He explains that it also allows us to understand the space between us and other people—where we’re similar, and of course, where we’re different. When we understand that “space” between our chart’s planets and houses, and someone else’s planets and houses, we can better approach the relationship from a place of understanding. And as modern mystic and author of Astrology SOS Imani Quinn adds, aspects (the aforementioned “space” between planets, which we’ll explain more below) play an important role here, as well. Aspects are all about the relationship between two planets, with some aspects being easier or more challenging to navigate than others (i.e., trines versus squares, respectively). Here’s a quick look at what the five main aspects mean: There are plenty of resources available online or through mobile apps to map a synastry chart, though if you want the real deal with no room for doubt, it’s not a bad idea to get a synastry reading from a professional. All that said, understanding the fundamentals can certainly get you started. Someone with their moon in Capricorn, for example, might be slower to identify and express emotions, while a Pisces moon would have no trouble there. “So that would be a hard pairing,” Quinn explains, “where if you pair a Pisces moon with a Cancer or Scorpio moon, there’s going to be a lot more compatibility in how they process their emotions and therefore their needs.” And when it comes to romance, she adds, you’ll still want to take the sun, moon, rising into account, along with Venus and Mars. “Mars is your passion and your sex drive, and Venus is how you are in your relationship dynamics,” she explains. Somebody with Venus in Virgo, for example, might not fare well with someone who has their Venus in Sagittarius, because this forms a square, which is arguably the most difficult aspect. Keep the aforementioned aspects in mind, too, as those will play a role here. Sharing a Venus placement (such as both of you have Venus in Cancer) would be a “conjunction,” which is typically a beneficial or easy aspect. Though Quinn does note, “Having planets correlate to somebody else’s in the same sign can be a good thing, but it can be challenging if you’re too alike because then there’s no balance.” The seventh house, she says, is your house of relationships and partnerships. It definitely has “long-term” energy, and if you have a lot of placements in your partner’s seventh house (or vice versa), that’s a good sign for long-term potential. And then we have the eighth house, which governs your sexual life. To put it all together, let’s say someone has their sun, moon, and Venus in their partner’s eighth house. There may very well be an intense sexual attraction there or at least a deep curiosity about each other. Or, as another example, someone could have their Venus in their partner’s seventh house, but it’s actually forming a harsh aspect with their partner’s Venus. This would add some nuance and indicate a more challenging relationship that may need extra effort to flourish.
