If you're just getting into astrology, you might be confused by all the terms out there—like, what's the difference between a zodiac sign, star sign, Sun sign, and just "your sign"? Well, those terms all mean the same thing—they indicate the zodiac sign the Sun was in when you were born, which holds the key to unlocking your identity.
What Is my Sun Sign?
Astrology is an ancient yet wildly popular tool in the modern era for self-discovery and insight into how the cosmos impacts our lives. At the core of your astrological birth chart lies the Sun sign, also known as your zodiac sign. When we dive into discussions about your zodiac sign, we're simply illuminating the placement of that radiant Sun when you made your dazzling entrance into this world.
Essentially, your Sun sign refers to the position the Sun was in on the date of your birth. Quick example: If someone was born on September 28, that makes them a Libra Sun. This represents your identity, ego, and the fundamental traits that define you. Additionally, your Sun sign reflects your basic identity, self-expression, and the qualities you naturally radiate to the world. It serves as a blueprint for understanding your individuality, core motivations, and the general energies that resonate with you.
What's the Difference Between my Sun, Moon, and Rising Sign?
While your Sun sign is super important, it's only the start of your cosmic adventure, darling. We’ve got your Moon and Rising signs entering the chat! Your Moon sign—aka which zodiac sign the Moon was in when you were born—represents your emotions, nurturing instincts, and internal nature. It also is linked to the energy of the mother and your home environment. It also reveals how you react to situations and seek emotional security.
Your Rising sign, also known as your Ascendant, shows the way you present yourself to the world and how others perceive you. It influences your outward behavior, appearance, and the first impression you make on others. It’s not a planetary body like the Moon and Sun; instead, it’s a calculation of the zodiac sign that was on the eastern horizon the exact time of your birth. Yes, you will need that accurate birth time for this one! Together, these three key components—Sun, Moon, and Rising—form a dynamic trio that paints the astrological picture of your personality, emotions, and outer persona. They're sometimes called your "Big Three."
What If I Was Born on a Cusp?
Were you born on the edge between two zodiac signs? You might believe that is the reason why you have a blend of both Sun signs in your personality. But contrary to popular belief, my darling, in astrology, cusps do not exist. Each zodiac sign occupies a specific range of dates, and your Sun falls within one sign or another. The reason why you may resonate with certain traits from neighboring signs is because of the influence of other planets in your birth chart. So if you’re an Aries sun, you might have Mercury or Venus in Pisces adding some emotional depth to your fiery persona. For a more accurate understanding of your astrological profile, considering your complete birth chart is recommended. Adding your birth time in addition to birth date and location in a birth chart calculator will identify which zodiac sign you officially are.
The 12 Sun Signs
Determining your Sun sign is relatively easy. If you know your birth date, simply refer to the list below. One caveat: If you were born near the start or end of the range of dates for your zodiac sign, double-check your Sun sign with a birth chart calculator. The exact cutoff date can vary slightly from year to year.
Aries
Dates: March 21-April 19
Element: Fire
Keywords: Courageous, active, passionate, leader
Taurus
Dates: April 20-May 20
Element: Earth
Keywords: Patient, reliable, sensual, determined
Gemini
Dates: May 21-June 20
Element: Air
Keywords: Versatile, curious, sociable, vocal
Cancer
Dates: June 21-July 22
Element: Water
Keywords: Nurturing, intuitive, sensitive, empathetic
Leo
Dates: July 23-August 22
Element: Fire
Keywords: Confident, charismatic, generous, dramatic
Virgo
Dates: August 23-September 22
Element: Earth
Keywords: Analytical, practical, meticulous, humble
Libra
Dates: September 23-October 22
Element: Air
Keywords: Harmonious, diplomatic, cooperative, social
Scorpio
Dates: October 23-November 21
Element: Water
Keywords: Intense, passionate, perceptive, secretive
Sagittarius
Dates: November 22-December 21
Element: Fire
Keywords: Adventurous, optimistic, philosophical, independent
Capricorn
Dates: December 22-January 19
Element: Earth
Keywords: Ambitious, disciplined, responsible, practical
Aquarius
Dates: January 20-February 18
Element: Air
Keywords: Intellectual, unconventional, visionary, humanitarian
Pisces
Dates: February 19-March 20
Element: Water
Keywords: Compassionate, imaginative, intuitive, sensitive
Beyond Your Sun Sign: Your Birth Chart
Ready to take your astro wisdom to the next level, babe? There are a ton of easy to use birth chart calculators online such as AstroSeek and Café Astrology. These platforms offer all of the juicy deets on the cosmic mysteries that influence your life. You also can dive even deeper (and have that personal touch) with your fave astrologer by booking a personal reading. They will take you on the cosmic journey you won’t forget.
Before you can live your best cosmic life, you’ve got to build a strong foundation, and it all starts with your Sun sign. Embrace who you are and live your best life by understanding your Sun sign first. Through exploring your birth chart, you will trigger a transformative journey of self-awareness and empowerment. It’s time to own your cosmic runway like the star you are!
Adama Sesay
Adama Sesay is the host of the transformative Black Moon Lilith Rising podcast. Her words extend their reach even further with her published book and oracle deck, Black Moon Lilith Rising: How to Unlock the Power of the Dark Divine Feminine Through Astrology and Black Moon Lilith Cosmic Alchemy Oracle Cards. As the founder of LilithAstrology.com, she cultivates an online community devoted to the embrace of the dark divine feminine. With a wealth of experience in astrology, the mystical arts, and the beauty industry, her expertise shines through. She is a skilled professional astrologer whose work is featured in numerous online media outlets and magazines. Follow her on TikTok and YouTube.