Synastry Grid Analysis This document will cover the basic method of performing an inspection of a synastry grid. The synastry grid shows where people have natural compatibility and natural challenges. The chart does not set anything in stone. A compatibility does not insure a blissful relationship. An incompatibility does not doom a relationship. The synastry grid must be taken as a whole. Weaknesses in one area may be offset by strengths in another. A weakness recognized may be addressed and the influence of the weakness maybe lessened. The basis of synastry comparison is examining the planets that are closely aspected. A minimal number of degrees is set for their orb. I typically use a 2 degree orb. The method of determining the astrological compatibility through the use of the synastry grid can be broken down into steps.   1.0 Circle all major aspects that have an orb of two degrees or less. The major aspects are:   Conjunction Opposition Trine Square Sextile 0° 180° 120° 90° 60° Angles of Aspects   2.0 Draw lines showing the Inner, Transpersonal, and Nonplanetary areas of the synastry grid. See the example chart for where lines should go. 3.0 Total the number of aspects circled going across and down the chart.   Analyzing the Synastry Grid It is now time to analyze the results! Only those planets with an orb less than two degrees were chosen. These tightly associated pairs show where the connections between the two charts are focused. They are like the buttons on a shirt. Analysis is done through the building of sentences expressing the nature of the meanings of the planets and the keyword of the aspect. The relationship between the planets may be interpreted by the use of this formula: <meaning of planet #1> <keyword of aspect> <meaning of planet #2>   Some examples are: Sun conjunct Mars ( ): Will unites with Personal Drive Venus square Pluto ( ): Personal Magnetism challenges regeneration The urge of the planet may be substituted for the meaning.     Glyph Planet Urge of Planet Meaning of Planet Sun Power, Vitality, Ego Will Moon Security, Emotions Feelings Mercury Communication, Intellect, Perception Communication Venus Sociability, Beauty, Mildness Personal Magnetism Mars Aggressive, Energy Personal Drive Jupiter Expansion, Learning, Joviality Expansion Saturn Restriction, Focus, Crystallization Consolidation Uranus Individualistic, Eccentricity, Disruption Intuition Neptune Illusions, Visions Illumination Pluto Universal Welfare, Cooperation, Coercion Regeneration Urges and Meanings of Planets     Glyph Aspect Name Degree of Separation Keyword of Aspect Conjunction 0 ° Unites with Sextile 60 ° Works well with Square 90 ° Challenges Trine 120 ° Flows with Opposition 180 ° Versus Keywords of Aspects   Areas of the Synastry Grid The synastry grid can be split into areas where the planets are inner, transpersonal, outer and transpersonal. The inner area of the synastry grid shows the planetary aspects that are easily recognized in day-to-day interactions. Behaviors originating from this area are visible to all involved. The effects of the interactions can be immediate and short-term. The outer area of the synastry grid is where the planetary aspects are hidden, subconscious, and not easily seen. The effects are long-term and their expression may be hidden in the long sweep of their influence. The transpersonal area has qualities of both the inner and outer areas. Here the planets of Jupiter and Saturn hold court as they expand and restrict the relationship. The effects of the planetary aspects are visible enough to see if we choose to, but hidden enough to ignore if this is chosen. There is much wisdom in the transpersonal planet aspects, but we must be willing to listen to their advice.   The non-planetary area is where our destiny/karma, Ascendant and Midheaven come into play. Aspects in this area speak to how a person will affect our destiny (North Node), our fame (Midheaven), and how they will be influenced by who we seem to be (Ascendant). The notable thing to look for is planets conjuncting the Ascendant. A person who has the planet conjuncting the Ascendant can be blinded and fail to realize that they are not interacting with the true character of the Ascendant owner. Likewise, the Ascendant owner will realize that they are influencing the relationship through their Ascendant "mask", and they may not push the relationship forward in a healthy progression. Their energies will be placed in maintaining the mask to the detriment of other healthier planetary connections. The Dominant Planet(s) Totaling the number of times a planet interacts with another person’s chart will show its overall influence in the relationship. The planet or planets with the highest frequency should be examined closely. Their house and sign placement should be considered. Other Chart House Placement of Planets One person’s planets will fall somewhere into the other person’s natal chart. This placement will show where the meaning of the planet impacts the identity or expression of the other person. Below is a chart with keywords for each of the twelve houses.   House Keyword of the House 1 Self Identity 2 Values, Possessions 3 Communication Skills 4 Home, Security 5 Creativity, Self Expression 6 Service, Health 7 Partnership 8 Rebirth, Sex, Death, Taxes 9 Exploration, Expansion, Learning 10 Public Recognition, Career 11 Group Consciousness, Uniqueness 12 Subconscious, Secrets House Keywords These keywords can be used in the following sentence: Person’s planet expresses its energies of <meaning of planet> in the other person’s area of <keyword of house>. Charts Used   House Keywords House Keyword of the House 1 Self Identity 2 Values, Possessions 3 Communication Skills 4 Home, Security 5 Creativity, Self Expression 6 Service, Health 7 Partnership 8 Rebirth, Sex, Death, Taxes 9 Exploration, Expansion, Learning 10 Public Recognition, Career 11 Group Consciousness, Uniqueness 12 Subconscious, Secrets Keyword of Each Sign Glyph Sign Keyword of Sign Best Quality Worst Quality Aries I am Leadership Officiousness Taurus I have Stability Stubbornness Gemini I think Versatility Flighty Cancer I feel Tenacity Insecurity Leo I will Kindness Domination Virgo I analyze Analysis Criticism Libra I balance Affability Approbation Scorpio I desire Resourcefulness Destructive Sagittarius I perceive Loyalty Risky Capricorn I use Diplomacy Deceitfulness Aquarius I know Altruism Argumentative Pisces I believe Sympathy Delusional   Urges and Meanings of Planets Glyph Planet Urge of Planet Meaning of Planet Sun Power, Vitality, Ego Will Moon Security, Emotions Feelings Mercury Communication, Intellect, Perception Communication Venus Sociability, Beauty, Mildness Personal Magnetism Mars Aggressive, Energy Personal Drive Jupiter Expansion, Learning, Joviality Expansion Saturn Restriction, Focus, Crystallization Consolidation Uranus Individualistic, Eccentricity, Disruption Intuition Neptune Illusions, Visions Illumination Pluto Universal Welfare, Cooperation, Coercion Regeneration   Keywords of Aspects Glyph Aspect Name Degree of Separation Keyword of Aspect Conjunction 0 ° Unites with Sextile 60 ° Works well with Square 90 ° Challenges Trine 120 ° Flows with Opposition 180 ° Versus   Sample Analysis