg for later in life, just don’t forget to spend a little and treat yourself for all the hard work you have accomplished during this time.
JUPITER IN TAURUS:
Jupiter in Taurus is never a good thing. While Jupiter often is depicted as good luck and cheer, when it is in Taurus, it can influence greed causing you, Taurus to want more and more. It is important during this time to reflect on the things you have and learn to be content.
SATURN IN TAURUS:
Saturn influences Taurus by allowing them to think clearer and practice patience. Saturn also helps you to remain grounded and be extra cautious during this time. When Saturn is in Taurus even if you are going through a tough time, Saturn will help you cope and plod along until the light at the end of the tunnel comes into view.
URANUS IN TAURUS:
When Uranus is in Taurus, your stubbornness comes out. You will not budge or slack or compromise. Take extra care to see all the different angles before holding your ground and listen to reason and stay neutral.
THE CONSTELLATION and its ORIGIN:
The animal associated with Taurus is the bull. The Egyptian Horus was known as the bull of heaven. Horus was said to be a white bull. Even the Babylonians sacrificed a white bull for the New Year to placate Ramman, the god of thunder and lightning. Is it a coincidence that the Greek god Zeus was known for thunder and lightning? It is interesting to see what the other cultures thought about the constellation Taurus.
Mythology of the constellation Taurus:
To the Egyptians, Taurus was The Bull and was symbolized by both Osiris and his sister Isis who were represented as a bull-god and cow-goddess. To the Greeks, Taurus was Zeus in disguise who had fallen in love with Europa and stole Europa away from her handmaidens. Zeus and Europa had three children together, one of which was Minos, who introduced the bull cult to Crete. Zeus, pleased with his accomplishment of stealing Europa away placed the mighty bull into the sky for her to remember him by.
There is another alternate story of Taurus that the Greeks once told. In this story, the white bull known by Cerus terrified the villagers because of his short temper and massive body. None of the farmers knew where he came from. Cerus was not immortal, but many believed him to be so because of the destruction he could cause, and no one could stop him.
One day the goddess Persephone finds him trampling through a field of recently-bloomed flowers and goes to him. Cerus becomes calm, and they bond. Persephone teaches the bull patience and how to use his strength wisely. Due to their friendship, every year when spring comes, Cerus returns to greet her and lets her ride on his back to set all the plants in bloom. In the fall, when Persephone must return to Hades, Cerus returns to the sky as the constellation Taurus.
Babylonian Mythology
In Babylonian astronomy, the Taurus constellation is known as “The Heavenly Bull.” As Taurus marked the Vernal Equinox, it was the first constellation in the Babylonian zodiac.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, an early literary work from Mesopotamia, Gilgamesh fights the Bull of Heaven after it was sent by the goddess Ishtar to kill him for spurning her advances. While Gilgamesh is associated with the constellation of Orion, the two constellations of Orion and Taurus are often shown as being Gilgamesh and the Heavenly Bull in combat.
Egyptian Mythology
For the Egyptians, the constellation of Taurus represented Osiris and his sister Isis. Both were represented by a bull and cow. Archaeologists in Memphis, Egypt found the ancient tomb of the Apis-bull.
Springtime is when the festivals honoring the Apis-bulls would happen and is also the time of year when the Nile River has overflowed its banks. The constellation of Taurus as a sacred bull was associated strongly with the renewal of life during spring time.
During this point and time of history, around 4,000 B.C.E., the Sun’s position in the heavens along the Zodiac rested on the first day of spring, in the constellation we recognize nowadays as Taurus, the Bull. For many centuries, Taurus was the first constellation in the Zodiac, and some scholars suggest that Taurus may have been the first Zodiac constellation ever invented.
The Bull’s Eye and other Stars in Taurus
Aldebaran
The brightest star found in the Taurus constellation is Alpha Tauri or Aldebaran, from the Arabic language meaning: “The follower.” It is part of the group of stars known as the Hyades that form the Bull’s face. Aldebaranm being a giant red star, is seen as being the Bull’s bloodshot eye. This eye is often said to be glaring at the constellation of Orion the Hunter. Incidentally, Alderbaran is the 13th brightest star in the night sky.
El Nath
The second-brightest star in Taurus is Beta Tauri or El Nath, from the Arabic language meaning “the butting,” about a bull butting someone with their horns.
Crab Nebula
A rather familiar nebula known as M1 (NGC 1952) or more popularly the Crab Nebula is found within the constellation of Taurus. The Crab Nebula is roughly 5,000 light years away from Earth. Astronomers say it is the remnant of a supernova that happened on July 4, 1054. The Crab Nebula is one of the most studied and well known Nebulas in the night sky
Zodiac
The constellation of Taurus is the third sign of twelve signs that form the Greek Zodiac. In more current and modern zodiacs, Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac. The best time of year to see this constellation in the northern hemisphere is during the month of January at about 9 p.m.
MISC FACTS:
For you, the best color is pink. Pink is associated with the flowers that often bloom in the fields during spring time, and you are fond of soft pastel colors as well.
Your birthstones are sapphire, amber, coral, emerald, rose quartz, and turquoise.
PROGRESSION INTO GEMINI
When transitioning into Gemini, some Taureans can become way more talkative even to the point of starting arguments. While you are typically soft-spoken by the end of your cycle, you will become rather robust and loud thanks to Gemini, who are known to be outspoken and communitive people. You will be able to express your emotions more openly and begin to take life less seriously. During this transition into Gemini, you will take bigger chances and loosen up on your possessiveness.
Your thinking process will also be sped up, and your overall attitude will be more flexible and positive. With Gemini on the cusp, you will find that your stubbornness will become more tolerable for others as well. You won’t seem to be so grounded and may cause you to begin to daydream more than usual as you start to feel the effects of the Gemini and their carefree way of life.