Looking for love, or trying to keep tabs on the fate of your relationships?

According to astrologers, not only do we have Earth bound factors when it comes to the search for love, we also have to contend with the universe’s own. There are apparently more (and less) “astrologically charged” times to fall both in and out of love, so take note.

Two things to look out for, according to astrology expert Inbaal Honigman, is the planetary movements of both Venus and Mercury when they “transit” by passing directly between the Earth and the sun.

“There are two planets that we want to cast our eye on when we observe the very start and the very end of love relationships,” she says, beginning with a planet closely linked to romance: Venus.

“Naturally, the love planet Venus is important,” Inbaal advises. “This is the planet which influences our emotional wellbeing, the way we relate to others, and how comfortable we are in a relationship.

“When Venus is in a romantic sign, such as Pisces or Cancer, people will be feeling more inclined to get into relationships. On the other hand, when Venus is in a very independent sign such as Aries or Sagittarius, the inclination would be more towards breakups.”

For instance, while Venus’s transit into Aries between late April and early June might encourage us to lean towards more independent living, June to August sees it moving into Taurus and then Cancer, seeing stability and then romance come into prominence.

Inbaal adds that it’s not just Venus’ movements that could affect our love life – Mercury impacts communication, and therefore how we put ourselves out there into the world and interact with other people.

“The communication planet Mercury has a say, too,” she says. “This is the planet that impacts the way we introduce ourselves, how we talk to others, and whether we tell the truth. When Mercury is in a communicative sign such as Gemini or Virgo, people are likely to talk themselves into somebody’s favour. However, when Mercury is in a quieter sign such as Aquarius or Taurus, the vibe will be much more single.”

While May saw a “quiet” era for us because of Mercury’s movement through Taurus, it’s progression to Gemini and Virgo sees a “chatty” and “dependable” vibe approaching, both fertile grounds for healthy relationships.

In addition to affecting the ways we fall in and out of love, Inbaal insists that astrology and specific planetary movements – like Mercury retrograde – also impact wedding dates and significant romantic milestones.

“What’s interesting is that while wedding trends often follow practical patterns, like warm weather and weekends, there’s often a subtle alignment with astrology too,” astrology insights expert Ella Citron-Thompkins says. 23rd August, this year’s most popular wedding date, comes just after Mercury retrograde ends on August 10th, which could feel like a natural moment of clarity and renewed connection for many couples.”

She adds that less popular dates for wedding dates could also link in with astrological patterns. “On the other hand, dates like Christmas Eve or Boxing Day, which are among the least popular for weddings, often fall during periods of introspection, which astrology would also reflect. It’s fascinating to see how the cosmic and the cultural sometimes overlap, even when we don’t consciously plan it that way.”