Synastry is amazing! It’s my favourite thing to work with, when it comes to astrology. I have a real passion for it personally, and I am very serious about my approach to it. Today, I would like to show my readers how to read a synastry chart.
This isn’t going to be an article that will show complete beginners how to read a synastry chart- that may be the subject of an upcoming post. This is more for those who have already dabbled, and would like to gain more understanding.
Synastry can, after all, lead many of us to dig deeper into astrology. What can be more energizing, awakening or perplexing than a relationship, or our need for love and companionship? Therefore, it’s going to be helpful to gain a clear handle on the issue so that we can make the most of the tools at our disposal.
So let’s get into it!
How to read a synastry chart- the basics.
First you must read each chart in isolation. That way, you get an understanding of each person and what they may bring to the dynamic. An older person may react differently to strong Saturn contacts than, say, a younger person. An Aries or Scorpio Sun is going to react differently to Mars contacts in the same way- than say a Libra Sun with Libra Moon. But always remember that the Sun is just the external persona (broadly speaking). There is more to a person, so understand each in depth before you go looking at how they may react to the dynamic.
Also consider what the relationship is about. A romantic relationship is going to count Venus as strong importance, so look at Venus contacts in this regard. For family, look at the Moon. For enemies or competitors, look at Mars and/or Saturn. A Venus-Chiron conjunction can be quite painful in the romantic relationship context, for example- but between mother and son it may not be such a strong point.
Focus in on the close aspects first. Disregard trines and sextiles to centaurs and hypothetical points (the Nodes, Chiron, Black Moon Lilith). I will personally only look into asteroids, Transneptunians and fixed stars when intuitively guided to do so- and that is rare! The close aspects are of the greater significance.
How to read a synastry chart- Overlays.
I have a pretty ad hoc approach, as I’m fairly intuitive and different charts call to be read in different ways. However, as general rule you will want to look at overlays first.
Consider the planet as something like a beacon, or as an emotional sense (depending on the nature of the planet) and the house as what is being shone into, or perceived into. The house person will perceive the planet as a presence according to that part of their life. For example:
A 12th house Mars overlay- broadly speaking, the house person can sense that there is some hidden danger to the Mars person, or they can idealise them sexually- or both! The presence of Mars is felt in the unconscious, watery 12th house- house of what is hidden and glorified. That Mars peers into the 12th, seeking to uncover what is hidden- potentially even undo.
Consider also the nature of the planets and houses. The mutable water of the 12th house lends itself to activity, psychic communication and change, the fixed water of the eighth can represent cataclysmic upheaval as well as solidity. But these will be further coloured by the sign falling on the house cusp in the natal chart. Two Gemini Moons conjunct in the 12th house- it is hard to conceive of a more profound or more active intuitive bond, but how safe will that make either of them feel emotionally?
As far as overlays go, I also consider the context of age. With a 12th house Saturn overlay, for example- there is going to be many people born that same year who will also put their Saturn into that house. Unless there’s a close conjunction or a strong age gap, there’s not going to be a huge amount of importance to it. It’s usually best to focus on the personal planets when it comes to overlays.
What about the angles?
Okay, if a planet or hypothetical point or another angle makes a close conjunction or square (within 3 degrees) with the angle, that is going to be a strongly felt effect. Allow more of an orb with the Sun or Moon. The angle person is going to feel activated on a deeply personal level. With conjunct angles or angles conjunct the Nodes I generally do see that these people have a karmic lesson underway- for good or for ill!
What about the Nodes?
I’m sure many of you have read that south node conjunctions mean a past life and that north node conjunctions are what we are destined to grow towards in this life. That’s very much a half truth. Read my article on the nodes in synastry here.
The nodal axis represents a dragon, or I like to think about it as the Midgard Serpent. Here is the opposition between stagnation and growth. Both are potential crisis points. It confines our experience in this world and represents the human journey. The south node, being the tail- is where we have comfort but not an ounce of understanding or power. The north node is the head and where we can derive wisdom, but it is not a comfortable place to be either! When the nodes are activated both are going to have to be understanding of one another and not place too many expectations or demands.
How to read a synastry chart-some considerations.
Approach with a clear head! Practice on charts that don’t hit close to home. Being invested in a situation can affect our ability to understand it clearly. That is when we let GO and Let God.
Simplify. Look at the close aspects and the significant overlays. Don’t get caught up in too much detail.
Approach with reverence and respect. Know your archetypes, modalities, elements.
How to read a synastry chart- how NOT to read a synastry chart!
Okay so here’s the things you want to try and avoid:
-Astrology is not about certainty. If you are striving for certainty on a certain issue, you will need to moderate the use of astrology in order to cultivate the mindset that is needed in order to gain clarity. The more you dig in the muddy water, the muddier it gets. Let it sit. We are not bound to our stars, nor ruled to them- things can always work out differently.
-Don’t use synastry to try and find your perfect partner, or vet people according to charts. You could miss out on something good that way, and it is a misdirection of energy. Rather, synastry is useful in helping us understand our patterns. If you want to find love, be loving and be willing to navigate a journey of ego death.
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