There exists few astrological pairings that are more frequently written about than Capricorn and Aquarius. So many astrological texts about this specific pair…Why? Because modern astrologers place Capricorn under the rulership of Saturn and Aquarius under the rulership of Uranus. Just like Sagittarius and Capricorn, Capricorn and Aquarius bring themes of power struggle and rebellion to mind.

But if we took a more traditional approach to things? Capricorn and Aquarius are both ruled by Saturn.

Capricorn and Aquarius are about the same. They are very similar in terms of personality and behavior.

Both Capricorn and Aquarius care a lot about responsibility. Both care about responsibility so much, they get this reputation of having a god complex because they think that they can control so much just by taking on so much responsibility all the time. Both Capricorn and Aquarius are a tiny bit stingy and incredibly kinky. They both act like cats—kind hearted but prickly.

The difference between the signs? Capricorn is earth while Aquarius is air. Saturn has triplicity in the air signs but none in the earth signs. Capricorns see themselves as being more alone. Aquarius is able to amplify social sympathy. Translation: Aquarius appears to be more social than Capricorn.

Now, this is weird because Saturn isn’t known as a very social planet. Aquariuses are not either, not truly. They don’t like to get involved in anything that isn’t their business. But Aquarius has a tendency to show up to social functions, stand there, and watch without interacting with anyone. So, Aquarius can appear like they are a very social person since you see them everywhere.

Capricorn? Capricorn is either going to participate or they are going to stay home. Capricorn does not show up to simply stand on the sidelines and watch. They will organize, participate, talk, persuade, and engage. If they don’t feel energetically capable of being “on,” then they will not appear. They will stay home.

Not Aquarius. Aquarius will show up to things even when they don’t want to participate just to stand there completely silent.

What does that mean? That means that Aquarius is going to out Saturn a Capricorn. Contrary to what astrologers who use modern rulerships promote, Aquariuses are not these unconventional and avant garde humanitarians. Aquariuses are reclusive, deeply eccentric people who don’t tolerate bullshit. They’re Saturnians. And, because Saturn is actually stronger in Aquarius than it is in Capricorn, Aquarius will out Saturn a Capricorn.

Capricorns who complain about Aquariuses are sensing this. They feel frustrated by all of the things that other signs usually complain about when they complain about Capricorns. Capricorns think that Aquariuses love to lecture them, that they try to turn Capricorns into their project that they can work on, and that they like to advise people to do things that they themselves don’t do. All of these complaints are complaints about Saturnian type behavior.

Capricorns complain that Aquariuses are too cold and emotionally delayed. They complain that Aquariuses love to reject more than they like to accept. Again, all of this is Saturn shit.

Aquarius season is colder than Capricorn season. Aquarius is colder too even though they act more friendly.

And Aquarius? Aquarius thinks that Capricorn is too serious. They are wrong. Aquarius is just as serious as Capricorn, it’s just that they refuse to show it. Let me explain.

There’s something that all air signs have in common, a common issue that plagues all of them and it is caused by Saturn having triplicity in the air signs. The issue is this: air signs have the problem of attracting people who they don’t like. Now, most air signs will sit there and feel puzzled about why this keeps happening but it’s not out of the blue.

Aquarius is someone who is willing to hang out with people who they don’t particularly like that much. Why? Because Aquarius is willing to show up and not participate. They don’t feel like they owe you their participation just for getting the opportunity to come and watch you do stuff. They will come along just to observe! However, if Aquarius really likes you? Then they are actually more likely to ignore you because they tend to anticipate rejection very easily.

So, what happens with Aquarius is that they end up spending the most time with people who they don’t love. That means that Aquarius gets a lot of practice in being around people who they don’t actually see eye to eye with. They learn how to change the subject, joke around, and lighten the mood in groups with a lot of diverse opinions on things.

But Capricorn? Again, Capricorn doesn’t show up unless they are willing to actually participate in the group because they believe that everyone in a group has some level of responsibility to the collective. So, Capricorn will not choose to be around people who they don’t like.

What I’m trying to say is that Capricorn and Aquarius have completely different expectations around community conflict. Capricorn is someone who is willing to sit down and do a whole mediation or intervention because they are less used to running into friction. Aquarius is more likely to brush tensions off because they are so used to regularly being around people who think differently from how they do.

These two signs are so, so similar. They are both sarcastic, brutally honest Saturnians. They have best friend potential. In fact, despite all of their differences, a lot of Capricorns and Aquariuses do very well together. This is a pair that’s written about a lot because it’s a common pair to find out there.

But dating wise? What is Capricorn and Aquarius like romantically? There’s actually a bit of clashing expectations here.

No matter who Aquarius dates, Aquarius will have a best friend. Aquarius is just someone who always has a best friend. That best friend, who is strictly platonic, will be the closer and more intimate confidant than any romantic partner or family member. Aquarius’s best friend is their everything.

But for Capricorn? Capricorn is one of those people who like to build their future with their sexual partner. Capricorns love sex and they like to ensure that their erotic needs will be met in their reliable relationships. This is where they clash with Aquarius.

Aquarius likes to do future building with their friend group or their best friend. They don’t see their sexual interests, which is more of their own private psychology, as relevant to collective future making. Aquarius have a high tolerance for deviant sexualities because they keep the erotic and the collective so distinct. Capricorn wants a sexual partner. Aquarius is not adverse to fucking their friends but they do see those two things as separate with friendship being the higher priority.

To work, Capricorn and Aquarius have to be friends. You can be someone's best friend even if you are dating them but not always. Some people just date without maintaining a friendship. If Capricorn and Aquarius are best friends, then they will love each other to the point of feeling like they are soulmates.