With Saturn's return to the relationships sign of Libra, there's a focus on relationships everywhere -- may it be in love, family, friends, colleagues or with the self. Late last year, when Saturn initially entered Libra, I noticed a surge in clients' interest in synastry readings. Saturn has since revisited Virgo from April to July and now has returned to Libra, where he'll remain until October 5, 2012. I thought it might be a good time to write a post on Synastry.

Our individual birth charts provide detailed information on our personal, emotional, spiritual and psychological makeup. We can pinpoint what comes difficult or easy for us, where our strengths and weaknesses lie, what our natural abilities may be, where our motivations are rooted from, and much more. Imagine then, what information could be gathered in comparing two birth charts together.

Synastry is the study of relationships in astrology. It's casting two individual birth charts for comparison with each other that provides enlightenment upon the compatibility of the two people involved and insight to the dynamic of their relationship/partnership.

Couples, new and longtime, have used synastry to gain better understanding of each other as individuals (with their individual motivations) and as a couple (functioning together as a unit). It can help clarify what's been difficult to understand, identify where the challenges lie and which avenues can be taken to provide relief, give an in-depth picture of how the partnership functions, show where common grounds are, and more.

For instance, using the synastry chart wheel below with "Person O" (birth chart on the outside of synastry wheel) and "Person I" (birth chart on the inside), we see that Person O's (PO) Sun falls in Person I's (PI) 4th house of home & family. There's a strong and deep connection between these two. PI may feel "at home" with PO, and PO might respond by wanting to protect/lend support to PI. On the flip side, we can also see that PI's Sun lights up PO's 3rd house of thought and communication. Their partnership is stimulated through communication, interaction, sharing ideas. They may find their conversations easily jumping from topic to topic and always interested in what the other has to say. We further see that PI's Sun and Mercury oppose PO's Mercury giving a heavy emphasis on communication. They may not always see eye to eye but harmony can be achieved through compromise, open communication and respecting each other's point of view. PI's 12th house natal Moon may be used to holding back emotions or prone to self-sacrifice. However, PI's Moon falling in PO's 5th house pleasure and love gives PI the feeling of more freedom for self-expression and having fun, which should help with keeping their line of communication open.


This is a simplistic look at chart comparison but, hopefully, it gives an idea to what synastry in astrology is. Considerations for chart comparison include, but are not limited to, looking at -- where one person's planets, special points and house angles fall in the other person's birth chart; any aspects/alignments made with natal planets, special points and house angles between the birth charts; each of their 7th houses (partnerships house), natal planets it houses and the planets governing their 7th house. Studying how two charts click or don't click is much more complex than I can explain here without using too much astro-babble :) It also requires more considerations than what I've mentioned. Although, those are good places to start.

Synastry can be a useful tool for gaining insight in any relationship, not just intimate ones. My mom was always so alien to me ... actually, she still is :) But about a decade ago, I studied both our charts together. I don't have her time of birth so, it's not a complete picture but enough to shed light and help me with my interactions with her.

Liz Greene's Astrology for Lovers and/or Stephen Arroyo's Relationships & Life Cycles are great resources for those who want to learn more about synastry. To cast synastry charts, go to astro.com.

Alternatively, I am also available for personal consultations, including synastry readings. Schedule your session or have a question? Ask me here.

Original source unknown for image with hands used above.

Every year the Sun returns to the same degree it was in at the moment of our birth, our astrological birthday, and triggers our personal (birthday) year. This chart is called a Solar Return, and one's return can occur within 1 or 2 days from the actual birthday. To cast a return chart, the location (city and state for U.S. or city and country) where the individual will be during his/her birthday is required.

The Sun is the source of all energy and is life-giving. In astrology, the Sun represents the self we present to the external world, our vital life force, potential, ambitions, intentions, and unrealized/untapped inherent talents/skills. It is our conscious will, our volition that holds our soul's purpose in this life. The Sun is our soul; the Moon is our heart; and the Ascendant or Rising is the 'mask' that the Sun wears.

The Solar Return chart is a powerful, insightful tool to help forecast what might be coming up, as well as 'when', from one birthday to the next. In a solar return reading, the return chart is also compared to the natal chart to add depth and context to the energies revealed in the solar return chart. For instance, if in the return chart, the Midheaven is stimulated, the individual may change careers or establish a new set of future goals or maybe move to a new city. Upon comparison of the return chart with the natal chart, it might show the individual's natural reaction/s to change and whether this is a help or an extra challenge for them for what's to come. It might further show what type of vocation might satisfy the individual's drive or soul; or whether the individual has natural gifts that's yet to be discovered and can now begin to be developed. Forecasting also provides time period/s or specific dates that might be of interest -- extra challenge, a smoother run, possible opportunistic times, etc. This is a simplistic depiction of what a Solar Return reading is like. But as in life, there are layers and overlaps, and these are also revealed in the Solar Return chart, especially when superimposed over the Natal Chart.

Are you celebrating a birthday soon? Or maybe, you know someone who is? I am available for Solar Return readings, and I can also customized any reading depending on your needs. Schedule your session for a Solar Return or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You might also consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

(No credit card required)

There are planetary cycles we all share which mark certain milestones in our personal lives. When transiting planets make connections to our birth chart, something is stirred. The intensity and depth depend upon the nature of the connections and the planets involved. One planetary cycle triggering major life changes is our Saturn Return.

In a previous post on Saturn in Libra, I described Saturn as:

Reviews with gold stars are duplicated from my scheduling site. Sorted by most recent review on top.

