The Best Sex Position for Your Zodiac Sign
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When it comes to amplifying your satisfaction between the sheets, it never hurts to take a cue from your sun sign. Influencing your sense of self, identity, individual style, vitality, self-esteem, and confidence, it serves as an internal compass. While fire signs are wired to be full of passion, earth signs are innately grounded, air signs seek heady stimulation, and water signs are comfortable wading in the depths of emotion. (See: I Finally Got a Natal Chart Reading and Now Everything Makes Sense)
Given that your astrological wiring influences your sexual style, you might want to consider how it can fuel your next partnered pleasure session. Here, the best sex position for every sign.
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Aries (March 21–April 19): Caliper
Ruled by go-getter Mars—which oversees action, athleticism, strength, sex, and courage—fire sign Aries take a lot of pride in physical achievement and tend to like sex to be rough (consensually, of course), playful, and competitive. For that reason, the ram might enjoy a challenging, hot-and-bothered standing position, like Caliper. (Also see: The Beginner's Guide to BDSM)
How to do it: Stand face-to-face with your partner. Whoever is doing the penetrating picks the other partner up. The lifted partner bends their knees, pressing their legs on either side of the standing partner's body. The standing partner can hold onto the lifted partner's ankles or bottoms of their feet, as the lifted partner wraps their arms around the standing partner's neck for support.
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Taurus (April 20–May 20): Thirst
Ruled by romantic Venus—which oversees beauty, love, art, and relationships—earth sign Taurus is innately sensual in the bedroom, preferring sex to be languorous, taking all the time in the world on foreplay; comfortable; and ideally, fueling a palpable connection. (Basically, these tantric sex positions were made for Taurus.) The bull is into whatever feels right and wonderful, which might be a deeply intimate yet low-key position: Thirst.
How to do it: Lie facing your partner, intertwining your legs. Whoever is being penetrated places their leg ontop and around their partner. In this position, you can caress one another's necks, backs, booties, and kiss—pleasure-boosting moves that are often beloved by a cuddle-loving Taurus.
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Gemini (May 21–June 20): The Necklace of Venus
As one of two signs in the zodiac ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, technology, and transportation, air sign Geminis are curious, expressive, and vocal—in life and in the bedroom. Stimulated by words, language, and even sounds, they tend to be big fans of sharing dirty talk (not to mention sexting). And thanks to their changeability and appetite for exploration, they're into any position that allows for switching it up on a whim—or even lends itself to a quickie. One option that fits their taste: The Necklace of Venus.
How to do it: The receiving partner sits on a countertop (or desk, sink, hood of a car, wherever), reclining backward with their arms behind them for support. Then, the giving partner positions themselves between the receiving partner's legs, which should be raised, ankles wrapped around the back of the giving partner's neck. The receiving partner can switch up the angle of penetration by leaning back on their elbows.
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Cancer (June 21–July 22): Watering Can
In astrology, the moon guides emotions, so it's no surprise that those born under Cancer (a water sign ruled by the moon) tend to be ~in their feelings~, compassionate, heartfelt, and caretaking. In the bedroom, they're usually givers who crave and deliver teasing foreplay that incorporates soft, sweet, teasing touch and deep, sensual tongue kissing. And since they're one of the four cardinal signs (initiators of the zodiac), they might have a thing for affectionate domination in bed, too. A sex position that checks all of these boxes: Watering Can.
How you do it: A variation of cowgirl/cowboy, the giving partner lies on their back while the receiving partner gets on top. But instead of remaining upright, the partner on top presses their body against the partner on the bottom. Also key: the top partner wraps their hands around the bottom partner's neck, while the bottom partner puts their hands on the top partner's lower back or booty, amplifying intimacy through kissing, eye contact, and serious closeness.
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Leo (July 23–August 22): Captain
As the zodiac sign ruled by the blazing sun that serves as the center of our solar system, fire sign Leos are confident, passionate, and driven lovers of the spotlight. This self-assuredness absolutely shows up in the bedroom, where Leos often enjoy exhibitionism, giving and receiving generous compliments and words of affirmation, luxurious, romantic details (fancy lingerie, high thread-count sheets), role-playing, and any opportunity to show off for their partner (think mirror play). An intense position that could appeal to all of these wants: Captain.
How to do it: The receiver lies on their back with their legs in the air, spread as far apart as possible, while the giving partner kneels between them, holding onto the receiving partner's ankles or calves. This position offers plenty of opportunities for both partners to bump up the theatrics, putting on a show for the other while enjoying intimate eye contact and steamy banter. (That makes this a great position to add a partner-friendly vibrator.)
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Virgo (August 23–September 22): Aphrodite
Like Gemini, Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the planet of information-gathering and communication. But, unlike the sign of the twins, earth sign Virgo is detail-oriented, grounded, analytical, and often quite sensitive. Thoughtful and serviceable, they want to please their partner as much as they enjoy being pleased. Cue lots of steamy conversations about one another's tastes, fetishes, and fantasies. Virgos might also steer toward being more submissive with their sex partner, who they would appreciate dominating them in an attentive, romantic way. A position they might adore? Aphrodite.
How to do it: The giver sits with their legs stretched out, while the receiver sits on top in a side-saddle position. The giving partner can then wrap their arms under the receiving partner's thighs. Then, like cowgirl/cowboy, both partners play a part in switching up the tempo of penetration, while making it easy to enjoy doting caresses and sexy, sweet words.
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Libra (September 23–October 22): The Soft Rock
Venus, the planet of love and beauty, fuels air sign Libra's affection for socializing, enjoying all forms of art, and, perhaps above all else, old-school romance and flirtation. Charming and diplomatic, Libras value balance above all else, making them fans of sex play that allows them to take in just how attractive their partner is while being adored all the same. They're also one of the four cardinal (initiator) signs of the zodiac, so Libras might also have a taste for taking charge. A position they'll love: the Soft Rock.
