The West is Obsessed with Sun Signs
When astrology meets the age of enlightenment
What’s your Sign? When someone asks you that here in the Western Hemisphere, you answer with your Sun Sign.
Even if you are not interested in astrology, you likely know what astrological solar season you were born in.
With the rise of pop astrology in social media, the Sun Sign is all anyone can talk about. So what’s the big deal?
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Your Sun sign is determined by the astrological (solar) season your birthday falls in.
Each Zodiac season starts in the middle of the calendar month and lasts approximately 30 days.
Some people are born on the day in which the Zodiac season changes. In this case, the time of your birth will tell you what your Sun sign is.
There is no such thing as a “cusp” sign because the Sun shifts into a new sign at a specific time.
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Western astrology calculates the Zodiac calendar based on the seasons of the Earth.
This method is referred to as the tropical zodiac system, where the sky is divided into 12 equal parts based on the position of the Sun relative to the earth during specific times of the year.
By this calculation, the first day of Aries season—the first Zodiac—starts with the Spring Equinox.
Most Eastern astrologers use the sidereal zodiac system, which is based on the mathematical position of the stars in the sky as where they are reported to be today.
Over time, Earth’s axis shifts slightly, so the sidereal system stays aligned with the stars, while the tropical system gradually changes.
Astrologers hold their own opinions on which system is best, but Western astrology was derived to explore the relationship between what is happening in the sky with nature’s cycle here on Earth, so the Sun as our life force is a central part of the equation.
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An enlightened Sun
The Sun sign is exactly that: your vitality. It represents your core essence, conscious self, and ego.
You could connect the astrological meaning of the Sun with Age of Enlightenment ideals—“rational” self, identity, and individuality—that shaped our Western world.
No wonder the Sun is so important to modern, Western astrology!
It describes the part of your personhood that is believed to contribute to progress and lead you to Truth.
As you embrace the characteristics of your Sun sign, you harness the potential for self-actualization.
On this journey, your Sun sign alludes to your innate strengths, talents, and interests—it shows how you shine.
This placement can also illuminate your weaknesses that will challenge you as you self-actualize.
This journey requires conscious effort and awareness.
As you grow to embody your Sun sign, you may shy away from or even abandon the instinctual traits of your Moon sign that you so freely expressed in childhood.
Knowingly or not, you could over-identify with your Sun sign and use those characteristics to sensor your inner child.
It’s not entirely your fault—the Enlightenment idea of rationality is so embedded in our society.
You are encouraged to prioritize your logical mind over your emotional one as you become an adult.
The tension between the Sun and the Moon highlights a fundamental problem in Western thought: balancing consciousness with the subconsciousness, individuality with the collective, intellectual intelligence with emotional.
Maybe that’s why so many men are uncomfortable with astrology… Just a thought!
I don’t want you to get the impression that your Sun is a less desirable part of your chart.
I simply think it is over-emphasized in the astrology I see online today.
There are so many other celestial bodies! Your Sun sign, however, can be a great introduction to your chart and understanding the practice.
As a personal growth astrologer, I read the Sun for self-reflection. The solar path to self-realization as the West describes—or your highest self as the East describes—is a life-long journey.
These philosophes were not striving for enlightenment but improvement towards a better, freer life, which is why in Western astrology, your authentic self is self-determined, self-examined, and self-ruled.
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An explored Sun
You can understand your talents, strengths, weaknesses by exploring the solar season you were born in.
Consider how you would describe yourself to others. Who are you?
What are your tendencies? What do people that know you say about you? What instances or areas of life does your personality shine through?
How and where do you feel compelled to express your individuality?
Read below for a little taste of your Sun sign…
Aries: The Warrior
Known for their leadership qualities and competitive spirit
Action-oriented
Self-reliant
Driven
Assertive
Enthusiastic
Impatient
Do you seek inspiration in your pursuits?
Taurus: The Earth
Known for their strength and secure values
Practical
Dedicated
Sentimental (materially)
Loyal
Grounded
Strong-willed
Do you feel fulfilled by consistency?
Gemini: The Messenger
Known for holding multiple viewpoints and their social personality
Gregarious
Multifaceted
Adaptable
Flirty
Participatory
Witty
Do you have a talent for seeing all sides of the situation?
Cancer: The Nurturer
Known for their empathetic spirit and protective nature
Homebody
Compassionate
Nostalgic
Family-oriented
Avoidant
Sensitive
Are you quick to offer support and comfort?
Leo: The Heart
Known for their radiance and innate confidence
Influential
Big-hearted
Brave
Theatrical
Generous
Noticeable
Image-conscious
Do you naturally direct and inspire others?
Virgo: The Harvest
Known for their analytical mind and eye for detail
Hospitable
Particular
Articulate
Efficient
Cautious
Perfecting
Do you look to improve yourself and the systems around you?
Libra: The Peacekeeper
Known for their charisma and mediating talents
Cooperative
Pleasing
Indecisive
Sociable
Amicable
Advising
Do you shine when around others?
Scorpio: The Phoenix
Known for the powerful intuition and resilient nature
Private
Impressing
Devoted
Provoking
Obsessive
Psychic
Are you inspired by depth?
Sagittarius: The Philosopher
Known form their pursuit of the Truth and adventurous soul
Expansive
Philosophical
Impulsive
Moralistic
Spontaneous
Blunt
Are you energized by future possibilities and endeavors?
Capricorn: The Provider
Known for their work ethic and commitment to tradition
Pragmatic
Serious
Reserved
Ambitious
Purposeful
Responsible
Do you take a disciplined approach to achieving your dreams?
Aquarius: The Pariah
Known for their innovative ideas and hope for humanity
Detached
Logical
Nonconforming
Individualistic
Rebellious
Eccentric
Do you go against the grain?
Pisces: The Mystic
Known for their sensitivity and other worldly wisdom
Imaginary
Whimsical
Thin-skinned
Insular
Tender
Impressionable
Do you have a talent for tapping into the energy of your environment?
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If you are enamored with the Western Sun, I invite you to explore Sun sign astrology (star sign astrology).
It is a modern practice that exclusively examines the position of the Sun and assigns divine meaning to each Zodiac sign. This could be the practice for you!
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Did these descriptors resonate with you? Do they seem fulfilling? Western astrology asks you to grow into your Sun sign throughout your life.
Like the Enlightenment philosophers, you are not aiming for a static, fixed energy but evolving, progressing, and improving overtime. It is by no means an easy task!
As the planets transit through your birth chart, how can you express your Sun sign to its fullest in new ways?
Subscribe to HerbArtHaven.Substack.com for more readings like this. Learn more about astrology by connecting with me on Instagram @HerbArtHaven or inquiring at herbarthaven@gmail.com.
With astral love,
Michaela
Herb Art Haven
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