Whether you’ve just swiped right or are in the throes of long and (hopefully) everlasting love, it can be helpful sometimes to have a helping hand from forces far beyond our control when it comes to our romantic endeavours.

While friends, work wives and family can offer their advice and guidance, sometimes when we need help, affirmation or indeed validation, it can be assuring to have a more objective, external offering as to your relationship, its strength and its future, which is where a little help from our zodiacs can help. Should a Capricorn really pursue a Scorpio? Think again. Can a Cancer ever make it work with a Pisces? Better luck next time.

That’s why, in a time where heartbreak (thank you, One Day) or indeed puppy love (here’s looking at you, Taylor and Travis) seems to be around every corner, we figured it was about time to bring in the horoscope heavyweights. Enter, Alice Smith, the resident Astrologer at London's Wellness Foundry, who has offered a little guide to which signs belong with which and which should be avoided at all costs. Your wish is our command!

Astrological guide to romantic compatibility

Aries (March 21-April 19)

'Aries is the impulsive initiator of the zodiac and is a strong fire sign ruled by Mars,' Smith says. 'A pairing with this energy-charged ego will require an understanding ear and patient heart. The cosmic balancer for love with Aries is Libra, which is ruled by Venus. Libras can bring romantic harmony and show Aries the mirror image of themselves.'

Smith suggests that Aquariuses and Geminis, which are the other air signs, can bring much-needed intellectual stimulation for Aries, while fellow fire signs, Sagittariuses and Leos, can match an Aries' energy. Although a match between the pair can be far less straightforward, water signs like sensitive Cancers and poetic Pisces can also be wonderful love matches as their soft and understanding way and emotional nature can generally soothe and calm an Aries.

'Two Aries together may be too big of an ego clash to sustain without significant effort,' she suggests, while adding that a Scorpio may be too deep and tricky for an Aries to decipher, while an order-loving Virgo may also clash with the impetuous and rash planning stye of an Aries.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Sensual and slow-moving, Smith explains, a Taurus would make a great match for a home-body like Cancer, although the other water signs may be too emotionally volatile for the stable bull. ‘Other earth signs, like the similarly pragmatic and grounded Capricorn or a Virgo would have no trouble understanding the stability of a taurus, but Leos, Sagittariuses and Aquariuses are too showy and self-aggrandising for the steady temperament of Taurus, who prefers a calm style of opulence.’

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

‘Geminis might seem flighty to some, but a Libra, that quick-moving fellow air sign, would be as equally able to see both sides of an argument, making these two a good romantic match,’ Smith says. ‘Aquariuses can also typically vibe with Geminis given their proclivity to seeking out the new and novel, while Sagittariuses have the same adventure-seeking spirit as Geminis, making for a fun, exciting love partner.’

The signs that will typically struggle the most with a Gemini are earth signs such as Capricorns and Tauruses, who tend to find Geminis too unpredictable and cerebral for a long term partnership. Scorpios find it hard to trust at the best of times but Gemini’s shifty, chameleon-like nature will make it hard to open up, which makes this pairing another to potentially swerve.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Cancers, which are ruled by the moon, typically want emotional security and someone to feel at home with. ‘Fellow water signs can always sense what Cancers need emotionally, making for a close empathic match,’ Smith notes. ‘Virgos love to give back the nurturing energy that Cancers give, while Capricorns give the reliable, solid foundation that can make for a cosmic soul pairing with Cancer.’

Signs to steer clear of for the gentle Cancer are typically feisty and fiery types, like Leos and Sagittariuses as they can be too self-absorbed to pick up on subtle Cancer’s cues, while Geminis also tend to have a changeable, self-serving streak that will put Cancers on edge.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

A Leo, in the eyes of Smith, will shine 'like a regal lion without even trying', so any partner will have to love and allow them their moment in the spotlight.

'Aquariuses bring the structured ideas and excitement to the table, while Geminis dream big, which the quick-witted and airy energy of a Leo can benefit from,' she says. 'Fellow fire sign, Sagittariuses, will typically understand Leos straight away and will enjoy trying to match their thrill-seeking nature.'

