When it comes to your best love horoscope, you may wonder, “Are our signs compatible?” or “Will we make a good match?” and ultimately: “What does my horoscope say about my love life?”

The truth is, you love who you love. Are you going to break up with your Gemini just because an astrologer said that you, as a Cancer, are not compatible? Probably not!

And we would never suggest that you do.

Some “oddball” mashups—like Gemini and Cancer, Leo and Capricorn, Virgo and Aquarius—frequently wind up together. And despite the cosmic incompatibilities, they can form a fabulous super-couple.

So when you’re searching for a best love horoscope, we suggest asking instead: Am I doing the wrong thing with the right person?

Your love horoscope compatibility

Maybe the problem is that you expect a relationship to just “click” without effort. And, hey, sometimes they do! There’s nothing more romantic than realizing you have everything in common, from a love of East Coast hip hop to dreams of building a sustainable family farm.

But these easy matches aren’t necessarily better. Sometimes, we need a challenge to raise our frequency, to loosen the hardened earth around our hearts, to drag up an issue we’ve buried and allow to be healed. Sometimes, similar is boring, and a challenge stimulates growth.

In our experience, the classically “good matches” in a love horoscope have a higher risk of becoming couples that wind up sitting around in track pants, wondering why you’re more interested in popping a bag of Newman’s Own Kettle Corn than getting things popping in the bedroom.

You see, the truth is, in ANY love horoscope combination, you will eventually have to TRY. Relationships don’t run on autopilot forever. (See our Astrology Love Matcher for the strengths and challenges for every zodiac sign combo!)

But here’s the good news. Once you learn the basics of a love horoscope—what to expect and not expect from a particular sign—you’re free to make choices in your own best interest. There’s nothing more relieving than to discover that you’re not defective…you’re just applying the wrong techniques to someone who could very well be the right person. Or that your nagging suspicion is true: you’ve been casting your pearls before swine, and it’s time to move on to a better match.

Here are a couple of techniques for screening the zodiac signs—to learn what you’re getting yourself into OR to figure out better ways to work with the person you already have.

What Your Horoscope Says about Your Love Life, by Element

The twelve zodiac signs are grouped into four “elements”—fire, earth, air and water. Each of these elementary groups has distinct traits, so each element will share a common orientation to life, or have similar tastes and values. Of course, their actual Sun sign will add more dimension, but you’ll find that their attitude is much like the element that represents them.

Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

The Yang Signs: Fire & Air

We’re not saying that these signs are more aggressive or flamboyant than others…but we’re not NOT saying it either. In a love horoscope, fire and air signs tend to be external, forceful and action-oriented. They are the “yang” signs (versus the “yin”), more prone to act or speak without thinking ahead. Independent and leadership oriented, they answer to nobody.

FIRE SIGNS

(Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)

Dynamic and passionate, fire signs are the gallant knights of the zodiac, forever in motion or fighting for a cause. Even when they sit around, they’re learning, reading, dreaming or talking about something. Fire can keep you warm, or it can do great destruction. While fire burns out quickly without fuel to keep it going, it can also regenerate its power. A single spark can set off a forest fire. As a result, Fire signs need to be managed carefully, lest they burn out of control.

What to look for when reading your daily love horoscope:

If you value in your relationships:

Adventurous relationships
Passionate affairs
Ambitious types who want to take over the world together
Lots of action
A warm-blooded, warm-hearted companion
Sexual and emotional expressiveness
Outspoken people who say what they think
Traveling together
Memorable fights, and even more memorable makeup sex
Somebody who’s always on the go, trying something new
Constant change and evolution

AIR SIGNS

(Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)

Like a cool wind (or an occasional tornado), Air signs are always in motion, sweeping you into a bluster of ideas, activities and conversations. Intellectual and rational, Air signs are far more comfortable in the realm of thought than feeling. Don’t expect too many emotional outpourings from these signs, although their tantrums can be memorable. Gifted at communication, these are the zodiac’s messengers, carrying news, ideas, and gossip to the masses

Air signs make excellent playmates. They’re great if you’re an “activity person,” open to new experiences and adventures. Traditional types could feel threatened, even abandoned, by the free-spirited Air sign, who have many hobbies and interests outside of the relationship. If you’re the type who needs “space,” they’ll give you plenty.

What to look for when reading your daily love horoscope:

If you value in your relationships:

Intellectual and mental chemistry
Creative inspiration
Great conversation and exchanging ideas
Unconventional relationships
Retaining independence
Your “space”—and a non-clingy partner who gives it to you
Keeping things light, flirty and fun
Sexual experimentation
Open relationships
Talking in bed

The Yin Signs: Water & Earth

Receptive and internal, people born under these signs tend to be more sensitive and intuitive. If you’re looking to settle down, start a family, or buy a home, these signs are far more likely to go along with your nesting campaign. Chivalrous and old-fashioned, they can be romantic and traditional. While they value honesty, don’t hurt their tender feelings by being too blunt or rough around the edges.

