Sun Astrology: The Ultimate Planet Guide

Great ball of fire! The bold, bright Sun is at the center of our solar system and is central to the forecast for your horoscope.

The Sun represents the essence of your personality. Here is everything you need to know about the Sun.

What the Sun means in astrology

What is the special light that you shine into the world? The Sun’s heat and energy radiates outward, warming all the planets. Without the Sun at the center of our solar system, there would be no life for us Earthlings. Symbolically, astrologers view the Sun quite the same way: Its position in the zodiac is central to your personality.

According to some astrologers, the Sun is the associated with the father and masculine figures. How well do you relate to your dad or the authority figures in your life? Historically, indigenous people have prayed to “Father Sky,” pointing heavenward. Whether this resonates for you or not, the Sun reveals your leadership style and gives clues about how you deal with authority.

What does the Sun mean in your birth chart?

How you express yourself outwardly is greatly revealed through your Sun sign. El Sol can influence everything from wardrobe to social style, and even career path. As your astrological energy source, your Sun sign can reveal places to draw your strength, confidence and creative expression from. 

What kind of fuel do you burn? Where do your passions lie? This heavenly body inspires humans to produce great, historical works; to garner applause and earn our bragging rights. But the pride ego and the ego are also the Sun’s domain. When imbalanced, those beams can produce arrogance, swagger or a mask of false confidence. 

Is your Sun sign your overall sign?

Your Sun sign is considered your “main sign” and it’s the forecast you read on websites and in newspapers. The Sun changes zodiac signs approximately every thirty days, so people born in these clusters will share a Sun sign and many basic personality traits. For example, those born between November 21 and December 21 will have a Sagittarius Sun. 

All about your Sun Sign or Natal Sun

Use our cosmic calculator to discover what zodiac sign and house the Sun was in when you were born. To accurately determine the house, you will need to know your birth time. Note: The beginning and ending day of each solar cycle will vary based on your year of birth—and it changes at a different minute each year. Those born “on the cusp” will need to know their time of birth to accurately find their Sun sign.

Find your Sun Sign

Calculate Yours!

What if the zodiac sign and house are different?

This is common! Read both the sign and house description below. Do these interpretations feel like a paradox? That’s not uncommon. Astrology is an interpretive dance, a tool which provides a fascinating layer of self-discovery. Do some “astro mixology.” Reflect on how you can work with both energies to express your solar-powered radiance.

How does the Sun mean in your birth chart?

Whatever zodiac sign and house the Sun was orbiting through (from our vantage point here on Earth) at your time of birth determines your natal Sun or Sun sign. More specifically, this will guide you in the following ways:

  • Self-expression: How do you shine to the world? What color is your parachute?
  • Creativity: What ways do you like to be creative and playful?
  • Passion: What are you passionate about pursuing or expressing?
  • Pride: Where do you get tripped up by your ego?
  • Leadership style: What kind of a leader or boss are you?
  • Energy source: What lights you up and energizes you?
  • Authority: How do you deal with people in charge and how comfortable are you with your own authority?
  • Attention: How much attention do you like—and what lengths will you go to get it?

The moon orbits through all twelve zodiac signs in a 29.5 day lunar month, spending 2.5 days in each zodiac sign before moving on to the next. This is one of the key differentiators of people born under the same Sun sign. Since a friend whose birthday is three days before or after yours will already have a different moon sign, your emotional temperaments will differ notably.

What does the Sun influence in astrology?

This heavenly body inspires humans to produce great, historical works; to garner applause and earn our bragging rights. But the ego is also the Sun’s domain. When imbalanced, those beams can produce arrogance, swagger or a mask of false confidence. That’s why it’s so helpful to learn about the other planets in your chart. The Sun reveals our core instincts, but doesn’t say much about our hidden desires or soul urges. (Look to the moon, Neptune and Pluto for more on those).

For example: An independent Sagittarius Sun could have a fiery relationship to their dad, but also one based around sharing wisdom and higher truths. Or, a Pisces Sun can become overly dependent (even codependent) to dad—or, conversely, feel like a victim of a father’s distance, addictions or struggles. It’s interesting to note that the receptive, intuitive moon is the counterpart to the Sun and governs the relationship to the mother and female figures.

What does your Sun sign determine in astrology?

