Ask Annie

Are you prepared for the future? Discover your fate with a FREE Sample Destiny Report from Astrology.com

Get on the path to career success with a FREE Sample Career Path Report from Astrology.com.

Try a FREE Tarot Reading from Astrology.com!

--Annie

--Annie

How about the SR ascendant ruler in the SR chart? If the SR sun is in my 3rd house this year. What do I look at then? Ninth house, tenth or third?

Thanks
A

--Annie

With the Placidus system of houses, your Mars is in the center of the second house. With Koch, your Mars is in the second house, but close to the cusp, or beginning, of the third house. Most house systems put your Mars in the second house. With the Equal system, your Mars is in the third house. I am guessing you are calculating your houses using the Equal house system. In this system, you would put the same degree of your Ascendant (3 degrees) on each house but with progressive zodiac signs.

I hope this helps!

-- Annie

I agree with you that your partner's Venus and Mars in aspect to your Pluto will affect him deeply. He would bond to you on romantic and sexual levels quite intensely if other factors support the bonding. There is a chance that he shies away from the intensity with his Venus conjunct your Pluto if such is his nature. However, with this configuration, both of you would be affected, not only you. In fact, you might have the "upper hand" in the sense that he is likely to be more vulnerable with his personal planets in strong contact to your Pluto. He is likely to be very intrigued by you, again if other factors in your synastry support this.

-- Annie

T

Planets in the same sign but not in orb of a major aspect are significant. How significant is the question! In Vedic Astrology, planets in the signs/houses are emphasized, while in Western Astrology, we tend to place more emphasis on aspects between planets. Out-of-sign aspects, such as the trine between a planet at 29 degrees of Taurus and one at 4 degrees of Libra, are considered aspects, but perhaps a little weakened.

In my opinion, your Venus and her Mars in the same sign is certainly relevant, although if they formed a conjunction, it would be stronger. I wouldn't equate it to a same element trine between Venus and Mars. Planets around the same degree of a sign will be activated by transits at the same times, or similar times, and this means you would share general experiences around the same time, bonding you together on this level. Sharing the same sign helps, however, as your styles are similar and there is a better chance of appreciating one another's sexual and romantic styles (as well as values, ways of handling anger, and so forth). A weak aspect, or no aspect at all, between the same-sign planets suggests you are more likely to be objective about the energy, but the bond is less intense.

Generally, in synastry, the person who is more enthralled is the "owner" of the more receptive planet. For example, with Venus-Mars interaspects, the Venus person tends to be more enthralled by the Mars person, and perhaps the more vulnerable person in this particular equation. However, the Mars person tends to appreciate the Venus person's attention, and so it does go both ways. With Psyche and Eros, Psyche would be the person more likely to be enthralled by the Eros person. Again, the enchantment does go both ways, but the Psyche person tends to be the more vulnerable person in this equation.

In your particular case, your Sun/Moon midpoint and your fiance's Sun/Moon midpoint form a hard angle--this is a sign of a very powerful bond, certainly more important than the interplays between Venus and Mars. There are very strong ties between you.

--Annie

Tables for Ascendants can be quite confusing, as you have discovered. This is why online services for determining your astrological details are handy and comforting. I would suggest using a chart service such as the one at astro.com, or ours, which can be found here. I am sending you your astrological details by email as well. Your Ascendant (also referred to as rising sign) is Aries.

--Annie

Hope this helps!

--Annie

However, I have a doubt regarding the "Progressed Planet Aspects" of the page of the site in which the interpretation of "progressed Sun to natal Moon aspects" is given. According to the solar returns page, the same degrees of the sun is taken, and that makes the Sun in the same position at which it was at the time of birth. So, the progressed Sun will be in the same position as the natal Sun every time. Therefore the aspect to Natal Moon would also be the same then. So how does the aspect to a natal planet change? Kindly explain?

Thanks

I hope this helps.

--Annie

--Annie

I'll answer your questions to the best of knowledge, and according to my experience, point by point below:

1. Who experiences/feels attraction more strongly or how is it different:

a) Person whose personal planet is contacting someone's midpoint or the midpoint person?
b) Person whose personal planet is contacting someone's chart angle or the 'angle' person?
c) Person whose personal planet is contacting someone's Vertex or the Vertex person?
d) Person whose personal planet is contacting someone's Nodes of the Moon or the Nodes of the Moon person?

