The zodiac divides the Sun’s yearly path across the sky into twelve signs. Below you’ll find each sign’s dates, element, ruling planet and a short profile, with a detailed guide covering men, women, love life and compatible signs.
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and a cardinal fire sign. Ruled by Mars, Aries is associated with courage, initiative and speed, and loves taking the first step on something new. Impatience and hasty decisions are the sides of Aries energy that need balancing.
Aries traitsTaurus is a fixed earth sign ruled by Venus. Security, stability, hard work and enjoying life’s pleasures are its core themes. Loyalty and patience are its strengths, while resistance to change and stubbornness are seen as its challenges.
Taurus traitsGemini is a mutable air sign ruled by Mercury. Curiosity, communication, learning and versatility define Gemini. It thinks fast and connects easily; scattered attention and indecision are the shadow side of this energy.
Gemini traitsCancer is a cardinal water sign ruled by the Moon. Family, home, belonging and emotional security sit at the heart of Cancer. It is protective and intuitive; vulnerability and dwelling on the past are the areas it needs to balance.
Cancer traitsLeo is a fixed fire sign ruled by the Sun. Self-expression, creativity, generosity and leadership are Leo’s themes. It is warm and magnetic; a need for recognition and a streak of pride can come to the fore at times.
Leo traitsVirgo is a mutable earth sign ruled by Mercury. Order, analysis, service and healthy routines define Virgo. It notices the details and makes things better; perfectionism and an overly critical eye are where it struggles.
Virgo traitsLibra is a cardinal air sign ruled by Venus. Balance, fairness, beauty and relationships are Libra’s central concerns. It is diplomatic and easygoing; difficulty making decisions and avoiding conflict are the shadow side of this energy.
Libra traitsScorpio is a fixed water sign, traditionally ruled by Mars and in modern astrology by Pluto. Depth, passion, loyalty and transformation describe Scorpio. It has strong intuition; jealousy and a need for control are the sides that need balancing.
Scorpio traitsSagittarius is a mutable fire sign ruled by Jupiter. Freedom, exploration, belief and the search for meaning are its themes. It is optimistic and outspoken; impatience and a tendency to dodge responsibility are its sticking points.
Sagittarius traitsCapricorn is a cardinal earth sign ruled by Saturn. Goals, discipline, responsibility and lasting achievement define Capricorn. It is methodical and resilient; rigidity and keeping feelings in the background are read as its shadow side.
Capricorn traitsAquarius is a fixed air sign, traditionally ruled by Saturn and in modern astrology by Uranus. Originality, independence, community and innovation are Aquarius’s themes. It is forward-thinking; emotional distance and contrarianism can come to the fore at times.
Aquarius traitsPisces is a mutable water sign, traditionally ruled by Jupiter and in modern astrology by Neptune. Empathy, imagination, intuition and spirituality describe Pisces. It is compassionate and creative; struggling to set boundaries is the area it needs to balance.
Pisces traits| Sign | Dates | Element | Ruling planet |
|---|---|---|---|
| ♈︎ Aries | March 20 – April 19 | Fire | Mars |
| ♉︎ Taurus | April 20 – May 20 | Earth | Venus |
| ♊︎ Gemini | May 21 – June 20 | Air | Mercury |
| ♋︎ Cancer | June 21 – July 22 | Water | Moon |
| ♌︎ Leo | July 23 – August 22 | Fire | Sun |
| ♍︎ Virgo | August 23 – September 22 | Earth | Mercury |
| ♎︎ Libra | September 23 – October 22 | Air | Venus |
| ♏︎ Scorpio | October 23 – November 21 | Water | Pluto · Mars |
| ♐︎ Sagittarius | November 22 – December 21 | Fire | Jupiter |
| ♑︎ Capricorn | December 22 – January 19 | Earth | Saturn |
| ♒︎ Aquarius | January 20 – February 18 | Air | Uranus · Saturn |
| ♓︎ Pisces | February 19 – March 19 | Water | Neptune · Jupiter |
Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are associated with initiative, enthusiasm and courage; they learn by doing.
Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) value tangible results, effort and security.
Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) make sense of the world through ideas, communication and relationships.
Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) are led by emotion, intuition and the need for connection.
Planetary positions are calculated astronomically. Astrological meanings are symbolic interpretations, not scientific personality tests or predictions of future events.