Everyone has their flaws. But what if you could figure out your biggest problem in life and actually change it? Just as astrology tells us which positive traits are associated with each zodiac sign, it also tells us about the negative parts of our personalities. And every sign’s got ’em. Sure, Cancers are warm, nurturing pals, but they can also be too guarded or overly sensitive or strike out when they’re provoked. And Capricorns are the boss b*tches you want to collab with at work, but their logical side means they can be a bit cold and unemotional. In fact, sometimes it's just a matter of perspective: How many Scorpios do you know who are proud of their vengeful streak?
Luckily, astrology also tells us not only what our negative traits are, but also how to fix them. And even just being aware of our worst tendencies can help us learn to keep from acting on our impulses.
Here’s how to reach your greatest potential, based on your sign:
Aries
The Aries basics:
Dates: March 21 to April 19
Element: Fire
Modality: Cardinal
Ruling planet: Mars
Celebrity Aries: Halle Bailey, Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, Lil Nas X, Kourtney Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Big Sean, Pharrell, Mariah Carey, Saoirse Ronan, America Ferrera, Simu Liu
Aries's positive traits:
Your great ideas, creative mind, and natural drive form the skill set of an incredible leader—which you have the potential to be. Your competitive nature will contribute to your many successes in life, making your achievements a positive influence in the lives of the people around you. Use your passion to inspire your peers with your abundant enthusiasm, and offer your suggestions to help them grow.
Aries's negative traits:
Yours is the first sign of the zodiac—the “baby,” so to speak—and your need for recognition and attention can be a little, well, infantile. You naturally assert your ideas and opinions in any situation no matter the context, and you tend to make things about yourself. It feels good to be recognized for your accomplishments (and boy, do you have a lot of them), but you chase this validation and demand others acknowledge how you feel, what you say, and what you do 24/7. It can come off as self-centered and push others away—which, ironically, deprives you of the attention you need. And you think that ANY kind of attention is good attention.
Aries, here's how to fix your flaws:
With friends, remember to ask them how they’re doing and actually listen. Let them win from time to time, and use your intrinsic passion and eagerness to support them to meet their goals. Your tendency to be argumentative means that you fiercely stand up for the people you love, so definitely use that as a way to strengthen your relationships. You shine brightest when you’re being recognized for *good* reasons!
Taurus
The Taurus basics:
Dates: April 20 to May 20
Element: Earth
Modality: Fixed
Ruling planet: Venus
Celebrity Tauruses: Lizzo, Gigi Hadid, Robert Pattinson, Megan Fox, Kelly Clarkson, Channing Tatum, Adele, Kehlani, Noah Centineo, Lana Condor, Rami Malek, Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson, Sam Smith, Travis Scott, Henry Cavill, Charli D'Amelio
Taurus's positive traits:
You’re an ambitious person who works to achieve your goals, even when it’s hard. You have amazing intuition and know a lot about the world around you, so definitely follow it whenever possible. Plus, you are extremely dependable and love to maintain intimate relationships with others—your friends love that you’re always there for them. Besides your loyalty, you also have ah-mazing taste, which means you know the best restaurants, cocktails, movies, concerts, art exhibits, fashion shows, etc.
Taurus's negative traits:
The most well-known trait of your sign is the one people take the most issue with—your stubbornness. According to Jan Spiller and Karen McCoy in their book Spiritual Astrology, your stubbornness comes out when you refuse to see the worth in others’ opinions simply because they’re not the same as yours. Your unwavering values include personal morals and work ethic but also your attitude toward your actual valuables and possessions. You assume your subjective truth is the only truth and lose respect for people who don’t line up with your thinking. Your need to have your merit recognized inspires you to work hard and prove yourself, but believing others are “wrong” or “bad” just because they aren’t carbon copies of you isn’t helping anyone.
