I know there are some signs that are supposed to have great relationships and some that supposedly clash, for example, I've read that cancer capricorn compatibility is good, while cancer-cancer is not. Does it depend on other factors as well? or are there some signs that truly aren't meant to be together?

hmm i haven't heard that about cancer and cappys. they are opposite from each other so on a lot of things they clash.. but they do learn a lot from each other =)

they generally say that compatability is by the element. same elements get along with each other

fire: aries, leo, sagittarius- they are all outgoing and passionate, go-getters.
earth: taurus, virgo, capricorn- they are all precise, level-headed, courteous.
air: gemini, libra, aquarius- they are all sociable, cultured, innovative.
water: cancer, scorpio, pisces- they are all intuitive, deep and compassionate.

and then the opposites are like this, they usually argue but can have a deep connection:

aries-libra
taurus- scorpio
gemini-sagittarius
cancer-capricorn
leo-aquarius
virgo-pisces

but its so hard to say just by someones sun sign it really depends on the people.

The general rule is you are supposed to be compatible with your own sun sign.

Cancer most compatible is another cancer, scorpio or pisces.
Capricorn most compatible is capricorn, virgo and taurus.

But, that is just by sun sign.

There are LOTS of other factors involved. It depends where each persons venus and mars are located and if there are any bad aspects between them, it depends on the synastry (you compare your charts, sort of putting one on top of the other), then you see where person a's planets fall in person b's houses and vice versa, and that can show compatibility or not, and any planets from one person that aspect the other persons' planets. Some aspects are better for romance and short term, others show long term potential. You also can do a composite chart, which is a chart made by combining both people's charts and coming up with a 3rd chart that is the midpoints between the people's planets/houses on their native charts. The nodes are really important. North node connections are best for your growth. South node connections can drag you backwards instead of forwards, but there can be intense attraction because of past life influences. Saturn can show longevity in relationships, while a good mars connection can mean great sex. Some people also use different asteroids in synastry comparisons, some look at fixed stars.

There is a lot to be considered, definitely much more than sun signs. I only touched on some of it, there is still more.

thank you! that makes much more sense.

hahah i suppose cosmopolitan needs to get its facts straight

Hello Chiquita,

When we go into it more deeply, a lot of other planets and so forth can come into it. A Sun-opposition-Sun like Cancer-Capricorn is good in some ways, but also may mean the two people have different life directions.
But, a Sun-opposition-Moon from one chart to another can indicate a general closeness without "smothering-ness" if that makes sense. And you can go on from that with many other planetary aspects.

Also, it's a good idea to look at each individual chart, get an idea of where they're coming from, what they need. Does take some pondering.

Oh, here's another thought. As June mentioned, Venus and Mars you look at for sexual compatibility. For stability, Saturn, because you won't get through tough times without some Saturn, or Capricorn as a substitute. For growth of experience, Jupiter. For excitement, sometimes Uranus. For things that are not what they seem, and for empathy, Neptune. Also Pisces. For communication, Mercury, but I wouldn't be too narrow about that. For emotional needs, the Moon is high in importance.

Hope some of that helps.