Sometimes being blue isn’t a bad thing.
It’s been thirteen years since James Cameron made blue-skinned, direhorse riding, tree loving, loin-clothed magic with his fantasy epic “Avatar.”
“Avatar” unfolds on the lush moon planet of Pandora. Though the world is uninhabitable for humans, it does not stop them in their attempts to colonize it, steal its resources and oppress the indigenous, nature worshipping Na’vi that call it home. Since its release in 2009, “Avatar” has gone on to become the highest grossing film of all time, ever. We love a cinematic escape folks, then, now and forever.
Familiar characters and old threats return in Cameron’s oft delayed, staggeringly expensive sequel “Avatar: The Way of Water,” set for theatrical release on December 16, 2022. Cameron, who famously cursed out a Fox executive who suggested he cut the running time of the OG “Avatar” continues with his signature streak of IDGAF energy in “Avatar 2” whose runtime clocks in at just over three hours.
As of now, there are three additional movies planned for the “Avatar” franchise but Cameron admits he is prepared to wrap up his epic, multigenerational tale in just three installments if consumer tastes shift and “The Way of Water” goes belly up. Judging from reviews and box office predictions, our man has nothing to worry about. The Post’s Johnny Oleksinski praised Cameron’s work, writing, “With his incredible effects the director is still breaking new ground for film decades later. As far as blockbusters go, Cameron remains unsinkable.”
For the joyless and/or hermetic, a streaming date for “Avatar 2” has yet to be released but geek speculators suggest the film will be available on Disney+ sometime in the second half of 2023.
To celebrate Cameron’s triumph and our return to the dreamscape shores of Pandora, we’ve rounded up a list of “Avatar” characters, new and of yore, that embody each zodiac sign. Read on and dive in.
ARIES (March 21 – April 19)
Tsu’tey
Like many an Aries before him, Tsu’tey initially comes across as equal parts aggressive and arrogant. In true cardinal fire sign fashion, he is physically incapable of keeping his chill or hiding his disdain for Jake and the sky people he comes from. Competitive to the hilt, his motto to the warriors he trains is “do better.” However, beneath the impulsive, merciless bravado, lives the brave and true spirit of the warrior/hero archetype, the role Aries was born to play.
TAURUS (April 20 – May 20)
Ronal
Kate Winslet joins the cast of “Avatar: Spirit of Water” as Taurus Ronal, the tsahìk or spiritual advisor for the Metkayina clan who is sus about opening her home to outsiders, not least of all the used to be human Jake Sulley. Described as a fierce and loyal warrior who will go to great lengths to defend who and what she loves, Ronal sings of the finer qualities of the people of the bull.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)
Jake Sulley
Gemini is symbolize by the twins and in the first film, Jake Sulley played by Sam Worthington, is an actual twin, taking up the mantle of exploring Pandora when his identical twin brother is killed. An adept and deeply curious double agent turned defector with a mind for language and a talent for shape shifting, Jack embodies some of the high and low expressions of the Gemini archetype.
CANCER (June 21 – July 22)
Queen Mo’at
In astrology Cancer is ruled by the moon and represents the archetype of, and our own relationship to, the mother. Mo’at, the spiritual leader of the Omaticaya clan functions as a maternal elder to her people and is in direct communion with Eywa, the sacred mother deity revered by the Na’vi. Cancers are the caretakers of the zodiac and Mo’at’s ability to permanently transfer human consciousness into avatar form is just one indicator of her astute abilities as a healer.
LEO (July 23 – August 22)
Tonowari
Played by real life Leo Cliff Curtis, Tonowari is the olo’eyktan or leader of the Metkayina clan. A devoted husband and father, Tonowari must grapple with the dire repercussions of harboring the Sulley family. Leo rules the heart and Tonowari is certainly governed by his. A beloved and respected leader he holds himself responsible for the well being of his clan and fights on the front lines during any conflict. A straight up flared out Leo show pony in terms of personal aesthetic, Tonowari is humbled by love and deferential to wisdom as he aways looks to his partner Ronal for guidance and counsel.