Taurus, here's how to fix your flaws:
Being stubborn isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it means you tend to get things done and done right. However, blocking out feedback from others and insisting on only doing things your way stunts personal growth and true intimacy in relationships—so try to open up! Let others think, feel, and act how they want to without silent, passive-aggressive judgment. Just by observing and listening, you might learn something! Being flexible with others and connecting by sharing ideas will make your friendships and partnerships more fun and valuable.
Gemini
The Gemini Basics:
Dates: May 21 to June 20
Element: Air
Modality: Mutable
Ruling planet: Mercury
Celebrity Geminis: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Emily Ratajkowski, Naomi Campbell, Venus Williams, Angelina Jolie, KJ Apa, Laverne Cox, Kendrick Lamar, Troye Sivan, Awkwafina, Tom Holland, Natalie Portman, Colin Farrell, Chris Evans, Zoe Saldana
Gemini's positive traits:
You are a social butterfly and can make friends with literally anyone due to your bubbly personality and attractive intelligence. You’re super smart, hilariously funny, and strategic AF. You're also naturally curious, which means that you're never bored—you're always chasing your latest interest or hobby. Being around you is always a fun time! It's no surprise that people are so drawn to you. Everyone wants to be your bestie!
Gemini's negative traits:
Your sign gets dragged a lot for being two-faced, and to be fair, you switch up your thoughts and opinions so much that you might as well be two different people! You just have such a short attention span and live so in the moment that your whole personality changes based on whatever your current attitude and surroundings are. You’re always analyzing your environment and taking in information, and you love to talk, talk, talk about it all. You network like a pro and have tons of acquaintances, but others have difficulty forming solid relationships with you because who you appear to be is so different every day. You may be written off as superficial, especially because you’re not the best at remembering plans or delving deeper into a conversation.
Gemini, here's how to fix your flaws:
Just because you get labeled two-faced doesn’t mean you’re fake—you’re actually one of the most genuine, self-expressive signs! However, you can build worthwhile connections by living for more than just the moment. Make plans and commit to them—or at least put them in your Google Calendar so you can say you tried to remember! And at the next party you go to, try to have a longer, one-on-one talk with someone without derailing the conversation with your side stories and jokes every two minutes or needing to find a bigger group to entertain. Little things like this show people that you’re not as unreliable as your sign is believed to be and that you really do care.
Cancer
The Cancer Basics:
Dates: June 21 to July 22
Element: Water
Modality: Cardinal
Ruler: The Moon
Celebrity Cancers: Ariana Grande, Margot Robbie, Solange, Selena Gomez, Khloé Kardashian, Mindy Kaling, Saweetie, Jaden Smith, Lana Del Rey, Sandra Oh, Jacob Elordi, Tom Cruise, Kevin Hart, Tia and Tamera Mowry, Priyanka Chopra, Lindsay Lohan
Cancer's positive traits:
Your empathy is through the roof, and according to the book Spiritual Astrology, this is where your natural intuition and nurturing instincts come from. You often find yourself being the caregiver of your group, making people naturally want to be in your presence. Your loving nature is one of your greatest assets, and your ability to take care of people is second to none, which is one of the reasons your sign is so adored! Your feelings are strong, and your empathy is even stronger.
Cancer's negative traits:
Emotions are abundant in every area of your life, and you’re especially sensitive to them, even for a water sign. When you insist on acting on your feelings all the time, you come off as moody and your distinct crabbiness can make you controlling and passive-aggressive. But you recede into your shell or lash out with your claws as soon as someone else’s mood is too much, and people have a hard time understanding how to handle you. When others have to bear the brunt of your feelings while stifling their own, it is an unfair exchange and jeopardizes your relationships.
Cancer, here's how to fix your flaws:
In her book The Ascendant, Jodie Forrest recommends that you learn to forgive others’ mistakes and talk things out instead of locking yourself up tight in a shell when you feel shafted. You’re truly the mom friend of the zodiac, but keep the moodiness down so you don’t come off as the wicked stepmother instead!
