Lunar Personalities:
Unveiling Your Moon Sign’s influence
Written by Dallas CariteIn a traditional birth chart, there are ten key placements: the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Additionally, comets and angles are considered when constructing a comprehensive birth chart. This detailed information helps identify the constellation near each planet, providing insights into various aspects of life influenced by these celestial bodies.
Each planet governs specific life areas. For example, the Moon, known for its effect on Earth's tides, is believed to influence human emotions. Although this theory lacks extensive scientific validation, numerous studies suggest an increase in incidents within jails and hospitals during a full moon, with research on this phenomenon dating back to the early 1970s.
Over the years, I have conducted my own research into the effects of moon phases and its placement by degrees in each constellation. Here is what I have found from my studies:
The Sun: Represents the core self, ego, and identity. Its position indicates one's primary drive and life purpose.
The Moon: Governs emotions, instincts, and subconscious mind. The Moon's phase and placement by degree can significantly impact emotional well-being.
Mercury: Influences communication, intellect, and reasoning. Its placement reveals how one processes information and interacts with others.
Venus: Relates to love, beauty, and relationships. Venus' position indicates how one expresses affection and values aesthetics.
Mars: Governs energy, action, and desire. Its placement reveals one's approach to pursuing goals and handling conflicts.
Jupiter: Symbolizes growth, luck, and wisdom. Jupiter's position indicates areas of life where one is likely to experience expansion and abundance.
Saturn: Represents discipline, responsibility, and limitations. Its placement shows where one needs to apply effort and overcome challenges.
Uranus: Influences innovation, change, and individuality. Uranus' position highlights areas of life where one seeks freedom and originality.
Neptune: Governs dreams, intuition, and spirituality. Its placement reveals one's imaginative and mystical tendencies.
Pluto: Represents transformation, power, and rebirth. Pluto's position indicates areas of life where one may experience profound changes.
Through my research, I've observed patterns in how the Moon's phases and its placement within each constellation affect behavior and incidents. For instance, the full moon appears to correlate with heightened emotional states and increased incidents in certain settings like hospitals and jails. This suggests a possible influence of lunar phases on human behavior, aligning with historical observations and anecdotal evidence.
Overall, the study of astrology and birth charts offers a complex and nuanced understanding of how celestial bodies might influence individual lives, blending empirical research with traditional astrological principles.
To find out your moon sign, you need to look at the moon's position on the day you were born, considering the year as well. This information is easily accessible online. You can simply ask Google, "What zodiac sign was the moon in on the day of my birth?" Keep in mind that the moon changes signs approximately every two to two and a half days, so knowing the exact time of your birth can be important to determine your precise moon sign as well.
The Moon in Aries
Aries possesses a dominant, fiery energy that brings vitality, enthusiasm, and an idealistic outlook on life. While you enjoy deep, one-on-one conversations about life, ideologies, society, and adventure, you also thrive in social settings, especially after taking some time to rest. Your love for engaging in various topics makes you excel socially. Those with the Moon in Aries are generous with their time and money but may also experience self-pity, often questioning the universe about their hardships, which can lead to depression. Social interactions can serve as a distraction from these personal issues.
The combination of your Sun and Moon signs significantly affects how you handle relationships. For example, if your Sun sign is a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) and your Moon sign is a fire sign (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), you are likely to hold grudges. You may forgive but never forget, and you expect people to remember their wrongdoings. As an Aries Moon, you dislike being told what to do and prefer to be in charge, making decisions quickly and independently. You are confident in your judgment and often reject outside advice, especially in emotional relationships.
In professional settings, Aries Moon individuals excel in business or leadership roles, relentlessly pursuing top positions. In relationships, you crave excitement and the thrill of the chase. If a relationship becomes dull, you may leave, seeking new and stimulating connections. This desire for constant excitement can lead to infidelity. If you have both Sun and Moon in fire signs, this amplifies your impulsiveness and focus on the present, making impatience a significant challenge. However, your persuasive nature and influence over others are strong.
