"You’ve definitely been there: You tell your friends you’re dating someone new, and suddenly it’s a game of 20 Questions. What’s their name, what do they do, what’s their zodiac sign—all questions that come up. And after a few drinks, maybe even, “What are they like in bed?”
Whether you’ve hit the bedroom with them yet or not, there’s one thing you can turn to that will give you an idea of what to expect: astrology. And more specifically, your Mars sign. What is a Mars sign, and what does it have to do with sexual compatibility? You’re about to find out. Read on to learn more about the planet Mars and what it can tell you about you and your partner’s sex life.
What your Mars sign means
Here’s the deal with Mars. Mars was named after the Roman god of war, which tells you pretty much all you need to know about the planet. It’s associated with passion, competitiveness, anger, action, and athleticism. Just look at the two signs Mars rules: Aries and Scorpio, AKA two of the most fiery signs. Your Mars sign can tell you how you take action in your life, what you find sexually attractive, and what you want from a sexual partner. So while Venus is focused on romantic love and relationships, Mars centers more on the physical side of things.
How to find your Mars sign
To find your Mars sign, pull up a birth chart calculator like this one. Enter your date, place, and exact time of birth, and it will whip up your birth chart. If you don’t know your partner’s exact time of birth, the date and place should be enough. Since Mars only changes signs every couple of months, being off by a couple of hours likely won’t make a huge difference in the Mars placement. And if you only know their birthday, you can always use their sun sign to get a general idea.
Once you’ve figured out your Mars sign, keep reading to learn more about Mars and how to figure out which signs you’re most sexually compatible with.
The Mars signs you’re most sexually compatible with
Now that you’re all caught up on the planet Mars, you’re probably wondering how that will tell you if you’re sexually compatible with someone. It’s not as simple as just having the same Mars sign as someone (though that could be a good indicator of compatibility!). Here’s what you should look for when determining whether or not you and your partner’s Mars signs are compatible:
- Opposite signs (signs across the zodiac wheel from each other, like Gemini and Sagittarius)
- Same sign or element (like two Aries or two Water signs)
- Opposite elements (Fire/Air, Earth/Water)
With all that said, read below for your best matches based on your Mars sign.
Aries Mars
People with their Mars in Aries are impulsive—they waste no time getting into relationships with people they like and even less time getting into bed with them. Aries is an intense Fire sign that likes to lead and knows what it wants, and that includes in the bedroom.
- Best match: Libra. Air sign Libra is more laid-back and tries to please others. With the two signs together, there’s a good balance of wanting to take control versus letting the other person lead in the bedroom—basically a perfect compromise.
- Other matches:
- Other Fire signs Leo and Sagittarius can match Aries’ passion and keep things spicy in their relationship.
- Aries can be overly focused on the physical in relationships, so Air signs Gemini and Aquarius can challenge them to develop more of a mental connection.
Taurus Mars
Mars in Taurus people are sensual and tactile, and they may want to be wooed with gifts and fancy dinners. As a Fixed sign, Taurus can become stubbornly set in their ways and reluctant to try new things in the bedroom.
- Best match: Scorpio. Scorpios feel their emotions deeply, and when paired with a Taurus Mars, they can help them get out of their head and become more aware of their feelings.
- Other matches:
- Virgo and Capricorn because they understand Taurus’ need for stability, and as fellow Earth signs, they have a similar appreciation for physical connections.
- Water signs Cancer and Pisces can help Taurus be more flexible and willing to go with the flow.
Gemini Mars
A Gemini Mars is playful in the bedroom, and if they’re not trying new things, they can get bored easily. The trait they appreciate most in a partner is intellectual curiosity, so they need to feel mentally connected to be sexually attracted to someone.
- Best match: Sagittarius. Both Gemini and Sagittarius possess the desire to learn and explore, and they’ll push each other to get out of their comfort zones in the bedroom.
- Other matches:
- Only another Air sign like Libra or Aquarius can compete with a Gemini Mars’ wit, and their shared banter is a Gemini’s favorite kind of foreplay.
- Geminis overthink like it’s their job, so Fire signs Aries and Leo can teach a Gemini Mars to be less indecisive and to be quicker to take action when it comes to sex.
Cancer Mars
People with a Cancer Mars want to be emotionally intimate with someone before getting physical, which means they might want to move more slowly. Once they feel comfortable with someone, they’ll start to come out of their shell.
- Best match: Capricorn. Capricorns are grounded and logical, which can help when a Cancer Mars gets swept away in their emotions.
- Other matches:
- A Cancer Mars can get deep in their feelings during sex without feeling self-conscious with other Water signs Scorpio and Pisces.
- Earth signs Taurus and Virgo have an appreciation for the physical side of relationships, which is a great balance for an emotional Cancer Mars.
Leo Mars
People with a Leo Mars want to be adored by their partner. They also like to take the lead when it comes to sex, and they prefer for things to be their way or the highway. A Leo Mars’ fiery nature helps them be just as enthusiastic in bed as they are in other parts of their life.
- Best match: Aquarius. Leos aren’t big fans of change, but an open-minded Aquarius Mars can inspire them to change up their usual routine when it comes to sex.
