The third sign of the zodiac, Gemini is ruled by Mercury which represents intelligence invested in matter. The glyph symbolizes two pieces of wood bound together. In ancient times this was seen to signify the conflicts arising from contradictory mental processes. Geminis establish their relationship between the self and material substance through a balance of opposing thoughts. This bond may also be interpreted as the link between rhythm and form.

In Gemini we move from the action, reaction response of Aries, Taurus to the interaction response. The Gemini nature Interacts with the environment, investigating, learning, knowing and exchanging ideas. The intellect dominates Gemini, and all things intellectual are valued greatly. As communication is also of importance to Geminis, knowledge is never a thing to be hoarded. Seldom is a twin more entertained than in the midst of exchanging ideas with others of an intellectual nature.

Gemini is traditionally associated with the vibrant
pursuits and activities of the early summer season.
Fifteenth century French manuscript.

USA, Wales,
Switzerland

Cities:
London, Melbourne, San Francisco



Butterfly

Animals:
Small Birds,
Parrots, Butterflies,
Monkeys

Herbs:
Marjoram,
Caraway, Anise

Body Areas:
Arms, Shoulders, Lungs and Nerves.

Principle:
Interaction

Keywords:
Communicate, Versatile,
Adaptable


Notable Gemini

US President
John F. Kennedy

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Geminis are optimistic people. All things are fresh and fascinating for the twins, it's the way they like it to be. They often possess the enthusiasm of a child. Routine is boring, and boring is not allowed. Restless, with an active imagination and a keen intellect, life must be lived to the fullest for Gemini. Perceived as a game, life is best played with swift moves and entertaining teammates. With the zeal of a sportsman, Gemini analyzes everything. They often possess a compulsive need to know the why of all they experience. A twin wants to know the causes, motivations, and dynamics behind everything and everyone they encounter.

Geminis are expressive folk, and this may manifest beyond mere speech. Often gifted with their hands, it seems whatever they touch does turn to gold. Their love of communication may also express itself as an affinity for languages, which they tend to pick up quite easily. Known for being great story tellers, Geminis have a knack of making life a little more interesting for the rest of us.

Morality is not an issue, and values are situational. Gemini's are usually affectionate, courteous, kind, generous, thoughtful, and superficial. They are attractive and interesting people who instinctively know how to meet their own needs and will do whatever it takes to do so. Although self interest is always the primary motivator in a Gemini person, they are also known to be honest, straightforward and without guile. They are what they are, and usually have no problem admitting their failings. Whatever they choose as a course of action is done out in the open without a measure of deviousness.

The symbolic constellation of Gemini.
Eighteenth century wall mural.

Other Gemini traits include: adaptability, ingenuity and cleverness. They are a mental sign and therefore logical, even brilliant at times, possessing a great deal of charm. However, it is important to remember that the symbol for this sign is twins, and that not all twins are alike. There are broad distinctions within the Gemini character. In contrast to the shining one described above is the shadow twin. On the turn of a moment, Gemini can become cynical, biting, moody and quickly angered. Inseparable as two sides of a coin, those born in this sign can be dazzling and irresistible or inconstant and irrational.

Geminis probably make better friends than they do lovers. They are entertaining companions and are more intrigued by the idea of love than the actual day to day involvement. Remember, what intrigues a Gemini is the unknown. Once something is familiar as an old pair of socks, the interest wears thin and the need for new worlds to investigate grows strong again. Geminis are fickle. This is not intentional, it is their basic nature to be so. Life seems too short a span to get very serious about anything for a Gemini. So, in love as in life, intensity of feeling is always fleeting. It is, while it is!

The Constellation of Gemini.
Twelfth century European manuscript.

Physically, Geminis have a youthful demeanor, sometimes childlike. Gemini rules the arms, shoulders, hands, lungs and nervous system. They generally have a sensitive nervous system, and don't fare well under too much stress. As Gemini considers danger about as seriously as they consider the rest of life, there is a need to restrain a sense of heroic invincibility.

Discover how compatible you are with others!

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

Origins

The constellation of Gemini has been seen as twin figures by cultures throughout the world, back into prehistory. The 'Two Stars', referring to its very bright suns, which the Greeks recognized as Castor and Polydeuces, were named for the younger and elder forms of the god Horus by the Egyptians. To the Romans they were Hercules and Apollo. Often perceived as twin boys, the lore sustains that they were placed in the night sky by Jove to honor and exemplify the fidelity of their brotherly love. In other instances they were seen as a sister and brother or two angels, then within later Christian traditions, as Adam and Eve.

