These Are Your Biggest Fears, According to Your Zodiac Sign
Updated: Jul. 30, 2024
Learn how to make peace with your zodiac sign's fears—and even use them for your own benefit
Failure. Rejection. Humiliation. We all have things we fear the most, even if we don’t even realize it—it’s just human nature. But we can use astrology to help uncover what our zodiac sign’s fears really are deep down, what we can do to overcome them and even how to use them to our advantage. As an astrologer and tarot reader for more than 25 years, I have seen how these fears play out in real life and have come to understand how much of our behavior and decisions are driven by fear rather than hope.
Humans can default to fear-based thinking all too often due to our pesky survival instincts. But in reality, the things we think we need to fear aren’t actually threats. The trick to overcoming this “factory setting” is identifying and understanding your fears and actively creating a new story or action around them. We can use our zodiac signs to see what tactics and strategies would best work for us, in order to be led by hope, not fear.
Read on to find out your zodiac sign’s biggest fear—and how to reframe it so you can live your best life.
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Aries (March 21–April 19): Disrespect and disregard
Aries is ruled by Mars (the god of war, which might be a red flag) and, as such, is built for fighting, battle and competition. Aries folk are primed to notice rivalries and act on any perceived insults, slights or challenges. Deep down, they are super softies (their zodiac element makes them a warm fire sign), but this hyper-sensitivity to threat as well as a need to be loved, liked and admired make for a hidden insecurity and fear of being disrespected. Not only does disrespect deeply wound the Aries ego, but these folks feel duty-bound to act on the intrusion, even if they know this usually leads to trouble with a capital T.
How to overcome this fear: Aries might, during their life, benefit from anger-management courses, meditation or just informal calming practices. Learning to cool their jets, to let the petty stuff flow over them without triggering reactions, and to be more at peace with who they are, regardless of what others say or do, will help them move past this fear.
Taurus (April 20–May 20): Poverty and loss of status
A Taurus weakness is their sign’s appetite for the good life—the finer things, material wealth, security and generally “stuff” to surround themselves with and feel safe behind. Taureans are very wedded to their possessions, their property, their bank account, their assets and their status in life. Losing any of it is the stuff of nightmares, and this can lead them into self-centered, risk-adverse, closed-minded and stubborn behaviors. It’s all about self-protection.
How to overcome this fear: Taurus people have to challenge themselves to value experiences over things. Making memories and building healthy, sustainable relationships is what the best lives are built upon, not piling up gold and trinkets for the sake of it. This is a mindset shift Taureans need to make to at some stage in their life to become a happier zodiac sign.
Gemini (May 21–June 20): Boredom
Gemini, a cerebral and clever air sign ruled by communicative Mercury, is free-spirited and eager for adventure, new experiences and knowledge. When life slows down and routine threatens to take over, the aura of Gemini’s bright zodiac colors dulls, and they can lapse into sadness, even depression, as they feel the walls closing in. This is not a bird whose wings should be clipped. Geminis need new information, stimulus and opportunities.
How to overcome this fear: Of course, life can’t always be exciting and full of fresh energy. We all experience phases of stagnation, silence and even boredom. Gemini has to turn inward and feast on their mental landscapes when physical ones become repetitive or routine. If they do, Geminis can learn to to stop panicking when life slows down, and simply retreat inward for endless entertainment.
Cancer (June 21–July 22): Uncertainty and insecurity
This zodiac sign’s fear is their absolute, rock-bottom and deal-breaking need for total and utter security. This extends to work, home, family, friends, lovers, finances and everyday life. As a trustworthy zodiac sign, they need certainty, predictability, surety and dependability across the board in all matters. This drives their shifting moods, powerful desires and sometimes sudden and radical decision-making.
How to overcome this fear: Cancer has to recognize this is a losing battle mentally and emotionally. The only constant in life (other than death and taxes) is change. Nothing stays the same. People’s hearts and minds shift, and clinging on doesn’t stop the transition. Becoming comfortable with, accepting of and even instigating change should be Cancer’s personal development quest in life.
Leo (July 23–Aug. 22): Failure
Fear of failure is the biggest Leo weakness and this zodiac sign’s greatest fear. Leos are born to rule, command and win. This is hardwired into even the quietest and humblest Leos, but this natural power has a double edge: the terror of getting it wrong and losing all of the authority, respect and goodwill necessary to take the lead. Leos dread underperforming, letting others down or not being approved of or applauded, and that’s why being pitied is this sign’s biggest worry.
How to overcome this fear: Ruled by the sun, Leo’s true power and charisma is internal, despite this focus on external opinion and reputation. Once Leo realizes that failure is just a necessary chapter in the story of all great success, a passing phase, a learning curve, a means but not an end—then they can rise to any occasion without fear or trepidation.
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): A problem that can’t be fixed
Virgos are practical, hardworking, perfectionist and sometimes pedantic folk who believe they know best … and they’re usually right. Relentless improvers, they want to make everything in their circle of influence (and sometimes beyond it) better, which is a career strength but also extends to their personal life. It’s how a Virgo measures their usefulness, strength of position and self-worth, so when something comes up that cannot be fixed, repaired, healed or improved, it strikes right at the heart of their identity and purpose.
