Everything to Know About Your Zodiac Sign: Sun, Moon, Rising, & More

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Fully understand your birth chart with tips from expert astrologers
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How do the sun, moon, and planets affect your life and personality? Your zodiac signs, birth chart, and horoscope may hold the answer. Horoscopes forecast your future using information based on the positions of celestial bodies at the time of your birth. But if you want to know your daily, weekly, or monthly horoscope, you first must find and understand the different parts of your zodiac sign. Ready to get started on your astrological journey? We’ll show you exactly how to find your zodiac sign and horoscope—with expert insight from professional astrologers.

What is my Zodiac sign?

  • Aries: March 21 - April 19
  • Taurus: April 20 - May 20
  • Gemini: May 21 - June 21
  • Cancer: June 21 - July 22
  • Leo: July 23 - August 22
  • Virgo: August 23 - September 22
  • Libra: Sept 23 - Oct 22
  • Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21
  • Sagittarius: Nov 22 - Dec 21
  • Capricorn: Dec 22 - Jan 19
  • Aquarius: Jan 20 - Feb 18
  • Pisces: Feb 19 - March 20
Section 1 of 8:

Dates for Each Zodiac Sign: At a Glance

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  1. There are 12 main Zodiac signs (more specifically referred to as Sun signs) that are categorized according to certain date ranges throughout the year. Your Sun sign influences the personality traits that best describe your pride, ego, drive, and who you are at your core—as expert astrologer Angel Eyedealism puts it, “your sun sign speaks to your physical body, ego, and identity.” To find your Sun sign , look for which date range your birthday falls into:
    • Aries: March 21st through April 19th.
    • Taurus: April 20th through May 20th.
    • Gemini: May 21st through June 20th.
    • Cancer: June 21st through July 22nd.
    • Leo: July 23rd through August 22nd.
    • Virgo: August 23rd through September 22nd.
    • Libra: September 23rd through October 22nd.
    • Scorpio: October 23rd through November 21st.
    • Sagittarius: November 22nd through December 21st.
    • Capricorn: December 22nd through January 19th.
    • Aquarius: January 20th through February 18th.
    • Pisces: February 19th through March 20th.
    • Does your birthday fall right between two signs? According to psychic astrologer Stina Garbis, “the starting date of a sign can change from year to year. If you were born around the 20th of the month or between the 18th to the 23rd…[consider] having your chart done to verify your sign.”
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Section 2 of 8:

