Interpreting the cusps can be quite an art. There can sometimes be a fascinating mix between the two signs, and other times a clear switch into the next energy. Over time, as I study more of the physical nature and makeup of astrology, this metaphorical understanding has become increasingly helpful. It explains why the "fuzziness" of interpretation is more toward the end of a signs cycle, and not as much as the beginning of another. It also explains how a few degrees can create such a clear shift energetically.