A confusion always resides in the minds of those who are born between two zodiac signs―which sun sign should they follow? Agreed, there are many dilemmas that cusps are likely to experience when it comes to their astrological traits and predictions, which is why, this AstrologyBay article will tell you all the things you should know about horoscope cusp, explaining the hows, whys, and whens.
Did You Know?
It actually takes the Earth 365 days plus a few hours and minutes to complete its rotation around the Sun. This extra time is corrected by introducing an extra day every four years (leap year). Your astrological sign depends upon the positioning of the Sun in a zodiac constellation during the time and date of your birth. You are born a cusp when the Sun is in the middle of shifting from one zodiac to the next.
The whole idea of being a cusp generates two major feelings―special and flummoxed! Special because you possess the characteristics of two different zodiac signs, and flummoxed because when it comes to the everyday astrological readings, you don’t know which one to follow; should you read one or both? There are so many questions that astrological followers have when it comes to being a cusp, but the answers seem to be somewhat blurry.
The first confusion arises of the dates. If we get into the details, it is said that the cusp dates vary from one year to the other. This is because at one year, the Sun may enter a particular zodiac constellation at, say 11:56 am, while the next year, it may enter the same constellation at 12:03 pm. To avoid this variation, experts have assigned a certain period of time in a month for those born in the middle of this shift. The following sections will clarify all your qualms about being a cusp, right from the dates to the characteristics.
CUSP ZODIAC SIGNS AND DATES
Aries-Taurus (April 19 to 23)
Taurus-Gemini (May 19 to 23)
Gemini-Cancer (June 19 to 23)
Cancer-Leo (July 19 to 23)
Leo-Virgo (August 19 to 23)
Virgo-Libra (September 19 to 23)
Libra-Scorpio (October 19 to 23)
Scorpio-Sagittarius (November 19 to 23)
Sagittarius-Capricorn (December 19 to 23)
Capricorn-Aquarius (January 19 to 23)
Aquarius-Pisces (February 19 to 23)
Pisces-Aries (March 19 to 23)
Dates 19 to 23 are considered to be cusp dates, which means, if you are born on any of these five dates, assuredly you are a cusp, and your personality is a mix of both adjacent Sun signs. For example, if you are born on March 23, it implies that you are a Pisces-Aries cusp. Pisces is the last of all zodiacs while Aries marks the very beginning of all the signs. Quite an interesting combination indeed! Each and every cusp combination brings forth a unique melange of different characteristics of two zodiac signs, that are distinct from the other. Since there are 12 zodiac signs, there are 12 cusp combinations, each of which is explained briefly in the following sections.
Aries-Taurus (April 19 to April 23)
Aries is a cardinal fire sign ruled by the fiery planet Mars. On the other hand, Taurus is a fixed earth sign ruled by the planet of love and pleasure, Venus. This cusp combination gives a person the desire, will, and courage to achieve whatever he/she wants in life, and creates a perfect balance between the aggression of the ram and the tenacity of the bull.
It is believed that this zodiac combination can complete things that others tend to leave incomplete. As fire and earth elements rule those born under this cusp, they are likely to tame their aggression with the perfect amount of patience that is needed to achieve set targets and objectives. On the negative side, these individuals may end up becoming quite stubborn and rigid when it comes to making things happen as per their terms and conditions.
Taurus-Gemini (May 19 to May 23)
Taurus is a fixed earth sign ruled by the planet of pleasure and love, Venus. On the other hand, Gemini is a mutable air sign ruled by the planet Mercury, associated with travel and communication. Those born under this cusp combination are great communicators with an inclination to take pleasure of the finest things in life. These bull-headed twins are likely to take on the masses with their impressive communication skills and their need to receive the best of everything.
The practical yet intellectual traits of this cusp zodiac makes the persons born under this combo quite strong analyzers who have the ability to look into some of the most complicated and difficult to understand situations, thereby making them great contributors towards the productivity and success of any undertaking. On the negative side, the finicky nature of the twins and the tendency of overindulgence in pleasure of the bull may make them quite scattered and spendthrifts.
Gemini-Cancer (June 19 to June 23)
Gemini is a mutable air sign ruled by the planet Mercury that is associated with travel, communication, intellect, and quick-wit. On the other hand, Cancer is a cardinal water sign ruled by the Moon, associated with emotions, instincts, and nourishment. Those born under this dual influence are known to be very caring, expressive, understanding, and emotional in nature. They are good at multitasking and are quite strong-willed as well. Their instincts drive them to the right places and people at the right time, making them take opportunity of the changes they sense around them, as a result of their intuitive nature.
