posted May 18, 2009 09:22 PM         

Synastry is the comparison of two natal charts in order to assess their compatibility. This assessment can be done for friends, lovers or business partners in order to assure a harmonious relationship. The following information is mostly intended for the use of lovers, since that is where the most interest is. While any relationship is theoretically possible, synastry describes those most likely to work smoothly and for an extended period of time. While this article examines several issues to do with relationships, the bottom line answer as to whether it will work or not can be obtained by either doing the standard synastry comparison, or using cosmodynes. Both come up with much the same answer, the cosmodynes being a lot faster and convenient due to the use of a computer program for comparison. The most important part of synastry is NOT the number, type or closeness of aspects, but the soft to hard aspect ratio. Examining the psychological significance of each aspect is an exercise in pointlessness, since the only part of synastry that really matters is the soft to hard aspect ratio.

* NOTE: Synastry is not a good indicator of the success or failure of a marriage. A bad marriage chart can destroy some otherwise great synastry, just as a great marriage chart can compensate for lousy synastry. (see the article on the Royal Marriage) My research with marriages of more than 25 years duration shows clearly that the most important indicator for a successful marriage is a good marriage chart. The marriages of more than 25 years duration that I used for my research fall into two distinct categories, reading the marriage chart as a standard horary chart.

1. Moon void of course in the marriage chart, showing the marriage will never change or end. About 45% of the long term marriages fall into this category.

2. The last aspect made by the transiting Moon is a trine or sextile, showing that the marriage will grow and change in a positive direction. About 45% of the long term marriages fall into this category.

3. The ruler of the ascendant and descendant MUST be in applying positive aspect, otherwise the partners will drift apart and eventually divorce.

There are two main issues to consider:

1. Planetary aspects between the two charts.

This is the classic synastry, a comparison of two charts and the planetary aspects between them. I use Ptolemaic aspects only, finding that the higher harmonics to be utterly useless in deriving a bottom line. The Ptolemaic aspects are the conjunction, opposition, trine, square and sextile. While some astrologers use harmonic numbers up to 24, this approach serves little purpose. To use an analogy, click on my photograph on this website, and watch it appear on the screen. You can clearly recognize my face with a mere 10% of the picture elements loaded. Then watch as more of the file is read, until the picture is finally 100% loaded. Being able to see the pores in my skin will not help you recognize my face on the street. I also use standard orbs of 8 degrees for conjunctions, oppositions, trines and squares, and 6 degrees for sextiles.

Hard aspects are just as important as soft ones, since they provide energy exchange and mutual attraction. I also include outer planet aspects, since people of the same generation have some automatic compatibilities derived from similar outer planet placements. Particular attention should be paid to hard aspects from Neptune in synastry, as this indicates a lot of fantasy and wishful thinking. When reality finally hits, the relationship often ends. In synastry, orbs need to be treated in a rational fashion, and ignoring aspects of greater than 2 degrees orb does simply not agree with the reality of the marriages I studied. The total number of aspects is an indication of how strong the attraction is, and the soft to hard aspect ratio gives an excellent idea of the harmony in the relationship. An aspect ratio of less than 1.5 to 1 is difficult, and a 1 to 1 ratio is impossible. The aspect ratio corelates very well with marriage success, whereas the total number of aspects seems to have little effect on the relationship.

For the number crunchers who like to reduce everything to numbers, I would advise printing out a synastry grid after setting appropriate orbs as mentioned above, and counting all the aspects. Ignore any aspect in excess of 8 degrees orb. Add the total number of easy aspects and hard aspects in separate columns, and then establish the ratio of easy aspects to hard aspects. Add the points and multiply the sum of hard and soft aspects by the easy to hard aspect ratio. Any synastry comparison with a score of less than 75 points is not worth pursuing, with 100 being average for a good relationship or friendship. You need a minimum ratio of 1.5:1 easy to hard aspects for a smooth relationship, with the one third hard aspects to keep excitement and passion alive. The higher this ratio the better. While human beings have the freedom to make any relationship work, too many hard aspects demand too much work to keep it going. A balance of an equal number of hard and easy aspects (1:1) is a constant struggle to keep the relationship intact. This is NOT recommended for anyone still looking for a suitable partner, but is no reason to end the relationship if you are already married. The house positions of the planets also have some importance, but are beyond the scope of this article. They are considered by the cosmodyne software when using it to do a synastry comparison. Please see the accompanying article analysing the relationship between Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward for a demonstration of the technique. It also gives an example of the cosmodyne analysis, which does much of what I have just stated above.

