Whether you've been asked about your zodiac sign on a date or were warned of mercury retrograde, astrology can be a fascinating and oftentimes confusing topic.
Astrology is a long-standing tradition that's been used to describe your personality and relationships. But it's not a foolproof way to determine your real zodiac sign or personality type.
What is my zodiac sign?
Your zodiac sign, also known as your astrological birth sign, is the sign of the star that was in direct alignment with the Earth when you were born. It’s an important aspect of your horoscope that gives insight into your personality, temperament and inclinations.
In astrology, your sign is determined by the time of your birth and the position of planets at that time. There are 12 astrological signs, each of which occupy a 30-degree sector on the great circle of the ecliptic (the apparent path that the Sun makes around the Earth each year).
The sun, moon and other planets move through the different sectors of the ecliptic as they orbit the Earth. This movement causes the line of intersection between the ecliptic and the equatorial plane to wobble, which is called precession. The precession of the ecliptic is what determines where on the zodiac we experience spring and fall equinoxes, and where the sun appears to stand in the sky at any given point in time.
Each zodiac sign has its own unique qualities that reveal itself in your life. Generally speaking, fire signs are passionate and exuberant, earth signs are practical and grounded, air signs are intellectual and curious, and water signs are intuitive and emotional.
For example, Taurus is a fixed earth sign with a reputation for being stubborn and hard-headed, but they’re actually pretty chill thanks to the influence of Venus. They like luxurious indulgences and are super loyal to friends and family.
Virgo is a mutable earth sign with a reputation for being meticulous and hard-working. They’re also very organized and love working on projects that make the end result “just right” — whether that means a recipe, a professional project or finding a partner.
Gemini is a curious air sign with a reputation for being a social butterfly and communicative in a variety of ways. They’re also quick-thinking, creative, and highly motivated.
Libra is a thoughtful and intellectual air sign with a reputation for being gregarious and compassionate. They’re also very flexible and adaptable.
Scorpio is a philosopher by nature with a passion for all things and a deep mysterious beauty. They’re seldom ill and can achieve everything they set their minds to.
What is my personality type?
The Myers Briggs personality type test is one of the most popular tools for identifying your personality. Millions of people use it to help them understand themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, how to work with different personalities and how to make a career choice that best suits their personality style.
The personality type theory developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers is based on the typology of Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist who originated Jungian psychology. It answers crucial questions about how we seek out and take in experiences. It is also used for team building, career choices and personal growth.
There are four dichotomies in this model – more introverted or more extroverted, more intuitive or more thinking, more perceiving or more judging. The combinations of these dichotomies create a personality type.
Despite the popularity of the Myers Briggs personality type test, it is not empirically validated and is largely considered pseudoscience. It is, however, still used in a variety of settings and is used by 89 of the Fortune 100 companies for hiring and development purposes.
While this test is a great way to gain insights into your personality, it doesn’t cover all of your personality’s aspects. Some of the facets are more important than others and your results may differ slightly from one test to the next, depending on the situations that you’re exposed to.
Another way to determine your personality is by taking the enneagram test. Like the Myers Briggs personality test, the enneagram is not empirically validated but it is still used and is very popular.
The enneagram is a typological approach to personality, similar to the Myers Briggs and DISC assessments. It is based on the work of Carl Jung and uses nine personality types strategically arranged to create subtypes that further describe your personality.
It doesn’t cover every aspect of your identity and this is why your results may differ from one test to the next, but it can give you an idea of how you interact with other people and what traits are best for your overall success.
What is my love sign?
You probably already know about the five love languages–words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch. But did you know your zodiac sign can tell you which one is the most important to you? Fortunately, astrology apps aren’t just for horoscope buffs–they can also help you navigate the romance department.
What you may not know is that your Venus (or moon) sign plays a significant role in your romantic life. Specifically, this element can reveal what your preferences are when it comes to romance, sex, friendships and other facets of human connection. As the planet of love and affection, it is no surprise that your Venus sign illuminates your most cherished and oftentimes overlooked traits.
A Capricorn will be first to admit that they aren’t huge fans of public displays of affection (unless you count the oh-so-tweaky kiss). That being said, they still appreciate a swoon-worthy gesture from time to time.
The best part is that they aren’t stingy with their love offerings–the best kind of love is oftentimes the most enduring. In this regard, the Capricorn has some of the most sophisticated and meaningful relationships you’ll find around.
Using astrology to understand your own relationship dynamics will help you find your match and ultimately save you the heartache that comes with dating disasters.
Luckily, your horoscope can tell you which love language is most important to you, so you can make the best match for yourself. After all, you’ve likely been on the hunt for the perfect partner since way back when!
What is my compatibility sign?
Dating is weird and stressful, but astrology can help take some of the guesswork out of it by providing clues about compatibility. It can also help you understand your partner better, so you can have a more meaningful relationship with them.
When it comes to astrological compatibility, your zodiac sign plays a major role in your love life. You can learn all about your own personal horoscope, as well as your partner's, by comparing their charts and looking for common planetary alignments.
Another important factor is your rising sign, which shows how you see the world and what recurring themes may surface in your life. Your rising sign is a key indicator of what you'll be dealing with when it comes to relationships, so pay close attention to it when you're reading your horoscope!
If you have a strong rising sign, it means that you'll have a lot of chemistry with your love interest. It also indicates that you have a similar perspective on the world, so your relationship will be easygoing and fun.
You'll want to be open with your partner when you first start dating, so they can see your true self and what you're really like. You'll probably need to get to know them first, but once you do, your feelings will be mutually satisfying and a long-lasting romance isn't far behind.
Your fire signs are highly compatible with each other, as they both share a need for action and adventure. They're spirited, energetic, and always on the hunt for something new to try.
Those who are in the water signs, on the other hand, will appreciate your emotional intelligence and your deep sense of connection. They'll understand how you feel when things are too intense or too much, and they'll be able to bring you back down to earth.
You can also expect your love connections to be strong if you both have a strong elemental bond. For example, if you're an Aquarius and your lover is a Libra, they'll appreciate how independent and free you are, as well as how you both love to change the world.
