5 Zodiac Duos That Attract… and Tear Each Other Apart

“Love at first sight… and a slammed door”

Aries charges in, Cancer melts: Cancer loves the energy that pulls it out of its shell, and Aries falls for a tenderness it never allows itself. Two cardinal signs, two leaders: things take off instantly.

The catch? Mars, Aries' ruler, is in its fall in Cancer, according to tradition. Translation: one's blunt honesty bruises the other's sensitivity, Cancer sulks… and Aries can't stand it (patience isn't exactly their thing). Aries, count to ten before you reply; Cancer, say what hurts instead of retreating. And keep the tissues handy for the make-ups: they're intense.

“The secret garden vs. the open sky”

Taurus is fascinated by unpredictable Aquarius, who shows them a thousand new things; Aquarius finds in Taurus a wonderfully reassuring home base. Two fixed signs: once they commit, it's built to last.

Except fixed also means stubborn. Venus, Taurus' ruler, wants comfort, touch and routines; Uranus, Aquarius' ruler, wants freedom and novelty. Taurus feels neglected, Aquarius feels smothered, and neither gives an inch. Agree on couple rituals AND solo nights, in writing. Taurus loves a contract, Aquarius loves an original idea: everybody wins.

“Same ruler, two ways of thinking”

These two share a ruler, Mercury, the planet of the mind and the spoken word: they can talk until 3 a.m. without noticing the time. Two mutable signs, curious and flexible, who get each other in half a sentence.

But Gemini's Mercury flits around while Virgo's sorts, tidies and corrects. One throws out ten ideas, the other spots ten flaws. Gemini feels judged, Virgo feels nothing ever gets finished (classic Virgo). Gemini, finish one thing before starting three; Virgo, keep every other critique to yourself. The Sunday crossword remains your best couples therapy.

“Two royals, one throne”

The most magnetic pair on this list. Leo shines, Scorpio intrigues: each is fascinated by the other's power. Two fixed signs, loyal to the end and passionate to excess.

Leo's Sun wants to shine in broad daylight; Pluto, Scorpio's ruler, prefers to pull the strings from the shadows. Jealousy, pride, icy silences: when it breaks, it breaks action-movie style, with slow-motion explosions. And neither will make the first move. Set one golden rule: whoever apologizes first wins. You'll see, it changes everything for two signs who hate to lose.

“Elegance meets ambition”

Libra admires Capricorn's seriousness and success; Capricorn falls for Libra's charm and taste. A little wink from tradition: Saturn, Capricorn's ruler, is exalted in Libra, where it's at its very best. Two cardinal signs with plans, and the drive to see them through.

But Venus wants sweetness, nights out and harmony, while Saturn wants efficiency and results. Libra finds Capricorn cold; Capricorn finds Libra indecisive (forty-five minutes to pick a restaurant, come on). Capricorn, block a work-free evening in your calendar; Libra, decide faster. And book the restaurant ahead, just in case.