Leo
The Leo Basics:
Dates: July 23 to August 22
Element: Fire
Modality: Fixed
Ruler: The Sun
Celebrity Leos: Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Meghan Markle, Kylie Jenner, Daniel Radcliffe, Chris Evans, Andrew Garfield, Viola Davis, Maya Rudolph, Jason Momoa, Demi Lovato, Cara Delevingne, Halle Berry, Anna Kendrick, Joe Jonas, Dua Lipa
Leo's positive traits:
You don’t need to worry about being likable, Leo, because your sign is one of the most charismatic and lovable. Bright, fiery, and dazzling are all words that are often used to describe you! The Sun is the source of all energy and life in the solar system, and similarly, you’re the most creative and generous sign. You are a natural leader and have the ability to make some strong friendships. People are just naturally drawn to your warmth and your ~shine~.
Leo's negative traits:
You’re ruled by the Sun, but the world doesn’t revolve around you, kitty cat. You can turn people off with your demand for attention, even if you don’t realize you come off that way. Your ego is the biggest in the zodiac and somehow the most fragile too! You need to feel noticed and validated, but going overboard and showboating yourself just for the sake of being in the spotlight isn’t the best way to get that approval. Like the natural performer your sign is known to be, sometimes you play a different role and fabricate personality traits that you think are likable.
Leo, here's how to fix your flaws:
Remember to give others their chance in the sunlight too. A healthy dose of realism and consideration (boring, I know) and letting others have their own moments to shine goes a long way. It’s not always about you, and that’s okay. And keep in mind that being true to yourself and honoring your relationships only strengthens your bonds over time. When someone truly close to you tells you how supported you make them feel, you’ll see that it’s way more satisfying than showing off for a crowd.
Virgo
The Virgo Basics
Dates: August 23 to September 22
Element: Earth
Modality: Virgo
Ruling planet: Mercury
Celebrity Virgos: Beyoncé, Zendaya, Prince Harry, Keanu Reeves, Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, Sydney Sweeney, Keke Palmer, Nick Jonas, Sofia Richie, Chris Pine, Alexander Skarsgard, John Mulaney, Idris Elba, Padma Lakshmi, Billy Porter, Pink
Virgo's positive traits:
You’re a diligent, considerate, and practical person who works your ass off and makes sure your loved ones are happy. In fact, you're one of the hardest-working signs of the whole zodiac. Whether it's a big work project or a vacation with your friends, everyone knows that when you're on the planning committee, shit gets done. And you enjoy it! You constantly want to help the people around you and you’re highly dependable for your intelligence and resourcefulness.
Virgo's negative traits:
Since you are very detail-oriented and love to take control of pretty much everything, you may sometimes come off as an obsessive perfectionist who annoyingly fixates on the tiniest details. Usually, you use this attention to detail to improve your workplace or the lives of those closest to you, even if it means skipping out on self-care. You insist on overextending yourself to make everything better—even if no one asked you to. Your sharp eye is great for picking out flaws, but when you use it to endlessly criticize someone, it takes a toll on your relationship.
Virgo, here's how to fix your flaws:
Trust us, people don’t want to constantly hear everything they’re doing wrong. If you constantly criticize them, they reach out to you less and less and you become upset because you’ve “done so much for them!” and they “don’t even appreciate it!” Sound familiar? Learn to use your critical eye and attentiveness to point out the positives rather than any shortcomings. You make razor-sharp observations and can come up with genius solutions—but people have to actually want your feedback first. Jodie Forrest’s The Ascendant suggests you remember that “sometimes ‘perfect’ is the enemy of ‘good enough’” and learn to give out some praise every now and then!
Libra
The Libra Basics:
Dates: September 23 to October 22
Element: Air
Modality: Cardinal
Ruling planet: Venus
Celebrity Libras: Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams, Bella Hadid, Will Smith, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cardi B, Doja Cat, Dakota Johnson, Donald Glover, Addison Rae, Halsey, Maddie Ziegler, Michaela Coel, Jenna Ortega, Bruno Mars, Usher, John Mayer, Zac Efron
Libra's positive traits:
You’re a social butterfly and the biggest people person ever—it’s ridiculously easy for you to make and keep new friends. You can fit in anywhere with your intrinsic social graces, and people love your wit and manners. You have the ability to resolve conflicts just by turning on the charm, making you a perfect asset to your friend group and in social gatherings. You're a natural diplomat!
