

There is a lot of debate on whether cusp signs truly exist in Astrology and what that means for individuals born on a cusp. You’ve probably heard someone say they are a Libra-Scorpio Cusp rather than saying they are a Libra. Or heard someone say they don’t resonate with the typical characteristics of their zodiac sign, but they do with the sign next to theirs. Cusp signs come into play when you are born within the last or the first few days of a particular sign’s dates. They signify someone who can be either one sign or the other, and there is a fluidness about which sign they claim. So what is the truth? Can you truly be two signs at once?
Are Cusp Signs Real? What Cusp Signs Actually Mean
Well, technically speaking, no, cusp signs do not exist. This is because Astrology works in degrees, and the degree in which the sun was at the time you were born is either in one sign or the other. There is no “Libra-Scorpio degree” or a separate zodiac sign for people who are born on the cusp. However, it is also evident that individuals who are born within this cusp-frame do indeed have personality traits of their bordering sign and often have a different experience than those with the sun sign they are do. This is called the Cusp-Sign Theory, which debates the validity of being two signs at once.
When you break down the personality of those who fall under ‘cusp signs,’ you can see there is definitely a different energy they bring forth, often a combination of the two signs they are on the cusp on.
The best thing about Astrology is that it’s all about what works and resonates with you. If you were born on the last day of Scorpio Season, yet you strongly identify with Sagittarius traits, then maybe look into your entire birth chart to see where this might be coming from. You may be tapping into your Mercury or Venus sign, which is never too far off from your sun sign as well. So, technically, there are no cusp signs in Astrology, but there are different personality traits that people carry when they are on the border of another sign however, and there is no denying that.
Therefore, it’s important to look into what those traits are, and what type of characteristics you resonate with and can learn more about in yourself. There is no right or wrong here, and below, we will talk about what it means to be born on such a date.
Cusp Signs Dates
1.ARIES-TAURUS CUSP (Apr. 16-22): The Cusp of Power
Individuals born within the Aries/Taurus degrees have an air of power to them. They are headstrong, willful, and, yes, stubborn. These are the type of Aries that are also a little more grounded than the typical fire sign and may also have more of a need for stability, being less impulsive than the Ram is. Those born on the last few days of Aries Season also typically carry more of the Taurean's physical traits as well. The Tauruses born on this date are more fiery and passionate than their fellow earth signs.
2.TAURUS-GEMINI CUSP (May 17-23): The Cusp of Energy
Tauruses who are close to the Gemini degree are typically more outgoing and social than most Taurus are. These are people who are more inclined to communicate and are gifted with their charming self-expression. The Cusp of Energy resonates with the fact that these individuals work at their own speed and own timeline, using their Taurus head-strong traits with their Gemini traits or curiosity.
3.GEMINI-CANCER CUSP (Jun. 17-23): The Cusp of Magic
The Cusp of Magic explains the Gemini-Cancer combination that can sometimes be apparent in individuals. These are the alchemists in Astrology, people who know how to work with the different resources available to them to create something magical. These are also more emotional Geminis than this typical Mercurial sign, and they align with the head and the heart. The Cancers born within these dates are more self-expressive than the typical Crab and come out of their shell more often as well.
4.CANCER-LEO CUSP (Jul. 19-25): The Cusp of Oscillation
The Cancer-Leo Cusp can feel a little more challenging to the individuals who are born within these dates because Cancer and Leo energy is drastically different. These individuals can feel all over the place at times, but these are also Cancers who are more confident and self-empowered. Those who are the Leos in this time frame tend to be more emotional as well. Mood swings can be more likely with this combo, and they strive to maintain balance in life.
5.LEO-VIRGO CUSP (Aug. 19-25): The Cusp of Exposure
The Leo-Virgo Cusp is one of light and energy. These are the powerhouses who stand by their word and who know how to show up. Leos born on these dates get the best of both worlds to where they still have the regal flair of a Leo but with the intelligence of a Virgo. There is no denying that Virgos, born in August, and Virgos, born in September, have a different vibe. August Virgos tends to be more outgoing with a luxurious flair, and these cusps tend to have a lot going for them in life.
6.VIRGO-LIBRA CUSP (Sep. 19-25): The Cusp of Beauty
The Virgo-Libra Cusp is the Cusp of Beauty. These individuals are physically beautiful and exude this type of feminine energy as well. Virgos born within these dates tend to overthink less and can be more open-minded on matters thanks to Libra’s laissez-faire attitude seeping in. Libras born within this cusp don’t differ too much from their charming Libra qualities but do typically have a stronger gift and need for organization than most Libras do.
