These 6 Zodiac Signs Are Textbook Empaths

If you can easily read the “vibe” of a room or pick up on other people’s energy, there’s a possibility you’re an empath—or an empathetic person. Indeed, empaths and empathetic people are similar, but different. What are the signs of an empath? “A true empath is a person who is sensitive and highly aware of the feelings of others around them to the point of taking the pain and agonies of others as their own,” board-certified psychiatrist Nereida Gonzales-Berrios, MD, told Well+Good. Some star signs are known for their power of empathy—and, as it turns out, empath zodiac signs make up half of the zodiac wheel.

Empaths refer to people who are especially sensitive to emotions—especially with those of others. Maybe they become overcome with emotions in a crowded restaurant. Or, they’ll cry while listening to a friend opening up about a breakup. Do these traits sound familiar? If not, let me familiarize you with the traits of the water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces), aka the empath zodiac signs.

Water signs are emotional and deeply intuitive. “Think about the properties of water,” says astrologer Maria Sofia Marmanides. “It becomes easy to see why [they are empath zodiac signs], as this is an element that physically dissolves boundaries, pouring and absorbing itself into any environment—and then becoming part of it.”

While the water signs are natural empath zodiac signs, they aren’t the only ones that are especially attuned to the emotions and energy of others. Below, Marmanides breaks down what six signs are empaths, or in other words, all in their feelings—and everyone else’s.

The 6 empath zodiac signs, according to an astrologer

1. Cancer

Cancer is ruled by the moon, the planet of emotions, making Cancers not only natural empaths but also empathetic. The sign “can read the energy of the room very easily,” says Marmanides. A highly empathetic nature is one of Cancer’s primary personality traits, and it can be both a strength and a weakness. “These cardinal water energies can have a more difficult time maintaining boundaries about which emotions are their own and which ones they are picking up from other people.”

According to Marmanides, Cancer moons might be even more empathetic than other signs in the zodiac wheel—and with their reputation as nurturers, they might also be one of the most compassionate signs to boot. “Fiercely protective and as the natural ruler of the moon, which governs our emotions in astrology, Cancer moons are naturally born as nurturers,” she says. “This zodiac sign’s energy is amplified when it lands in a moon placement. Feelings are deep and seep into the subconscious. People with this placement often need some type of psychic protection. They’re more likely to absorb the energy of their family and loved ones.”

2. Leo

Key among the Leo’s traits is their love of the spotlight, which might imply “me-first” energy, but the lion is more empathetic and attuned to people’s emotions and energies than this generalization suggests. If you’ve ever been so lucky to bask in the lion’s warm glow, you’ll know that the zodiac sign is more than happy to share the shine.

They’re fire signs, after all, and they can easily sympathize with passionate emotions, and Leos specifically may be gentle with matters of the heart. “Because Leo rules the heart, they will perform great acts of generosity, kindness, and give of their own energy like the sun that rules them, if it means they can help somebody they love,” says Marmanides. “It all comes from a warm, heart-centered place for them.”

3. Virgo

An impeccable attention to detail is among Virgo’s most distinguishing personality traits, and as Marmanides says, no detail is too small for the ever-perceptive and discerning Virgo—including changes in the demeanor and energy of those around them. “They’ll register subtle shifts, like a change in tone or inflection, or something as quick as an eyebrow flash,” she says. Virgo isn’t one to ignore these signals either.

There’s a reason why Virgos are considered the altruists of the zodiac—they may come off as critical, but it’s because they have big hearts and care deeply about the well-being of people and society at large. “As a sign of service-based healing, Virgo will want to come up with remedies and cures as a way to care for the people they love,” she says. “They will even go to great lengths to anticipate their loved one’s needs before the other person can even verbalize it.”

4. Libra

Libra is all about keeping peace and harmony—it is symbolized by the scales, after all—and that means making sure that the energies around this sign are in balance and that everyone gets what they’re owed. Given this, “they are the embodiment of the idea of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes,” says Marmanides, making them not only highly empathic, but also one of the most compassionate zodiac signs.