The combination of intellectualism along with an inclination towards emotions makes them quite family oriented. Spending time with close friends over some exotic cuisine and stimulating conversation is what these people love. On the downside, their open display of emotions makes them quite prone to getting hurt by the bad guys in the circle.
Cancer-Leo (July 19 to July 23)
Cancer is a cardinal water sign ruled by the Moon, associated with emotions, nourishment, and sensitivity. On the other hand, Leo is a fixed fire sign ruled by the Sun, associated with warmth, enthusiasm, and life itself! Those born under this dual influence are known to be highly unique because the opposite elements―fire and water―rule over them. Not only this, the influence of both the Sun and the Moon also makes their characteristic quite gentle yet fiery.
With these people, you can say that two opposites come together to give you a (im)balance of both. Cancer-Leos are quite emotional but flamboyant. They will care for you but also expect their due share of attention and praises. Their way of living life is to live like a king with a capital K. Therefore, material possessions and wealth is an integral part of their existence, and they display a complementing level of generosity to make good use of what life has bestowed on them. These people can become quite an inspiration to the others. On the negative side, their intuitive-yet-impatient attitude may prompt them to jump into projects without realizing its flaws, which is usually an unrealistic outcome from the venture.
Leo-Virgo (August 19 to August 23)
Leo is a fixed fire sign ruled by the Sun, known as the center of life and universe. On the other hand, Virgo is a mutable earth sign ruled by the planet Mercury, associated with careful analysis and reasoning. The combination of the Lion and the Virgin makes those born under this zodiac quite popular, self-assured, and inspirational organizers. They can be both shy and flamboyant, assertive and hesitant, loud and timid, based on the given situation. However, in time, they tend to become quite interactive and social in their circle.
This zodiac combination makes the bearer of this sign quite creative, fun-loving, enthusiastic, and talented to see even the minutest of details. This makes them highly enthusiastic leaders. They love to explore, analyze, and conclude. Although they love to work for a cause that helps the others, they can also become quite picky and discriminating towards people, based on their fixed sense of judgment.
Virgo-Libra (September 19 to September 23)
Virgo is a mutable earth sign ruled by Mercury, known to be the ruler of communication, travel, and analysis. On the other hand, Libra is a cardinal air sign ruled by the planet Venus, associated with love, joy, pleasure, and beauty. The combination of the shy virgin and the scales makes those born under this zodiac quite helpful and cause-oriented, usually towards the benefits of others rather than themselves. They strive for attaining a balance to derive peace and harmony in any given situation.
The combination of air and earth, creativity and intellect, sensitivity and the need to create a balance around, makes these individuals quite sensitive to the needs of others around. Many times Virgo-Libras may find themselves disarrayed or lost in the process of finding others. Otherwise, their compassion, rationality, and reliability makes them quite industrious in any undertaking. They are social in nature, and can gain a lot of admiration through their intellectual, observational, and communication skills.
Libra-Scorpio (October 19 to October 23)
Libra is a cardinal air sign ruled by Venus associated with love, joy, pleasure, and beauty. On the other hand, Scorpio is a fixed water sign ruled by the planets Mars and Pluto, the former associated with war and fierceness, while the latter being linked with the underworld. The combination of the scales and the deadly scorpion makes these individuals prone to prevail justice and fairness through deep exploration of what lies beneath the surface.
The rigidity of the Scorpio when clubbed with the intellect of the Libra gives a match that is definitely unbeatable! They are strong-willed and cannot be dominated by others. They do not give up any task unless it is done as they desired. Probing others interests them, as it gives them a chance to peek into an individual’s outer mask and find their true face. These people love to take up challenges, especially when it comes to people’s emotions. On the downside, they can also become sly, revengeful, and overbearing at times.
Scorpio-Sagittarius (November 19 to November 23)
Scorpio is a fixed water sign ruled by the planets Mars and Pluto, the former associated with war and fierceness, while the latter being linked with the underworld. On the other hand, Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign that is ruled by the planet Jupiter, associated with luck and expansion of all forms, including mental outreach. The combination of the stubborn scorpion and the inquisitive and knowledge-seeking archer makes these individuals quite mysterious and unpredictable in nature.
