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If the energy of a natal chart describes a person, can you apply the same concept to the birth of a relationship? You can, and it’s called electional astrology. It’s based on the concept that the energy of the moment something begins will have a say in how it progresses. Synastry and Composite charts still carry more weight, but if you want to give a relationship a fighting chance, timing can help.
The first meeting is the birth of a relationship, and if you remember the time you first met your current partner, casting a chart for that moment can reveal some interesting facts. You may notice a similar sign emphasis to your chart, and/or your partner’s chart. But you rarely have control over when you first lay eyes on someone. However, you can decide on the timing of your first date, which also has an impact. If you meet online, the first date is the first meeting. Note that I’m referring to the moment you meet in the real world, not by email or webcam.
The Most Important Factor: The Moon
The Moon represents the progression of events. It is the first thing you want to consider. The Waxing Phase, from New to Full, is the best time to start anything. The Moon is growing in light, and anything that begins will grow with it. Starting something during the Waning Phase, from Full to New, suggests that things may fizzle out. The Waning Phase is perfect for endings and release. It’s best to schedule your meeting two or three days after the New Moon (during the Waxing Crescent, or when the Moon is first visible). When the Moon is brand new, it’s still dark; actions are not clear and energy is still in flux. Think of it as a newborn baby whose chances of survival are not assured.
Also, try to stay away from the void of course Moon. The Moon is void between its last, exact aspect to a planet (the Nodes, Chiron and asteroids do not count) in one sign, and the moment it enters the next sign. Plans fall apart, get delayed or have strange outcomes during this period, because the significator of events is in a “dead zone.” As an experiment, try scheduling something to begin during a void Moon. I’ve included a link at the bottom of this article to a VOC Moon table.
The sign that the Moon is in will also have something to say about the quality of the relationship. Moon in Aries suggests a connection that starts with a bang, but may not have much staying power (although aspects to the Moon can moderate this). However, the overall energy between the two of you is likely to be active and abrupt. Moon in Scorpio indicates a connection that’s slower to build, but more intimate (and obsessive). Moon in Gemini is good if you’re looking for a first date conversation that never ends. It all depends on what flavor you want.
The applying aspects that the Moon makes give you more detail. A harmonious trine to Saturn (rules and commitment) is nice for long-term potential. A hard square to Saturn suggests obstacles and repression. If the Moon is applying to a conjunction with the North Node, there’s a wonderful sense of future potential. Only applying aspects count. Separating aspects describe the situation that led up to the meeting. Also, only the major aspects are considered in electional astrology: conjunction, opposition, square, trine, sextile. Maybe the inconjunct. You can cast a chart at www.astro.com for the time and date you want, and you’ll see a grid beneath the wheel with an “a” or “s” beside the aspects the Moon makes. Aspects between the Sun and Moon are particularly important. A harmonious trine suggests a relationship that flows forward. A square indicates friction. While it may not kill a relationship, it can suggest difficulties in making things happen. Also, a square between the Sun and Moon is the First Quarter Square of the Waxing Phase, which is a time of crisis; tension that drives you forward. But if you’re looking for excitement, maybe that’s the kind of relationship you want.
The Rest of the Story
Scheduling a first date during Mercury or Venus Rx is generally not advisable, although it may be OK if it’s with someone from your past. Astrology is all about moving with the flow of energy, and reconnecting with someone harmonizes with retrograde motion. But in many cases, something that begins during Mercury or Venus Rx can shift or end once these planets go direct. Maybe you change your mind (Mercury) about what you’re looking for in a partner. Maybe your date has a change of heart (Venus) or she gets back together with her ex. Mars Rx suggests actions may be delayed, weakened or misdirected. Outer planet retrogrades don’t have as much impact, unless they are emphasized by a conjunction to the angles of the chart.
While you can’t pick the moment when each and every planet is making a fantastic aspect, it’s good (but not essential) if the significators of love/female energy (Venus) and sex/male energy (Mars) are in harmony, or at least aspecting each other. Mars conjunct, trine or sextile Venus suggests attraction and harmony. A square or opposition signifies lots of passion and lots of tension. Harmonious aspects from Saturn (trine and sextile) promote longevity, while hard aspects (square, opposition and conjunction) can indicate obstacles. Hard aspects from Uranus are best avoided, unless you’re prepared for an on/off attraction. Aim for applying aspects, because they’re stronger and indicate what’s still to come. The signs that Mars and Venus are in matter, but not as much as the Moon sign. It’s not always feasible to delay a first date until Venus moves into Libra, where she’s at full strength. Although, if Venus’ Libra ingress is one day away (and you’re not crazy about Venus in perfectionist Virgo) you may want to wait. Then again, positive aspects to Venus in Virgo trump negative aspects to Venus in Libra.
The Perfect Time
If you have that much control over the schedule, you can try to time your first meeting down to the minute. This will create a chart where time-dependent house positions add more to the potential relationship. A first date with a 7th House emphasis will focus on the idea of partnership. A hidden, 12th House emphasis could indicate secrets. For example, one month into the relationship, you discover that your date is married. A different house will not change the fact that he’s married, but if the upfront 1st House is emphasized, his secrets may be exposed immediately. Having said this, you may decide on a time, and your date turns up one hour late. Many of the planets will shift into the next house. If this happens, you’ve been confronted with the amount of influence you have over the path this relationship will take.
Electional astrology is incredibly complex, and I’ve only presented the basics in this article. You can drill down in an effort to adjust every planet, aspect and chart angle. You can slice up the Moon’s Waxing phase (there are four increments) and align yourself with the perfect moment of growth. You can try to wrangle a first meeting chart that complements your chart, by looking at the synastry between you and the moment. It’s entirely up to you and your OCD tendencies. But know this: You’ll never come up with the perfect chart. There will always be less desirable aspects or signs. Also, a relationship that’s not meant to unfold cannot be coaxed along by even the most exceptional first meeting chart. What electional astrology can do is align you with favorable energies, which encourage a relationship to unfold in a positive way. It bolsters existing potential. Also, it’s fun to play with if you’re curious how real life matches up with astrology. But when it comes to serious event timing, you may want to invest your effort in a relationship that’s already manifested. This is where a wedding election comes in, which I’ll write about next week.
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