The experience for contacting points in synastry is always a two-way affair. How strong the feelings each individual experiences depends on the nature of the planet or point stimulated, as well as the person and the issues surrounding the contacted point in his/her life. It's always two-way, however. If my Venus conjuncts your Mars, for example, your Mars is activating my Venus, and my Venus is activating your Mars. We're both stimulated, but in different ways and from different perspectives. I will react in a Venus way to your Mars, and you will react in a Mars way to my Venus. When it comes to attraction, it is generally the Venus person who is especially enamored. When inner planets are stimulated by another person's outer planets, it's generally the "inner planet" person who is a little more vulnerable and personally involved. Often, the "outer planet" person holds a special "edge" because of this vulnerability on the part of the "inner planet" person. The outer planet person tends to have the upper hand. This is because inner planets are personal, and outer planets are impersonal.

With midpoints, I tend to think the midpoint person is more vulnerable. I've received plenty of questions through emails regarding the special case of the Sun/Moon midpoint contacting another person's Sun or Moon, which is a strong indication of a powerful bond, for better or worse. When this contact only occurs one way, which is more often the case, readers want to know who is the most needy (so to speak) person in the relationship. The "owner" of the contacted Sun/Moon midpoint is the one who tends to be more attached to the person whose Sun or Moon aspects the midpoint. This sometimes explains one-sided attachments, but it should be noted that plenty of strong relationships occur when the activated Sun/Moon midpoint isn't reciprocated by the partner. In fact, the energy does seem to reciprocate in some way, as both partners can feed off the energy of belongingness. Having it both ways (that is, each person's Sun/Moon midpoint is activated by the other person's Sun or Moon) is perhaps ideal, but one way works well. Also, if one person's Sun or Moon forms a hard aspect to the composite Sun/Moon midpoint, that person also has a strong attachment to the relationship.

When personal planets are contacting personal points, neither person is more vulnerable or more attracted unless the particular point involved is especially sensitive or romantic by nature. For example, one person's Moon conjunct another person's Mercury is naturally, because of the nature of the planets involved, less balanced. The Moon person is likely to be more vulnerable in this interchart aspect. Or, as another example, if a person's Venus conjuncts the other person's Mercury, the Venus person is generally enamored by the Mercury person's intellect, way of thinking, way of speaking, etc. As an aside, it's always helpful to think in terms of the individuals taking on the roles of the planets involved. The person whose Venus is stimulated takes on the role of Venus in reaction the other person's expression of the planet.

Angles such as the Ascendant and Vertex are highly personal and can be considered similar to personal (inner) planets. Item d) of your question is a little trickier for me to answer. Let's say my Venus conjuncts your South Node. The attraction will go both ways, but the South Node person may be the one more likely to "outgrow" the relationship.

2. Is there a meaning when partners' Sun/Moon midpoints conjunct (5 gemini mine - which also happens to be my DC line 5.15 and Saturn 5.5 and 9 degrees gemini his) (no hard aspects from personal planets though) and both also conjunct composite Sun/Moon midpoint (7 degrees gemini). What would the meaning/connection be?

If your Sun/Moon midpoints are conjunct, the Sun/Moon midpoint in the composite chart will be along the same axis by default. Yes, when two people share the same Sun/Moon midpoint, it is significant. It points to the potential for a strong bond, for better or worse. You'll find this connection between charts of many couples who form a long-term relationship. It's always important to note that connections between Sun/Moon midpoints in synastry do not necessarily point to a "good" interaction in and of themselves, but they do point to a fated feeling, or a strong feeling of needing one another.

3. Can Ascendant be involved in a Grand Trine or are just personal planets considered?

Traditionally, no. Grand trines are supposed to involve planets and not points, such as the Ascendant. These can be any planet, not just personal (inner) planets.

4. What other midpoints besides Sun/Moon are important in synastry and how would they be interpreted? (I noticed that you mentioned Venus/Pluto and Mars/Pluto in one of your reponses).

You can consider any midpoint in a synastry analysis. The question will be how much detail do you want to consider? The way I work, I put the Sun/Moon midpoint into any chart I look at. When doing a relationship analysis, I will also note the Venus/Mars, Moon/Venus, and Sun/Mars midpoints. I will also scan computer-generated midpoint trees in a chart comparison for repeated patterns and themes or other midpoint connections that catch my eye. Of course, I work from my personal "bias" in the sense that certain combinations will stand out more than others, perhaps because I've had experience with them or they seem to me to be especially relevant considering the type of analysis I am doing (a romantic relationship analysis, for example) and the nature of the questions I am attempting to answer.

5. For each technique you mention (progressions charts, Solar Return, and solar arc progressions) the current location is generally used for the current chart. In these cases, new charts are created, and these charts are relocated and generally compared to the non-relocated natal chart. Transits involve comparing the current positions of the planets to the natal chart, which is usually not relocated, although it can be if desired!

6. I do not use a strict orb allowance in synastry, although I would say that I tend to favor approximately 5-6 degrees for major aspects--perhaps a little more for conjunctions involving the Sun and Moon.

