What is astrology? Astrology is an ancient practice that analyzes planetary movement and brings it into the connection with our life on earth. Yes, it sounds as if the astronomy does a similar job. Well, yes and no.
In older times, these two disciplines were treated equally, together. Astronomers were astrologers. However, in the seventeenth century, the Age of Reason discarded astrology as non-scientific and unreliable.
The debate over astrology and its (non) scientific nature has been active ever since.
Those who claim astrology could not and should never be taken as a science argue this practice is more of a divination, too inconsistent and lacking proper methodology. Those who support astrology would claim something else, on different grounds.
Well, it is true that astrology could not offer the same answers as official, exact sciences. However, it does not mean it offers nothings. How could it be, considering for how long it exists. No one knows when it first occurred!
Astrology seems to have existed since our far, prehistoric ancestors would look up the same sky above our heads.
Nearly the same, at least, for the universe changes, as we do, Nevertheless, some discoveries prove prehistoric people were interested into observing the sky. It was important to them; they knew we were connected with that starry vastness above our heads.
Mammoth bones scientist have examined present with carvings fully corresponding to Moon’s phases.
Astrology as a system is associated with ancient civilizations, such as Sumer, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, Persia, and Rome. However, this astrology was not an isolated and the only case. Ancient China, Japan, India and Tibet present with incredibly precious and complex astrological systems, as well. These all were different, though based upon the same idea.
The cosmos and humans are connected; at least we have some special relation with those planets we know of. In Western astrology, we speak about the solar system. Planets affect us, it is scientifically proven.
However, astrology goes deeper, claiming planets could also shape up one’s personality, life and many other things. Let us see into it.
Natal Astrology and Astrological Compatibility
Natal astrology is vital to understanding synastry and any other type of compatibility reading. Natal astrology deals with interpreting natal charts, also known as birth charts or horoscopes.
A horoscope is like a timeline of your life, but it is not that simple. It is not a roll of fate that keeps unfolding itself without your influence and activity.
In older days of astrology, it was more or less believed that we, actually, do not have much to do with this roll of fate. We were considered marionettes in the hands of destiny. Modern trends are different.
Astrological chart, natal, birth char or horoscope, offers precious information. It does tell about something that was written in the stars.
Natal chart is a diagram representing planetary distribution, that of the solar system, at the time you came to this life.
As astrology is based upon the postulate ‘as above, so below’, this means that one particular distribution of planet would shape up who you are as a person and that it would affect your life and destiny in a specific way.
So far, so good. However, you are the one to affect the chart or, to be more precise, to make it manifest one way or another. Therefore, you are not helpless at the hands of destiny.
Your potentials were, indeed, written in the stars and you cannot switch them, just as you cannot go there and set the planets into different position. The insight a natal chart offers is precious, because it tells you what you could do.
Astrological Compatibility and Synastry
Why was this so important, if we were to talk about the compatibility and synastry? Well, synastry is a study of natal charts, as well. It compares natal charts and interprets contacts they create.
It analyzes the dynamic of the relationship, interpreting the relation between the two charts point by point. Most people are interested into romantic synastry.
This has always been one of the most popular types of an astrological reading and it is not a modern phenomenon.
People have always been curious about romantic relationships and the potential for one Sometimes, it was for practical reasons only; for example, whether someone was a good opportunity to marry and to become situated.
Other times, people would love to know if someone thy fancy was a good match, a person who would emotionally suit them et cetera.
Of course that synastry cannot definitely say if one relationship is going to be awesome or a disaster. However, it could give amazingly precious hints. Everything else is up to the two of you.
The astrologer would first carefully analyze both of your charts, focusing on elements regarding romantic relationships.
For example, the astrologer would see if (potential) partners share life goals, tendencies towards commitment and marriage, family and else. He or she would see how compassionate, empathic and caring they were, for instance.
Astrological Aspects and Synastry
The most important thing in any reading are aspects. Aspects are angles or contacts between planets.
Each chart is full of certain astrological aspects that make you the person you are. In synastry, the astrologer looks into planetary contacts between two charts.
Aspects could be heavy or easy and each one presents with specific energetic flow.
Astrological aspects are the conjunction, the opposition, the square, the sextile, and the trine. Some of them were heavy, others easy. The problem is that people often think heavy ones were only negative and vice versa.
It is not that simple and true. Heavy aspects bring in trouble, but they also move you towards resolving the trouble.
