Zodiac Sign by Birth Month: Your Sign for Every Month of the Year

Every month contains two zodiac signs. In Western astrology, signs change around the 19th–23rd of each month (e.g., September is Virgo until 22 September, then Libra). In Vedic astrology, signs change around the 13th–17th, at each Sankranti (e.g., September is Simha until about 16 September, then Kanya). Your exact sign depends on your birth date — and in Vedic astrology, your rashi is your Moon sign.

"What zodiac sign is September?" "January star sign?" "What is the astrological sign for May?" Month-based zodiac questions are searched around a million times a year in India across hundreds of variations. The short answer is that no month belongs to a single sign — every month is split between two.

This guide walks through all 12 months with both Western and Vedic signs, the Sankranti festival that marks each Vedic sign change, the core traits of each sign, and what to do if you were born on a cusp.

Why Every Month Has Two Signs

The zodiac's 12 signs don't line up with calendar months. Each sign covers 30° of the Sun's yearly path, starting at a fixed point:

• Western (tropical) zodiac starts Aries at the spring equinox (~21 March), so signs change around the 19th–23rd of each month.
• Vedic (sidereal) zodiac starts at a fixed star point about 24° earlier, so signs change around the 13th–17th of each month — on Sankranti days.

That's why a 15 September birthday is Virgo in Western astrology but Simha (Leo) in Vedic astrology. Neither is wrong; they measure from different starting points. Read more in our zodiac signs guide.

One more important point: in Indian astrology, "my rashi" means your Moon sign, which depends on the Moon's position at birth, not your birth month. Your month gives your Sun sign. Find your Moon sign for daily rashifal.

Zodiac Signs by Month: Master Table

Exact changeover dates shift by a day between years.

January Zodiac Signs

Western: Capricorn (1–19 January), Aquarius (20–31 January). Vedic: Dhanu / Sagittarius (1–13 January), Makar / Capricorn (from ~14 January).

January is the month of Makar Sankranti — Pongal, Uttarayan, Magh Bihu and Khichdi Parv — when the Sun enters sidereal Capricorn and begins Uttarayana, its auspicious northward journey. It also ends Kharmas.

Traits: Capricorns are disciplined, ambitious and responsible; Aquarians independent, inventive and humanitarian. In Vedic terms, early-January babies have a Sagittarius Sun — optimistic and philosophical. See our Capricorn guide and Kumbh guide.

February Zodiac Signs

Western: Aquarius (1–18 February), Pisces (19–28/29 February). Vedic: Makar (1–12 February), Kumbh / Aquarius (from ~13 February).

Kumbh Sankranti falls in mid-February, when the Sun enters sidereal Aquarius. February also often brings Vasant Panchami and Maha Shivratri.

Traits: Aquarians are original and future-focused; Pisceans compassionate, imaginative and intuitive. Vedic early-February Suns are Capricorn — practical and steady. See our Pisces guide.

March Zodiac Signs

Western: Pisces (1–20 March), Aries (21–31 March). Vedic: Kumbh (1–13 March), Meen / Pisces (from ~14 March).

Meena Sankranti begins the Sun's month in Pisces, traditionally a second Kharmas period when weddings are avoided. The Western zodiac begins its new cycle with Aries at the spring equinox.

Traits: Pisceans are gentle, artistic and spiritual; Aries are bold, energetic pioneers. See our Aries guide.

April Zodiac Signs

Western: Aries (1–19 April), Taurus (20–30 April). Vedic: Meen (1–13 April), Mesh / Aries (from ~14 April).

Mesha Sankranti is the solar new year across much of India — Baisakhi, Vishu, Puthandu, Pohela Boishakh, Bohag Bihu and Pana Sankranti. It also ends Kharmas, opening the season for weddings. The Sun is exalted in Aries.

Traits: Aries are courageous and direct; Taureans steady, loyal and sensual. See our Taurus guide.

May Zodiac Signs

Western: Taurus (1–20 May), Gemini (21–31 May). Vedic: Mesh (1–14 May), Vrishabh / Taurus (from ~15 May).

