Arcana Pontis – The Archetypal Individualisation of the Zodiac Cusps by Andrea Galad

KALTBLUT presents: Arcana Pontis! Andrea Galad´s research project, “The Archetypal Individualisation of the Zodiac Cusps”  or, more succinctly, “Arcana Pontis”, unites psychology, symbolism, mythology, and visual arts. “Out of a need for greater clarity in the reading of astrological birth charts, I have carried out an original and unprecedented study: to give an autonomous and archetypal identity to the zodiac cusps.”

“In classical astrology, those born between two signs are typically described as being 50% one sign and 50% the other. It’s an appealing idea, but an imprecise one after all. What exactly constitutes that fifty per cent? Through years of observation, comparison, and the collection of real data on individuals born on cusps, I was surprised to discover that these people are not simply “hybrids,” but distinct and recognisable personalities, genuine archetypes in their own right. Many times I heard from cusp-born individuals, I am really not sure what I am, a Capricorn or an Aquarius, a Libra or a Virgo? And moved by the very well-known feeling of not being seen and wanting to find an identity, I decided to start this research.”

The Research

• Over the course of two years, I recorded and catalogued behavioural, emotional, and relational traits of individuals born under each cusp.
• I identified recurring patterns that belonged neither entirely to one sign nor the other, but formed a new, coherent core.
• From this, I developed twelve original archetypes, each corresponding to a zodiac cusp, defined by its own psychological and character traits, reflecting the shared points between the preceding and following signs.

“This work extended far beyond psychological and social analysis. To convey the imaginative power of these archetypes, I drew upon a broad symbolic heritage, first and foremost Mesopotamian mythology, the cradle of the twelve modern zodiac signs, and later classical mythology. I then sought a visual language that merges natural, animal, and ancient elements. Each cusp thus became not only a psychological profile, but also a visual symbol capable of embodying its essence. As a visual artist and photographer, I chose to translate these twelve new signs into photographic form, creating archetypal portraits that give body and face to these in-between personalities. The project is therefore both an astrological and an artistic research one that fuses analysis, myth, and visual imagination.

With this work, I propose for the first time in the history of astrology that cusps be regarded not as transitional zones or “lands between,” but as complete and independent zodiac signs in their own right. Cusps are not hybrids; they are unique archetypes, each with its own precise psychological dynamics, powerful symbols, and a visual language that confirms their existence. Cusps are thresholds, a bridge, and every threshold, every bridge is a living myth. The mythological creatures that dwell within are the guardians of these passages, eternal images of our inner metamorphoses.”

The Cusp Signs

♈︎ / ♉︎ — Minotaurus – The Minotaur – 18/19/20th of April

Those born under this cusp unite the impulsive energy of Aries with the endurance and sensuality of Taurus. They are determined, creative, and instinctively driven to transform ideas into tangible results. Their strength lies in their persistence and capacity for hard work, yet they can be very possessive, proud, and easily frustrated when things don’t go their way. Emotionally, they seek stability but crave intensity. Sex and sexuality are seen as nourishment and a coping mechanism to control their wild behaviour. They thrive when they learn to channel raw instinct into purposeful creation, finding balance between passion and patience.

♉︎ / ♊︎ — Cethra – The Lyre – 19/20/2t of May

This cusp blends Taurus’s love for beauty and comfort with Gemini’s curiosity and intellectual playfulness. These individuals are often lovers of art, music, and nature, drawn to pleasure and variety, which makes them real hedonists in love with the bright side of life. They enjoy sharing experiences and conversations, collecting beautiful moments and sensations. However, their light-hearted approach can sometimes make them superficial or restless. Their growth comes from learning to cultivate both pleasure and meaning, grounding curiosity in something lasting.

♊︎ / ♋︎ — Siren – The Mermaid – 19/20/21 of June

People born here combine Gemini’s adaptability and charm with Cancer’s emotional depth. Outwardly, they appear lively, witty, and approachable, but they often conceal a rich, sensitive inner world. They rarely reveal their emotions openly, preferring to maintain a cheerful mask; I noticed almost a sort of shame for their own emotional sphere, showing a preference for rationality that keeps them safe. This tendency can make them seem mysterious or emotionally distant. They are empathetic and imaginative but must learn to trust vulnerability, integrating intellect and feeling instead of keeping them apart.

♋︎ / ♌︎ — Aurora – Eos, the Dawn – 21/22/23 of July

This cusp merges Cancer’s emotional warmth with Leo’s vitality and drive. Individuals born here are naturally radiant, caring, and creative. Cancer embodies the lunar energy and Leo the Solar one; dawn is the moment of connection. They are tireless in self-improvement, often striving to give their best to others while maintaining strong personal goals. They balance emotional intuition with ambition and find fulfilment in nurturing others without losing themselves. Their challenge is to sustain authenticity, embracing both their bright and shadowed sides without idealising either.

