Chart interpretation in astrology compatability

Some people complain that astrology is not an exact science. But if it were, astrology compatability would completely determine the success of your relationship. Would you really want to know that the success or failure of your relationship is completely out of your control?

Because astrology factors in the intuition of its practitioner, different astrology experts will have different opinions on what the stars may hold for you. And if you care not only about what the heavens hold in store for you, but also for your partner, things get even more complicated. The same guidelines for heavenly interpretation always hold, but different practitioners may differ in the details.

For example, here are some astrology compatibility charts from different websites. You'll see that even while the practitioners are mostly in agreement, the astrology compatability tables do have some small differences. Some of these differences come from different readings of the stars, some of them come from different ideas how good a relationship has to be to be "good", and some of the differences just come from different ideas of what makes a good relationship in the first place. Some people really want a steady, predictable relationship, while others think that compatability comes from tension and that hot spark of attraction.

From http://www.wyrdology.com/scrying/astrology/compatibility.html

Sign Compatibility Table
	Very Easy	Easy	Complicated
Aries	Aries, Leo, Sagittarius	Gemini, Aquarius	Libra
Taurus	Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn	Cancer, Pisces	Scorpio
Gemini	Gemini, Libra,Aquarius	Aries, Leo	Sagittarius
Cancer	Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces	Taurus, Virgo	Capricorn
Leo	Aries, Leo, Sagittarius	Libra, Gemini	Aquarius
Virgo	Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn	Cancer, Scorpio	Pisces
Libra	Gemini, Libra, Aquarius	Leo, Sagittarius	Aries
Scorpio	Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces	Capricorn, Virgo	Taurus
Sagittarius	Aries, Leo, Sagittarius	Libra, Aquarius	Gemini
Capricorn	Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn	Scorpio, Pisces	Cancer
Aquarius	Gemini, Libra, Aquarius	Aries, Sagittarius	Leo
Pisces	Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces	Taurus, Capricorn	Virgo

From http://www.sexualastrology.com/sexual_compatibility_aries_aries.html

Your Sign	Compatible Signs	Incompatible Signs	Opposite Sign
Aries	Gemini Leo Sagittarius Aquarius	Cancer Capricorn	Libra
Taurus	Cancer Virgo Capricorn Pisces	Leo Aquarius	Scorpio
Gemini	Aries Leo Libra Aquarius	Virgo Pisces	Sagittarius
Cancer	Taurus Virgo Scorpio Pisces	Aries Libra	Capricorn
Leo	Aries Gemini Libra Sagittarius	Taurus Scorpio	Aquarius
Virgo	Taurus Cancer Scorpio Capricorn	Gemini Sagittarius	Pisces
Libra	Gemini Leo Sagittarius Aquarius	Cancer Capricorn	Aries
Scorpio	Cancer Virgo Capricorn Pisces	Leo Aquarius	Taurus
Sagittarius	Aries Leo Libra Aquarius	Virgo Pisces	Gemini
Capricorn	Taurus Virgo Scorpio Pisces	Aries Libra	Cancer
Aquarius	Aries Gemini Libra Sagittarius	Taurus Scorpio	Leo
Pisces	Taurus Cancer Scorpio Capricorn	Gemini Sagittarius	Virgo

And finally, there is an intricate color-coded grid at http://www.cafeastrology.com/articles/signcompatiblitygrid.html.

Astrologer 1 further differentiates Astrologer 2's "Compatible signs" into separate categories of "Easy" and "Very Easy". Astrologer 2 has the additional category of "Incompatible", but merely lists the opposite sign, whereas Astrologer 1 specifies that the opposite sign will result in a complicated relationship. Astrologer 3 mostly agrees with Astrologer 2, but with an even more detailed breakdown.

As you can see, different astrologers can be in rough agreement over most signs' compatability, while still leaving room for them each to apply their individual interpretations. So if you don't like one astrologer's interpretation of you and your partner's astrology compatability, you have two options: (1) learn the stars yourself so you can pinpoint exactly what you're looking for in a relationship, or (2) find a new astrologer!

The mistake of prejudging through astrology compatability

There is a misconception that, through astrology, compatability of a relationship can be conclusively determined. Rather, astrology offers a method to predict and prepare for a relationship's inevitable challenges.

