The Ultimate Art World Astro Guide

Love it or hate it, everyone and their gallerist is into astrology these days. Whether you check your daily horoscope religiously or if you’re a little on the fence about the whole thing, we thought we’d put the Zodiac into a language that our readers could understand. Behold, possibly the world’s first astrology guide specifically tailored to the art world.

Aeries
March 21 – April 19

If your sun is in Aeries, there’s a good chance you have a straightforward, no-bullshit approach to life. Like your spirit animal, the ram, you’re full of energy, always on the move, and aren’t afraid to barrel through when shit needs to get done, which makes you a hot commodity around the gallery when Frieze rolls around. As a fire sign, you’re probably also more spontaneous than most people—the one dragging the rest of the crew along to improve shows, concerts and warehouse parties you discovered on a flyer on the street. Your friends appreciate your bluntness (you’ll never have to wonder if an Aeries secretly hates you) but be careful that this doesn’t backfire on you… like that time you told your gallery’s best-selling artist that her new work was flat and uninspired. Sorry to break it to you, Aeries, but sometimes life (especially in the art world) just calls for a little subtlety and ego-stroking. Not your strong point, but it’ll help you make it through the day without alienating your partner’s grandparents or getting fired.
You’re also in good company: Van Gogh, Gloria Steinem, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon (a full half of the SATC cast!), Fergie and Shannen Doherty (Heather Duke, a.k.a. green Heather, from cult classic Heathers, set to reboot this March in what could be the new Skins or Skam) all have sun in Aeries.
To learn more, check out Aeries’ full profile here.

Taurus
April 20 – May 20

The Taurus is one of the most dependable signs around, hardworking and down to earth. When you set your mind to something, you plod along until you finish it; you might not be first to the finish line, but once you’re in, you’re in it for the long haul. Your natural attraction to all things lavish, beautiful and sensual is what drew you into the art world to begin with, though you probably weren’t to thrilled if you had to grind for minimum wage for the first few years. But never fear—you’ll make it to the top eventually thanks to your unshakable determination (the stubborn bull is your spirit animal for a reason, as anyone that has ever tried to change a Taurus’ mind will know).
On the downside, you might be a tad bit possessive, whether its over your lover or your fav mug in the office kitchen. In matters of the heart, it might be best to steer clear of the Tinder scene—stability and security are big priorities for a Taurus, so casual hookups and flighty partners are prob not your thing.
Some illustrious Tauruses include Salvador Dalí, Keith Haring, Jasper Johns, Joan Miro, Barbara Streisand, Wes Anderson (!!), Gigi Hadid, Penelope Cruz, Travis Scott, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Robert Pattinson, Cher, Enrique Iglesias, Uma Thurman, Bono, Janet Jackson, Dev Patel, Jessica Alba, Adele and Tina Fey.
Read more about Taurus here.

Gemini
May 21 – June 20

Think of your friend that’s most likely to flake on dinner plans only to text you three days later to say they’ve changed jobs and moved to Japan—they’re probably a Gemini. Notorious for being flighty, flitting in and out of different social circles and industries, impossible to pin down but never boring once you do, Geminis are one of the signs you see the most memes about, and one of the signs people love to blame their bad behavior on (i.e. flaking on said dinner plans).
But although they get a bad rap on the digisphere, Geminis are far from all bad. Excellent communicators, quick-witted, curious and always searching for intellectual stimulation, they’re the best people to get placed next to at a dinner party. If you’re a Gemini, you were probably drawn to the art world for the variability and the chance to meet people from all over the world and all walks of life, but there’s also a good chance that you’re an artist yourself; Geminis are some of the most creative people around. Just make sure your unquenchable thirst for all things new doesn’t get you into sticky situations with friends and employers—neither your best friend or your boss is going to be thrilled when you take an impulse trip to South America the night before a birthday party—that you were hosting—or a big opening—and don’t be afraid to open up and stick around when you run into something worthwhile, in work, in life or in love.
Famous arty Geminis include Marilyn Monroe, Nicole Kidman, Johnny Deep, Brooke Shields, Kanye West (the classic spazzy Gemini) Naomi Campbell, Bob Dylan, Mary Cassatt, Damien Hirst, Henri Rousseau, Paul Gauguin, Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar, Stevie Nicks and Morrisey.
Read more about Gemini here.

