The Dark Side of Every Zodiac Sign Explained

Everyone enjoys reading about the good aspects of their zodiac sign. Aries is courageous, Taurus is faithful, and Libra is charming. However, there is one thing nobody tells you when you first enter your zodiac sign: every sign of the zodiac has a dark side, equally as potent as its sunny side. It's like the moon. It is only seen from one side, but the other side is there, and it influences all things.

Knowing the negative attributes of a zodiac sign does not mean to label oneself as a bad person or another person as a bad person. It's a matter of self-awareness. If you know your weak spots, then you can take action! So let's discuss the authentic and raw aspect of each of the 12 signs.

Astrology teaches that each planet and sign has two energies. Aries' courageous fire can consume them. What makes Scorpio magnetic can also make them obsessive. In astrology, this is referred to as the "shadow self," and in psychology, it is just the bits we tend to deny or hide.

Happily, if you know your zodiac shadow traits, that doesn't mean you are stuck with them forever. It simply means you have a blind spot that you need to check out. Sometimes the best piece of reflection you will ever discover is your birth chart. 

Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of war and aggression. On a good day, they are unbeatable leaders. On a bad day, they become the person who starts a fight in a group chat and then goes offline.

Aries' dark side is all about being the winner. They can be: 

• Impulsive (makes decisions for which he is sorry)

• Short-tempered and unable to sit with discomfort

• Unconsciously self-centered

• Not sensitive toward others' emotions when pursuing a goal 

The scariest part? Aries often don't pause long enough to see the damage they have caused. They have already moved on to the next thing, and others are still picking up the pieces.

Taurus are reliable, kind, and stable. However, the negative side of Taurus is a firm attitude to not change even when it is necessary. Envision a tree that won't bend in a storm. It comes with luck, or it fails.

Taurus at their worst can be 

• In relationships, have an obsession over the other person that goes to the extreme

• Materialistic and valuing themselves by possessions they have

• Passive-aggressive rather than expressing their true feelings

• Resistant to growth because comfort feels safer than uncertainty. 

They keep a grudge in their minds for a really long time. You can't forget a Taurus if you ever met one.

The social butterfly of the zodiac is Gemini. Smart, playful, and hilariously fun. The downside of Geminis, however, is that they can be very unpredictable and sometimes even unconsciously manipulative.

They have the following shadow traits:

• To say one thing, but mean another.

• Using their communication skills to talk their way out of accountability

• Relationship boredom and seeking something dazzling

• Sharing information too freely, sometimes in the realm of gossip 

The twins symbolize Gemini because of what they represent. There really are two persons here, and you can never tell which is present. 

The mother of the Zodiac is cancer. Sensitive and loving. The downside of Cancer is that their emotional depth can turn into emotional manipulation quicker than most people would believe.

When Cancer is feeling threatened or not loved, they get to do the following: 

• Be a victim of the situation even if they are responsible for part of the problem.

• Save the guilt as a tool to use in relationships

• Withdraw into their shell and give people the silent treatment for days

• Cling so tightly to people that they push them away 

They have the longest emotional memory of any sign. Something you said three years ago? Cancer remembers. And so does their mood.

Leo is magnetic, generous, and lively. Until the Leo begins to love himself more than he loves others. The dark side of Leo is a very vulnerable ego covered by a very loud personality.

The shadow side of Leo is 

• Require continual reassurance, and if they don't get it, they feel cold.

• Charm and generosity as a way to retain loyalty

• Feeling jealous about others' successes when they wouldn't acknowledge them.

• Rejecting those who will not extend themselves. 

There's a particular type of Leo behavior that will have them do something really kind for you and then keep reminding you of it for the rest of their life. This is the shadow effect.

The most hardworking and detail-oriented in the Zodiac is Virgo. They notice everything. Well, that's the issue. The downside of Virgo's dark side is that their keen vision can make it seem like everyone around them is lacking.

Virgo could have darker sides which include 

• Constantly thinking about things to the point where it causes anxiety to spiral out of control.

• Setting up unrealistic expectations for others

• Helping behavior to manage situations

• When feelings are high, becoming cold and clinical 

In the interest of saving you a headache, Virgo will solve your problem and quietly observe you doing 20 other things wrong. They will probably be thinking it but not say it. 

Libra is polite, attractive, and very diplomatic. The negative side of Libra is that they're so peaceful that they can become dishonest. They are not fond of fighting and will say what you want to hear instead of what you need to hear.

Libra's shadow traits are the following: 

• Chronic indecision that frustrates everyone around them

• Agreeing to a host of different requests and disappointing them all

• Don't have difficult conversations until they explode fully

• Being deceptive by the use of charm to obtain what they desire, which others would be punished for. 

A common complaint for people is that they don't really know what to expect from a Libra, as a Libra will tell them a different story at different times, in different circumstances, and in different rooms.

Powerful, magnetic, and very perceptive, Scorpio is. They can read people like no other sign. The downside of a a Scorpio is his perception morphs into control, manipulation, or revenge when he feels he has been wronged.

The shadow side of Scorpio is 

• A fascination with control and knowing all the secrets without giving any away

• Jealousy that turns to destructive proportions

• Carrying a bad mood for years and preparing a plot to retaliate: revenge as a pleasure

• The lack of trust even as people have no reason to distrust 

Scorpio doesn't raise his voice. They get strategic. That's actually scarier. 

The philosopher and adventurer of the zodiac is Sagittarius. Optimist, joker, and always in search of the next big thing. The negative influence of Sagittarius is an extreme lack of the ability to be with something that is perceived as a burden.

They have shadow tendencies, such as: 

• The avoidance of emotions in the guise of freedom and independence

• Speaking the truth straight out without considering the effect it will have on others

• Making promises they don't keep

• Avoiding commitments or relationships because they feel they are being cornered. 

For Sagittarius, their emotional avoidance will be dubbed "not being tied down." They're called something different by those around them. 

A Capricorn is a disciplined, ambitious, and success-oriented individual. They are the one with a five-year vision at the age of 20. However, the dark side of Capricorn is that they will see people as tools, rather than relationships.

The worst thing a Capricorn can do is 

• Distance themselves from others they care for, even in times of need

• Very selfish and ambitious, at the expense of their lives.

• They feel very negative and do not enjoy what they have created.

• Judgemental of anyone who does not achieve their success level 

They will get so tired they will question what they are doing with their energy. This ladder they climbed sometimes takes them to a very lonely rooftop. 

Aquarius is ahead of his time, forward-thinking, and truly cares about how he can make the world better. However, the shadow side of Aquarius is an extreme detachment in which people are not even seen by those who are near them.

They have the following shadow traits: 

• Being emotionally unavailable and calling it rationality

• Thinking that he or she is the smartest person in the room and not being afraid of it

• Rebellious behavior for the sake of being different

• Putting their ideals ahead of those in their lives. 

Aquarius will stand up for the people he doesn't know halfway across the globe, while neglecting to get in touch with his best friend going through similar struggles. 

Pisces is the sign of the zodiac that is the most intuitive and empathetic. They are very sensitive and possess a sort of magic that attracts people. The negative side of Pisces is actually their tendency towards escapism, and sometimes self-destructive tendencies are quite subtle.

Pisces' dark side consists of 

• Playing the martyr and gathering emotional wounds as identity

• Avoiding reality by indulging in fantasy, unhealthy behaviors, and/or total withdrawal.

• Getting taken advantage of repeatedly through being too trusting

• Focusing on the sensitivity and thus avoiding taking responsibility 

Pisces is not a known liar. They live in their version of reality, which is more comfortable than it is to be in reality.