The cusp in astrology is the time when the sun is shifting between two signs. It is considered a twilight period, where two signs are in transition in and out of power. Those born during the cusp are full of surprises, hovering between two distinct groups and taking pieces and parts from both. The cusp between two signs lasts about six days. If you are born during this six day period of transition you are said to have been ‘born on the cusp’.

Cusp Dates

Each of the signs has a set of dates that are considered the cusp.

Capricorn and Aquarius: January 16th – 22nd

Aquarius and Pisces: February 15th – 21st

Pisces and Aries: March 17th – 23rd

Aries and Taurus: April 16th – 22nd

Taurus and Gemini: May 17th – 23rd

Gemini and Cancer: June 17th – 23rd

Cancer and Leo: July 19th – 25th

Leo and Virgo: August 19th – 25th

Virgo and Libra: September 19th – 25th

Libra and Scorpio: October 19th – 25th

Scorpio and Sagittarius: November 18th – 24th

Sagittarius and Capricorn: December 18th – 24th

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Different astrologers place different levels of importance on the cusp. Some feel that it has no influence at all on the personality of a person, while others feel that it carries quite a bit of weight and will even look into cusp influences in the natal chart to see other areas where a cusp interaction may affect how a person behaves and thinks and what has the best chance of influencing their life.

Benefits of Being Born on the Cusp

While being born on the cusp can be a challenge at times, many who have a birth date that falls in the six day twilight between signs find that the positives far outweigh the negatives. Often the balancing between the elements of the signs brings a sense of peace especially if they are able to connect with other people who a firmly grounded in their sign. For example, a person who is born on the Leo and Virgo cusp is able to work towards a balance between the fire and water of the two signs. If they can find a friend or partner who is a steady and stalwart earth sign, such as Capricorn or Taurus, they will find themselves able to peacefully move between their two halves without feeling the need to burn out of control in their desire to get attention, nor drowning in their desire to perfect and heal the world around them. The balancing earth sign provides them with a steadying presence.

Understanding Your Personality

As with all things related to astrology, however, being born on the cusp doesn’t control your life, it is simply a way of better understanding certain aspects of your personality. When looking for an astrologer to read your natal or birth chart, asking if they believe that being born on the cusp affects things may be an important question to ask if that information is important to you. An astrologer who does not believe that it affects your reading may have a different opinion on the information in your chart than one who does believe it. It is worth researching and even seeking a second opinion if you feel a reading from either ‘side’ is not as detailed as it could be.