Who smiles through life—except when crossed?
Who knows, or thinks, he knows the most?
Who loves good things: baked, boiled or roast?
Oh, Taurus!
Sun in Taurus
April 21through
May 21
Individuals born on the first or last day of Sun sign Taurus will occasionally find their birthday placed within Aries or Gemini. The shift in cusp dates is due to the alternating progression of the Sun from sign to sign. While the difference in Sun sign dating is often a matter of hours, the varyance can extend as much as a full day. Having a reliable Natal chart cast will reveal precisely where the Sun was at the time you were born. For the present, the dates below will help to determine which Study Elements are relevent to your birth date.
Aries & Taurus
18 May - 22 May:
Taurus & Gemini
Read the brief introduction below to learn more about Sun sign cusps.
Taurus
Ruling Planet
Venus
"Shall we set about some revels?"
Sir Toby:
"What shall we do else? Were we not born under Taurus?"
—Twelfth Night,
William Shakespeare
Taurus
Associations
Nature:
Negative
Quality:
Fixed
Element:
Earth
Symbol:
The Bull
Glyph:
Colors:
Lemon, Light Blue, Pink
Metal:
Copper
Gem:
Emerald
Flowers:
Poppy, Rose, Violet
Countries:
Ireland, Russia,
Sweden, Switzerland
Cities:
Dublin, Leipzig,
Lucerne, St. Louis
—Vladimir Nabokov, Born April 22, 1899
Animal:
Cattle
Herbs:
Sorrel, Spearmint
Body area:
Throat
Principle:
Reaction
Keyword:
Possessive
Renowned Taurus
—Orson Welles, Born May 6, 1915
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Further Astrology
Resources
Theme Introduction
Content Directory
Astrology
Glossaries
By Theme
'Must know' terms
General terms
Horoscope terms
Psychological terms
View Other
Sun Sign
Study Elements
ARIES
First sign
March 21 - April 20
Symbol: Ram
GEMINI
Third sign
May 22 - June 21
Symbol: Twins
CANCER
Fourth sign
June 22 - July 22
Symbol: Crab
LEO
Fifth sign
July 23 - Aug 22
Symbol: Lion
VIRGO
Sixth sign
Aug 23 - Sept 22
Symbol: Maiden
LIBRA
Seventh sign
Sept 23 - Oct 23
Symbol: Scales
SCORPIO
Eighth sign
Oct 24 - Nov 22
Symbol: Scorpion
SAGITTARIUS
Ninth sign
Nov 23 - Dec 21
Symbol: Archer
CAPRICORN
Tenth sign
Dec 22 - Jan 20
Symbol: Sea goat
AQUARIUS
Eleventh sign
Jan 21 - Feb 19
Symbol:
Water bearer
PISCES
Twelfth sign
Feb 20 - March 20
Symbol: Fish pair
—Ulysses S. Grant,
Born April 27, 1822
Read the first Historic Overview of Astrology and learn about the Early Concepts of Heavenly Influence.
Renowned Taurus
—Eva Perón, Born May 7, 1919
—Donald A. Mackenzie, Myths of Babylonia and Assyria, 1915
"At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since." —Salvador Dalí, born May 11, 1904
An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristics for Taurus
The second sign of the zodiac, Taurus is ruled by Venus. The glyph represents the Bull, Taurus's symbol. The sign is concerned with the manifestation of the self, with basic needs being foremost. Ruled by Venus, Taurus personalities tend to be driven by their affections.
Taurus is the direct opposite of the Aries character. Taurean people tend to be slow, methodical, practical and reserved. They are also stolid, tenacious and determined. Possessing tremendous willpower and self-discipline, they are inclined to stick to tried and traditional methods. Their greatest satisfaction derives from results produced directly by their personal efforts.
Yet Hope again elastic springs,
Unconquered, though she fell;
Still buoyant are her golden wings,
Still strong to bear us well.
Manfully, fearlessly,
The day of trial bear,
For gloriously, victoriously,
Can courage quell despair!
From: Life by Charlotte Brontë, born April 21, 1816
Sun Sign Personality Traits for Taurus
Roots are important to the Taurean. A sense of permanence, a feeling of security is essential. Generally an easygoing person, slow to anger, but once roused is known for a ferocious temper. Very difficult to deal with when angry. Usually set off by jealousy due to a possessive nature. Loyalty is important to a Taurus, and a true friend of a Taurean will speak well of their great generosity.
A palace wall mural at Knossos in Crete.Bulls were revered as masculine counterparts
to goddesses in the ancient Mediterranean.
