This article will cover a whole set of what I consider to be relationship vitals, in terms of astrological jargon that is. The observation of certain planetary or angular aspects and configurations should allow the astrologer to gain a conception of whether or not a relationship can work or not. Ive observed over hundreds of couples that bonds are stronger when there are more vitals present in the synastric layout and that the timing of important developmental dates (marriage, divorce, love affairs, etc.) include the activation of these vital components by transit or progression from certain planets.

Relationships are created in many ways. We often say there are sparks or that there is chemistry—when two people bond sparks go off. When two people have chemistry they react to each other very quickly. In astrology these notions are very well consumed by the nature of hard aspects. Squares and oppositions, for example, create events, they are like the spark plugs in your car that get the motor running, they tell us to rise to the challenge, they move us forward and put us into action, often with little choice or free-will. So the nature of hard aspects not only create chemistry between two people but they also create events in all areas of life. The 90 degree angle is fundamental in the construction industry as well as its half, the 45. When we have a foundation that is square we can build upon it very easily. Metaphorically, 90 degrees and its multiples are the building blocks of life.

The major pinpoints in history, in our own personal history, are marked by 4^th Harmonic aspects especially (the division of the 360 degree circle from a certain point or planet into 4 equal pieces and the points or planets that fall on each divisional axis, either 0, 180 and or 90 degrees away). 90 is ¼ of 360, therefore any aspect that is a multiple of 90 is included in the 4^th Harmonic. Do not be misled by the term Harmonic as it does not suggest that its inclusive aspects are of the harmonious nature whatsoever, it simply suggests that the Harmonic is a mathematically harmonious division. Simply put, conjunctions, oppositions and squares give us our experiences in life.

The rest of this paper can be considered both objective and subjective. Research in itself is of the objective nature but it is also subjective as the astrologer imposes his own beliefs and keeps an eye out for components that catch his or her attention. In a way, astrology is in the eye of the beholder isnt it? I try to keep my research as objective as possible within its subjectivity. I try to be as consistent as possible with my outlook and I do believe that it has given me consistent results. I will not be presenting my synastry research in this paper as there is enough to fill up a good book though I will attempt to present my observations and the components of which I have discovered to be most consistent.

There are many key points and planets that need to be singled out if one wishes to gain a receptive eye for relationships that create strong bonds. The Sun, the Moon, the Lunar Nodal axis, The Ascendant axis, the Midheaven axis, the Vertex axis and Vesta. The Ascendant axis includes the Descendant—any 4^th Harmonic aspect to the Ascendant also aspects the Descendant. The Lunar Nodal axis (the word “node” meaning knot) is the meeting point of the Sun and the Moon for an eclipse. The Sun and the Moon together is about unions, bonding, the forming of relationships, the balance of both archetypal male and female qualities. So the Lunar Nodal axis is a key point for relationships. The Midheaven is about what we look up to, what we can respect and be fond of, our hopes and ambitions for the future, it is the highest point in the sky! The Vertex is about karma and fate, it is in a sense “the greener grass on the other side of the fence.” Vesta is about commitment and intimacy.

So here we have 7 key points:

Sun

Moon

Ascendant

Midheaven

Lunar Nodal axis

Vesta

Vertex

On a bi-wheel you should notice many of these 7 vitals aspecting each other 4^th Harmonically otherwise it is probably not that strong of a relationship. Using tight orbs, say no more than 4 degrees you should be getting 3 to 5 aspects at least. Most often you should be noticing an average orb of about 2 degrees.

Here is a list of vital configurations to look out for (I use the = sign to include any 4^th Harmonic aspect):