2. Basic attractions due to the sign of natal Sun, Moon, Ascendant and South Node.

This sets up the internal ideal or image that you will be attracted to. While the old rule that the whole chart must be considered is still true, such an effort is not possible with this venue. House placements of Sun, Venus or ascendant ruler need to be considered, since they can mimic some of the sign expectations. People generally seek lovers who in some way embody characteristics which are opposite or at least very different from what they are by Sun sign and ascendant. The Moon and its South Node often indicates the kind of person you are unconsciously attracted to, since this indicates your emotional needs.

Two minor issues not covered here are:

3. Planetary positions by house:

How do your planets placed in the partner's chart affect the way s/he functions and responds? While this is of some importance, it is a relatively minor consideration Since there are 10 planets and 12 houses, this matter is too lengthy to go into detail in this article. This factor is taken into account by the cosmodyne analysis.

4. Culture

How people perceive others in relationships is very much conditioned by the religion and philosophy by which they were raised. In some cultures, women are still the absolute property of the husband and without individual rights.

Sign Attractions - Your Dreamboat
Your Sun or Asc. is Moon, SN or Lover is Variations on

Sun/Asc. theme
Seeking
Aries Libra Sun in 1H, Sun opp ruler of 1H,

Asc. ruler in the 1H, Venus in 7H

or 10H or Libra, ruler of 7H in the 7H or
The perfect companion
Taurus Scorpio Sun in 2H, Pluto opp Sun, Pluto in the 7H, Venus in Scorpio, ruler of the 7H in 8H or in Scorpio The irresistible force. Intensity or power.
Gemini Sagittarius Sun in the 3H, Jupiter opp Sun, Jupiter in 7H, Jupiter in 10H, Jupiter in Libra, Venus in Sag., ruler of the 7H in Sag., ruler of the 7H in the 9H The smiling team coach intelligent and friendly
Cancer Capricorn Sun in 4H, Saturn opp Sun, Saturn in the 7H, Saturn in the 10H, Saturn in Libra, Venus in Capricorn, Venus in the 10H, ruler of the 7H in Capricorn, ruler of the 7H in the 10H, ruler of the 10H in the 7H The rock of Gibraltar reliable and loyal
Leo Aquarius Sun in the 5H, Uranus opp Sun, Uranus in the 7H, Uranus in the 10H, Uranus in Libra, Venus in Aquarius, Venus in the 11H, ruler of the 7H in Aquarius, ruler of the 7H in the 11H, ruler of the 11H in the 7H A flamingo amongst ostriches different and eccentric
Virgo Pisces Sun in the 6H, Neptune opp Sun, Neptune in the 7H, Neptune in the 10H, Neptune in Libra, Venus in Pisces, Venus in the 12H, ruler of the 7H in Pisces, ruler of the 7H in the 12H, ruler of the 12H in 7H, ruler of the 12H in the 10H, ruler of the 12H in Libra The Saviour
Libra Aries Sun in the 7H, Mars opp Sun, Mars in the 7H, Mars in the 10H, Mars in Libra, Venus in Aries, Venus in the 1H, ruler of the 7H in Aries, ruler of the 7H in the 1H, ruler of the 1H in the 7H, ruler of the 1H in the 10H, ruler of the 1H in Libra The world champion of everything
Scorpio Taurus Sun in 8H, Venus in the 7H, Venus in the 10H, Venus in Libra, Venus in Taurus, Venus in the 2H, ruler of the 7H in Taurus, ruler of the 7H in the 2H, ruler of the 2H in the 7H, ruler of the 2H in the 10H, ruler of the 2H in Libra The rarest gem in the world, truly wonderful
Sagittarius Gemini Sun in 9H, Mercury in the 7H, Mercury in the 10th house, Mercury in Libra, Venus in Gemini, Venus in the 3H, ruler or the 7H in Gemini, ruler of the 7H in the 3H, ruler of the 3H in the 7H, ruler of the 3H in the 10H ruler of the 3H in Libra A genuine, renaissance person - skilled in everything
Capricorn Cancer Sun in the 10H, Moon opp Sun, Moon in 7H, Moon in 10H, Moon in Libra, Venus in Cancer, Venus in the 4H The nursing mother, nurturing caregiver
Aquarius Leo Sun in the 11H, Venus in Leo, ruler of the 7H in Leo, ruler of the 7H in the 5H, ruler of the 5H in the 7H, ruler of the 5H in the 10H, ruler of the 5H in Libra, The star - dramatic and exciting, popular flamboyant, domineering
Pisces Virgo Sun in the 12H, Mercury in the 7H, Mercury in the 10H, Mercury in Libra, Venus in Virgo, Venus in the 6H, ruler of the 7H inVirgo, ruler of the 7H in the 6H, ruler of the 6H in the 7H, ruler of the 6H in the 10H, ruler of the 6H in Libra The Guiding Light spiritual wisdom

