Moon & Rising Signs

Along with your sun sign, these two star players can tell a lot about your personality. Your moon sign (where the moon was when you were born) shapes your emotions and your soul. It colors all the subconscious stuff going on below the surface—your deepest needs, and what helps you feel emotionally secure. Your moon sign can also influence how strongly your sun sign is expressed. For example, if you're a fiery Aries with a mellow Taurus moon, your aggressive nature may be toned down by the steady Taurus influence. Or, if you're a watery Scorpio with a watery Pisces moon, you could be extra emotional and intuitive, since these are the traits of water signs. Want to find your true soulmates? Check out your moon sign and theirs. Chances are, your moons are in compatible signs, or your sun and moon are in similar signs.

Your rising sign, also called your ascendant, is the sign that was rising over the eastern horizon when you were born. It can affect your appearance, your attitude, and the way you come across to others. For example, a conservative Capricorn with a Leo rising can appear to have some Leo-like features—s/he may have wild hair, an outgoing personality, and a more expressive style than the average Capricorn. If people always peg you for a sign other than your own, don't be surprised to discover that it's actually your rising sign.

How do you calculate your moon and rising signs? The moon moves into a different sign every 2-3 days, and the rising sign changes every two hours. You'll need to check moon sign and rising sign tables to determine yours.