Whether you’re new to astrology or a seasoned expert, it can never hurt to brush up on the basics. Here, the zodiac signs in order, the house they’re associated with, and additional, basic details on each.

It can never hurt to brush up on the basics.

Whether you’re a total newbie to astrology or you know even some of the more intricate details of your birth chart, it can never hurt to brush up on the basics. After all, the 2,000+ year-old practice is one that even professional astrologers spend a lifetime learning about. So if you’re wondering what it really means if you were born when the sun was moving through air sign Libra or your rising sign is an earth sign, you’ll undoubtedly want to better understand each sign’s traits. Here, find all 12 zodiac signs in order, the house they’re associated with, and additional, basic details on each.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

Aries, the cardinal fire sign, ruled by go-getter Mars, is competitive, impulsive, action-oriented, and at times wide-eyed and playful—almost childlike—as the first sign of the zodiac. Aries is associated with the First House of Self and is symbolized by the Ram. 

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Taurus, the fixed earth sign, is ruled by Venus, the planet of romance, relationships, beauty, and values, and is a sensual, deliberate, pleasure-seeking, slow-paced, steady, and grounded fan of comfort creatures. Taurus is associated with the Second House of Income and symbolized by the Bull. 

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

The mutable air sign Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, transportation, and technology, and is, in turn, buzzy, social, curious, dualistic, adaptable, clever, and a lover of language, word play, travel, and flirtation. Gemini is associated with the Third House of Communication and symbolized by the Twins. 

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Cancer, the cardinal water sign, is ruled by the moon, which is the emotional compass of astrology, overseeing intuition, nurturing style, and emotions, which imbues Cancer with its sentimentality, love of family and food, sensitivity, compassion, and tendency to be self-protective and security-seeking — not to mention ingratiatingly hilarious. Cancer is associated with the Fourth House of Home Life and symbolized by the Crab.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

The fixed fire sign Leo is ruled by the sun, which is the luminary that colors self-image, identity, confidence, and purpose, making Leo a highly self-assured, charismatic, optimistic, driven, independent-minded natural born leader. Leo is associated with the Fifth House of Romance and Self-Expression and symbolized by the Lion.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Virgo, the mutable earth sign, is ruled by Mercury, the messenger planet that informs communication, thought processes, technology, and transportation. In turn, Virgo is service-oriented, detail-focused, pragmatic, perfectionistic, analytical, sensitive, and thoughtful. Virgo is associated with the Sixth House of Daily Routine and Wellness and is symbolized by the Maiden.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct 22)

The cardinal air sign Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of relationships, art, beauty, values, and romance, so it makes sense that Libra is diplomatic, balance and justice-seeking, romantic, partnership-oriented, and tends to do everything in their power to prize harmony over conflict. Libra is associated with the Seventh House of Partnership and is symbolized by the Scales. 

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Scorpio, the fixed water sign, is ruled by both Mars, the planet of action, energy, and sex, and Pluto, the planet of transformation, power, and control. So it’s no wonder Scorpio is fearless, resolute, intimacy-seeking, private, magnetic, commanding, and comfortable with the shadow side of life, incredibly emotionally intelligent and capable of swimming in the deep end of emotion. Scorpio is associated with the Eighth House of Emotional Bonds and is symbolized by the Scorpion.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

The mutable fire sign, Sagittarius, is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of abundance, fortune, expansion, higher learning, and wisdom, which results in Sagittarius being jovial, full of wanderlust, philosophical, opinionated, fun-loving, entertaining, and possessing a “go-big-or-go-home” perspective. Sagittarius is associated with the Ninth House of Adventure and is symbolized by the Archer.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

The cardinal earth sign, Capricorn, is ruled by Saturn, the planet of commitment, boundaries, and hard work, which, in turn, makes Capricorn industrious, serious, goal-oriented, pragmatic, practical, organized, and stable. Capricorn is associated with the Tenth House of Career and Public Image and is symbolized by the Sea Goat.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Aquarius, the fixed air sign, is ruled by both Uranus, the planet of innovation, rebellion, and sudden change, and Saturn, the planet of rules, restrictions, and discipline. Aquarius is humanitarian, contrarian, quirky, most comfortable with platonic bonds and bringing their skills to the table as part of a team or community, and science-minded. Aquarius is associated with the Eleventh House of Networking and Friendships and is symbolized by the Water Bearer.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

The final sign of the zodiac, Pisces, the mutable water sign, is ruled by both Neptune, the planet of dreams and spirituality and Jupiter, the planet of abundance and fortune. Pisces is compassionate, romantic, imaginative, intensely empathic, sensitive, and invested in healing their own and, perhaps even more so, others’ emotional wounds. Pisces is associated with the Twelfth House of Spirituality and is symbolized by the Fish. 

Editors Note: the sun sign dates mentioned for each zodiac sign are approximate and can vary by a day or so from year to year.