Astrology has fascinated humans for millennia. From the ancient Babylonians to today’s TikTok astrologers, people have long turned to the stars for meaning, wisdom, and personal knowledge, insights into their character, future and fate.

For those of you who have ever asked yourself “What is astrology?” “What are astrological signs?” or “How many astrological signs are there?” this guide will serve as your cosmic orientation. This deep dive will explore everything by month, sign and even compatibility.

What Is Astrology?

Astrology is the study of celestial bodies (stars, moon and planets) and their positions and movements and how they correlate to people and events.

In the realm of astrology, also called sun sign astrology (current pop-culture uses Western astrology), your astrological sign is based on where the sun was located (in position to the constellations) at the time of your birth.

For example:

• If you were born on May 12, you had a position of sun in Taurus.
• If you were born on October 5, you had a position of sun in Libra.

Astrology can dig deeper than your sun sign! Astrology identifies:

• Moon sign (your emotion loci and instinct)
• Rising sign (how you show up in other’s view)
• Houses (the areas of life impacted by planets)
• Aspects (the angles in which the planets are situated)

What Are Astrological Signs?

Astrological signs, or zodiac signs, are twelve sectors of the zodiac, which represent the sky segments the sun travels through the year. Astrology is the belief and framework that relates the movements of celestial bodies to human characteristics and life events. Each astrological sign is based on the date and month of your birth.

Each sign has a personality type or trait, a ruling element (fire, earth, air, water), a planetary ruler, and a symbol. For example, Leo is known as bold and confident, has the sun as a ruler, and the fire element associated with it.

Astrological signs are used to assess personality, compatibility, and predict the future based on horoscopes. Astrology is a belief and not a science. Despite this fact, many people on this planet practice astrology, or use their signs, for self-exploration and guidance.

How many astrological signs are there?

There are 12 sun signs total. These 12 zodiac signs break the sky into equal 30-degree segments, each assigned to a connotation. Each sign has its own traits, strengths, and weaknesses.

Some people call the “13th sign” is Ophiuchus, however it is astronomy not astrology. Western astrology does not include it.

Here’s a full list if you’re wondering “What is my astrological sign”:

Sign	Dates	Element	Symbol	Modality
Aries	Mar 21 – Apr 19	Fire	♈	Cardinal
Taurus	Apr 20 – May 20	Earth	♉	Fixed
Gemini	May 21 – Jun 20	Air	♊	Mutable
Cancer	Jun 21 – Jul 22	Water	♋	Cardinal
Leo	Jul 23 – Aug 22	Fire	♌	Fixed
Virgo	Aug 23 – Sep 22	Earth	♍	Mutable
Libra	Sep 23 – Oct 22	Air	♎	Cardinal
Scorpio	Oct 23 – Nov 21	Water	♏	Fixed
Sagittarius	Nov 22 – Dec 21	Fire	♐	Mutable
Capricorn	Dec 22 – Jan 19	Earth	♑	Cardinal
Aquarius	Jan 20 – Feb 18	Air	♒	Fixed
Pisces	Feb 19 – Mar 20	Water	♓	Mutable

So when you ask:

• “What astrological sign is October?” ➝ It’s Libra or Scorpio
• “What astrological sign is January?” ➝ It’s Capricorn or Aquarius
• “What astrological sign is March?” ➝ It’s Pisces or Aries

What Is a Modality in Astrology?

Modality is just a way to group zodiac signs by how they act, behave, and handle change. There are 3 types of modalities, and each includes 4 signs.

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1. Cardinal Signs – The Starters

These signs like to begin things. They have ideas, take the lead, and love starting new projects.

• Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
• Personality: Leaders, bold, action-takers
• Easy way to remember: They start the season.

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2. Fixed Signs – The Finishers

These signs are steady and strong. They like to keep things going and don’t give up easily.

• Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
• Personality: Loyal, focused, dependable
• Easy way to remember: They are the middle of the season and stick with it.

3. Mutable Signs – The Changers

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These signs are flexible and go with the flow. They are good at adapting and changing plans.

• Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
• Personality: Flexible, curious, open-minded
• Easy way to remember: They come at the end of the season and help things change

What Is an Astrology Chart?

An astrology chart, sometimes called a natal chart or birth chart, is a roadmap of where the planets were in the sky when you were born.

An astrology chart contains:

• Sun sign: You identity and ego
• Moon sign: Your emotions
• Rising sign (Ascendant): Your social mask
• Mercury: Communication
• Venus: Love and values
• Mars: Drive/Conflict

Houses: Areas of life (relationships, money, career)

How to read an astrology chart?

To read your chart, you will need:

• Your birthday
• Your exact time of birth
• Your place of birth

All this information shows:

• Which signs your planets fell into
• Your rising sign/ascendant sign
• What houses the planets are in

You can use free websites like Astro.com or mobile apps like TimePassages or Co–Star to generate your birth chart.

Is Astrology Real?

One of the most Googled questions is “Is astrology real?”

