Beyoncé has always demonstrated a strong relationship to astrology. Long before our TikTok feeds were dominated by influencer readings and chart breakdowns, the pop superstar was singing about “Signs” and a “Gift From Virgo” on her debut album, Dangerously in Love. Clearly, this interest has stuck around (who could forget “Virgo’s Groove” from Renaissance?).
So, as an astrology girl from day one, Beyoncé knows the importance of certain facts, such as the time that you were born. And she seemingly knew what she was doing when, earlier this week, she released a brand-new art book tied to her Grammy-winning album Cowboy Carter, which she’ll be supporting with a world tour beginning in Inglewood, CA on April 28.
Filled with gorgeous shots and behind-the-scenes peeks into the making of the LP, one particular page sent the internet into a tizzy, with a scan of Beyoncé’s birth certificate, which revealed her time of birth and, more importantly, the fact that she’s an Aries rising (after years of fans believing that she was a Libra Ascendant).
With this small fact, we’re clued into even more about the superstar than ever before, and there’s some tidbits that even astrology aficionados might have missed. In light of this discover, Harper’s Bazaar turned to Maya AlZaben, a writer, astrologer, and chart reader, to offer up her expertise on this newly-unearthed info. Ahead, see everything she had to say, from what this reveals about Beyoncé’s legacy, her relationship to her children, and more.
Beyoncé’s birth certificate revealed her to be an Aries rising. Can you offer some insight into what exactly this means and how it intersects with her astrological sign as a Virgo?
Maya AlZaben: Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, so people with Aries rising tend to carry a “first place” energy. There’s a natural drive to lead and win—whether that means being the first in their family to graduate, or in Beyoncé’s case, becoming the #1 global icon and (the artist with the most Grammy wins and nominations). Aries placements are leaders not followers. What makes it even more powerful is how her Virgo sun (an earth sign) grounds Aries fire. Fire signs bring the vision and the spark, and earth signs bring the execution and the discipline. Its the best combination to have, in my opinion.
It’s been noted that the planet Mars rules a large part of her chart, which she may have been alluding to in this lyric from her song “Apesh*t”: “I’m a Martian, they wishin’ they equal” (as noted by The Grio). What does it signify when Mars is the ruling planet of your rising sign, as opposed to your sun sign?
MA: When Mars is the ruling planet of your rising sign then your eighth house is also strengthened because besides Aries, Mars is the traditional ruler of Scorpio. The eighth house rules over the power you have over other people, as well as money you receive from them so that is emphasized when you are ruled by Mars. Your rising sign is also the GPS of your chart so it tells you exactly how planets affect you in different areas of your life whereas your sun sign is more basic.
Why have so many fans believed Queen Bey was a Libra rising for so long? Solely based on her personality? What are the most notable ways in which that differs from an Aries rising?
MA: The Libra rising rumor traces back to around 20 years ago, when an astrologer reportedly asked Tina Knowles for Beyoncé’s birth time, and she gave 11 AM—which placed Beyoncé as a Libra rising. On top of that, Beyoncé has a Libra stellium (three or more planets in Libra), so she naturally radiates a lot of Libra energy. Libra is ruled by Venus so it’s easy to see why people assumed she was a Venusian rising. Still, even as an Aries rising, her Venus in Libra forms a tight aspect to her Ascendant (rising sign), which gives her that classic and symmetrical “Libra rising” beauty.
Aries and Libra are sister signs, so their rising charts are complete opposites. For instance, Libra risings often have a Capricorn Imum Coeli, or IC (the fourth house cusp), suggesting they may have grown up in stricter and more disciplined households. Aries risings, on the other hand, typically have a Cancer IC, which reflects a more nurturing, mother-centered home environment—something that tracks with how close Beyoncé is to her mom, Tina. Both of her parents are capricorns (her dad was her manager and both are heavily involved in her career) so Capricorn being on her Midheaven (MC) as opposed to her IC makes that much more sense.
Any takes that you’ve seen that you feel are misguided? Is there anything major that everyone seems to be missing?
MA: One major thing I think people are missing is that this lifetime for Beyoncé feels more centered around her role as a mother both literally and metaphorically than any other identity she holds (as a performer as well). With Mars in her fourth house (the house of home, family, and roots), and considering Mars represents men or boys, the relationship she has with her son, Sir Carter, may be especially karmic or formative for her. It’s less about performance and more about her/their legacy—her children and how she’s raising them—as well as who she is behind the scenes and with them.
Neptune in her eighth house, ruling her 12th, suggests she has deep and intense psychic abilities. Those are two of the most esoteric, hidden houses in astrology. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has assets no one knows about, or if she navigates life with a spiritual radar most people don’t have access to. If you look at the dates that she’s released her albums, it’s pretty obvious that she works with an astrologer—or even does it herself. Many Venus and Midheaven aspects on those days allude to it (specifically Venus/Neptune aspects, or Pluto right on her Midheaven when Lemonade was released.) She’s had both new moon (Renaissance) and full moon (Lemonade) releases.
What key takeaways have you gotten from this new information that might change how we perceive Beyoncé?
MA: One of the biggest takeaways from this “new” chart is how much it deepens our understanding of Beyoncé’s identity not just as a performer, but as a person. She’s a 29° Aries rising (29 is a critical degree in astrology and also the degree of fame), but when we look at her chart using the Placidus system, most of her first house actually falls into Taurus. That matters because Taurus is ruled by Venus—planet of beauty and money—and that energy defines her public persona as a billionaire icon with impeccable taste—Venusian luxury with Martian pride.
Her Scorpio moon at 26° is also tightly conjunct with Uranus in her seventh house, which governs relationships. That tells us she’s a lot more emotionally complex and reactive than she lets on but she’s mastered the art of concealment even as a very, very intense person. She feels more than she ever lets the public see.
And her Aries rising makes even more sense when you consider that her Jupiter, Venus, and Pluto in Libra all square her Capricorn Midheaven—the highest point in her chart, ruling career and legacy. These are big planets with big energy—especially expansion and transformation. Mega-success has always been written for her. Finally, her South Node in the tenth house could even show that she’s done this before. Who knows which star she could’ve been in the past—which celebrity, singer—who passed before she was born. This lifetime is just the latest chapter in a soul that’s always been built for the spotlight.
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
