When you find out that you’re expecting, one of the first vital bits of information your doctor will share with you is your due date. And while there’s little to no guarantee your little one will be born on that date, it’ll give you some idea of when they’ll come into the world — and what their astrological sun sign could be. But one thing you can’t possibly know — that is, until you have their exact birth time — is what their super-unique birth chart will look like.
This snapshot of the sky from the vantage point of your child’s birthplace tells a beautiful story about their perspective, preferences, sense of humor, self-expression, and more. In turn, you can use your child’s birth chart to hold even more space for them to grow into the person they’re meant to be.
Once you have their chart in hand (you can run one on my website, MaressaBrown.com) — or use an online calculator to find your child’s “big three” aka their sun sign, moon sign, and rising sign. Then you can begin to understand specific characteristics that will make it easier to raise them by the stars. Here, a few basics.
Look to their sun sign for their core identity
The sign that the sun was traveling through when your little one was born tells you about their identity, their self-image, and their confidence. For example, if they were born on August 3, their sun is in proud, action-oriented, spotlight-loving fire sign Leo. They might light up when the spotlight shines on them — even if it is in a quiet, modest way. If they came into the world on March 1, their sun is in empathic, deeply emotional water sign Pisces, and chances are they’re quite intuitive and perceptive of other people’s feelings.
While characteristics associated with your child’s sun sign is just the tip of the iceberg and isn’t the whole story by any means, holding it in mind could boost your awareness around how they see themselves, which can’t help but color their motivations, interests, and goals.
Consider their moon sign when soothing them and working through emotions
The moon moves every two to two and a half days, and the sign that it was in when your little one was born will inform how they express emotion, intuit, experience security, and — heads-up, because this is especially helpful for parents — how they want to be nurtured.
A child whose moon sign is in pragmatic, cool-headed Capricorn (ruled by serious Saturn) will express their biggest feelings in a very different way than one whose moon is in fiery, impulsive Aries (ruled by Mars, the planet of energy). You might notice that your Cap moon child is quite stoic at times and fights back tears when they fall. (Pro tip: Capricorns, meaning anyone who has any significant placements in the sign of the Sea Goat in their birth chart, tend to be quite fearful of feeling foolish.) On the other hand, moon in Aries people — including babies and toddlers — might shriek, cry, and rage, and then, just as speedily than the tantrum struck, it’ll be gone and seemingly forgotten.
By noting your child’s moon sign, you can better understand how they move through emotions — especially the larger ones — and hold space for them to do so in a way that’s productive and might even present a learning opportunity. It’ll also come in handy when you’re comforting them. A little one whose moon is in Virgo, ruled by the planet of information Mercury, will find storytime particularly cozy, whereas one whose moon is in Sagittarius, ruled by expansive Jupiter, would prefer to be strolled through a museum or get to see wildlife in a park they’ve never been to.
Take note of their rising sign for how they show up in the world
Your child’s rising sign or ascendant rules their First House of Self and speaks to how they present themselves. It’s the sign people might guess they are based on how they seem at first blush. It also reflects their skills, talents, and how they go out and pursue what they want in their heart of hearts. So knowing that your baby has a curious, information-seeking Gemini ascendant could explain why they’re at ease in busy social settings and can’t seem to get enough of any form of media, games, or just animated conversation. Or perhaps your toddler was born with their rising sign in science-minded, rebellious Aquarius, so they’re all up in their older sibling’s STEM school project or insist on wearing quirky outfits.
Taking note of how your little one makes their mark in the world makes it possible to present them with even more opportunities to do just that. For example, though you might’ve read that your Virgo sun baby is supposed to be shy, learning that they have a theatrical Leo ascendant might encourage you to get them the most glittery costume you can find or encourage them to entertain friends and loved ones.
Cherish and explore how unique they are
Diving into your child’s whole birth chart — or even their big three — can be a bit overwhelming if you’re new to astrology. But simply understanding that your child has their own distinctive astrological blueprint can be a wonderful step in and of itself. After all, that blueprint is uniquely their own and shows just how special and individual they truly are. By acknowledging and honoring that, you’re already supporting their confidence, self-awareness, and happiness — with a little help from the stars.
