Astro-To-Go: Astrology That Delivers

for
Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas

Astrological Data Used for Catherine Zeta-Jones:

Sun Sign : Libra
Rising Sign : Sagittarius
Moon Sign : Pisces

Astrological Data Used for Michael Douglas:

Sun Sign : Libra
Rising Sign : Scorpio
Moon Sign : Capricorn

A Comparison of Your Charts

A loving relationship is a precious gift, but it can be an extremely fragile one. To make it work, both people involved need to understand one another and become conscious of how each of them views their partnership. Then, when the time comes to compromise or find some other way to resolve the conflicts they face in day to day life, the couple can work together to make their relationship thrive.

This astrology report will help you and your partner understand how your personality traits interact. By looking at this, you can get clues about the different kinds of dynamics that can come into play between the two of you. We'll study the links between your chart and your partner's chart to see how they add up to create the good points and the bad points about your relationship.

After we've looked at how your two individual charts interact, we'll look at a chart that describes your relationship. This is called the composite chart, and it shows us what happens when two people combine their energies and give birth to a new entity- a union between them that then takes on a life of its own.

We'll look at your composite chart to see what the nature of your relationship is, where the strengths are and which of the areas you need to work on. With a composite chart, you and your partner no longer have to grope around in the dark wondering how you can keep the happiness you have when you're together alive. When you have this useful tool for mapping out and understanding your relationship, you'll get it right and love it more all the time.

If you're dating, you can use this report to help you learn more about each other and discover how you can make one another happy. If you're already in a relationship, you can gain insight about one another that will help you understand how you can maintain clear communication about your needs. As you go through this information together, you can use it to help you build an even stronger and more satisfying union.

Your Romantic Nature. First we'll look at each of you as individuals. Starting with your basic personality types, we'll take a close-up look at your needs and attitudes regarding romance, commitment and partnership. This will help you understand your overall approach to life and the way each of you goes about relating to people.

The Dynamics between You. We'll look in detail for clues that tell us what kinds of interpersonal dramas the two of you are most likely to get into. You'll celebrate the good ways that you connect and have the opportunity to learn from the more difficult ones. Now you'll know the areas you need to work on your relationship.

The Chart of the Relationship Itself. We'll analyze the relationship by combining both your and your partners' birth charts to form the composite chart. Then, we'll examine how the relationship works and how you as a couple approach the rest of the world. We'll also see how people view you as a couple, and how easy or difficult it is for you to operate as a unit.

If you read about problems in this chart, there's no need to worry. Almost everybody's astrology chart shows both positive and negative possibilities, and so do just about everyone's relationships. The important thing is to be aware of these issues. You'll find by reading this report that when you have difficulties between you (as all of us do), you always have a choice about how to handle them. This report will help you see where some of these problems might come from, and suggest constructive actions you can take to help you work through them. It will also alert you to the strengths you can build on. With all this knowledge, you'll be able to cherish the gift of your relationship for a long time to come.

I. Catherine's Romantic Nature

Catherine, to find someone who's right for you and then form a happy and lasting relationship, you first need to have a sense of who you really are and what you need and want. A look at your own birth chart will show where your strengths are and what you look for. It can give you perspective on your own nature, helping you to enhance your interactions with others. It can also give clues about what sort of partner would make you feel most happy and complete.

A Romantic Dynamo

Your Sun in the sign that's most associated with partnership and marriage (Libra) suggests that your whole life direction and sense of personal satisfaction are likely to be connected with others. Whether married or not, you'll probably operate more effectively in partnerships than alone. When only your own goals are involved, you may not move very quickly, but someone else's needs will motivate you to take action. If it'll be beneficial for someone else, you'll eventually get the job done.

A thinker, you need to consider all the possibilities before you make a decision, and you like to grasp everyone's point of view. Because input from others can help you make up your mind, you often ask for your partner's opinion. But your partner should learn early in the relationship that too many alternatives can lead to total inertia. If he or she offers only two or three options, you can come to a decision more quickly. However, it may not be fast enough to change your reputation for procrastination.

Because you can understand everyone else's point of view, you can make a good mediator when you're not personally involved. You can also be very diplomatic. So, you not only mediate fairly but you can also do it without upsetting any of the parties involved. Associated with your diplomacy is a desire for peace and harmony. You'll go to great lengths to avoid upsetting others - at least overtly. You probably don't argue with your partner very often. This is partly due to your desire for peace and harmony and partly due to your needing time to decide what you want. However, once you know, you can subtly and quietly work on getting it.

Just as it's easier for you to be motivated by others, you also prefer that your partner do your bidding. Instead of openly asking for help, you might just make subtle suggestions and see what develops. If you're too subtle, however, your partner might not get your hints.

You may be more effective in getting what you want if you can pit one person against another. Then, they can handle the situation, and you can remain the innocent bystander. If you're often in the vicinity of others disagreeing, it could be a clue that you're an instigator. It's only fair that your partner know of this possibility, should it occur. Then your significant other can manipulate back or at least not feel guilty about being viewed as the volatile one while you appear calm, cool and collected.

Of course, it's not necessary for you to behave in this manner. When dealing with others, you have your excellent diplomatic mediation skills to draw upon.

Openly Empathetic

You are a very deep-feeling person, and when you're involved with others, you go way beyond feeling sympathy, and instead feel empathy for them. When someone you care about is happy, so are you; and when that person is having problems, you feel as if the problems are your own. This can make you extremely selfless, both in the sense of generosity and also in the sense of giving up your own rights.

Your tendency to give so much may cause others to have the warm feeling that you think of them first, but it can also create problems for these same people. They may feel guilty or resentful because they don't give you as much as you give them. Or when you become too closely aligned with them, they may feel trapped by you and eager to escape. Also, if you identify with them so closely that you think you know what they need or want, you may not consult with them before you take action. Then they may feel that you're an interfering busybody, especially if you're trying to push them in a direction where they don't want to go. You may be able to empathize with anyone, but those you're closest to may be the ones who are most in danger of feeling smothered.

To avoid these pitfalls in your relationships, you first need to cultivate awareness of your tendency to identify too closely with the significant others in your life. Next, be alert to reactions of annoyance, anger or guilt in those you're trying to help. This shouldn't be difficult, because you're already highly intuitive. Then, if you sense any of these feelings in them, stop whatever it is you've been doing. Another thing you can do to give your partner a bit of relief is to spread out your altruism and find some other people to help.

Also, be aware of a tendency for your imagination to be vivid, so that in dealing with your partnerships you could ignore your intuition and replace it with imaginings and rationalizations. If, instead of applying it to your partnerships, you were to use your imagination as part of your personal development, you might be surprised at the results. One possibility is to get involved in the arts. You have a strong sense of rhythm which could be used to dance, sing or play an instrument. Art can provide a channel for your emotions, and a way to keep your imagination busy so that you won't misapply it to your relationships.

Another way to express your non-material nature could be to get involved in spiritual or mystical activities. When it's hard to deal with the material world, spirituality can help you to cope much better. Developing your connection with a higher power can give balance and perspective in your life, and by using visualization, affirmations or meditation you may be able to change your attitude and help to create a more pleasurable reality.

Catherine's Relationship Compatibility

The horizontal line that separates the upper half of your chart from the lower half represents the horizon. It suggests two arms reaching out, and it is in fact your "axis of relationship." On the left-hand or eastern side of your chart there is the Ascendant (or rising sign), which signifies you and the way that you present yourself to others. On the right-hand or western side there is the Descendant, which signifies the sort of partner you'll be drawn to and who will make you feel more complete. Any discussion of your rising sign (you) implies your setting sign (the partner who will complement you).

Life of the Party

Most likely, you have Sagittarius rising. This means that you tend to approach the world with a questing spirit, and that you have a thirst to expand your horizons through means such as education and travel. You like to explore, and love the thought of adventure. To pursue such interests, you need a certain amount of freedom, which makes you seek out people who can "go with the flow." You're not looking for a partner who will try to saddle you with heavy responsibilities, but rather someone who can move along with you, and at least occasionally let you move along alone.

In this search for knowledge or adventure, you may sometimes operate independently and forget to consider the other person. If you only develop your own interests and permit your partner to do the same, you could eventually discover that the two of you have so little left in common that there's not much to hold the relationship together. Though you each need your individual interests, to make the relationship meaningful you also need some togetherness. Work on sharing at least one activity. For example, you probably both enjoy travel. Your partner might prefer short trips and you long, but if you compromise and do some of both, each of you can be happy.

Even though you like to roam freely, you do have a flexibility that enables you to make compromises to honor your partner's wishes. If you're too adaptable, however, you might feel that you've built your relationship upon shifting sands. People like you do need just a bit of stability. Your solution is to base your partnership on an established philosophy of life. This philosophy should be broad enough to encompass operating in the immediate environment (which your partner needs) as well as in the wider and less practical ones (which you need). Then, as issues arise in your relationship, you'll have a joint philosophy against which to weigh your decisions. This should provide guidance without making you feel too limited.

Although you and your partner may both have an intellectual curiosity, your partner's is probably more quickly and easily satisfied than yours. Your partner may be more interested in grasping the bare bones of something, while you may want to understand the essence and all the ramifications. Because of the differences in your attitude and approach to intellectual matters, your partner may view you as long-winded, and you may think of your partner as superficial. But there's something you can learn from each other. You can broaden your partner's perspective, if you do it in small doses, remembering that your partner probably doesn't have the patience to digest too much information at one sitting. And your partner may convince you that the abridged version has its place, too.

Catherine's Idea of Romance

To take a look at your specific approach to romance we're going to look at the position of the planets in your chart. We'll look at how you wine and dine each other in the dating stage as well what you do to keep the spark alive. Once you know yourself and your basic needs, you have the elements to commit.

Sensual pleasure-enjoying anything you can see, taste, smell, hear or touch-is initially very important to you in a romance. Therefore, you're looking for someone both to indulge you and to share in the indulgence. Even early on, you may feel quite possessive and want your romantic partner to be dependable, trustworthy and totally yours. In return, you tend to behave this way also, so that in your ideal romance the reliability and fidelity go both ways.

Eventually, variety and communication become more important. Though you're basically quite faithful, you may find yourself with the impulse to date more than one person at a time. The continuation of your relationship may depend on finding new facets in each other, or searching together for new kinds of stimulation. At this point you may especially enjoy taking little trips, exchanging the latest news and gossip, or learning a new skill with your partner.

The planet that's traditionally associated with the sign on the Fifth-House cusp brings in additional considerations. Placed in the Ninth House, it means that you want a romantic involvement that will help you to grow and develop. You might feel that you need more than one person to satisfy these needs. In fact, you might become bored if you stay with one individual for too long. So you could date a few people -- in series or simultaneously -- before you settle down.

Alternatively, you might simply be attracted to someone who's bright and mentally stimulating, or you may want to have your horizons broadened by a person from a land or culture different from your own. Although this placement puts emphasis on learning in the courtship period, it also indicates a strong desire for pleasure. Therefore, be sure to leave some time for pure fun.

You don't have any planets in your Fifth House. All this means is that dating and romance may take a less crucial role in your life than they might for someone else. The good thing is that your requirements are less specific, so that you can select from a wider range of potential partners.

Catherine's Approach to Commitment

You want a partner who is sociable and has a variety of interests. Because your partner is so diversified, he or she could sometimes seem shallow and/or scattered. But if you can flit along together happily, this might be an asset rather than a liability, especially when the alternative to superficiality is boredom. You may sometimes yearn for intellectual conversations, but this could be difficult because one or both of you may have a short attention span. However, it's not impossible. One way to handle this problem, should it arise, is to divide the discussion into segments, with breaks for physical exercise or snacks, or possibly a party. The ability to fit into many different types of groups is one of the qualities that attracted you, and watching your partner in action may remind you of your blessings.

For you, nurturing is also important in any long-term partnership. If just one of you is doing the mothering, however, the other may end up playing the child. Too much mothering can make the partner who is taking the role of the child feel smothered, and this can lead to tantrums or perhaps the desire to escape the overbearing "parent."

