Music Through the Zodiac: A Game

It’s my personal mission to take astrology out of the head and into the body, because I don’t think it really helps or transforms unless you’re feeling it. So in my workshops, I try to play music that reflects the energy of the sign we’re discussing. But I’ve realized over the last year that my musical repertoire is rather limited. Also, I’m not very hip. So I called out for input from a few astute music lovers among my friends. Below are the bands they associated with each sign, preceded by the brief sign description I provided to get their juices flowing.

See if you agree — then help expand and grow the list by e-mailing your picks for one or more signs to kathy (at sign) depthastrology.net. Get going!

Aries: Music that fires you up with energy, really makes you want to get on your feet and MOVE. Rodrigo y Gabriela • AC/DC • Van Halen • Prince • Stevie Wonder • Jackson Five • Fatboy Slim • Parliament • The Meters • Chevelle • Muse • Depeche Mode • Primus • James Asher, Feet in the Soil• Lunasa

Taurus: Music that’s heavy and thick with sound. Not dirges, but slow and earthy and calm. It would take a lot to get you out of the La-Z-Boy here. Tom Waits • Supreme Beings of Leisure • Nick Drake • Van Morrison • Donovan • Grant Lee Phillips • Keith Jarrett • Devendra Banhart

Gemini: Quick, light, fun, short-attention-span music. The kind of music you want playing in the background at a party. The Ramones • They Might Be Giants • The Locust • Paul McCartney, Ram • B-52s • Barenaked Ladies • Weezer • OK Go • The 88• The Gispy Kings

Cancer: Music to make you feel at home — comforting — that just wraps you in its arms and holds you. James Taylor • Cat Stevens • Aretha Franklin • Crosby, Stills & Nash • Ray Charles • Bill Withers • The Band • Grateful Dead • Gram Parsons • Rickie Lee Jones • Bonnie Raitt • Van Morrison • Barry Manilow

Leo: Regal, magnetic, “look at me!” music — the kind that rivets you, not just with the music but with all the pomp and fun of the performance. Queen • David Bowie • Roxy Music • T. Rex • KISS •Madonna

Virgo: Music that’s focused, clean and crisp — yet complicated and ponderous, alchemical and, of course, technically perfect. Emerson, Lake & Palmer • King Crimson • Rush • Yes • Mid-period Jethro Tull • Frank Zappa • Vivaldi • The Cure • Snatam Kaur

Libra: Music featuring the harmony, balance and back-and-forth of a well-paired duo. Indigo Girls • The White Stripes • Simon & Garfunkel • Tegan & Sara • The Wilshires

Scorpio: Music that takes you to the depths, dark and powerful. Not pretty. Music that leaves you kind of ravaged. Metallica • Rob Zombie • Korn • Marilyn Manson • Tool • Bob Mould, Black Sheets of Rain • Nine Inch Nails • Elliott Smith • The Plastic Ono Band • Black Sabbath • Funkadelic • Nirvana • Soundgarden • Alice in Chains

Sagittarius: Music that’s lively, traveling up and down the scales with lots of experimentation and lots of fun. Flogging Molly • Steely Dan • Jellyfish • Sufjan Stevens • The Negro Problem/Stew • The Pogues

Capricorn: Music that starts on the ground and takes you to the summit – but slowly, carefully. Music in which you have to work for the reward. Pink Floyd • Genesis (with Peter Gabriel) • Robert Fripp • Krishna Das • Green Day, American Idiot

Aquarius: Quirky, creative, independent music that pushes the envelope. Bonus points if the lyrics address social justice issues. Rage Against the Machine • Bob Marley • Spearhead • Billy Bragg • Steve Earle • Street Dogs • Ani DiFranco

Pisces: Music of the spheres. Music that leaves you feeling like you just had a direct encounter with the gods. Led Zeppelin • The Who • Late-period Beatles • Mid-period Rolling Stones • Cirque du Soleil, Delirium • Pink Floyd • Jimi Hendrix• Angels of Venice • Sophia • Enya

What favorite bands would you add to the list? E-mail your picks to kathy (at sign) depthastrology.net and I’ll continually update the list. They’ll also ultimately appear on the sign pages that will debut on this site shortly.

—

Hat tips to Simon and Julia over at Editorial Emergency, as well as friends Emily and Vera and spouse Alan for their input so far. Also, a photo credit.