After Amateur Astrologist Jesse’s last post, hopefully you now understand the details of your Sun sign. But, that’s not the only zodiac-related business that influences who you are. Read more to learn about your Moon and Rising signs–they can make all the difference. –Sagittarius Sun, Aquarius Rising, Pisces Moon Editor Sara Habibipour

By Jesse the Amateur Astrologist

Welcome back my celestially binded friends!

In my last post, I explained everyone’s Sun signs and what they mean. If you read the synopsis of your sign and thought, “That sounded kind of like me, but this was off,” don’t dismiss Astrology as a hoax like so many do. Your Moon and Rising signs also play a huge role in your personality. 

So what is a Moon sign?

The moon moves very quickly around the sky. It only takes the moon about a month to travel through all the zodiac signs and spends only about 1 to 2 days in each sign. While your Sun sign can easily be found by the month and day of your birthday, your Moon sign is a bit harder to calculate. Your Moon sign can come down to the day, hour and even minute of your birth and where exactly you were born. 

What does your Moon sign control?

While your Sun sign mainly controls your core personality traits and habits, your Moon sign controls how you feel things emotionally and your inner mood. It is the second most important influence on your sign. Don’t give up on Astrology just yet ‘cause learning your Moon sign might just blow your mind.

But there is also a third key factor as to who you are astrologically, and that factor is called your Rising sign.

So what is a Rising sign?

As previously explained, the Sun spends about 30 days in one sign and the Moon spends about 2 days in one sign. The Rising sign, also known as your Ascendant, is what sign is on the horizon at the exact time of your birth. Again, another reason that the exact time and place of your birth is extremely important in knowing your exact zodiac chart is because as the Sun and Moon are ever changing, so is your Rising sign.

So what does your Rising sign control?

Your Sun sign controls your core default personality, your Moon sign controls your inner emotional self, and your Rising sign controls your outward self and how people perceive you at first glance. It is how you present yourself as a person. Although not always as accurate compared to how you think people perceive you, ask a person what’s their first impression of you and compare their description to your Rising sign. See any similarities? Yea, I thought so. 

I promised my readers something special last time, and here it is! If you email me the date, time and place of your birth, I will calculate your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs for you. Below will be summaries to come back and compare your results to. So, if you are interested in getting to know who you are through your Big 3 Signs, my email is jdenyer@student.pvs.org. I’m excited to help you all learn more about yourselves! 

Aries Moon and Rising: 

Moon Sign

Emotionally, Aries Moons can be quick to anger but also quick to cool. They surprisingly don’t hold grudges; although they forgive, they don’t necessarily forget. Sadness, as an emotion, is something Aries Moons will rarely let escape the confines of their mind. However, in private, it can be expressed through a need for solitude and alone time to process. Once processed, Aries Moons are back to their happy-go-lucky, positive selves.

Rising Sign

If you are an Aries Rising, chances are you come across to people as bold, confident, and opinionated. Depending on who is on the receiving end of your Aries Rising, people can see you as a bit obnoxious and over the top. You are seen as being fiercely competitive, sometimes to a fault. You are very instinctual and tend to leap before you look and usually don’t ask for permission. You are either the leader of the tribe or lead other parts of your life.

Taurus Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Though extremely hard-headed, Taurus Moons are known to be quite sensitive and loving by nature. They love very deeply and strongly and expect the same love back. This can make them be very possessive and controlling over the people they care for most. If they feel disrespected or betrayed in any way they are known to deeply repress the emotions and let them sort themselves out in the mind over time. They are not quick to act out of anger, however they are known to be passive-aggressive. They thrive off of security and comfort and emotionally seek that in partners.

Rising Sign

Taurus Risings are interesting. It’s like flipping a coin on how they will present themselves in certain situations. They can present themselves as being stern and confident. They can seem intimidating and even unapproachable. However, they also have a softer side that can present a loving and caring personality. They can be misinterpreted as being materialistic; however, they are actually just lovers of the material world and finer things. 

Gemini Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Gemini Moons are known to get bored very easily whether it be with people or with their life in general. Problems that arise for them are dealt with by putting on their rose tinted glasses and they tend to just ignore their emotions until they become a huge issue that can no longer be ignored. This habit can usually lead them to trouble. Geminis are lovers but have a hard time showing it; however, they do feel the love very deeply. This again can lead them into troubled relationships. They are not very trusting of people and are extremely wary of others. However, they love to have fun, and, when they are happy, they are very outwardly happy and extroverted. 

Rising Sign

Gemini Risings are very outgoing and friendly. They come across very welcoming and approachable and make friends easily this way. They seem extremely creative and love to live life to the fullest. However, they can seem very scatter-brained and unfocused. You can always usually find a good and welcoming friend in a Gemini Rising.