If you see this happening, try giving each other some extra tender, loving care -- and take turns playing mother and child. If you feel that you're doing all the protecting, let you partner know what your needs are. Let your partner see your vulnerability, and ask for some reassurance and security. If it's your partner who is doing all the mothering and you're the one who's feeling smothered, try turning things around and being the one who's doing the nurturing. When you switch roles like this, you'll re-establish equality in your relationship and the smothering stranglehold will be released.

In your chart the planet that is traditionally associated with the sign on your Seventh-House cusp is placed in the Ninth House. This suggests that you expect marriage to broaden your outlook. You could marry a foreigner or someone outside your accustomed circle, or live abroad, or lead a life together that is very different from your early upbringing. With this placement the urge to roam can be strong, and so an open marriage is also a possibility. Or you may roam intellectually with your partner, collecting exotic friends and ideas, attending school together, or discussing the big questions of life. Your marriage may also be based on shared religious or social values, or be involved with the law or government, or you may quite simply worship each other.

Every planet that a person has in the Seventh House would indicate at least one additional requirement for them in a close one-to-one relationship. You have no planets here, however. For you, close partnerships may not be the all-consuming concern that they might be to someone who has a full Seventh House. This means that you could actually have an easier time finding a marriage partner. Your requirements in a partner are apt to be looser, and so you can be open to a greater variety of people.

What Catherine Looks for in a Soulmate

Having the homey, nest-making sign Cancer on your Eighth-House cusp suggests that you need a good deal of security in your sex life. Not only do you need it, you can provide it as well. You tend to mother your sexual partners, so that food or making your partner feel comfortable and cozy could be an important part of your sexual ritual. You want some of this treatment also, so it's best if you alternate playing the mother. If one partner does all the nurturing and gets nothing in return, emotional outbursts could interfere with your sex life. Making the nurturing reciprocal can result in sex that is both tender and highly satisfying.

There's also a stagey and flamboyant side to your sex life. Since you're going to be the star of the show, the entire production may need to be planned. You want the setting to be just right: romantic and inviting, perhaps even lavish. You may not be able to write the entire script, but at the very least you want a partner who adores or at least appreciates you. You could be missing a large audience to applaud your efforts, but with the right co-star, background and props, your sex life should be glorious!

The placement of your Eighth-House ruler in the Third House suggests that for you sex is closely intertwined with communication. You may enjoy discussing sex, and could even find talking about it more exciting than doing it. Or you might get aroused by conversation before or during sex. Another possibility is that you want your sexual partner to notice your mental agility or your adeptness at socializing more than you want to be appreciated for your body or your sexuality. Or you might complain if you spend more time in bed together than socializing with others. If you have any of these problems, you'll be more prone than most to discuss them, and this can help you find solutions.

Because you have no planets in your Eighth House, your requirements for sex and deep emotional bonding are simpler than they might be. If one or more of your partner's planets falls into your Eighth, however, it can add some different themes as well as additional energy to your sex life.

II. Michael's Romantic Nature

To figure out your own personal relationship needs, Michael, we're first going to look at your basic personality type with both its strengths and its weak points. This can show you what you have to contribute, and what you need from someone else. The better you know your own nature, the more successful you're likely to be in your relationships. You can more easily make allowances for your own blind spots, and you can more consciously select a partner who will bring you happiness.

A Romantic Dynamo

Your Sun in the sign that's most associated with partnership and marriage suggests that your whole life direction and sense of personal satisfaction are likely to be connected with others. Whether married or not, you'll probably operate more effectively in partnerships than alone. When only your own goals are involved, you may not move very quickly, but someone else's needs will motivate you to take action. If it'll be beneficial for someone else, you'll eventually get the job done.

Of course, it's not necessary for you to behave in this manner. When dealing with others, you have your excellent diplomatic mediation skills to draw upon.

Emotionally Committed

Your Capricorn Moon adds an extra-strong sense of duty. You may tend to do things not because you want to, but because you're supposed to.

If your mother is around, you may feel a sense of duty toward her. Or you may have learned to do your duty by your mother's example. She may have been a responsible, take-charge sort of person, and you may be following in her footsteps. Alternatively, your mother could have been just the opposite. If she had a hard time coping and needed help. you may have had to learn to take care of her and her responsibilities. Either way, you ended up becoming a reliable and responsible person.

Nowadays, you take this sense of responsibility into your relationships, particularly into your emotional commitments. You may feel responsible for the other person's emotional state, and make special efforts to nurture and shore up your partner. If you're uncomfortable with your own emotions, however, you may find yourself being judgmental about your partner's emotional excesses.

The image that you'd like to project to the outer world is one of emotional steadfastness, not gushiness. You may therefore be emotionally undemonstrative in public, and get embarrassed when someone shows you affection in front of other people. (We will not, however, comment on how you might behave in the privacy of your own home. . . .We'll let your partner do that!) You can discuss feelings more easily if it's done not in an emotional manner, but rather from a practical perspective. Instead of using tears or anger, your partner will be more likely to reach you with concrete examples and suggestions. You might also become more demonstrative if there are good enough reasons.

If you have a very emotionally expressive or volatile partner, you may have a hard time relating to this. Alternatively, it's possible that you'll be attracted to someone because their emotions are very much out there and on the surface. Such a partner may be able to do the expressing that you secretly wish you could do yourself.

One of your more useful attributes is your ability to take charge when an emergency arises. You can keep your head even when those around you are losing theirs. This is because the practical side of your nature automatically responds in emotional situations. You tend to do the logical thing without stopping to think about it. You may later analyze what you did and figure out how you could have done better, but considering how quickly you responded, no one would have expected more from you.

Not only can you handle critical situations well, you'll also usually come through dependably in everyday situations. If you've made a commitment or feel that something is your responsibility, you'll be inclined to keep the promises you make, and you'll tend to take care of matters that you say you'll handle. You may not move as quickly as you do in emergencies, but eventually you'll take care of your duties.

All of this should somewhat compensate your partner even if you're not as emotionally demonstrative as he or she would like. One way in which you can comfortably show your feelings is through material gifts. Giving something special, and possibly expensive, is known to make many a partner feel loved. You can also show your thoughtfulness by doing things to care for your partner's practical needs. Also, while you may not be publicly demonstrative, you may well compensate for this by being unexpectedly playful and affectionate in private.

Michael's Relationship Compatibility

And now we get to your "axis of relationship," which is formed by the Ascendant (or rising sign) and the Descendant, which is always directly opposite. While the zodiacal sign that was rising when you were born describes the way that you present yourself to others, the opposite sign signifies the sort of partner you'll be drawn to and who will make you feel more complete. Any discussion of your rising sign (you) implies your setting sign (the partner who will complement you).

The following description assumes that you've given your actual time of birth quite precisely. If you haven't, and the degree that your chart shows on the Ascendant is near the beginning or end of the sign (0 or 29 degrees), it's possible that the adjacent sign would describe you better.

Wanting it All

Most likely, you have Scorpio rising. This suggests that in relating to the world you tend to be especially deep-feeling and passionate about whatever issues or individuals interest you. Whether or not others notice this, it is the way you feel. Because of your persistence and high degree of focus, it's difficult to distract you or make you move in a new direction. Some may view you as obsessive, but this is usually only when you feel that your goals are blocked. If things are moving along the way you want them to, you'll just continue on your chosen path and people can count on this.

In intimate relationships you need a partner who is dependable, and you're also steadfast yourself. When you're choosing a partner, trust and loyalty are at the top of your list. You could be suspicious, but fortunately you're likely to choose a partner who is habit-oriented. Once you understand your partner's behavioral pattern and see it repeated again and again, you feel more secure. If the pattern does change and you do become suspicious, before leaving the relationship you probably take your time and investigate thoroughly to determine if your partner is trustworthy. Since your partner is probably habit-oriented, however, he or she neither takes relationships lightly nor leaves them any more quickly than you do. Therefore, you'll probably be together for a long time.

If you're both creatures of habit, however, you may sometimes feel that you're in a rut. The rut may feel secure, but if it doesn't otherwise gratify you, you might want a change. Making changes may not come easily, but it could be fun. First, recognize that you're both looking for sensual pleasure, and this can go beyond sex. As you discuss changes, surround yourselves with anything that smells, tastes, feels, sounds or looks good. Also, include the pleasure principle in any decisions that you ultimately make. While neither of you may change quickly, you can enjoy yourselves while you're in the process of change.

When you're negotiating, it's best not to make big demands on each other. Neither of you likes to be told what to do, and you're both capable of doing the exact opposite of what the other person wants. Instead of barking orders, it will be more effective to offer your partner a few alternatives that you yourself can accept. Then discuss the possibilities. You will be bringing your intuition into the discussion, and your partner is likely to see the alternatives from a practical point of view. When you disagree, it may take effort to come to an understanding, because both of you may be stubborn. But once you can work out a compromise, your stubbornness will become joint persistence, and you'll be an unbeatable force.

Michael Romantic Outlook

Aries on your Fifth cusp suggests that you want action in your romantic relationships. Either you like to be assertive yourself, or you're drawn to others who like to take the lead. At least at the start of your courtship, you enjoy spontaneity and tend to focus on immediate gratification rather than long-term implications.

As the relationship progresses, you'll start to concentrate on more long-lasting goals. You may increasingly want your romantic partner to be dependable, trustworthy and totally yours. In return, you'll tend to behave this way also, so that in your ideal romance the reliability and fidelity go both ways. Also, sensual pleasure-enjoying anything you can see, taste, smell, hear or touch-becomes increasingly important, so that you'll want someone who will indulge you and also whom you can indulge.

The planet that's traditionally associated with the sign on the Fifth-House cusp brings in additional considerations. Placed in the Eleventh House, it means that you'll enjoy the company of a romantic partner who is mentally stimulating, but not too emotionally demonstrative. You need to maintain your own identity in romance, and you can be objective when viewing your romantic partner. If your partner becomes too affectionate, you could experience this as smothering, and have the urge to detach yourself. If this occurs, clear the air by discussing the matter. Or go to a party or a meeting together, because interaction with groups can help to put your relationship into better perspective.

Michael's Approach to Commitment

Taurus on your Seventh cusp suggests a need for a partner with whom you can share sensual pleasures. Also, practical considerations and possessions can figure large in your life together, and you may enjoy your joint ownership of beautiful things.

Such indulgence can be fun, but there's a potential for problems if one of you gets too self-absorbed or self-indulgent without considering the other. If you're the one who's feeling neglected, never order your partner to think about your needs. That would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull, and it'll produce the exact opposite of what you want. Instead, suggest two or three things that you'd like to do or to see happen, and let your partner choose among them. In this way, your partner gets to make the decision, and you'll be satisfied as well. If your partner is the one who seems unhappy, it could be that you're the one who is doing the neglecting. To make your partner feel less taken for granted, plan some pleasurable activities that you can enjoy together. Putting special attention on designing something delicious for your partner may become one of your own favorite delights.

With Gemini also in your Seventh House, you have an additional need for a partner who is sociable and has a variety of interests. It's possible, however, that one or both of you could be a bit scattered or have a short attention span. If you find it hard to be focused in your discussions, divide your talks into short segments, with breaks for physical exercise or snacks, or possibly even a party. The ability to fit into many different types of groups is one of the qualities that attracted you, and watching your partner in action may remind you of your blessings.

In your chart the planet that is traditionally associated with the sign on your Seventh-House cusp is placed in the Eleventh House. This suggests that you could select your marriage partner from your circle of friends or from a club or group that you joined. In your life together you may continue to entertain friends and pursue your interests with others. You think of marriage more as a relationship of pals than of lovers, and in your married life you expect conversation and mental stimulation to be an important medium of exchange. A partner who is too emotionally demonstrative may scare you. Fortunately, you're probably good at using rational discussion to solve your differences. Using your openness and good humor is an effective way to keep resentments from festering.

Having planets in your Seventh House adds to your requirements and underlines the importance of committed relationships in your life.

Wherever Uranus is in your chart is where you tend to break with tradition. Uranus in your Seventh House could mean that you're attracted to unusual partners-those who are free spirits, free thinkers or eccentric. Or, if you came from a Bohemian-style background, you could be the unusual one, while you select a partner who is normal by societal standards. Alternatively, you may want to incorporate some originality, excitement and a degree of freedom into your partnership, so that you share exciting adventures and support each other's unusual ideas. It is important for each of you to allow the other a bit of space and time alone. If you don't have some freedom within your relationship, one of you might have the urge to free yourself from it.

