What Your Moon Sign in Astrology Says About You

It's complementary to your Sun sign in ways that, not surprisingly, illuminate your darkest corners.

Updated Dec 7, 2024

Jenny Latreille

Photo: Getty Images

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Ever question your horoscope’s accuracy? You’re not wrong. How could the same Sun sign accurately explain the complex inner workings of 1/12 of the humans on the planet? Understanding the astrological influences at play in your personality requires that you also familiarize yourself with the other signs that hold some sway in who you are, including your Moon sign.

What Is My Moon Sign?

Your Moon sign relates to the placement of the Moon at the exact time of your birth. Similar to your Sun sign, it is determined by whatever sign of the zodiac was influencing the Moon at that moment you announced yourself on the planet.

As a Sun sign addresses similar characteristics as the Sun by being overt and outward, your Moon sign embodies the characteristics of the Moon and tends to be less illuminated and more introspective. Your Moon sign is perhaps your clearest indicator as to the workings of your inner world. It describe your emotional life. Your desires. And the deepest parts of your being and everything that makes you feel emotionally secure. Your considerations that take place beneath the surface and aren’t apparent, even to you.

All of the subconscious stuff taking place below the surface or in the shadows is explained by your Moon sign. That includes your fluid and shifting emotional currents which, like the tides, are also controlled by the Moon. If you’re desiring an in-depth exploration of your emotions, intuition, empathies, and how you express yourself through them, your Moon sign will illuminate the way.

How Do I Find My Moon Sign?

Type “What is my Moon sign?” into your browser and you’ll encounter numerous pages with calculators that ask for the date, time, and location of your birth. This in turn creates a map of the sky—and the placements of the Moon and other planetary bodies—at the precise moment you were born. This is known as your birth chart and offers an in-depth look at the myriad astrological influences on who you are.

What Does Your Moon Sign Mean?

The traits ascribed to each sign of the zodiac remain the same whether their placement falls in your Sun, rising, or Moon sign. It’s where and how they reveal themselves in your life that will change. When you read the below descriptions, the vibe may sound familiar to what you know about that sign. But look for the nuances in how they express themselves in everyday interactions. You may be surprised.

Aries Moon Sign Meaning

Enthusiastic | Adventurous | Blunt
If your Moon sign is Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, you probably have an enthusiastic-about-anything side and a childlike willingness to try something new. An Aries Moon can also appear as an inner child who is temperamental and wants what they want RIGHT NOW. In addition to a youthful spirit, those born with an Aries Moon tend to share the traits of impulsivity and, at times, hotheadedness.

Taurus Moon Sign Meaning

Warmhearted | Routine-Oriented | Stubborn

A Taurus Moon belies a creature of habit. At your core, all you desire is a home full of silk sheets, exquisitely prepared food, and an indulgent soak in the tub with a warm, fluffy robe waiting. Stability is also a Taurus Moon thing, which might seem at odds with your Sun sign, but at your core, you desire a select few to become your chosen family, no matter how slowly you get there.

Gemini Moon Sign Meaning

Intelligent | Witty | Cunning
Truly cerebral, a Gemini Moon will process feelings through words. This can mean that you need a few minutes to get your witty response together because you want to sound smart without revealing too much of your feelings. You take your time to make decisions because you’re weighing all the possible outcomes—logically and emotionally—and because Gemini’s skip from one idea to the next. And the next. And the next.

Cancer Moon Sign Meaning

Empathetic | Nurturing | Emotional
The Moon is at home in Cancer. Having this nurturing sign in the role of your Moon sign means that you have a preternatural desire to look after everyone and everything in your path. And, let’s be honest, the world needs more of that. But someone with such a caretaking interior also needs to remember to look after themselves. A hot bath and a little time alone never hurt anyone.

Leo Moon Sign Meaning

Expansive | Faithful | Conflicted
Proud and confident, a Leo Moon sign can be hard to ignore. You’re super compassionate and expressive on the inside–but how are you doing on the outside? You might be someone who mirrors others in their actions, emotions, even gestures. Since Leo is ruled by the fiery Sun, a Moon in Leo can expect to feel a little push and pull between their inner and outer lives. Take care to protect your own energy.

Virgo Moon Sign Meaning

Practical | Reliable | Perfectionist

Naturally curious, a Virgo Moon is full of wisdom. Virgos are analytical in nature. They’re also highly opinionated and super ethical. Virgo Moons tend to need quite a lot of soothing as you do worry more than a little. However, you also tend to turn your traits outward as you’re pretty dedicated to service and you love to be helpful, so you have all kinds of advice to offer, whether solicited or not.

Libra Moon Sign Meaning

Diplomatic | Indecisive | Idealistic

Natural mediators, Libra Moons are happiest keeping the peace. A die-hard romantic, love is all you need. In fact, you might even go do far as to start a romance while you’re still involved in another one. You love being swept away and are more than adept at keeping the peace, so you’ll do well moving between relationships until you find the one.

Scorpio Moon Sign Meaning

Powerful | Magnetic | Obstinate
Scorpio is known for its high-octane intensity. With this water sign as your Moon, you tend to have volatile emotions and can be vulnerable to absorbing the emotions and moods of others. Boundaries need to be honored in your relationships and negative vibes guarded against. Your waters run deep, Scorpio. You share your buried truths with only a few chosen souls, so you tend to desire deep personal connections. You exude trustworthiness because others see how important your secrets are to you.

Sagittarius Moon Sign Meaning

Optimistic | Straightforward | Superficial
A fire sign, Sagittarius is characterized by brazen curiosity and judgment. Sag as your Moon sign means that you don’t have much choice but to be honest and invoke some interesting conversations. Travel, intellectual expansion, and philosophy are big topics for you. Just be sure to continue listening after you break the ice.

Capricorn Moon Sign Meaning

Reserved | Disciplined | Fatalistic
Capricorns are known for their hard work and business savvy, but under the influence of the Moon, that also means that you can take your emotions pretty seriously. Long-term success is everything to you, in any collaboration whether business, romance, or friendship. You’re not super sensitive but you do take your feelings, when you feel them, as an important signal.

Aquarius Moon Sign Meaning

Inventive | Independent | Unpredictable

The most humanitarian sign, Aquarius always wants to do the right thing—even when that means putting the greater good above your own needs. Because you respond to life based on your values rather than your emotions, you’re more cerebral than emotional and you don’t understand why peeps feel the need to become overly emotional as they make their point. Be aware of your tendency to start to detach from others.

Pisces Moon Sign Meaning

Idealistic | Intuitive | Vague
Have you always been considered by others to be dreamy? Accused of being off in your own world? A Pisces Moon is actually quite sensitive and empathetic. And magnetic. As a Moon sign, you’re rarely judgmental. You’ll advise if someone asks for your intuition and you’ll be known for your otherworldly creativity and generosity. Deeply spiritual, Pisces Moons tend to be described as old souls and have a lot of answer to questions that haven’t even been asked yet.

Learn more about the effects of the Moon on you, what your opposite sign means, and how astrology intersects with your everyday life with our astrology email newsletter.

Jenny Latreille lives in Northern Ontario, where the Moon often seems much closer than it is. Preoccupied with food, culture, the stars, and art, she spends a lot of time in nature as well as in her kitchen, where she looks for ways to combine everything–and sometimes it works. She lives in an urban jungle with a pack of cats known as “The Adorables.”