Finding & Understanding Your Sun Sign

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  1. Aries Sun signs are bold, ambitious, and never one to back down from a challenge. They love to compete and, more specifically, they love to come out on top as a winner. An Aries can also be “very ‘me first,’” says Vedic astrologer Tara Divina. “They’re very go-go-go, direct, and straightforward.” Unsurprisingly, they usually want to be around people “that can keep up with them mentally,” comments Divina.
    • Symbol: The Ram ♈
    • Element: Fire 🔥 (Key Traits: Confident, Passionate, and Intuitive) .
    • Ruling Planet: Mars
    • Main Positive Trait: Courageous
    • Biggest Challenge Area Impulsiveness
  2. Tauruses are all about luxury and excess, and they enjoy relaxing in serene solitude. “Due to their fixed Earth natures,” explains Garbis, “Tauruses tend to be loyal, materialistic, stable, financially secure, honest, and sometimes stubborn. Also, being ruled by Venus brings out a highly sensual and physically affectionate side that’s very tactile. They enjoy luxury, the best of everything, and having luxurious houses filled with velvet and satin and lots of pillows and fine art.”
    • “Tauruses love money and food,” affirms Eyedealism. “They’re very thick-skinned…and very practical.”
    • Symbol: The Bull ♉
    • Element: Earth 🌱 (Key Traits: Practical, Stable, and Persistent) .
    • Ruling Planet: Venus
    • Main Positive Trait: Stable
    • Potential Challenges: Inflexibility
  3. Geminis are endlessly fun, playful, and spontaneous—almost as if they have the energy of two people bottled up inside them! They’re constantly driven by curiosity and ambition, and they always want to explore and learn more. “Geminis are very dual-minded about things,” says Divina. Depending on what minute of the day, “they could have changed their mind on something,” adds Eyedealism. “They need a sense of freedom and constant amusement, or they become disinterested very quickly.”
    • Symbol: The Twins ♊
    • Element: Air 🌬️ (Key Traits: Social, Communicative, and Open-Minded) .
    • Ruling Planet: Mercury
    • Main Positive Trait: Outgoing
    • Potential Challenges: Emotional avoidance
  4. Cancer is well-known for being in-touch with their emotional side. This Sun sign tends to be highly intuitive with almost psychic abilities that allow them to navigate between emotional and material worlds. However, they do tend to put up walls in order to protect their intense emotional center, so it takes a lot to earn (and keep) the trust of a Cancer. [1]
    • Symbol: The Crab ♋
    • Element: Water 🌊 (Key Traits: Idealistic, Sensitive, and Kind) .
    • Ruling Planet: Moon
    • Main Positive Trait: Loyal
    • Potential Challenges: Co-dependence
  5. “Leo’s sign is a lion, and lions are regal, blustery, courageous, and the kings of the animal kingdom,” says Divina. Leos “embody some of those qualities of being at the top and feeling like they’re meant to be served like a king or lion. So they have a strong selfishness in that way…Leo feels that Leo is right and important.” This sign is also very “strong-willed about your loyalty to them,” adds Eyedealism.
    • Symbol: The Lion ♌
    • Element: Fire 🔥 (Key Traits: Confident, Passionate, and Intuitive) .
    • Ruling Planet: Sun
    • Main Positive Trait: Confident
    • Potential Challenges: Selfishness
  6. Virgos are the perfectionists of the astrological calendar. They’re logical and practical, and they approach almost any situation in a systematic and calculated way. But when they encounter a skill that they haven’t yet perfected, Virgos won’t get discouraged—instead, they’ll improve their skills through consistent practice and hard work. [2]
    • Symbol: The Maiden ♍
    • Element: Earth 🌱 (Key Traits: Practical, Stable, and Persistent) .
    • Ruling Planet: Mercury
    • Main Positive Trait: Perfectionistic
    • Potential Challenges: Self-criticism
  7. Libras seek balance in every facet of their life. They’re focused on finding and establishing equilibrium within themselves and in their external world—but especially when it comes to love and romantic relationships. In a nutshell, Libras embody justice, harmony, and peace, and “they’re constantly trying to balance things,” explains Eyedealism.
    • Symbol: The Scales ♎
    • Element: Air 🌬️ (Key Traits: Social, Communicative, and Open-Minded) .
    • Ruling Planet: Venus
    • Main Positive Trait: Balanced
    • Potential Challenges: Indecision
  8. “Scorpio is all about power,” explains Eyedealism. This oft-misunderstood sign is notably mysterious and elusive, as they live almost entirely in their internal emotional world. They’re extremely passionate and emotional, which can sometimes result in jealous and self-protective behaviors. Deep down, however, Scorpios are incredibly sensitive and intuitive. [3]
    • Symbol: The Scorpion ♏
    • Element: Water 🌊 (Key Traits: Idealistic, Sensitive, and Kind) .
    • Ruling Planet: Pluto
    • Main Positive Trait: Passionate
    • Potential Challenges: Holding grudges
  9. As Eyedealism describes them, Sagittarians “are seeking truth and justice throughout the world, and they have a real need for freedom and space.” They always need space, continues Eyedealism, as in “they’re on another planet or in another country…so if they come closer and stick around, that’s a big deal.”
    • Symbol: The Archer ♐
    • Element: Fire 🔥 (Key Traits: Confident, Passionate, and Intuitive) .
    • Ruling Planet: Jupiter
    • Main Positive Trait: Spontaneous
    • Potential Challenges: Irresponsibility
  10. Capricorns are “very practical and incredibly ambitious,” explains Eyedealism. This goal-oriented sign has lofty ambitions, but they progress toward them in a slow-and-steady manner. They believe in patience, perseverance, and dedication and—when it comes to making decisions—Divina notes how “a Capricorn would probably move from their head versus their heart…so it might be an overly practical approach.”
    • Symbol: The Goat ♑
    • Element: Earth 🌱 (Key Traits: Practical, Stable, and Persistent) .
    • Ruling Planet: Saturn
    • Main Positive Trait: Consistent
    • Potential Challenges: Stubbornness
  11. According to Eyedealism, Aquarians are “very stubborn, and…they have ideas and beliefs that they’re extremely strong-willed about.” However, these firmly-held ideas are usually founded in a lot of deep consideration, as Aquarius is one of the most innovative, progressive, and revolutionary signs in the Zodiac. They’re also avid humanitarians that strive to have a positive impact on the world around them. [4]
    • Symbol: The Water Bearer ♒
    • Element: Air 🌬️ (Key Traits: Social, Communicative, and Open-Minded) .
    • Ruling Planet: Uranus
    • Main Positive Trait: Philosophical
    • Potential Challenges: Detachment
  12. If you rearrange the letters of “ Pisces ,” you can get something pretty close to “psychic” (well, not really, but you get the idea). Astrologically, however, the Pisces sign is extremely intuitive, sensitive, and empathetic—bordering on psychic levels of forethought and insight. However, this connection to the psychic world can mean that the Pisces’ attention often wavers between reality and fantasy. [5]
    • Symbol: The Fish ♓
    • Element: Water 🌊 (Key Traits: Idealistic, Sensitive, and Kind) .
    • Ruling Planet: Neptune
    • Main Positive Trait: Romantic
    • Potential Challenges: Escapism
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Section 3 of 8:

