You might’ve already picked up whether you’re an introvert or extrovert based on how you interact with the world—or perhaps you’ve been given the title of one or the other from those who know you best (or those you just met). Either way, this classification can tell you whether you’re an outgoing and social extrovert or a reserved and introspected introvert. A polarity in astrology reflects these groupings, and depending on the dominant energies in your chart, you’re either the type to seize any moment or turn in for guidance before diving in.

Quick astrology lesson: We break signs down by three distinct categories: polarities, triplicities, and quadruplicities. “These relate to the consciousness and general expression of each sign,” says intuitive astrologer and healer Rachel Lang. Triplicities are fire, earth, air, and water; quadruplicities are cardinal, fixed, and mutable. (More on that another time.)

Polarities, meanwhile, more simply describe two categories: positive and negative. “Astrologers may use different terms, including active/receptive, yang/yin, or masculine/feminine, but this in no way implies gender, and many are moving away from that as our own gender constructs are being reframed and as we move toward embracing a more non-binary understanding of gender,” says Lang.

Keep reading to know more about what a polarity means in astrology, what type of energetic charge your zodiac sign is—plus, how to use it to better understand yourself and others.

What does polarity mean in astrology?

A polarity in astrology is one of the classifications which the zodiac signs are grouped into—specifically, whether that sign is introverted or extroverted. Looking at the zodiac wheel, the polarity of each sign flips—beginning with the first sign, Aries, which is an extroverted sign. You can also think of it as the odd-numbered zodiac signs holding a positive charge, while the even-numbered zodiac signs belong to the negative polarity.

Energetically, polarities discern the way in which a sign might approach different situations. They just describe the direction in which their energies express: whether they’re more outgoing and concerned with external matters (positive) or more introverted and express themselves inwardly (negative).

“Positive signs tend to focus [energy] outward and be more self-expressive, while negative signs tend to focus their energy inward and be more receptive.” —Rachel Lang, astrologer

Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean a sign is either good or bad. “Positive signs tend to focus [energy] outward and be more self-expressive, while negative signs tend to focus their energy inward and be more receptive,” Lang says. Hence, the extroverted/introverted analogy.

Positive, or yang, polarities are fire and air signs:

• Aries
• Gemini
• Leo
• Libra
• Sagittarius
• Aquarius

Negative, or yin, are water and earth signs:

• Taurus
• Cancer
• Virgo
• Scorpio
• Capricorn
• Pisces

Introverted vs extroverted signs

To get a better grasp on the difference between introverted and extroverted energies, Lang tells me to think of how the elements air and fire spread outward and catch on. “Air carries sound, and a simple spark of fire can spread quickly,” she says. These signs tend to externalize their experiences. “An air sign will need to talk things through or express their ideas outwardly, for example,” she says.

So, if you have a positive polarity predominant in your chart, you may be more extroverted; however, this isn’t necessarily the case. “Even our introverts born under this sign will find some way to express their energy outward,” she says.

Lang goes on to explain that positive energy needs purpose and to be in constant motion. Signs with a positive polarity tend to lean toward extrinsic matters. “A fire sign needs to move, and if they don’t, they can feel tight or stuck,” she says. “If you have more planets in positive signs, you may need more recognition and appreciation for what you offer to the world. You could have a stronger need to express yourself.”

“If you have more planets in positive signs, you may need more recognition and appreciation for what you offer to the world.”—Rachel Lang, astrologer

Negative energy, on the other hand, may be less proactive. “[It’s] more relational, receptive, and reactive to life’s events,” she says. As a receptive or negative sign, their energy is focused inward and may prioritize intrinsic values like interpersonal matters. As Lang puts it, if you have more planets in negative signs, you may be sensitive to the energies of other people and prize emotional connection in relationships. “You need to feel heard and connected,” she says.

Positive signs may also, she adds, be able to process—or at least, brush off—emotional experiences more quickly in order to move on from them expediently, whereas negative signs may have a harder time letting go. “You may need more time to process emotional experiences, especially if you’ve been hurt,” Lang explains.

How to find your zodiac sign’s polarity

To determine which polarity is dominant in your chart, you can simply look to your sun sign, the defining point in your chart. But because your birth chart is loaded with planets stationed in different signs, Lang advises adding up your planets in earth and water signs and those in fire and air signs to see which number is higher. The dominant polarity is likely the one that’s most concentrated in your overall personality.

Why are polarities important in astrology?

Understanding the characteristics of each polarity can help you to better understand the unique aspects of your sign as well as how signs relate to one other, Lang explains. Broadly, polarities describe how each sign is wired to focus their energy. That means, you can get a feel for how your sun sign might approach a certain situation, whether that’s in a romantic relationship or a professional setting. By the same token, knowing the polarity that’s dominant in your chart can also give you an idea of your weak spots so that you can strike a balance in your energy.

You could also, according to Wang, weigh out the energies by taking a headcount of all the signs and their polarities that exist in your chart. “Each sign embodies distinct energies, and their polarity showcases complementary traits, influencing how individuals express themselves in various situations,” explains Wang. “Opposite signs share the same modality but in different elements.”

Astrological polarity and compatibility

Polarities come into play in determining your compatibility with others and in turn, find balance in that connection. That’s to say, opposites definitely attract in astrology, where your opposite sign (aka the sign that sits directly across from yours in the zodiac wheel) will also have the same polarity as yours.

For example, both Aries and Libra are opposite or sister signs and hold a positive charge. Aries, however, expresses their extroversion in self-gratification, where they’re driven by their own interests while Libra is motivated by initiating and maintaining relationships with others and the world at large. “In a relationship, they balance each out because one is a leader one is a follower,” Wang says. “Aries needs to learn from Libra about how to create win-win in a team, while Libra needs to learn from Aries about how to be self-serving and less codependent.”

What about two people who belong to opposite polarities—are they doomed in a relationship? Short answer, no. Even a positive and negative charge can complement each other’s energy. “Polarities introduce a natural balance; while one sign may focus on the individual, its opposite brings attention to relationships and partnerships, creating a push-pull dynamic vital for growth,” Wang says.

Polarities say a lot about the way you operate and can give you the tools to understand how you approach the world. Aside from knowing the basics of your birth chart, when you can recognize how your polarity shows up in your birth chart you can gauge your strengths and weaknesses and strike a balance, whether you’re soul-searching or seeking compatibility in a relationship.