The Truth about Astrological Compatibility
Astrological compatibility - It seems very matter-of-fact. Something that should garner a quick yes-or-no response that will alleviate any concerns or increase them. Looking up one's Sun sign and matching it with others is a lighthearted exercise that many of us have done, either dismissively or intentionally. When you look up your sign, let's say it's an Aquarius, and match it to a friend's sign, let's say Scorpio, you will encounter various websites that will estimate a percent of compatibility. In this case, because Aquarius is an air sign and Scorpio is a water sign, most sites will calculate a low percentage. This is because the generic view is that earth and water work together, whereas air and fire combine well. The reasoning is that water signs are more emotional, which will match well with grounded earth signs. Fire and air signs are more known for the tendency to be flighty, free-flowing, and at times reckless.
So this means that air and fire would understand one another better, right? Well, there are a few things wrong with this perspective, in my personal opinion. For the most part, astrological compatibility isn't taken too seriously, which has its benefits. The average individual isn't going to dismiss a potential relationship or friendship based on a Star sign. However, I still find that this lighthearted practice of compatibility actually has some harmful effects, especially in regards to individuals who do take Sun sign compatibility into account. This is because it minimizes the purpose of astrology. Astrology is meant to be a building block that helps individuals introspect and connect to others. When one looks at compatibility, it is important to note that any sign can be compatible with one another. It all depends on how you look at connections.
One of the issues with astrological compatibility is that most individuals only look up their Sun sign and match it to another. Astrology is much more complicated than one's Sun sign. We all have birth charts. This chart is a map that showcases the planets' positions at the time of one's birth. When one looks up their birth chart, they will see their Sun sign, along with a multitude of other placements such as their Moon, Mercury, Ascendant, Venus, and Mars placements. You will also see many houses and aspects that bring a holistic viewpoint of one's personality and potential. Funnily enough, the average individual will have most of the signs in their chart, even ones that one may claim to dislike. When one only looks at their Sun sign and matches it to another, this tends to give one a small glimpse into astrological compatibility from a specific, and outdated perspective. For example, an individual may have a Cancer Sun. This is placed as a water sign and will be associated with characteristics associated with water signs, such as possessing an emotional nature. If you look up a Cancer sun's compatibility with a Sagittarius sun you will get websites telling you the compatibility is low because both signs do not understand each other's emotions. However, in astrology, the Moon sign is what indicates one's emotional world. So, let's say this Cancer sun has a Scorpio moon and the Sagittarius sun has a Pisces moon. Both individuals will thus understand one another, at least according to this perspective. On top of this, the Pisces moon aspects the sun of the Cancer sun, which allows for that individual to understand the Cancer's ego.
So, now that we have an understanding that the notion of astrological compatibility tends to be narrow-minded, I believe it is imperative to push this even further. In my opinion, blatantly stating signs are incompatible with another sign's element doesn't equate to an understanding of human nature. It also doesn't account for what every individual is looking for in a relationship or friendship. In my own life, I have found the most significant connections of mine to be with
those that have very different charts than my own. Some of my most vital relationships in the first few years of college were with individuals with “opposing” placements or ones that lacked in my chart in general. So, for example, I am an Aquarius, which is categorized as an air sign. Two of the most significant connections I have had were Capricorn Suns, which are earth signs. I found that I enjoyed these connections' challenges because it pushed me to understand a polarizing perspective. They grounded my imaginative ideas to the point where they were able to come to fruition. In turn, I helped open their minds and unlock some of the "unrealistic" potentials in their lives. According to these sites, a free-flowing Aquarius and a down to earth Capricorn wouldn't match well because they tend to look at the world differently. However, from my experience, looking at the world differently and coming together in some middle ground can lead to robust conclusions.
While sharing a similar element also has its positives, I don't think we should dismiss how every sign has the potential to teach one another to grow. Astrology should never be utilized as a tool that creates any form of division.
With astrological compatibility, people are almost taught to look at individuals as opposing forces, instead of one’s that could help us develop in our grey areas. When you look at differences in charts through an optimistic lens, then you are propelled much further into a positive present. And when it's all said and done, our desires, dreams, and declarations are much more similar than they are different.