Traditional Sign Rulerships...

There is a simplicity and elegance to the traditional sign
rulerships that may have you tossing aside the idea
of incorporating Neptune, Uranus and Pluto into
​ the astrological family of sign rulerships. 
Neptune, Uranus and Pluto are rather recent additions to the scheme and so they are referred to as modern rulers rather than traditional or ancient rulers. They are outer planets and astrologers admit to their lack of any personal influence in our natal charts. This, combined with the lack the symmetry they create in astrology may have you doubting whether they belong at all.

For these reasons, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are not included in any of our astrological tests (test for astrological maturity, relationship test and masculine/feminine test). Rather, we only include the sun, moon, personal planets (Mercury, Venus and Mars) and the social planets (Jupiter and Saturn). 
As illustrated to the right, the signs pair up nicely with a beautiful symmetry when the outer planets are left out of the rulership scheme. It is both fun and enlightening to examine them in this light and it may have you wondering why modern, western astrologers include Uranus, Neptune and Pluto at all!
Planets' Essential Dignities & Debilities: Planets in Rulership, Exaltation, Detriment & Fall...Click here to read article
Tradtional/Ancient Sign Rulerships
The descriptions below highlight the
similarities between each pair of signs ​along with the differences​ created by their masculine versus feminine nature.

Leo & Cancer... The Signs with Purity of Expression

Leo ruled by the Sun - Masculine
Cancer ruled by the Moon - Feminine
At the center, starting point of the traditional/ancient rulership scheme are Leo and Cancer. With the sun being the light of the day and the moon as the light of the night, Leo and Cancer illuminate the world with their pure vitality. As with every pair of signs in the traditional rulership scheme, there is a masculine and feminine balance. This is seen most dramatically with Leo and Cancer making their similarities difficult to perceive. It is a purity of expression that Leo and Cancer share, and it makes them similar. It stems from their rulership by the sun and moon respectively. Both signs cannot stop their inner natures from shinning though into their outward expression. It is more subtle with the feminine sign of Cancer than it is with the masculine sign of Leo. After all, the sun shines more brightly than the moon and is the actual source of light in the first place. So compared to Leo, Cancer's feminine, reflective nature is far outweighed by Leo's energy-giving light of the sun. Yet, they both provide us with light and both find it impossible to hide their pure, inner nature from shining through. Still, they both try to hide it. Leo's constant feeling of being overwhelming and coming on too strong makes them try to hide behind behavior they think people will accept and like. Cancer's fear of getting hurt makes them sidle into things sideways and use extreme care when entering any relationship or situation. They try to hide their true feelings and intentions for as long as possible to gain an advantage and remain safe. However, neither Leo or Cancer ever really succeed. Cancers can only contain their feelings for a short time before they must express them, and when they do, it's always completely. Leos can never contain their exuberance and need to be forthright. Both are aware of the light the shed on the world and both try to contain it, but their light is meant to shared, and in the end, it always is.

Virgo & Gemini... The Signs that Want to get it Right

Virgo ruled by Mercury - Masculine
Gemini ruled by Mercury - Feminine
For both Gemini and Virgo the world is a place to be understood in terms of logic and correctness. If their world doesn't make sense, they aren't happy. This need for understanding drives their thinking and behavior. As the masculine sign of the pair, Gemini is quite up front about this. This gives Gemini a harsh edge that can often feel cutting. They let logic guide them without much regard for feelings. When they correct a person's mistake, they are so narrowly focused on the facts that they ignore the idea that they are relating with another human being not just the facts at hand. Basically, they put their need to be correct before politeness and concern for feelings. Virgo, as the feminine member of the pair, is more subtle and has more consideration for people's feelings. Gemini's cutting nature is not a choice. It's unconscious. Geminis have to make a conscious decision to be aware of people's feelings. Conversely, Virgos are consciously aware of feelings.They acknowledge them and are gentle with them unless they choose to ignore them. Then, Virgos can be just as cutting as Geminis. ​​Both of these signs live in a narrowly focused world of correct and incorrect. They value efficiency and loath wastefulness. Neither follow orders blindly. They require reasoned explanations before they will abide by any request, or command. If there isn't a logical, practical reason, there is no point in doing it. Therefore, nothing offends them more than vagueness or lies. An extremely acute and active radar for detecting lies constitutes a large part of their personalities. They ask a lot of questions and try to triangulate people in order to constantly test their honesty. A need to understand everything and everyone in their lives directs their thinking and their behavior. So, not only do Virgo and Gemini want to get things right, they truly enjoy pointing out when others are wrong. 

