If you're a dedicated horoscope reader, you've probably dabbled in astrological compatibility, too — from a romantic standpoint, that is. However, consulting someone else's birth chart shouldn't just be reserved for when you're dating them. It can be equally useful to look up your BFF's chart.
Not only do all sorts of astrological aspects and placements indicate a harmonious romantic relationship, there are plenty that can reflect a lifelong friendship in the making, too. You just need to know where to look in your and your friend's respective birth charts.
Ahead, we'll show you four features in your birth charts to check out in order to better understand your friendship from an astrological POV. Of course, if you and your BFF don't have any of these traits in common, that doesn't mean you should break up on the spot. Astrology is an imperfect science — and it's totally fine if your dearest friendship defies the "rules" (and we use that term very loosely) of the stars.
Check your sun signs.
There's a wide variety of sun sign pairings that lay the foundation for great friendships, but, when they're two or four signs apart on the Wheel of the Zodiac, you could have an astrologically compatible relationship on your hands. In the case of the former, you two probably "get along" well, meaning you can spend hours together doing nothing in particular and still have a ball — this aspect suggests cooperation and a "go-with-the-flow" dynamic, the AstroTwins write. In the latter's case, the Twins write that the sense of ease and understanding that comes with this aspect is hard to beat. You and your pal probably have a lot in common and support each other, but are different enough to offer each other a slightly different point of view through which to see the world. That said, sharing a sun sign with your friend can be just as advantageous: You know each other's strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes, because they're the same as your own.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Check your sun signs' ruling elements.
Yet another trick employed in romantic compatibility readings, looking at the element that rules yours and your friend's sun sign can tell you more about how your personalities meld. If your respective ruling elements are side-by-side on the Wheel of the Zodiac (say, a fire-ruled Leo with a water-ruled Cancer or an earth-ruled Virgo), you likely have a very complementary relationship, in which you may come across as very different but clearly understand each other very well. Picture someone with a fire sign and someone with a water sign hanging out: The fire-ruled person is likely more outgoing, but they see some of themselves in the water-ruled person's emotional side.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Check your moon signs.
The moon plays a major role in determining a romantic couple's emotional dynamic, but this celestial body remains a major player in friendships as well. Astrologer Annie Heese writes that, when two people's moon signs are sextile, or separated by two Zodiac signs, they stand a good chance at forming a "harmonious" bond. If you find that you and your friend have sextile moon signs (maybe your moon is in Aries while theirs is in Leo), you may have an easy time expressing your feelings around each other or anticipating the other's feelings just by looking at each other. Even if your friend makes a decision that you wouldn't necessarily make, you see their side and have their back.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Check your Mercury signs.
Your Mercury sign determines your communication style, approach to problem-solving, and listening skills. In the same way that it serves your friendship for your respective sun signs to be two or four signs apart, these aspects also mean good things when they appear between your Mercury signs. Heese writes that Mercury signs separated by two signs imply that the lines of communication between you and your friend are wide open — and we mean FaceTiming in the bathroom levels of open. Meanwhile, she writes, having four signs between your Mercury sign and your partner's suggests that your interactions are almost always mutually beneficial — you learn from each other, add to each other's ideas, and help create positive solutions together.
illustrated by Anna Sudit.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
