Star Sign Compatibility

For a long time I had on my website detailed descriptions of the compatibilities between the twelve star signs. I even gave them star ratings. The relationship between Aquarius and Cancer got one star, between Aries and Capricorn three stars and between Virgo and Capricorn five.

Looking at the traffic to my website, it was clear that most of my visitors wanted to know about their love life, and in particular their compatibility with their real or hoped-for partners. While I was grateful for this traffic, it seemed out of balance and didn’t reflect what I wanted to concentrate on. I therefore changed the website, and took down all the pages about star signs and compatibility.

That doesn’t mean to say that I am not interested in star signs and romance. Far from it. In the mid-1990s I co-authored a book called Sex, Stars and Seduction, which I am afraid is long out of print. The book was packed with information about the interaction between the twelve signs, and I really do believe that as far as astrology and love are concerned, I know what I’m talking about.

Nonetheless it’s important to get stars signs in perspective. Prior to the Twentieth Century astrologers didn’t categorize people according to their star signs and they certainly didn’t use them to assess romantic compatibility.

However just because a technique has little or no tradition doesn’t mean that it’s irrelevant. By comparing the star signs of two people you can get valuable information about the nature of their relationship. You should realize, though, that star sign compatibility is unlikely to give you an indication of whether or not a relationship will work.

As for the basis of star sign compatibility, it’s all about angles. The twelve signs of the Zodiac are at different angles to each other, and some angles are easier than others. These angles increase by thirty degrees, because the circle of the Zodiac has 360 degrees, and 360 divided by 12 is 30. So we have the sequence 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180.

The sign pairs are as follows:

0 degrees: Aries-Aries, Taurus-Taurus, Gemini-Gemini, Cancer-Cancer, Leo-Leo, Virgo-Virgo, Libra-Libra, Scorpio-Scorpio, Sagittarius-Sagittarius, Capricorn-Capricorn, Aquarius-Aquarius, Pisces-Pisces.

30 degrees: Aries-Pisces, Aries-Taurus, Taurus-Gemini, Gemini-Cancer, Cancer-Leo, Leo-Virgo, Virgo-Libra, Libra-Scorpio, Scorpio-Sagittarius, Sagittarius-Capricorn, Capricorn-Aquarius, Aquarius-Pisces.

60 degrees: Aries-Aquarius, Aries-Gemini, Taurus-Pisces, Taurus-Cancer, Gemini-Leo, Cancer-Virgo, Leo-Libra, Virgo-Scorpio, Libra-Sagittarius, Scorpio-Capricorn, Sagittarius-Aquarius, Capricorn-Pisces.

90 degrees: Aries-Capricorn, Aries-Cancer, Taurus-Aquarius, Taurus-Leo, Gemini-Pisces, Gemini-Virgo, Cancer-Libra, Leo-Scorpio, Virgo-Sagittarius, Libra-Capricorn, Scorpio-Aquarius, Sagittarius-Pisces.

120 degrees: Aries-Sagittarius, Aries-Leo, Taurus-Capricorn, Taurus-Virgo, Gemini-Aquarius, Gemini-Libra, Cancer-Pisces, Cancer-Scorpio, Leo-Sagittarius, Virgo-Capricorn, Libra-Aquarius, Scorpio-Pisces.

150 degrees: Aries-Virgo, Aries-Scorpio, Taurus-Libra, Taurus-Sagittarius, Gemini-Scorpio, Gemini-Capricorn, Cancer-Sagittarius, Cancer-Aquarius, Leo-Capricorn, Leo-Pisces, Virgo-Aquarius.

180 degrees: Aries-Libra, Taurus-Scorpio, Gemini-Sagittarius, Cancer-Capricorn, Leo-Aquarius, Virgo-Pisces.

The starting angle is zero degrees. In other words where two signs are the same. For example a relationship between two Taureans, or two Geminis. Astrologers generally regard this as being fortunate. Two people with the same star sign will often have a similar approach to life, and the mutual chemistry can be quite compelling.

Yet it’s possible that the strong compatibility is too much of a good thing. The couple could get in each other’s way, and start cramping each other’s style. Also, if it’s a heterosexual relationship, the woman may be attracted to the man because he reminds her of her father. This mightn’t always be healthy.

The next angle is 30 degrees, and this describes two signs that are next to each other. Like Aries and Taurus, or Leo and Virgo. On the face of it two signs that are next to each other won’t get on very well, because these signs will always be very different from one another. In practice 30 degree relationships often work well, and this might have something to do with the fact that the planets Mercury and Venus are never too far from the Sun.

So a lot of people with the Sun in Leo will have Mercury or Venus, or both, in the following sign of Virgo. As a result many Leos can form excellent relationships with Virgoans.

Probably the best angle is 60 degrees, where the signs are two apart. For example Aries-Gemini, or Virgo-Scorpio. There’s a general sympathy between the two signs, but they’re sufficiently different not to step on each other’s toes. So if you’re looking for a long-term relationship, with minimal aggravation, this might be the combination to go for.

Signs which are 90 degrees apart are often powerfully attracted to each other, even though their differences tend to outweigh their similarities. There might be passion, but there could also be plenty of arguments.

An example of a 90 degree relationship is that between Bill and Hillary Clinton. He’s a Leo, she’s a Scorpio.

Relationships between signs that are 120 degrees apart can be very harmonious. Things run smoothly, and there’s a natural understanding between the two parties. It’s because signs that are 120 degrees from each other have the same element. So Taurus and Capricorn are both Earth signs, Libra and Aquarius both Air signs.

When signs are 150 degrees apart they have nothing in common, all things being equal, and it’s probably a combination to avoid. Though it doesn’t seem to bother Barack and Michelle Obama, who are respectively a Leo and a Capricorn.

The most interesting pairs are those that are 180 degrees apart. The two signs are on opposite sides of the Zodiac, and there can be a compulsive chemistry.

However just because two people are attracted to each other doesn’t mean that they should have a relationship. The 180 degree combination can be stormy and even self-destructive.

Criminal duo Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow – better known as Bonnie and Clyde – had their star signs 180 degrees from each other. Bonnie Parker was a Libra, Clyde Barrow an Aries. Their relationship was dynamic and exciting, but it ended in a hail of bullets.

Of course that’s an extreme example. 180 degree relationships don’t have to end badly, but there’s a fundamental tension, that could have explosive results.

I’ve now covered the underlying structure of star sign compatibility. It’s clear that the star sign approach to relationships is very general, and it’s hampered by the fact that it doesn’t take into account other factors in the horoscope, for example the Moon, Venus and Mars.

Given these circumstances, you should avoid getting either excited or disappointed by star sign compatibility. If you’re an Aries, and you’re crazy about someone who is also an Aries, don’t think that just because you’ve got the same star signs you can have a happy relationship with them. On the other hand if you’re a Leo, and you’ve just discovered that the man or woman of your dreams is a Pisces, don’t cry yourself to sleep in despair!

Instead regard star sign compatibility as a way of giving yourself some extra information. It can provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of a particular relationship, and it can give you guidance about the best way of interacting with your partner.

And given the general nature of this kind of astrology, I would strongly recommend that you don’t accept or reject someone just because they’ve got the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ star sign.

Archie Dunlop is a professional astrologer. He has written books on astrology, and has taught the subject at all levels. In his work he uses both Eastern and Western techniques, and has a particular interest in politics and economics.