Your Favorite Guilty Pleasure, According to Your Zodiac Sign
Updated: Mar. 11, 2024
From dessert menus and doomscrolling to debating reality TV, here's how your zodiac indulges in guilty pleasures
Guilty pleasures too good to give up
Everyone has a guilty pleasure, an activity you enjoy while also feeling just a bit of shame. For some, it’s a favorite snack or a favorite candy. Others have a trashy show or a favorite book genre they’re a little embarrassed to be seen reading. Whatever your indulgence of choice, it’s common to have a hobby or habit you’d rather keep a secret. But that doesn’t mean you should feel ashamed of it. In fact, guilty pleasures can help you learn how to de-stress and create moments of joy in your day.
Curious about which pleasures you might find the most enjoyable? The answer you’re looking for could be in the stars. Astrology holds the key to life’s greatest mysteries—everything from how to be happier based on your zodiac to your ideal zodiac compatibility. We asked experts to share their opinion on which dirty little secret, decadence or guilty pleasure each of the zodiac signs are most drawn to. Keep reading to discover yours. And don’t worry, we won’t expose you!
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for zodiac, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
Aries (March 21–April 19): Bingeing reality TV
Aries don’t have a lot of guilty pleasures, and that’s because you don’t feel guilty about enjoying yourself. You’ve got a passion and zest for life that is unparalleled. When you set your sights on something you desire, there’s no holding you back. In fact, you’ll proudly tell anyone who asks about it. That’s why we think the best guilty pleasure for your zodiac sign is (arguably) not that guilty at all: binge-watching reality TV.
For the Aries who don’t like watching sports or getting competitive at game night, reality TV is the perfect alternative. The action and twists never stop, plus you get the chance to watch people get raw and real with their emotions. “Although every Aries isn’t a stereotypical hothead, you love to watch an argument from the safety of your home,” says Meghan Rose, a Los Angeles–based celebrity astrologer. You’ll also be the first ones to justify the petty drama and behavior of your favorite celebrities—if they’re entertaining enough.
Taurus (April 20–May 20): Fine dining
As the sign ruled by Venus, you’re a lover of anything that makes you feel spoiled or pampered. Life is about indulging in the little things whenever possible. Taurus loves a guilty pleasure as much as the next person; however, you’re very picky about what you splurge on. You have very strong opinions about what you spend your time, energy and money on—and it would take something really extraordinary to get you to change your opinion.
Taurus might have a reputation for being the practical and grounded earth sign of the bunch, but you’ll spare no expense when it comes to dining out. “Anyone who has gone to brunch or jet set on vacation with a Taurus knows that budgets fly out the window when it comes to indulging in the finer things—especially when they’re with people they love (and love to drop a bag on),” says Rose. And if you think the night stops with a fancy dinner, think again, because Taurus will keep this party going all night long.
Gemini (May 21–June 20): Social media scrolling
Gemini is the quick-thinking and charming social butterfly of the zodiac. Ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and networking, you’re always looking for new ways to connect with people around you. And it’s not just new social situations that you’re known for diving into head first—you’re also somewhat of a self-taught type. If something seems challenging or piques your interest, you’ll be the first to ask how to get started.
Your brain runs at high speed all day, so the best guilty pleasure for you is mindlessly scrolling through social media. “Gemini loves to be connected, busy and stimulated, ideally as quickly and efficiently as possible,” says astrologer Bridget Pennisten, so a digital detox is not on the horizon. “The fastest way to catch up on all your favorite influencers, trends and friends is to scroll social media for a few hours.” Social platforms are great for catching up on what’s newsworthy, but they’re also fun to people-watch and learn new things.
Cancer (June 21–July 22): Bringing home fresh flowers
Cancer is the sweet and sentimental “mom friend” in any group. As a water sign, it’s easy for you to tune into the feelings of the people around you. You also feel a lot of pride and joy in being the grounding presence that helps beautify the spaces around you. But despite the rewards, it’s a very emotionally and physically draining process. That’s why enjoying your guilty pleasures is more important than you might think.
