Astrology may be the most intriguing and interesting of all sciences we have ever invented. This non-science ‘science of the stars’ has been in use for millennia.
It is not officially acknowledged as one and it is commonly labeled as a pseudo science, since many authors and critics argue it lacks consistence and methodology, as well as reliability of its findings.
Nevertheless, we could be right when saying that it was the oldest one. No one knows for sure when the astrology took place first.
If we talk about Western astrology, we usually associate it with old Persia, although Mesopotamian cultures presented with profound interest in astrology and had complex and advanced systems of observing the skies.
Ancient Babylonians have possibly designed the first horoscope, for instance. However, it seems that astrology is much older than even the oldest Mesopotamian civilizations.
Archaeological evidence suggests our very far ancestors observed and recorded the phases of the Moon; they would mark the changes of Moon phases on mammoth bones.
Such discoveries suggest that some kind of proto astrology has been in use about two thousand years back into the past! Now, systematized astrology is not an isolated product of only Mesopotamian cultures and their close neighbors.
Complex and magnificent astrological systems developed in other parts of the world.
Some of the most important and extremely worth of mentioning are Chinese, Japanese and Hindu systems. Mayan calendars also have to do with this, but also many other examples could be found in other parts of the globe, in different traditions.
Modern astrology is associated with Claudius Ptolemy, who was a Greek mathematician, astronomer, astrologer and geographer.
It is fair to mention that astrology and astronomy were treated together in the old days, until the Age of the Enlightenment, when astrology was rejected as being unreliable and to inconsistent to be taken seriously.
However, the interest in astrology has never completely ceased. In the twentieth century, astrology once again became a subject of interest and practice.
Today, astrology is popular worldwide, although not treated equally with other disciplines. Nevertheless, it is practiced and taken semi-seriously.
You can easily get an astrological reading online and consult an astrologer by email. You can get your natal chart in only few clicks! However, reading an astrology chart is something for an astrologer.
Natal Astrology and Astrology of Relations
The most interesting part of astrology is comparative astrology, astrology of relations, to many who rely on this type of life-prognosis.
Now, we have said ‘prognosis’, but it is extremely important to remind you that astrology is not fortunetelling, although many skeptical would discard its readings as a simple divination, a fraud, even.
Astrology offers one an insight into future possibilities, by thoroughly examining natal charts.
Natal charts are images of the sky, taken at the time of one’s birth and then transferred onto a diagram, which represents the solar system and the distribution of planets at one exact moment. Astrology is based upon the postulate of ‘as above, so below’.
This means that what happens up there reflects on individual people’s lives, but also on overall destiny of the humankind and our world, the earth. Why we talk about this, when our subject is synastry?
Natal astrology is the first step, before evens starting reading a synastry report. Synastry compares natal charts and analyzes their relation.
Hence, it is of major importance to understand each chart alone. Natal astrology offers deep insight into astrological chart of individual person; natal chart is a product of natal astrology, as well as its tool.
Before the astrologer compares two charts, which will be discussed in the next paragraph, each chart has to be analyzed – the astrologer has to meet the astrological personalities.
Birth charts reveal personality traits, temperament, character, major events in a person’s life, tendencies, potentials, individual capacities, an insight into all qualities of a person, both virtue and flaws.
For the purpose of synastry, the astrologer would pay a special attention on each individual’s romantic tendencies, conceptions about love, relationship, commitment and so on.
Synastry Report Meaning and Purpose
Synastry is a comparison of natal charts, with the purpose of reading their astrological compatibility. Romantic compatibility is what people are generally interested into the most.
Could stars really tell you if the person you were in love with is the right one for you? Could it predict the outcome of one relationship?
Synastry could help you better to understand your relationship or to see where do your potential partner and you meet and where do you lack mutual understanding.
It means that synastry cannot predict if the relationship is going to work out beautiful or not. Synastry analyzes aspects between charts point by point.
It tells about the potentials of a relationship, its weak points and its greatest advantages, but it does not determine the exact course of it. This depends on you alone. However, the insight into relationship could be of great help.
Your astrological compatibility is a precious guidebook. It helps you better to get to know one another.
Synastry is different from composite chart analysis. Composite reading merges two charts into a new one and gives more of final conclusions, if such thing is possible. Synastry is a wider perspective and probably a more flexible one. Each synastry aspect has its meaning and purpose.
Synastry and Astrological Aspects
This leads us to aspects in synastry. Astrological aspects are of major importance in any serious astrological reading. They represent specific type of astrological contact between planets.
In synastry, they represent contacts between planets from both charts. Planets from your chart form angles with those of your partner.
When positioned in a specific way, forming specific aspects, planets manifest their qualities influenced by the nature of the aspect.
Aspects could be flowing or challenging; there were five major aspects (the conjunction, the square, the opposition, the trine and the sextile). Flowing aspects let planets manifest their best qualities, in harmony.
Challenging aspects are responsible for tensions and conflicts; they are heavy, but they also bring on specific dynamics, needed for proper functioning.