Cancer Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Cancer is ruled by the Moon, making them one of the most emotional signs. Due to the Moon’s constant and rapid changing, Cancer’s feelings tend to be all over the place, giving them the reputation for being somewhat moody. They feel very deeply in every way and relationships mean alot to them. Because they are so emotional and are easily hurt, they tend to also have a hard outer shell to protect those emotions. You will only get so many second chances from a Cancer Moon before you are lower than dirt in their eyes, so be careful how you treat one.

Rising Sign

Cancer Risings are extremely caring, warm, and nurturing individuals. They are usually the mom of the friend group. They love everyone until you spite them. You know the grudge will be never ending if you have wronged a Cancer Rising. They like things exactly how they want them and will stop at no cost and let no person get in their way to accomplish this. 

Leo Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Being the kings and queens of extroversion, Leo Moons hardly feel the darker emotions. They are fierce leaders and love to keep their place at the top of the pyramid at all times. During times where Leo Moons feel those darker emotions, their knee-jerk reaction is to use over confidence and borderline conceitedness to boost their ego back up to its regular height. Overall, Leos are extremely positive and happy people who enjoy being the center of attention and life of the party.

Rising Sign

If a Leo Rising walks in the room, I guarantee you will know. With their vibrant style and flair Leo Risings are truly captivating. They love being the center of attention and will stop at nothing to achieve that status. They are very loyal friends and will do anything to help someone. Fierce lovers and extreme extroverts, Leo Risings will capture the attention of everyone around them and have a reputation for being “the loud ones.”

Virgo Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Virgos are highly intellectual beings and have little time for outward emotion. However, internally, they spend a lot of time over analysing situations and little things which can drive them a bit crazy and distract from things that are important. They tend to be very critical of themselves and picky. However they are emotionally the strongest when striving to better themselves.

Rising Sign

At first glance, Virgos come across as very organized, level headed, intelligent, and friendly. They are likely the person you would go to in a crisis moment, as they always seem to know exactly what to do. They have a deep rooted connection to Earth and much like it they are constantly evolving, never staying in the same rut for too long. 

Libra Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Libras spend an enormous amount of time trying to keep their life and the people around themselves as harmonious and balanced as possible. They will likely put others’ wants and needs before themselves believing it will bring them balance, however it is just as important that they get what they want and need, as in the long run depriving themselves will only lead to unbalance and unhappiness. They then tend to become a bit bitter and snarky with others as Libra Moons feel that the other person got to be happy and now they don’t. It is best that Libra moons focus on themselves just as much as others to achieve their necessity for balance. 

Rising Sign

Libra rising will always put up a positive front around people no matter what is going on below the surface. This comes from their want and need for everyone to be happy. Libra Risings are extremely pleasant and loving and will do anything for you. They can be extremely indecisive and will tend to put others’ needs before themselves. They are extremely social and always like to be in the know. 

Scorpio Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Scorpio Moons feel emotions very deeply and tend to hide them very easily. Their emotions are extremely volatile and Scorpio Moons can change their opinions on a dime. When they are feeling dark emotions they tend to go quiet and into themselves which can make people suspicious of them. They have a tone of fire and will argue with anyone about something they are passionate about. 

Rising Sign

Scorpio Risings tend to be very mysterious, quiet, and aloof at first glance. They always seem to be thinking which can sometimes scare people and make them suspicious. They are watchers and love to gather information. It might be hard to make friends with a Scorpio Rising at first because they are very guarded, but once you make friends with them, they will be loyal ‘til the end. 

Sagittarius Moon and Rising :

Moon Sign

Sagittarius Moons are very good at concealing feelings. However, they are quite emotionally in touch with themselves. They are very balanced and tend to deal with their emotions quickly and directly, which is why they hardly ever make their way above the surface. They tend to not keep secrets very well because they hate the emotional burden of it and, in spilling a secret, will usually create more turmoil for themselves.

Rising Sign

Sagittarius Risings are known for their energetic and super friendly nature. They are easy to make friends with and love to go on adventures and explore the world. They love to learn about new things and find the truth to every story. They are almost always positive and friendly and are very easy to get along with. They are very outspoken and extroverted, usually making them the center of a friend group.

Capricorn Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Capricorn Moons are known for being creatures of solitude. They are very comfortable in their own company and require lots of alone time. People can easily be too much for a Capricorn, and after a day of being in a social situation, they are known to retreat back into their comfort zone in solitude. However, it is important that they not spend too much time in solitude, as they are likely to get sucked into a depressive state.

