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It can cause a lot of emotional damage.
By Christine Schoenwald — Written on Apr 27, 2019
We all want to love and be loved, but sometimes we get hurt and don’t know what to do, so we react from a place of pain. If someone hurts you, it may devastate you to the point where you want to do something to hurt them back.
One way to punish someone is to withhold affection from them. This can be physical touch, kind words, or even just having an aloof and cold attitude. Being withholding in this way is a punishment not only for the person who did the perceived wrong, but for the person doing the withholding.
For the zodiac signs who withhold affection, it's a way to show power and control over another person. You’re using their emotions and the human need for contact against them. And if astrology is any indication, there are certain individuals who want to deprive others of joy.
There are also people who use withholding of affection as a weapon. If you grew up where people use this kind of behavior, unfortunately, you may find yourself using it without even thinking about it. If your mother’s go-to is to not speak to you, it’s likely that somewhere down the line, you’ll also stop talking to someone as a way to punish them.
Remember that if someone is withholding affection from you, the chances are that they’re in a dark place. The best thing you can do is to try to have some empathy for them.
1. PISCES (February 19 - March 20)
The problem with being a sensitive person is that there are times when you're too sensitive and vulnerable. You get your feelings hurt so intensely that you want to hurt back, but in a passive-aggressive way.
If Pisces doesn't get the love they require, they tend to turn it in on themselves and decide they're not worth loving. They'll shut down emotionally and that translates to withholding affection. That really is as if they're hurting themselves more than the other person.
2. CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)
Capricorns never like to look weak or as if they can't handle something. If they get hurt, they tend to internalize their feelings so they can soldier on. However, those emotions will come out in unhealthy ways such as withholding affection.
They may not even realize they're doing it. Capricorns can get so focused on work that they don't know they're being distant, cold, and aren't engaging with their loved one. They don't see it as punishment for a previous hurt; they think they're just busy.
3. CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
Cancers have incredible memories, especially when it comes to past hurts. They never want what happened last time to happen again. Cancers have a lot of feelings and it's not always easy or even convenient for them to deal it. They may feel that it's safer for them to put up a wall and not give into their instincts to touch, kiss, or hug their loved one.
It can be difficult for Cancer to let down their guard and love without fear, so they are withholding in hopes that their partner will sense their need for extra attention and care.
4. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)
If Taurus isn't dead certain they're loved, they won't have the capacity or willingness to take a chance and express their love. Taurus can be needy, and they know that no one wants to feel stifled, so in order to combat their neediness, they will go the other way and try to seem cold, uncaring, and uninterested in physical contact.
Once they start to feel secure in the relationship, Taurus will get more comfortable and more affectionately demonstrative.
5. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)
Scorpio is another sign that's super-sensitive. If a Scorpio is heartbroken, they're going to make sure the perpetrator is punished in some way. You don't break a Scorpio's heart without paying the price.
Like most of us, love messes with Scorpio's feelings of self-control, and short of revenge the only way they can get some of their power back is to pretend they don't care. Scorpios express love in many physical ways, so if they withhold those physical expressions of love, they'll feel in control.
Christine Schoenwald is a writer, performer, and astrology lover. She has written over 500 articles on the zodiac signs and how the stars influence us. She's had articles in The Los Angeles Times, Salon, Woman's Day, and is a contributing writer to Ravishly, I AM & CO, and YourTango. Check out her website, her Facebook writer's page, and her Instagram.