In Astrologically Speaking, astrologers make their case for your favorite character’s zodiac sign, based on specific scenes, quotes, and even fashion choices. Here, Nina Kahn, author of Astrology for Life and Wander the Stars, explains why Andy Sachs of The Devil Wears Prada is most definitely an Aries. Spoilers for The Devil Wears Prada follow.
There are few things more iconic than 2006’s The Devil Wears Prada — a movie centered around aspiring journalist Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), who nabs a desirable job as the assistant to Miranda Priestly: the ruthless editor-in-chief of high-fashion magazine Runway. As an astrologer re-watching the film 15 years after its release, everything from the job interview in the opening scene of the film to Andy’s spur-of-the-moment decision to quit at the end tells me that she is totally an Aries.
An important part of the film’s storyline is the dynamic between Andy and her boss Miranda. In the book version of The Devil Wears Prada (on which the film is based), Miranda is actually given a birthday — Oct. 25, 1949 — which makes her a mysterious, powerful, and cutthroat Scorpio zodiac sign. Aries and Scorpio aren’t exactly compatible: Aries is an assertive fire sign, while Scorpio is a private water sign. But they’re both traditionally ruled by the warrior-like planet Mars, which gives them some common ground. They’re both highly driven, unafraid of confrontation, and make strong leaders. This checks out, given that Andy and Miranda don’t exactly click, but ultimately relate to each other when it comes to their ambitious Mars-like qualities.
Let’s talk about Andy’s sun sign and break down some of her very Aries traits.
1. Andy Is Impulsive & Able To Wing It
Who shows up to an interview at a magazine they’ve never read to be an assistant for a notorious editor-in-chief whose name they didn’t bother learning — and then actually gets the job? A bold and headstrong Aries named Andy Sachs, that’s who. Charismatic Aries is the most impulsive sign of the zodiac, so when they feel like going for something, they’ll charge forward — even if they haven’t spent much time preparing. Despite her lack of foresight, Andy’s fierceness is what impresses Miranda and lands her the job that “a million girls would kill for.” That’s the thing about Aries — they can be foolhardy at times, but their zealousness usually helps them land on their feet.
Andy’s tendency to make impetuous moves takes center stage yet again near the end of the film, when she suddenly quits her job at Runway in the middle of fashion week in Paris, after Miranda notes how much she “sees herself” in Andy. Instead of taking time to think through the complex feelings that were brought up inside her when Miranda made that comment, Andy rashly follows her passions in that moment: she hops out of the car, ditches the glamorous event she was supposed to be working, and throws her cellphone into a fountain as soon as she sees Miranda calling. She had initially expressed that she’d wanted to stay at her job for a year, but like a true Aries, she had to follow her heart — even if it meant having that short-lived “blip” (as her next employer would call it) on her resume.
2. She Can Be Impatient
Aries are the first sign of the zodiac, so they’re natural-born leaders who like to do things hastily. So it makes sense that despite the fact that Andy has zero work experience and no knowledge of fashion, she’s constantly frustrated by the fact that she’s not getting praise for doing her job or making tangible headway toward success. Her tenacious Aries energy wants things to happen fast, so having to wait so long for gratification is especially agitating. We see this exemplified when, after a vexing encounter, Andy complains to her colleague Nigel about her status at work — but instead of responding with the sympathy she’s looking for, he points out that she isn’t actually trying very hard. Aries tend to live in the moment, so sometimes they have to be reminded that certain things require time.
The good thing about an Aries’ lack of patience? They’re always eager to move forward. Their abruptness can get them into trouble, but they’re able to recover quickly and move onto the next thing without dwelling too much on what’s happened. So while Andy’s very-Aries impatience led her straight into some charged encounters with Miranda (and a few subsequent reality checks from the people around her), it also continually allowed her to push through highly stressful situations and not sit around feeling sorry for herself for too long.
3. She’s Got Classically Competitive Mars Energy
Aries is ruled by Mars, the goal-oriented planet that represents our inner-warriors and governs how we chase what we want. The high-energy nature of her job at Runway really lights up Andy’s Mars-y competitive streak — so much so that it ends up affecting her personal relationships and leading her to make decisions that she regrets in hindsight. Case in point: Andy accepts the invitation to go to Paris Fashion Week in place of her colleague Emily, who’d been looking forward to the opportunity for years.
But Andy’s highly driven nature is exactly what helps her to get ahead. We see this illustrated when successful and handsome writer Christian (with whom Andy has an ongoing flirtation) tries to doubt whether she’s capable of handling the stress of her position at Runway. “You’ll never survive Miranda,” Christian says. “You’re smart, you’re nice, you have a point of view. You can’t do that job.” This comment lights a fire in Andy’s feisty Aries heart and makes her even more determined to succeed. She storms away from Christian fuming — but also slightly intrigued, because nothing turns on an Aries like a little bit of rivalry.
TL;DR
“I’m not your baby,” Andy tells Christian after spending the night with him in Paris, on the same day she ends up quitting her job. This line was telling, as Aries technically are the “babies” of the zodiac (given that they’re the very first of the 12 signs). But they’re also the natural leaders of the zodiac, and throughout the film, Andy is able to fully declare her own independence and own her decisions (even when they’re made on the fly). Like a truly single-minded and outspoken Aries, Andy doesn’t want to be told who she is or what she’s all about by anyone — and she’ll do whatever it takes to make her own way in the world.
