Can you talk a little more about angle contacts in relationships? I used to have a little book published by the AFA that explained which angle contacts were important, but it didn’t really say why.
Doreen, Wyoming
Sure. Some years ago, it was generally acknowledged that a relationship needed angle contacts to survive the long haul. I’m not sure I would go that far, but they are important. When a planet from another person hits my 
angle, it becomes a part of my being and becoming. It might be easier to understand if you think of the angles as highly sensitive antennae reaching out towards experience. The rulers of those angles facilitate the experiences we need to grow. The Asc/Desc angle is the one we mostly think of regarding relationships, but MC/IC contacts can also be intense. (IC contacts evoke deep family issues and issues surrounding personal power; MC contacts concern our feelings about our place in the world and the use of that power.)
A note:
It’s important to remember that no angle contact guarantees a partnership or the length of a partnership. These contacts are intense, but occur with others on a regular basis, and may explain the fascination or compulsion or closeness that we sometimes feel with complete strangers.
Synastry Conjunctions to angles: Natal
When someone’s planet conjuncts our angle, we see this person as embodying the planetary archetype. We are highly sensitive to the energy and feel compelled to draw it in to our lives, come what may. I’ve been looking at a synastry recently that simply shouldn’t be, but it illustrates the power of angle rulers contacting angles (any planet conjuncting an angle is important, but angle ruler contacts are particularly intense). Her relationship planets are all in Aquarius, where he is all earth and water. She fits his ‘inner script’ for partnership somewhat (more on this another day), but he is not at all a reflection of hers. Neither the composite nor any of the other relationship charts reveal anything special. However, his Uranus (more powerful as it’s the ruler of his Descendant) conjuncts her Ascendant. She literally experiences him as Aquarian, fulfilling her ‘script’. To top it all, his Uranus also conjuncts her anti-Vertex, and her life has been radically changed by the relationship (see the recent post on Vertex contacts). Her Mars, the ruler of her Descendant, conjuncts his Descendant –he experiences her sexuality in a very powerful and direct way (no matter that it’s incompatible with his own in terms of aspects). Her Venus is near enough to his Descendant to matter, though beyond the orbs I usually use for synastry. The relationship is literally hanging on by the angles. It’s all excitement and energy, which is what happens when the angles are stimulated. Whether this will last past their current progressed Sun/Moon contacts is anyone’s guess. The core natal chart usually wins out in the end. It’s possible things will cool when she realizes that he isn’t as exciting (in a Uranian sense) as she thought he was, and he may wake up one day to find that all that detached air is not really satisfying his touchy-feely earth/water needs.
Conjunctions to natal angles between charts are immediately felt. Depending on the planet involved and the individual chart, it might be welcomed or rejected. Usually, the energy is welcomed. But issues arise depending on the planets involved. A logical, unsentimental person might not appreciate a Neptune conjunction to the Ascendant, which would eventually cloud his self-perception. He might not be comfortable opening to Neptune’s other-worldly lessons. A very romantic or freedom-loving individual may not appreciate Saturn, which will insist that the individual mature and take responsibility in partnership. (Saturn/angle can also be difficult with parental projections, and with the question of the angle person feeling that not enough time is spent together.) “Foolproof” strong contacts are Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus. We feel alive with the Sun, emotionally contained with the Moon, understood with Mercury, and adored/adoring with Venus contacts. (Of course, this must be adjusted to the relative health of the planet involved in the partner’s chart. If someone has a lot of difficult aspects to his Venus and his Venus conjuncts my angle, those issues will eventually arise through the partnership.) Mars can be very sexual, but problematic in terms of independence issues. Jupiter can be a happy tie, but issues surrounding excess and commitment may arise. Uranus can bring fascination, but can feel very tentative, almost too exciting, and ready to blow at any minute. Pluto points to a deep, transformative, life-changing tie, but it may also cause us to feel as if we are dying to whatever we used to find comforting and familiar. Depending on the rest of the chart, some will be open to this change, and others may run away.
Synastry Conjunctions to angles: Progressed
Synastry conjunctions from natal charts to progressed angles between charts have to do with a person bringing that planetary energy into our lives for the time the conjunction is within orb, usually over a span of around three years. When the progressed angle moves on, often the relationship does as well. Whether or not the connection is long lasting depends on the rest of the chart action.
