The Western You Belong In Based On Your Zodiac Sign
Westerns and zodiac signs may not be the most obvious combination, but if you've ever played the thought experiment of what fictional world you'd best fit in, you've likely considered all aspects of yourself and how those aspects would function within that fictional world. Our consideration of which Western you belong in based on your zodiac sign, as they are described by Astrology.com, is really just an extended exercise in that same thought experiment through the lens of the signs that help us understand ourselves and each other.
Just as there's great variety in the signs of the zodiac, there are a lot of different kinds of Westerns that the signs may belong to. Many signs will be at home in Westerns of the classic Hollywood era, while others might fit in better with a Spaghetti Western, a '90s independent movie Western, recently released Westerns, or even a TV Western. There's no one size fits all for the zodiac signs, and the wide-open spaces of the American West have been home to so many different stories that there's a home for every sign. So let's find out which Western you belong in based on your zodiac sign.
Aries: Rio Bravo
According to Astrology.com, Aries are "the leaders of the pack" who can "rally troops against seemingly insurmountable odds," and no Western more iconically rallies the troops against insurmountable odds than "Rio Bravo." At the center, of course, is the Duke himself, John Wayne, as Sheriff John Chance, who ironically explicitly seeks not to rally any troops while pursuing justice for a murder committed by the younger brother of the town's wealthiest landowner. Chance attempts to go it alone because he doesn't want any harm to come to those who might support him. Yet it's exactly this fearlessness, characteristic of Aries, that lends Chance his "personal magnetism."
Chance isn't the only character in "Rio Bravo" that exemplifies the qualities of an Aries. Dude (Dean Martin), the town drunk who finds his courage and decides to stand by the sheriff even as he fears for his life, shows the loyalty of an Aries and is an example of the Aries' ability to feel fear, but act anyway. Then there's Feathers (Angie Dickinson), the beautiful widow of a gambler who develops a relationship with Chance throughout the movie and is very direct, as Aries often are, about her feelings for him.
Perhaps more than any parallels to the characters in the movie, though, the individualistic but loyal Aries belong in "Rio Bravo" because it's fundamentally a movie about individuals choosing to come together and support one another in the face of injustice.
Taurus: Once Upon a Time in the West
Astrology.com tells us "the typical Taurus personality loves the rewards of the game ... physical pleasures and material goods." The Taurus loves to be "surrounded by pleasing, soothing things." There are certainly a lot of Westerns about the pursuit of wealth, whether in the form of gold or large bounty. However, the one that would feel the most at home for a Taurus is Sergio Leone's "Once Upon A Time in the West."
The movie's central conflict pits tycoon Frank Morton (Gabriele Ferzetti) against the rightful owners of a piece of land called Sweetwater, the McBain family. Morton is undoubtedly a villain, but he also exemplifies the Taurean love for the good life. After all, even in the middle of the desolate West, he travels in a lavishly decorated train car office with leather recliners, gold curtains, and a chandelier.
Also relevant to the Taurus state of mind is the film's secondary storyline that follows a mysterious character known only as Harmonica (Charles Bronson) as he seeks revenge against Morton's enforcer Frank (Henry Fonda) for a wrong almost a lifetime old. It's this long memory of both the character Harmonica and the narrative of the movie that makes us think the Taurus would be at home here.
Most importantly, though, the main hero of "Once Upon A Time in The West," the widow McBain (Claudia Cardinale), who arrives in the West and quickly needs to learn how to adjust to ruthless men, shows quintessential Taurus skills. She uses her strong determination to learn the lessons of the West and thinks practically about her situation.
Gemini: Deadwood
The Gemini is "forever probing ... in search of information," per Astrology.com, which means they'd likely feel at home in many spy movies. However, as far as Westerns go, they're certain to feel most at home in "Deadwood." The titular town features a variety of characters, but all of them are always looking for information, whether it be about each others' motives or the next money-making opportunity. It's in those opportunities that many of the denizens of Deadwood show off their "surplus of imagination."
Geminis are also "able to blend into any environment easily, taking on the customs of local culture and language" which would serve them well in "Deadwood," which is famous for its florid and sharp language. Their quick-wittedness and amiability also help Geminis "excel at connecting people to the right people, so that resources, skills, and information can be disseminated in their communities effectively," something that's always necessary in a frontier town. This is especially true when disaster strikes, as it does when the town is hit with an epidemic of smallpox in the first season. In a town of oft-shifting allegiances, the Gemini's mutability would help them adjust to changing tides, even if it wouldn't help the sign's reputation for being flaky or untrustworthy — though it's not as if anyone in Deadwood trusts anyone else anyway.
Cancer: Walker
As noted by Astrology.com, Cancers are "all about home," and they "take great pleasure in the comforts of home and family." As such, it makes sense that they also "love communal activities [and] tend to be patriotic," and they care about their home in all the ways that home can be understood. A fair number of Westerns are about the idea of home and what that means in the ever-changing landscape of the West, but no movie is more focused on the importance of home in the political sense than "Walker."
