The magic of astrology has captured the minds — and hearts — of humans for thousands of years. The symbolism and influences of the zodiac can help you understand why some relationships flow and why others seem fraught with challenges. Clients often ask, “What’s my best sign for love?” and, while personalised birth chart astrology — using your time, date and place of birth — is fairly detailed, the links between the zodiac signs by element and yin/yang show some of the generally easier sign connections. Astrologer Yasmin Boland even plans dinner parties using astrology, saying, “It usually works!”

Elements of attraction

Each zodiac sign belongs to one of the four element groups. Each element symbolises different needs and desires as well as unique motivating influences.

The four elements are the basis of all matter and represent the building blocks of the natural world. Like a seed that requires heat (fire), water, oxygen (air) and soil (earth) to thrive, the Zodiac is built on an equal mix of these essential compounds. Understanding the elements gives you an insight into how each sign operates.

The elements reflect primary functions of your mental/spiritual existence. You need passion and action (fire) for motivation and inspiration; practicality (earth) for grounding; logic and intellect (air) for information gathering, processing and sharing; and feelings (water) to connect with others. In unique proportions you have all four elements present in your individual astro-energy mix. Your Sun sign is one of the main elemental influences.

Fire — Aries, Leo, SagittariusFire signs symbolise action and energy. They like movement, activity and leadership and at heart are passionate. Fire signs love excitement and like to be on the go.

Earth — Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Earth signs are practical, grounded and reliable. They have a secret sensual side but prefer to portray a reserved, quiet exterior.

Air — Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Air signs reflect the mental realm and are most easily aroused through their minds. Talking, thinking, discussing and learning (in any form) are important.

Water — Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Water signs are sensitive and emotional. The most classically romantic of the elements, they love sharing and being showered with love. They can be moody.

Yin and yang

Each zodiac sign is either positive or negative — not in a good or bad sense but in an extroverted/introverted style. Fire and Air signs are yang, masculine and extroverted, usually with higher energy levels. Earth and Water signs are yin, feminine and introverted, with more of a private style.

Understanding the simple qualities that make up your Sun sign can make it easier to appreciate the true desires of the heart. If your mate is the same sign as you, as astrologer Hedy Damari comments, “Being the same sign or element helps bypass wrestling with each other’s differences,” so enjoy your similarities!

Aries

As a fire sign, Aries is inherently extroverted. Aries loves action and taking the lead. Aries can be impatient and will find a partner who’s slow to act frustrating.

Aries most enjoys the company of fellow fire signs Leo and Sagittarius. Such matches are often passionate both sexually and in terms of heated discussions. Leo offers Aries staying power and the ability to follow through and helps to stabilise feisty Aries. With Sagittarius, Aries meets a like-minded action/adventure junkie. Together, these two are great at starting projects. There’s no challenge a Sagittarius/Aries match would shy away from.

Air signs, as fellow yang mates, make fun matches for Aries. Gemini and Aquarius offer Aries the ability to interact socially and develop better communication and networking skills.

As its opposite sign, Libra is a special sign mate for Aries. If Aries and Libra can respect their differences, they both have a lot to learn from each other. Libra helps Aries to be more considerate of others and to enjoy the value of teamwork. Libra shows Aries how to compromise.

Taurus

Being an earth sign, Taurus loves pleasure and being in the moment. Never in a hurry, Taurus loves to take time to enjoy quality food, wine and intimacy.

Partners who always want change or action are tricky for Taurus, who most prefers the company of fellow earth signs Virgo and Capricorn. These matches are often sensual and centred around the sharing of food, wine and pleasures of the body. Virgo brings practicality, reminding Taurus not to get stuck in indulging. Capricorn brings ambition into Taurus’s life, showing Taurus that steady effort over time can lead to even more indulgence in the future.

Taurus also enjoys connections with her water sign yin mates — after all, together, earth and water create mud! Cancer/Taurus pairs are home loving and great at hosting. Satisfying the appetites is a common desire, as is creating stability within family dynamics. Pisces helps Taurus see there’s more to life than what they can experience with the senses. This partnership potentially combines the best of groundedness and spirituality.

As Taurus’s opposite, Scorpio is a potentially balancing partner for Taurus. Healthy respect for each other’s differences is a must and, if they can avoid being stubborn with each other, Taurus and Scorpio will stay together forever, as both are very loyal and prepared to work through challenges.