If your Sun sign is an air sign (Libra, Gemini, Aquarius) with a fire Moon, you can communicate your emotions more easily and balance your feelings better. An earth Sun sign (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) enhances your positive qualities in professional settings, showcasing your motivation, drive, and awareness. Earth signs bring a grounded perspective, harmonizing well with other elements like air or fire, creating a balanced outlook on life.
When the Moon is in Aries, we collectively tend to feel more impatient, aware, and open-minded, and find it easier to make decisions. The effects of the Moon can vary depending on its phase in each zodiac sign. For instance, during a full moon in Aries, we may experience a strong urge to explore, a rapid and impulsive mindset, and heightened opinionated tendencies. Conversely, during a new moon in Aries, these traits might feel suppressed, leading us to hold back our thoughts and emotions, which can hinder effective communication.
The Moon in Taurus
The Moon in Taurus can bring about possessiveness, inflexibility, and rigidity, but it also fosters determination, warmth, and affection. This placement allows individuals to retreat for comfort and peace to reflect on their emotions. Establishing direction and order helps Taurus Moons compartmentalize their emotions and achieve their career goals. However, an excess of order can lead to resistance to change, making it difficult to find balance. They often view tasks in black-and-white terms—either necessary or desirable. While they seek financial stability, they may fear falling behind if they take a break, leading to a perception of emotional detachment since emotions don't contribute to their financial or career success.
In relationships, Taurus Moons value monogamy and crave commitment. They can be possessive but primarily desire security and loyalty, not through praise or attention, but by sharing comfort and security. Their loyalty can become a burden, as they stay committed even in unhappy situations to remain true to their word. This causes them emotional pain, which they often hide. Overcoming the fear of change can open them to new experiences. A Taurus Moon paired with an Earth Sun sign (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) results in someone with great endurance, driving them toward financial security. However, they should occasionally take a break to maintain creativity. A Fire Sun with a Taurus Moon can lead to longer-held anger and eventual explosive reactions, while an Air Sun with a Taurus Moon balances practicality with intellectual curiosity. Water Sun placements with a Taurus Moon struggle with presenting a detached facade while internally battling strong emotions.
When the Moon is in Taurus, people collectively seek comfort in familiar things. A full moon in Taurus enhances these qualities, making individuals more productive and less prone to procrastination, though they may struggle to express emotions due to practical thinking. A new moon in Taurus might bring a sense of stagnation, but it ultimately helps identify the steps needed to achieve goals, providing motivation to continue striving.
The Moon in Gemini
Gemini, ruled by Mercury, is a highly communicative sign. Those with a Gemini Moon are adaptive, quick learners, and charming. They constantly seek mental stimulation, which helps them manage their emotions and maintain balance. When stuck in routine, they can easily become depressed and find it challenging to escape difficult situations. Their quick wit leads to sharp, sometimes blunt, responses.
In relationships, Gemini Moons enjoy being in love and fantasize about finding the perfect partner, often attracted to mysterious individuals who present a puzzle to solve. They dislike feeling restrained and thrive with free-spirited partners. Once the excitement fades, they tend to move on, so they seek partners who love travel, value independence, and embrace change. They also need partners who can make important decisions, as they often struggle with decision-making and fear making the wrong choice.
Double air elements (in both Sun and Moon) enhance creative freedom, expressed through fashion, hobbies, and overall creativity. A water Sun with a Gemini Moon allows for better emotional communication and empathy. Fire and air combinations result in strong passions and determination to achieve dreams, making them hard workers. Earth and air combinations create a solid foundation for business, media, and communications, making these individuals tech-savvy.
Collectively, certain Moon phases affect everyone. Gemini full moons promote social activities, encouraging self-expression and deep conversations. During a new moon in Gemini, people might feel unmotivated, experience mental clutter, face judgment issues, and struggle with disorganization and productivity.
The Moon in Cancer
Being ruled by the Moon, Cancer is one of the most empathetic moon signs in astrology. Those with a Cancer Moon prioritize emotions in decision-making, needing to feel something to understand it. Intuitive and gut-driven, Cancer Moons require alone time due to their emotional highs and lows, often feeling other people's emotions and sometimes taking on the responsibility to improve situations.
