Going the Social Distance: An Astrological Guide to Not Losing Your Mind
When we emerge from all this insanity in, well, however many months, it’s safe to say the world as we’ve known it will be gone, replaced by something radically different. My hope is that on the other side awaits a world that is softer and kinder, one where we actively take care of one another, but for that to happen, it will take our personal and global dedication.
It will also take us not losing our minds in the interim.
For a little advice on how to not lose our minds as we do our best to isolate, let’s turn to astrology and see what it can tell us about maintaining some semblance of normalcy in these trying times.
I recommend looking at both your Sun sign — as that will help orient you — as well as your Moon sign, which guides you in how to care for yourself as well as others.
ARIES
As the most action-oriented sign in the zodiac, you guys might have some difficulty with the stasis of the next few months. Make sure you’re staying physically active in one way or another, whether this means going for a walk or a run, doing some work-out vids in your living room, or trying a little Yoga With Adrienne. Even just stretching or doing some jumping jacks will release some pent-up energy!
TAURUS
As the coziest sign in the zodiac, you might actually be feeling a-okay with the idea of doing nothing for a few months. Forgive yourself if this proves to be not true at any point. To relax yourself, make sure you have plenty of face masks for some good old fashioned self-care, and if you want to put your energy somewhere, baking can be a great outlet for you (and you get a snack afterwards). In times of distress, turn to Taurus Queen Lizzo for guidance.
GEMINI
Read. Read everything you can. You’ve probably dreamt of a time you could read every book in the universe, and guess what, here’s your chance. Thrift Books will be a great resource for you. Just promise me, for the sake of humanity, you won’t start any internet arguments at this time. We don’t need that kind of volatility.
CANCER
You’re probably freaking out right now. You’re probably wondering what you can do to help everyone around you, meanwhile forgetting entirely that you, too, have needs, especially now. Take a break. Take a breath. Get as much sleep as you can. Introduce meditation into your everyday life. You can only be a helper if you have the resources and energy to help.
LEO
As the showiest of the zodiac, this is probably a weird time for you, but it’s a good time to utilize your social media presence and social circle in a positive manner. Connect with your friend and your followers — virtually, of course! Find a cause you can direct their attention towards in this time of need. Leo is the defender of the people, and now is a good time for your to use that giant heart of yours to help gather resources for those who might be hurting.
VIRGO
Usually I tell Virgos to breathe and put down the sponge, but in this case, I say go ahead, do that deep clean. Get all the minute details of your affairs in order. It’ll help you breathe in deeper and have a clean slate as social distancing drags on. And if you have any animals around you, spend a lot of time with them to relax.
LIBRA
Poor, Libras. What a frustrating time for you, who need people so much. Just because you’re not going out doesn’t mean you can’t look pretty, so do your make-up, put on a cute outfit, and take some pictures for the ‘gram! It’ll help you feel connected socially. As a justice-oriented sign, you might feel furious as the world grapples with how to respond to this crisis. Contact your local representatives to ask about their plans to help your community.
SCORPIO
Learn a whole new set of spells and perform them as you go. The world, as well as you, needs that energy right now. You might be a naturally secretive sign, but the next few months will have even you craving a confidante. Find a friend you trust to chat with once a week and/or start keeping a journal to get your thoughts and feelings out.
SAGITTARIUS
Your outside adventures are going to be sparse this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have inside adventures! Check out these virtual tours, watch some documentaries on places near and far, have a virtual dance party over FaceTime that you abruptly leave with no explanation! Travel the world by cooking something from a culture different than yours or reading a book about people across the world.
CAPRICORN
Schedules, schedules, schedules. Most importantly, make sure you have a few small tasks that you can accomplish every day. As a Capricorn, you don’t just like structure, you like feeling useful and productive, so if you keep your achievements small, it’ll be a boost to your mood. But don’t go overboard! Just because Shakespeare wrote King Lear in a quarantine doesn’t mean you have to. After all, Shakespeare didn’t have Netflix.
AQUARIUS
Rediscover your tumblr community of fellow weirdos since you can’t hang with others in real life. As the most philanthropic sign of the zodiac, you also might be itching to help people on a larger scale. Find causes you can advocate for, but remember you can’t save the entire world in one fell swoop. Meditate when you’re feeling particularly out-of-control.
PISCES
Music will be your best friend during this time, listening to it, sharing it, creating it. Make a “social distancing” playlist of songs that thrill your heart. Share it with your loved ones. Ask for the songs that thrill theirs. Use this time to be creative for creativity’s sake: paint, write a poem, play the piano. And when all else fails, there’s always weed.
Sam is a writer, astrologer, and feminist thinker based in New York. As a Capricorn with a Libra moon, she will be using social distancing to Get Shit Done while wearing a tutu.
