Decans in Astrology: What to Know

Think you got astrology down? Here’s a way to take your astrological knowledge even further.

The birth chart is divided into 12 sections for the 12 zodiac signs. But decans actually divide the zodiac signs into smaller, equal parts. In doing so, it gives you a deeper understanding of your personality and planetary rulers. 

To give us more information, we asked astrologer Lauren Ash to help us identify the decans and what they do. 

Definition

According to Ash, this method isn’t meant to confuse you. “A decan refers to a subdivision of a zodiac sign used to give a richer context to each of the signs’ personalities and traits,” she says. 

Ash explains that every zodiac sign occupies 30 degrees within the zodiac wheel. Decans are 10-degree subdivisions of each sign. So, each zodiac sign will have three different decans. 

In order to locate which decan your signs fall under, you’ll want to start with your birthday. “The first ten days of your sign is the first decan, approximately the second ten days of your sign is the second decan, and approximately the third ten days is the third decan,” says Ash. “For example, if you were born between the 11th and 20th of March, you would be considered a Pisces 3rd Decan.”

In the Zodiac Signs

This section discusses the different decans of the zodiac signs, their planetary rulers, and some important traits to note. Ash gave us some quick-and-easy explanations. 

Aries Decans

Here are the Aries decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by Mars + outspoken, aggressive, impulsive, ambitious, passionate, relentless, and a natural leader
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by sun + sensual, fluid, restless, bold, confident, and a natural optimist
  
• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by Jupiter + independent, freedom-loving, a natural student, interested in learning, bossy, and very lucky

Taurus Decans

Here are the Taurus decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by Venus + lover of aesthetics, a bit materialistic, sociable, charming, and very outspoken
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by Mercury + perfectionistic, detail-oriented, an excellent communicator, group-oriented
  
• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by Saturn + practical, determined, reliable, loyal, and serious about your relationships

Gemini Decans

Here are the Gemini decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by Mercury + a quick thinker, chatty, sociable, flexible, and a bit scatter-brained
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by Venus + expressive, attention-seeking, knowledgeable, opinionated, generous, and goal-oriented

• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by Uranus + out-of-the-box thinker, optimistic, adventurous, conversational, and humanitarian

Cancer Decans

Here are the Cancer decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by the moon + emotional, sensitive, intuitive, good at making decisions, conflict-avoidant, and nurturing
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by Pluto + practical, a bit stubborn, a deep-thinker, sentimental, and a great caretaker

• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by Neptune + creative, imaginative, a daydreamer, loyal in relationships, and a bit forgetful

Leo Decans

Here are the Leo decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by sun + bright, playful, charming, dignified, prideful, and a bit egotistical
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by Jupiter + freedom-loving, rebellious, romantic, scattered, and have a positive outlook on life

• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by Mars + daring, passionate, impulsive, stubborn, opinionated, and kind

Virgo Decans

Here are the Virgo decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by Mercury + detail-oriented, practical, ambitious, and obsessed with self-improvement
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by Saturn + focused, determined, a bit stand-offish, plan everything, materialistic, and a bit of a people-pleaser

• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by Venus + artistic, warm-hearted, mature, generous, loving, shy, and timid

Libra Decans

Here are the Libra decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by Venus + lover of luxury, beauty, you love love, can be jealous, and need to make a statement in life
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by Uranus + fight the status quo, are very original, determined, a unique thinker, and love to stand out from the crowd

• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by Mercury + a social butterfly, fair and balanced, an excellent mediator, a great storyteller, and a bit vain

Scorpio Decans

Here are the Scorpio decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by Pluto + dependable, loyal, extremely committed to people, unlikely to change your mind, and secretly romantic
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by Neptune + selfless, a daydreamer, romantic, impatient, and moody

• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by the moon + intuitive, popular, sensitive, cunning, and driven to succeed

Sagittarius Decans

Here are the Sagittarius decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by Jupiter + optimistic, adventurous, independent, non-committal, and lucky
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by Mars + disciplined, dependable, a bit controlling, humorous, and loyal in friendship

• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by sun + a hopeless romantic, charming, loves new experiences and meeting new people, and known to be impulsive

Capricorn Decans

Here are the Capricorn decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by Saturn + brave, distinguished, glamorous, impatient, and a bit old-fashioned
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by Venus + friendly, agreeable, energetic, enthusiastic, tender-hearted, and prideful

• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by Mercury + inquisitive, thoughtful, mysterious, poised, and vivacious

Aquarius Decans

Here are the Aquarius decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by Uranus + defiant, individualistic, radical, innovative, witty, and a bit eccentric
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by Mercury + chatty, sociable, versatile, restless, spontaneous, and known for your duality

• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by Venus + romantic, affectionate, lively, crave autonomy and known for your good judgment

Pisces Decans

Here are the Pisces decans:

• Decan 1 (0-9 degrees): ruled by Neptune + kind, courteous, creative, imaginative, devoted, and friendly
  
• Decan 2 (10–19 degrees): ruled by moon + independent, genuine, spacey, graceful, reclusive, and unique

• Decan 3 (20-29 degrees): ruled by Pluto + persistent, impressionable, empathetic, a good listener and love a challenge

Compatibility

Not only do decans help you identify more with your personality, they can also help you assess compatibility with a partner. “If you and another person seem as though your placements shouldn’t mix well but they do, there’s a chance the decans of your moon, Venus, and Juno placement are more compatible than you might’ve thought at first,” says Ash. 

“Remember, your decan doesn’t change which sign you identify with or are compatible with on its own. It just gives more insight to your personality and synastry based on your birth chart.”

FAQs

How to find your decans in astrology?

The best way to find out what decans you possess is to get a birth chart reading. 

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