In relationships, Cancer Moons seek security and stability, recognizing the right partner by how they feel. Feelings of unworthiness may arise, causing them to stay in relationships past their expiration due to fear of not finding someone else. Their love might appear possessive, rooted in self-doubt. Accepting themselves and finding inner peace can greatly benefit their relationships.
A Cancer Moon with a fire Sun sign can lead to self-directed anger and resentment, often manifesting as outward aggression. However, the drive from the fire element can aid in business and leadership roles, balancing empathy with assertiveness. Double water placements (Sun and Moon) result in heightened emotions and a sympathetic worldview, often leading to people-pleasing behaviors to avoid conflict.
Air Sun signs paired with a Cancer Moon bring a balance between intellectual and emotional perspectives, making these individuals adept in media or writing careers where they can convey empathy. An earth Sun sign with a Cancer Moon allows for better emotional management, combining the grounded nature of earth signs with Cancer's emotional awareness.
In summary, Cancer Moons are characterized by their strong emotions, empathy, intuition, romantic nature, and imagination. During a full moon in Cancer, everyone feels more sympathetic, though emotional expression can become more complex and heightened. A new moon in Cancer brings increased self-awareness, often leading to hidden emotions and self-criticism.
The Moon in Leo
Having a dominant Sun sign influences the exuberance you bring to the table. The Moon, which governs emotions, gains stability and strength in Leo, bringing emotional awareness to the forefront. Fire signs, including Leo, experience emotions intensely, often channeling them into anger. Leo Moons feel emotions strongly, aligning more with their heart than their mind in decision-making. Like Cancer Moons, they find it hard to change their mind once emotionally invested, needing to feel a decision is right to change course.
Leo Moons, however, differ from Cancer Moons in their sympathy levels; they struggle to empathize with ignorance or narrow-mindedness. While it is often said that Leos enjoy being the center of attention, it's more accurate to say they naturally attract it due to their charm and humor. In relationships, Leo Moons tend to be extravagant, valuing their personal image and seeking partners who enhance their public persona. They may struggle with recognizing flaws in their loved ones, often idealizing them and overlooking negative traits like narcissism or abuse.
A double fire element (Sun and Moon) can make individuals inflexible, especially when angry, and they often excel in public-facing roles like politics or law. Water Sun signs with a Leo Moon bring heightened emotions, leading to potential jealousy and possessiveness, but they can also empower others by expressing collective emotions. Air Sun signs with a Leo Moon can intellectually sort and understand their emotions, often excelling in fields like engineering or advertising. Earth Sun signs with a Leo Moon balance passion and financial ambition, but their anger can be explosive, particularly when goals are unmet.
Collectively, a full moon in Leo encourages social activities and the desire to make new friends, bringing high energy and a love for public events. Conversely, a new moon in Leo often leads to isolation, jealousy, and possessiveness, resulting in self-indulgent behaviors like overeating or shopping sprees.
The Moon in Virgo
The Moon in Virgo brings an intensely analytical approach to processing emotions, often making them skeptical of their own feelings. They may dismiss emotions by thinking, "I don’t feel that way, I'm stronger than that," or seeking logical explanations. If they can't find a reason, they consider the emotion irrelevant. Like Capricorns, Virgos only engage in actions that benefit them, valuing friendships and partnerships based on loyalty, love, and the value added to their lives. They are hardworking and excel in many jobs due to their unique perspective on the value of work. Virgos accept life's challenges, worry about potential problems, but keep moving forward, believing effort equals results.
Despite general descriptions suggesting Virgos dislike dealing with chaotic people, they are actually scatterbrained, with constant thought processes. While others focus on one task, Virgos prefer to manage all tasks step by step. In relationships, they seek partners who differ from them, appreciating those who are open and truthful, with balanced emotions. Virgos hide their emotions, preferring partners who express emotions they themselves conceal. They favor comfortable settings and aim to maintain calm, cool, and collected relationships.
