On her 52nd birthday, Jennifer Lopez broke the Internet with an expertly-staged thirst trap that was subsequently ogled ‘round the world. Posing in a red patterned bikini on a yacht in the South of France, as one does, the singer pressed into a passionate kiss with Ben Affleck. The rumors were officially confirmed: Bennifer 2.0 was on!

This isn’t late-breaking news, but since then, the Leo-on-Leo supercouple (both born with possessive Scorpio moons!) has treated us to summer’s greatest eye candy. Ticking all the #RelationshipGoals boxes, they house-hunted in L.A.’s chic Holmby Hills neighborhood, canoodled in private booths, and went on meet-cutes with their mamas. Recently, Affleck was spotted browsing Tiffany’s for engagement rings, presumably hoping to level up from that $6.1 million pink diamond—the one that J.Lo may or may not have given back 17 years ago. (Best of luck, Ben…)

Nearby in Hidden Hills, another Leo celebrity, Kylie Jenner, has rekindled a relationship with her ex. Shortly after teasing her forthcoming Kylie Baby line, the youngest Kar-Jen announced that Stormi would soon have a sibling, fathered by Taurus Travis Scott.

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Meanwhile, on the East Coast, Libra Cardi B welcomed her second child with on-again, off-again husband Offset (a Sagittarius). In sweet serendipity, the rap duo gave birth on Sept. 4, Beyoncé’s birthday. Pour us a glass of lemonade!

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Exes are fall’s new arm candy, and we simply can’t stop watching these sagas unfold. Are these reunions a huge surprise? Not exactly. Familiarity, which bred contempt pre-pandemic, now soothes us with serotonin and bonds us with oxytocin. If you’ve been separated from your former flame for a while, getting back together is sure to unleash a fire surge of dopamine, making the sex even hotter than it was the first time around.

Forgive yourself for pining. If you’ve been secretly spying on your ex’s social, you’re in good company. But know this: The urge to turn back the clock will only intensify this fall. From Sept. 27 to Oct. 18, Mercury spins retrograde in marriage-minded Libra, drawing past loves back into the picture. Thirsting for “the one that got away”? It might be time to abandon your steely resolve to never speak again.

This advice comes with a huge caveat, of course. Relationships fracture for a reason, and it’s not always bad timing. Differing values and life goals, abusive dynamics, and infidelity are all good reasons to run for the hills. But with the specter of mortality looming over the world, maturing insights hit like a Mack truck in 2020. People grew up amidst the pandemic. They got serious and decided to explore settling down, for safety reasons alone.

But is your ex the best choice? Maybe, maybe not. With genuine effort, patterns can be broken. Are you both willing to try? Start by testing the waters. Note: we’re talking “dipping a toe in the pond” not “submerging in a plunge pool” okay? And know this: Once Mercury corrects course on Oct. 18, it reverses the charges on anything that’s not meant to be. Do your best to work it out, but try not to get too attached à la Bennifer.

Sometimes, it’s best to just look for a person who has all your ex’s finest traits and none of their toxic ones. But if you insist on braving a trial run with a twin flame 2.0, here’s the pro tip your zodiac sign needs to know to avert a Gigli-level disaster.

Aries

Make it “all about us” and challenge yourself to share a little more than you’re used to. Find new ways to support each other’s dreams without treating each other like support staff.

Taurus

Anchor the relationship in healthy habits, like working out together and eating clean. Insist on scheduling date nights and intimate moments, then hold your boo accountable for showing up.

Gemini

Devise a co-created project (like making babies or installation art) that you can develop together so you don’t wind up bonding over drama or trauma.

Cancer

Nurture the relationship, but don’t play caretaker. Handle your responsibilities and let your partner problem-solve without you rushing in for the save. Align around home and family goals.

Leo

Communicate clearly and responsibly. (Read: Without escalating emotions.) Curb the tendency to sulk or share endless details of every story. Ask questions and really listen to the answers.

Virgo

Focus on shared values and make sure you’re both handling your material world responsibilities like adults. Have the no-bullshit talks about dealbreakers, like finances and fidelity.

Libra

Stay committed to your personal passions and self-care. Keep the relationship focused on playful adventures instead of asking your partner to “take care of you” beyond reasonable adult expectations.

Scorpio

Focus on forgiveness (you can do it, Scorpio!) but don’t leave the forgetting part up to chance. Establish boundaries and agreements up front so you don’t repeat past mistakes.

Sagittarius

Don’t rely on wishful thinking or base the relationship on your partner’s potential. Are you both ready (like, now) for what the other one wants? Bring your most honest self to the table.

Capricorn

Align around long-term goals but leave room for spontaneity. Make the ten-year plan and stay nimble. The journey is long and a better course might just show up as you both evolve.

Aquarius

Give each other more freedom, but not so much that you drift into separate worlds. Go on a nostalgic trip during the retrograde and explore a new destination after it ends on Oct. 18.

Pisces

Don’t leave sex up to chance. Consciously create unhurried blocks of time where you can relax, unwind, and explore each other’s most pleasure-inducing desires. Set the stage!

Footnote: Heads (and hearts) up! If you’re still behaving like two passing ships this fall, the holiday season could pull you back into the same port. Venus, the planet of true and lasting love, will be retrograde in traditional Capricorn from Dec. 19 through Jan. 29, 2022. Hope springs eternal, right?

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