7.LIBRA-SCORPIO CUSP (Oct. 19-25): The Cusp of Drama
The Cusp of Drama explains the Libra-Scorpio Cusp, and that’s because these are two very different signs, and when they come together, there can be somewhat of a clash. Libra loves, and Scorpio feels, so there are a lot of emotions within these individuals, and a lot is going on internally with them. This cusp seems to have a more dramatic life than most, and they always keep things interesting.
8.SCORPIO-SAGITTARIUS CUSP (Nov. 18-24): The Cusp of Revolution
The Scorpio/Sagittarius combo brings forth great power. With two transformative signs mingling, these are individuals who make great strides in life and who can do great things in this world. With Scorpio's determination and Sagittarius’ larger-than-life mindset, these are people who walk into a room and are instantly noticed. Their energy is very strong, and they go through many transformations in life.
9.SAGITTARIUS-CAPRICORN CUSP (Dec. 18-24): The Cusp of Prophecy
The Sagittarius-Capricorn Cusp tends to be common in teachers, philosophers, or guides. These are people who have learned many life lessons and also learned the importance of sharing their wisdom with others. The Sagittariuses born within these dates are a little less impulsive than most Sagittariuses. The Capricorns born within this timeframe are more intrigued with the spiritual side of life than the typical serious Capricorn is.
10.CAPRICORN-AQUARIUS CUSP (Jan. 16-23): The Cusp of Mystery
The Capricorn-Aquarius Cusp doesn’t differentiate too much from their typical sun sign traits because these signs are both ruled by the same planet, Saturn. These are hard-working and intelligent people who also tend to have a gift with money, time, and creating new systems. There is an air of mystery to these individuals as well, and they often surprise people with their interests, talents, and tastes.
11.AQUARIUS-PISCES CUSP (Feb. 15-21): The Cusp of Sensitivity
The Aquarius-Pisces Cusp is one of the more common ones, and these individuals often align strongly with their Piscean traits. Being on the border of an air sign and a water sign brings a heightened sensitivity and an awareness of the world around them. Aquarius is aligned with the collective consciousness, and Pisces is the compassion that heals the collective. These are people who typically make great friends and confidants and who you want in your circle.
12.PISCES-ARIES CUSP (Mar. 17-23): The Cusp of Rebirth
The Cusp of Rebirth signifies the Pisces-Aries Cusp and that is because Pisces is the last sign on the zodiac wheel, and Aries is the first. There is a transformative energy in the middle of these two signs, and their traits often differ drastically. However, the Pisces born on this cusp have an additional flair and charisma to them, and the Aries born on this cusp are more connected to their emotions than most Aries. People born within these dates are often changing, and moving through culminations and new beginnings in life.
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Tayler Barakat is a Mystic who has studied Astrology for over a decade. She does intuitive astrology and tarot readings for people all over the world, and her work focuses on healing and empowering individuals. Follow her on Instagram @taylerbarakat_ and check out her website www.listentothevirgo.com.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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I’ve gotta say that, for the most part, my friends are pretty damn chill. There is one (major) exception, though — and it’s an odd one. Even after all these years and countless times of me giving them the same answer, if there is a time when they think they are my mama, it’s when they see an email come through at an odd hour of the night. Then, all of a sudden, here they come asking me when do I get sleep if I’m emailing at (say) three in the morning.
Again, the answer never changes because, if there is one thing that Shellie Reneé Warren is gonna get, it’s 6-8 (sometimes nine) hours of sleep. However, since my chronotype (check out “Ever Wonder What Personality Traits Make Someone A 'Morning Person'?”) means that I like/prefer to write in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes I will sleep for the night for five hours and take a nap in the day. And y’all, that is just fine with me because I am well aware of the fact that napping does everything from give me more energy, heighten my alertness and even make me more creative to decrease stress levels, strengthen immunity, and reduce my chances of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
My problem is I will oftentimes go “overboard” with my daytime zzz’s. What I mean by that is, in order to get the most out of a nap, they say thatyou shouldn’t sleep for longer than 25 minutes or so; otherwise, you could wake up feeling sluggish (I don’t but…). Also, it can make resting, soundly, at night a bit of a struggle.
So, what are you saying, Shellie? We should get quickies in? Yeah. And it’s funny that the word “quickie” would come up because just like a sex quickie can do wonders for you (and it can — check out “12 Super Solid Reasons To Have A Quickie Every Single Day”), it’s a full-circle moment when I say that something that can improve the quality of your sex life is to have a power nap (a nap that lasts between 10-30 minutes).
