cheating

Someone's zodiac sign can tell you a lot about them. It not only explains why they’re so freaking obsessed with storing boxes (hi, Virgos!) or why their hair is always perfect (Leo, I’m jealous), but it can also reveal how good they are in bed, what their wedding should look like, what turns them on and off, and, oh yeah, how likely they are to cheat.

While the stars don’t tell us who will cheat, exactly, they do tell us which signs have a tendency to be flaky, noncommittal, or total romantics… so romantic that they might decide the stranger who smiled at them across the crowded bar is their One True Love, even if they’re already in a relationship.

By the way, remember that even if certain signs are predisposed to traits like indecisiveness, these astro stereotypes are just that—stereotypes. No one is fated to cheat, and we all have free will. 

It’s the sad truth, but people born under all zodiac signs cheat on the person they love every single day. No one is safe from it. Not you. Not your best friends. Not your favourite TV character. And certainly not your favourite celebrity couples.

Of course, everyone has their own definition of cheating, and there are about a million different actions that can fall under the category of infidelity. Most cheating starts with emotions and lying. Cheaters will often lie to you and hide the truth of their actions by gaslighting when you ask them if they are being unfaithful.

Cheating can also start with certain issues in the relationship. If your relationship makes your partner unhappy or your sex life isn't as alive as it once was, your partner might start cheating to find happiness or sexual chemistry with someone else.

Maybe for you, just flirting with someone other than your partner is adultery. Or maybe, something they thought was just a "harmless" peck on the check counts in your eyes. Or maybe, in your opinion, the only thing that qualifies is full-on sexual intercourse.

Whatever the case of infidelity, it feels horrible to be cheated on, especially after you fall in love, because it makes you develop trust issues that make you wary of your future relationships, and it's harder to let people in as much because you don't want to get hurt again.

Then there's the age-old question of why people cheat in the first place. Is it because they're looking for someone to spend their life with, someone they believe they'll be happy with forever, and they need to check in to see if the grass out there really is greener? If someone can cheat in a relationship and they're not fully happy, why don't they just end the relationship rather than betray the one they're with?

To understand why some signs cheat more than others, it’s important to know the basics of each sign. In the zodiac, there are three "main modalities," or ways in which a zodiac sign’s characteristics are experienced, expressed, or approached. Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) typically like taking the initiative. Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) like to keep the status quo, and Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) tend to be very adaptable.

Because of this, fixed signs are much more likely to stay faithful in relationships than everyone else. These are signs that generally do not like change. One of their main roles in their existence is stability. That's not to say that all of them will only be faithful — we're all subject to the complex nature of being human — but there's a much higher chance of fixed signs being faithful than other signs.

Of course, not every person who falls under a certain sign is destined to be unfaithful. Digging deeper into someone’s birth chart can give you a better idea of how likely it is for them to cheat. 

In the end, though, no matter what the reasoning might be, there's always one result: heartbreak.

ARIES

As a fire sign—not to mention the first sign of the zodiac—Aries is extremely impulsive. This is one sign that has an extremely high sex drive, and also has a tendency to get bored easily. While they can overcome this, they do have a tendency to think without acting. Aries is a cardinal fire sign, meaning they’re used to getting their way. When that doesn’t happen, they’re ready to bolt. Aries will start to wander once they feel unappreciated. Constantly working to prove themselves, they’ll seek comfort from those willing to give it. Similarly, Aries might also stray if they feel bored. Aries requires a spark in their relationship. If that starts to fizzle, then so too will their feelings.

Aries is most likely to lose interest in any zodiac sign who can’t keep up with their fast pace. For instance, the slow and steady Taurus may end up boring the ram as time goes on. The soft and gentle Cancer may also be a little too emotional for Aries to handle. It’s why Taurus and Cancer are two zodiac signs Aries is most likely to cheat on.

It’s worth noting, however, that Aries is one sign that’s most likely to cheat without thinking. Their impulses and desires can get in the way of their best judgement. Rams tend to act without thinking of the consequences. Instead, they do whatever feels right in the moment. If they were in the right mood and someone highly attractive came along, Aries may just go with it.

It’s more likely for Aries to have one night stands than an on-going affair. But if someone does happen to keep their interest for longer than a few hours, they may try to keep things going. For instance, a zodiac sign most likely to tempt Aries to cheat is Aquarius. 

Aries will try their best to hide an affair, however, they may have a hard time doing so. At first, they may view it as an exciting challenge. However, they tend to be too hasty and impatient, which can cause mistakes to be made. They won't outright admit to cheating without being prompted, but if confronted, they will be direct about it.

