A/N: A just-for-fun account of each of the greasers' astrological signs and how it relates to their character. Also potential insights to further character growth not seen in the novel. I have done these in order of the characters' introductions in the book, so Pony will be first and Johnny will be last. I have not included Ophiuchus and am using the old dates on the astrological calendar, as this was the calendar used at the time the book was written.

Ponyboy (Cancer – Leo cusp)

Ponyboy was born, according to S.E. Hinton, on July 22, making him a Cancer, but putting him on the Leo cusp. Ponyboy shows many of the positive traits of a Cancer individual. He is creative, demonstrated in his love for drawing and writing, and he is highly sensitive. Pony is perhaps more keenly attuned to aspects of unfairness within his society. He is able to empathise with people with whom he shares little in common, such as Randy and Cherry Valance. He thinks in abstract ways, imagining his life in the country with his parents still living, and thinking about the consequences of parental abuse for characters like Johnny. All these are positive aspects of a Cancer individual which Pony exemplifies.

There are negative aspects to being a Cancer. Pony is undeniably moody. He runs away from home with the express purpose of sulking (whether he had a good reason or not – his intent was to sulk) and cannot resist speaking extremely negatively of his brother Darry in front of his friends Two-Bit and Johnny and two Soc girls he hardly knew. Pony's overemotional nature causes him to think somewhat extreme thoughts of those around him: at the beginning, he cares little for Darry and sees only that Darry does not care about him, while by contrast he idolizes Soda. Neither of these portraits Pony has painted of his brothers are accurate: we discover that Darry does love Pony as much as he loves Soda, and Soda is an imperfect being, tired of playing the hero.

The closest two relationships Pony has in the book are with Johnny and Soda. Johnny is a Pisces, compatible with Pony's Cancer, but, interestingly, Soda, a Libra, is mismatched.

As a Cancer, Pony, though he does have other school friends, prefers a closer circle of friends and family to form his main emotional support. This is made clear in the novel. Pony is very close to his family, and very close to his gang. This is interesting due to Pony's young age. It's unlikely he was originally school friends with any of the gang. In fact, I theorise that the gang formed predominantly around Soda, the most social of the Curtis brothers whose age closely enough matched the majority of the gang for them to be able to meet in school. Assuming this theory is correct, Pony was most comfortable around his family, so much so that he chose his primary friendship support group from the support group of his brother.

The moon is the ruling planet of Cancer, and water is its element. As such, Ponyboy is adaptable and able to withstand great hardships. This is shown by his remarkably together attitude within the book – only less than a year since his parents died. It is also shown in his adaptability in later life. Conventional wisdom believes that Pony was able to get away from the wrong side of the tracks and lead a new life. This is due to his Cancer nature.

But Pony is not a "pure Cancer": he is also born on the Leo cusp. This is an interesting cusp. While the element of Cancer is water, the element of Leo is fire. While Pony is adaptable, he is also passionate. This can mean both positive and negative things. Pony feels things more than others. He feels things so much they hurt him. As he describes in The Outsiders, greasers feel too much. It is highly likely he was mainly describing himself here: few other characters demonstrated this quite like Pony.

The Cancer-Leo cusp is known as the Cusp of Oscillation. This is clearly demonstrated in Pony's nature. My favourite example of a classic Cancer-Leo moment by Ponyboy is when Cherry questions him about his brother Darry. He had been describing Soda and his horse, and had been feeling quiet and shy about it, not wanting to open up about exactly what followed the selling of Mickey Mouse, but when Cherry asked about Darry, Pony was ruled by the fire element, bursting out angrily about how Darry was nothing like Soda or himself, and did not care about Pony. He was firm in his convictions, refusing to listen to Two-Bit's astonished defense of Darry.

Pony can be somewhat self-absorbed and insensitive. I believe he demonstrates this early in the novel to people like Darry and Steve. He judges them extremely harshly. When Steve questions Pony roughly about why he was walking around alone, Pony immediately assumes the worst and does not give a thought to the possibility that perhaps Steve was genuinely concerned. He does the same to Darry, while having no problem believing Soda's concern for his wellbeing.

As a Cancer-Leo cusp, Pony needs direction for his dramatic nature, a greater purpose. By the end of the novel he finds this greater purpose. He feels the need to tell the world about his story, starting with his English teacher. This is a classic Cancer-Leo thing to do.

With regards to business and finances, Cancers are in need of financial stability and seek to meet this goal. This can be seen in Pony. He demonstrates occasional jealousies and feelings of embarrassment towards his own financial situation. While his moody nature occasionally results in him expressing desires to follow Soda's path and drop out (seen towards the end of the book, when Pony felt Darry was unfairly hassling him about schoolwork), Pony undeniably does dream about financial security, probably to a greater extent than most others in the gang. However, Cancers are capable of sustained hard work which leads to financial security, and Cancer-Leo cusps have the passion needed to succeed big. Cancers gain the most satisfaction feeling they are making a difference.

When it comes to sex, Cancers are as sensitive as they are in any other aspect of their life. They are caring, enjoying foreplay, even massaging their lovers afterwards. The erogenous zone of a Cancer is the chest. However, Pony is a Cancer-Leo cusp. The erogenous zone of Leo is the back, and Leos have excellent back muscles. Leos are extremely talented lovers, though are not ones for experimentation. One can expect Pony to be a very good lover!

As a Cancer, Pony should be wary of illnesses and complaints affecting the stomach. Cancers are prone to indigestion, liver problems, and weight gain later in life. He should also be cautious around alcohol, as Cancers are prone to drink too much due to their water element, while not being terribly good about digesting it.

A/N: This is just for fun. I hope someone else enjoyed it too. I'm going to do a series of these in the order the boys got their main introduction, which means, if I am correct, Darry is up next!

Would love some reviews.