“A cosmic cheat sheet”: This is how astrology can improve your dating life

“Signs that fall within the same element tend to mesh well together, as they have a similar approach to relationships.”

When it comes to my love life, I’ve previously tried to avoid cosmic intervention. I resented the TikToks that demanded you repost to get a text back from your crush; I hated when friends used their partner’s star sign as a means to dismiss bad behaviour. Emotionally evasive? ‘Scorpio behaviour.’ Astrology felt like a defensive dating tool, a way to justify questionable personality traits and let the good bits rise to the surface.

In saying that, I had a string of disappointing dating experiences before meeting my current partner. They’d often follow the same pattern – a great first date, sometimes an even better second, followed by a compatibility curveball that made me reconsider everything. After recently learning that 42 per cent of Australians consider star signs when looking for a potential partner, I began to think my scepticism might’ve been misplaced.

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“One of the most common reasons why people consult astrology is to help guide them through the tricky world of dating,” explains Matt Galea, Astrologer and author of How to Spot the (Star) Signs. “Astrology can be used to help determine if our star sign is compatible with the sign of our potential dates.” He recently launched a Beginner’s Guide to Astrology x Dating with Tinder, encouraging singles to use star signs to spark meaningful connections. Here, he speaks on how astrology can improve your dating life.

What role do you think astrology has in our dating/love lives?

Astrology has never been more trusted and relied upon for guidance in our lives than it is right now. While astrology was once dismissed as a woo-woo practice, a large portion of young Aussies are now embracing the stars as a helpful love oracle – and the stats prove it! According to Tinder’s data, 30 per cent of Gen Z [people] have admitted to checking their match’s star sign before going on a date, and 42 per cent of Aussies believe star sign compatibility is important when finding an ideal partner.

How can astrology help us find love?

Astrology provides us with a cosmic cheat sheet that can help us navigate our way through the tricky world of dating. Learning someone’s zodiac sign will give you an interesting insight into their personality, how they operate in relationships and perhaps most importantly, if you’re astrologically compatible.

What does it mean to be ‘astrologically compatible’?

There are a few different metrics that astrologers use to determine which star signs are astrologically compatible. For example, signs that fall within the same element tend to mesh well together as they have a similar approach to relationships, and their wants and needs often align. There’s also the sextile rule, which is when the planets that govern each star sign sit 60 degrees apart from another sign, forming a sweet connection between the two.

Is there something specific we should be looking for in our birth charts to help improve our dating lives?

When it comes to compatibility, most people look at the sun sign (AKA our main sign) for compatibility, but this is just one piece of the puzzle. I’d also recommend checking out if your moon sign is compatible with theirs as this reflects how you feel emotionally… [and] your Venus sign, as that’s the planet of love and romance. Then, of course, there’s Mercury, which is all about communication. As we know, communication is key in relationships!

Let’s say we already have a partner. How can astrology help deepen that connection?

No relationship is perfect, right? There are always going to be aspects of your relationship that need improvement, whether it’s your communication, your sex life or your understanding of what makes or breaks your partner’s mood. Well, astrology can provide you with the answers to all of these! I’d recommend doing a love chart reading to identify where there might be challenges in the relationship, but also to pinpoint (and celebrate!) the areas where you align.

By the way, if your signs aren’t compatible according to astrology, that does not mean the relationship is set to fail. It just means there may be challenges – as all relationships have, even the astrologically compatible ones – and by identifying those areas with the help of your star chart, you can figure out the areas of the relationship that need a little extra love and attention.

How can astrology help us navigate dating apps?

Since Tinder rolled out the function for singles to display their star sign on their profile, it has become one of the top five descriptors used across the app, proving that it’s a helpful tool that folks are using to find themselves an ideal match on dating apps. You can use astrology to navigate your way through Tinder in two ways. Firstly, by bringing it up as a conversation kick-starter.

Secondly, you can check what someone’s sign is before you start talking. [It can] give you a little hint into what you’re in for. If you need help figuring out which signs you’re compatible with and how astrology can help you find an ideal match, check out the Beginner’s Guide to Astrology x Dating that I’ve created with Tinder.

For more on astrology and dating, head here.