Astrology reference
Western Zodiac Signs:
Dates, Elements & Traits
A complete reference guide to all 12 Western astrological signs — including dates, ruling planets, elements, personality traits, and compatibility patterns.
| Sign | Symbol | Dates | Element | Ruling Planet | Modality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | ♈ | Mar 21 – Apr 19 | Fire | Mars | Cardinal |
| Taurus | ♉ | Apr 20 – May 20 | Earth | Venus | Fixed |
| Gemini | ♊ | May 21 – Jun 20 | Air | Mercury | Mutable |
| Cancer | ♋ | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Water | Moon | Cardinal |
| Leo | ♌ | Jul 23 – Aug 22 | Fire | Sun | Fixed |
| Virgo | ♍ | Aug 23 – Sep 22 | Earth | Mercury | Mutable |
| Libra | ♎ | Sep 23 – Oct 22 | Air | Venus | Cardinal |
| Scorpio | ♏ | Oct 23 – Nov 21 | Water | Pluto | Fixed |
| Sagittarius | ♐ | Nov 22 – Dec 21 | Fire | Jupiter | Mutable |
| Capricorn | ♑ | Dec 22 – Jan 19 | Earth | Saturn | Cardinal |
| Aquarius | ♒ | Jan 20 – Feb 18 | Air | Uranus | Fixed |
| Pisces | ♓ | Feb 19 – Mar 20 | Water | Neptune | Mutable |
Aries
Bold, competitive, and pioneering. Aries dives headfirst into challenges with courage and enthusiasm. Natural-born leaders who value action over deliberation.
Taurus
Steady, sensual, and grounded. Taurus appreciates beauty, comfort, and reliability. Patient builders who value loyalty and tangible results.
Gemini
Curious, adaptable, and communicative. Gemini thrives on variety and mental stimulation. Quick-witted connectors who juggle many interests.
Cancer
Nurturing, intuitive, and protective. Cancer feels deeply and creates emotional safety for others. Home-centered souls with strong memory and loyalty.
Leo
Radiant, generous, and theatrical. Leo leads with warmth and creative flair. Confident performers who light up any room they enter.
Virgo
Analytical, meticulous, and service-oriented. Virgo refines and improves with precision. Thoughtful problem-solvers who notice what others miss.
Libra
Diplomatic, aesthetic, and fair-minded. Libra seeks balance and harmony in all things. Charming mediators who weigh every perspective.
Scorpio
Intense, strategic, and transformative. Scorpio dives into depths others avoid. Magnetic personalities with powerful intuition and resolve.
Sagittarius
Adventurous, philosophical, and free-spirited. Sagittarius chases truth and new horizons. Optimistic explorers who hate being boxed in.
Capricorn
Disciplined, ambitious, and pragmatic. Capricorn climbs steadily toward long-term goals. Resilient achievers who value structure and legacy.
Aquarius
Visionary, independent, and humanitarian. Aquarius thinks outside convention and champions collective progress. Eccentric innovators ahead of their time.
Pisces
Dreamy, compassionate, and artistic. Pisces blends empathy with imagination. Sensitive souls who feel the unseen currents of life.
The Four Elements
Zodiac signs are grouped into four elements, each representing a fundamental approach to life:
- Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) — Energy, passion, initiative, and creativity. Fire signs are catalysts who inspire action.
- Earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) — Stability, practicality, patience, and material focus. Earth signs build lasting foundations.
- Air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) — Intellect, communication, social connection, and ideas. Air signs process and share information.
- Water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) — Emotion, intuition, empathy, and depth. Water signs navigate the feeling realm.
The Three Modalities
Each sign also belongs to a modality that describes its style of action:
- Cardinal (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) — Initiators who start new cycles and seasons. Natural leaders.
- Fixed (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) — Stabilizers who sustain and deepen. Consistent and determined.
- Mutable (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) — Adapters who bridge transitions. Flexible and versatile.
Zodiac Compatibility Basics
While any two signs can form a meaningful connection, traditional astrology identifies natural affinities based on element and modality:
For a personalized reading based on your full birth chart, try our Birth Chart tool or explore relationship compatibility between two birthdays.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What determines my zodiac sign? Your sun sign is determined by the position of the Sun on your date of birth. The Sun moves through each sign in roughly 30-day intervals.
- What if I'm born on a cusp? If your birthday falls on the boundary between two signs, you'll need your exact birth time and location to determine which sign the Sun was in. Use our Zodiac finder for a quick estimate.
- Is astrology scientific? Astrology is a symbolic system for self-reflection, not a science. It offers a framework for exploring personality patterns and life themes, but should be approached with an open and discerning mind.
- What's the difference between Western and Chinese zodiac? Western astrology is based on the Sun's position relative to the ecliptic, with 12 signs tied to months. Chinese zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, each year associated with an animal sign. Explore both with our Pairing Lab.