With a double earth element (Sun and Moon), Virgos are extremely practical and grounded, often bottling up emotions. Releasing pent-up emotions occasionally is beneficial. With a water Sun sign and Virgo Moon, they are reasonable with their emotions, able to express them logically. An air Sun sign with a Virgo Moon focuses on the bigger picture and enjoys detailed work due to unmatched concentration. A fire Sun sign with a Virgo Moon is career-driven and passionate, finding it harder to hide anger.
Collectively, during a full moon in Virgo, people tend to complete tasks efficiently and focus on beneficial activities. This is an ideal time for cleaning or career tasks, with high energy and motivation. During a new moon in Virgo, people become critical and judgmental of themselves and others, frustrated with procrastination. Arguments and debates may arise as emotions are harder to hide. Taking a self-care day during a Virgo new moon, showing kindness and love to oneself, is highly beneficial.
The Moon in Libra
If your moon sign is in Libra, you are adaptable and charismatic, often finding a balance in forgiving others but not forgetting. Ruled by Venus, you possess harmonious energy, getting along well with others while not holding back your opinions. You can express your thoughts without sounding condescending because your intentions are good. You ignore anything or anyone with bad intentions and are intuitive in recognizing who to trust. However, if you believe you're right, you tend to ignore others' opinions, avoiding drama.
As a Venus-ruled sign, you find comfort in material possessions and the luxurious aspects of life, making you more adaptable than Taurus, who shares Venus as a ruling planet. Ignoring people with bad intentions doesn't mean you're unemotional; you are quite emotional but reserve your feelings for things you're passionate about. In love and partnerships, you balance your decisions with your head, weighing pros and cons rather than following your heart. You seek someone well-composed, socially adept, and attractive, valuing stability and security in a committed relationship. Though you may appear flirtatious, you actually seek deep, quality connections.
With earth elements in your sun sign and a Libra moon, you come across as calm and composed, focusing on career motivation. A double air sign element in the sun and moon means you articulate your emotions well, understanding them intellectually rather than personally. With a fire sign sun and a Libra moon, you are passionate in relationships, seeking partners who match your high energy. You enjoy luxury, adventure, and are unafraid to pursue your ideal career. With water sign placements in the sun and a Libra moon, you are more dramatic and emotional, struggling to balance your heart and head.
Collectively, during a full moon in Libra, we feel more harmonious in relationships, capable of giving and receiving love, and handling social outings with ease, seeking connections with positive energy. During a new moon in Libra, we tend to splurge or self-indulge, struggle with decision-making, and may quickly change our minds.
The Moon in Scorpio
Scorpio is an intense sign, shrouded in mystery and mysticism. When the moon is in Scorpio, this energy is amplified, leading to strong, unchangeable opinions and a quick temper. You feel emotions deeply and personally, often interpreting simple arguments as personal attacks, which makes you defensive. You are courageous and determined, always following your heart. Despite your strong empathy and intuition, typical of water signs, you are also highly vengeful, never forgiving or forgetting wrongs, and seeking revenge no matter how long it takes.
In confrontations, you might pretend not to be bothered, but inside, it stirs a deep reaction, leading to sharp, hurtful words. Your determination means you will leave situations that don't inspire you, unlike Taurus, your polar opposite, who prefers stability even at the cost of personal happiness. Scorpio’s focus on life, death, and regeneration means you constantly face obstacles, but your resilience ensures you conquer them.
In relationships, your sexuality is a significant part of your personality, and you need independence and support for your dreams and goals. Trust takes time because you are secretive about your emotions and assume others might have hidden motives. However, not everyone thinks as deeply as you, and many actions that offend you are unintentional.
With an earth sun sign and Scorpio moon, you set high standards, excel in creativity, and have strong leadership skills. Double water placements bring a creative and emotional approach to your work, turning dreams into reality with Scorpio's intense energy. An air sun sign with a Scorpio moon means you can easily forget people or situations you don’t care about, but find it hard to let go of those you feel a strong connection with. This combination enhances your charisma, making public speaking and media jobs easier. Fire sun sign with a Scorpio moon heightens revenge and defensiveness, along with your drive for success, but may also lead to resentment.
Collectively, a full moon in Scorpio makes us all more imaginative, emotional, and driven to achieve our goals. During a new moon in Scorpio, we tend to become secretive, reclusive, or envious of what we lack. It's a good time to write out achievable goals to work toward in the next moon cycle.