Gemini

Chatty and witty, Gemini is a true social butterfly, preferring partners who are equally interested in communication and connection. Their fellow air mates, Libra and Aquarius, easily offer this.

Together, Gemini/Libra are engaging hosts, keen to cater to their guests’ needs. They love to debate, with Libra offering Gemini alternate perspectives and helping them see both sides of any situation. Libra helps Gemini channel their desire to know into building partnerships. They’ll easily be able to talk about most things and will enjoy dates centred around trivia, lectures and book events as well as getting together with other couples.

Aquarius helps Gemini think outside the box and consider things from a social or community perspective. Aquarius’s desire to experiment combined with Gemini’s short attention span mean a constantly changing lifestyle is a must for these two. Together, they prefer exploring new restaurants, bars and clubs rather than revisiting old favourites. Experimenting sexually is also fun and light-hearted for this match.

Since Gemini likes to be on the go, connections with fellow yang mates, the fire signs, are high energy. Gemini and Aries are an active, social couple who like to plan adventures and challenges (mentally or physically) for themselves and their friends. Leo provides stability and a sense of direction for sometimes flighty Gemini. Creativity can feature when this two pair up.

As its opposite sign, Sagittarius can be a healing and growing relationship for Gemini. Gemini likes to learn and Sagittarius has abundant faith to share. Sagittarius helps Gemini trust their instincts and not cling so tightly to the facts.

Cancer

Family focussed and traditional, Cancer likes partners who provide stability and respect for the past. Since Cancer is sensitive, her emotional water sign mates Scorpio and Pisces are easiest for her to connect with.

Scorpio offers Cancer depth and an experience of true intimacy. Home life can be sacrosanct here, as Scorpio’s loyalty to loved ones ensures that family — their own or each other’s — comes first. Scorpio also offers Cancer stability and the chance to slow down a little.

Pisces’ adaptable manner easily adjusts to whatever direction Cancer prefers. Along the way, Pisces helps Cancer see the big picture and focus on finding meaning and a spiritual view of life’s daily dramas.

As a water sign, Cancer benefits from the stability offered by her fellow yin signs, the earth trio. Taurus is a particularly grounding and nourishing partner and the two together have strong fertile energy (great for growing a family or finances). Virgo helps Cancer learn discernment and boundaries as well as reminding them to take care of themselves.

As Cancer’s opposing sign, Capricorn offers balance even as it chases different goals. A Cancer/Capricorn match is potentially one of the most traditional ever, where gender roles are supported and each partner is clear on their contribution to the relationship.

Leo

Leo loves being the centre of attention but they do get bored just sitting around being adored (though they do love that!). With other fire signs, they can create the energetic lifestyle they love.

The four elements are the basis of all matter and represent the building blocks of the natural world.

Aries offers Leo the impetus to get going, stop deliberating and take action. Being a natural initiator, Aries helps Leo manifest their dreams, like a supportive personal cheerleader. Sagittarius helps Leo explore beyond their comfort zone and discover life. As they are interested in foreign cultures and worldly events, Sagittarius also helps Leo cultivate curiosity about what’s happening on a global scale. All fire signs love to lead, so finding different avenues for you and your fellow fire mate to take charge in is a must.

Leo loves to be the centre of the social environments fellow yang mates, air signs Gemini and Libra, create. Libra helps Leo engage others and develop partnerships that support Leo’s achievement, reminding them they’re stronger with a team behind them. Gemini is an easygoing mate for Leo, helping them relax and laugh.

As their opposite sign, Aquarius offers a unique approach to life and love that thrusts Leo into new circles. Together, they learn about their differences in a way that makes them stronger together than they would be apart. They are both deeply loyal and, while their match might not make sense to outsiders, their shared love of making a difference connects them.

Virgo

Virgo is arguably the most organised sign and loves to stick to routines and regular rituals — in love and at work. Fellow earth signs Taurus and Capricorn understand the systematic Virgo approach and can help meet Virgo’s need for stability.

Taurus reminds Virgo to indulge and enjoy, showing them work isn’t everything. Taurus’s love of touch helps soothe the busy Virgo mind. Simple food done well is a common passion, as is gardening and the enjoying the outdoors.

