Zodiac Sign Dates: All 12 Signs, Elements and Modalities

The 12 Western zodiac signs run from Aries, which starts around March 21, to Pisces, which ends around March 20. Each sign covers roughly a month and belongs to one of four elements (fire, earth, air or water) and one of three modalities (cardinal, fixed or mutable). Exact start dates shift slightly from year to year.

What are the dates for each zodiac sign?

These are the approximate Sun sign dates used in Western (tropical) astrology, with each sign's element:

  1. Aries: March 21 to April 20 (fire)
  2. Taurus: April 21 to May 21 (earth)
  3. Gemini: May 22 to June 21 (air)
  4. Cancer: June 22 to July 23 (water)
  5. Leo: July 24 to August 23 (fire)
  6. Virgo: August 24 to September 23 (earth)
  7. Libra: September 24 to October 23 (air)
  8. Scorpio: October 24 to November 22 (water)
  9. Sagittarius: November 23 to December 21 (fire)
  10. Capricorn: December 22 to January 20 (earth)
  11. Aquarius: January 21 to February 19 (air)
  12. Pisces: February 20 to March 20 (water)

Why do the dates change slightly each year?

Western astrology measures the zodiac from the March equinox, and the exact date of the equinox varies from year to year. That means the day each sign starts can move by a day or so. If you were born near the boundary between two signs, often called being born on the cusp, check your Sun sign using your exact birth date, time and place rather than a general list.

What are the four zodiac elements?

Each element is shared by three signs, a group astrologers call a triplicity. The traditional keywords are:

What are cardinal, fixed and mutable signs?

A sign's modality comes from where it falls in its season. Each element appears once in each modality.

Why doesn't my sign match the constellation?

Western signs are tied to the seasons, not to the stars. Over centuries, a slow wobble in Earth's axis called precession has shifted those divisions away from the constellations they're named after. Vedic (Hindu) astrology uses a sidereal zodiac that corrects for this, which is why it can give you a different sign.

Is your Sun sign the whole picture?

No. Astrologers also look at your Moon and rising signs and the rest of your birth chart. It's also worth knowing that scientific testing has found no evidence that signs shape personality or events. Many people still enjoy the zodiac as a shared language for reflecting on themselves and the people around them.

How can Kosmic Guide help?

Kosmic Guide uses your birthplace and birth time to personalize your readings, alongside daily horoscopes, tarot and courses.

Frequently asked questions

What zodiac sign is each month?

Each sign spans parts of two months. Roughly: Aries March 21 to April 20, Taurus April 21 to May 21, Gemini May 22 to June 21, Cancer June 22 to July 23, Leo July 24 to August 23, Virgo August 24 to September 23, Libra September 24 to October 23, Scorpio October 24 to November 22, Sagittarius November 23 to December 21, Capricorn December 22 to January 20, Aquarius January 21 to February 19 and Pisces February 20 to March 20.

What does it mean to be born on the cusp?

It means you were born close to the boundary between two signs. Because start dates shift slightly each year, check your exact birth date, time and place to see which sign the Sun was actually in.

Which signs are fire, earth, air and water?

Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn. Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

Why is my Vedic sign different?

Vedic astrology uses a sidereal zodiac tied to the constellations, while Western astrology uses a tropical zodiac tied to the seasons. Precession has pulled the two apart over centuries.

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