Libras have a tendency to placate others, which can sometimes get them accused of being indecisive, but “it is the very trait of Libra that speaks to their deep capacity for empathy,” she says. “This cardinal air sign has an innate desire for peace, harmony, and mutual understanding. A Libra will always consider the thoughts, feelings, and wishes of another person and give it equal weight to their own respective desires.” However, it’s important that they distinguish between empathy and people-pleasing, the latter of which is a tendency of the sign in their quest to avoid conflict.

5. Scorpio

An observant eye and a desire for truth are amongScorpio’s personality traits, so it makes sense that the sign has earned a reputation of being the detective of the zodiac—and though they want to know everything about those around them, it isn’t because they want to use this information to their own advantage as a dark empath might. On the contrary, Scorpio uses their keen intuition to empathize and make sincere connections with other people. “As the emotional detectives of the zodiac, Scorpio is a sign that will plumb any depths in their quest for true, soul-centered intimacy,” says Marmanides.

However, “in their search for understanding, Scorpio recognizes the emotions and vulnerabilities of other people, which can lead them to become easily overwhelmed by the intensity of their own feelings as well as of others. It can lead them to become quite rigid about personal boundaries as well.”

6. Pisces

As an emotional water sign, Pisces is deeply attached with their emotions, which, in turn, allows the sign to develop a natural empathy for others—and sometimes, to the point of taking on the problems of others as if it were their own. “As a result, Pisces will be extra sensitive to all kinds of energetic fields, and as emotional processors, Pisces can easily use their powers of perception to tune into their various environments, sensing what is said or unsaid, seen or unseen, by the people around them,” says Marmanides.

Their ability to connect with the supernatural realm has earned Pisces the reputation of being spiritual empaths. Since a borderline-psychic emotional intuition is key among Pisces’ personality traits, it’s important that Pisces sun and Pisces moon signs learn to set boundaries—if left unchecked, Pisces can submerge themselves in their feelings and those of others.

How can you tell if you’re an empath zodiac sign?

Sure, your sun sign can tell you about your quirks and core traits, but it would be too simple to justify your empathic tendencies based on this placement alone. Your natal chart is comprised of planetary placements that are associated with different aspects of your personality and life path—including how sensitive you are to picking up energies of people around you. Namely, your Neptune and moon placements.

According to Hillary Coke, a tarot expert and astrologer for the app, Nebula, “The planet Neptune governs the mystical realm and desires. This creative planet oversees our dreams and delusions.” Because of its association with things unseen, if your Neptune sign falls under a water sign, specifically, you might be able to relate to being able to decipher the emotional state someone may be in even if they’re good at hiding it.

Since the moon rules over our emotional responses and inner world, it makes sense that you’d be particularly gentle and compassionate with the sensitivities of others if your moon sign is one of the zodiac signs listed above.

Coke also suggests looking to see if you have any planets in Pisces (the sign that’s ruled by Neptune in modern astrology), along with other water signs, Cancer and Scorpio. “Cancer, Pisces, and Scorpio are known for their emotional depth and sensitivity,” says Coke. “Planets in these signs can indicate a strong capacity for empathy.” Plus, according to Marmanides, “Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are considered the most emotionally attuned [of the zodiac signs],” making them the “super empaths” of the zodiac wheel.

Your 12th house, which governs your intuition and subconscious, can also discern your intuitive powers. Particularly, Marmanides says spiritual empath Pisces, which is associated with the themes of 12th house, including the “spiritual realm, imagination, and dreams.”

Taking all of this into consideration, it’s clear that all zodiac signs have the capacity for empathy, even though there are specific ones in particular, who are especially in tune with the unseen and can channel that energy into something as tangible as emotional support and awareness. To understand how you tap into your empathic nature, understanding the scope of your natal chart is a must. From there, you can better understand how to care for yourself and others—especially when the emotional energy gets to be overwhelming.