Whitestar said:
I have a question, that is very basic but I can't find a direct answer anywhere, and I know some of the experts here will have an opinion!
I know the sun sign is regarded as only a SMALL piece of the whole astrological puzzle.
However, I was wondering how closeness to the next sign at time of birth affects that one piece.
For example, I know someone who was born on Nov. 22, and missed being a Scorpio sun sign by just 2 hours, according to my research.
So they are a Sag.
Wouldn't they have a great many Scorpio tendencies as well, or does it not work like that? For example, is it like being pregnant, either you are (a Scorpio or Sag) or aren't, or is there a gray area???
Thanks,
Whitestar
Pieces of a whole puzzle, yes. Think of the Zodiac this way: the signs all put together tell a "story of humanity," or what it is to be a human (a general human). The entire Zodiac is there in everyone's chart --we all have the potential to have bits of ourselves symbolized in any of the signs at any given time.
When a "birth" occurs it gives us a convenient moment at which to take a snapshot of the heavens and place our symbols on a chart --similar to laying a spread of tarot cards. Just as the cards draw as they may, the stars fall on the Zodiac chart where they may for that moment. What gives that moment particular significance for its subject is that it is "our" moment by virtue of being the moment allocated as "birth". It is associated with us through us.
You will find astrologers who interpret drawing influence from adjoining signs in the same way aspects are given some leeway, but you will also find astrologers who tell you that the Sun in Saggitarius means just that, and it needn't mean anything more. Like a tarot spread, what planetary positions we are given to view are sufficient in themselves to provide radical symbolsim.
We are unique people and it's a generalized story, so the astrologer's task is to relate that story to things about the subject in terms of the particular event for which the chart was made. (This is why a person reading for themselves, for their own issues, finds the most radical symbolism; because no one can know you better, or make the connections as well, as you.)
Your friend is a Saggitarius, and also a Scorpio, and also all the pieces of the whole Zodiac --we are all playing out the story of humanity. But the Sun in "Saggitarius" or "Scorpio" will mean something unique to each individual as they read about the sign and align their own thinking to view their personality traits in association with what the sign means.
Hopes this helps a bit.