Taurus: Security, Simplicity, & Survival
2nd House / Fixed Earth / Yin Expression / Ruled by Venus
Taurus and the 2nd house encompass the practical foundations of our survival. As an earth sign, Taurus desires to live well on the physical plane. They are primarily concerned with acquiring everyday necessities such as food, shelter, and money, because these are the things that help them survive. The goal of this archetype is to not only meet these basic needs, but to live a life that is abundant, sensual, and sustainable for the long term.
Clearly symbolized by the bull, Taurus is known for their strength and pragmatism. The ability to remain steadfast in the face of adversity is one of Taurus’ greatest assets, which help them withstand hard times. However, their strong-will can easily translate into stubbornness, making them resistant to change. If Taurus is consumed by resistance, they could hold themselves back from living fully, taking risks, or saying yes to new opportunities.
Deep down, Taurus will need to ask themselves if all their efforts to stay alive are actually producing a life worth living. Are they building a lifestyle that nourishes their wellbeing, or are they getting stuck in a monotonous routine that blocks their full potential? To answer that question, Taurus will need to reconnect with their values and ask themselves if they believe they are worthy of it.
Grounding the Aries Energy
To better understand Taurus, we need to take a look at the archetype that precedes it- which is Aries. Aries is a burst of fresh, forward moving energy. Aries is fiery, spontaneous, and independent. Ultimately, Aries is on a journey of self-discovery and will do whatever it takes to set forth and have new life experiences. The downfall for Aries is that they could easily burn out and run themselves into the ground.
Taurus follows Aries as a reality check. Like a race car slamming on the brakes, Taurus understands that the constant inertia and unchecked impulse of Aries can’t be sustained forever. We are in a body that has limitations, our resources are finite, the world is unpredictable, and we must stay alive. Taurus teaches Aries that the importance of slowing down, build steady foundations, and adapt to the simple rhythms of life.
Just following Aries, Taurus is still at the beginning of the zodiac journey. They don’t have the full picture of life figured out. They haven’t yet seen the depths of Scorpio or the heights of Sagittarius, however those things aren’t of concern to Taurus right now. Taurus is focused on taking care of the basics first— laying down the practical foundations so that we can travel the rest of the zodiac with fortitude.
Let’s dive into the deeper layers of the Taurus archetype.
Security and Self-Reliance
For Taurus, well-being is synonymous with security. Whether it’s food security or financial security, Taurus wants to feel secure that their physical needs will keep getting met, and that the supply won’t run out anytime soon. The desire for security pushes Taurus to become resourceful— they will usually find a way to get what they need.
More often than not, Taurus would prefer to meet their needs on their own. Whether this manifests as someone who grows their own food, sews their own clothes, or fixes their own car, Taurus would prefer to bypass involving other people and just take care it of themselves. Without other people involved, there is less risk— and more security. By eliminating the unpredictability of other people— who can often be inconsistent or unreliable— Taurus can maintain their steady routine without any disruptions or interference.
Taurus’ self-reliance can be incredibly helpful and valuable. If the electric grid went out tomorrow, Taurus would be the most likely to survive out of the 12 archetypes. However, it’s also possible for Taurus to be too self-reliant. They could feel overly threatened by others, and take on a defensive posture when someone offers to help. While other people may rely on Taurus and their wealth of practical skills, Taurus will be sure to not rely on anyone other than themselves
Safety and Isolation
In their desire to be self-reliant, it’s possible for Taurus to become isolationist. They could feel so threatened by the unpredictability of others that they cut out other people from their lives entirely. Taurus could think that they are protecting themselves from danger, when really they are just holding themselves back from truly engaging with life.
Part of this resistance to engaging with others is a concern for physical safety. Taurus wants to know that their dwelling space— and their bodies— will be safe from harm or outside threat. Just like their desire for financial security, Taurus wants security for the safety of their home and their body. It’s a very real concern that in some cases manifests quite literally. Therefore, Taurus’ inclination to withdraw into themselves can sometimes be the thing that saves them from harm. However, at other times, retreating in order to be “safe” may come at the price of not living fully.
Limitation & Feeling Held Back
A central theme at the core of the Taurus archetype is limitation and the feeling of being held back.
Imagine a young person who is very creative and adventurous living in an agrarian society. Maybe they grow up on a farm in a small town and spend their time doing many chores, without the opportunity to engage in hobbies or leisure. All the while their mind is wandering, dreaming of life outside, but they are too young to leave— their parents insist they must stay. However one day, a friend comes along and invites them to run away to the city to start a new life. They feel terrified and overwhelmed by the idea. What was supposed to be exciting becomes dangerously threatening. They refuse the friend’s offer and return to their duties on the farm. Confused by what just came over them, they grieve the opportunity to experience something more out of life. Inevitably they will feel restricted.
