Written in the Stars: Astrology Compatibility 101

Photo: Pexels

Words: Jaden Johnson

Astrology is often relegated to being a mixture of pseudoscience and misplaced psychobabble that holds no place in any serious conversation. This overly simplified rhetoric discounts the centuries' worth of knowledge located in a system that seamlessly blends psychology, the occult, and the patterns seen in daily social interaction. Just as the stars influence you as an individual, they will also influence the way you interact intimately with others, making a basic understanding of the signs a skill to cherish.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) and Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Cancer’s fulfillment is driven by the desire to nourish the people they love the most; they carry a deep connection with their family, ancestors, and past lives. Taurus thrives in the material world. Ruled by the 2nd House, Taurus knows the value of the dollar on top of understanding how to sustainably financially provide for themselves. 

Taurus's financial stability and grounded sensibilities give Cancer a sense of safety. Cancer can pour into Taurus by creating a space that inspires vulnerability to the sometimes more secretive Taurus. The homebody Taurus and the caretaker Cancer can create a pairing that doesn’t mind disappearing from the world to their own personally curated sanctum.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) and Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

On the surface, this pairing may appear like people who exist on different sides of the spectrum; likewise, both signs carry a strong passion for conversation and learning. Mercury (ruling Virgo) is the planet of communication and is responsible for how we process the information we intake. Jupiter (ruling Sagittarius) rules education, philosophy, and religion. This allows Virgo and Sagittarius to be strong conversationalists who can provide equal intellectual stimulation for each other. 

Not only will they inspire each other, but their differing natures will challenge their preconceived ideas on how to live life. Virgo’s solution-oriented ways will hold Sagittarius accountable for being the root of many of their problems, and Sagitarrius will push Virgo to live life outside of the confines of their rigid and sometimes unnecessary strictness. Their mutual interest in the world and their contrasting approaches will constantly give this pair something to learn from one another. 

 Leo (July 23-August 22) and Libra (September 23-October 22)

This is a pairing that has no qualms with basking in the opulence that life can provide at its fullest. Leo is ruled by the 5th House, meaning these people live life simply for pleasure, and this perfectly mirrors Libra’s Venusian qualities. This powerfully creative duo will encourage each other’s self-expression rather than stifle it. Date night can be a stroll through an art museum, jazz in the park after a gourmet meal, and activities that play up both party’s love to be spoiled.

While this couple can have a positive, expressive, and mutually beneficial relationship, both individuals must gain control of their selfish tendencies. Leo can find themselves wrapped solely in their pleasure and may forget to think outside of themselves. Libra, while known to be very romantic, can sometimes be a bit of a flirt and teeter the line of cheating in a way that does not work with Leo’s possessiveness. Both parties must learn to put someone before themselves before they can truly reap the benefits of a relationship together.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18) and Gemini (May 21-June 21)

Aquarius and Gemini can provide each other a level of mental nourishment similar to Virgo and Sagittarius, but this duo will better relate to each other’s lifestyles. Both being air signs, Aquarius and Gemini equally value having freedom and the agency to exercise one's will over one's own life while letting other people do the same. They share a similar fear of being tied down, and while this may scare other signs, they will be able to find comfort in both of their more unconventional outlooks on typical relationship dynamics.

This pairing may struggle with the lack of definition between them. Aquarius and Gemini similarly retreat and become emotionally unavailable when they feel too pushed or trapped. So, both parties need to be willing to unpack their avoidant attachment styles and fully express their boundaries on exactly what they’re looking for. This duo can easily waste each other’s time because air signs generally lack good confrontation skills. 

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) and Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Capricorns are known to be very grounded in the real world. Being ruled by the 10th house, this makes this sign care about their career, public image, and gives them the ability to leave something tangible behind once they are gone. Conversely, characterized by their connection to the dream world and their highly spiritual approach to life, Pisces, ruled by Neptune, are very imaginative people who can get lost in their fantasies and occasionally, delusions. 

Seemingly opposite, many people would assume that Pisces is too idealist for the realist Capricorn, and Capricorn lacks enough wonder to keep up with Pisces. This is what makes this pairing work. While Pisces is intuitive and knowledgeable of all that lies behind the veil of this realm, they can find themselves floating without a tether back to the objective truth. Capricorns, as grounded as they are, can sometimes fall into pessimistic tendencies due to their black-and-white vision of the world. Together, Pisces can push Capricorn to find fulfillment outside of material accomplishment, and Capricorn will push Pisces to get a grip when needed.

Aries (March 21-April 19) and Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Although elemental opposites, Aries and Scorpio share rulership with Mars, making these people aggressive, determined, and sensual. Both have the drive to get what they want, and that works in their favor when what they want is each other. Co-ruled by Pluto, Scorpio’s seductive persona and mysterious aura inspires a chase in Aries, and the heat of Mars keeps the fire alive between them. 

This is the makings of an intense experience where both individuals must maintain emotional regulation to avoid blowing each other’s fuse. On a positive note, this intensity allows them to face confrontation head-on rather than letting their problems fade into passive-aggressive subtext. Aries and Scorpio will constantly challenge each other for domination, which keeps the easily bored Aries interested. Scorpio is kept interested because Aries is one of the only other signs that can match their level of passion, obsession, and sexuality.