Libra's negative traits:
Although Gemini has the reputation for being two-faced, your sign is usually guilty of being even more flighty and superficial. You’re a natural people pleaser, so when your super-social attitude turns into consciously acting differently in order to fit in with those around you, sh*t gets messy! Especially in a romantic relationship, when you may feel like you need to keep the attention of others outside your relationship in order to be fulfilled (another “sh*t gets messy” moment). When your over-the-top people-pleasing isn’t reciprocated, you feel like you’ve been treated unjustly, which leads to inevitable conflict. Your sign can be codependent, which is why you love relationships so much, but it’s important to make sure other people aren’t held accountable for your well-being.
Libra, here's how to fix your flaws:
You love to love people, but it’s unhealthy to mold your own personality depending on who’s around just to satisfy your thirst for socialization. There’s no need to act a certain way when you have plenty of greatness to contribute if you can just be yourself!
Scorpio
The Scorpio Basics:
Dates: October 23 to November 21
Element: Water
Modality: Fixed
Ruling planet: Mars and Pluto
Celebrity Scorpios: Willow Smith, Kendall Jenner, Drake, Lorde, Winona Ryder, Amandla Stenberg, Penn Badgley, Katy Perry, Gabrielle Union, Tracee Ellis Ross, Ciara, Ryan Reynolds, Frank Ocean, Julia Roberts, SZA, Emma Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Driver
Scorpio's positive traits:
You are extremely ambitious and know exactly what you want—and you’re willing to work hard to get it. When you're really determined, nothing can get in your way. And with your highly intuitive nature, you’re always looking for answers. Your intensity and depth in relationships helps you build an everlasting trust with the people closest to you. You're one of the most loyal signs of the zodiac, and your close friendships are super important to you.
Scorpios negative traits:
Your sign loves mysteries and is a natural at getting to the bottom of things. You find a deeper meaning in everything and are magnetically drawn to anything shrouded in secrecy. Speaking of, here’s a secret for you: You have to chill out! There’s not always hidden symbolism or underlying motives to something, no matter how hard you try to find them. You also seem to have a massive desire to control, which makes you extremely calculated and constantly scheming to make sure things go your way. The Ascendant explains that your sign has a “very powerful unconscious mind.” You know that embarrassing or painful memories, childhood issues, and different habits buried away in the subconscious are the root causes of many human behaviors. While most people ignore or are unaware of this, you fixate on it. In order to figure out the inner desires of others, you become suspicious, play mind games, and perform little tests to see how they react. You can come off as inappropriate or too intense when you try to psychoanalyze people, whether it be friends or strangers.
Scorpio, here's how to fix your flaws:
Your need to always seek the “truth” can lead to obsession and paranoia, which compels you to investigate harder in search of something that may just not be that deep. If you absolutely must question someone or something, make sure you have someone you trust to bounce ideas off of so you don’t get lost in a black hole of doubt. Remember to take it easy and realize that not everyone is out to get you.
Sagittarius
The Sagittarius Basics:
Dates: November 22 to December 21
Element: Fire
Modality: Mutable
Ruling planet: Jupiter
Famous Sagittariuses: Taylor Swift, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zoë Kravitz, Britney Spears, Hailey Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Chrissy Teigen, Janelle Monáe, Jay Z, Lucy Liu, Nicki Minaj, Tyra Banks, Hailee Steinfeld, Regina Hall, Billie Eilish, Sarah Paulson, Jonah Hill
Sagittarius's positive traits:
Your sign is known for its constant motion and never-ending pursuit for knowledge. You work hard and blast yourself out of your comfort zone at every opportunity, be it by traveling, hands-on learning, or setting bold goals that you always somehow surpass. You’re incredibly witty and your storytelling ability is on point—you’re used to having everyone on the edge of their seat waiting to hear what you have to say. And the confidence you have in all your experiences and knowledge certainly isn’t misplaced.
