Relationships Talk

The dating app Bumble has a new feature that allows you to filter matches based on their zodiac sign. According to Tech Crunch, the idea behind the new filter seems to be as follows: “Remember that horrible Virgo ex of yours? Well, now you never have to deal with another Virgo again by simply filtering them out!”

Another way of looking at it would be to say that people should choose their dates by signs. For example, as a Scorpio, some would say that another water sign (like a Cancer or Pisces) would be the best match for me, so I should use the feature to only match with fellow water signs. However, not only does this demonstrate an outdated understanding of astrology on Bumble’s part, but — speaking as a sex and relationship journalist with a decade of experience, as well as a practicing witch — such a feature is going to make it harder, not easier, for you to find good matches and potential partners. Here’s why you should swipe left on this feature.

This new feature is simply a bad idea, romantically speaking.

It makes sense that Bumble would add this feature to capitalize on the trending interest in the occult, but let’s think about why dating apps exist: to help you meet people, most often with a sexual or romantic interest in mind. Most folks currently using dating apps in the age of #MeToo and Time’s Up can attest to the rampant difficulties in finding someone who piques your interest, who you’re attracted to, who actually makes an effort to set up a date, and who is also a decent person. It’s a numbers game, and this feature does not improve the odds of finding someone you really connect with.

If Bumble had found a way to filter out people with a history of abusive behavior, or who is lying on their profile and actually cheating (and not just in an open relationship), that might make some progress when it comes to protecting all us single folks from harm. However, to cross out all Libras just because you once dated one who left a bad taste in your mouth (pun…intended?) slices away one out of every 12 potential matches for a pretty arbitrary reason. Most of us are in a place where we could use more chances for love, not fewer, so let’s not cancel people based on their sun sign alone.

It’s also a bad idea, astrologically speaking.

There’s nothing wrong with identifying with your sun (star) sign, also known as the answer you give when someone asks, “What’s your sign?” I’m a Scorpio and relate to many Scorpio traits — I admit that sometimes I do come across as the sex and death-obsessed jealous person that we get a bad reputation for. However, I, along with every other human on the planet, am so much more than my sun sign. While this part of the chart serves as a great ice breaker and a fun introduction to astrology, it does not represent an entire person, nor does it represent how well you’ll get along with someone else.

If you want to truly understand your entire self (or your date) astrologically, you need to take into account the entire birth chart. You can learn everything about your natal chart as long as you know your birth date, time, and location. Then, plug the info in on a website such as Astro.com or an app such as TimePassages. While there is knowledge to be found in sun signs, there’s so much more to learn when you become aware of other areas of your chart, such as your moon sign and your rising sign. Your rising sign is “the mask” you wear to the world while your moon sign is your “mushy center” (and it’s huge when it comes to love compatibility).