What Michael Looks for in a Soulmate

You will probably want some variety in your sex life. You could find this with a versatile sex partner, or by having more than one. If you get bored with a partner who always performs in the same manner, you might look elsewhere for new and interesting sexual experiences. That search could bring unnecessary complications into your life. An alternative to wandering would be to talk to your partner about your feelings. This might either bring about change in your physical sexual activities or suggest other new and interesting channels for pleasure.

Though your first impulse is toward variety in sexual relations, there's a part of you that also craves security. You need it, and you can provide it as well. You tend to mother your sexual partners, offering emotional security more than material. In fact, food or making your partner feel comfortable could be an important part of your sexual ritual. You want some of this treatment also, so it's best if you take turns mothering each other. If one partner does all the nurturing and gets nothing in return, emotional outbursts could interfere with your sex life. Making the nurturing reciprocal can result in sex that is both tender and highly satisfying.

The placement of your Eighth-House ruler in your house of career and reputation suggests that you may find prominence in the outer world particularly attractive and sexy. As soon as you're drawn to someone, you probably start asking questions about this individual's career, finances or prestige, and you're also interested in the opinion that others have of this person. The more high-status and successful your partner is, the greater the appeal. This may make you appear materialistic rather than romantic, and, if carried to extreme, could take all the pleasure out of your sexual activities. But it does give some practical guidelines to follow, and if you think of sex as a measure of success, you could take pleasure in striving for sexual perfection.

Having planets in the Eighth House contributes yet other themes to your lovemaking needs and style, and makes this area of your life even more important.

You could feel inhibited sexually, or you might view sex as your duty or responsibility. You'll enjoy sex more if you establish a routine, because you feel more relaxed when you know what to expect next. You may also feel less inhibited if you feel secure in your relationship with your sex partner. Work on developing this security, and not only will you feel less inhibited, you might also find that sex can become more than just an obligation.

III. The Dynamics between the Two of You

Now we're ready to look at the some of the dramas that are likely to play out between the two of you. These are suggested by the way the planets in one person's chart relate to those in the other. The information pertains to both of you in this section, except for the "Tips" which are addressed to each of you individually.

You can think of your planets as various little characters who are interacting with each other inside your psyche, and who also interact with the same little characters inside other people. For example, Mars, the little warrior inside you, could be having a hot and heavy affair with your partner's sultry, come-hither Venus. This could take the form either of cozying up in bed together, or fighting most of the time. Or these two little characters could be constantly on each other's mind, but somehow at cross purposes or never quite on each other's wavelength. The basic quality of each planet, plus the aspect, or kind of angle, that is formed between them, determines how well those parts of the psyche will get along with each other, and what the nature of their alliance or conflict will be.

Take special note whenever you see aspects involving the same pairs of planets next to each other in the list. If you see, for example, not only your Venus conjunct your partner's Mars, but also your partner's Venus square YOUR Mars, you can be sure that Venus-Mars themes such as sex, or some other sort of very creative, productive activity, will be of overriding importance in your life together.

What You Mean to Each Other

Egos are in the foreground of your relationship. Because you both tend to have similar ego needs, you should be able to cooperate and attain goals together. However, you could clash on specific issues, with each of you getting wrapped up in self-promotion and ignoring the other's desires. If this happens, it'll help to return to the general principles that you do agree on, and start again. It'll be worth the effort. Working together, the two of you can generate a lot more energy than you could alone. Through cooperating, you'll accomplish personal as well as joint goals more quickly.

Not only are you attracted to each other, you also both want to help bring out and reinforce the best in your partner. In fact, you might concentrate so hard on helping each other that, as a couple, you could ignore the needs of others with whom you interact. Then you and your partner might be viewed as self-centered. It's wonderful that the two of you appreciate each other and enjoy being together, but try not to ignore others, or they might not be there for you when you need them. Besides, sharing your great joint personality with these individuals might not only be beneficial for them, it might make your partnership even better than it already is.

This is a charismatic combination that draws you to one another for reasons you don't fully understand. You also want to help each other. Catherine may automatically try to instill spirituality into the material goals that Michael is trying to attain, and Michael may help Catherine to reap rewards for her altruistic acts. You may not be certain that you really want all this generosity from your partner, but you should still allow these energies to flow. Everyone can use all the help they can get, and you will probably discover that you're each better off because of the other's assistance.

This combination has the potential to be exciting and creative, but it can also be erratic and unstable. If you concentrate on the instability, you could become nervous wrecks by worrying about how long the relationship will continue in this manner. It's better to enjoy the excitement and creativity that appears, and try not to think about how long it will last. When you're not pressuring each other, you'll both feel freer to enjoy the excitement, and your relationship is more likely to prosper.

It's not easy to explain the attraction between you and your partner, because it occurs on a deep level and it defies description. At times, each could view the other as a savior or as someone who is perfect. With this aspect it's possible to see an inner beauty that the world doesn't see, but it's also possible that you simply aren't seeing realistically. Gradually you may realize that the partner who you thought was perfect and totally dedicated to you isn't always there for you, and, even worse, may be trying to take advantage of you. While you should be aware of this possibility, it's best not to dwell upon it. If you remember that no one's really perfect, you'll probably be inclined to accept and forgive. But feelings of victimization should be addressed. If you feel exploited by your partner, ask for something for yourself. Either you'll receive it and know that you were wrong, or you'll have brought the issue to the surface so that you can deal with it openly. This aspect can help you to grow together spiritually, and the more you use it in this way, the less likely you'll be to experience its baser manifestations.

One way or another, power will be an issue in your relationship. When you're operating as a unit, you can become a powerful force together. You'll be highly visible and you'll often take charge of situations without any questioning, hesitation or resistance. If you aren't in agreement, however, you may have power struggles with each other. You may vie for position, so that winning the battle becomes all-important. No matter who is the victor, these battles may deplete your energies to the point where your power drains away and you end up feeling ineffectual. Instead of battling each other, find a project that you can agree upon, and join forces to pursue it together. Then the drive and the ability to change things that this aspect promises will start to work in your favor.

This combination could create some tension between the two of you. Michael might feel neglected because Catherine seems self-centered and oblivious to Michael's emotional needs. In turn, Catherine could feel that Michael smothers or manipulates her. Instead of wasting your time blaming each other, work on improving your relationship. For example, if Catherine made an effort to acknowledge Michael's nurturing talents, Michael would receive the emotional gratification that would make the hovering unnecessary. And if Michael allowed Catherine to be on stage and then simply applauded, Catherine would feel more appreciated.

There's a need for the two of you to balance Michael's exhibitionist tendencies and Catherine's nurturing and inner-directed qualities. When Michael appears on stage, Catherine could get gratification from applauding and supporting him. Also, Michael, the more visible partner, could be happy to protect Catherine from the glare of the footlights. If, however, Catherine feels forced to share the spotlight too often with Michael, or Michael feels pressure to stay for too long in the shadows with Catherine, the relationship could suffer. If this happens, give each other permission to act in a mode that is comfortable, without the other having to participate actively. Your desires are so different that there should be no conflict, and the balancing act can become an integral part of your relationship.

Tip for Catherine

You might believe that Michael has a notable philosophy, obvious spiritual leanings, or definite political views, any of which he is likely to express with a lot of energy. If you agree with his views, you'll be proud of what he's saying and even join in. If you disagree, you could see him as dogmatic, and be annoyed or embarrassed. If you experience these feelings, believe it or not, taking long trips together may help. Since another possible meaning of the Sun in the Ninth House is "shining in a distant place," you could find Michael warm and outgoing in this new location and not at all dogmatic.

Tip for Michael

You're likely to admire the image that Catherine projects on the world. This impression may be connected with your own career or with your own social interaction with society at large. If you're in business together, you might want to make Catherine the one who meets the clients or publicly represents the company. If you're not in business together, your partner can still make you look good. If your horoscope indicates that you need to stand on your own merits, you can either feel insecure about needing her to stand up for you, or you can together figure out ways to stand on the world stage as a duo.

Dealing with Each Other's Emotions

When it comes to love, affection and emotions in general, you and your partner may need to adjust to each other. If one partner's needs are always being met and the other's are not, chances are that emotional outbursts or self-indulgence can become issues in your partnership. It helps to take turns. SometimesCatherine should put aside her own emotional needs to nurture Michael, and sometimes Michael should forget personal pleasures to make Catherine more comfortable. Then you'll both be more able to express your feelings of love toward each other, and you'll both feel more emotionally gratified.

Your emotions and affection flow well together. You not only have similar needs in regard to such matters, but the way you express these qualities with each other is also quite similar and, therefore, comfortable for you. Because you accentuate each other's emotions and expression of affection, you might sometimes be viewed as too demonstrative when you're interacting with the outside world. But this is more other people's problem than yours. Your relationship is obviously doing well, and there should always be room for more love in the world. The important thing is your attitude toward each other, for that is part of what holds you together.

You tend naturally to support each other when feelings and/or the material world are involved. For example, Michael may offer emotional support for Catherine's goals and handling of life's practical details, while Catherine may provide material support for Michael's emotional needs. Even under the best of circumstances, however, Moon-Saturn combinations can sometimes restrict emotional expression. This can work in your favor when the situation calls for emotional self-control, but it can also create an unwanted distance and formality between you. If either of you occasionally feels inhibited or frustrated by your partner, it may help to concentrate on making your partner feel more secure. A feeling of emotional or material security can often provide a safe space for the free expression of emotion, and this in turn can ensure that your partnership stays close and emotionally alive.

Passion and volatility are two keywords for this combination. Catherine can ignite deep feelings in Michael, and Michael's emotions can press Catherine into action. This could result a strong sexual attraction, or angry emotional outbursts, or both. Perhaps the outbursts turn into passion, or the passion is so intense that it leads to anger. You may find that these extremes just stimulate your relationship, but if the emotional volatility begins to interfere with the passion, you may want to work on making love not war, or channel those emotions into a vigorous but non-combative activity.

There's such a strong emotional tie between you that you tend to set off each other's emotions without even trying. However, either or both of you may more often trigger emotional outbursts in your partner, rather than providing tender, loving care. If you find that you're often emotionally upset when the two of you're together, you might want to try something new to make you both feel better. Force yourself to show some compassion toward your partner. Let your partner know that you care. It may involve hard work, but as you both feel nurtured, the emotional outbursts may occur less frequently, and you'll realize that it was worth the effort. While there may be periodic uproars and crises, your relationship will be lively and close.

This can be an exciting combination because it connects Michael's emotions with Catherine's need to express her individuality. However, you might find that Catherine tends to trigger emotional outbursts in Michael, or behaves erratically because Michael seems emotionally unsupportive. Outbursts and bizarre behavior will become less of a possibility if Catherine encourages Michael to show feelings freely, and Michael is careful to stand emotionally behind Catherine's need to express individuality. Then you will find that the instability of this combination is transformed into an air of excitement and electricity.

With this combination there is a connection between emotions and spirituality. But if you consciously try to combine the two, you and your partner could both become confused. Catherine should express her feelings while trusting that Michael will balance these emotions with spiritual support. And Michael should pursue his own spiritual goals with faith that Catherine will be emotionally supportive. It is difficult for either of you to produce tangible proof of support, but having trust and faith in each other will keep you from becoming suspicious and resentful of your partner. As your partner's cooperation helps you to you achieve what you want, the emotional bond that you share will grow magically stronger.

Emotional Tip for Catherine

To you, Michael may seem either nurturing or moody, or maybe both. And his moods may strongly affect the way you feel. When he is motherly and tends to your needs, you feel soothed and secure. But if he isn't in the mood to nurture when you need it, it could put you both in a bad mood. Instead of sulking at such times, remind yourself of how tender your partner can be, and try being extra nurturing to him . As he feels more cared for, the negative emotionality will tend to subside, and you yourself will be likely to feel nurtured once more.

Emotional Tip for Michael

This placement could mean that you see Catherine as taking a mothering role, or you find that she is prone to emotional outbursts at home. Though the outer world may see this person as calm or stable, when you're in your nest together, feelings come pouring out. It is good to have emotional freedom in your private life, but if you sometimes wonder why you have to bear the brunt of all this, the answer is that you don't. If this behavior happens often, it may be because your partner is feeling insecure and needs some tender, loving care. If you provide some nurturing, you might not only make your partner happier, you might also get some mothering in return.

