Copyright © 2018 Ana Ruiz
For over 30 years I've been studying astrology (longer than I’ve been a dancer!)
Click here for my page on Astrology
The following article has been revised and first appeared in the American dance magazine “Zaghareet!” in 2004
And in the Canadian dancers magazine "OMEDA" in in 2005:
Aries (March 21-April 20): Aries dancers prefer making a bold, confident, & powerful entrance. She knows how to get a crowd excited with her contagious enthusiasm & spontaneity. Given the choice, she would prefer to perform first in recitals or shows as she is born under the first sign of the zodiac with a tendency to lead. Her best color is red & she often wears hair or head ornaments. As Aries rules this part of the body, she is able to execute perfect head slides & can easily master “Raqs as-Shamadan” (candelabra dance where it is balanced upon the head) as well as “Raqs as-Assaya” (cane dance that was originally a combat dance; and combats fall under the dominion of Mars, the ruler of Aries.) She is an excellent troupe leader who is able to inspire others with her vibrant energy.
Taurus (April 21-May 21): Taurus dancers are born under Venus, the planet ruling music and dance. Through music she is able to appreciate the rhythms and harmonies as she interprets her dance with grace, elegance, and charm; qualities projected by her ruling planet of Venus. Dancing to traditional classic or slower Belly Dance music is preferred over faster Arabic pop songs. Born under an earth sign, she can be particularly skilled at tribal, ethnic, or folk dances. The Taurus dancer can feel most grounded and connected to earth when performing floor work. She can easily make or design beautiful costumes and jewellery that are also ruled by Venus. For this reason, she particularly enjoys and excels at dancing with a veil. The Taurus dancer feels and looks best in earth tones, as well as coppers, baby blues, lavenders, and soft pinks.
Gemini (May 22-June 21): Gemini dancers are communicative, expressive, and enjoy interacting with their audience. She is versatile, sparkling, effervescent, and may be a bit of a fun-loving flirt. As she tends to be a fast thinker, choreographies are easy to learn and remember. The Gemini dancer often chooses costumes in shades of greens or yellows. Her fast-moving fingers enable her to master finger cymbals with ease. She excels at shoulder shimmies and snake arms as Gemini rules these parts of the body. Born under a dual sign, she can easily perform with another in duets, or with double veil techniques, and even dancing with a veil while playing finger cymbals. Her choice of music tends to be of a faster tempo and she is most comfortable performing outdoors in the fresh air.
Cancer (June 22-July 22): These dancers can easily convey emotion and move audiences when they want to. The Cancer dancer feels and looks best in silver and shades of white and cream colors. Traditional songs are preferred rather than modern or pop music. Like the slow-moving crab of this sign, they excel at performing slower movements. Her undulations can leave you breathless as Cancer rules this part of the body. She is easily able to remember combinations and choreographies as this sign bestows intuition and a good memory. This dancer feels and performs best during the Full Moon when creative energy is at its peak and musical instincts are sharpened as the Moon rules her sign. She enjoys dancing at home for friends, family, and loved ones the most.
