When someone asks for your star sign, they’re referring to your sun sign. This is the way we present ourselves to the world and is the basis of our horoscopes, so it’s a default answer to the age old question. What you might not know, is that there are actually two other signs which form your identity. These are known as your rising sign (which we’ve covered in detail here) and your moon sign.

They’re lesser known aspects of astrology but still very important if you’re looking to get a comprehensive idea of what makes you inherently “you.” As they say, there is no day without night, and as such, only knowing your sun sign is providing a fairly incomplete picture of who you really are. Your moon sign is the other major component of your being.

Below, everything you need to know about moon signs.

 

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What is a moon sign?

Your moon sign is the sign of the zodiac where the moon was at your moment of birth. It’s the soul of your identity, the subconscious part of yourself that you might keep hidden from others (unlike your outward facing sun sign) and it makes up a big part of your emotional side. It’s been described as your “mushy centre” or inner child and makes up your emotional inner world.

It may work behind the scenes but it has a substantial impact on your character, governing your moods and emotional responses. When we feel misunderstood in astrology, it’s often related to the moons position in relation to the other planets. Your moon sign explains how someone with a Virgo sun may feel analytical but also impulsive, courtesy of a fiery Aries moon. This is why it’s so important to have both your sun and moon sign calculated, as you can often feel incomplete without both, finding that it can explain aspects of your personality that don’t align with one sign.

How do I calculate my moon sign?

As with most astrological calculations, you’ll need to know your exact birth time in order to calculate your moon sign. It’s important to get this part right as a just a few minutes could push you into a different sign entirely, so you’ll probably need to dig out the old birth certificate to be sure.

Once you have that information, you can head to a reputable online calculating system like this one here. Once you’ve entered your information it’ll do the rest for you and voila, you have your moon sign.

What does my moon sign mean?

As with anything astrology-related, you can go as shallow or as deep into the analysis as you’d like. Some people like a more general breakdown of their signs, while others want to know absolutely everything — the choice is yours. Below, you can find a general gist of each (courtesy of mind body) but if you’re looking for a more in-depth analysis of your moon sign, you can find a full breakdown of each here.

Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces)

You react to changing experiences with sensitivity and emotion. You feel most aligned with your inner self when feelings are deeply involved, but don’t forget to prioritise self-love, too.

Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn)

You react to changing experiences with steadiness and stability. You feel most aligned with your inner world when you’re being productive and working towards a goal.

Air Signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius)

You react to changing experiences with discernment and objective evaluation. You feel most aligned with your inner self when expressing ideas and interacting socially.

Fire Signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius)

You react to changing experiences with direct action and excitement. You feel most aligned with your inner self when expressing confidence, ditching the negative self-talk and showing strength.