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If you’re invested in all things astrology, you may feel like you're always running into Geminis or swiping right on Scorpios, but somehow, you've never met a Capricorn. While these constant connections may be due to zodiac compatibility (you just ~vibe~ with certain signs more than others), when you take a sec to consider your celestial circle of friends, you might naturally start to wonder: What is the rarest zodiac sign?
Well, statistically, a few signs tend to compete for the titles of rarest and most common, due to several factors.
For one thing, "these will shift from year to year as birth rates are impacted by many things, including the pandemic," says Lauren Ash, a resident astrologer for Sanctuary Astrology. Other factors, such as the weather and holidays, also play a role in when people decide to conceive, impacting the most and least common birth months.
Ready to learn about the rarest and most common zodiac signs? Ahead, astrologers share the facts.
What is the rarest zodiac sign?
Drumroll, please... Aquarius is the rarest of them all. Water-bearer babies tend to be few and far between because February is the least common birth month, according to the CDC. Additionally, the overlap period between January and February is the shortest astrologically, says Ash.
What are the traits of the rarest zodiac sign?
Aquarians are known as the rebels of astrology. "Co-ruled by Saturn, the planet of karma, discipline, and structure, as well as Uranus, the rebellious change-maker, Aquarians are known to challenge the status quo," says Ash. They're often progressive and independent humanitarians who don't shy away from questioning authority to create a fair environment, she adds.
Aquarians may also value friendships more than their romantic relationships since they don't like to be emotionally weighed down, says Constance Stellas, a New-York based astrologer and the author of Advanced Astrology for Life.
Which signs are most compatible with Aquarius?
Aquarians are picky when choosing potential partners, but fellow air signs, such as Libra and Gemini, as well as fire signs Aries and Sagittarius can each make for a strong pairing. This is mainly because Aquarius takes a liking to those who are interesting, curious, and similarly rebellious, with the ability to push them out of their comfort zone.
Aquarius also has a strong connection with Leo—its opposing sign on the zodiac wheel—showing that opposites do attract. "If these two characters can figure out how to communicate their feelings and work on seeing things from the other's point of view, the chemistry between Aquarius and Leo can be a once-in-a-lifetime match," says Ash.
What is the most common zodiac sign?
It is believed that the most common zodiac sign falls somewhere between Leo and Virgo. Virgos are conceived during Sagittarius season, so it makes astrological sense that they would be the most common sign, considering that Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, "a planet that relates a lot to extending the family," says Narayana Montúfar, a professional astrologer and author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power. Plus, "people are more relaxed during Sagittarius season," which could mean more participation in a certain relaxing activity (read: sex).
But in recent years, the highest number of births have occurred between July and August, according to demographer Brady Hamilton with the National Center for Health Statistics, per Live Science. Because the birth date range for Leos spans from July 23 to about August 22, this may be the most common sign.
What is the second rarest zodiac sign?
Coming in second place for the rarest sign is none other than Aries, Montúfar says. Aries would be conceived during Cancer season, a time when people tend to "feel a bit closed off and prefer to stick to what's familiar, not taking too many risks," she explains. "Cancer energy is self-protective and it's known for bringing a shy energy to the table." So, it wouldn't come as a surprise if that translated into fewer people having sex during this time.
The third rarest sign is Sagittarius, Montufar says, a zodiac that would be conceived around Pisces season.
What about Ophiuchus?
You know how the current 12 zodiac signs are based on constellations? Well, a few years ago, NASA reportedly made small changes to the constellation map due to the Ophiuchus Galaxy Cluster, leading many people to think there is a 13th zodiac sign. The sign, Ophiuchus, would fall between Scorpio and Sagittarius, from November 30th to December 18th. However, this sign isn’t recognized by professional astrologers.
"Ophiuchus is not part of the zodiac the way that it was created thousands of years ago," Montúfar says. Essentially, it's a constellation, but not a zodiac sign, Ash adds. "This change marks a shift in the constellations themselves, but not any of the established zodiac dates, signs, or associated traits," she says.
While the dates of the Ophiuchus sign are known, experts haven't determined what kind of personality traits are associated with people falling under this sign. So, if you're worried that you've been aligned with the wrong zodiac sign, you can rest easy knowing you're right where you're supposed to be.
Meet the Experts: Lauren Ash is a resident astrologer for Sanctuary Astrology. Constance Stellas is a New-York based astrologer with over 20 years of experience and the author of Advanced Astrology for Life. Narayana Montúfar is a professional astrologer and author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power.
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