Attraction and Having Fun

With this sexy combination, you and your partner are likely to find each other very attractive and appealing, but sometimes you may also bring out these planets' problematic sides. For example, if Michael tries to dominate, Catherine could seem self-centered. Or if Catherine doesn't respond properly, Michael could become too aggressive. Then, Catherine might look elsewhere for gentler treatment, and Michael could seek someone more responsive. Before you look elsewhere, try cultivating the dynamic and potentially exciting attachment that you already have. Show each other a little more consideration. It may take effort, but you could prove to yourselves that you already have a partner who can bring you a lot of pleasure and excitement.

Although you and your partner are attracted to each other, there will be times when each of you will have to adjust to the needs of the other. If Michael thinks only of personal gratification, Catherine could become resentful because you never have fun together. If Catherine concentrates only on having a good time, Michael could feel inadequate because meaningful goals are not part of the relationship. Michael should sometimes forget personal goals and throw his support behind Catherine's desire to be sociable and have a good time. And Catherine should sometimes use charm and diplomacy to help Michael look good and achieve the ego gratification that he wants. By periodically adjusting to each other's needs, you can avoid much discontent.

In your relationship there's a close connection between love and fantasy, such that you're probably looking for the perfect partner and the ideal romance. Unfortunately, you have to live in the real world with a human being, and humans are far from perfect. The more you try to mold your partner into the image you think you want, the more aware you'll become of your partner's flaws. Instead, try each taking turns expressing your ideas about love and romance while the other totally adjusts to your needs. For example Catherine could enhance Michael's fantasy by expressing affection, and Michael could lend imagination and magic to Catherine's concept of love. This may broaden your ideas about love and romance, and make your relationship more satisfying and fun.

In your relationship there's a close connection between love and fantasy, such that you're probably looking for the perfect partner and the ideal romance. Unfortunately, you have to live in the real world with a human being, and humans are far from perfect. The more you try to mold your partner into the image you think you want, the more aware you'll become of your partner's flaws. Instead, try each taking turns expressing your ideas about love and romance while the other totally adjusts to your needs. For example Michael could enhance Catherine's fantasy by expressing affection, and Catherine could lend imagination and magic to Michael's concept of love. This may broaden your ideas about love and romance, and make your relationship more satisfying and fun.

Where love is involved, you and your partner could experience a powerful passion, or simply have a power struggle. If either of you feels that your partner is trying to control you, you should both try to understand your situation from the other's perspective. Michael might sometimes express affection in a way that's comfortable for him, with Catherine totally adjusting to his needs by being passionate and not manipulative. Catherine might sometimes be allowed to express passion in her own way, with Michael adjusting to her needs by supplying lots of affection. When you take turns adjusting to each other in this way, neither of you should feel as though your partner is controlling you, and the passion you have between you will flourish.

Michael brings seriousness and dependability to your relationship, and is likely to be always there for you -- whether you want it or not. This can feel reassuring, but also restrictive. If you feel as if Big Brother is always watching, try asking your partner to take on more commitments. Make sure that these responsibilities will be beneficial for the relationship, but that they don't include your participation. You'll get more breathing room, and your partner will probably enjoy taking charge.

Romantic Tip for Michael

You may take special pleasure in discussing the big questions of life with Catherine. You could, however, feel that she tends to steer away from what's controversial, and softens her opinions in order to be more pleasant. While this could remove some of the excitement and genuineness from your conversations, it can also come in handy in social situations where tact is needed. Especially if you're the type who has strongly held viewpoints, it can help to have a partner who will make them more palatable to others.

The subjects that you most enjoy discussing may have to do with love, manners, social niceties, art, fashion, or whatever makes something beautiful. You might even cause each other to take courses in such fields, or join together to teach, publish or otherwise disseminate knowledge about these subjects. You may also like to travel together, particularly if it's to socialize, indulge yourselves in pleasure, or witness beautiful scenery or art.

Romantic Tip for Catherine

You may take special pleasure in discussing the big questions of life with Michael. You could, however, feel that he tends to steer away from what's controversial, and softens his opinions in order to be more pleasant. While this could remove some of the excitement and genuineness from your conversations, it can also come in handy in social situations where tact is needed. Especially if you're the type who has strongly held viewpoints, it can help to have a partner who will make them more palatable to others.

How the Two of You Communicate

Catherine wants to help Michael express personal power more effectively, and Michael is bent on assisting Catherine to communicate better. As a couple, you can therefore have a powerful impact on both each other and the world. Whether or not it's your goal, you'll surely be heard. The only danger is that you might sometimes come across too strongly or get carried away with your power. However, this combination also gives the ability to analyze, get to the bottom of issues, and determine the best course of action. These skills, plus your urge to help each other, are great assets in your relationship, because whatever difficulties may arise, you have a talent for together getting to the root of the matter and transforming your circumstances.

Communications between you are likely to be exciting. Michael may stimulate Catherine to think and communicate more creatively, and Catherine could explain Michael's uniqueness in words that ordinary people can understand. This all occurs very easily, and the end result is that you undoubtedly think faster and more creatively together than you would individually. However, the energies flow so easily, and you might be so impatient to act on your ideas, that you do not consider their feasibility. If you fail to make your ideas materialize, you could be viewed as impractical visionaries. But the excitement and the successes that you experience together will probably more than compensate for the occasional failures.

Communications are important in your relationship, and sometimes they may cause friction. While you could communicate about intellectual matters, you're more likely to talk about yourselves and your immediate environment. During these rather personal conversations, Catherine might sometimes get the impression that Michael is trying to direct her manner of speaking, or Michael might feel that Catherine is telling him how to look and behave. The good thing about this aspect is that if you feel criticized by your partner, it'll be natural for you to discuss this together. With a bit of effort, you should be able to understand each other's feelings. As long you remain courteous, your urge to be in constant communication with each other will keep your relationship close.

You and your partner have the ability to broaden each other intellectually. Neither of you, however, should try to force your viewpoint onto your partner because this could lead to exaggeration or fuzzy thinking. Instead, you should each take turns throwing your total support behind your partner and allowing the other to express ideas without interference. Catherine should sometimes be permitted to communicate on a social level, with Michael only adding philosophical remarks to enhance the quality of the conversation. And Michael should have time in the spotlight to wax eloquent, with Catherine only translating things into simpler terms when it's necessary for understanding. By taking turns adjusting to each other in this way, both of you will improve your communications skills.

You and your partner have the ability to broaden each other intellectually. Neither of you, however, should try to force your viewpoint onto your partner because this could lead to exaggeration or fuzzy thinking. Instead, you should each take turns throwing your total support behind your partner and allowing the other to express ideas without interference. Michael should sometimes be permitted to communicate on a social level, with Catherine only adding philosophical remarks to enhance the quality of the conversation. And Catherine should have time in the spotlight to wax eloquent, with Michael only translating things into simpler terms when it's necessary for understanding. By taking turns adjusting to each other in this way, both of you will improve your communications skills.

Communications that you share with your partner are likely to be made with a great of deal of energy. You should seldom be at a loss for words, and your conversations will probably be stimulating. You'll probably talk too much rather than too little, but if you do run out of topics, you'll usually be able to start things up again with talk about ego gratification or life direction. If you have a problem it could be about who is dominating the conversation. Catherine may feel that Michael talks too much about himself or herself, and Michael may think that Catherine just talks too much, period. But at least you can talk to each other! As long as you do, you have a good chance of solving any problems that arise.

Either or both of you might feel that your partner does not communicate well. Catherine may feel that Michael is always instructing her or criticizing the way she communicates. And Michael could feel that Catherine always lectures him about his rigidity and conservatism. So it may become easier to keep your thoughts to yourself and complain about a lack of communication. Try sitting down together to have an honest talk about your problems. If you endeavor to get to the bottom of matters, clarify issues and determine solutions, it will open the door to better communications between you.

Communication Tip for Catherine

Michael might like to discuss politics or religion with you. If so, your conversations are probably light, without a lot of emotional fervor or deep thinking behind the words. There may, however be a cleverness in Michael's manner of discussion that can win you over, and you may not realize until later that your opinion has changed.

Since this house is also the house of distant travel, another possibility is that when you're in a foreign country or dealing with foreign people or things, you might expect Michael to be the spokesperson. If go wrong fairly often when you're abroad and your partner is doing all the talking, you might want to learn a few key foreign phrases yourself.

Communication Tip for Michael

You probably see Catherine as able to communicate well in social situations, particularly at large meetings or parties. Therefore, you don't worry about how she is going to fit in with any group. However, this placement says nothing about how you'll communicate with each other. You could feel that, although Catherine talks a lot at gatherings, there's little chatting between just the two of you. One of the best ways to find out what's on your partner's mind could be to listen carefully to what she has to say to a group. You may find out a lot about what's happening in your partner's life.

The Expression of Your Partnership

While you and your partner are attracted to each other, you don't just sit back and enjoy the relationship --you want to help your partner enjoy life even more. One way you make your partner happier is by showing your appreciation through generosity and indulgence, and your partner likes to do the same. If this mutual indulgence were to get out of hand, you could conceivably overdo having fun and start to ignore your duties. This is not likely to be a serious problem, however, because you're almost certain to have other factors in your charts that give some seriousness and control. The important things are the good feelings and closeness that this aspect engenders. These can help you to avoid or overcome any problems that may arise in your relationship.

Even if you're personally shy, when you're together you tend to be forceful and energetic in your dealings with people. You like to aid each other, so that Catherine throws her personal support behind Michael's assertiveness, and Michael's energy and ability to take the initiative helps Catherine to assert herself. With all this reinforcement of each other, you might appear a bit too forceful or aggressive sometimes, but the important thing is that your partnership helps you easily to assume a leadership role and do a good job.

With this combination, Catherine can use her personal power to help Michael better express his personality, and Michael can use his personality to help empower her. Your interaction can make you a powerful duo, and because of the impression you make as a couple, people may expect you to take charge. If this isn't part of your individual personalities, it may at first seem a bit uncomfortable. But, when you see the impact that the two of you can have, you'll probably take on such tasks more willingly. Just remember that it's your joint personality that others are regarding as the authority, and make sure that you act as a unit.

There's a strong attraction and personal tie between you. It's natural for Catherine to nurture Michael, and for Michael's personality and manner to encourage Catherine to express her feelings. In this way you each make the other feel cared-for and special.

If there's any danger, it would lie in being too helpful to each other. Catherine might nurture too much, making Michael feel smothered. Or Michael might encourage Catherine so strongly that Catherine becomes overly emotional. It's unlikely, however, that such problems would happen often. The deep feelings that you have for each other should far outweigh any of these minor upsets.

This combination carries the possibility of being a powerful and effective couple, but in fact you may more often challenge each other than cooperate. Feeling that Michael is trying to control and direct her, Catherine could develop low self-esteem, because she thinks that her partner is showing disapproval. And if Michael senses that Catherine is trying to undermine his power, he could start to feel ineffectual. If either of these situations describes what's happening in your relationship, determine what's wrong and change it. Find ways to cooperate, and you'll feel stronger both individually and as a couple.

Michael's personality is connected with Catherine's career or public image, and with this aspect some adjustment may be required. If Catherine always insists that her public image or career is more important than Michael's expression of self, Michael could begin to develop an inferiority complex. And if Michael insists on expressing his personality without regard to Catherine's public concerns, Catherine's worldly success could be jeopardized.

To ease things, take turns being in the foreground, with Michael sometimes using his personality to support Catherine's career, and Catherine sometimes providing her career as a place for Michael to exhibit his personality. Then the two of you may discover that you're not only happier individually, but also more successful in the outer world.

There's a tie between you which you feel deeply but which defies verbal description. The harder you try to explain it, the less clear it becomes. Because of the nebulous quality of this attachment, you may be aware of it but not always understand its total impact. You could experience it as magnetism, or as a spiritual connection. If this is all that you feel, continue your relationship as it is. However, subtle manipulation is also a possibility, so you could sometimes feel that your partner is taking advantage of you. If this happens, remember that this is a shared combination, and that you therefore have the ability to influence your partner just as much as your partner influences you.

