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Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to spot a romantic deceiver? There is, if you can have a look at their birth chart. Read on for some astrological red flags of the guy or gal who is so good at drawing you in, then letting you down. Some of these aspects will be obvious, some not. One caveat: although these aspects can be associated with manipulation or deceit, every person with these sign/planet combinations is not guaranteed to manifest their negative expressions. Everyone has a choice about how they use the energies in their chart. So if you have one of the aspects listed here, and you’re an upstanding partner — great! Speak up in the comments section with examples of how you use your powers for good.

The Dark Mother/Child: Pluto Squaring or Opposing Moon in Cancer

Moon in Cancer tops the list of planet/sign combinations that need security and nurturing. Cancer is the archetype of the Mother and the Child. Add a tough aspect from natal Pluto, and these needs can become twisted. Pluto intensifies, while adding an instinct for ferreting out vulnerabilities in others.

Vij’s Moon in Cancer squares Pluto, and he is a bottomless pit of need. He attracts, then grabs onto, a partner whom he senses can provide the comfort that was missing in his childhood. He’s the wounded animal, waiting to be healed. He appears deliciously vulnerable, and he’s usually in the middle of an emotional crisis. You just want to take him home. But his childhood featured some trauma (symbolized by the hard Pluto aspect) so he has become a master of emotional defensiveness. It’s all about feeling safe for him, and that means keeping you on edge (because an insecure partner is easily controlled). He insinuates himself into your life, so you feel like you cannot function without him. But the moment he feels threatened, he abruptly withdraws. Intensely loving, vulnerable Vij becomes cold and unfeeling. You’re left confused, hurt and desperate to experience that magnetic current of emotion that he offers (when it suits him). This is the dark, devouring Mother/Child archetype. The truth is, no one will be able to provide the security that Vij craves. He needs to find that sustenance within himself, rather than sucking it from his partners.

The Sparkling Distractor: Mercury Square or Opposite Uranus

Su-Jin is a sparkler when you first talk with her. She’s flirtatious, unconventional, and seems to take an interest in every word you say. But if you look at bit closer, you’ll see her eyes darting around the room, searching for something more interesting. Notice how she interrupts you, or shifts the conversation on a dime? This is Uranus’ energy, stepping in when things get uncomfortable. She’ll talk about random things, or say something shocking, in an attempt to distract you from whatever topic she’d rather not confront (it will usually involve feelings, or something about her past). Making plans with her can be next to impossible, because she hates being tied down. Years of this communication style has alienated others from Sun-Jin, but her mind is so active that she’s created whacked-out stories about why this is so. She hangs onto these ideas (Uranus’ energy can create fanaticism), so having a rational discussion with her is challenging. But she is capable of deep feelings. She’s just out of practice, and needs to engage with people in a way that doesn’t hold them at arm’s length.

The Illusionist: Personal planets (in Gemini or Sagittarius) Square, Opposite or Conjunct Neptune

This is not a Gemini/Sag bashing article. Lots of folks with the above mentioned configurations are simply imaginative partners with a lovely romantic streak. But for some, Neptune’s dreamy energy — combined with Gemini’s ability to tell stories, or Sag’s ability to up-sell — can create a partner who weaves beautiful dreams with no basis in reality. Often, there’s no malicious intent behind these big (but empty) promises. They simply find it easier to express themselves in broad brushstrokes; the details are ignored.

Chris has a Venus/Mercury conjunction in Gemini (opposite Neptune) and has difficulty deciding what he wants in a relationship. He is continually aware of other options, so he’ll make pretty (but vague) statements to you. If he can’t be held accountable, there’s always an exit. Bill’s Mars in Sag (square Neptune) is focused on the thrill of what lies over the horizon. He would love nothing more than to have you join him on his next great adventure, and you get caught up with his evangelical fervor. The problem is, his actions (Mars) are undermined by illusion (Neptune). He gives up, overwhelmed by a sense of futility and disappointment (and lets you down in the process). The issue with any planet in Gemini/Sagittarius (that’s muddled by a hard Neptune aspect) is bringing the vision down to earth, and getting specific.