Understanding your Sun sign is key to navigating your self-expression. While you can’t change the sign you were born under, you can adjust the dials to help strengthen the positive traits. Every Sun sign has challenging aspects: these can be turned into strengths by gaining awareness of them—not trying to make them go away. For example, a Scorpio Sun may be afflicted with jealousy, but can also use that twinge of envy as a compass to desire instead of a tool for destructive competition. It’s all in the way you use it. Here is a helpful guide:

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Sun astrology facts

Planetary Stats: Sun

  • Changes Zodiac Signs: Monthly
  • Zodiac Sign It Rules: Leo
  • Day of the Week: Sunday
  • Inner planet

What does the Sun govern?

  • Personality, essence, self
  • Ego/pride
  • Self-expression
  • Courage
  • The father
  • Sources of energy and strength

Which sign is ruled by the Sun?

Each celestial body is said to “rule” a particular sign. The Sun is the ruling planet of proud, theatrical Leo. Therefore, if you have a Leo Sun sign, you can count the great ball of fire as your planetary beacon of light.

But no matter what your Sun sign is, its position in your natal chart can definitely make for one dramatic flair! The Sun’s surface—called the photosphere—puts on quite the show with its dark sunspots (Scorpio, is that you?), solar flares (oh hi, Gemini) and coronal mass injections (whoa, Aries, whoa).

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What are the different positions of the Sun?

Domicile: Leo

The planet’s home base, an easy flow if placed here in the chart

Detriment: Aquarius

Opposite sign of home base, may need to work harder to integrate the planet’s energy if placed here in the chart

Exalted: Aries

The planet’s most powerful position; indicates ease and added fortune with using the planet’s energy if placed here in the chart

Fall: Libra

Opposite sign to the exalted position, can indicate struggles with utilizing the planet’s energy if placed here in the chart 

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Learn more about the 12 Sun signs

What’s Your Sun Sign? 

Your Sun sign is considered your “main sign” and it’s the forecast you read on websites and in newspapers. The Sun changes zodiac signs approximately every thirty days, so people born in these clusters will share a Sun sign and many basic personality traits.

And remember, the Sun orbits through all twelve zodiac signs in a 365-day calendar year, spending four weeks in each zodiac sign before moving on to the next. The Sun changes signs at an exact moment each year, though it varies from year to year. If you were born on a “cusp” day (one of the day that the Sun advances to the next zodiac sign), you will need to know your time of birth in order to determine which sign you really are. Use our handy Sun sign calculator on this page to solve the cusper mystery!

Read horoscopes for each Sun sign

Sun in Aries (March 21-April 19)
Sun in Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Sun in Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Sun in Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Sun in Leo (July 23-August 22)
Sun in Virgo (August 23-September 22)
Sun in Libra (September 23-October 22)
Sun in Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Sun in Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
Sun in Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
Sun in Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Sun in Pisces (February 19-March 20)

What is the effect of the Sun in the houses?

The meaning of the placement of the Sun in a birth chart, for each of the 12 houses

If You Were Born with the Sun in Aries or the 1st house

People with the Sun in Aries or the 1st house thrive in the spotlight! A solo star at heart, you inspire the world by breaking the rules and reshaping industries. Fans and friends will follow as you lead them on one boundary-pushing adventure after another. If no one’s down to explore, you’ll head off on that journey by yourself. It’s anyone’s guess what you’ll cook up when you’re enjoying your own company. You may deplane from a long flight with an entire album of songs composed or a business proposal for a game-changing app that’s 80% ready to shop to VCs.

With your independent spirit, you cherish your “me time.” The downside of this trait is that you can be overly focused on yourself—or in extreme cases, flat out selfish. This can be a “blind spot.” Friends may need to gently remind you to cooperate and share your toys.

Read more about the Sun in Aries or the 1st House…

If You Were Born with the Sun in Taurus or the 2nd house

They say that good things come to those who wait, and you couldn’t agree more! Slow and steady is the winning strategy for people born with the Sun in Taurus or the 2nd house. Sensible and sensual, you prefer to take your time and build things right the first time—ideally, so they’ll stand the test of time.

Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty, luxury and romance, and the 2nd house shares similar qualities to this seductive planet. With your five senses in perpetual high gear, you need comfort, value and practical luxury. A leather club chair, gourmet dinner, vintage wine, and boom…you’re relaxing into one of your famous, 14-hour naps. That said, you can be very down to earth, and you’ll work hard to pay for your indulgences.

