The Greater Malefic

For today’s post, I want to make some comments on a composite chart that I looked at recently. Here are the chart’s “vital statistics”:
ASC 21 28′ Sagittarius
MC 12 44′ Libra
Sun 9 40′ Taurus
Moon 0 18′ Cancer
Merc 11 53′ Taurus
Venus 7 57′ Aries
Mars 9 18′ Virgo
Jupiter 29 23′ Capricorn
Saturn 19 35′rx Scorpio
Uranus 14 57′rx Sagittarius
Neptune 2 12′rx Capricorn
Pluto 1 51′rx Scorpio

Overall, this is a meaningful composite–there are a lot of planets in aspect, and there are figures in the chart. I find it is more fruitful to initially categorize composite charts (or judge synastry) as meaningful or unmeaningful instead of good or bad. As this particular chart shows, most “meaningful” composites–composite charts that indicate that someone will indeed have an impact on our lives–have both good and bad signatures.

Of course, a knowledge of the two natal charts involved in a composite can do nothing but aid in interpretation. Indeed, the Sun/Mercury conjunction in this particular composite takes on even more meaning when we know that the two natives in question are an Aries (sign of Sun’s exaltation) and a Gemini (sign of Mercury’s rulership). We can easily read these two planets as representing the natives and the fact that they are together can only bode well. There is also an Earth Grand Trine in this chart (Sun trine Mars trine Neptune) that is extremely important because of another figure involving Neptune (which I’ll discuss in a moment). Sun trine Mars signifies a relationship where the two natives are unafraid of (and quite enjoy) physicality and physical manifestation of a relationship. Sun and Mars, two grounded planets, do a lot to combat some of the troublesome manifestations of a powerful composite Neptune by making it easier to achieve that manifestation and move out of the fantasizing stage. Both the Moon and Sun aspect Pluto (Moon trines it, Sun opposes it), and while many are somewhat wary of Pluto aspects in a composite chart (traditionally associating them with possession and jealousy), I rather like them, as long as the partners are relatively equally matched in terms of intelligence and ability to be independent. That is the case with these two natives, so these Pluto aspects indicate that these two push each other and strive as a unit, each helping to improve the other. There is, of course, a danger of degeneration into what Hand calls “open warfare,” but given the natal chart of the Gemini (one of the most balanced I’ve ever seen–it has a Grand Trine, a Grand Cross, a Magic Rectangle and a yod), I find that eventuality very difficult to imagine.

However, any composite that has Neptune opposed by Moon with that opposition squared by Venus (especially troubling since these are the only major aspects to Venus in the composite) will have to deal with some serious issues, particularly when one of the natives (the Aries) has struggled with a difficult natal Moon-Saturn opposition and some painful Neptune transits early in life. This Neptune figure may bring some of the more traditional Plutonic issues back into play as well. Moon-Neptune aspects in a composite are the traditional signs of both an incredible ability to be romantic and an incredible ability to self-deceive (or be deceived by another). This figure is such a contrast with the Earth Grand Trine, and I believe it signifies a relationship that seems to be perpetually “ahead of itself” physically, with the emotional and communicative (note that Saturn opposes Mercury in the composite) aspects always lagging behind. Unfortunately, most of the onus to deal with these particular issues rests with the Gemini, who is far better equipped (both in terms of the natal chart and in terms of his/her place in life) to help the Aries through these problems. This can lead to–and has led to–frustration for the Gemini.

With Venus square both these planets, and with all three in angular houses (Neptune is in the first house, Moon is in the seventh, and Venus is conjunct the Imum), the figure gains extra force. This Moon/Neptune pull involves the most basic issues of individual identification and identification through the other. On the count, the two natives have much to teach each other; the Gemini (a seventh house Sun) can instruct the Aries (almost entirely occidental chart) in issues of “the other.” Of course, there is a great danger that these lessons could become derailed by the Venusian issues. Venus hits the fourth house of home and family. Both of these natives have a great desire to have a family and have children (and note that the important Sun/Mercury conjunction comes in the fifth house which can represent children), but after speaking with them both at length and examining their natal charts, I believe that they are motivated by different (and potentially conflicting) reasons. Venus and fourth house issues could be the locus of confusion and delusion (and with Moon in rulership in Cancer trine Pluto in rulership in Scorpio, there could be some heated battles here if the relationship progresses to that point). The Gemini is motivated by a somewhat romanticized love of children and a very positive family experience, while the Aries is motivated by a very negative family experience and seems to conceive the ability to contribute to a family and raise children as a sign of accomplishment and something for which s/he can receive validation. I worry that the Aries seeks a parent not for any children s/he might have but as a replacement for his/her own parents.

The biggest challenge presented by this composite chart has to be answered by the Arien native. The Aries has to work through his/her individual ‘Neptunian’ issues so that the illusory beauty of the Neptune-Moon opposition. That aspect is one of the most profound composite aspects possible, but to receive its full benefits, the first layers must be peeled away, and that can only be done when both individuals are secure with themselves (hell, a lot of relationship things can only blossom under that particular circumstance!) and have grappled with their own conceptions of fantasy and confronted their own delusions.

I actually think that this relationship has the ability to push the Gemini native toward a confrontation with these issues for the first time ever in his/her life. Indeed, this composite has a very light side (Jupiter as chart ruler with ASC in Sagittarius, Sun/Mercury in the fifth house, Venus in a Fire sign) and a much deeper side (Neptune figures, Pluto aspects, lots of Water). It will appear lighter, and I think that what people will notice about this relationship are the changes that the Aries goes through in terms of embracing the Fire in the natal chart and perhaps putting some of the Neptune issues to bed and becoming less serious. What people will not see is the struggle and transformation that the Gemini confronts. This will be a significant, but perhaps harder relationship than the Gemini might have imagined, because the Gemini will be put in the position of chief communicator and “balance,” while also watching and confronting–if the relationship lasts long enough–the issues of identity symbolized by the Moon-Neptune opposition.

However, I believe that if the Aries does not continue acknowledging and dealing with the Neptunian issues (there have already been one or two major “discussions” about this and I genuinely worry about this), the Gemini will eventually end the relationship and they will return to being friends.