The Moon in Sagittarius
Sagittarius moons have a heightened desire for higher learning, growth, and adventure. They are adept at managing finances, saving money for their next adventure, and spending wisely. While not necessarily greedy, they are cautious with their spending. Sagittarius placements are wise, drawing lessons from past experiences and valuing their journey. A Sagittarius moon is highly adaptable, ready to learn from any situation.
Despite their drive, Sagittarius placements can be impulsive, often dropping current pursuits to start new ventures they believe are aligned with their destiny. They may be perceived as blunt or abrasive, but they offer honest and valuable advice. In relationships, they seek partners who match their energy and sense of humor, disliking anyone who tries to control them.
With double fire sign placements (sun and moon), there's a heightened sense of impulsiveness, unmatched energy, and a strong drive to achieve goals. Earth sign placements in the sun with a Sagittarius moon create individuals focused on stability and financial freedom. Air sign placements lead to a drive for social freedom, making these individuals adaptable and thriving in social settings. They enjoy deep conversations and are versatile in various topics. Water sign placements result in individuals motivated by emotions, using their past experiences to drive financial success.
During a full moon in Sagittarius, there's a collective craving for adventure and higher learning. People might start new books, go hiking, or focus on money goals. However, a new moon in Sagittarius can lead to impulsive decisions and a carefree attitude, potentially ignoring financial responsibilities in pursuit of fun.
The Moon in Capricorn
Capricorn moons are firmly grounded and prefer to focus on what they have rather than daydream about what they lack. Stability drives them, and they are determined to achieve success their own way. Unlike Sagittarians who adapt to new experiences for growth or financial freedom, Capricorns are fixed in their methods, aiming for the highest positions in their careers. They enjoy vacations and adventures but in a controlled and planned manner, rejecting impulsive actions and the idea of "trusting the universe." Their reality is a result of their hard work and practical efforts, not external gifts.
Capricorn placements are excellent craftsmen and inventors, particularly within practical domains. They enjoy simplifying their lives through innovative means. Once a goal is set, it remains a goal indefinitely. In relationships, money and stability are crucial. Capricorns evaluate friendships and partnerships based on the value they bring to their lives, weighing everything carefully. Their insecurities often lead to pushing people away, causing loneliness. Distrust in others makes them focus more on their careers, often choosing partners later in life.
With double earth sign qualities (sun and moon), Capricorns are practical and methodical, progressing steadily towards their goals. They prefer familiar environments over new adventures, believing that staying put ensures success. Air sign qualities in the sun with a Capricorn moon make them highly intellectual and innovative, excelling as craftsmen or inventors. They seek meaningful results and view failure as unacceptable. Fire sign placements balance impulsiveness with a fierce drive, confident in their decisions and unafraid to overcome obstacles. Water sign placements lead to visible emotional expressions, and they struggle to hide their feelings. They tend to end relationships abruptly rather than talking through conflicts, and failure can result in self-pity.
During a full moon in Capricorn, there is a collective sense of discipline and commitment to goals. People avoid impulsive decisions, opting for responsible and steady progress. In contrast, a new moon in Capricorn brings self-pity and resentment for unmet goals, resulting in impatience rather than a slow and steady approach.
The Moon in Aquarius
The Moon in Aquarius signifies a highly sociable, innovative, and media-driven personality. You possess the ability to see the bigger picture while maintaining a practical approach. Your open-minded nature makes you thrive in social settings, and you have a strong affinity for philosophy and higher learning, preferring to engage your mind rather than your emotions. You excel at understanding and listening to others' problems without becoming emotionally involved.
You are attracted to individuals with depth and complexity, often finding simple-minded people uninteresting. Your knack for seeing the bigger picture can sometimes make you unaware of immediate surroundings. You can be clairvoyant, sensing future events through energy feelings, a trait tied to Aquarius' focus on innovation and future creation.
In relationships, you are drawn to people who present a challenge or seem emotionally unavailable, finding intrigue in uncovering their stories. You cannot tolerate jealousy in partners, valuing commitment while also needing independence. Effective communication is crucial for you, as it helps navigate the balance between commitment and freedom in relationships.
