Synastry: The Mirror of Relationship

by Stephanie Austin M.A.

 

Synastry is the art of chart comparison, which looks at the life paths and needs of two individuals and speculates on the issues and synergy evoked as a result of their interactions. It is a complex process, in which one must grasp the contents of both individual's charts, compare their life themes and directions, and always remember that the ultimate determining factor, the free will and consciousness of the individuals involved, cannot be divined from the charts alone.

Whether we do synastry or any other type of astrological work, it is important to be aware of our assumptions and personal biases. These directly influence our perceptions, so it is vital that we be as conscious as we can (seeing is believing, but also believing seeing!). What we might want in a relationship may not be at all what our clients want or need. It is never the counselors' place to pronounce judgement on whether two people should be together; that is their choice, not ours. Our task is to identify, as best we can, the individual needs of each person, the dynamics likely to result from their interaction, and the attitudes and compromises which would lead to a satisfying relationship for both people. Synastric analysis alone does not predict compatibility; it can however predict how much, and what kind of, work it would take to achieve compatibility.

So what is compatibility? What are relationships for? Most people might say that relationships are for having a companion to share interests and activities, a partner to raise a family, a mate for sharing expenses, etc. While those are certainly legitimate reasons for forming relationships, there is another level that goes on concurrently and most often unconsciously. A deeper reason we are drawn into relationships is to expand our sense of self and become more whole, integrated human beings.

Relationships are intricate growth opportunities which provide mirrors for us to see aspects of ourselves that are, as yet, underdeveloped or unconscious. They can also help us heal old wounds and recover essential parts of ourselves. This is a more psychological, and specifically, a Jungian approach, to relationship than commonly assumed, and one that is well articulated in the astrological writings of Liz Greene, Stephen Arroyo and Steven Forrest, to name a few excellent sources.

Central concepts to this approach are those of the Shadow, or unconscious parts of ourselves, and Projection, seeing qualities in others before recognizing them within ourselves. The Shadow consists of attributes which are unacceptable or latent for any number of reasons--gender role definitions, parental or social conditioning etc. Both desirable and unhealthy qualities may be part of the shadow; we may project positive attributes as well as our seemier sides onto others. One of the most potent (and oldest) ways of learning is through psychological modeling--being around someone who is expressing or carrying the energy we seek in our own lives. Relationship provides a constant exposure to what we are striving to integrate within ourselves.

For example, if we are not expressing our Mars, our anger, our passion and personal desire, we unconsciously project and encounter that energy externally, through events or people. We seem to continually run into and/or be powerfully attracted to strong, self-determined, courageous types. If we are totally out of touch with our Mars, we may meet the archetype in a more violent form. The more we deny any part of ourselves, the stronger and more extreme its manifestion has to become in order to get our attention. The more consciously we relate to it, the more we can express it constructively ourselves, rather than experience it destructively from others.

Any part of the chart may symbolize potential shadow material; some energies are more likely to be projected or repressd than others. Strong astrological indications of potential shadow material would be the cusp signs and planets in the 7th and 8th houses, oppositions (especially between inner and outer planets), and the placement of Saturn. Predominance or lack of an element can also be a shadow component, as well as the Ascendant, or mask/persona itself. Much depends on how those parts are aspected or "wired into" the rest of our psyche, and on the experiences and conditioning we have had along the way, personally, socially and culturally.

If the purpose of relationsip is to reconnect with another part of our own psyche, are there any "bad" relationships? Perhaps those relationships which reinforce unhealthy patterns of self-denial and abuse can be termed "bad". But even those experiences are trying to teach us something, albeit painfully, about energies that we have not as yet recognized or awakened within ourselves.

Sometimes that recognition comes much later, after we have had some time and distance from the relationship. There are ways to gain perspective and integration of difficult parts of ourselves even after the end of a relationship, when we are unable or choose not to physically interact with the other. We can work within ourselves in a number of different ways. One profound technique adapted from Tibetan Buddhist psychlogy is this: In a meditative space, imagine yourself dialoging with the person with whom you have an charged issue. Visualize and feel it as fully as you can, stoking your feelings like a fire. Then, in your mind's eye, switch positions and become the other person, looking at you as you are expressing these feelings. Imagine what it might feel like for them, from their perspective and what they would say in response. Listen to "them". Then switch back to your perspective and express your response. Go back and forth between yourself and the other. Continue the dialogue until you feel a shift. The insight and compassion that comes from being able to see through another's eyes is deeply transformative, and this internal process is often more illuminating and healing than when the other person is physically present.

Another technique, adapted from Gestalt psychology, is to pick a planet or aspect within your chart that symbolizes a difficulty for you, a part of yourself that you would like to understand and express more positively. Dialogue with it as if it were another person. Talk to it, ask it what it needs, bargain with it if necessary. Give it an image or name that personifies it for you, like "the Judge" for Saturn or "the Artist" for Venus. Every part of the birthchart needs to have a voice and place in our lives. If it doesn't, it creeps out in unconscious and disruptive ways. Each planet is in a sense a god which must be honored. The aspects between them pose questions of timing and synthesis; when and how to express the most appropriate response.

So what is really the point of all this? Why so much about our own charts when the topic was synastry? Because this approach ultimately takes us past the psychological level into spiritual territory, in that relationship (and astrology) is about discovering our relationship to the universe within ourselves. That everything "out there" is really inside us. This is an echo of the ancient Hermetic principle, "as above, so below, as without, so within", which is being rediscovering now in psychology, biology, physics and other areas. Understanding relationship means understanding ourselves and taking responsibility for both the pain and the pleasure, the shadow and the light. We project both our bright sides as much as our shadows; witness the guru scenes or movie star worship. We need to reown that which we have pushed away or denied, and find a way to bring it into constructive expression. Relationship provides the arena, the testing and mastery for this kind of integration.