TAURUS

Ooh, the oh-so-sensual and practical earth sign. Taurus people are often grounded and dependable, and it takes a lot for them to cheat. So only a small percent of them have cheated or have come close to cheating—whereas the strong majority believe in monogamy. In general, they’ll give you a ton of warning signs before taking such drastic measures. 

As an earth sign, Taurus is all about pleasure—good food, good wine, expensive-ass bedsheets, and…yes…sex. Sometimes their hedonistic tendencies just get the better of them, okay? The reason Taurus won't cheat is that they’re too practical to ruin their lives with the drama of a broken home or family, and they care too much about their reputation to mar it with a scandal.

Having one relationship means only having to make an effort with one person, and there's no extra energy being spent sneaking around and coming up with excuses on the spot.

Yes, Taurus is honestly too lazy to even think about cheating. But that’s a good thing, right? Selfish, maybe, but good.

GEMINI

Gemini have a reputation for being untrustworthy…and it’s not totally unwarranted. Among all the signs in the zodiac, it should come as no surprise that Gemini is the one sign that’s most likely to cheat. People born under Gemini typically prefer casual relationships, which isn’t surprising. As a super-social air sign, Gemini gets bored easily. They are the social butterflies of the zodiac so mingling or chatting with people they meet throughout their day fulfils their desire to communicate and socialise. Represented by the twins, they have enough interests and hobbies for two people…and even if one of their personalities is superseded into monogamy, the other might not be.

Gemini, being a mutable air sign, can be one of the worst culprits for cheating. Their sign is that of the twins, representing their dual nature. It’s easy for them to live a double life in both a really cool and really shady way—they’re the type that can blend easily with multiple social groups, but also the type that can secretly start two families. Sometimes, that may involve exploring several relationships at the same time. But to a Gemini, this may not count as cheating. 

Gemini’s bad reputation might make them an unsurprising addition to this list. These celestial twins are prone to restlessness and emotional immaturity. Their relationship priority is often quantity over quality. Gemini is very needy in a relationship, so if you can’t give him around-the-clock attention, they'll find someone who can.

Although they never intend to cheat, sometimes it just happens. When it does, Geminis will find a way to talk around it. Gemini are very clever and would find ways to hide their cheating from their partner. If caught, they are more likely to tell you what you want to hear, but don't be surprised if they do it again.

When it comes to the type of cheating they do, being intellectual Air signs, Geminis are the types to cheat over text or social media. They’ll send flirty DMs to people who catch their interest. Sometimes exchanging sexy texts and photos will be the extent of their cheating, and they won’t have any real intention to take it to a physical level. Just having a secret online flirtation can be exciting for them.

Like their fellow air sign, Libra, Gemini also hates being alone and talking about their feelings. They’d rather enjoy an easy, shallow relationship than suffer through a deep, complicated one.

CANCER

Cancer is by far one of the most faithful zodiac signs, and is the second least likely of all the zodiac signs to cheat. Sentimental and compassionate, this water sign is guided by how they nurture the people around them. In touch with their feelings and true commitment, only a small percent have cheated or have come close to cheating, with most remaining faithful.

Cancers aren’t great at dealing with conflict—when they’re hurt, they tend to lash out with their crab claws. And while that might mean insulting you with some snappy zingers, it might also mean they go nuclear to get back at you.

Cancer’s emotions run deep. Notoriously sensitive, Cancer will often carry their moodiness over into their relationship. They don’t know any other way; their feelings have no “off” switch.

Comfort and stability attract Cancer. Once they find that, they will be a loyal and empathetic partner within a relationship. But if their bond grows unstable or unhappy, Cancer will seek comfort somewhere else.

While they enjoy familiarity, these water signs hate stagnancy. They’re the first to notice if a connection has grown stale. They’re also the first to act on it.

Finally, Cancer runs on emotion, not logic. If their heart desires something, they’re likely to listen to it.

LEO

Leos love the drama—with fiery personalities and actions to show for it. This is why a major percent of them have either cheated or come close to it. Leos are all about the spotlight, and if you’re not giving your lion enough applause, they might head to their fan base to select someone who does. Not only is Leo dramatic, but he needs to be the centre of attention at all times.

If you’re not treating them like the king or queen they believe they are, and especially if they feel like you're beginning to ignore them, they will do everything they can think of to make sure you start paying attention to them again. Leos are fiercely loyal… until they’re not. As long as they get what they want, Leo will be a dream partner: loving, loyal, and exciting.

