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Wellness

The Meaning of Your Sun, Moon, and Rising Sign.

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at San Francisco chapter.

Astrology investigates the relationship between celestial bodies and their impact on human behavior and personality. It believes that a person’s character, personality traits, strengths, and weaknesses can be revealed by examining the position of the sun, moon, and other planets at birth.

Sun, moon, and rising signs are some of the most essential elements of astrology, as they provide insight into a person’s core identity, emotional nature, and outward appearance.

The sun sign represents a person’s core identity and is based on the sun’s position at birth. It is determined by the month and date of birth and is associated with one of the 12 zodiac signs. For instance, if you were born between March 21 and April 19, your sun sign is Aries.

The moon sign represents a person’s emotional nature and instincts. It is determined by the moon’s position at birth and is associated with one of the 12 zodiac signs. For instance, if you were born between May 22 and June 21, your moon sign is Gemini.

The rising sign is an essential component of astrology that sheds light on a person’s external appearance and first impressions. It is based on the zodiac sign ascending on the eastern horizon during their birth. For example, if you have Taurus as your rising sign, others may perceive you as reliable, sensible, and realistic.

Now that we have a basic understanding of Sun/Moon/Rising signs let’s break it down even further! 

Sun Sign Explained

Aries Sun: Aries is a fire sign, and people born under this sign are known for their energetic, confident, and independent nature. They are natural leaders unafraid to take risks and try new things. Aries is also known for being impulsive and can sometimes act before thinking things through.

Taurus Sun: Taurus is an earth sign, and people born under this sign are known for their grounded, patient, and reliable nature. They are hard workers who value stability and security. Taurus is also known for being relentless and resistant to change.

Gemini Sun: Gemini is an air sign, and people born under this sign are known for their inquisitive, adaptable, and communicative nature. They love to learn and are always seeking new experiences, and Gemini is also known for being indecisive and restless.

Cancer Sun: Cancer is a water sign, and people born under this sign are known for their sensitive, intuitive, and nurturing nature. They are deeply connected to their family and home and value emotional security. Cancer is also known for being irritable and sensitive.

Leo Sun: Leo is a fire sign, and people born under this sign are known for their confident, charismatic, and resourceful nature. They love attention and are born performers who blossom in the spotlight. Leo is also known for being headstrong and ego-driven.

Virgo Sun: Virgo is an earth sign, and people born under this sign are known for their analytical, practical, and detail-oriented nature. They are hard workers who value organization and efficiency, and Virgo is also known for being critical and perfectionistic.

Libra Sun: Libra is an air sign, and people born under this sign are known for their diplomatic, charming, and idealistic nature. They value harmony and balance and are genuine peacemakers. Libra is also known for being indecisive and avoidant.

Scorpio Sun: Scorpio is a water sign, and people born under this sign are known for their fierce, passionate, and mysterious nature. They are deeply emotional and have a strong sense of intuition. Scorpio is also known for being uncommunicative and prone to jealousy.

Sagittarius Sun: Sagittarius is a fire sign, and people born under this sign are known for their encouraging, adventurous, and self-reliant nature. They love to explore and are always seeking new experiences. Sagittarius is also known for being harsh and sometimes reckless.

Capricorn Sun: Capricorn is an earth sign, and people born under this sign are known for their responsible, ambitious, and disciplined nature. They are hard workers who value structure and tradition. Capricorn is also known for being rigid and unemotional.

Aquarius Sun: Aquarius is an air sign, and people born under this sign are known for their independent, innovative, and humanitarian nature. They value intellectual stimulation and enjoy breaking the rules, and Aquarius is also known for being detached and eccentric.

Pisces Sun: Pisces is a water sign, and people born under this sign are known for their intuitive, compassionate, and imaginative nature. They are compassionate and empathetic, and Pisces is also known for being prone to escapism and self-pity.

Moon Sign Explained

Aries Moon: People with an Aries Moon are passionate, impulsive, and independent. They have strong emotions and can sometimes be quick to anger. They are born leaders who are not afraid to take risks.

Taurus Moon: People with a Taurus Moon are reliable, grounded, and patient. They value comfort and security and can be resistant to change. They have a solid connection to nature and appreciate the finer things in life.

Gemini Moon: People with a Gemini Moon are curious, communicative, and adaptable. They love to learn and are always seeking new experiences. They have a restless nature and can be easily distracted.

Cancer Moon: People with a Cancer Moon are sensitive, intuitive, and nurturing. They are deeply connected to their family and home and value emotional security. They have a strong sense of compassion and can sometimes bear the emotions of others.

