12 Zodiac Signs: Dates and Personality Traits of
Each Star Sign
Every sign brings something to the celestial table.
Here's what you should know about the zodiac signs including strengths,
weaknesses, and how they think.
January 1, 2025
Daniel Egneus
As a professional astrologer, people ask me all
types of questions. Of the most common curiosities is, "What are the
best zodiac signs?" along with its evil twin,
"What are the worst zodiac signs?" While I appreciate any and all
astrological inquiries, including zodiac signs' compatibility,
let me set the record straight: In astrology, there are no winners or losers.
In fact, when you enter the metaphysical realm (the
world of stars, tarot cards, tea leaves, etc.), that black-and-white binary
goes straight out the window. In this magical, mystical domain, we work with
nuance.
Every sign is a powerful, vital
piece in the puzzle that is the zodiac. The four elements—air signs, fire
signs, water signs, and earth signs—all work together to create a comprehensive
whole, which shows up in your life as your unique personality traits. Although
astrology is an extremely complex study, the most
fundamental principle centers on the 12 familiar star signs of the zodiac. Over the
centuries, each sign has developed its own associations, including myths,
animals, and colors, and its own characteristics. Every sign is illuminated by
its point of view, complete with powerful strengths and exhausting weaknesses.
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From an astronomical
perspective, we know that the sun doesn't move, as its stability anchors the
entire solar system. But from our vantage here on planet Earth, the sun is in
constant motion. We can depend on its daily performance (including inspiring sunrises
and dramatic sunsets), as well as its location in the sky. The position the sun
occupied at your exact moment of birth is known as your sun sign (sometimes
referred to as your star sign or birth sign) and it's the cosmic launching pad
for both beginners and
professional astrologers. (Your rising sign is another very important placement
and you can read about it in our guide to rising signs here).
Your sun sign is determined by your date of birth and represents your core
personality, sense of self, basic preferences, romantic compatibility,
and how you move through the world. This astrological placement sheds light on
your innate gifts as well as your hard-to-see blind spots. Your joys, wishes,
flaws, and fears make you special, and when your sun sign is combined with the
other planets and placements in your birth chart it
creates a distinctive celestial profile that serves as your cosmic fingerprint.
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Got it? Good. Now let's take
this to the next level. The 12 zodiac signs are also divided into sub-groups:
four triplicities and three quadruplicities. If this seems a bit confusing,
don't worry, there's a method to the madness. Triplicities refer to the four zodiac sign elements,
of which there are three zodiac signs in each group: Fire Signs (Aries,
Leo, Sagittarius), Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), Air
Signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), and Water Signs (Cancer,
Scorpio, Pisces). Generally speaking, fire signs are passionate and exuberant,
earth signs are practical and grounded,
air signs are intellectual and curious,
and water signs are intuitive and emotional.
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Quadruplicities, also known as modalities,
refer to the signs' qualities and where each zodiac sign occurs within its
respective season. There are three modalities, with four zodiac signs in each:
Cardinal (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) occurs at the beginning of a new
season and is excellent at taking action and starting initiatives. Fixed
(Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) occurs in the middle of seasons and are
known to be steady, consistent forces that maintain movement, and Mutable
(Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces) occurs at the end of a season and
possess effortless fluidity well-suited to change and transformation.
As we continue layering
astrological concepts, we uncover a rich and complex practice that delivers
insight into our truest selves. Now, let's explore each sun sign's unique
personality attributes, from the honorable to the…umm, kinda horrible? It's
okay—we all have problems! Remember, darling, self-actualization begins with
self-awareness, so read on to get to know yourself better and unlock the
riches of your own special magic.
Jump to your sign:
- Aries (March 21 – April 19)
- Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
- Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
- Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
- Leo (July 23 – August 22)
- Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
- Libra (September 23 – October 22)
- Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
- Sagittarius (November 22 – December
21)
- Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
- Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
- Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
The first sign of the zodiac,
Aries loves to be number one. Naturally, this dynamic fire sign is no stranger
to competition. Bold and ambitious, Aries dives headfirst into even the most
challenging situations—and they'll make sure they always come out on top. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Aries horoscope predictions
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Daniel Egneus
What sign is more likely to take
a six-hour bath followed by a luxurious Swedish massage and decadent dessert
spread? Why Taurus, of course! Taurus is an earth sign represented by the bull.
