Real Aspects in Synastry

How do planets really interact in synastry? Is it through the so-called degree-aspects currently used in astrology? Is it through dispositorship or mutual reception? Or is it through simple sign or element relatiionship as was in the earliest days of astrology?

This author feels degree-aspects between planets should be viewed within the context of their sign or element placements, and that dispositorship or mutual reception is more theoretical than practical. Long-time observation has revealed to me that the relationship by sign, element, mode, polarity, or gender between two planets tells most of the story. What the closeness of the aspect by degree dappears to show is the intensity or immediatenes of the interaction. Of course the nature of the two planets interacting must also be considered. There will always be tension between Mars and Saturn, for example, regardless of the aspect type. In fact, the "bad" aspects between these two can be preferable to the good ones(it distances them)!

So if aspects by degree reveal the finer nuances of interaction, when are two or more planets actually in "aspect". The first law of relationship is GENDER. Gender means masculine or feminine or positive and negative. Other definitions are odd and even, extroverted and introverted, electric and magnetic, radiating and absorbing, giving and taking, etc. Gender in astrology is the single most important divisor or differentiator between the signs. It is even more basic or important than either mode or element!

Two planets blend, interact, or are receptive to one another(for better or worse) when they are in same gender. The signs of each gender are as follows...

Masculine or Positive
gender signs
1.Aries
3.Gemini
5.Leo
7.Libra
9.Sagittarius
11.Aquarius
Feminine or Negative
gender signs
2.Taurus
4.Cancer
6.Virgo
8.Scorpio
10..Capricorn
12.Pisces

The degree or level and quality of blending will depend on the sign or element relationship as well as the nature of the planets involved. Planets in the masculine group are basically harmonious to each other as are planets in the feminine group. Planets within their own element are the most harmonious or receptive to one another followed by those in an opposing element as shown below.

Masculine group

Fire signs
1.Aries(Mars)
5.Leo(Sun)
9.Sagittarius(Jupiter)

Air signs
3.Gemini(Mercury)
7.Libra(Earth/Asc?)
11.Aquarius(Uranus)

fire is opposite air

Feminine group

Earth signs
2.Taurus(Venus)
6.Virgo(Mercury/X?)
10..Capricorn(Saturn)

Water signs
4.Cancer
8.Scorpio(Pluto)
12.Pisces(Neptune)

earth is opposite water

Example 1: Sun in Gemini with Mars in Gemini and Saturn in Gemini:
The Sun here is equally receptive or in "aspect" to both Mars and Saturn because they are all in Gemini. It is like having the Sun and Mars and Saturn living in the same house or under the same roof. The Sun will obviously get along better with Mars since both planets are of the same fiery nature. Sun and Mars, however, will have difficulty relating to Saturn who is too restrictive or slow for them. But because they are under the same roof(sign) they must all put up with each other, as painful as it may be.

Example 2: Mars in Aries with Venus in Aries and Saturn in Capricorn:
At first sight here Mars is obviously compatible with Venus and in sharp conflct with Saturn, but this is not really the case. Yes Mars and Venus are receptive to one another auguring for an easy or compatible sexual relationship, but this is largely due to the dual rulership of Venus at this time. As true ruler of Taurus, Venus, however, can be quite negative towards Mars seeing all of his shortcomings(12th house), or can be financially or materially supportive(2nd house).
Mars in Aries and Saturn in Capricorn are vastly different and there is the potential for conflict here but only if the two are FORCED to compete or relate. Normally, these two avoid direct contact and play their parts separately. All planets of a different gender KEEP THEIR DISTANCE from one another working separately or individually. Mars provides the initiative or enegry and Saturn guides or directs it. In this sense these two planets can and DO work wondefully. Remember, that in the ideal chart, all planets are in their home signs!

Modes: Another way in which two planets can relate to are mode or quadruplciity. There are 3 modes astrology: cardinal(active), fixed(stable), and mutable(adaptable). The cardinal signs(Ari,Can.Lib.Cap) all share a love of activity, leadership, and accomplishment and consider laziness or inaction sinful. They get along slightly better with the mutable signs who are more open and flexible to their ideas and leadership(it's like the Aries-Gemini relationship). The fixed signs(Tau,Leo,Sco,Aqu) like to own, solidify, and make permanent and dislike changeability or impatience. The fixed signs are at odds with both the cardinal signs whom they find pushy or bossy and the mutable slgns whom the find unreliable(it's like the Taurus-Aries or Taurus-Gemini relationship). The mutable signs(Gem.Vir,Sag,Pis) like to deal with ideas and concepts and all aspects of relationship, coordination, and distribution or dissemination. They get along a little better with the cardinal signs who stimulate their need for activity, change, and diversity(again like Gemini to Aries).

Polarities, opposites or axis signs are two sides of the same coin or ends of the same stick, balancing or reflecting one another's needs or shortcomings. Their complementary natures give them the highest degree of rapport between the signs. The polarities are: Aries-Libra(identity), Taurus-Scorpio(resource), Geminui-Sagttarius(ideas), Cancer-Capricorn(security), Leo-Aquarius(love), and Virgo-Pisces(service).

This sign/planet receptivity can work between two or more people or in your own chart as well. See which planets are receptive to which(by sign or element) and then examine the nature and compatability of the planets involved.

Planet receptivity also strongly influences the physical appearance as well as the personality. I have seen lots of "Geminian" types whose only conspicuous feature was to have Mercury in the same sign as the Sun. Same for "Taurus" types with a Sun-Venus conjunction. In fact, even the weaker aspects such as a sextile to the Sun can powerfully affect the nature or looks. I have seen many "Piscean" types with Neptune merely sextiling the Sun(by sign). This proves that all it really takes for two planets to modify one another is for both to simply be placed in the same gender.

Gender, mode, element, polarity, and sign relationships are the real aspects in astrology. Aspects by degree merely intensify what is already there by those basic qualities.

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