How to Read an Astrology Compatibility Chart

Co-authored by Angel Eyedealism and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: November 11, 2023 Fact Checked

You’re head-over-heels for your partner, but how do you know if you’re star-crossed lovers? In astrology, synastry is the practice of comparing two birth or natal charts to see if they’re truly compatible. To get started, all you need is your chart, your partner’s chart, and a list of aspects to look for. So, keep reading to learn what to search for when doing a compatibility reading.

1

Look at your sun signs.

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The sign you use for your daily horoscope represents your identity. If sun signs are compatible, there’s a positive energy surrounding the relationship. Your vibes flow as one, and you’re naturally attracted to each other’s personalities, making you a perfect match! Once you know your signs, see if they’re naturally compatible using this chart^{[1]
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- Aries: Gemini, Sagittarius, Leo
- Taurus: Cancer, Capricorn, Pisces
- Gemini: Libra, Aquarius, Aries
- Cancer: Taurus, Scorpio, Virgo
- Leo: Sagittarius, Aries, Gemini
- Virgo: Taurus, Cancer, Capricorn
- Libra: Aquarius, Gemini, Sagittarius
- Scorpio: Cancer, Capricorn, Pisces
- Sagittarius: Aries, Aquarius, Leo
- Capricorn: Taurus, Pisces, Virgo
- Aquarius: Sagittarius, Libra, Gemini
- Pisces: Scorpio, Cancer, Capricorn
- To find your sun sign, you need to know your birth date, time, and location.^{[2]
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  Angel Eyedealism
  Astrologer & Performance Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.}

2

Compare your ascendant and descendant signs.

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The ascendant represents physical attraction, and the descendant represents what you need in a partner. Check to see if your descendant signs match up with each other by looking on the right side of your birth chart. The zodiac sign on the axis labeled DC is your descendant sign. You can do the same with your ascendant sign by looking at the left side of your chart on the axis labeled AC.^{[3]
X
Research source} Follow this chart to see if your signs are compatible:
- Aries: Gemini, Sagittarius, Leo
- Taurus: Cancer, Capricorn, Pisces
- Gemini: Libra, Aquarius, Aries
- Cancer: Taurus, Scorpio, Virgo
- Leo: Sagittarius, Aries, Gemini
- Virgo: Taurus, Cancer, Capricorn
- Libra: Aquarius, Gemini, Sagittarius
- Scorpio: Cancer, Capricorn, Pisces
- Sagittarius: Aries, Aquarius, Leo
- Capricorn: Taurus, Pisces, Virgo
- Aquarius: Sagittarius, Libra, Gemini
- Pisces: Scorpio, Cancer, Capricorn
- You also use your time, date, and place of birth to calculate these signs.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Angel Eyedealism
  Astrologer & Performance Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.}
- If your ascendants are compatible, chances are you’re physically attracted to each other.
- If your descendants are compatible, you’re most likely soulmates.

3

Analyze your moon sign.

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The moon governs your inner needs and desires. What you hope to achieve in a relationship emotionally and long-term can be found by looking at the characteristics of your moon sign. To find your moon sign, locate where the symbol “☽” is on your birth chart. The zodiac sign paired with this symbol is your moon sign. If you share the same moon sign as your partner, you’re soulmates!^{[5]
X
Research source} If you don’t share the same sign, no worries—check to see if your signs are compatible with this chart:
- Aries: Sagittarius, Leo
- Taurus: Capricorn, Virgo
- Gemini: Libra, Aquarius
- Cancer: Scorpio, Pisces
- Leo: Sagittarius, Aries
- Virgo: Taurus, Capricorn
- Libra: Aquarius, Gemini
- Scorpio: Cancer, Pisces
- Sagittarius: Aries, Leo
- Capricorn: Taurus, Virgo
- Aquarius: Libra, Gemini
- Pisces: Scorpio, Cancer
- You can look up your moon sign online using your time, date, and place of birth, or you can also consult an ephemeris, which is a list of all the planetary alignments.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Angel Eyedealism
  Astrologer & Performance Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.}

4

Check where Venus and Mars are on your charts.

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Overlapping planetary alignments could mean you’re meant to be together. Venus is the Goddess of Love, whereas Mars is the God of War.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Angel Eyedealism
Astrologer & Performance Artist

Expert Interview. 8 December 2021.} Together, these planets represent the battle of love and relationships. Notice what houses these planets rest in on your charts. If your Venus is in the house where your partner’s Mars is (or vice versa), this could mean you’re star-crossed lovers.^{[8]
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- Venus is represented by the symbol “♀” on your birth chart, and is the planet of attraction, relationships, and love.
- Mars is represented by the symbol “♂” on your birth chart, and is the planet of passion, sex, and motivation.

5

Watch for house overlays.

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The houses represent how you see each other. Lay your birth charts on top of one another’s and notice where your planets fall in each other’s houses. Do your partner’s planets fill gaps in your chart? Do you have the same planets in the same houses? These could be signs that you’re each other’s other half or have similar life experiences.
- Keep a close eye on the 5th and 7th Houses.
- The 5th House, also known as the House of Pleasure, represents sex, pleasure, and desire.
- The 7th House, also known as the House of Partnership, represents relationships.

6

Check when Saturn is transiting.

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Saturn can tell you when it’s time to be in a relationship. This planet is the clock of our lives, and knowing when it’s transiting can tell you if you and your partner have a long-term connection. If Saturn is transiting in the 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, or 10th House—also known as the relationship houses—during the time of your relationship, you’re likely compatible.
- Saturn transiting is a planetary event that happens every 30 years where the ringed planet changes zodiac signs. This is considered to be a cycle of maturity and sparks great lessons in your life.^{[9]
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- You can find out which house Saturn is transiting in by searching “what sign is Saturn transiting now?” The house that rules the transiting sign is the house Saturn is transiting in.
- For example, if Saturn is transiting in Capricorn, it’s moving into the 10th House.

7

Pay attention to sign elements.

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If your zodiac signs are compatible, you’re golden! Each zodiac sign has an element associated with it, and these elements like to pair up with other elements of similar properties. For example, a fire sign won’t mesh well with a water sign because water extinguishes fire. The elements must move smoothly with each other for the relationship to last.
- Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are compatible with other fire signs and air signs.
- Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) are compatible with other water signs and earth signs.
- Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) are compatible with other air signs and fire signs.
- Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) are compatible with other earth signs and water signs.

8

Measure lunar nodes.

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These mathematical points can tell you if your paths were meant to cross. Lunar nodes are not signs but rather astrological points showing the moon’s orbit. There are two nodes—southern and northern—represented on your birth chart by an axis. Place your birth charts on top of each other to see if your lunar nodes overlap in any way.^{[10]
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- If your lunar nods overlap, it could mean you have a deep connection and are helping each other fulfill a greater life purpose—you're destined soulmates!
- The south node is represented by the symbol "☋" on your birth chart, and portrays your past.
- The north node is represented by the symbol "☊" on your birth chart, and predicts your future.