Are Astrology Signs Capitalized? An In-Depth Look at Zodiac Sign Capitalization

Astrology and zodiac signs have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more people looking to the stars for guidance. From checking daily horoscopes to asking someone their zodiac sign when first meeting, astrology has woven itself into mainstream culture.

But one question many astrology enthusiasts may wonder is: are astrology signs supposed to be capitalized or not?

In this in-depth blog post, we’ll explore the complex capitalization rules around zodiac signs and astrological terms.

A Brief History of Western Astrology

To understand astrology sign capitalization, it helps to first understand the origins of Western astrology. Western astrology dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, emerging sometime between the 2nd to 4th millennium BCE. The ancient Babylonians carefully tracked the motions of celestial bodies and their correlations to Earthly events. Over centuries, the practice evolved into a complex astrological system that spread across Egypt, Greece, the Arab world, and eventually medieval Europe.

By the 2nd century CE, the twelve signs of the zodiac were established, corresponding to different star constellations that the sun passes through over a year. The signs that came to represent the zodiac as we know it today are:

• Aries
• Taurus
• Gemini
• Cancer
• Leo
• Virgo
• Libra
• Scorpio
• Sagittarius
• Capricorn
• Aquarius
• Pisces

These signs and their associated meanings form the core of Western astrological tradition and wisdom.

The Complex Rules Around Astrological Capitalization

With this background in mind, let’s dive into the capitalization rules. First, for the twelve zodiac signs, the standard is to capitalize them. For example:

• She’s an Aries.
• As a Sagittarius, I connect with that free-spirited description.

Capitalizing the signs gives them a proper noun status and distinction since they represent archetypes and mythological figures.

Beyond the main zodiac signs, capitalization gets a bit more complex. According to Graham’s Astrological Almanac, a leading publication in astrology, there are a few key capitalization guidelines:

• The signs for the planets and asteroids are capitalized, but not the word ‘sign’. For example: My birth chart shows the Sun in Cancer Sign.
• The houses, aspects, and nodes are not capitalized. Example: My moon is in the ninth house trine my Venus.
• Named asteroids are capitalized but not numbered asteroids. Example: The asteroid Juno is conjunct my Mars.

There are additional rules, but in general, capitalization in astrology is reserved for proper names like the zodiac, planet names, and named celestial bodies or points. Terms related to Placement, aspects, and chart interpretation are usually not capitalized.

Putting Capitalization Rules into Practice

When writing or talking about astrology, the key is being consistent with capitalization to follow conventions. Here are some examples of astrological terms capitalized properly:

• I’m a Taurus Sun, Scorpio Moon, and Cancer Rising.
• On October 25th, the Sun moves into Scorpio Sign and Mercury goes retrograde.
• My natal chart has Venus in Leo Square Jupiter in Scorpio.
• The asteroid Pallas Athena is transiting my 1st House.

Of course, there can be variations depending on the writer or publisher’s preferences. But in most cases, following the capitalization rules outlined above will provide consistency across astrological texts.

The Importance of Astrological Capitalization

Proper capitalization may seem like a minor detail, but in the astrology world it carries weight and meaning. As a complex practice rich in tradition and symbolism, consistency in astrological terms is essential. Capitalizing signs and planetary bodies gives due significance to these archetypes that form the core of astrology.

While the average person may not ponder sign capitalization, it’s a conversation happening among astrologers seeking to standardize and legitimize the practice. As astrology continues to grow in mainstream culture, establishing consistent rules and grammar helps shape astrology as a serious field deserving recognition in its own right.

So next time you refer to yourself as a Leo Sun or a Gemini Rising, remember there is an age-old capitalization method behind that zodiac identification. It’s not just for looks or branding – it’s an astrological convention with purpose and meaning behind it.

References

Graham, Sasha. “Capitalization Rules for Astrological Terms.” Graham’s Astrological Almanac, https://grahamalmanac.com/capitalization-rules-astrological-terms/. Accessed 15 October 2023.

Harding, Mike. Horary Astrology Rediscovered. Wessex Astrologer Ltd, 2019.

Final Thoughts

That covers the complex world of astrological sign capitalization. Whether you’re an astrology aficionado or just enjoy reading your daily horoscope, keeping these guidelines in mind can help you refer to zodiac signs accurately. From its Mesopotamian origins to its modern applications, astrology continues to fascinate humanity after so many centuries. Understanding its grammar rules simply allows us to engage with this celestial wisdom as it was intended.