Aries

The Sun is in Aries between about 21st March to 19th April.

If you were born with the Sun in Aries, you set out with a brave heart, and want it all to happen right now. No beating about the bush! The world is your oyster, and no-one, but no-one, is going to mess with you! You can organise, and lead, and in love you're a real romantic. "Actions speak louder than words" could be your motto.

If Aries is your Rising Sign, when you step outside, you want to get going and make a start on the day's projects. You'll act first and think afterwards, and people will walk on eggshells to avoid a fiery outburst if you're annoyed, but they'll know that all will be smiles as soon as you've cooled down. They'll be glad to have an Aries Ascendant in charge.

Taurus

The Sun is in Taurus between about 20th April to 20th May.

Placid, calm and contented, the bull in the meadow will enjoy the sun on his back and good food to eat, and he'll tolerate annoying flies, and even people walking through his field...just so far...but try and make him move when he doesn't want to and you might as well try until Doomsday. The Bull of the Zodiac is the same. If your Sun is in Taurus, you are peace-loving and reliable, your business will prosper and you'll be practical and tolerant. But no-one in their right mind should try and make you change yours. And, just as the bull in the field will charge unexpectedly one day, so the rare rage of a Taurean is fearful to behold.

If Taurus was rising when you were born, you're not going to rush out there. You'll take your time, think before deciding anything, and you'll want to stick with what you know. But people will love to rely on you, and when you find your mate you'll be passionate and protective.

Gemini

The Sun is in Gemini between about 21st May and 20th June.

So your Sun is in Gemini? You're sure? You're not in two minds about this? OK then, but you know you can be first one thing and then another.You're friendly, quick-witted, and love playing with words. You're likely to be found clowning around or talking on the phone for hours on end. You can stay up with friends till all hours, or you'll try to find out about and understand the latest scientific discovery. Then, when you're tired of that, you'll move on to the next thing.

If your Rising Sign is Gemini, you walk out there with an urge to find out where it's all happening, what's going on, and why. If it's there, you want to know about it. Then you'll tell everyone else. You're not really after a great romance, but your friends will invite you to their parties and know you'll keep everyone amused.

Cancer

The Sun is in Cancer between about 21st June and 22nd July.

Crabs hide in their shells for safety, and will wave their claws at an approaching threat, but get under their soft belly and they can be badly hurt. Cancerians are the same, but they're as sensitive to the feelings of others as they are to their own, have creative imaginations, and they are devoted to home and family. If your Sun is in Cancer, you'll take care of ageing parents, and fight for your children against all-comers.

To the outside world, the Cancer Rising person can sometimes seem moody; people can upset you without meaning to, but they are very glad to come and have a cup of coffee in your kitchen and pour out their troubles, knowing you'll listen and understand. You are wary of giving your heart to someone, but you love to have someone on whom you can depend.

Leo

The Sun is in Leo between about 23rd July and 22nd August.

The lion is the King of the Beasts, and Leo is King of the Zodiac. His royal presence demands respect, and he bestows generous largesse on all. Zodiac Lions are like the Sun itself, warm and radiant, ready to help great and small, and if your Sun is in Leo you will give without counting the cost...but you do like to be thanked. No-one is kinder than a Lion, but you can be badly hurt if people ignore or misunderstand you.

If Leo is your Rising Sign, you're naturally cheerful, and walk out onto the world's stage with a smile on your face. People are drawn to you, heads turn, and ...let's be honest... you love it! You're neither proud nor pushy, but sometmes people see you like that, and that can make you feel very lonely, yet not for long, for you soon bounce back and are your old cheerful self. Naturally romantic, you love to have a mate who is as loyal to you as you are to him or her.

Virgo

The Sun is in Virgo between about 23rd August and 23rd September.

More than anything else, if the Sun was in Virgo when you were born, you not only want to be useful, but you truly are. You study and learn as much as possible, and then put it all to good practical use, because you can see what needs to be done. You're not interested in glory for yourself, you just use your common sense and make sure that the job is well done. The only drawback is that you may forget to enjoy yourself at all.

From the point of view of the rest of the world, with Virgo rising, you are a godsend. Others needn't bother about tidying up, because you'll do it for them, but you do worry about things. If someone is ill you know just how to make them comfortable, and you probably have some vitamins on hand to raise their resistance. In later life, people would tell you how young you look for your age, if you ever had the time to listen to such nonsense.

Libra

The Sun is in Libra between about 24th September and 23rd October.

If the Sun was in Libra when you were born, you want everything to be harmonious and peaceful. You dislike anything rough or crude, and like your surroundings to be balanced and tasteful . Most of all, you want everything to be fair. You refuse to make snap judgements. Librans are often wrongly called indecisive, but you are merely determined to consider a question from all sides before making a decision; then you surprise everyone with firm action.