Cancer
June 21 – July 22

Like the crab, Cancers are famous for being big, sentimental babies deep down, no matter how hard their shells are. Don’t expect to meet a bunch of Cancers on a night out because most of them are probably snuggled up in bed, taking a warm bath, baking cookies for their roommates… you get the idea. Sensitive, sometimes moody but also nurturing, gentle and warm, Cancers crave stability and security as much as Taurus, but being a water sign, they’re also more quirky, creative, brooding and generally more introspective and touchy-feely than the bull.
Cancers in the art world probably stick around for the boundless potential for depth, self-expression and creativity (their sensitivity also makes them super in touch with their own emotions and other people’s, making them great artists), but could do without the hectic schedule, high stress and abundant ego that can sometimes make the work environment, well, bitchy. Not huge fans of bluntness and confrontation, Cancers probably won’t take news well if it comes from, say, a hyper-direct Aeries; if your boss is a Cancer, anything less than stellar news could use a lot of sugar-coating (read: lots of smiley faces in emails). But if you’re lucky enough to get close to a Cancer, you know you’ve got a loyal, nurturing friend who’s sure to stick around… even if sometimes they act a little too much like your second mom.
Famous Cancers include Lana Del Rey (the poster-child Cancer), Princess Diana, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Frida Kahlo, Degas, Klimt, Chagall, Modigliani, Margot Robbie, Sofia Vergara, Aubrey Plaza, Tom Cruise, Hannah Murray (Cassie from Skins UK), Will Ferrell, Lea Seydoux, Meryl Streep, Lindsay Lohan and Ringo Starr.
Read more about Cancer here.

Leo
July 23 – August 22

Regal and dignified, the Leo gets a lot of flack for being a bit of an attention whore, but hear them out. What sometimes gets taken for tendency to hog the spotlight is usually just the genuine desire to work towards some higher principle. Leos have big dreams and the work ethic to make them happen, but deep down, they truly care about other people—you won’t catch a Leo plotting to take over the world unless it’s to turn it into one big utopian commune. If you want to bring out a Leo’s fiery wrath, just accuse them of having bad intentions… or make them feel unappreciated and taken for granted (most Leos do have more than a splash of self-importance in the mix).
When it comes to the art world, Leos might not be the most obvious sign—entrepreneurship, non-profit work and the like are some of the more obvious choices, but their love of the spotlight also means that lots of actors, celebrities and YouTube stars are Leos—but you can be sure that whatever a Leo’s passion is, they’ll carry it to completion, and their natural ambition and, let’s be real, attraction to nice things means that more often than not, whatever they do, they’ll be running the show.
Some famous Leos include Kylie Jenner, Barack Obama (who knew those two had anything in common…), Lil Pump, Demi Lovato, JLo, JLaw, Dua Lipa, Madonna, Anna Kendrick, Cara Delevigne, Daniel Radcliffe, Mick Jagger, J.K. Rowling, Audrey Tautou and Alfred Hitchcock.
Read more about Leo here.

Virgo
August 23 – September 22

Though her symbol is literally the virgin, you won’t spot a Virgo by her chastity belt but more likely by her spotless room or perfectly organized inbox. Not all Virgos are stereotypical clear freaks, but they do tend to border on anal about at least some aspect of their lives, whether it’s work, health or personal relationships. Though some Virgos can force themselves to relax and have fun every once in a while, they’re usually happiest when they can get lost in a project, giving them a rep for being workaholics. And being one of the rare types of people that didn’t lie in their cover letter about their meticulous organization and attention to detail, Virgos are always in high demand in any workplace, whether it’s an office or a gallery. They might not be the visionaries bursting with ideas, but they’ll be the ones that stay late to make sure each slice of cheese, or shoe, or grain of sand, or whatever the new avant-garde sculptor turned up with this week is arranged perfectly for opening night—and in a world where everyone has a world-changing app idea, this goes a long way.
Unlike Leos, Virgos naturally shy away from the spotlight, so don’t make them give the opening gala toast—but do give them a shout-out for planning the program, finding the caterer, arranging the seating assignments perfectly and doing meticulous research down to each item in the gift bag, because if there’s one thing Virgos hate, it’s feeling overlooked and under-appreciated. If there’s one piece of advice for Virgos, it’s to try to loosen up and not be so hard on yourself—or others who aren’t as conscientious. It might be hard, but it’ll save you a lot of stress headaches!
Famous Virgos include Beyoncé, Blake Lively, Cameron Diaz, Salma Hayek, Michael Jackson, Man Ray, Lea Michele, Ingrid Bergman, Prince Harry, Amy Winehouse, Mother Theresa, Charlie Sheen, Hugh Grant and Nicole Richie.
Find out more about Virgos here.

