So, you’re stuck on a deserted island...Wait. Is this reality? If indeed our future involves coping with an ongoing period of Social Distancing and Quarantine, what signs are most likely to survive vs. thrive when social norms are abruptly turned upside down as daily routines are disrupted and in-person interaction becomes (temporarily) impossible?

There’s been a lot of chatter, for instance, about the alleged edge of so-called “introverts” in times like these. But if introversion to some degree implies avoidance, wouldn’t that be a considerable disadvantage? Frankly, I don’t really know what defines an “introvert/extrovert” as to me this term depends almost exclusively on context.

If you have resources, a job that allows you to work remotely, your home is equipped with enough “stuff” to entertain you and you’re not especially fond of the outdoors, does this make you an introvert? 

Alternatively, if you lack the resources to live without income, your job requires you to leave the house on a daily basis and you share an apartment with three (or even four) other people and you don’t hate being outside, then are you an extrovert? Or are you just adapting to life’s demands?

When context is taken out of the equation and the question of staying inside is directly tied to your ability to survive, the introvert/extrovert label is pretty irrelevant if not completely obsolete. In other words, if there’s no one around, is either term even a meaningful one?

That said, whether we survive or thrive during periods of Social Distancing and Quarantine, may come down to how aware we are of our dominant coping mechanisms. Some of us have become News-obsessed, while others have made a conscious decision to limit daily information intake.

Nonetheless, whether we’re alone on our own or alone together, all of us are to some degree suffering from Cabin Fever. So how can we “settle in” without going completely nuts as isolation becomes the new norm?

Astrology & How to Deal with Quarantine

In Astrology, each zodiac sign represents a unique combination of Element and Mode, and every sign has its own set of needs. So although you should (ideally) look beyond your Sun sign at all the personal planets in your birth chart, understanding what you need—what kind of “survivor” you are—is probably a good idea.

As far as self-awareness goes, Fire and Water signs thrive on emotional interaction and have a flair for the dramatic, while Air and Earth signs generally thrive on logic and emotional detachment.

But Modality (Cardinal vs. Fixed vs. Mutable) refines the meaning of the Elements significantly, in some ways determining how (relatively) well each sign does when trying to not just survive but thrive during an unanticipated period of never-ending Social Distancing.

Cardinal signs are “doers,” who waste no time plunging into action and adopt a proactive, if not preventative, approach to problems.

Fixed signs crave consistency, and though they’re not so quick to change their habits, they certainly have no problem staying put—as long as their obsessive-compulsiveness is channeled into a productive enterprise.

Mutable signs are fast to adapt in the face of new and changing circumstances; however, they have the most trouble channeling their restless nervous energy, as they can rarely focus their minds very long on one subject let alone sit still…let alone for long periods of time. 

Cancer, Scorpio & Pisces: Water Signs in Social Quarantine

Cancer, Cardinal Water, lives by the motto of “Safety First” motto, which is likely one of the reasons they often live such long lives. Cancer is probably the most prepared, in fact, for Quarantine or any other “disaster” you can think of, in fact. They’ll be the ones with all the canned goods, along with a fully stocked bomb shelter. Though with all that time left on their hands, keeping their emotional nerves at bay is the biggest project for Cancer. So before Cancer’s nerves drive them (or those around them) emotionally wild, rather than reaching for the Scotch as they get ready to start (and end) their days watching, reading and discussing every bit of News that comes their way, it’s be best if Cancer finds a soothing home improvement project to guide their way. 

Cancers love the safety and security of their homes. So if Cancer finds themselves stuck inside, they might as well find a wall to paint or a piece of furniture to build. It’ll take more emotional pressure off than you think—plus it’ll give Mom a (much-needed) break. 

