While we’re similar in our contradictions, we differ in where those contradictions lie. Anyone who studies astrology knows that where and when you were born plays a key factor in your personality. Your star type isn’t just what month you were born in, but how the planets were aligned and the energy that was present during your birth, that ultimately affects your personality.
This is what makes up who you are (or at least, part of who you are). Imagine our zodiac signs as our predisposed dispositions — our hard wired coding – then our experiences, education and genetics create our personalities.
And yes, while we’re all unique, our astrological signs will always be part of who we are and always answer for some part of why we act the way we do. Thus, the better you understand your zodiac, the better you understand yourself — and your contradictions.
Aries: Bold but Soft – The Delicate Fighter
Aries are strong. The first sign of the zodiac, they see themselves that way in all aspects of life. Leaders of the pack, they like to be in charge and assert themselves in every situation. They aren’t afraid to speak up, and usually get their way.
Anyone who knows an Aries, however, knows that in the privacy of their own homes, they are sensitive.
The gentle warrior loves as hard as she fights. While she’s strong on the outside, she has a weak spot for those she loves. Just because she’s sensitive, however, doesn’t mean her strength is a facade. She’s as strong as they come, but with true strength comes true sensitivity.
Aries are not afraid to feel. They take all their emotions as they come. This leads to their impulsive and aggressive nature which can be easily flipped to loving and protective. They are extreme in everything they do.
Taurus: True Beauty but False Beauty – The Materialistic Truth Seeker
Taurus has no problem admitting she enjoys the finer things in life. She likes to pamper those she loves as well as herself.
A sign of the Bull, Taurus are fond of all things pretty, whether it’s in their home, at a museum or on the stage. Life as one sweet pas de deux is how the Taurus-born like it.
To onlookers, this may look like so much materialism and blessed excess, but Bulls really aren’t interested in living without beauty in their lives. Beauty to the Bull also comes in the way of a happy home life, one that includes a partner and a stable relationship.
She wants true love and she wants peace but she also finds peace in the materialistic side of things. A sucker for good marketing, pretty labels or extreme comfort, she’ll gladly find her peace in an expensive spa (and there’s nothing wrong with that!)
Gemini: Outspoken but Awkward – The Extrovert That Chokes
Consider Gemini the tongue-tied intellect. A natural speaker, Gemini’s don’t talk because they like attention, they talk because they always have something to say. Intelligent and inquisitive, Geminis don’t like shallow gossip or idle chit chat, they want deep conversations and meaningful encounters.
An information seeker, the most fun a Gemini has is sharing information she learns with those she loves.
A sign of the twins, Gemini has another side to her, however, that can sometimes interfere with her need to engage with others. A true “ying and yang” personality, her second side can leave her feeling awkward and socially uncomfortable at times.
While she yearns to share information, Gemini is unlike her Aries sister in that she doesn’t naturally feel comfortable taking the lead and demanding attention. When it’s time for her to speak, if it’s to a new audience she doesn’t have the same charm she has with her close friends.
Cancer: Emotional but Strong – The Crying Warrior
Cancer are the mothers of the zodiacs. Warm and gentle, they come off as nurturing and maternal, but like all mothers, their strength runs deep.
Like their mascot the Crab, they like to retreat into their home. With strong ties to home and family, cancer takes great pleasure in the comforts of the familiar and the calm. She enjoys being with her family — a true homebody.
She wears her heart on her sleeve, and don’t be surprised if she gets choked up more than your average friend. With a large soft spot, she has more empathy than most.
Like the crab, she also should not be tested. While she is easily emotional, she’s also fiercely loyal and protects what is hers. Her pinch is strong and she isn’t pushed around.
Leo: Generous but Manipulative – The Circumstantial Giver
When imagining the ideal Leo, imagine an actor (many actors are, in fact, Leos). Magnetic, personable, outgoing, but also willing to do whatever it takes to get the part.
A Leo loves the limelight and craves the center stage. Like their mascot, the lion, they also should not be messed with. While they’re majestic, beautiful and definitely the leader of the pack, Leos will turn on you if they feel betrayed. They will also use you to get what they need.
This is not in a malicious way, however. Leos are simply ambitious and they aren’t afraid to use whatever resources are available to them. Just because they may ask you for a favor doesn’t mean their friendship isn’t the real deal. They just know how to use what they’ve got…and no one can blame them for that.
Virgo: Introvert but Outgoing – The Shy Kid with Many Friends
It makes sense that Virgo is the sixth sign because they are the quintessential middle child. They love to please and have no problem doing things others don’t always want to do. They don’t crave attention but they also don’t mind it. They’re easy going and pretty much up for anything at anytime.