7. Yes, you can determine solstice points on a progressed chart, and they can be compared, either progressed to progressed or progressed to natal.

8. With Solar Arc progressions, the aspects between the planets in the natal chart remain the same because we are adding the same number of degrees to each planet. Unless there is a large age discrepancy between the two people we are comparing, the interaspects would be largely the same. As well, the Solar Arc interaspects would remain the same indefinitely. As such, comparing Solar Arc progressions doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. If anything, I would compare the Solar Arc progressions of one person to the natal positions of another.

--Annie

As I mentioned in my email to you, I'm excited at your discovery regarding the eighth house rulers in conjunction to the other person's Eros, and put your theory to an informal test. I do believe you're onto something here! I absolutely do find it significant--and it is statistically improbable.

The compatibility is very strong. A potential weak point is her Saturn (ruler of her Ascendant) not making any close major aspects to your chart. Saturn is strong in your composite chart, however. With the composite chart representing the potential of your relationship, there may be some hesitance regarding the idea of this being a long-term thing on her part until a formal relationship has been established.

I also see her Sun and Venus novile (40 degrees) your Sun. This connection, I believe, suggests an attraction of the soul that can be very intense and challenging--and rich. This enhances the theme created by the hard aspects between your Moons, your Suns and Moons, and your Sun/Moon midpoints. There is the potential feeling of truly belonging to one another, yet with the challenges between your Suns and Moons, a struggle as well. This is the stuff of life! Another strong point: your seventh house (traditional) ruler, Jupiter, overlays her seventh house and conjuncts her Mars.

As an aside, something you might want to do is progress the First Meeting chart and watch the Moon's aspects and how they correspond to significant periods in your relationship. The Moon progresses at approximately one degree per month, so, for example, you could watch for when its sextile to Uranus perfects approximately 2 months after meeting. I find this tool very useful for managing the tough periods in a relationship, as they often correspond to the progressed Moon perfecting a challenging aspect in the First Meeting chart. It's especially useful when the last aspect the Moon makes before leaving its sign is a hard one--being aware of the potential ramifications of such an aspect can help you to avoid making mountains out of molehills if you really want to keep a relationship alive.

I had a few solar returns done with you and I really enjoyed them.

Is it true? Please let me know.

---Annie

---Annie

Mercury retrogrades on July 3rd in early Leo, but dips back into Cancer for most of the retrograde period. Mercury will be retrograde in Cancer the week that you booked the studio. There are a lot of theories about Mercury's retrograde, and some of them quite conflicting! Some believe that Mercury's retrograde cycles are not the same for those born while Mercury is retrograde. This idea works for me--I liken it to, for example, the Moon is in Pisces and its effects on those who were born under the Moon in Pisces. As well, Mercury retrograde cycles are excellent for creativity as well as for re-doing, refining, and re-visiting issues. Generally, the advice for Mercury retrograde is to avoid signing new contracts and making proposals or presentations of ideas. The only new issue here is the recording aspect of your venture. Continuing work on your songs shouldn't be a problem. I think there is a general but prevalent misconception that we should put our lives on hold during these cycles. I think you should go with your gut instincts on this one--my opinion, of course!

---Annie

[Full birth data for both people supplied.]

There are some very strong connections between your charts. His Moon is in hard aspect to your Sun/Moon midpoint, and your Moon is in hard aspect to his Sun/Moon midpoint, suggesting that there is a strong bond between you, for better or for worse! Your Venus is conjunct his Mars, your Mars is conjunct his Sun, your Mercury is conjunct his Ascendant, your Sun is conjunct his North Node, your Vertex is conjunct his Sun, and the list goes on! There's a lot of positive to this relationship. Problematic areas in your synastry include his Saturn square your Moon and opposite your Venus. This one is tough -- mostly on you. I suggest you read about Moon-Saturn hard aspects in synastry in order to find some strategies to handle this inter-aspect.

In B's natal chart, I noticed that he has his Sun opposite Pluto, and his Mars opposite Saturn and square Chiron. This suggests to me that he might be a little tough to get through to! This is the case regardless of who he is relating to. Set in his ways, no doubt. He also has his North Node in the 7th house. Read more about this placement here: North Node in Libra or the 7th house. Learning to "partner" effectively is an important life lesson for him that doesn't always come easy.

