Star sign dates
The star sign for Thursday 1 October 2026 is
Libra
23 September to 22 October
| Sign | Dates | Element | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | 21 March to 19 April | Fire | Ram |
| Taurus | 20 April to 20 May | Earth | Bull |
| Gemini | 21 May to 20 June | Air | Twins |
| Cancer | 21 June to 22 July | Water | Crab |
| Leo | 23 July to 22 August | Fire | Lion |
| Virgo | 23 August to 22 September | Earth | Maiden |
| Libra | 23 September to 22 October | Air | Scales |
| Scorpio | 23 October to 21 November | Water | Scorpion |
| Sagittarius | 22 November to 21 December | Fire | Archer |
| Capricorn | 22 December to 19 January | Earth | Goat |
| Aquarius | 20 January to 18 February | Air | Water carrier |
| Pisces | 19 February to 20 March | Water | Fish |
These are the usual dates. The day the Sun moves into each sign can shift by a day from year to year, so if your birthday is on the first or last day of a sign, check the exact time below.
Why the dates move: cusps
In Western astrology the zodiac is split into 12 equal 30-degree sections of the Sun's yearly path, starting at the spring equinox. A sign begins at the moment the Sun enters its section. That moment falls at a different time of day each year and the calendar has leap years, so the boundary moves between neighbouring dates. A birthday on a boundary is often called a cusp birthday.
In 2027, for example, the Sun enters Pisces on 18 February at 9:33pm GMT. Someone born on the morning of 18 February 2027 is an Aquarius; someone born that night is a Pisces, even though most lists give 18 February as Aquarius. To be sure, you need the date, time and place of birth.
When the Sun changes sign in 2026–27 (UK time)
| Sign | Sun enters | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Scorpio | Friday 23 October 2026 | 10:38 |
| Sagittarius | Sunday 22 November 2026 | 07:23 |
| Capricorn | Monday 21 December 2026 | 20:50 |
| Aquarius | Wednesday 20 January 2027 | 07:30 |
| Pisces | Thursday 18 February 2027 | 21:33 |
| Aries | Saturday 20 March 2027 | 20:25 |
| Taurus | Tuesday 20 April 2027 | 08:17 |
| Gemini | Friday 21 May 2027 | 07:17 |
| Cancer | Monday 21 June 2027 | 15:11 |
| Leo | Friday 23 July 2027 | 02:04 |
| Virgo | Monday 23 August 2027 | 09:13 |
| Libra | Thursday 23 September 2027 | 07:02 |
Times calculated from the Sun's position, rounded to the minute. Capricorn, Aries, Cancer and Libra begin at the solstices and equinoxes.
Elements
Astrologers group the signs into four elements of three signs each. Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn. Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
Star signs and the constellations
The signs are named after constellations, but they no longer line up with them. The Earth's axis slowly wobbles (precession), so over about 2,000 years the constellations behind the Sun have shifted by almost a whole sign. On your birthday the Sun is probably in the constellation before your star sign. Astronomers also count a 13th constellation on the Sun's path, Ophiuchus, which astrology doesn't use. Astrology has no scientific basis; this page lists the dates as Western astrology defines them and makes no predictions.
To find the weekday you were born on, use the day of the week finder, or work out your exact age with the age calculator. More dates through the year are in important dates.
Frequently asked questions
What star sign is October?
Libra until 22 October, then Scorpio from 23 October. The changeover in 2026 is on 23 October at 10:38am BST.
What are the Scorpio dates?
Scorpio runs from 23 October to 21 November. In 2026 the Sun enters Scorpio on 23 October and Sagittarius on 22 November.
What is a cusp?
A birthday on or next to the boundary between two signs. Because the Sun enters each sign at a different time each year, the sign for these dates depends on the year and time of birth.
What are the fire, earth, air and water signs?
Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn. Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
Why do some websites give different dates?
The Sun enters each sign at a slightly different moment each year, so lists round the boundaries differently. Most differ by a single day at the start or end of a sign.