But ignore or scorn Leo, and you run the risk of them searching for a new admirer. They likely won’t have problems finding one, either. Leo exudes a natural warmth and confidence.

Their attractive air is mainly due to the high standards to which they hold themselves. Leo also holds their partner to these same standards.

If they don’t live up to Leo's expectations, they’ll find someone who will. Or, at the very least, they’ll find someone who helps Leo reach their compliment quota for the day.

VIRGO

Virgo is naturally do-gooding. Virgos don’t like to let themselves down, or other people, and burn with guilt and shame at even the slightest transgression of their own making. They beat themselves up about little things, so cheating would create a hell hole of shame they may never climb out of. 

Why does Virgo cheat? These guys expect perfection, and if you don’t meet Virgo’s standards, they’ll find someone who does. So, while cheating is off the table, do not expect the relationship to last either. Usually, they’ll dump you first though. They are not a fan of drama and they aren't about to be the source of it in their own life.

Many times, a Virgo is struggling to feel like they're committing to a relationship, so they decide to cheat because they subconsciously seem to want to avoid committing to a relationship because they're afraid of where that may lead.

LIBRA

The seventh astrological sign not only identifies as “diplomatic and gracious” but also craves that butterfly romance. Thus, only a very small percent of them have considered engaging with someone other than their partner.

Libras love being in relationships—so much so that they often have a boo-in-waiting lined up to take over if their current relationship goes sour. What you see as a fight, Libra might see as a breakup—and before you know it, they’re on to their next flirt.

Libras are huge flirts, which is why so many people are hesitant to enter into relationships with them to begin with. And maybe they are right to be hesitant.

While you would think the flirting would stop once Libra is in a committed relationship, it doesn’t. And even though it's usually harmless, sometimes it does go too far.

If a Libra cheats, it's because they're seeking to fulfil what they feel they're not getting from their partner in the relationship. They will feel terribly guilty about cheating, but in order to keep the peace, they will do their best to hide it from you.

Moreover, they hate confrontation. So, when things get dicey, they will be slow to face the problems head-on. Instead, they’ll seek a more happy-go-lucky connection elsewhere.

Libra is also prone to fantasy. The potential of a new crush often overrides the struggles of a long-term commitment.

And despite being all about balance, Libra is also infamously indecisive. They might not mean to hurt the person to whom they’re unfaithful. They just can’t figure out what, exactly, they want.

Libras aren't as clandestine as Scorpio or Pisces, and they're not as quick as a Gemini, so often it's their own actions that are witnessed in broad daylight by friends that tend to give away their affair. Once they're confronted by their partner, they will initially try to deny it. They may even try to hold off on having this conversation for as long as possible. They may try to get their partner to end the relationship, or see if their affair fizzles out naturally. However, once they’re cornered, they will be honest.

Libra zodiac signs are most likely to cheat with Aquarius. The Aquarius-Libra connection is an “intense and all-consuming pull.” With these two, there’s a magnetic and strong sexual connection.

SCORPIO

In truth, Scorpio is one of the most faithful of all the signs; however, if they cheat, they are likely to hide it. That's because keeping secrets is in Scorpio's very nature. Scorpios are reluctant to let anyone in and so, for obvious reasons, are less likely to engage in a casual relationship. Only a small percent of them have cheated or have come close to cheating—but you may want to check for micro-cheating, just sayin’.

Scorpio can be the most loving and committed partner you ever have and stay that way forever — as long as you do the same for her. But these scorpions famously hold grudges and love to get revenge. If you cheated first, don’t be surprised if they take the low road too. The moment they find out that you have been unfaithful to them, even in the smallest way possible, all bets are off. You have lost their loyalty, and Scorpio is not opposed to revenge. Watch out!

But when it comes to cheating in a relationship, there's often a much deeper reason behind why a Scorpio will wander. Although there's never a good excuse for cheating, a typical loyal Scorpio will decide to cheat due to deep emotional wounds or disconnect. Some Scorpios may even enjoy the risks of a clandestine romance because they get a thrill from keeping such a scandal a deep secret.

Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, which is the planet of what’s mysterious and hidden. So when it comes to hiding an affair, Scorpios might be the most skilled at it. They might be highly secretive and controlling about what is made public about them and they will take extra measures to cover their tracks.

Sex plays an enormous part in reinforcing a relationship with Scorpio, so if this part of their current relationship is not strong, they may look elsewhere. A sign they’d most likely cheat on is Leo. If Leo doesn’t give Scorpio enough attention, the scorpion may end up looking elsewhere. Also a Taurus, is one sign they might cheat with.These two signs are 180 degrees opposite each other and all this lusty passionate energy lends itself to a lot of sexual chemistry.

