Folklore is one of Taylor Swift’s best albums and showcases her creativity and storytelling. Her lyrics have inspired photoshoots and TikTok trends, and have moved so many. I have been a Swiftie since I was 10 and have been lucky enough to see her live twice. Swift’s eighth album was created during isolation and she worked with Aaron Dessner, of The National, and longtime collaborator Jack Antoff. The stories behind the lyrics involve a love triangle, Swift’s legal issues with Scooter Braun, her relationship with Joe Alwyn and more. As an astrology enthusiast and Swiftie, I couldn’t help but notice the details in the tracks and how they relate to each zodiac.
Aries (March 21-April 19): “the 1”
Aries barrel through life and see the bright side of situations. “The 1” is a reflection of a serious relationship that’s ended, and like Aries the lyrics look back at the relationship and see the joy in what was. WIth lyrics like, “And if you wanted, you really should’ve showed,” and, “I have this dream you’re doing cool sh*t,” this song is about seeing clearly and moving on with the best wishes for the other person. Aries know how to pick themselves up and see something for what it is, just like “the 1”.
Taurus (April 20-May 20): “this is me trying”
“This is me trying” traces an acceptance of self and faults, underlined with resilience and dedication. Tauruses are known for their stubbornness and focus, and “this is me trying” embodies the inner qualities of the sign. Swift writes, “And my words shoot to kill when I’m mad,” and, “I just want you to know that this is me trying.” This earth sign can be misunderstood or sharp at times, but their vulnerability is admirable and appreciated.
Gemini (May 21-June 20): “mad woman”
Gemini are misrepresented as two-faced and have a negative reputation that is largely undeserving, very similar to how Taylor Swift has been represented in the media at times. “Mad woman” is about the portrayal of a woman as delusional when really she’s reacting to an injustice. Gemini are actually very expressive, communicative and creative. Both Gemini and “mad woman” are not afraid to share their experiences and go after the bad guys.
Cancer (June 21-July 22): “cardigan”
As a Cancer myself the connection to the water sign and “cardigan” is incredibly strong. Cancers are incredibly emotional and intuitive. Sometimes our emotional intensity and hopefulness is seen as young and foolish, much like the lyric, “When you are young, they assume you know nothing.” Verse three calls for an awareness that the relationship would leave a deep scar and that the other person would try to come back, similar to Cancer’s intuitions and maturity. “Cardigan” has lyrics with incredibly personal details that heighten the intensity and impact of the relationship, and intensity is something that Cancers can relate too.
Leo (July 23-August 22): “the last great american dynasty”
Leos celebrate themselves and are vivacious and passionate. “The last great american dynasty” depicts a widow who is scorned by the town for spending her money on big parties and disrupting the dynasty of a rich estate. Leos’ spirit can be found in lyrics like, “I had a marvelous time ruining everything.” Bold, excited for life and not afraid to go after what they want, Leos and “the last great american dynasty” have a lot in common.
Virgo (August 23-September 22): “mirrorball”
Virgos are incredibly logical, kind and pay attention to the details; they chase the idea of perfection. In “mirrorball” Swift writes about reflecting the personalities around her and attempting to be what others want her to be. Wanting to make others happy and holding oneself up to an unrealistic idea is a common thread between Virgos and “mirrorball”. Virgos need to shine just for themselves.
Libra (September 23-October 22): “exile”
Libras strive for balance and symmetry. “Exile” portrays two exes seeing each other for the first time and features Bon Iver. Libras struggle for harmony can sometimes create issues with their personal relationships. The contrasting stories written in “exile” reflect the struggle that Libras sometimes endure when there is a shift or imbalance in their life.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21): “seven”
Scorpios maintain deep, empathetic and close connections with those in their circle. They are highly intuitive and take change and growth with stride. The friendship written about in “seven” is very similar to the kind of relationships Scorpios create, the kinds that stay connected through time and are very intense.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21): “illicit affairs”
Sagittarians are magnetic thrill-seekers. They are adaptable and witty, but can get caught up in passion and excitement. This intensity is seen in “illicit affairs”; sometimes a good thing can hurt and a Sagitarrius can easily get caught up in the rush and lose sense of their gut feeling. Those in this sign are known for their perseverance, so even if something ends badly, like in “illicit affairs,” they can make it through.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19): “betty”
Capricorns are skilled at navigating conflicts and are not afraid of growth. Capricorns are very similar to Betty from “betty” — she has flourished and discovered her self-worth after having her heart broken by James, whom the song’s point-of-view is from. They have an inner self-reliance that they use to get them through difficult moments.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18): “peace”
Aquarians are big thinkers and eccentric. “Peace” is a zoomed out look at the potential problems the “I” in the song could bring into their lover’s life, a lack of peace, but also all of the good and joy they share. This song is concerned with not being enough for someone for the long haul. Aquarians’ ability to look ahead and see all sides is great but can also lead to self-sabotage. Living in the moment and following their heart is a lesson that Aquarians can take from “peace”.
Pisces (February 19-March 20): “august”
This sign has immense sensitivity and spends their time split between fantasy and reality. In the rush of emotions, they can lose grounding and end up hurting themselves. The pain and nostalgia in “august” is something Pisces can connect with. Wearing rose colored glasses and “living for the hope of it all” can be a flaw in Pisces, but it doesn’t take away from their kindness and clairvoyance.