The West Wing Character You Are Based On Your Zodiac Sign

If we had to guess, we'd say that the characters in Aaron Sorkin's beloved series "The West Wing" wouldn't put much stock in astrology. We can't imagine Jed Bartlet reading his horoscope every morning before making decisions that will affect the entire world, or Leo McGarry bringing up the alignment of the planets during a national security briefing in the war room. But who knows, maybe Donna Moss or Sam Seaborn find time to consult with the stars in between writing speeches and making important phone calls.

In many ways, "The West Wing" is a serious, high-minded show. One of the things we love most about it is how richly the characters are drawn. Even characters who only appear in an episode or two feel like real people with full lives. Whether it be the heroic but infallible President Bartlet or an essential secondary character like Leo's assistant, the indelible Margaret Hooper, "The West Wing" isn't short on dynamic personalities. They're all part of a team that works remarkably well. 

Every character on "The West Wing" is complex, which is why it's so interesting to analyze why they act the way they do. They all have their own strengths and weakness, making them dynamic to watch. These distinctions also make it fun for us to try and distinguish them based on their astrological placements, even if the White House staffers themselves wouldn't care to dig into our findings. Keep reading to discover which "West Wing" character you are based on your zodiac sign. Unfortunately, there are more "West Wing" characters than signs, so some important players, like Charlie Young (Dulé Hill), have been omitted. 

Though she's not the most senior member of the staff, Donna Moss (Janel Moloney) is an essential part of the team. As Josh Lyman's senior assistant, she's in charge of making sure things run smoothly and that her often scatterbrained boss stays on track. Her job takes a lot of velocity and determination, which is why Donna is best represented by the sign of Aries.

Those born under this sign are said to be confident and courageous, and they are the most action-oriented of the signs. Arians have a definite competitive streak and love to be first. Though they can be impatient and short-tempered at times, Arians are generally warm individuals with a generous, optimistic spirit. Fire signs are symbolized by the ram and don't back down in the face of conflict or opposition.

Donna's Arian traits make her the perfect fit for Josh. She's not afraid to stand up to him when he needs a talking to, and her confidence and dynamic energy make her great at her job. Arians are known as the babies of the zodiac, and Donna certainly fits the bill as one of the younger members of the staff. But, like others born under this sign, Donna is always ready to prove her worth to those around her, which pays off as her career advances.

The second sign of the zodiac, Taureans are symbolized by the bull. Often said to be the most stubborn of the signs, they are very set in their ways. On the plus side, you can always count on them to follow through. Reliable and patient, those born under this sign have a comforting stability about them, and they tend to be happiest when indulging in life's simple pleasures.

Though Jed Bartlet may be the face of the administration, Leo McGarry (John Spencer) is its beating heart. While Bartlet makes speeches and takes diplomatic meetings, Leo is the one making sure the ship never stops running. An extremely loyal friend to Jed and the rest of the staff, Leo is definitely someone you want on your team.

Leo is indeed a bull, as his sign suggests. He never backs down when faced with obstacles, and he's not afraid to make hard decisions for the greater good. He's also an archetypically stubborn person, which becomes a problem for him when his focus on the job causes him to neglect his own health and the happiness of his family. He's not a perfect person — none of the characters on "The West Wing" is — but he's someone you can always count on to keep things in order.

As the White House Press Secretary, C.J. Cregg's (Allison Janney) entire job is about communication. She must quickly process information and relay it to the public in a way that balances the interests of the administration and the needs of its constituents. In short, C.J. is a skilled communicator who is very adept at making things look and sound good, which is why she is best represented by the sign of Gemini.

Geminis are known as the communicators of the zodiac, and they are said to be the most versatile and adaptable of the signs. Though this sometimes gives them a reputation for being two-faced, what it really means is that they can adapt to whatever new situation they might find themselves in. Geminis are quick-witted and quick-thinking, and they love to meet new people and learn new things. Though their dynamism might come off as flakiness at times, their analytical, curious minds make them entertaining people to be around.

Though C.J. has her fair share of mess-ups over the course of the series, no one can say she isn't very good at her job. (If this wasn't already clear, it becomes even more obvious when Josh fills in for her for a day and fails miserably). C.J.'s also one of the funniest and most entertaining members of the staff — who could forget The Jackal? — which aligns perfectly with the lively sign of Gemini.

Sometimes it feels like a bit of a copout to always cast the motherly characters as Cancers, but in this case, it's a perfect fit. Jed Bartlet may be a force of nature, but his wife, Abbey Bartlet (Stockard Channing), is just as tough. A former doctor, Abbey is as smart and competent as her husband, and she's not afraid to let her opinions be known. Though she cares deeply for Jed and their three daughters, she's not above using tough love to get through to them, and she certainly won't stand by and let her husband's stubbornness get the best of him.