"Walker" is based on the true story of William Walker (Ed Harris), who took a group of mercenaries from the US to Nicaragua to overthrow the existing government for an American millionaire. The film is revolutionary not only in its story, which shows Walker's descent into power-induced madness and the efforts of the Nicaraguan people to remove him, but also for some bold filmmaking choices, such as the inclusion of anachronistic weapons and vehicles.
Cancers belong in "Walker" because they are "emotionally and sentimentally attached to their space" and may be "slow to trust outsiders." And "though usually quiet and peaceable, their claws come out when protecting the vulnerable" and they are "vigilant about protecting themselves." The combination of their patriotism and their "sympathy for the underdog" would make Cancers fit right in fighting against William Walker, himself a warning of what may happen if a Cancer is too aggressive in their quest to control their environment.
Leo: The Gunfighter
Astrology.com writes that Leos love "being the center of attention" so it seems that they'd fit in perfectly in a movie about being a center of attention. "The Gunfighter" is about Jimmy Ringo (Gregory Peck), the fastest draw in the West, and the unwanted contact that he draws for that title. He's a constant target for young men who, like many Leos, are "ambitious ... talented and have a flair for the dramatic" and want to be known as "the man who shot Jimmy Ringo," thereby taking on the title of the fastest draw in the West. These young men are often driven by their vanity, jealousy, and competitiveness, all characteristics of a Leo who has not become genuinely confident.
Ringo on the other hand exemplifies the "self-assuredness" and "magnanimous presence" of the balanced Leo. A man whose talents have made him a target to some, but an inspiration to many. He wears the title of the fastest gun with wisdom and confidence that is not arrogant, highlighting how "leadership is a natural strength for this sign."
Leos belong in "The Gunfighter" because it's a film about the limelight that they love so much, but it shows the dangers of that limelight just as much, if not more so, than it shows the rewards.
Virgo: The Ox-Bow Incident
As described by Astrology.com, Virgos bear a considerable "sense of duty [that] ensures they will always work for the greater good" so it makes sense that they would belong in a movie about duty and the greater good. "The Ox-Bow Incident" follows two cowboys, Gil (Henry Fonda) and Art (Harry Morgan), who get swept up in a small town's hunt for cattle rustlers believed to have murdered a local. Gil and Art join the hastily assembled posse that rides out of town to find the suspected rustlers, hoping to allay suspicions about them and to lend a pair of cooler heads to the mob-like group.
Gil and Art aren't the only characters in the film who exhibit a talent for being observant and thinking clearly in moments of great stress, both strengths of the Virgo. In fact, the film could probably use more Virgos, as the group eventually finds three men who they immediately assume are the criminals they are looking for without much evidence. Too few characters in "The Ox-Bow Incident" show the exacting attention to detail important to Virgos that would serve a group seeking justice well in finding the actual culprits.
Like Leos in "The Gunfighter," Virgos would fit right into "The Ox-Bow Incident" as there are opportunities to engage their inherently considerate and compassionate side by attempting to care for those they come into contact with.
Libra: Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid
As described by Astrology.com, Libras are "first and foremost focused on others and how they relate to them," they are "the sign of Partnership with a capital 'P' because [they] do not want to be alone. So it's only right that they'd fit right in with perhaps the most iconic pair in Westerns: the titular Butch (Paul Newman) and Sundance (Robert Redford) of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
Beyond forming an iconic duo, the two outlaws are also part of a larger organization. Butch is the leader of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, a position that benefits greatly from his natural leadership and talent for "pioneering social projects [and] unifying." We even get to see Butch exhibit the quintessential Libra talent for "acting as active mediators" early in the film when the gang voices some dissatisfaction and he takes constructive feedback.
Both Butch and Sundance also exemplify the Libra ability to forgive quickly as they frustrate and forgive each other several times throughout the movie. But Libras aren't only interested in friendship. In fact, "their favorite partnership is at home: marriage." While Decider notes that the film can certainly be read as a film about gay and/or bisexual polyamorous love, the face value text of the film also shows us that Sundance is at his most joyous when he spends time with Etta (Katharine Ross), the woman he loves.
Scorpio: Hostiles
"Hostiles" follows racist army captain Blocker (Christian Bale) who is enlisted to escort an old enemy, a dying Cheyenne chief, from a New Mexico prison to a Montana reservation and learns the error of his prejudices along the journey. It's a story that might make Scorpios feel at home at, as Astrology.com them as experiencing difficulty when forced "to adapt to changes" and can often be "slow to forgive," but can be counted on "to see whatever they have committed to through to the end."
Blocker is often cold, but we see that he cares deeply for his men and is fiercely loyal to those who gain his trust, both qualities of the Scorpio. Almost all the characters in "Hostiles," and arguably the deliberately paced movie itself, have the "patient" nature of the Scorpio, not wanting to rush into things and choosing their actions carefully based on the "emotional and psychological dynamics of their relationships."
