Relating: It's Showtime! Any relationship can be studied in the stars by casting a composite horoscope chart based on the Midpoints of any two birth charts. For example, suppose the natal Mars of Romeo is at 5° Taurus 30 minutes, and the natal Mars of Juliet is at 7°Virgo 08 minutes. A composite Mars would be calculated for the degrees and minutes midway between the two natal positions; in this example the "Romeo and Juliet Mars" would be at 6° Cancer 19 minutes. All points and planets in the composite chart are determined in this way; even the boundary lines separating the twelve houses will represent a composite created from the house cusps of the two charts in question. In this case, Mars in Cancer indicates a relationship of high emotional tone; a tendency to high drama and immature reactions, amongst other possibilities.

What does the composite chart say about a relationship? It does not describe each of the two people involved; a composite is a picture of the relationship itself, the creative and karmic product of two people as they interact with one another. A composite can address any type of relationship, be it between lovers, parent and child or one friend to another. Some of the factors that could be discussed in a composite reading include:

• The elemental balance; Fire (passion, creativity), Water(emotion, nurturing, dreams), Air(communication, thinking), Earth(grounding in reality, sensual pleasures, practicality)
• Basic energy flow; change and grow, bend and flow, fixed and rigid, or a mixture?
• How the relationship is defined; why have these two people come together?
• Is the self-esteem of both people supported?
• What is the relationship communication style?
• If applicable, will the sexual attraction last over time?
• Homebodies or social butterflys?
• Having fun, being creative, raising children
• Are there ongoing unresolved issues concerning money, health or work concerns?
• Partnership status; each on their own, me on top and you on bottom, or give and take?
• Sex, ancestral inheritance and joint finances; transformational potential
• Public life in terms of career, beliefs, community, friends
• Karmic factors that can lead to discord or harmony in relating