The Astrology of Aria Montgomery
In Pretty Little Liars, we are introduced to Aria Montgomery, one of the four main protagonists in a world filled with secrets, lies, and dangerous truths. Aria stands out for her artistic soul, deep sense of individuality, and complex relationships, making her one of the most intriguing characters in the series. Originally adapted from Sara Shepard’s book series of the same name, the Pretty Little Liars TV show took many creative liberties, often straying from the source material in major ways. While both versions of Aria share key traits — her love for literature, passion for the arts, and rebellious streak — the way her story unfolds in the books versus the show highlights just how different these two interpretations can be.
In the books, we are told that Aria was born in April 1990, though no exact date is given. In the show, however, her birthday is shown as July 22, 1994. Today, I’ll break down this date of birth astrologically and also explore what I think her placements might be like — because, naturally, authors and show writers aren’t factoring in what their characters’ birth charts would look like. I’ll also take a look at the actress’s birth chart and see how her placements might influence Aria’s expressions and mannerisms on screen.
Aria’s Birth Chart from the Show
Since we don’t have a birth time, we can only work with what we do know. Aria was born on the last day of Cancer season, meaning her Sun could be in either Cancer or Leo. However, there was also a Full Moon in Capricorn on this day, which already speaks volumes about her character. She’s deeply emotional, carries heavy feelings with her, and often seems weighed down by the emotional burdens in her life. A Capricorn Moon in detriment makes perfect sense given her family struggles, particularly her father’s infidelity and the power dynamics between her and her mother. All of this points to her being a Cancer Sun rather than a Leo — she leads with emotion, often makes choices based on how she feels in the moment, and has a natural sensitivity to the world around her.
Capricorn Moons are also known for gravitating toward older partners for emotional security, which Aria does repeatedly in the show. She seeks out wisdom and validation from people with more life experience, and at times, this even creates distance between her and her friends. She has a habit of emotionally separating herself from the group, acting as if no one else could possibly understand what she’s going through — even when they absolutely could. This kind of self-focused emotional approach is classic for a Saturn ruled Moon.
Adding to this, she has Uranus and Neptune conjunct her Moon, which screams emotional instability and unpredictability. This explains why Aria has moments where she emotionally snaps — it’s like her Full Moon in Capricorn, already struggling under Saturn’s weight, just can’t hold everything in anymore. The unpredictability of Uranus and the disillusioning nature of Neptune make it hard for her to maintain emotional stability, and it shows in the way she reacts to the chaos around her.
Then there’s her Saturn in Pisces retrograde opposing her fallen Venus in Virgo, which is also conjunct Chiron. This placement is almost laughably accurate for her character. Saturn x Venus contacts often indicate a pattern of dating older people, and for Aria, that’s the defining theme of her love life. Her relationships are full of secrecy, tension, and complications, which makes sense on the Virgo x Pisces axis — Virgo wants to analyze and make sense of things, while Pisces dissolves boundaries and leans into the fantasy. The Chiron conjunction makes it even messier, showing that these relationships bring pain, insecurity, and deep emotional wounds for her.
A fallen Venus in Virgo also explains her incredible fashion sense. Something I’ve noticed over time is that Venus in detriment or fall produces some of the most stylish and innovative people. They don’t follow trends; they set them. For Aria, with Chiron involved and Saturn opposing, fashion might not have been interested in standing out — it was likely more about self expression and emotional comfort. Being ahead of her time was just a side effect!
And then we get to her Mars in Gemini. Phew. This placement is all over her character. Has there ever been a moment where Aria wasn’t using words as weapons? Mars in Gemini is quick witted, sharp tongued, and always ready with a verbal comeback. Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo, and her Mercury is in Cancer — ruled by her Capricorn Moon. She knows exactly how to hit where it hurts, using people’s secrets against them or delivering the kind of emotionally charged insults that cut deep. This Mars placement also fuels her creativity and writing, giving her an outlet for all that emotional intensity.
Lastly, her Pluto and North Node are conjunct in Scorpio. Of course she has this. Her entire life path is full of secrets, mysteries, stalkers, and major transformations. All of the Liars would likely have this placement, but Aria, in particular, seems drawn to intensity and darkness — or maybe it just always finds her. This conjunction being ruled by her Mars in Gemini reinforces why writing is such a perfect outlet for her. With this much heaviness in her life, she needs somewhere to channel it.
Also, a fun connection: Lucy Hale, the actress who plays Aria, has a Scorpio Moon. She definitely tapped into that Scorpio energy when bringing Aria to life!
What I think Aria's Birth Chart would Look Like
Funny enough, I wouldn’t change much about Aria’s birth chart. I think the birthday they gave her in the show was brilliant, whether they intended for it to match her character so well or not! This happens sometimes, and I always like to think of it as some weird twist of fate. So, that leaves us with the question: what could her rising sign be?
