Astrology Dating 101

Does it feel like the world’s working against you when it comes to dating? Well, it’s not really the entire world – it’s the zodiac. It calls the shots, from how you interact with others to who you should date. And to put it bluntly, the stars get pretty mad when folks don’t listen, leading to romantic disasters.

But at the same time, the zodiac rewards people who play by the astrological rules.

So, how do you follow the rules and choose compatible signs? And what traits should you expect when dating different sections of the zodiac wheel? We’ve got all the answers, so you’ll be ready to pursue a romance written in the stars in a matter of minutes.

Astrology signs on a blue horoscope

Contents of our Astrology Dating Guide:

First, we’ll give you a quick overview of the different Zodiac signs, along with the most compatible sign, least compatible sign, and best dating site for each. Then, stick around while we peel back the curtain on astrology and dating.

Zodiac Sign Compatibility

Aquarius – (January 20 – February 18)

Aquarius zodiac sign in black

Your rebellious, independent nature makes you a natural fit for dismantling systems and facilitating change. But while your non-conformist streak is great for tackling causes, it can make dating a real struggle. Find out how to overcome the challenge head-on by clicking on our Aquarius guide to dating.

  • Symbol – Water-Bearer
  • Most Compatible Sign – Gemini
  • Least Compatible Sign – Virgo
  • Best Dating App for Aquarians Zoosk

Pisces – (February 19 – March 20)

Pisces zodiac sign in black

If you’re a Pisces, you eat, sleep, and breathe romance. You’re searching for a soulmate, but your fear of rejection can hold you back. Move past the fear and straight to true love by checking out our guide to Pisces dating compatibility.

  • Symbol – Two fish swimming in different directions 
  • Most Compatible Sign – Taurus
  • Least Compatible Sign – Gemini
  • Best Dating App for Pisceans  eHarmony

Aries – (March 21 – April 19)

Aries Zodiac sign in black

As an Aries, you’re a natural leader that almost always comes in first. You’re bold, charismatic, and a wonderful partner – as long as you’re with a compatible mate. Settling isn’t in your DNA, so find out how to find your dream partner by reading our Aries dating guide. 

  • Symbol – Ram
  • Most Compatible Sign – Libra
  • Least Compatible Sign – Taurus
  • Best Dating App for Aries – The League

Taurus – (April 20 – May 20)

Taurus Zodiac Sign in black

As a Taurus, you’re grounded and rooted, but that doesn’t mean you don’t love the finer things in life. Indulgence is in your blood, and you want someone to share a peaceful, luxurious, and comfortable existence with you. Find out how to meet that special someone (and avoid the crazies) on our Taurus dating compatibility guide. 

  • Symbol – Bull
  • Most Compatible Sign – Cancer
  • Least Compatible Sign – Sagittarius 
  • Best Dating App for TaureanseHarmony

Gemini – (May 21 – June 20)

Gemini Zodiac Sign in Black

Quick-witted, versatile, and extroverted, people are drawn to Geminis, explaining why you’re so popular on the dating scene. Unfortunately, few people can keep up with you intellectually or socially, so you might think you’ll never find a special someone. Learn how to find a partner that’s as exceptional as you by clicking on our Gemini dating compatibility guide.

  • Symbol – Twin
  • Most Compatible Sign – Sagittarius 
  • Least Compatible Sign – Scorpio
  • Best Dating App for Geminis Zoosk

Cancer – (June 21 – July 22)

Cancer Zodiac Sign in Black

If you’re a Cancer, folks might think you have a hard exterior, but we know all about your nurturing and sensitive side. The right match will bring out your best traits, while the wrong one can create some serious turmoil. Find out who to date – and who to avoid – by reading our guide on Cancer dating compatibility.

  • Symbol – Crab
  • Most Compatible Sign – Taurus
  • Least Compatible Sign – Sagittarius
  • Best Dating App for CancerseHarmony

Leo – (July 21 – August 22)

Leo Zodiac Sign in Black

If you’re a Leo, you’re in luck. People admire your generosity, kindness, and confidence, making you the most sought-after zodiac sign. But more choices can mean more problems, so dive into our Leo dating guide for more info. 

  • Symbol – Lion
  • Most Compatible Sign – Aries 
  • Least Compatible Sign – Cancer
  • Best Dating App for LeoseHarmony

Virgo – (August 23 – September 22)

Virgo Zodiac Sign in Black

As a logical and practical problem-solver, you can handle pretty much anything, but dating is a bit of a mystery. Few people can live up to your high standards, and settling isn’t on your radar. Learn how to find a partner that meets (or even exceeds) your standards in our guide on Virgo dating compatibility. 

