Zodiac Signs & Dates: Complete Reference 2025
Confused about why your zodiac sign changes between different apps or websites? You’re not alone. The world of astrology uses two primary calendar systems—Tropical and Sidereal—which can lead to different results.
This guide will demystify the dates, explain the importance of your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs, and provide quick-reference charts to help you navigate your astrological journey with confidence.
Tropical (Western) Zodiac Dates — Quick Reference
The Tropical Zodiac is aligned with the Earth’s seasons and is used in Western astrology. The start of Aries coincides with the Spring Equinox.
| Sign | Dates | Element | Modality | Ruler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | Mar 21 – Apr 19 | Fire | Cardinal | Mars |
| Taurus | Apr 20 – May 20 | Earth | Fixed | Venus |
| Gemini | May 21 – Jun 20 | Air | Mutable | Mercury |
| Cancer | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Water | Cardinal | Moon |
| Leo | Jul 23 – Aug 22 | Fire | Fixed | Sun |
| Virgo | Aug 23 – Sep 22 | Earth | Mutable | Mercury |
| Libra | Sep 23 – Oct 22 | Air | Cardinal | Venus |
| Scorpio | Oct 23 – Nov 21 | Water | Fixed | Pluto/Mars |
| Sagittarius | Nov 22 – Dec 21 | Fire | Mutable | Jupiter |
| Capricorn | Dec 22 – Jan 19 | Earth | Cardinal | Saturn |
| Aquarius | Jan 20 – Feb 18 | Air | Fixed | Uranus/Saturn |
| Pisces | Feb 19 – Mar 20 | Water | Mutable | Neptune/Jupiter |
Note on “Cusps”: If you were born on the first or last day of a sign’s date range, your sign may vary depending on the exact time of your birth. Use a birth chart calculator for precision.
Sidereal (Vedic) Zodiac Dates — The Constellational Calendar
Vedic astrology (Jyotish) uses the Sidereal Zodiac, which is aligned with the actual positions of the constellations in the sky. Due to the Earth’s axial precession (a slow “wobble”), the Sidereal dates shift approximately every 72 years.
This is why your Sidereal sign is often one sign behind your Tropical sign.
| Sign | Approx. Sidereal Dates* |
|---|---|
| Aries | Apr 14 – May 14 |
| Taurus | May 15 – Jun 14 |
| Gemini | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cancer | Jul 17 – Aug 16 |
| Leo | Aug 17 – Sep 16 |
| Virgo | Sep 17 – Oct 17 |
| Libra | Oct 18 – Nov 16 |
| Scorpio | Nov 17 – Dec 15 |
| Sagittarius | Dec 16 – Jan 13 |
| Capricorn | Jan 14 – Feb 12 |
| Aquarius | Feb 13 – Mar 14 |
| Pisces | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
*These dates are based on the Lahiri ayanamsa, the most commonly used calculation method in modern Vedic astrology.
Which System Should You Use?
- Tropical (Western): Best for understanding personality archetypes, psychological patterns, and seasonal energies.
- Sidereal (Vedic): Preferred for predictive techniques, analyzing karmic patterns (dashas), and identifying remedial measures.
- Both: Many modern astrologers use both systems for a more holistic view. The key is to choose one and use it consistently to avoid confusion.
The “Big Three”: Your Sun, Moon, and Rising Signs
Your identity is more than just your Sun sign. The three most important placements in your chart are:
- Sun Sign: Represents your core identity, ego, and life force. It’s your conscious self.
- Moon Sign: Governs your emotional nature, subconscious needs, and inner world. This is the primary sign in Vedic astrology.
- Rising (Ascendant) Sign: This is the sign that was on the eastern horizon at your time of birth. It represents your outer personality, physical appearance, and how you present yourself to the world.
To find your “Big Three” accurately, you need your exact birth time and location.
