By Nellie Hildebrandt, Fiction Editor
Aries: “Men With Guns” by Ania Mroczek (Issue 114)—Hanging with hunters and aspiring climate change activists is something the bold, impulsive Aries would admire. They are bound to find the inherent danger of a glove box gun and repeated “NO TRESPASSING” signs appealing.
Taurus: “The Phenomenal Funeral Formula” by Caitlin Rae Taylor (Issue 112)—The pragmatic, determined Taurus will first empathize with the hard work Bruce puts into his funeral home business, but then find deeper solace in the memories of his frustrated, defeated son.
Gemini: “Unity Ritual” by Phoebe Peter Oathout (Issue 113)—A Gemini is the best person to have at your wedding—even if it’s fictional. The social, curious storyteller of the zodiac, a Gemini will find abundant entertainment at this intersection of Amazon wishlists, Wyoming Tinder, and vegan cousins.
Cancer: “Jenny Lynn and Buddy” by Jordan Brown (Issue 113)—Cancers are known to seek a strong sense of home and comfort, which is why Jenny Lynn and Buddy’s quiet, domestic story would be a great match. The way the characters try their best to care for each other would melt anyone—especially a water sign.
Leo: “The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine of Siena” by Molly Guinn Bradley (Issue 111)—This story is packed with Leo elements. To start, the theater setting will more than likely appeal to the performance-loving, theatrical Leo. The nostalgic, coming-of-age moments might remind a Leo of their outgoing high-school years. Lastly, the way the story shifts from a first person plural to a first person singular, zeroing in on a single voice, will be relatable to a Leo, who always finds themselves at the center of attention.
Virgo: “Our Bodies Know How to Hold On” by Susan Finch (Forthcoming this spring in issue 115!)—The precise language and exact details of this story will not be lost on a perfectionist Virgo (known as the editor of the zodiac). A healer who thrives on acts of service, Virgo will connect to the many forms of nurturing enacted by Avery and their mother.
Libra: “Interiors” by Leah Yacknin-Dawson (Forthcoming this spring in issue 115!)—Libras are indecisive, so they more than anyone will appreciate someone telling them exactly what to read. This one seems to be the best fit: while the aesthetically-minded Libra might initially be most drawn to the art exhibit setting, they will stay for the complicated family dynamics, anxious to see how the emotional conflict gets resolved (from the comfort and safety of their bed).
Scorpio: “Grudge Person” by Sasha Debevec-McKenney (Issue 114)—The most fiery of the astrological signs, a Scorpio will (a little too happily) submit themselves to the outrage of this short piece—and then find themselves surprised, or maybe betrayed, by the gentle, emotional action of its ending.
Sagittarius: “Billowing Down the Bayou” by Cameron Sanders (Issue 113)—Sagittarians are the travelers and explorers of the zodiac—perfect candidates for a story about a rowboat on the bayou. Spontaneous, impulsive Sagittarius might not even be shocked by the young narrator’s final gesture.
Capricorn: “Chromatophore Revival” by Larry Flynn (Issue 112)—A Capricorn is destined to have a strong moral compass, which will make Cheyenne’s environmental concerns that much more devastating. Goal-oriented and driven, they will be eager to go diving with conservationists.
Aquarius: “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” by Sarah Elaine Smith (Issue 112)—The eccentric, semi-feral “wild girl” might be especially easy to love for an individualistic, philosophical Aquarius (not only are they known to be the loners of the zodiac, they famously have a talent for music).
Pisces: “Driftless” by Ian Power-Luetscher (Issue 113)—The narrator of this story is living in his own television show. The daydreaming, imaginative Pisces will laugh a little too hard at the narrator anthropomorphizing their dog, pretending they have never personally imagined their pet speaking.
Nellie Hildebrandt is a fiction writer from South Carolina and a second-year MFA student. She currently serves as Fiction Editor for The Greensboro Review. Her work has appeared in apt. You can find her on X/twitter @nelliefrancesh.