May often includes Akshaya Tritiya (sometimes late April), traditionally when the Sun is in Aries and the Moon near its exaltation in Taurus.

Traits: Taureans love comfort and stability; Geminis are curious, witty communicators. See our Gemini guide.

June Zodiac Signs

Western: Gemini (1–20 June), Cancer (21–30 June). Vedic: Vrishabh (1–14 June), Mithun / Gemini (from ~15 June).

Mithuna Sankranti is celebrated in Odisha as Raja Parba, honouring Mother Earth. The Western zodiac changes to Cancer at the summer solstice.

Traits: Geminis are versatile and social; Cancerians nurturing, intuitive and family-oriented. See our Cancer guide.

July Zodiac Signs

Western: Cancer (1–22 July), Leo (23–31 July). Vedic: Mithun (1–16 July), Kark / Cancer (from ~17 July).

Karka Sankranti marks the start of Dakshinayana, the Sun's southward half of the year, traditionally associated with devotion and the Chaturmas period.

Traits: Cancerians are caring and protective; Leos warm, confident and generous. See our Leo guide.

August Zodiac Signs

Western: Leo (1–22 August), Virgo (23–31 August). Vedic: Kark (1–16 August), Simha / Leo (from ~17 August).

Simha Sankranti is celebrated in Uttarakhand as Ghee Sankranti (Olgia). August is also the month of many major festivals, including Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami in most years.

Traits: Leos are natural leaders; Virgos analytical, helpful and precise. See our Virgo guide.

September Zodiac Signs

Western: Virgo (1–22 September), Libra (23–30 September). Vedic: Simha (1–16 September), Kanya / Virgo (from ~17 September).

Kanya Sankranti is the day of Vishwakarma Puja, when workers, engineers and craftspeople honour their tools — a fitting celebration for skill-loving Virgo. September is the single most searched zodiac month in India.

Traits: Virgos are practical perfectionists; Librans diplomatic, fair and charming. In Vedic terms, early-September Suns are Leo — confident and expressive. See our Tula guide.

October Zodiac Signs

Western: Libra (1–22 October), Scorpio (23–31 October). Vedic: Kanya (1–16 October), Tula / Libra (from ~17 October).

Tula Sankranti is celebrated in Karnataka as Kaveri Sankramana and in Odisha with harvest rituals. October usually brings Navratri, Dussehra and often Diwali.

Traits: Librans seek harmony and beauty; Scorpios are intense, loyal and perceptive. See our Scorpio guide.

November Zodiac Signs

Western: Scorpio (1–21 November), Sagittarius (22–30 November). Vedic: Tula (1–15 November), Vrishchik / Scorpio (from ~16 November).

Vrishchika Sankranti marks the start of the Mandala season in Kerala, associated with the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

Traits: Scorpios are deep and determined; Sagittarians optimistic, adventurous and philosophical. See our Sagittarius guide.

December Zodiac Signs

Western: Sagittarius (1–21 December), Capricorn (22–31 December). Vedic: Vrishchik (1–15 December), Dhanu / Sagittarius (from ~16 December).

Dhanu Sankranti begins Kharmas (Dhanurmas), a month devoted to prayer rather than weddings; in Tamil Nadu it overlaps the sacred month of Margazhi. The Western zodiac changes to Capricorn at the winter solstice.

Traits: Sagittarians are free-spirited seekers; Capricorns patient, ambitious builders.

Your Birth Season in Vedic Astrology: The Six Ritus

Vedic tradition divides the year into six seasons (ritus), each spanning two solar months — two Sun signs. Your birth season is a lovely extra layer of meaning:

The year is also split into Uttarayana (the Sun's northward half, from Makar Sankranti to about mid-July) and Dakshinayana (the southward half, from Karka Sankranti to mid-January). Uttarayana is traditionally considered especially auspicious for beginnings.

