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In a previous article, I discussed hidden synastry (connections that are not obvious) in the context of similar planetary aspects and house overlays in each chart. These commonalities give couples a shared issue that bonds them. But sometimes, what’s shared is less specific, but more crucial. One of the following two conditions is ground zero for meeting those that you will connect with; it places people in the same vicinity, so a relationship (any relationship) can happen. The other provides a mutual understanding at a basic level. These connections will not guarantee marriage, commitment or even romance. What they will do is create an initial affinity, and what happens after that depends on the nature of the inter-aspects.
Shared Degrees: We’re on the Same Team
Try this: compare the degrees of your planets and angles with a few people that you have relationships with. They can be friends, family, a lover — as long as you have a relationship with them. It’s more accurate if you know their birth time (then you’ll know the degrees of their angles and Moon), but not essential. You’ll probably see degrees in similar ranges. For example, if you have something at 0 degrees, they probably have something from 0 to 2 degrees (their planet/angle does not have to be the same as yours). If you have a few planets located between 20-22 degrees, they probably have planets/angles in the same range. Most likely, you and another person share at least one planet/angle in the same degree.
The concept of shared degrees is a fundamental but overlooked area of synastry. The idea is that anyone with whom you have a relationship with will share at least one (usually more) degrees in common with you (within a 2 degree range). People with planets/angles in shared degrees will share similar experiences, regardless of what signs those degrees are in. These shared experiences are what pull them together, so an initial connection can happen. If the signs involved form a major aspect, the planets/angles will be hit simultaneously by transits. For example, your Sun is at 0 degrees Virgo and your partner’s Ascendant is at 2 degrees Taurus. Transiting Jupiter moves over your Sun and trines their AC. But let’s say their AC is at 2 degrees Leo; Leo and Virgo don’t make a major aspect to each other (although they do form a semi-sextile). Yet, this shared degree will still resonate, identifying both people as members of the same team. Note that the planets involved will say something about the relationship. Your Sun at 25 degrees and their Venus at 26 degrees (in any signs) will “talk” to each other; the themes of love/affection (Venus) expressed consciously (Sun) will be important.
Certain degrees share notable qualities, no matter what sign they’re in. 0 and 29 degrees of any sign are considered to be “critical.” Planets at these degrees express their energy more urgently (or manifest crises) because these are areas of transition (the start or end of a sign). If you have Mars at 0 degrees Virgo, and your partner’s Mars is at 0 degrees Libra, there’s no major aspect between them. But you both share the energy of “Let’s get this started!” This goes beyond (or comes before) attraction and compatibility; it’s simply about people who are meant to connect. This is more obvious with the faster moving, personal planets. The outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) move slowly, so there’s going to be a large group of people (who don’t necessarily form relationships) with Saturn in the same couple of degrees.
Mutual Reception: I Hear You
This connection is not always present in relationships. But when it exists, it’s a commonality that your shared planets can discuss, while intensifying the energy of those planets. To pick this out, you need to understand sign rulerships. I’ve included a list, using modern and traditional rulerships:
- Sun rules Leo
- Moon rules Cancer
- Mercury rules Gemini/Virgo
- Venus rules Taurus/Libra
- Mars rules Aries/Scorpio (traditional)
- Jupiter rules Sagittarius/Pisces (traditional)
- Saturn rules Capricorn/Aquarius (traditional)
- Uranus rules Aquarius
- Neptune rules Pisces
- Pluto rules Scorpio
If your Venus is in Aries, and your partner’s Mars is in Taurus, you’ve got mutual reception. Your assertive way of giving love will resonate with their sex drive and the deliberate way they pursue you. It’s not a match; it’s a recognition. Your Venus understands that their Mars is slower, and their Mars is ok with your somewhat pushy Venus. Each responds to the other with increased intensity (and tension), boosting the attraction.
Mutual reception can be especially potent with oppositions. For example, your Sun in Aquarius opposes your partner’s Uranus in Leo. Not only do you have the pull of opposites, but the planets are talking to each other in a language they understand. Your focus on independence (Sun in Aquarius) is triggered by their Uranus in Leo. But maybe this is more exciting than jolting, because you are an Aquarius; you understand disruption. Meanwhile, your partner’s rebellion (Uranus) is simultaneously amplified by, and in tune with, your ego. They act crazier when they’re around you, and somehow it’s OK.
Again, these shared traits don’t guarantee attraction or longevity. But shared degrees seems to be present in almost all major relationships. And mutual reception can add an interesting connection, while increasing the potency of the planets involved.
Related: Latent Synastric Elements: The Secret Fuel of Love
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