Finding Your Moon Sign

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  1. Look at your birth certificate or ask your parents to find your exact time of birth. Then, enter your birth date and time into an online Moon sign calculator, such as this one from CafeAstrology. Then, you can consult the general meaning of your Moon sign from the list below. Just remember that “the moon in your chart determines how you communicate…your emotional states and moods,” says Garbis. It reflects your inner self and what your personality is like when you’re in your comfort zone or alone. [6]
    • Aries Moon : Highly impulsive and emotionally intense.
    • Taurus Moon : Values stability, routine, and predictability in emotional life.
    • Gemini Moon : “Over-analyzes and intellectualizes emotions,” Eyedealism describes.
    • Cancer Moon : Nurturing and sensitive, emphasizing family security.
    • Leo Moon : Dramatic and expressive with a desire for admiration.
    • Virgo Moon : Analytical, detail-oriented, and self-critical around emotions.
    • Libra Moon : Seeks harmony, fairness, and partnership in relationships.
    • Scorpio Moon: Intense and passionate with a want for deep connection and privacy.
    • Sagittarius Moon : Free-spirited, adventurous. Desires new emotional experiences.
    • Capricorn Moon : Practical and grounded with a focus on long-term goals.
    • Aquarius Moon : Independent and humanitarian in emotional approach.
    • Pisces Moon : Intuitive, compassionate, and easily influenced by others’ emotions.
Section 4 of 8:

Finding Your Rising or Ascendant Sign

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  1. Your Rising or Ascendant sign (you’ll hear it both ways) “is put out in terms of your personality, persona, and social standing,” explains Eyedealism. “ It’s thought to represent a person’s outward appearance and demeanor, and how they relate to others. To find yours, use a natal chart calculator and be sure to enter the exact city you were born in—this data will determine your Rising sign , which you can find the general meaning of below: [7]
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Section 5 of 8:

Creating & Reading an Astrological Chart

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  1. Astrological charts show the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, sensitive angles, and astrological aspects throughout the year. You can purchase a copy of your birth chart online and either print it out or download it to be analyzed on your computer. Simply input the requested information into a natal chart calculator like this one . [8]
    EXPERT TIP

