Taurus

Overview

Taurus occupies the second position in the zodiac, following Aries on the ecliptic path. As a fixed earth sign, Taurus represents stability, persistence, and the consolidation of resources. Where Aries initiates, Taurus builds and maintains.

Ptolemy associates Taurus with the summer circle in the earth triplicity, positioning it as part of "the second triplicity, formed by Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, allotted to the dominion of the Moon and Venus, since it consists of feminine signs."

The Bull symbolizes strength, determination, and fertility. In the ancient agricultural calendar, Taurus season marked the time of plowing and planting, connecting this sign to the cultivation and growth of earthly resources.

Element: Earth

Taurus belongs to the earth triplicity, sharing its grounded nature with Virgo and Capricorn. This triplicity "is allotted to the dominion of the Moon and Venus, since it consists of feminine signs. The Moon rules it by night, and Venus by day."

The earth element manifests in Taurus as a deep appreciation for the physical world—beauty, comfort, material security, and sensory pleasure. Earth signs share practical wisdom, patience, and the ability to create lasting structures.

Ptolemy notes that this triplicity "is southern, in consequence of the dominion of Venus, whose warm and moist influence produces south winds: it, however, additionally receives a mixture of the east, by means of Saturn."

Modality: Fixed

As a fixed sign, Taurus occupies the middle portion of spring, when the season's influence is most firmly established. Ptolemy explains that fixed signs are "termed fixed, because, during the Sun's presence in them, the cold, heat, moisture or dryness, of the season, which commenced on his arrival in the preceding tropical or equinoctial sign, is then more firmly established."

The fixed quality gives Taurus its characteristic persistence and resistance to change. While not initiating new cycles like cardinal signs, Taurus excels at maintaining, developing, and deepening whatever it commits to.

Ruling Planet: Venus

Venus governs Taurus as one of her two domiciles (the other being Libra). Ptolemy describes Venus as possessing "a favourable temperament," creating warmth and moisture that "she generates by the magnitude of her light."

The planetary rulership follows Ptolemy's scheme: "Venus, possessing a favourable temperament, and placed beneath the sphere of Mars, takes the next two signs, Taurus and Libra. These are of a fruitful nature, and preserve harmony by the sextile distance."

Venus expresses through Taurus in its most sensual, material form—appreciation for beauty, art, music, fine food, and physical comfort.

Exaltation

The Moon finds her exaltation in Taurus, enhancing her nurturing and receptive qualities. Ptolemy explains: "The Moon, again, after conjunction with the Sun in Aries, the seat of his exaltation, makes her first appearance, and begins to augment her light in Taurus, the first sign of her own triplicity, which is consequently ascribed to be her exaltation."

This lunar exaltation reinforces Taurus's connection to fertility, growth, and the cycles of nature.

The Fixed Stars in Taurus

Ptolemy describes the stellar influences within Taurus: "Those stars in Taurus, which are in the abscission of the sign, resemble in their temperament the influence of Venus, and in some degree that of Saturn: those in the Pleiades are like the Moon and Mars."

The famous star Aldebaran receives special attention: "Of the stars in the head, that one of the Hyades which is bright and ruddy, and called Facula, has the same temperament as Mars: the others resemble Saturn, and, partly, Mercury; and those at the top of the horns are like Mars."

"Those stars in Taurus, which are in the abscission of the sign, resemble in their temperament the influence of Venus, and in some degree that of Saturn: those in the Pleiades are like the Moon and Mars." — Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, Book I, Chapter IX

Related Signs

Same Element (Earth Signs)

Same Modality (Fixed Signs)

Adjacent Signs