VIRGO (August 23 – September 22)
Dr. Norm Spellman
Played by Joel Moore, earth born boy genius Dr. Norm Spellman displays some of the telltale traits of the Virgo ilk. Hyper studious he proves to be incredibly knowledgeable about Pandora and speaks the Na’vi language fluently, albeit stiffly. Despite his obvious qualifications, he was passed over for avatar selection in favor of the decidedly less studied Jake Sulley. Virgo is an industrious earth sign that honors the richness and sanctity of their ruling element. We see this spirit in Norm who reacts disdainfully to Jake’s ignorance about the Na’vi deity Eywa. A real homie and a true Virgo, Norm is not bitter about being bested by his lesser. Neigh, he tutors Jake on the ways of the Na’vi and lends his new friend his unwavering loyalty, eventually taking up arms in Jake’s fight against the RDA.
LIBRA (September 23 – October 22)
Dr. Grace Augustine
Libra is the diplomat of the zodiac, ever trying to keep peace, build a bridge between differences and invite exchange. Libras fail when their need to be all things to all people equates to being not enough in any one direction. We see these qualities expressed in the character of Grace Augustine (played by real life Libra Sigourney Weaver) who must balance her respect for the Na’vi with her need to appease the RDA who underwrite her research efforts.
SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21)
Kiri
Scorpio rules the eighth house of sex, death and regeneration and despite her character Grace Augustine perishing in the end of the last “Avatar” film, Sigourney Weaver rejoins the cast as Kiri, the biological child of Grace’s avatar body. TBD on how the film plans to explain this genetic/soul transference but geeks are speculating that Kiri is at least an inheritor of Grace’s memories and at most, Grace herself reborn through the transcendental power of the Tree of Souls. However she came to be, and whatever soul stirs within, Kiri is emblematic of Scorpio themes of demise and rebirth.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21)
Neytiri
Sagittarius is symbolized by the archer and when Jake Sulley first encounters Neytiri, played by Zoë Saldana, she is bow hunting in the woods. Sagittarius rules the ninth house of philosophy and personal expansion, imbuing them with a natural optimism and an equal interest in the spiritual and rational. True to form, Neyriti spares Jake because of a sign given to her in the form of a descending woodsprite and despite staggering evidence to the contrary, believes there is both knowledge and redemption to be found in the sky people. As a Sagittarius, Neyriti is Gemini Jake’s zodiac opposite, suggesting the bond between the two is a complimentary one rooted in mutual respect and equal exchange.
CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19)
Colonel Miles Quaritch
Played by Stephen Lang, Colonel Miles Quaritch represents some of the less than stellar qualities of the Capricorn disposition. Ruled by parental planet Saturn, Capricorns are preoccupied with upholding traditions and leaving a lasting legacy. For his part, Quatrich is an iron pumping patriarch intent on continuing the longstanding practice of colonization and genocide and contributing to a conquerers legacy of brutal nearsightedness. Proving that evil never dies and Capricorns are made to endure, Quaritch has been brought back to life and back to the cast of “Avatar 2” via The Recombinant Program, RDA’s nefarious appropriation of the Tree of Souls ritual.
AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18)
Parker Selfridge
Played by Aquarius moon Giovanni Ribisi, Parker Selfridge embodies the darker elements of the water bearer archetype. Caught between the two planetary influences of structured old guard Saturn and rabble rousing Uranus, Aquarius rules space travel and passive aggressive tendencies. Our resident corporate villain is an evil genius type with a one track mind set on the exploration of space and exploitation of Unobtanium. Aquarians have a reputation for emotional objectivity that borders on the sociopathic and never has that rep been made more real than in Selfridge who is willing to go to genocidal lengths to further his own gains.
PISCES (February 19 – March 20)
Eywa
As the last sign in the zodiac, Pisces is the aggregate of everything that comes before it. In kind, Eywa, the spiritual beacon of the Na’vi is described by Dr. Norm Spellman as, “Their deity! Their goddess, made up of all living things. Everything they know!” In line with that goddess vibe, Pisces is a feminine sign and Eywa is a feminine life source. Associated with the twelfth house of the unconsious mind and undoing, Pisces energy is about the dissolving of the self and the return to the collective source, themes embodied by Eywa.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the star
- The 12 zodiac signs
- What are the astrology houses
- Here’s what each planet represents
- Sun, moon, and rising signs: Get to know your Big 3
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. She is also an accomplished writer who has profiled a variety of artists and performers, as well as extensively chronicled her experiences while traveling. Among the many intriguing topics she has tackled are cemetery etiquette, her love for dive bars, Cuban Airbnbs, a “girls guide” to strip clubs and the “weirdest” foods available abroad.