Synastry is the branch of astrology that deals with the astrology of human relationships.
We live in a world of people, so our daily lives—i.e., the realization of our life program and the fulfillment of our karmic tasks—do not occur autonomously but in constant interaction with the people around us: family members, neighbors, colleagues, friends, or even strangers. All these encounters carry a certain essential significance and are not random.
Let us try to view the natal chart not as a symbolic system but as a real energetic matrix that reflects not abstract astronomical or even astrological symbols, but concrete interactions of different energies. From this perspective, a person is nothing more than a flow of certain energies—a kind of vortex that includes various energetic directions. When interacting with other people, an exchange of energies occurs. Some energies, if they are compatible, will provide mutual support; others may conflict or stimulate—both essentially amount to the same thing. The outcome depends on the degree of our awareness. For some, conflictual relationships may become a reason for destructive internal or external aggression, while for others, they may serve as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. As one wise person said, “What does not kill me makes me stronger.”
Before analyzing the interaction of the specific charts of two people, we must first thoroughly examine the natal chart in terms of the possible types of interactions a person will encounter in life. After all, the type of people and the nature of frequent interactions are determined by the natal chart. That is, if a person’s radix shows indicators of harmonious types of relationships, they will attract people whose radix indicators are in harmonious interaction with their own natal chart. Conversely, if a person’s radix points to dynamic interactions, they will attract similar relationships into their life.
In this sense, we must first consider the quality of interaction, as well as the positions of the Sun and Moon in the radix horoscope. This is a classic, time-tested method for the basic determination of a person’s primary human relationships.
First, we must determine the elements in which the luminaries are placed. These elements will reveal the individual’s vital energetic sources. The Sun will indicate the most acceptable and organic way for the person to express themselves in their environment, while the Moon, as the significator of the 4th house, will reveal the type of activity the person is instinctively inclined toward. We might say that it is subtly connected to ancestral issues and even to the duties imposed by one’s lineage. Thus, a partner must first and foremost align with the individual in these qualities—or with the qualities of the opposite signs. Despite the conflictual nature of opposite signs, such an interaction will have a yang, stimulating character. This will be especially evident if there is a tense aspect between the luminaries in the radix.
A harmonious aspect between the Sun and Moon indicates harmony in the primary relationships a person encounters in life, particularly within the family. It is easy and pleasant to be around such a person, and partners are naturally drawn to them, often having harmonious indicators in relation to their radix. From a karmic perspective, such a person is born to develop a pattern (tradition) of life activity that was begun in their past lives and within their ancestral tradition.
A tense aspect between the luminaries suggests that the person will seek dynamic interaction and will struggle to remain in a calm, stable environment for long. As a result, they will often, either consciously or unconsciously, find themselves in tense relationships that push them to new levels of existence, help them acquire new life perspectives, and possibly even new family traditions. Such a person is more likely to be drawn to people who have tense aspects to their radix. With these people, they will inevitably enter into conflicts over the course of their life, yet they will never be bored—they will receive the stimulus for growth they need, feel the dynamism and energy required from a karmic standpoint to transform their life patterns (family traditions).
These circumstances must be taken into account when analyzing specific charts. Blindly adhering to interpretations that judge the prospects of specific relationships based solely on the harmony or disharmony of mutual aspects can lead to erroneous advice for clients. We must always remember that harmonious aspects in synastry are characteristic of individuals with predominantly yin aspects in their radix. Conversely, if a person’s radix is dominated by tense, yang aspects, they will attract the same type of relationships. These are organic for them and serve as a necessary stimulus for change and spiritual and creative growth. Harmonious, yin relationships will simply bore them, leading to the stagnation and destruction of the yang energy of their radix.
These guidelines also apply not only to the interaction of the Sun and Moon in the radix but also to Venus and Mars, and Mercury’s aspects—both to each other and to the luminaries.
The aspects of Venus and Chiron in the natal chart are particularly important, as these planets are symbolic rulers (significators) of the 7th house—the House of Partnership. However, we must not forget that the 7th house is not only related to partnership but also reveals how the individual perceives the world around them.
We should also examine the 7th house in the radix: the sign on the cusp, the aspects to the cusp, the planets in the house, and their aspects. The planets in the house will indicate the circumstances the individual will encounter in relationships. However, we should not interpret the presence of so-called “benefic” planets as exclusively favorable for marriage, nor the presence of “malefic” planets as definitively unfavorable. For example, Jupiter in the house of partnership may indicate the general benevolence a person shows in relationships and their subconscious desire to benefit from them. Accordingly, they will seek such a partner. This placement does not, however, determine the number of marriages—there may be one or several. If, for instance, Saturn is in the 7th house, this position likely indicates an attraction to a more mature partner, sometimes older and established in society, rather than the absence of marriage itself. Moreover, the theme of partnership will be a crucial life theme for an individual with Saturn in the 7th house from a karmic perspective. It is through personal relationships that they will be given the chance to gain the most significant life experience. They must approach any relationship with great responsibility, awareness, and maturity.
We must also analyze the position of the true ruler (almuten) of the 7th house in the radix chart, considering its placement in the sign, house, and aspects to other planets. This data will describe the specific type of partnership, as well as the partner themselves, and the prospects of the interactions the person will enter into throughout their life.
Only after this can we proceed to analyze the specific charts.
Until the 1970s (when astrologers began working with composite charts), the analysis of relationship charts was limited solely to synastry.
A synastry chart is a chart formed by overlaying the two different natal charts of the individuals whose relationship we are examining. In this process, the following interactions are considered:
The presence of aspectual interaction between the planets in the partners’ charts will reveal the significance of the planetary experience of these planets. Aspects to the Sun, for example, are significant in relation to physical existence, creative and spiritual growth, while aspects to the Moon will indicate the importance of the partners’ emotional lives, and so on.
