Written In The Stars: Astrological Signs Of Influential Black Women
Check Out The Astrological Signs Of These Influential Black Women
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Sometimes success is just written in the stars.
Regardless of what you call them or whether you even believe in them, the practice of analyzing the similarities between people born around a certain time of the year has been around forever.
With that in mind, have you ever thought about what influential Black women share your zodiac sign?
In addition to seeing how you might relate to some of history’s most powerful Black women through their star signs, this slideshow includes input from astrologists Astrodim, Mecca Woods, and Miz Chartreuse on how those signs might be steering your own journeys of leadership and success.
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Audre Lorde, “The Revolutionary” Aquarius
Fittingly, a lot of well-known and influential Black women just happen to be Aquarians. According to Astrodim, those born from January 20th to February 18th are known as the “revolutionaries” of the zodiac signs because they’re open to shaking things up for the betterment of the collective.
Although seemingly detached, their unique mind and eclectic spirit make them think outside the box and understand others who tend to be unconventional too.
If you know anything about Audre Lorde, you know that she definitely was a true Aquarian. As one of the most influential writers of the last century, the self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet” was a civil rights activist who dedicated her life to making the intersections of Blackness, queerness, and womanness visible. Some other revolutionary Aquarians like Lorde are Rosa Parks, Oprah Winfrey, Angela Davis, and Toni Morrison.
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Nina Simone, “The Daydreaming Creative” Pisces
If you were born between February 19th and March 20th, there’s a good chance you might relate to the creative and dreamlike spirit of Nina Simone.
Often referred to as “The High Priestess of Soul,” Simone was both an extremely multi-talented musician as well as a multi-faceted personality. The “rebel with a cause” used her genre-spanning work as a singer, songwriter, and musical composer to further her message as a civil rights advocate.
Astrodim shared that Pisceans are known as the “daydreaming creative” because they’re great at capturing a feeling or a moment. According to her, this is why a lot of these folks tend to be artists, musicians, filmmakers, and even intuitives. Although their imagination can turn into escapism or even confusion, Astrodim said they usually come out of this “spell” with something of value as a part of their life’s journey.
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Maya Angelou, “The Boss” Aries
Born from March 21st to April 19th, Aries are known as the “bosses” because once they’re motivated about something, they’ll do whatever it takes to make their vision come to fruition.
Although the fire in their passion can sometimes be short-lived, Astrodim said Aries go after their goals so intensely and quickly that they usually accomplish them before their fieriness burns out.
Relatedly, the works of timeless poet Maya Angelou speak to the Aries way of life. As a “boss” in her own right, Angelou’s seminal poems like Still I Rise, Phenomenal Woman and I Know Why Caged Birds Sing both speak to the determination, passion and vision of the indomitable spirit.
Always encouraging others not to be stopped from living out their truest potential, Angelou once said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
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Ella Fitzgerald, “The Traditionalist ” Taurus
As one of the most famous jazz singers of all time, Ella Fitzgerald was a classic Taurus. Often referred to as “The First Lady of Song,” the singer remains highly regarded for her incredible vocal ability, range, and pitch.
Because of the dedication she held towards mastering her craft and the deep understanding she had of her own voice, when it came to music and song, nobody could tell Fitzgerald a word.
Astrodim said that Taureans — born from April 20th to May 20th — are known as the “traditionalists” because they tend to seek comfort in the tried and true.
Although they’re known as the most stubborn in the zodiac, it’s because they’re amazing at assessing value (so they know what they are talking about) and have a deep love affair with security.
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Josephine Baker, “The Multi-faceted” Gemini
Josephine Baker was an American-born French entertainer.
Using her body through dance to break racial barriers and shift the negative stereotypes of how Black women were viewed in Europe and America during the majority of the 20th century, Baker also lived true to her multi-faceted Gemini spirit as a World War II spy and a force in the NAACP.
Considering her life, the fact that Baker was a Gemini just fits.
Born between May 21st and June 20th, Woods described the sign as being great communicators who often know exactly what to say and when to say it.
Regarding why you’ll usually find them in jobs where they can put their brainpower on display, the astrologist said this star sign shines because of their duality and quick wit.
Moreover, “multi-faceted” Geminis usually have more than one talent up their sleeve.
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Diahann Carroll, “The Intuitive” Cancer
People love Cancers because of how relatable and “intuitive” they are.
Born from June 21st to July 22nd, Woods said Cancers know how to strike the core of exactly what others are feeling and thinking, which usually makes them very influential. That said, the astrologist warned against mistaking Cancers for softies.
As Woods explained, the star sign remains fiercely protective of themselves and those that they love.
Concerning actress Diahann Carroll, that description sounds about right.
The star’s intuitive nature must have been pivotal in her success as an actress and scoring her the role as the barrier-breaking character Julia Baker in the hit series Julia, which ran from 1968-1971.
