Photo: Iakov Filimonov / Shutterstock
And nobody likes a bully.
By Trudi Mentior — Written on Nov 05, 2021
Bullying is an important topic these days. I remember when I was bullied in school and the adults told me to “just ignore them and they’ll leave you alone.”
But as we all know, that doesn’t work so well. When a bully picks a target, they relentlessly dedicate themselves to making each day more miserable than the last for their victim.
There will probably always be some members of society who are just naturally mean, despite what their horoscope says, but it’s good that we’re beginning to take bullying behavior seriously.
Not only does it leave lifelong emotional scars on those on the receiving end, but the bullies themselves obviously have some personal problems that they don’t know how to express without taking them out on other people.
If we can teach kids more productive, compassionate ways of communicating, they’ll grow up to be better adults and hopefully continue the cycle until bullying is the exception, rather than the expected norm.
But it’s not just kids. Childhood behavior sets the pattern for the adult personality, and grown-ups can be bullies (and get bullied), too.
It’s not as simple as pushing each other around on a playground anymore — adult bullying is more calculated and insidiously destructive. A couple of decades’ worth of life gives us a lot more time to nurture our lack of self-esteem, our “victim” mentality, and come up with ways to justify treating other people like garbage.
Astrology can provide clues about the zodiac signs who are bullies when they don’t get their way, or if they just decide they don’t like you. A lot depends on their upbringing and whether they’ve learned how to deal with their own insecurities.
Bully Zodiac Signs, Ranked From Most To Least Compassionate
1. Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
Pisces an empath: they’re so attuned to others’ emotions and feelings that they can’t even think about hurting someone else “just for fun.”
Pisces may not jump in the middle of the action to save someone from a bully, but they’ll be the first to go to the victim afterward and try to help them feel better.
A brave Pisces will even approach the bully later to ask why they’re hurting so much that they have to take it out on others.
2. Libra (September 23 - October 22)
Libra’s the one who will jump in the middle of things and try to get everyone to talk it out. A natural diplomat, Libra is always trying to promote peace and fairness.
They’re willing to listen to the bully’s side of things as well as the victim’s and try to negotiate some kind of truce. Sometimes this works, but sometimes Libra just ends up getting tagged as the bully’s newest victim.
3. Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
Cancer can be passive-aggressive and resentful, but they’re not likely to lash out at anyone who seems weaker than them. The sign of motherhood and family, Cancer wants to take care of people.
They also tend to be introverted and private, though, so unless the problem involves someone they’re very close to, Cancer is more likely to just not get involved.
4. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
Capricorns tend to bully themselves instead of other people. They have high standards and clear agendas, and if they fail to live up to their own expectations they’ll berate themselves for days.
They don’t just mistreat other people at random; if Capricorn is acting like a bully, it’s because someone has broken a promise, failed to do something important, or otherwise disappointed them.
5. Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Leo loves attention but, as a general rule, they also want everyone around them to be having a good time, too. Leo is more likely to play the hero than the villain, eagerly stepping in to defend the victim.
Unfortunately, Leo will sometimes seek attention in all the wrong ways. Their pride and competitive nature demand an audience, and on a bad day Leo can become a pushy, overbearing jerk.
6. Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Gemini is right in the center of this list of bully zodiac signs, because how they treat other people often depends on the prevailing mood of the crowd around them.
Gemini likes to get along with everyone, but sometimes that means that they’ll automatically join in some unpleasant group behavior.
On the other hand, don’t be surprised to see that same Gemini commiserating with the victim and their friends later, when the bullies have gone away.
7. Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
Sagittarius is usually friendly and easy-going, but they can also be tactless, blustery, and unwavering when it comes to different points of view.
A Sagittarian bully might not push you around physically, but they’ll go out of their way to poke fun at your opinions and make you look stupid in front of people.
8. Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Taurus doesn’t usually go looking for trouble, but they can be extremely territorial. A Taurus with a mean streak will be quick to confront anyone they see as invading “their” space, even if it’s public property.
Taurus is also known for their stubbornness — once they’ve decided that someone else deserves to suffer, it’s hard to change their mind.
9. Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Virgo isn’t much of a fighter, but they have a talent for finding the worst in everything and everyone. Neurotic and obsessive, they also tend to fixate on certain things or people.
When a Virgo with bullying tendencies decides they don’t like you, they’ll be sure to point out all of your flaws, every single time they see you, for anyone who’s listening.
10. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Manipulation and intimidation are two of Scorpio’s main talents to begin with. But what happens when they decide to use their powers for evil?
A Scorpio bully is like the old cliché of a cat playing with their injured prey. Sometimes they just want to see how far they can push someone before they break.
To be honest, though, a Scorpio gone bad probably won’t bother bullying just one person for long. They’re more likely to have their eye on loftier goals, like world domination.
11. Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Aries is the sign of action and battle. They make a great champion when you need someone on your side in a fight, but they’re prone to anger issues and have very little control over their temper.
An Aries bully is the one who will come up behind you and start shoving without any provocation whatsoever. Once Aries has decided to start a fight, there’s no talking it out. Fight back or run away.
12. Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Even the kindest Aquarius has trouble relating to other people on an emotional level. Aquarius isn’t known for their compassion. They tend to be control freaks, too, and don’t think much of other people’s rules.
Aquarius can sometimes come off as a bully unintentionally, but when they decide to be mean on purpose, they become truly intimidating and cruel.
Trudi Mentior is a writer specializing in astrology who lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her husband, three cats, and a loudmouthed hyacinth macaw.