The Relationship Axes

There are six relationship axes defined by the first six signs in opposition to the last six.

1.Aries-Libra: This axis involves the struggle to maintain self identity versus losing yourself in a relationship. It's also about learning to be supportive without being a doormat, the inability to listen versus being sensitive, dominance versus submission. If this is the major theme of your relationship, then you need to sit down with your partner and agree who is the dominant one, rather than go through constant dominance contests.

2. Taurus-Scorpio: This is the axis of appetite and desire. Taurus is drawn to excitement, danger, and may harbor a rape fantasy. Taurus also loves physical sensuality and a mysterious person for companionship, versus just being interested in good sex. For Scorpio, money always comes into it, so financial and business issues have to be settled before settling down in a relationship. Emotional and physical security are also important to the Scorpio.

3.Gemini-Sagittarius: This is the axis of culture and learning, and there is an interest in foreign cultures and the truth in their teachings, versus denying them a fair hearing. There can be an attitude here that everyone is crazy but me, so sanity becomes an issue in the relationship. It requires some mature communication, but there is no reason that differences can't be resolved.

4. Cancer-Capricorn: Cancer is searching for strength without the usual insensitivity. The issues here are private versus public life, male versus female, depth of commitment versus the struggle to remain an individual. Capricorn is looking for a nurturing mother type to engage its emotions, but then shies away when emotions get too intense and intimate.

5. Leo-Aquarius: This is the social and pleasure axis. Leo looks for a rebel, a wild goose in the flock, the most unusual person in a crowd, then tries to make them normal. Aquarius wants to appear normal, and live a normal life, but relationships somehow never quite fit into it. Aquarius seeks grounding for its rambling mind, and a secure routine for its daily life.

6. Virgo-Pisces: This is the axis of service. Virgo seeks a saviour/betrayer type, then blames its loss of innocence on the other person. This is usually a master/servant relationship, where forgiveness and letting go of old emotions becomes an issue. Pisces seeks the lighthouse in the fog, a place or relationship which offers a secure harbour from life's storms as well as spiritual guidance and emotional support.

Example: Lets say I have Sun and Ascendant in Aquarius, with Moon in Scorpio and South Node in Capricorn conjunct Mars. A former lover has Sun in Scorpio conjunct Jupiter, Mars and MC with Capricorn rising and Moon in Aquarius. I was attracted to her leonine dramatic and sociable nature (Sun/Jupiter), her aggressiveness (Sun/Mars) and her intensity (Sun in Scorpio). The clincher was that her Ascendant was conjunct my South Node, which means an automatic and irresistible attraction. To top it off, her Moon in Aquarius was conjunct my Sun in Aquarius, and my Moon in Scorpio was conjunct her Sun in Scorpio. Despite this very powerful attraction, the Sun/Sun square and Moon/Moon square caused so many conflicts that there was no final solution except ending the relationship.

Sun - All Sun contacts between charts indicate personal growth potential in self expression and personality. Positive Sun contacts spur achievement, creativity and ambition, as well as adding the dimension of friendship to the romance.

Sun conjunct Sun automatically understands the other's mind, but can bore each other to death. Your goals and aims in life are harmonized, and you have a similar lifestyle and mutual respect.

Sun opposite Sun can result in a very complementary balance or open conflict, depending on the rest of the chart. Hard aspects to either Sun may make the relationship impossible.

