The female guide to love, sex and compatibility

ARIES

Who You Are

You are Diana, the Huntress. Not for you is waiting for Mr or Ms Right to come along: you go find them and, to your credit, you almost always get your guy. (Remember Scarlett O’Hara?) You bring passion and diversity to your relationships, never letting them become stale and, as long as your lover stands up to you and continues to hold your attention, you’ll stay happily tethered forever. Sometimes you can be a tad selfish and bossy but then someone’s got to run the show. However, a little more give and take would make the path to true love a lot, lot smoother.

What you like:

You like things hot and happening. Sex is terrifically important to you, although once you’ve lost your lust for a someone, you never get it back. You need goals and while you’re still looking to the future with your partner, the relationship prospers. You like a strong individual, but not someone who’s going to ride roughshod over you. You admire someone with brains, and a sense-of-humour is a must-have. You don’t mind where he or she comes from, what they’re worth financially or what the relationship history; it’s how you feel about them that counts.

Who’s for you:

Mr Aries:

Not the subtlest man in the zodiac but you know exactly where you stand with him (and that means behind him, by the way). This guy is usually fit, into sports and high energy/high speed activities. He’s ambitious and likes to run his own business; otherwise he’s quite the maverick. Mr Aries is into conquest and absolutely hates to be pursued. He does like a woman who is classy, disciplined – someone he has to live up to. Don’t keep this man waiting too long, though – he goes off the boil easily.

TAURUS

Who you are:

The zodiac’s earth goddess. Strong, stable, nurturing, patient, sensuous and supportive. Oh, yes, and stubborn as a bull! For you fidelity and trust are the linchpins of a relationship and once betrayed, it’s over. You take your time before plunging into marriage, although you will sow your wild oats liberally – not a lot of people know that. You put your lover through numerous tests – after all he or she is an investment – which is why a long-term relationship means forever. Sometimes, however, you need to let go and live a little: that way your love life won’t just be stable but sensational.

What you like:

As an earth sign you need physical love as much as three square meals a day and you really don’t mind going along the same old routes to pleasure and fulfilment. The more you get to know your lover, the richer your imagination and your response become. You like someone who shares the yoke of the relationship – true partnership is your ideal. You don’t like fly-by-nights or Flash Harrys, although you do become entangled with more than one of them on the way to matrimony. Honesty is vital and you need to know everything about your partners from their health to their bank balance, their views on children to their opinions on global warming before you say: I do.

Who’s For you:

Mr Taurus:

You’ll recognize this man because he looks solid, dependable and determined. And that’s just what he is. He’s definitely not your fly-by-night or Mr. Flash and, of course, that means he’s very, very cautious when it comes to making a long-term commitment. Expect a long courtship. You probably won’t get fireworks but you will have regular sex and into your retirement years: you’ll also have money in the bank and a roof over your head. So, what else is there that really matters? (No, don’t answer that!)

GEMINI

Who you are:

The enchanting butterfly of love. You exude an aura of untouchability despite your warm and friendly persona. Your curious, restless mind draws you to many walks of life and this same spirit of exploration propels you into many diverse relationships. Commitment is a problem; boredom and routine are others. It is vital for you that you retain some independence in a relationship so that you do not experience claustrophobia: you are not the little-woman manning her domestic empire you are a communicator with an inextinguishable need to be interacting with the world and his wife!

What you like:

Mystery. You want to wake up each morning and not be too sure what the day – or your lover – holds for you. However, because of your own flirtatious and un-possessable nature you look for dependability and consistency in a mate. Sex is important but it’s not crucial: the bond of friendship and trust, shared interests and mutual understanding are the qualities you seek, and usually find. Yes, you can enjoy the occasional fling – there’s no danger you’ll lose your heart – and you’ll forgive infidelity in your partner. You are the most unlikely zodiac character to walk away from your best friend (your partner) because of a grand passion. That’s for the birds, not the butterflies!

Who’s For you:

Mr. Gemini:

Now you see him, now you don’t! This is one of the most complex men in the zodiac: he is clever, adaptable, charming and streetwise but where his heart is concerned, he’s in a foreign country without his passport. He cannot take emotional scenes and profound exchanges are always countered by flippancy. Commitment is his big problem so if you have any chance of hooking him you’ll need to play hard-to-get. You’ll never be bored with Mr Gemini though – he’ll keep you interested into old age, and beyond.

CANCER

Who you are:

The moon goddess herself. You are a creature of moods and instincts – needy and passionate one day, distant and detached the next. You require security and stability and demand fidelity and commitment. Sex is never just a physical thing for you – it’s all about feeling and connection. You’re not a risk-taker yet you run the risk of settling for someone who is safe but does not fulfil your romantic or sexual desires. You also tend to marry early and start a family as soon as you can – motherhood is supra-important and often makes up for any disappointments in love and marriage.

