Aries: You know when an Aries is in the room because they’ll make sure you know. Individualists with vibrant honesty (that can sometimes unknowingly hurt you), this is a sign that will suddenly appear into your life with either a reserved yet powerful hello or with a bold flashy smile, bright eyes, and a flood of questions. They have tons of impulsive energy, and a brash but hard-to-resist approach. Expect an occasional slap on the back, slapstick humor, creative endeavors, and a naïve faith in you. They can cheer and raise your spirits like few others can. However, ensure you give them a lot of attention and love. They need lessons on patience because they have little. The Aries is quick to react; initially cool but capable of raging temper; crazy and adventurous, but hard to keep. They bring a generous tornado of laughter, child-like appreciation, anger, and excitement into your life but friendship with them reminds one of Lao Tzu’s words, “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long” but having said that, it’s totally worth it as the ride never gets boring.
Most Compatible: Aquarius, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius
Difficult: Capricorn, Cancer, Scorpio
Taurus: They are often called ‘the rock of Gibralter’ not only for their rock-steady loyalty but also for their rock-solid stubbornness. Attractive, calm and secretly ambitious, this is a sign that believes in stability. They build things cautiously and slowly. Friendship is important but it is more important to make one that grants them that sense of security, steadiness and purpose. Being materialists they prefer friendships that add a certain sense of value to their scheme of things in life. A Taurus friend will usually prefer luxurious meals (for they are downright foodies and fond of luxury); nice-smelling perfumes; warm compliments; and hikes that take them close to nature. Their patience is an asset to any friend though being a fixed sign they can also be very stubborn and opinionated. Otherwise understanding and stoic, when angered they can be very difficult to deal with and sometimes quite insensitive. But having said that, this is a sign you can depend on. Their friendship is rock-solid. In fact, they remind one of the lines from Eric Santos’ song, “Never fear I’ll be beside you…I will never leave you” as long as you “hold on tight” and repay them with your share of favors.
Most Compatible: Capricorn, Pisces, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio
Difficult: Aquarius, Sagittarius
Gemini: This is a crazy friend to have. They are usually ambidextrous with a hand in every pie. They have highly shifty eyes that twinkle with curiosity. Expect unexpected, untimely, and untoward questions from them. This is a sign that pretends to forget a piece of information you provided it with but never quite forgets it. Highly intelligent, a Gemini waits for the right moment to catch a lie. The amusing part however is that this friend never shies away from telling white lies. They are delightful conversationalists, and usually have interesting and fun things to talk about. Often misunderstood as a sign that is not trustworthy, a Gemini is dependable but in an unconventional way. They change their mind very often but don’t be deluded by this because a Gemini tries to see every perspective and therefore is bad with taking sides. Despite their cheerful exterior they have a dark emotional core and let only a chosen few into it. Oh, and a word of caution: a sign that has twins for its symbol, they can (if you rub them the wrong way), like the M. Ali quote, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. Be genuine with them no matter how elusive they seem, they will value the trait and respond to it wonderfully well.
Most Compatible: Aquarius, Aries, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius
Difficult: Pisces, Capricorn
Cancer: They might be the rulers of the realm of emotions but they’re tough cookies. Highly active and resourceful, this sign is always on the lookout for stability in the spheres of family, career, and relationships. While they can be great social-butterflies, they like forming friendships that add a certain value to their scheme of things in life. This sign prefers the indoors to the outdoors and usually has a genial sense of humor. The Cancer, a lot like Scorpio and Pisces, chooses comfort over adventure. Loyal and demanding oodles of loyalty, this is a sign that may to some other signs appear clingy. A lot like the Gemini, they have an emotional core that is difficult to penetrate. Like their symbol, the crab, they are cautious of getting hurt and very defensive. Do not be surprised if they refrain from telling you what it was that you did months back that upset them. They will remember it and guard it like a secret, even from you. They are often nostalgic and fond of recalling old memories. With them you must remember, in Richelle Goodrich’s words, “Nothing in this world compares to the comfort and security of having someone just hold your hand.”
