Best Synastry Aspects

Synastry aspects between natal charts describe the unfathomable connection that makes each lover’s hearts sing when they meet. We look at this after first determining each person’s relationship needs by studying their natal charts. It is essential to look at both charts first because you really do need to know what the other person’s planets are plugging into.

What are the best connections for Love?

Person A’s planets will work like a permanent transit on person B’s planets when they are together, so it’s important to see just what this planet is triggering in the others chart. This is why reading synastry aspects in isolation can give a false impression.

For example, a couple may have the much-hyped Venus conjunct Mars aspect in their synastry. Bingo! But hey, what if that Mars is aggravating an already seething Venus? What if B’s Venus is on the star Algol and conjunct Pluto? Ouch! All that blissful, romantic sexual compatibility could be blown away by extreme obsession, jealousy, and even abuse.

This may actually be OK if both partners are rather Plutonian, they could even channel this energy into some kind of artistic/creative project. They would need an outlet that tackles facing the shadow and shedding like on the taboo which would make it cathartic and be healing for them both.

You need to keep in mind the basic personalities of each partner and if they have the creative opportunity to be able to transmute the energy into something positive.

When we look at synastry, we have to sift through all the aspects to get an overall picture. But first, we do have to see if we are getting hits on the basics, which I think are important for the long-term prospects of a couple. The basics are the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant (the soul’s trinity) in aspect to the sexual planets (Venus and Mars) and the social planets of balance (Jupiter and Saturn).

If you are a karmic astrologer then the Vertex and the North Node are also important. It’s these basics that I use in the soulmate test that I do as part of my evaluation criteria in synastry readings. To me, they are the foundations of a successful relationship.

Best Aspects In Synastry

Sun/Sun Synastry Aspects

The Sun is the core of our being and identity so harmonious aspects between Sun’s in synastry will usually be easy going. You are both on the same page basically. You will not challenge each other’s egos. You are so at ease with the other person that you support each other by just being who you are.

Even the opposition isn’t bad because there is a nice magnetic, opposites-attract feeling. You feel like you compliment each other, that together you are one. The square is the most difficult but it’s still a connection so it is compelling and dynamic. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had this one, it’s more like “I have met my match”. Ego will take a beating, but they will whip each other into shape.

Moon/Moon Synastry Aspects

The Moon is our habits and our auto-pilot, how we instinctively react. The Moon is how we like to be nurtured and cuddled. So its preferable for the Moon’s to be harmonious in synastry if we want our relationship to feel like a comfy pair of slippers.

Domestics are more likely to occur with hard aspects and even the conjunction because the sensitivity that comes with the Moon might just be rubbing a bit too close to the bone when the Moon’s are on top of each other. Either that or it could just be a little too symbiotic, merging into each other so that you don’t know where one ends and the other begins like you are still in the womb.

Sun/Moon Synastry Aspects

This is the classic marriage indicator simply because it is what marriage is all about. The balance of day and night is what keeps the earth fertile. Ying and yang, male and female, partnership and balance. Fertility and growth are the fundamentals of a successful relationship.

Even if you are not having children together you want your soul to thrive as well as to be materially comfortable. Harmonious aspects facilitate this fecundity. The opposition makes for a sexy polarity. The square will put obstacles in the way of growth, but the growth may end up being more durable because it will have forced you to build up more resilience. Again Victoria & Albert had this too.

Sun/Moon/Ascendant Synastry Aspects

The Ascendant/Descendant is the relationship axis, it is a work in progress, it describes our journey through life and how we adjust ourselves when we are confronted by people and new experiences. The Ascendant is the vehicle of the Soul, while the Luminaries (Sun and Moon) are the drivers. The Sun would be driving in a more conscious, purposeful way whereas the Moon would be more auto-pilot and going with the flow of the river.

A sympathetic relationship between the Sun or Moon and the Ascendant means you all want to go in the same direction. Because of this you should both achieve more together, get things done swiftly and as stress-free as possible because you are not fighting over the steering wheel. Horse and rider are as one. There is a feeling of  “Us against the world.”

Venus/Mars Synastry Aspects

Of course for most people sex is important in a relationship so it is preferable to have Venus and Mars in aspect. It really doesn’t matter if the aspect is hard or soft, well it might in the bedroom perhaps…These two connecting more or less guarantees sexual chemistry that doesn’t dim too much after the initial excitement fades.

The hard aspects seem to make it more potent and exciting. With that also comes the potential for more aggression and a clash of libidos, when one partner wants it and the other isn’t in the mood. The magic Venus/Mars aspect on its own is not enough to hold a couple together. But you certainly need this or another sexual aspect if you want long-term zing.

North Node Synastry Aspects

The North Node in synastry is hugely important because it shows where our soul needs to go to evolve. It is very sweet to see this feature in synastry between a couple because it shows they are helping each other down the same spiritual path. The North Node conjunct Vertex is one of the top indicators for marriage.

Other than the Vertex, then the Luminaries, Ascendant, Venus or Mars conjunct the North Node is going to be a winner as your relationship will be in line with your souls’ development. A square to the Nodes will be far more challenging and more likely to be a karmic contract type relationship where there is some excess baggage that is blocking you both and needs resolving once and for all.

Vertex Synastry Aspects

The Vertex works like an alternative descendant and is the point of destiny encounters. When someones sexual planet falls on this it can feel very compelling, like a whirlpool it draws you in and feels incredibly fated. This sort of contact can be life-changing, but it doesn’t mean it is long term.

The Vertex effect is like being hit by a thunderbolt and can be enlightening. The Vertex in combination with the luminaries or Saturn is more likely to give the destined feeling mileage. With the sexual planets, it could one of those crazy flings that are unforgettable.

Saturn/Jupiter Synastry Aspects

I like to see an even spread of these two in connection with the personal planets. They are the balancers. You don’t need tons, just enough Saturn to give stamina and relationship glue and just enough Jupiter to give fun and optimism. An imbalance of either is not great.

Too much Saturn without Jupiter you can get depression, meanness, obstacles and overworking. Jupiter without Saturn restraint can breed indulgence, infidelity, pipe dreams and gambling. I find the hard aspects work better with Jupiter while the soft work better with Saturn.

Sun/Moon Midpoint Synastry Aspects

If we don’t have the luminaries in aspect then this one more than makes up for it, but only if it is in hard aspect (conjunction, opposition or square). The Sun/Moon midpoint represents the balancing of the masculine and feminine within and the inner marriage. A hard aspect from partner A’s Sun, Moon, AC or Vertex to this point, brings the sun and the Moon together and makes Partner B feel whole.

This is also said to be a karmic contract aspect, where one partner has promised something to the other in this lifetime. It could be something like giving the other partner children or even breaking them up from a stagnant or abusive ‘Dark cupid’  type relationship.

Mercury Synastry Aspects

Mercury in synastry is often overlooked, but in the information age it’s value is increasing. Of course, communication between a couple is essential because it’s a bond like any other. With so much competition from social networking sites and the internet, if a couple cannot have stimulating conversations together than after the sexual buzz has worn off there is a real danger of stagnation and boredom.

The Mercury aspects don’t always even need to be harmonious, they just need to be connected. A good debate can stimulate the passions and can be great foreplay. The occasional argument is healthy for purging and cleansing bottled up emotions lest they fester and become toxic.

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