The Decans of Gemini

The word ‘zodiac’ comes from the Greek meaning ‘circle of animals.’ The only zodiac sign that is non-representative of a living creature is Libra, the sign of the Scales, but even its scales are borrowed from the stars of Scorpio, the giant scorpion in the heavens next door.

The Decans of Gemini

Gemini the sign of the Heavenly Twins is a mutable air sign and the third sign of the western zodiac, representing late spring into early summer in the northern hemisphere.

The Constellation of Gemini via Wikipedia

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The planetary ruler of Gemini is Mercury, the planet nearest the Sun, representing all forms of communication, media, trade, global commerce, and travel.

The Gemini Archetype

All the zodiac signs represent archetypes, meaning something that is considered to be a perfect or typical example of a particular kind of person or thing.

A zodiac sign paints a poetic portrait of a person born at a particular time of year, in a particular season.

A baby born in summer arrives in a different physical environment from a winter baby; with differences of temperature, hours of daylight, maternal diet during pregnancy, and so on, with potentially different effects on the baby’s physical makeup and constitution.

As a mutable sign, Gemini rules a borderline between seasons, in this case, late spring into early summer. The other mutable signs are Virgo and Pisces.

The mutable signs are traditionally considered the most changeable and agile signs, inquiring, analytical, logical, and restless.

Nature is friendly but cool, generous but changeable -mercurial. The spirit of Gemini is personified in the ancient Greek god Hermes with his winged sandals and caduceus- staff of trade. The well-known delivery company of the same name presumably chose its name for this reason.

Winged messenger Hermes or Mercury via Wikimedia Commons

In medical astrology, Gemini rules the arms and hands. The typical Gemini native is of above-average personal appearance, personable, attractive, usually slim and of average height or taller, and with neat, tidy facial features.

The Gemini is socially gifted, capable, and quick to learn. They can also be quick to lose interest, fluttering like butterflies and this sometimes also applies to the way they behave with other people. Gemini picks them up but then loses interest, or is distracted and wanders off.

Gemini in the Tarot

The Tarot cards associated with Gemini are The Lovers, The Knight of Swords, and the 8, 9, and 10 Swords.

Rider-Waite Tarot via Wikipedia

Card Meanings: love, friendships, partnerships, agreements, contracts, difficult choices, decisions

Every suite in the Tarot has its own court with a king and queen, a knight, and a page. The principle Court card associated with Gemini is the Knight of Swords.

Rider-Waite Tarot via Wiki

Card Meanings: speed, action, forward movement, sudden developments, attack, assertiveness, intelligence, sudden news, cunning, calculation, good timing, pre-emptive strike, a confident, forceful young person, windy weather, east wind, motorbike

The Decans

The minor arcana cards associated with Gemini are the Eight, Nine, and Ten of Swords. These are the cards correlating with the decans of Gemini. If you don’t feel like you are a ‘typical’ Gemini, well, we are all unique, but perhaps you are also a second or third decan Gemini native, rather than a ‘most typical’ first decan Gemini.  But what is a Decan?

The word ‘Decan’ comes from the Latin meaning ‘ten.’  Each zodiac sign lasts about 30 days and is further divided into three blocks of roughly 10 days each.

These are the decans or decanates, or as they are sometimes called the ‘thirty-six faces of astrology,’ bringing added depth and nuance to the psychological profile associated with your zodiac sign also known as your sun sign.

Gemini is still Gemini, whatever the decan, and this holds true for all the zodiac signs. But an early-born Gemini is born under a slightly different planetary influence than a later-born Gemini.

It’s all still Gemini, the same heavenly recipe, but with varying amounts of common ingredients.

First Decan Gemini

(0-10 degrees of the sign)

21-31 May

Rider-Waite Tarot via Wikipedia

Card Meanings: Entrapment, uncertainty, a sense of helplessness, waiting for rescue, there is a way out if only you will open your eyes, look around and take a step forward.

This decan gets a double dose of the planetary influence of inquisitive, rational, Mercury.  This is an alert, perceptive, intellectual, and forceful personality. The acumen is sharp.  The negative side of this coin is a Gemini native who is equally inquisitive but they are also careless, flighty, forgetful, restless, and unreliable.

First decan Gemini is a multi-talented juggler, light on their feet, graceful and agile. But at the same time, they tend to develop a strong point of view on a wide range of subjects, and they have a clearly defined belief system. For all their apparent flightiness they are also tough and resilient- even stubborn, a quality more usually associated with Taurus, its next-door neighbor, and predecessor in the zodiac.