    Tara Divina

    Vedic Astrologer
    Tara Divina is a California-based Vedic Astrologer. Vedic Astrology, also known as Jyotish, is an ancient, sacred art of self-understanding and divination. With nearly 10 years of experience, Tara gives personalized readings that answer her clients' biggest questions about relationships, money, purpose, career, and other big life decisions.
    Tara Divina
    Vedic Astrologer

    Work with a reputable teacher to learn more about astrology. Most people think it's good to just learn astrology from a book, but many things can't be shown in a book and there's more subjectivity. I would recommend finding a reputable teacher with a lot of experience teaching and a lot of experience giving readings.

  2. Every natal or astrology chart is divided into 12 sections, each of which corresponds with a different date range within the year. To find your sun sign on your chart , look at the dates for each Zodiac sign, then find the Zodiac sign on the chart that your birthday falls within. [9]
    • The Sun sign is the Zodiac constellation that is located behind the sun on your birthday. Most daily, weekly, and monthly horoscopes are based on this sign alone.
  3. Find your ascendant at 9 o'clock—this is the sign and degree that was ascending the Eastern horizon when you were born. From this location, which represents the top line of the first house, each 30-degree interval counterclockwise is a subsequent house with a corresponding Zodiac sign. For example, if your first house (or Ascending, which is located in the 30-degrees from 9 o'clock to 8 o'clock) is in Aries, this means that this sign dominates your first house. Here are all the house numbers and what each house rules over: [10]
    • First House : Identity, temperament, and external presentation (your ascendant).
    • Second House : Money, material possessions, and self-worth.
    • Third House: Communication.
    • Fourth House : Family life, home, and relationship with a same-sex parent.
    • Fifth House : Creativity, romance, self-expression, and joy.
    • Sixth House : Daily routine, habits, and time management.
    • Seventh House : Partnerships and relationships.
    • Eighth House : Finance, psychology, and intimate unions.
    • Ninth House : Long-distance travel, global trade, and foreign interactions.
    • Tenth House : Career, public image, and long-term goals.
    • Eleventh House: Friendship, social groups, and humanitarianism.
    • Twelfth House : Subconscious and spiritual thoughts.
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Section 6 of 8:

Reading Your Daily, Monthly, or Weekly Horoscope

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  1. Most newspapers have a section titled "Daily Horoscope," which provides Zodiac-based advice for each day. For a more modern option, head online and search for a daily, weekly, or monthly horoscope for plenty of options. You can also subscribe to website newsletters to get your horoscope emailed to you every day.
  2. After reading one or more horoscopes, try and apply the information to your daily life. If your horoscope tells you to pursue a new relationship and you see an opportunity—professional or romantic—take a chance! With that being said, you can use your horoscopes as motivational guides, but avoid taking them too seriously since astrology is not based on scientific data. [11]
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Section 7 of 8:

Zodiac Compatibility

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  1. Each Zodiac sign is more or less likely to be compatible with other signs , depending on their individual traits and how they interact. Typically, Sun signs will get along best with signs that share their designated element (i.e., fire , water, air , or earth ). However, this is just a general rule and not definitive—below, you can find each Zodiac sign and who they’re thought to be most compatible with: [12]
    EXPERT TIP

    Tara Divina

    Vedic Astrologer
    Tara Divina is a California-based Vedic Astrologer. Vedic Astrology, also known as Jyotish, is an ancient, sacred art of self-understanding and divination. With nearly 10 years of experience, Tara gives personalized readings that answer her clients' biggest questions about relationships, money, purpose, career, and other big life decisions.
    Tara Divina
    Vedic Astrologer

    Be careful about making generalizations based on somebody's sign. There's so much more to know about the person. Each first chart is like a snowflake, each human being is a completely unique individual, and their sign gives only a tiny piece of the overall information about that person.