Wanna know how the two things correlate? Honestly, it’s no secret that sleep and sex work together to optimize both (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”). Today, though, we’re going to tap into how a nap, specifically, can have you partaking in some of the best sex that you’ve experienced in a minute. I’ll explain.
Naps Reduce Stress
If you’re feeling super stressed out right now, you are not alone. There is plenty of data out here that says that most of us are stressed for at least a couple of reasons at a time — and that can impact your sexual health on a few levels. For one thing, it can bring about feelings of depression and/or anxiety. Stress can also throw your hormone levels off (including your cycle) which can weaken your libido. Stress can make you want to put distance between you and your partner (yes, literally).
Stress can also make it challenging to get aroused or to have an orgasm. And just what can help to decrease stress? Taking a nap. Since sleep has a way of helping you to “get off of the clock” and relax a bit, that can lower your stress levels and “reset” your body so that you are calmer — and that, in turn, can do wonders for your sex drive and ultimately your sex life.
Naps Improve Your Mood
There is one person in my life, and fairly 80 percent of the time, she’s in a super good mood. Oh, but let that girl go without sleep, and…who is this woman? LOL. There’s research behind why this happens. When a person is sleep-deprived, it messes with their brain chemicals, and that can amplify emotions like anger, restlessness and sadness. In fact, one study revealed that people who had their sleep disrupted throughout the night, they ended up having their positive outlook on life reduced by about 30 percent.
And geeze, who wants to have sex when they’re not feeling very good? Anyway, since serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate your moods, your sleep patterns, and your libido and sleep is what helps to keep it in balance — by taking a nap, not only can it help you to feel better, it can also increase your desire for sex (it can also build up your endurance which is also…sexually beneficial).
Naps Increase Your Focus and Concentration
Something that some of my clients bring up is how, when it comes to having sex, sometimes the flesh is willing while the spirit is weak because, although the desire for intimacy is there, so much is going on that they aren’t able to get still enough to focus on experiencing copulation with their partner. This also tracks because, when you don’t have enough rest, your brain finds itself not working in harmony and that can make it hard to do everything from approaching life with a sense of flexibility to making necessary decisions.
Certain data also reveal that a lack of rest can cause you to have a really poor attention span and not process things in context (the more you know). So, if you really want to get some yet it’s hard for you to focus long enough to make it happen, ask your bae to lie down with you and take a nap. Between the sleep and the snuggling (check out “Fall's Coming: 8 Wonderful Health Benefits Of Cuddling”) — you may wake up with your mind and body totally on the same page. #wink
Naps Can Make You Feel Better About Your Body
Even if, overall, you feel really good about your body, I think that we all have moments when we feel less attractive than others — and who wants to have sex when they don’t really feel…very sexy? Well, something else that sleep, in general, can do is increase your confidence in your body.
For one thing, if you want to lose a few pounds, sleep can actually make that happen by helping your body metabolize the glucose (sugar) that’s in it so that you can better manage your appetite. Other studies go on to share that since sleep deprivation can impact one’s mental health and emotional stability in a negative way, of course, getting enough rest would increase body positivity.
Shoot, science even goes so far as to say that insomnia can cause people to have an elevated level of dissatisfaction when it comes to their body image. Don’t take their word for it, though. Look in the mirror before a nap. Then look in a mirror after waking up from me. Do you feel better? I’d be surprised if you don’t.
Makes Your Brain Bigger…Which Could Make Your Orgasms Better
I saved the best for last by design. Now if you’re wondering how in the world a nap can improve (and possibly increase) your orgasms — oh, there is a method to the madness…trust. For starters, the saying that your biggest sex organ is your brain? That isn’t a myth. Long story less long, the brain is what houses your central nervous system and that is what controls how men and women sexually function (yes, literally).
And since the brain also releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin during sex and brain activity significantly increases in women during sexual activity (especially right before she orgasms) — well, would it trip you out to know that when you take a nap, your brain actually expands? A bigger brain (that’s healthy) can potentially intensify your sexual experiences (and your climaxes) — and who doesn’t want that to go down?
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Like I said earlier, I never have to be convinced to get a nap in. However, if your sex life has been a bit stagnant lately, you’ve been feeling a little sluggish and you’re not sure what to do — I’m hoping that a nap can get you right.
There’s enough science to prove that it can. All you need to do is give it a shot.
Now where’s your pillow and sleep mask, chile?
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