Taurus

INTRODUCTION
Taurus (Latin for "the Bull"; symbol: , Unicode: ♉) is the second astrological sign in the present zodiac. It spans the 30–60th degree of the zodiac. It is an earth sign like Virgo and Capricorn. It is a sign with a Fixed modality like Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. The Sun is in the sign of Taurus from about April 20 until about May 21^[2] (Western astrology). People born between these dates, depending on which system of astrology they subscribe to, may be called Taureans.

History

Taurus was the first sign of the zodiac established among the ancient Mesopotamians – who knew it as the Bull of Heaven – because it was the constellation through which the sun rose on the vernal equinox at that time. Due to the precession of the equinox, it has since passed through the constellation Aries and into the constellation Pisces (hence our current era being known as the Age of Pisces). The Bull represents a strong-willed character with great perseverance and determination. In India Taurus is known by its Sanskrit name Vṛṣabha, which is occasionally given as a name for Shiva and his vehicle Nandi as well as the first of twenty-four JainTirthankara, Rishabhanatha. In Egypt, Taurus was seen as the cow goddess Hathor. Hathor was the goddess of beauty, love, and happiness, and she represented all of the riches seen in cattle as the providers of nourishment. Roman astrologers considered Taurus ruled by Venus, the goddess of beauty, and Earth, the goddess of the earth and nature.

Zodiac symbol	Bull
Duration (tropical, western)	April 20 – May 21 (2018, UT1)[1]
Constellation	Taurus
Zodiac element	Earth
Zodiac quality	Fixed
Sign ruler	Venus, Earth* (rulership is highly questionable), Ceres* (minor planet rulerships are questionable)
Detriment	Mars (ancient), Pluto (modern)
Exaltation	Moon
Fall	Uranus