What makes a compatible couple? What is the true determinant of compatibility between two people? Is it the mutual trust and understanding or is it something else? It is this 'something else' that always intrigues me and it is astrology! Not all questions find scientific answers; not everything has a logical reasoning for it; and it is when one comes across such unexplained phenomena, that he starts understanding that 2+2 is not always 4! Life is not simple and living is not science! It is where science ends, that philosophy begins and so does life. This makes evident the fact that not all problems find a mathematical solution and that reiterates the proposition that 2 and 2 don't always make 4. It is true that compatibility determines the success of a relationship; but what governs this compatibility? The feelings that the people involved in a relationship have for each other, are important for a relationship to be successful. The efforts they take to build the relationship and strengthen it definitely matter. But, there is something governing those feelings; there is something ruling the willingness of an individual to take those efforts; and it is astrological sign compatibility. Astrological Compatibility by Moon Sign Astrology attempts to analyze the relative position and movement of celestial bodies and determine how stars and planets influence the lives of human beings. Most of us know about sun signs and their supposed significance in our daily life. But what are moon signs? What differentiates the astrology of moon signs from zodiac sign astrology? Well, it's the underlying principle itself! The sign in which the sun was present at the time of your birth, is your sun sign. It changes according to the month in which you were born. On the other hand, your moon sign is determined by the presence of the moon in a particular sign at the time of your birth. Your moon sign depends on the exact time and place of your birth. Moon sign is of great importance in Vedic astrology. The moon is believed to rule the emotional side of your personality. It governs the inner feelings and dictates your instincts and immediate responses. It is believed that the moon has a deep impact on human psychology and hence, your moon sign gives a better understanding of the person in you. What makes two moon signs compatible? Well, compatibility is governed by a number of factors, the most important among them being, the personality traits of each of the moon signs. Besides, each moon sign is associated with a particular ruling planet and an element (fire, earth, water or air). In astrology, planets have a meaning, distinct from that in astronomy. For example, Venus stands for love, sensuality, beauty, bonding and attraction; while Saturn represents restriction, limitation, responsibility, obligation and ambition. Also, each element represents certain characteristics. Fire signs represent self-belief, enthusiasm and honesty; Earth signs exemplify cautiousness, dependability and stability; Water signs suggest sensitivity and emotional bonding, whereas Air signs exemplify thought, ideas and a sense of objectivity. The nature of the 'ruling planet' and the 'element' of each of the moon signs reflects in the personality traits associated with it. It is a general observation that two people with the same moon sign are compatible with each other. It is largely true, as individuals with the same moon sign share a majority of their characteristics and can therefore, understand each other well. There is a concept of Shadashtak in Vedic astrology, which is closely related to moon sign compatibility. The moon signs which are situated six or eight places away from each other are known as shadashtak, and are believed to be incompatible with each other. Moon Sign Compatibility Aries (Mesha): Your moon sign is Aries, if you were born when the moon was in this zodiac sign. Being an Aries, you are a quick thinker. You are aggressive, impatient and short-tempered. You are extremely confident and adventurous. Your ruling planet is Mars and element is Fire. Moon sign astrology suggests that you get along very well with Aries. You are highly compatible with Leo and Sagittarius; while you cannot get along with Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio and Capricorn. Taurus (Vrishabha): If the moon was traveling through Taurus, at the time you were born, your moon sign is Taurus. As you belong to this moon sign, you are stubborn, self-willed and very strong emotionally. You are a lover of art, beauty, good food and luxury. Venus rules you and your element is Earth. You can jell with Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Your relationship with Aries or Gemini may require some adjustments; while your relationship with Libra or Sagittarius might require compromises. There are less chances that your relationship with Libra or Sagittarius will be a success. Gemini (Mithuna): If your moon sign is Gemini, it means that the moon was in this sign of the zodiac when you were born. Being a Gemini, you are clever and talkative. If I may say this, you are a flirt and tend to change partners frequently. That's your so-called 'love for change'! Your ruling planet is Mercury and element is Air. Your relationship with Libra, Aquarius or Gemini is sure to be a hit. But, you need to be careful, if you are thinking of a relationship