Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most magical pairings in the zodiac: the relationship between Virgo and Capricorn. Let me say something first. Out of all three earth signs, Taurus is actually the odd one out because Taurus is the earth sign that loves to indulge. Virgo and Capricorn? These are a bit different.

They say that Virgo and Capricorns make good executioners. Why? Because there’s actually something happening with both of these signs that gives both of them an inclination towards solitude. Virgo and Capricorn are the two signs in the zodiac that depress the benefics.

Virgo is famous for this because it is represented by the hermit in the tarot. Virgos enjoy their own company. They like to find their own interests. They’re strongly opinionated and they don’t usually follow the crowd. A Virgo will say no to things more often than not. They don’t need a reason. In fact, they need you to give them a good reason for saying yes.

Virgos do not aim to be agreeable. That’s why they’re so interesting. That’s why we say that Virgo is the sign that depresses Venus.

Capricorn? Capricorn depresses Jupiter, the planet of big parties and affiliations. Capricorns are just as skeptical as Virgos, just as strongly principled, and just as willing to go through it all alone. Capricorn likes to doubt group affiliations. Watch how a Capricorn describes the ins and outs of their friend group next time you see one talk. They don’t identify with the group. Instead, they put a healthy amount of distance between their own identity and the going ons of the group.

Capricorns don’t always want to get involved. If they do, they need a plan.

That’s why it’s so interesting to see Virgos and Capricorns come together. First of all, these two signs are both earth signs and this means that they share something we call triplicity. In astrology, triplicity is another word for friendship. Virgo and Capricorn get each other. They get along very easily. But what’s really crazy about Virgo and Capricorn relationships that you don’t always see in other relationships with triplicity is that Virgo and Capricorn get each other’s need for solitude.

By solitude, I’m not just talking about actual time alone. Sure, both Virgo and Capricorn might be very social people. They can have a lot of friends. By solitude, I’m saying that both of these signs will have a way of seeing what’s around them that is different from everyone else they know. They have an independent mind. They have a mind that reaches for solitude. They’re willing to think alone and on their own.

I think that’s why the astrologers of old said that Virgo and Capricorn make good executioners. To be the king’s executioner, you have to be willing to do something that is so unpopular that almost every single person you know will try to oppose you.

Of course, most Virgo and Capricorn people aren’t executioners. But they are willing to do things that are not popular. They’re not inclined to be mainstream. They actually tend to reject acceptance for some reason. Both Virgo and Capricorn are actually very self protective signs. I want to say some things about that.

I hear a lot of people ask a particular question these days: what is the utility of critique? I think that we’re getting sick of critical takes because we understand that critique doesn’t provide solutions. They don’t solve problems. But, as someone who works with people one on one using emotional narrative building, I gotta say that critique does have a very strong use value. Critique doesn’t solve problems or bring people together—that’s not its use. Do you know what criticality is really good for?

Criticality is one of our best tools for self protection. Criticality is actually defensive. When you critique something, you are trying to protect yourself from that thing. You’re trying to protect yourself socially from some institution. You’re trying to protect yourself psychologically. You’re trying to show yourself where that thing you find alarming ends and where you begin.

Criticality is defensive and the most defensive people will be the most critical—right now, we have a lot of shit to defend ourselves and our people against. That’s why we are probably all feeling very critical right now, of each other, of institutions with power, of the systems that we live in, of everything.

Virgo and Capricorn are the two signs that depress the benefics. Venus and Jupiter are the benefics. Venus is the planet of acceptance and Jupiter is the planet of celebration. Do you know what makes Virgo and Capricorn so unique?

These two signs don’t express themselves through addition. They actually express themselves through subtraction, by discarding what they don’t like or don’t want. They express themselves through removal, through rejection, and by refusal.

Yes, that’s why Virgo and Capricorn are the two signs with the reputation of being overly critical. They’re not overly critical. They’re signs that are supposed to focus on defense and discernment. Virgo is like a pair of fine scissors and Capricorn is like a goat who removes all of the vegetation from a mountain. These are signs that teach us how to get rid of things. How to cut the cord.

That’s why it’s so freaking cool to see Virgo and Capricorn come together, because these two signs can understand each other in a way other signs actually just don’t. They know that, when one gets distant, that what they really need is space. They know that, when one of them gets sharp tongued, that’s a sign they need to be assured with brutal honesty. They know how to call each other out and that they both enjoy high standards around accountability in a partnership.

And guess? Virgo knows how to make Capricorn soften. Capricorn knows how to help Virgo relax.

Why? Because they are both guarded people. And, when a guarded person encounters another guarded person who is willing to meet them where they’re at instead of trying to get them to just get over it, both people can relax.

You can’t force people to open up. You have to play where they are comfortable, slowly expanding the sphere where they’re willing to play with them over time. Capricorn and Virgo are willing to do that for each other. They are willing to shrink their area of experimentation down to where their loved ones feel in control before patiently waiting for comfort to catch up.

Maybe Virgo isn’t ready to try something. Capricorn won’t push. Maybe Capricorn feels left out randomly. Virgo asks Capricorn for rules and accepts the ones they can accept.

I think that this is a very unique partnership. The grammar of astrology tells us about mainstream values. With relationships, we think that Venus and Jupiter things like romance and celebration are everything but that’s not true. Romance doesn’t have to be about the next big adventure or about indulging pleasure. Sometimes, romance is making sacrifices for people we love and shrinking a part of our lives down so that we can grow together. We all do that kind of thing for the people we love. Parents do that for their kids, lovers do it for each other, and friends do it for friends. If you were at an amusement park and your best friend didn’t want to go on a rollercoaster because they’re scared, maybe you’d decide to stay with them. If your lover wasn’t comfortable with some sexual play, maybe you would decide to not play that way.

Virgo and Capricorn accept each other’s boundaries. They accept one another’s refusals. They know that most people need control and they make space for that with each other. And part of that is about making those small sacrifices that aren’t glamorous but completely romantic for each other.