Sun square Sun more often than not reveals conflict, especially in the houses they rule. The constant clash of wills is exciting at first, but soon becomes a battle for supremacy and survival.

Sun/Moon This is the classic compatibility aspect, and works fine unless the natal Sun and Moon are in hard aspect. Under easy aspects, true harmony and mutual understanding on the intuitive level. Both partners encourage each other to grow, change and succeed within the relationship.

Sun/Mercury This indicates mental and verbal stimulation, with the Sun encouraging Mercury to talk and explain his ideas, and Mercury feeling that the partner truly understands him. This is the basic aspect of mental compatibility, but hard aspects cause miscommunication and misunderstanding.

Sun/Venus promises congenial relationship, with a sharing of tastes, leisure pursuits and cultural or artistic interests. A very warm and affectionate relationship, unless hard aspects cause Venus to take advantage to extract all sorts of favours, causing hurt feelings and wounded pride.

Sun/Mars can manifest in hot flares of temper, but can also act as a great sexual attractant indicating long life for the relationship. Brings energy and ambition to the partners, though there may be competition for supremacy and a clash of wills, may feel like living on a volcano.

Sun/Jupiter gives a sense of ease with each other, with a generosity of spirit and much mutual respect. Both partners put forth their best efforts, with Jupiter enhancing the Sun's self esteem, and the Sun helping Jupiter to financial or job improvement. Favourable for business.

Sun/Saturn Marriage is seen as a sacred institution, so the Solar partner may submit to new discipline and restrictions for the sake of emotional and financial security. Under hard aspects, duty and loyalty may degenerate into repression and control, making for a joylessness and pain.

Sun/Uranus can be very exciting, dynamic and sudden, with Uranus challenging Sun to explore and experiment, while Sun seeks the safety of a daily routine. This is generally a brief but utterly fascinating relationship, since mere novelty wears thin very quickly without emotional rapport.

Sun/Neptune is very seductive, but Neptune avoids commitment and tends to be very evasive. Often indicates a common bond of idealism and spiritual inspiration. Stimulates the imagination and creative insights, with Sun giving purpose to Neptune's ideals or cultural pursuits.

Sun/Pluto brings a sense of depth and intensity, with Pluto reinforcing Sun's confidence and Sun providing an outlet for Pluto's subconscious drives. This can also indicate power struggles under hard aspects, with Pluto attacking Sun's most vulnerable characteristics, or Sun challenging Pluto to declare his intentions openly or making him jealous.

Moon- The Moon shows your emotional responses, changing moods and subconscious feelings. Easy lunar aspects indicate sensitivity to each other's emotional needs, whereas difficult aspects can show domestic tension. Sun/Moon contacts are considered to be the most vital links, since they indicate awareness of the other person's emotional needs. Any aspect, even difficult ones, are better than none. They can help to overcome otherwise adverse factors in the relationship. The conjunction is the strongest bond, and is considered the classic attraction in male/female relationships. Trines and sextiles indicate a feeling of harmony, but not necessarily longevity. Oppositions can be very attractive, but may indicate a very different outlook and perception. Squares also can attract, but can indicate clashes and power struggles. In general, it's best to stick to someone whose Moon element is the same as yours, since this allows the easiest emotional exchange and mutual understanding.

Moon/Mercury can be exciting and entertaining verbal exchanges, with Moon providing a focus for Mercury's intellectual activity, and Mercury intellectualizing Moon's feelings and emotional states. Mercury may ridicule Moon's moods, while Moon finds Mercury cold and heartless.

Moon/Venus indicates harmonious and loving relationships, and is one of the best contacts to have in any relationship. There is much pleasure in each other's company, with shared cultural pursuits and tastes in entertainment. Venus makes Moon feel loved, with Moon responding

Moon/Mars A sexually stimulating relationship, with Moon encouraging Mars to fulfill his goals and ambitions. Moon becomes the ideal partner and lover for Mars, and Mars may resort to challenges and open provocation to elicit a more spirited response from the lunar partner. . Moon/Jupiter indicates mutual admiration as well as emotional fervour. Jupiter's generosity and indulgence stimulates Moon to mutual accommodation and love. Jupiter may promise more than it delivers, and Moon may disagree with Jupiter's arrogant self confidence under hard aspect.