with Capricorn or Scorpio. You can easily collaborate with Leo and Aries, but not very well with Virgo or Pisces. Cancer (Karka): If you say your moon sign is cancer, you were born while the moon was traveling through this zodiac sign. The moon rules you and your element is Water. Belonging to this moon sign, you are emotional by nature and possess a strong understanding of other's feelings. Cancerian women make excellent mothers. You can get along very well with Cancer, Pisces and Scorpio. You are not compatible with Aquarius and Sagittarius. Your relationship with Virgo or Taurus is harmonious, but that's not the case with Leo or Gemini. Leo (Simha): Your moon sign is Leo, if you were born when the moon was in this sign of the zodiac. The Sun rules Leo and its element is Fire. If you are a Leo, you are assertive, confident and opportunistic. You are encouraging and optimistic and you make an ideal leader. You can jell with Leo, Aries and Sagittarius. There will be clashes in your relationship with Taurus or Scorpio. If you are paired with Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn or Pisces, you might end up making an incompatible couple. Virgo (Kanya): A moon in Virgo indicates that you are a Virgo. Your ruling planet is Mercury and your element is Earth. Moon sign astrology says that you are a very analytical and critical person. You make a loyal partner and a trustworthy friend. You make a brilliant pair with Virgo or Capricorn. Your relationship with Libra, Aquarius or Sagittarius may not be a complete success. Libra (Thula): If you were born when the moon was in this astrological sign, your moon sign is Libra. You have somewhat extreme views about life and are indifferent by nature. You are creative and diplomatic and love to take new initiatives. Your ruling planet is Venus and your element is Air. You are highly compatible with Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. You hardly share any personality traits with those of Aries, and that's the reason why your relationship with the moon sign may not work. You can have a harmonious relationship with Leo, but not with Cancer. Scorpio (Vrischika): Being a Scorpio, you are quick-tempered, but also cool down easily. You are protective about your near and dear ones. Intelligent and shrewd that you are, it's not very easy to demotivate you. Mars is your ruling planet and your element is Water. Your relationship with Aquarius can turn out to be stormy, but you will make a fairly good pair with Taurus. You are not very compatible with Libra and Sagittarius, but you can get along well with Virgo. Sagittarius (Dhanu): If you are a Sagittarius, your ruling planet is Jupiter and your element is Fire. This unique combination of your ruling planet and element gives you an equally unique set of personality traits. You are cheerful and optimistic; you enjoy taking risks. A philosopher by nature, you are always in pursuit of the 'new'. You can build a great rapport with Gemini, but your relationship with Taurus or Cancer may not work well. You can live in harmony with Libra and Aquarius. Capricorn (Makara): A moon in this sign of the zodiac implies that you are a Capricorn. You are ruled by the disciplinarian Saturn and your element is Earth. You can jell with Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. You crave for sensitivity and understanding, which Cancerians can offer and hence, your relationship with them can work well. You can share a harmonious relationship with Pisces. However, you do not make a very good pair with Libra. Aquarius (Kumbha): If you are an Aquarius, your ruling planet is Saturn and your element is Air. You are intellectual and independent. You are honest, idealistic and always ready to help others. Moreover, you are a perfect humanitarian. Having similar temperaments, you may not make a brilliant pair with Aries. You are not considered compatible with Taurus and Pisces. The calm and cool Aquarius can make a fairly compatible pair with the aggressive Leo. Being considerably different from Pisces, your relationship with this moon sign may not be a success. Pisces (Meena): You are ruled by Jupiter and your element is Water. Being a Pisces, you are calm and gentle and turn out to be wonderful friends. You are often indecisive and very submissive by nature. You have a creative bent of mind and you are constantly in pursuit of making the world a better place to live. You cannot be considered compatible with Aries, Libra and Sagittarius. You can have a wonderful relationship with Scorpio and a fairly compatible one with Virgo. Your personality traits compliment with those of Taurus; you both can make a good pair. If you are finding a partner for yourself, you can check if your moon signs are compatible with one another and confirm whether astrology proclaims that you will make a perfect pair. But, what if you have already found a partner? I understand that it's not possible to 'think' and then fall in love. It is highly infeasible to first study astrology and then 'decide' whether you should fall in love or 'fall out' of it! Once a person is yours, you need to accept him with everything that is his; perhaps even his not-so-compatible moon sign! Remember, astrology is that 'something else', contributing to the success of a relationship. Although, it's not equivalent to nothing, it's also not everything.