What you like:

Familiarity and togetherness: the independent life has little appeal to you. The dating game is a bit of a nightmare though – will he or she ring, could they be serial womanizers, what do I wear, does my bum look big in this? – if only the beginning was over and we could just cuddle together on the sofa and watch old movies… You like to know where you are with your lover: you cannot be doing with living on the edge or with competition. Sex, although vital, is not to be sought at any cost: you want to know you’re in safe hands before you bare all! You’d like to fall deeply in love – and you’re capable of doing so – but it’s more important to know your partner will never leave you.

Who’s For you:

Mr Cancer:

This guy is only tough on the outside – inside he’s mush. Actually, there are two kinds of Cancerian men: those for whom mother was/is so wonderful they have to marry as soon as possible and those who want to run as far away from mother and marriage as they can. So, you’ll know who you’ve got pretty early on in the relationship. Mr Cancer can be crabby (of course!) but he is sentimental, remembers all birthdays and anniversaries and much prefers to be with you than out with the boys. And once he’s made his commitment to you he’s yours for life. I repeat: he’s yours for life!

LEO

Who you are:

Queen of hearts. You have passion and a huge heart, which you tend to wear on your sleeve. If you don’t have love in your life, the world seems empty and meaningless. You give and give but, oh, when the object of your affections hurts you or fails to openly adore you he or she better be wearing an asbestos suit. A wounded lioness is not a pretty sight. You are loyal and highly committed; you’ll fight for your lovers and support them when they’re down – just as long as it’s not a permanent state of affairs: you may want to run the show but the person you’ll love forever must be able to command your respect.

What you like:

For all that passion and flirtatiousness, you need to be in a committed relationship. However, that relationship must also have a big sizzle factor. You won’t rush into sex but to be at your best you require a lot of loving. It is also important for your relationship to be seen to be good and for others to view you as a lovely couple. Not for you is living in a bed-sit with a tub of pot-noodles for dinner, either – your place is in the lap of luxury. You do like a bit of angst though, which means you can go through a few bad rides before you find your King or Queen of hearts!

Who’s For you:

Mr Leo:

Peacocks and posers, party-animals and picture-perfect moments – these things and more are Mr Leo. This man loves to love; he thrives on being admired, and being seen in the company of attractive and successful people – he can be shallow. He is ambitious and will work tirelessly to get where he wants to be – at the very top. He is generous and likes to entertain in style – you’ll never go hungry or on a cheap date. He makes a good husband and provider and, as long as you keep telling him how wonderful he is, he’ll always be your pussy-cat.

VIRGO

Who you are:

Little Miss Perfect. You came into the world trying to explain yourself and clear up any misunderstandings, along with those loose ends, and you have played out this role ever since: the zodiac’s caretaker and notary. But there are untold deeps to your character. Despite your protests that true love is an unrealistic objective, you yearn for love of the most passionate kind. You are Isolde seeking Tristan, Elizabeth Bennet looking for Mr Darcy. And sometimes you find your “other”, only to have to sacrifice this love for the sake of others or because it simply couldn’t last. You are at heart, a pure romantic.

What you like:

Now, I don’t mean to be insulting but there’s a slutty side to Virgo, which only comes out in the bedroom. You of all the signs take the trouble to discover the ins and outs of sex, the techniques, the pleasure zones, with the result that you develop a certain fascination for the dark side. If you could, you’d have many partners but convention forces you into the straight-jacket of monogamy. Then again, because you sense disappointment lurking in the shadows of any grande passion sometimes you unconsciously keep love at bay. Of course, as you know, there can be no real love without pain…

Who’s For you:

Mr Virgo:

Appearances can be deceptive: this may seem to be a mild-mannered, low-key kind of fellow but he’s perceptive, self-assured and very picky. He’s also emotionally self-contained, almost monk-like, and as unlikely to demonstrate his feelings in public – or even to you for that matter – as he is to sing along to a Karaoke machine. Mr Virgo will take his time before walking up the aisle but that doesn’t mean he will be a proverbial monk – indeed, this man has a taste for erotica and may have been precociously sexually active. Don’t expect a riot of laughs and high times with him but you could get hooked on his caring, thoughtful ways, his dry humour and his devotion to you.

LIBRA

Who you are:

The woman most admired. You were born to love and be loved. You seek balance and harmony in all things, which is maybe why you end up having so many arguments – I mean, someone has to set things straight! You are one of the most sought after creatures in the zodiac – generous, considerate, sharing and caring – yet you are also highly ambitious – you want to get somewhere in life and climbing the social ladder is an essential part of your rise and rise. Sometimes you can be over-concerned with appearances to the extent that real passion and intimacy elude you, but this often changes over time.

