They won't be pushed around.
By Christine Schoenwald — Written on Mar 19, 2020
Standing up for yourself comes easy to some people, while others find it much more difficult. We all have our own ways of standing up for ourselves: you are either always on the defensive and looking for a fight, or you stand up for yourself in small ways throughout the day.
No one enjoys feeling bullied or like their opinion doesn’t matter. And when you don’t stand up for yourself, you feel controlled or dominated — and that can make you feel powerless. We all must advocate for ourselves and take back our power.
Standing up for yourself is healthy, but being too aggressive and hurting others isn’t. And in astrology, the zodiac signs all have a specific approach to defending themselves.
You don’t want to make every encounter a battle to the death; in fact, it’s a good idea (and less stressful) to choose your battles carefully. You don’t want to have a temper tantrum over something that’s trivial, right?
Instead, tou want to be assertive, but you don’t want to become a jerk or bully in the process. Think about your actions before you take them, and try not to react from a place of anger.
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
One of Aries' strongest personality traits is their ability to stand up for themselves. They say what's on their mind, aren't afraid to act, and try to keep a positive attitude. They know that no one has the power to invalidate them or to make them feel unworthy.
However, many Aries could work on waiting until their anger dies down before reacting. These individuals don't hold back, even when it could benefit the situation.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Taurus is extremely deliberate when it comes to standing up for themselves. They're fully aware of their body language and stand grounded, strong, and with their body facing forward rather than at an angle.
They are careful with their words and are comfortable asking for what they want, or expressing their beliefs and opinions. Taureans are stubborn but still respectful. They're patient enough to not back down, even when it appears as if no one is on their side.
Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Geminis have brilliant communication skills, so the major way they stand up for themselves is verbally. They're smart and they're not shy in expressing their opinions, showing off their knowledge, and making their voice heard.
They have a great sense of humor and find that sometimes the best way to advocate for themselves is with humor. If someone disagrees with them, Gemini is happy to show them how they're wrong and still make the whole thing enjoyable.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
Cancer is extremely intuitive, so they trust their instincts about whether it's best to stand up for themselves as soon as a situation presents itself, or if it's better to wait until tempers have cooled off. Since Cancers are also very creative, they may stand up for themselves in less obvious ways.
Cancers express who they are and what they're feeling through art or other creative pursuits. They're fully themselves without shoving it in anyone's face.
Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Leos stand up for themselves by being strong leaders and being very clear about what they believe in. They know to pick their battles and understand that some things can be worked out without making it into a big deal.
But when it's something that Leo is passionate about, they don't hold back. They're assertive and don't let anybody try to make them do anything they don't want to do. Leos know that sometimes you need to make it all about you.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Virgos stand up for themselves by demonstrating how they wish to be treated by others. Virgos are aware of how their own actions, words, and decisions look to other people, and they send the message that they won't be conned, taken advantage of, or abused in any way.
Virgos are very good at listening and are able to respond in a thoughtful way. Being a good listener helps them avoid unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings.
Libra (September 23 - October 22)
Libras have no problem standing up for others, but find it more difficult to stand up for themselves. To get better at it, Libras may fake it until they get comfortable in holding their ground and not letting someone take advantage of them.
They practice saying "no" and not doing things for people. Libras have a gift of being able to see things from other people's perspectives, and they use that to see the needs, desires, and motives of another person in a conflict.
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Scorpios stand up for themselves by choosing the time and place. They know that planning things in advance gives them more control over the situation because they can get extremely intense.
Scorpios need to be able to clarify what's really bothering them before going on the attack. These individuals can be emotional, and it's good for them to feel like they're in charge of the dynamics of a potentially volatile confrontation.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
Sagittarius stand up for themselves by being transparent and authentic. They're honest with themselves and try not to think of worst-case scenarios; instead, they focus on positive results.
They're confident and they're not shy or withholding about their own talents, abilities, and victories. Sagittarians are their own support system and they will defend themselves against anyone who tries to defeat them.
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
Capricorns aren't going to give in to something just because somebody tells them they should. They have a very strong sense of self and won't be pushed around. They're wise, patient, and will take small, powerful steps to get what they want or fight for an injustice.
If Capricorn is passed over for promotion, they'll come up with a strategy and stand up for themselves so that kind of mistake isn't made twice. They are deliberate and don't make foolish mistakes when it comes to being their own champions.
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Aquarius stands up for themselves by not caring if they're standing alone. They know they can tell someone "yes" or "no" without having to give an explanation or an apology.
Aquarians have very strong beliefs and causes, and don't need anyone's approval to do so. If someone tries to stand in their way, Aquarius will stand up to them without thinking twice. Having a purpose is very important to this zodiac sign, and it shapes who they are.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
Pisces have a deep desire to help, and it can be challenging for them to say no to a project or a cause. But they know they can't do everything and must defend themselves.
Pisces are their own advocate by figuring out what's bothering them before igniting a conflict. They know not to delay dealing with an issue so long as the impetus to take action goes away. Hurt feelings or anger can chip away at self-esteem, and Pisces knows it's best to handle it as soon as possible.
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, and Woman's Day. Visit her website or and her Instagram.