Zodiac signs · Earth Fixed
Taurus: the complete guide to the fixed earth sign
Taurus about Apr 20 – May 20. Element, modality, ruler, and what Taurus means for every planet in your chart, The grove, worth that grows because it stays put.
By the diosa astrologers · Computed on Swiss Ephemeris · Updated 2026-08-27
Taurus about Apr 20 – May 20. The grove, worth that grows because it stays put. In the wheel of the zodiac, Taurus is the sector where energy turns steady, sensual, resolute, a earth fixed signature ruled by Venus.
The first thing to unlearn: you are not “a Taurus” in the way horoscope columns imply. A sign is a style, not a species. The sun passed through Taurus when you were born (if your birthday falls about Apr 20 – May 20), so your identity wears the style, but every other planet wears its own, and your houses decide where those styles operate. Everyone has all twelve signs in their chart.
The astronomy: what a sign actually is
The zodiac is the sun's annual road: the ecliptic divided into twelve equal 30° sectors, counted from the March equinox point. A “sign” is a season-shaped segment of that road. Western (tropical) astrology anchors the road to the seasons, not the stars, which is why your sun sign tracks the time of year, and why the constellation behind it has drifted (precession) without changing anyone's chart. Both facts are measurable; neither is a matter of opinion.
Receipt, Taurus, computed
On May 2, 2025 at 12:00 UTC, the sun's tropical longitude inside Taurus was Taurus 12°20′ , computed by the diosa engine on Swiss Ephemeris. Mid-season dates avoid the boundary days where the ingress time decides the sign; that precision is exactly what the engine is for.
Element & modality: the grammar
Two axes define every sign's temperament. Taurus is earth, practical, embodied, material, and fixed, it holds and sustains. Multiply the two and you get the signature: Taurus is earth that sustains.
The ruler: who answers when Taurus calls
Taurus is ruled by Venus. In any chart, the condition of the ruler colors how the sign's agenda plays out, strong and well-placed, the style flows; afflicted, it strains. (Traditional rulership is noted where it applies; modern planets co-rule in later traditions. The engine prints which convention a factor used, another receipt.)
Taurus through the planets
- Sun in Taurus: Sun in Taurus means the function expresses in Taurus's style, steady, sensual, resolute.
- Moon in Taurus: Moon in Taurus means the function expresses in Taurus's style, steady, sensual, resolute.
- Mercury in Taurus: Mercury in Taurus means the function expresses in Taurus's style, steady, sensual, resolute.
- Venus in Taurus: Venus in Taurus means the function expresses in Taurus's style, steady, sensual, resolute.
- Mars in Taurus: Mars in Taurus means the function expresses in Taurus's style, steady, sensual, resolute.
The same logic extends to every placement, what (planet) × how (sign) × where (house). The full method is in the birth-chart guide, and the reading order that makes it usable is in how to read your chart.
Taurus in your chart
If the sun was in Taurus when you were born, identity wears this style. If it was the moon, needs do. If it was your ascendant, the world meets this style first, see the rising-sign guide for why that depends so heavily on your exact birth minute. To see which of the twelve styles each of your planets wears, computed, not guessed, cast your chart free.
FAQ
When is Taurus season?
The sun transits Taurus about Apr 20 – May 20 in the tropical zodiac. The exact day shifts by about a day year to year because the solar year isn't a whole number of days, the engine computes the precise ingress every year.
What element and modality is Taurus?
Taurus is a earth fixed sign ruled by Venus. Element describes its temperament; modality describes its mode of operation, fixed signs sustain.
What are Taurus traits, honestly?
At strength: taurus energy reads as steadiness, sensuality, and persistence. Under pressure, the same qualities are the flaw: every sign's shadow is its virtue overextended. Any trait list that doesn't include the shadow is marketing.
How do I know if Taurus is in my chart?
Everyone has Taurus somewhere, the question is which planet(s) sit in it and which house it rules in your layout. Cast your chart and read the positions table; the sign column is the "how" of each planet.