Sagittarius's negative traits:
The tendency to come off as a know-it-all is definitely an area that all Sagittarians can improve on! You easily become preachy and impose your opinion when no one’s asked for it. For a sign that’s supposed to love learning, you sure talk over others a lot and habitually dismiss any ideas or beliefs different from your own. This will cause you to come off as conceited and pretentious—and honestly, few people actually want to be around that kind of vibe. You can accumulate as much knowledge and life experience as you want, but what good does that do for you when you don’t have anyone to share it with?
Sagittarius, here's how to fix your flaws:
It’s hypocritical to label your worldview as fact and then immediately reject anyone who believes otherwise. Saying “I’m just being honest!” isn’t a good-enough reason to explain why you tactlessly denounce others’ different but harmless POVs. Also, experiencing things firsthand isn’t the only way to learn. Listen to others and learn to talk with them rather than at them. You can absorb so much just from hearing others’ stories and ideas, and even if you don’t like what they have to say, you can politely agree to disagree.
Capricorn
The Capricorn Basics:
Dates: December 22 to January 19
Element: Earth
Modality: Cardinal
Ruling planet: Saturn
Celebrity Capricorns: Timothée Chalamet, Denzel Washington, John Legend, Seth Myers, Allison Brie, Eddie Redmayne, Nina Dobrev, Liam Hemsworth, Zayn Malik, Orlando Bloom, Dove Cameron, FKA Twigs, Kate Moss, Logan Lerman, Zooey Deschanel
Capricorn's positive traits:
Your incredible dedication and discipline certainly drives you to work your way to the top, which is how you achieve all your bold goals. You are a fantastic leader and excel at taking initiative in any aspect of life, whether that’s work or close relationships. You're one of the most ambitious signs of the zodiac, and when you set a goal, you know how to get it. You make meticulous five- and ten-year plans, and when you have your sight set on something, you achieve it. In your close relationships, you're incredibly loyal and have a wicked sense of humor that you show your best friends.
Capricorn's negative traits:
Take a deep breath, Capricorn. Unclench your jaw, relax those shoulders, and let yourself chill out! Your sign is the hardest worker in the zodiac and definitely the most serious. You don’t suffer fools gladly and your lifestyle is very “all work, no play.” The book Spiritual Astrology explains that your incredible drive and motivation come from a need to feel in control. This can manifest through your incredible dedication and discipline driving you to work your way to the top, which is how you achieve all your bold goals. At your worst, your desire for order gives you an authoritarian personality with no tolerance for spontaneity or surprises. You throw yourself into your work and put up a stone-cold demeanor that people find unapproachable—whether you mean to or not. Sometimes, this strictness causes others to feel stifled and like they can’t be around you if they want to have a good time.
Capricorn, here's how to fix your flaws:
You need to seriously loosen up! Separate yourself from your job when you aren’t there. Why don’t you take a day off every now and then? You can still be as serious as you want in your career, but understand that success feels thin if other aspects of your life are empty. Your sign is represented by the goat, and like a mountain goat, when you focus on your goal, you’re always able to jump, climb, and scale your way to success. The view sure is nice from the top, isn’t it? It’ll be even nicer if you have loved ones to share it with!
Aquarius
The Aquarius Basics:
Dates: January 20 to February 18
Element: Air
Modality: Fixed
Ruling planet: Saturn and Uranu
Celebrity Aquariuses: Megan Thee Stallion, Harry Styles, Bella Poarch, Shakira, Oprah Winfrey, Yara Shahidi, Michael B. Jordan, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Aniston, Paris Hilton, The Weeknd, Chris Rock, Laura Dern, Elizabeth Olsen, Ed Sheeran, Kelly Rowland
Aquarius's positive traits:
According to The Ascendant, you’re a natural revolutionary born to assert your independence in every way possible. You are a deeply creative thinker and often dream about changing the world with your big ideas and unconventional attitude. You're an innovator who sees the world in a unique way, and you work hard to make the world better, too. You're one of the most idealistic signs of the zodiac, and you live up to your values.
