Cancer writer Pascal Mercier maintained that “loyalty is a decision, a resolution of the soul” — and when it comes to the zodiac wheel, some souls are more resolved than others.
Scorpios are often described as loyal, but as the brilliant astrologer Elise Wells of Planet Poetica reminds us, “There’s a difference between loyalty and obsession.”
In that sense, Scorpio might/will brood over someone forever, but they’re also quick to assume the worst, expect betrayal and plot revenge accordingly.
Capricorns are loyal to the cause that serves them best and, not for nothing, Benedict Arnold was a sea goat. Fidelity is fickle for a Gemini, and Libra likes the romantic ideal of loyalty but operates more frequently from the position of a douche masquerading as a poet.
Fire signs Aries and Sagittarius are loyal first, most and exclusively to themselves. Leo demands devotion but is loyal only to their subjugated subjects — the ones who support their delusions of infallibility.
Virgo is loyal but never to the point of self-sacrifice, and Pisces people are too impressionable, too easily swayed by the promise of fairy dust to be classified as true ride-or-dies; see Pisces Elizabeth Taylor betraying her bestie Debbie Reynolds by getting it on with her pal’s husband, Eddie Fisher.
But I digress.
That leaves three signs willing to go hard, pledge fealty, and offer love and loyalty beyond reason.
Read on to learn more.
TAURUS (April 20 – May 20)
As a fixed earth sign ruled by the planet of love, Taurus digs in, digs deep and holds on for dear life. The bull’s resistance to change means that Taurus folk often remain loyal to situations, substances, jobs and partners that are abjectly bad for them.
No surprise here: Tammy Wynette — who loved and remained loyal to a long line of louts and losers and penned the ballad to end all ballads about it, “Stand By Your Man” — was a Taurus. True to sign, Wynette kept touring and recording with her ex-husband George Jones for decades after their divorce.
Not for nothing, Taurus rules the second house of wealth and worth and is thus loyal to a fault and a consistent paycheck.
CANCER (June 21 – July 22)
Ruled by the mighty, moody moon, Cancer folks fall hard for friends, lovers, injured animals and surrogate parents, developing deep and sometimes codependent emotional bonds.
More often than not, their affections are directed toward a rose-tinted pedestal they have built from the seafoam and troubled twigs of their imaginations, rather than a real-deal human being.
Stay loyal to the fantasy, baby.
Masochists to the exoskeleton, a Cancer never truly closes the door on a relationship, always leaving it cracked just enough to entertain the possibility of hurting or being hurt.
See Jack White divorcing Meg White, rebranding her as his “sister” and keeping the band together for a bit.
Cancers are also fiercely, sometimes violently protective of their brood, both born and chosen. See crab queen Solange, clad in formal wear while beating the crap out of Jay-Z in an elevator for allegedly two-timing her big sister Beyoncé.
Bless it.
AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18)
Astrologer Elise Wells maintains, “We think of loyalty as being in the heart but Aquarians, who exist more in the mind, are loyal to those they can connect with on a cerebral level.”
Because hearts are more apt to change than minds, this loyalty is a touch more rock steady than the kind born from the flaming loins and fleeting promises of romantic love.
A fixed air sign and one that overidentifies with the archetype of the lone wolf, space cowboy, avant-garde, mask beneath a mask outsider, water bearers rarely if ever reveal their true selves to others. Yet, in the elusive moments— when they feel truly seen or understood — Aquarians alchemize a fierce loyalty to those who offer them acceptance.
If you allow them their freedom, curious habits, total privacy and strange addictions there is no sign with fewer strings attached to their loyalty.
If you allow them their freedom, curious habits, total privacy and strange addictions, there is no sign with fewer strings attached to their loyalty.
We see this expressed in the life of musician/prophet/Aquarius Bob Marley, who was loyal to the death to the causes he championed and the movement he believed in. Marley and his wife Rita both had extramarital affairs and children beyond their union but remained committed to each other and their family — “unconventionally committed” is the high art of the water bearer.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the star
- The 12 zodiac signs
- What are the astrology houses
- Here’s what each planet represents
- Sun, moon and rising signs: Get to know your Big 3
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. She is also an accomplished writer who has profiled a variety of artists and performers, as well as extensively chronicled her experiences while traveling