The Evolutionary Seducer: Pluto in 1st House Libra

Libra rising is appealing, sociable and flirtatious. Add magnetic Pluto (especially when it falls within a few degrees of the Ascendent) and you have a potent recipe for attraction. These individuals have something that draws people to them. But Pluto is the planet of evolution, and wherever it falls in the chart is where transformation must occur. The 1st House represents identity, so these people are driven to transform themselves through the relationships they experience. This can lead to many, many compulsive encounters, all with the goal of enlightening the Pluto person.

Arun attracts men and women, and while not all these encounters involve sex, the other person feels that they are being seduced. She hasn’t been without a partner since she was sixteen (she’s 32 now). Arun claims that she does not go looking for people, and she’s being honest; Pluto’s energy is instinctive, and she doesn’t have much control over who she draws in. She just senses that associating with a certain person will teach her something new about herself. She doesn’t seem like a “player,” because Pluto’s intensity, and her very real quest for self-knowledge, gives her depth. She wants to know everything about you. It’s thrilling (and unnerving) to have this beautiful woman fixated on every detail of your life. Being with Arun can feel like sudden, total immersion in a capital “R” Relationship, with no breathing room. She has to be with you all the time, on her terms. Until one day, she tells you that she’s met someone else, and she’s leaving. What’s happened is she’s learned all she can from you (about herself) and that’s it. This revolving door of relationships will continue indefinitely, until Arun learns her true (paradoxical) evolutionary lesson: that a balanced relationship involves two people, and she doesn’t need to be in one to learn about herself.

This is not an exhaustive list. But it does describe some of the more prominent aspects that could indicate a troublesome romantic partner. If you’re involved with one of these people, know that you can’t change them. Awareness of what’s happening is helpful, but in the end, it’s their call.

Related Posts:

• Pluto Problems in Relationships
• A Case Study of Deception

Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter are all still in the Sign of the Twins as well. For better or worse (and likely, it’ll be for the better) wherever Gemini is in your chart, there is likely to be significant action. Don’t forget about the opposite part of your chart too — where Sagittarius is. All the activity in Gemini will have an influence there, too. Opposite Houses aren’t really all that “opposite”: like twins, they are different but often have surprising similarities.

Virgo and Pisces? You’re invited to the party too, even though all this energy may be a bit more difficult for you to manage. Enjoy the ride — and pack your motion-sickness medication just to be safe.

Gemini is quick and bright, and those gifts can sometimes (sometimes!) overcome some of the more lumbering and cumbersome of circumstances. And speaking of which… Uranus square Pluto is once more grinding towards the exact aspect. There’s no guarantee that the potentially explosive fury it can bring will manifest this week, but I’ll bet you’ll be able to feel it a little more. Eclipses can make everything a bit sharper and pointier.

Friday brings us the Full Moon/lunar eclipse at 4 degrees Gemini and 4 degrees Sagittarius. Have a look at the Houses in your birth chart those two points fall into, and what planets in your chart they are aspecting. This is the last in a series of three eclipses recently, and will charge those points in your chart until the next eclipse, which doesn’t come until October. The eclipse point is square Neptune, so brace yourself for a double-dose of having some delusions removed. Prepare for change, because change is preparing for you.

Sun in Leo knows that he’s special. He senses that he’s meant for bigger things than your average Joe, but he still strives for external validation. Although he courts attention from the general public, his biggest fan should be his partner. Sun in Leo loves generously, and he can be loyal, but it’s essential that his lover feed his ego with praise and focused attention on a regular basis.

Moon in Aquarius knows that she’s different. She doesn’t feel that this makes her better or worse than anyone else, it’s just a fact. She needs space (and alone time) to express her quirks and pursue her eclectic interests. A partner who attempts to box her into a traditional domestic situation will trigger her Shadow side: detachment and perverse behavior. Moon in Aquarius can be a loving, committed partner (even though she’ll never gush emotion) as long as her lover respects her individuality.

These two may be drawn to one another by their recognition that they are not one of the crowd. Each may secretly admire how the other expresses their individuality. But tensions can arise when Sun in Leo doesn’t get his quota of gushing admiration from his cool, Aquarius partner. And Moon in Aquarius may feel smothered by Leo’s demands and extravagant expressions of love. But the polarity in this relationship can be enough to hold it together (and both of these Fixed signs are too stubborn to quit). Over time, Aquarius can teach Leo to detach a bit from his “It’s all about me” worldview, while Leo can teach Aquarius that’s it’s ok to care what people think.