Libra & Taurus... The Proper Signs with Strong Opinions

Libra ruled by Venus - Masculine
Taurus ruled by Venus - Feminine
For both of these signs, rules of proper behavior are paramount to create the foundation for a happy and satisfying life. They are both well versed in the art of polite, considerate behavior. However, simply because Libra and Taurus are forever aware of the rules of proper behavior, doesn't mean they always follow them. As the masculine one of the pair, Libra appears to try the hardest while Taurus seems more natural about it. Taurus has a calm, laid-back way of simply being pleasant, while Libras outwardly lay it on thick. Libras really do want to be the best people they can be, but they also want everyone else to be the best people they can be. So, the same masculine nature that drives them to strive so hard for proper behavior also drives them into battle when they encounter injustice or simply a person who is so far from proper that they believe it is Libra's job to set them straight. Then, when Libra sets itself on a mission for justice, all of the rules for their own proper behavior no longer apply. Libra's symbol is the scales, so bottom line, fairness is their game. If they are wronged by improper or unjust behavior, then it's only fair that the person who inflicted this injustice should get the same treatment in return. Yes, Libras will play dirty, but in their minds, the means justifies the goal of making things right again. Taurus has the same dynamic. They also want other people to strive for high ideals and learn to live by them, but as the feminine Venus-ruled sign, they are more talk than action. More than any sign, Taurus is the most enthusiastic and passionate about the opinions for right behavior. The problem is, they are their personal opinions, with which other people often disagree. Unlike Libra, Taurus doesn't want to dirty its hands and personally engage in combative behavior to teach people lessons and change the tides. Libras are more likely to get into an actual fist-fight than a Taurus. Libras are more likely to play tricks or cheat to get their way than Taurus because Libras are constantly riding the scales of balance. It's the, "What's good for you is good for me" mentality for Libra. For Taurus, their opinions are so strong that they would rather talk until they are out of breath to impress their opinions onto the world than play on the same level as their opponent. Libra's masculine nature enjoys a good fight if the goal is righteousness. Taurus' feminine nature would rather rally some troops to do their fighting for them. In the end, both Libra and Taurus have strong opinions for proper behavior and living. They both try to live up to their own standards, and they both try to impress these standards onto other people.

Scorpio & Aries... The Signs that Always get their Way

Scorpio ruled by Mars - Feminine
Aries ruled by Mars - Masculine
Of course Scorpio and Aries don't always get their way, but it often seems like are they are willing to die trying. Get tied up in a battle with one of these signs and you'll feel like you're in a battle to the death. You never know when a battle will start. It could be over anything at any time. The reason is plain, more than any other signs in the zodiac, they are simply the most ardent defenders of their own will. They want to get their way. As the feminine one of the pair, Scorpio is less up-front about it than Aries. Aries' masculine nature has no problem with this basic nature. Aries people will even declare it as fact and advertise it as a featured benefit of their outstanding personality. They are proud of their fighting spirit. Scorpios are just as proud, but they prefer to keep it hidden away in their arsenal as a secret weapon for use at the exact time that it's most potent. Aries people come out fighting right away. They prefer to immediately use every weapon and make the battle swift and quick. Scorpio's feminine, self-protective nature believes this can be foolish. Putting everything on the line from the start can also lead to swift defeat. For Scorpio, it's better to give their opponent the opportunity to wear themselves out or make some mistakes before Scorpio uses all of their weapons. Scorpio strategies while Aries charges, but neither gives up easily. Because their nature is centered around satisfying their will, they both think of themselves first and 
others second. This sounds like outright selfishness, and it often seems like selfishness in their day-to-day life. You see this with Scorpio's extremely frugal attitude toward money. They hold onto every dime like it's the last one on earth. Yet, by understanding their nature, we see that they are simply the signs that are best at defending their own rights, and basically, sticking up for themselves. There's nothing wrong with it and many people could use a bit of their fighting spirit. Fortunately, Aries and Scorpio know other people often lack their skill, and this is when you know for sure, that it's about sticking up for themselves and not about selfishness. When either of these signs encounters a person who needs their help, they are quick to assist. They are just as vigilant about sticking up for the rights of others as they are about sticking up for their own rights. It's about defending the individual dignity of every person.

