Astrology Articles

The composite chart is a fascinating area of relationship analysis, representing the relationship as an entity in itself. There are several different methods of obtaining a composite chart, but the simplest one is to take the midpoints of the two individual charts and use them to produce a new chart. This is a chart that is not tied to any specific place or time, and it is in this sense quite a strange beast in astrological thinking. Yet it seems to have validity, expressing to an extent the essence and meaning of a particular relationship between two people.

The composite Ascendant shows something of the personality of the relationship, the sort of energy the couple seem to embody when they are together. For example, Cancer here might suggest a couple that seem close and very family-orientated, or strongly imaginative and sensitive.

Any planets near the Ascendant or the composite first house (which can be seen as an extension of the basic personality of the partnership) will represent a powerful archetype in the relationship itself. For example, with Saturn in the first house, the couple may seem to be bound together for the long-term.

The composite Descendant can be viewed as the relationships of the relationship. It is the opposite sign from the composite Ascendant, and so is suggestive of what the relationship may be seeking in other people, or other couples.

Planets near the composite Descendant or in the 7th house may describe something of which the couple meets through other people, and suggest how others respond to them. Because the relationship as an entity is not an individual, there is little in terms of psychological work to 'take back projections' that can be done. Instead, composite charts seem to imply a greater level of fate than an individual chart does, and thus planets around the Descendant or 7th house may simply have to be met through those with whom the relationship engages.

Suppose for example that Mars is here, then the couple may meet hostility or aggression from others. Something about their relationship stirs and energises others. If they can harness this to some positive impact, for example through some working project that needs to reach out and get others moving, then this might be a good strategy. However, it is likely that at the very least the relationship will attract strong competition from others and perhaps be encountered as quite forceful or dynamic.

The composite Midheaven (MC) shows the status of the relationship, the outer perception it gives. The tenth house is an extension of this, showing the very public side of the partnership, and what it might achieve in the world. If Jupiter is here for example, we may see a relationship that appears very lucky or successful and which has large status and perhaps even wealth.

The composite Immum Coelic (IC) is the very private side of the relationship, the domestic side, the hidden part that is not visible to others. The fourth house extends from this idea, and represents the private, personal sphere of the partnership. Planets here may suggest the archetypal energies which are strong in the domestic life that the two people share.

Some of the other composite houses can be described as follows:

2nd house: the shared values and resources of the relationship; this relates particularly to what money the couple have together

5th house: the creative output of the relationship; this may relate to children and other creative 'offspring'

8th house: the intimate side of the relationship, what is shared on the deepest level and the sexual aspects; this may also relate to any shared loans or investments the couple have

11th house: the social life of the relationship, friends and how the couple relate to the wider collective

Composite planets should generally be interpreted simply and stick to the essence of the planet in question. For example, the composite Sun shows the purpose, the centre and core identity of the partnership. The Moon shows the shared emotional and domestic life, the family concerns and daily matter of the connection.

Laura Andrikopoulos is a professional astrologer from England. Visit her website http://www.starpoetry.co.uk/ for personalised reports and consultations.

This article is based on an extract from her book 'Short Guides to Serious Astrology: Relationships', available from Amazon. Visit http://www.amazon.com/author/astrologer to view all Laura's books.

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