Moon/Saturn A dutiful and supportive relationship, with a deep sense of loyalty and sacred duty. Saturn demonstrates his commitment and loyalty, while Moon may become dependent on Saturn's support. Can be joyless and repressive under hard aspects, with each partner walled off and alone.

Moon/Uranus Powerful sexual attraction and mental fascination draws Moon to Uranus, while Uranus revels in Moon's unfettered emotions. Short-lived relationship unless there are other ties. that bind these two. Constant unpredictability becomes nerve-racking; Moon feels misunderstood Moon/Neptune can be spiritual and idealistic, with a deep sense of empathy and intuitive understanding. Neptune fires Moon's imagination and creativity, but Moon may be deluded by Neptune's flights of fancy, while Neptune can't fathom Moon's moods and need for security.

Moon/Pluto Can be very intense, with Moon recognizing her image of the ideal partner, while Pluto instinctively understands the Moon's moods and feelings. This may indicate emotional power struggles under hard aspects, with Pluto manipulating Moon's changeable moods.

Mercury - The Mercury connections are crucial, since they represent your mental outlook and communication ability. No relationship can survive for long if you can't talk to each other, or have no mutual interests. Though squares and oppositions are challenging, they can be stimulating and exciting.

Mercury/Mercury This is the main index of compatibility on the mental level, with a good measure of mental empathy and harmonious exchange of ideas. There is a sharing of common interests which encourages the free expression of ideas and thoughts. Lack of communication marks hard aspects, with radically different viewpoints with challenges, competition and disagreements.

Mercury/Venus shows pleasant and warm verbal exchanges, with Venus encouraging Mercury to express his ideas, and Mercury verbalizing Moo's feelings and emotions. Venus may be too indulgent of Mercury's ideas, and Mercury can be critical of Venus' laziness and need for pleasure

Mercury/ Mars This is an exciting and stimulating combination, but Mars can hit too hard and be too critical of Mercury's ideas. There can be a healthy exchange of ideas, as long as Mars refrains from chronic challenges, and Mercury contains his need to dazzle with mental gymnastics.

Mercury/Jupiter broadens your mental horizons and enhances mental harmony. Jupiter encourages Mercury to expand his knowledge, adding wisdom and understanding to hard facts. Mercury's helps Jupiter organize his ideas and put them into actual practice. Good for business partners.

Mercury/Saturn acts to steady and deepen Mercury's thinking, adding practical experience to Mercury's ideas. Mercury can often provide new facts or ways of looking at things that conservative Saturn had not considered. Can be obstructive and dampen spontaneity.

Mercury/Uranus These two can try to out shock each other, and their interaction definitely prevents boredom. Uranus can stimulate Mercury to take up new interests, while Mercury is intrigued by Uranus' peculiar view of reality. Can get carried away and waste time going nowhere

Mercury/Neptune Neptune picks up Mercury's thoughts psychically and appreciates his logic, while Mercury is sympathetic to Neptune's imagination and mental traveling. There is mutual interest in each other's intellectual and artisitc pursuits, but mutual understanding takes work.

Mercury/Pluto deepens your mutual understanding and requires tolerance of differences to work smoothly. Pluto examines Mercury's ideas and throws them back with many mutations, while Mercury may lack spontaneity and feel interrogated and over controlled in Pluto's presence.

Venus - The Venus mirrors your true expression of love and the way you seek to satisfy those needs. Venus/Sun connections are another classic male/female connection contributing to long lasting relationships. Venus/Venus in the same element means that you can express your love in a similar fashion. Trines and sextiles show general feelings of ease and friendship, while the opposition indicates you need to go slow to understand each other. Squares are the most difficult, and may indicate an inability to show your true feelings, or can indicate introducing each other to very different pleasures

Venus/Mars This is a good indicator of sexual compatibility and attraction. The partners may amuse and stimulate each other, and engage in activities requiring some physical effort. Mars excites the passions of Venus, while Venus provides an affectionate and loving response.

Venus/Jupiter - There is much mutual indulgence in the areas ruled by these planets, and the partners may lavish gifts on each other. Jupiter stimulates Venus to be her most seductive self, appearing as the ideal mate, leading to mutual affection and great understanding.

Venus/Saturn This combination favours a slow and steady buildup of affections. Saturn offers integrity and loyalty, but Venus is left to supply most of the affection. Venus has lessons to learn from Saturn, while Saturn can be too cold, stern and demanding. Can be joyless and oppressive.

