Synastry is defined as the astrology of relationships. It involves the comparison of two astrological charts to determine areas of strength and weakness in a relationship. Synastry is a valuable resource for people who want to examine their relationship with another person based on aspects between each person’s birth charts. This is not limited to intimate or romantic relationships, this process can be used to compare the charts of any relationships, including, but not limited to siblings, parent and child, boss and worker, best friends, etc..
I once told another astrologer that I felt like I have an astrological PHD, in this field. Researching the Sum/Moon, Mars/Venus, and Jupiter/Saturn combinations in synastry, and every combination that one could imagine, has occupied a lot of my time over the years. They are so important in looking at attraction.
I’ll be honest, I’m usually doing compatibility charts to look for a successful marriage. That’s the primary relationship clients bring to me. I’ve found that there are a few standout aspects between planets that can illustrate attraction, chemistry, and intensity. Unfortunately, successful marriages are more a product of character and responsibility than explosive aspects between planets. I wish it was all about the lust, but it isn’t. Real compatibility is so much more than mere physical attraction.
Here are a few examples of what I look for when doing compatibility chart anaylsis…
Sun sign is the same sign as another’s Moon = Classic marriage aspect: This is one of the most compelling attraction forces in synastry. I like to think of it like a DNA signature for the intensity of a relationship. This attraction is baked into the cake at birth. The planets in the sign do not have to be in aspect to form a unique relationship, but of course the closer to an exact conjunction the planets are, the more intense the relationship will be.
Ultimately, the two people can become like “two peas in a pod” because they meld so well into one person. They form the perfect “we”. It operates on quite a deep level, and sometimes with no other outer appearances of attraction. It just simply exists for no apparent reason sometimes, and is very intimate. Sun and Moon in the same sign is the perfect symbiosis between partners.
When arranging marriages back in the day, Astrologers looked for this combination, and it is why many arranged marriages were successful over the long haul. For example, if a Man’s Sun was in Leo, and the potential wife had a Moon in Leo, it was considered a good match [all other things being equal]. The partners would be happy together. Compatibility between the Sun and Moon is powerful. Two Suns or two Moons in the same sign is NOT the same here. The reason the Sun and Moon are interpreted thusly, is because the Sun is the Light, and the Moon has no light. They need each other, but play different roles. In Astrology, this is very compatible. There is a synastry built into these two planets.
Again, let me reiterate that I’m not talking about intimate relationships exclusively. I’m sure all of you have seen a relationship between a parent and child that defied explanation. How does a parent “choose favorites”? It’ll be seen in the chart in the synastry between planets. Ever seen an employer play favorites for no reason? It’ll show in the compatibility charts. All of it can be traced back to the relationship of the Sun and Moon, OR Venus and Mars.
It is quite compelling particularly in signs where the Sun or Moon are particularly strong. The signs of Leo, Aries, or Taurus, and Cancer are classic placements for the Sun and/or Moon. It is less compelling in signs like Gemini or Virgo, but still quite dynamic. As I’ve said, they will act like “two peas in a pod”, and sometimes to the exclusion of all other relationships.
Sun in one sign; square or opposite another’s Moon: This would indicate an incompatible relationship. There are lots of factors that can turn such things into successful bonds, but it will not have the ease and adaptability of the Sun/Moon conjunction. It is a relationship that will require vigilance and hard work. That is the nature of those aspects–hard work.
Venus and Mars in the same sign: As I’ve stated many a time, Venus is what we want and Mars indicates how we go about getting what we desire. People with Venus and Mars in the same sign have compatible goals and methods of accomplishing those goals. This is an invaluable asset in looking at compatibility between people. It’s not quite as intense as the Sun/Moon indicator, but compatible personal planets is the next best thing.
There are of course stronger bonds with some signs and weaker ones with others. Strong signs for Venus and Mars are: Aries, Taurus, Libra, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.
Weaker contacts are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. While relationships work if Venus and Mars fall in one of these signs, they work on a less traditional way. Two Aquarians, for instance, would be happy together, but lead somewhat independent lives from each other. Still there would be a strong bond between them, they would both just prefer to be less involved with each other. To onlookers you would doubt the bond existed at all, but it would still be there. It just manifests in a different manner due to the sign.
Venus and Mars operate similarly to the Sun/Moon when in square or opposition aspects to each other: Instead of being compatible, they are incompatible. And, in some cases, completely unable to not engage with each other. I’m sure you’ve seen or remember a relationship that defied logic. People who basically fought or challenged each other all the time, and they could not stay away from the interaction.
Mercury in the same sign: This is good indicator of friendship between co-workers, siblings, neighbors, etc. This combination lacks the intensity of the others, but does indicate people that will get along. Mercury is a neutral planet, and as such doesn’t produce romantic relationships, but it is a great indicator of people who think “alike”, and that is just about as compatible as it needs to be in this day and age.
Mercury in square or opposition aspect: When these planets make a square or opposition aspect it is not a good indicator of any compatibility. The thinking is just too different and in some signs cannot find any common ground at all.
That is basically the short version of synastry. There is actually a lot more to it, but these are some guidelines for looking into compatibility. I will try to follow up on this topic with an article on how Houses placements factor into all this.
Until next time….