Although you and your partner are attracted to each other, you could each feel that the other tends to be self-centered, and you both might dwell on that rather than just enjoying each other's company. If you find yourself spending more time complaining about your partner's flaws than showing approval of his or her good points, you're unlikely to enjoy the charm and affection that this combination promises. It may take a bit of effort, but if you try to show your partner a little more appreciation, your partner might not feel the need to be so self-protective. Then you'll be able to share the mutual admiration that originally attracted you to each other, and return to the enjoyment that this aspect can bestow.

With this combination there is focus on your interaction as a couple with the outer world, either through your careers or other roles that you perform in public. However, your ideas and direction may sometimes conflict, and this could not only create problems between the two of you, but also prevent you from dealing effectively with the outer world. You might become so absorbed in picking at each other that you forget that you're also dealing with the world at large. By trying to show your superiority, you may only succeed in humiliating each other, and because of your actions, the outer world may not see either of you in a favorable light. It's better to each individually work on developing your own public image. Then, when you face the world together, you'll be less likely to feel inadequate or threatened, it'll be easier to compromise when necessary, and you'll make a more acceptable joint impression.

You're likely to want to help each other in the areas of emotions and career. Without being asked, Michael may be motivated to nurture Catherine so that she feels emotionally supported and can better face the world. At the same time, Catherine may be willing to provide Michael with material resources so that he can express feelings more comfortably and freely. While Michael's may naturally focus on the home and Catherine on the outer world, you need not stay in those roles. Michael can have a career, and Catherine could share in taking care of the home. In fact, Catherine might even choose to work out of the home. What's important is that wherever you are, you naturally want to help each other and do so easily.

Communications and career are closely connected in your relationship, but your goals regarding these matters may be quite different. Catherine's communications might sometimes interfere with Michael's career goals, either because she talks too much, or because she tries to impose her own views about his career direction. Or Michael may concentrate so hard on his career that Catherine feels that her ideas are ignored. You can improve the situation if you take turns totally adjusting to each other's needs. For example, Catherine could at times add verbal support to Michael's career goals, and then Michael could at other times provide an arena within which Catherine can freely communicate. When you support your partner in this way, it'll be evident that you're on the same side, and your relationship will grow stronger.

In your relationship, career and communications issues are strongly connected, but Michael might talk too much or tend to interfere verbally with Catherine's career goals, and Catherine could concentrate so hard on her career that Michael feels that his words are being ignored. It may take effort to discuss such complaints with each other, but once you start, the words should come flowing out. You might then discover that in matters of careers and communications you can become assets rather than liabilities to each other.

You and your partner probably enjoy being together in public, and may together project a poised and attractive image. It may be that Michael can be a social asset to Catherine's career, or Catherine's career provides a showcase for Michael's charm. Less positive scenarios could be that Michael is too frivolous or self-indulgent, or that Catherine's expectations of Michael are too demanding. If you concentrate on your ability to make a favorable impression as a couple and note the way that you're received by the public, you'll probably only show your charm. You may then never think of being too frivolous or making unrealistic demands.

Catherine could have a strong impact on Michael's career or public image, and Michael could use her career or public image to help Catherine to expand. For this aspect to work well, however, you need take turns totally supporting each other. While Michael concentrates on his career or public image, Catherine should lend her ideas or philosophy to help him reach his goals. While Catherine seeks ways to expand and develop herself personally, Michael should provide public or professional support to bring his partner's plans to fruition. In this way you can increase your reputation in the world both individually and as a couple.

With this combination Michael can stimulate Catherine to achieve more in the outer world, and Catherine can use his career or public image to help Michael to grow and develop. You could, however, be overly optimistic about what you can accomplish, or expect circumstances to take care of themselves. Then, nothing may happen, or results may fall short of expectations. While this aspect doesn't doom you to failure; it does mean that you need to apply effort. If you're waiting for fate or your fairy godmother to move you, you may wait for a very long time, but if you work at initiating your plan together, you may be amazed at how much the two of you can achieve.

Michael's career or public image should fit well with Catherine's concept of life structure, thus providing a strong foundation on which to build your relationship in material terms. Tangible success is what you're seeking, and for the most part you probably agree on what you're striving for. Because you believe that you have to work hard to get what you want, however, you probably don't take the easiest route. Fortunately you have the ability to work hard together, so though you may not advance quickly, your persistence will allow you to move steadily forward so that you ultimately get your rewards.

Michael's individuality or revolutionary tendencies might sometimes interfere with the public image that Catherine wants to project. Or Catherine's career or public image might make Michael feel inhibited or stifled. So you could sometimes feel embarrassed or restricted by one another. If this happens, take a break once in a while from your daily existence. Forget about the limitations, and do something new and different. Even an hour of release and relief might make you feel better and add a new spark of excitement to your relationship.

Getting Things Done

With this combination you and your partner can stimulate each other to create grand plans and push each other to greater and greater heights. Your joint energy level is high, so you may be able to accomplish a great deal. But you could be so energetic and enthusiastic that you don't take time to consider all the implications of your plans. You might try to move too far too fast, so that you miss details and waste energy having to redo the steps toward your goal. Or because you've neglected to think about the practicality of your ideas, you may get to a certain point and not be able to go any further. You share wonderful ideas that should not be ignored, but to avoid overextending yourselves either physically or monetarily, create intermediate steps to your ultimate goal. Frequently seeing accomplishment will keep your level of enthusiasm high, and you'll have time to consider the feasibility of the next phase of your plan before you start it.

You and your partner probably energize each other, but this could take the form of either action or anger. If anger comes up more often than action, it might be because Michael thinks as pushy, and/or Catherine considers Michael too self-centered. You may have heated discussions on these subjects, with nothing ever really resolved. There's a more constructive way to use the energy, and that is to share some kind of physical exercise. You might find that you can work out problems best when you're expending energy together. Or it may be that strenuous exercise leaves you too tired to fight. Either way, your interaction is likely to become less tense and more rewarding.

You may feel a strong urge to join Catherine's talents for initiating things with Michael's spiritual goals or artistic ability, but when you actually try to do this Catherine becomes exhausted and Michael becomes confused. One way to live with this combination work is to pursue your goals separately. Catherine can find something other than Michael's spirituality to direct, and Michael can look for spiritual gratification without trying to involve Catherine. Another creative use for this combination is to escape periodically from the real world. You can enjoy the fantasy you create and, in the process, Catherine can become re-energized and Michael can make use of his imagination. When you return to your everyday life, not only will you both be refreshed, you'll also have shared memories that can make your relationship stronger.

You may have a sexual attraction to Michael that feels deeply involving and transforming, so that there is a great deal of passion between you. At times, this may feel almost too intense to bear, and so there's the possibility that one or both of you could back off and insulate yourself from this almost scary force. Then, you may feel frozen, and the deep feelings that you have for each other may erupt in strange ways such as anger, fear, great sadness, inability to have sex, or attempts to gain power over each other. Turning off sexually or playing power games will certainly detract from your closeness.

If either of you feels that this is occurring, try to bring it out into the open. Also, little by little, allow yourselves to feel your intense feelings for each other even when they seem a bit frightening or overwhelming. You could seek out a safe space to do this - for example, in story, fantasy or art, or as a game in which you are safely contained by rules, or in therapy with therapist who maintains the usual therapeutic conventions. Let your feelings be pushed only to the brink of what you can feel, and then fully savor them, along with the attendant feelings of anger, hatred, love, fear or whatever else comes up. You don't have to act on these feelings, just feel them to the point where you demonstrate to yourself that you can have them without destroying either you or your relationship. As you little by little open yourself to these intense emotions, you'll also feel the intensity of love that you have for each other, and you can know the true entwining of souls that this combination promises.

Power Tip for Michael

When it comes to your personal resources, it's possible that Catherine may spur you to take the initiative rather than sit back and wait for the money to come in. You could thereby make more money. It's also possible that she could just urge you to spend. Either way, there may be a certain recklessness in the financial advice that she's giving you, because it will tend to emphasize action rather than analysis. You may have to place what she says in perspective. It is, after all, your resources that we're discussing. Don't let your partner badger you. You should have the ultimate say as to what you'll do with what belongs to you.

Power Tip for Catherine

Michael energizes you and pushes you to take action in areas such as religion, education, politics or distant travel. This will broaden you, and as long as the two of you are jointly involved, your enthusiasm will probably run high. However, if Michael only gets you started and then prods you to continue while himself losing interest, you may well experience resentment or burnout. If this happens, there are plenty of other activities to choose from. Select a new path to pursue together, and your enthusiasm is likely to return. If not, try another activity until you find one that ignites your shared interest.

Bringing out the Best in One Another

This interaction between your charts indicates that you and your partner can easily share tremendous (Jupiter) power (Pluto), and that you're eager to help each other make use of the energies that are available to you. The philosophical reasons that Catherine supplies can fan Michael's passion for being in charge, and the power that Michael can add to Catherine's words can greatly enhance Catherine's philosophical ideas. Thus you may always seem to be recharging each other. As a couple, you may often find yourselves in a powerful position, because your joint power is not only felt by you, it is also sensed by others. If either of you needs an occasional break from being in charge, temporarily back off and do something by yourselves. Then you soon should be ready to return, because with this combination it's easier and more gratifying to be in charge than to follow the lead of others.

When it comes to expansion and contraction, you and your partner are likely to have a natural system of checks and balances. While Michael may have lots of ideas for development and growth, they may lack practicality, and so it's good that Catherine will probably excel at determining the feasibility of these ideas. Also, while Catherine may tend to be conservative and not want to take chances, Michael will tend to expand her horizons. It's true that occasionally Michael could feel restricted by Catherine's close scrutiny, and Catherine could be a bit unnerved by Michael's disregard for boundaries. But the more that Catherine's direction helps Michael's ideas materialize, the more you'll realize what a good team you really are.

In your relationship, one of you is stimulated to expand (Jupiter), and the other is stimulated to be as individual as possible (Uranus). It may be hard to understand how these qualities in two different people could merge into unity, and yet, with this aspect, they do. Instead of triggering each other's need for individual freedom, you stimulate each other to concentrate on mutual growth. Therefore, you can be a creative and adventurous couple. Others may see you as liberal or even radical, and as a couple you may take chances that others might not take. But you'll probably also accomplish more than other couples, and you can be sure that your relationship will rarely, if ever, be boring.

You and your partner may very much enjoy being together, probably because you stimulate each other to broaden your horizons. However, instead of developing as individuals or as a couple, you could find that you cause each other to be extravagant, or to overindulge yourselves in some other way. Get involved in a shared activity that will help you both to grow, but the minute you find yourselves overdoing, remember to stop and re-evaluate your situation. If you take reasonable precautions against overextending yourselves, you'll be able to enjoy the shared adventures that this aspect suggests.

You and your partner probably agree that you want to grow and develop together, but you may not be in accord on how you should do this. One or both of you might feel that the other is always taking the lead and not considering your own needs in broadening yourself. The resulting unhappiness could rob you of the satisfaction of growing as a couple. It may work better if you alternate taking the lead, during which times the other person totally adjusts to your needs. Your partner may support your ideas with some of his or her own, and you may find that this makes it much easier to develop personally. When you're sharing the experience of personal expansion, you cannot help but grow as a couple as well.

In your relationship the principles of expansion (Jupiter) and contraction (Saturn) are closely connected, but in such a way that Catherine feels restricted because she thinks that Michael often tries to stifle her ideas and plans. And Michael might feel insecure when Catherine wants to change things. Some of Catherine's ideas and plans may be feasible, and some of Michael's concerns are probably legitimate. So, instead of constantly limiting each other, try to find one plan of Catherine's that Michael thinks has a reasonable chance of succeeding, and then implement it. When you join forces to make ideas materialize, you'll feel better about your relationship. You may need to move slowly, with each success you have it will become easier to work together the next time.

A Chart for Your Relationship

Your relationship itself, like an individual, has astrological roots formed by the combination of your joint energies. To uncover these roots we've combined both your individual charts to form a composite chart. This report looks at the nature of this combined force, what it means to have a sun and a moon, how the relationship works and how you as a couple approach the rest of the world. We'll also see how people view you as a couple, and how easy or difficult it is for you to operate as a unit.