Often, we attract partners who embody a planetary energy when either side of the angle is in orb to a transiting planet. For example, if transiting Uranus is conjunct my progressed Descendant, a particularly Uranian or Aquarian partner may come into my life. (This also goes for transits to natal angles, but I’ve seen more of it when progressed angles are transited.)
Conjunctions from the progressed chart of one to the progressed angle of another are trickier. Natal planets embody what we are at core; progressed planets express what we are becoming. We are less sure of our ‘becoming’ energy, and contact between the faster moving progressed planets and progressed angles can be a bit fraught and uncertain. The progressed Sun and Moon are always important, because they are major significators of our life journey (though the Moon’s contact is fleeting). Someone’s progressed Sun touching anything in my progressed or natal chart will light up that area of my life (for good or bad). Progressed angle conjunctions to progressed outer planets are significant, particularly when the conjunction is close to exact (within a couple of minutes). The outer planets don’t move much by progression, but they absolutely come alive when exact contacts occur. (Much like sleeping giants poked awake.) These conjunctions can be very event-oriented. The progressed angles are highly sensitive antennae that are tuned to new experiences—if any of my progressed planets hit your angles, I will show you new ways for that planet to express itself, because I am wrestling with a new orientation to that planet myself. We will experience that planet together, and both learn its lessons.
Asc/Desc Rulers in Aspect:
The rulers of the respective angles, in aspect, are very powerful contacts. When the rulers of the angles are involved with one another, we feel a strong, immediate tie, and often feel compelled to partnership. When angle rulers are in aspect with one another, there is a sense that our paths are going in the same direction, that we are working towards the same developmental goals.
Ascendant rulers in aspect: This happens rarely, as Stephen Arroyo has pointed out. If both Ascendant rulers are conjunct, the road may be rocky as each person grows and changes, but at least they feel they’re headed down the same highway together. Ascendant rulers in aspect are helpful, no matter the aspect. (Even the inconjunct, that most curmudgeonly aspect, can work here.) They usually signify an influential relationship. One helps the other move forward in life.
Ascendant ruler of one chart in aspect to Descendant ruler of another: Conjunction: natural partnership. You are my natural ‘other.’ Descendant partner most likely will be the one to define and nurture the relationship, but may eventually balk at being the one who holds it together. The opposition works in the same way but may have an ‘attraction/repulsion’ element to it. Attraction is likely to win out in the end, because of the natural partnership role played in the opposition. Squares may suffer more agitation, with inconjuncts being the most difficult. These people may want to be together, but often just can’t make it work.
Descendant rulers in aspect: Fall naturally into partnership, particularly with the conjunction, but often the relationship is a hotbed of projection. The two may have difficulty learning relationship lessons and moving forward, because too much is assumed. The relationship depends on the level of self-knowledge and how comfortable each is in their own skin. Descendant ruler relationships may be easier for more mature couples, who have begun to fill in their own ‘blank spaces’ in partnership.
See “The Roving “I,” parts one and two Angle Contacts
Hi,
What about when the rulers are outter planets and move much slower…ex: chart rulers are both pluto but with a wide orb since there is an age difference of 7 years (16 degree orb) but same sign. We also have ruler of the dec conjunct chart ruler (8 degree orb). Is there affinity in the same sign although out of orb?
Thanks,
Christine
If you’ve got Scorpio rising, there will be an affinity where Pluto is concerned, even if it’s out of orb. However, you have to look at the secondary ruler, Mars, to give you the details. As far as the conjunction between the ruler of the Descendant and the chart ruler–I don’t know how many times I can say this–aspects are phasal. They fade in and fade out of orb. They don’t just pop in at five degrees applying and go away at five degrees separating. If you consider the fact that angle rulers have more power in the chart, then an 8 degree orb between two angle rulers is reasonable, but I wouldn’t get so excited about it, because it has a lot less power than it would with a tighter orb.
Thanks Dawn!
I guess I am just confused as to how to interpret this as a whole, and how important it is. We both have chart ruler Pluto/Mars and Dec ruler Venus. We have squares once you throw Mars into the mix. We have Venus sq. Mars (5 degrees), Mars sq. Mars (8 degrees) along with the above mentioned Conjunctions involving Pluto. I guess I would say that connection exists, but is a difficult one perhaps? How important are these connections overall?
