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How to Navigate Relationship Confusion During This Astrological 'Cuffing Season'

It's Sagittarius season, which means that the winter solstice will soon be upon us, and everyone's going to want to couple up—how will you deal? Broadly's in-house astrologer explains!
Photo illustration includes image by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

As the winter solstice draws near, so does the advent of the fabled “cuffing season,” where humans are driven by the impulse to form temporary partnerships and become extremely cozy. In this installment of Dear Annabel, we discuss the way in which Saturn in Capricorn will affect the love lives of all the signs, and we’ll talk quickly about how this month’s new and full moons may affect you emotionally.

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Dear Annabel,
What is your general outlook on romantic compatibilities of signs? I prefer not to know a stranger’s Sun sign until I like him or her enough to not care about astrology. With that said, I have a pattern of attracting three specific signs and dating two of them (Cancers and Aries). Advice?

— Romantic Cancer

Dear Romantic Cancer,
I love nothing more than cracking open Linda Goodman’s classic Love Signs with my friends and reading about the sun sign compatibility between ourselves and our crushes; however, you need to have a sense of humor about it, and you can’t let some book’s negative comments about a sign pairing get you down! There’s so much more to compatibility than sun signs. You must consider the entire chart—for example: How do your Moon signs interact? Which houses do your planets land in in each other’s charts—and even more importantly, you need to get to know the person! You need to feel your chemistry, not analyze it at your computer screen while looking at your birth charts. And anyway, not all Aries people are jocks, not all Libras are desperate to get married, and not all Capricorn’s are stuffy workaholics. Sun signs are often reduced to silly stereotypes, which is very fun, but not something for you to hinge your heart on.

As for attracting and dating the same signs, it’s totally legit that you have a type. Cancer and Aries are two cardinal signs that are both soft (Aries, the innocent baby of the zodiac, has lamb’s wool, and nurturing Cancer has sensitive crab meat) and tough (ram’s horns and crab’s protective pincers).

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Never let sun sign compatibility sway you! And keep in mind that what you read in a compatibility book is just one writer’s opinion, not universal law.

— Annabel


Dear Annabel,
I am a Sagittarius (with a Capricorn moon and Pisces rising). I am dating a Sagittarius (with a Sagittarius moon and Aquarius rising). I've never dated someone the same sign as me. It's been over a year and things are building slowly. We are a lot alike and very independent. But this relationship feels very different than any other I've been in. Any advice on dating a same–sun sign partner? What effect will Saturn’s upcoming move into Capricorn have on us and our partnership?

— Sagittarius in Love

Dear Sagittarius in Love,
Dating someone who is the same sign as you can be fantastic, since you’re on the same wavelength about so many things and because, generally, you have similar goals and values. For Sag, that may mean traveling the world or mutually respecting each other’s need for space and independence. But you need to consider the whole birth chart to take a real, deep look at the dynamic between two people. I wouldn’t suggest that anyone overthink compatibility based on sun signs, whether or not the two people are the same sign!

As for Saturn entering Capricorn, this will affect each sun sign’s love life differently. Saturn is the planet of responsibility, and it rules grounded, practical Earth sign Capricorn, so it feels really comfortable there—and Saturn has a big orbit, so it won’t leave until December of 2020. These next few years will be a powerful time for commitment. For Sagittarius, this is an important time to figure out how you budget your time, energy, and even your money.

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As for the other signs: Saturn in Capricorn will find Aries wondering if their partners are who they want to show up with at award ceremonies. Leos will be concerned whether their partners can stick with them through the boring, mundane parts of life, like walking the dog or doing the dishes.

Tauruses will find themselves reflecting on ethics around dating—perhaps polyamory is worth a shot? Or perhaps a move back to more monogamous dating will feel right? Virgos are going to notice they’ll have way less time for bullshit while they date, and the Capricorns of the world will also feel way more serious about partnering with others, since the planet of wisdom and maturity will be in their sign.

The Air signs will be dealing with some emotionally-charged issues as Saturn moves through Capricorn: Gemini around sex and trust, Libra around building a home, and Aquarius around letting go of the past.

The Water signs will learn a lot about effective communication in their relationships, especially Scorpio. Pisces will be looking to solidify relationships in their social life or within their communities, while Cancer will be especially focused on committing, as Saturn in Capricorn will be activating their house of partnership.

Saturn is known as the planet of fear and confinement— there isn’t anything affectionate or romantic about it. Saturn is also the planet of time: You mentioned that things are building slowly. I know that can be frustrating, but Saturn knows that relationships that are built over time are often the strongest.

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— Annabel


Dear Annabel,
I do not know where to start. This is my first time writing email like this. I am 30 years old, born in January under sign of Aquarius. I have been having a hard time emotionally for past year-and-a-half or so. I’ve recently found myself mentally stuck, and I’ve been finding it difficult to let go of thoughts that drag me down. Regardless of my efforts of letting things go, diverting my mind, I always find myself back to same place.

I have also noticed a pattern of emotional highs especially during full and new moons. Is it common to be so anxious or blue around these times?

— Lost Aquarius

Dear Lost Aquarius,
If you find yourself thinking catastrophic or intrusive thoughts, you owe it to yourself to see a mental health professional. That said: From an astrological perspective, the Moon symbolizes our emotions. At the beginning of the cycle—meaning the new moon—it’s typical to experience some anxiety, especially about the unknown and what the future may bring. At the climax of the cycle—meaning the full moon—situations tend to reach their breaking point. Earlier this month (on December 3), we had a full moon in Gemini. This was a very verbal, intellectual full moon, encouraging us to express our emotions. I wouldn’t be surprised if you talked something out on this date! On December 18, we have a new moon in Sagittarius, which will be a wonderful time to sit quietly and envision your goals for the New Year. Sagittarius is the sign of the archer— what target do you want to hit? Now’s the time to figure start planning for a new journey.

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It’s important to remember that, just like the moon waxes and wanes, our emotions aren’t forever. You’re currently wrapping up your Saturn return (which occurs every 29-and-a-half years, when Saturn returns to its placement at the time of your birth), which could also explain why you may be feeling melancholy. Saturn return is a time for confronting your fears and insecurities, asking yourself if you’re really living the life you want. If you’re thoughtful and responsible about this, you can expect to succeed in your pursuits—but if you’re timid or irresponsible, the transit will hit you really hard.

What’s the best way to deal? Well, you are an Aquarius. Aquarius is what’s called a fixed sign, falling in the middle of the season. As a fixed sign, change is hard for you, even when you really want it. It’s easy to get stuck—and as a wacky, kooky Aquarius, I know you get bored easily, and very much want to experience new and exciting things.

I recommend taking some time to figure out why you’re feeling how you’re feeling—the new moon in Sagittarius, again, is a great time for this. What’s the root of your dissatisfaction? Are there certain mental patterns in particular that are really holding you back? If you’re feeling overcome with malaise, it probably won’t be enough to simply “divert yourself,” as you put it. Try to come up with a plan, and follow through! Saturn’s entrance into responsible Capricorn, on December 19 of this year, will be great for helping you to get firm on your responsibilities and to take concrete, necessary actions!


Do you have a pressing question for Annabel? Email us with the subject line "DEAR ANNABEL": broadly.editor@vice.com