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According to a 2019 survey from Fullscreen, 43 percent of millennials would make a major life decision based on a horoscope or tarot card reading, and one in three turns to astrology to make sense of things in this unstable time. Our sources over at Tinder tell us that 18 to 25-year-olds are 29 percent more likely to reference astrology in their bios than users over the age of 25.
This is a very unstable time, and people need to access their arsenal of tools to find the best way to move forward. For many, astrology can connect some dots. It can shed some light on external events, and internal responses. Much of what the average person knows about astrology, however, is just a tiny piece of the puzzle. Most people could tell you their Zodiac sign and may know some vague data about that sign’s personality traits, off the tops of their heads. But there’s much more to astrology than that. Knowing the date and month of a person’s birth does not complete the puzzle.
For that reason and others, there can be a lot of misunderstandings around the signs. Even if you accurately determine your sun and moon sign, people may still misunderstand you, and you may misunderstand them. It can be frustrating, particularly in romantic relationships, to feel you’re being your genuine self, and have someone misinterpret your intentions. We spoke with Adama Sesay, founder, and astrologist at Lilith Astrology (@lilithastrology) about how the various signs can be misunderstood or bump heads in romantic endeavors.
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Earth signs are practical
Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are the earth signs, and are the practically-minded ones, says Sesay. “They are signs based on structure and discipline.” For this reason, Sesay says the earth signs can handle the intense emotions of the water signs. But only to an extent. “They don’t want anyone too out there – someone too impractical wouldn’t mesh well with them.”
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Earth signs are homebodies
Earth signs also love to stay home and, for this reason, may not work with the more outgoing Aires. Even if the two have opposites attract chemistry at first when it comes time to plan a date, an Aires’ may want a real adventure, while an earth sign’s idea of an outing may just be sitting in the park with a mask on, says Sesay.
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Earth signs take their time
Sesay says that earth signs can be misinterpreted as uninterested or even as commitment-phobes because they really take their time in love. They move slowly. They aren’t commitment-phobes, though, says Sesay, noting of Virgos in particular, “When they do commit, it’s for a long time. That’s why they get along with emotional signs. They balance each other out.”
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Coming in too hot for earth
While other signs can interpret earth signs as moving too slowly, or showing little interest, earth signs are making their own judgments. Slow-moving Virgos can see other signs as too forward, says Sesay. Aires might be one of the biggest culprits, as they don’t waste time. “Aires can initiate things fairly easily. Once they know what they want, they go for it.”
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A word to the impulsive signs
Just a little PSA to the impulsive signs out there: each time you meet up with someone in person, you risk contracting or spreading COVID-19. If it can be spread through sneezing and coughing, it can certainly be spread through more intimate contact. Now could be a good time to take your time, and get to know someone online before moving to the physical. Translation: act like a Virgo!
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Aires can get bored
Because Aires “Move with gusto and are more external in their reactions to things,” Sesay says they can quickly interpret someone who doesn’t behave that way as boring. Sesay told a story of her own online dating experience, in which a man asked her “So, what are you looking for?” She, as an emotional and intuitive water sign, interpreted that one way (which we’ll get to), but she said an Aires could see such a straightforward, methodical question as boring, and move on.
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Water signs are intuitive
So how did Sesay respond to the guy asking, “So, what are you looking for?” Her first instinct, she said, was to react negatively, because she believed the question was his subtle way of saying he just wanted a hookup. “Water signs are not looking for flings. Water signs are emotionally intense. They don’t like quick bonds.” Upon further reflection, Sesay realized the man may have just been genuinely curious, and resisted the urge to react.
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Libras will go with it
“A Libra wants to please,” says Sesay. With regards to the “So, what are you looking for?” question, “They [Libras] may entertain a conversation, even if they have an inkling of what’s up.” Sesay says Libras do, ultimately, need to connect, though. That’s something for Libras to be aware of if they sense an online relationship going nowhere.
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Air signs don’t take offense
When discussing how an Air sign (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) may respond to direct questions online, Sesay says they would have had the least drama. “Air signs are the least offended out of all the zodiacs. They’ll have fewer misunderstandings than other signs.” But, the other side of that laid-back coin is this: Aquarius and Gemini can come off as very emotionally detached to other signs.
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Air and fire feed each other
Air and fire can be a good match. Air is intellectual, while fire is all about light and inspiration. When you add air to fire, practically speaking, the flame gets bigger. Figuratively speaking, that’s not such a bad thing either. Sesay says that neither of these signs though – not fire or air – like water signs, as they come off as too clingy to them.
