April Horoscopes: Which Bean Are You? (Yes, Beans)
Sadly, we can’t predict how long we’ll be self-isolating at home. But the stars do foretell some bright spots in your kitchen’s future. Because we heard you’ve stocked up on beans. So many beans! It just felt like the right moment to find out which bean pairs best with each sign of the zodiac. Find out yours—with a bonus bean recipe—below.
And if you need more guidance, here are 7 tips for cooking dried beans.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Michelle Gatton1/12Aries: Red Beans
Even though this may be the first year you’ll be staying in on your birthday (we’re sorry, fearless Aries!), we know you’ll find a way to make it memorable. You’re a ball of spontaneous energy, and by the end of a long day at home, you need to blow off some steam. You’re a red bean, Aries, especially when they’re cooked with tons of spices like in Cajun red beans and rice (or the spicy soup pictured here). This is the bean that can handle your flame-throwing tendencies (you know what we mean).
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott2/12Taurus: Navy Beans
When you get moving, you’re unstoppable; but once that momentum slows, it’s difficult for you to get going again. If your life has become an endless stream of Netflix dramas and frozen pizzas lately, may we suggest a nice pot of beans? You’re a reliable navy bean, Taurus. The small white bean is quick-cooking (perfect for the limits of your attention span) and easy to find (so reliable, like you). It’s especially comforting in this escarole-filled soup.
Alex Lau3/12Gemini: Jacob’s Cattle Beans
You have the gift of looking at life from multiple viewpoints. On one hand, the extra downtime has given you space to learn a few new tricks (by tricks we mean TikTok dances), on the other hand...you might be driving someone you live with crazy. You’re a lovely Jacob's Cattle bean. Some are deep magenta, others have cow-like white speckles. They’re especially pretty in a spring bean salad. Another new trick for you to learn, Gemini.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Yekatarina Boytsova4/12Cancer: Black Beans
At first, you were secretly thrilled about quarantine (you love being home), but once it became clear that this was a more-than-two-week-thing, reality hit. You miss your friends and family, but FaceTime will have to do for now. You have a nurturing nature, Cancer. And so do hearty black beans. Beans and rice, black bean soup, make something that’ll comfort you with the bean you can always count on. Then schedule a group call with your family and share the recipe (and love).
Alex Lau5/12Leo: Black-Eyed Peas
All dressed up and nowhere to go? That’s never stopped you before, glamorous Leo. Selfies. All day, every day. Instagram story dance parties. We can count on you to bring the warmth we need in these gloomier times. You stand out like a black-eyed pea. These lucky beans can take on a lot of flavors, (sort of like you and those Instagram filters) and you can spot them a mile away. Never thought you’d have so much in common with a bean, didja?
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Molly Baz, prop styling by Emily Eisen6/12Virgo: Chickpeas
As the germaphobe of the zodiac, you are justified in your worrying this month. Focus on being grateful for the simple pleasures in life, do what you can, let go of what you can’t, and stick to what you know. You’re a chickpea. They’re the versatile, hardworking bean of the bunch. Soup, pasta, hummus, smashed on a sandwich? Chickpeas can do it all.
Alex Lau7/12Libra: Lima Beans
You’ve been looking on the bright side, Libra, and that kind of thinking is good for the immune system. You tend to see both sides to every story, which is why you’re a lima bean. Even-keeled, and while some people love it, some don’t (but let’s ignore them). This big and buttery bean is delicious pickled, in salads, and in soups. So many options! And now...we have the time.
Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Chris Morocco8/12Scorpio: Pinto Beans
You’re suddenly realizing how much of a recluse you really are (life hasn’t changed that much for you, has it?). You already had a toilet paper stash, resourceful Scorpio. Which is why you’re a strategic pinto bean. The resilient, trustworthy bean can be a star in soup, charro beans, or get mashed into refried smithereens. It’s there for you when needed. And now’s the time of need.
Photo by Gentl & Hyers9/12Sagittarius: Mixed Heirloom Beans
You’re having a hard time isolating, freedom-loving Sag. Make sure you’re getting those walks in, and squeeze in as much vicarious adventure as you can, whether it’s wandering via Google maps or watching travel documentaries. In the bean dept., you’re a grab bag of mixed heirloom beans. Each one offers a different path, though they all work together in a beautiful creamy broth. Take all the variety you can get right now, Sag.
Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Mariana Velasquez10/12Capricorn: Cannellini Beans
If anyone knows how to strategically ration, it’s you, Capricorn. You take numbers seriously and have an eye for the long-term. You’re a no-frills, high-protein cannellini bean. This efficient white bean can go in anything: soups and stews, blended into dip, roasted in a pan with fish, tossed with broccoli and anchovies (pictured here). You’ve maybe even considered planting them...you know… just in case. Earth signs know that you can never be too prepared.
Alex Lau11/12Aquarius: Mayocoba Beans
You’ve probably been maintaining an emergency food supply since 2012 when the Mayan calendar ended (anticlimactically). But this is finally your moment to shine, forward-thinking Aquarius. You’re a golden Mayocoba bean, a thin-skinned but soft and meaty bean that can stand up to pressure cooking. You know a bit about that. Use it in soups or salads, or in place of pintos in refried beans.
Photo by Alex Lau, prop styling by Kendra Smoot12/12Pisces: Butter Beans
When it comes to reclusive habits, Pisces should be on a soapbox giving the rest of us advice, even if you’re having long conversations with your houseplants at this point. You’re a butter bean, an XL lima bean that’s surreally big and fun to eat. Like you, it knows the power of exaggeration. This isn’t a bean to hide in dips or at the bottom of a stew pot. Let it shine in salads (like the one pictured here with a zingy tomato vinaigrette) or be the star of a veggie ragout.
Catherine Urban is an astrologer from Cleveland Ohio and is the author of Your Astrological Cookbook: The Perfect Recipe for Every Sign. Connect on Instagram @astrocatherine