Section 8 of 8:

History of Horoscopes & Zodiac Signs

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  1. Ancient Babylonians divided the sky into 12 sections and associated each one with a constellation. Later on, the Greeks renamed these constellations and connected them to certain birth dates, which is where we derive the modern Zodiac from. [13]
    • Over time, astrology spread throughout various civilizations, including the Hellenistic world, Islamic cultures, and groups across Europe. Each new society and region added their own interpretations and symbolisms.
    • Other cultures have their own prominent versions of astrology and the Zodiac that are distinct from the Western world, such as Vedic astrology , the Chinese Zodiac , and the Mayan Zodiac .
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I find my chart ruler?
    Stina Garbis
    Psychic Astrologer
    Reverend Stina Garbis is a Psychic Astrologer and the Owner of Psychic Stina. With over 30 years of experience, she specializes in providing personal and professional advice through astrology and tarot card readings. Reverend Stina has experience working with high-profile celebrities, sports figures, politicians, and CEOs. She has been featured in many publications, including Bustle, Vice, The New York Post, and Readers’ Digest and she also has a 200k+ following on TikTok. Stina holds an Ordained Minister License from The International Metaphysical Ministry University Seminary.
    Stina Garbis
    Psychic Astrologer
    Expert Answer
    Your astrological chart ruler is the planet that rules your rising sign, which is determined by your time and place of birth.
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  • Question
    Does Aquarius match with Pisces?
    Galasy4969
    Top Answerer
    It won't be an easy relationship. Pisces can be overly trusting, and Aquarius is known for waffling and flippancy. Still, you can try.
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    Why is Libra romantic?
    Galasy4969
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    Libra is one of the most mature signs of the zodiac. Libras will almost always wish for marriage. They want someone who helps them find some confidence (and maybe need some emotional support in return).
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      References

      1. ↑ https://cafeastrology.com/zodiaccancer.html
      2. ↑ https://astrostyle.com/astrology/zodiac-signs/virgo/
      3. ↑ https://cafeastrology.com/zodiacscorpio.html
      4. ↑ https://cafeastrology.com/zodiacaquarius.html
      5. ↑ https://cafeastrology.com/zodiacpisces.html
      6. ↑ https://cafeastrology.com/articles/mooninsigns.html
      7. ↑ https://astrostyle.com/astrology/rising-sign/
      8. ↑ https://www.vogue.com/article/how-to-create-your-own-astrology-birth-chart
      9. ↑ https://cafeastrology.com/whats-my-sun-sign.html
      1. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/12-houses-of-astrology-6890300
      2. ↑ https://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/pdfs/astrology_checklist.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.astrology.com/compatibility/zodiac-signs/love.html
      4. ↑ https://time.com/5315377/are-zodiac-signs-real-astrology-history/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To figure out your horoscope, start by finding out your zodiac sign, or sun sign. Your zodiac sign is determined by what time of the year you were born. For example, if you were born between December 22nd and January 19th, your sign is Capricorn. Once you know your sign, look up what kinds of personality traits are associated with it. For instance, people born under Virgo are thought to be thoughtful and analytical, while those with Cancer as their sign have a reputation for being unpredictable and adventurous. Once you know your sign, you can find your horoscope by looking at a newspaper, magazine, or astrology website. Typically, horoscopes are either daily, weekly, or monthly. Locate the horoscope prediction associated with your sign. As you read it, try to think of ways that the predictions and advice in the horoscope apply to what’s going on in your life right now. For example, if your horoscope says that now is a good time to pursue romantic relationships, consider asking your crush out on a date. You can also learn more about your horoscope by reading an astrology chart. These charts show the positions of the sun, the moon, and other celestial bodies at the exact time and date of your birth. You can either create a chart using an astrology website, or have one made for you by a professional astrologer. Using your chart, you can figure out things like your rising sign—or the sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of your birth—as well as your dominant house, which is the section of the chart where your rising sign is located. Since reading an astrology chart can be complicated, ask a professional to help you, or pick up an astrology book from your bookstore or local library for more information. For tips on how to find your sun sign on an astrology chart, keep reading!

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