What makes Virgos extremely popular is their love to help and serve. They enjoy being the friend others lean on. Represented by the virgin, their sign takes the qualities of modesty and humanity.
It’s safe to say that Virgos are popular simply because they are a good friend. Uninterested in being the center of attention and definitely not outgoing, you’ll see them hanging with lots of people because of those exact reasons, they get along with everyone and they are definitely a great sign to have by your side.
Libra: Peace Maker but Rebellious – The Adventurer That Calls Their Parents
Libra is that friend that hates to be alone. While she’s adventurous and wild, she craves human contact. It’s the scales that symbolize Libra, and just like the balancing mechanism, she wants it all.
She wants adventure and stability. She wants freedom and structure. She wants to be free and single but also wants a partner to come home to.
She’s all about excess. She wants to try everything and have everything, but she’s not about to give up comfort for it all. Basically, she likes the idea of taking off to backpack around the world, but will only do it if she knows she can sleep in a hotel and have friends come along.
Scorpio: Intense but Loving – The Scary Lover
Scorpio isn’t about fluff. Straight and to the point, scorpios aren’t the most delicate. If they want to get to know you, they’ll charge right in. They are direct and honest and aren’t afraid to make you nervous.
An extreme sign, they are definitely a personality you have to get used to. If they’ve honed in on you, watch out. They are going to be your best friend or your worst enemy. There is no in-between with them.
These folks are intense, passionate and filled with desire. When they love someone, they make it known. They have a lot of love to give and will take you on a wild ride. Don’t let their hard exterior fool you, however. They are definitely delicate on the inside and because they love hard they fall hard.
Sagittarius: Hardworking but Lackadaisical – The Determined Procrastinator
It’s the Archer that represents Sagittarians, although in this case it’s a Centaur (half man, half beast) that is flinging the arrows. Centaurs were the intellectuals of ancient Roman mythology, and Sagittarians are quick to consider themselves their modern-day counterparts. Those born under this sign are clear thinkers, and choose to look at the big picture most of the time. They also like it when others agree with their well-thought-out point of view.
They have lots of ideas but execution of those ideas is a bit to be desiered. While they’re big thinkers, it’s the minute details they can’t be bothered with.
Known as a lucky bunch, thanks to Jupiter’s golden glow, it’s this luck that has cursed them. They’re quick to take a gamble on things, feeling both lucky and smart. Those born under this sign can be quite self-indulgent, since things come so easily to them (thanks to their charming and sociable natures).
Capricorn: Shy but Show Offy – The Outspoken Introvert
Capricorns are the epitome of silent success. They let their success speak for themselves and their success can be very loud. An ambitious sign, Capricorns are the last woman at the office and the first one there. She doesn’t need to tell you she wants a raise, she’s showing you.
The Goat is the appropriate mascot for them as goats love to climb to the top of the mountain where the air is clear and fresh. In much the same way, Capricorns want to get to the top of their chosen field so that they can reap the benefits of success; namely fame, prestige and money. Getting to the top isn’t always a walk in the park, however, so it’s likely that Goats will ruffle a few feathers along the way. These folks can indeed be domineering, even egotistical, on their route to the top. They’ll tell you it’s part of being a leader with bright new ideas.
Aquarius: Silly but Responsible – The Straight A’d Class Clown
Aquarius loves to fool around and have fun as much as she loves achieving her goals. A sign dedicated to progress and invention, she is always thinking outside of the box, trying to advance not just herself, but the rest of the world.
She is rebellious in both her social and professional life. Her obsessions with the fun and the new leads her to have many friends at work but also lots of respect. While she comes across as quirky and eccentric, when she uses her ideas for work, she’s seen as inventive and a needed asset to any business.
She brings a new energy and passion to everything she touches. She has the admiration of her coworkers and her boss.
Pisces: Helpful but Destructive – The Self Killing Caretaker
Pisces is the ultimate contradiction. Obsessed with their inner spiritual journey, they many times refuse the advice and help they give everyone else. A warm and compassionate heart, they are constantly filled with the need to give love and help.
The fact that two fish (as opposed to one) represent the members of this sign also speaks to the duality of Pisces, their yin and yang sensibility. Pisces alternate between reality and non-reality in keeping with their introspective natures; their voyage between consciousness and an unconscious dream state says much about their intuitive, almost psychic natures.
To the outside world they come across as nurturing and compassionate. At home, however, they are destructive and angry. They turn their anger with the world inwards and don’t always take care of themselves the way they should.