Read more about the Sun in Taurus or the 2nd House…

If You Were Born with the Sun in Gemini or the 3rd house

Since your energy circulates in a quick and frenetic way, moving around is a must! You love fast cars, trendy clothes and any wacky gadget or game you can tinker around with. Variety is the spice of your life, which makes it hard for people to keep up with you. Opinions change faster than the weather and you constantly flip between moods and interests. This may be why people born with Sun in Gemini or the 3rd house get a rep for being two-faced at times.

Intellectual connections are a huge turn-on—a meeting of the minds is generally where attraction begins for you. Finding your “twin flame” can turn into an obsession. Just don’t forget to develop a rich relationship with yourself! No matter what, you’re here to ride the roller coaster of life, spiraling skywards one minute, and plunging into lows the next. If you can keep up with these fluctuations, though, you’ll have one helluva thrill!

Read more about the Sun in Gemini or the 3rd House…

If You Were Born with the Sun in Cancer or the 4th house

Feelings, nothing more than feelings? Don’t you dare say that to someone born with the Sun in Cancer or the 4th house. Emotions are your quintessential “first responders” and you rely on them as your primary gauge.

On a good day, this instinctual nature makes you a strong leader who senses every current, then rides that wave to success before the competitors see you coming. But without regulation, you feel like a tiny boat being tossed around at sea, susceptible to every riptide. Learning to successfully surf your own emotional landscape will be a lifelong discovery.

Read more about the Sun in Cancer or the 4th House…

If You Were Born with the Sun in Leo or the 5th house

Roll out the red carpet! Those born with the Sun in Leo or the 5th house are zodiac royalty, here to dazzle the world with show stopping style and unparalleled creativity. Whether you’re captivating an audience with a stage performance or doing groundbreaking research in a lab, when you pour your unstoppable energy into a mission, people sit up and take notice.

Huge-doses of praise and appreciation keep you high, but might cause people to think you’re self-centered. They’re not altogether wrong! Leo is ruled by the Sun, the center of our solar system. When the whole universe revolves around you, it’s hard to be humble! That great ball of fire heats up everything with sexy passion, but when the Sun sets, it’s ice, ice baby. That’s why friends know to keep you happy and shining…or else. 

Read more about the Sun in Leo or the 5th House…

If You Were Born with the Sun in Virgo or the 6th house

Order, order! If you were born with the Sun in Virgo or the 6th house, you are here to bring structure to chaos. First step? Dive into the mess for a thorough analysis. With your steel-trap mind, you need to understand all the moving parts. How can you design a proper system without being intimately acquainted with all the details?

You’re always there when help is needed. You’re a careful listener who loves to dissect problems which may direct your career choice. While it’s easy to be helpful, you may struggle to receive help. Let your friends pitch in and support you, too! Try opening up a little more. You don’t have to be perfect to be lovable. Just be yourself. 

Read more about the Sun in Virgo or the 6th House…

If You Were Born with the Sun in Libra or the 7th house

Peace, love, and harmony! That’s the ultimate trifecta for people born with Sun in Libra and the 7th house. As the sign and house that mark the halfway point of the zodiac, you’re all about balance. Libra is symbolized by the scales, a nod to your ability to weigh everything judiciously. Diplomatic and fair-minded, you uncover win-wins where others only see dead-ends.

But what makes you happiest in life? Love, sweet love—particularly the honeymoon phase, which should never end as far as you’re concerned. While you can keep romance alive for the long-term, you may mistakenly extend the courtship phase past the point of reason, getting served ultimatums before you’ll finally commit. The glyph for Libra is the setting sun, representing that magical hour before everything goes dark. Who could blame you for wanting to prolong such a moment? But don’t forget that the starry night sky brings its own enchantment. Once you let go and allow relationships to deepen you’ll discover incredible dimensions of amour—ones that don’t require you to be camera ready.

Read more about the Sun in Libra or the 7th House…

If You Were Born with the Sun in Scorpio or the 8th house

Can you feel the energy? People born with the Sun in Scorpio or the 8th house have an uncanny sixth sense. You intuit hidden details and can read most people like an open book. Smoldering and sexy, your magnetism is unmatched. This transformational sign and house rule everything from sex to investments to death. Nothing light and fluffy here, folks! Fittingly, you’re not afraid to plunge into the shadows, exploring the most mysterious aspects of life and sometimes facing danger to do so.

