Astrology offers us a unique lens through which to explore our personalities, challenges, and destinies. While every zodiac sign has its fair share of strengths and weaknesses, some signs seem to carry a heavier cosmic burden. Whether it’s internal turmoil, overwhelming emotions, or constant external challenges, certain signs appear to struggle more than others when it comes to navigating life’s many twists and turns.
Here’s a deeper look at the most struggling zodiac signs—and what makes life feel more difficult for them.
1. Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
The Empath Who Feels Too Much
Pisces is the zodiac’s emotional sponge. As the final sign in the zodiac cycle, Pisces absorbs traits from every other sign, which often leaves them overwhelmed by emotion, confusion, and inner conflict. Their deep empathy makes them wonderful listeners and lovers—but also leaves them vulnerable to emotional burnout.
Why they struggle:
- Highly sensitive and prone to escapism
- Struggle with setting boundaries
- Often feel misunderstood or taken for granted
- Live in a world of dreams and ideals, making reality a hard pill to swallow
Cosmic advice: Learning to ground themselves and say “no” more often can help Pisces gain emotional control and clarity.
2. Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
The Caregiver Who Feels Everything
Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which governs emotions and intuition. While this makes them incredibly nurturing and loving, it also means they’re ruled by emotional tides that can rise and fall dramatically. They carry the weight of those they love on their shoulders—and then some.
Why they struggle:
- Deep emotional wounds that never fully heal
- Difficulty letting go of the past
- Take criticism very personally
- Easily retreat into their shells when hurt
Cosmic advice: Cancers need to prioritize self-care and remember that it’s okay to not fix everything and everyone.
3. Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
The Intense Soul with a Secret Struggle
Scorpio’s emotional depth is unmatched. They are passionate, intuitive, and fiercely loyal—but also carry a tendency for inner darkness, suspicion, and emotional volatility. Life for a Scorpio is often a battle between vulnerability and control.
Why they struggle:
- Difficulty trusting others
- Fear of betrayal and abandonment
- Tendency toward jealousy and possessiveness
- Internalized pain that can fester and explode
Cosmic advice: Scorpios benefit from safe emotional outlets and practices like journaling or therapy to manage their inner storms.
4. Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
The Perfectionist Who Overthinks Everything
Virgos are brilliant, organized, and reliable. But their constant pursuit of perfection often sets them up for disappointment. They’re their own worst critics and often struggle with anxiety and stress over things most people wouldn’t even notice.
Why they struggle:
- Obsessive over details and imperfections
- Reluctant to ask for help
- Bottled-up emotions due to a fear of vulnerability
- Feel responsible for fixing problems that aren’t theirs
Cosmic advice: Virgos need to practice self-compassion and realize that “good enough” is sometimes better than perfect.
5. Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
The Stoic Climber Carrying a Heavy Load
Capricorns are the workhorses of the zodiac—strong, determined, and relentlessly ambitious. But behind their calm and collected exterior lies a person who often feels isolated, burdened, and underappreciated. They put immense pressure on themselves to succeed.
Why they struggle:
- Rarely express emotions or ask for support
- Feel responsible for everyone’s well-being
- Carry guilt when they’re not being productive
- Prone to depression and burnout
Cosmic advice: Capricorns thrive when they learn that vulnerability is strength—not weakness.
6. Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
The Outsider Who Struggles to Belong
Aquarians are rebels and visionaries. They think outside the box, question authority, and often march to the beat of their own drum. But that uniqueness can come at a cost—feeling alienated, misunderstood, and emotionally disconnected from others.
Why they struggle:
- Difficulty expressing emotions
- Feel emotionally detached or distant
- Struggle with conformity and routine
- Feel lonely even when surrounded by people
Cosmic advice: Aquarius should embrace community and make space for genuine emotional connections, even if they require vulnerability.
7. Libra (September 23 – October 22)
The Peacemaker Who Can’t Say No
Libras are charming, diplomatic, and always seeking harmony. But that desire to keep the peace often leads to self-sacrifice. They struggle with indecision and a fear of confrontation, leading to suppressed feelings and unmet needs.
Why they struggle:
- Conflict-avoidant to a fault
- Lose themselves in relationships
- Struggle to assert personal boundaries
- Internalized resentment from always compromising
Cosmic advice: Libras must learn to honor their own needs and trust that speaking up won’t ruin relationships—it can actually strengthen them.
Signs That Usually Struggle Less
Not every sign gets weighed down so heavily by life. While all signs face challenges, some tend to breeze through storms with more ease or bounce back quicker. These include:
- Sagittarius: Their optimism and love for adventure often help them escape emotional ruts.
- Leo: They thrive on confidence and validation, which can help mask or quickly repair emotional wounds.
- Taurus: Grounded and practical, Taurus is emotionally steady, though sometimes stubborn.
- Gemini: Adaptable and social, they may feel chaos inside but usually find distractions to cope.
Why Do Some Signs Struggle More?
Astrological struggles often stem from planetary influences and elemental alignments:
- Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) are emotionally driven, so they absorb more pain and often overthink it.
- Earth signs (Virgo, Capricorn, Taurus) are practical but tend to suppress emotions.
- Air signs (Aquarius, Libra, Gemini) intellectualize their feelings, which can disconnect them from emotional resolution.
- Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) face struggles too, but their confidence and drive often help them recover quickly.
Life circumstances, childhood experiences, and planetary placements in a natal chart also heavily influence how much a person struggles—your sun sign is just the tip of the cosmic iceberg.
Final Thoughts: Struggle Builds Strength
If your sign made this list, don’t worry—it’s not a curse. In fact, the signs that struggle the most often grow into the most compassionate, wise, and resilient individuals. Struggles, when acknowledged and addressed, become superpowers. Pisces can turn their sensitivity into artistry. Capricorn can inspire through their resilience. Scorpio can heal through transformation.
The stars may write part of your story, but you are the one holding the pen.
FAQs: Most Struggling Zodiac Signs
1. Can your moon or rising sign impact how much you struggle?
Absolutely. While your sun sign reflects your core identity, your moon sign represents your emotional world, and your rising sign influences how you face challenges. For example, a Leo sun with a Pisces moon might appear confident but struggle deeply with emotional overwhelm behind the scenes.
2. Do struggling signs stay that way forever?
Not at all. Astrology isn’t destiny—it’s a guide. The signs that face more inner or outer turmoil also tend to develop deeper self-awareness, emotional strength, and resilience over time. Many people use astrology as a tool for healing and growth, not a sentence.
3. Can life circumstances outweigh zodiac influence?
Yes. Your zodiac sign can highlight tendencies, but life experience, environment, mental health, and upbringing all play huge roles in how you cope with struggle. Astrology is most helpful when combined with real-world tools like therapy, reflection, and self-care.