What your star sign says about your relationships
Is love written in the stars? Here’s what astrology says about your compatibility with romantic partners, friends, colleagues and relatives.
Contrary to popular belief, astrological compatibility isn’t restricted to romantic pairings – it also has a bearing on relationships with friends, colleagues and family.
“Any type of successful relationship comes down to compatibility,” says Vanessa Montgomery, leading astrologist and author of Star Power.
Vanessa says one of the easiest ways to understand compatibility is to group star signs by their element – fire, water, earth or air.
“To put it simply, there’s a natural compatibility between certain elements,” she says.
“With peers you have a little more detachment than an intimate partnership, so there’s more room to move. In fact, some signs and placements work better as mates rather than romantic pairings.”
You will find signs that belong to your own element the easiest to understand. Air and fire complement one another, as do water and earth, says Vanessa.
“Opposites also attract, to an extent. The signs across from each other in the astrological wheel form a polarity on the same spectrum. Like a colour wheel, opposites can balance each other out,” she says.
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How to test your star sign compatibility
“To really test your compatibility with someone, you need to scratch beneath the surface – start by learning both your birth charts,” Vanessa says.
You can find birth/natal chart generators, but you’ll need to know both people’s birth time, date and location for accurate results.
“Compare moon signs to reveal emotional compatibility, Mercury for communication, Venus for love and Mars for desire and action. The sign the planet is in will tell you how to read that planet,” Vanessa explains.
“For example, say your Venus is in Aries; that suggests you’re assertive and forthright with how you show love. Now say your partner’s Venus is in Virgo; who are far less direct with romance and love.
“This highlights an incompatibility as far as love and displays of affection are concerned. It doesn’t mean it’s a deal breaker, but perhaps you’re romantically misaligned or better off as friends.”
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Vanessa stresses the importance of birth chart compatibility in reflecting the strength of a pairing.
But she says sun sign compatibility – that is, what we generally recognise as our star sign in horoscopes – does provide a gateway to better understanding which personalities mesh or clash.
Any type of successful relationship comes down to compatibility
What astrology says about sun sign compatibility in relationships
Aries (March 18 – April 19)
Energetic, fiery and sure of themselves, Aries tend to have strong personalities. Luckily for them, others usually respond favourably, making them popular among peers. Their best pairings – romantic or otherwise – are Libra, Leo and Sagittarius.
Famous pairings: Heath Ledger (Aries) and Naomi Watts (Libra), Kelly Ripa (Aries) and Mark Consuelos (Libra), Martin Short (Aries) and Steve Martin (Leo), Ben Affleck (Leo) and Jennifer Garner (Aries).
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Endearingly stubborn (if that’s a thing), those who are Taurus tend to be practical and a little guarded. Like other Earth signs, they initially have their walls up, but once they come out of their shells, they’re actually big softies. As for their best pairings, Virgo, Pisces and Scorpio fit the bill.
Famous pairings: Penelope Cruz (Taurus) and Javier Bardem (Pisces), Amy Poehler (Virgo) and Tina Fey (Taurus)
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
It’s difficult for Geminis to connect with others because their split personalities can be misread. That said, their charm and affectionate tendencies will appeal to Aquarians and Librans as well as fellow Geminis.
Famous pairings: Johnny Depp (Gemini) and Vanessa Paradis (Aquarius), Johnny Depp and Kate Moss (Aquarius) Kim Kardashian (Libra) and Kanye West (Gemini), Courteney Cox (Gemini) and Jennifer Aniston (Aquarius), Nicole Kidman (Gemini) and Lenny Kravitz (Gemini)
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Known for being warm, emotional and intense, Cancerians wears their heart on their sleeves, for better or worse. Ruled by their feelings, they’re prone to moodiness and intuition. Their best matches are Scorpio, Pisces and Virgo.
Famous pairings: Ariana Grande (Cancer) and Pete Davidson (Scorpio), Harrison Ford (Cancer) and Calista Flockhart (Scorpio), Tom Hanks (Cancer) and Rita Wilson (Scorpio), Steve Irwin (Pisces) and Terry Irwin (Cancer), Courtney Love (Cancer) and Kurt Cobain (Pisces), Khloe Kardashian (Cancer) and Tristan Thompson (Pisces), Ed Kavalee (Cancer) and Sam Pang (Scorpio)
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
A little dramatic for some, Leos can be an acquired taste as they expect to be centre of attention. Thankfully, most people naturally gravitate to them thanks to their kindness, humor and charismatic aura. Leos’ best matches are Sagittarius, Aries, Libra as well as other Leos.