In Taurus, limitation is experienced in any of the following ways: self-imposed boundaries, external constraints, or blocks within their bodies or personalities.
Different Kinds of Limitation
In the first case, Taurus may hold themselves back through self-imposed boundaries by rigidly clinging to what’s familiar—even when it’s deteriorating—because it provides a sense of comfort and continuity. For example, someone might stay in a run-down house filled with mold and disrepair simply because it’s what they’ve always known. Despite having the option to find a better living space, the fear of uprooting themselves keeps them stuck. They resist trying something new, even if it could greatly improve their life.
In the second case, Taurus can experience external constraints—like financial recessions, famines, food deserts, or other forms of real-world scarcity. This limitation may also stem from people, families, or societal contexts that hold Taurus back. They may want to make changes, but outside influences prevent them from doing so.
Taurus could also be painfully confronted with their own personal limitations, such as their physical or social capacities, or simply in their self-esteem. Whatever it is, the pain of confronting their limitation can cause them to isolate and resist putting themselves in any situation that would expose their weakness.
In a positive light, Taurus’ experience of limitation can manifest as healthy restriction. Taurus knows how to ration, how to diet, and how to manage resources responsibly. After all, cultivating a sustainable lifestyle is one of Taurus’ central goals. Sometimes, holding back is wise—it just depends on the context.
Values and Self-Worth
Taurus might desire a better life, but could be too resistant to give up their routine and pass through the difficult steps required to reach change and transformation. However at a certain point, if Taurus chooses to remain stuck in a lifestyle that is not fulfilling, then the question of self-value needs to be raised. Does Taurus truly value themselves? What does Taurus value? Does their current life reflect those values?
The issue of values and self-worth is at the heart of the Taurus archetype. Let’s break this down further.
Taurus’ emphasis on survival highlights our self-value. Do we value ourselves enough to take care of ourselves? Do we treat our bodies like a temple? Do we make our living spaces comfortable, do we eat well, and get good sleep? The way we care for our body, mind, and resources reflects how we feel about ourselves. For Taurus, it’s not enough to just have security and stability in their lives— they must believe they are worthy of it. Without a solid foundation of self-worth, none of the external comforts matter.
Taurus also highlights how well we value our resources. Do we respect the Earth? Do we respect our food, water, and money? Do we use our resources wisely, or do we use them wastefully?
Ruled by Venus— a Planet of Relating
Taurus is ruled by Venus— the planet of relating. Venus’ rulership of Taurus highlights the relationship that we have with ourselves, our bodies, our planet, and our resources. We ought to value the things that help us survive, such as our homes and our bodies, and similarly, we ought to value ourselves and the quality of our life experience. The way we value ourselves and our resources will directly influence the kind of relationship that we have with them.
If Taurus finds themselves stuck in a loop of scarcity, then they must connect with their values and self-worth. Taurus needs to know that they are worthy of living a good life that is both fulfilling and sustainable. Although their tendency could be to settle for the status quo, Taurus might need to tell themselves that they deserve to make more money, they deserve a home with more comfort, and they deserve better food with more nutrition. Taurus needs to have a positive relationship with themselves— and heightened self-value— in order to manifest the things they desire into their physical reality.
When Taurus lives in alignment with their values— and their self-value— everything falls into place. Life becomes a lot more simple as it grounded in what truly matters.
Opposite Scorpio: Survival vs. Transformation
Scorpio opposes Taurus on the archetype wheel, offering a stark contrast in energy that helps to balance Taurus’ excesses, and vice versa. Together, the Scorpio and Taurus archetypes offer each other some of the deepest lessons that they are here to learn.
While Taurus is focused on remaining stable and secure, Scorpio is driven by the need for deep, transformative change. Taurus is concerned with safety and survival, whereas Scorpio is compelled to explore death and rebirth in daring situations. Taurus wants to preserve their routine, while Scorpio seeks to destroy the status quo and be reborn from the ashes.
Scorpio’s intensity is obviously deeply unsettling for Taurus, who prefers what is simple, calm, and predictable. However, if Taurus insists on a narrow way of being, they will never change, never transform, and could ultimately miss out on the greatness and richness that life has to offer. Scorpio may be a wild ride, however they take the risks, plunge to the depths, and have the life experiences that Taurus could only ever dream of having.
Scorpio highlights where Taurus can get stuck in surviving, but not thriving— not truly living life. Scorpio and the 8th house beckon Taurus to take a risk in life. Although Taurus may fear change, Scorpio shows us that change is necessary for evolution. Taurus must learn to trust that expanding their horizons isn’t the end of their world— just the end of the world as they once knew it.