Taureans are warm, loving, gentle and charming most of the time. Motivated by self preservation, the Taurean is not a risk taker and weighs every decision carefully, in a slow and methodical manner. To more impulsive people, Taurus may appear a bore. Opinionated and obstinate, once a Taurean makes a decision, it is written in stone. Don't expect radical thinking and innovative ideas here. Basically grounded, material people, Taureans prefer the known to the unknown, the tried to the new. They love the earth, comforting things, sense of ownership, and generally treat those they love as possessions.
"I think that's what distinguishes Schmidt, really. In the movies now, so much of what is appealing to an audience is the dramatic or has to do with science fiction, and Schmidt is simply human. There's no melodrama; there's no device, It's just about a human being."
—Jack Nicholson, born April 22, 1937
Where is the Planet Mercury in Your Birth Horoscope?
Of all the planets within our solar system, Mercury is nearest to the Sun. There is a direct correspondence to this fact in the mapping of an individual's birth chart. With the exception of the Moon, Mercury revolves through the zodiac faster than any other planet; yet its proximity to the Sun insures that its placement will always be near to or on par with the subject's Solar sign.
It is likely that you will be able to determine where Mercury was at the time of your birth without consulting an astrologer. By reading the three potential profiles, it is often uncanny how clearly one of them will fit to us. I thought you would enjoy trying this out for yourself. You can explore the three positions of Mercury through the following links:
Mercury in Aries Mercury in Taurus Mercury in Gemini
I am always interested to know what you think and discover. Feel welcome to write! Material is currently being developed on the other planets. If you are interested, we would be pleased to keep you updated on their progress. Just send me a brief request!
15th Century Manuscript Detail of Taurus.Vocational Interests Suited to Taurus Tendencies
"Don't avoid the cliches ... they are cliches because they work!" —George Lucas, born May 14, 1944
Prosperous at developing and maintaining wealth, Taureans do well in banking and finance. In business, they shine in fields concerned with the earth and money. Architect, builder, gardener or accountant, financier, banker, auctioneer, real estate broker, are all professions which attract a Taurus. They may possess a good singing voice as music may be said to be a Taurean art. Many well known performers are born under Taurus, such as Barbara Streisand and Bing Crosby. Many Taureans have a 'green thumb' and find real pleasure in gardening. Gifted with a natural artistic nature, they also may excel as crafts workers.
Persistence, thoroughness and single-mindedness that can take on dogmatic qualities are the hallmarks of the Taurean personality. No detail will ever be overlooked by the eyes of a Taurus. Motivated by a desire to obtain and accumulate physical possessions, they can be compulsive in their intensity to secure an ample supply of everything they consider important.
Fresco Mural at the Palazzo Schifanoia in Ferrara, Italy.One in a series of panels depicting the months; a representation of April,
showing the Triumph of Venus in Taurus accompanied by an allegorical figure
symbolizing the ascendancy of spring. Painted by Francesco del Cossa in 1469-1470.
Essentials to a Healthy Taurean Relationship
Honesty, integrity and dependability are notable Taurean characteristics. The calm, pleasant, and well intentioned Taurus exterior belies the volcanic temper that can erupt when sufficiently aroused. The bright side of the stubborn bull's nature is, they are incredibly and uncompromisingly loyal to their friends. Established slowly, a Taurus friendship can, and often does last a lifetime.
"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone." —Audrey Hepburn, born May 4, 1929
Virgo - Libra - Scorpio - Sagittarius
Capricorn - Aquarius - Pisces
The Lore of Taurus in Mythology
Mythology is closely interwoven with Astrology. Despite all that we do not know about the origins of either lore it is certain that starwatching began with passion on humanity's first night beneath the open sky. Somewhere in time, shapes were perceived, figures imagined, names given and stories were told about the densely populated tapestry of the heavens. All elder cultures throughout the world developed tales of the constellations which over time were imbued with meaning to explain various phenomena of our existence within the cosmos.
Mythology in general is far more than a collection of "make believe" fantasies created by primitive societies to explain away what they could not understand. The role of Myth in a society was to set the abstract complexities of Nature within a context of story that the human mind could comprehend. Wondering long on what keeps the world from falling through space or whether the dawn will follow night is a costly distraction when there is hunting to do and crops to tend. Story sets cosmic ideas in a scale we can relate to, human scale, which establishes a sense of accord and instills a faith that all is well with the universe.
Astrology and Mythology serve a similar function in this regard. We benefit from Astrology not so much as a tool of fortune-telling but as a directional guide to understanding who we are individually and what our unique role ought to be in this life.
