Taurus
21 April - 22 May
Fixed Earth Sign

The symbol for Taurus is the bull and this is a good starting point when trying to understand this earth sign. In ancient cultures, bulls were fertility symbols. This is probably one of the most important features of this earth sign. At a time of year where nature is bursting at the seams, growing fast enough to make up for lost time in winter, a fertility symbol is quite appropriate. Taureans sometimes seem to be of the earth themselves. They are nurturers and are very good at looking after whatever they care about. For some, it might only be their prized possessions; polishing the car, ensuring that their books and CDs look brand new… But for most Taureans their nurturing energies are lavished on living things, be it people, animals or plants. Many will love gardening and I’ve often observed that those who don’t have gardens, have a lot of house plants.

Fertility is also linked to creation and Taurus is an extremely creative sign. They may enjoy painting, or pottery, or they might just express their creativity through music. Many become singers, dancers or musicians. All will have an eye for beauty and if they’re not expressing their creative drive through the arts, they will still collect beautiful objects, and love music. Many express their creativity through gardening and cooking.

This leads us to food. It’s difficult to underestimate the importance of food to a Taurus. The connection with the earth for this sign is expressed in sensuality. Taureans truly believe in the pleasure principle. They love experiencing the world through the senses. They love all the sensual pleasure a good table brings, but they are also very fond of scent. Many will find joy in walking through a garden and smelling the various scented herbs or flowers.

So far, it all sounds very romantic. And indeed this sensual sign can be very romantic. This might surprise some people who see Taurus as rather dull and unadventurous. This unflattering view of the sign is largely due to a misconception. It is true that this could be one of the least adventurous signs of the Zodiac. Taureans need stability and that means they find change rather difficult. They prefer change to be planned and gradual. They are not susceptible to fickle fashion and usually shop with beauty, quality and durability in mind. This sign is unlikely to change their wardrobe every season but will instead aim for a classic style.

This preference for stability means that Taureans make loyal friends and partners. Their common sense and practical take on life also means that you can count on help when you need it. Taureans are usually faithful. In return they accept the same loyalty from their loved ones. This can become a big issue for Taureans, who can be quite possessive. It isn’t that they are prone to jealousy exactly, they may just find it difficult to share. They need reassurance that a third party won’t be a threat to an existing relationship. But be prepared as you will have to be very convincing, because once a Taurean’s mind is made up, it may be difficult to change it.

This brings us to perhaps the thing that Taureans are best known for - stubbornness. This may be a little unjustified. Taureans do find it difficult to change their minds but there is a reason for this. They make decisions very slowly, considering all angles of a problem. They invest a great deal of time and energy into what they are doing and so to ask them to change direction is asking a lot. They will need to be given logical reasons, as well as time to assimilate the new information before they can change. Change may come, but you can expect it to be slow.

In a world operating at great speed, perhaps we could all learn to slow down a little. Taureans are known for their patience and this is something we could all use. If we all took time to smell the roses, the world would be a much more pleasant place.

Ana Isabel is a psychological Astrologer with over 10 years of experience. She is influenced by Jungian fields of psychology and combines this with Astrology to provide a healing experience for those seeking guidance. Besides doing private consultations and running workshops, she is often heard on Radio and can next be heard on BBC Radio Solent on the 3rd of June at 3pm. Radio Solent can be heard on the internet. For more information on private readings or workshops, you can visit her website: www.lifeastrologer.com