Capricorn and Virgo share professional ambition and will accept the importance of work in each other’s lives. Achievement is a shared goal, as is physical comfort. Capricorn helps Virgo stay connected to longer-term goals, lifting them out of their day-to-day obsession with details. This practical match can be traditional.

Water signs, as fellow yin mates, help soften Virgo, connecting them to their emotions. Cancer nourishes Virgo, offering care, nurturing and appreciation for Virgo’s efforts. Scorpio/Virgo is a private match that prefers to shun the limelight. A small social circle is all these two need, as they love staying low key. Intimacy is intense but private in this match.

Pisces, as Virgo’s opposite sign, helps them let go and go with the flow. Pisces’ easygoing nature shows Virgo they don’t have to be productive all the time.

Libra

Libra is a star at relating to others and naturally seeks compromise and harmony in close relationships. They enjoy discussing just about everything, making fellow chatterboxes, their air sign mates Gemini and Aquarius, ideal partners.

Gemini helps Libra have fun without worrying about pleasing others and together the two share a love of culture, constantly seeking new experiences to add to their knowledge base. Aquarius offers Libra a chance to step outside traditional relationship roles, encouraging Libra to be themselves and make authentic, if unconditional, choices.

Since Libra is a yang, active sign, they generally find fire signs comfortable matches. Together, Leo and Libra share a love of the high life, as well as beautiful locations and art. Creatively inspiring, as partners they’ll support the artistic growth of each other and will enjoy using their imagination to keep the love alive. Sagittarius helps Libra cultivate a relationship with the world at large, exposing them to exotic love rituals and romantic practices of foreign cultures.

As their polar opposite, Aries holds a mirror to Libra, reflecting independence and assertiveness. Aries can teach Libra how to speak for themselves and channel a healthy level of selfishness.

Scorpio

As the most intense and deepest water sign, Scorpio is often misunderstood by other signs and so relates well to fellow water signs Cancer and Pisces, as they are able to appreciate Scorpio’s sensitivity.

Scorpio is steady, loyal and incredibly private, and appreciates the caring qualities of Cancer. Cancer helps Scorpio connect with others in small doses and together they’ll do anything for family or close friends. Cancer brings energy and initiation to Scorpio’s steady way, helping move Scorpio along when they get stuck or procrastinate (as they have a tendency to do).

Pisces brings an intuitive style of loving that allows Scorpio to be loved without having to reveal all their secrets. Pisces’ ability to take things on faith makes Scorpio feel trusted, something that’s integral to a happy relationship for them. Pisces helps Scorpio flow through life and loosen up a bit. Some would say the Scorpio/Pisces mix is one of the most classically romantic.

Since Scorpio is so emotionally aware, grounding, practical earth signs offer stability and reassurance. Virgo’s focus on routine is particularly comforting to Scorpio, who prefers constancy and emotional security. Together, Virgo and Scorpio are especially good at managing practical resources, including finances. Capricorn’s shy manner reassures Scorpio of their loyalty and they’ll support each other mostly behind closed doors. Capricorn has a hands-on approach to life that helps Scorpio feel OK having a go with things they’d normally avoid.

As Scorpio’s opposite sign, Taurus has a strong balancing affect on the Scorpio cycle of transformation, offering steadiness and constancy through all of life’s ups and downs. Together, Taurus and Scorpio make one of the most sensual and passionate parings.

Sagittarius

A Sagittarian’s love of adventure and thirst for experiencing all life has to offer is second to none and they’ll do well with an interested and open-minded partner. Fellow fire signs Aries and Leo have the energy to accompany Sagittarius on their travels and enough passion to keep even the most footloose and fancy-free Sagittarius interested.

Aries offers a challenge to scale bigger, better mountains or go further afield — something Sagittarius can’t resist. Knowing Aries supports their dreams of exploring and enjoying life is a potent aphrodisiac for Sagittarius. Leo brings stability to the sometimes aimless wandering of Sagittarius, providing Sagittarius with structure and security. Leo’s love of the high life shows Sagittarius that sometimes travelling less and living more has its benefits.

Sagittarius is a social yang sign and relates well to air signs, which are also yang. Libra helps Sagittarius stay in touch with friendships and significant others, so they have someone with whom to share their exciting adventures. Libra’s love of art provides a balance point for the Sagittarian’s love of the outdoors. Aquarius is as independent as Sagittarius and together these two create an alternative kind of partnership, one that might be unusual or unconventional but that honours their personal beliefs.