Like their celestial spirit animal, Taureans enjoy relaxing in serene, bucolic
environments surrounded by soft sounds, soothing aromas, and succulent
flavors. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Taurus horoscope predictions.
Have you ever been so busy that
you wished you could clone yourself to get everything done? That's the Gemini
experience in a nutshell. Spontaneous, playful, and adorably erratic, Gemini is
driven by insatiable curiosity. Appropriately symbolized by the celestial
twins, this air sign was interested in so many pursuits that it had to double
itself. You know, NBD! Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Gemini horoscope predictions.
Represented by the crab, Cancer
seamlessly weaves between the sea and shore representing Cancer’s ability to
exist in both emotional and material realms. Cancers are highly intuitive and
their psychic abilities manifest in tangible spaces. But just like the
hard-shelled crustacean, this water sign is willing to do whatever it takes to
protect itself emotionally. In order to get to know this sign, you're going to
need to establish trust. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Cancer horoscope predictions.
Roll out the red carpet because
Leo has arrived! Passionate, loyal, and infamously dramatic, Leo is represented
by the lion and these spirited fire signs are the kings and queens of the
celestial jungle. They're delighted to embrace their royal status: Vivacious,
theatrical, and fiery, Leos love to bask in the spotlight and celebrate…well,
themselves. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Leo horoscope predictions.
Daniel Egneus
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
You know the expression,
"If you want something done, ask a busy person?" Well, that
definitely is the Virgo anthem. Virgos are logical, practical, and systematic
in their approach to life. Virgo is an earth sign historically represented by
the goddess of wheat and agriculture, an association that speaks to Virgo's
deep-rooted presence in the material world. This earth sign is a perfectionist
at heart and isn’t afraid to improve skills through diligent and consistent
practice. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Virgo horoscope predictions.
Libra (September 23 - October 22)
Balance, harmony, and justice
define Libra energy. As a cardinal air sign, Libra is represented by the scales
(interestingly, the only inanimate object of the zodiac), an association that
reflects Libra's fixation on establishing equilibrium. Libra is obsessed with
symmetry and strives to create equilibrium in all areas of life—especially when
it comes to matters of the heart. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Libra horoscope predictions.
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Daniel Egneus
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Elusive and mysterious, Scorpio
is one of the most misunderstood signs of the zodiac. Scorpio is a water sign
that uses emotional energy as fuel, cultivating powerful wisdom through both
the physical and unseen realms. In fact, Scorpio derives extraordinary courage
from its psychic abilities, which is what makes this sign one of the most
complicated and dynamic of the zodiac. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Scorpio horoscope predictions.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December
21)
Oh, the places Sagittarius goes!
But…actually. This fire sign knows no bounds. Represented by the archer,
Sagittarians are always on a quest for knowledge. The last fire sign of the
zodiac, Sagittarius launches its many pursuits like blazing arrows, chasing
after geographical, intellectual, and spiritual adventures. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Sagittarius horoscope predictions.
Capricorn (December 22 - January
19)
What is the most valuable
resource? For Capricorn, the answer is clear: time. Capricorn is climbing the
mountain straight to the top and knows that patience, perseverance, and
dedication are the only way to scale. Capricorn, the last earth sign of the zodiac,
is represented by the sea goat, a mythological creature with the body of a goat
and the tail of a fish. Accordingly, Capricorns are skilled at navigating both
the material and emotional realms. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Capricorn horoscope predictions.
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Despite the "aqua" in
its name, Aquarius is actually the last air sign of the zodiac. Innovative,
progressive, and shamelessly revolutionary, Aquarius is represented by the
water bearer, the mystical healer who bestows water, or life, upon the land.
Accordingly, Aquarius is the most humanitarian astrological sign. At the end of
the day, Aquarius is dedicated to making the world a better place. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Aquarius horoscope predictions.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
If you looked up the word
"psychic" in the dictionary, there would definitely be a picture of
Pisces next to it. Pisces is the most intuitive, sensitive, and empathetic sign
of the entire zodiac—and that’s because it’s the last of the last. As the final
sign, Pisces has absorbed every lesson—the joys and the pain, the hopes and the
fears—learned by all the other signs. It's symbolized by two fish swimming in
opposite directions, representing the constant division of Pisces' attention
between fantasy and reality. Read your sign's full profile here.
Next, read this month's Pisces horoscope predictions.
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