Photo: Ali Yahya on Unsplash
How to choose the bestest friend.
By Emily Ratay — Written on Feb 02, 2018
We all have our idea of what a best friend should be. Perhaps that person would be a person who is a soulmate or simply a soul with a compatible zodiac sign, but we need someone who supports our own personal horoscope sign's needs.
Kind of like the best friend we can just call up or text any time of the day and they'll answer or someone they can have deep conversations with and can share their secrets with honestly.
No matter what kind best friend you want, you probably have a nice little list of zodiac personality traits you secretly hope their sun or moon sign has.
Finding a best friend is kind of like dating. Maybe you've had a best friend since you were little and it felt like your friendship was never going to die.
But people change and we're not always the same as we were ten years ago, and suddenly, you realize that your best friend is just a stranger to you now; someone you don't feel as comfortable or as loved around as you used to.
Other times, you have your best friend in your life for years and years, and every day still feels like a new adventure to you; this is the person you don't ever want to be without in life.
And other other times, you feel lost because you don't have that best friend you can call your own and text at 3 a.m. knowing that they'll be up and hungry for fast food just like you.
Those are the times when you find yourself thinking about the person you wish you could call your best friend and what that ideal BFF would look like for you.
But your perfect best friend based on astrology isn't as simple as being able to rattle off a few personality traits and hoping that you find that person who embodies everything you want.
Sometimes, like dating, you need to go through some not-so best friends to find that perfect match for yourself.
And sometimes, what you want in a best friend isn't always what you need.
If you're the type of horoscope who likes routine and doesn't ever feel like getting out of your comfort zone, having a BFF who feels the same way probably won't be much of a change from the times you're hanging out alone.
What you would need in a BFF is someone who will be the kind of person to call you up and tell you to get your butt in the car because you just found the most amazing new restaurant to try.
Or if you're someone who tends to overthink and get so caught up in your thoughts that you stress yourself out, you probably need a best friend who knows how to calm you down or get you out of your head by getting you to let loose and have some fun.
Of course, there are some of us whose wants and needs are very similar, but for the most part, it's not always that easy.
And based on your horoscope, there are ways to figure out how to separate what you expect from a best friend and what you really need.
Keep reading to find out exactly what you need (and expect) from a best friend, according to your zodiac sign.
ARIES (March 21 - April 19)
Aries, you need a best friend that’s full of excitement and fun. For you, having a best friend should be like having an extension of yourself that you can hang out with, party with, and share clothes with.
You need (and want) a best friend that’s both creative and spontaneous — someone who makes you think outside the box and always has something crazy and fun up her sleeve.
When you think of your ideal best friend, you expect to find someone who will get you out of your comfort zone; not that you really have much of a comfort zone, but someone who will always make you feel the thrill of having fun.
What you need in a best friend is someone who’s almost like you’re twin, but more grounded. Too much of a good thing can be bad, so while it’s fun to have fun, you need a BFF who will bring you back to reality when the weekend is over.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)
Taurus, your ideal best friend is someone who is loyal and generous to you — AKA a ride-or-die chick who always brings you treats and presents. But more than just having someone who feels about you the way you feel about her, your best friend should be goal-oriented like you.
No couch potatoes here! Sure you like being chill and laid-back, but you also like kicking butt. And having a little friendly competition in a BFF doesn’t hurt.
You initially expect a best friend who is sensitive and kind; you see these qualities in yourself, and who wouldn’t love to be their own BFF?
But what you really need from a best friend is someone to match your hard-working attitude — instead of trying to bring you down or downplay your successes — and really pushy you to achieve the goals you set for yourself, no matter what they may be.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
Gemini, the qualities you look for in a best friend are also the ones you look for in a relationship, but for you, friendships are easier to handle than relationships — which is fine by you.
Your BFF should be creative, compassionate, and up for anything — whether that means binge-watching Game of Thrones for the millionth time or going on a summer road trip across the country. Most of all, your BFF should be independent — just like you.
You often find yourself expecting or imagining a BFF who loves to have fun and makes everything seem like a party. What you really need, though, is a best friend who can be comfortable with both sides of your dual personality — the side that wants to live in her pajamas all weekend and eat ice cream and the one who can’t wait to find the next party or adventure.
Hey, you’re the whole package! Your BFF should be, too.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
Cancer, your best friend should be someone who’s multi-dimensional: outgoing, yet low-key; introspective, yet idealistic. For you, there should be amusement and intrigue in all parts of your life, including within your BFF.
You think of yourself as someone with many dimensions and facets, kind of like a diamond, so your best friend should be similar… because two diamonds are better than one.
You find yourself expecting your best friend to be low-maintenance and chill — it’s not really like you at all to surround yourself with those types of people, but for some reason, you think your BFF should be like this.
In reality, you need someone to bring you out of your shell and show you that it’s so much more fun to take risks and have fun rather than settle into this chill (and boring) personality you think you are.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Leo, your ideal best friend is someone with strong opinions, someone serious about her career, friendships, and relationships. You want to be able to have a dynamic bond that never fizzles out. In other words, another alpha, just like yourself. In your opinion, friendships are meant to build you up and make you feel like your best possible self.
