Relationship Astrology: Soul Agreements, Karma and Past Lives

Astrology can be an incredibly valuable ally when you’re navigating the kind of intense, complex interactions which are so typical of connections with a karmic, multi-lifetime past, such as soul agreement relationships.

In order to get the full benefit of astrology’s deep insights, you’ll want to have at least the birth month, day and year for both people. It’s even better if you know where they were born, and have an accurate birth time as well. If you have all that information, you’ll also want to use it to get the composite chart, which gives you a vital portrait of the relationship itself, separate from the individuals.

Once you have even the most basic astrological details, you’re ready to voyage into the magical labyrinth of past, present and future as it weaves together in karmic relationships.

Pieces of the Puzzle

The astrological chart elements which are most important in understanding karma and past lives in relationships are Venus, Mars, the Moon’s Nodes, and Pluto.

Venus indicates how you give and receive love, how you feel about yourself, and what you value in life.

Mars is traditionally linked with ego, sex drive, ambition and energy levels, but in past life astrology it has another important function—timing. The Moon’s North and South Nodes describe the past life that’s most relevant for this one, and indicates each individual soul’s most important growth goals this time around.

Pluto is the master key for deciphering karma and past lives. Where and how it contacts Mars, Venus and the Nodes in the individual and composite charts provides exact information about soul contracts, challenges and special gifts.

And, of course, the sign and house placement of each of them—Venus, Mars, Nodes and Pluto—tells you how and in what phase of your lives the karma is being worked out now.

For Beginners

The most important question is, “Does Pluto in any one of these charts (especially the composite) contact Venus, Mars or the North or South Nodes in any of the others?” If the answer is yes, then, bingo!, you definitely have a karmic connection. Then note whose chart has Pluto, and whose chart it contacts. This tells you essentially who is delivering the lesson (the Pluto person) and who is growing from it. You may be astounded at the level of insight this single bit of information triggers! When it’s composite Pluto, then the relationship itself is teaching you both.

Intermediate to Advanced

Often important relationships such as soul agreements show Pluto in a prominent position in the composite chart, or the composite Pluto will powerfully contact Venus, Mars and/or the Nodes in both individual charts. The house and sign of the composite Pluto describes about the prior life evolutionary intent and shared longings of the two of you prior to this life, in other words indicating where you left off.

And the house and sign of the point directly opposite Pluto, called the “polarity point,” tells you what the two of you plan to accomplish together this time. For example, if your composite Pluto is at 20 degrees of Libra, then the polarity point is 20 degrees of Aries. In this example, you worked at being a couple last time; this time you must honor each others’ individuality. Also, notice if anything in any of these charts is triggered by that polarity point.

The article Astrology and Past Lives identifies the eight phases of soul development in a way that also can be applied here. You can use this information with the composite chart to identify the current phase of your relationship. Simply substitute the Pluto symbol for the Sun in the “clock” exercise, and look for Mars’ position rather than the Moon’s. Then substitute the word “phase” for “Moon” at the beginning of each of the eight phase descriptions. Once you have identified your relationship’s phase, it’s much easier to work with its dynamics, both positive and negative.

Just these bits of information reveal what you experienced together before, and what goals and objectives you set in your pre-incarnation planning session. And this just scratches the surface! If you’re ready to jump in the deep end, read Jeffrey Wolf Green’s “Pluto: The Soul’s Evolution Through Relationships, Vol. 2.” Whether you dig through all this fascinating material yourself or consult an astrologer, make no mistake, this information will probably change everyone’s lives… for the better.