Venus/Uranus This combination brings with the capacity for ecstasy, so this is a sexually satisfying relationship. The novelty of great sex wears out very quickly without other stabilizing factors. Venus loves Uranus' eccentricity, while Uranus is swept off his feet by Venus' charms.

Venus/Neptune is the idealization of love, and since lofty ideals are difficult to reach for mere mortals, there is usually some disillusionment involved. Both partners may feel they're in paradise but the bubble soon bursts. Lots of compassion and self sacrifice to make this combination work.

Venus/Pluto Intense and deep love, with some control issues shown by jealousy or possessiveness. There is strong sexual attraction, with possible embarrassing obsessiveness by Pluto. Or Pluto may block any romantic advances from Venus, denying himself the pleasure of love to avoid pain

Mars - This planet indicates the drive and energy in the relationship, including especially the sex drive. Easy aspects indicate similar sexual needs, while hard aspects may be indicative of jealousy or confrontations and fighting. Mars/Mars This combination is favourable for working together harmoniously, since both partners are willing to cooperate freely. There is also a strong sexual attraction which may distract from the task at hand. Conflict and open warfare can take place, requiring outside mediation to resolve.

Mars/Jupiter This is a very useful aspect for those involved in sports or coaching. Jupiter gives good advice and financial support, but Mars tends to take advantage of Jupiter's generous nature. Mars takes undue risks, and Jupiter gets careless, resulting in a highly flammable situation.

Mars/Saturn The immovable object versus the irresistible force is the way this one works. Saturn stabilizes and direct the energies of Mars, while Mars ensures that Saturn does not neglect his duties. Frustrating to balance, easily erupts in explosion, needs enormous commitment to work.

Mars/Uranus This can be a thrilling relationship if you thrive on excitement and are fascinated by danger and risk. Mars supplies the energy and initiative which encourages the inventive genius of Uranus to invent new games. Highly sexual relationship, but many quarrels and disagreements.

Mars/Neptune Mars finds Neptune mysterious and desirable, giving Neptune direction and greater drive in reaching his ideals. Neptune provides sympathy and understanding for Mars, while Mars' positive certainty supports Neptune when he worries over an imaginary disaster. Neptune may simulate affection while remaining inaccessible to Mars, who gets seriously frustrated and angry.

Mars/Pluto Mars draws to the surface Pluto's intense physical desire, which in turn arouses a response in Mars. Pluto is attracted to by the energy, drive and initiative of Mars, while Mars revels in the intensity and psychological depths of Pluto. This can be destructive and violent under hard aspects, with Mars all out aggressive, and Pluto being sadistic and cruel.

Jupiter - Jupiter indicates your ability to bring benefits to the other person, and a desire to be generous and spoil them. It also brings humour and fun into the relationship to lighten some heavier aspects, and brings a sense of fulfilment to the house it occupies in the other person's chart. Jupiter may also promise more than it can deliver, leading to disappointments, or spur each other to over indulgence in bad habits. Jupiter/Jupiter Both partner can agree on matters of ethics, morals, and general philosophy. There is a lot of mutual respect, and the partners are willing to work for each other's benefit. Under hard aspects, there may be mutual encouragement to overindulge in life' pleasures.

Jupiter/Saturn There is trust and generosity toward the partner, as well as financial practicality and realism, which results in a productive partnership. The indulgent nature of Jupiter is balanced by the discipline of Saturn, ensuring good planning and organization for business ventures.

Jupiter/Uranus Jupiter encourages Uranus' inventive and creative abilities, and is tolerant of his erratic behaviour. This partnership is generous materially, and willing to give each other plenty of space. There is mutual support for travelling the spiritual path to enlightenment.

Jupiter/Neptune There can be mutual enlightenment and spiritual ecstasy, or blind worship of the partner as an infallible guru. The partners appreciate the ideals and aspirations of the other, bringing a sense of fulfilment to both. There can be deception and broken promises under hard aspects, and all mutual activities are exaggerated beyond realistic proportions.

Jupiter/Pluto Jupiter increases Pluto's confidence and understanding of business and philosophy, while Pluto's understanding of people's subconscious emotional states help Jupiter to gain financially. There is a need for growth and expansion, so this is great for business partnerships.

