How to Know Which Astrological Signs You Are Compatible With

"Which sign am I compatible with?" This is often the very first question that one asks about astrology. Yet the question can never be given a direct and simple answer. Although some "astrologers" may tell you, you are compatible with such and such sign, it is an over-simplification and only misleads the individual. In actuality, sun sign compatibility is only a small part of the complex art of relationship astrology. We will look at the significance of sun signs and what it means to be compatible in this regard; afterward, we will consider how the zodiac signs relate to one another.

What Sun Sign Compatibility Really Means

Just as the sun gives and sustains life on earth, so does it represent life in your astrological birth chart. It is the solar energy that sustains your horoscope and keeps everything in it alive. The zodiac sign of the sun when you were born describes your motivation for living, the drive, the will to survive.

The sun is also your core identity. Your zodiac sun sign is a pattern of energy that you identify with most. As such, it influences your values, opinions and attitude.

Comparing sun signs in relationship astrology is important. By comparing yours with your partner's, you learn how your basic motivations and values match up against one another. If your zodiac signs are compatible, you two are motivated and driven by the same or similar things; your basic personalities are also similar. But they are incompatible, you view life from two very different standpoints, and your psychological motivations are nothing alike.

However, there is no such thing as two people being compatible or incompatible judging solely by the month of their birth.

Basic Astrological Sign Compatibility

Zodiac signs are grouped into male and female signs. 

1. Male signs are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius.
2. Female signs are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces.

The zodiac signs are also classified into four elements. 

1. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are fiery.
2. Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are earthy.
3. Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are airy.
4. Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are watery.

The twelve signs are grouped into three quadruplicities: 

1. Cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
2. Fixed signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
3. Mutable signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Same-sex signs are compatible with one another. They complement each other's qualities very well. Fiery signs give the energy, passion and decisiveness that airy signs lack; airy signs teach fiery signs to consider other points of view and to think before they speak or act. Watery signs give feeling, sensitivity and imagination to overly practical earth signs; earthy signs offer stability and loyalty to the emotionally dependent watery signs.

Same element signs are highly compatible. When you and your partner have the sun in the same element, say a Cancer and a Pisces, you understand each other intuitively, almost effortlessly. But too much similarity can cause a relationship to be too easygoing, lacking in challenges and stimulation. There is nothing to counter your natural tendencies. For instance, two people with earth signs can lack imagination; partners with water signs can be too emotional and caught up in their own inner world to be able to see other people's needs. Couples who both have fiery sun signs can dream up big dreams but lack persistence to see them through. Air signs together can be too intellectual and detached.

Signs that are partly opposite can be compatible. The fiery and earthy signs belong to opposite genders, but they share a "dry" quality. Likewise, the watery and airy signs are opposite sexes, but they share the property of humidity or "wetness." Both water and air signs are emotional and seek connection with others; both fire and earth signs are self-sufficient and unemotional. These pairs can work well together if they can overcome their differences. Earth puts the ideas of fire into action, while fire gives air zest and motivation. For example, Sagittarius dreams big, while Virgo minds the details. Air gives clarity and cheer to water, while water gives air feeling and sensitivity. As an example, Gemini can cheer up Cancer, while Cancer enjoys having someone to talk to about its feelings.

Signs that have no gender or element in common are incompatible. The zodiac signs that are of opposite elements are difficult to reconcile. It may be even harder if they do not share the same quadruplicity. Opposite signs are fiery and watery signs such as Aries and Scorpio, and earthy and airy signs such as Gemini and Capricorn. These zodiac signs have nothing in common. They have completely different ways of expressing themselves. Signs that share the same quadruplicity will be in conflict, but they can have great strength together if it works. Leo and Scorpio are an example: fiery and watery signs that are both fixed. One is outgoing, the other is secretive, but they share passion and dogged persistence.

Sun, Moon and Ascendant Signs

When comparing your zodiac sign with that of another person, you need to take into account the whole chart of each individual. But three factors are especially important in relationship astrology: the sun sign (your birth sign), the moon sign and the ascendant or rising sign. See what your signs are and compare with your partner's. These are a good indicator of astrological compatibility.

True horoscope compatibility is not just about zodiac sign matchmaking; it is about the complex interplay of the birth charts of two unique individuals. Learn more about birth chart compatibility and discover new things about yourself and your mate