For a Leo, however, Virgos, Capricorns and Tauruses are generally to be avoided at all costs as, according to Smith, they all find Leos 'a bit much most of the time.'

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Virgos appreciate partners with integrity who can see the careful thought that they typically put into everything they do.

'Fellow earth signs like the hardworking Capricorn and trustworthy Taurus are a great match for Virgos, while Scorpios have the potential to bring the driving force and power to the goals of the order-seeking Virgo. Once a Virgo and Scorpio couple have set their eyes on th eprize, there's nothing that can't achieve,' Smith says.

Virgos typically struggle with the airy tendencies of Geminis and Aquariuses though, as they prefer signs that can keep themselves grounded. Sagittariuses similarly have too many 'ungrounded plans and fantastical ideas for the practical Virgos' patience.'

Libra (September 23-October 22)

Libras tend to pair the best romantically with their fellow Libras. ‘Equally measured, as their mascot of the scales implies, arguments will be few and far between with two Libras,’ Smith says. ‘Aquariuses are a good choice for an understanding conversationalist, while Aries can bring a go-getting and light-hearted energy to Libra’s hesitancy.’

Libras are unlikely to feel an instant spark from sensible Capricorns or Virgos though. The only earth sign that a Libra might have a karmic match with though is Venus-ruled Taurus, which, of all the earth signs, is most likely to appreciate the sensual courtship style of a Libra. ‘Pisces has too many dreamy flights of fancy for Libra to follow, making these two a poor match too,’ Smith adds.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

‘Scorpios are most compatible with their fellow water signs, Cancers and Pisces, who inherently appreciate the emotional needs and perceptions of the mysterious scorpion,’ Smith says.

She also notes that, ‘Thoughtful and supportive Virgos are a beautiful match for Scorpios, as they can put in the work to figure out the enigmatic depths of them.’

The thorniness of the Scorpio though can make it difficult to form a meaningful connection with the idealistic intellect of an Aquarius, and the fire signs Leo and Aries, whose self-driven world view can often clash with the aspirations of a Scorpio.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

‘The expansive fire of the archer matches best with a fellow Sagittarius,’ Smith says, noting that the energetic nature of a Gemini can also mean that they can keep up with a Sagittarius. ‘Aries, which are fellow fire signs, will be able to maintain the active yet firm-handed partnering that Sagittariuses need, while earth signs like Capricorns and Tauruses find Sagittariuses too boisterous and scattered to make a stable pairing.’

She adds that an emotional match is also unlikely to be found between a Sagittarius and a Pisces.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

The sea goat’s drive and serious demeanour can be matched by few signs, but fellow earth sign, Virgo is a great place to start. ‘Scorpios also has the same emotional depth and intensity, making them a powerful match to forge,’ Smith says.

As for the signs that a Capricorn should avoid, Leos and Sagittariuses will find the meticulous planning of a Capricorn draining, while Geminis like to be in the centre of fast-paced activity, which can tend to make Capricorns feel a little on edge.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

‘Give an Aquarius a noble cause and a philanthropic idea and they’re all yours,’ Smith says. ‘This idealistic air sign matches best with Geminis and Libras, which are other air signs, who can match the nimble banter and humanitarian postulations of the water-bearer.’

Scorpios and Cancers will be deemed too needy and moody in equal measure by Aquariuses, while Tauruses can feel very destabilised by the revolutionary spirit of an Aquarius.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Scorpios and Cancers share with Pisces the deep emotional need to bond, making them great matches for each other. ‘The spiritual and artistic flair of them coupled with the emotional intensity makes Pisces the most similar to Scorpios,’ Smith adds. ‘But opposites also do attract and Capricorn cans be the right dose of steadfast earthiness for a Pisces to take root in.’

Geminis, Leos and Sagittariuses are typically too outgoing and outspoken for how measured and contemplative a Pisces generally is.

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