Astrology is not a science because it does not adhere to the scientific method, but that doesn’t mean that people don’t find it meaningful in their lives. Millions of people and use astrology for:

• Self awareness
• Spiritual insight
• Emotional guidance
• Informing relationships

Carl Jung even looked at astrology as the symbolic language of the unconscious mind in psychology.

What Astrological Signs Are Compatible?

Compatibility in astrology is based on elemental matchups and planetary aspects.

Sign	Most Compatible With
Aries	Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini
Taurus	Virgo, Capricorn, Cancer
Gemini	Libra, Aquarius, Aries
Cancer	Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus
Leo	Aries, Sagittarius, Gemini
Virgo	Taurus, Capricorn, Cancer
Libra	Gemini, Aquarius, Leo
Scorpio	Cancer, Pisces, Virgo
Sagittarius	Aries, Leo, Aquarius
Capricorn	Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio
Aquarius	Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius
Pisces	Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn

What Have Cultures Throughout History Thought About Astrology?

Ancient cultures from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, India, and China had their own form of astrology. For example:

1. Babylonians were the first to separate the zodiac in their belief system into 12 signs.
2. Egyptians developed star lore along with mythology for the Egyptian astronomers and priests believed that the stars actually indicated divinity.
3. The Vedic system of astrology (also called Jyotish) in India predominately is still used today.
4. Chinese astrology developed around lunar cycles and zodiac animals.

All civilizations thought of astrology as being divine, as it directed agriculture, determined rulers, and gave order to daily life.

What Are the Astrology “Houses”?

There are twelve “houses” in astrology, which are twelve divisions of a birth chart that represent areas of life, such as career, relationships, money, and self. The zodiac signs speak to how that energy expresses itself, and the houses show us where that energy plays out in your life.

We can think of the sky as a whole as a 360-degree circle that we can slice into twelve different pieces, which would be the houses. Each house corresponds to a specific theme or life experience.

• 1st House – Self & Identity: Your self, your identity, personality, and appearance, as well as how people perceive you.
• 2nd House – Money & Values: Your finances, material things, and self-worth.
• 3rd House – Communication: Siblings, learning, communicating, short trips.
• 4th House – Home & Family: Your roots, where you feel at home, your family or home life, parents, and sense of emotional security.
• 5th House – Creativity & Pleasure: Love affairs, fun, creative projects, dating, children, self-expression.
• 6th House – Work & Health: Everyday habits, routines, health concerns, service, and responsibilities.
• 7th House – Relationships: Marriage, partnerships and contracts, and one-on-one relationships with people.
• 8th House – Transformation: Intimacy, shared resources, sex, mysteries, death, and rebirth.
• 9th House – Beliefs & Travel: Philosophies, higher education, long-distance travel.
• 10th House – Career & Reputation: Professional image, ambition, public figure, authority, accomplishments.
• 11th House – Community & Dreams: Friends, social groups, aspirations.
• 12th House – Secrets & Spirituality: The subconscious, endings, isolation, healing.

Every house in astrology has a ruling zodiac sign based on the zodiac sign that was rising or the horizon point that each house represents at the moment of your birth. Therefore, if Venus shows in your 7th house, it may mean that all the Venus energy in your chart is extenuated and bodes well for your close relationships by means of harmony and love.

The houses can give much more depth and personality to your astrological chart—it is the difference between knowing your sun sign and having an actual map of your life.

What Is a Stellium in Astrology?

A stellium occurs when there are three or more planets located in the same zodiac sign or house in your chart. This part of your chart will dominate your personality and life path.

Example: A respective Gemini stellium could mean you could possibly have strong communication skills, or a love for learning or just history.

How Do You Learn Astrology (and Use It in Your Daily Life)

Start simple:

• Learn about your sun, moon, and rising signs.
• Study the 12 zodiac signs and 4 elements.
• Study the planets and houses.
• Learn how to read charts (yours and others).

Daily Use:

• Check the moon sign before your emotional conversations.
• Use retrograde periods (its not just Mercury retrograde) to defer actual decisions.
• Use the new and full moons to help you with setting and releasing goals.

FAQs

What is the difference between astrology and astronomy?

Astronomy is based on science and focuses on studying celestial objects. Astrology interprets the symbolic significance of those celestial objects in people’s lives.

What are the water signs in astrology?

Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces

What is the MC in astrology?

Your MC (Midheaven) refers to your career, public persona and life contributions to society.

What is Lilith in astrology?

Lilith refers to your shadow self, untamed feminine and suppressed attributes.

What does the bible say about astrology?

There are a few sections of the bible that warn against astrology, connecting it to divination. However, interpretations can be vague and ultimately also varies by religious scholar.

Conclusion: Why Astrology Matters?

Regardless of being a skeptic, astrology can still help with self-reflection. The knowledge of you astrological signs, elements and chart can empower insight to get a better understanding of who you are – and who you are becoming – whether or not the stars determine your fate, or mirror your fate.

As many people seek interest in astrology (and especially online), the questions will continue to rise: “what is my rising sign?”, “is astrology real?” and “What is my compatibility?”

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