As Carl Jung stated, Astrology claims only that we each possess the qualities of the year and of the season in which we were born. To discern just what those qualities are ... is as fascinating to each of us as the night sky.
To the Greeks, Taurus is associated with Zeus and his transformation into a snowy white Bull. This he did as a means to abduct Europa, whom he lusted for. Thus, the Minotaur of Crete, result of this union of God and mortal, is also recognized as being associated with the second sign of the zodiac. Through many cultures across the world the constellation of Taurus is perceived as a bull or similar animal. The Egyptians gave great significance to the sky cluster in both religion and astrology; the great starry bull of the Nile. Halfway around the globe, small tribes living along the Amazon river in South America, called this section of the night sky: Tapüra Rayoaba, the Jaw of the Ox. It is certainly a hard constellation to miss; as one of the densest groupings, there are, by varying accounts, between 120 and 190 stars within it, visible to the naked eye.
In the Mediterranean region, the Sun's entry into Taurus was celebrated as the Feast of Maya. We know it as May Day, the first of the month. The Sun was often represented by a white bull with a golden disc between his horns. This image was followed by a procession of virgins, exemplifying the fecundity of nature. This association of Taurus with the beginning of Spring, can be traced as far back as ancient Babylon. In Egypt, Taurus held an even greater importance, as it was believed that humanity was created while the sun was passing through its borders.
Ere the heels of flying Capricorn
Have touched the western mountain's darkening rim,
I mark, stern Taurus, through the twilight gray,
The glinting of thy horn,
And sullen front, uprising large and dim,
Bent to the starry Hunter's sword at bay.
—Hymn to Taurus by Bayard Taylor
Arabic: Al Thaur
French: Taureau German:
StierHebrew: Shõr
Italian:
Toro Portuguese:
TouroSpanish: Tauro
Syrian: Taurã
Turkish: Ughuz"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."
—Martha Graham, Born: May 11, 1894
Florentine Poet, Political Philosopher, Diplomat; Il Principe - The Prince
William Shakespeare (Trad: April 23, 1564)
English Poet, Playwright; Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, As You Like It, The Tempest, Henry V, Othello, Macbeth
William Lilly (May 1, 1602)
Influential English Astrologer, Author; Christian Astrology
David Hume (April 26, 1711)
Scottish Historian, Philosopher, Economist; History of England, Treatise of Human Nature, Natural History of Religion
Maria Gaetana Agnesi (May 16, 1718)
Italian Mathematician, Philosopher, Linguist; Instituzioni analitiche ad uso della gioventu italiana
John James Audubon (April 26, 1785)
French/American Naturalist, Ornithologist, Painter; The Birds of North America
Eugène Delacroix (April 26, 1798)
French Romantic Painter; Inspiration to both Impressionist & Symbolist Movements
Honoré de Balzac (May 20, 1799)
Innovative French Novelist & Playwright; La Comédie humaine
Robert Browning (May 7, 1812)
English Victorian Poet & Playwright; Sordello, Dramatic Lyrics, The Ring and the Book
Søren Kierkegaard (May 5, 1813)
Danish Theologian, Philosopher; The Concept of Dread, Stages on Life's Way, The Sickness Unto Death
Anthony Trollope (April 24, 1815)
English Novelist; Barchester Towers, Phineas Finn, The Way We Live Now
Charlotte Brontë (April 21, 1816)
English Novelist; Jane Eyre, Villette
Karl Marx (May 5, 1818)
German Historian, Philosopher, Political Economist; The Communist Manifesto
Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822)
Commanding General of Union Army During United States Civil War, Eighteenth President of the U.S.