With double air sign placements (sun and moon in Aquarius), you excel in media-based jobs and are perceived as intelligent. You enjoy mental stimulation and solving puzzles, which helps manage the multitude of thoughts in your mind. However, you may feel misunderstood and often need to explain your thought process to others.
If you have fire sign elements in your sun sign along with a Moon in Aquarius, you are driven to create and build in both relationships and career. Communication of emotions may be challenging, but you have a strong public presence. With a water sign in the sun and an Aquarius moon, you communicate your emotions effectively and excel in creative fields like art and writing. Your intuition and imagination help you maintain a positive outlook by seeing the bigger picture.
Earth sign placements in the sun with an Aquarius moon make you driven to achieve excellence in your work. You aim to be the best, often becoming a source of advice for managing money and climbing the success ladder.
During a full moon in Aquarius, there's a collective desire to create, communicate deep thoughts, and be tolerant of others. In contrast, a new moon in Aquarius can lead to isolation, difficulty in communication due to fixed opinions, and contradictory behaviors.
The Moon in Pisces
The Moon in Pisces signifies a deeply compassionate nature, characterized by sensitivity, loyalty, and love. These individuals are empathetic and supportive, forming strong emotional bonds. However, the Moon in Pisces also brings challenges, such as tendencies towards self-undoing, self-pity, and impracticality. They often prioritize emotions over logic, which can be detrimental in situations requiring a rational approach.
Pisces Moon people are known for their rich imagination and artistic abilities, excelling in creative pursuits and finding beauty in art and spirituality. However, their strong empathy often leads them to neglect their own needs while focusing on others, resulting in indecisiveness, especially when making personal decisions. Their preference for emotion over logic can cloud their judgment, affecting their self-perception and understanding of others' perspectives.
In relationships, those with a Moon in Pisces often conceal their true feelings and intentions due to a lack of full trust in others. Unlike Aquarians, who focus on the bigger picture, Pisces Moon individuals struggle with practical obligations and tend to immerse themselves in their imaginative world. This can sometimes make them appear gullible or naive, as they prefer to see the good in people.
When the Moon in Pisces coincides with other elements, it brings different influences. Double water sign individuals (both Sun and Moon in water signs) are deeply devoted to others, often overworking themselves to meet others' needs. They excel in the arts and mystical fields, using their empathy and creativity to connect with others. However, they need to focus on self-love and grounding to achieve stability.
For those with an air sign Sun and a Pisces Moon, there is a deep empathy towards humanity. They use their intuition and creativity to pursue their passions and articulate deep feelings and ideas, blending intellectual and emotional insights. On the other hand, individuals with an earth sign Sun and Pisces Moon are more grounded and practical, balancing their secretive nature with a desire for career stability and passion. They combine Piscean empathy with earth sign pragmatism to create a stable and secure environment.
With a fire sign Sun and a Pisces Moon, there is a strong drive to experience emotions physically through adventure, adrenaline rushes, and physical activities. They channel intense emotions into dynamic actions and passionate pursuits.
During a full moon in Pisces, people generally feel heightened sympathy and emotional connection with others, with increased daydreaming and imaginative thinking. Conversely, a new moon in Pisces tends to bring out secrecy, vagueness, and distraction, making it difficult to focus and potentially causing confusion about priorities.
In conclusion, Moon in Pisces individuals are defined by their deep compassion and emotional sensitivity, often prioritizing others' needs over their own. Their rich imagination and artistic talents provide a strong emotional outlet, but they must work on grounding themselves and making practical decisions to achieve personal stability and fulfillment. Understanding their unique blend of empathy and creativity can help them navigate their emotional landscape more effectively.
*Although moon signs primarily indicate how we articulate our emotions, other planetary placements also play significant roles in how we show and give love, or how we communicate. Each planet in a birth chart influences different aspects of our personality and behavior, providing a comprehensive picture of our emotional and relational dynamics.
Woolfolk, J. M. (2012). The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need. Taylor Trade Publishing.