Gemini makes devoted partners, contrary to whatever people might assume. They will hang on in there when the going gets tough, though they are prone to boredom, can quickly tire of routine quickly; and have considerable charisma or sex appeal. But they know when they have a good thing so long as there is plenty of social interaction and short-distance travel to keep their restlessness under control.

Second Decan Gemini

(10-20 degrees of the sign)

June 1-10

Rider-Waite Tarot via Wikipedia

Card Meanings: The Nightmare card. Worry, anxiety, stress, grief, and insomnia, are things that keep us awake at night.

The personal planet of this decan is Venus, the planet of love, beauty- and money. This Gemini has charm and a generous and giving spirit.

The sub-ruler of this decan is Libra, ruled by Venus. Libra is the natural ruler of the seventh house of marriage, partnerships, close associates, associations, and legal matters. This Gemini is more of a “me-too” rather than an “I-am” person compared with a first decan Gemini.

This Gemini native needs to be especially careful in the selection of companions/associates. The choice of a mate is, of course, of the utmost importance. This Gemini especially needs to avoid making big decisions about a choice of partner when they are too young to fully understand what they are doing.

These are easy-going and pleasant people. Gemini strives for change and Libra works to establish equilibrium. Their Venus/Libra influence is their salvation because it makes them artful in their judgments and full of affection for those they do judge.

Gemini’s 2nd decan is drawn to quiet, reserved people. Not only do opposites attract, but also the dark side of life secretly fascinates Gemini-Libra. Gemini-Libra matches up well with practical types who can get the job done with little fuss or excitement. A person that will ground, refine and implement the Gemini-Libra.

People respond well to the Second Decan Gemini’s warm and effusive nature. They also have a sense of adventure, same as the other decans, and they enjoy travel because it exposes them to new experiences.  Sharing is part of the Gemini-Libra life; they are generous with their time and friendship and also with possessions.

Gemini-Libra is a great company, with a great deal of magnetism. They are kindly, sharp and witty. Just don’t be surprised or upset if they disappear as suddenly as they appear or go quiet on you without warning. It’s not personal. It’s just them.

Third Decan Gemini

(20-30 degrees of the sign)

June 11-20

Rider-Waite Tarot via Wikipedia

Card meanings: Destruction, despair, betrayal, ruin, dark night of the soul, darkness before dawn, the only way is up.

The personal planets of the third decan Gemini are Saturn and Uranus, painting a portrait full of contradictions. Sometimes this person is ultra-careful, dutiful, responsible, serious, and at other times carefree or even careless.

Uranus combined with the planet Mercury suggests an unusually active or even brilliant mind possibly verging on genius. This person may be a thinker who is ahead of their time. Or maybe they are just zany.

Aquarius – natural ruler of the eleventh house of friends, hopes, and wishes-makes this Gemini a social type, a friend-oriented individual interested in social causes.

This Gemini is an optimist, always interested in trying out what is new, and never happier than when they are on the move.

Life is never dull with a cheerful Decan 3 Gemini around, but they are the most independent-natured Gemini decan. They need plenty of space and freedom, with a partner who makes few demands on their time and attention.

They are very hard working when they put their mind to it. But keeping promises, fulfilling obligations and routines are not their strongest suit. It is a mistake for this Gemini native to marry early or settle too soon.

Adventure, exploration, and experimentation with ideas, people, and places- this is what they are mostly about. This is their thing.

Famous Gemini people:  Carl Linnaeus, Peter the Great, Adam Smith, Richard Wagner, Arthur Conan Doyle, John Maynard Keynes, John F Kennedy, Frank Lloyd Wright, Boris Johnson. Johnny Depp, Queen Victoria, Charles 11,  George 111, George V, Donald Trump, Gaddafi, Angelina Jolie, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Happy birthday, Gemini 2022

This year may have gotten off to a slow start, personally speaking, but the second half of the year requires you to identify goals and place a clear focus on finance and your security.

This is a good year for meeting a new partner and starting a new life together, but this also means this is the year for the free and easy flighty Gemini to demonstrate efficiency, to get more serious, and pay close attention to their resources, upgrading their nest and investing in nest eggs. Expect key developments in August and October.

Learn more about the Decans:

• The Decans of Virgo
• The Decans of Scorpio
• The Decans of Cancer
• The Decans of Leo