You’re gonna be a contender.
This may be my Virgo Moon & Rising talking, but there’s something a bit magical about that fresh-start, back-to-school energy that comes every September—even if you haven’t sat in a classroom in years. It makes us want to do better, work harder, or at the very least, invest in cool supplies that will help us feel more organized and ready to tackle the year ahead. The stacks of discounted planners and highlighters in the seasonal aisle of the grocery store don’t hurt either…
Well, the headline may have already tipped you off, but finding that star-sanctioned back-to-school (or office!) item is the entire point of this article. So, you know, you’ve come to the right place.
Now, I can only help you so much because I’m past the point of full-time academia; all I study are fairy tales, text message punctuation, and whatever Blake Lively’s wearing on the red carpet. But we do have some cosmic insight courtesy of Rachel Lang, an astrologer, psychic medium, and author of Modern Day Magic: 8 Simple Rules to Realize Your Power and Shape Your Life to guide you on your shopping journey. Below, learn all about the one back-to-school essentials you’ll need to make this year truly gold-star-worthy.
Shop the best back-to-school essentials for your zodiac sign
Aries: A gym bag
Aries always begins the school year with an eye towards success. If they plan to maintain that fiery drive through the year, they want to keep their body as sharp as their mind. “The North Node destiny point is moving through your sign, making it a time to define your purpose,” Lang says. “Because this transit signifies a lot of go-getter energy, you’ll want to stay fit.”
Whether you’re involved in school athletics or need a pre-or-post-class trip to the gym, a new gym bag will keep you moving and motivated.
Taurus: Paint pens
Despite Taurus’s pragmatic and grounded reputation, they’re true artists at heart. Lang reminds us that Taurus is ruled by beauty-loving Venus, and nurturing creative talents like drawing, painting, and graphic design can be a spiritual practice. But if Art School isn’t in the cards, you can embrace your creative side in the everyday.
“Taurus brings beauty to everything they do, whether decorating their space or note-taking,” Lang says. “Paint pens are both functional and creative, helping Taurus make the most of their natural talent for working with color.”
Gemini: Post-It notes
Gemini: Post-it notes
Fast-thinking-talking-doing Gemini is going to have a LOT on their hands during their Emerald year. Like, even more activity than they’re used to as the zodiac’s social butterfly.
“Gemini starts the season with high energy, thanks to Jupiter in their sign,” says Lang. “With so many bright ideas and social activities, Gemini could use sticky notes to post reminders around their space and stay organized at a time when life offers many opportunities all at once.”
Bonus: while studying your stickies can be used as page markers to mark comments or notes in their books. Leave no observation behind!
Cancer: A cozy blanket
Home is truly where the heart is when it comes to crabs, and whether they’re on or off campus, they need to feel safe and secure. Lang recommends a plush blanket to get that hug-from-home feeling when you need support studying or just a little end-of-day comfort.
“Cancer moves through waves of emotions each day, and sometimes, they need to be in solitude to process the experiences related to those emotions,” says Lang. “Curled up under a blanket means Cancer is taking time to nurture themselves and honor their sensitivities.”
Leo: Glitter gel pens
“Inside the heart of every Leo lies a playful inner child who loves things that sparkle,” Lang says, adding that self-expression and artistry are cornerstones to everything they do. She also points out that many Leos don’t actively seek out the spotlight; life just has a way of inviting them onto the center stage. Glitter pens are the perfect match for embracing that natural glow.
“Glitter pens are inconspicuous and not showy,” Lang says. “They’re personal—used for personal notes, invitations, or self-love affirmations.”
Virgo: Aromatherapy diffuser
It may seem a little unexpected for the ever-organized Virgo, but let’s be honest: y’all probably have your back-to-school shopping done at this point. So something a little more self-care oriented will actually heighten your studies or work, and there’s significance in using oils to achieve an optimum ambiance.
“Virgo is the sign of alchemy, ruled by Mercury, which is the planet of daily rituals,” says Lang. “Diffusing essential oils in the room sets a tone—a vibe—that can support Virgo’s spiritual, mental, and physical well-being.”
She adds that Virgo is especially sensitive to their surroundings, so be intentional about the different benefits of essential oils to serve your unique needs.
Libra: A Journal
Let’s face it, Libra, you also probably got a jump-start on the ultimate office space. Your constant quest for knowledge is extra admirable, but sometimes you need help sorting through the mental muck.
“Libra is an air sign with a lot of intellectual activity,” Lang says. “Their minds are always in motion and balancing different perspectives.”
Her solution? Put all your extraneous thoughts and things-to-be-reasoned-with on paper. “Libra needs a daily ritual dedicated to self-awareness; journaling is a great tool,” Lang says. “It helps them clear their minds and attune to their hearts.”
Scorpio: A pencil case with secret compartments
“Scorpios are known for their love of mystery, but most don’t know Scorpio’s secret fears of betrayal and loss,” Lang says. “They protect their hearts because when they love, they love with a fierce passion.”
Awww, you big softies. As a result, having a tricked-out pencil case will help contain and protect everything you need. And yes, it can even keep all your witchier items close at hand—don’t pretend you don’t have a go-to crystal or two! As Lang points out, Scorps are very attuned to magic and ritual, and “a pencil case with a secret compartment gives them a place to store their thoughts, talismans, or amulets.”
Sagittarius: A standing desk
Sagittarius learns best when in motion—you’ll find them often voted “Most Likely to Study Abroad” or “Most Likely to Drop Out Junior Year to Pursue Spiritual Enlightenment in Bali.” If neither is on the agenda for this year, it’ll be freeing to have a desk that adjusts to Sagittarius’s changing mood.
“Sagittarius can feel stifled when sitting in one place for long periods of time,” Lang says. “As a mutable fire sign, they need to move energy through their body—not let it stagnate. An autonomous desk that raises or lowers can allow for an under-the-desk treadmill or exercise bike.”
Capricorn: A productivity planner
“Capricorns need to strive toward an achievable goal—it’s essential for their mental health,” Lang says. “When they have a purpose, they aim their energy toward those dreams.”
Truth, but we also want to make sure Caps stay strategic and avoid burnout. As such, Lang recommends a goal-setting planner. “This type of planner, especially if it has motivational quotes or countdown stickers, could help them track their progress and celebrate each milestone of the process.”
Aquarius: Noise-cancelling headphones
“Aquarius is an air sign, which means their antennae are always up, catching energies and thoughts floating through the air,” Lang says. “Aquarius can be sensitive to noise because of this.”
Listen, Aquarians, we know you already have enough brilliant thoughts floating around in there. And since you’re so technology-oriented, working with something high-tech and digital is to your benefit. So find some solid pink noise or binaural beats and invest in some noise-canceling headphones; the better the sound quality, the better your focus becomes.
Pisces: Watercolor pencils
Like Taurus, Pisces needs a way to channel their creativity, even if they don’t see themselves as artistic. Unlike Taurus, Pisces works better with a tool that embraces a sense of flow and honors the ultra-sensitive nature.
“For mystical, dreamy Pisces, these watercolor pencils let their imagination flow onto the page, creating beautiful artwork with just a splash of water,” Lang says. “Watercolor can be a gentle way to alleviate stress or calm the nervous system. Painting can be so therapeutic, and Pisces, a water sign, resonates with that particular medium.”