Additionally, the Scorpio archetype encompasses deep commitment and intimacy with other people. Whether that commitment is in business, marriage, or is purely sexual, Scorpio involves placing our trust in someone else as we mutually agree to embark in something transformative together.
This is in stark contrast to Taurus’ tendency for self-reliance and isolation. Taurus would feel deeply threatened by merging finances, homes, or bodies with someone else, whereas Scorpio seeks it. Therefore, in the same spirit of taking a risk, Scorpio can show Taurus the value of opening up to the world and becoming intimate with another.
Square Leo: Practicality vs. Creativity
Leo squares Taurus on the zodiac wheel, forming a 90 degree angle that denotes a crisis or tension between these two archetypes. It’s as if Leo and Taurus are at odds, and there will be recurring friction until both are fully integrated.
Leo is the archetype of the artist. It can be extravagant, larger than life, and has a strong need to be seen. Leo doesn’t share Taurus‘ concern for simplicity and pragmatism— Leo will instead desire to celebrate, live loud and show off their colorful personality.
Leo teaches Taurus how to enjoy the life they work so hard to sustain. What is the point of living if we can’t let loose and have a good time? Leo can show Taurus the value of having a creative ambition— even if it’s impractical— because it can make life so much more joyful and fulfilling.
Square Aquarius: The Known vs. The Avant-Garde
Taurus is also squared by Aquarius— representing another aspect of tension needs to be resolved.
Aquarius is avant-garde and futuristic. It moves at lightning speed, experimenting with new ideas, with the potential to experience quantum leaps that go beyond the scope of what is considered normal. Aquarius is also very collectively focused— concerned with finding new solutions that can benefit humanity as a whole. With Aquarius, we can never know what will happen next, because the energy is just so fast and sporadic.
This emphasis on innovation, collectivism, and unpredictable change is deeply threatening to Taurus, who would much prefer that things remain the way they’ve always been. Taurus does not like change, whereas Aquarius thrives on it. Similarly, Taurus could be reluctant to adopt Aquarius’ group-oriented concerns, since they are more focused on their own personal survival.
Aquarius challenges Taurus to open their minds to greater possibilities and solutions that they could have never dreamed of. Taurus could be very resistant to Aquarius’ technology, but if they could just open their mind, Taurus could find that the technology greatly improves the quality of their lives. Similarly, Taurus might prefer to not have to worry about the collective as a whole, but maybe doing so is the very thing that would help them survive.
However it manifests, Aquarius will hit Taurus like a lightning strike, but it could be exactly what Taurus needs in order to change with the times and keep going into the future.
Reflections to Consider
I’ve grown to have tremendous respect for the Taurus archetype. I’ve found that when Taurus and the 2nd house truly align with their values and self-worth, they are some of the most grounded and embodied people.
I’ve come to admire the resistance or firmness that Taurus can have as well. Sometimes, resistance is what helps us honor ourselves when in the face of pressure or persuasion— resistance can even save our lives. Especially in this world of constant distraction and new fads, I see how Taurus’ resistance serves to protect themselves from self-sabotage, honoring their personal values. While Taurus can be slow to change or adapt, maybe they can help us get back to the basics, learn how to keep it simple, and remember what it means to live well
If you have strong Taurus/ 2nd house energy, here are some reflections for you to consider.
How well am I caring for my physical vessel?
What are my values?
Am I living a life that aligns with my values?
How am I managing my resources?
In what ways does my routine support me, and in what ways does it hold me back?
In what ways am I afraid of change?
What risks have I taken, and what happened? Would I do it again?
In what ways am I strong? In what ways could I be stronger?
The Gift of Becoming Your Own Guarantee
In the highest expression, Taurus bestows us the gift of becoming our own guarantee. Simply put, Taurus will always find a way to keep going. They have the self-reliance, resourcefulness, strength, and self-value needed to withstand any storm. Taurus is their own rock. They needn’t look outside for security— everything that they need is already inside themselves.
With their self-value and self-reliance in place, Taurus can relax in the present moment. They can live in peace, calm, and stability, resting assured that they are grounded on earth and within themselves. This high-vibe expression is why Taurus is said to be the sign of the Buddha— pointing us back to contentedness with the present moment.
From this place of embodiment and inner fortitude, Taurus can feel safe stepping outside of their routine and into the unknown. Grounded within themselves, experiencing the fullness and adventure of life isn’t as threatening anymore. No matter what happens in the world, Taurus knows that they have the capacity to do whatever it takes to keep their feet on solid ground.
Where is Taurus in Your Chart?
We all have the Taurus archetype within us, active in some area of our lives. Look to your birth chart to see what house you have Taurus in, and what planets or points are there. Also look to your second house, and the placement of Venus. All of those areas will carry the energy of the Taurus archetype in some way.
