Yin and Yang Hatch a Plot.

Yin describes the receptive, responsive part of a character’s psyche, the Jungian anima.  

Yang is the opposite, the active, initiatory anima.

Most of us know our Sun’s astrological sign. We also may choose a Sun sign for our hero and heroine. Every realistic character has both yin and yang qualities. Flat, one-dimensional, stereotypic characters have only yin or only yang.

Aries is yang. Aries are exuberant, fiery, impulsive, quick, initiatory, self-starting

Taurus is yin. They are practical, persistent, possessive, sensual, tenacious, retentive.

Gemini is yang: verbal, mental, social, changeable, curious, versatile

Cancer is yin: sensitive, emotional, clinging, protective, nurturing.

Leo is yang: dominant, proud, regal, obstinate, generous, showy.

Virgo is yin: observant, discriminatory, logical, practical, flexible, critical, healing.

Libra is yang: companionable, diplomatic, conciliatory, indecisive, partnering.

Scorpio is yin: tenacious, deep, retentive, passionate, vengeful, sexual, secretive.

Sagittarius is yang: idealistic, expansive, optimistic, unrestrained, scattered.

Capricorn is yin: controlled, ambitious, cold, practical, cautious, responsible.

Aquarius is yang: reasoning, intelligence, stubborn, anarchistic, unconventional, independent, humanitarian.

Pisces is yin: emotional, intuitive, unclear, compassionate, sacrificing, fluctuating, flowing, structureless.

Need sparks between characters? Pair up a proud, obstinate yang Leo with a fiery, impulsive, impatient yang Aries. Yang and yang don’t mix.

Need compatibility? Introduce a yang Sagittarius to a yin Cancer. The Sag wants to try everything while the Cancer is happy to stay home and tend the fire.

Need to complicate things? Make a yang Libra choose between a yin Taurus and an yin Capricorn. Libra can’t ever make up her mind. Meanwhile Taurus is her capable Beta assistant her and Capricorn is her Alpha sky’s-the-limit boss.