Leo Moon: People with a Leo Moon are confident, charismatic, and creative. They love attention and are natural performers who thrive in the spotlight. They have a strong sense of pride and can sometimes be stubborn.

Virgo Moon: People with a Virgo Moon are analytical, practical, and detail-oriented. They are hard workers who value organization and efficiency. They can be critical of themselves and others but are also accommodating.

Libra Moon: People with a Libra Moon are diplomatic, charming, and romantic. They value connection and balance and are natural peacemakers. They have a powerful sense of justice and can sometimes be indecisive.

Scorpio Moon: People with a Scorpio Moon are intense, passionate, and mysterious. They are deeply emotional and have a strong sense of intuition. They can be secretive and sometimes prone to jealousy.

Sagittarius Moon: People with a Sagittarius Moon are optimistic, adventurous, and independent. They love to explore and are always seeking new experiences. They have a strong sense of freedom and can sometimes be blunt.

Capricorn Moon: People with a Capricorn Moon are responsible, ambitious, and disciplined. They are hard workers who value structure and tradition. They can be emotionally reserved but are also very loyal.

Aquarius Moon: People with an Aquarius Moon are independent, innovative, and humanitarian. They value intellectual stimulation and enjoy breaking the rules. They value fairness and can sometimes be detached.

Pisces Moon: People with a Pisces Moon are intuitive, compassionate, and imaginative. They are compassionate and empathetic. They have a solid connection to their spirituality and can sometimes be prone to escapism.

Rising Sign Explained

Aries Rising: People with an Aries Rising are assertive, confident, and energetic. They have a strong presence and are not afraid to take risks. They can sometimes come across as impulsive or impatient.

Taurus Rising: People with a Taurus Rising are grounded, stable, and practical. They have a calm and steady presence and value comfort and security. They can sometimes be resistant to change.

Gemini Rising: People with a Gemini Rising are communicative, adaptable, and curious. They have quick-witted minds and enjoy learning. They have a restless nature and can be easily distracted.

Cancer Rising: People with Cancer Rising are sensitive, nurturing, and intuitive. They have a solid connection to their family and home and value emotional security. They can sometimes be reserved and protective.

Leo Rising: People with a Leo Rising are confident, charismatic, and creative. They have a strong presence and love attention. They value self-expression and can sometimes come across as dramatic or self-centered.

Virgo Rising: People with a Virgo Rising are analytical, practical, and detail-oriented. They have a calm and reserved presence and value organization and efficiency. They can be critical of themselves and others.

Libra Rising: People with a Libra Rising are charming, diplomatic, and romantic. They have a balanced and harmonious presence and value relationships and beauty. They can sometimes be indecisive.

Scorpio Rising: People with a Scorpio Rising are intense, passionate, and mysterious. They have a strong presence and value authenticity and depth. They can be secretive and sometimes prone to jealousy.

Sagittarius Rising: People with a Sagittarius Rising are optimistic, adventurous, and independent. They have a friendly and enthusiastic presence and value freedom and exploration. They can sometimes be blunt or tactless.

Capricorn Rising: People with a Capricorn Rising are responsible, ambitious, and disciplined. They have a profound and practical presence and value structure and tradition. They can be reserved and sometimes prone to pessimism.

Aquarius Rising: People with an Aquarius Rising are independent, innovative, and humanitarian. They have an eccentric and unconventional presence and value individuality and progress. They can sometimes be detached or aloof.

Pisces Rising: People with Pisces Rising are intuitive, compassionate, and imaginative. They have a dreamy and sensitive presence and value creativity and spirituality. They can sometimes be prone to escapism or confusion.

By understanding your unique astrological makeup, you can use this information to make more informed decisions, communicate effectively with others, and navigate challenging situations with greater self-awareness and confidence!

Starr Washington is a Her Campus national writer, contributing primarily to the lifestyle vertical. Starr is dedicated to showcasing her blackness in her professional work and is always rooting for black creatives, particularly in film, literature, and travel. In addition to her writing, Starr is the director of SFSU’s multicultural center, where she organizes and supports annual events and celebrations for both the campus and the Bay Area community. She was a speaker at the San Francisco State University Black Studies Origins and Legacy Commemoration, where she had the honor of sitting alongside the founders of the nation's first Black Student Union. Starr teaches a course she developed called “Intro to Black Love” at San Francisco State University. In her rare free time, Starr enjoys chipping away at her TBR list (she is a spicy romance girly), writing fiction, and spending time with her music enthusiast partner and their three-year-old German Shepherd. She is a Scorpio from Michigan.