What Do Your Sun, Moon, and Rising Signs Mean in Astrology?

Co-authored by Angel Eyedealism and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: January 26, 2022 References

Astrology is a fascinating way to learn more about yourself while gaining valuable insights into your daily life. But between your sun, moon, and rising signs, how are you supposed to get the full lowdown on your horoscope? No worries–we’re here to clearly explain the difference between these different signs, as well as ways to calculate each. Once you’ve gathered your results, you can create a customized astrological profile for yourself by fitting all the pieces together.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Sun Signs

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Your Sun sign represents the core of your identity and aspirations. Imagine that you’re filling out a personality questionnaire, and the test is asking you to describe yourself in a few words. Chances are, the words that you choose will match up with the traits of your Sun sign, too. Since your Sun Sign centers around who you are as a person, it will always be at the head of your birth chart/astrological profile.^{[1]
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Research source}
- If you’re interested in learning more about who you are as a person, your Sun sign can shed some light on that.
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Calculate your Sun sign with your birthday. You’ve probably seen a chart or graph of the zodiac signs divided into 12, month-long time ranges. These different groupings represent the 12 different Sun signs.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist
Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.} Just find the zodiac grouping that includes your birthday, and you’ll be good to go! Here’s a list that you can reference:
- Aries: March 21 - April 19
- Taurus: April 20 - May 20
- Gemini: May 21 - June 21
- Cancer: June 22 - July 22
- Leo: July 23 - August 22
- Virgo: August 23 - September 22
- Libra: September 23 - October 23
- Scorpio: October 24 - November 21
- Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21
- Capricorn: December 22 - January 19
- Aquarius: January 20 - February 18
- Pisces: February 19 - March 20^{[3]
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Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. The fire signs embrace their passions and live life with their foot on the gas pedal. In the true spirit of their element, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius individuals are filled with a burning drive, and never turn down the heat. Here’s a little more info on each Sun sign:
- Aries: Aries Suns spark with energy, determination, and impatience. Direct and determined, an Aries will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals, and will never back down from a challenge.
- Leo: Leo Suns burn hot with a desire to reach and achieve their goals, and approach life with a special type of intensity and focus. They can come across as self-important but are loyal and persistent to a fault.
- Sagittarius: Sagittarius Suns glow like a bright spot of sunlight, and are known for their warmth, good-naturedness, and glass-half-full attitude. Although they’re friendly and easy to get along with, this Sun sign is also known for its fast, quick-burning temper.
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Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Like their element, these signs are about as rooted, stable, and authentic as they come. Not known to be wishy-washy, earth signs are dependable to a fault, patient, and in it for the long haul. Here’s a closer look at the individual earth signs:
- Taurus: Solid and reliable, Taurus Suns treasure all aspects of life that relate to the senses, whether it’s a tasty meal, a fragrant bouquet of flowers, a colorful painting, or a fun song on a car radio. Determined and stubborn, you’ll be hard-pressed to move a Taurus from their original position or viewpoint.
- Virgo: Sensitive and curious, Virgo Suns share a passion for knowledge and the natural parts of life. They’re also known for their attention to detail, though they often put too much on their plates at once.
- Capricorn: Focused and grounded, Capricorn Suns are rooted in simplicity, preparedness, and resourcefulness. Although they have a great work ethic, Capricorns tend to be on the solitary and stoic side.
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Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Air signs are known for being social, funny, and on the move. Much like their element, air signs aren’t ones to sit still, and prefer to keep moving forward to the next thing. Take a closer look at what makes each air sign tick:
- Gemini: Curious, adaptable, and constantly changing, Gemini Suns are great at blending in with others. On the other hand, Gemini Suns tend to keep their loved ones, friends, and acquaintances at arm's length, and they aren’t comfortable getting intimate right away.
- Libra: Balanced and cooperative, Libra Suns are the epitome of their patron scale. Conflict makes them uncomfortable, and they may lie or keep quiet about their opinions to prevent themselves from making a problem worse.
- Aquarius: Aquarius Suns are proud of their individuality and don’t tend to follow the crowd. Although clever, smart, and easy to get along with, Aquarius Suns like having time to themselves, and they don’t like being chained down.
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Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water signs are anchored in their emotions, and are ruled by a strong sense of intuition. They deeply value having a sense of security and protection, and are often guided by their sense of sentimentality. Here’s a closer look at each water sign in Sun:
- Cancer: Cancer Suns are ruled by a need for security, and are well-known for being on the moody and sensitive side. Although Cancer Suns sometimes crawl back into their shell, they’re extremely reliable and supportive of others.
- Scorpio: Intense and focused, Scorpio Suns tend to get tunnel-vision in their tasks and projects–as long as they can commit to doing them. Equal parts tenacious and curious, Scorpios don’t back down and willingly go head-to-head with others.
- Pisces: Compassionate, calm, and expressive, Pisces Suns adapt and connect well with others. Although sensitive, Pisces are very resilient and able to bounce back after a rough patch.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Moon Signs