You tend to look for friends who admire you and look up to you. Whether that means wanting to succeed like you at work or wanting to be more like the glamorous person you are, you like being thought of that way, even by your BFF.
What you really need, though, is someone to bring balance to your ego; you already know you’re the sh*t, you don’t need a BFF to tell you that. Let your best friend inspire you to be more selfless, not more egotistical.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)
Virgo, your ideal best friend is someone who, if you could wish for anything, would be your clone. A BFF who is charming and a hard worker so that whenever one of you succeeds, the other is your best cheerleader.
You also want someone you can have deep conversations with because nothing says good company like a BFF you can talk to for hours. Instead of getting caught up in what you wish your BFF would be like, you should start focusing on what you need out of a good friendship.
You expect someone to be a good girl like you, everyone else’s savior, because you feel like that’s the only personality you can get along with, when you really need a creative, different soul to bring out your own creativity.
It’s time to stop coloring inside the lines, girl! Let a crazy BFF show you what life’s really like.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)
Libra, you’re a real-life princess (as you well know), so when it comes to your ideal best friend, you know that only royalty is allowed into your castle. Thus, your BFF should be another natural princess like you are.
Your idea of a great best friend is someone who is charming, sophisticated, appreciative of life and its beauty, and powerful — a princess has to get things done, after all!
When you think of these qualities, you think about how you want (and expect) a big love with your best friend. Relationships may come and go, but your friendship with this one person is going to last forever; of course, you’re going to love her!
And unlike other zodiac signs, your expectations and reality are not far off. What you need in a BFF is someone to revel in the decadence of life as a princess with you. Life is worth living and you want to make the most out of it with your BFF by your side.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)
Scorpio, your best friend is someone who is bold and intentional, yet is subtle in her emotions and knows how to enjoy life. This is a tall order, but you know not to lower your expectations for anyone — be that friendships or relationships.
You know that not everyone can handle you, so if you keep your expectations up and wait it out, the perfect person will come along. Speaking of expectations, when you think of the perfect best friend, your mind tends to wander to someone who has a big personality; you’re intense, yourself, so it only makes sense, right?
In reality, you need a BFF with a calming presence that doesn’t come with surprises. You’d rather know your best friend like the back of your hand instead of guessing which personality is going to show up every day.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)
Sagittarius, you want a best friend who doesn’t have to make you work. Basically, you want your friendship with this one person to come easily and without headaches just because you want to be yourself round her.
She should be focused and strong — without letting her emotions get the better of her — as well as intense; you love people who speak their minds. And above all else, someone who doesn’t tolerate BS.
You expect to find a BFF who has a serious personality, which isn’t necessarily what you need. You want someone dedicated, but not so serious that she can’t have fun, too. You really need someone who’s fun on a bun. In other words, a BFF who is down for anything. As long as you can have a strong dynamic friendship with her, you’re happy.
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)
Capricorn, your BFF should be just like you. A lot of people wish they had a BFF who was a carbon copy of them personality-wise, but for you, it works. She should be intellectual, selfless, compassionate, and intense — all things you strive to be in your own life. You want to be able to look at your BFF and say to yourself, “Yeah, I made the right decision.”
Because of all of these traits, you expect to find a mutually-beneficial friend. In other words, you make her a better person, she returns the favor; an easy friendship. What you need, though, is someone who inspires you.
Just because you have someone who knows you completely doesn’t mean it won’t get a little boring after a while. Your BFF should always get you to stretch your comfort zone boundaries and try new things.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)
Aquarius, what you need in a best friend are the same qualities you want to see in yourself. You feel that if you’re around someone who inspires you, you’ll want to be a better person because of it.
She should be low-maintenance — you don’t want to have to take care of her all the time — as well as carefree and a humanitarian; what’s better than having a friend you can do some good with, right?!
When you think of your ideal BFF, you expect to find someone who is peaceful and sensitive. Someone who can talk about her feelings and show emotion, but is also cool with just chilling out on the weekends.
What you need is simply good company. You love that everyone’s personality is different and, unless you really can’t stand someone, you feel like you can vibe with anyone. As long as you can have fun, it doesn’t matter who it’s with.
PISCES (February 19 - March 20)
Pisces, your BFF needs to be easy-going, selfless, and calm – you want to feel totally at ease and happy as soon as you see her. This is especially true after a rough week at work or school because you want to know that your BFF is always going to make you feel better.
Your best friend should also encourage you. Whether she’s your cheerleader every time you try something new or scary, or she shows you that you can be whoever you want, you want a BFF you can look up to.
What you expect when you dream of your ideal best friend is basically your twin; someone who thinks like you and makes you feel like you’re hanging out with yourself. But, no offense, that’s boring!
You already have yourself, girl! You need a loving and creative soul to get you out of your cozy box and into the real world. Your BFF should be a little crazy and a lot of fun to show you that life is worth living to the fullest.
Emily Ratay is a full-time writer living in Pittsburgh. She's passionate about the environment and feminism, and knows that anything is possible in the right pair of shoes. She plans on writing a book in the future.