  • Symbol – Maiden
  • Most Compatible Sign – Cancer
  • Least Compatible Sign – Aquarius
  • Best Dating App for VirgosEliteSingles

Libra – (September 23 – October 22)

Libra Zodiac Sign in Black

As a Libra, you love being in love, so you probably spend most of your time in relationships. Sadly, you might gravitate to incompatible signs, making it hard for you to maintain the harmonious balance you crave. Keep the romance flowing and the scales balanced by reading our Libra dating guide.

  • Symbol – Scales
  • Most Compatible Sign – Gemini
  • Least Compatible Sign – Cancer
  • Best Dating App for LibraseHarmony

Scorpio – (October 23 – November 21)

Scorpio Zodiac Sign in Black

Your mysterious side and sex appeal make you a hot commodity on the dating scene but finding a forever partner isn’t easy. Some folks just want to have flings, but your passion and loyalty are better suited for long-term relationships. Check out our Scorpio dating guide to get all the tips you need to find true, long-lasting love. 

  • Symbol – Scorpion
  • Most Compatible Sign – Cancer 
  • Least Compatible Sign – Aquarius
  • Best Dating App for ScorpioseHarmony

Sagittarius – (November 22 – December 21)

Sagittarius Zodiac Sign in Black

Funny, adventurous, and independent, you’re winning at life – but not always at dating. If your dating life isn’t nearly as fun as your last adventure, click on the link to read our guide to Sagittarius dating compatibility.

  • Symbol – Archer
  • Most Compatible Sign – Gemini 
  • Least Compatible Sign – Cancer
  • Best Dating App for SagittarianseHarmony

Capricorn – (December 22 – January 19)

Capricorn Zodiac Sign in Black

High standards are built into your DNA, especially when dating. Ambitious and resilient, you’re used to being (and having) the best. Ensure your next partner is just as fantastic as you are by reading our guide on Capricorn dating compatibility.    

  • Symbol – Sea-Goat
  • Most Compatible Sign – Taurus
  • Least Compatible Sign – Libra
  • Best Dating App for CapricornsEliteSingles

Astrology Terms You Need to Know

Astrology has its own language, and it can get confusing if you’re new to it. Let’s go over some common terms you need to know. Then, you’ll be ready to evaluate different signs to see if they’re a good fit.

Elements

There are four elements in astrology: air, earth, fire, and water. These elements have a great deal of influence on the zodiac signs. Check out the chart to learn more about each element, including your own.

Element – Air

Air zodiac element sign in black
  • Characteristics – Social, intelligent, communicative, logical, rational.
  • Signs – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Element – Earth

Earth zodiac element sign in black
  • Characteristics – Grounded, loyal, sensual, practical, disciplined, reliable.
  • Signs – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Element – Fire

Fire zodiac element sign in black
  • Characteristics – Passionate, aggressive, impulsive, intense, confident, spontaneous, action-oriented.
  • Signs – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Element – Water

Water zodiac element sign in black
  • Characteristics – Emotional, sensitive, intuitive, imaginative, compassionate, loyal.
  • Signs – Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Now that you have a basic overview of the elements, let’s see what this means for compatibility.

Same Element Compatibility

People that share the same element are generally compatible. They bring many of the same traits to the table, even though their ruling planets also have a say in how they act. If you love your traits and want to double the fun, consider dating someone with the same element.  

Fire and Air Compatibility 

As you know, fires need oxygen to burn, and if they don’t get enough of it, they die out. You can use this same concept in astrology. Air signs help fire signs burn even brighter, creating an exciting pair.

Water and Earth Compatibility

The earth needs water for nourishment, explaining why these two elements go together so well in astrology. These relationships tend to be enriching, harmonious, and stable. In other words, they’re a dream pairing. 

Fire and Water Compatibility

When you dump water on a fire, you extinguish the flame. And that’s what water signs tend to do when paired with fire signs. Emotional water signs extinguish fire signs’ intensity, causing the love to flame out.

Earth and Air Compatibility

Earth signs are practical, while air signs are more cerebral and can get lost in their heads. As a result, earth signs can come off as too rigid for air signs, so these matches often don’t work out. If you find yourself in an earth/air pairing, constant communication is the key to success. 

Ruling Planets 

Each zodiac sign is ruled by a planet, which influences how the sign acts. Many people refer to the planets as the real bosses of the zodiac. They impart traits and characteristics that make people who they are.

