Zodiac Signs — The Ultimate Guide
The zodiac is a cycle of twelve signs mapped to the ecliptic. Each sign has an element (fire, earth, air, water), a modality (cardinal, fixed, mutable), and a ruling planet shaping tone and instinct. Use this page as your hub to every sign’s meaning, traits, dates, and how they work inside your full birth chart.
Contents
What Are Zodiac Signs?
In Western (tropical) astrology, the zodiac begins at the March equinox and divides the ecliptic into twelve 30° sectors. Each sector is a sign with a distinct style of expressing planetary drives. Signs don’t cause events; they describe how energy moves.
- Element = basic fuel (fire action, earth building, air ideas, water feeling).
- Modality = operating mode (cardinal initiate, fixed stabilize, mutable adapt).
- Ruler = planetary “manager” of the sign (see rulerships).
- Your full picture comes from all placements in your astrology charts—not Sun alone.
Elements & Modalities
The Four Elements
The Three Modalities
Planetary Rulerships & Exaltations
Each sign has a classical ruler. Some have modern co-rulers. Exaltation marks a planet’s “sweet spot.” Learn more in Planets.
Signs & House Echoes
Signs aren’t houses, but they echo them in order (Aries↔︎1st house, Taurus↔︎2nd, …). Tracking both adds context to life areas.
Sun, Moon, and Rising (Ascendant)
- Sun sign: core vitality and style of becoming.
- Moon sign: comfort system and emotional needs.
- Rising sign: how life starts for you; the lens others meet first.
Map yours now in seconds: /birth-chart
All 12 Signs — Quick Reference
Dates are approximate (tropical). If born on a cusp, check your exact chart.
| Sign | Dates | Element | Modality | Ruler | House Echo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | Mar 21–Apr 19 | Fire | Cardinal | Mars | 1st |
| Taurus | Apr 20–May 20 | Earth | Fixed | Venus | 2nd |
| Gemini | May 21–Jun 20 | Air | Mutable | Mercury | 3rd |
| Cancer | Jun 21–Jul 22 | Water | Cardinal | Moon | 4th |
| Leo | Jul 23–Aug 22 | Fire | Fixed | Sun | 5th |
| Virgo | Aug 23–Sep 22 | Earth | Mutable | Mercury | 6th |
| Libra | Sep 23–Oct 22 | Air | Cardinal | Venus | 7th |
| Scorpio | Oct 23–Nov 21 | Water | Fixed | Mars (trad.), Pluto | 8th |
| Sagittarius | Nov 22–Dec 21 | Fire | Mutable | Jupiter | 9th |
| Capricorn | Dec 22–Jan 19 | Earth | Cardinal | Saturn | 10th |
| Aquarius | Jan 20–Feb 18 | Air | Fixed | Saturn (trad.), Uranus | 11th |
| Pisces | Feb 19–Mar 20 | Water | Mutable | Jupiter (trad.), Neptune | 12th |
Sign-by-Sign Guides
Click into each sign for deep dives. Below are concise profiles for fast orientation.
Aries — The Initiator
- Cardinal Fire • Ruler: Mars • Dates: Mar 21–Apr 19
- Strengths: courage, decisiveness, pioneering spirit
- Growth edge: patience, listening before leaping
- Thrives when: there’s a challenge and a clear first step
Taurus — The Builder
- Fixed Earth • Ruler: Venus • Dates: Apr 20–May 20
- Strengths: steadiness, craft, appreciation of quality
- Growth edge: flexibility, releasing stubbornness
- Thrives when: there’s time to perfect and enjoy the process
Gemini — The Messenger
- Mutable Air • Ruler: Mercury • Dates: May 21–Jun 20
- Strengths: curiosity, wit, social agility
- Growth edge: depth, finishing what’s started
- Thrives when: ideas move and there’s room to explore
Cancer — The Nurturer
- Cardinal Water • Ruler: Moon • Dates: Jun 21–Jul 22
- Strengths: empathy, devotion, protection
- Growth edge: boundaries, emotional clarity
- Thrives when: home base feels safe and cared for
Leo — The Creator
- Fixed Fire • Ruler: Sun • Dates: Jul 23–Aug 22
- Strengths: warmth, loyalty, expressive power
- Growth edge: sharing the spotlight, consistency behind the scenes
- Thrives when: there’s play, purpose, and applause earned by effort
Virgo — The Analyst
- Mutable Earth • Ruler: Mercury • Dates: Aug 23–Sep 22
- Strengths: precision, service, refinement
- Growth edge: self-compassion, seeing the big picture
- Thrives when: systems are clear and skills are used well
Libra — The Balancer
- Cardinal Air • Ruler: Venus • Dates: Sep 23–Oct 22
- Strengths: diplomacy, aesthetics, fairness
- Growth edge: timely decisions, deeper conviction
- Thrives when: relationships are reciprocal and beautiful
Scorpio — The Alchemist
Sagittarius — The Explorer
- Mutable Fire • Ruler: Jupiter • Dates: Nov 22–Dec 21
- Strengths: optimism, candor, big-picture vision
- Growth edge: tact, follow-through
- Thrives when: there’s room to roam and learn
Capricorn — The Strategist
- Cardinal Earth • Ruler: Saturn • Dates: Dec 22–Jan 19
- Strengths: discipline, realism, stewardship
- Growth edge: softness, joy in the process
- Thrives when: goals are clear and earned step by step
Aquarius — The Reformer
Pisces — The Mystic
Advanced: Decans, Polarities, Triplicity
- Decans: each 30° sign splits into three 10° decans with sub-rulers that tweak tone.
- Polarity: signs alternate “outward” (fire/air) and “inward” (earth/water) emphasis.
- Triplicity: elemental support networks; by day/night, triplicity lords add nuance.
- Aspects: how planets talk; see Aspects (e.g. Sun-trine-Moon).
FAQ
Do cusps exist?
Dates shift slightly yearly; only your exact birth time/place resolves your sign. If born near transitions, run your birth chart.
Why do I not “feel like” my Sun sign?
You are more than Sun. Check Moon, Rising, and where planets fall by houses.
Which sign is most compatible with me?
Compatibility depends on the whole chart—especially Moon, Venus, Mars, and angles. Start here: /compatibility.