While I documented the dominant planet meanings in several posts, a number of users asked me the meaning of the most important (dominant) sign and if it's the same as if they were born under that sign, with the Sun in such part of the zodiac.

Having a certain dominant sign is not the same as being born under that sign. The power of the signs in a natal chart are calculated by a complex algorithm, which takes into consideration the power of the planets present in the sign, the house or houses occupied by the signs (a house can intercept more than a sign) and the type of aspects.

As an example, if a person's dominant sign is Pisces, can we say that this person has many of the Pisces’ qualities? If the person's dominant planet located in Pisces is the Sun, we might say so, but if for instance Mars dominant and Uranus are the planets located in Pisces, Pisces' values become quite overturned by those partners in crime. Since Mars is not at his best in Pisces, it takes a number of important aspects for Mars to become the most important planet.

However, Mars dominance will get colored by the dominant sign Pisces. Mars is the planet of action, competition, sexuality and fight while Pisces conveys passivity, dreaminess, and sensitivity. How do those buddies combine?

While the Mars dominance still characterizes the person, it will express compatibly with the dominant sign. Rarely will a Mars-Pisces person express their assertiveness directly.

Nonetheless, the drive to command and assert will be there and might manifest compatibly with the sign of Pisces in a passive-aggressive or manipulative way. Or, in a more evolved manner, the person will use the strong Martian qualities to support the less fortunate, thus fulfilling Pisces' compassionate nature, like a spiritual warrior or a warrior for justice.

While the sign of Pisces can't be easily defined as a “warrior,” when combined with a Mars dominant, it absorbs the Martian characteristics by morphing them into its passive and compassionate nature.

To know your dominant sign and how strong your other signs are, go to the Astro Reports page. Calculate your Astrological Birth Qualities report, then click on the box “Planets positions and aspects.” In the section “Signs sorted by importance” you will see your most important signs.

Register to 12andus to learn about your natal chart and your transits with free, in-depth personalized reports.

See also:

What does your dominant planet say about you?

The Sun as the dominant planet: generosity, charisma, confidence

The Moon as the dominant planet: sensitivity, support, imagination

Mercury as the dominant planet: intuition, communication, restlessness and mutability

Venus as the dominant planet: love, harmony and arts

Mars as the dominant planet: action, passion and competition

Jupiter as the dominant planet: expansion, philosophy and generosity

Saturn as the dominant planet: discipline, responsibility, long term planning

Uranus as the dominant planet: freedom, originality and being unconventional

Neptune as the dominant planet: sensitivity, intuition, spirituality

Pluto as the dominant planet: power, sexuality, depth