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Some will, and some won't. Reactions to infidelity are complicated.
By Emily Ratay — Written on Jun 14, 2019
Learning that you’ve been cheated on by your significant other is something that can crush your entire being.
The person that you have deep feelings for, someone you want to trust and love, has gone behind your back and made the conscious decision to cheat on you.
When you’re first faced with a cheating S.O., you might not be thinking clearly.
There’s a good chance that this realization came totally out of left field, and now you have to decide what the best option is for you.
Depending on what your zodiac sign is, you deal with cheaters in your own way. Some of us want to leave the relationship, get revenge, or vow to never speak to our significant others again.
The rest of us are ready to forgive, forget, and move on – with our S.O. by our side.
Is there really a right way and a wrong way to handle cheaters? Depending on who you talk to, there’s only one way to deal with someone who has cheated on you – completely cut them out of your life.
But, since cheating isn’t only one thing that can be considered infidelity in a relationship, there’s a long list of things that could be forgivable and a list of things that can only result in a breakup.
When we hear the word “infidelity” our minds automatically go to cheating because that is the most common act that falls under this umbrella.
In reality, infidelity means being unfaithful to your partner, which can mean a lot more than just cheating on someone.
That also means that there may be things that you can forgive and forget because you don’t find them as serious or as big a deal as cheating.
Everyone has their own opinion about how to deal with infidelity – just like everyone has their own opinions about everything – so while you may want to reach out to someone in your support system to talk about it, it’s ultimately your decision to decide how to handle the relationship.
No one’s opinions but your own matter in these situations.
What you should do, no matter how you feel about the infidelity in your relationship, is talk about it with your partner.
As much as we hate to think this is the case, your partner might be unhappy about certain things in the relationship and just wanted to get away from it all for a little bit.
I know, that can be a crushing blow, but it’s still an important conversation to have together, no matter what comes of it.
The first step is figuring out what infidelity means to you.
Here are the zodiac signs who can forgive infidelity vs. the ones who won’t stick around, ranked from most to least likely:
1. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)
Taurus, you will forgive just about anything because you don't like to give up on the things that are important to you. Yes, you know that there’s been infidelity, but unless it’s a total betrayal that you don’t think you can ever forgive, you will keep an open mind.
On top of this willingness to forgive, you really hate change. If change means breaking up with a longtime S.O. and trying to readjust to the single life, you may just learn to live with the infidelity hanging over the relationship for the sake of retaining comfort.
2. PISCES (February 19 - March 20)
Just like you easily trust people, you also easily forgive people. You tend to follow the “turn the other cheek” motto, which means that when someone slights you, you forgive and forget.
You will forgive infidelity simply because you believe that it won’t happen again. Even if it does, you has a way of convincing yourself that it’s out of love or that it’s a one-time thing (over and over again). In your mind, love is worth suffering for.
3. VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)
Virgo’s love language is acts of service, which means you are always looking for ways to show the people you care about that you would do anything for them. Not only does this apply to friendships and family, but it also applies to romantic relationships.
When it comes to infidelity, Virgo, you will immediately try to forgive to avoid a big blowout with your S.O. In addition to that, you will also go into a self-criticizing mode where you blame yourself for the infidelity – a thing that is in NO way your fault, by the way. But, all for love, I guess.
4. CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
Cancer, you are known for being a big forgiver. So much so that you would rather forgive infidelity and try to move on than stay hung up on something that has already happened. You like to think that you're above the pettiness that can come with confronting infidelity, but that’s not it at all.
What’s really going on in your mind is the idea that, if you think you have found The One, you will do whatever it takes to keep that person in your life. If that means not risking a breakup by forgiving infidelity, that’s exactly what you will do for the sake of the relationship.
5. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)
Confrontation and conflict are two words that Libra wishes just didn’t exist. You don’t like to admit it, but you would much rather forgive infidelity in your relationship than have to have “the talk” with your S.O. about what’s really been going on behind your back.
Libra, you also want to find The One, and you will do whatever you can to make sure that happens for you. If that means sweeping hard truths under the rug for love, you can guarantee you’ll have your broom in hand when the infidelity comes to light.
6. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)
One of the main reasons that you forgive infidelity is because you prefer casual relationships to serious ones. While you’re cheating on someone, there’s a good possibility that person is also cheating on you. Even if you talk about boundaries and the terms of your relationship, you are going to do your own thing.
On top of that, your zodiac sign is known for being blindly optimistic. You like to think that your relationship is going great, even if you know in the back of your mind that it could be better. But while honesty is your forte, coming to terms with the brutal truth isn’t always easy.
7. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
Gemini, you are another zodiac sign that prefers casual romps to real, serious relationships, but there are always exceptions to the rule. If you can stay interested and happy, you will stick around for a long time.
Gemini is no stranger to infidelity, simply because you have a past just like everyone else. While you may not always forgive things like cheating, you will at least consider it if it’s not too horrible and you see a real future with that person. Don’t always count on this happening, though. You can change your mind.
8. CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)
Relationships aren’t just for fooling around with someone. When you date someone new, you always does so with the intention of being with that person for a long time. Even if it doesn’t last, the future is always on your mind.
If you are faced with an unfaithful person, you will break up with that person because you clearly don’t see a future with him. That said, if your S.O. is sincere with an apology, and you actually want to stay with him, you will consider forgiving them (that doesn’t mean you actually will, though).
9. ARIES (March 21 - April 19)
Aries, you have a big heart and want to share it with someone who really cares about and appreciates you. If that means you have to date a lot of people before you can find that perfect person, so be it.
When it comes to infidelity, you can really be crushed by it, even if you are still in the “get to know you” phase with someone. While you can certainly forgive infidelity (hey, no one is perfect), you have a hard time forgetting, which can spell trouble for your relationship in the future.
10. LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Leo, you cannot and will not forgive infidelity because you won’t be made a fool of. Relationships are meant to be between two people who love and care for each other, and cheating on your S.O. clearly proves that you don’t love OR care for your partner.
Leo, you may have a big heart and may care so much, but when faced with infidelity, you won’t look back from the relationship. You are confident enough in yourself to know when to walk away, even when it hurts. The hurt will fade, but the betrayal won’t.
11. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)
Aquarius, like your fellow air signs, is not always jumping at the chance to involve yourself in a serious or long-term relationship. That said, when you find someone you have a deep connection with – spiritually, emotionally, and physically – you are willing to try for that person.
When faced with infidelity, you will always leave the relationship without a second glance back. If a person cheats on you, the trust you had in your partner as a friend (because there’s never one without the other) has been totally crushed.
12. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)
Cheat on you and you’re done for good. Trust, loyalty, and honesty are the most important things to you, and if all three are not in your relationship, you aren’t happy.
You won’t stick around once somone proves to you that your needs aren’t worth anything to the one you love. They can try to explain themselves or apologize, but you stopped listening once the infidelity came to light. Owning up to the infidelity is one thing, but if you had to find out about it on your own before your S.O. told you, they should expect apocalyptic anger.
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 non-fiction book in the future.