Scorpio, Fixed Water, tends to rely on financial assets in times of distress. So, if caught in a period of isolation they can’t charter a private jet to get out of, these Control Freaks may initially undergo a period of denial. Once the need to hunker down is accepted though, hunker down they will. Scorpio loves goal-oriented activity, but once confronted with the need for Social Distancing, will take to the Internet to continue their daily wheeling and dealing. But before they end up stockpiling Bitcoins or buying property overseas, Scorpio should settle down and invest their precious time in less dramatic doings. Scorpio has boatloads of physical and emotional energy to release, so unless they have a significant other to help keep this in check, before embarking on a compulsive shopping binge Scorpios everywhere might want to invest in a big screen, HD TV and make a list of movies they never have time to see.

Scorpio loves film so this is an ideal way to sedate them(selves) before ending up in a deep dive on eBay or on some other compulsive shopping binge. Though if Scorpio wants to thrive, they should use this Quarantine as a time for investigating new financial prospects or investment strategies. Scorpio benefits most from focused periods of research on a topic that most interests them (usually Money) to keep calm. And yes, there will be many calls to Mom.

Pisces, Mutable Water, is extremely intuitive and absorbs everything in their atmosphere like a sponge. And even the quietest Pisces has a drama queen streak, so once they awake from their Sugar-induced Coma, they’ll still need something constructive to focus on—anything that creates some kind of psychic fence to keep out the possibility of absorbing others’ negative or worrisome emotions. Escapists to their core, Pisces is already living on their own deserted island, whether in reality or in their minds. Think tons of TV and movies in between daily runs to Costco, entire days spent cracking open coconuts and lots of messages in a bottle (yes, all addressed to Mom). 

One simple thing that’ll help Pisces not just survive but thrive during the current Quarantine? When not working remotely (aka digging a secret escape tunnel in the crawlspace), they’d do best to channel their efforts into cooking and eating healthy, as this will keep their spirits upbeat and give them the physical energy they so desperately need. 

Aries, Leo & Sagittarius: Fire Signs in Social Quarantine

Aries, Cardinal Fire, though incredibly impulsive in its action, is a born Survivor. Aries is “born ready,” rarely thinking twice before diving straight into doing whatever needs to be done. Worry? Who has the time? Simplistic, black-and-white type thinkers, Aries doesn’t have much patience for things like TV (much less a movie). Nothing can stop an Aries once they’ve set their mind to whatever it is they need or want to do. No thinking, just doing. This is the Aries mentality. With so much on their plates at once, it may be Aries, in fact, who needs this period of Quarantine as a time to separate from work and tend to cultivating their other interests.

Aries adores all things “DIY,” for instance, and during times of Social Distancing, this is their salvation. Because with no corporate ladders to climb, they’d better find themselves an at-home solo project—or, better yet, start an online business. Otherwise, their impulsive streak takes over and before they know it, they risk exhausting themselves (and those around them) to the point of no return. So even if you’re working remotely the typical Aries will have sewn a quilt the size of Nebraska based on Youtube videos, built a lampshade (or ten) and written a magnum opus by the time this Quarantine ends. 

Leo, Fixed Fire, is action-oriented, but requires fool-proof plans before it makes any moves. Leo has the courage to get through almost any scenario—that is, as long as they’re the ones in control. For Leo, the issue is not the “hunkering down,” but without an audience to entertain or a family to protect, they might not know what to do with themselves. Leo is naturally affectionate, so this period of Quarantine is definitely a time to shine for all the Leo parents out there, as the concerns of work and social life doesn’t command so much attention. 

All Leos in Quarantine, though, should use this time to give into their self-indulgent side—without going overboard, that is. So whether it’s taking luxurious baths you don’t normally have time for, sleeping in/laying in bed all day (a favorite Leo activity) while ordering every meal delivered straight to your door, or posing in the mirror for hours. Whatever! It’s Quarantine. And no one understands the meaning of “YOLO” better than Leo... 

Sagittarius, Mutable Fire, may have the most challenging time during a state of Quarantine. First of all, even with all their enthusiasm and energy at their disposal, they rarely know what to do first. They thrive in communication and interaction with others and don’t take well to any kind of restrictions on their physical movement. “Don’t fence me in” is Sagittarius’ motto, so without direction from a significant other, for example, they may just end up running around yelling that the sky is falling, making 10 trips a day to “the store” for “toilet paper,” only to forget what they went out for in the first place. 

