What's Your (Sun) Sign?

Dates Change Every Year

Sun
Felicia Coulton / EyeEm / Getty Images

A lot of people don't realize that the Sun moves through the 12 signs of the Zodiac on different dates each year. If you're born close to the border of two signs, you're on the cusp, and it could go either way.

For the exact degree, get a free birth chart or have a professional draw up your chart. Where was the Sun (astrologically) when you were born?

The dates float in the time frame below, and each month falls somewhere in the 18 to 22 range. These are set at the 20th, to give you a general idea of the dates and Zodiac signs.

Aries March 20th to April 20th
Taurus April 20th to May 20th
Gemini May 20th to June 20th
Cancer June 20th to July 20th
Leo July 20th to August 20th
Virgo August 20th to September 20th
Libra September 20th to October 20th
Scorpio October 20th to November 20th
Sagittarius November 20th to December 20th
Capricorn December 20th to January 20th
Aquarius January 20th to February 20th
Pisces February 20th to March 20th

Born on the Cusp:

Find out which sign you were born in with an ephemeris, birth chart or asking an astrologer.

If you were born near the end or beginning of a sign, you were born "on the cusp." This means you're a blend of the two, and will find insights reading up on both Sun signs.

Each cusp has a unique feel, depending on the two Zodiac signs. I once guessed that a guy was a Libra-Scorpio cusp, from his dress, and slightly secretive manner. But more than that, it was the particular melding of these two signs, that I picked up on. 

Early, Middle or Late?

You're said to be an early, middle or late degree of your Zodiac sign. Every sign is divided into three decans (or decanates) of 10 degrees — 1st decan, 2nd decan, and 3rd decan. 

If we see the Zodiac as a progression, these show a stage of that sign, from an introduction to mastery (the later degrees).

That's what people mean if they say, "I'm an early Taurus" — they were born in April, in the first degrees of the sign.

The Real Zodiac?

A couple of years ago, there was a buzz about Sun signs being all wrong, and this was trumpeted as if a news flash. The dates used above are adjusted to the precession of the equinoxes.

That way, Aries will begin with Spring Equinox, and Libra with Fall Equinox; and Cancer will begin Summer Solstice, and Capricorn begins Winter Solstice. 

The "New Zodiac" is actually one known to astrologers as sidereal or real sky. If you check the New Zodiac Dates, you'll see that they're a month earlier. And there's one that's not in the Equinox-based Zodiac — Ophiuchus the Snake Handler. 

These dates are closer to the Sun's actual position, at the time of your birth. Consider that the one above is in sync with the seasons, and the one below, in sync with the constellations. 

The "New Zodiac" Dates

Aries: April 18 - May 13

Taurus: May 13 - June 21

Gemini: June 21 - July 20

Cancer: July 20 - Aug. 10

Leo: Aug. 10 - Sept. 16

Virgo: Sept. 16 - Oct.

Libra: Oct. 30 - Nov. 23

Scorpio: Nov. 23 - Nov. 29

Ophiuchus: Nov. 29 - Dec. 17

Sagittarius: Dec. 17 - Jan. 20

Capricorn: Jan. 20 - Feb. 16

Aquarius: Feb. 16 - March 11

Pisces: March 11- April 18