Moon Astrology: The Ultimate Planet Guide

Security check! The moon shows what you need in order to feel “at home” in the world and in your relationships.

Here is everything you need to know about the moon in astrology.

What does the Moon represent in astrology?

In astrology, la luna depicts the emotional forecast for your horoscope.

The ever-shifting moon has a powerful influence on planet Earth. It directs the tides and stabilizes our climate by regulating the wobble of the Earth on its axis.

The moon plays a similar role in astrology, directing the flow of our emotions and our internal temperatures. Someone with an Aries moon, for example, may heat up quickly, while a Scorpio moon is like an active volcano—their feelings simmering below the surface until they suddenly erupt!

Is your Moon sign important?

The moon changes signs every 2.5 days, transiting through all 12 zodiac signs in 27.5 days. Our changeable moods are governed by Luna—the Roman goddess who represents the moon. The moon is often thought of as the counterpart to the Sun: el Sol is expressive while la luna is receptive.

The Sun’s energy radiates outward, while the moon processes all that heat and energy coming our way. What pushes your buttons? Where are you most sensitive? And how much emotion do you reveal? A measured Capricorn moon may view feelings as something to be controlled, while a compassionate Pisces moon may have #NoFilter, and weep openly at a moment’s notice.

Do you need a lot of verbal reassurance (Scorpio moon) or do you feel loved when people encourage us to take risks and shine (Leo moon)? Can you be comfortable with home on the road (Sagittarius moon) or do you require a well-appointed sanctuary (Cancer moon)? Even the way you save money or build a nest eggcan be revealed by the moon’s position in your chart.

Because the moon changes so rapidly, it’s important to know your exact time of birth in order to know your moon sign. Do your chart for free here.

Every moon sign has its own light side—the obvious feelings that we are comfortable with expressing.

What’s your Moon sign?

Use our cosmic calculator to discover what zodiac sign and house the moon was in when you were born. To accurately determine the house, you will need to know your birth time.

Find Your Moon 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 pull you in two directions? That’s not unusual. We human beings have range. 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 enhance your life.

What does the Moon mean in your birth chart?

Just as the ever-changing moon directs the tides, its placement in our charts dictates the more fluid, emotional sides of our nature. Yes, you’re going to take everything personally in this area of life! Feelings and facts are one and the same where this heavenly body is concerned. Given this heightened sensitivity, your moon sign also shows the ways that you are intuitive and empathetic. 

Many astrologers interpret your moon sign as an indicator of the relationship you will have with your biological mother. Regardless of whether this resonates for you or not, la luna is the celestial security blanket. What do you need to feel safe in the world? How do you nurture yourself with self-care, sleep, food and all the things a mother figure would oversee? Your moon sign also tells a lot about your relationship to family and even what may have triggered you as a kid.

All about your Moon sign or natal moon

Whatever zodiac sign and house the moon was orbiting through at your time of birth determines your “natal moon” or “moon sign.” More specifically, this will guide you in the following ways:

  • Emotions: How you react to situations and your inner temperament
  • Desire: What you crave in order to feel emotionally fulfilled
  • Sanctuary: How you set up your home, what and who makes you feel “at home”
  • Nurturing: How you care for yourself and others
  • Family relationships: How you interact with your relatives, especially your mother figure
  • Childhood issues: Early wounds, karmic triggers that you brought in from past lives
  • Intuition: How readily you pick up on unspoken cues and “body language”
  • Security: What makes you feel safe; what you need to feel like it’s all taken care of

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.


Moon astrology facts

Planetary Stats: Moon

  • Changes Zodiac Signs: Every 2-3 days
  • Zodiac Sign It Rules: Cancer
  • Day of the Week: Monday

What does the Moon govern?

  • Emotions
  • Receptivity
  • Intuition
  • Security
  • Home
  • The mother

What zodiac sign is ruled by the moon?

Every heavenly body is said to “rule” a zodiac sign. The moon governs Cancer, the sign associated with women, the mother, the home and our general sense of security. Understanding your moon sign can help you navigate relationships with all the ladies in your life. It may also define how well you get along with mother. A Gemini moon, for example may be BFFs with your mom, while a Taurus moon may long for stability and consistency from dear mama. 


What are the different positions of the Moon?

Domicile: Cancer

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

Detriment: Capricorn

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

Exalted: Taurus

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

Fall: Scorpio

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

What moon phase were you born under—new, full, quarter? Read about the 8 natal moon phases here


Learn more about the 12 Moon signs

What is the effect of the Moon in the houses? The meaning of the placement of the Moon in a birth chart, for each of the 12 houses:

Aries Moon

Look out, world! With a dynamic moon in Aries (or the 1st house), you’re energetic and excitable. You’ll dive headfirst into new relationships, becoming fast friends and lovers when you feel the spark. Because you “connect first, ask questions later,” these attractions may sizzle as fast as they fizzle. Thankfully, you’re not one to dwell. Life is too short, and you have too much joie de vivre! When the next shiny soul captivates your interest, you’re back in the game—and you’re all in!

Read more about the Aries Moon Sign

Taurus Moon

Generally, you operate at two speeds: relaxed and contented (like a steer luxuriating in a verdant pasture) or hyped-up and ready to charge. (Toro, toro!) You basically have a built-in energy conservation program that helps you to patiently assess whether something is worth an investment of time and resources. If the green light flashes, it’s all systems go! But until then, slow and steady wins the race.