There is one ambiguous aspect, that of conjunction, which could manifest by both qualities, flowing and challenging.
Conjunction Aspect in Synastry
Conjunctions are the strongest aspects in synastry and in general, because they represent very little distance between planets or no distance at all. Conjunction is 0-degree distance or up to several degrees.
Planets in conjunction either match their position to the fullest or stand very close to one another.
This aspect intensifies the energy of each planet and they work together. Planetary energies in the conjunction are conjoined and powerful, so no wonder this is the strongest of all aspects.
In synastry, it represents a strong bond. However, its nature could be different, depending on which planets form a conjunction.
According to some basic interpretations, two difficult planets, two malefic, would form a ‘negative’ conjunction, while two benefic would form a ‘positive’ one.
If planets were in different signs, it could also become problematic. If they are of different natures, it further complicates the situation.
Let us not be too hasty, since here we have two notorious planets conjunct; we will see the example in practice.
However, one has to always bear in mind that isolated aspects cannot be taken as the only determinant for the relationship as a whole.
Mars in Mythology and Astrology – Planets in Synastry
Mars is a malefic planet, the ‘bloody planet’, associated with the bloodthirsty god of war, in Greece known as Ares, in Rome – Mars.
While Greeks did not worship Mars, in fear of his violent, aggressive and war-seeking nature, Mars were much more in favor with the vital and strong deity. Mars represents pure masculinity, carnality, strong passions and matter ruling over spirit.
Mars is also considered the ‘star of success’, since this violent fellow inspires rivalry, competitiveness, a need to win, to conquer, and to achieve.
Mars represents extreme vitality, physical strength, passion, lust, carnal desires. Mars represents injuries, troubles, conflicts, battles and warfare, in any sense possible, but it is also a healer; it has to be, considering the troubles it brings.
According to the ancient myth, no one could soften his rage and his desire for bloodshed and fight, no one except beautifully Venus (Aphrodite), the goddess of love.
The two, taken as astrological planets, are of extreme importance for synastry readings, since both have to do with attraction, passion, intimacy.
Saturn in Mythology and Astrology – Planets in Synastry
Saturn is definitely not as fiery and passionate like Mars, nor it has to do with physical attraction and lust, but is also a malefic planet.
Saturn is associated with all the troubles we face in life, but those of a different sort. Saturn represents all our limitations, ailments, illness, misery, despair and sorrow. Saturn represents hardship, poverty, old age and restrictions of all sorts.
Old, gray-haired Saturn, as John Keats poetically describes the ancient god in his never completed poem “Hyperion”, is our somber, strict and cold tutor. Keats’ verses beautifully describe Saturn’s nature.
This planet is of ancestry, of history, tradition, organization and responsibility, amongst other things. Saturn is not fond of changes.
Saturn brings our misfortune, but without it, we would not know responsibility, the importance of preservation and organization.
Although it could play a very restrictive and even a negative role in a relationship, Saturn also has to do with loyalty, reliance and stability. Saturn aspects could help in stabilizing a relationship.
For example, if synastry presents with too irresponsible and expansive aspects that are generally positive, but could lead to collapse due to lack of any kind of organization, stability and responsibility, Saturn aspects could act like a glue and hold things together. They could in fact harmonize an overly flexible connection.
Mars Conjunction Saturn Synastry – Well Directed Energy
Mars conjunct Saturn is a complicated one, since these two planets are both notorious for their specific energies, just as they could be praised for some of their qualities.
Their energies are quite contrasting; Mars is very active, very competitive, fiery and daring, while Saturn is restrictive, strict, cold and reserved. How the conjunction makes them act?
This aspect could be extremely harsh when in a negative aspect. In the conjunction, it could turn into a bit tense, but incredibly eye-opening experience.
The thing is, each could learn much from the other partner, if both were considerate of one another and if other aspects work in your factor, inspiring your growth and development as a couple.
Mars, known for its fierceness, competitiveness and active attitude could learn much from restrictive teacher Saturn. Saturn could help Mars tone down its rushing and raging energy and start thinking a step before engaging with something.
However, Saturn secretly dreams of being more like the Mars partner – brave, courageous and daring.
Mars could help Saturn with this and encourage him or her to take up more activity towards their goals.
Saturn is afraid of failure and thus, reserved. Mars is cannot even understand such fear and is impulsive, rushing and raw. If the overall synastry is in favor of this connection, this conjunction could benefit both.
Mars Conjunct Saturn Synastry – Discouragement Risk
This is not a connection without risks and very subtle details could decide the direction of its development.
Mars could, for example detest Saturn for being too stiff, too introvert and calculating. Mars could go over Saturn’s emotions and make him or her feeling very depressed and down. Similarly, Saturn could affect Mars in a negative way.
This especially happens when Saturn feels insecure and inadequate. Instead of accepting these emotions, Saturn could turn to become vicious towards active and daring Mars, who he or she, in fact, envies.
Saturn’s controlling nature, meant to restrict excess of Mars’s courageous expressiveness, could really bring Mars down.