9/11/2011 - Theresa C. says: And my three chart reading with Jan did just that for me!! Her command of the many variables of astrology was incredible and her ability to explain it was keen. She picked up on so much of what I had so very heavily been wondering about-Brava!!!

7/30/2011 - Emily N says: I had a solar return reading last year and decided to have another this year. I am so glad I did because Jan touched on topics from last year -- what had ended and what was continuing into this year. I love it because it helps me map out my year in a way, and affirms feelings and ideas I have already been having. This reading was especially comforting and gave me clarity, confidence and more perspective on who I am and where I am going. Thanks Jan!!

6/19/2011 - Heidi S. says: I just had my first ever chart reading and went for the Triple Chart. I highly recommend it, as Jan did an amazing job pointing out what was meaningful, unique and important in my charts and helping me understand what the various positions of the planets, at my birth and now, mean for me. She is lovely to speak with, and her suggestions of how I can use the energies in my chart to help achieve what I want and avoid tensions is warm, personal, and will stay with me.

6/19/2011 - Jodi L. says: I found the reading to be full of appliable information and explained in a way I could understand. I was re-affirmed that the things I am doing for myself are spot-on, and got validation that the areas I am working on in my personal life are exactly where I should be. Thanks!

5/4/2011 - Domenico P. says: As an astrologer, I find it important to get a reading from a good astrologer. As I provide this service for others it is always interesting see how another reader works. I was so glad to receive a 12-month transit astrology reading from Jan. She confirmed things with accuracy and more importantly clarity. This reading enriched my own my understanding and ways of relating information as a reader. I was especially impressed by the insight of the relationships between transits and progression astrology. Thank you Jan! –Domenico Petrillo

4/19/2011 - Lissette S. says: Thank you so much Jan, everything looks much more clear! I have a very peculiar birth chart and the way Jan read it and talked about the transits and how it all plays together, has open my eyes and given me a very much needed clarity. I will definitely be coming back!

1/10/2011 - Gina M. says: Jan was great; very insightful and thoughtful in the way she presented the transits. She let me know how some of the tougher transits in my reading have an ultimate positive outcome. I really appreciate knowing that, and looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel. It was insightful and a great way to start a new year. I'd recommend anyone I know to get a reading with Jan.

9/20/2010 - Jessica D. says: Jan's reading was informational, helpful, and reinforced something that I've been working towards lately: planning for the future. She helped me figure out which areas needed more attention, and suggested ways to help track the process so that I could look back and see where all my work was helping me end up. Reinforced also my search for things that make me passionate and that light me up inside. Excellent, thorough reading. Thank you Jan!

8/11/2010 - Jacqueline C says: This week before the New Moon in Leo I had a reading with Jan. I found it extremely informative and very relevant to what has been going on in my life the past year. It was spot on and seemed extremely apt. It gave me some comfort as to seeing that there is light at the end of the tunnel and I have to remain patient just a little longer. I recommend Jan to give anyone a reading if they feel they need a little direction in their life and understanding why certain events have and are taking place. Great stuff Jan and thank you for your help. I will be back!

7/03/2010 - Dianne H says: Jan had a lot of good information to impart, and the central theme of her reading was my question, leaving me wishing I'd asked a less specific question, or a different question altogether. Something about my natal chart and the question I asked seemed to take the reading in a direction that didn't leave any room for other interpretations, (Or, the situation is just that simple.) Good job, all in all, Jan.

7/07/2010 - Megan H says: This was the first astrology reading I have had done. Jan was wonderful at reading and answering any questions I had afterwards. There were many giggles along the way and by the end of the reading I felt empowered, in place and right on time. Definitely something I will have done again. Thank you! Megan

7/06/2010 - Megan also tweeted: Just got a wonderful astrology reading from @astrogrrl feeling very empowered now. Thank you!

7/03/2010 - Judy H says: Our reading pretty much covered all that have been going on in my life, what I've felt in myself, and what I sense is coming. It's wonderful to have the kind of reassurance that Jan has given me, even her suggestions for how to manifest what I want struck me immediately as solid and sound. She is enthusiastic, articulate, and gave me exactly the reading that I needed. It made my day!!

6/18/2010 - Jordan B says: I chose Jan to read my chart because I follow her impeccable blog, which is consistently on-time and on-point. She told me all the specifics during my reading, but it was exciting to hear what were her intuitive perceptions of my particular chart in regards to my inner life and career/purpose. It's always nice to get a reading from an educated astrologist who is passionate about the field, and it's lovely when he or she is able to convey very helpful information that comes from the heart.

5/23/2010 - Mashael M. says: I loved the reading, it was informative, clear and she explained many things. I like the fact that she was prompt and that she followed up the reading with an e-mail.

2/6/2010 - Hayley C says: THANK YOU so much Jan! I loved your reading, it made me realise a lot of things about myself, and i'm looking forward to some of the dates you told me about. After your first reading for me you were spot on with everything you told me- so after my second reading i am looking forward to my new phase, and a big year :)

1/27/2010 - Cindy V says: Jan, thank you so much for the chart reading. It is so helpful now, knowing why I am who I am, and how I can "get out of my own way" :). I will definitely be listening to my Scorpio Moon more often! You're a sweet person and I'll be sending a friend your way.

1/26/2010 - Eileen T says: Thank you so much, Jan! I loved your reading. I especially like your interpretation of the blending of the energies. Take care, and we'll be in touch soon.

1/08/2010 - Francesca A says: I had an amazing conversation/reading with Jan! She is very sweeet, calming and helpful. Her readings are incredibly insightful and it was a pleasure to get in contact with her. She has shown me a great direction and provided a great service.