Therefore, astrological charts can indicate much basic information about a relationship, including factors of harmony or stress, but it's up to the two individuals as to how to live. We delight in the understanding, telepathy, unconditional love, closeness, emotional safety, and joie de vivre that some people bring into our lives - a celebration of those qualities in ourselves!

On the other hand, it takes tremendous awareness and maturity to be able to overcome some of tougher challenges reflected by certain astrological aspects, some of which may only show up after several years - such overcoming can be done as a mutual effort. Whether you want to take the challenge, or whether both parties are willing to do what is necessary, are other questions that only you two can decide about a particular relationship.

Astrology can validate and guide couples, families, friends, lovers, partners, and coworkers in making the most of their interpersonal relationships.

METHODS: Astrologers use several methods to analyze relationship dynamics. Here are some of the most common:

PLANETS IN ASPECT (SYNASTRY):

How the planets of Person A aspect those of Person B, and vice versa. Conjunctions and oppositions are the most impactful, with trines, sextiles and squares being lesser factors. The crudest example of comparing planets by aspect is to look at Sun signs alone, but there are dozens more factors to be considered and weighed, which is why you need to have both charts accurately calculated.

PLANETS IN HOUSES:

The planets of Person A are placed into the houses of Person B - and vice versa - to see what each brings to various areas of life.

Each person's SUN in the other's chart is fundamentally significant, showing the major influence this person will have in the other's life, what area of life is up by being in relationship with them.

TRANSITS AND PROGRESSIONS in each person's chart show current trends and developments that may influence the person's relationships.

COMPOSITE CHART: This is the chart of the relationship itself, the 3rd energy formed by 2 people coming together in relationship. Composite charts are calculated using near-midpoints of both Suns, both Moons, both Ascendants, both Venuses, etc. The composite chart can also be updated with transits to show relationship trends and developments.

Contemporary astrologers use selected ASTEROIDS in addition to the planets. The asteroid Juno relates to marriage, partnership, and empowerment. Ceres is a nurturing influence. Vesta is purposeful, passionate, and deals with protecting the home. Chiron shows maverick behavior, relates to the "wounded healer," and bridging gaps.

LEVELS OF DETAIL: When a relationship is new and speculative, a quick overview of each person's planets by comparison yields basic information. If a client brings in the birthdate of a new friend, it's also possible to place the friend's planets in the client's houses. This quick overview does not require research time, so is economical to provide on basic studio time.

However, when a relationship is serious, where the individuals contemplate marriage or partnership, where divorce is pending or just completed, or the individuals are struggling, then a detailed compatibility study and consultation(s) are needed. Because of the complexity of factors the astrologer will consider, extra research time is required to prepare for this reading. The results and objective input from such a reading can be very worthwhile to you because the astrologer can immediately surface information and issues that could otherwise take many hours, or even years, by other methods such as ordinary contemplation or therapy. You now know what to look for, and the reading will also suggest ways to deal with your issues. If you follow up your astrological consultation with viable therapy, it's likely you'll be able to save a lot of time and expense, as you're now more aware and able to address key issues quickly.

PROBABILITY: We know that the planets don't cause human behavior, but we don't know exactly how astrology "works." I speculate that planetary configurations and cosmic harmonies symbolize, reflect and mirror our deeper collective agreements about present and future reality. But after 26 years of private practice as an astrological consultant, I will say that there are certain aspects and configurations I have observed to correlate with certain outcomes.

For example, here are some very harmonious factors I like to see in comparing two people's birthcharts for marriage:

• Sun conjunct Moon;
• Sun trine or sextile Sun;
• Moon conjunct Mercury, Venus or Jupiter;
• Sun conjunct Ascendant;
• Venus conjunct, sextile, or trine Mars;
• Venus conjunct Jupiter or Neptune;
• Mars conjunct or trine Jupiter;
• Sun in the other's 4th, 1st, or 3rd house.

Any one aspect by itself is not sufficient to predict a lasting harmonious relationship, but if several of these are present it points to a strong attraction that may last, if there are not severely stressful aspects.

Here are some dis-harmonious factors I do not like to see in the charts of two people attempting a long-term relationship:

• Saturn conjunct any of the personal planets - Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or Ascendant: Here the Saturn person tends to squash, oppress, invalidate, or attempt to control the person with the personal planets.

• Uranus opposite any of the personal planets, which tends to raise intense issues of will and freedom.

These aspects are so severe as to be deal-killers, even though it may take a while for the aspects to play out. When they do show up, they tend to be all-consuming. However, spirituality, therapy, maturity, and giving each other a lot of space and respect can do wonders to turn battles into opportunities.

© Copyright by Carol Willis, 1998. All rights reserved.

Carol Willis, MA
Professional Astrologer since 1970
Sunnyvale CA (408) 734-9110 Email: cbwillis@lightlink.com

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For more astrology information, see:

Astrology Charts, Readings plus Free Daily Horoscopes
Birth Charts - Custom Astrology Birth Charts and Readings
Horoscope Compatibility - Discover How Compatible You and Your Partner Are
Astrology - Basic Astrology Information
Astrology, Planets in Signs, Key words, Characteristics
Astrology Articles
Ancient Divination and Astrology
Activities With Astrology 

To Get Your Own Personal  Astrology Reports, See:
Horocope Compatibility - Discover How Compatible You and Your Partner Are
Astrology Birth Chart Reports - Custom Birth Charts and Readings
Astrology for Children - Great Child/Teen Astrology Reading Guide for Parents
Daily Horoscopes
Tarot Reading - Free or In-Depth Tarot Reading