Libra
September 23 – October 22

When you think of a Libra, think of classic Libra John Lennon singing, “Imagine all the people living life in peace.” Solar Libras have a strong sense of justice and are always trying to keep the peace at all costs, which can make them come off as indecisive, inconsistent or even weak. No matter what, don’t ask a Libra to pick a side in your argument because they’ll do whatever it takes to wiggle out of it. On the other hand, they’re the perfect person to come to for smoothing over tensions and resolving disagreements, so try to have a couple Libras on hand when art fair season rolls around!
Libras love harmony, but their constant searching for morality, truth and the “right” way to live can pull them into feeling restless and discontent. “Living in the moment” doesn’t exactly come naturally to them—if you’re a Gemini or Aquarius, don’t ask your Libra friend to drop everything and join you on your On the Road-style impulsive road trip—but they’re the glue holding our crazy world together, and God knows we need them now more than ever.
Some famous Libras include, of course, John Lennon, as well as Eminem, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Alicia Silverstone (from Clueless), Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Will Smith, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim K and Cardi B, Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg.
Read more about Libra here.

Scorpio
October 23 – November 21

There’s no way around it—Scorpios have a rep for being straight-up psychos. Just try this little experiment: tell one of your friends who is into astrology that your new bae is a Scorpio and their first reaction will definitely be concern, no matter how well they hide it. Secretive, intense, drawn to power but also the dark side of life, Scorpios are hard to overlook and even harder to forget. They’re also known for being one of the most sexual signs and are notoriously great in bed—just don’t expect any cuddling or mushy pillow talk after you hook up with a Scorpio, and definitely don’t expect them to start spilling their deepest wishes and fears. It takes time and effort to get through a Scorpio’s shell, but once you do, brace yourself for an onslaught of emotions—Drake and Frank Ocean are both Scorpios.
In the art world, your resident Scorpios will probably be the brooding wunderkind who makes massive, Ab-Ex-inspired paintings, or the super intimidating museum director who everyone cowers around but has mad respect for. As you might expect, art can be really appealing to Scorpios for the potential to explore the dark, hidden sides of life and express emotion in a really intense way (again, think Drake and Frank Ocean, but also Winona Ryder, Lorde and Picasso). Then again, Kendall Jenner and Kris Jenner, the most private and the most controlling member of the clan, are both Scorpios too.
Some other famous Scorpios include Georgia O’Keeffe (who spent a large chunk of her life living alone on a ranch in New Mexico, which is about as private as you can get), Roy Lichtenstein, Claude Monet, Rene Magritte, Bjork, Adam Driver, Tyga, Meg Ryan, Jodie Foster, Owen Wilson (strangely), Rachel McAdams, Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone (although La La Land was maybe the most un-Scorpio movie of all time), Leo DiCaprio, Willow Smith, Bill Gates, Ciara and Katy Perry.
Read more about Scorpio here.

Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21

Outgoing and idealistic, Sagittarius is the classic social butterfly, getting along with anyone and everyone. Even though their free-spirited approach to life might make them seem a little disorganized—the worst place to be for a Sagittarius is stuck in a boring office job—their infectious good vibes makes them popular both around the office and with friends. Even though Sagittarius’ usually see the glass half full in all situations, as a fire sign, they can also be irritable, their temper flaring up a little too easily sometimes. But learn a little patience and reliability (when your Gemini friend disappears without a trace, there’s a good chance your Sag friend tagged along for the ride) and you’re sure to get far.
Art world Sagittarius are probably the ones fielding the gallery dinners, cocktail parties, galas, openings and after-parties, juggling a social calendar that would satisfy the most avid debutante and doing it all with the grace of Princess Diana and the energy of a gallerina fresh out of art school on her first day on the job.
Famous Sagittarius’ include Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Brad Pitt, Bruce Lee, Frank Sinatra, Pope Francis, Walt Disney, Woody Allen, Diego Rivera, Edvard Munch, Kandinsky, Marina Abramovic, Jane Austen, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee, Janelle Monae, Britney Spears, Jim Morrison, Beethoven, Mark Twain and Jane Fonda.
Read more about Sagittarius here.

