Why do some among us crave the cortisol spike of adventure while others prefer more peaceful pastimes? Do the stars incline us towards the pleasures of peril?
Adventure travel is a niche kind of tourism that emphasizes a varying degree of risk which may or may not require physical stamina, balls of steel or a vague death wish.
Recent research reveals that many among us are on the hunt for a hit of danger with online searches for “overseas adventure travel” up 39% compared to last year with an average of 24,000 searches each month.
The pursuit of the mountain top and the critical edge is a trajectory ingrained in the human species whose mantra seems always to be ‘further,’ and more.
To help align adventure with astrological energy we’ve enlisted the help of mystic, psychic and tarot reader Inbaal Honigman.
Read on to learn more, live life and taste death, my babies.
ARIES (March 21 – April 19)
Mountain climbing
As the first sign in the zodiac and the one with the heftiest warrior/hero complex, Aries equals conquest, high stakes and maximum payoff. Aries wants to get to the top first with the sheen of sweat and the aura of accomplishment hanging tight to their erect nipples.
As Honigman expounds, “Individuals born under the sign of the Ram possess a unique combination of natural strength and agility. This makes mountain climbing the ideal activity for them, providing the perfect outlet to unleash their inner confidence and embrace their untamed and adventurous side.”
For the truly horned and unhinged, free soloing offers the ultimate risk and reportedly, the highest of highs.
TAURUS (April 20 – May 20)
River rafting
Taurus is the zodiac’s first earth sign and ruled as they are by Venus, tend towards lush and awe-inspiring natural settings where they can frolic, picnic and roll about nude in the clover or skinny dip in pristine waters. They prefer the bucolic to the bracing and white water rafting offers beautiful views and varying degrees of physical danger.
Bonus: Taurus fares better in small groups and most river trips are at max a six-pack of strangers.
Honigman explains, “Those under the sign of the Bull, they have a natural inclination toward enjoying more relaxed and seated activities. River rafting aligns perfectly with their preferences, offering a splendid choice that combines the excitement of adventure with the comfort of sitting down, allowing them to savor the best of both worlds.”
A seated, sensory experience that delivers a natural high? Pure bull bliss.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)
Tandem kayaking
Gemini is the sign of the twins and as mutable air likes to get thrown in the mix, or the open ocean, ideally with a loquacious pal that wants to discuss the secrets of the universe, true crime and the fate of mankind. Preferring to burn calories while conversing, Geminis thrive in a tandem kayak under the warmth of the sun and in the company of others.
CANCER (June 21 – July 22)
Whale watching
As cardinal water and rulers of the fourth house of ancestry, Cancer folk are deeply moved by the moods of the sea and the tender ties of their fellow mammals.
As Honigman explains, “Those born under the sign of the Crab value family bonds and relationships above all else. It’s not uncommon for a Cancer to shed a tear of empathy and admiration when observing these magnificent marine creatures sharing moments of love and togetherness, as it resonates deeply with their own values of closeness and affection within their cherished relationships.”
Openly weeping while watching sentient beings on the high seas? No finer way to wile (or whale) away the hours.
LEO (July 23 – August 22)
Heli-skiing
Living close to, or through, their own inner child, Leo is the yes man of the zodiac with no challenge to great nor party too late to arouse their interest. Ruled by the sun, Leo is also the patron saint of stage and screen and there are few experiences more cinematic/majestic/worthy of capturing than heli-skiing. Ever ready to level up by hurling themselves to great heights and heightened states of bliss, heli-skiing speaks to the lionheart of fixed fire.
VIRGO (August 23 – September 22)
Mountain biking
As mutable earth, Virgo appreciates an efficient route through the road less traveled and mountain biking affords them the control they need and the challenge they crave. To Virgo, the body is a temple and on trail or off, mountain biking allows this ilk to take in the sights without the threat of death or dismemberment that other adventure travel promises.
LIBRA (September 23 – October 22)
Horseback riding
From riding crops to cowboy hats, paddock boots or saddle blankets, equestrian is a look and Venus ruled Libra will celebrate the chance to channel a character through thorough appropriate accessories. While I often deride Libras for their inability to commit or incite, their genteel and generally gentle natures are a perfect fit for creating an equitable relationship dynamic and forging a bond with these mystical mammals.
SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21)
Northern Lights
Scorpios love anything done in the dark, between the veil and beyond the pale; illicit trysts, murder, laser tag, ghost stories etc, making an otherworldly Northern Lights Tour an apt adventure for this fixed water sign.
Honigman expounds, “The unpredictable aspects of this experience add an exhilarating edge as they wonder whether they’ll encounter the elusive lights. Individuals born under the sign of the Scorpion have an innate affinity for adventures that unfold under the cover of the night. Whether it’s stargazing, nocturnal wildlife encounters, or any other activity that thrives in the moon’s glow, Scorpios find profound satisfaction in exploring the mysteries that come alive when the world is asleep.”
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21)
Scuba diving
Sagittarius is the sign of expansion and adventure. The zodiac’s resident explorer, archers live to find the edge’s of the world and the bounds of reality. Scuba diving affords them the opportunity to go not just far out but in deep.
As Honigman relates, “Life underwater is like traveling to a different realm – the sounds, sights and senses are totally different which makes the experience otherworldly. They relish the particular form of sensory deprivation that scuba diving offers, as it allows them to escape into an enchanting aquatic universe, where the ordinary rules of gravity and perception are lost.”
No rules and a chance to peer beyond the heady, heavy doors of perception? Right on, game on.
CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19)
Snowmobiling
Be it an exquisite casino, a deserted island, a mountain lair or a frozen tundra, if the location/conditions are extreme and the feel is bougie with high chances of challenge, sea goats will come running, or striding in with a superiority complex as it were. As Honigman explains, “If it looks like a Bond scene, Capricorn will have a go.”
AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18)
Glacier walking
As the sign of progress, revolution, humanism and high ideals, environmental protection is a chief concern of Aquarians. Honigman explains, “Their values are central to the way they approach adventures. Issues such as glacier conservation hold a special place in the hearts of water bearers. Their adventures become a platform for raising awareness about pressing global concerns.”
As an aside, though they love their fellow man with a deep and objective fervor water bearers would prefer to spend their time as far away and with as few people as possible, making a remote glacier an appealing destination.
PISCES (February 19 – March 20)
Hot springs bathing
As mutable water and a persistent sponge for the psychic flotsam of others, Pisces feels safest and sweetest at home alone in their bathtub with a bottle of gin, a glitter gun and a water-resistant sex toy within arm’s reach. Fish folk can elevate this experience by slipping into the healing waters of a remote hot spring.
Honigman reveals, “People born under the sign of the Fish have an inherent affinity for both water and warmth, making a dip in a hot spring an absolutely ideal experience for them. It’s in these serene and elemental moments that Pisces individuals truly come alive, reveling in the exquisite harmony of opposites that define their connection to the world around them.” Bless up, fins in.
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. She is also an accomplished writer who has profiled a variety of artists and performers, as well as extensively chronicled her experiences while traveling. Among the many intriguing topics she has tackled are cemetery etiquette, her love for dive bars, Cuban Airbnbs, a “girls guide” to strip clubs and the “weirdest” foods available abroad.