The word friend comes from the Old English verb frēon, “to love, like, honor, set free,” and more specifically, “one who loves.”
Thus the qualities that make for a sh–tty friend or a blessed ride or die are contingent upon how we as individuals expect to be loved.
Due to the influence of warrior planet Mars in my chart, a deep affection for Samwise Gamgee and a mess of childhood trauma, friendship, and the way I expect to be loved resembles something closer to the protection and alignment offered by a comrade; shared enthusiasm and perhaps more importantly, shared enemies, together against all odds and a unified front against all others, if you will.
Loyalty is what most distinguishes a good friend, and loyalty, like love cannot be asked for but only and ever freely given.
I offer my own benchmark for fellowship as a guide while holding fast to the knowledge that we’re all capable of being champions and monsters, good friends and terrible adversaries. Lest we forget Pisces priestess Elizabeth Taylor seduced and married Eddie Fisher, the husband of her close pal Debbie Reynolds, egg named turncoat Benedict Arnold was a Capricorn and ‘stab you in the back Brutus’ was probably a Gemini.
Read on to learn more about my petty and very personal pick for the zodiac’s worst and most toxic friend.
LIBRA (September 23 – October 22)
Libra is the only sign in the zodiac represented by an inanimate object, an apt metaphor for a people that oft shirk from making decisions or directly preventing or taking action. In terms of the human body, Libra rules the skin and as such are always trying to save theirs by avoiding confrontation or controversy at all costs.
By its OG definition of honor, a friend should protect you from harm, yet Libras, with their inherent ability to see both sides of a situation struggle to define what “wrong” is or decide where loyalty should lie. While this not explicitly malevolent it veers easily and often into doing nothing while wrong doing is going down.
Ruled by Venus, planet of love and presentation, likability and ease are the paramount concerns for Libras and as any revolutionary or criminal accomplice will tell you, loyalty and conviction aren’t often the bedfellows of popularity. In their quest to be a friend to everyone, Libras sacrifice the grit and gold that comes from investing fully and faithfully in smaller numbers.
In terms of the human body, Libra rules the skin and as such are always trying to save theirs by avoiding confrontation or controversy at all costs
As cardinal air and refined, cerebral creatures Libras are aces at reason, apology and justification and on the bright side are quick to forgive others and to hold space for two oppositional forces to exist or two enemies to feel seen and heard. In turn, they make for excellent diplomats, interior designers and yoga instructors and absolutely second-rate friends.
We see this expressed in the abjectly bad friend behavior of Jordyn Woods who betrayed the Kar-Jenner clan; specifically BFF Kylie Jenner and surrogate big sister Khloe Kardashian by hooking up with the latter’s then boyfriend and forever scoundrel Tristan Thompson. Big ups to double fixed sign lion queen Kylie Jenner for excommunicating Woods out of love for and fealty to her big sis Khloe Kardashian.
Another example of a Libra who failed at friendship is Gwyneth “my vagina smells like a candle you can’t afford” Paltrow who allegedly stumbled upon the script for “Shakespeare In Love,” at the home of her Scorpio BFF Winona Ryder and auditioned for the role behind her back. Rude. Paltrow got herself an Oscar for her efforts but at the high price of a scorpion’s unending wrath.
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.