Rising Sign

Capricorn Risings are very mellow creatures who crave alone time. They can seem very shy and quiet and they are extremely focused on their own personal goals and greatness. They hold themselves and others to a very high standard and are constantly striving to achieve their new personal goals. Though not the most social butterflies, Capricorn Risings still make great friends and are very easy to talk to. Just don’t expect them to get too worked up over your drama. 

Aquarius Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Aquarius Moons are known for seeming quite aloof and hiding their feelings. To them, showing emotion is a sign of weakness, and they would prefer to uphold their reputation of being sturdy individuals. They tend to deal with their feelings more in private. That is unless that feeling is anger, in which case, Aquarius Moons tend to have a spiteful tongue; if you are the source of that anger, I would look out.

Rising Sign

Aquarius Risings tend to march at the beat of their own drum. It is hard to tell an Aquarius Rising what to do, and they tend to be very individualistic and not a team player. They tend to be very concerned with themselves. However, they do make great friends as they are extremely loyal. If you ever give them a reason to distrust you, just know that they won’t cut you loose. but you will never be trusted again and grudges will be held until they die.

Pisces Moon and Rising:

Moon

Pisces are extremely in touch with their emotions and are not afraid to show it. They have extreme empathy and compassion for those around them and they are known to cry over silly things and seem very hyper emotional. They are extremely caring of others and love doing things for other people just out of the kindness of their heart. Sometimes they get a bad rep for being too sensitive.

Rising

Pisces Risings tend to come off very carefree and friendly. They are very caring and empathetic towards others. Due to this, it is extremely important that Pisces pick friends who understand their good intentions and wont walk all over them or take advantage of them. A Pisces Rising will help anyone in a bind. They are very mellow and easy going, and tend to let others make the plans. They are also known for having a goofy sense of humor that charms many. 

I hope you can now have a much better understanding of who you are and what your Big 3 Signs mean. After all, it was all written in the stars! This will be my last blog post of the year, but have no fear, I will be back in full force as soon as next school year starts and have many exciting plans in store. 

Have a lovely Gemini, Cancer, and Leo season everyone!

Love,

Jesse, your Aries Sun, Taurus Rising, Pisces Moon, Ameteur Astrologist

Sagittarius Sun, Aquarius Rising, Pisces Moon Editor: Sara Habibipour

Blogger Hannah has some serious pride for her new school mascot, the banana slug. She dives into the scientific background of the species, even includes some fun facts.–Editor Elizabeth

by Hannah Hall, Nature Correspondent

This upcoming fall, I will be attending the University of California at Santa Cruz. And, you may be wondering why that is relevant. Well, our mascot is “yellow and slimy.” Our mascot is the Banana Slug!

The banana slug is a gastropod invertebrate (mucus secreting, spineless creature) that can usually be found in yellow, which is where they get their “banana” name from. They can also be seen in shades of brown, white and green—sometimes a speckled combination of multiple colors! Banana slugs can be found all over the Pacific Northwest from some areas in Alaska, all the way to Central California. They are native in forest habitats, and flourish in the moisture. In fact, their slime is based off of the moisture surrounding them. Their slime is actually crystallized. When the substance comes in contact with moisture it can absorb up to 100 times its size, which is what we then recognize as goopy slime. Their slime serves a few purposes. Firstly, it is protective. When predators try to eat the slug, the slime actually numbs their tongue, which can lend to their escape from the jaws of death. Secondly, it acts as a skin barrier. Their slime is practically moisture retaining lotion that prevents their skin from becoming dehydrated. Thirdly, it helps with moving. Yes, it helps with inching around—at their top speed of only 6.5 inches per-minute—but it also helps with the moving of their food. Oftentimes banana slugs will use their slime to push debris on them to their tail, so they can turn around and eat it off of themselves. And, speaking of food, they are pretty much nature’s compost bin. They are known as vegetarian decomposers that feed off of animal droppings and dying/dead plants such as fruit, moss, and mushrooms. Their waste then serves as nitrogen-rich fertilizer which is good for the forest floor. 

You may be wondering how banana slugs reproduce. Banana slugs are in fact hermaphrodites, “which means they possess both male and female sex organs simultaneously” (NatGeo). This also means that as much as they have the opportunity to mate with others—“courting,” they can also mate with themselves. Although when they do mate with others, sometimes they have trouble….detaching….for lack of better terms. The University of Puget Sound states, “if they are unable to [detach,] one or both will finally start chewing and bite off the [sex] organ of the other slug. This behavior is called apophallation and seems unique to slugs.”

Summing up the basic facts about my new beloved mascot, hopefully you find the species as interesting as I do. #GoSlugs

Editor-in-Chief: Elizabeth Shay

Sources:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/banana-slug

https://www.nilesbio.com/prod342.html

Banana Slug Fact Sheet

https://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/exhibits/terrestrial-panel/banana-slug/