Thoughts on Zodiac Signs as Related to Personality Types

[SquidVicious]

Sure, trust the horoscope and doubt the bible. Makes total sense that every single person born in the same month has the exact same traits. You fucking moron.

[SuperTed]

I sometimes find it odd that religion is often discussed and scrutinized yet astrology and other such practices seem to get a free pass.
The "personality traits" of the various signs are just human traits which everybody has, regardless of what month they happen to be born in.

[Yamcha]

[Al Doggity]

The most interesting thing about the concept of astrology that is often ignored: If the heavenly bodies determine our course of action and destiny, what influence do our collective destinies have on said bodies? I am gonna assume astroMagiEnergy or whatever follows basic field theory guidelines and interacts with the source through near field activity (electromagnetism, gravity?). What course of action would spell the celestial equivalent of a mercury retrograde for the nearby stars? If we can't move the stars, they cant move us. Simple.

But don't the moon and the sun have a direct affect on the tides of the ocean? What affect does the ocean have on those heavenly bodies?

It's interesting that you should bring up those two points. When you consider the existence of circadian rhythms, the effect of sunlight on our behavior, animals' time/cycle-based instinctual habits,  the idea that people born within certain yearly ranges have unique outlooks on life, etc, it's not really that crazy THAT being born within a certain timeframe could have a general affect on one's personality.

[Al Doggity]

zodiac signs are an old word for personality

In conjunction with the opening post, I feel like it's almost impossible to confuse the intention. Even on it's own, I feel like women will ask your zodiac sign, more often than not, to get a gauge on your personality rather than to predict your future. However, I might be wrong and maybe the title was confusing, so I changed it for clarity.

[SF1900]

I sometimes find it odd that religion is often discussed and scrutinized yet astrology and other such practices seem to get a free pass.
The "personality traits" of the various signs are just human traits which everybody has, regardless of what month they happen to be born in.

Exactly. At any point in time, each one of these traits could apply to me. Some days more than others. The only thing that matters is the context. And in specific contexts, some of these traits are amplified, and some of these traits are inhibited. When the context changes, a new set of traits may be elicited to a degree. On the other hand, an individual often has a subset of personality traits that define him or her. Take the trait "emotion" (under cancer). What the hell does that even mean? I've never met one person who was not an emotional being. Further, I know people who have different signs, who express all different types of emotions, and who happen to be emotional people. Another one is "appreciation." Zodiac signs are way too general to mean anything. Further, the issue becomes when it doesn't apply to someone. I love when you tell astrology that X traits do not apply to me. Then what? Do zodiac signs only apply to some people, and not others? 

Aries Aries symbol March 21 - April 19: Active, Demanding, Determined, Effective, Ambitious
Taurus Taurus symbol April 20 - May 20: Security, Subtle strength, Appreciation, Instruction, Patience
Gemini Gemini symbol May 21 - June 20: Communication, Indecision, Inquisitive, Intelligent, Changeable
Cancer Cancer symbol June 21 - July 22: Emotion, Diplomatic, Intensity, Impulsive, Selective
Leo Leo symbol    July 23 - August 22: Ruling, Warmth, Generosity, Faithful, Initiative