Famous pairings: Kylie Jenner (Leo) and Jordyn Woods (Libra), Jennifer Lopez (Leo) and Ben Affleck (Leo), Dylan Spouse (Leo) and Barbara Palvin (Libra)
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
When it comes to sensible star signs, there’s no one more practical and goal-oriented than Virgos. Nurturing, hard-working and rule-abiding, they think rationally and gravitate to people of a similar mindset. Their best pairings are fellow earth signs, Taurus and Capricorn, as well as Cancer.
Famous pairings: Chris Brown (Taurus) and Kerrueche Tran (Virgo), Kenan Thompson (Taurus) and Kel Mitchell (Virgo), Nick Jonas (Cancer) and Priyanka Chopra (Virgo)
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
One of the most inoffensive astrological signs, there’s a lot to like about Librans thanks to their peaceful and harmonious tendencies. Often the middleman, they help mediate and prevent conflict among peers. They’re also considerably vain, appreciate art and typically have expensive, materialistic taste. Their best pairings being Leos, Geminis and Aquarians.
Famous pairings: Snoop Dogg (Libra) and Martha Stewart (Leo), Serena Williams (Libra) and Meghan Markle (Leo), Matt Damon (Libra) and Ben Affleck (Leo), Matt Damon (Libra) and Chris Hemsworth (Leo)
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
Impulsive, head-strong and passionate, you’d think the fiery temperament of a Scorpio would equate to a fire sign. Surprisingly, Scorpios are a water sign and as such, are most compatible with fellow water signs Pisces and Cancer, as well as Taurus.
Famous pairings: Goldie Hawn (Scorpio) and Kurt Russell (Pisces), Drake (Scorpio) and Rihanna (Pisces), Richard Burton (Scorpio) and Elizabeth Taylor (Pisces)
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
Inquisitive and adventurous, this fire sign surrounds itself with like-minded, free-spirited individuals. Because of this, they tend to get bored easily, which means their relationships with others tends to be fast and fleeting or forever evolving; there’s no in between. Their best matches are Aries, Leo, Aquarius and Pisces.
Famous pairings: Britney Spears (Sagittarius) and Justin Timberlake (Aquarius), Felicity Huffman (Sagittarius) and William H. Macy (Aries)
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Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
Practical task makers, people with this sign tends to be ambitious yet realistic with their goals. Their sensitivity and lack of humor might come off a little dry initially, but you’ll warm to them. Underneath the serious bravado, they tend to be big kids. As for their best pairings, Capricorns match well with fellow earth signs Taurus and Virgo in addition to Cancer.
Famous pairings: Zayn Malik (Capricorn) and Gigi Hadid (Virgo), Humphrey Bogart (Capricorn) and Lauren Bacall (Virgo), Orlando Bloom (Capricorn) and Miranda Kerr (Taurus), Norman Reedus (Capricorn) and Diane Kruger (Cancer), Jared Leto (Capricorn) and Cameron Diaz (Virgo)
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
People with this star sign tend to march to their own beat and are known for being a little eccentric and emotionally detached. Assertive but easy going, they value their independence and need a partner who can respect that. Their best matches are fellow air signs Gemini and Libra, but Leos are also a good match, platonic or otherwise.
Famous pairings: The Weeknd (Aquarius) and Bella Hadid (Libra), John Travolta (Aquarius) and Kelly Preston (Libra), Isla Fisher (Aquarius) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Libra), Mila Kunis (Leo) and Ashton Kutcher (Aquarius), Jennifer Aniston (Aquarius) and Justin Theroux (Leo), Kate Beckinsale (Leo) and Martin Sheen (Aquarius)
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Much like fellow water signs Cancer and Scorpio, Pisceans are ruled by their feelings. They’re also highly imaginative and love to daydream. What they really need is a partner who can inspire them to turn their dreams into a reality. Best matches are fellow water signs Cancer and Scorpio as well Sagittarius.
Famous pairings: Hailey Baldwin (Sagittarius) and Justin Bieber (Pisces), Justin Bieber (Pisces) and Selena Gomez (Cancer)
Written by Charlotte Brundrett.