The Sun conjunct Venus, both square Neptune, in your composite chart can also be problematic. You need to take steps to be as rigorously honest with each other as possible, as the tendency is to mislead one another. The "deception" with these aspects is rarely deliberate. What it has to do with is expectations. In other words, it usually has to do with self-deception rather than outright deception. With the strong connections between you, it is unlikely that you are "in love with love" instead of one another, which is a common manifestation of these kinds of aspects in the composite chart. However, you may be in love with false images of one another. Do your best to relate to each other as equals. Avoid the trap of saving your partner or having your partner save you. It won't work. At some point, there is bound to be strong feelings of disappointment or letdown. One or both of you will likely question whether the other person was completely honest. However, in all likelihood, you have projected what you wanted to see in your partner, and that no one has deliberately tried to present a false image. Sometimes, one or both people may indeed present a false image of themselves, if only to attempt to live up to the expectations of the other. If you can get past this point without pointing fingers, you can truly grow together. This is absolutely possible.

If you cringe at the idea of getting an objective opinion on your relationship, this can be a sign that you already question how sound your relationship is, but are afraid to put it to the test. Chances are, you already know your relationship's weaknesses on some level. Do your best to see the weaknesses and accept them for what they are. B's Neptune is in hard aspect to your Sun/Moon midpoint. B's Neptune is square his Moon. Attempting to push an emotional commitment from him is likely to lead to frustration. You will need to let the relationship flow and wait for an emotional commitment to happen naturally, and you need to figure out if you can live with this.

---Annie

-M
 

With the Solar Eclipse occurring so close to your birthday, (and your Solar Return), in all likelihood the year ahead will be an eventful—and, eventually, memorable—one. There is no need to be nervous about what might happen, as a Solar Eclipse has much of the same effects as a New Moon, except more potent. It can signal some very favorable events in your life. The eclipse on March 29th this year is in Aries, the sign of new beginnings and initiatives. It receives a supportive aspect from steady Saturn, suggesting that new projects initiated are likely to be realistic and well-grounded--reasonable, in other words!

Looking at your Solar Return chart can give more clues as to what this might mean for you personally. The New Moon occurs at the top of your SR chart. Two areas of strong focus this year are tenth house and seventh house matters for you. Your natal tenth house is brought to the SR Ascendant, and the Solar Return Sun and Moon are in the tenth house. Also, the SR Sun and Moon are at your natal Descendant, and your natal Descendant is brought to the SR Midheaven. Keeping in mind that a "new beginning" is very likely to occur this year, we can think about all of the situations and factors that are associated with the seventh and tenth houses. It may be that you will enter into a new business partnership, or that you meet a "significant other" through your career dealings. It may also be that new beginnings occur in both areas of life, independent of each other. However, looking at the chart, they seem to be connected. The ruler of your natal seventh house is Mars, and it receives a conjunction from both Mercury and Uranus. An unexpected change or event is very possible with regards to a close partnership, and this may be tied to career issues. There may be a change in marital status. Venus is conjunct Mars and trine Neptune in your Solar Return chart, suggesting romantic and creative endeavors are likely to go quite well.

When a New Moon occurs in a Solar Return chart, it suggests that the year ahead is a key period in your life. For example, marriages and births occur frequently when the New Moon occurs in a Solar Return chart. Your actions in such a year get real reactions. You are in the spotlight in some way. The energy of the New Moon is dynamic, and it is also receptive, in that it feels like things are coming to you rather than things being taken away from you. Because your emotions are very strong in such a year, you are unlikely to do things or feel things in moderation. New experiences, initiatives, and success in projects that are begun in this period are likely. This energy is concentrated in your tenth house of career and public recognition. The benefits can be immense. Your personal efforts over the past few years are likely to pay off. Fortune smiles on you, and there may be some type of public recognition to honor what you have been doing with your life. Under this influence, students often receive academic awards or advanced degrees, workers achieve job promotions, lovers get married, politicians are elected to office, authors publish their books, and so on. Your career may place you before the public in some way. Opportunities for professional advancement may come through a spouse or business associate. You could find yourself involved in negotiations and consultations.

The best way to use this energy is to be proactive. Look for ways to change your life, and especially to take charge of your career and life path. People are going to notice you this year--recognition will come whether you are looking for it or not. As such, do your best to shine, and demonstrate your competency. Whatever it is you begin this year is likely to be long-lasting and significant. Take the time to look within yourself and to examine what it is you want from life. "Taking charge" is a theme of the tenth house, and it would be a good idea to examine your innermost ambitions. This is a year when you can make significant headway--when you can begin to realize some of your goals. It's also an excellent year for collaboration, so keep your eyes and mind open for opportunities that could come through partnership.

---Annie

Essentially, the natal-to-natal interchart aspects should be considered the basic, permanent interplays between two people. One person's progressed positions in aspect to the other person's natal positions, as well as one person's progressed positions in aspect to the other person's progressed positions, are valid as long as they are considered interplays that are evolving or progressing! In other words, they are useful if we view them in terms of the general symbolism of progressions.