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Your Moon sign relates to your habits, core needs, and inner thoughts. Unlike your Sun sign, your Moon sign takes a deep dive into how you feel and react, and explores how you build a sense of security and safety for yourself.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist
Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.} You’re actually connecting with your Moon sign whenever you rely on your sense of intuition or express yourself in a creative way.^{[5]
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Research source}
- If you’d like more insight into your emotional wants and needs, your Moon sign is what you should check.
- Water Moon signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) may shine through your personality even more than your Sun sign.
2
Use an online calculator and your birth info to figure out your Moon sign. Jot down your birth date and year, along with your exact birth time and birth location. Then, plug that information into an astrological online calculator to get your results.
- Open up Google and search “free online moon sign calculator” to find a site that will figure out your Moon sign for you.
- If you don’t know what your birth time or birthplace is, ask your parents or guardians for help. You can also reference your birth certificate if you have it on hand.
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Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Just like their element, these Moon signs embody a special type of warmth and passion beneath the surface. Some fire signs embrace impulsivity, while others are more defined by leadership and a warm sense of loyalty or optimism. Here’s a closer look at each Moon sign:
- Aries Moon: Confrontational, direct, independent, passionate
- Leo Moon: Creative, dramatic, prideful, fair
- Sagittarius Moon: Optimistic, helpful, flexible, restless
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Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. These Moon signs tend to be grounded, just like their element. Some earth signs are grounded in a headstrong way, while other signs anchor themselves in a sense of routine and security. Here are few defining traits for the earth signs:
- Taurus Moon: Romantic, safety-focused, loyal, stubborn
- Virgo Moon: Prone to complaining, restless, practical, reliable
- Capricorn Moon: Prepared, calm, respectful, productive
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Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. These Moon signs are all about going with the flow. For some air signs, this flexibility expresses itself in a curious light, while other signs express themselves in harmonious and individualistic ways. Here are a few other quintessential traits of these Moon signs:
- Gemini Moon: Charismatic, organized, social, flexible
- Libra Moon: Harmonious, relationship-oriented, picky, visionary
- Aquarius Moon: Ideal-driven, strong-willed, independent, trustworthy
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Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water signs are ruled by their feelings, though they tend to fall on different ends of the spectrum. Some Moon signs seek out emotional security, while others prioritize emotional intensity. Here’s a closer look at each Moon sign:
- Cancer Moon: Peaceful, devoted, habitual, moody
- Scorpio Moon: Dramatic, committed, loyal, emotionally strong
- Pisces Moon: Silly, compassionate, intuitive, empathetic

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Rising Signs

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Your Rising (Ascendant) sign illustrates how you present yourself to other people. The term “rising” refers to whichever constellation “rose” along the Eastern horizon during the exact moment of your birth.^{[6]
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Research source} Also known as your Ascendant, your Rising sign explores how you react and adapt to the world around you, and how you’re most likely to respond.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist
Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.}
- Consult your Rising sign if you’d like more info on how you act in social situations.
2
Calculate your Rising with your birth info and the help of an online calculator. Your Rising sign is a bit harder to pin down than your Sun and Moon, since it shifts every 2 hours. That’s why it’s really important to know the exact time you were born, along with your birth date, birth year, and birth location.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist
Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.} Plug all of your personal info into an online calculator to see where you fall.^{[9]
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Research source}
- Google “Rising sign” and “online calculator” to find a free calculator that you can use.
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Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Fire signs present themselves in a bold, fiery light, though the size and shape of these flames really depend on the sign. Certain Rising signs appear as an impulsive, uncontrollable blaze, while others manifest as an adventurous spark. Here’s what else you can expect from each fire sign:
- Aries Rising: Temperamental, competitive, energetic, independent
- Leo Rising: Socially conscious, dramatic, driven, high-spirited
- Sagittarius Rising: Straightforward, opinionated, comedic, optimistic
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Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. These Earth signs, just like their Sun and Moon equivalents, give off grounded vibes. For some signs, this sense of groundedness presents itself in a steadfast way, while other signs appear more serious and concrete. Here are a few defining traits for each Rising earth sign:
- Taurus Rising: Determined, cautious, hedonistic, comforting
- Virgo Rising: Smart, health-conscious, detail-oriented, helpful
- Capricorn Rising: Capable, responsible, family-oriented, hard-working
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Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. These Rising signs tend to present themselves in an open, friendly light. Some air signs embody this sense of openness through curiosity, while other signs take a more non-confrontational approach. Here’s a closer look at each air sign:
- Gemini Rising: Clever, friendly, cool, impatient
- Libra Rising: Kind, nonconfrontational, tender, convincing
- Aquarius Rising: Ostentatious, goading, aloof, friendly
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Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water signs are definitely the most sensitive Ascendants out there, though this sensitivity can manifest in different ways. Some water signs come off as easy-going and security-conscious, while others present themselves in a more emotionally intense light. Check out a few defining traits for each Ascendant water sign:
- Cancer Rising: Sensitive, caring, familiar, security-oriented
- Scorpio Rising: Private, committed, powerful, controlling
- Pisces Rising: Peaceful, restless, in-the-moment, charming