Because your love language for others focuses on little acts of love, we think you should do the same for yourself. So the next time you’re out at the grocery store grabbing everyone else’s favorite snacks, snag yourself a pint of your favorite ice cream and some flowers on the way. “Cancer benefits from filling their own energetic cup too, and buying a bouquet of bright, colorful flowers for your home is the perfect pick-me-up,” says Pennisten. “If you’re not a fan of flowers, you might like treating yourself to other trinkets, collectibles or nostalgic books and movies.”
Leo (July 23–Aug. 22): Spending money on activities
Some might assume your guilty pleasure is taking selfies or doing your makeup in the mirror for hours, Leo. But what they don’t know about you is that you love spending time with other people. Leo is ruled by the sun and can’t help but seek out spaces in the world to shine. The place you radiate the brightest is when you spend time with your friends, family or anyone who shares your love of life.
Leo loves to plan weekends filled with coffee dates, trips to the mall, movies with friends and much, much more. And if there’s one thing this fire sign fears more than an empty bank account, it’s missing out on a good time. That’s why your guilty pleasure is spending just a little more cash on fun treats and activities than you should. “Leo’s credit cards would scream out in agony if they were able to,” says Rose. “But alas, without anyone to stop them, Leos love to exercise their guilty pleasure of spending whenever they have the chance.” Next, learn what your sun, moon and rising sign mean for you together.
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): People-watching
Everyone wants to call you the perfectionist of the zodiac, Virgo, but that’s just scratching the surface of your true identity. Ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and observation, you also have a tendency to be a little nosy. You can’t help it! Virgos are experts at reading between the lines and dissecting information. And because you like to take a more laid-back approach to socializing, you’ve gotten really good at listening when nobody else is paying attention. That’s why your guilty pleasure is people-watching.
“These analytical and judgmental earth signs can’t help but find themselves fascinated with what and how others are doing,” says Rose. “They are notorious for taking themselves to public places just to linger and watch passersby.” This can also show up in the form of consuming celebrity gossip and pop-culture accounts on social media. Or maybe even an obsession with soap operas, where the drama is neverending. Realistically, it’s wherever you can find your fix for spying on others (in a totally harmless, fun way).
Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): Redecorating your space
The Venus-ruled air sign Libra is amazing at curating an aesthetic. You have an eye for design, balance and beauty, which means you’re an expert at pulling together a look. You love to keep up with the latest trends so you can put your own twist on them. And while most people know you for your fashion-forward style, you also have a natural skill for interior design.
Your guilty pleasure is redecorating your home spaces and trying out new layouts, art, decor styles and more. Libras are all about self-expression, and because that sense of self is always evolving and changing, the way they see beauty in the world changes just as quickly. “Libra will make any excuse that they can to fit a new area rug, mirror or piece of art into the budget,” says Rose. “They do not worry so much about whether or not their new decorations make sense, so much as it matches their vibe.”
Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Reading romance novels
You don’t like others to know what you’re up to, Scorpio—you like to leave people guessing. But under the surface of your aloof aura is someone with a truly all-consuming personality. “Scorpio is very intuitive to the feelings, truths and layers of others,” says Pennisten. “As much as they’d like to deny it to preserve their cool, mysterious exterior, Scorpio is emotional and caring.” You tend to get obsessed when you find something you love—so much so that you’ll go to great lengths to hide your love or interests out of fear of seeming “too much” to handle.
The best guilty pleasure for you is one where melodrama isn’t just encouraged, it’s part of the package deal. And one way you like to satisfy this sentimental and steamy side of yourself is to read romance novels. Whether it’s an enemies-to-lovers romance or a slow-burn story of friends-to-flames, you’re a sucker for watching two people overcome the challenges of life and fall in love.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): Travel planning
Freewheeling and fearless, you like to look for the rush wherever you can get it. Sagittarius is ruled by the planet Jupiter, which is all about optimism, growth and expansion, and you’re always looking for new ways to challenge yourself. You love the thrill of not knowing what comes next—and the freedom that comes with knowing you can figure it all out on your own. So when life starts to feel a little dull, you like to look for new territory to explore.