Like a panther stalking its prey, your high-intensity style can be a tall order to handle! People may observe you from a distance before they work up the nerve to approach you. And that’s fine by you! You’re probably watching them in the exact same way. Trust is not something you hand out readily—not by a long shot. But those who pass your loyalty tests will have a fierce and devoted friend for life. Your inner circle is a magical place to be! 

Read more about the Sun in Scorpio or in the 8th House…

If You Were Born with the Sun in Sagittarius or the 9th house

Send in the clowns! People born with the Sun in Sagittarius or the 9th house can be the funniest and most entertaining characters anyone will meet. You have a gift for seeing the absurdity of human nature and turning it into comic material. Yet, you can also be wise and philosophical, revealing perspectives people might not otherwise see. Refreshingly optimistic, you scan the horizon for opportunities, refusing to let circumstances sink your spirits for long. And as some of the luckiest souls on the planet, the fickle finger of fate always seems to point you toward the next bright opportunity—even if you have to reinvent yourself a few times over. 

A busy bee, you have a million friends, projects and irons in the fire. As a result, you may not be the most reliable day-to-day ally. But if someone has a five-alarm crisis, you’ll rush in for an epic save, even if they haven’t seen you in years. Time and distance are irrelevant—you have friends in every port, and if someone connects with you, that’s all that matters. Personal development falls under the Sagittarius domain. You’re always up for meeting in a far-flung locale, taking a road trip or a weekend workshop. Meet you for a balloon ride in Cappadocia?

Read more about the Sun in Sagittarius or in the 9th House

If You Were Born with the Sun in Capricorn or the 10th house

Eyes on the prize! People born with the Sun in Capricorn or the 10th house have tireless focus. Once you’ve set your sights on something, you work steadily toward that goal. Often you become so fixated on reaching the finish line that you fail to pay attention to the journey, looking neither to the right nor the left. Flexibility may not be your strongest suit, but achievement (as you define it) certainly is. Maybe your goal is locking down a soulmate relationship, hiking the Incan trail or dredging plastic from the oceans. When you set your mind to something, you are committed! 

Many people born with the Sun in Capricorn or the 10th house are “old souls” who play by the rules and follow tradition. You often see life as an uphill battle, with the ultimate reward arriving only through suffering and sacrifice. You’ll skip the good stuff today if it means getting the reward tomorrow. Maybe that explains why you have more trophies and loyal friends than most people. When you get moody, let your family and closest friends be there for you—just as you always are for them.

Read more about the Sun in Capricorn or in the 10th House…

If You Were Born with the Sun in Aquarius or the 11th house

With the Sun in Aquarius or your 11th house, you’re a paradox unto yourself, pulling off the astounding feat of being a hardcore individualist and the ultimate team player. Since this Sun placement rules the future, you can be a bit of an alien—unapologetically “out there” in your approach. Not that you care about anyone’s judgments. Shaking up the status quo is what you live for!  

People born with the Sun in Aquarius and the 11th house may prefer casual connections to intensely intimate interactions that can flood your circuits with too much passion. Because of this, you can disengage as quickly as you connect. In fact, your platonic pals may get better treatment than your romantic partners—and that avoidant attachment style may require therapy to overcome. While you can be a bit unsentimental on a one-on-one level, you can be moved to tears—and action!—by the plight of animals, the environment or other humanitarian issues. You’re also a born team player and when you’re fired up about a mission, no one is better at unifying the group than you! 

Read more about the Sun in Aquarius or in the 11th House…

If You Were Born with the Sun in Pisces or the 12th house

Life is but a dream for those born with the Sun in Pisces or the 12th house. This Sun sign placement is akin to the elder years when the veil thins between reality and imagination. No matter your actual age, you know how to escape into your own self-created bubble, screening out anything unpleasant—until you want to deal, that is.

As the 12th and final sign, Pisces is said to have experienced the energy of every other sign before it. Thus, you are profoundly empathic, with compassion that flows to the most neglected members of society. Whether you’re fundraising for a women’s shelter or offering pro bono legal services to undocumented immigrants, you are compelled to be there for those in need.

Read more about the Sun in Pisces or in the 12th House…

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The AstroTwins

Identical twin sisters Ophira and Tali Edut, known as The AstroTwins, are the founders of Astrostyle.com and the authors of multiple bestselling astrology books. Their horoscopes reach millions here and through their resident astrologer column at ELLE Magazine.