Christine, I’d like to help, but it’s obvious that you need a reading to interpret this properly. The difference between a professional and an amateur astrologer is the ability to synthesize information, and there isn’t really anything more I can explain here that would help you.
What happens in a relationship when the angle rulers are in the same sign but reversed. For example my AC is the sames as his IC & his DC is the same as my IC
If we’re only talking about angles being in the same sign (i.e. the sign on your Asc is the sign on his IC) then there is a feeling of familiarity and kinship, but it isn’t particularly strong. However, if the ruler of one angle hits the angle of another it’s a different story. For example, his has Cancer on the IC and his Moon is conjunct your Ascendant. That’s a powerful emotional bond that goes well beyond affinity. He is, at core, what you are striving to become and because the Moon rules his IC, he feels a deep tie with you. That emotional affinity would be a very powerful glue to a relationship.
Hi, great articles. I’ve looked around the web a lot, but can’t find any discussion of these aspects:
1 – a complete set of angles in exact conjunction
2 – exactly conjunct vertexes
Always wondered about these, that I share with someone special in my life.
Thanks!
Angle to angle gives you a common path or road, and a common way of relating to both yourselves and the outside world. This can be lovely–until something problematic hits it by transit or progression, and you both are struggling with the same issues at the same time. A bit of a mixed bag, as they say.
Angle to Vertex only intensifies this. When something hits that Vertex, it has the power to pull you together or to pull you apart, as long as the influence lasts.
Thank you for this excellent article,
I was wondering how i should interpret pluto conjunct ascendant in synastry, when at the same time i have in my natal chart pluto conjunct libra ascendant ( less than 1°, 12th house)
Thanks,
Natasha
Your timing is perfect, Natasha, because I just explained how to interpret this type of configuration in detail in the Sasstrology article. If you click the link on my latest entry, it will take you to an article where I discuss outer planets to angles. The examples I use are Paul and Linda McCartney and Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. I used Neptune on the Ascendant, but you can easily substitute Pluto–it’s the method that counts.
Dear Dawn, your explorations on your blog are beyond insightful. Thank you for your invaluable work. I have a layered question regarding the signifigance of angle inversions and luminaries & planet body contacts. If the chart of person A has a Capricorn Asc which includes (Sun, Psyche, Eros, Ceres and Juno. All conjunct the Descendant angle of person B, meeting their Saturn, Uranus Neptune, and Mars. Both charts also contain their natal moons exact conjunction in Leo, hitting the Asc/Dsc angles. (Person A’s moon is in B’s first house and Person B’s moon is in A’s 7th house. How can this manifest?
Dear Dawn,
the above reading is very interesting. Just wanted to know whether you have any articles on primary and secondary rulers of signs and especially in relation to angle rulers.
Thank you
I don’t have anything specific to angle rulers, but it’s a good topic. I will write something in the future.
Just want add to my above comment. what do you mean by saying you need to look at the secondary ruler for the details.
In order to get the full meaning of a sign/house with two rulers, we need to look at both the old and new rulers to get the picture. For Scorpio, for example, you need to look at both Mars and Pluto, for Aquarius you need both Uranus and Saturn and for Pisces, you need both Neptune and Jupiter. These signs, which are ruled by outer planets, have both a divine and a mundane impetus. I have often written that Mars is Pluto’s henchman–Pluto gives the directive, and Mars acts. Mars is not as conscious or as lofty as Pluto, but will act according to Plutonian dictates. It is also true of Uranus/Saturn and Neptune/Jupiter, though it is not as direct an influence due to the nature of the planets involved. With Uranus, the Aquarian need to be ‘out there’ will have to compromise with the reality of Saturn. Neptune is often difficult to fathom in a chart, and its confusion, deception and need to break boundaries will often spill onto Jupiter. In each case, the so-called ‘secondary rulers’ are the ones grounded in reality (and its limits) while the outer planets do their bullying, trying to make us aware of what is beyond reality. It is, essentially, a major conflict within these signs that is being made manifest within the limits of the chart.
This article is very interesting, thank you!