After considering her personality and how she presents herself, I’d say Aria is a Libra rising. Here’s why:
Libra risings are often known for their sense of style and charm, and Aria is the epitome of both. Her fashion sense is impeccable, and she’s always ahead of the curve, even in her teen years. This matches perfectly with Libra’s affinity for beauty and balance. Aria’s ability to express herself through fashion, especially in a way that feels deeply personal, points to a strong Venus influence. She isn’t just following trends — she’s setting them, subtly and confidently. On top of that, Libra risings typically have an approachable, almost magnetic presence. While Aria can definitely be emotionally distant or closed off at times, she also knows how to charm those around her. It’s that social grace, combined with her ability to keep deeper emotional layers hidden, that makes her compelling to others. Her Libra rising would give her that external layer of sweetness and ease, even if there’s an intense emotional world brewing underneath. Libra’s influence also ties in with Aria’s relationships. Libra is the sign of partnerships, and much of Aria’s storyline revolves around her often complicated relationships with others, particularly with older men. This inclination toward emotional dynamics and romantic tension aligns perfectly with Libra’s relationship driven mindset, even if it’s not always in her best interest. Plus, a Libra Ascendant positions Aria’s Virgo Venus in the 12th house (the house of secrets). This speaks to the hidden, sometimes clandestine nature of these relationships — whether it’s her father’s infidelity or her own unhealthy, secretive romantic entanglements. Aria’s Venus in the 12th house also places secrecy at the core of her relationship patterns, and we can see this play out in her numerous on and off relationships and, of course, her relationship with Ezra. The conjunction to Chiron here becomes evident with Ezra, including its opposition to Saturn.
The placement of Aria’s Cancer Sun and Capricorn Full Moon in the 10th and 4th houses adds another layer to this entire thing. With her Sun in the 10th house, Aria’s identity and emotional expression are tied to her career and public image. She wants to be recognized for her creativity and intelligence, which makes perfect sense given her ambition toward writing. The Capricorn Moon in the 4th house indicates that her emotional life is deeply tied to her home and family and her overall sense of stability. We see this with her strained relationship with her parents, especially her father. The moon in Capricorn, while in detriment, also suggests she’s emotionally self sufficient and can handle her own burdens — albeit in a very stoic, reserved way.
Aria’s Mars in Gemini in the 9th house makes sense given her aspirations to pursue writing. Mars in Gemini is curious and quick witted, constantly exploring new ideas, and the 9th house is all about higher learning, travel, and philosophy. This placement could show that Aria is driven to expand her intellectual horizons and seek knowledge through education and writing, reflecting her desire to go to school for writing!
Her Mercury in Cancer on the Midheaven (MC) aligns perfectly with her career path. Mercury rules communication, and with it in Cancer, her emotional intelligence comes into play in her writing, allowing her to craft deeply emotional and relatable stories. This is also a great placement for someone with a career in writing, as it suggests a natural ability to connect with others through words and emotions!
Lastly, circling back to her chart ruler Venus, tucked away in the 12th house, adds a layer of complexity to how she presents herself in relationships. Venus in the 12th is often seen as a placement of hidden love and secrets, which fits perfectly with the way Aria tends to navigate her romantic life. There’s always an undercurrent of mystery surrounding her and her relationships, and this placement suggests that Aria may struggle to openly express her love or fully integrate it into her public persona. She tends to keep her romantic feelings and actions behind closed doors, whether it’s in her secret relationship with Ezra or her hidden emotional baggage tied to her family (or you know, being stalked by - A).
All in all, Aria’s Libra rising feels like a natural fit — it complements her charm, her fashion forward nature, & her relationship dynamics while also allowing the deeper, more hidden aspects of her character to shine through. Her chart has an intricate dance between public and private, and it’s fascinating to see how these placements mirror her life on Pretty Little Liars!
In the end,
Aria Montgomery’s character is a beautiful blend of complexity, vulnerability, and strength — traits that are intricately woven into her birth chart. From her Cancer Sun and Capricorn Full Moon to her Venus in the (imaginary) 12th house, Aria’s emotional depth and internal struggles come through in every part of her life. She is a character who feels everything deeply, yet keeps much of it hidden from the world around her. Her relationships, her fashion, and even her ambitions reflect a person constantly balancing between the public persona she presents and the inner world she carefully guards.
Many viewers feel seen by Aria’s character because of this raw, relatable complexity. Her struggles with family, her journey of self discovery, and her quest for love and meaning are all things that resonate with people on a personal level. Her chart reveals someone who, though deeply sensitive, is also fiercely independent and determined to carve out her own path. Aria is a reminder that we are all multifaceted, carrying both light and darkness within us, and that our true selves are often much more complex than what we show the world.
In the end, Aria’s birth chart doesn’t just reflect her character — it brings her to life in a way that feels both authentic and deeply human. Through her astrological placements, we gain a deeper understanding of who she is and why she acts the way she does. And that’s part of the magic of astrology — it can uncover the layers of a character, making them feel even more real and deeply understood.
Written with love for the complexity of Aria Montgomery,
S.S