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Oh, stop being so dramatic.
By Amanda Chatel — Written on Mar 06, 2018
To quote Anatole France, “It is human nature to think wisely and act in an absurd fashion,” and, of course, he couldn’t have been more right. Even those of us who claim to be even-keeled and calm under pressure can snap, and when some people snap, look the eff out.
That's doubly true for the zodiac signs who overreact, because not only does it affect everyone around you, but it can impact the advice your horoscope, as well as astrology, gives you.
While it’s completely normal and, as France points out, human to act absurdly, a lot of how we act, react, and even overreact has to do with astrology. So if you’re waiting for that certain coworker to snap or that friend to finally have that meltdown, here’s what you can expect, based on their signs.
ARIES (March 21 – April 19)
Combative Aries, when backed into a corner and forced to overreact, will do so in a really relentless, aggressive way. Although they might want to cry, they’ll fight tooth and nail to keep those tears inside, while flying off the handle verbally and physically — but not physically against you, of course.
Basically, if any zodiac sign is going to dramatic flip a desk while overreacting, it’s a safe bet it will be Aries.
TAURUS (April 20 – May 20)
The stubborn nature of Taurus makes their overreaction almost bearable, because they completely shutdown. Like, literally, that’s it.
While they’re seething inside, you, as an outsider, don’t have to deal with anything but someone who has shut up and is going to give everyone whose pissed them off the silent treatment — and for not just hours, but days. Better the silent treatment than several flipped desks, right?
GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)
When Gemini overreacts, it’s all about payback. Not payback in the form of anything tangible, but gossip, gossip, gossip.
Whether someone has pissed them off, they’ve been caught in a lie, or something isn’t going their way, Gemini will focus on something, almost obsessively so, and start spreading lies. Yes, it’s super-childish and dramatic, but no one acts like an adult when they’re overreacting.
CANCER (June 21 – July 22)
If you’re looking for a martyr, then Cancer is the perfect fit. Because they’re so defensive and so sensitive, Cancer just can’t help but play the martyr role when they’re overreacting to a T. It’s literally the most obnoxious thing to witness.
No matter the situation, even if they’re the reason for the situation, Cancer will always be the person to whom things happen. In other words, it’s never their fault and something they will make quite clear during their meltdown.
LEO (July 23 – August 22)
To watch Leo overreact is like watching a spoiled child not get their way — probably because Leo, no matter their age, is always somewhat of a spoiled child. Of all the zodiac signs, the one most likely to throw a full-fledged tantrum is Leo.
I mean, talk about overreacting! It may not be an attractive look for the lion of the Zodiac, but when that pride is punctured, all hell breaks loose.
VIRGO (August 23 – September 22)
Because Virgo is overwhelmed so easily, it doesn’t take much to get them to overreact. For example, if you work with a Virgo and, say, hide their tape dispenser on them, that will be cause for an overreaction.
So while the other signs may be hell on wheels when they’re overreacting, Virgo, in always being a bit overzealous in their reactions, actually isn’t too bad. It just happens more frequently than any outsider can stand.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)
If there ever was a zodiac sign that absolutely had to have the last word, it’s Libra. And when they’re in the state of overreacting, that last word is biting AF.
Although usually balanced and charming, when Libra is pushed hard enough, they will rip anyone apart with their words and do so in such a callous manner that it can murder friendships on the spot. It’s also done very dramatically, as Libra, even when not overreacting, is dramatic to a point of exhaustion.
SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21)
Similar to Libra, when Scorpio overreacts, it’s a lashing of the words. But where things are a bit different is that Scorpio doesn’t need to have the last word. Instead, they’ll make anyone who’s upset them bleed with their word choice, then they'll walk away, quietly obsessing about it by themselves.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21)
When Sagittarius overreacts, they flee the scene. While Pisces also takes off when they’re having a breakdown, the difference here is that Sagittarius doesn’t want to be chased; they just want to get the hell out of dodge and not look back.
Then, a few days later, they’re likely to call from a payphone in Arizona apologizing for overreacting. Like, WTF, Sag? Get it together!
CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19)
For the most part, Capricorn doesn’t really overreact. And if they do, you’d never notice it. Because they're so much on the straight and narrow, secretly loathing people and things that you wouldn’t even realize they loathe because they’re so stealth about it, overreaction by Capricorn doesn’t even register as a blip on their radar, let alone anyone else’s.
When you’re that cold and emotionless, it’s hard to overreact; you just don’t have it in you to care enough to overreact.
AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18)
Although usually calm, cool, and collected, when it comes to overreacting with Aquarius, there’s bound to be a lot of tears. Like, a lot.
But while the waterworks are in motion, because they do have a flare for the dramatic when in these moments, you’ll be spared from seeing it. Aquarius is going to toss themselves on their bed to cry, completely cutting everyone off until they’re ready to face the world again.
PISCES (February 19 – March 20)
When it comes to overreacting for Pisces, you can expect two major things: self-pity, and a need to be chased. When sh*t hits the fan, Pisces immediately runs for the hills, feeling bad for themselves.
But here’s the kicker: they want you (or someone) to chase after them or bang on that locked bathroom door to tell them everything will be OK. Granted, they won’t listen to you, but man, oh man, does Pisces love for someone to chase them down.
Amanda Chatel is a writer who divides her time between NYC and Paris. She's a regular contributor to Bustle and Glamour, with bylines at Harper's Bazaar, The Atlantic, Forbes, Livingly, Mic, The Bolde, Huffington Post and others. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, or her website.