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Romance isn't only about seduction.
By Christine Schoenwald — Written on Mar 29, 2018
No one is completely unromantic. Even if you have to dig down, we all have different ways in which we share our love. Astrology and your horoscope are great ways to get more insight into how to be romantic. And depending on your zodiac sign, you have a certain way of expressing yourself.
While some people are much showier in their romantic gestures, that doesn't mean that’s the only way to be romantic; sometimes, it’s the smaller, subtler actions that make the biggest impact. You might consider your partner doing some household chore for you as extremely romantic, while they might need candlelight, soft music, and a gourmet dinner for two on Valentine’s Day.
Our zodiac signs influence our personalities, so it’s not surprising that they also help determine not only how romantic we are but what romantic expression we respond best to.
Not everything is going to work for everyone. Does your partner like a big gesture, or would it embarrass them? Would they rather you tell them that you loved them over a quiet dinner, or would they respond more if you did it with a mariachi band at a restaurant?
We all want something special to us, even when it goes against tradition. Romance should be personal, heartfelt, creative and thoughtful. Just picking up some flowers at the grocery store isn’t always enough, and sometimes it will have a negative effect on a relationship.
When it comes to romance, you need to listen to both your own heart and the heart of your special someone.
ARIES (March 21 - April 19)
You're not the most romantic person, unless you're in seduction-mode — then you really get your romance game going. You're very passionate and love competition. If capturing someone else's love or proving your love is the challenge, then you go all out and will shower your intended with romance.
However, you sometimes get so into the game of it that you forget that you deserve love and romance in return. Romance goes both ways, and you don't have to do it all when it comes to having romance in your relationship.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)
You are a major romantic and love to spoil your partner with flowers, art, and other gifts. You can go the traditional route with romance or use your creativity to come up with something truly special.
You're up for it all: walks on the beach, cuddling up in front of a fire, or gazing up at the stars. All you ask in return is a lot of sensuality and connection on a deep level.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
You're skilled at the romantic talk, but you're not the biggest romantic in the bunch. You tend to go from partner to partner since you can get bored easily. You tend to want fun over permanence when it comes to a relationship.
If someone gets too romantic or romantic too easily, it can make you feel uncomfortable. You'd actually prefer the romance of a long-distance-relationship, because you can have all the fun of romance without any sign of commitment breathing down your neck.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
You love love, and romance is an essential part of your relationship. You put your intuition to good use when it comes to romance, as you seem to know exactly what your partner will respond to.
You don't care if the romantic gesture is an old-fashioned cliché like sipping champagne while gazing at the Eiffel Tower, or being proposed to via the jumbotron. Any kind of romance is good as far as you're concerned and needs to be part of any relationship, no matter how the long the couple has been together.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
You enjoy romance as long as it's sincere. You don't want somebody to say or do romantic things just to try and manipulate you. You tend to be dominant when it comes to romance, and you'll make a huge effort to make sure that your partner knows that they are loved and adored.
You also love when you are the recipient of a large romantic gesture. You don't care if all eyes are on you; in fact, you love it, and if it means that other people can see how much you're loved, that's even better.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)
People tend to think because you're so analytical that you aren't romantic, which simply isn't true. While you may feel somewhat embarrassed if someone goes overboard with a romantic action, you enjoy the low-key moments of love and the small gestures.
You'd like a little bit of romance every day as opposed to one big thing and then it's forgotten. All you need is a text, call, message, or note that lets you know that your partner is thinking of you and you're happy.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)
You're hugely romantic! In truth, if your partner isn't making enough of an effort in the romance department, it could be a deal breaker. You want your partner to show you how they care and how you light up their lives, and you'll give in back times two.
Sometimes you get frustrated when life doesn't seem to mirror the romance you see in movies, TV, songs, or books, but then you find other ways to find it. You're not above having some virtual romance if need be.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)
You're all about passion and huge romantic gestures, but sometimes you forget about the little things that keep the love going. It's not that you don't care or feel things intensely, you just get distracted by the day to day living and all that it entails.
You also can get extremely jealous which can destroy romance. You just need to find a balance between your passion and control how you express it.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)
You love romance and are very generous with your feelings. You use your humor to captivate and seduce. If you're able, it wouldn't be unlike you to surprise your partner with a romantic getaway for two.
In addition, you probably wouldn't think twice about traveling for hours to just spend one night with your love. It would be worth it to you just to see their smile.
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)
It's not that you're not romantic — you are, but in a way, it's something else that you need to be diligent about. You know that a relationship without romance isn't likely to survive, so you make the effort.
You make sure that your partner knows that they're loved and special. You pretend that you don't need romantic gestures, but the truth is, you can't just believe it when someone tells you that they love you; you need evidence of their love.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)
You'll take your romance without a side of mushy. You don't need declarations of love every ten minutes; you just want to feel appreciated and loved in small ways.
You don't get all the romantic protocols and have probably gotten into trouble (more than once) for not making a big enough deal on your anniversary or Valentine's Day. Your partner knows that you love them, and you know that they love you, so shouldn't that be enough?
PISCES (February 19 - March 20)
You're super-romantic and you love all that kind of storybook romance stuff. You've got the whole romantic gesture thing down and are constantly showing your partner how much you love them in creative ways. When you love someone, they inspire you to write poetry, sing songs, paint, sculpt, or anything that lets you express your love.
You expect your partner to show their love to you too. Because you put so much value on romance, you can be too trusting and get hurt. Try to be both romantic and wise; that way, you'll be able to protect your heart too.
Christine Schoenwald is a writer, performer, and teacher who loves writing and performing personal narratives. She's had pieces in The Los Angeles Times, Salon, Woman's Day, Purple Clover, Bustle, and is a regular contributor to Ravishly and YourTango. Check out her website or her Facebook page.