Emotional water signs, Cancers are known as the nurturers of the zodiac. They feel strongly connected to their families and their sense of home, and they are very loyal and tend to take on the problems of others. Though they are sometimes represented as soft or overly sensitive, Cancers can also be quite tenacious and passionate, especially when their loved ones are involved.

Abbey represents the dualistic nature of Cancers. Though she is certainly a caring person, she's in no way weak-willed or delicate. She loves deeply, which also means she fights with everything she's got. It's unlikely Jed would be where he is without a partner like Abbey, as she always pushes him to be his best and never lets him forget what's really important. For a complex ecosystem like the White House to function, you need a passionate Cancer in your corner.

Let's be honest: anyone who runs for president has got to be a little bit theatrical and conceited. In order to believe that you're the best person to run the country, you've got to have the kind of confidence and self-assurance that's hard to come by. That's why it makes the most sense that President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) would be a Leo, the sign most known for theatricality and drama.

Symbolized by the fiery lion, Leos tend to have big personalities and aren't afraid of standing out. They love to entertain, and they're happy to be known as the kings and queens of their domain, much like their animal counterparts. Leos are known for their strength and bravery, and though they can be vain at times, are generous and warm individuals at heart. It's important for Leos to receive respect and admiration from their peers, which may account for their desire for attention.

Bartlet can be a theatrical person at times, and this mostly works in his favor. He's a wonderful public speaker, and he knows exactly how to move a room full of people. His belief in himself and his administration is what makes him such a successful leader, and he usually portrays the qualities of a Leo in a positive light. Bartlet is not totally vainglorious, as he's not without moments of self-doubt and uncertainty. But his strength and passion — two Leo traits — propel him forward no matter the hardships he endures.

We don't know much about Mrs. Landingham (Kathryn Joosten) except that she's extremely important to her boss, President Bartlet. She first met Jed when she worked for his father, the headmaster at Jed's prep school. Since then, Mrs. Landingham has been Jed's loyal friend and secretary. It completely shatters him when she dies at the end of Season 2. (This also leads to what is often known as the best "West Wing" episode of all time.)

Mrs. Landingham is not someone who does what she does for the glory, and she's content working behind the scenes. For this reason, the sign that fits her best is Virgo. Known as the healers or the analysts, Virgos are always processing information and trying to come up with solutions. Hardworking and practical, Virgos are confident that they know best but are fine displaying their knowledge in subtle ways, reflecting their humble nature. Though they can be judgmental at times, they have good intentions and are always prepared to fix any problems that might arise.

As Bartlet's secretary, Mrs. Landingham spends her days organizing small details and keeping things on track. She's not one to toot her own horn, but she's also willing to call out Bartlet when he misbehaves. As is true with many Virgos, Mrs. Landingham uses her keen judgment for good and is always there to make sure Bartlet does what he needs to do. Mrs. Landingham always gets the job done, and her Virgo sensibilities are essential to the functioning of the Oval Office.

Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff) is someone who cares deeply about right and wrong. A deep thinker with a strong moral compass, Toby carefully weighs the decisions he makes and is always prepared to debate his beliefs with others. We see these moral questions play out for Toby in "Take This Sabbath Day" when he and Bartlet ponder the ethics of the death penalty. Toby's ethical code is also what drives him to leak classified information in Season 7 in order to save the lives of several astronauts.

Toby is very interested in justice, which is why the best fit for him is the sign of Libra. Libras are known as the diplomats of the zodiac and are symbolized by the scales. Those born under this sign are passionate about equality and keeping the peace, and they tend to be idealists who want to help people. They dislike conflict and their self-perception is often tied up in their relationships with others.

Toby is a bit of a melancholy character for much of the series, in part because these moral questions are always weighing on his mind. But it's also clear at the beginning of the series that he's struggling to accept his divorce, which makes sense when you consider the fact that Libras find it difficult to be alone. As the most fair-minded member of the staff, Toby often seems quite serious, but it's apparent that he cares deeply about what he does.

Though she only appeared in 23 of the series' 155 episodes, Amy Gardner (Mary-Louise Parker) had a huge impact on "The West Wing" and its fans. She has a wonderfully dry wit and is very good at her job. When we first meet her, Amy is a Director at the Women's Leadership Coalition, and later in the series becomes The First Lady's Chief of Staff. Amy suffers no fools and definitely isn't someone you want to get in a verbal sparring match with.

Amy is quite cunning and keenly aware of power structures, which is why she aligns best with the sign of Scorpio. Known as the alchemists of the zodiac, Scorpios are intense individuals with magnetic, penetrating auras about them. It's often hard to tell if Scorpios are joking or being serious because everything they say is so biting. Strategic, focused, and calculating, Scorpios have an innate understanding of power and a piercing ability to suss out the truth.