How to overcome this fear: Letting go and letting things be as they are (instead of how they wish they were or could be) is the life lesson all Virgos must face at some stage. Many things lie beyond their sphere of influence, and learning to recognize that is the greatest leap toward peace of mind and satisfaction that this determined sign can make.
Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): Conflict and chaos
This zodiac sign’s fear is disharmony, strife, turmoil, uncontrollable energies and unseen forces that threaten to disrupt and dismantle their carefully planned, designed and constructed realm. Librans, ruled by Venus, love and crave beauty, harmony, peace and balance. The agents of chaos that life can unleash on anyone, anytime, keep them up at night. They feast on other people’s drama almost as a means of keeping their own at bay.
How to overcome this fear: Libra must remember that whatever happens, the sun rises again the next day, and they can adjust, adapt, repair and even seize the opportunities and openings that come from radical and dramatic change and conflict. Every dark cloud has a silver lining, and Libras are well-placed to find it with their objective, analytical minds.
Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Being outed and shamed
Of all of the zodiac signs, Scorpio is the most private and secretive. They know the darkness that lies beneath the veneer of most people and most things, which could be why the best book genre for this zodiac sign is Gothic mystery. They appreciate why some things are best left unsaid or untapped. That doesn’t stop them wanting to know everyone else’s secrets, but their own remain a closely guarded (to the death) treasure. Being outed, shamed, humiliated and exposed about something they feel vulnerable, guilty or nervous about would be their literal worst nightmare.
How to overcome this fear: Comfort with vulnerability and being able to open up to others is a lifelong journey for the heavily defended Scorpio character. Secrecy never works in the long run. Scorpios must choose their confidants wisely, and be brave enough to share their story in order to remove its power over them when it’s kept as a secret.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): Constriction and confinement
No other sign values their freedom, independence and autonomy as much as a freewheeling Sagittarian does. This sign cannot stand to be closeted, restricted, suppressed, locked up or thwarted in any way, shape or form. Such is their wanderlust, emotionally and physically, that their driving force in life is to retain their freedom, at any cost. To lose it is their greatest fear.
How to overcome this fear: This fear can underpin a lot of Sagittarius’s relationship woes because they can push others away, resist commitment and even self-sabotage their bonds if they get the merest whiff of clinginess or need. Sagittarius needs to choose partners wisely because their happiness in a relationship will boil down to zodiac compatability—they need someone as independent as them, or who doesn’t mind their roaming. They also need to accept that life comes with commitments, so it’s better to choose the right ones than resist (futilely) altogether.
Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19): Being mocked
Capricorn’s biggest fear is banter, ridicule, mockery or becoming the subject of a joke. It is the extreme version of their lesser fear of not impressing, succeeding or gaining status or respect. Although Capricorn has a wry sense of humor, their ability to be one of the funniest zodiac signs does not extend to themselves. Self-depreciation feels like criticism, which they do not take kindly.
How to overcome this fear: Capricorns are strong on development and self-improvement, but a part of that is learning about flaws, weaknesses and areas requiring work. Capricorns should reframe criticism from sounding like mockery to sounding like great insight and even advice. Shift banter into feedback, and take it seriously but not too personally.
Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18): Getting stuck in a rut
Aquarians are the zodiac’s rebels, innovators, progressive activists and truth-tellers. The smartest zodiac sign, they’re sometimes seen as eccentric, but they’re always viewed as unique and individual. To be forced into a rut, a meaningless role or a series of repetitive and pointless tasks, or being seen a number instead of an individual, top their worst fears. They need space, room, autonomy and freedom to think and act out their ideas and opinions. They can’t fake being just like everyone else.
How to overcome this fear: We are social animals, and more herd-like than we may think. Aquarians need to accept that the need to conform and contribute is a part of their nature too. But they should choose their causes, campaigns and crowds wisely, keeping the scope of their personal freedom in mind.
Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20): Control and cruelty
Pisces’s greatest strength is their compassion and kindness toward others, but it can serve as a weakness if they fall under the thrall of a dominant and unkind, uncompassionate person. They recognize their own inability to fight off overbearing characters easily and dread becoming tethered to someone who holds them tightly and treats them poorly, tainting their spirit and good nature.
How to overcome this fear: Pisces needs to set strong, clear boundaries in their personal relationships, especially in the fledgling stages when they’re getting to know someone—not trusting too quickly, not yielding too easily. Pisces must let others show, not tell, their true nature before giving them the keys to their heart and soul.
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest provides an easy-to-understand guide to all things astrology—from understanding sun signs, moon signs and rising signs to exploring each zodiac sign’s strengths, challenges and desires. You’ll learn about your ideal love match in love, career, hobbies and more, as well as learn how big astrological events will affect you. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including practicing astrologers, as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. For this piece on each zodiac sign’s fears, Kerry Ward tapped her 25-plus years of experience as an astrologer and tarot reader. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Originally Published: May 21, 2018
