Written by Caisi Calandra
Sun sign
Your sun sign is simply the constellation you were born under — look up your birthday to figure out which sun sign you are! Your sun sign holds immense importance, and it has a lot to do with your core being, your traits and why you act the way you do.
Moon sign
Your moon sign, on the other hand, reflects your inner self and has a lot to do with being introspective. Your moon sign characteristics are often hidden from people, and you are most in touch with them when you’re alone. You can find your moon sign if you know your full date, place and time of birth.
Rising sign
For some people who keep a lot of themselves hidden in social situations, they might get mistaken for their rising sign. A person’s rising sign has to do with how they present themselves to the outside world. Your rising sign was the sign on the eastern horizon when you were born. Some astrologers think it’s important to check your rising sign’s horoscope, but most would agree that you end up growing out of your rising sign the older you get.
Retrograde
This term is often confusing because of how it’s described on websites, so let’s debunk a few things. First of all, retrograde pertains to the study of planets. Astrologists use the positioning of planets in the present to predict the future, and they can be even more “accurate” if they know what planets/signs are in your specific houses. A good example would be the following: let’s say Mercury is going into retrograde (because that’s such an iconic term to use when nothing is going your way). Mercury in retrograde simply means that, from Earth’s perspective, it looks like Mercury is moving forward, backward and then forward again (it’s simply an illusion to people on Earth!). A planet’s position, and whether or not it’s in retrograde, can have a negative or positive impact on your horoscope.
House
Along with the twelve sun signs, there are 12 houses. When a planet is in a certain house, it reflects the energy of that house and, in turn, gives off its own energy that can change an astrologist’s prediction. For example, if Mercury was in your first house (which represents the self, new beginnings, independence), it might mean that Mercury’s god, Hermes, is positively influencing you to be confident enough to show off a new part of yourself to others — or to have that extra energy to introduce yourself to new people.
Sign groups (air, water, earth, fire)
Air
Geminis, Libras and Aquarians are air signs. This means that they’re intellectual, always on the go, and they pretty much dominate their own realm of communication. But, if upset, they know how to act cold faster than you can blink, and they have a habit of being aloof. Their strong desire for balance and curiosity often contribute to their own demise, and they can get caught up in trying to conform to others.
Water
Cancers, Scorpios and Pisceans are water signs. They’re infamous for their compassion and sensitivity. They’re also known for observing. If you’ve said something juicy around a water sign, chances are they haven’t forgotten about it. Unlike earth signs, they think with their feelings because that’s what matters to them the most. But without a way out of their own emotions and fantasies, they can get too caught up and lose themselves.
Earth
Tauruses, Virgos and Capricorns are earth signs. If you’ve ever met someone who’s an earth sign, chances are you’ve been left with the impression that they’re grounded and practical. But they feel at home when they’ve “collected” people and things to ground them in others’ lives, and, in the process of collecting, they can overlook and hurt someone’s feelings.
Fire
Aries, Leos and Sagittarii (yes, weird plural form) are fire signs. They’re passionate, confident and creators at heart. With a seemingly endless supply of energy, they’re often seen as larger than life when met in person. They’re the sexiest signs, and they often spread their creativity wherever they go. But in their passion, combined with temperamental egos, they can come across as bossy and selfish.
