Alex Dimitrov - Astro Poets: Your Guides to the Zodiac

Were glad youre here. We wrote this book for you and all the people youll ever date, and all the people youve ever dated, and for your mom and sister and the dog you will adopt soon, and the stranger on the street you want to say hello to but have not (not yet, at least). We wrote it for your current boss and your asshole ex-boss and your annoying, overbearing co-worker. We wrote it for your friends, the ones whove both saved and disappointed you, and those who never left no matter what. We hope youll find some part of them right here in these pages. Youll also find the moon, the sun, obsession, oceans full of time, and even a small mirror where youll sometimes see yourself.

Astrology reveals how were connected. Its like a map half dipped in water, burned at the edges, and just decipherable enough to take with you wherever youre going. It wont ever indicate exactly where that is. But it will tell you some things about love and eternity, the past and the future, and what you should do right after you put down this book (which is to get closer to your true passion).

We both carried that map with us when we met at a party after a poetry reading in April of 2011. There was an instant fire sign connection and of course so many ideas, one of which was Astro Poets, but it wasnt called that then. At first we started an astrology Twitter called Fire Signs 4 Life (because being a fire sign is such a glorious struggle). After a few weeks of tweeting, we were bored. Thats really how fire signs work: getting high on possibility, a lot of energy and a short attention span. But in November of 2016, we returned to the idea and decided to start Astro Poets. This time poetry would be at the heart of it, and it became what made the entire thing work. Just like astrology, poetryall language, reallyhas to do with the past and the future. Language is the way into who we are and have been, and who we still might become. Its the way into a holy present, where the sounds of our ancestors meet the sounds of our future selves. In other words, poetry returns us to ourselves.

Before you begin reading the rest of this book, you might want to know some basic things about astrology. Here are some answers to some of your most burning questions.

A sun sign is usually the first thing people learn about when they encounter astrology. Its what people are asking for when they meet you and say, What sign are you? When someone says, Hey, Im a Virgo, what they really mean is Virgo is their sun sign. (And if you arent compatible with Virgos, thats your cue to run. And fast. Because any Virgo will know how to find you.)

Your sun sign is determined by the day, time, and place you were born; it refers to the placement of the sun the moment you were born. There are twelve signs in the zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Each sign has both an element (fire, earth, air, water) and an essence (cardinal, fixed, and mutable). You can see the breakdown here:

Your sun sign is the single most important piece of information if you want to know how astrology affects your general personality. It can be thought of as your ego, or as your souls potential. Its in many ways the most hopeful possibility of who you can be this time around on earth. Think of it as your karmic guidebook.

People often want to know: Which signs are good, and which signs are bad? Usually its because someone met a Scorpio and they want to know if all Scorpios are in fact 100 percent evil. The answer, even when it comes to Scorpios, is that no sign is more bad than another. Every sun sign has good and bad traits, and what matters is how people use their potential to be who they want to be.

All this is to say, that your star chart isnt fate but an outline, with plenty of places to fill in the blanks however you wish. We are influenced by a multitude of forces, and a sun sign is only one part of them. All people, no matter what their sign, are influenced by their own free will. Your sign doesnt decide your fatethere are many things along the way that will complicate things.

Prince (a Gemini) famously said, Aint no particular sign Im more compatible with, and in many ways he was right. First, all Geminis are pretty compatible with most signs, due to their easygoing attitude, brutal charm, and willingness to please. But speaking more universally, all signs can be compatiblewhats important is the amount of work people are willing to do to get along.

When people think about astrology, they often think about love. There are some basic laws that influence love compatibility, but again, theyre not the full picture. A sun sign will generally get along with signs of the same element. For example, Aries and Leo are both fire signs, and for the most part, theyre going to get along well. Signs of compatible elements (fire and air; water and earth) will be drawn to each other as well. So, if youre a Taurus and eyeing a Pisces, by all means go for it. But if youre a Scorpio and feeling some vibes for a Leo, all things being equal: good luck. Youre gonna need it.

There are four elements in the zodiac: fire, earth, air, and water. They fall in that order along the karmic wheel, repeating three times to make the twelve signs. Every sign has an elementary influence, which drives peoples motivations and actions and can give you some idea of someones nature. If you are confused about what traits you should associate with each element, consider your associations with that specific element. If you meet an intriguing Pisces, dont fret and run to your astrology app to direct you. Think of all your memories of water and youll get a lot of information you need. Your instincts will guide you. For example, fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are often thought of as feisty, independent, and impulsive, while earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) can be thought of as sensual, loving, and practical. Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) are spiritual, moody, and empathetic; air signs (Libra, Aquarius, and Gemini) aremostlybrainy, communicative, and restless. Remember that within you, as a human being, you hold an implicit understanding of the signs.

Every sign has an essence, and there are three types of essences: cardinal, fixed, and mutable. The four cardinal signs of the zodiac are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. The four fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. And the four mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Understanding essences can be just as simple as understanding elements. If you ever get confused and find yourself in a place with no Wi-Fi, think of your understanding of the words themselves: cardinal, fixed, mutable. Cardinal signs want to be first, in charge and running the show. Every show, especially if it isnt theirs. They want to conquer. They crave followers and can get very frustrated if others dont fall in line easily. For this reason, although signs like Aries and Cancer will feel deep love for each others can-do attitudes, they are destined for historic (and histrionic) power struggles. Any workplace with any sort of power differential between two cardinal signs, whether it be in title or salary or both, is asking for conflict. Its best to make sure all things are equal when it comes to these four signs. Though they will find a way to fight with each other regardless.