What Is Synastry?
Synastry is the branch of astrology that studies relationships by overlaying two birth charts — comparing where one person's planets fall in the other person's chart, and noting the aspects (angular relationships) formed between planets of the two charts.
A synastry reading reveals: the nature of the attraction between two people, the dynamics and potential challenges of the relationship, where the relationship will feel easy and where it will create friction, and the karmic or soul-purpose dimensions of the connection.
Most Important Synastry Aspects
Venus-Mars Contacts
The classic romantic and sexual attraction aspect. When one person's Venus closely aspects the other's Mars (or vice versa), there is strong physical attraction and complementary love-expression styles. Venus-Mars conjunction or trine indicates natural romantic and physical compatibility.
Sun-Moon Contacts
Among the most significant relationship aspects. When one person's Sun conjuncts or trines the other's Moon, there is a deep sense of being truly seen and understood — the Sun person illuminates the Moon person; the Moon person provides emotional nurturing to the Sun person. This is often found in long-term partnerships.
Venus-Jupiter Contacts
Indicates joy, expansion, and a relationship that feels fortunate. These people bring out the best in each other, encourage growth, and create a sense of abundance together. Strong in the synastry of lasting, happy marriages.
Saturn Contacts
Often feared but deeply significant. Saturn contacts create seriousness, commitment, and longevity — but also potential restriction or feeling of obligation. Saturn conjunct a personal planet in the partner's chart often creates a "karmic" feeling — the Saturn person may seem like a teacher, sometimes a challenging one.
Pluto Contacts
Intensely transformative. Pluto contacts create passion, obsession, and profound change in each other. These aspects appear in deeply significant relationships — both the most transformative love stories and the most difficult power-struggle dynamics. The higher expression involves supporting each other's deepest growth; the lower involves control and manipulation.
The Ascendant and Descendant
When someone's planets fall on your Ascendant (your rising sign), they seem to embody your most visible self. When they fall on your Descendant (directly opposite your Ascendant), they represent what you seek in a partner — your ideal mirror. These contacts often create a feeling of destiny or recognition.
How to Approach a Synastry Reading
No synastry is perfect. No synastry is entirely incompatible. What matters is: are the core needs being met? Are the people growing because of the relationship, or contracting? Are the challenging aspects ones both people are willing to work with consciously?