I haven't updated in a bit

Mainly because I can't stand to read any more doom n' gloom on the astrology sites either.

So, found some other stuff to mention.

Even though I am sick of the political stuff too, I did think the synastry of the McCains was interesting.

Because of their 18-year age difference, they both have the North Node in Capricorn, South Node in Cancer. The synastry aspects to the lunar nodes show a deep connection, with her Venus-Jupiter in Gemini forming an out-of-sign conjunction with his South Node in Cancer. This aspect may show how her wealth allows them to live comfortably with several homes around the country. Her Mars conjoins his North Node in Capricorn, providing active support for his need to serve his country and its traditions.

Chiron is another active element in their synastry, with her Venus conjunct his Chiron in Gemini and his Moon conjunct her Chiron in Capricorn. The question here is whether these two sympathetic personal planets have provided a comfort level allowing for the healing of old wounds. Chiron often shows us where we feel most insecure, and John has a square between natal Chiron and Venus, reflecting doubts about being loveable. Cindy’s Chiron is closely trine her Sun, suggesting that she experienced positive reinforcement of her self-esteem growing up, thus making it likely she has been able to help John sort through his issues in this area.

They both have Juno in Leo, with Cindy’s Pluto in Leo closely conjoining them. Their idea of an ideal marriage and household is thus very similar, and this particular aspect has no doubt stood them in good stead with all the entertaining in support of John’s political career over the years. With Pluto adding his two cents, discussions about jealously and possessive behaviors had to have played a role behind the scenes.

I always find it interesting when there are node connections, especially since in this case it's mutual and they both have a connection to the nodes of the other.

A synastry question, post-relationship: "Considering that Venus, Mars and the Moon are involved in our conjunctions, as well as the signs Libra and Scorpio, all related to relationships, I wonder about the nature of the connection between Dan and I. What happens to the connections in the charts now that we are no longer in a relationship? Also, how is it possible for us to have such strong astrological connections but for us to not have sustained a relationship? I don’t think we will get back together but it is a remote possibility. I cannot put to rest that we have these astrological connections and yet we don’t have a connection through being in relationship."

I've always wondered about that too.

Speaking to the first side of this discussion — a conventional theory on chart comparison — when you’re looking for solid synastry, you want contact between the Sun, the Moon and the angles if possible. By angles, I mean the ascendant and/or the descendant. These are the three things we tend to feel the most, and which — for good or ill — suggest that we have karma to explore, create or resolve with the person. As a fourth possible thing to search, the lunar nodes can indicate a significant spiritual connection. And that, basically, is what you’re looking for.

Conjunctions count for the most. Carl Jung, who was an astrologer as well as a psychiatrist, cast the chart of every client he worked with. He discovered the phenomenon of Sun/Moon/ascendant in the charts of married people. Your Sun conjunct someone’s Moon (even using a fairly wide orb) speaks of a connection that could develop. Someone’s Sun conjunct the other person’s ascendant or descendant would be viable as well, and reveal some points of harmony between the two people, since again, we really feel that Sun, Moon and rising sign. But you have to watch for the exceptions as much as you do the rules.

Usually, I find synastry to be better at figuring out why a relationship didn’t work out than predicting whether one will. Generally what happens is that there will be a lot of connections that look good, but then for example there may be a harsh connection between someone’s Mars and the other person’s Moon. This might trigger the other person, giving an image of them feeling insecure or unstable, or something like that.

As with any chart review, you’re going to find things that seem harmonious and argue for a productive experience, and things that are not so harmonious and argue for a more challenging connection. You need to weigh and balance the factors — and reality check in the relationship.

But here is the thing. We who are curious about relationships need to reinvent them. We need to make room for the karma piece, which needs a safe forum to work out. We need to make room for the monogamous piece, that offers total devotion. We need to embrace the slut who says yes because that’s what she wants. And we need to embrace that virginal whore — the masturbator and selflover, whether she be the one abandoned or the one indulging existence.