What is the Composite Chart?
What is the Composite Chart?
Some say for a relationship to be successful it takes 50/50 from both partners. Some say it takes 100% from both. There is a mundane truth to this, of course. In actuality, there are 3 personalities in each relationship, whether it be romantic, platonic, or family.
Enter, the composite chart and its bounty of gifts to the individual or couple that is attracted to the idea of conscious partnering. With needs and a personality of its own, the composite chart represents the 3rd party in every relationship. It gives us instructions on how to achieve the deepest, most meaningful, most fulfilling expression of the unique connection between these 2 people. It is the relationship itself as its own being.
Deny the composite’s needs, and a relationship will fall flat and lifeless. We have a composite chart for every relationship in our lives, with our businesses, and our pets. These charts are in action every day of our lives whether we realize it or not. This is where I say that even though a composite chart can be created for any 2 people, the information within is only real if there is an actual relationship. In other words, I can create a composite chart for myself and Dolly Parton, but because I don’t actually have a real in-life relationship with her, the chart is irrelevant.
What does a composite chart look like? It looks like a regular natal chart.
It is, in essence, a midpoint chart. For example, the composite Sun is the midpoint between the 2 partners’ natal Suns and so forth for all the planets. I get messages all the time with an excited person telling me how amazing it is that their composite Sun is the exact midpoint between their natal Suns, and yes that is the truth for literally every composite chart.
To make it a little complicated, there are a few ways composite charts can be created and a few different types of composite charts.
My preferred way to draw up a composite chart is using the Midheaven midpoint and then the location of the first meeting to figure the rest of the houses. I have found this to be the most accurate chart showing what couples are actually experiencing. Using the Ascendant midpoint with location of first meeting would be my next favorite.
Even if you use no location, the planets will be in the same sign and degree, but the houses and axes may be a bit different. It’s fine to use this, but if something doesn’t feel right after deep study, you may want to seek the type of chart I mention in the previous paragraph. I can provide this for you here or in a reading. I believe there are free online sources for this as well.
Another type of composite chart is the Davison chart which uses the midpoints of time and place. This chart will be drastically different than the 2 previously mentioned, and I have not found it to be particularly helpful. Sometimes I will talk to people who love their Davison chart. When I ask why, the answer is usually “Well I just like what this chart says better.” NOT necessarily that it is more accurate or helpful. That being said, this is only my opinion and experience. Your experience may be different.
This leads me to this idea so many people have that there is a “bad” composite chart.
This only comes from a misunderstanding of what the composite chart actually is. It isn’t so much a predictive chart, although transits to it definitely are. It is more like a set of instructions that can be easy to follow, difficult, or impossible, depending on the individuals involved.
The composite chart can pick sides, yes. One partner may have a much easier, natural ability to harmonize with it than the other. It can be a wild card, for sure! It moves behind the scenes like an ever-present ghost, all while holding up the structure and framework of the relationship. Its voice may be a whisper until you understand it, then you will see the composite energy moving throughout your relationships every day.
Even when a partner or couple is well acquainted with their composite chart, it does not guarantee relationship success. Sometimes what a partnership needs is simply too far out of our comfort zone to nurture in the way it needs to be nurtured. There is no failure, only learning, and applying the wisdom that is offered by the composite chart gives a couple (or any relationship) the best chance at true fulfillment, or the best understanding that perhaps it isn’t a relationship they can continue as the individual needs and the relationship needs are too vastly different.
Other synastry and relationship astrology articles:
Vertex Conjunct Anti-Vertex/Vertex Conjunct Vertex
Ascendant Square Ascendant in Synastry
For relationship astrology and synastry readings go here.