Synastry overlays are one of many methods of determining compatibility within relationships and subsequently, how two people may get along when they are in one another’s company. The types of differences they may encounter between them and the types of emotional tensions and difficulties that may arise whilst spending time together may also be seen in tension aspects. Sometimes other synastry aspects within the overlay may be able to help towards easing some of these tensions.

The Square

A square aspect in the overlay usually represents some of the greatest tensions and frustrations between two people and these can be difficult to smooth over. Depending on other aspects, the squares may ignite rivalry or fights, or they may inspire proactive cooperation towards a common goal. Either way, a square is an aspect that usually results in some kind of action, especially if the planets involved are in any of the cardinal (or action) signs, Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn.

Squares can be great for relationships, as complete lack of tension may equal low attraction or potential for growth. However, they may also benefit from a balance in the overlay charts with other planets. When there is a grand square within the charts for example (four planets forming a cross), there may be a greater sense of harmony and completion between the two people these charts belong to.

The Opposition

The opposition aspect in the synastry overlay can be both supportive yet frustrating at the same time! Here, each person will have the opportunity to bring energies into the other person’s life that they may be lacking in their own chart and in turn, there can be many lessons to learn from either side. Like the saying goes, ‘opposites attract’; the two people may attract one-another while quietly respecting the stark differences the other one has.

This is a tension aspect because it can be notoriously difficult to balance the energies of an opposition, like two sides of a balancing scale and, ultimately, despite the benefits and attraction here, there is always a strong possibility of feeling lonely or misunderstood by one-another. The worst case scenarios are that perhaps their most basic needs just aren’t being met.

When there is a planet placed in a trine aspect to one side of the opposition and a sextile to the other, this can act as a saviour or a buffer to many of the difficulties experienced, as it shares the energies of the opposition and acts as a peaceable mediator between the two. This planetary placement can help them to find common ground.

The Quincunx

The quincunx is another one of the most difficult aspects because the energies between the two planets are so very different, even more-so than in the opposition. You can imagine that with the opposition there are some similarities, because oppositions are two sides of the same coin and the signs each planet are in tend to be of the same modality (cardinal, fixed or mutable). However, with the quincunx, this is not the case and instead the work of finding common ground can be even more frustrating.

With the quincunx itself, perhaps the two energies would simply fly under one-another’s radar. However, often times there are semi-sextiles to the planet in question in each natal chart, especially if this is the Sun and this brings in trines between the two person’s charts. This is great because trines are known as easiest flowing aspects of all! Another thing to consider is if a person has a quincunx in their natal chart, because they may then seek the same energy in a synastry union and already have some inherent abilities to work with it.

The T-square

The T-square is named as such because it appears in the shape of a T and this is known to be one of the most difficult configurations to work with between two charts without other planets to balance. The T-square is made of an opposition aspect with another planet in right angles to these two and it is this planet that takes on much of the opposition tension including the tension of the two squares it forms by itself. This planet is called the crux or the focal point of the T-square and can be very problematic and disharmonious.

Planets that may help balance a T-square are any that are in a trine and sextile position to the opposition part of the configuration. These planets can act as a buffer or mediator between the two as they do in the opposition, although somewhat less so, because the tension from the focal point planet of the T-square will still be present. When a planet is in opposition to this focal point, it can be balancing to a point of solution and this may then make a grand square configuration. Transits to this point may also provide a temporary relief.

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