Orbs in synastry

[Kenoshamaensa]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I thought I'd raise it again.

What size orbs do you use in synastry? I tend to use smaller orbs myself than in natal charts. Below are my general "rules of thumb," but I'd love thoughts from others.

6* for lights and angles, esp. if they involve a personal planet and a conj./opp
4* for other planets with conj./opp/square/trine
2-3* for the sextile (definitely 3, maybe 4 if the sextile involves a light)
2* for the quincunx, and 1-2* for any mid-point contact. Asteroids, 1-2* at most, and there, I don't even mess with anything that's not a conj or opposition. Nodes ... mostly 1-2*, but node-to-node, I might widen it, due to the possibly Karmic aspect there. So if 2 people have N.Node/S.Node in loose conjunction (up to 4*), I'm going to consider that relevant because it's SUCH a key contact.

Some additions ... if the orb is a little wide between two planets that otherwise form significant aspects in synastry, I accept them. E.g. if it's a trine between, say, Jupiter and Saturn and it's 4*22`, but Jupiter and Saturn form key aspects to lights or significant personal planets (Venus or Mars). Then I'd count that trine as valid. Part of "aspect pattern" stuff. Same with conjunctions ... center planet between two out of orb ... the outer two still resonate.

I was recently reading through Liz Greene's Saturn book, and she wants to allow larger orbs for Saturn. OTOH, I agree that one NEEDS strong Saturn contacts in a synastry chart for there to be staying power. BUT, OTOH, Saturn is a generational planet. It moves relatively slowly. So while I look at Saturn as important, I'm *not* inclined to widen orbs for it. Same with Jupiter, unless aspecting a light (or angle). So yes, Saturn is important, but I keep the *orbs* narrow.

Thoughts from y'all on orbs in synastry?

[dr. farr]

As in other areas of astrology, so too re to synastry, I follow an approach different than most: in synastry I look only at the aspectarian for my indications, and I use only about a 3-4 degree orb (and only conjunctions and the Ptolemaic aspects PLUS the semi-sextile)
I look only at the following matches:
-Sun to Sun: shows the relationship of the egos and higher mind of the pair
-Moon to Moon: shows the relationship of moods and emotionality of the pair
-Mercury to Mercury: shows the quality of communications for the pair
-Venus to Venus: shows love, sympathy and empathy of the pair
-Mars to Mars: shows the relationship of Will, and also drive and sexual relationship, of the pair
-Jupiter to Jupiter: shows the relationship of spirituality involving the pair
-Saturn to Saturn: shows the degree of committment, patience, staying power for the pair

...and from a predominance of benefic or disruptive aspectual indications for each of these 7 categories, I come to a conclusion about the relationship, at least for the synastry part of a relationship analysis (I also use the Foundation or Pillar method from the old time astrology, and composites)

[Kenoshamaensa]

Thank you! I like hearing from other methodologies. :-)

[astrologer50]

max I use are 3' you need to reduce the orb ratio down on astro.com to 40%

May I suggest you read the 'welcome to the world of astrology’ and other ---sticky' at the top of this forum? It has some great explanations, links etc. At the top of every forum there are lots of ‘stickys’ which explain matters in that forum, along with guidelines & tips

There is a 'plethora' of information on AW, espec in the 'stickys' at the top of every forum, our Education forum and Recommendations forum to. Plus we have a good search feature,[but not foolproof obviously, so try here first] bit like google using keywords – initially select advanced and try just selecting 'titles' rather than posts