Analyzing all of these factors is a whole lot of work, but if you have the time and the inclination, it can be a very revealing process.

---Annie

My answer is, use both of them! The chart of your second "meeting" does not replace the First Meeting Chart, but it still "works" as a new beginning in your relationship. As long as you consider both charts as important--as entities of their own with independent meanings--you're on the right track, in my opinion. In other words, use the First Meeting Chart as a chart that represents the conception of your relationship, and use the second chart as a chart that represents the re-instatement of your relationship or a re-instatement of your vows, however informal they may be.

---Annie
 

Your husband's Moon touches an extraordinarily sensitive part of your chart. The twelfth house rules all that is hidden or below the surface, our dreaming mind, karma, self-undoing, soul growth, and both our hidden strengths and hidden weaknesses. His Moon overlaying your twelfth house is not unlike a permanent transit of the Moon to your twelfth house. This suggests that you tend to confide in him, telling him things you have never told others. Because the feelings he stimulates in you, however, are somewhat vague and extremely hard to define (they often defy reason), some element of mistrust or confusion in your relationship is very possible over time. Your husband must be aware that you are especially sensitive and attached to him, and you sometimes act irrationally as a result. This is because he touches a part of you that is very deep and personal--a place even you have difficulties defining or rationalizing.

You may have read that this position in synastry suggests deception. This is true to some extent, but not in the way that you are thinking. This position does not mean that your husband will be unfaithful or that he will deliberately deceive you. However, if it's left unchecked or swept under the rug, there may come a day when he feels he has to deceive you.

Let me explain what I mean by this. First and foremost, remember that it is your twelfth house that is activated in this overlay, not his. Something about his emotional expression pulls up vague anxieties in you that are not based on hard, cold facts. Rather, your fears are based on hunches or intuition that you, yourself, don't even trust. What is happening here is that you are in a state of mistrust of yourself and of your hunches more than of him. He is unwittingly stimulating your own fears and anxieties that exist independent of him! What is contained inside the realm of the twelfth house is your own matter, not his. Understanding this concept is the first step to dealing with the problem. Twelfth house activations in synastry have had a bit of a bad rap, probably because, often enough, they stimulate issues of mistrust and confusion. However, if the twelfth house person is aware of the fact that the "deception" involved has its source within himself or herself, the issues can be dealt with more effectively.

I mentioned that he may, over time, begin to feel the need to deceive you. What is happening is that you are doubting your own ability to see your husband clearly. On one hand, you have fallen for him and want to assign him wonderful, even inhuman, qualities. But as you do this, another voice inside of you questions, "What if I am being blind? What if this perfect situation isn't so perfect after all?" This other voice is a realistic one--you know you are imperfect, you know that others are imperfect, you know that the world around you is imperfect. What is happening is that you are doubting your faith, perhaps because you know it might be a bit unrealistic. As a result, your lack of trust in your own ability to see your husband clearly can eventually erode the relationship. He may begin to sense that you refuse to see him clearly, he may then label you irrational on this level, and then keep things from you simply because he is afraid you may blow them out of proportion--essentially, he may feel the need to treat you with kid gloves. Deception in this case is not deliberate--it's the result of sensing a person's boundaries and limits, and keeping facts from him or her just to avoid a problem.

You can take steps to prevent this from happening. Truth is, this is not a dire situation by any means. Awareness of the source of your fears that your husband may stray is crucial. Don't let this erode your relationship. Work, instead, on trying to see your husband in solid, realistic, and clear terms (as much as is possible). Let him know that he doesn't have to treat you with kid gloves. You are sensitive, yes, but even if it takes you time to get to a "happy place" after a problem arises, you would rather deal with the truth than alienate him. Accepting a person at face value is perhaps the most loving thing you can do.

---Annie

"Pluto transits to the Sun challenge us to face up to unexpressed or poorly expressed traits of our Sun sign, house, and aspects. We discover our own power and strength, and we re-work our very sense of identity, which invariably affects our life path. How we have defined ourselves to date is now challenged. In some cases, women live this transit through key male figures in their lives. These transits force us to confront our will, power, assertion, and authority. Sometimes, the relationship with the father or other important male figures come into focus. We face the need to be more independent, assertive, and autonomous. Perhaps most importantly, Pluto transiting our Sun puts us face to face with exactly what it is that has been holding us back from living life more fully and meaningfully.

Look for Leo in your natal chart, as the Sun rules Leo, and this is an area of life that will be directly affected by the transit (in addition to the house where the transit actually takes place)."

