Are You Afraid of Tears?

Are you the stiff-upper-lip type, refusing to reveal your emotions in front of family and loved ones when intense emotional situations arise? Some signs wear their heart on their sleeves while others keep theirs firmly hidden away.

The Water signs -- Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces -- are the teary-eyed ones and don’t mind showing it. It’s partly because they’re more in tune with their feelings and put value on emotions. They also have a tendency to soak up other people’s sad mood, so even more crying can ensue. Scorpio likes to give the impression of being controlled and private but they are just as sentimental as Cancer and Pisces when it comes down to it. That said, if Scorpio is actually betrayed they’re likely to mix their grief with a dose of anger as well.

The Air signs -- Gemini, Libra, Aquarius -- dislike getting involved in emotional turbulence. They tend to instantly step back, analyze the situation and then avoid showing their feelings. Their detachment can be useful sometimes, but more often their loved ones wish they’d drop their guard. Unused to the watery realm, Air signs fear that if they let their emotions go they’ll get stuck in the deep end. Libra especially likes to keep up appearances, so puffy eyes and a runny nose just won’t do.

The Fire signs – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius – go into high gear if they feel a tear coming on. They can give the impression of not being caring or sympathetic, but really they just have a different way of showing it. They’ll try to turn it into a joke to deflect their true feelings. At times they may even get annoyed at open displays of emotions because it pulls them away from their happy-go-lucky attitude. But once they realize that facing emotions ultimately feeds their vitality, they’re more apt let their guard down.

The Earth signs -- Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn -- can be warmhearted, though they’re never comfortable around tears or vulnerability. They tend to distract themselves from sad feelings by doing something -- anything. Practicality is their avoidance technique. Capricorn likes to keep up a shield of cool sophistication. Taurus never likes looking weak-kneed, and Virgo tends to see others as being more needy than them.