Are you someone who uses the silent treatment when dealing with your partner or other people who are close to you? It’s not the kindest thing you can do; in fact, it’s up there with other kinds of emotional abuse.

Not everybody can simply stop talking to someone or ignore them, but certain zodiac signs in astrology use the silent treatment from time to time. For some, they may be extremely limited with their communication skills and have no idea on how to handle a charged emotional situation, so they employ the silent treatment. 

It’s hard to know what to do when someone stops talking to you. Do you pretend everything is fine and keep trying to engage them in conversation? Or, do you do nothing and allow the relationship to die?

Silence isn’t always uncomfortable. If you have a toxic family, the silent treatment doesn’t have the same kind of impact it would if you weren’t familiar with it. The usage of the silent treatment can do a lot of harm, especially if it goes on for a long while.

1. PISCES (February 19 - March 20)

For some Pisces, the silent treatment is a less hurtful way of dealing with a problem. No, that isn't a logical thing for them to assume. They think if they don't say anything for a while, it will give them time to cool off, and once they've processed their feelings, they'll be better able to engage in a rational conversation.

However, this theory is dependent on the other person understanding the reason for the silence and not taking this behavior personally. That's a lot to expect of someone and, oftentimes, things are worse than before Pisces stopped talking.

RELATED: 5 Strange Myths & Facts About The Pisces Zodiac Sign You Should Know (Even If You Don't Believe In Astrology)

2. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)

For Taurus, the silent treatment is a way to deal with a perceived hurt or injustice. Since Taurus are stubborn, it may take them a long time to get to the point where they can talk to the person who hurt them without feeling furious. It's not unlike Taurus to thaw and then get angry again immediately. It takes time and a lot of thinking about an issue for them to want to engage again.

Unlike some of the other zodiac signs, it's not a good idea to challenge Taurus on their silent treatment; it will only make them more angry. Once they start talking again, don't think that means the problem has been solved; if anything, it means the discussion has just begun. 

RELATED: 25 Best Taurus Tattoo Ideas & Bull Tattoos For Taurus Zodiac Signs

3. LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)

Libras don't love confrontation and will do a lot to avoid having it, even if that means not dealing with their feelings. If Libra is mad at someone, they may want distance, and one way to get that is to stop talking to them or engaging them in any way.

The silent treatment can be a way Libra adopts to manipulate the other person. It's one way to alert someone that you're angry with them and get them to give you some attention without having to ask for it in a direct way. This individual may have difficulty asserting themselves, and the silent treatment may seem a less-threatening way to do so.

RELATED: Which Zodiac Signs Are The Most (And Least) Compatible With Libra

4. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)

What do Aquarius people really hate? Big emotional displays from other people. Aquarius would rather have dental surgery than have to comfort someone through a meltdown. So, Aquarius isn't the most touchy-feely of the zodiac signs and would rather stop talking than tell someone they're upset.

It's almost impossible to open up to someone if all you're getting in response is silence. Don't underestimate the power of detachment for manipulating others. If the silent treatment makes Aquarius' partner desperate to get back into their good graces, that's a bonus. 

RELATED: 5 Compelling Reasons Why Everyone Should Date An Aquarius (At Least Once)

5. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)

It's ironic that a zodiac sign so well-known for being able to talk to people would employ the silent treatment. Most of the time they use it because they never learned how to express their negative emotions assertively. It can be easier for Sagittarius to just stop talking and go somewhere else, with the hope that when they come back, the whole thing has been forgotten.

However, If Sagittarius' partner has cheated on them or done something unforgivable, they can get very cold and make that silent treatment feel worse than if they were yelling and screaming. In fact, their partner would probably prefer an expression of real emotion rather than silence.

RELATED: The 7 Dark Sides To The Sagittarius Zodiac Sign, According To Astrology

Christine Schoenwald is a writer, performer, and astrology lover. She has written over 500 articles on the zodiac signs and how the stars influence us. She's had articles in The Los Angeles Times, Salon, Woman's Day, and is a contributing writer to Ravishly, I AM & CO, and YourTango. Check out her website or and her Instagram.