Expert: Vic DiCara - 6/4/2009

Question
My general question is this: can positive aspects improve or at least cancel out negative aspects in synastry/compatibility?  And can negative aspects cancel out or detract from good aspects?

For example:  MY Mercury (Virgo) is TRINE to his Saturn (Taurus) BUT HIS Mercury (Pisces) is SQUARE to MY Saturn (Gemini).  I know a square is really bad to have in this placement, but does the trine help out at all?  

Similar question for our moon/sun synastry:  MY moon (Scorpio) is TRINE to HIS sun (Pisces) BUT HIS moon (Aries) is QUINCUNX to MY Sun (Virgo).  Does the quincunx somehow detract from the trine?

Thank you for your help!

Answer
Jessica,

Thank you for this interesting question!

To do synastry/compatibility effectively, it's my opinion that it's best to proceed in a roughly step by step fashion. Primary importance has to go the the relations between PAIRS of factors. Most important among those is the Moon pair. So for example, the relationship between the Moon's in each chart is the main anchor of the compatibility reading.

There are three other primary anchors: Ascendant Pair, Sun Pair and Venus Pair.

After you've assesed the compatibility of the primary pairs, the next step is to asses the compatibility of the secondary pairs AMONG those four primary anchors. So for example, the relationshop of your moon to his Ascendant, Sun and Venus. Your Sun to his Moon, Ascendant and Venus, etc. etc.

Even after the 1st step, with just the primary pairs, you have good and reliable information to read from. And once you've completed the second step you have an awful lot of info.

The third step is to note the interaction between the remaining planets TO THE MAIN anchors. So for example, if his saturn is conjunct/aspecting your moon, ascendant, sun or venus it is important information to consider.

As a fourth step you could also consider how the non-anchor planets interact. Like for example how your mercury affects his saturn, etc. But you must realize that the IMPACT of these details is subordinate to three other layers that are more influential.

Now as for your question directly... bad does NOT cancel good, nor does good cancel bad. They COEXIST. So for example your Moon trines his Sun, this indicates that his ideological nature and his ego is beneficial and supportive to your mental and emotional experience and visa versa. Now, if his Moon quincunx's your Sun, it indicates that your ideological nature and your ego presents will teach an important and probably challenging lesson to his mental and emotional state, and visa versa. The two facts do not cancel each other out.

In general good and bad coexist in life, and as such contrary indications often co-exist in astrological charts.

I hope this was helpful.

- Vic DiCara

http://www.vicdicara.com