What you like:

You like to be wooed and won. You wouldn’t dream of running after someone – and why should you, you have far superior ways of getting people to come to you. Wining and dining, roses and diamonds: these are the way to your heart. You like the rituals of love too – the order and the form in which everything should be done, and you hate ugly surroundings and unpleasant smells. In fact you cannot function if you are in inharmonious conditions and with someone who does not reflect your innate good taste. You may not be the most raunchy member of the zodiac but you will do almost anything to please the person you love…

Who’s For you:

Mr Libra:

Gorgeous, gorgeous Mr Libra. He is the most romantic, considerate, charming man in the zodiac: so wonderful, in fact, that you won’t even know when you’re being dumped. He’ll be attentive and complimentary to the last. But this man should not be judged by his looks: he’s tough and ambitious. He likes to be liked but he likes to be on top even more. Mr Libra hates knock-down-drag-out fights and dramatic displays of emotion – it really upsets his equilibrium – and, although he is passionate at the start of a relationship, he’s more himself when life gets back on an even keel. Balance, compromise, courtesy: these are Libran things.

SCORPIO

Who you are:

Passion in a scent bottle. You have a reputation as the siren of the zodiac, and it’s one you’re secretly rather happy with. There are no pastel shades to your nature: you are black and white, fire and ice, and prepared to do anything and everything for what or who you want. People either love you or hate you. And, mostly, they adore you. Nonetheless, you can be ruthless and, as far as you’re concerned, revenge is a dish best served hot or cold. Yes, you can be possessive and jealous, stubborn and wilful but then, that’s what makes you such a fascinating creature.

What you like:

Hot and steamy nights and days. Sex is a driving force in your life: it energizes you and keeps you on the straight and narrow. Indeed, without an active sex life, your health and well-being suffer. What you look for in a lover is passion and complications; you don’t need classic good looks or a six-pack, but something indefinable. You like a good fight and you can make a partner suffer, which is a secret satisfaction. (And, oh, the making up…) Yet despite your passionate temperament you need stability and security in a relationship and for these things you will, if necessary, put your sexual needs on ice. Well, until someone else comes along and lights your fire again.

Who’s For you:

Mr Scorpio:

Never underestimate this man. Whatever his persona, he’ll have hidden agendas – and hidden assets! He may appear smiley and chatty; he may seem cool and indifferent but he’ll be watching you and observing your subtleties, your shadows, your deeps. He sets traps. Mr Scorpio knows what he wants and it doesn’t matter how long it takes him to get it, and he really doesn’t mind who he has to walk over in the process. He is loyal, jealous (although he’ll deny it) and controlling. He’s also protective and resourceful. Did I mention sex? This is the zodiac’s stud-muffin and he likes to keep up his reputation…

SAGITTARIUS

Who you are:

Bridget Jones with attitude. You have an open heart and a generous spirit but you like your independence; so much so that marriage is often at the bottom of your wish list. Then again, this independent stance can mask an irrational feeling that you’re not ‘girly’ enough or sexy enough… As I said, this is irrational, but as a result it does inspire you to develop your wit and wisdom and no one could ever say you were dull! Indeed, the adventure that is in your soul spills into your relationships, making them the stuff of romantic novels. You are passionate and headstrong, forgiving and fun-loving – rather a wonderful package, actually.

What you like:

Everything going at full tilt. When you fall in love, you do so hook, line and sinker, and the object of your affections had better be ready for a roller-coaster ride. You enjoy home-together times but you’d rather be out doing things with your lovers: you want to see the world with them, sample new fare with them, go to the movies, visit the aero-space museum – anything, in fact, that doesn’t mean the two of you are bumping heads in a confined space. Sex isn’t the most important part of life: you want a companion, a sparring partner and a co-pilot! And, after many years of field-research you usually get him.

Who’s For you:

Mr Sagittarius:

Put on your running shoes – this man never stands still, nor does he intend to be caught and marched down the aisle. He is the commitment-phobe of the zodiac; he’s also manic about remaining young and being a heartthrob. He is tremendous fun though and full of enthusiasm for the new and the different. He’ll sweep you off your feet, make you laugh and give you extravagant presents. He’ll also tread on your toes, in every sense of the phrase – the Archer is a tad clumsy and inconsiderate. He may not be the most faithful guy either nor the most responsible but, if you give him a long rope, like a wild stallion, he will come to heel.

