Inner Shift

Posts Tagged ‘sun signs’

Astrological Cusps

December 2nd, 2009

In astrology there are actually two types of cusps: sign cusps and house cusps. Sign cusps mark where each individual sun sign begins and are what people usually mean when they talk about cusps, whereas house cusps relate to the twelve birth chart divisions that cover the houses (see Houses). The word cusp comes from the Latin for “spear” or “point”.

Though astrologers don’t totally agree on what a true cusp is, you can use the five-day rule to determine if you were born on a cusp. So, if you were born either during the last five days of a sun sign or during the first five days your birthdate falls on a cusp. {You’ll have to reference an astrological ephemeris to accurately determine if you are on a cusp.}

Those born on a cusp find that they have qualities from each sun sign that they straddle. Still, the sign that you were actually born under has the greater influence. You can picture it as standing in a doorway–you have the choice to step into the room ahead or the room behind. This allows for flexibility, but could also cause confusion.

Here are the general date guidelines for the sign cusps:

Aries: March 21 – April 20

Taurus: April 21 – May 21

Gemini: May 22 – June 21

Cancer: June 22 – July 23

Leo: July 24 – August 23

Virgo: August 24 – Sept. 23

Libra: September 24 – October 23

Scorpio: October 24 – November 22

Sagittarius: November 23 – Dec. 21

Capricorn: December 22 – January 20

Aquarius: January 21 – February 19

Pisces: February 20 – March 20