 

The following is one way of organizing the tremendous amount of information available from two birthcharts. The same principles of natal delineation apply for synastry; if you use Uranian planets, midpoints, asteroids, arabic parts etc. you can add them into this basic format.

 

 

 

Steps in Synastry Analysis

 

Four basic steps in chart comparison are:

1. Study each chart individually first.

2. Look at the interaspects between the charts.

3. Examine the composite chart.

4. Analyze the current transits and progressions for each person

 

STEP ONE:

Study Chart A for the components of their life path: hemispheric dominance (E, W, N or S), aspect configurations (stelliums, T-squares etc.), balance of elements (earth, air, fire, water), modes (cardinal, fixed, mutable), the Lunar Nodes, the placement and aspects of the Sun, Moon, Ascendant and anything else that strikes you. Where and how is the energy constellated? What are their relationship needs? Look at the sign and ruler of the 7th house cusp, the placement and aspects to Venus and Mars and the signs and placements in the 5th, 7th and 8th houses for relationship indicators. A relationship-oriented lifepath would be signalled by a western emphasis, many planets in water and/or air signs (especially Cancer and Libra), and a strong Venus. A more independent path is signalled by strong Saturn, Uranus, Aries, Aquarius, Capricorn themes and many planets on the east side.

Do the same for Chart B. Make notes to yourself for each chart.

STEP TWO:

Compare the placements of the Sun, Moon and Ascendants to each other. How do they mesh in terms of elements, modes and polarity? How many of the three make "easy" aspects to each other? (0 out of 3 is usually very difficult, 1 out of 3 calls for a lot of understanding, 2 out of three can be complementary yet stimulating, and 3 out of 3 can be easy or boring).

Make a grid comparing A's and B's planets, noting the cross-aspects. Look for conjunctions first, then oppositions, squares, trines and sextiles. Note which planets make close aspects (less than 5º) to each other.

Pencil in A's planets on the outside of B's Chart and vise versa. In what areas will they most affect or stimulate each other?

STEP THREE:

Calculate and examine the composite chart. Where is the energy constellated? Are there any stelliums? Where is the Sun and Moon? Venus and Mars? How is Mercury (communication) aspected? Where is Saturn (for commitment, longevity). Where is the joy? What are the issues that might need compromise and understanding? (see Composites by Robert Hand for details)

STEP FOUR:

Analyze the current transits and progressions for both people and the composite chart. Check their Solar Return charts.

 

Keywords from a synastry point of view:

 

 

 

Natal Planets:

 

Sun = the animus, qualties sought in a male

Moon = the anima, qualities sought in a female

Ascendant = how we advertise and package ourselve; also our mask

Mercury = how we communicate and what we like to talk about

Venus = how we want to love and be loved; how we attract what we want

Mars = what turns us on, how we go after what we want, how we fight

Juno = what we want in a commited relationship

Jupiter = our philosophy, beliefs, vision; how we grow

Saturn = where we feel least secure or work the hardest on ourselves

Chiron = our deepest wound; where we experience a shamanic journey

Uranus = where we need break from the past and be progressive

Neptune = where we seek transcendance or the ideal

Pluto = where we need to eliminate unconscious patterns/obsessions

 

 

Natal Houses:

Look at the sign on the house cusp, its ruler, and any planets in the house for clues as to these areas of life:

 

1st/7th = physical attraction; what we seek to complement ourself

2nd/8th = what we have to offer and share (values, possessions, sex)

3rd/9th = our communication style; world view

4th/10th = needs in home and career

5th/11th = forms of play, friendship, shared visions

6th/12th = our style of adjustment; how we serve and sacrifice

 

Progressions:

Look for progressed aspects between the Sun and Venus, Sun and Mars, Venus and Mars, or progressed Moon crossing an angle or in Libra.

 

Transits:

Look at transits to the 7th house, its ruler, and to Venus. Look at the outer planet transits (Jupiter through Pluto) to get a sense of what is important at this time for each person. If possible, check this year's solar returns for both people.

 

 

 

 

 

SYNASTRY WORKSHEET STEPHANIE AUSTIN 254-6972

Chart A Chart B

Name: Name:

Birthdata: Birthdata:

 

BiWheel Comparison:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inter-aspects:

 

B ASC Su Mo Me Ve Ma Ju Sa Ur Ne Pl

ASC: * * *

Su: * * *

Mo: * * *

Me: *

Ve: * *

Ma: * *

Ju: *

Sa: * * * *

Ur: * * *

Ne: * * *

Pl: * * *

 

Nodal conjunctions:

 

Composite Chart:

 

C- House emphasis:

C- Su:

C- Mo:

C- Me:

C-Ve & Ma:

C-Sa:

 

Stephanie Austin M.A. is an astrological counselor, teacher and writer in Orinda, CA. She received her bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1972 and her master's degree in Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies in 1985. An adjunct professor at John F. Kennedy University, she teaches Archetypal Astrology and other topics at the Graduate School for the Study of Human Consciousness. She also teaches astrology privately, in tutorials and biweekly study groups for beginning and advanced students. In her counselng work she specializes in career, relationship and lifepath concerns. Stephanie can be reached at (925) 254-6972 or via www.EcoAstrology.com.