Opposition Aspect and Synastry
Opposition is the heaviest aspect and seeing them in synastry is certainly not that encouraging. Oppositions were heavy, troublesome, conflicting and tense. Opposition means contrast, fight, argument, lack of understanding and compromise.
Sometimes, oppositions are needed, but they are rarely easy to overcome.
On the other hand, oppositions could make you want to overcome the dire situation and to improve things. This is especially important if we talk about the relationship between two human beings, especially a union, such a romantic relationship or a marriage.
Oppositions could make you want to change things and they could actually make the relationship dynamic.
Of course, too strong oppositions that were not soften by some additional mild and easy aspects would be difficult to bear. One thing you should always keep in mind. No isolated aspect would determine your relationship to the fullest.
This complex of aspect is what makes the relationship unique and interesting.
Mercury in Mythology and Astrology – Planets in Synastry
Mercury is the planet of communication. In Greco Roman mythology, Mercury or Hermes was the messenger of gods. He was the most agile and smart deity, also the trickster god.
Mercury protected everyone who is skillful, resourceful, clever and practical, from brilliant inventors, good traders and merchants, but also thieves and charlatans.
He was usually depicted as a young, lovely man, with wings on his helmet and sandals. This depiction tells much about Mercury’s nature. Mercury is quick witted, handy and fast. In astrology, the planet Mercury is pretty much the same.
This planet is the closest to the Sun, so it has to do much with reason and logic. In fact, the symbol of Mercury represents the unity of spiritual and material.
Mercury is youthful, open to learning and the planet of communication and information. It is responsible for the way and the manner we express our thoughts and emotions. Mercury makes us lively, wanting to know things.
This planet is not about the deep knowledge, but more about a wide range of information.
This planet is also one of the personal planets and very important in synastry. This is the planet of communication and the communication is the essential part of any relationship, be it romantic or not.
When Mercury in a good aspect, it means the communication will go smoothly. If not, there could be misunderstandings. We shall see.
Saturn in Mythology and Astrology – Planets in Synastry
Saturn is the most notorious of all planets in astrology; perhaps we judge Saturn too harshly. However, this planet is a malefic and also known as the planet of sorrow. Well, no one wants sorrow in his or her life.
However, sometimes misfortune and negative experiences are necessary to teach us life.
Saturn is our cruel teacher we would love never to meet. It is inevitable, however.
This planet is responsible for negativity that happens to us and our experience of it. Saturn’s lessons are those of despair, sorrow, illness, misfortune, trouble, limitations, and restrictions of all sorts.
Saturn is associated with negative emotions, with difficulties in life, struggles of all sorts. This planet is heavy, dark and not fun to have around.
On the other hand, without Saturn we would hardly grow. We would not know organization, responsibility, seriousness, when needed. Saturn’s lessons are hard, but useful. However, it takes great effort to accept them.
In synastry, Saturn could play either a divisive or a strengthening role. We shall see now how it affects communicative Mercury.
Mercury Opposite Saturn – Limited Conversation
This could be a very difficult and a challenging connection. Light and eager Mercury could find an authoritative figure in solemn and strict Saturn. The problem is likely to start from the beginning and lead to obvious problem in your communication.
The greatest problem is that the communication is very likely to be limited and restricted; what Saturn proposes would be the frame.
Mercury would miss their freedom of expression, as Saturn is unwilling even to consider another opinion or a wider perspective than the one he or she has set up. This is hard, heavy, forceful communication.
Mercury could respect Saturn and fit in their frame, but not for long, as it would make him or her restless and unsatisfied.
What is worse, Saturn is very prone to criticizing others, even the partner. Regardless of other aspects that have probably brought you two together in the first place, Saturn is unlikely to leave out this nasty habit.
Mercury could even submit to criticism and become dependent, which is overall unhealthy and not very dynamic.
Mercury Opposite Saturn – Lack of Personal Expression
In this relationship, honesty about one’s true feelings is difficult to be expressed, especially on the Mercury’s part.
It is not that the Mercury person does not want to, but it is that the Saturn one does not even want to hear it. Saturn tries to control and limit Mercury.
We know it probably comes out of inner insecurity. There is a trace of hope, but other favorable aspects are needed.
Mercury could eventually make Saturn open up their mind and heart to new perspectives. Strict tutor Saturn could focus Mercury’s interests, for instance.
However, we would not say this is going to be easy. It requires tremendous patience, effort, willingness and a lot of love for one another.
Without favorable aspects outside this one, there are not great chances for this bond to survive.