Personality Snapshots by Birth Month (Western Signs)

These are Sun-sign tendencies. Your Moon sign and lagna often matter even more for personality, especially in Vedic astrology.

Born on a Cusp? How to Know Your Sign

If you were born within a day or two of a sign change, your sign depends on the exact time the Sun changed signs that year — which varies slightly by year and time zone.

1. Enter your birth date, time and place in a birth chart calculator.
2. Check the Sun's sign and degree. If it's 29° of one sign, you're at the very end of it; 0° means the very start of the next.
3. Remember: Western and Vedic cusps fall on different dates.
4. Many cusp-born people feel traits of both signs — often because Mercury, Venus or the Moon sit in the neighbouring sign.

Birth Month vs Moon Sign vs Rising Sign

The month is the starting point. For a fuller picture, see our guides to the Moon sign, lagna and astrology by date of birth.

A Note on Birthstones

You may see "birthstones by month" alongside zodiac signs — garnet for January, amethyst for February, and so on. That's a Western jewellery tradition based on calendar months. In Vedic astrology, gemstones (ratna) are recommended only after analysing the full birth chart — never by birth month or sign alone. Some stones, like blue sapphire, are considered highly reactive and unsuitable for many charts.

Quick Answers: Two Signs for Every Month

January: Capricorn/Aquarius (Western), Dhanu/Makar (Vedic). February: Aquarius/Pisces, Makar/Kumbh. March: Pisces/Aries, Kumbh/Meen. April: Aries/Taurus, Meen/Mesh. May: Taurus/Gemini, Mesh/Vrishabh. June: Gemini/Cancer, Vrishabh/Mithun. July: Cancer/Leo, Mithun/Kark. August: Leo/Virgo, Kark/Simha. September: Virgo/Libra, Simha/Kanya. October: Libra/Scorpio, Kanya/Tula. November: Scorpio/Sagittarius, Tula/Vrishchik. December: Sagittarius/Capricorn, Vrishchik/Dhanu.

How to Use Your Birth Month in Astrology

Your birth month is a starting point, not the whole story. Here's how to build on it:

1. Narrow it down — use your exact birth date to find your Sun sign in both systems.
2. Find your Moon sign — the foundation of Vedic rashifal and Sade Sati. Moon sign calculator.
3. Find your lagna — your rising sign, which shapes your whole chart. Lagna guide.
4. Note your birth season — the ritu and whether you were born in Uttarayana or Dakshinayana.
5. Check your nakshatra — the finest layer of your birth Moon. Use the nakshatra calculator.
6. Look at your current dasha — the timeline that explains where you are now.

The Bottom Line

Every birth month holds two signs — and in India, two systems. Your month narrows your Sun sign to two choices; your birth date settles it; and your Moon sign and lagna complete the picture. Use the tables above to find your month's signs, then go deeper with a full chart.

Calculate your birth chart free, find your Moon sign, or ask Vedaz what your birth month and full chart say about you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What zodiac sign is September?

In Western astrology, September is Virgo until 22 September and Libra from 23 September. In Vedic astrology, it's Simha (Leo) until about 16 September and Kanya (Virgo) from about 17 September.

2. What zodiac sign is January?

In Western astrology, January is Capricorn until 19 January and Aquarius from 20 January. In Vedic astrology, it's Dhanu (Sagittarius) until about 13 January and Makar (Capricorn) from Makar Sankranti on about 14 January.

3. Why does each month have two zodiac signs?

Because the zodiac signs are measured from the equinox (Western) or a fixed star (Vedic), not from calendar months. Each sign therefore starts partway through one month and ends partway through the next.

4. What is Sankranti?

Sankranti is the day the Sun moves from one sidereal zodiac sign to the next. There are 12 Sankrantis a year; Makar Sankranti in January and Mesha Sankranti in April are the most widely celebrated.

5. Is my birth month sign the same as my rashi?

Not necessarily. Your birth month gives your Sun sign. In Indian astrology, your rashi is your Moon sign, which depends on the Moon's position at your birth.