You might notice that Geminis and Virgos are ruled by Mercury, while Taureans and Libras are ruled by Venus. When two signs share a ruling planet, the planet uses its influence differently. That’s why two signs can have the same ruling planet without sharing many traits.

Zodiac SignRuling PlanetCharacteristics 
AquariusUranusRebellious, Revolutionary, Unique
PiscesNeptuneSpiritual, Emotional, Dreamy
AriesMarsPassionate, Determined, Bold
TaurusVenusSensual, Romantic, Decadent
GeminiMercuryIntellectual, Curious, Inquisitive
CancerMoonGentle, Nurturing, Empathetic
LeoSunRegal, Radiant, Social
VirgoMercuryLogical, Practical, Organized
LibraVenusRomantic, Balanced, Unifying
ScorpioPlutoMysterious, Intense, Intuitive
SagittariusJupiterIdealistic, Optimistic, Free-spirited
CapricornSaturnStructured, Hardworking, Disciplined

Modalities

Each zodiac sign is assigned one of three modalities: cardinal, fixed, or mutable. Just as with the elements, you can learn quite a bit about a sign by looking at its modality.

Cardinal Signs – Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn

Cardinal modalities signify the beginning of each season. They’re known for being the leaders, go-getters, and initiators of the zodiac. People can’t help but gravitate to these folks.  

Fixed Signs – Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius 

Fixed signs represent the middle of the seasons, and they’re known for stability. You can always count on these reliable folks to complete tasks, and they’re loyal to their core. Now, they can be a bit stubborn, but that’s how they manage to get so much done. 

Mutable – Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces 

Mutable signs are responsible for closing out the seasons, explaining why they’re so comfortable with change. They are also known for being philosophical and enjoy some chaos from time to time. It’s all good fun, of course. If you want a little spontaneity in your life, a mutable sign is right for you.

Planetary Aspects

Planetary aspects refer to how two planets are positioned to each other on the zodiac wheel. We’re not going to cover all the planetary aspects in this guide. Instead, we’re going to look at the aspects that are directly related to zodiac compatibility.

Planetary Aspect – Sextiles

sextiles is an astrology term meaning 60 degrees apart on the horoscope wheel

Traits – Planets are two signs (60 degrees) apart,
harmonious relationship, work well together.

Examples

  • Aries-Gemini
  • Taurus-Cancer
  • Gemini-Leo
  • Cancer-Virgo
  • Leo-Libra
  • Virgo-Scorpio
  • Libra-Sagittarius
  • Sagittarius-Aquarius
  • Capricorn-Pisces
  • Aquarius-Aries
  • Pisces-Taurus

Planetary Aspect – Squares

squares is an astrology term meaning 90 degrees apart on the horoscope wheel

Traits – Three signs (90 degrees) apart, incompatible elements,
same modality, conflict and power struggles.

Examples

  • Aries-Cancer
  • Taurus-Leo
  • Gemini-Virgo
  • Leo-Scorpio
  • Virgo-Gemini
  • Libra-Cancer
  • Scorpio-Aquarius
  • Sagittarius-Pisces
  • Capricorn-Aries
  • Aquarius-Taurus
  • Pisces-Gemini

Planetary Aspect – Trines

Trines is an astrology term meaning 120 degrees apart on the horoscope wheel

Traits – Planets are four signs (120 degrees) apart, same element, harmonious.

Examples

  • Aries-Leo-Sagittarius
  • Taurus-Virgo-Capricorn
  • Gemini-Libra-Aquarius
  • Cancer-Scorpio-Pisces

Planetary Aspect – Oppositions

Opposites is an astrology term meaning 180 degrees apart on the horoscope wheel

Traits – Planets are six signs (180 degrees) apart, share modality, complimentary element, compatible with compromise.

Examples

  • Aries-Libra
  • Taurus-Scorpio
  • Gemini-Sagittarius
  • Cancer-Capricorn
  • Leo-Aquarius
  • Virgo-Pisces

Astrology Dating FAQ

Should I Break Up with an Incompatible Sign?

We don’t suggest breaking up with an existing partner after discovering that you’re not astrologically compatible. Many couples manage to beat the celestial odds and stay together forever. 

Should I Use an Astrology Dating Site?

Niche dating sites focused on astrology usually have limited members and features. We recommend using a mainstream app when searching for a compatible sign. You can still focus on zodiac compatibility, but you’ll have more options and extra features to help you click your way to love. 

Why is Zodiac Compatibility Important?

Compatible signs complement each other, improving the likelihood of success. They might share some of the same traits or bring missing characteristics into the relationship, balancing each other out.