Since feelings can be heavy for you, regular naps may be necessary to help you process them. People may accuse you of being lazy but that’s not the case. Giving so steadily can be exhausting! Sleep is a sacred art form to the Taurus/2nd house moon. To bring your best to the world each day, turn your bedroom into a temple of serenity. 

Read more about the Taurus Moon Sign

Gemini Moon

Speak from the heart! Communication is the pathway to connection for those born with the moon in articulate Gemini (or the 3rd house). Thoughtful and cerebral, you process feelings through words. While quietly observant in new situations, once you open up, you have a lot to say! You need to explore situations from every angle before the lightbulb of truth flashes in your psyche. Making decisions can be challenging for this moon sign! Hours could be spent outlining a pros and cons list, as you hop from one idea to the next…and the next…and the next! Because it’s this moon sign’s prerogative to change your mind, waiting to weigh in with your opinion can be an act of grace.  

Read more about the Gemini Moon Sign

Cancer Moon

So many feelings! The moon is right at home in Cancer (or the 4th house), its “domicile” zodiac location. Sensitive, intuitive and family-oriented, you’re a natural caretaker. With the moon in this position, you’re here to nurture the ones you love, and at times, the ones you barely know at all. When imbalanced, you may take on other people’s troubles as your own. Creating self-care rituals—and sticking to them—will keep your love tanks full and resentment at bay. 

Read more about the Cancer Moon Sign

Leo Moon

Attention, attention! With the moon in show-stopping Leo or the flamboyant 5th house, your feelings are big, bold and impossible to ignore. Proud and confident, you can be quite expressive! What can you say? You’re a passionate person. While that can feel like a load to bear, it also makes you compassionate. When you feel people, you might even “become” them, channeling their voices, movements and gestures in a dead-on impersonation. This can even show up subconsciously as you mirror people’s moods and energy in conversation, which makes them feel safe and seen.  

Read more about the Leo Moon Sign

Virgo Moon

In the astrological birth chart, the moon sign is your “emotional personality,” a crucial part of understanding what makes you or someone else tick. Since the moon is the celestial body that’s  closest to the Earth, our moods and feelings are governed by its movements. In a person’s natal (or birth) chart, the moon sign indicates what will provide us with a sense of home and security—what we need as individuals to feel safe, secure and comfortable. The moon also drives some of our “gut reactions”—how we respond on a primal, instinctive level.

Read more about the Virgo Moon Sign

Libra Moon

Peace, love and harmony! Emotional equilibrium is the ultimate goal for those born with the moon in Libra or the 7th house. On your best days, you are calm and centered, so much so that people might mistake your serenity for indifference. Wrong! With the sign of the scales directing your feelings, you simply like to take your time. Every option must be carefully weighed and deliberated. Rushing into decisions gives you major anxiety! Before you can move ahead, you want to check out a situation from every possible angle. 

Read more about the Libra Moon Sign

Scorpio Moon

Intensity! Mystery! Seduction! Mmm-hmm. If you were born with the moon in Scorpio or the 8th house, your emotions are complex and mysterious. The moon is in “fall” in this sign, which is said to be one of its most challenging placements in the zodiac. It’s true that your feelings come with a strong current, one that’s been known to pull you into an obsessive undertow. But thanks to this deep-diving lunar placement, you don’t mind going (way down) there. Anything too “surface,” light or superficial won’t hold your interest.  

Read more about the Scorpio Moon Sign

Sagittarius Moon

Tell them how you really feel. It’s not like you have much choice. If your moon is in Sagittarius or the 9th house, honesty is the only policy when it comes to your emotions. Before you’ve had a chance to self-edit, you’ve already blurted a borderline-TMI confession. But hey, someone had to break the ice! That’s a job you’ll happily take on, since you love nothing more than a rousing round of real talk.  

Read more about the Sagittarius Moon Sign

Capricorn Moon

Let’s get down to business, shall we? People born with the moon in Capricorn or the 10th house take emotions seriously. You don’t get involved with people unless you sense there’s a promising future. Even then, you’ll run them through an extended checklist of requirements: financial stability, integrity, family values? Yes, please. This moon sign is focused on long-term success. You love setting goals in any partnership, whether romantic, business or another type of collaboration. 

Read more about the Capricorn Moon Sign

Aquarius Moon

What are these weird things called…feelings? Hosting the moon in Aquarius or the 11th house can be a funny thing. This zodiac placement is far more cerebral than emotional. It’s not that you aren’t sensitive. You just don’t see why people have to lose their s**t to prove that they’re passionate or to get their point across. While you can be cool as a cucumber, you care deeply for humanity. You’ll stick up for the underdog in a heartbeat, or encourage people to rise above petty conflicts and find that “one love” unity that we all share. Your ability to detach and be the voice of reason is this moon sign’s superpower.  

Read more about the Aquarius Moon Sign

Pisces Moon

Dive into the depths! If your moon is in Pisces or the 12th house, you are sensitive and empathetic. This dreamy lunar placement makes you quite magnetic. People are drawn to your soothing vibe and compassionate nature. A natural healer and confidant, you can be trusted to keep the darkest of secrets. One of your greatest gifts is your ability to be unconditionally accepting. Like a wise old soul, you understand that “people are people.” Rarely will you judge—although you will advise, if your intuition calls for it.   

Read more about the Pisces Moon Sign

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.