Capricorn
December 22 – January 19

The resident workaholic of the Zodiac, the Capricorn was busy quietly taking over the world while you were binging Netflix. Their approach to success tends to be very practical and more on the slow and steady side, and they value material success more than most of the other signs. You won’t catch Capricorns flashing Gucci slides (that would be Leo), but their outfit probably costs more than your month’s rent—Capricorns go for quality over flashiness, but there’s no doubt that they do like nice things.
Capricorn might be one of the more conservative signs out there, but that doesn’t make them all blushing grandmas; after all, Henry Miller was a Capricorn, and his books were banned for obscenity in the US for years (side note: don’t listen to the Tropic of Capricorn (!!) audiobook unless you’re down to hear the word “cunt” every three seconds). It’s more that they have a strong sense of society’s frameworks and feel most comfortable when they’re doing their part within it, whatever it might be. They’re also excellent planners and make great business partners for more scattered, visionary signs like Sagittarius, Gemini or Aquarius.
Caps also have a rep for being withdrawn, reserved and even a little cold (to sus out a Capricorn in a crowd, give everyone a big hug and see who squirms the most). But being allergic to all things touchy-feely can make some Capricorns a little lonely, too, though they wouldn’t let you know it—if you have any Capricorn friends, make a little effort to show them some love every once in a while, even if they act like they don’t want it. On the other hand, lots of them have a great sense of humor, usually deadpan and sarcastic.
Art world Caps are probably not as common as some other signs with more obvious artistic flair, but the ones you come across will probably be killing it in behind-the-scenes or organizational roles, plodding away unnoticed until one day they’re somehow the director of the Met.
Some famous Capricorns include David Bowie, Nicolas Cage, Jim Carrey, Michelle Obama, Carolina Herrera, Georgia May Jagger, Diane Von Furstenburg, Elvis Presley, Alexander Wang, Francoise Hardy, Christy Turlington, Patti Smith, Suki Waterhouse, Kate Middleton, Gia Coppola, Janis Joplin, Henri Matisse, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cezanne, Mac Miller, Vanessa Paradis, Alex Turner and Stephen Hawking.
Read more about Capricorn here.

Aquarius
January 20 – February 18

Free-spirited, intellectual and a little aloof, the typical Aquarius would definitely thrive in the art world. Their love for all things a little unorthodox and individualistic means that you’re much more likely to run into one at a gallery opening than in the financial district. More than anything, they hate being constrained, boxed in or forced to live by old ideas, but despite their forward-thinking ways, Aquarians can be surprisingly stubborn with their own ideas about the world.
Their individualistic spirit and intellectual nature makes Aquarians come off as a little aloof, but they draw people in with their witty banter and bright intellect, so don’t think of them as the loner sipping wine in the corner of the gala. Basically, give your Aquarius friend space to live their truth and show them that you respect them for their quirky ways, and they’ll encourage you to let your freak flag fly too.
Aquarians naturally abound in the art world, a bastion of acceptance of freaks and free spirits of all sorts, sheltered from the suffocating rules of conventional society. But although very creative, the typical Aquarius is more intellectual than anything else, so you’re more likely to find them as critics, writers and art historians.
Some famous Aquarius’ are Mozart, Paris Hilton, Virginia Woolf, Bob Marley, Takashi Murakami, Jackson Pollock, Jeff Koons, Manet, Oprah Winfrey, Ed Sheeran, XXXTENTACION, Shakira, The Weeknd, Khalid, Alicia Keys, Charles Darwin, James Dean, Kid Cudi and Lauren Conrad.
Read more about Aquarius here.

Pisces  
February 19 – March 20

In many ways, Pisces is the stereotypical tortured artist: sensitive, open-minded and deeply concerned with the state of humanity, Pisces are usually also very creative and can channel their feelings into creativity and self-expression. You won’t find too many of them climbing the corporate ladder, whether it’s in the art world or anywhere else; the typical Pisces sees no point in pursuing worldly or material goals when there’s deeper stuff to ponder. On the other hand, they tend to be very spiritual people, and you’ll find tons of artists, musicians and writers with their sun in Pisces. It’s not that they’re careless or unmotivated (although you might get that idea after making plans with a Pisces a couple times), but they don’t really see the point in pursuing something unless it’s truly transcendent.
Warm and compassionate at best, Pisces are easily wounded and when they are, feel the need to retreat from the world to lick their wounds. Don’t worry if you haven’t heard from your Pisces friend for a couple weeks… if you hurt their feelings, you def need to apologize, but don’t push them—they’ll reenter the world when they’re good and ready.
Famous Pisces include George Harrison, Kurt Cobain, Cindy Crawford, Albert Einstein, Michelangelo, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Steve Jobs, Jack Kerouac, Yoko Ono, Anais Nin and Tom Wolfe.
Read more about Pisces here.


Text by Katya Lopatko
Photos via @olivia_prince, @ebonykatherinestudio, @grandedame, @astrotwins, @lauracallaghanillustration, @jeremycombot_illustration, @robineisenberg, @malikafavre