Similar to your above example, I have Taurus on the MC and my Venus is conjunct his Ascendant. Is the tie equal? (to the Moon -ruling the IC- on the ascendant)
Unable to comment without looking at both charts.
Hi Dawn
I was doing an experiment. I have an Aries/Libra angle at 15deg. A person(ok..potential interest) has progressed Moon Mars opposition along his prog Asc/Desc that is also in 15 deg Aries/Libra.
Every time we bump on each other transiting angle or transit draconic angle is on that degree..often exact, even if we just pass by each other without any exchange. Why does it happen? Sorry for noticing crazy things but crushes aside, I just think it’s awesome that there’s something significanct about time itself.. and it makes it look like every tiny bump is not at all a coincident. Symbolically what does it mean? I understand he is undergoing that progression..(with transit uranus also there) but why my angles.. ? This has been happening since jan.
😀
The degree is important for both of you. Events will cluster around that degree. I don’t want to burst your bubble, but there is nothing really magical about it. It’s mathematics and geometry. That is why astrology works. Synchronicity is proof in itself.
Angles draw experience like magnets. This is their job. They are like sensitive antennae in the air, looking for signals. They will draw anything that is either alike or opposed them and often much in between.
Dear Dawn,
First of all, I apologise for my English.
I read your article, but “Mr Big” and me have very tricky aspects, so, help me please, because I am a bit confused… . Our angles are in square: MCs with orbis 0 25′, ACs with orbis 0 14′.
My 7th house ruler (Sun) is in his 1st house, and his 7th house ruler (Venus) is in my 1st house, and these planets are in square with each other.
His 1st house ruler (Pluto) is in my 7th house, sextile my Venus.
My 1st house ruler (Uranus) is in his 1st house, square his Venus.
The Sun and the Venus are in each other’s 1st house.
Does it mean something special?
Thank you in advance! 🙂
P.s.: Do you have Hungarian ancestors? Your surname is rife in Hungary. We have an excellent actor, his name is Gyula Bodrogi 🙂
Dear Dawn,
first of all, I would like to apologise for my English.
I’ve read your article, but “Mr. Big” and me have very tricky aspects, and I am a bit confused… 🙂 Could you help me, please?
Our angles are in perfect square – Ascendants with orb 0 14′, Midheavens with orb 0 25′.
My 7th house ruler (Sun) is in his 1st house,
His 7th house ruler (Venus) is in his 1st house.
My Sun and his Venus are in square.
His 1st house ruler (Pluto) is in my 7th house, his Pluto sextile my Venus.
My 1st house ruler (Uranus) in in his 1st house, and my Uranus square his Venus.
(His North Node conjunct my Venus).
Does it mean something special? Are they good or bad aspects?
Thank you in advance for you help!
P.s.: Do you have maybe Hungarian ancestors? 🙂 Your surname is rife in Hungary. We have an excellent actor, his name is Gyula Bodrogi. 🙂
I’m sorry, Andi, but I don’t respond to lists of aspects. You need a proper reading to get any real answers.
I’m Hungarian on my father’s side, Polish on my mother’s. I would love to visit Hungary one day.
Would a 3 degree orb be considered contact? How does an IC/DC contact relate in synastry with both rulers being Venus?
My chart ruler (Mars) conjuncts the person’s IC Ruler (Venus), too. Is this significant?
Thanks, Dawn.
It’s significant whenever angle rulers make contact with one another, or angle rulers hit the Sun or Mon.
Oh, and another question if you don’t mind….
if someone’s DC ruler conjuncts your natal sun, what is the significance of that dynamic?
Blessings.
That person would feel like a natural partner to you, someone who makes you ‘feel whole.’ It works both for the Sun person and the angle ruler person.
Helpful article, especially with regard to the rulers of the ascendant in aspect to each other. When we did the synastry earlier in the month, the charts were so packed with contacts that this one was overlooked. But I notice my 0 Aries Moon (ruler of my ascendant) squares his 29 Gemini Sun (ruler of his ascendant). Its a 34 second out of sign separating square. I imagine this would make an impact in some way.
You write that any ascendant-ascendant rulers aspect is beneficial (even the curmudgeonly quincunx), yet the ascendant-descendant squares or other challenging aspects aren’t. I wonder why this would be. Could you comment?