Whether you're dating or have been in a relationship for a long time, you can use this report not only to help you learn more about each other and discover how you can make one another happy, but also to better understand how the relationship wants to work.

Like the relationship, almost everybody's astrology chart shows both positive and negative possibilities. This report will help you see where some of these problems might come from, and suggest constructive actions you can take to help you work through them. It will also alert you to the strengths you can build on. With all this knowledge, you'll be able to help your loving relationship grow for a long time to come.

The Relationship in Context

Before looking at the relationship in depth, let's just see whether there are any particularly dominant themes or striking features.

Vocal Champions

Communications tend to be essential to the way that you and your partner operate as a couple. It is probably easier for you to talk about what you are going to do than it is to take action. You can usually grasp the overview of what needs to be done, but may find it difficult to determine the precise route to your goals. So you think, talk and listen, but do not necessarily move.

Because you are objective and readily understand the views of others, when you ultimately begin to take action you will incorporate the ideas that you believe are appropriate. In fact, you may take action more rapidly if you think you are acting on behalf of an individual or of humanity in general.

Although you consider others in what you do, you are not unduly influenced by any particular group or individual. Because of your objectivity, you can be equally swayed by everyone, so that you have difficulty making up your minds. Be aware that you could wait so long to take action that you miss opportunities. However, verbalizing ideas and potential plans could be the first step in making them materialize. So keep the lines of communications open. This will not only help you understand each other better, it can also assist you in making decisions. Eventually, after you have thought, discussed and planned, you can begin to move.

Going with the Flow

An above-average number of planets in Mutable signs and/or houses suggests that you and your partner may be happiest when you're involved in several different activities at once. Enjoying interacting and communicating, you also tend to be very agreeable when you are with others. However, your continuous movement could cause you to be viewed as shallow or scattered, and your congeniality might make people wonder if you have any opinions of your own. The two of you might even get upset with yourselves for not making up your minds more quickly.

The good thing is that you are not overly forceful, and you do listen to the views of others rather than pushing your own upon them. For this reason, few will view you as a threat, and you are not likely to have enemies. Your tendency to listen to others and follow their advice (even if your actions only last until the next person tells you what to do) will make them feel important and will cause you to be well-liked.

The Essence of Your Relationship

Peace and harmony are goals that appeal to you and your partner. Because of this you will tend to bend over backwards to please each other and anyone else with whom you come into contact. Perhaps because it is hard for you to decide what you personally want, you may tend to consider the desires of others first while neglecting your own.

The advantage in having difficulty making up your minds is that it can make you good mediators. As a couple, you are able objectively to see all sides of a situation, making you able to come up with solutions that are fair for all parties.

However, you may find it hard to make a decision that affects the two of you. Seeing all the alternatives so clearly may cause you to waffle so much that you procrastinate. If little is accomplished when you and your partner try to cooperate with each other, you may want to try a new approach. Remember that Libra is the sharing sign. You should be easily able to talk to each other, and this is what you want to do before you determine joint goals. But you do not want to be all talk and no action. One solution to your quandary would be to keep your alternatives to a minimum. You might be able to make decisions more quickly if you considered only two alternatives, and moved on one of them before you had time to reconsider.

You and your partner probably find each other exciting. And you can easily help each other to express individuality and attain ego gratification. The individuality could take the form of creativity. So personally, with the assistance of your partner, you could produce original thoughts or objects. Or, as a couple, you find that you are more creative because you are together. Whatever you produce together, you will probably receive approval and ego gratification. Or instead, you might focus on excitement rather than creativity and not consider how your behavior will be judged. If you are too bizarre you might not get the ego gratification you desire. If you feel that you are not getting the approval you want, concentrate on the creativity. You should be able to make changes quickly, and once you begin to get the praise you want, you may not feel it necessary to act so strangely.

Whenever ego and emotional gratification are in the foreground, you and your partner could experience some friction between you. You might disagree on what constitutes ego gratification, or either of you could find that when your partner is visible in the world your emotional needs are ignored. Or conversely, when the emotions of one partner are the focus of attention, the other partner's visible image suffers. It is difficult to say which of you would play which role because you are each capable of performing in either manner. And you may alternate unacceptable behavior. However, there are remedies that could be effective. So, since either of you could be the culprit with each scenario, practice nurturing and also praising and applauding each other. Then, not only will you each feel more appreciated and more cared for, but you will also have a greater understanding of what your partner needs in terms of emotions and ego.

With this combination, there can be a connection between ego gratification and spirituality. But it is not easy to combine the two. And if you try to blend them too closely you could either become confused about what your goals are, or feel that you give so much that you cannot receive the personal gratification you want. But you must consider both your own desires, and be altruistic as well. However, it is best if focus on one side at a time. So at times you should pursue your ego gratification together, with altruism in the background to keep you from becoming too self-centered. At other times, keep material goals in the background and instead focus on enriching yourselves spiritually. It you keep developing and satisfying both the self-oriented side of your joint personality and the spiritual side, you should be able to maintain the best of both the material and the spiritual world.

Ego and power are connected in your relationship. And it is important for you to remember that you both need to get ego gratification and you both want to feel empowered. But if you try to merge these facets of yourselves too closely, you might feel that your partner is trying to control you or attempting to overshadow you. And it is possible that there are times when each of you feels controlled and times when each of you feels overshadowed. Instead of merging, you should take turns being in the foreground. When one of you pursuing ego gratification the other should throw all personal power behind that partner's goals. And when one of you is asserting power the other should use the force of his or her personality to support the cause. In this way, you will each have your time upon the stage. And thus you will feel your partner's cooperation and respect. So you can both experience ego gratification and feel empowered individually. And that will permit you to be more confident and powerful as a couple interacting with the outer world.

As a couple, you and your partner might not be as assertive or as initiating as you would like to be. You may believe that your attempts to be aggressive are thwarted by others who might ignore you or bully you. And if this occurs a few times you become reticent to try to move forward. You feel safer, though not necessarily happier, staying in the background and letting other people take the lead. Or possibly either or both of you could feel that your partner interferes with your taking action when the two of you are involved. This interference may occur because you disagree on what action should be taken, so you argue about what should be done instead of moving. The result of any of the aforementioned scenarios is that you could feel ineffectual as a couple. But actively trying to force yourselves to be more assertive is probably not the best route to take. You will be more successful if you turn your combined energy into developing your spiritual life together. This should give you the inner strength to create a greater impact on the outer world.

Emotional Foundations

Your composite Moon governs the emotional expression of you as a couple toward the outside world. It can also indicate the tone of your emotional interactions with each other and the way your nurturing and nesting impulses are expressed.

As a couple, you and your partner may seem unemotional. When others use their feelings to elicit your sympathy, you may remain in their company, but become detached from them and their situation. If you try to use these tactics on each other, the result is the same. Individually you may easily express tears and may readily respond with sympathy, but not as a couple.

This lack of emotional demonstrativeness does not mean that you are uncaring. You do have feelings, but as a couple it is difficult for you to show them. Also, you feel uncomfortable with people or circumstances that are too emotional.

This ability to detach yourselves has advantages. It can prevent you from being emotionally wounded, and it can sometimes be used to solve problems more quickly than merely displaying emotions would. If one of you should become personally upset and begin to rant and rave at your partner, it would very likely bring on a cool response or none at all. This, of course, would only upset you more, and you would solve nothing. Rather than ranting and raving it is best to sit down together and calmly discuss the matter. As you examine feelings objectively, you will understand your partner's viewpoint as well as your own. Then the two of you can come to a decision that will satisfy you both.

Although there is a strong connection between you and your partner when it comes to love and other feelings, you might find that it is easier to trigger anger than to elicit more tender emotions. If either or both of you frequently become angry, you certainly would not be inclined to show love and affection. So if all you get from your partner is anger or nothing, you begin to think only about your own needs. Then you will not consider what your partner wants. So you become self-centered and that is the way you will be viewed by both your partner and the outside world. Instead of just feeling ignored and being upset, force yourself to be a little nurturing toward your partner. If one of you starts the process, the other will probably reciprocate. Then you can share more love and affection and have enough left to give some to the outer world.

This combination connects emotions with the principle of freedom. So we have to reconcile the desire to be close and nurturing with the need for detachment. But if you try to blend these qualities too closely, one of you might feel unloved and be prone to emotional outbursts, while the other feels smothered. And it is possible that one of you is always emotional and the other always detached, or you alternate these reactions. Either way, as a couple, you need both freedom and emotional attachment, so you have to learn to balance the two in your life. From the viewpoint of the lunar needs, express your feelings to the point that you sense resistance from your partner. Then back off. And from the perspective of the need for freedom reach for independence and excitement but do not ignore your partner's emotional needs. If you operate in this manner, you will be able to share electricity and excitement without sacrificing feelings.

Romance

Among other things, your composite Venus shows your veneer, the ingratiating surface through which the two of you carry on your relationships with each other and the outside world. It also shows your relationship to all that is beautiful and pleasurable. As such, it can be a key ingredient of your joy in being together.

When you are together, your talent for efficiency seems to multiply. Daily chores are dispatched with an easy graciousness. The two of you seem to value a certain type of order in your lives. As your relationship continues, the daily details of living will become a smoothly functioning machine. Order and organization are something you are aware of and they come more naturally to you when you are together. Others may marvel at just how much the two of you can accomplish in a short time. It is possible that you share work projects or enjoy helping each other with individual work-related issues. In your social circle, you will be known for your ability to get work done, whatever it might be. Not only that, but there is an added touch of caring for the details that often makes all the difference. As a couple you would prefer to associate with those who enjoy producing results in their lives instead of just talking about ideas. In fact, one of your kindest acts is your willingness to help your friends with their work issues or projects. The downside of this placement could be an excessive preoccupation with neatness and order, so that flow and spontaneity are stifled. Another pitfall is to be overly concerned with minor things and to feel the impulse to have everything perfect at all times. If you think about it, this kind of perfection is impossible to achieve and can only serve to make life difficult for all concerned. Be sure and leave space in your schedule for non-working time and consider playfulness as being equally important in your life.

With this combination, pleasure, love and affection are connected with spirituality. But this aspect indicates that there is a need for adjustment, so it is difficult to merge the two too closely. When you focus totally on having a good time and ignoring your spiritual pursuits, you may feel there is a lack of depth in your relationship. But if you think only of spiritual fulfillment, you could feel that pleasure is missing in your life. However, if you have times when you simply express how you feel and have faith that it will work, and other times when you emphasize spiritual development but allow yourselves to enjoy the pursuit, you will be experiencing the best of both planets. And ultimately you will feel that the love you share has a strong spiritual basis. Then the way you feel about each other will become part of your public image, and others will be just as drawn to the two of you as you are to each other.

With this combination, you and your partner can share a powerful passion or you might have power struggles when love is involved. But this aspect indicates that there is a need for adjustment, so it could take effort to avoid the latter, and promote the former. The secret to success is that you each be allowed to assert power with your partner's support. Then you ought to take turns leading the way in expressing affection with your partner throwing all passion behind your efforts. This should also be the way the two of you deal with others. You should alternate asserting power with the other partner totally following the leader. If you both have turns at leading and supporting it will be easier to cooperate. And there will be no need to challenge each other. So power should not be an issue between you. And by asserting power in a charming and tactful way in the outer world, everyone will want to be on your side. Then you can become power figures with cooperation rather than resistance from others.

With this combination love and attractiveness are connected with sexuality and assertiveness. So you and your partner are undoubtedly drawn to each other. And, with this aspect, you want to help each other to be more attractive and to initiate more effectively. Since you focus on making each other look and perform better, you probably are seen as a charming and attractive couple. You might sometimes wonder if you should be more forceful, and wish that people viewed you more seriously. But being liked may make people cooperate with you more readily. So you may not be seen as aggressive leaders, but using diplomacy in taking the initiative will likely get what you want without effort and without the challenge you might get if you were overtly aggressive.

Your being a couple tends to make the two of you all the more attractive to others. While your relationship may or may not make you look better physically, it will almost certainly bring out more charm and poise. Not only will others seek you out and take pleasure in your company, you should enjoy being with each other as well.

Another part of your mission as a couple may have to do with creating or seeking beauty. Or you could be especially concerned with attracting money or valuable objects into your life.

