Scorpios have a temper, Libras are flirtatious and Leos like themselves a little too much–or so writes Joanna Martine Woolfolk in “The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need.” Understanding your partner’s–or potential partner’s–astrological chart can provide insights into why you always argue about money or how to avoid awakening his jealousy.
The Basics
Astrologers believe that the position of the stars and planets in the sky at the moment and the place of your birth helps determine your personality and your tendencies. Psychologist Carl Jung summed it up by comparing the season and year of a person’s birth to the conditions of weather and environment that determine the flavor of wine vintages. If that is the case, it makes sense to compare astrological charts to help determine whether your basic personality is a good fit with your prospective partner’s character and tendencies.
Sun Sign Compatibility
When most people talk about horoscopes, they’re thinking of their sun sign–the astrological sign the sun was in on the day they were born. Determining your compatibility with another person based on sun sign alone is like deciding whom to marry based on the kind of music that you each enjoy. Your taste in music may suggest some personality traits, but there’s far more to who you are than the music that you like. Likewise, comparing sun signs can give you a broad overview of your possible compatibility, but there’s much more to a horoscope than the sun sign.
Modifying Influences
The position of the moon and eight other planets modifies and further defines your basic personality. Each planet rules an area of your life. Your attitudes about that area of your life reflect the sign that planet inhabited at the moment of your birth. A full compatibility chart will examine how well two people mesh in each of these areas rather than focusing on sun sign compatibility. An in-depth comparison can help you see the differences and similarities in attitudes about money, sex, health, home, careers and social activities.
What You Need to Know
The more information you have about your own and your partner’s birth, the more accurate your compatibility chart will be. If you can provide an astrologer–or astrological software–with the date, time and city of your respective births, you’ll get a fairly complete picture of how your personalities, characteristics and ambitions mesh with each other.
Expert Insight
Carroll Righter, one of the best known astrologers of the 20th century, was fond of saying, “The stars impel. They don’t compel. What you make of your life is up to you.” Likewise, a love compatibility chart is not a history of your relationship but a road map showing many different ways to reach a destination. Using it as a tool to open the lines of communication with your prospective partner can help the two of you acknowledge, recognize and work toward harmony in all areas of your life together.
