I know why: the newspaper always used to publish daily horoscopes, which listed the dates for each sign. IIRC it was on the comics page, which I would have been reading from a fairly young age.
I’ve known it forever (I read the comics as a kid so that’s probably why, although I don’t actually remember searching out my horoscope). I have no use for that knowledge, it’s just something I know.
I know mine and I know my brother’s. Always (for not-quite-literal definitions of “always”) have. My wife and two daughters I’d have to look up, as I don’t know the order of all of them, nor do I know when the transition dates between them are. Let’s see, I’m going to guess and look it up … well, I got all three of them wrong – and not even close being off by two signs for one, and three for the other two.
I found out I was born in Virgo, and later on I found out I was “Virgo, on the cusp of Leo.” Apparently, that means on the Leo edge of Virgo, but I don’t know what it’s supposed to mean to be on the cusp of another sign.
The only person I’ve known who had read up on it was a guy who said women cared about astrology, and knowing that stuff helped him get laid.
I’ve looked up my Chinese year dozens of times - at Chinese restaurants, at the yearly lantern festival, online during Chinese New Year - and I can NEVER remember what animal I am! It’s so weird that this information just leaves my brain as fast as it enters.
(Looked it up, I’m a goat. Also a Taurus. Two things with horns, I should be able to remember this…)
Yep, learned about them as kids. Like ouija boards, they had entertainment value in being mysterious. We liked to learn about supposed personality traits for each sign and look for validation, “Oh, yes, she is a typical Virgo!” And then it was fun to find out about which signs were compatible for selecting a mate, “What, he’s a Taurus? UGH! I’m most compatible with Pisces.”
Knowing astrology is probably the fifth most common Jeopardy! thing you need to know, behind British monarchs, American presidents, Greek mythology and potent potables.
Same for me! I forget my Chinese sign the moment I learn it (again!).
But my Western sign I remember: I am a sagitarius. I remember because sagitarius don’t believe in that BS, and I agree, so it must be true. Therefore, I remember.
The newspapers were instrumental too, I reckon. My father used to buy two newspapers, it was fun comparing the two. They did seldom agree. Nor were they very accurate. Of course, the stuff about love and money did not really apply to six/seven/eight year old boys, so they had no chance to be accurate.
I’m a Cancer, and in the Chinese zodiac, I’m a Snake.
I’m sure if there are other forms of zodiac, it will probably be some other insulting term. Which zodiac has acne or fecal matter?
As to whether I’ve always known I was a Cancer, yes. I think it’s because my mom was always curious about those sorts of things. She doesn’t believe in astrology at all, either. It was just a thing she always paid attention to. I think I’ve known since I was a small child.
I think I was a teenager when I learned. I was at a Chinese restaurant, and they had a diagram explaining the signs and the years they correspond to, I think it was on a table decoration.
I know mine, my wife’s, and for some reason my younger brother’s. No idea about anyone else in my family, including my son. He’s on the cusp of two, and I know it’s some royal gobbledygook combo since a few monarchs share his birthday. Or something.