CAPRICORN

Who you are:

The Queen Bee. You’ve been the rock everyone has lent on since you were a small child and no one seems to have realized you’re a woman whose heart beats just as fiercely as every other female’s, someone who needs to be loved and supported too. Then again, you don’t actually help matters since you can run anything from a gilt-edged company to the nursery with stainless-steel efficiency. You have a high regard for tradition and support the idea of marriage as an essential part of the social and cultural fabric. But, come now, that’s not the whole story, is it? Really, you want to be consumed by love and dipped, like a strawberry into the chocolate of romance!

What you like:

You’re a woman with a plan and you like to know exactly where you stand with someone – you may even check them out for any crime or misdemeanour before you date them, and you’ll need their relationship history too. Once you’ve established that he or she is not a bankrupt axe-murderer with two spouses and ten children you’ll take the relationship slowly and in a structured fashion. You like to save for the future, and you may also save the best bits of you until your future is assured with your partner. Then there’s sex and passion… things that you release when you feel safe and loved, and, like the best investments, you want your love to grow over time.

Who’s For you:

Mr Capricorn:

Who is that quiet man standing at the back of the room with the quizzical expression and the knowing eyes. Why, it’s Mr Capricorn, that’s who. The Saturnine never draws attention to himself but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know his worth – and we’re talking what he’s got in the bank and what an amazing guy he is too. This man has values, he has aspirations, and when it comes to taking a life-partner he’ll want to be assured that he’s marrying into good stock. By the way, Mr Capricorn is looking for a long-term asset not a short-term fix – he’ll have plenty of those along the way to matrimony because, lets’ face it, he is a horny old Goat really.

AQUARIUS

Who you are:

A fascinating enigma. Ruled by unpredictable Uranus and cautious Saturn, people are never too sure of you: you can be consistent in your behaviour for a while, leading someone to feel safe, then you’ll suddenly do something unexpected that throws them into a tailspin. You respect the tradition of marriage and you are very loyal but being in the grip of a consuming passion is not your idea of a long-term relationship – you do not like being out of control and intimacy does not come easily to you. You also need time and space to yourself, which sometimes means you will put off marriage for as long as you can. Then again, the best things in life are worth waiting for. Just like you.

What you like:

Someone who doesn’t crowd you, someone who doesn’t try to possess you or run your life. You are a free spirit and if your wings are clipped you become very depressed. You want the person you love to be your friend first and a lover second; you have a sex drive – and you are a sign that likes experimentation – but you don’t want romance thrust in your face and you don’t want to have to live up to someone else’s expectations. If the moment is right and the attraction is there you won’t wait to leap into bed. Then, in your uniquely perverse way, sometimes you’ll put off ‘the moment’ for the agonizing pleasure of frustration!

Who’s For you:

Mr Aquarius:

This man may appear to be conventional but deep down he’s a rebel. He’s also not into sharing his emotions. If he feels very attracted to someone, he’ll feign indifference, and it’s only when she has given up and started dating someone else that he’ll show up with a bunch of red roses and an engagement ring. He is a bit of a control freak, by the way, and don’t try arguing with him unless you’re really ingenious and sure of your ground. This man can convince you black is white. On the other hand, he can convince you he doesn’t care, when, in truth, he has a big heart.

PISCES

Who you are:

The enchantress. You may think there’s nothing unusual about you; you may believe you are down to earth, easy to understand, but, look in the mirror… that dreamy, soulful reflection is yours. You’re not into the material world, your values are altogether more spiritual and because of your reluctance to be pinned down either to an opinion or the kitchen range, good, solid relationships often elude you. In fact you seem to be a magnet to partners who use and abuse you. You are, of course, a serial romantic, going from one great love to the next, only to discover that you can never find yourself through someone else. That you have to do for yourself.

What you like:

You want to immerse yourself in the sea of love, lose yourself in the deeps of sexual exchange. You can enjoy tantric sex, leading your partner to ecstatic heights, and you can turn the ‘quickie’ into an art form. When eyes meet across a crowded room, you waste no time – true love needs no introduction, no small talk. You want to be transformed by love and to devote your life to the person you love. You also know that all great love stories have tragic endings… Knowing what you like is a bit of a non-sequiter because you, of all the signs, have no boundaries, no fixed points, no definite outlines. Love, like life itself, is a pure stream of consciousness.

Who’s For you:

Mr Pisces:

There are two kinds of Pisces men: those who swim upstream – following convention, earning a regular crust and devoting themselves to their dependants – and the Bohemians, those who opt out, take the unorthodox route and shy away from responsibility. And sometimes you get a hybrid – a straight guy with a restless spirit! Mr Pisces loves to be in love yet he has a few problems with commitment and fidelity. He has his own kind of truth. He can bring out the mother in you and he can make you feel the most special woman in the world but don’t ever think you can change him or own him. He is the divine discontent of the zodiac.