Amy is one of the most hilarious characters. Her deadpan delivery — which is very Scorpio-like — makes her a delight to watch. In many ways, she's the perfect partner for Josh, as neither of them ever tires of arguing or trying to prove their point. Amy can take any enemies down with just her words, something Abbey quickly learns when Amy starts working for her. Just like a scorpion, Amy isn't afraid to sting when the circumstances call for it.

There's no question that Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) is incredibly smart and good at his job. He's a skilled debater, a savvy political strategist, and good at talking his way out of just about any situation. But he's also a bit of a scatterbrain and sometimes promises more than he can deliver. That's exactly why he needs Donna, his stalwart assistant, in order to function.

Josh is always fighting for more and trying to get to the heart of the matter, which is why the sign he most aligns with is Sagittarius. Symbolized by the archer and known as the philosopher, Sagittarians are truth-seekers with a desire to explore. Friendly and idealistic, they often bend the rules in search of knowledge or their next big adventure. They can be impatient and are prone to saying the wrong thing, but that's because they tend to act on instinct.

Truth-seeking is an apt description for Josh, as he never quite seems satisfied with what he's got. That's the nature of the job, sure, but it also reflects Josh's restless energy and his desire to always be moving. Sagittarians are known as the travelers of the zodiac, and this archetype perfectly aligns with Josh's restless energy. If you can get him to sit still for a moment, he'll probably have some interesting things to tell you, unless you happen to find him sleeping in his office in fishing waders.

Like Amy Gardner and Joey Lucas, Ainsley Hayes is a beloved "West Wing" character who appeared in fewer episodes than you might think. Before she began her prolific run on "CSI: Miami," Emily Procter appeared in a mere 12 episodes of "The West Wing," but still had enough time to become a fan favorite. A rare republican within the Bartlet administration, Ainsley came in hot, absolutely annihilating Sam Seaborn in a TV debate. Confident and quick-witted, Ainsley knows what she's good at and always puts her best foot forward.

Ainsley is a Capricorn, the sign most associated with leadership. Capricorns are known for being determined, disciplined, and not letting pesky emotions get in the way of achieving their goals. Often known as the "responsible friend," Capricorns might take a while to warm up to others because of their stoic demeanor. Looking good and achieving success are important to them, and they tend to be very goal-oriented individuals.

Ainsley certainly has the determination and self-control of a Capricorn, and she seems to be more interested in improving her career than she is in making friends. The one time she does finally let her hair down — blaming it on the bossa nova — ends in hilarious embarrassment. But in general, Ainsley is excellent at maintaining her composure and always keeping her chin up, two very Capricornian qualities.

Known as the humanitarians of the zodiac, Aquarians are all about the big picture, analyzing the big issues and thinking about ways to make things better. Though they have a desire to help humanity, sometimes they find themselves disconnected from other humans themselves, as they can occasionally come off as aloof or even cold. This is because Aquarians find themselves bored with the humdrum nature of daily life and small talk and would rather be thinking about things like philosophy and power structures. For this reason, eccentric Aquarians sometimes feel like outcasts or find themselves on the fringes of society.

Like Ainsley Hayes after her, Joey Lucas (Marlee Matlin) came in with a bang, loudly barging into the office of an incredibly hungover Josh Lyman. Joey is a pollster, and for her, numbers are life. She's not an especially diplomatic person, and is more concerned with getting the information across as quickly and as clearly as possible.

The reason Joey Lucas is such an Aquarius is that she's all about the big picture. Whereas the rest of the Bartlet administration sometimes gets lost in the small details, Joey comes in with cold hard truths that allow them to think about things in a more holistic sense. She's also not afraid to come off as abrasive or strange, which aligns well with the Aquarian penchant for eccentricity. Heed Joey's truths about the numbers, and you can't go wrong.

Though most of our favorites in the Bartlet administration have some amount of idealism left in them, Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe) outranks them all when it comes to idealism and earnestness. This sometimes causes him to clash with his colleagues, but he remains steadfast in his optimism. As a brilliant speechwriter, Sam channels his idealism into beautiful words, pairing his impressive intellect with his more creative side.

Sam's romantic way of looking at the world leads us to believe that he's a Pisces, the sign known as the dreamer of the zodiac. Pisces tend to have a unique duality about them, coming off as both childlike and wise all at once. They sometimes struggle to distinguish between fantasy and reality and are big on daydreaming. Creative and compassionate, Pisces is the most intuitive sign in the zodiac and has a highly developed sense of imagination.

Sam's sense of imagination and his creative sensibilities distinguishes him from his colleagues, and they also make his Piscean nature clear. He can be a bit naive at times, but he's also something of a wunderkind and excels at his job. Though he may have his head up in the clouds more so than the rest of the staff, he always comes back down to earth and channels his daydreams into speeches that can make a grown man weep.