Basic Compatibility ; Beginner

One of the many things astrology can be used for is compatibility. Every person has a unique astrological chart, with several different planet placements, asteroids, degrees, house placements, and all these variables can interact with your own chart to determine compatibility and how the basic format of the relationship plays out. The truth is, though, a lot more than the sun sign goes into compatibility in astrology. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves and dip deeply into compatibility basics :

The most general rule is that placements with the same element are likely to get along well. For example, a Taurus Sun is likely to get along with a Capricorn Sun. A Pisces Venus is likely to get along with a Scorpio Venus, and so on. Signs in the same element are able to harmonize fairly well with each other and understand each other on a deeper level. More of these pairs in a chart will likely mean that you are pretty compatible with a person. For example, if your Sun signs are in the same element (fire, for example), as well as your Mercury (both earth) and Mars or Venus, so on and so on. Another rule is that water and earth placements are compatible, as well as fire and air. This is pretty easy to remember, as water fertilizes earth and air helps fire burn. An air sign placement may feel overwhelmed by the emotional intensity of a water sign placement, and an earth sign placement may feel fire is too unpredictable for them (for example). Elements that are incompatible in a planet may feel like they have different approaches in that area of life. More compromise may be needed here, and great self awareness to develop a greater understanding of each others needs.

Fire signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Air signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Sun:

The Sun sign is the placement you are most likely to know off of first meeting someone. This is the true essence of who you are, and it is a great help to have sun sign compatibility in a relationship. Usually compatible people here will have similar goals in life and look at life in general through the same lenses. They show importance in similar things, cooperate smoothly, see eye to eye easily and may even encounter the same struggles in life. Sometimes, though, even with clashing signs there is a possibility for instant interest in one another. A fire sun sign may find a water sign sun naturally warm and feel understood by them, whereas the water sign may enjoy the fire sign boldness. This means clashing sign relationships may be great short term, but more work may need to be put into the relationship long term.

Moon:

To many, Moon sign compatibility is one of the most important out of the entire chart. This is because of the moon's role in the internal self and emotion. Compatibility here is very significant for a good relationship, as the two people will feel emotionally understood and satisfied. Incompatibility here may be frustrating, as the two people may need very different things to feel relaxed and taken care of. An air sign moon may feel emotionally connected through intellectual conversation and friendship/hobbies, whereas an earth moon will admire stability/security. The moon sign rules what you feel intensely but can not explain, and if these signs clash it may be necessary for a relationship to constantly adapt to meet each others emotional needs and moods. It is believed that relationships between people who share the same moon sign can be difficult but very rewarding. For example, on one end, it should be naturally easy to understand each other as the moon is the same, but one may see the negative traits in the partner/friend/family member and realize these traits can also pertain to themselves. If the moon is not compatible, we can look to other planets as well. For example, if someone's Moon sign is in Taurus, and their partner's Sun sign is in Taurus, this means that there may actually be a basic understanding between the two and a stronger base to develop a relationship on, even if the moon signs are incompatible.

Venus:

Venus is the planet of one-on-one relationships, business partnerships and romance. This is an extremely important point in love relationships. Venus loves to think long term, and having compatible placements here can mean your partner is someone who can be in it with you for the long run. This is all about your romantic desires and how you show your love and expect it to be shown back. For example, air sign placements will show their love through sharing ideas and adventuring, fire sign placements may show theirs through fun and exciting behaviors, which is why air and fire are compatible here as well as same element signs. Water sign placements may show love through emotional connection and kind, thoughtful actions, which earth sign placements will make sure to appreciate as they want to feel secure, sensible and practical in their love lives. Venus placements may also demonstrate who you fall for and how. For example, Aquarius Venus are known to fall in love with their friends, Aries Venus are known to fall in love in the moment/quickly and fall out of it just as fast. Pisces Venus may idealize/romanticize people without knowing them enough and Virgo Venus may have issues with falling for people at all, since they may feel picky towards who they let in.

Mars:

Mars compatibility is often known for being the sex compatibility planet. Mars compatible partners will go a long way with a harmonious sexual life, which is important because sex is a very important part of a relationship and these people will likely make each other feel comfortable and uplifted in the bedroom. Incompatibility here may encounter power struggles, different libidos, and differences in expressing/dealing with anger. This is a very passionate planet, and compatibility here may show you that you are crazy about the same things in life that your partner is crazy about - but on the other hand incompatibility may start out as an obsession until the true energy becomes too much and the relationship dies out. The way Mars and Venus combine for a relationship may also be ideal, and having both these planets in compatible elements/signs is telling of a significant relationship. It is also believed that you may find karmic relationships to have significant Mars/Moon relations, as these two planets together combine the qualities of emotion, karma, intimacy, sex, soul, impulse and defense.

Mercury:

Mercury compatibility is not as talked about as the former planets mentioned, but I find Mercury to be just as important since this planet rules communications of all kinds, the mind, and thinking. This is a way to see if your partner/friend/family member and you will be able to express yourselves in a way that is understood by all. This also may indicate how well the two of you work together to solve issues in the relationship and how open or close minded you are to compromise and change. Fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Scorpio and Taurus) may be less likely to want to understand things outside their comfort zone than other signs, for example. Some signs are more talkative, some are restrained, some have a social battery that never dies, whereas others thrive on alone time. These understandings are very important in a relationship and should be taken into account when dealing with compatibility.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to astrological compatibility. There is still the synastry relationships between planets, the house systems, and much more to go into when talking about these topics. By understanding the basics, though, you may be able to understand your relationships (and the people in them with you) more than ever. Obviously you may be completely happy, loved, and understood by a person who astrologically is completely incompatible with you, which is why someone's signs should never indicate whether or not they are in your life. I believe compatibility and chart synastry is a great way to look into the relationship and a way to understand your partner more. By understanding your partner's moon sign, for example, you may see what you need to do to make sure your partner feels loved and at home with you.