TAURUS

The second house sign of the zodiac is Taurus, the Bull. Taurus is considered a fixed earth sign, ruled by Venus. Those born under a fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) find it very difficult to change. Earth (Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo) signs are grounded, practical and unchanging. Now add the energy of the Bull, characterized as stubborn, plodding and bull-headed. Poor Taureans, being both fixed and earth, they are the most unmovable, stuck signs in the zodiac, with a stubborn will and resistant nature. Luckily, being ruled by Venus, they also have a gentle, sensitive side; a real saving grace!

Taureans have a gift for beauty, thanks to their Venusian natures. They enjoy pleasure in all aspects of their life, whether it is fine wine, good food, art, music or a beautiful garden. They need a salubrious setting in order to feel at peace within themselves and with others and will take time and care to produce such an environment. Taureans seek harmony and sensuality and will enjoy both almost to excess. They are tactile people, loving delicious, tender, slow and affectionate touch. Essential oils that support their sensual natures are the aphrodisiacs – jasmine, neroli, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang, clary and black pepper.

But Taureans are not all sweetness and light. When in their bullish nature they can be negative, lazy, obstinate, resistant to change and willful. They are capable of concentrating their entire being on a single goal, and working persistently toward that purpose, to the exclusion of other’s reason or suggestions. They have unyielding determination, which makes them hard workers and practical, reliable colleagues, but also can make them appear obdurate and inflexible. Oils that can help the bull easy back from their intractable, headstrong ways are coriander, lemon, peppermint, pine, chamomile, helichrysum, marjoram, neroli, lavender and vetiver.

Taureans tend to carry much of their stress and tension in their shoulders and neck. They are prone to sore throats, earaches, headaches and stiff necks. They carry their emotions in this upper torso region, feeling that they have to shoulder responsibility, carry other people’s emotional loads, be burdened by the woes of the world, duck to avoid confrontation and do backbends for others. All these contortions, brought on by the need to please others, soothe over situations and take away other’s pain, put a load on the poor bull’s upper body. Oils that alleviate aching muscles and stiffness are eucalyptus, cajuput, ginger, juniper, lavender, lemon, black pepper, chamomile, rosemary and sage. These oils are also good for sore throats and upper respiratory conditions. Oils that aid in relieving the bull’s headaches are jasmine, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, rosemary, juniper, melissa, rose, clary sage and lemon.

Taureans, because of their practicality and solid outlook on the world, could find a career in anything that gives them a sense of material security and stability. These are not people to change professions often nor do they tire of what they set their minds to doing. They will seek out professions where the environment appears controlled, where there are no surprises and no hectic pace. Banking is a favorite Taurean profession and you will find many accountants, stockbrokers, investment bankers and even tax assessors wearing the bull’s horns. They enjoy nose to the grindstone activities in which plodding methodical work produces results. Though, having said that, there is also the Taurus that loves the beauty in life. Having a Venus influence, Taureans are happy in art, music (they love singing), and in creating beautiful gardens and food. But don’t ask them to try anything new. They prefer the established, tired and true ways, so they always know where they stand. They don’t seek challenges that take them out of their own secure space; rather they can appreciate being fenced in, safe and unfettered by chaos and commotion.

I love the story of Ferdinand, the bull, in the field smelling flowers. And I’m sure many a Taurus can identify with this bull, enjoying the sensual pleasures of the great outdoors with nothing better to do than to be quiet, grounded and at peace with the world.

Many thanks to Molly Cliborne and her North-node website for inspiration and guidance.