For these individuals, life and all the elements associated with it are no less than a mystery that they are eager to solve. They are highly enthusiastic, generous, adventurous, and deep individuals. Although they are pretty much dependable, it isn’t surprising if they decide to change the course of plan, with the Sagittarius mutable quality overpowering the fixed traits of the Scorpio. They are always curious about the meaning of life, and may engage excessively in to the adventure that keeps them stimulated and socially aware. On the downside, these individuals can be quite indulging in social pleasures, and may often get into trouble for speaking their mind without thinking.
Sagittarius-Capricorn (December 19 to December 23)
Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign that is ruled by the planet Jupiter associated with luck and expansion of all forms. Capricorn, on the other hand, is a cardinal earth sign ruled by the planet Saturn linked with discipline and hard work. Sagittarian-Capricorns contain a perfect balance of ambition and planning, to select the pathway that they have set to get what needs to be achieved. This combination is perfect for succeeding in any business endeavor, as the knowledge of the archer and the perseverance of the sea-goat will work wonders for these individuals.
These individuals are goal-oriented and there is no reason why they will not succeed in their endeavors. They will never hesitate to shy away from the hardships involved. However, on the downside, these individuals can be highly unforgiving and hold grudges against those whom they think come or delay between their goals and objectives. They can also be quite economical and shrewd.
Capricorn-Aquarius (January 19 to January 23)
Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign ruled by the planet Saturn linked with discipline and hard work. On the other hand, Aquarius is a fixed air sign which is also ruled by Saturn. The second planet in this zodiac is Uranus which is associated with progress and mastering in things that are new and radical, such as technology. A Capricorn-Aquarius cusp is a creative, eccentric, and determined being who will not stop till his/her ideas are turned into reality.
The focus and the stubbornness that these individuals possess is literally crazy. They are unpredictable, unconventional, and rigid. Although, for most parts, they are peace-loving and helpful in nature, they can be quite critical and judgmental when it comes to matters of their personal beliefs and ideologies. They are not afraid to work, provided they are given the freedom that they require to realize their true potential. They will welcome appreciation of their ideas, ambitions, and strategy delightfully, but in the absence of it, they will not hesitate to go ahead with their plan alone, if they have to.
Aquarius-Pisces (February 19 to February 23)
Aquarius is a fixed air sign ruled by the planets Uranus and Saturn linked with discipline and hard work, progress and mastering in eccentric things, such as technology. The Pisces sign is a mutable water sign ruled by the planets Jupiter and Neptune. While Jupiter is linked with expansion of all things, Neptune is more about illusion and disillusionment, fantasy, art, and spirituality. Aquarius-Pisces cusps are eccentric, creative, open-minded, reformist, compassionate, and spiritualist. This union marks for individuals with the duality of life.
The dreaminess of a Pisces when in combination with the eccentric and highly confident Aquarius gives a great output. They enjoy both scientific and creative works, love to become a part of something big and life-changing. In the process of helping others, these individuals may end up investing too much of their emotions, getting lost in the process. Having the influence of the water element, they are highly receptive and sensitive, often being taken for granted and hurt in the process. While this nature of theirs is quite admirable, too much rejection and abuse may make them aloof and timid.
Pisces-Aries (March 19 to March 23)
This combination is truly divine. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac chart and Pisces is the last. Aries is a cardinal fire sign ruled by the planet fiery planet Mars, while Pisces is a mutable water sign ruled by Jupiter and Neptune. Mars is the god of war (symbolic of physical energy, zest, and vitality), Jupiter the god of luck and expansion, and Neptune is all about illusion, art, spirituality, and mysticism. While Aries marks the beginning of life, Pisces absorbs all that the 11 zodiacs learn to reach their optimum potential, especially spiritually. First and last, fire and water, these cusps have two extreme sides to them, making them all the more special.
Pisces-Aries cusps are highly unpredictable, you never know which side of the two extremes may appear at what occasion. However, they are highly compassionate, energetic, inclined to leadership, and courageous. They are also very understanding, as they themselves have the trait of both extremes in them, which is the reason why they are the best when it comes to communicating, counseling, or inspiring others with their words and works. The intuition of the Pisces and the vitality of the Aries makes these individuals apt to achieve the best out of any given opportunity.
Interesting, isn’t it? How a mingle of two zodiacs with completely different characteristics can form an individual quite distinct from those born on the “normal” dates. In fact, from how we see it, being a cusp should be a matter of pride, because if the characteristic of one zodiac takes you down, the other will do well to balance it and keep you going.