In the world of love, the self-knowledge we bring to the table is key. We have to know ourselves in order to ask for and get what we want, after all. Understanding how your sign tends to handle emotions and navigate commitment new and old could help you locate your inner love boss and thrive in a relationship. Here’s a snapshot of each zodiac sign’s relationship style.
Aries (March 20 “ April 19): Aries are natural-born leaders who naturally express their individuality (Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, and Diana Ross are among this brazen tribe). They do best in relationships where they can feel truly seen, and know they’re a top priority. The lesson in love for an Aries is to not lose themselves in a relationship — (as the youngest sign in the zodiac, they can be more dependent on their partner than they’d like to be known) — but instead, allow their strong sense of self to be enriched by it.
Taurus (April 19 “ May 20): Taurus’ ideal relationship operates within a reliable and rewarding routine. You’re driven by security, but you’re not boring (Tennis star Andre Agassi said of his Taurus ex-lover Barbara Streisand, Dating her is like wearing Hot Lava”). Artistic Taurus loves luxury and will work hard to create a PERFECT sensual experience. Your lesson in love is to not let your high standards lead to frustration. You’re willing to wait for the right partner, but don’t let perfectionism interfere with what’s real and what’s good.
Gemini (May 20 “ June 20): For you, relationships are intellectual adventures. You’re a skilled communicator and deep, if quick, thinker. The most complex and storied beauties in Hollywood have been Geminis (think: Angelina Jolie, Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp and Kanye West). People are drawn to your DGAF attitude and honesty. Your love lesson is to resist the urge to ditch the baby with the bathwater at the first intuitive hit of something wrong. Use your expressive nature to shape the type of dynamic you want, and not destroy the possibility of love.
Cancer (June 20 “ July 22): Cancers take love seriously and cultivate rock-solid, trusting relationships. They’re the nesters of the zodiac, and maintain a strong sense of family (a la Khloe Kardashian, Luke Bryan, Liv Tyler). Your love lesson is to learn how to own your needs in a relationship. You have great skill for nurturing and empathy, and courageously bring your whole heart to the table, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reinforce boundaries if you sense you’re being taking advantage of. Trust and obey your intuition to realize your highest love potential.
Leo (July 22 “ August 22): Your strength and self-confidence is huge, Leo, and you operate best when you’re recognized for it. In addition, you thrive on the idea of romance itself. The tokens of appreciation, Facebook status declarations, PDAs, and even some drama, give you life. Some of the hottest, high-profile love affairs were between two Leos (Ben Affleck and JLo, Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas). Your love lesson: Don’t settle for less just because someone makes you feel good. You have a lot of warmth to give. Make sure your partner is worthy.
Virgo (August 22 “ September 22): You’re the one friends call when they need adulting support. You’re a natural when it comes to helping and motivating others and you bring your talent for order to all aspects of your life, romantic included. For you, nothing goes unnoticed (think: Virgo-priestess Beyoncé©’s calculated artistry and personal archive of her career). Your lesson in love is to manage your inner critic; keep it in check when it wants to become a micromanager or a perfectionist. Instead, channel it into something that will enhance your lifestyle and help you show up in the world as your best bad self.
Libra (September 22 “ October 23): The keeper of the scales thrives in a balanced relationship where the giving and taking is effortlessly equal. You’re skilled at maintaining harmony in your life and you tend to be good at nurturing balance within yourself so you can present a polished persona to the world (think: Gwenyth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Silverstone). You’re a devoted, easy-going partner who tends to feel at home in a partnership. The love lesson for you is to learn to be truly honest and not fear or avoid conflict. When a Libra bottles it up, she tends to shut down, fast.
Scorpio (October 23 “ November 21): The thing that makes a Scorpio so attractive to others — their passion — is also their greatest weakness. Scorpio is the femme fatale of the zodiac and tend to be considered mysterious and intense (some famous Scorpios who have won the hearts of many include Leo Dicaprio, Matthew Mcconaughey, Ryan Gosling, and Demi Moore). You are dedicated in a relationship once you trust someone, which can take time. For you, there’s no faking anything. You’re not interested in a partner who wants to play house. Take it one step at a time and let your partner prove him or herself worthy.
Sagittarius (November 21 “ December 21): People gravitate to you because you embrace change and always keep life interesting (your never-boring Sag crew includes Miley Cryrus, Britney Spears, and Nicki Minaj). Freedom is your chief value, and you won’t stand to be controlled. In a relationship you require a lively sex life, constant communication — (you are the philosopher of the fire signs) — and laughter, perhaps above all else. If things get complicated or overly dramatic, you’ll want to bolt. Find a partner with whom you can achieve a balance between commitment and autonomy.
Capricorn (December 21 “ January 19): You’re one of the most ambitious of the signs, and you thrive with a partner who values upward mobility as much as you do (think: Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama). Many Capricorns will actually hold off on love until they get their career plans in place; Capricorns have high standards and pride themselves on their ability to show up. Once committed, you consider the health of your relationship a project as worthy as building your own financial security. You’re highly responsible and a steadfast pillar for your friends and lovers.
Aquarius (January 19 “ February 18): Aquarius, you want more than anything to change the world. A partner in crime is your best compliment — someone you feel safe with and can genuinely have fun with (e.g. Aquarius duo Ellen Degeneres and Portia DeRossi). A result of your humanitarian nature is that you tend to guard your independence carefully, so healthy boundaries are important. Constantly exploring your partner on an intellectual level is what will keep you happy in the long run.
Pisces (February 18 “ March 20): The last of the zodiac signs is ruled by Neptune, the planet of dreams and inspiration. Hence, Pisces loves romance and creating magic out of relationships (like crooners Adam Levine, Chris Martin and Justin Bieber). On a practical level, Pisces values both security and freedom, so she needs a a lover who respects her boundaries. In a relationship, she must be both sufficiently inspired and heard. She feels emotions intensely, and her partner best be receptive and able to support her in turning her emotions into creative energy.
In it for a good time, not a long time? Some cosmic advice can help with that, too. Find out how to seduce anyone based on their sign.
