Hamzzi JournalA zodiac sign covers 30 degrees. Some Western astrology traditions divide each sign into three smaller parts called decans, or faces. Three bite-sized pieces.
Each sign has three decans
The first runs from 0° to just before 10°, the second from 10° to just before 20°, and the third from 20° to just before 30°. The three-part count starts again with each new sign.
Try 18° Leo as an example
If a chart lists the Sun at 18° Leo, first find the sign: Leo. Since 18° falls between 10° and 20°, that position is in Leo's second decan. The word “second” identifies a section; it isn't a score.
The extra label is optional
Some astrologers link each decan with a traditional planet or image, and the methods differ. You can begin reading a chart without this extra layer; save it in your cheek pouch for later. A decan alone can't settle anyone's character or future.
A few common questions
Is the second decan a different zodiac sign?
No. It's still part of the original sign. The decan only tells you which ten-degree section within that sign contains the position.
Sources & further reading
These sources explain the traditions and methods covered in this article. They do not establish predictive accuracy.
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Hamzzi Journal