When most people think of astrology, the first thing they probably think of is their sun sign. After all, this is usually the sign you refer to when reading horoscopes or looking for cosmic compatibility between you and your crush. But if you're ready to dive deeper into your personal astrology, understanding the differences between your sun, moon, and rising signs is an important place to start.
Your sun, moon, and rising signs are known as the "big three" signs in astrology—think of them as your most important astrological statistics. These three signs are very important in your birth chart, each governing a part of your personality and overall self. While the Sun represents your core and the Moon represents your inner self, you can think of your rising sign as representing your outer self.
Astrologer Renee Watt tells Bustle: "When you get to know someone, you're likely to uncover layers of their personality by understanding their rising sign, sun sign, and moon sign at different stages. "Typically you'll find their rising sign first, which acts as a bit of a social guardian, and then their sun sign personality - and once you've gained their trust, their moon sign will come out to greet you. ”
Even if you're not into astrology, it's only a matter of time before someone asks you for your top three zodiac signs - so now's the time for you to get your horoscopes down. Let’s take a look at the basic meanings and differences between the Sun, Moon, and Rising Signs so you can start exploring your birth chart and getting the most out of astrology. Read on to get the scoop on this important astrological trinity.
Sun sign meaning: The core of your personal solar system
When it comes to mainstream astrology, the sun sign is by far the most well-known part of the birth chart. For some, this is the only symbol they are familiar with! Most zodiac signs are based on the sun sign, so when someone asks you what your sign is or tells you their own, it's usually this sign they're referring to. If you want to confirm your sun sign, in most cases all you need is your birth month and day - you can enter your data into an online sun sign calculator to determine it.
There's a reason why sun signs are so revered in astrology. Just as the sun is the center of the solar system, your sun sign represents your core. "Astrologically speaking, the Sun in the natal chart is the luminous body that symbolizes a person's vital life force, spirit, intellect, and identity," astrologer Ashley Otero tells Bustle. “As the only star where the Earth is mixed with nine other spheres in space, the Sun is a symbol of center, illumination and life – because without it, we would cease to exist!”
Your Sun sign governs your ego and self-awareness, as well as your creativity, energy, and drive. It speaks to your big picture goals in life and motivations for your grand plans. "The Sun is our ego and will. It shows what inspires and drives us, what drives us to success," astrologer Lisa Stardust tells Bustle. "Our sun sign determines our passions."
Author Grant Lewis writes in his book Astrology for a Million :
Depending on your Moon and other planets, you may think, dream, imagine, hope to be a thousand things: but the Sun is you , and being the best version of yourself according to your Sun requires letting your energy flow along the way. Following this path, they will receive the greatest help from the planetary vibrations.
The sun sign in astrology is ultimately considered the highest expression of our self, so it makes sense to place extra emphasis on this part of our birth chart. "Your Sun sign indicates how you present yourself to the world and relates to your unique identity," Watt says. "The Sun's position in the chart often tells us how a person expresses themselves and often has a positive impact on creativity. Make an impact."
Moon Sign Meaning: Your Shadow Side
Let us step out of the sunshine and into the sensitive zone of the moon-ruled night. Just as the moon in the sky rules the night and everything hidden in the shadows, so does your moon sign in astrology. It has to do with the more private and emotional parts of us. To find out your moon sign, you need your birth date, year, and in most cases, the exact time of birth (including time zone). Once you've mastered this, you can consult an astrologer or use an online moon sign calculator to find out which sign rules your moon self.
"In our horoscope, the Moon represents the mother/mother energy," Stardust says. "It represents our desires, our emotions, our memories - all of which we internalize and don't show to others." In other words, the Moon in astrology rules your intimate side - think vulnerability things like emotional intimacy, deep-seated feelings, and sentimentality. It governs the darker parts of your personality, visible only to those closest to you.
"Moon sign tells us a lot about how a person processes emotions and can give us insight into how a person acts intuitively," Watt says. Moon sign energy can manifest in very different ways, depending on your What are the elements of the moon sign. "Water Moon signs are often very empathetic and need emotional approval, while Saturn Moon signs can often find comfort in financial security," Watt says. "Fire and Air signs, on the other hand, are less responsible and capable when they are not. Often feel happiest being their authentic selves.”
The energy of your moon sign is more intrinsic than the energy of your sun sign. It has to do with the more private side of your personality, which is wanting to feel comfortable and safe before revealing it to others.
"The moon symbolizes the soul, our emotional responses and our sense of belonging," Otero said. "It corresponds to many stages of life, especially in the early stages of life when our survival depends on the maintenance of caregivers. Therefore, the moon also symbolizes our past, our home and our comfort zone."
Rising sign meaning: You are the first person I see
Your rising sign, also known as your rising sign, is always the sign that rules the first house of the zodiac (which is where your birth chart begins). "As the first of the four angles of the chart, this point symbolizes the merging of the spiritual and the physical," Otero says. "The rising sign is the sign that appears on the horizon the moment you take your first breath, and it is one of the most important areas of your chart." But unlike your sun sign and moon sign, your rising sign is linked to the planets Or the luminous body has nothing to do with it. "The Ascendant is the point where the sky meets the earth and where the sun rises each day, so the term 'rising sign' is used interchangeably," Otero said.
In order to find out your rising sign, you'll need your exact date, time, and place of birth because your rising sign changes approximately every two hours. This means that even people born on the same day can have many different rising signs. Find your birth certificate or text your mom, then consult an astrologer or use an online rising sign calculator to find out your birth certificate.
Your rising sign symbolizes the parts of yourself that are immediately apparent on the surface—such as how you appear to others, how you react to spontaneous things, how you relate to others, and your overall demeanor. According to Otero, it symbolizes "body, appearance, and personality," so you may find that your appearance or clothing is more in tune with the energy of your rising sign rather than your sun sign or moon sign. Think of it as your first impression mark. "The rising sign may be a mask we put on when meeting someone for the first time to protect our inner self," Watt says. "It also provides information about self-awareness and how to adapt to new situations."
Our sun sign is undoubtedly a visible and important aspect of our personality, but the version of you that people first see is actually more likely to be explained by your rising sign. "The rising sign, or rising sign, is the part of ourselves that we show to the world. It's the face we see to others," Stardust says. "We reveal more about who we are by our rising sign, which means people understand the characteristics of this sign better than other elements in our charts." If people don't often pay attention to your sun sign, that's probably because they're interpreting The energy of your rising sign.
So you’ve learned your three zodiac signs—now what?
Our unique astrological makeup can take a lifetime to explore, as there are many different combinations of planets, signs, and connections to consider. But taking note of the sun, moon, and rising sign is a great way to start making sense of it all. Consulting a professional astrologer can give you a complete understanding of your chart, but if you're willing to do some extra research, you can also start reading your birth chart at home. By harnessing the power of the Three Forces, you will create a solid foundation for your own exploration of astrology and understanding of your cosmic self.