This combination is indicative of pleasure, fun and optimism. So you and your partner can have a good time together. And your attitude is easily projected into the world. Therefore, people seek your company because you make them feel good. What is missing with this combination, however, is control. It is easy to have fun, but difficult to know when to stop. So you could over-indulge yourselves or over-extend yourselves financially, and lead others to do the same. Then you could be viewed as extravagant and prone to excesses. The best way to change such opinions is to start with the relationship that you and your partner share. Seek some activities that are free or inexpensive, but still pleasurable. Find places where food and drink are not served, and you can still grow or have a good time. If there is nothing to tempt you, you will not have worry about will power. So you can have fun without overdoing and others can enjoy your company without negative consequences.

With this placement, you and your partner could be spiritual leaders in a group, or at least are viewed as charismatic by members of organizations with which you are connected. Or the two of you might think you become invisible when you are interacting with groups. And, therefore, you frequently feel ignored when you are at a gathering. It is also possible that you are admired in some groups and ignored in others. It is, of course, flattering to be on the receiving end of the adulation, but with that attention comes the responsibility to live up the expectations of your admirers. And, although it can be deflating to be ignored, there may be certain situations when invisibility can be advantageous. So perhaps you and your partner should capitalize on both possibilities and join some groups that will satisfy one need, and some groups that will satisfy the other.

Your Personal Dialogue

As a couple you develop a style of communication that differs from what you might use alone. Whether you're direct and blunt or subtle and quiet, each of these styles has drawbacks that you should be conscious of, as well as strengths that you can be proud of and use to your advantage.

You and your partner may notice that your communication style is quite analytical. The object of your analysis can be anything from the most common chore to the conversation you had with a co-worker. You would excel in finding efficient ways to handle issues, especially if you discuss what must be done ahead of time, so that each of you knows what your task will be. If you have not planned for and agreed on specific tasks in advance, you could easily find yourselves criticizing each other during the process. Neither of you is likely to be happy with that. So, be sure and discuss the details of what you will be doing and how it is to be accomplished. Then, there will be no misunderstandings nor any unnecessary picking at each other.

In social situations, others will notice that you have a very natural and pragmatic way of communicating and that you tend to pay attention to nuances and details. This placement would work particularly well if your mutual involvements or projects require keeping accurate records, writing skills or multi-tasking. The two of you would be great at understanding the structure of systems and at any sort of quality-control activity.

There is a critical tendency associated with this position, which would best be used in service work for the community or for any cause or project that captures your fancy. However, if either of you becomes annoyed, your criticism could be turned on the other partner. To prevent this, make sure that you have enough projects to occupy your time, so that you will be too tired to carp at your partner.

You and your partner want to help each other to communicate openly and to be assertive. So together you may be more physically active and more verbally expressive than either of you are individually. And when you are operating as a unit, the world will see you as energetic communicators. Just as you each have the ability to stir up your partner, as a couple, you also stir up others. You may sometimes seem a little too aggressive, or too brash, but you are stimulating. And it will never be dull when you are around. You usually speak your minds so others do not have to wonder about your hidden agenda. That in itself can be refreshing. But in addition, because you are together, you can bring interest and excitement into each other's lives as well as the lives of those with whom you come into contact.

Communications are an integral part of the relationships that you and your partner share in the outer world. With this combination you are not seeking highly intellectual contacts. Rather you are looking for people you can easily talk to on a social level. In fact, ease of communications may be an important criteria in your selection of those with whom you interact. And with these aspects, you and your partner can undoubtedly develop a rapport with others. The two of you undoubtedly have no difficulty communicating with each other and you can also help each other to communicate in the outer world with ease. In addition, as a couple, you will be attentive to those with whom you are socializing. So these individuals feel comfortable with you, and view the two of you as adept communicators.

There could be a telepathic connection between you and your partner. But it may not work with perfection. So if you count on it all of the time, you could have misunderstandings and confusion arising between you. You should make use of the telepathy. However, it may be a good idea occasionally to talk about what you are feeling, especially if you feel unsure or confused. Another possibility with this combination is that the two of you share a vivid imagination. So together you have a talent in storytelling. But you may not automatically distinguish between fact and fiction. So others may see you as highly imaginative or untruthful. Here again, as with your partner, if you believe that you are confusing others or they seem to be misunderstanding you, tell those with whom you are communicating, what is fact and what is fiction. This way you can avoid confusion and misunderstandings. And you will make a much better impression on the outer world.

You and your partner could energetically communicate with each other and be visible to the outer world as communicators as well. Among your favorite topics could be your ego gratification or the life direction the two of you are taking, or would like to take. If you talk to each other a great deal about these matters, it may always be interesting to you unless one of you is going all the talking and the other all the listening. Should you be the disgruntled partner doing all the listening, you need not continue to suffer. Speak up. After all this is an aspect your share and your input is just as relevant as your partner's. So this can be easily solved. However, when you are communicating with others, if the two of you only talk about your goals and life direction, you might find that you are considered self-centered. If you find that people get annoyed with your emphasis on yourselves, you could use your energetic communications on many topics. So talk about what others are interested in discussing, and you may be more appreciated. Which is, after all your ultimate goal.

You and your partner probably enjoy talking to each other and to the outer world as well. And those with whom you interact as a couple, will see you as charming, tactful and facile communicators. Your conversations may not be deep, but they should be interesting to those with whom you are socializing. With the emphasis on being pleasant and diplomatic, it may not be easy for you to show dissatisfaction or to lodge complaints. So your peaceful and calm demeanor might sometimes mask anger or unhappiness. But there may be a way to get out any negative feelings you may be harboring without creating any disharmony. In addition to tact and charm, the two of you could share creative talent in communicating. So if you have the urge to write together or to perform on stage as a couple, you might find either of these possibilities will be effective in dealing with any negativity you feel. Under such circumstances, expressing hostility is acceptable by playing hostile roles, and you need not bring it into your personal relationship.

You and your partner should have no difficulty communicating. And, as a couple, you are undoubtedly seen as talkers and/or big thinkers. You will never be accused of being small-minded and you easily grasp the overview of a situation. You can also be philosophical and optimistic. And you have the ability expand each other's ideas. In addition, as a couple, you can cheer up people and help them to broaden their perspective. You might sometimes exaggerate or talk too much or create grand plans that are too grand to carry out. You could try to allow others to speak more, and attempt to be more realistic with your ideas and plans, but control is not easy with this combination. And, if you weigh the potential of talking too much against the cheerful atmosphere the two of you create, people will probably tolerate the former in order to have the latter.

When you and your partner are operating as a unit, you could come across as emotional communicators. This might mean that you seem overly emotional or that you trigger feelings in people through what you say or write. There seems to something in your chemistry that touches people emotionally and this could be true of communications between the two of you as well as with others. You might be calm, cool and collected otherwise, but when you are having discussions with each other, feelings get stirred up.

Emotions, however, do not have to be bad. You would probably want to avoid emotional outbursts both because they are unpleasant and also because they make you feel out of control. And when you are out of control, you are not effective. But, before anything occurs to upset you, use this placement to nurture or sooth your partner with your words. He or she may reciprocate, and both of you will feel secure and cared for. Then you can use the ability the two of you share to have an emotional impact on others.

You and your partner might like to discuss politics, religion and/or higher education, but as social conversation rather than expressing fervent opinions. Or you might belong to a group that falls in one of these categories. But if this is true, your involvement would tend toward networking or sociability rather than deep-seated commitment. If you belong to a political party you would probably work the phones, participate in voter registration, and/or hand out campaign information instead of standing on a soapbox and passionately politicking. If you choose a religious group it would be more attracted to the social interaction than the religious tenets. And if you select higher education you would more likely be active in the alumni association, keeping in touch with people you met in college rather than promoting higher standards of education. Any or all of these kinds of activities can be interesting for the two of you, and you need not worry about strong feelings interfering with the sociability.

You could use travel, politics, religion, philosophy or education to enhance your joint persona or get ego gratification as a couple. Whatever you choose to pursue among these alternatives, you will undoubtedly be actively involved and visible. But being noticed does not necessarily equate with being admired. You cannot hide your light under a bushel and it will be evident when you are reaching out to gather information. But if you keep what you learn to yourselves you could be viewed as self-serving, pompous and/or smug. Whereas, if you share what you learn with others, you will probably be seen as generous, and become noted for your knowledge. In addition, as you are informing others, they will very likely tell you what they know. So not only will you be more favorable viewed by these individuals, but they will be broadening you and thus the process sharing information can be mutually enriching.

You and your partner could enjoy travelling to distant places together, and take pleasure in sharing the sights and the cultures. You also could be involved, as a couple, in politics, religion or higher education. However, you will probably not join in such activities to be forceful, nor because of strong convictions in regard politics, spirituality or education. Others may become involved because of personal convictions. But your motivation would most likely be for social interaction. You just like being with these people, and even the most vehement members of the group would undoubtedly enjoy being with you. This is because they can vent their opinions and not get an argument from you. In fact, you and your partner may be called upon to be arbitrators when there are warring factions. So you might have a good time in such groups and, at the same time, gain a reputation for being diplomats and talented peacemakers.

You and your partner could share great interest in religion, travel, higher education and/or politics. You might select any or all of these areas for your development as a couple. And you will enter wholeheartedly into whatever area you choose. If religion is your choice you could spend a lot of time at church or use the tenets to create a philosophy of life. If travel is what you prefer, you could take many trips together. With education you might share courses. And if politics appeals to you, you could become extremely active in a political party. Whatever direction you select, you will undoubtedly give a great deal of time and money. As the two of you develop and learn about the area(s) of your choice, spread the word to others. This may be a replacement for the potential of overextending yourselves physically or financially.

You and your partner could be leaders in the areas of politics, religion or higher education so that you can exert power in the world. Or you might use this placement more personally. You could have strong shared ideas on any or all of these subjects and forcefully try to push them onto others. Or perhaps your strong ideas are not shared and either or both of you try to control the viewpoint of the other. In either of these cases, disagreement could lead to violent eruptions. If you are frequently battling with each other you might want to become active in a political, religious or educational group. You should quickly find yourselves in positions of power. And feeling empowered rather than threatened may help you to discover ideas on which you agree. Then you can present a united front and be more influential with outsiders, including those who previously disagreed with you.

How You Project as a Couple

Being together creates a space where you can share a thirst for knowledge and a sense of adventure. You probably stimulate each other to take courses, travel, or get involved in religious or spiritual activities together. The two of you are constantly trying to broaden yourselves, and you feel that there is so much to learn and to do. You're therefore unlikely to stay still for long. So that you can be free to roam widely both physically and intellectually, you probably don't want heavy responsibilities.

As long as you're seeking your goals together, all should go well. However, if, instead of sharing, you move in separate directions, either of you might begin to feel that the other is irresponsible. You probably don't want total togetherness, but you'll want to keep a connection by sharing at least one activity.

Not only do each of you want to avoid being chained to your partner, as a couple you don't want friends who are overly demanding of your time and attention. Fortunately, you're probably attracted to people who want to be as unencumbered as you do. They may not always be around when you would like them to be, but to you that's still better than having friends who are constantly hovering. You might find that it works best to have at least two best friends or two sets of best friends. Then, when the two of you are in the mood for companionship, one of these friends or set of friends will probably be available.

Individualism is an important part of your life together. As a couple you have little need to conform to anyone else's idea of how you should behave. You're independent, and the only approval that you need is your own. To reach your goals or simply to keep life interesting, you're capable of taking some highly unusual routes, and you have few qualms about being rebellious. Starting a revolution creates an air of excitement that you may crave as a couple. If you also change an unsatisfactory situation, so much the better.

Another good thing about this combination is that you can each stimulate personal creativity in the other. Because you support each other in regard to creativity, your relationship can make you much more innovative than you would be individually. Whatever direction you choose to take, make sure that it involves a bit of surprise and adventure, and then you'll feel happy and fulfilled.

Professional Self

Your public image as a couple, and the reputation that the two of you have in the outside world, are symbolized by the composite Midheaven, which, fittingly enough, is situated at the very top of your chart wheel. Your Midheaven also signifies the highest point of your trajectory in life - the goals that you're striving for together.

At the other end of the Midheaven axis is the lowest point in your composite chart, the I.C. As you might expect, this symbolizes your base of operations -- the kind of home, family and private life that you will experience as a couple.