The good thing is, Scorpios do value loyalty in their relationships. So in the event that they get caught cheating, they probably won't do it again. 

SAGITTARIUS

Extroverted by nature, Sagittarius babies are more likely to leave a relationship if they think the grass is greener on the other side. That is why only one in five of them have cheated or have come close to cheating on their partner.

Why does Sagittarius cheats? These fire signs are impulsive, adventurous, and reluctant to commit. That doesn’t mean Sagittarius is destined to cheat—but if they commit to someone, it’s gotta be worth it, and sometimes their flighty nature takes over. Sagittarius have some pretty high moral standards, and would never want to do anything that's going to ruin their reputation.

Don’t be surprised if early on in a relationship Sagittarius suggests an open relationship and makes it clear that he plans on seeing other people. When they are open and honest about what they are doing and what they are expecting in your relationship at this point, it’s not cheating.

Sagittarius is always searching for their next big conquest. They live their life as a series of goals–plan, accomplish, repeat. Unfortunately, this can be a good and bad thing in love. Because Sagittarius is a restless spirit, they can wander when a situation has become too routine. After all, it takes a lot of work to constantly look for the next best thing.

In addition to a thirst for exploration, Sagittarius prioritises principles over feelings. If they feel monogamy goes against their moral code, they won’t adhere to those rules.

They’ll manage to justify this by blaming it on their search for freedom. However, they tend to forget that personal liberty doesn’t mean stomping on others’ feelings.

CAPRICORN

Capricorns are serious and independent, which makes them less likely to settle down as easily as the other signs. But once settled, Capricorns typically won’t stray—just one in ten have considered cheating or have gone through with it.

Capricorns are all about success—at work and in their relationships. If they decide the relationship’s not in line with their goals, they might dip for someone who seems more promising. They have some incredible qualities—your drive, charisma and career-oriented nature are unparalleled in the zodiac. However, you’re not the best at committed romantic relationships.

They are the type of person who gets wronged in a relationship one time and vows never, ever to commit again. Identifying and healing past hurts is essential. Treat others like you’d want to be treated in a relationship: with tenderness, love and commitment. 

Capricorns look for something very specific in their relationships — to gain as much as they can from them. This means they are looking for happiness, support, stability, and maybe even status.

Because all of this can be hard to find in one partner, when she does find it, she will not be one to risk losing it.

AQUARIUS

Is Aquarius a cheater? The zodiac’s weirdos (we mean that as a compliment) sometimes feel like no one understands them. If Aquarius suddenly clicks with someone who just gets them, it might not matter that they already have a partner at home.

It is in their nature to be aloof and just plain weird. And there’s nothing wrong with that, so long as they have constructive outlets for your personality. However, sometimes they can be so emotionally distant that they just don’t care about what happens to other people.

Capricorns and Aquarius carry this weight similarly; however, they are even more emotionally distant than Capricorn since they are an air sign. Check in with reality on a regular basis to ensure they are honouring their relationships. And practice close listening!

Aquarius might not physically cheat, but may start sending flirty texts to an old fling or lead someone on during a night out to see how many free drinks they can get out of it.

And while it’s never physical, some people consider this to be emotional infidelity, so it's certain their partner wouldn't be too happy if they knew this was going on.

PISCES

Pisces might be the most romantic sign of the zodiac…which means that someone else might woo them away with roses, poetry, or endless compliments. If they decide they’ve met The One, it might not matter that they already have someone. This will be shocking, but the zodiac sign most likely to cheat is Pisces. Pisces are master manipulators, and just like the fish that represents them, they find it hard to swim in a straight line.

Normally sensitive and super-emotional, they can’t help but act upon the smallest mood swing. If they are mad at you and are out for the night, there’s no saying what might happen.

Pisces often get involved with people already in a relationship, partly to puff up their ego, and partly to invoke jealousy and destroy the emotions of the person standing in the way of their heart's desire. To be honest, their conquests are often more to place themselves higher on the pecking order of desirability against other competitors than it is about the partner they have stolen. Pisces are incredible liars and, whether you are their official partner or their undercover sweetie, they will make you feel you are incredibly special and valued, all while eyeing their next potential mate.

At the same time, they are less likely to leave a relationship even if they are unhappy due to their fear of hurting the one they are with. Ironically, they may choose instead to stray. Maybe deep down inside they are hoping to be caught cheating.