Is Outer Planet Synastry Valid for Those of the Same Generation?

Here’s a question astro-curious folk often ponder: How valid is a synastry aspect with an outer planet, since a whole bunch of people the same age have the outer planet at the same degree? My answer is that it matters very much especially because a whole bunch of people the same age have the outer planet at the same degree. After all, this same group of people are sharing similar assumptions and world views.

The outer planets are cultural giants. Many of our most cherished—and unquestioned—assumptions and beliefs are entwined with the energy of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. An entire generation with these planets in specific signs and aspects to other planets will “read” their life context in ways that are largely presumptive, and often passed on by parents, grandparents, and elders in general. That’s just the way it is and what can you do about it? are examples of socially sanctioned ideas or rhetorical questions that are tied into the outer planets. It takes years and years of cultural conditioning for certain presumptions to take hold within a society. And even those will vary from one culture to another, depending on political and other structures in place.

The outer planets describe socio-cultural interactions. If you don’t think that’s terribly valid in how a couple operates together, you likely don’t give much thought to world matters, nor to how those matters impact your place in the world. If one of you loses a job, or has to accept a job in a different geographical region, those so-called irrelevant outer planet synastry aspects will make themselves felt, for instance.

The main point is that we hold unconscious baggage in terms of how we relate to Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. And how we relate to these planets is described primarily by one’s natal aspects to these planets. So certain transits will trigger those outer planet natal aspects—and therein lie some opportunities to either question some of your sacred cows, or to hold onto them as vital truths by which you can continue navigating your life.

Similarly, certain people—lovers, friends, peers—show up in your life (as described by your transits), and your shared synastry may activate a shared outer planet in each of your natal charts. If you both carry the same natal aspect to that planet, you can identify certain societal issues very clearly with each other. This can make for some interesting and quality discussions around creating beneficial change for the world we live in today. And yet—borne of this shared natal aspect—you may both share a similar worldview or mindset, and fail to ask yourselves if what you believe is actually true. Is it true that there’s not enough to go around? Is it true that (my) religion offers spiritual direction? Is it true that nothing travels faster than light? Is it true that evolution occurs over thousands of years?

Questioning Einstein? Darwin? Really? Yes, really. Not because I think they’re wrong (and, honestly, what do I know?) but because I stay open to the possibility that we’re all missing huge swaths of valid information. Remember when the earth was flat? Remember when it was the center of the solar system? So yes, let’s question the things we’re routinely taught. Not for the sake of being contrary, but for the sake of truth.

And then we get into the esoteric discussion of what is truth? Far be it for me to be the arbiter of such a question. But there are personal truths versus universal Truth, which is akin to natural law or physics, if you will. These are aligned with deep spiritual truths that pertain to all of Life, as opposed to one individual who has adopted an ideology or an assumption.

To be fair, not all shared synastry with outer planets will create key connections or dominant relationship themes. But, if you have an outer planet in one of the angular houses, you’re very keyed into that planet’s energy. So a generational synastry aspect becomes key indeed, for you.

My answer, as an observer of life through an astrological and metaphysical lens, is that it does indeed matter if two people of the same generation share an aspect to an outer planet—especially since it’s a double-whammy: you mirror a particular outer planet inter-aspect to each other. Rather than taking your cultural/political/financial/religious/historical/geographical assumptions as an unquestioned truth (finding a good job is hard; everybody wants to be a millionaire; political leaders know best how to improve life for all citizens), you could choose, instead, to unravel your ingrained beliefs and get to the bottom of them: Is it true for me personally and, if so, is it a Universal Truth?

Check your assumptions, with or without those people with whom you share outer planet synastry. And then, by all means, do something vital with each other that effects a positive change in the culture from which you spring.