Aries. Taurus. Gemini. Cancer. Leo. Virgo. Libra. Scorpio. Sagittarius. Capricorn. Aquarius. Pisces. Yes, these are all star constellations in the sky, but they are also connected to people here on Earth.

Astrology’s origins can be traced back to early civilization in Mesopotamia. Since the beginning of time, people have tried to look to the stars for answers, signs, and guidance.

Most people are aware of their sun sign that is based upon the day they were born. The zodiac calendar begins at the end of March with the Aries sun sign and then ends at the beginning of March with Pisces. Everyone’s sun sign is the core of them; it represents general personality and spirit.  Sun signs are determined by birthdays and the sun sign changes on the zodiac calendar every 30 days.

An individual’s Moon sign represents their emotions: how and why they feel. Moon signs are determined by the specific time someone is born. It is the location of the moon at the exact minute of birth.

The ascendant sign is also based on the time of birth. The ascendant sign is the way other people view an individual, and what that person looks for in the world.

To have extremely specific horoscopes, one does not only need the sun, moon and ascendant signs, but also, a Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto sign. These additional signs will curate horoscopes to be immensely specific to daily life.

First step:

The best way to find out all things astrology is to download the app Co-star. On this app, just insert the day, time and place you were born. Co-star then creates a personalized chart revealing all of your signs and how they represent you. Everyday, Co-star fabricates a horoscope as well as do’s and don’ts for the day ahead. 

Second step:

Once an account on Co-star has been established, and all of the signs read through, begin to notice how different signs affect day-to-day life. Especially pay attention to when any of signs are in retrograde – this can seriously make days difficult. Understanding how the horoscope applies to your daily life will enhance your use of astrology navigation. 

“[When a planet is in retrograde], it changes alignment so it sort of shifts things that may have been in balance. People’s planets are determined by time, place and location of birth, so retrograde can have an effect on different aspects of a person,” Sofia Tamayo (‘23) said.

Third step:

Read between the lines when looking at a daily horoscope. A lot of times, the horoscope does not mean what it is explicitly saying. For example, if a horoscope reads, “You intuitively know the way back to yourself,” this does not necessarily mean someone is literally lost and must find a way back. This horoscope is more focused on taking care of yourself at this moment, taking time for yourself and asking for help if you need it. Do not fall into the trap of believing that a horoscope is literal. 

This knowledge on zodiac signs will enhance any small talk or icebreaking in the future. Never fear the basic question of “what is your zodiac sign” again; you are now a professional.