When a man says to an attractive woman at a party, "I'm a Leo. What's your sign?", he is not only using an opening conversational gambit (and behaving just like a Leo), he is also talking about Sun signs.

What is a Sun Sign?

From our viewpoint here on earth, the Sun travels around the earth once each year. Within the space of that year the sun moves through all twelve signs of the zodiac, spending approximately one month in each sign. The sign that the Sun was transiting at the time of your birth is your Sun Sign.

The Sun is our most powerful planet. (In astrological terms, the Sun is referred to as a planet even though it, like the Moon, is actually a "luminary".) It gives us life, warmth, energy, food. It is the force that sustains us on earth. The Sun is also the most important and pervasive influence in your horoscope, and in many ways determines how others see you. The position of the Sun in your birth chart governs your individuality, your distinctive style, and your drive to fulfill your goals in life.

Your horoscope is like a painting of you. The characteristics of your Sun sign are the broad strokes that the artist first lays down on the canvas. The artist outlines your general shape, the planes and angles of your face, the way in which your hold you body. In the same way, your Sun sign delineates from your general character. Are you introspective? Do you make friends easily? How do you cope with responsibility? Are you high-strung or easygoing? The answers may be found in a study of your Sun sign.

But now you may be asking yourself, "When I read the daily horoscope in the newspaper for my sign, it doesn't describe me very accurately."

Here's why »