Sagittarius & Pisces... The Signs with no Limits

Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter - Masculine
Pisces ruled by Jupiter - Feminine
These two are all over the place. Sagittarius and Pisces need space, freedom and room to grow and change. They don't want to be labeled, herded or instructed. They chart their own courses and their courses change every day. As the masculine sign of the pair, Sagittarius is more outspoken about this freedom-seeking nature than Pisces. Pisces is actually rather timid about admitting it. Because Pisces is feminine, it is careful. So that, although Pisces people want freedom just as much as Sagittarians, they have a reluctance to be bold about it and declare it. Pisces' feminine nature gives them an intrinsic understanding of life's hazards. They know people need each other. Times aren't always good, and sometimes people don't have the strength to chart their own courses. Physical illness or financial restrictions can make people need each other and can severely restrict freedom. Pisces don't want to burn any bridges that may one day lead to the help they need simply for the sake of achieving the greatest amount of freedom today. Sagittarius' masculine nature is a bit more reckless. Sagittarius people easily live for today, and simply have faith that tomorrow will be work out well. Regardless of the difference in their masculine versus feminine approaches, both signs are always riding the slippery slope created by putting limitlessness as a priority. Both signs detest boundaries and feeling limited. This is great when it comes to boundless and limitless things like: achievement, love, creativity or helpfulness. But, it can create some problems when it comes to vices because both signs have difficulty limiting their need for limitlessness to only good, positive things. Their basic nature primes them for pitfalls like overeating and over drinking. They push the limits of the people in their lives as well. They go on and on in arguments, not realizing when it's time to stop. They push the limits of people's patience by constantly needing to maintain their freedom, which often comes at the expense of the freedom of the others. So, although these signs are similar in sharing this limitless nature, Sagittarius' happy-go-lucky attitude is proud of it and is isn't afraid of its potential dangers. Conversely, Pisces is fully aware of its possible dangers and isn't always so proud of it.

Capricorn & Aquarius... The Rigid Signs with a Mission

Capricorn ruled by Saturn - Feminine
Aquarius ruled by Saturn - Masculine
Don't bother trying to change the mind or course of a Capricorn or Aquarius. This makes perfect sense for Aquarius, which is a fixed sign, but Capricorn's cardinal nature seems like it would be more inclined to change. Well, although there may be a little more wiggle room for Capricorn, their forward-moving, goal-oriented focus doesn't make them very flexible. Like their symbol, the goat, they are determined and have perseverance to constantly move toward their goals. While these are cardinal attributes, the extremity of their nature doesn't leave much room for changes along the way. Both Aquarius and Capricorn make up their minds early in their lives about what's important to them and in what style they want to live their lives. This doesn't mean they choose a career when they are still in grade school. It means their inner nature is formed and solidified early in their lives. So, they are firm in their opinions about the world and about themselves. As the masculine one of the pair, Aquarius is more likely than Capricorn to translate their opinions into actions that affect others. Aquarians tend to choose courses of action that change the world into a place they prefer to live. Capricorns are more concerned with sticking to their own plan to advance themselves and their own agenda. Capricorns' feminine nature is more concerned with self-protection than with enacting change in the world. It's inwardly focused as opposed to Aquarius' outwardly-reaching focus. Capricorn's opinions and goals are both centered on achieving personal security and a feeling of inner peace. Like the goat, they focus on their personal goals. Conversely, Aquarians achieve their personal goals in a quiet, methodical way that leaves extra energy for them to use in helping others. They are, after all, the water bearers. They bear gifts to the world. The tricky part for them is making sure they are bearing the correct and appropriate gifts. Again, it's about making up your mind about what's important. So, both signs are headstrong, focused and determined, but Capricorn's focus is more inward and Aquarius' is more outward.