Have you ever wondered why some zodiac signs get along better than others? Why is it that Capricorn and Virgo seem to hit it off but Gemini and Scorpio are at odds? This has a lot to do with astro compatibility. From trines to sextiles to squares and oppositions, there are specific astrological aspects that determine which zodiac signs are likely to be harmonious or disharmonious. It’s important to note that no one is just one sign. We are all a mixture of the 12 zodiac signs throughout our natal chart, and it is important to consider the totality of the natal chart to obtain accurate relationship zodiac compatibility.
Easy Going & Flowing: The TrinesHere’s a brief overview of the trine zodiac signs based on the elements.
Fire signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Air signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
The commonality of the trine signs in the same element creates an understanding of personality. For example, air signs tend to have a cerebral perspective which is also connected with the desire to socialize with others. Now, while the three air signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius tend to use their air element in different ways, these differences are still easily understood among the air signs. Now, if we throw in a water sign such as Cancer, there would be a lack of understanding because Cancer energy operates from the emotional realm which is something that the air signs aren’t necessarily comfortable with given their mental orientation.
Thus, the commonality in elements allows certain zodiac signs to connect effortlessly because they have similar modes of expression. The trine element is harmonious energy that flows without effort.
Working Well Together: The Sextiles
Another group of harmonious astrological aspects includes the sextile zodiac pairings. Sextile energies are related to zodiac signs that are in different elements that work well together. For example, water energy nourishes earth energy. Air energy ignites fire. So, while the elements may be different, when they come together there is support. The major difference between the trine and sextile energies is that sextile zodiac signs require effort to work.
For example, water energy helps earth to become more in touch with their emotions while earth energy helps water become more grounded. Fire energy can help air get out of their heads and actually take action while air energy can help fire think things through before they take action. It is through using the greatest attributes of the particular zodiac sign that the sextile signs work in sync.
Examples of sextile zodiac pairings include:
Earth-Water Combinations: Taurus-Cancer, Virgo-Scorpio, Capricorn-Pisces
Fire-Air Combinations: Aries-Gemini, Leo-Libra, Sagittarius-Aquarius
Clashing: Why Some Astro Signs Don’t Get Along
Now, we move into the realm of the zodiac signs that just don’t get along. These are the zodiac signs that would be considered disharmonious according to astrological standards. The major astrological aspects of discordant signs include oppositions, squares, and conjunctions.
At Odds: The Oppositions
Oppositional energies in astrology are exactly what they sound like. These are the zodiac signs that stand across from each other on the zodiac axis. Here is a brief overview of the oppositional astrology signs.
Aries-Libra
Taurus-Scorpio
Gemini-Sagittarius
Cancer-Capricorn
Leo-Aquarius
Virgo-Pisces
As you can see, these are zodiac signs that are in opposite elements. In some ways, they are the same yet different. For example, both Aries and Libra are cardinal, action-oriented zodiac signs. However, they express their cardinal energy differently. Where Aries is the fiery, straightforward, direct expression of cardinal energy, Libra represents the mental, verbal and social expression of cardinal energy. Aries is often considered straightforward, direct, and in some cases aggressive. Libra is often considered compromising, socially adept, and passive-aggressive.
When considering the differences between Aries and Libra in terms of expression, one can see how these two signs could be at odds if they don’t learn how to appreciate their differences when interacting with one another. It’s like a ping-pong ball going back and forth where without a conscious effort to bring wholeness and balance between the oppositional signs, the differences in expression can lead to issues.
Difficult to Understand: The Squares
The squares are quite difficult and oftentimes these signs usually try to avoid one another as understanding is hard to come by. Examples of square zodiac sign combinations include:
Aries-Capricorn (Fire-Earth)
Taurus-Aquarius (Earth-Air)
Gemini-Pisces (Air-Water)
Cancer-Sagittarius (Water-Fire)
The reason why there’s such a discordance between the square signs is that there is a lack of understanding due to elemental differences. Let’s take the energy of Gemini and Pisces. While both of these signs are mutable, they are operating on different planes. Gemini is ruled by air which is logical and mental whereas Pisces is ruled by emotions which are feeling and intuitive. Because of this, these two signs could have issues understanding why they do what they do. Gemini is uncomfortable with Pisces’ emotions. Pisces may think that Gemini talks too much. Neither one of the signs is wrong. They simply have different ways of expressing themselves. So, when these two signs come together there is an uneasiness, kind of like a square trying to fit into a circle or a circle trying to fit into a square.
Now, just imagine if we have a person who is a Gemini sun and a Pisces Moon. Within that person, there is a conflict between the ego expression of the Gemini sun which is mental and logical, and the emotions and intuitive awareness of the Pisces Moon creating an internal struggle between the sun and moon expression within that person. To make square energy work, a lot of patience and freedom of expression despite the lack of understanding is necessary. Square energy isn’t “bad.” It can be used as a catalyst to consciously use astrological energies.
Too Much of the Same: The Conjunctions
Finally, there are the conjunctions. This is basically meeting someone that’s just like you. So, for example, you have two Capricorns, two Pisces, two Libras, and two Leos. Similar zodiac energies create the conjunction. While this may seem like a benefit because the energies are alike, it’s important to remember that everything, both the benefits and the drawbacks, are highlighted when the same signs interact.
For example, let’s take the scenario of two Leos. Between these two Leos, there is a mutual understanding of why they act the way they do. Both Leos have a sense of regality, royalty, and wanting to be the best. There’s also the similarity of wanting to be the most admired, the need for attention, and a desire to have the ego stroked. When two Leos come together, there is an amplification in fixed, fiery energy. They are both vying for the spotlight. Neither Leo wants to back down. Neither Leo wants to be second best, and therein lies the problem. The similarities between the same zodiac signs create camaraderie while also causing discordance due to the likenesses.
Ultimately, astrological compatibility is not as simple as it may seem. Although we look at the sun, moon, and other planetary placements to determine whether someone could be a match, it is important to consider other natal astrological planetary energies when determining compatibility. Hopefully, this offers a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of astrological compatibility.