Notoriously boredom-prone, Sagittarius has been known to go to extremes, and may quickly turn to the drink or even gamble, if only to keep their constantly-buzzing minds at ease. The silver lining? Sagittarius is ruled by planet Jupiter, the cosmic symbol of Abundance, which blesses them with so-called Good Luck. Luck, in reality, is simply the byproduct of their naturally optimistic outlook on life. But the power of the Sagittarius’ “Glass Half-Full” mentality often offers more protection than many would care to admit.

Gemini, Libra & Aquarius: Air Signs in Social Quarantine

Gemini, Mutable Air, is a lot like Sagittarius in that both thrive on communication and information-gathering, yet have difficulty when it comes to containing their restlessness. Gemini is impatient and wants to adapt as fast as humanly possible. As an Air sign, Gemini is rooted in the concerns of the present, likely to be the first on top of not just the latest news updates but up on the latest technological means of social connection without seeming to miss a beat. But hunker down? No way. Gemini tends to be quite the “Germaphobe,” and may channel any initial panic into stocking up on cleaning supplies and scrubbing every surface in sight until they pass out. 

Gemini can be a drinker during times of nervousness, and often has trouble sleeping if plagued by negative thoughts. So to all the Geminis: Before you drink yourself out of house and home, turn off the News, stop scheduling Zoom calls and channel all that mental nervousness into a journal. Journaling or writing of any kind is therapeutic for Gemini, and may end up leading them to creating something brilliant. Whether it’s a How-To guide or personal Bucket List, for all the Geminis, it’s imperative they get plenty of fresh air mixed with plenty of quiet moments, using this Quarantine to put paper to pen.

Libra, Cardinal Air, is, in a word, News-obsessed. So the first thing for Libra to learn if they’re to survive any period of Social Quarantine is to limit their interaction with news and social media. It’s challenging for Libra to “chill,” despite their outer calm. This too doesn’t help them much, as others often don’t see how upset they are until they’ve overindulged into oblivion. Libra needs others. Add control freak to that equation, and you’ve got one unhappy camper. It’s highly unlikely, for example, that any Libra will endure any period of Quarantine without either their S.O. or B.F.F. at their side for most (if not all) of the day. So if they find themselves without constant, uninterrupted access to technology or a significant someone as a sidekick? They may feel like they'll burst into flames right on the spot. 

So although this period of Social Distancing and Quarantine might seem most challenging for Libra in the Long Run, it’s actually a golden opportunity for them to learn how to be alone. This is a lesson most Libras avoid, serial monogamists as they are. But learning to be alone is Libra’s lesson in life, so this Quarantine may actually be the best medicine for them—if they can turn off the tube and get off of social media once in a while, anyway. 

Aquarius, Fixed Air, is one Nervous Nelly, and has a very specific attitude towards Change—namely, they like it, as long as it’s on their terms. Aquarius is extremely specific about the things they like and these are often few. Yet as few material things Aquarius might need, their ability to “deal” will depend highly on the relative level of ease they have in acquiring these few things. But aside from this more practical concern, the biggest issue for Aquarius during a Social Quarantine is not to get into debates and arguments with friends and family over best ways to be, as this is not likely to work in their favor. You can’t control others, you can only control yourself. So if your elderly father wants to go to Burger King? Stop sputtering and do a crossword puzzle (believe me, you’re better off).

Aquarius is the only Air sign basically comfortable being alone. This is because, unlike Gemini and Libra, Aquarius usually ends up in the role of Outcast in youth, and thus learns to live in the World of Ideas, channeling their energy into esoteric obsessions or eccentric intellectual interests. Charles Darwin spent months alone in the Galapagos Islands, for the sole purpose of studying birds. So obsessive in his focus, though he was alone for long periods of time, at least he ended up with the Theory of Evolution. In other words, what Aquarius relies on, at the end of the day, is their insatiable (to some, insufferable) power of mind. As long as Aquarius has an intellectual pursuit, whether trivial or not, is pretty much the main factor in deciding how well they survive or thrive when life demands a prolonged period of Social Distancing.