For example, square aspects are traditionally called "incompatible", but this oversimplifies the case. Actually, however, these relationships are not uncommon. This astrologer calls it the "growth-through-confrontation" relationship. Her point is that while this style of relationship is not for everyone, it can offer the opportunity for incredible growth as a couple or individuals:

The positive side of this type of relationship is that it provides a lot of energy and motivation to break out of old ways of relating. The only problem is that it can be very painful for all of those involved. Nevertheless, for those that are really committed to growing both individually and as a couple and who like a lot of fireworks in their relationship, the square relationship can be quite dynamic and can produce a lot of breakthroughs.

The moral of the story is that the stars are not telling you to give up on a relationship that you think has potential. Your astrology compatability is more like an early warning system to prepare you for what might be coming.

Limitations on astrology compatability

I found a great post on astrology compatability by Mistress Maeve.

She makes the same point I've been trying to make, that poor sign compatability doesn't necessarily doom a relationship. She says:

If you and a potential mate are astrologically bound to butt heads in
the bedroom (and not in a good way), isn't it better to know ahead of
time so you can prepare? With enough patience and communication, most
problems can be worked out — what's wrong with a little foresight?

If you and your partner receive a negative compatibility report, don't despair. Perhaps you should instead thank your lucky stars (pun intended). That "negative" report may give you just the information you need to predict and head off an otherwise deal-breaking problem.

I've heard stories of engagements being canceled and marriages being called off as a result of inauspicious signs. But having the right or wrong aspect in your star charts doesn't say anything about the truth of the emotions you and your partner feel for each other. If the love is there, stick it out! An empathic astrologer will help you plan for the disturbances your relationship may encounter and help your plan so that your relationship survives them intact. Remember, astrology compatibility is not an exact science, so don't let a particular astrologer's interpretation doom a timeless romance!

Astrology compatability is about more than your signs

Trying to understand your astrology compatability? Better look at more than your sun signs.

Most people are well familiar with their sun sign. When someone asks, "What's your sign," he's specifically referring to your sun sign. Many people think that is all there is to astrology. However, astrologers do not deal solely with the sun. A skilled astrologer takes into account the effect of all the planets.

Your sun sign reflects what house the sun was in when you were born. But you also have a moon sign, a Mercury sign, a Venus sign, and more! In fact, you have a sign corresponding to every heavenly body, although only the most fastidious practitioner of astrology would actually try to factor every one of the billions of stars, moons, and asteroids into your star chart.

To determine your compatability with a potential relationship partner, compare your Venus sign with your partner's Mars sign. You can also factor in the relationship between your Eros sign and your partner's Psyche sign (Eros and Psyche are asteriods, in case you were wondering.) Eros is the Greek name for Cupid, and Psyche is the beautiful mortal he fell in love with.

So remember, many aspects of your personality are predicted by astrology. Compatability can come not only from your sun sign, but from the other planets and asteroids that affect your relationships, so don't forget to factor them in!

Elemental signs and astrology compatability

The potential of a relationship can be determined using astrology. Compatability between signs can help two people make an informed decision. When most people hear about astrology, they think about the stars' effects on an individual. The horoscopes that you see in every newspaper are an obvious example of that.

However, the field of astrology covers much more than an individual. Astrology predicts the relationships between individuals, and how these relationships can change with time. Even before a relationship develops, a skilled astrology can make a prediction of the couple's compatibility.

I have spent a significant amount of time into self-improvement, learning to improve myself and my relationships. The next obvious step is to look outside myself, to the heavens.

At the most simplistic level, each sign has an element associated with it. Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are Earth signs. Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are Air signs. Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are Water signs. And finally, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are Fire signs.

Your birth sign can tell you about your own personality - Earth signs tend to be "down-to-earth" practical, Air signs float from idea to idea, Water signs are highly emotional, and Fire signs are charged with energy. But more than that, your sign can tell you how compatable you are with another person.

You are likely to have a high degree of compatability with anyone else in your some element - if you can take the intensity! But it is likely your personalities and thoughts will align easily.

When mixing elements, be careful! Fire and Earth go well together, as do Air and Water, but other combinations may take a toll on one persons' personality - Fire turns Water to steam, Earth can block Water, and so forth...

So don't assume that your entire relationship is predetermined, but you might be wise to consider your astrology compatability before embarking on anything serious!