Sagittarius is known to be the wanderer of the zodiac, and your guilty pleasure is finding that rush wherever you can get it. Having something to look forward to brightens your already positive outlook on life even further. That’s why travel planning is a great escape before the escape. “When life isn’t so exciting for Sagittarius, the next best thing to expanding their horizons is planning the next trip—aka looking up flights at 2 a.m., reading travel articles, checking out vlogs and dreaming of a new life on the other side of the world,” says Pennisten.
Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19): Working from bed
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of karma, discipline and hard work—and often gets coined the taskmaster of the zodiac. You don’t love the workaholic stereotype, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Life always seems to be testing your limits, and it’s anyone’s guess how you manage to get out of bed in the morning. The truth is, despite your perfectly polished and pulled-together personality, you’ve got a lazy side just like the rest of us. That is why your guilty pleasure is simply working from the comfort of your own bed.
“Capricorn is the responsible, grounded and disciplined leader of the zodiac,” Pennisten says. “It’s much nicer to do all that hard work when your desk is a pillow with your laptop on top of it and your power suit is a matching pajama or loungewear set.” If you really want to get wild, take your working-from-bed plans to the next level by changing your scenery to something more comfortable and cozy. Use some of that PTO you’ve got sitting around and dial into your Zoom meetings from the comfort of a hotel bed while you take a working vacation.
Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18): Playing video games
Aquarius has a very innovative and intellectual vibe, thanks in part to being an air sign. You’re always thinking about how the world around you could be different. And you love using your problem-solving skills to break down systems and rebuild them for the better. The rules were meant to be broken, and Aquarius is the first to strive for a unique progressive perspective on life, society and the future. Of course, a mind as active as yours needs a creative outlet as well, which is what makes video games the perfect guilty pleasure for you.
You’re someone who likes to explore new ideas and horizons, and video games are a great way to immerse yourself in a world far away. Not only do these fun adventures let you escape the problems in your real life, they’re also a great way to keep your skills sharp. “Quick problem-solving and creative strategies are Aquarian default settings. And gaming offers the wide variety of genres needed to reach any mood, ranging from action, horror, puzzle, indie, sci-fi, adventure, retro, role-playing and even totally immersive virtual worlds to explore,” says Pennisten.
Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20): Having a cry session
Pisces are very creative and whimsical people, and you love experiencing new things. You gravitate toward hobbies, interests and friendships where you feel open to being yourself. And while you love being part of the in-group, you’re very sensitive to the feelings of others and the subtle changes in the world. So much so that you need a lot of alone time to recharge. And in order for you to really feel refreshed, it’s important to work your way through whatever is getting you down. That’s why there’s no greater guilty pleasure than a good old-fashioned cry session.
“These folks are the type to make a sad-day playlist that brings them to tears, watch their favorite sad movie many times over and figure out the spaces and places that will bring out their waterworks,” says Rose. As someone who normally swims away from life’s problems, you’re probably due for a good cry. It feels cathartic to sit with your emotions and let them wash over you for a change. Crying helps you reconnect with your body and process everything, so you can move on emotionally and spiritually for good.
Meet the experts
- Bridget Pennisten is a professional astrologer and counselor who specializes in evolutionary astrology. They combine their formal background in psychology and traditional counseling with astrology, creating the space for people to harness the insights of the cosmos in everyday life.
- Meghan Rose is a Los Angeles–based celebrity astrologer, tarot reader and writer who offers her expertise to clients and brands all over the world. She is the author of Glamour magazine’s monthly Tarotscopes and the guidebook Intuitive Tarot Manifestation. She has worked with brands such as Armani, YSL, the NFL and many more to bring spiritual practices into the mainstream experience. Rose bridges the gap between the material and the mystical by applying astrology to everyday topics and experiences. You can find her on TikTok, Instagram and through her workshops.
Originally Published: March 11, 2024