Most Compatible: Scorpio, Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces, Taurus
Difficult: Aries, Sagittarius, Libra
Leo: ‘Charming’ is probably the best adjective to use for a Leo friend. Expect boundless warmth, quick hugs, generous spending, along with a verbal guidebook of guidelines that tell you how to live your life. Like the Aries, they can raise your spirits like few others can. Adventurous, bold and attention-seeking, Leos like to believe the world revolves around them. Well, can’t blame a sign that has the very own Sun for its ruler, can you? They crack you up with their amazing sense of humor and loud bursts of laughter. They are social-butterflies but have a tiny set of friends set aside for genuine warmth. Lions never forget even if they forgive. They share this quality of not forgetting anything that upset them in the past with the Cancer friend. Oh, a word of caution: do not ridicule or ignore a Leo friend! They dislike it and you often find yourself friendless with a Leo walking out on you. Leos love genuine compliments and they love them in huge supplies (wholesale quantities) though quality does matter! A Leo reminds you of C.S. Lewis’s lines, “I have come,” said a deep voice behind them. They turned and saw the Lion himself”.
Most Compatible: Aquarius, Aries, Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius
Difficult: Pisces, Scorpio, Capricorn
Virgo: A Virgo friend initially appears selfish and self-absorbed until their fondness for organizing their own things/thoughts/work/life flows into yours, and they start fixing your problems and organizing your thoughts. A Virgo secretly holds the idea that s/he knows best. This is a sign that believes in perfection, caution and dedication. Despite their occasional bursts of laughter and jokes, a Virgo friend, much like a Capricorn, rushes back to business. You can expect a Virgo to be extremely fond of gossips and at the same time of intelligent conversations. They are usually painfully shy and can be painfully sarcastic too. Virgos are cautious of getting hurt or being taken advantage of and therefore cautious of people in general. A Virgo friend will go an extra mile for you but if treated insensitively, they will be quick to distance their emotions. Don’t be surprised if you discover a stack of labelled files and old diaries in their cupboard. Their love for organizing things makes them hoard these along with hand-made paper cards gifted to them (the latter shows their emotional side which is often unexpressed). They are essentially difficult to read as people and even as friends you might find it challenging to understand their deepest thoughts or emotions. Most Virgos can relate to these lines by A.C. Doyle, “Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere”.
Most Compatible: Taurus, Capricorn, Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio
Difficult: Aquarius, Sagittarius
Libra: There’s a certain something about how a Libra friend argues and yet gets away with it without sounding particularly offensive. Smooth communicators, a Libra also shares the Virgo’s trait of organizing thoughts and mental-mapping. A Libra friend can easily solve or iron out a chaotic atmosphere. Arguments charge them up and so do anything aesthetically pleasing. They love anything or anyone beautiful. It is fun to have a Libra for a friend if you are looking for someone who is always willing to try something new. A good Libra friend will find it difficult to say no and usually go along with the flow without wanting to upset you. Remember, this is a sign of balance and even though their temper can often get out-of-balance with people they are close to, they strive to correct the balance and hate discords of any manner. They are essentially pleasant people who want to please. A note of caution, a Libra is highly indecisive and extremely emotional. Don’t be offended if they find it difficult to take sides as it is genuinely difficult for them. They remind you of the lines from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “To be or not to be: that is the question. Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer…Or to take arms against a sea of troubles”.
Most Compatible: Aquarius, Aries, Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius
Difficult: Capricorn, Pisces, Virgo, Cancer
Scorpio: Do not get deluded by their calm and composed aura, a Scorpio mind is like murky water– still on the surface but capable of tumultuous things beneath. All it needs to understand them is a lot of time, love and courage. I say courage because this is not an easy friend to deal with. In fact, a lot of signs trying to form a deep friendship with them often feel their Scorpion sting. However beneath these layers of suspicion, secrets, stings, and sarcasm, you can have a friend who will fiercely guard and protect you. You just have to work patiently towards finding that core. They can be blind in their loyalty and would fail to acknowledge any reasonable opinion that is against the ones they care for. While they have a protective side to them, they have an equally destructive side too. Ambitious, focused and patient, they usually do well with achieving long-term goals. True friendship with a Scorpio is not easy for they don’t trust you easily and tend to be highly secretive and manipulative. But secretly they are also altruistic and caring. Scorpio, like Cancer, finds it difficult to forget or forgive. However deep down this sign has an enormous capacity to love tenderly and remain loyal. They remind one of the lines from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, “We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on.”
