Barren and Fruitful Signs

Labours of the month. The signs of the Zodiac are on top, starting with Aquarius top left.

At the fag-end of this luscious autumn, with the scent of rotting apples in the air, and a surprising, last flush of magenta roses on the other side of the pond, my thoughts have turned, briefly, to fertility.

Here is what the English Renaissance astrology William Lilley, had to say about the fecundity or otherwise of the signs.

Aries
By reason Mars, a sterill planet hath that for his house, and the Sun for Exaltation, is rather a Sign of Barrennesse than otherwise.
Taurus
Is reputed more fruitful than barren, being the house of Venus, who is fruitful, and the exaltation of the Moon.
Gemini
Is adjudged barren, being the house of Mercury, who
discerns nothing of himself.
Cancer
Is the most fruitful and bountiful Sign,
it being the house of the Moon, and the exaltation of Jupiter.
Leo
Is reputed barren, being the house of the Sun,
and Lyons bring forth Young rarely.
Virgo
Hath the name of the barren Signe, for Mayds of
themselves produce no Births
Libra
Rather a Signe of fecundity, it being the house of Venus,
and Saturn his exaltation.
Scorpio
Though the house of Mars, yet generally accepted for fruitful.
Sagittarius
Ever conceived fruitfull, because the house of Jupiter.
Capricorn
A Signe of few children inclining to barrennesse.
Aquarius
Without doubt more fruitful than barren.
Pisces
Very fecund and prolificall, being the House of Jupiter and exaltation of Venus, its Signe of many Children.

There’s more William Lilley at Renaissance Astrology.

However, not everyone thinks so. Over at  Gardening by the Moon they use the Moon sign and phase to decide when to plant. Water and earth signs are recommended for most things, and Libra for planting flowers. But they don’t seem to rate poor Sagittarius, who gets such a good Lilley write up.

As ever, best never to be proscriptive. Lilley’s list is here out of curiosity rather than as a strict guide.

But I am going to put some onions the veg patch next Full Moon.