Certain zodiac combinations tend to exhibit greater harmony than others. This field of study is filed under astrological compatibility, and it's often used to predict romantic success between two individuals However, compatibility is hardly limited to romance. The same tools used to determine intimate partnerships can also gauge the compatibility within platonic, filial, professional, or any type of relationship. The sun signs of two individuals are often placed at the forefront of compatibility studies, but this presents a severely limited point of view. True astrological compatibility involves analyzing the entire natal chart of both parties.

Ideal Matches

Ideal zodiac matches will either occur within an individual's own element or with a complimentary element. However, the quadruplicities also make an impact on such effects. Mutable elements such as Pisces will have an easier time dealing with the cardinal nature of a Capricorn than the more aggressive fire sign, Aries.

The nuances between the quadruplicies, triplicities and their placements within a natal chart individualize the degree of compatibility between two persons. Make no mistake, the placement of these factors can largely impact the interaction and harmony within a relationship. Indeed, Aries and Gemini can form a quality pair, but if this partnership is found only within the sun signs of two individuals, compatibility cannot be defined by these two signs. Mars, the moon, Venus, and Mercury within such natal charts must also exhibit the same degree of compatibility to build a solid and lasting relationship.

The Behavior of Elements

The way the four elements behave in the natural world is very telling of the zodiac. The laws of physics and chemistry define the actions of fire, water, earth and air in the world. Likewise, the signs of the zodiac are believed to behave in a similar manner, which is why some signs are far more compatible than others. Moreover, some combinations within the zodiac can be stifling or just downright volatile.

Principles to Consider:

• Fire extinguishes water.
• Air fuels fire.
• Fire burns up earth.
• Water molds earth, but also conforms to it.
• Water and air creates tsunamis and hurricanes.
• Air upsets earth in the tornados and dust storms.

For these very reasons, zodiac compatibility tends to follow such rules as:

• Fire and air are compatible.
• Air and water may irritate one another.
• Air and earth may also irritate one another.
• Earth and water encourage and shape each other.
• Fire and water work against each other's cause.

Zodiac Signs and Similarities

The degree of compatibility between two zodiac signs is determined by two substantial factors:

• Triplicity
• Quadruplicity
• Triplicities

Zodiac triplicities use specific elements to classify the twelve zodiac signs. There are three zodiac signs within each triplicity:

• Earth: Includes Capricorn, Virgo and Taurus
• Air: Air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
• Fire: The fire signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
• Water: Water signs include Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces

Quadruplicities

The quadruplicities host three categories marked as:

• Cardinal: This category includes Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn.
• Mutable: The mutable signs are Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo and Pisces.
• Fixed: Fixed signs include Taurus, Aquarius, Scorpio and Leo.
• Each of these three categories hosts four zodiac signs, one zodiac sign from each of the four triplicities.

Dividing the Zodiac

These divisions within the zodiac are said to account for the numerous and specific energies that flow from each of the twelve zodiac signs. Such classifications make it easier for an astrologer to note just why some zodiac signs exhibit more similarities than others. For example:

• You can expect the three zodiac signs within each element to have something in common.
• You can also expect the four zodiac signs within each quadruplicity to have something in common.
• You can note the behavior of the four elements in the natural world and draw conclusions.

Careful Examinations

When planets, houses and aspects all come into play, it's not difficult to see why many astrologers learn their art thoroughly before entering the professional field. Astrological compatibility is a highly detailed study, and it is best to bring your natal charts to a professional for examination to achieve the most accurate results.