You step in a puddle by mistake; you burn your morning toast; your partner tells you the same story for the tenth time: Small annoyances like these would probably irk anyone. But, most of us don't sweat the small stuff too much. Some people, however, just can't wipe that frown off their face when life gives them lemons. And according to astrologers, these surly folks may share a horoscope. Keep reading to learn the most irritable zodiac signs, from considerably cranky to profoundly prickly.
RELATED: The Most Demanding Zodiac Sign, According to Astrologers.
6 | Gemini
Prostock-Studio / iStockGemini is ruled by "quick-witted Mercury," notes author and astrologerLisa Barretta, so they're natural multitaskers. "But when there is too much on their plate, they can become snippy and argumentative."
And since they're such a go-go-go sign, they also get cranky when bored. "Doing the same thing for too long or being around dull people can make them irritable," says Raquel Rodriguez, astrologer and founder of Your Zodiac. "They crave intellectual stimulation."
5 | Cancer
iStockIs it any surprise that the sign of the crab is, well, crabby? As Bella Nguen, an astrology columnist at Indielogy Magazine, explains, their hard shell conceals their vulnerabilities. But when they feel hurt, watch out.
"Cancers are emotionally sensitive and can become irritable when they feel overlooked or unappreciated," says Rodriguez. "Their moods are closely tied to their emotional environment, so a lack of emotional security can make them snappy. They want to feel valued in all their relationships, and not getting that validation can irk them."
RELATED: The Zodiac Sign Most Stuck in Their Ways, According to Astrologers.
4 | Aries
Shutterstock"Ruled by fiery Mars, Aries is impulsive, quick-tempered, and impatient," notes Barretta. "They get super frustrated if things don’t happen quickly and oftentimes use their temper tantrum as a way to pick a fight and get out of doing something they would rather not do."
Their impatience and irritability also come out when they feel their time is being wasted, "whether it's a delayed meeting or slow service at a restaurant," adds Rodriguez.
3 | Virgo
Shutterstock"No one's perfect, but nitpicky Virgos expect perfection—especially from others," shares Nguen. "When things aren't up to their lofty standards, hypercritical Virgos turn irritable."
Some of the small things that'll shift their mood include messy surroundings, grammatical mistakes, or someone showing up late. "Their irritability is their way of pushing for excellence," notes Rodriguez. If you have a Virgo in your life, "cutting some slack helps minimize the moodiness," advises Nguen.
RELATED: The Most Unpopular Zodiac Sign, According to Astrologers.
2 | Capricorn
fizkes / ShutterstockLike Virgo, Capricorn likes things done a certain way. "Laziness and careless mistakes irritate these driven sea goats," says Nguen.
As the hardest-working sign of the zodiac, "Capricorns have a strong sense of responsibility and they can become irritable when others don't show the same commitment," adds Rodriguez. "They hate inefficiency and procrastination, so if they see someone slacking, they're likely to get edgy. Their irritability often comes from high self-expectations and projecting these onto others."
1 | Scorpio
iStockThese water signs are known for their mysterious ways and secretive personalities. "Scorpios are intense by nature," notes Rodriguez. "When they feel wronged or sense dishonesty, their irritability spikes. They want deep connections and anything superficial can set them off."
Barretta cautions that if you sense something is upsetting a Scorpio, it's best not to pry: "Unlike Aries who is overt and shows their irritability, Scorpio gets quiet except for an occasional outburst of sarcasm that should serve as a warning to back off until they’re ready to talk about what’s bothering them."
For more astrology content delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
