PART II: Characterization

PART II: To Horoscope or Not to Horoscope, that is the question…This blog is a continuation of the original ‘To Horoscope or Not to Horoscope, that is the question…’ In my writing career, I have attended workshops, read craft books, and asked characterization questions until I’m dizzy with all of the information. This past summer, I decided to compile all of my information and compare notes, if you will, between all that I have learned.

To avoid infringing on any copyright laws, let me stop and state that the archetypes are well-known and universal; they have been used in numerous craft books and blogs. The most helpful and descriptive archetype book I have found is: The Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes & Heroines Sixteen Master Archetypes” by: Tami D. Cowden, Caro LaFever, and Sue Viders. This book is like the bible to archetypes.

The 16 Archetypes should be used to determine WHY a character reacts the way he/she does – NOT WHAT THE CHARACTER DOES! I repeat – the Archetypes are to help the author (you and me) determine WHY a character reacts the way that they do. By defining your hero/heroine as one of these archetypes – you can DETERMINE HOW AND WHY the character will react to any situation.

Sounds easy, right? Confused the HELL out of me. No matter how many times or how deeply I studies the archetypes, I was still lost on HOW my characters would react.

But horoscopes – real life people in my life – I understand them. I’ve grown up with them. I know why my best friend runs when she is faced with a serious relationship – she’s the CLASSIC waif. Another friend faces a challenge head on – she’s the go-getter, the BOSS. So if I can project some of the characteristics of the people I KNOW to my characters – I get a much deeper insight into my characters and their possible backgrounds.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to explain my method to my madness. What I did was take the basic archetypes and give them birthdays – I wanted to see how the 16 archetypes compared to the 12 astrological signs. That’s it – I am in no way claiming any credit for the archetype descriptions – I’m just sharing my personal notes and findings.

As I stated in the previous post, just to recap, I meticulously went through the archetypes and tried to ‘match’ them to a horoscope. I looked at the similarities in personalities between the archetypes and the birth signs. Once I did this, I went back through each archetype/horoscope pair and matched them with people I actually knew that had that birthday! This gave me instant insight into my characters. Suddenly I knew how they would react in a situation because I could compare my characters to real-life people who I knew.Last blog I looked at the HEROINE ARCHETYPE: The Boss. I want to extend that description some in this blog and look at her male counterpart, the HERO ARCHETYPE: The Chief.

(Again, these are my own interpretations which help me to develop characters):

Heroine Archetype: The BOSSBirth Signs: Virgo, Aquarius, Capricorn, and LeoCharacteristics of the BOSS: loss at personal relationships, confident, dynamic, competitive, blunt, workaholic, arrogant, aloof, intolerant, short-tempered, self-assured, highly organized, achiever, demanding and challenging leaders, realists, make quick decisions.Possible Occupations of the BOSS: chef, prosecutor, Madam, surgeon, queen, editor, entrepreneur, pilot, publisherNow, compare the BOSS to the four horoscopes defined:

Virgos are meticulous, reliable, practical, diligent, intelligent, analytical, overcritical, harsh, perfectionists, idealistic, and conservative. The sign of the Virgo, a virgin holding sheaves of wheat, symbolize wisdom. Like a true virgin, most Virgos are shy and wait to give herself to the perfect lover. Can become a skeptic and cynical due to disappointment. Loves books, magazines, and writing. A Virgo’s critical eye causes an irresistible urge to improve everything and everyone. May act a martyr when offerings to help are ignored.
Possible Occupations: Editing, fashion, health professions, teaching.


Aquarians are generally intelligent, unorthodox and inventive, although they often appear to be eerily detached and personally uninvolved (i.e. loss at personal relationships). Champion the highest principles, while at the same time an independent thinker. Stubborn, resistant to imposed change, rebel when confronted with unreasonable authoritarian demands, skeptical, lover of science.Possible Occupations: science, engineering, international finance, writingCapricorns are structured, responsible, organized, ambitious, loyal, faithful, possessive, jealous, well-grounded, pragmatic, goal-oriented, aspire to positions of power, lack self confidence, defensive, competitive, impeccable sense of humor, hold grudges. Capricorns view insecurity and fear as weakness, and attempt to hide such feelings, making it hard for other to get close. Capricorns are ready for hard work if it means getting what they want. The energy and randiness of the goat is proverbial, but Caps can be lazy if they see no sense in working or a less strenuous path. Caps respond to traditional values, rules, and proper behavior.
Possible Occupations: Construction, engineer, politician, lawyer, or business executive.

Leos are grand, confident, generous, egocentric, overbearing, likes to be center of attention, expects awe from others, enjoys a thoroughgoing love of life, natural entertainer, genial host, get pleasure from helping others enjoy, enthusiastic, ambitious, can be lazy, stubborn, resistant to change, tenacious.
Possible Occupations: Arts, Crafts, theatre, philanthropic societies, religious organizations



Heroine Archetype: The CHEIFBirth Signs: Aries, Virgo, and CapricornCharacteristics of the CHEIF: leader, active, dynamic, strong-willed, needs to fix problems, appears unemotional and harsh, protective, independent, goal oriented, responsible, stubborn, organized, motivated, confident, and inflexible.
Possible Occupations: CEO, surgeon, nobleman, pilot, editor, sheriff, stockbroker, movie director

Aries are creative, inventive, leader, bold, self-confident, can be impulsive, great organizers, original, lack discipline for prolonged effort (minions must be found to do the work), intuitive, articulate, courageous, can be overbearing, powerful fighter. Possible Occupations: CEO, manager, nobleman, marketing director.
Virgos are meticulous, reliable, practical, diligent, intelligent, analytical, overcritical, harsh, perfectionists, idealistic, and conservative. The sign of the Virgo, a virgin holding sheaves of wheat, symbolize wisdom. Like a true virgin, most Virgos are shy and wait to give herself to the perfect lover. Can become a skeptic and cynical due to disappointment. Loves books, magazines, and writing. A Virgo’s critical eye causes an irresistible urge to improve everything and everyone. May act a martyr when offerings to help are ignored.
Possible Occupations: Editing, fashion, health professions, teaching.

Capricorns are structured, responsible, organized, ambitious, loyal, faithful, possessive, jealous, well-grounded, pragmatic, goal-oriented, aspire to positions of power, lack self confidence, defensive, competitive, impeccable sense of humor, hold grudges. Capricorns view insecurity and fear as weakness, and attempt to hide such feelings, making it hard for other to get close. Capricorns are ready for hard work if it means getting what they want. The energy and randiness of the goat is proverbial, but Caps can be lazy if they see no sense in working or a less strenuous path. Caps respond to traditional values, rules, and proper behavior.
Possible Occupations: Construction, engineer, politician, lawyer, or business executive.Once a writer understands characterization, then you can begin to layer the archetypes and experiment with evolving characteristics. If you have trouble with characterization – give this a try! It might be your “ah-ha” moment, like it was mine! Thanks for reading, and come back for next week’s blog for Part III.