Sign season

When people say "Leo season" or "Scorpio season", they mean the stretch of about a month when the Sun is in that sign. Seen from Earth, the Sun appears to travel once round the zodiac every year. So every sign gets its turn, and every sign gets a season.

Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac, which is tied to the Earth's seasons. Aries season starts at the March equinox, when the Sun crosses the equator. Cancer season starts at the June solstice, Libra at the September equinox and Capricorn at the December solstice. Those four are the cardinal signs: the ones that open each season. If you live in the southern hemisphere, the names stay the same. Aries season still starts at the March equinox, though for you it's the start of autumn, not spring.

By tradition, each season colours the mood for everyone, with that sign's style. Aries season is direct, bold and impatient: good for fresh starts. Taurus season is steady and sensual: good for slowing down. Virgo season is precise and helpful: good for sorting and fixing. Sagittarius season is free and searching: good for big plans and travel. The other eight follow the same pattern. Gemini season is curious and quick. Cancer season is protective and sensitive. Leo season is warm, expressive and proud. Libra season is fair and charming, if a little indecisive. Scorpio season is intense and private. Capricorn season is ambitious and disciplined. Aquarius season is independent and inventive. Pisces season is imaginative and compassionate.

Your own sign's season is when your birthday falls. The exact moment the Sun returns to where it was when you were born is your solar return, which astrologers read as your personal new year.

To see what a season means for you, find the house it lights up. Horozy uses whole-sign houses, so you count from your rising sign. If you're Aries rising, Leo is your 5th house, so Leo season lights up pleasure, creativity and romance. If you're Capricorn rising, Leo is your 8th house, so the focus turns to intimacy, shared resources and change. Sun-sign horoscopes do the same count from your Sun sign instead.

Seasons don't start on the same day every year. The Sun changes sign at a precise minute that shifts a little each year, so the star-sign dates in magazines are only approximate. If you were born near a change-over, your exact birth time settles which sign is yours. Your Horozy daily horoscope reads the real sky this way, counted from your sign. It's free by email, with no account.