Why You Keep Hurting People You Love, Based On Your Zodiac Sign
You keep making the same mistakes.
getty No one is perfect. That’s probably the most obvious — and at the same time the most difficult — truth that we have to accept about humanity. We expect a lot from ourselves and from each other, and when our standards are not met, we can get downright nasty. Our horoscope can be a great indicator that we are far from perfect and that the zodiac signs all have room for improvement.
How often do you find yourself lashing out at someone else, when in reality you’re just feeling miserable about your own life? Or maybe you’ve got a friend who just can’t get over herself, and takes it out on anyone who gets too close. Either way, you might be one of the zodiac signs who hurt people, even though you don't mean to.
The twelve segments (houses) of a natal astrology chart show how we relate to ourselves, the world in general, and the people who are important to us. With a little research, you can pick out the areas in your chart that seem to create the same problems over and over. This will help you figure out what to focus on to make positive changes in your own attitude and improve all of your relationships.
Nothing in a Zodiac chart has to be permanent — even the worst possible aspects just show what you’ve got to work with, not what you’re stuck with. Astrology was never meant to be used as an excuse for bad behavior, but it’s a wonderful guide to help anyone who’s working on self-improvement.
ARIES (March 21 - April 19)
You don’t mean to hurt anyone, Aries, but you’re not too concerned about it, either. It takes a huge effort for you to stop what you’re doing and really understand what kind of effect you’re having on other people. Maybe everything that’s on your mind doesn’t need to come out of your mouth.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)
Taurus, you’d do well to meditate on the old saying “If you love something, set it free.” You might think that you’re just trying to keep someone safe, but all too often, they end up feeling trapped.
We get it: you’re just trying to protect them. But people need to follow their own path, and that means being free to make mistakes.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
Maybe you can live in more than one reality, Gemini, but not everyone else has the ability to see things from every perspective. You want to get along with everyone, sure, but what you consider “diplomacy” often seems like flat-out lying when word gets around.
Next time you have to take a stand, say what you really think — and stick to it no matter who you’re talking to.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
You may feel like a true martyr but no one else is buying it. Knock off the guilt trips and notice how different people express affection in different ways.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
How do you act when people criticize you? Or when you’re feeling flat-out ignored? The world doesn’t revolve around you, Leo, and no amount of pouting is going to change that.
Learn when to take a step back and let someone else be the star. Otherwise, you’ll wake up one day to find that your name has been permanently removed from the A-list.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)
You may be able to spot the imperfections in everyone and every situation, but does that mean that you have to point them out all the time? You do give great advice, Virgo, but not every observation needs to be spoken.
In fact, next time you feel the need to criticize, try switching your approach and point out something positive instead. Otherwise, people will eventually just tune you out completely.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)
Dial back on the charming façade and get real, Libra. People are starting to see through the act. You say that you want everyone to be happy, but you can’t force them into it. At some point you’re going to have to pick a side and deal with the fallout.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)
Scorpio, you’re already aware of whether and how you might be hurting others. You probably planned the whole thing — your end game requires breaking a few hearts.
However, if you want to know all of someone’s secrets, you’re going to have to allow yourself to be vulnerable, too. Maybe they can’t see the big picture like you can, but some people are ready to understand. Try showing them.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)
Maybe honesty is the best policy, Sagittarius, but do you really have to bash people over the head with it? Just because something is true doesn’t mean that you have to say it out loud.
Save it for the important stuff, and the next time someone asks you what you think about their new haircut, find something nice to say.
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)
Let people have their fun, Capricorn. There’s nothing wrong with having a serious outlook, but you don’t have to rain on everyone else’s parade.
You have a way of making them feel like they can’t relax around you, like you’re always evaluating everything they do against your own productivity. (Truth be told, they’re probably right, huh?) Just remember: happy people are productive people.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)
Aquarius, you may think of it as “alone time,” but to others, your standoffishness seems like rejection. Maybe you don’t mean to be insulting, but that’s how it comes across.
Not that you’re obligated to endure companionship on everyone else’s schedule, but you could find ways to tell people that you’re busy without leaving them feeling like they’ve just been dismissed.
PISCES (February 19 - March 20)
Hurting anyone else is the last thing you’d ever want to do, Pisces. Your empathic nature feels everything they do. However, sometimes trying to make things better just makes them much, much worse.
If it’s got nothing to do with you, let negativity run its course — not everyone needs a counselor or wants to cry on your shoulder. They just want to think about something else. Quit reminding them that they’re miserable.
Trudi Mentior grew up in Great Falls, Montana, where she spent her formative years wondering just what might be beyond those vast plains, on the other side of those distant mountains. She now lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her husband, three cats, and a loudmouthed hyacinth macaw (who loves to scare the cats).