Sun=Sun

Sun=Moon

Sun=Asc/Dsc

Sun=MC

Sun=Nodes

Sun= Vesta

Sun=Vx

Moon=Moon

Moon=Asc/Dsc

Moon=MC

Moon=Nodes

Moon=Vesta

Moon=Vx

Asc/Dsc=Asc/Dsc

Asc/Dsc=MC

Asc/Dsc=Nodes

Asc/Dsc=Vesta

Asc/Dsc=Vx

MC=MC

MC=Nodes

MC=Vesta

MC=Vx

Nodes=Nodes

Nodes=Vesta

Nodes=Vx

Vesta=Vesta

Vesta=Vx

Vx=Vx

I always look at the Davison chart alongside the standard bi-wheel. I have often noticed that when one chart seems to be void of something that should be there the other will have it. There is a reason why I use Davisons and not Composite midpoint charts. First of all, both are based on the mathematical midpoint theory. Composite midpoints takes the midpoint of each nativitys respective planets. The thing to remember about Composite charts is that they never really existed, it is a made up chart and pays no respect to time. You may notice sometimes that Mercury will be more than 2 signs away from the Sun, or that Venus will be opposed the Sun, while in reality this is not possible. So a composite chart is highly hypothetical and imaginative rather than realistic and time-respective. The Davison chart is an actual midpoint in time and space between two births. If person A is born May 1^st and person B is born May 3^rd then the Davison chart will be calculated for May 2^nd. It also takes into account the year, the exact time of day, and the latitude/longitude of each nativity. The result is a time that actually existed. When you have an actual date, time, year and location you can then progress the chart forward just like any other chart, because it is real. In my experience Davisons offer high-tuned precision, not only for its native, stand-alone, accuracy but also for timing techniques.

So when looking at the Davison you should also notice these vital configurations listed above. It may seem somewhat limited in comparison to the biwheel because you only have one planet per chart. There is only one Sun in a Davison therefore the Sun cannot be making any aspect to itself. However, there are some more dynamics that need to be added to the analysis as a stand-alone chart.

We need to look out for planets or points that are configured with the Aries Point, for example. The Aries Point includes 28-29 degrees of Mutable signs as well as 00-02 degrees of Cardinal signs. In the Tropical zodiac, 00 Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn represent the change in seasons, new beginnings, important time markers. Many astrologers have described the Aries Point as a crises point because it marks an end and a beginning. In my experience planets configured with the Aries Point (AP) stand out in a great way and they often do represent some type of crises initiator because they are so powerful and demanding of change. They beg for action.

We also need to look out for planets that are unaspected. By unaspected I mean those planets which are not making any classical Ptolemaic aspect (conjunction, opposition, trine, square, sextile) to another planet. So if the Sun makes absolutely no Ptolemaic aspect to another planet but does makes a conjunction to the Ascendant and a square to the MC, it is still considered to be unaspected or without Ptolemaic aspect (WPA). Planets that are unaspected beg to be recognized, they seek a link with the rest of the chart, screaming and yelling if they have to, in a sense. They are also, in a sense, wandering, or lost. Unaspected points or planets, in my experience, stand out much in the same way that a planet conjunct the Aries Point does.

So when we look at Davison charts be sure to keep an eye out for the vital points and planets that are either configured with the AP or are WPA—if there are such planets then they are considered to be vital components for a strong relationship.

Sun=AP

Sun WPA

Moon=Ap

Moon WPA

Asc/Dsc=AP

Asc/Dsc WPA

MC=AP

MC WPA

Nodes=AP

Nodes WPA

Vesta=AP

Vesta WPA

Vertex=AP

Vertex WPA

This approach has been developed through my own research, much of which has been dedicated to researching Vesta. I was probably inspired to research Vesta in terms of synastry because it conjoins my Lunar Nodal axis as well as my MC/IC axis but mainly because I once read someones thoughts that if we really want astrology to move forward with respect and accomplished research than we ought to devote a lot of time, focus and energy into as little as possible. I for one, think it is far-fetched if one thinks they can discovers the meanings of certain asteroids by researching 100 at a time. Ive chosen to stick with Vesta, and hopefully way down the line, I will be able to prove its astrological significance as well as its meaning that I already believe to know a little of.

I have attempted to make this article, my approach to the basics of working synastry (that which allows for relationships to be created in the first place) as simple as possible and I have not included absolutely everything. The Sun/Moon midpoint is often a highly sensitive point in relationships. I also highly advocate the use of the 8^th Harmonic—a derivative of the 4^th, including the half-square or the multiples of 45 degrees—semisquares (45) and sesquiquadrates (135) are considered minor hard aspects. While I have only included what I consider to be the vital components of astrologically working relationships it is important to know that there are other planets out there, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto and each and everyone one of them plays a very important role in the nature of the relationship, especially those which are 4^th or 8^th Harmoncially aspecting a vital point or planet, some of which you can read about in my blog, Vesta Brief.