View all the Sun-Moon combinations ››

Image courtesy Flickr user webtreats

Since Mercury is ruled by Gemini, there is added power available now when it comes to words and information. If you’ve been wanting to meet someone new, you’ll be more likely to make a connection during this transit if you spend time out and about. This doesn’t even necessarily have to take place on the physical plane, since Gemini practically invented social networking sites. Online dating, Twitter and Facebook are just a few of the possible avenues where you can reach out and make a Gemini connection during this time.

Gemini thrives on motion and a fast-paced schedule, so you’ll probably feel even busier than usual, with lots of information flowing around to digest and process. It can be tempting to allow yourself to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, leaving little time to pay attention to your body and daily maintenance routines. Try to remember that the body fuels the mind, and make room for a little downtime during this active transit.

Credit: Choreograph via iStockphoto

The 8th House is a deep, dark place. It’s one of the most sensitive areas in your chart, representing sexual and emotional intimacy. But it’s also where you hide your compulsions and obsessions. It’s the house of instinct, endings, and the rebirth that follows those endings. The 8th House is where you do not have complete control, so when someone’s planets fall in this area, it can be an intense experience.

Loss of control is an important theme with this house; the person that activates it will confront you with this issue. That’s a frightening concept, but it’s an essential component of 8th House synastry overlays. The purpose of an 8th House connection is to teach you to deal with buried issues that you may not want to confront. You may be intensely attracted to, or repelled by, this person. Maybe you’ll feel a combination of both. Much will depend on how you handle your 8th House; the sign on the cusp and the condition of its planetary ruler will tell you more.

Before we look at examples, I should clarify that the 8th House person will experience the greatest intensity with this connection. The planet person will probably be aware that they have a deep impact on the house person. But how they feel about this will depend on which of their houses are impacted by the 8th House person’s planets. I’ll be writing an article on this (the potential differences between two synastry house overlays) at a later date.

Venus in the 8th

Edith’s Venus in Libra falls in Jim’s 8th House. Her flirtatious way of approaching relationships (and expressing her femininity) triggers some complicated reactions in him. He’s intensely attracted to her, but something about her light and airy approach bothers him. He finds her superficial and difficult to pin down. He wants her, but that whole flirtatious/friendly vibe she gives off (to everyone) really gets to him. He reacts with extreme fits of jealousy that seem to crawl out of nowhere, while criticizing Edith for being artificial.

Unbeknownst to Edith, she is confronting him with his Shadow (which lurks in everyone’s 8th House). Perhaps his Venus (which rules Libra, and his 8th House) sits in possessive, materialistic Taurus. He has issues with ownership and security, while being stubbornly entrenched in his personal values. He wants substance in a relationship, and he wants assurance that his partner belongs to him. But he didn’t realize he felt so strongly about these issues until he met Edith.

Where Jim and Edith go from here depends on how he handles this 8th House energy (that she has activated). If he isn’t ready to confront his Shadow, Edith’s harmony-loving Venus might find all of this too heavy, and she’ll break things off. Jim will be devastated. But maybe Jim is interested in self-transformation, so he’ll confront what Edith has unearthed. Jim may discover that a broader definition of “personal values” exists, and the social sugar that Edith sprinkles around is not the poison he thought it was. He might even get to the root of why he needs to hang on so tightly to his lover. There’s no guarantee that they’ll live happily ever after (Edith might still be freaked out by Jim’s reaction to her) but at least he’ll be taking steps to deal with the behavior that she triggers. He’ll become conscious of his 8th House issues, rather than functioning on autopilot.

Sun/Mars in the 8th

Trish’s 8th House cusp is in Aquarius. Uranus (her 8th House ruler) is conjunct her Moon (needs and emotions). Along comes Ken, and his Aquarian Sun/Mars conjunction falls in her 8th House. Trish’s Moon/Uranus conjunction is an uneasy mix of comfort (Moon) and disruption (Uranus). She needs excitement, but craves safety. She’s drawn to Ken’s detached way of expressing his ego and actions, but he also triggers her insecurities about being abandoned. He’s not always available, and that’s just what she wants (while dreading it at the same time).