In your case, the Sun is in the tenth house and it rules your sixth house, pointing to issues surrounding your work and career, as well as your daily routines, habits, diet, and health regimens. Your hunch seems right on target. Pluto's transit to your Midheaven and to your tenth house suggest that you will work through issues about your life direction. Pluto demands that you take charge of your life. If other people have been making decisions for you, you will feel frustrated and perhaps manipulated or trapped. This frustration ideally leads to an awareness that you need to assume more responsibility for your life and the direction it takes.

With your Sun in the tenth house, Pluto's transit to it will bring you face to face with your own ambitions. If you haven't recognized your desire for approval, power, and influence, Pluto will make you aware of it. Changes, of the "rebirthing" variety, may be forced upon you if you don't effect changes in your lifestyle on your own. Pluto's transits often require that we give up something in order to gain something else--and this could be a job, a way of living (routines, habits, and so forth), a relationship, or simply a state of mind or the way we see the world.

You might want to read about the influence of Pluto transits in general on our Pluto transits page in order to feel better prepared for this cycle in your life. The most important thing to remember about Pluto transits is that fearing change is the worst state of mind. Identifying what might need to change in your life will help. Overcoming the fear of change can involve a process in which you review your life and identify turning points, crises, and challenges in your past. This way, you can remind yourself how you pulled through them. Pluto transits to the Sun draw out your own personal strength. If you don't know you're strong, Pluto will let you know. Remember that you can face pretty much anything. In all likelihood, changes that take place won't be traumatic. But if you find yourself fearing your future nevertheless, it doesn't hurt to spiritually prepare for challenging times. My sister once gave me the advice to do what Rocky did when he prepared for his big fight (if you remember that movie), with the raw eggs and training, except on a spiritual level. It works!

Pluto wants you to own your life, to take charge of your life path, and to know yourself, warts and all. Pluto is not happy with us if we are just coasting along in life. It wants us to know ourselves inside and out, including our more "undesirable" qualities. In your case, Pluto has already transited square your Ascendant and Mars in 2003 and 2004, so you have had a real "taste" of Pluto energies in recent years.

---Annie
 

What would you make of a person with a Moon in Cancer, but a Venus in Aquarius? Would these not seemingly constitute a contradiction? Clingy and needs space? How would this work if it does not cancel each other out?

Cancer and Aquarius, being in a natural "inconjunct", are most certainly contradictory signs. They neither share an element or modality—Cancer is a cardinal water sign, and Aquarius is a fixed air sign. The Moon and Venus, however, are both "feminine", yin, or receptive planets.

It is important to keep in mind that contradictory natures of individual factors in a natal chart do not cancel each other out. Instead, it is helpful to consider each planet's nature as a role we take on. The Moon rules our emotions in general—our nurturing side, the face we show when we are comfortable, in a family or domestic setting, and so forth. Venus rules our powers of attraction, the style we adopt in social relationships, how we love and how we perceive romantic love, the pleasures we are especially attracted to, etc.

We are all contradictory beings. One person can be shy in a social setting and outgoing and forthright at a business function. Another person can be self-effacing with regards to work, yet demanding in a love affair. A person with a Moon in Cancer and Venus in Aquarius will show both signs in different situations.

Although we live with all of the signs in our natal chart, and, ideally, we pull out qualities from each, we don't always blend these qualities and behaviors into a cohesive, easy whole. This person may be rather aloof when it comes to the "game" of love, adopting a rather impersonal manner. Get to know this person more intimately, and you will uncover another side to him or her altogether. Once comfortable and cozy, this person is very personal, emotional, and attached. However, he or she will still need to "feed" the Aquarian needs that are part of his or her make-up. In fact, this person is bound to confuse a partner, perhaps even on a daily basis! Chances are, these contradictory needs are a struggle for him/her as well. How individuals handle this type of "discrepancy" really depends. Someone with Moon and Venus inconjunct by sign, such as the person you are referring to, could work on integrating the two energies in a creative manner. Perhaps more common, however, is the tendency to separate the two functions and to feel dissatisfied with both functions on some level. Both the emotional life and the social life can feel lacking simply because attempts to satisfy one function seem to work against the other function. Behaviors that make this person feel safe and comfortable (represented by the Moon) are completely different than the behaviors that he or she displays and craves in social relationships (represented by Venus). Chances are that if you are in a romantic relationship with this person, you will frequently witness these dissimilar needs and behaviors. They may seem to need a partner who makes them feel safe and loved, yet when that need is fulfilled, they might crave a lover who is not so smothering and who is more like a good buddy.

The key to handling these dissimilar needs is some sort of integration, but complete integration (that is, blending of the signs) is probably impossible. Think of the Moon and Venus as representatives of two separate functions or roles. They do intersect, they can "get along", but they remain different functions. You might start to think you'd be better off with someone whose Venus and Moon signs are compatible, such as with someone who has for example Venus in Pisces and Moon in Cancer. It's true that they might be a little easier to please emotionally, but they could bore you to tears at times! I am definitely not trying to knock harmonious interactions of planets in a natal chart, by all means. Rather, I am trying to illustrate that there are pros and cons to either situation, and no matter what, that Venus Pisces-Moon Cancer person has other areas of his or her chart that contradict these themes.

