How to Read a Synastry Chart
Upon first looking at a synastry chart, there may be an initial sense of confusion as to how to best interpret the intertwining planetary alignments from one person to another.
Essentially aspects between another persons planet shows the dynamics as to how one aspect of your personality interacts with another’s.
Reading a synastry chart applies the same method as reading a natal chart, however you must remember you are looking at one persons planet interacting with another, therefore each person playing a role in the expression of their planet in aspect.
Example: If Person A’s Moon was Trine Person B’s Venus, one person would be expressing their caring, vulnerable and hurting side, while the other person would be expressing their loving, appreciative and giving side.
…
The type of aspect will dictate how your personal expression of a part of your personality (ie. sign on a planet) interacts and is revived by another.
Conjunctions
Here two planetary energies express themselves in the same way (unless its an out of sign conjunction). Here there is a natural and mutual understanding of how each person expresses a part of their personality, though the planets involved and how each persons own planet is aspects in their own chart will dictate how well the nature of the conjunction plays out.
Trines
Here two planetary energies flow effortlessly together, and expressions of one another’s personality is received well due to the easy and mutual understanding. Each person will understand the other persons way of expressing and doing things, as well as provide a compatible variation on how they give to another, in a way they appreciate.
Sextiles
Sextiles provide much more excitement than Trines, as the modality and element is different, however, the elemental compatibility provides a contrast in which stimulates the other. In affect, they almost act like easy squares by where the friction builds on the other, however the energy is much more friendly and playful. Sextiles in synastry can challenge the partner to expand on a part of their own personality and find a way to engage that part of them more in themselves and in the relationship.
Squares
Squares are INCREDIBLY common in synastry.
Why?
The nature of squares provide a challenge, a chance to improve and work hard to find a solution. The entire universal PURPOSE of relationships is to experience oneself through interaction with another, and square provide and opportunity to bring out parts of the personality that may lay dormant. This is how we learn what we want and what we don’t want in relationships.
Squares upon first interaction are highly magnetic, as the natural energetic friction causes a sense of challenge, creating a desire to experience a certain part of the self.
However it is true to say that square are not always the most pleasant aspect in synastry, as they draw on a sense of desire NOT compatibility - any relationship that contains squares will ultimately create a sense of growth, and its ones ability to resolve conflict or walk away with a sense of knowing who they are and what they want is what makes square an integral part to relationships.
Oppostions
Oppositions in synastry act quite differently than within the natal chart, as the sense of ‘internal spinning form one part of the personality to the other’ is manifested within two people in the relationship. Like the conjunction, oppositions can either be beneficial or detrimental depending on the planets involved, the condition of the individuals planet, and the maturity and ability to make a compromise between two people.
The opposition in synastry can provide an excellent contrast as to looking at ones ‘shadow side’, and often these two can compliment each other by having a similar perspective, though taking a different approach.
If not handled well, the contrast can be TOO different from one another, causing a sense of separation due to the sense of ‘foreign’ expression of another. If both people are mature, a compromise can be made, if not, there may be a natural need for separation as each others needs can not be met by the other.
Inconjunction/Quincunx
This is perhaps the most difficult aspect in synastry. The Inconjucntion acts much like an opposition, though with the opposition, the element and modality compatibly makes it possible to find a compromise by understand the others mutual perspective on things. With the inconjucntion, signs are aspected with incompatible elements and modalities, therefore having no common ground on the way they act. This often results in the inability to understand one another from there perspective. They may have to ‘take turns’ at expressing parts of their personality to one another, or when one acts, the other person fails to react. The inability to understand one another can cause a sense of disappointment as each persons efforts and expressions are not being recognised by the other.
…
The final part to reading a synastry chart will be understood by looking at the house area each persons planet falls into, making the birth time crucial to interpretation.
When a planet falls into another persons house, an aspect and energy of one person is being expressed in the life area of another. This creates a sense in the house person whereby they energetically sense a persons certain energy being expressed in a certain house, and the aspects will determine whether it will be positively or negatively received.
A planet falling into another’s house stimulates that area of life for them.
Example: A planet falling into someones 11th house will stimulate the feeling that this person will fulfil their need for friendship.
The planet person will also feel their personal energies being projected into that life area of the house person, but will ultimately be more focused on the way the other person makes THEM feel rather than where they are investing their personal energies into another.
This is why aspects are highly important in synastry, as there needs to be a mutable reception by both people in order for exchange of feelings.
Example: Person A’s Venus may fall into Person B’s 7th house. Person B may feel the Venus person can fulfil their relationship desires, however, Person A’s Venus is afflicted by other planets in synastry, and they in fact aren’t attracted to Person B at all - perhaps far from that.
It is incredibly important to NEVER single out one ‘positive’ aspect in synastry, especially as a need for personal validation. If the relationship is meant to be challenging or not to form at all, it will be so, therefore a high level of objectiveness is needed when reading your own synastry chart with your own love interest.
Problems can be resolved, and other times they can not, the aim of relationships is personal growth, and it’s always best to act for your own highest good and seek a relationship thats challenging AND fulfilling.
©ellie-mae-astrology on Tumblr
Artwork: kelogsloops
