Do You Know Your Zodiac Sister Sign?

Though it has no roots in traditional astrological texts, the term sister sign has been popping up more and more in online astrology discourse. Your sister sign is the sign exactly opposite yours in the zodiac wheel. Most astrologers will refer to this as your opposite sign, or if you want to get fancy, your antithesis. For example, if you’re an Aries—born just as spring arrives in the northern hemisphere—then your sister sign is Libra, the sign of those born at the beginning of autumn. Though the sister signs are 180º apart on the zodiac wheel, these signs share a mode (cardinal, fixed or mutable), so opposites don’t only attract, they have something in common! I like to think of these sister signs as people who share a common goal but use totally different methods to achieve it. Learning more about your sister sign could help you find more balance in yourself. Here’s a breakdown of the six sister sign pairings.

Though every sister sign pairing is inherently diametrically opposed, it’s Aries and Libra that come off the most at odds. Aries, ruled by warrior planet Mars, is vibrant and impulsive while Libra, ruled by love planet Venus, is always seeking balance (even if they never quite achieve it). Libras are willing to take the long road to consensus while Aries would rather take an ego-driven shortcut and face the consequences later. Both signs are relationship-oriented leaders though, focused on bridging the gap between self and other. On the Aries-Libra axis we move from independence to interdependence.

Taurus and Scorpio are all about attachment. These fixed signs are creatures of habit and bristle at too much change. While Taurus, ruled by sweet Venus, cultivates a comforting atmosphere, Scorpio, ruled by penetrating Mars, subsists on vulnerability. If Taurus is the cozy blankets, endless snacks and fresh delivery pizza at the slumber party, then Scorpio is the late-night game of Light as a Feather Stiff as a Board. Both signs want to keep their friends close and their enemies closer. Neither is who anyone would describe as “chill.” On the Taurus-Scorpio, we go deep or go home. 

Gemini and Sagittarius are (debatably) the most alike of the six sister sign pairs. Both mutable signs are curious troublemakers who many would describe as the life of the party. Gemini, ruled by detail-oriented Mercury, is fueled by gossip, jokes and a leisurely scroll through the Twitter feed. Sagittarius on the other hand, ruled by enlightened Jupiter, is forever in search of the truth. Information-wise, Gemini wants quantity while Sagittarius seeks quality. Some might call Sagittarius pretentious and Gemini petty. Both though are thoughtful and hilarious conversationalists, always bridging the gap between the philosophical and the ordinary.

Some call Cancer and Capricorn the Mom and Dad of the zodiac. Cancer (or, Mom) is ruled by the moon, a satellite that goes around the entire zodiac in 29.5 days. Capricorn (or, Dad) is ruled by Saturn, the last visible planet in our solar system that circles the zodiac in 29.5 years. Though one deals in the short term and the other deals in the long term, both Cancer and Capricorn are about sustaining routines over time. These cardinal signs are focused on foundational structure (Capricorn) and emotional regulation (Cancer), skills that are meant to be mastered over a lifetime. 

Leo and Aquarius want to make an impact. These two may seem like the most incompatible of the sister signs with exhibitionist Leo ruled by the swelling sun and modest Aquarius ruled by distant Saturn. Leos are meant to perform, and Aquarians are meant to observe. But these fixed signs both believe in steady progress, the benefits of a routine and the power of bringing people together. Leo and Aquarius also have a certain mystique. Leos are popular because they’re gregarious and charming and Aquarians are popular because they’re hard to pin down. Both signs love fiercely and change the world through the communities they create.

If you ever need help, you should call a Virgo or a Pisces. These mutable signs want nothing more than to be of service. Mercury-ruled Virgo provides practical solutions to every problem while Jupiter-ruled Pisces dares to imagine an ideal future. Both Virgo and Pisces are empathetic and flexible leaders who despite their wisdom end up being known for their flaws. Virgos get fixated on always being right about everything. Pisces, on the other hand, get so caught up in meeting everyone else’s needs that they forget about their own. Whether selfish or selfless, both end up feeling frustrated and taken advantage of, but they never cease trying to help.

Jaime Wright is an astrologer based in New York. You can subscribe to her newsletter for more musings on the stars.