People who don't know you well see the two of you as emanating calmness, tact and charm. And it's true that you don't have an agenda that you try to force on others. When you're out in public, you have a charming way of focusing your attention on individuals. No matter who you're dealing with, you treat them as equals, and you make an effort to listen to them and to understand their viewpoint. They end up feeling that you not only grasp what they're saying, you're also on their side. And so they're likely to feel that they're partners with the two of you.

Since you seem to have an objectivity that makes everyone think of you as allies, you may often be called upon to be mediators. Together the two of you might even do this professionally.

In private, the two of you are probably much more opinionated and also more physically active. You might sometimes wonder why your home environment doesn't reflect the serenity that you project to the outside world. The main reason is that you need to expend energy somewhere, and home seems to be the logical place to do it. You might sometimes say that you wish your home life were more peaceful, but actually you'd be bored if it were. If your surroundings are too quiet, you're inclined to counter this by stirring up some activity.

The best use of this combination is for you and your partner to assert power together in the world. However, there could be the tendency for one of you to try always to be in charge. Then the other partner might feel his or her power has been usurped and could publicly challenge the assertive partner. If this occurs you will be dissipating your energy rather than utilizing it. You can avoid the need to vie with your partner for position if you take turns leading the way. When you are in charge your partner should throw total support behind you, and vice versa. Since you each are allowed to express your power and your partner follows your lead during those times, you will feel personally empowered. And cooperation between you becomes easier and easier. Then, before you know it, you will be operating as a united force in the world, asserting your joint power and being accepted as leaders by the public.

You and your partner should be well-organized in your interaction with the outer world and you will probably be serious and responsible when you are in public. Therefore, others will look to you when they want to accomplish something practical. And when the two of you take on a commitment, you will undoubtedly follow through. You could sometimes feel somewhat burdened by your worldly responsibilities but they give you a purpose in life, and probably bring you material rewards as well. And, although once in a while you might think you would like to be more freewheeling in public, you would not feel comfortable without some sense of organization. You also have a talent in giving orders, delegating and acting as authority figures. The two of you will work hard in your interaction with the world but because you cooperate so well with each other it will not seem to take much effort. And the material rewards should be forthcoming.

You and your partner can easily express originality and creativity when you are dealing with the public. And you want to help each other to better express your individuality and to make a more and more favorable impression on the world. In addition to assisting each other individually, you also want excitement in your dealings with the world as a couple. If you share a career, you need variety and challenge. Or if you simply socialize together in public you are looking for excitement and adventure. However, since you assist each other to be personally more individualistic and to make a favorable impression on the world, this cannot help but enhance your relationship. You will probably be twice as spontaneous. So you should find it simple to express joint individualism and creativity. You may occasionally get carried away, but for the most part you should also be view by the outer world as exciting and adventurous.

As a couple, you and your partner will be visible in the world, and possibly you will attain ego gratification through some public role that the two of you share. If you have a career in common, you both need to be in the limelight. Therefore it's best if someone other than you or your partner is put charge of work behind the scenes.

Even if you do not share a career, you still need to share the stage. If either of you feels that the other is getting more recognition, the partner who feels ignored may try to gain attention. Some people do this by disparaging the more visible partner. The problem with this approach is that the two of you are considered a unit. If your partner looks bad, so do you. The best approach is to find ways to share the stage, and both reach toward goals on which you can agree. By cooperating, you can present a united front, make a favorable impression on the world, and get the ego gratification that you both want.

You and your partner are undoubtedly viewed as an attractive and charming couple when you are interacting with the outer world. And you probably enjoy the public role you play together. If you share a career, tact and diplomacy may be part of what you do. If you do not share a career, you will still utilize tact and diplomacy. They will just be part of your social skills. Unless it is otherwise stated in the chart, you will not be seen as serious and hard-working, and chances are that when you are operating as a unit in public, you do prefer to have a good time rather than work hard. This does not mean, however, that you will lack accomplishment. There are many times when charm will get you much further than assertiveness and hard work. For example, when you are nice to people they may willingly do your bidding. Whereas had you bullied them, they would probably have resisted cooperating. As the old cliche goes, you can get more bees with honey than you can with vinegar.

You and your partner can expand and develop through interaction with the outer world. You might do this in connection with a career or by simply dealing with the public socially. If you share a career you could prod each other to take giant steps forward. But even if you do not share a career, you might give each other ideas on how to get ahead professionally. Whether you work together or not, however, you will probably enjoy interacting with the public as a couple. The world might see you as fun-loving and cheerful, or possibly extravagant and too boisterous-and maybe all of the above. If you feel that you are over-extending yourselves when you are out in public, or are not content with the image you project, think of how you can enjoy yourselves more. The potential is there. And when you are having a good time and you are growing out in the world, the negative possibilities will disappear into the background, or at least become less important.

You and your partner could feel restricted by each other when trying to carry out your daily routine. If this is the case, it could be that either or both of your believe that the other is dictatorial and disapproving of what tasks you do and how you do them. Should this occur, possibly you would grumble a great deal and accomplish very little. You might avoid such difficulties or alleviate them if they arise, by getting organized-and doing it together. Determining what must be done and creating a list might be an excellent first step. Next, jointly decide who should do what and set about working individually within this framework. When you have completed a job, cross it off the list. By working separately, neither of you will boss the other. In addition, seeing what you have achieved by the items that are crossed off the list, will give both of you a sense of accomplishment and make future cooperation much easier.

Energy, Drive and Sex

Your collective level of energy and the way you go about taking action are shown by your composite Mars. Here also is the key to how abrasive or timid you might be. Fortunately, your Mars position also shows how you can manage anger most effectively and find either outlets for excess energy or remedies for a lack of it.

Being together causes you to act with more passion and intensity, and others may sense a certain magnetism and power in you as a couple. The two of you probably have an active sex life, and you'll be likely to spend a lot of time making your sex life the best it can be. In fact, the two of you can be relentless in your efforts to accomplish almost anything. To temper your energies and prevent exhaustion or unnecessary outbursts, however, you may need to curb your strong reactions to emotional hurt.

The extreme quality of your energy will turn some people off. Particularly when you're angry, others will want to get away from you, because your energy can linger like a black cloud. Also, until you've assessed a situation, the two of you may be cautious about revealing yourselves. And so, because they may not be able to gauge where you're coming from, people could suspect your motives. Still, in an emergency, people will appreciate your natural ability to take charge and maintain composure.

To maximize the potential of your combined energy, focus on constructive activities. Research, investments, or other monetary activities can be natural arenas for your energy. However, letting go could be one of your most difficult lessons. If your investments aren't working, you may need to steel yourselves to cut your losses and move on..

On the positive side, neither of you is likely to leave your relationship at the first sign of trouble. You have staying power and the will to see problems through and work them out.

Together your and your partner have energy and enthusiasm which you share with each other. You also want to help each other to grow and develop. And you are both capable of initiating the ideas of your partner. So you are always there to stimulate each other to grander goals. And you have enough energy and enthusiasm left over to stimulate other people as well. Although you probably are never at a loss for ideas on how to grow, you may not have the patience to organize your ideas into a practical course of action. And you may not even take to time to determine if you schemes have true merit. Therefore, you might urge each other to attempt to accomplish more than is feasible, or possibly end results could sometimes fall short of expectations. But your energy level is high enough and your support for each other strong enough keep pushing you forward. And this may help you to achieve goals that not only seem impossible, but that many other people cannot achieve.

You and your partner are undoubtedly energetic and active when you interact with other people as a couple. You tend to be directors rather than followers, and could be seen as overbearing by some. This is especially true if you are dealing with individuals who do not want to be led. The result of such interaction could be arguments and confrontations to vie for who is in charge. You certainly do not what to be involved in relationships that are too calm and peaceful. That would be boring. So you might thrive on the confrontation. If not, you could look for people who want to be led. Then you can take charge and direct them without interference. But perhaps it will be most gratifying if you share the leadership role with others. You really do not always want to be in charge anyway. If you take this route, the stimulation works in both directions and everyone can be active without anger.

On Your Own Terms

The eighth house represents, among other things, your sex life. Uranus in this house can indicate one of two possibilities. One is that you and your partner experience a great deal of excitement in your sexual activities, and feel completely free and uninhibited when you are so engaged. The other is that you each want a degree of freedom in determining if and when you will have sex. Your motivation is that you do not want to be treated as a sex object, and instead want respect as an individual. But your attitude may make you seem cool and aloof. If you do show each other respect and consideration, you may find that when you are both in the mood, you can share exciting sex because you feel that you are each doing it on your own terms.

Broadening Your Horizons

For any relationship to stay alive, the partners need to grow together, and become more than they were. The composite Jupiter shows the way you can do this. It shows how you can reach out and connect with the world, how you can both enrich and be enriched by what you encounter. Your composite Jupiter is the key to optimism, prosperity, and good times together learning, traveling, acquiring, entertaining and bestowing gifts. It can also alert you to areas of dangerous excess, such as overspending, exaggerating or overeating.

Development and growth are connected with spirituality in your relationship. So it is possible for the two of you to expand through your spiritual beliefs. However, with this aspect there is need for adjustment. And one reason for adjustment could be that either or both of you are so engrossed in your own spirituality or development that you do not consider your partner's needs. Instead of trying to force your ideas on spirituality and expansion on your partner, or vice versa, listen to each other. By taking turns expressing your beliefs, and hearing what is being said, you might be able to find a spirituality that encompasses essential needs you both have. So you will each feel gratification and grow personally. But you will probably also find that your newly formed belief systems helps you to expand as a couple.

Together, you and your partner can create grand plans to expand your horizons and attain greater ego gratification. You can also share an optimism that will help you to reach toward your goals. However, creation of your plan may be more important than the implementation of it. You might not have the patience to work out the details, nor even to determine if the plan is feasible. So it is possible that you sometimes overextend yourselves. You might spend too much money. Or possibly, after working toward your goal for a while, you can become overwhelmed by what still remains undone. But your concern will probably be short-lived because your optimism and enthusiasm should get you started again. And it is amazing what the proper attitude can do for accomplishing even the most difficult of tasks.

You and your partner undoubtedly enjoy socializing together. And you are drawn to people whom you can help to develop and those who can expand your horizons. And to enjoy the interaction you really need both the give and the take. You probably have no difficulty finding such individuals, but your enthusiasm could sometimes cause you to take over and give more information than you get. You might not let the other people have their say, and they could feel overwhelmed by you. And even though you may be the instigators, you could start to believe that these individuals with whom you are interacting are not helping you to develop at all. Then none of you will be enjoying the relationship, and enjoyment should be part of the interaction. Do not stop helping these individuals to broaden their horizons. Just remember to be receptive to them as well. Then everyone will be contributing, and as you all grow, the association will be pleasurable for each of you.

Using This Comparison of Your Charts

We've taken a brief look at both of your birth charts and a closer look at how your individual charts relate to each other. Perhaps now you have a little more clarity about what you personally need in a relationship, how you see each other, and how your partner's needs relate to yours. And perhaps you better understand some of the main themes and dynamics that you've been given to deal with in your life together.

Hopefully, your relationship has many islands of bliss and comfort where you can relax and just be yourselves. But hopefully there are also enough challenges to keep your life together dynamic and ever-evolving.

Remember that it's not realistic to expect perfection in each other. It's true that it may be easier to be happy and to function well with some partners than it would be with others. However, we tend to attract partners that provoke the crises we need to grow. When there's an unresolved issue that we need to work on, the relevant partner magically appears. A partner's foibles can teach us much, for they are mirrors of what we have within ourselves and may not otherwise be able to see. When we solve a problem and learn what it has to teach us, we are then permitted to move on - in most cases to a more fulfilling relationship with the same person, although sometimes we may need to strike out on our own. Usually, it's better to work with what we're given. But either way, when we step up to any challenge with open eyes, we grow in wisdom and power.

The important thing is to own up to our own responsibility in a situation, and to refrain from hiding behind a protective wall of blame. When we open ourselves to the truth, we see that both we and our partner are human and lovably imperfect. Then our hearts become free, and we have space in which to expand. We're no longer confined within our own being. When you let down your boundaries and merge with another, the two of you become one larger being with more than double the wisdom and humanity.