Let’s take the connection a step further. Ken’s Sun/Mars forms a harmonious trine with Trish’s Moon/Uranus. He triggers her abandonment fears, but she’s able to work through them (with him) because his energy is in harmony with her needs (Moon). Maybe he insists on having his own space, but reassures her that he still loves her. He’s there for her, but he takes a lot of time for himself. Gradually, Trish realizes that she’s not going to be abandoned. She grows to trust Ken, while enjoying the electricity in the space between them.

But maybe Trish’s Moon/Uranus conjunction is hit by a tense square from Ken’s Sun/Mars, instead. The same abandonment issues are triggered, but this time Ken is more unpredictable. Perhaps he says he’s going to show up at Trish’s place, but he’s two days late (with no phone call). Trish is stuck on a rollercoaster of sickening anxiety, because Ken does this all the time. Someone else might have given Ken the boot the first time he pulled this, but Trish is tied to him because of that binding 8th House connection. She’s addicted to the excitement, dreads the anxiety, but loves the thrill when he finally does show up (apologizing) and they have passionate, make-up sex. Trish is still confronted with her dual needs for excitement/nurturing, but in a much harsher way.

Eventually, Trish may realize that she needs (Moon) to detach (Uranus), but will only be able to do so when her passion turns to revulsion. She’ll dump Ken, finally having reached her limit. And she’ll never look back. Sometimes an intense, 8th House attraction can flip to repulsion, if the 8th House person is pushed too far. Ken will be confused; he won’t understand how Trish’s white-hot feelings for him could wither away to nothing.

Mercury in the 8th

Not everyone is drawn to their 8th House guest. Bev’s 8th House cusp is in Virgo, her Mercury (8th House ruler) in uncompromising Aries. She barrels forward with her opinions, never slowing down to consider how others might react. Here’s Mark (who she works with), and his Mercury falls in her 8th House. Everything he says seems to get under her skin. He’s constantly challenging her, but not in an overt way. His quiet observations and probing questions just seem to push her buttons. While it’s true that he gets her thinking (when no one else does) Bev doesn’t want to think. She finds him invasive, and he makes her angry. Their interactions never go beyond tense conversations (that are peppered with Bev’s snarky responses). Mark is always a bit surprised at how strongly she reacts to his suggestions. She’s aggressive when she talks to everyone in the office, but she seems to respond almost violently to Mark.

No matter who activates your 8th House (or with what planets) they are guaranteed to set off a depth charge in your chart. If you’re the 8th House person, know that this relationship is your call to face down your Shadow. You’ll learn more than you ever imagined, but it’s up to you if you want to go there (not everyone is ready for an 8th House relationship). If you’re the planet person, know that the 8th House person’s reactions to you will not always be rational. Try not to take it personally: it’s more about them than you.

Related Posts:

• For the Love of Money: A Study of the 8th House
• Real Sex … With Saturn in the 8th House
• Pluto in the Eighth: Practical Magic

Mercury enters Gemini

Applying some intellectual versatility to your love life makes sense this week. Venus is also in Gemini, but other than a square to Neptune on Monday (making your feelings a bit foggy), Venus isn’t getting any particular aspects from any of the other planets this week. If you find that the hearts and desires in your life are a bit scattered, you might as well apply some of that scattershot Mercury energy to the matter. If sometimes it takes a thief to catch a thief, then sometimes maybe it takes a shotgun to kill a swarm of flies. A special precaution though: if what’s needed most is to communicate something clearly to a loved one, you might want to get that done before the weekend. Mercury square Neptune doesn’t usually facilitate clear transmission of ideas, even when a bright Mercury placement like Gemini is involved.

More potentially good news this week: there will be none of those ridiculously long Void of Course Moons happening to screw up your new initiatives. The potentially bad news? It will be harder to blame a Void of Course Moon for screwing up your new initiatives this week. Try blaming all that undisciplined Gemini energy instead.

