A blog about the Zodiac may seem a strangely controversial topic, given that most people tend to fall into one of two camps: those who believe and those who don’t.
Not be confused with astronomy, the field of scientific study which seeks to explain the origin, function and evolution of celestial objects within our universe, astrology asserts that the positions and movements of celestial objects impact our personalities.
Western astrology claims that all humans have certain innate traits associated with each of the 12 Zodiac Signs and dependent upon which sign you were born into. (To be fair to astrologers, this is just a starting point. It gets a lot more specific and complex than that).
And sure, NASA may have discovered a 13th sign in 2016, throwing everything we know about astrology into question, but whether you love it or hate it, believe in it or don’t, astrology is fun. We all know what sign we are and have likely turned to it at one time or another for a way to explain our relationships and ourselves – and if you deny it, I don’t believe you.
So, let’s play along with the idea of innate qualities. We’ve assessed some of the key qualities that play best (and worst) into a career in PR.
ARIES ♈︎ (March 21 – April 19)
Determination: The first of the Zodiac, Aries are natural born leaders. An intense drive serves Aries well in a career in PR, as they like being in control and deeply fear failure. Aries are best when they can offer bold ideas to a team that can execute. Pro tip: Aries are easily irritated by micromanagement, inefficiency and restriction, but that’s where a good, supportive team comes in.
TAURUS ♉︎ (April 20 – May 20)
Reliable: In the world of PR, being able to maneuver from leader to executor in any situation is critically important, a skill unique to Taurus’s. Your hard work and dedication mean people know that they can always count on you. The caveat? Your stubbornness can cause some trouble – be cautious and pick your battles.
GEMINI ♊︎ (May 21 – June 20)
Adaptable: Geminis excel in fast-paced, stimulating environments that provide plenty of unique and dynamic opportunities – PR in a nutshell! By nature, you’re incredibly adaptable and approach tasks with speed and tenacity. More so than other signs, Gemini’s are uniquely suited to agency life, as a tedious work environment will impact your ability to commit to the job and the teams around you.
CANCER ♋︎ (June 21 – July 22)
Problem-Solving: Cancers are the most nurturing sign of the Zodiac and can handle responsibility with ease. One of the most diligent signs, Cancers are best in careers that allow them to problem solve, make a difference and generate results – again, PR in a nutshell. Sometimes, Cancers can become anxious due to their natural tendency to care deeply about their work and those around them.
LEO ♌︎ (July 23 – August 22)
Attention-Seeking: But not in a bad way. Leos are the life of the party (but they already know that). Friendly, charming and approachable by nature, people are drawn to Leos. This is a natural affinity that will get you far in the world of media relations as you vie for the attention of journalists. Leos tends to be high maintenance though, so make sure to wield that charm to win over others from the start.
VIRGO ♍︎ (August 23 – September 22)
Practical: Virgo’s are known for their hardworking, perfectionist nature. With an amazing memory and a meticulous eye for detail, Virgo’s are built to excel in communications – calmly putting their research skills and analytical nature to good use in high-impact, demanding environments. As a perfectionist however, Virgo’s tends to be hard on themselves – striving to not get lost in the details, especially in the fast-paced world of PR, is critical.
LIBRA ♎︎ (September 23 – October 22)
Balanced: Just as the Libra’s symbol of scales implies; Libra’s are all about finding balance. Constantly weighing the options, reading clients’ unspoken needs and understanding others’ motivations is an advantageous skill in the complex field of PR. However, Libras need watch out for the tendency to be follow the crowd and make sure they don’t bite off more than they can chew.
SCORPIO ♏︎ (October 23 – November 21)
Resourcefulness : Scorpios are adept at handling confidential and discretionary work and their desire to investigate, remain level-headed and streamline planning makes them incredible crisis communicators. While a Scorpio’s intensity and mysterious nature can serve them well in a crisis, these traits can also veer into intimidation and pressure, if not managed appropriately.
SAGITTARIUS ♐︎ (November 22 – December 21)
Communicative: Sagittarians have a propensity for conversation – coupled with unfailing optimism and a team-oriented mindset. Sags can inspire their teams and the media with whom they communicate. Like Aries however, creative restrictions and arbitrary rules may hamper a Sagittarius’ ability to execute with intention.
CAPRICORN ♑︎ (December 22 – January 19)
Pragmatic: Capricorn’s are hardworking, disciplined and organized – all attributes that will take you far in the fast-paced, dynamic world of PR. Your enthusiasm and ambition are appreciated by your teams, clients and media contacts – just be careful to prioritize a healthy work-life balance. Capricorns are natural workaholics.
AQUARIUS ♒︎ (January 20 – February 18)
Curiosity: Aquarians have a powerful natural curiosity, excited imaginations and succeed in careers that enable freedom of self-expression. An inquisitive and creative bunch, Aquarians are best at bringing fresh, original and unique ideas to the table – a crucial skill in the dynamic PR industry. Sometimes, however, Aquarians’ more solitary nature and highly active imaginations can make for unpredictable colleagues.
PISCES ♓︎ (February 19 – March 20)
Intuitive: Pisces are known for their natural intuition, and bring a commitment to excellence to the field of PR. Their ability to navigate sensitive issues with compassion makes them excellent crisis communicators. Staying positive is the biggest problem facing Pisces, who tends to over-think negative outcomes.
So whether you believe or not, astrology, and the traits associated with each zodiac sign, is a fun, short-hand way to think about how your personality and your skills might affect your life and career. Of course, the reality is much more complex than that. No one fits neatly into any to box, astrologically or otherwise.
With any career, the most important outcome at the end of the day is knowing yourself well enough to find a career that is fulfilling, challenging, and the right fit for YOU!