Whatever your Sun sign, if your Ascendant is Libra, then relationships with other people are going to be high on your list of priorities. When you leave home of a morning, you set out to be affable and to greet everyone with a smile. You love a social gathering, and you'll bend over backwards to keep the peace and avoid causing offence. Just sometimes, you may need to put tact and diplomacy on one side, and realise you can't always be all things to all men.

Scorpio

The Sun is in Scorpio between about 23rd October and 21st November.

The nobility and strength of an eagle combined with the tenacity and...er...sorry...sting of a scorpion just about sum up your strengths and weaknesses if you were born when the Sun was in Scorpio. When you set your mind or heart on something, that's it. Nothing will dissuade or distract you. You'll dig as deep as needs be to uncover the truth of the matter, however painful, and you''ll feel it deeply and deal with it wisely, unless you're so hurt that you lash out. Then, woe betide your assailant!

If you have Scorpio as your Rising Sign, other people probably find you intriguing, maybe even magnetic. They might see you as mysterious, or intense, and sometimes they'll find your penetrating insight very uncomfortable. Which is a pity, because you can face and fight the demons others flee from.

Sagittarius

The Sun is in Sagittarius between about 22nd November and 21st December.

With your Sun in Sagittarius, you are on a journey. Friendly and adventurous, your gaze is set firmly on the horizon and beyond. You are the original free spirit. You want to find out for yourself if the grass is greener elsewhere, and you'll look for the deeper meaning in it all. Popular and generous, full of enthusiasm, you answer to yourself and no-one else.

If you don't exactly ride out every morning on horseback, however much you would like to with Sagittarius Rising, you do at least stride out into the world with your head high and a bounce in your step. Probably the equivalent of a red spotted handkerchief on a pole too. You can change your direction at a moment's notice, and just move on to the next thing. Other people usually find you excitng and impressive, but anyone in relationship with you must never try to fence you in.

Capricorn

The Sun is in Capricorn between about 22nd December and 19th January.

Like the mountain goat represented in the symbol of your sign, if your Sun is in Capricorn you aspire to the heights. But you are going to get there by steady perseverance, not by leaps of intuition, nor with a burst of enthusiasm. You won't take risks, but will build your world carefully, step by step, on your own if necessary, but with a determination and stamina that will lead others to depend on you with good reason, for you will always look after your own.

With Capricorn Rising, you'll greet the morning with a sense of duty and responsibility. You won't even think about whether you like it or not, you will just go out and get on with the chores of the day. You might well stay on late at work and finish a task rather than go down to the pub, but after work is done you will like nothing better than to go home to those who love you, for your hard exterior hides a deeply feeling soul.

Aquarius

The Sun is in Aquarius between about 20th January and 18th February.

If the Sun was in Aquarius when you were born, you are probably a friend to all the world. Not only do you love mixing in parties, but you really care about the environment and the world at large. You'll make sure that your household recycles everything, ...you can lose your cool without warning if they don't...and you'll love any gadget that will make the world a greener place. This is partly because you love gadgets anyway; you might even invent your own! When it comes to getting involved though, either with people or any venture that needs commitment, you'll fade charmingly and politely, but rather vaguely, into the background.

Like those born with Sagittarius Rising, if you have Aquarius as your Ascendant you too will walk out into the world with your head high...but in your case it is up in the clouds and your mind is far away. Detached to the point of aloofness, your mind is concerned with high ideals, but you prefer to stand apart from close relationships, and you don't like strong feelings in others or even yourself. Beware, though! You're not that cool. You can explode without warning or go into a huge sulk if your dignity is threatened.

Pisces

The Sun is in Pisces between about 19th February and 20th March.

Fish swim in the wide ocean, and if your Sun is in Pisces, you love to lose yourself in the world of dreams and imagination. Super-sensitive yourself, you are tuned in to the needs of all around you, and your heart goes out to anyone in trouble. You're a natural actor, but from a love of playing the part rather than a thirst for the limelight. Changeable and sometimes moody, you can be a sucker for a hard luck story, and you're not only easily deceived but you can deceive yourself. You are more likely to sacrifice yourself for others than any other sign.

Poet, musician or artist, if you have Pisces as your Rising Sign you will need some sort of outlet for your creativity. People may find you enchantingly mysterious, and you can escape into a world of your own when things get tough. You gain insight through your hunches and intuition rather than logic, may even be psychic, and so long as you don't drift aimlessly and let others take advantage of you, you might make a great contribution to helping or rescuing other people.