---Annie
 

---Annie

-J
 

With oppositions, you have the opportunity to learn much from each other, but you must avoid the tendency to be defensive, or you can end up more like enemies than partners. This goes both ways. What might start out as fascination can end up to be a small war if each of you holds onto your personality traits for dear life and becomes critical of the other's style of expression. Signs that are opposite (Aries-Libra, Taurus-Scorpio, Gemini-Sagittarius, Cancer-Capricorn, Leo-Aquarius, and Virgo-Pisces) tend to fare better together than signs that have nothing in common, simply because they do in fact share a common focus. Aries and Libra are both active cardinal signs. Aries is "me" and Libra is "you". You might be drawn to your partner in part because of the imbalance in you, with so many planets in Libra and no planets in Aries. The same goes for your partner, although it may be especially meaningful to him because he has North Node in Libra and South Node in Aries. The Aries personality is so comfortable for him that he tends to fall back on Aries traits and resists accepting Libran traits in his personality. However, because his North Node is in Libra, without even knowing it, he is drawn to Libra because it his path to strike the balance of "me-you" in his own personality. Your Venus and Pluto conjunct his North Node, which is a very strong connection that is not always easy, but certainly intriguing and compelling. I would say this is a very intense relationship--one that can be potentially very rewarding, but not without its fair share of tensions and conflict.

---Annie

---Annie

The Nodal connections mentioned above are just part of the attraction you feel for one another. When the Nodes of the Moon are powerfully activated in Synastry, the relationship is truly life-changing. It touches you in places you might never knew existed inside of you, and this goes both ways.

As far as your natal chart goes, I would say these qualities are very much an expression of your Sun square to Saturn-Pluto conjunction, as well as Sun quincunx Neptune. When you talk about problems with envy, I immediately turn my attention to the Sun, simply because it seems to me to be a problem with confidence, and the Sun is very much about self-confidence. A beleaguered Sun such as yours points to problems of self-acceptance. The square to Saturn and Pluto suggests that you expect to be rejected on some level, and undermines your confidence. When you assert your will, Saturn is effectively saying "I'm not good enough" and Pluto is adding, "Others get what they want and I don't". However, with squares, generally an individual faces situations early in life that force him or her to deal with the tension directly. As you age, and with more experience under your belt, you will learn to deal with this tension. You also have Venus square Uranus, which could very well be involved, and expressed as a fear of commitment. With R's Saturn falling directly on your Ascendant, you might sense that a relationship with him might be too restrictive and essentially too "heavy".

I think the fact that you are considering your sister to be more compatible with R speaks volumes, and is very much an expression of Sun square Pluto. When Pluto is functioning poorly in our charts, we can become hell-bent on uncovering a "truth" that is generally negative and that will essentially feed our feelings of envy and jealousy. I put the word truth in quotation marks because our attempts to get to the bottom of a situation are negatively colored when Pluto is challenged--essentially we are attempting to prove the worst to ourselves. It sounds counter-intuitive, but we are very complex beings! When we feel unworthy, we can actually be drawn to negative situations to further prove our perceived unworthiness. Obviously, it's a negative spiral we can get ourselves into, and it's best to identify this tendency and work on feeding ourselves with positive feelings and thoughts.

In conclusion, I'd say that working on your own fears (both of success and of failure!) can most certainly benefit you, but having looked at the synastry between you and R, I believe that you might need someone who is more equipped to boost your confidence.

---Annie

Hi I came across your website. I am puzzled about my own sign, and feel like I am born under the wrong one! I am a Capricorn (full birth data supplied). I am ambitious and all, though I seem to be so disloyal to my current mate and don’t feel guilty about it. I don't know what is wrong with me. At times I have standards, and other times I lose total control. I feel as though I am a Scorpio with all my promiscuity. I want to stop my "sordid" ways, though I keep plunging back into debauchery and outlandish ways of living. I don't expect a response. I guess I just need to get some things stated in e-mail, anonymously.

Your Sun and Mercury are both in Capricorn, which suggests you process information like a Capricorn, and the "adult", conscious part of you is Capricorn. However, you emote, act, and love like a Scorpio. All of these planets in Scorpio are opposed by Saturn, which is likely the reason for your concern and your reference to your actions as debauchery.

