Masculine and feminine

Definition

Masculine and feminine are the two classical polarities astrology uses to classify the twelve signs of the zodiac. The fire and air signs are called masculine: outward, expressive, active in register. The earth and water signs are called feminine: inward, receptive, drawing-in in register. The labels are symbolic shorthand for active and receptive modes of expression, not statements about gender.

In context

If your chart has most of its planets in masculine signs, the prose of your life tends to express outward first: action precedes reflection, and the world is met head-on. If most planets sit in feminine signs, the chart processes inward first: experience is received and metabolized before it returns as action. Modern astrology often substitutes the yin-yang language for the same polarity, with less inherited baggage from the older terminology.

To go deeper

Masculine and feminine name one of several polarity axes:

• Yin-yang: same polarity in non-gendered language.
• Diurnal-nocturnal: day-night sect polarity.
• Element: elemental classification underneath.