{"id":57229,"date":"2013-08-14T09:00:23","date_gmt":"2013-08-14T09:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sasstrology.com\/?p=47044"},"modified":"2013-08-14T09:00:23","modified_gmt":"2013-08-14T09:00:23","slug":"the-astrology-of-open-relationships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/astrologyblogger.com\/?p=57229","title":{"rendered":"The Astrology of Open Relationships"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Credit: desertsolitaire<\/a> via iStockphoto<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The current “relationship norm” in Western culture (for most people) is that commitment and monogamy go hand in hand. You have one sexual partner per relationship, and deviating from that is considered cheating. However, some people embrace a different kind of normal — they practice polyamory (open relationships), because the structure of a traditional relationship does not work for them. What’s the astrology of someone who thrives in an open relationship?<\/p>\n

First, let me clarify what I mean by open relationships. I’m not talking about someone who goes behind their lover’s back, and has sex with someone else. Polamory.org<\/a>\u00a0has a succinct definition:\u00a0“…having multiple relationships with the knowledge and consent of your partner(s)…”<\/strong> People in open relationships are able to love, and be in love with, more than one person at a time. There’s a wide variety of poly relationships, but the most common “rules” involve honesty, frequent and open communication, and attention to personal boundaries. This is pretty much what you’d expect from a monogamous relationship, except the addition of multiple partners makes emotional and mental flexibility a must.<\/p>\n

I did an unscientific survey of a number of charts (from clients and celebrities who are known to practice polyamory) and found some commonalities. I’ll \u00a0describe them, but first, here’s a disclaimer: if someone has the sign\/planet combinations in this article, it does not mean they are destined for poly relationships.<\/em> As always (I think I have stated this in almost every article) natal potential can manifest in different ways. Having said that, there are some astrological signatures which seem to make a person more open to the idea of open relationships. Note that the charts I looked at had at least two (or more) of the characteristics described below.<\/em><\/p>\n

Juno: The Marriage Asteroid<\/h2>\n

Natal Juno describes how you relate to a partner in a committed relationship. She represents what you need in a committed partnership, and the kind of partner you want. She also says a lot about how you handle issues like jealousy, anger and power struggles. Juno is based on the myth of Jupiter’s wife; she was a goddess in her own right, but was continually humiliated by Jupiter’s infidelities (although she was always faithful to him).<\/p>\n

The majority of charts I looked at had Juno in Sagittarius. Sagittarius is about the freedom to explore, plus the need for more (it’s an expansive sign). So there is the urge to expand the boundaries of a committed relationship, plus the Sagittarian ability to look at the bigger picture and not get bogged down in possessiveness. Note that Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter. It’s interesting to speculate if Juno being placed in her husband’s sign somehow empowers her, or allows her to express her energy the way Jupiter did (with multiple partners). I also noticed a number of natal Junos in Gemini (the sign of multiples, and Sagittarius’ opposite). Juno in Pisces also featured strongly; Pisces’ fluid boundaries and idealism may suggest someone who is looking for a partnership that transcends traditional rules. Finally, Juno in opposition to Jupiter (in various signs) appeared in a few of the charts. This aspect indicates a gap between relationship realities and ideals. Opposite signs both want the same thing, but they approach it in different ways.\u00a0It’s possible that participating in open relationships is a successful attempt to bridge that gap.<\/p>\n

Gemini and Sagittarius: Multiple Choices<\/h2>\n

Although I have seen at least one example of every Sun sign in open relationships, there are certain signs that pop up more frequently. Gemini and Sagittarius seemed to dominate. Either the Sun was in one of these signs, or either sign was on the Ascendant\/Descendant (1st House cusp\/7th House cusp). The Moon (needs), Venus (love\/values) and Mars (sex) also appeared frequently in these signs (by themselves, or in combination with the Sun, Ascendent or Descendent). Again, the emphasis is on broadening existing options (Sagittarius) or the ability to live with multiple (Gemini) partners. Both of these signs are highly adaptable (Gemini can switch focus from one partner to the other, while Sagittarius encompasses everyone).<\/p>\n

Aquarius\/Uranus: Liberation From Conditioning<\/h2>\n

Unsurprisingly, the Sun, Moon, Venus and\/or Mars in Aquarius (or in any aspect to Uranus, Aquarius’ ruler) showed up in many charts. The sign of liberation seems tailor-made for an unconventional lifestyle. However, Aquarius is also the sign of “the group”; there is a detachment that allows people with strong Aquarian energy to view one person as one of many. They still love, but most don’t express it\/experience it in a possessive way. They leave some space between themselves and their lovers, and between themselves and their feelings. I noticed the Moon in Aquarius (the need for a domestic situation with breathing room) more often than the other planets. Conjunctions, squares, oppositions and trines from Uranus to the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars or ruler of the 7th House also showed up in multiple charts. No matter what sign a planet is in, a natal aspect from Uranus will push it to express itself freely (in the context of its sign).<\/p>\n

Emphasized Sun or Leo: Big Love<\/h2>\n

Leo is a Fixed sign, which is not known for being flexible. But I noted many Leo Suns, Leo on the Descendent, and\/or Sun conjunct Venus, Jupiter or the ruler of the 7th House. Leo (and its ruler, the Sun) is about ego. This word has negative connotations, but it simply means self-awareness. People with strong Leo energy know who they are, and need to express themselves. They also crave attention and love (more so than other signs), as positive feedback for their self-expression. On the flip side, this is one of the most generous signs, so if anyone is going to have a lot of love to go around, it will be a Leo person. The conjunction of Venus, Jupiter or the 7th House ruler to the Sun (in any sign) seems to have a similar effect; the ego (Sun) is enhanced, but so is the desire for more appreciation.<\/p>\n

As I said, not everyone with the above natal factors will be into poly relationships. They’ll find other ways to express their desire for more love or more freedom. Also, I didn’t notice a specific trend in planet\/house combinations; Juno and the planets were distributed evenly throughout the houses in the charts (although some of the birth times were unknown, so this is inconclusive).<\/p>\n

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