Aquarius's negative traits:
Everyone gets it—you’re unique! You love to stand out and, true to your nature as an air sign, love to talk and socialize even more. Nothing makes you happier than when you get to add your controversial opinion to a discussion and (1) force others to reconsider their stance and (2) earn recognition for your viewpoint. As a result, you make it a point to share your ~different~ and *special* thoughts all the time. It stems from the fact that you’re the zodiac’s archetypal rebel. This is the root of your humanitarian and progressive views—your sign is all about fighting the power—but it also causes your unpredictable and sometimes annoying behavior.
Aquarius, here's how to fix your flaws:
You’re genuinely eccentric, with a charming idiosyncrasy exclusive to your sign, so there’s no need to ham it up and risk alienating yourself, especially when your intentions are so good. Your endearing peculiarities and bright ideas are enough on their own to make you stick out, you little weirdo! This way, you have the opportunity to stand out and be recognized by your whole group for the best reasons.
Pisces
The Pisces Basics:
Dates: February 19 to March 20
Element: Water
Modality: Mutable
Ruling planet: Jupiter and Neptune
Celebrity Pisces: Rihanna, Olivia Rodrigo, Trevor Noah, Elliot Page, Dakota Fanning, Lupita Nyong'o, Justin Bieber, Millie Bobby Brown, Jordan Peele, Jameela Jamil, Drew Barrymore, Oscar Isaac, Rebel Wilson, Kesha
Pisces's positive traits:
Your kindness and creative spirit make your relationships passionate and dreamy, resulting in deep, spiritual connections. The book Spiritual Astrology explains that your sign’s hopes and dreams have the potential to manifest as a tangible, healing reality as long as you pull them out of your imagination and connect with real people who can help implement your ideas. You're deeply intuitive and compassionate, it's almost otherworldly.
Pisces's negative traits:
It’s time to wake up! You’re always tucked away in your own little world, lost in your daydreams. No matter how hard others try to hold your attention or keep tabs on you, you somehow always manage to slip out of their grasp and disappear, causing you to gain the reputation of being flaky. You’re more emotionally wide open than any other sign, filled with compassion, and incredibly sensitive. Minor shifts in emotional atmosphere that most people wouldn’t even register, you perceive as blaring sirens and flashing lights—so wanting to live in your own head is understandable. You get overwhelmed easily, but at some point, you have to deal with the real world.
Pisces, here's how to fix your flaws:
What does your own little world feel like? How does it differ from reality? Let this question inspire you to make real-world changes so you won’t have to emotionally clock out as much. When you’re living on a different frequency than everyone else, you can’t connect and share all the love and feelings you have to offer. Your vivid dreams, colorful imagination, and creative mind are the tools you use to visualize this perfect world—so don’t keep this utopia locked up inside your head! See if you can come up for air more often.
Follow Jake on Instagram.
Jake Register (better known by his Instagram handle, @jakesastrology) is a Libra and the author of Cosmopolitan’s weekly Sexoscopes. He lives in southeastern North Carolina and loves making astrology content. Follow his IG or Twitter @jakesastrology, and to book a reading, go to Jakesastrology.as.me.
Erika W. Smith (she/her) is the current Senior Astrology Editor at Cosmopolitan. In her 4+ years at Cosmo, she's worked on everything from editing weekly horoscopes, to reporting on how astrology influences album release dates, to launching The Cosmo Tarot. Before joining Cosmopolitan in 2020, she worked at Refinery29, HelloGiggles, and BUST magazine. Her book series Astrosex: How to Have the Best Sex According to Your Star Sign was published in 2021. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @erikawynn.
