Taurus (astrology)

This article is about Astrology. For additional information, see Taurus (constellation).
Taurus
Zodiac symbol Bull's full head
Duration (tropical, western) April 19 – May 20 (2016, UT1)[1]
Constellation Taurus
Zodiac element Earth
Zodiac quality Fixed
Sign ruler Venus
Detriment Pluto, Mars
Exaltation Moon

Taurus (Latin for "the Bull"; symbol: , Unicode: ♉) is the second astrological sign in the present Zodiac. It spans the 30–60th degree of the zodiac. The Sun transits the constellation of Taurus from May 16 to June 15. People born between these dates, depending on which system of astrology they subscribe to, may be called Taureans.[2][3] The symbol of the bull is based on the Cretan Bull, the white bull that fathered the Minotaur who was killed by Theseus.[4]

History

Taurus was the second sign of the zodiac established among the ancient Mesopotamians – who knew it as the Bull of Heaven – because it was the sign through which the sun rose on the vernal equinox. Due to the precession of the equinox, it now follows Aries. The Bull represents a strong-willed character with great perseverance and determination. In Egypt, Taurus was seen as the cow goddess Hathor. Hathor was the goddess of beauty, love, and happiness, and she represented all of the riches seen in cattle as the providers of nourishment. Roman astrologers considered Taurus ruled by Venus, the goddess of beauty.

Notes

  1. ↑ Astronomical Applications Department 2011.
  2. ↑ Indian astrology c. 2016.
  3. ↑ Oxford n.d..
  4. ↑ Atsma 2016.

Works cited

External Links


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