Most Compatible: Pisces, Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn
Difficult: Aquarius, Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra
Sagittarius: This sign’s bluntness can only be matched by that of a Capricorn’s (though they are blunt in very different ways). A Sagittarius friend is usually an idealist. They have strong opinions and hold on to them with a conviction that is hard to counter. They enjoy variety and discussions that border on deep philosophies of life. Extremely caring as friends, they expect the same from you in return. Adventurous and bold, they usually have an affinity towards anything dynamic like travelling or sports or some hobby that may not necessarily yield a predictable result. Don’t be surprised by their occasional aloofness. Sagittarius needs some personal space to retreat to and recharge. They are freedom-loving and dislike being probed too much. Despite the playful and funny exterior this sign has a wild temper. Though it takes them a significant while to cool down and forget, a Sagittarius friend is quick to forgive. An Explorer and a truth-seeker, this friend would be highly inquisitive and enjoy intellectual conversations. They are usually open-minded and willing to try out new things. Dauntless and freedom-seeking, this friend will remind you of Merida from the Disney movie Brave, as she assertively claims, “I want my freedom!”
Most Compatible: Aquarius, Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra
Difficult: Pisces, Cancer, Taurus, Virgo
Capricorn: A Capricorn friend is extremely direct when it comes to expressing their opinion. They can be as blunt as a knife and not realise that what they just said might have hurt you. So they need to be gently reminded that you didn’t like their bluntness. Other than that, they are very warm and caring as friends. Almost like their astrological symbol, the mother-goat, Capricorn has a tendency to smother you with motherly concern and love. They can scold you like an old soul would and then remind you how to lead your life responsibly. Capricorns are astoundingly ambitious. Do not be surprised if you find your fellow Capricorn suddenly turn cold and rush off to his/her room in the midst of a nice get-together. They take their work more seriously than anything else in the world. No fun gatherings or friends can hold their sway over him/her as much as work/a deadline would. They need to achieve…need to excel and no interruptions are allowed in the process. A Capricorn secretly respects traditions, even if it appears that he/she doesn’t. They need and value social acceptance despite their reserved, I-don’t-care external attitude. Highly sensitive to criticism, a Capricorn friend dislikes blunt criticism despite being guilty of it themselves. They remind one of the lines, “You are like a chestnut burr, prickly outside, but silky-soft within”, from Little Women.
Most Compatible: Pisces, Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio
Difficult: Gemini, Leo, Libra
Aquarius: This friend will often be an enigma to most people. They appear aloof, usually dare to sport an unusual fashion, are blunt and extremely quirky. An Aquarian is eccentric but in a revolutionary way. It is said that their vision and revolutionary beliefs have the power to change the world either in a very good way or a terrible way. This is a person who doesn’t like to pretend or lose his/her freedom of thought, lifestyle, speech. They can be extremely blunt and honest but it is not usually meant to be negative. Often misunderstood, this sign finds solace in remaining cautious and aloof. These friends have a funny manner of studying you or the surroundings….they have powerfully probing glances that can make a person uncomfortable. You can tell they are studying you but you can’t point it out and get inside their minds the way they do with yours. It’s quite strange…this mysterious, amused expression that they hold. Unusually calm and detached, an Aquarian friend does stand by you when the need for it arises. They are highly empathetic but they hide it well. This is a friend who’d love witty conversations, friendly debates about various issues, and a lot of fun and laughter. “But I’m Crazy. I swear to God I am” (Catcher in the Rye), that’s an Aquarian for you, and they truly are!
Most Compatible: Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius
Difficult: Pisces, Scorpio, Cancer, Virgo, Taurus
Pisces: In several mythologies, the fish were symbolic of wisdom and emotional depth. A Pisces friend is a lot like a fish (No, don’t eat the poor guy up!) for he/she has a pool of wise emotional depth. They read human beings like books though not by plain logic but through their strong intuitive capabilities. This is a friend who never shies away from speaking his/her mind and can be very blunt if he/she chooses to. Creative, emotional and prone to heavy thinking, don’t be surprised if they come across as depressed and lonely. This friend has an enormous tendency to overthink, over-evaluate, over-feel, and escape from problems instead of facing them. A Pisces friend is either an idealist or the exact opposite– a cynic. Usually drawn to music/arts, they are very good with creative projects because of their refined intuitive and emotional abilities. A Pisces needs constant encouragement and enormous patience to be and feel understood. This friend is hard to understand; they are like two different people sometimes: one who is calm, happy and talkative and the other who is depressed, over-analytical and quiet. This is a compassionate friend to have as long as you are willing to constantly dispel their doubts. “When we make little sacrifices we like to have them appreciated, at least…” (Little Women), that’s the line they remind you of.
Most Compatible: Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn, Virgo, Taurus
Difficult: Aquarius, Gemini, Libra, Leo, Sagittarius
Miss Microscope 