There are 12 sun signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The sun sign changes approximately once per month, sometime between the 19th and the 22nd of the month. However, this can change by a day or so from year to year. For example, the sun was in Aries from March 20 to April 20 in 2015, March 20 to April 19 in 2016, March 20 to April 19 in 2017, and March 20 to April 19 in 2018.
If your birthday falls well in between the 20th day of two months, you can be sure of your sun sign. On the other hand, if you are on the cusp of two signs (the 19th to 22nd of the month), you would have to use an online sun sign calculator to determine your sun sign.
In a large-scale study of census data in Switzerland, Gunter Sachs (1998) found correlations between sun signs and a number of variables, including marriage and divorce statistics. Various other studies have found correlations between the times of year babies are born and certain behaviors, aptitudes, attitudes, personality traits, and medical conditions, though correlation does not necessarily imply causation. It’s possible that other variables (i.e., climate/temperature, winter infections, dietary fluctuations, culture, socioeconomic status, etc.) may have an impact on the growing fetus or the early childhood environment, or affect the distribution of births, influencing these results.
It’s also possible that some people who believe in astrology create self-fulfilling prophesies by behaving in a manner consistent with their sun sign profiles. For example, if a particular sun sign is known for creativity, people of that sign may engage in more creative hobbies or seek creative work because they believe it will be a good fit. This, of course, will result in a higher percentage of people with the same sun sign engaging in creative work.
Polls indicate that approximately one-third of those in North America believe in astrology (and a higher percentage in many other countries). However, most only know their sun signs, and sun signs are only a tiny piece of the puzzle. Proper natal zodiacs are far more complex, with additional planetary placements, aspects, and other factors.
Sun sign personality articles, which are interesting but highly generalized, should be read for entertainment purposes only, or as a jumping point to further inquiry into the subject. Those with an interest in astrology should look at their full natal zodiacs rather than just their sun signs. Although your sun sign provides insight into your core personality, rising signs, moon signs, and other planetary positions in your natal zodiac also play an important role.
The following are personality profiles for the sun signs, but I recommend visiting a site such as Astrodienst to calculate a full natal zodiac so that you can learn the rest of your natal zodiac. See also Astrology FAQ to learn about the meaning of the planets, houses, aspects, and other elements of the natal zodiac.
Sun Sign Personality Profiles
Aries * Taurus * Gemini * Cancer * Leo * Virgo * Libra * Scorpio * Sagittarius * Capricorn * Aquarius * Pisces
Studies of Marriage and Divorce by Sun Sign
Aries * Taurus * Gemini * Cancer * Leo * Virgo * Libra * Scorpio * Sagittarius * Capricorn * Aquarius * Pisces