I'm not much of a follower of astrology but can't help but be fascinated by the belief that the movement of celestial bodies influences human behaviour. Whether you follow astrology to the word or find it amusing, these creative poetry prompts will inspire you to write a poem.
These poetry writing prompts will not delve deep into intuition and psychics but rather try to decode the symbolism and simplistic meanings behind astrological signs to employ them in our poems. This post also includes three bonus prompts at the end!
I suggest not to restrict yourself to a single prompt. Even if you're a Taurean, feel free to explore the prompt for Scorpios if that speaks to you more.
Jump To Your Sign
Aries (March 20 - April 19)
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Libra (September 23 - October 22)
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
Aries (March 20 - April 19)
Aries is the first fire sign in the zodiac. Ariens are motivated, confident, and ambitious in their lives.
Mars rules your sign, the red planet named after the Roman God of War. Write a poem alluding yourself to this God.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Taurus is an earth sign and is represented by the bull. Taureans embody their spirit animals in seeking serenity and pastoral settings. Write a poem inspired by this longing for bucolic environments and your identity as an earth sign. Focus on the sensory details you include in your poem. What earthy colours do you see? What are the soothing sounds you hear? What are the succulent flavours you can taste?
Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
The celestial twin sign symbolizes Gemini. You are like an inquisitive child, always asking questions or having something to say. You form connections through dialogue, communication, debate, and questions. The symbol itself is that of two people talking back and forth. However, it has often been misinterpreted as being double-faced. It could also be you're looking at a metaphorical reflection. Write poems revolving around these aspects.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
The crab represents this oceanic sign. Crabs are decapod crustaceans, meaning they have a hard exoskeleton or shell for protection. Try exploring this idea of having a 'shell' around oneself or having walls up to fend off heartache and pain. What happens to you when the shell is torn off? When the shell is what you're known for, who do you become then?
Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Even just saying the word Leo fills me with a sense of magnificence. Leos are represented by the lion and are vivacious, courageous, and passionate.
Despite being the King of the Jungle, the lion sits caged behind bars and is tied to metal chains. Compose a poem from the perspective of a lion's tortured eyes on its fiery spirit being incarcerated. You could also see yourself through its vision to write this.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
The symbol of Virgo is the Virgin.
"With this evolution of language in mind, virginity actually means freedom, self-sufficiency, and wholeness." - Rebecca M. Farrar
Write a poem with the above definition in mind, emphasizing what these traits mean to you.
Libra (September 23 - October 22)
Libra is the seventh astrological sign and is associated with air. The symbol of Libra is a balance scale which is the only inanimate object used as a symbol in the zodiac. Just as the scale balances weights, Libras seek equilibrium and hate chaos.
Break free from this uniformity for a few minutes and pen down a poem without symmetry in structure or rhyme.
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Named after the scorpion, Scorpios are naturally discrete and are often misunderstood.
Scorpions are predatory arachnids with a venomous sting. The venom of most species is uncomfortable, and around 25 of them are deadly to humans. Inspired by this, write a sacrilegious poem by bleeding your anger and hate onto paper. Imagine you're a scorpion spitting out all the poison within your mind in the form of a poem.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
Represented by a centaur with a bow and arrow, Sagittarians are strong, relentless, and rational. The centaur is a half-human, half-horse creature. Write a poem revolving around the struggles of balancing a heart filled with wanderlust and a reasonable mind. Are they, somehow, the same thing to you?
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
This is the last earth sign represented by the sea-goat, half-goat, and half-fish. Saturn rules Capricorn, and hence, Capricornians are said to value time like no others. They're always raging against the clock, trying to make every second count, and are always focused.
Craft a poem exploring this sense of time. Do you contain a clock within you? What are the minute and hour hands of the clock in you ticking towards or away from?
Fun Fact : In Tarot decks, Capricorn is the symbol seen on the Devil card.
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Although this sign's name is a derivative of 'aqua,' it is not a water sign and is an air sign. Its name comes from its symbol of a water-bearer. What does being a 'water-bearer' mean to you? What streams do you pour out from the vase that represents your soul? Write a poem inspired by what this means to you.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
Pisces are naturally clairvoyant and are said to make wonderful artists. Pisces is a water sign symbolised by two fish swimming in opposite directions. As a Pisces yourself, craft a poem about the two parts of you swimming in the ocean of life. What are you swimming towards? What are you swimming away from?
Bonus Prompts
1. Find out the traits your zodiac sign is associated with and write a poem exploring how it doesn't suit you at all.
2. We're often shown how one sign is more compatible with another and how one sign should avoid another. Write about a forbidden bond between two signs said to be mismatched.
3. Find your horoscope for today and write a poem commenting on or inspired by what has been predicted.
I hope these prompts inspire a poem that you're proud of! Feel free to share them in the Poetry Cove Forum or submit them to the Radio. At the Cove, we're also having a month of poetry writing in honour of National Poetry Writing Month 2022 in April. Follow this thread by Rachel Glass for more information on how to take part and what to expect!
