You may not have heard of your moon sign before, but discovering it can be crucial to getting to know yourself better. Indeed, astrologers and other celestial insiders insist that it can help give you the pointers to live most authentically.
While you're probably well-acquainted with star signs—and may even be attuned to lunar phases and the full moon calendar—your moon sign is a little different. "It's representative of our inner world, revealing what people can't see just from browsing through our social media profile," says astrologer Stephanie Campos Powell.
Want to find out from the universe exactly what makes you tick? Allow our experts to walk you through the meaning and importance of your moon sign, as well as how to work it out. Additionally, it could also help you settle on one of the best astrology gifts to treat yourself to...
Stephanie is an astrologer, witch and healer. She has contributed to sites such as Cosmopolitan, Well + Good, Vogue, Bustle and Refinery29, among others.
What is a moon sign?
Much like a rising sign, a moon sign will require you to nail down specific details of your birth, as it refers to the zodiac sign the moon was in at the exact time you were born. This might require you to ask your family for some precise information regarding the time and location you arrived into the world.
"Your moon sign speaks to your sleeping habits, eating patterns, the type of self-care you need and how you behave behind closed doors," says astrologer Narayana Montúfar, author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power. "Your moon sign dictates how you feel and process emotions, as well as your non-negotiables within relationships. As you can see, your moon sign says a lot about yourself, which is why it's so important to integrate."
In astrological terms, moon signs refer to our authentic self that might not necessarily come to the surface. As Powell said, it’s an intimate placement and will require a little introspection.
Narayana Montúfar is an astrologer and an expert in the astrological studies of the Moon and the author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power. She was one of Medium.com’s Authority Magazine 2020’s Strong Female Leaders and one of Vogue’s 13 Astrologers to Follow in 2021.
How to figure out your moon sign
The best way to discover your moon sign is through an online birth chart calculator. Not sure where to head? You can find out all of your lovely lunar details at Lunarium—just make sure to have all of your personal details figured out first.
It's well worth the time. "It's so vital that people familiarize themselves with their moon sign as a way to create awareness around their deepest needs," says Montúfar. "When the moon is not integrated or somewhat 'unattended,' we lose connection with our intuition and what makes us feel safe and secure."
How do moon signs affect your life?
A lot, according to the cosmic pros. "Because the moon affects how you feel, it can affect literally every aspect of your life, but more than anything, your relationships," explains Montufar. "Your moon sign dictates how you want to be loved, nurtured and emotionally treated. Your moon sign also relates to your intuition and your gut, as it is greatly instinctual."
Similarly, Powell adds: "It can also be representative of how we were cared for growing up and potential guardian figures in our life, but also how we care for others. If you are not feeding your moon sign and taking care of its needs, our overall health and vitality suffer."
An astrological recap: Sun, moon and rising signs
However, the moon—which, as you know, represents your emotions—isn't the only way to get to know yourself more deeply. The sun and rising stars are the other two signs that it can be useful to familiarize yourself with when it comes to astrology.
A sun sign is the position of the sun at birth, which will place you within one of the 12 zodiac signs (like Libra, Aries, Capricorn and so on...). The rising sign is what determines the position of the houses in the birth chart, which are as follows:
- First House - House of Self (ruled by Aries)
- Second House - House of Value (ruled by Taurus)
- Third House - House of Sharing (ruled by Gemini)
- Fourth House - House of Home and Family (ruled by Cancer)
- Fifth House - House of Pleasure (ruled by Leo)
- Sixth House - House of Health (ruled by Virgo)
- Seventh House - House of Balance (ruled by Libra)
- Eighth House - House of Transformation (ruled by Scorpio)
- Ninth House - House of Purpose (ruled by Sagittarius)
- Tenth House - House of Enterprise (ruled by Capricorn)
- Eleventh House - House of Blessings (ruled by Aquarius)
- Twelfth House - House of Sacrifice (ruled by Pisces)
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