WATER SIGNS

(Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)

Sweet sensitivity! Intuitive water signs can be as deep and mysterious as the ocean. Being in their presence can have a healing effect on your life, and they can be caring companions. They notice everything! And sometimes they take it all a little too personally. Water signs tend to be oversensitive which can set them adrift on a sea of self-absorption or melancholy. At such times, you have to be careful not to drown in their depths, or be pulled into a needy undertow. Security is important to them—after all, water needs a container, or it dries up and disappears. These signs often have intense dreams and borderline-psychic intuition.

What to look for when reading your daily love horoscope:

If you value in your relationships:

Emotional exploration
People who work in the healing arts
Security and comfort, but a little edge of mystery
Being coddled and babied
Sarcastic jokes
Playing a nurturing role
A partner who’s not afraid to cry
Family and kids
Dressing up and being appreciated for your beauty
“Just the two of us” intimacy
Working on your issues together
Anything domestic: cooking, cleaning, decorating for the holidays
A guy who might be willing to be a stay-at-home parent
A loyal confidante

EARTH SIGNS

(Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)

As grounded as the earth beneath your feet, stable Earth signs can put your life on a solid foundation. Dutiful as military officers, they like to be there for friends in need. Slow and steady, these “builders” are loyal and stable, and stick by their people through hard times. On good days, they’re practical; at worst, they can be materialistic or too focused on the surface of things to dig into the depths. Change is not their forte; they often need a more dynamic partner to keep them from getting stuck in a rut.

What to look for when reading your daily love horoscope:

If you value in your relationships:

Stability and security
A realist type, rather than a dreamer
Having a long-term mate who fits in with your family and friends
Building a future together
Money and financial responsibility
Substance and style
A “provider” type
A more conservative disposition
Traditions
Fine dining, five-star hotels, luxury goods
A touch of snobbery
A “director” or “manager” type: someone who handles the decisions and manages practical matters you prefer to avoid (bills, taxes, mortgage payments, reservations)

Modalities in Your Love Horoscope: Cardinal, Mutable or Fixed

Are they a starter, a doer or a finisher? The quality of each sign shapes your partner’s temperament, making them better in certain situations than others. These are the cardinal, mutable or fixed signs.

Cardinal Signs

(Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn)

Cardinal signs start every season—Aries kicks off spring, Cancer starts summer, Libra begins fall and Capricorn is the first winter sign. These signs like to be first, to win and to be admired. They’re the leaders and “idea people” of the zodiac. Cardinal signs can seem cocky and full of themselves, too driven by pride. These signs prize originality and like to be first in everything they do. If you want a dashing, gallant knight who will sweep you off your feet, call a Cardinal sign. They’re sure to get the adrenaline coursing through your veins, jump-starting your motor after a long, lonely winter.

Fixed Signs

(Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius)

These signs fall in the middle of every season. They’re the stabilizers—the ones who set up a solid goal or foundation, then start building. Fixed signs can take the enthusiastic ideas that cardinal signs spark, and craft them into something real. They pick up the ball when the cardinal sign passes it, and run the distance to the goal. Fixed signs are the trustworthy types who like “to-do” lists and fancy titles. If a cardinal signs says, “Let’s go on vacation!” the fixed sign will call the travel agency, book the tickets and hotel, and send everyone a list of what to pack. This is the person you marry or lean on in a crisis. They’re also the partners who makes you scream because you can never, ever control them or change their minds. Exhausting!

Mutable Signs

(Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces)

These signs end every season—and have learned the hard lessons taught by spring, summer, fall and winter. They know that all good things come to an end, and their role is to prepare everyone for the changing of seasons. Mutable signs are the adapters of the zodiac, a little bit older and wiser. More flexible and comfortable with change than other signs, they can “chameleon” themselves to fit into a variety of situations.

Mutables are also the editors of the zodiac—the ones who complete the package with a winning touch. A plan can be sparked by a cardinal sign, built by a fixed sign, then perfected with the critical eye of a mutable sign. If you want to shake things up, or if you love conversation, flow and adventure, mutable signs bring excitement and variety back to your life. This is the person you marry because they’re also your best friend.

When it comes to a love horoscope, the bottom line is this: Love and commitment mean something different to each specific sign. In practical terms, what turns on a daredevil Aries ain’t gonna rev up the cautious Capricorn’s engine. But that doesn’t mean you have to kill the relationship. How many times did you left-swipe on the “boring” one (because…meh) only to see that person’s devotion and magic rise up when they started dating your friend?

While we’re not suggesting you settle, you don’t have to wait for perfect to arrive! Take these love horoscope tips onto the playing field and experiment. You might start seeing that “flaky” Pisces in a whole new light.

Photo by Annie Spratt via Unsplash