According to Western astrology, there are 12 zodiac signs (meaning “signs of the zodiac”) “There are 13 constellations that the Sun travels through each year, not just a circle of animals:
Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Ophiuchus, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
Unfortunately, astrologers’ dates given to star signs are incorrect, in addition to neglecting Ophiuchus. Here’s what astrology claims happens in the night sky, based on its line-of-sight theory “Insights into people’s moods and fortunes:
In This Article...
The Sun’s position in the sky according to astrology (wrong)
Here’s where and when astrologers pretend the Sun is in the sky, dictating what the majority of people believe their birth star sign is:
- December 22nd to January 19th is Capricorn’s sign.
- January 20-February 18 is the sign of Aquarius.
- February 19March 20: Pisces
- Aries (March 21April 19) is the first sign of the zodiac.
- Taurus (April 20May 20) is the zodiac sign of Taurus.
- May 21June 20: Gemini
- Cancer is on the 21st of June and 22nd of July.
- Leo (July 23August 22) is the sign of the lion.
- August 23September 22: Virgo
- September 23October 22: Libra
- Scorpio: 23rd October 21st November
- November 22December 21: Sagittarius
The Sun’s actual position in the sky (correct)
This is when the Sun is in the constellations, hence your true “star sign,” with some astrological overlap and plenty of surprises:
- January 20February 16: Capricorn
- Aquarius: February 16th through March 11th
- Pisces (March 11April 18) is a water sign.
- April 18May 13: Aries
- May 13June 21: Taurus
- June 21July 20: Gemini
- July 20August 10 (Cancer) (21 days)
- August 10September 16 is the sign of Leo.
- September 16October 30 (45 days!) Virgo
- 30th of October 23rd of November
- Scorpio: November 23November 29 (just a week!) Scorpio: November 23November 29 (just a week!) Scorpio: November 23
- Ophiuchus (not an astrological sign of the zodiac, but very real!): November 29December 17 (not an astrological sign of the zodiac, but very real!)
- December 17th January 20th, Sagittarius
Because the Sun isn’t in the sign of the zodiac when astrology says it is, your horoscope is probably incorrect. Of course, none of this matters, but knowing why will help you have a better knowledge of the globe you live on.
What are the correct zodiac sign dates for 2021?
To discover out, take this quiz.
- March 21April 19: Aries (Ram).
- Taurus (Bull) is in the sign of Taurus from April 20 to May 20.
- May 21-June 21: Gemini (Twins).
- June 22July 22. Cancer (Crab): June 22July 22.
- July 23August 22: Leo (Lion).
- August 23September 22: Virgo (Virgin).
- Libra (Balance): September 23October 23.
- Scorpius (Scorpion) is born on October 24th and dies on November 21st.
What factors influence the dates of the zodiac signs?
Early astronomers witnessed the Sun passing through the Zodiac signs in a year’s time, spending roughly a month in each. As a result, they determined that each constellation covers 30 degrees of the ecliptic.
However, due to a phenomenon known as precession, the positions of the constellations we see now have changed.
The zero point of the Zodiac used to designate the beginning day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The vernal equinox happens when the ecliptic and celestial equator collide, according to astronomers.
The zero point existed in Aries around 600 BCE, and it was known as the “first point of Aries.” (See Figure 1). The constellation Aries covered the first 30 degrees of the ecliptic; Taurus covered the next 30 degrees; Gemini covered the next 60 degrees; and so on for all twelve constellations of the Zodiac.
The Earth wobbles around its axis in a 25,800-year cycle, which ancient astrologers were unaware of. The gravitational attraction of the Moon on Earth’s equatorial bulge causes this wobble, known as precession.
This wobble has led the junction point between the celestial equator and the ecliptic to migrate west along the ecliptic by 36 degrees, or nearly one-tenth of the way around, over the past two and a half millennia. This indicates that, in relation to the stars beyond, the signs have moved one-tenthor almost a month around the sky to the west.
For example, persons born between March 21 and April 19 are considered Aries. During much of that time, the Sun was no longer in the constellation of Aries. The Sun is actually in the constellation of Pisces from March 11 to April 18! (See Illustration 2) See also Figure 3, which depicts the equinox precession from 600 BCE to 2600 CE.
The dates when the Sun is truly within the astronomical constellations of the Zodiac, as defined by contemporary constellation borders and corrected for precession, are listed in the table below (these dates can vary a day from year to year).
When precession is taken into consideration, your zodiac sign will most likely be different. And if you were born between November 29 and December 17, your zodiac sign is one you’ve never heard of before: Ophiuchus! After Scorpius, the eliptic crosses across the constellation of Ophiuchus.
Visit the Birthday Sky program to view what the sky looked like on your birthday and to learn more about your “true zodiac sign.”
Constellations Image Gallery
What are the three most important indications in my life?
Your Sun sign, Moon sign, and rising sign, also known as ascending sign, are the three most important places in your birth chart. Your Sun sign is the foundation of your personality and who you are as a person. Your Moon sign indicates your emotional side and who you are when you’re alone. Finally, your rising sign is the initial impression others get of you and how you appear on the outside.
Do the signs of the zodiac change every year?
Is that to say that your zodiac sign changes each year? No, it’s more like once every 30 years or so. (Thank G, you’ve got some time to think about it.) “Each sign has 30 degrees, and the advanced sun moves less than a degree per year, so this shift is really slow,” Montfar explains.
What is the order of the 12 zodiac signs?
Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces are the 12 zodiac signs in order. Each zodiac sign has a symbol that dates back to Middle Ages Greek manuscripts. Let’s look at the zodiac symbols, constellations, and qualities in more detail.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
The ram is the constellation that represents Aries, the first of the twelve zodiac signs. You are adventurous, active, ambitious, and competitive if you were born under this sign. Aries are recognized for their agility and leadership abilities, as well as a tendency to be impetuous and blunt (due to the “fire” aspect).
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Taurus is the second of the twelve zodiac signs, and the constellation Taurus represents it. You are dedicated, dependable, focused, and creative if you were born under this sign. Tauruses are noted for their intelligence, trustworthiness, and stubbornness (the sign is a bull, after all). Tauruses are notorious for questioning authority and seeking pleasure.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
The constellation Gemini, which is made up of the Dioscurithe twins, Castor and Pollux, represents Gemini, the third of the twelve zodiac signs. You are active, expressive, intellectual, and playful if you were born under this sign. Geminis are recognized for their gregarious personalities and diverse interests, yet they have a (probably undeserved) reputation for being duplicitous.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
The constellation Cancer, which is most typically pictured as a crab, represents Cancer, the fourth of the twelve zodiac signs. If you were born under this sign, you are brave, empathetic, protective, and perceptive. Cancers are noted for their tendency to be remote and passive-aggressive, as well as their caring nature.
Leo (July 23-August 22)
The lion is the constellation that represents Leo, the fifth of the twelve zodiac signs. You are vivacious, extroverted, and fiery if you were born under this sign. Leos are recognized for their warm personalities and great self-esteem, although they can be proud or jealous at times.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
The virgin is the constellation that represents Virgo, the sixth of the twelve zodiac signs. You are practical, analytical, and sophisticated if you were born under this sign. Virgos are recognized for their generosity and meticulous attention to detail, yet they may also be introverted and have unrealistic expectations for themselves and their loved ones.
Libra (September 23-October 22)
The scales, the only inanimate constellation, represents Libra, the seventh of the twelve zodiac signs. You are thought to be balanced, social, and diplomatic if you were born under this sign. Libras are recognized for their selflessness and camaraderie, although they can be overly pragmatic and insecure at times.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Scorpio is the eighth of the twelve zodiac signs, and it is symbolized by the scorpion constellation. You are loyal, resourceful, and dedicated if you were born under this sign. Scorpios are recognized for their boldness and pioneering spirit, but they may be abrasive and walled off to strangers.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
The archer is the constellation that represents Sagittarius, the ninth of the twelve zodiac signs. If you were born under this sign, you are cheerful, self-reliant, and intellectual. Sagittariuses are noted for their magnetic qualities and generosity, yet they can also be arrogant and direct.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
Capricorn is the tenth of the twelve zodiac signs, and it is symbolized by the sea goat constellation. If you were born under this sign, you are patient, hardworking, and disciplined. Capricorns are recognized for their tenacity and fondness for boundaries and regulations, but they may be stubborn and too concerned with perfection.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Aquarius is the eleventh of the twelve zodiac signs, and it is symbolized by the water carrier constellation. If you were born under this sign, you are thought to be creative, loyal, and unique. Aquariuses are recognized for their rebellious temperament and ingenuity, but they can be aloof and unyielding with loved ones.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
Pisces is the last of the twelve zodiac signs, and it is symbolized by the fishes constellation. You are intuitive, artistic, and sympathetic if you were born under this sign. Pisces are famed for their empathy and artistic abilities, yet they can also be overly sensitive or delusional.
What are the signs of the zodiac that I belong to?
When people inquire about your zodiac sign, they usually mean your Sun sign. And, to be honest, everyone knows what their Sun sign is. It’s easy to check it up now that we have the Internet, and at the very least, everyone has been intrigued about what the stars have to say about them. Some people completely identify with their Sun sign, while others find it completely incomprehensible.
There are a number possible explanations, including your Moon sign and Ascendant, which I’ll discuss later. Even if you don’t exactly relate to the attributes of that zodiac sign, from the perspective of the sky, you will find patterns that correlate due to planetary motions at any given moment, thus I always urge people to read for the Sun sign in daily/monthly/yearly horoscopes.
Your Sun sign is determined by your birthday. If you were born on a day when the Sun changed signs, you may need to consult a personal natal chart because you may be one sign over the other. Because you can’t have two Sun signs, cusps don’t exist (despite pop culture magazines’ best efforts; Karen, stop trying to make them a thing!).
Why do the dates of the zodiac signs differ?
The finding was first announced by NASA in a blog post earlier this year, explaining that when the ancient Babylonians developed the zodiac over 3,000 years ago, they wanted dates on the calendar to match to star constellations. However, there were 13 constellations to consider, and they were using a 12-month calendar. As a result, they abandoned Ophiuchus.
NASA also pointed out that the Earth’s axis no longer points in the same direction as it did when the constellations were first drawn, therefore all of our signs now have various date ranges.
To put it another way, astrological turmoil. NASA’s science nerds don’t seem to mind that they’ve turned our lives upside down. “Here at NASA, we study astronomy, not astrology,” they said in a statement last week. We didn’t make any changes to the zodiac signs; we simply did the math.
Why are the dates for different zodiac signs different?
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. The Aries season begins on the first day of Spring each year… unless there is a leap year.
“When the star signs are determined, we use the first day of Aries on the Spring Equinox, which is March 20 or March 21,” Francesca added.
To account for the leap year, the equinox occurs around six hours later every four years, which is why the date changes every four years.