As its polar opposite, Gemini offers Sagittarius information, learning and networking opportunities to back up some of what they know intrinsically. As a pair, Gemini and Sagittarius are fun loving and may evolve through different phases of life and love quite quickly as they both get bored easily.

Capricorn

Like their polar sign, Cancer, Capricorns are traditional in relationships and conservative by nature. Being an earth sign, Capricorn is hardworking and often values professional ambition as much as, if not more than, their personal life. This makes fellow earth signs a fair match.

Virgo shares Capricorn’s hard-working drive and together a Virgo/Capricorn partnership can achieve a lot. They’ll be diligent about making regular time for each other, as they both have a hidden sensual side they like to share in private. Virgo’s influence helps Capricorn live a healthier life, too. Taurus’s love of pleasure reminds Capricorn that life isn’t all about work and together they’ll enjoy the best the outdoors has to offer.

Understanding the simple qualities that make up your Sun sign can make it easier to appreciate the true desires of the heart.

While Capricorns are reserved, they are caring and their yin mates, the water signs, make nourishing partners for them. Scorpio helps provide depth to Capricorn’s existence and Scorpio’s enduring nature makes Capricorn feel safe knowing they can rely on Scorpio. A Scorpio/Capricorn match is quite sensual but only in the comfort of their own space. Managing finances is usually easier for this pair. Pisces helps Capricorn disconnect from the real world and relax. Pisces’ daydreaming shows Capricorn that letting go is a good thing. Pisces helps Capricorn stop obsessing over future achievements and enjoy what is present in their life today.

As their opposing sign, Cancer brings sensitivity into Capricorn’s life, helping them make time for family and life outside the office. Cancer and Capricorn enjoy a fairly traditional style of relationship, preferring clearly defined roles for each partner.

Aquarius

Aquarians are independent and self-sufficient by nature. They don’t need love or a partner but they do enjoy company. With their fellow air signs they share a love of discussion and conversation.

Gemini is a talkative match for Aquarius, and Gemini’s flighty ways keep Aquarius on their toes. Gemini brings flexibility to the sometimes stubborn Aquarius way, reminding Aquarius that other opinions have value. Together, they make a social couple who’ll find it easy to talk about almost anything. Libra brings a diplomatic touch that Aquarius can sometimes lack, helping to remind them of the needs of others. Aquarius can be stubborn and Libra shows them how to work together as a team for their own growth. Libra also offers the potential for movement and progress, something Aquarius often resists.

Since Aquarius is also a yang sign, they relate easily to their fellow yang mates, the fire signs. Aries brings action into Aquarius’s life, energising them and offering them challenges to grow. Sagittarius makes an independent partner who won’t crowd Aquarius. They’ll enjoy their own space as much as their time together.

Leo, Aquarius’s opposite sign, offers creativity and a warm heart. A Leo/Aquarius match is potentially one for a lifetime as, once committed, neither sign likes change. Leo helps keep the passion alive by suggesting outings and indulgences so Aquarius doesn’t get shut off.

Pisces

As one of the most romantic signs of all, Pisces prefers a partner who’ll meet their emotional needs, making fellow water signs Cancer and Scorpio ideal mates.

Cancer offers nurturing and a happy home life, a dream that easily captures the Piscean heart. Cancer also brings momentum, helping Pisces overcome the aimlessness they sometimes suffer. Scorpio offers loyalty and enduring stability, which makes Pisces feel safe and loved. Scorpio’s intensity is an equal match for Pisces’ intuition and together the two can find profound emotional connection.

Being a water sign, Pisces is also comforted by the steady earth way. Taurus acts like an anchor for Pisces, providing continuity to ground the dreamy Pisces. Taurus’s love of the body helps Pisces keep their feet on the ground and romance can be both emotional and sensual for these two. Capricorn helps provide a sense of ambition and direction for the adaptable Pisces, helping Pisces steer towards manifesting their dreams. Capricorn’s love of a traditional relationship allows Pisces to fulfil their Prince Charming fantasies.

As Pisces’ opposite, Virgo brings balance and discernment, helping Pisces look for facts before trusting. They’ll easily adapt to each other’s quirks while still maintaining daily rituals to honour their love.