Saturn - Saturn shows both the limitations and lessons to be learned in the relationship, as well as the permanence of commitment to each other, the ties that bind. Without some strong Saturn aspects, relationships very rarely last for long, since they show the seriousness of the commitment. Saturn can overwhelm another person's planet and become depressing and controlling, but it doesn't have to do so.

Saturn/Saturn There is an appreciation for each other's sense of responsibility and the depth and seriousness of the commitment. Both partners are willing to practice self discipline while pursuing their personal goals and ambitions. This is a good aspect for business, friendship or marriage.

Saturn/Uranus A difficult combination even under easy aspects, with Saturn's narrowness of focus and mind leading to missed opportunities, while Uranus' need for freedom and lack of conformity conflict with Saturn's need for commitment and loyalty. Can create constant unease and tension.

Saturn Neptune Saturn can mould Neptune's dreams into practical reality, while Neptune introduces compassion and idealism to Saturn's hard nosed outlook. Saturn may seek to restrain and control, while misinterpreting Neptune's fancies as binding promises and responsibility.

Saturn/Pluto This can indicate intense struggles for dominance to the point of abuse, or incredible commitment and tenacity in relationships, and sometimes both. Better worked out as a supportive business partnership than a personal romance.

Outer planet aspects are important only where there is a considerable age difference between the people in question. For instance: For someone born with Pluto in Leo, the square from the partner's Neptune in Scorpio may indicate very different ideals and subconscious needs, creating a generation gap very difficult to bridge.

Uranus - With Uranus contacts, the other person is always stimulated, for good or ill. Uranus contacts are usually exciting and pleasurable, but rarely long lasting. In aspect to Venus, Mars, Moon or Ascendant it can indicate sudden attractions and overpowering desire. With the soft aspects, this can turn into a real romance, but with the hard aspects the very urgency of passion is indicative of its brief but brilliant life.

Uranus/Uranus Important in parent/child relationships, and situations where one partner is considerably older. Each partner needs to show respect for the other's rights and freedoms. May indicate autocratic and erratic behaviour under hard aspects, or encouragement to try new things and use creativity.

Uranus/Neptune Uranus may play on the imagination of Neptune to produce a level of intensity that's difficult to control but may inspire Neptune's creativity. Neptune adds vision and compassion to Uranus' sometime hard nosed logic or may merely increase his capacity for excitement and ecstasy.

Uranus/Pluto Pluto can assist Uranus in asserting his individuality more effectively, in order to reach his goals and objectives, while Uranus can show Pluto new ways for solving his problems. Under hard aspects, Pluto may become domineering and controlling, driving Uranus to act out his need for freedom.

Neptune - Neptune can signify the height of ecstasy or great self deception. Its aspects are magnetic and charismatic, and always compelling. Since Neptunian relationships are lacking in realism, they can be dangerous and rarely live up to expectations.

Neptune/Neptune The conjunction between members of the same generation can enhance emotional rapport, with the older person firing the imagination and idealism of the younger. The hard aspects illustrate a fundamental failure to understand the other's emotional needs and ideals. Should be avoided in client/counselor relationships, since it leads to misunderstanding and erroneous advice.

Neptune/Pluto Under hard aspects, Pluto may play on Neptune's phobias and fantasies, or probe deep into his subconscious compelling a personal transformation, while Neptune may react by withdrawing emotionally to defend against Pluto's invasiveness. Under easy aspects, there can be a very productive collaboration for a common ideal and goal.

Pluto - With Pluto aspects, the other person may be pushed to grow and change, but just as often it is compulsive and obssessive in expressing its passion. Pluto aspects deepen and intensify everything they touch, so Pluto contacts need to be watched. Plutonian commitments are as lasting as Saturnian ones, but tend to be more often abusive and repressive. Squares to Mars should be avoided, since they indicate possible physical and sexual violence. Be particularly careful of people with Pluto rising, since they have a tendency to control the partner until he finally runs for his life.

South Node - The South Node indicates themes familiar from childhood, or if you believe in reincarnation, from a past life. When your South Node conjoins another's planet or angle, you will feel an irresistible attraction. In a room full of perfect strangers, you will home in on the person with a planet on your SN like a guided missile seeking its target. Contact with the nodes usually indicate lessons to learn, not all of them pleasant ones.