Planetary Rulers: The Energy Behind the Signs
Each zodiac sign is “ruled” by a planet, which gives the sign its distinct energy and motivation.
| Planet | Rules | Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Leo | Vitality, Ego, Leadership |
| Moon | Cancer | Emotions, Nurturing, Subconscious |
| Mercury | Gemini, Virgo | Communication, Intellect, Logic |
| Venus | Taurus, Libra | Love, Beauty, Harmony, Values |
| Mars | Aries | Action, Drive, Courage, Aggression |
| Jupiter | Sagittarius | Expansion, Wisdom, Luck, Growth |
| Saturn | Capricorn | Discipline, Structure, Karma, Responsibility |
| Uranus | Aquarius | Innovation, Rebellion, Individuality |
| Neptune | Pisces | Dreams, Intuition, Spirituality, Illusion |
| Pluto | Scorpio | Transformation, Power, Rebirth, Intensity |
Mini Cheat Sheet: Sign Keywords
| Sign | High Expression | Growth Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | Courage, Initiative | Patience, Deliberation |
| Taurus | Stability, Sensuality | Flexibility, Openness to Change |
| Gemini | Curiosity, Connection | Focus, Follow-through |
| Cancer | Nurturing, Intuition | Emotional Boundaries, Objectivity |
| Leo | Leadership, Warmth | Humility, Collaboration |
| Virgo | Precision, Service | Self-Compassion, Flexibility |
| Libra | Harmony, Diplomacy | Decisiveness, Self-Advocacy |
| Scorpio | Depth, Transformation | Trust, Forgiveness |
| Sagittarius | Adventure, Optimism | Consistency, Attention to Detail |
| Capricorn | Discipline, Mastery | Rest, Emotional Expression |
| Aquarius | Innovation, Community | Emotional Presence, Individuality |
| Pisces | Empathy, Imagination | Grounding, Practicality |
How to Find Your Exact Placements
- Use a Reliable Calculator: Our Free Birth Chart Calculator provides both Tropical and Sidereal charts.
- Enter Accurate Data: You’ll need your date, exact time, and location of birth.
- Select the Right System: Choose “Tropical” for Western or “Lahiri” for Vedic.
- Save Your Chart: Take a screenshot or download a PDF for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Sidereal signs more accurate? Accuracy depends on the system. Sidereal is more accurate for Vedic techniques, while Tropical is accurate for Western psychological astrology.
Do “cusp” birthdays exist? While you may feel influences from a neighboring sign, the Sun is always in one sign at any given moment. Your exact birth time will confirm its position.
Why does my chart look different on other websites? Discrepancies usually arise from different settings for timezone, daylight savings, house system (e.g., Placidus vs. Whole Sign), or ayanamsa.
Which sign should I read in daily horoscopes? For Western astrology, read for your Sun and Rising signs. For Vedic, read for your Moon and Rising signs.
Practical Next Steps
- Compare Your Charts: Generate both your Tropical and Sidereal charts and see which resonates more with your life experiences.
- Go Deeper: Explore our guides on Vedic vs. Western Astrology and Zodiac Signs Explained.
- Track the Planets: Use our Monthly Horoscope Guide to see how current planetary movements affect your chart.
By understanding the two zodiac systems and your “Big Three,” you can unlock a deeper, more nuanced understanding of yourself and your place in the cosmos.
🎯 Ready to Discover Your Complete Zodiac Identity?
Find your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs with precision:
✅ Birth Chart Calculator - Get all three signs instantly ✅ Zodiac Dates Chart - Quick reference for all signs ✅ Big Three Explained - Understand each sign’s role ✅ Tropical vs Sidereal - See both systems compared
Calculate Your Big Three Now →
📚 Related Articles
Zodiac Foundations
- Zodiac Signs Explained - Deep dive into all signs
- Vedic vs Western Astrology - System comparison
- Astrology Basics - Start your journey
The Big Three
- Sun Sign Guide - Your core identity
- Moon Sign - Emotional nature
- Rising Sign - How others see you
Personalized Insights
- Birth Chart Reading - Complete analysis
- Compatibility Matching - Partner compatibility
- Monthly Horoscope - Current guidance
Your zodiac identity is multidimensional—explore all three dimensions.