Taurus, Virgo & Capricorn: Earth Signs in Social Quarantine

Taurus, Fixed Earth, is widely known as the most stubborn of all the signs. While this may or may not be true depending on your birth chart overall, Taurus is arguably the most routine-obsessed, and consequently not known for their love of change. In fact, practical as they are, anything that threatens their personal status quo usually sends them into periods of Deep Denial, if not Depression—at least initially. When it comes to resourcefulness, Taurus is extremely adept, attracting money and supportive friends to them even in the least likely of circumstances. Ironically, it’s the process of tuning out that preserves their signature calm, which in turn attracts both people and opportunities to them. As a Fixed sign, Taurus has no problem not leaving home, preferring to work, eat, sleep and breathe their respective comfort zones. Taurus has no problem spending time alone, not afraid of cutting themselves off from news and social media, though they’ll usually do a deep dive into some video game or go on a Photoshop bender.

But if their zone of comfort happens to be too tight or crowded for their liking? They’ll likely bottle their frustrations until one day they suddenly explode. Though this is an unlikely scenario, the primary pitfall for Taurus during an episode of Quarantine is adjusting to a new routine. That said, for Taurus, the storm comes after the proverbial calm, as they can remain alone for so long that once the need to leave does arise, unless they’re talking to someone who knows them well, they may need to re-learn the basics of a conversation. 

Virgo, Mutable Earth, is practical and routine-oriented, with a truckload of restless mental energy to release on the daily. Virgo is paradoxical in this respect, as its Earthiness inclines toward periods of quiet solitude and hard work; but without any trips to plan or assistance to provide, their overactive minds lead them to worry silently while they google symptoms, tips and tricks until their minds nearly explode. Consequently, many a Virgo will let their “everyone needs my help” mentality go into Turbo Drive, whether offering to do everyone’s taxes for free (or at a very reasonable rate) or, starting their own Meals-On-Wheels in the blink of an eye, or turning their kitchens into the set of the Great American Bake-Off Show.

Workaholics by nature, Virgo is always well-meaning, though, and adapts more easily than most to working from the office to working from home. But without enough work to do, worry—and the resultant effect of, quite literally, biting off more than they can chew—can become their undoing. That is, if they allow it to. Letting people in on their feelings of anxiety is an important aspect of coping with Quarantine that Virgo should consider. Talk therapy, meditation, deep breathing, and maintaining regular exercise are especially important habits to adopt for Virgo to not just survive but thrive now. Because though it’s often difficult for Virgo to admit, they too have needs during periods of Social Quarantine. 

Capricorn, Cardinal Earth, is used to being in charge, as their identity is primarily based on their Career. But worriers they are not. Why? Because worrying wastes time. Capricorn knows how to take practical action to get not just themselves but those around them back on track. Quarantine? That’s easy as pie for Capricorn, as they’re naturals when it comes to Alone Time. Ironically, for Capricorn, the major pitfalls arise when they’re alone with other people than if they’re alone with, well, themselves. Solitude is Capricorn’s bread and butter. In fact, it’s amazing how well Capricorn does on their own, as Cap has no problem getting themselves out of bed in the morning much less with tapping into their seemingly never-ending wells of Self-Motivation.

But if Capricorn finds themself with others or (heaven forbid) dependant on others during periods of Quarantine? They may act out their need for Control in, let’s just say “interesting” ways. For example, they may take a more Authoritarian tone than usual, needing to dictate “The Daily Schedule” on whiteboards or other such charts posted on the fridge, rationing how much toilet paper each person in the household should be allowed, or simply refusing to give up the remote. Learning not to get worked up about such things is the trick to Capricorn getting through this Quarantine unscathed, as their innate penchant for Productivity ensures that whatever Caps need will naturally get done—as long as they don’t alienate others in their quest to control everything around them.

Because though Capricorn can (and does) survive even the most unfathomable circumstances, it’s the most unfathomable of people they find most challenging. Thus Cap’s ability to survive is not the question; but whether they thrive will depend almost solely on how well they “play with others” (e.g., Compromise) as the current Quarantine continues.