Finally, for those of you seeking “good fortune” in one form or another: after an unusually long time bobbing around in Gemini, Jupiter is starting to pick up speed, shooting (by its usual standards) through the last eight degrees of Gemini in the next month. Have a look at your birth chart and see where those eight degrees fall, and you’re likely to have your load lightened a little in that department. Afterwards, in the last full week of June, Jupiter enters Cancer, the sign of it’s “exaltation.” In other words, the place where Jupiter does its best work. Start laying the groundwork for “overnight success” NOW!

Sun in Leo knows how to work an audience. He’s intensely aware of how others perceive him, because he thrives on their attention and approval. If his partner treats him like royalty, she’ll always have the best seat in the house (and a backstage pass). Sun in Leo is an exuberant and committed lover (as long as he’s not ignored) but this exhibitionist will look for attention outside the relationship, as well. This doesn’t mean that he’ll be unfaithful, but he does have a childlike urge to impress everyone he meets.

Moon in Capricorn is the closet CEO. It may not be immediately obvious, but in her heart is the need to achieve something. Her relationship may be organized around this achievement. Her partner should understand that, while Moon in Capricorn may love him to bits, she doesn’t actually need to be with him. She doesn’t really need anyone, and her Shadow can emerge when she shuts down and retreats to her emotional ivory tower (usually as a reaction to feeling out of control).

Sun in Leo will be the King, and Moon in Capricorn will be his power behind the throne. For all his charm and glamour, Leo can be a tad lazy if not properly motivated. Moon in Capricorn will take care of that by focusing his energy on a goal, and firing up his competitive instinct. Sun in Leo will be grateful (while admiring her strength) although he may sulk if she cracks the whip too hard. This is when Moon in Capricorn will have to learn to mix some praise in with her orders. But with her disciplined support and his way with the public, these two can write their own ticket (while admiring each other’s talents along the way).

View all the Sun-Moon combinations ››

If you’re single, this transit can encourage you to meet new people, though you may want to keep your expectations low, since it’s a better time to date and mingle than it is to forge any kind of long term commitment. For those already in relationships, Venus in Gemini offers plenty of opportunities for fun and new experiences. Take advantage of Gemini’s curious nature and see what you can learn about your partner that you didn’t already know. It may take a shared adventure or even the influence of someone else to bring out your partner’s “other” side, but since Gemini is the sign of the twins, the chances are good that you’ll find what you are looking for.

Parties and other social occasions should be particularly fun and interesting during Venus’ transit through Gemini. Everyone is just a little more open and engaged, hungry for new input and ideas.

If you have been feeling stagnant or stuck, Gemini’s breeze of fresh air and light will allow you to re-connect with other people in new and interesting ways.

An earlier version of this post appears here.

It doesn’t matter how close your pepper
is to the broccoli — it’s still a pepper.

Credit: photosmash via iStockphoto

Each sign has a distinct set of characteristics (Scorpios are intense, Leos love attention). Planets express their energies through the signs, and the signs describe how planets express their energies. But what happens when you have a planet on the cusp? For example, your Sun is at 29 degrees Gemini, and the next degree is 0 degrees Cancer. Do you express your ego (Sun) as a Gemini, or are you also influenced by Cancer?

There are two schools of thought regarding cusp astrology. Some astrologers believe there is a “grey area” between signs, where the qualities of one transition into the next. Other astrologers (myself included) do not agree. In my opinion, if your Sun is at 29 degrees Gemini, you express your ego and life’s purpose as a Gemini. It doesn’t matter how close your Sun is to Cancer, it’s still located in the sign of Gemini. Same deal if your Venus is at 28 degrees Cancer; it’s located in the sign of Cancer, therefore, you express your love as a Cancer. Leo (the next sign) does not enter into the equation. There is no middle ground where the qualities of one sign bleed into the next.

I can hear some of you protesting. You probably have examples of someone born on a cusp, who displays characteristics of both signs. Here’s Chris, with his Sun at 29 degrees Leo. He’s humble. Self-deprecating, even. In romantic relationships, there’s not a whiff of the drama-loving, scenery-chewing lion. Chris actually puts himself second when considering the needs of his lover. Surely, this must mean he’s displaying some of that humble, helper Virgo (the sign that comes after Leo) energy.