♌︎ / ♍︎ — Sphinx – The Sphinx – 21/22/23 of August

Here, Leo’s fire meets Virgo’s discipline. These individuals are passionate workers who channel enthusiasm through structure and focus. They take pride in what they build and pursue excellence in what they love. Their perseverance and self-control make them capable of great accomplishments. Self-realisation at its best, cultivating pride and perfection as a way to be loved and recognised. However, they can be overly critical or rigid when things deviate from their standards. They flourish when they allow passion and discipline to coexist without suppressing spontaneity.

♍︎ / ♎︎ — Pecten – The Comb – 21/22/23 of September

This cusp joins Virgo’s precision with Libra’s sense of harmony. These individuals are natural organisers, driven to create beauty through order and symmetry. They are charming, fragile, courteous, and attentive to detail, often excelling in professions that demand aesthetics and balance. However, their strong dependence on external approval can erode their self-confidence, making them sensitive to judgment. Their natural indecisiveness and tendency to rationality often stop them, preventing them from evolving out of fear of inadequacy. They must learn to value their inner standards more than external validation.

♎︎ / ♏︎ — Reginae Inferorum – Persephone – 21/22/23 of October

Those born under this cusp live between light and darkness, uniting Libra’s grace with Scorpio’s depth. They oscillate between harmony and chaos, often judging themselves harshly for being either too soft or too intense. They tend to appear gentle and refined but may hide turbulent emotions or complex inner thoughts. When this darkness remains repressed, it can manifest in very precise manipulation skills or act out self-sabotage out of a sense of self-punishment (consciously or unconsciously ). Their evolution comes through self-awareness—accepting both their light and their shadow and using their emotional intensity creatively.

♏︎ / ♐︎ — Draconis Major – The Dragon – 21/22/23 of November

This cusp embodies transformation and expansion. Scorpios’ passion and secrecy blend with Sagittarius’s curiosity and idealism, creating individuals who seek truth through deep exploration. They oscillate between the underworld of emotion and the heights of philosophy—absolutely interested in the invisible world and human depths. They can be magnetic and visionary, yet prone to extremes of belief or behaviour. The tendency of arrogance or a silent sense of superiority is very common. Balance comes when they merge intuition with reason, turning inner chaos into insight and purpose.

♐︎ / ♑︎ — Navis – The Boat – 20/21/22 of December

People born on this cusp combine Sagittarius’s wanderlust with Capricorn’s ambition. They are independent, strategic, and purpose-driven, often more committed to goals than to relationships. They tend to trust their own judgment above others’, seeking advice but rarely following it. They embody the dreamer, the explorer and the visionary. Emotionally, they keep their distance, preferring freedom and self-determination to attachment. Their challenge lies in learning that achievement need not come at the expense of connection.

♑︎ / ♒︎ — Novator – Prometheus – 18/19/20 of January

This cusp merges Capricorn’s discipline with Aquarius’s rebellion. These individuals are innovators, capable of extraordinary insight and invention. They strive to bring progress and change, often feeling alienated from ordinary human concerns. As the Titan that represents them, they tend to show coldness or doubts about the utility of feelings; hence, they observe and try to learn what they don’t understand instead of trying to feel. Their brilliance and independence can isolate them emotionally, leaving them detached or misunderstood. Growth comes when they reconnect with empathy, learning that true innovation serves humanity, not pride.

♒︎ / ♓︎ — Frangipellis – The Shapeshifter – 17/18/19 of February

This cusp unites Aquarius’s nonconformity with Pisces’s sensitivity. Individuals born here are elusive, imaginative, and constantly changing. They resist structure and definition, preferring to live in possibilities rather than fixed identities; they embody the escapist, running away either for fear of feeling too much or for the sake of tragedy. They adapt easily but risk losing themselves in the process, often reflecting the moods or habits of those around them. They are personalities who avoid emotional intensity, ending up creating dramas they don’t want to face. Their task is to establish a stable sense of self without suppressing their fluidity or creative freedom.

♓︎ / ♈︎ — Phoenix Ardens – The Burning Phoenix – 19/20/21 of March 

Here, Pisces’s emotional depth merges with Aries’s fiery will. These are intensely aware of their inner state and always checking in with themselves, passionate souls driven by feeling and impulse. They embody the archetype of the struggling artist—destroying and rebuilding themselves through emotion, art, and experience. They may repeatedly test boundaries, embrace challenge and even self-sabotage to feel alive and uncover truth. As innate artists, they often suffer from confusion and inner conflict but also possess an extraordinary capacity for rebirth. Their power lies in listening to intuition and transforming suffering into renewal and creativity.