Dante Gabriel Rossetti (May 12, 1828)
English Pre-Raphaelites Painter, Poet; The House of Life
Johannes Brahms (May 7, 1833)
German Romantic Composer; Ein Deutsches Requiem - A German Requiem, Hungarian Dances
Sigmund Freud (May 6, 1856)
Austrian Physician, Founder of Psychoanalysis; The Psychopathology of Everyday Life, The Ego and the Id
L. Frank Baum (May 15, 1856)
American Poet, Author, Playwright, Silent Film Director; The Wizard of Oz
William Randolph Hearst (April 29, 1863)
American Newspaper Mogul; The San Francisco Examiner, The New York Journal
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (May 4, 1870)
Russian Revolutionary, Communist Politician, First Premier of the Soviet Socialist Republic
Bertrand Russell (May 18, 1872)
English Historian, Philosopher, Mathematician; Principia Mathematica
Guglielmo Marconi (April 25, 1874)
Italian Inventor of the Radiotelegraph System
Harry Truman (May 8, 1884)
Thirty-third President of the United States
Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888)
Russian/American Composer, Lyricist; God Bless America, White Christmas
Martha Graham (May 11, 1894)
American Modern Dancer & Choreographer; Harlequinade, Primitive Mysteries, Persephone
Rudolph Valentino (May 6, 1895)
Italian/American Actor, Sex Symbol of Early Cinema; The Conquering Power, The Sheik, Blood and Sand
Frank Capra (May 18, 1897)
Italian/American Film Director; Lost Horizon, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It's a Wonderful Life
Golda Meir (May 3, 1898)
Fourth Prime Minister of the State of Israel
Vladimir Nabokov (April 22, 1899)
Russian/American Poet, Novelist; Камера Обскура - Camera Obscura, Lolita, Pale Fire
Gary Cooper (May 7, 1901)
American Actor; The Virginian, A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, High Noon
Bing Crosby (May 2, 1903)
American Vocalist, Actor; Pennies from Heaven, White Christmas, Going My Way
Salvador Dalí (May 11, 1904)
Spanish/Catalan Surrealist Painter
Henry Fonda (May 15, 1905)
American Actor; The Grapes of Wrath, The Ox-Bow Incident, Mister Roberts, 12 Angry Men
Katharine Hepburn (May 12, 1907)
American Actress; Morning Glory, Little Women, Adam's Rib, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Jimmy Stewart (May 20, 1908)
American Actor; Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Harvey, It's a Wonderful Life, Rear Window, Vertigo
Tyrone Power (May 5, 1914)
American Actor; Lloyd's of London, Blood and Sand, The Mark of Zorro, The Razor's Edge
Joe Louis (May 13, 1914)
American Heavyweight Boxing Champion; The Brown Bomber
Anthony Quinn (April 21, 1915)
Mexican/American Actor; La strada, Requiem for a Heavyweight, Viva Zapata!, Zorba the Greek
Orson Welles (May 6, 1915)
American Writer, Actor, Director, Producer for Stage, Radio & Film; The War of the Worlds, Citizen Kane
Ferruccio Lamborghini (April 28, 1916)
Italian Automobile Racer, Manufacturer
Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917)
American Jazz Vocalist, 'First Lady of Song'; For Sentimental Reasons, How High the Moon
Eva Perón (May 7, 1919)
Argentine First Lady (1946-52)
Satyajit Ray (May 2, 1921)
Bengali/Indian Writer, Illustrator, Film Director; Aparajito (The Unvanquished), Jalsaghar (The Music Room)
Idi Amin (May 17, 1925)
Third President of Uganda
Malcolm X (May 19, 1925)
African American Muslim Minister, Civil Rights Proponent
Elizabeth II (April 21, 1926)
Queen of England
Hosni Mubarak (May 4, 1928)
President of Egypt
Ernesto 'Che' Guevara (May 14, 1928)
Argentine Physician, Guerrilla Revolutionary Commander, Politician, Author
Audrey Hepburn (May 4, 1929)
English/Belgian Actress; Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany's, My Fair Lady, Charade
Willie Mays (May 6, 1931)
American Baseball Legend, The Say Hey Kid
Anouk Aimée (April 27, 1932)
French Actress; La dolce vita, A Man and a Woman, Lola
Willie Nelson (April 30 1933)
American Country Singer, Songwriter, Author, Actor; Crazy, Funny How Time Slips Away, On the Road Again
James Brown (May 3, 1933)
American Singer, Songwriter, Bandleader, 'The Godfather of Soul'; Please, Please, Please, Try Me!
Shirley MacLaine (April 24, 1934)
American Actress, Author; Some Came Running, The Apartment, The Turning Point, Terms of Endearment
Glen Campbell (April 22, 1936)
American Country Singer, Songwriter; Wichita Lineman, Gentle on My Mind, By the Time I Get to Phoenix
Roy Orbison (April 23, 1936)
American Rock & Roll Singer, Songwriter; Only the Lonely, In Dreams, Crying, Pretty Woman
Albert Finney (May 9, 1936)
English Actor; Tom Jones, Murder on the Orient Express, The Dresser, Big Fish
Bobby Darin (May 14, 1936)
American Rock & Roll Singer, Songwriter, Actor; Splish Splash, Dream Lover, Mack the Knife, Beyond the Sea
Jack Nicholson (April 22, 1937)
American Actor; Five Easy Pieces, Chinatown, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Shining, The Departed
George Carlin (May 12, 1937)
American Comedian, Actor, Author; Seven Dirty Words
Judy Collins (May 1, 1939)
American Folk Singer, Songwriter; Both Sides Now, Send in the Clowns
Al Pacino (April 25, 1940)
American Actor; The Godfather, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Scarface, Scent of a Woman, Heat, The Insider
Barbara Streisand (April 24, 1942)
American Vocalist, Composer, Actress, Director, Producer; Funny Girl, The Way We Were, A Star is Born
George Lucas (May 14, 1944)
American Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer; American Graffiti, Star Wars, Indiana Jones
Björn Ulvaeus (April 25, 1945)
Swedish Musician, Composer, Producer, Vocalsit for ABBA; Chess, Mamma Mia!