Leo (July 23-Aug.22): Leo dancers truly enjoy being in the spotlight as they are fond of attention. They can be quite entertaining with their regal presence and dramatic flair. She is an exciting, dignified, fiery, and highly creative performer (think exotic Leo dancer Mata Hari who was born Aug. 7, 1876.) A Leo dancer makes a vibrant, energetic teacher and troupe leader. She looks best in warm colors particularly all shades of orange and gold with a long mane to complete the look. Jungle prints were designed with her in mind. This dancer can easily accentuate her performance with finger cymbals or a tambourine as these musical instruments are ruled by the sign of Leo. However, she should always use caution when doing floor work or backbends as this part of the body can be delicate.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo dancers are generally graceful, somewhat introverted, and can be charmingly shy and modest. Her nature is to be detail-minded and she is able to mentally create choreographies with ease and can just as skilfully learn those created by others. Virgo dancers can be most adept at tribal, ethnic, or folk dances in particular. She can be a perfectionist and this strongly contributes to her dancing skills. Musical timing is precise and moves are meticulously executed down to the very last detail as this dancer does not leave anything up to chance. When performing, she prefers traditional, classical songs over modern or pop as well as choreographies over improvising. Earth tones and dark greens compliment her best as she is born under an earth sign.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libra dancers excel at interacting with their audiences as they are born under the most socially-inclined sign of the Zodiac. She tends to be most comfortable following choreographies and performing in troupes rather than improvising and dancing solos. This dancer perfectly exemplifies charm, grace, elegance, and cheerfulness. Due to an acute sense of timing and equilibrium, she is able to master sword balancing; or perform a Shamadan (candelabra) dance, and even balance water jugs or pots in folkloric dances with ease, skill, and confidence. The Libra dancer possesses a strong appreciation for the dance, the music, the jewellery and costumes that are all governed by her ruling planet of Venus. Costumes in shades of light blue, soft pink, lavender, and copper bring out her very best.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov.21): Scorpio dancers can easily project an image of mystery, drama, and passion. She is able to communicate with an audience through her intense and bewitching gaze. This dancer can experience a powerful inner transformation or spiritual exaltation through her performance that she expertly conveys to others. She is a tireless and fearless dancer (like Scorpio Flamenco legend, Carmen Amaya.) As a perfectionist, she can spend much time perfecting or sharpening her skills in order to achieve the desired results. Memory is quite retentive and she possesses a great ability to focus. For these reasons she can quickly learn the choreographies of others. This dancer looks and feels best in burgundy and black costumes.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec.21): Sagittarian dancers are outgoing, fun, enthusiastic, and exciting. They are not above using a little bit of humor or playfulness in their interpretation of music. Her hip work is to be admired as this is the area of the body ruled by her sign. She is a quick learner and an inspirational dancer with great vision that is expertly projected through her dance. Ethnic, folk, or foreign music is of particular interest. Due to her love of travel and foreign cultures, she may be attracted to foreign dances such as Bollywood or Flamenco that can easily be fusioned with Belly Dance. Her endless need to continue learning makes her an excellent student. She prefers dancing outdoors in the open, fresh air and costumes in dark blue and purples bring out her very best.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.19): Capricorn dancers are the most disciplined and dedicated of all; the epitome of the perfectly polished, classical dancer. However, she may not feel most comfortable with improvisation and prefers a structured routine or choreography. Yet, more than any other sign she improves with age. Through dance, she is able to work out certain personal inhibitions and break down emotional barriers. Born under an earth sign, she can easily master tribal or ethnic dances as well as floor work when she is able to feel most grounded. Traditional or classic music is preferred when performing as opposed to modern or pop songs. Costumes in earth tones as well as grays and blacks bring out her best.
Aquarius (Jan.20-Feb.19): Aquarian dancers are innovative, unique, and original. Born under a highly social sign, they are great with people, from interacting with audiences to performing with troupes. Her electrifying energy is often projected through her skilful shimmies. She enjoys experimenting with pop, modern, and even non Middle Eastern music. This dancer excels at improvisation and is never afraid to try something new by being unpredictable, refreshing, and unconventional. She can be highly imaginative and even quirky in her dance and choice of costume. Rare is an Aquarian dancer who does not wear anklets as this sign rules the ankles. As for costumes, electric or dark blue, purple, and black bring out her best.
Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20): Pisces dancers are the most ethereal and spiritual of all. As they are born under the planet Neptune that rules dance and music they, more than any others, love the fantasy aspect of the dance. Her dance is soft and subtle yet can be highly impressionable or moving to others. She dances best from inspiration, intuition, and improvisation rather than by learning and memorizing scripted choreographies. As a highly artistic and creative dancer, she is able to work wonders with soft, flowing veils that are also ruled by this sign and planet. Footwear, or the lack of it, is important to her as Pisces rules the feet. She feels most comfortable and looks best in shades of violet, deep blue, blue-green, and all the colors of the sea that is ruled by Neptune.