One character, Philip Wills (Ben Foster), a war criminal that joins the party as a second prisoner for a short period, epitomizes the danger that may befall Scorpios if they never open themselves to community and become "focused on the dark side of life." Wills is hateful towards everyone, "seeking darker motives everywhere" and expresses a "pessimistic and nihilistic worldview."
Sagitarius: Dead Man
Astrology.com describes those born under the sign of Sagittarius as "the wanderers of the zodiac," and almost no Western wanders better than Jim Jarmusch's "Dead Man." The film follows William Blake (Johnny Depp), an accountant who moves out west to take a job in the company town of Machine only to be run out of town after being involved in a shooting, as he, well, wanders the land. Blake's wandering is as literal as it is metaphorical as he attempts to understand himself and his place in the world; he is on an "internal quest" for truth and the meaning of life, just as all Sagittarians are.
He's accompanied in his quest by Nobody (Gary Farmer), an indigenous man, who finds Blake shot outside the town and believes that Blake is the reincarnation of the poet William Blake who must return to the spirit world. The film's emphasis on spirituality and many allusions to the often religiously inflected poetry of William Blake highlights another way in which Sagittarians would be at home in the film given their attraction to "philosophy and religion."
The Sagittarius is rarely "materialistic since their lives prioritize being able to change, move, and adapt easily," all of which would serve them well in the nomadic world of "Dead Man." And the film's setting, literally outside the boundaries of a town that's ruled solely by the company owner, would serve them well in avoiding "false or inauthentic roles, ideas, or laws."
Capricorn: The Harder They Fall
Astrolgy.com writes that Capricorns are "ambitious and determined" individuals for whom "life is one big project" and "are extremely dedicated to their goals." "The Harder They Fall" follows Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) in his quest for revenge against Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) and his gang for the murder of Nat's family when he was a child. Throughout the film, we see Nat's discipline and determination, characteristic of Capricorns, as he is fiercely committed to finding and killing Buck. Nat sometimes succumbs to a myopic focus, a danger for Capricorns, especially given their need for community and team work.
However, Nat and all of the characters in "The Harder They Fall," are at their best when they open themselves to others. Both Nat and Buck have significant posses made up of loyal friends and advisors who offer pragmatic advice, as Capricorns are wont to do. Capricorns would likely fit in well with either gang, as the closeness of the two groups highlights that these folks do "not shy away from commitment, but rather require it of their friends, business partners, and lovers." Many of the characters in the film, including the leaders of the gangs, also show a great resilience and an ability to endure difficult times without giving up on their goals, another quality of the Capricorn.
The specific focus on a goal born from a necessary resilience in "The Harder They Fall" and the importance of loyalty between the characters in the film makes us confident Capricorns would fit right in here.
Aquarius: Devil's Doorway
As described on Astrology.com, Aquarians are "humanitarian, philanthropic, and keenly interested in making the world a better place," they have a strong "social conscience." They are often "visionaries, progressive souls who love to spend time thinking about how things can be better." Unsurprisingly then, we think that Aquarians would belong in a Western about social and political issues like "Devil's Doorway."
"Devil's Doorway" centers around a piece of land owned by Shoshone Lance Poole (Robert Taylor), which is stolen by white townspeople using a systemically prejudiced legal system. Lance engages the services of young lawyer Orrie Masters (Paula Raymond) who seeks to legally fight against injustice. The actions of a true reformer fit with those born under the sign of Aquarians as they are often known for their commitment to "test the societal conventions we have built to see if they are still relevant and inclusive." Lance's turning to a lawyer also shows that he seeks to remain objective and to assess the situation impartially, a skill that Aquarians excel at, even when they are wronged.
While the past is set and there is nothing that can undo the unjust history that "Devil's Doorway" depicts, we still think that Aquarians would fit in well and be able to use their "strong mental capacities" to work with Lance and Orrie for a just outcome.
Pisces: Canyon Passage
Pisces "brings together many of the characteristics of the eleven signs that have come before it" and "place great weight on what they are feeling," per Astrology.com. It seems right then that Pisceans would be at home in the melodramatic Western "Canyon Passage" which has a large cast of characters, with a variety of outlooks, moralities, and priorities. The central emotional story of "Canyon Passage" focuses on the romance between Logan (Dana Andrews) and Lucy (Susan Hayward), which allows the film and the characters to show how Pisceans "will give much of themselves to their friends and partners to selflessly nurture a connection."
This selflessness extends beyond the romantic in the film, though. We also see Logan do his best to care for his down on his luck friend George (Brian Donlevy), going so far as to give him $2000 to cover debts, showing that "Pisceans can be counted on to offer help and healing support to anyone who is in need." Logan's friendship with George, whose position certainly hasn't been helped by his gambling and thieving habits, exemplifies that while Pisceans "like to believe in the good of others, ... they must be discerning and discriminating" lest they be taken advantage of.
Pisceans will almost certainly feel at home in the emotionally focused world of "Canyon Passage" and would be free to explore the many characteristics of their sign just as the characters in the film do.