In ELLE’s column, Ask the AstroTwins, our resident astrologers take on your burning questions about the cosmos. And this one is pretty fiery. With summer romance in the air, the duo explains: What’s the link between astrology and sex? Plus, what your birth chart reveals about your turn-ons and turn-offs.
It’s not exactly breaking news that who you are in bed might be very different from the person you are as you move through your daily life. The hardworking exec might want to be tenderly babied after a long week of shouldering responsibility—or maybe bossed around with a side of light BDSM.
But did you know there’s also an astrological explanation for that? Understanding this connection might just be the key to homing in on what you want in a partner and what you need to feel sexually satisfied. To do so, astrologers take a look at three aspects of your birth chart: your sun sign, your Venus sign, and your Mars sign.
Your sun sign, or your zodiac sign, determines your outward personality and reveals the way you shine in the world. It definitely has a say in your sex life, too. After all, we are attracted to people who see our brilliance. But sometimes, that’s not quite enough.
If you truly want to lift the veil, examining your Venus and Mars signs can explain so much. Venus, the planet of seduction, romance, and beauty is in charge of setting the scene. What do you need to get yourself in the mood? How do you like to be wooed and what are your turn-ons and turn-offs? Learning the zodiac sign that Venus was in when you were born is the ultimate date-planning cheat code. (Find your Venus sign here.)
Then, bring in Mars, the lusty, assertive planet that takes over when you’re swept up in pure animal desire. Do you need deep eye contact and tender caresses or scratching and biting like a feral cat? Understanding the zodiac sign that Mars was in at your time of birth reveals what you need for sustained sexual attraction. (Find your Mars sign here.)
And here’s where things get really interesting: Your sun, Venus, and Mars signs might all be different from one another, in which case you’ll need to shake ’em together like a cocktail. Better yet, look for someone who can match that range. There are some people who might have all three placements in the same sign, adding a triple-shot of intensity to your erotic whims. Think of it like this:
Sun sign: What you notice and want to be noticed for
Venus sign: How you seduce and want to be seduced
Mars sign: What gets you hot and keeps that fire burning in bed
One way to start is to look at the element of your sun, Venus, and Mars signs. Are they fire, earth, air, or water?
Fire signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
The dynamos of the zodiac, fire signs heat up every interaction with passion and excitement. Like flames, they want to expand in every direction. They hate to be bored and need a lot of stimulation to stay lit up in love.
Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Grounded earth signs want love that feels stable and traditional. They can be slower to trust because they are looking to build something that lasts. Highly sensual, they can be attuned to bodily pleasures like touch, taste, and scent.
Air signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
The communicators of the zodiac, air signs connect through sexy DMs, late-night conversations, and witty banter. Experimental and playful, they love to try new things. Talking about sex is as much fun for them as actually doing it.
Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
This group tends to be private, mysterious, and highly emotional in love. These signs need to know where they stand in a relationship and want to connect at a soul-deep level. Loyalty is essential.
How does it all come together for you? We have a pretty complex combination in our chart. With the sun in Sagittarius, a fire sign, we notice dynamic people and like to be appreciated for our daring moves and outspoken humor. But, record scratch—Venus and Mars are in secretive, sensitive Scorpio for us, throwing a bucket of water on the wilder adventures that a Sagittarius often craves.
It took some serious trial and error for us to learn that the obnoxiously funny guy at the party (Sag vibes) did not generally transmute into the layered, sensual artist that our Venus and Mars in Scorpio demanded. But there have been a few rare gems who fit that bill, and they’ve always been our most satisfying relationships. We’d love to tell you more, but our Venus and Mars in Scorpio want us to keep a few secrets under lock and key.