You mention in your email that you don't feel guilty about your affairs, but you are clearly concerned about your behavior. I feel that Saturn opposing your cluster of planets in Scorpio is the reason for your concern. I propose that when you are involved in this behavior, you are tuned into your Scorpio planets. Your Venus conjuncts Jupiter, suggesting a love of pleasure and a tendency to over-do pleasure and love. Your Moon conjunct Mars in Scorpio is passionate and reactive. In and of itself, it's spontaneous and natural. You work on instinct and go with your feelings. Taken alone, these planets would suggest a very passionate, pleasure-oriented person. However, complications are brought in by the opposition of Saturn to all of these planets. Saturn rules Capricorn, and thus rules your Sun sign, so it is very much tied to your ego and your identity. Saturn opposing your Scorpio signs literally translates to a part of your nature (the responsible, loyal, and traditional Capricorn/Saturn person) opposing your emotional and sexual nature. It is a true dichotomy.

You said you don't feel guilty, yet you are certainly feeling guilty enough to want to find answers and to consider your behavior a problem. This might seem like a contradiction, but astrology shows us that we are contradictory beings. Both the enjoyment of pleasure and the desire to control behavior exist as opposing forces in your natal chart. They are both real inside of you. It is my opinion that you may overdo the pleasure aspect as a result of your Saturn concern that you should be more controlled. In other words, if Saturn were not opposing your Scorpio planets, you would most certainly be a sexual and sensual person, but it wouldn't necessarily be a sex addiction. But because Saturn does oppose the stellium of planets in Scorpio, the guilt you feel comes after the behavior and actually feeds your addiction. It is not unlike an overweight person who feels uncomfortable with his or her body, and feeds that discomfort with more food. It's a vicious circle. It doesn't make sense in absolute terms, but it is the nature of addiction. I propose that your conscience is not only present, it is over-developed in the sense that you are harder on yourself than many, and that this fact exacerbates the problem and leads you to seek out more of the very experiences that make you feel badly after the fact.

I have discussed Venus-Saturn aspects a few times in earlier posts to this column. In those cases, women with this aspect were concerned about their attraction to men they couldn't have, and I discussed some of the underlying issues with the aspect. Self-worth is one of those issues. I am not a psychologist, but I believe that it is generally accepted that self-worth is an underlying issue for addictions in general.

The answer to the problem is acceptance of both your need for pleasure and intimate connections, and your desire to be a responsible partner. The way I see it, you are handling the opposition by swinging from one end to the other instead of trying to find a balance--something that is very common with oppositions. I am definitely not saying it is easy to handle oppositions. It can be a life-long struggle for many, but they can be managed. For example, I have quite a few oppositions in my chart, and although I have been aware of the dichotomies they create in my nature, it doesn't mean that finding a balance is always easy. However, awareness is an important first step.

When we find oppositions in a chart, astrologers often look for a possible "release" point--a planet (or planets) that trine and sextile the planets involved in the opposition. In your case, Mercury in Capricorn in the third house is a potential release point for the pressures inherent in the energies of the opposition. Mercury rules communication of all kinds. You have a very capable and logical mind. This position suggests that talking about it--or even "writing anonymously" about your problems--will go a long way towards resolving the imbalance, especially because Mercury also rules your eighth and eleventh houses. In fact, you might even find release in "teaching" others about addictions. Working through the problem logically and verbally may not solve the problem, but it should help you to understand it better. My advice is to seek out support groups, even in an anonymous manner, or to find ways to communicate your concerns.

---Annie

At first I tried to time things I wanted to do. It didn't seem to have any effect on the specific event. But nonetheless I noticed more serendipity in my life. I concluded that following the planets led to more cosmic harmony in my life. I started experienced charming good luck when I didn't expect it. I stopped attempting to time specific events by aspect.

What I do instead is religiously observe strong aspects. I do this by printing a chart for the exact minute of the aspect in advance. I set a candle upon the chart and light it (day or night) an hour or so before the aspect. At the moment the aspect is partile I ring a little bell. I know, it's a sentimental ritual, but it is intended out of respect and awe of the cosmos. And I am more attuned to the cosmos as a result.

Having provided this background, my question is: Which aspects in the next 12 months would you observe (if you were me) as if it were a holy day? I read your 12 month report. I can calculate the exact moment of the aspect myself. What I would like to know is why these aspects were identified as special. The moon is trine with Mars twice-a-month, applying and departing. Why is the June 24, moon-Mars trine special? Again, on July 4, Saturn is aligned with Uranus -a rare aspect indeed. I wonder if this would be a good hour to hide under the bed? And so on.

I am not asking you to analyze all the aspects in your report. Please merely suggest which of the aspects in your report you would recommend.

--B

Your insight would be much appreciated, and I would feel honored to learn about this chart from you! It seems to be quite significant somehow.