Stories of hero twins are also related throughout the world. For the Greeks their was Castor and Polydeuces, also known as the Dioscuri, or Heavenly Twins. They were the children of Zeus and Leda, queen of Sparta (yes...you may call them: 'sons of the swan.'), thus also the brothers to the infamous Helen, late of Troy. The exploits of these twins are many, and all heroic. In their youth they sailed with Jason to retrieve the Golden Fleece. To the Romans, who knew them as Castor and Pollux, the twins were invoked on the field of battle to assure victory. For centuries beyond they were held as guardians to sailors on extended or risky voyages.

   So Leda's twins, bright-shining, at their beck
   Oft have delivered stricken barks from wreck.

   —Horace

Traditional Cultural Translations Arabic: Al Tau'amãn  Australian: Turree  French: Gémeaux German: Zwillinge  Greek: Dioscuri  Hebrew: Teõmïm Hindu: Mithuna  Italian: Gemelli  Polynesian: Na Ainanu  Portuguese: Gêmeos  Spanish: Géminis

Ben Jonson (June 11, 1572)
English Poet, Playwright: The Alchemist
Marquis de Sade (June 2, 1740)
Scandalous French Author: Les Crimes de l'amour
Thomas Moore (May 28, 1779)
Irish Poet: Irish Melodies
Aleksandr Pushkin (June 6, 1799)
Russian Poet: Eugene Onegin
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez
(June 6, 1599)  Spanish Baroque Painter
Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 23, 1803)
American Essayist, Poet: Society & Solitude
Harriet Beecher Stowe (June 14, 1811)
American Author: Uncle Tom's Cabin
Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813)
German Composer
Queen Victoria (May 24, 1819)
English Monarch
Walt Whitman (May 31, 1819)
American Poet: Leaves of Grass
Jean D. Gustave Courbet (June10, 1819)
French Realist Painter
Thomas Hardy (June 2, 1840)
English Poet, Novelist: Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Mary Cassatt (May 22, 1844)
American Impressionist Painter
Eugène Henri Paul Gaugin (June 7, 1848)
French Post-Impressionist Painter
Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle (May 22, 1859)
English Novelist: Sherlock Holmes
William Butler Yeats (June 13, 1865)
Irish Writer, Poet Read three poems by Yeats
Thomas Mann (June 6, 1875)
German Novelist: Death in Venice
Douglas Fairbanks Sr. (May 23, 1883)
American Film Actor
Dorothy Sayers (June 13, 1893)
English Mystery Author: Murder Must Advertise
Immanuel Velikovsky (June 10, 1895)
Russian Psychologist, Author: Worlds in Collision
Federico García Lorca (June 5, 1899)
Spanish Poet, Playwright: Canciones, Yerma
Bob Hope (May 29, 1904)
American Stage & Film Comedian
Ian Fleming (May 28, 1908)
English Author: The James Bond Series
Saul Bellow (June 10, 1915)
American Nobel Author: Humboldt's Gift
John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917)
President of the United States
Judy Garland (June 10, 1922)
American Singer, Actress
Henry Kissinger (May 27, 1923)
Political Analyst, US Secretary of State
Tony Curtis (June 3, 1925)
American Film Actor
Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926)
American Film Actress
Allen Ginsberg (June 3, 1926)
American Beat Poet: Howl, Empty Mirror
Maurice Sendak (June 10, 1928)
American Children's' Author
Anne Frank (June 12, 1929)
German Child Diarist
Clint Eastwood (May 30, 1930)
American Film Actor, Director
Fernando Henrique Cardoso (June 18, 1931)
President of Brazil
Athol Fugard (June 11, 1932)
South African Actor, Stage Director, Playwright:
Blood Knot, Master Harold and the Boys
Alexei Leonov (May 30, 1934)
Russian Cosmonaut, First person to walk in space
Sir Ian McKellen (May 25, 1939)
English Actor: Gods and Monsters, Lord of the Rings
Tom Jones (June 7, 1940)
Welsh Singer, Performer
Bob Dylan (May 24, 1941)
American Singer, Songwriter
Nikki Giovanni (June 7, 1943)
American Poet: Ego-Trippin'
Helena Bonham Carter (May 26, 1966)
English Actress
Angelina Jolie (June 4, 1975)
American Actress