October 13, 2025 by Julia Clemmensen (‘29)
At some point you have likely seen something relating to your zodiac sign, given it has been a topic brought up frequently in gen z and millennial culture. However, astrology centering around the idea of astrological (zodiac) signs has been around for a very long time. We look all the way back to around 2000 BCE where the Babylonians in Mesopotamia first divided the sky into 12 parts, one section for each constellation. This then adapted and moved through countless civilizations including those in ancient Greece and Egypt as they established a calendar system based on this idea. Astrology has been a huge contributor to many beliefs of ancient societies which have been carried through all the way to the present day.
But what actually are zodiac signs? The word zodiac refers to an imaginary belt around the ecliptic in which the sun passes through each constellation throughout the year. The 12 constellations; Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius (is the sign Scorpio), Sagittarius, Capricornus (is the sign Capricorn), Aquarius, Pisces and the unofficial 13th Ophiuchus, each have their own “season”- starting around the middle of a month and ending in the middle of the following month. However, because of equinoxes and other rotational imperfections of the Earth, the overall timing doesn’t match up perfectly with the regular zodiac seasons anymore.
What is important about these constellations and their seasons throughout the year is how they are interpreted in the forms of the Sun, Moon, and Rising signs (AKA the “big three”). If someone brings up to you only one zodiac sign, it is likely that they are referring to your Sun sign. Your Sun sign is the most recognized and is based on the position of the Sun on your birth date. This sign is responsible for your energy, power, and ego. It represents your spark, and the core essence of who you are. Your Moon sign is determined by the position of the Moon on your birth date, similar to how your Sun sign is determined. But, overall, your Moon sign is very different from your Sun sign as it is responsible for how you process emotions, connect with yourself, and connect with other people. It is shown through your vulnerable side, relating to your personal habits and issues.
Lastly would be your Rising sign, which is determined by the zodiac constellation that rose on the Eastern horizon at the exact location and time that you were born. Despite being the least recognized sign, it is considerably the most important sign as it shows how people perceive you; how you come off to others before they get to know you, your style and your social skills. This sign is very important since your Sun sign may reflect how you act by yourself or with people you are comfortable with, but when it comes to how you normally act or feel besides that, you may not feel the same way.
Even though the concept of astrology and zodiac signs could be difficult to wrap your head around since it isn’t scientifically proven, there is a great deal of history and religion surrounding the idea that there is definitely something worth looking into with it. Maybe you don’t like the concept, or you do but find it hard to believe. Either way, it is something to have fun and relate with, and it would never hurt to look deeper into who you are.
Below are some links to help you find meaning in your sun, moon, and rising sign, as well as much more reading if you want to look deeper into their history!
What Your Rising Sign Means In Astrology And How To Find It
What Is Your Sun Sign? Meaning, Traits & How to Find Yours | HowStuffWorks
What Is My Moon Sign? And How To Find Yours, Per Astrologers
What’s The Difference Between Your Sun, Moon & Rising Signs? An Astrology Explainer
Zodiac Constellations – Constellation Guide
What Is My Moon Sign? And What Does It Mean? | Almanac.com
Seasons and the Zodiac – Motions of the Sun – NAAP
The History of Astrology: Where It Began and How It Evolved – Centre of Excellence
What’s the difference between my Sun, Moon, and rising signs? | CHANI