Polarities Overview

Polarity in the Zodiac. Polarity is the most basic division of the signs, splitting the zodiac into two groups of six that alternate all the way around the wheel. Aries is one polarity, Taurus the next, Gemini the first again, and so on. The two polarities go by several names: active and receptive, yang and yin, positive and negative, and masculine and feminine. The two polarities line up with the elements. The fire and air signs are active, expressing their energy outward into the world. The earth and water signs are receptive, drawing their energy inward and responding to what comes. Every sign is one or the other, and the two alternate so that no two neighboring signs share a polarity. Polarity describes a basic orientation rather than a detailed trait. Active signs tend to initiate and express, while receptive signs tend to absorb and reflect. The balance between the two in a chart shows whether a person leans toward outward action or inward response. The entries here define each polarity in turn.