In romance, many of us proceed on the principle that “you have to kiss some frogs to find your prince.” Others hold out for The One. Regardless, the consensus is that finding chemistry is a hit-or-miss proposition. Romantic chemistry, however, is not a random phenomenon. It follows rules and patterns, just like the rest of nature.
The General Rule
The general rule of romantic chemistry is simple: Nymphs go with Satyrs, and Muses go with Centaurs. The chemistry of each pairing works in different ways:
| NYMPH + SATYR | MUSE + CENTAUR |
| They snap together like magnets. Nymphs and Satyrs complement each other, and snap together like the opposite poles of two magnets. | They click together like puzzle pieces. Muses and Centaurs complete each other, and click together like different pieces of a two-piece puzzle. |
| They feel the pull of attraction. They emanate erotic energy, like a force field. When they meet, they feel the pull of attraction. Then they kiss each other’s lips—the gateway to the body. | They feel a wave of recognition. They focus erotic energy, like aiming an arrow. When they meet, they feel a wave of recognition. Then they gaze into each other’s eyes—the gateway to the soul. |
| They like equalized intensity. For example: flirty, frisky Dancing Nymphs go with bold, forceful Fighting Satyrs. | They like polarized intensity. For example: quiet, gentle Tending Muses go with focused, driven Fighting Centaurs. |
In the movie Sixteen Candles, Caroline + Farmer Ted exemplify a Nymph + Satyr couple. She’s a teen queen, and he’s a freshman geek, but their equally-intense energies draw them together.
In Sixteen Candles, Samantha + Jake comprise the classic Muse + Centaur couple. She’s a quiet sophomore, and he’s the school hunk, but with their polarized intensity, they just “click.”
The Optimal Pairings
There are eight optimal type pairings. Pairings other than the ones described below can work in romantic relationships, but these are the ones that generate the best chemistry.
DANCING NYMPH ORACLE + FIGHTING SATYR
This is the match for a passionate woman and a forceful man. That is, a Nymph and Satyr who are especially intense.
They may be outsiders. This high-intensity Dancing Nymph is often labeled “crazy” or “wild.” This high-intensity Fighting Satyr may have been told he’s a “loose cannon” or “problem child.”
They both have strong emotions. Both are powerful people, and when they meet, they understand that instinctively. Theirs is a love set on fire.
They need each other. This Nymph needs her leader, a man strong enough to handle her, and this Satyr needs the wild energy of his maenad (“raving one”).
DANCING NYMPH + DANCING SATYR
This is the match for a saucy, frisky woman and a social, confident man. That is, a Dancing Nymph and Satyr.
They’re both amorous. This kind of Nymph sometimes gets a “reputation” for being too friendly with men, but her Satyr counterpart disregards this. He needs a flirty bird who’s amorous like him.
They’re about spark and spice. Their friends say, “You’re so good together!” Someone who’s just pleasant isn’t going to work for either of them. Both need a high-energy partner with style and pizazz.
Their partnership is loose and tight. At a party, they’ll probably circulate independently, and enjoy talking with other people. At the end of the evening, though, they’ll snap back together.
HUNTING NYMPH + HUNTING SATYR
When a woman who loves competitive activity meets a man who loves the same, this is the match that results.
It’s an energetic yet relaxed pairing. These partners are intense, yet playful by nature. They play well together, and form a team of two that’s energetic and congenial.
Their physicality should match. If she’s a basketball player, she should be with another basketball player. He’s a tennis player? He’ll click with a tennis player.
They’ll meet through competition. It’s there that she’ll meet a man who appreciates her, and he’ll meet a woman who’s not content to just watch competition, but wants to participate in it.
SINGING NYMPH + SINGING SATYR
A Nymph who sings from the heart, or speaks with feeling, needs a Satyr who does the same. This is the match for them.
They want to duet. This Nymph wants a man with whom she can duet, and this Satyr is happy to oblige. They have the chemistry to create a stirring, sensual harmony of romance.
It’s a smoothly intense pairing. In terms of the “music of the spheres,” they’re more about melody than rhythm. They can get intense, but it’s a smooth kind of intense. When it’s bedtime, they may set the stage with candles and music.
The diva needs a conductor. If she’s a “lead singer,” a diva, she’ll want to pair up with a man who orchestrates the music. If she and he “sing” with others, as part of a group or ensemble, they will pair up with each other.
PAINTING NYMPH + PAINTING SATYR
The Nymph who creates what she feels meets the Satyr who manifests what he sees. This is a match between two people who really “get” each other.
They both have special needs. This Nymph wants a man who can see inside her soul, and who understands the creative process. This Satyr wants a woman who will inspire him in his creative endeavors. Few people fit the bill for either one, so they gravitate toward each other.
It may not be an easy relationship. Their communion can be deep. They often influence each others’ art in positive ways. But if one of them is selfish, and exhibits the egotism to which Promethean artists are prone, their romance may be emotionally painful.
They’ll know each other on sight. When they meet, they’ll be intrigued by one another, maybe fascinated, even obsessed. Their attraction will be obvious, and their first kiss will likely be a doozy.
GATHERING NYMPH + CRAFTING SATYR
This is the match for the gracious, friendly Nymph who gathers good things, and the genial, industrious Satyr who loves her for it.
They complement each other. This Nymph is about plenty. Around her, there will always be plenty of friendship, plenty of nice things around the house. This Satyr builds the shelter, the foundation for her. They complement each other nicely, and can create a cheerful life together.
He’s a builder, she’s about gathering. The Satyr who goes with this Nymph is inclined to create in metal and stone. He creates and rebuilds things like houses and vehicles. In essence, he’s an engineer. She probably loves shopping, and when she does, she brings home good things.
GATHERING MUSE + HUNTING CENTAUR
She’s an accomplished gatherer. He’s an excellent hunter. Together they make a match with a lot of natural power and connection.
Their relationship is mutually satisfying. This Muse looks out for her Centaur in a practical way, pointing out opportunities and threats. She brings beauty and softness to his world. In turn, he provides for her, obtaining the resources she needs to feel secure. He brings stability and structure to her life.
They’re a good match for each other. Her impulse to preserve meshes with his power to destroy. Other men may overlook her subtle charms, but he sees a woman of quality and compelling allure. What other women may find cold and remote about him, she finds reassuring and sexy.
TENDING MUSE + FIGHTING CENTAUR
She’s a demure Muse who keeps the home fires burning. He’s a Centaur with noble fires burning inside him. This makes them well matched.
He’s her Knight, she’s his Lady. This Muse cares for her Centaur in a quiet, gentle way. Her graceful feminine refreshes and restores him after his masculine interaction with the outside world. In turn, he shields her from the world’s sharper edges, making her feel safe and secure.
Their relationship is surreptitiously passionate. Her impulse to heal complements his power to protect. This pairing, while it might look tepid to others, is often passionate. Their polarized roles create strong emotional currents between them that bring them together in an ardent romantic embrace.