How to do it: A variation on missionary, the receiving partner lies on their back while the giving partner lies directly over them. The giving partner slides a bit more forward than they would in traditional missionary, placing their arms on either side of the giving partner's shoulders. The receiving partner them tilts their hips up to meet the giving partner, so penetration feels more like rocking. Allowing for plenty of full-body touching and steamy eye contact, this position can satiate Libra's need for sex that feels equal parts erotic and fairytale romance.
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Scorpio (October 23–November 21): Bow
Water sign Scorpio has its co-ruling planets Mars (the planet of action and sex) and Pluto (the planet of power) to thank for coming off as secretive, intense, and magnetic. They're also the ruler of the Eighth House, which oversees sex and transformation, so Scorps see physical intimacy as an opportunity to connect on a deeply emotional, even spiritual level. For this reason, they might gravitate to power play or role-play (potential Domatrix, perhaps?) and are often up for exploring deep-rooted fantasies and fetishes. A position made for sensual Scorpios: Bow.
How to do it: Both lie on their sides, supported by their arms, facing one another, and intertwining their legs in a scissoring position. This almost animalistic set-up offers both partners a chance to dominate the other while staring deeply into one another's eyes—a much loved, intense move Scorpios often enjoy.b
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Sagittarius (November 22–December 21): X Marks the Spot
Adventurous, gregarious, and enthusiastic, fire sign Sagittarians owe their "go big or go home" approach to life to their ruling planet, Jupiter, the planet of fortune, expansion, and philosophy. Outspoken, joyful, playful Sag naturally brings a bold desire to explore uncharted territory and broaden their horizons into the bedroom. This could look like impromptu sex sessions in places that might be far from home (oh, hey, mile high club) or learning other cultures' philosophies around sex (think Tantra). A daring position that "travels well" and thus suits Sag: X Marks the Spot.
How to do it: The giver stands while the receiver lies on a flat surface, like a table or countertop, putting their legs in the air and crossing them at the knees or ankles. The receiver can then enter from above, holding the receiving partner's crossed legs in the air or up against their body. The creative position can be done in even the most cramped spots, wherever, whenever, which is particularly hot for a wanderlusting Sag.
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Capricorn (December 22–January 19): Coital Alignment Technique (CAT)
Industrious, pragmatic, diligent, and super-focused on professional achievement, earth sign Capricorns take their energetic cues from their ruling planet, Saturn, which oversees rules and regulations, challenge, and structure. This translates to their bedroom style, which is guided by the principle that anything worthwhile requires hard work, perseverance, and discipline. It's no surprise they bring their ambitious, even dominant vibes into their intimate connections and sexual experiences, experimenting with boundaries, power, and control. A position that plays on Cap's sensual and studious tastes: Coital Alignment Technique (CAT).
Initially defined by American psychotherapist Edward Eichel in 1988, in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, CAT appeals to Cap's pragmatism and desire to be effective. After all, the position is meant to stimulate the clitoris and set up a steamy orgasm. (Loved it? Also, try these other sex positions for clitoral stimulation.)
How to do it: The giving lies above the receiving partner, as in straightforward missionary, but moving up until they're entering the receiving partner from an angle that their penis or strap-on is pressing against the clit as it penetrates. By rocking their pelvises against one another—the receiver going upward as the giver goes down—the couple can build an intense climax.
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Aquarius (January 20–February 18): Twisted Amazon
Eccentric, innovative, and free-spirited, air sign Aquarius is co-ruled by Uranus, the planet of revolution and change, as well as taskmaster Saturn. Aquarians live for going against anything they see as conventional, but as one of the four fixed (most resolute, or stubborn) signs of the zodiac, they also tend to dig their heels in when it comes to their own, albeit quirky, world view. These signature traits could manifest in the bedroom as a penchant for experimenting with high-tech sex toys or label-free hookups or open relationships. The best position for an Aquarius is one that's anything but traditional: Twisted Amazon.
How to do it: The giving partner lies on their back with their legs in the air, while the receiving partner squats and mounts them from the side. With the receiving partner positioned mostly on one side of the giving partner's body, the giver can move their back leg outward, which can set up deeper, more intense penetration. This imaginative shape lends itself to experimentation and is certainly unusual—two aspects that are sure to appeal to vanilla-loathing Aquarius.
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Pisces (February 19–March 20): Yin-Yang
Ruled by Neptune, the planet that clouds rational thought and oversees dreams and spirituality, water sign Pisces tend to be highly empathetic and artistic. They're also major fans of escapism, which they might find they can enjoy through their creative impulses, whether that's poetry, theater, or, yep, sex—ideally in the context of a heartfelt bond that's deeply romantic and feels right intuitively. Playing in the (figurative) shallow end just won't do for the emotionally complex fish. A super-intimate position that allows them to get carried away: the Yin-Yang.
How to do it: A variation on the classic 69, this inventive oral sex position lends itself to mutual bliss. One partner lies on their back, raising their legs straight up in the air and holding their ankles in their hands. The other partner kneels over the first partner's face, then leans over, wrapping their arms around the bottom partner's lower back and burying their head between their legs. Both partners have the ability to writhe and move while pleasuring one another orally.
Bonus: Because Pisces rules the feet, some people born under the sign are fans of toe play, which could easily work as foreplay or after-play from this position.
Maressa Brown is a writer and astrologer with more than 15 years of experience. In addition to being Shape's resident astrologer, she contributes to InStyle, Parents, Astrology.com, and more. Follow her Instagram and Twitter at @MaressaSylvie.