This is where you step back and look at his entire chart. There could be several different reasons why Chris does not openly express his Leo Sun as a raging egomaniac. Perhaps his Sun is inhibited by an opposition to his natal Saturn (restrictions). This puts a shadow over his light, and emphasizes his self-doubts. Maybe he has Venus and Mars in Virgo, strongly influencing how he expresses his love (Venus) and how he pursues (Mars) those he is attracted to. In relationships, he acts like a Virgo. If his Sun is in his 6th house of work and service, all that Leo energy is funnelled into his duties to others. But his Sun is still in Leo, and his main purpose in life is to receive recognition and appreciation.

Libra/Scorpio

If her Moon is in her 8th House, she’ll manifest her relationship (Libra) needs through the areas that this house represents: total intimacy, complete sharing, deep psychological processes. Despite Libra’s light and airy vibe, it will be intensified though the 8th House focus. Perhaps her Venus (ruler of Libra) is in Scorpio. This could make it difficult to distinguish how she expresses her needs (Moon) from how she expresses her love (Venus). Her Scorpio Venus will make her possessive and intensely demanding when she’s in love, no matter how much she may need (Moon) harmony (Libra).

Aries/Taurus

Roger’s Mars is at 28 degrees Aries. He can be aggressive, but he also hesitates before making the first move in the bedroom. He’s an initiator, but a cautious one. Routine-loving Taurus is the next sign, so some might assume he’s acting like an “Aurus” (an Aries/Taurus cusper).

But Mars is in his hidden 12th House (which represents the subconscious), so he’s not going to have immediate access to that primal energy. It’s in his blind spot, and if he’s not fully aware of the 12th and how to activate it, he’ll be unsure if his first instinct is correct. Even if he becomes a 12th House Zen Master, his Mars will always express itself indirectly. The energy of any 12th House planet can come out a bit distorted, or hesitant.

Those are my views on cusp astrology. It can be easy to misinterpret certain energies (if you don’t have someone’s chart in front of you) and assume that the sign next door is responsible for a certain blend of characteristics. But the 12 signs are 12 distinct archetypes. The key word is “distinct.” If someone (whose Sun happens to be at 29 degrees Gemini) is displaying Cancer traits in their relationships, you need to look at their entire chart so see why. Chances are their Sun is being influenced by its house position. Or one (or more) of their relationship planets (Moon, Venus, Mars) are in Cancer. Signs don’t blend with each other other, but everything else in the chart does.

Related: Woman born on cusp wonders if she’s really an Aquarius

Tuesday: the Moon is Void of Course in Aries — all day long. If you get that feeling the whole day is going nowhere fast — or perhaps going nowhere far too slowly for your taste — you’d be exactly right. That, and the Moon goes Void after Wednesday’s eclipse until mid-day the next day. Try to avoid firing up any new projects. Wait … an eclipse? Egad!

Wednesday sees the second of three eclipses in a row. What can one say about an eclipse that hasn’t already been said by millenia of panicked villagers with torches, demanding that the Gods put things right again? Surprises, shake-ups, and the unexpected are often a feature on an eclipse. In this case, the Sun and Moon are conjunct at 19 degrees Taurus, with Mercury and Mars thrown into the mix. Check where those degrees fall in your chart, and even if there’s no obvious aspects to any of your major placements, that part of your chart is likely to feel some shaking. It’s easy sometimes to feel a bit trampled by an eclipse, but forewarned is forearmed. Just keep in mind the message printed in big, friendly letters on the front cover of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy: DON’T PANIC.

Oh, right … romance! On Eclipse Day, Venus enters Gemini. Let’s not forget that an eclipse has an effect beyond simply where the Sun and Moon are at: if you have any major placements aspecting 0 degrees Gemini — especially your Venus or Jupiter — things could be getting pretty warm and fuzzy with you and that certain Someone pretty soon. Even if it doesn’t, a change is as good as a rest, and although Venus in Taurus was a great placement, it’s a bit slow on the uptake. If what you need is to spark things up a little that way — whether with a new relationship or talking some more life into a current one — conditions are favorable.

There you have it. Now aren’t you glad you didn’t run around panicking and burning the village down when that eclipse hit?