6 Sadistic Zodiac Signs Who Enjoy Causing Pain
They're not all emotionally sadistic, but watch out for the ones who are.
getty How twisted is it to get joy from other people’s pain? Emotional sadists are people who get off on hurting other people; they like playing with emotions and manipulating others. There are some sadistic zodiac signs who are like this — and no, a horoscope isn't a good detection of this personality disorder.
But astrology is a good guide. Emotional sadists are like narcissists, though narcissists are more about having an inflated sense of self than causing pain. Narcissists may be just as manipulative and controlling as an emotional sadist, but they know that if you continually hurt someone just to see them suffer, they’re probably not going to look up to you or buy what you’re selling.
One of the dangers of an emotional sadist is when you notice that your date is only kind to you when he wants something. There’s no such thing as a spontaneous gesture of love with him. If he surprises you with tickets to see your favorite band or sends you flowers, it’s not because he’s thinking of you, it's because he needs something from you. Actions speak louder than words and that goes double for an emotional sadist.
If they lie to you so much that it’s impossible to distinguish the truth from the lies, then you know that there’s no chance to have a healthy relationship with this person; over time, there will only be various degrees of lying and no real emotional truth at all.
1. ARIES (March 21 - April 19)
While it's true that Aries love the chase, you know that you're dealing with an emotional sadist when the only time they seem interested in you is when you're indifferent to them or ready to break up with them. If you're not being captivated by them, they feel the need to get you back under their thumb.
It's not about love, it's about control and they don't care if you get hurt in the process.
2. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)
Aquarians are known for being accepting of others, but does your Aquarian put too much pressure on you to be "different" from everybody else? If they're making you feel bad for being yourself, that's a mind game, not an expression of love.
They're toying with you and trying to see how hard you'll work to live up to their expectations. They aren't loving you for who you are but for who they want you to be.
3. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
Geminis are normally great at communication, but if your Gemini is constantly giving you mixed signals, they may be playing with your heart and keeping you off-kilter so you'll be easier to manipulate.
One minute he's inviting you to his sister's wedding and the next telling you he's dating other people. He's affectionate with you one moment and then cold and aloof the next. You want someone who consistently loves you, not this jerk who probably doesn't love anyone.
4. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)
Sagittarius are flirty and charming, but if your date continues to flirt and look at other women when you're sitting with them, that's not only inconsiderate, it's disrespectful. It's not that he doesn't know what he's doing, he knows very well.
He wants to make sure you'll be there if he needs you, but he also makes it clear that you don't own him. If you get hurt in the process, he will shift the blame right back on you.
5. LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Leos have a huge sense of self-worth and they take pride in their appearance and their many admirable qualities, but if he makes you feel that you're not good enough for him or not his "usual" standard, then that's emotional abuse.
Insecure people are easier to manipulate, so if he's trying to take you down and feel insecure, you need to get away from him. It's not that you're not good enough for him, it's that he's not even close to being good enough for you.
6. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)
If you're honest with them about how they're making you feel and they continue to do it, that's an emotional sadism. If you're absolutely clear on how upsetting you find their behavior and they don't stop, then they're hurting you on purpose, and that's not cool.
You made an attempt to fix the problem, but it's unrepairable, so all you can do is get away and save yourself. Once you truly see how emotionally sadistic they are, you'll be surprised you didn't see it before.
Christine Schoenwald is a writer, performer, and teacher who loves writing and performing personal narratives. She's had pieces in The Los Angeles Times, Salon, Woman's Day, Purple Clover, Bustle, and is a regular contributor to Ravishly and YourTango. Check out her website or her Facebook page.