- Other matches:
- No one can compete with the passion of a Leo Mars quite like another Fire sign, which makes Aries and Sagittarius great matches.
- Air signs Gemini and Libra can help tone down a Leo’s intensity and help them connect mentally before getting physical.
Virgo Mars
Just like in other aspects of their life, people with a Virgo Mars are predictable, and they like to know what to expect in bed rather than try different things. While they may not be overly romantic, they want to take care of their partner.
- Best match: Pisces. Virgos can be rigid and might have trouble breaking out of their routine, but a Pisces Mars can help them loosen up to become more spontaneous when it comes to sex.
- Other matches:
- Other Earth signs Taurus and Capricorn have the same stable energy as a Virgo Mars. They won’t try to rush things and will have no problem with taking it a little slower.
- Virgos aren’t super open about their feelings, but they’ll feel more comfortable expressing themselves in bed with emotional Water signs Cancer and Scorpio.
Libra Mars
Libra Mars people are more concerned with pleasing their partner than with their own desires. They can come across as very charming, and nothing gets them more excited than big romantic gestures, whether it’s a fancy dinner or a dozen roses.
- Best match: Aries. Libras can be indecisive, but an Aries’ take-charge attitude can help them stop thinking and start doing when it comes to sex.
- Other matches:
- Like Libra, other Air signs Gemini and Aquarius are most sexually attracted to people who have the same intellectual curiosity as them.
- Passionate Fire signs Leo and Sagittarius love a good romantic moment, just like Libras.
Scorpio Mars
Though Scorpio is a Water sign, it has the intensity of a Fire sign. People with their Mars in Scorpio are extremely sexual, and they need a partner who can keep up with them in the bedroom. They likely attract a lot of attention from possible love interests, too.
- Best match: Taurus. Like Scorpios, Taureans are very sensual and want a strong physical connection with their partner. A Taurus Mars might not want to move as quickly, though, which can help a Scorpio slow down and enjoy other aspects of their relationship.
- Other matches:
- Other Water signs Cancer and Pisces will understand the intense emotions of a Scorpio Mars.
- The grounded energy of a Virgo or Capricorn Mars is the perfect counterbalance to Scorpio’s passion in relationships.
Sagittarius Mars
A Sagittarius Mars brings the same enthusiasm to sex that they bring to everything they do. Never one to sit still for long, the sign wants to keep things interesting by constantly trying new things in bed. They love to learn and appreciate a partner who enjoys learning, too.
- Best match: Gemini. Like a Sagittarius Mars, Geminis are always down to mix things up, and the two signs are guaranteed to have fun in bed no matter what they’re doing.
- Other matches:
- People with a Sagittarius Mars need excitement in their relationship, and fellow Fire signs Aries and Leo will deliver enough spice to keep a scattered Sagittarius intrigued.
- Like Sagittarius, Libra and Aquarius don’t like to get stuck in a rut in the bedroom, so they’ll enjoy trying different things together.
Capricorn Mars
Capricorn Mars people bring stability to relationships. They may be more comfortable with the physical side of relationships than with the emotional aspect, and they can be slow to open up to someone they’re dating.
- Best match: Cancer. Emotional Cancers can teach a Capricorn to tap into their feelings. The Water sign is also much more easygoing than the more rigid Capricorn, which means they won’t mind following along with what Capricorn likes in bed.
- Other matches:
- Taurus and Virgo appreciate a routine as much as Capricorn, so they won’t push them to do anything too different or crazy when they don’t feel like it.
- Water signs Scorpio and Pisces can bring out a Capricorn’s hidden romantic side in the bedroom.
Aquarius Mars
Since people with an Aquarius Mars usually aren’t super open with their emotions, they can seem kind of detached. They’re thinkers, which means they tend to follow their head more than their heart, and they need someone who loves learning as much as they do.
- Best match: Leo. A Leo Mars can help Aquarius be more passionate and express their emotions more in the bedroom.
- Other matches:
- Gemini and Libra share the same need for mental stimulation to get them sexually interested in someone. And also like Aquarians, the other Air signs get bored easily, so they’ll have fun trying different things together during sex.
- To balance out an Aquarius Mars’ tendency to get stuck in their head, Fire signs Aries and Sagittarius will bring some passion to the bedroom.
Pisces Mars
Pisces is an extremely emotional sign that cares deeply about others, making them selfless in bed. They might not want to make the first move with someone they like, preferring to let others come to them, and they don’t mind letting their partner take the lead in bed.
- Best match: Virgo. A straightforward Virgo Mars can teach a Pisces Mars how to speak up for themselves about what they want in bed. Both signs are also very in tune with how their partner is feeling, so they’ll do their best to please each other.
- Other matches:
- With a Cancer or Scorpio Mars, Pisces can share their deep emotions, and they can be hopeless romantics together.
- Taurus and Capricorn will help bring dreamy Pisces back down to Earth so they can be more in the moment during sex.
Lauren E. Taylor, Contributing Entertainment Writer
Lauren is an experienced writer who specializes in zodiac signs and pop culture. With a talent for combining astrological insights with the latest trends, she has captured our audience’s attention and helped them better understand themselves through astrology.