Synastry vs. Composite: Who feels it more?

Why I prefer synastry to composite, and how to answer the eternal question, "who feels it more?"

The composite is actually the chart of the relationship as a separate entity and really should only be considered after the relationship is established, some astrologers don't bother with the composite until the relationship is at least a year old. Composite is also very new, composite charts were first developed in the Hamburg School in the 1920s and they rose to popularity in the 70s. They are hypothetical, and based on the midpoints calculated between two existing natal charts.

Synastry on the other hand dates to neoplatonist times. As loathe as I am to say that just because something is older, it's better, in this case it is - at least, it's much more straightforward. Synastry with someone is not that different theoretically from experiencing transits, and indeed that's kind of how synastry charts are read. The difference is that these "transits" (interaspects) are permanent, and since we're experiencing them through another person instead of directly, they are interpreted differently.

So now the question I'm always asked: "but who FEELS it more?" Well, in a synastry INTERASPECT (which means it goes both ways) it will be felt by both people, because both people are receiving a permanent synastry "transit" from the other. Some people feel certain transits more intensely than others depending on how prominent the planet being transited is, what house it's in, whether it's on an angle, how aspected it is, etc. It all depends. Synastry isn't one-sided and each one is unique, so it's important to look at the charts as a whole instead of cherry picking individual aspects. If a particular planet is a theme in the chart, anything that touches it is going to feel much more intense than one of the planets in the background. And we all have those background planets and those very prominent ones. So, taking a look at which planets those are for both people will answer that question.

Check YOUR synastry with someone! Make your chart:

And if you want help understanding what it all means, book a reading with me!