Influencing the whole country in the aftermath of the civil rights movement, Carroll’s role in the show gave people of all races, classes, and backgrounds something to relate to.
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Whitney Houston, “The Superstar” Leo
Who doesn’t love them some Whitney Houston?
As a true Leo, Houston’s star power, talent, and unapologetic personality impacted so many lives with her chart-topping hits like “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Starring in and even executively producing a few movies, such as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Houston’s magic was undeniable.
Leos are the “superstars” of the zodiac because they never shy away from the opportunity to show off their talents.
According to Woods, being a Leo is all about being fully and authentically oneself, and it’s because of that boldness that people can’t help but watch in awe and adoration.
If you were born between July 23rd to August 22nd, you can probably relate.
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Katherine Johnson, “The Hard-Working” Virgo
Remembered as the “human computer,” Katherine Johnson literally changed the world and helped shape the one we have now.
As a groundbreaking NASA mathematician, Johnson’s work expanded the fields of STEM and helped America successfully achieve its first human spaceflight.
Johnson’s adversity as one of the few people of color working at NASA at the time was later depicted by Taraji P. Henson in the Academy Award-winning film, Hidden Figures.
There are so many influential Black women who are Virgos, and according to Woods, that’s no surprise.
Born between August 23rd to September 22nd, Virgos are some of the most “hard-working” people on the planet.
Precision, dedication, and a sharp wit are the forces that drive them, which is why they tend to excel at whatever it is they do.
They’re also super thoughtful and care a great deal about helping or improving the lives of others in practical yet substantial ways.
Some other well-known Virgos are Beyonce, Marsha P. Johnson, and Tarana Burke.
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Mary Church Terrell, “The Initiating” Libra
Born from September 23rd to October 22nd, Libras’ catalyzing power makes for persuasive communication.
As the “initiators” who get things going, Miz Chartreuse said this star sign knows how to move the energy in a space.
The astrologist went on to say that there’s an easy-breeziness to Libras’ scales and that those of the star sign are usually able to see all sides of a situation.
Rather than approaching things with an “either/or” mindset, Libras come from a place of “both/and.”
As a member of the growing Black middle to upper class during the late 19th to early 20th century who fought for the rights of Black people and women, Mary Chruch Terrell’s life was definitely one of balancing scales.
Remembered as one of the great anti-lynching advocates of her time, Terrell founded and served as the first president of the National Association of Colored Women — whose “Lifting as we climb” motto that she came up with is still frequently heard today.
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Daisy Bates, “The Improving” Scorpio
Daisy Bates was a journalist and civil rights leader who spent much of her life doing everything in her power to invoke the transformation of public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas via integration in the 50s and 60s.
Despite often being on the receiving end of intense pressure and/or intimidation to back down, Bates made sure to create the change she wanted to see in her community, through her newspaper (the Arkansas State Press) and her civil advocacy.
According to Miz Chartreuse, Scorpionic leadership looks like alchemy.
Distinct from change, which she says is past-based and focuses on “improving” something that already has been, Scorpios’ approach to transformation creates a new realm of possibility where we are free to create on a blank slate. With birthdays between October 23rd and November 21st, the astrologist said Scorpios are “deep like icebergs,” with some of their genius always below what’s seen on the surface.
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Shirley Chisholm, “The Always Aiming” Sagittarius
As an ambitious visionary, Shirley Chisholm was America’s first Black congresswoman.
During her historic 1972 presidential run as the first Black major-party candidate, Chisholm was also the first woman to run for the Democratic party’s presidential nomination.
Born from November 22nd to December 21st, Miz Chartreuse said that Sagittarians like Chisholm, Cicely Tyson, and Stacey Abrams all have the archer archetype, which represents their quest for higher truth. ”
“Always aiming” higher, Sagittarian leaders are said to have a knack for taking swarths of information, distilling it, and being efficient in its application.
According to the astrologist, the mutable fiery nature within them brings flexibility and creativity — with a healthy dose of freedom and fun.
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Zora Neale Hurston, “Old To Young” Capricorn
With new works of hers continuously being discovered, Zora Neale Hurston was an anthropologist and writer of the Harlem Renaissance whose life was committed to documenting Black life and the Black experience. Her most famous work, a novel titled Their Eyes Were Watching God, has been loved by generations and even been adapted into a film since its original publication back in 1937.
Related to her love of societal documentation, Miz Chartreuse said that Capricorns’ sense of responsibility pertains to society, culture, and the world at large.
As “born bosses,” people with birthdays ranging from December 22nd to January 19th are said to “age in reverse” because they’re mature and wise in their youth and become more relaxed with age.
As a cardinal earth sign, the astrologist continued, they bring tenacity, discipline, and groundedness to the table — with the willingness to keep climbing the mountain for a purpose bigger than oneself always being there. Fellow Capricorns include Michelle Obama and Madam CJ Walker.
