What Determines Zodiac Sign Incompatibility?

At its most basic level, my understanding from talking with Wright is that zodiac sign incompatibility typically arises from differences in elements (fire, earth, air, and water) and the signs’ ruling planets. Each element has traits that may either complement or clash with others—like the intensity of water signs and the assertiveness of fire signs. Modes (cardinal, fixed, mutable) also affect compatibility; for instance, fixed signs can be stubborn, while mutable signs adapt. And there's things like communication style, emotional needs and values tied to your birth chart's planetary placements. But then, of course, there's things that maybe the zodiac doesn't consider, like whether your boyfriend's a Red Sox fan, chews with his mouth open and wears cargo shorts year-round. In that case, it might not matter that you're both Aries—you got the ick!

Chinese Zodiac Elements: How to Know What Yours Is and What It Means

Meet our Astrologer: Expert on Zodiac Sign Incompatibility

Jaime Wright is a writer and consulting astrologer based in Brooklyn, NY. She has written PureWow's weekly and monthly horoscope columns since 2019. She has been working with clients online and IRL for almost a decade, authors the cult favorite newsletter moon missives, and hosts the good fortune podcast. A lifelong student of astrology, Jaime is an expert in both modern and traditional techniques, as well as in the history of astrology and other forms of divination.

Can You Still Be Friends with Incompatible Zodiac Signs?

For the people in the back: YES! Of course you can! You can even date and be in long-term, stable romantic partnerships with "incompatible" signs. As Jaime Wright tells me, we should use astrology to understand ourselves better, not interpret black-or-white decisions. So yes, it’s 100% possible to be friends with incompatible zodiac signs. In fact, some signs are considered better platonic matches since friendships and partners need different things from each other.

Recapping the Most Incompatible Zodiac Signs for Dating

At face value, I've learned from Wright that we can look at the common personality traits of the 12 signs of the zodiac to extrapolate how they'd hold up in romantic partnerships. A comfort-seeking Taurus and novelty-chasing Aquarius? It doesn't take a brain surgeon to detect the faults in the stars. Still, Wright tells me that there's always more than the anecdotes and descriptors we read on the pace. Compatibility is nuanced, and couples can succeed—or fail—despite what the astrology says.

Zodiac Signs Always Getting in Their Own Ways