Bob Seger (May 6, 1945)
American Rock & Roll Singer, Songwriter; Night Moves, Against the Wind, Like a Rock
Pete Townshend (May 19, 1945)
English Rock Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter, Co-Pilot for The Who
Cher (May 20, 1946)
American Pop Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Film Director
Billy Joel (May 9, 1949)
American Pianist, Singer, Songwriter; Piano Man, New York State of Mind, We Didn't Start the Fire
Gabriel Byrne (12 May, 1950)
Irish Actor, Director, Producer; Miller's Crossing, The Usual Suspects, Stigmata
Stevie Wonder (May 13, 1950)
American Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Producer; My Cherie Amour, Superstition, Higher Ground, Living for the City
Chazz Palminteri (May 15, 1951)
American Screenwriter, Actor; A Bronx Tale, The Usual Suspects, Bullets Over Broadway
Pierce Brosnan (May 16, 1952)
Irish/American Actor, Film Producer; Remington Steele, James Bond, Thomas Crown Affair, Mama Mia!
Tony Blair (May 6, 1953)
British Prime Minister, Leader of the Labour Party
Michael Moore (April 23, 1954)
American Documentary Film Director; Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko
Olga Korbut (May 16, 1955)
Belarusian Gold Medal Olympic Gymnast, The Sparrow from Minsk
Chow Yun-Fat (May 18, 1955)
Chinese Actor; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer
Daniel Day-Lewis (April 29, 1957)
English/Irish Actor; My Left Foot, Last of the Mohicans, Gangs of New York, There Will Be Blood
Michelle Pfeiffer (April 29, 1957)
American Actress; Dangerous Liaisons, Love Field, The Age of Innocence
Randy Travis (May 4, 1959)
American Country Music Singer, Actor; No Place Like Home, Whisper My Name
Bono (May 10, 1960)
Irish Rock Singer, Songwriter, Frontman for U2, Proponent of International Socital Solutions
Joan Chen 陳冲 (April 26, 1961)
Chinese Actress, Screenwriter, Director; Little Flower, The Last Emperor, Red Rose, White Rose, The Home Song Stories
George Clooney (May 6, 1961)
American Actor, Screenwriter, Director; Ocean's Eleven, Good Night, & Good Luck, Syriana, Michael Clayton
Craig Ferguson (May 17, 1962)
Scottish/American Comdedian, Actor, Talk Show Host
Stephen Colbert (May 13, 1964)
American Comdedian, Actor, Talk Show Host; The Colbert Report
Renee Zellweger (April 25, 1969)
American Actress, Producer; Nurse Betty, Bridget Jones's Diary, Chicago, Cold Mountain
Cate Blanchett (May 14, 1969)
Australian Actress, Theatre Director; Elizabeth, The Aviator, Notes on a Scandal
Uma Thurman (April 29, 1970)
American Actress; Dangerous Liaisons, Henry & June, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (May 2, 1972)
American Wrestler, Actor; The Scorpion King, Be Cool, Southland Tales
Penélope Cruz (April 28, 1974)
Spanish Actress; Jamón, Jamón, Belle époque, Volver, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Enrique Iglesias (May 8, 1975)
Spanish Pop Singer, Songwriter, Actor; Si Tú Te Vas, Be With You, Hero
"No, no, I am but a shadow of myself:
you are deceiv'd, my substance is not here;
for what you see is but the smallest part,
and . . . were the whole frame here,
it is of such a spacious lofty pitch,
your roof were not sufficient to contain it."
—Lord Talbot in Henry VI, William Shakespeare (Born April 23, 1564)
Development & Production Credits
Primary Text : Laura Laurance — Theme Editing : Louise OgdenStructural Design & Project Direction : Rhey Cedron
Art Direction : Rhey Cedron — Art Production : Mark Nelson & Ash' Murti
Artistic Consultant : Thierry Alberto
Art Research : Malcolm Hurrell — Support Research : Walter McCrae
(Life) Support Production : Henry Craig, Joan Flandrin, Clara Kelly and
a Patient Legion of Friends, Family & Angels
and future cultural projects.
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