A Sun/Moon square is not particularly important, especially one that’s out of sign in agreement, like this one. (Aries/Gemini as opposed to Aries/Cancer) It usually indicates an agreeable tension. Asc/Asc aspects are beneficial because no matter the situation, both people learn more about themselves and their way of being in the world. Their individuality is stimulated. This isn’t true of the other angles. Desc rulers can stir up the dark side from time to time. IC rulers are over-sensitive to the deeper parts of the psyche. MC rulers have to do with the ego. It’s trickier.
Yes, I can see the difference. So if more intense planets rule the Desc of one partner and IC of another, ie., Saturn and Mars or the heavy hitters, the conjunction could prove difficult for the couple. And I imagine the aspects to the planets in their own charts would affect it as well? Possibly depositor(s) too?
Dear Dawn,
Does it mean something, if my natal Mars ( in Libra, in my 8th house, and the ruler of my 2nd house) conjunct his progressed MC and sextile his progressed Ascendant within a couple of minutes?
I would like to tell you an affirmation: You wrote that we attract partners who embody a planetary energy when either side of the progressed angle is in orb to a transiting planet.
My transiting Uranus conjunct my progressed AC, and my transiting Pluto conjunct my progressed MC.
I have two „significant” men in my life nowadays… One of them is an Aquarius with Scorpio rising, the another man is a Scorpio with Aquarius rising……… Uranus – Pluto… WOW, I was shocked :)))
Your essay is great! 😉
Thank you!
If the angles draw not only partners but everything into our life, then relocations must indeed have very big effects. Positions as well as rulers of the angles are changed. So certain energies and the people representing them should be kicked out of one’s life and other energies are drawn in instead. So far the theory. Do you know any cases of relationships, which were broken or repaired by relocations, in order to back this theory?
I have a close relationship with some one who has:
Sun, Venus in Aries
Jupiter in Libra
Ur, Ne in Capricorn
Moon, Mars in Cancer
All of them in a T-square on my Cardinal angles and Can/Cap nodes.
I think he instinctively finds a way to share and express those tensions to me.
Hello Dawn, there is an interesting synastry with the girl’s descendant conjuncts the boy’s sun exactly and the boys’s descendant conjuncts the girl’s moon exactly. Their Moons are in conjunction exacly and they have sun trine moon, and venus trine mars also with thight orbs. As I see they it can be an important relationship and they can be “ideal pair” together. (There is also some saturn contacts with 3-4 orbs)
What do you think this mutual desc and main planet contact?
Thank you, Alma
Well, we have to acknowledge that it’s a good start. The lights on the descendant make the other the ‘ideal’ in some way. We appreciate them for who they really are, and they fill in the blanks in our darkness. However, we have to remember that no relationship is ideal. These planets move forward in progression, presenting challenges. Transits fall on our individual ‘hot spots.’ It’s how we face the relationship difficulties that determines whether a relationship is ideal or not.
Hy Dawn, Thank you for this interesting site. Could I ask what about if the ascendant conjuncts inner planets, like my ascendant conjuncts my partner sun and venus, and his ascendant conjuncts my mars exactly. We have also sun-saturn conjunction and moon-vertex conjunction and our chart rulers are also in harmony. We are so same and our relationship is close and harmonic. For me, it can be more strong and harmonic if someone’s planets conjuncts my ascendant than opposites. Best wishes, Eva
Hi Dawn,
was wondering how what you’re describing would apply to angle ruler contacts with oppositions? Curious because looked at a synastry comparison recently where person A’s ascendant ruler was opposite person B’s sun, and person A’s descendant ruler was also opposite person B’s moon.
There is a sense of familiarity but also of challenge–I thought we were going in the same direction. Weren’t we? The differences may outweigh the compliment.
Hi Dawn 🙂
There is very strong statement about synastry charts, repeated by many astrologists on the net that: lack of conjuctions between one person planets to other person angles ,show unrequited love case.
If there is really no conjuctions angle- planets and no other EXACT aspects , would You also be sure id indicates one side feeling?
What if there is angle opposition MC opp MC, (but also not exact?)
I would be grateful for Your reply 🙂
No, that’s very silly. Angle contacts matter, but unrequited love mostly has to do with the outer planets or the nodes.