How Astrology Influences Matters of the Heart
When considering the total relationship picture, you’d also look for planets aspecting the Ascendant/Descendant axisthat is, to the degrees on the cusps of the 1st and 7th houses. Since these house cusps are precisely opposite one another, any planet that aspects the Ascendant also aspects the Descendant. The quality of relationships with people you care about can be strongly affected by planets that form aspects to this axis. The Descendant and 7th house planets are similar in concern to Venus, since their primary function is in forming committed relationships. Thus, having Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto in the 7th house or forming an aspect to the Ascendant-Descendant axis would be similar to an aspect between Venus and that outer planet. If the planet is Uranus, for instance, read the chapter on Venus-Uranus aspects to understand what that connection contributes to the person’s relationship patterns.
No single aspect in the chart explains all the complexities of who and how we love. Not only do all aspects (connections) to Venus or Mars need to be considered, but also their sign and house placements. For a deeper understanding of relationships and how they play out in a person’s life, we also need to look at the condition of any planets in the 7th, 8th, and 5th houses AND the rulers of those houses. Understanding astrology is a complex process, but once the basics are understood then you can really gain insight into your life.
Conjunctions to the Ascendant or Descendant are the most powerful modifiersthey’re like doormen that people have to check in with for admittance into the person’s inner life. Trines to that axis show social assets that attract people, as do sextiles. Squares and semi-squares are like security checkpoints along the way, because they can show how people run into conflict with their environment.
Few of us have only a single aspect to Venus or Mars, and celebrity heart-throbs generally have several, which is part of the reason they engage our hearts and fascinate us over any length of time. Given that each individual is extremely complexas complex as the totality of a natal chartthen what happens when two people relate is complicated indeed. So, no, looking at a single Venus or Mars aspect doesn’t begin to cover all the dimensions of our relationships.
In my astrological practice over the past 40 years, I’ve seen thousands of people with each major Venus and Mars aspect, but let’s use Venus square Neptune as an example. The details may vary considerably, but the over-all dynamics tend to be the same, as are the results. Maybe the bohemian earth mother in New York’s Soho district with Venus in Cancer square Neptune in Libra tries to nurture the sensitive artist. He smokes pot daily and can’t seem to paint any more but won’t marry her because he’s married to his art.
