Synastry Compatibility Scoring #

The Discepolo Method #

This compatibility scoring system was developed by Ciro Discepolo, one of Italy’s most prominent astrologers, based on extensive statistical research and decades of practical observation. In the early 1990s, Discepolo analyzed over 2,000 couples from the Gauquelin archives, revealing patterns that challenged conventional astrological wisdom about compatibility.

Understanding relationship chemistry through astrology involves more than checking if your Sun signs “match.” While popular astrology often emphasizes harmonious aspects (trines and sextiles), Discepolo’s research revealed a more nuanced reality about what makes relationships last.

This guide presents his practical method for evaluating synastry compatibility, which has since been validated by independent research in the Netherlands using similar sample sizes.

The Paradox of Harmonious Aspects #

Traditional wisdom suggests that harmonious aspects (especially Sun trine Sun or Sun sextile Sun) create the best relationships. However, extensive research—including studies analyzing thousands of long-term couples—reveals a surprising pattern:

The most enduring relationships often feature challenging aspects between partners’ Suns.

Specifically, couples with Sun square Sun (90°) or Sun opposition Sun (180°) appear far more frequently in long-term partnerships than would be expected by chance alone.

Why Challenging Aspects Work #

Dynamic tension creates:

• Mutual stimulus: Partners don’t become complacent
• Growth opportunities: Different perspectives encourage development
• Magnetic attraction: Opposites create fascination
• Balance: Partners complement rather than duplicate

Harmonious aspects, while pleasant, can lead to:

• Lack of challenge or growth stimulus
• Insufficient differentiation between partners
• Complacency in the relationship

The Classic Synastry Indicators #

Beyond the Sun-Sun relationship, several well-established factors contribute to relationship compatibility:

Sun-Moon Connections #

One partner’s Sun conjunct the other’s Moon (or vice versa) creates powerful resonance:

What It Means:

• Identity (Sun) aligns with emotional nature (Moon)
• One partner illuminates the other’s feelings
• Complementary masculine/feminine energies
• Natural mutual understanding

This aspect ranks among the most significant for relationship harmony and understanding.

A Compatibility Scoring System #

Based on research, tradition, and extensive practice, here’s a practical method for evaluating relationship potential:

Point Assignment #

Major Factors:

1. Sun Square or Opposition (8 points)

   • Your Sun at 90° or 180° from partner’s Sun
   • Add 3 bonus points if aspect is within 2° orb
   • Total possible: 11 points

2. Sun-Moon Conjunction (8 points)

   • Your Sun conjunct partner’s Moon (or reverse)
   • Add 3 bonus points if within 2° orb
   • Total possible: 11 points

3. Key Point Aspects (4 points each)

   • Any aspect linking Sun, Moon, or Ascendant of one partner
   • To Sun, Moon, or Ascendant of the other
   • Multiple aspects accumulate

4. Destiny Signs (5 points)

   • Partner’s Sun in one of your four “destiny signs”
   • Your four destiny signs: your Sun sign, opposite sign, and both square signs
   • Example: If you’re Scorpio, destiny signs are Scorpio, Taurus, Leo, Aquarius
   • Exception: If there’s already an exact square or opposition, don’t add these points

5. Venus-Mars Connections (4 points)

   • Your Venus aspecting partner’s Mars (or reverse)
   • Any major aspect (conjunction, sextile, square, trine, opposition)
   • Adds magnetic dimension even in non-physical relationships

Complete Aspect Checklist #

Here are all possible aspects between key points (Sun, Moon, Ascendant) that earn points:

High-Value Aspects (Already Counted Above) #

Additional Key Point Aspects (4 points each) #

Between your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant and partner’s Sun, Moon, or Ascendant:

Sun Aspects (Person A → Person B) #

• Sun ☌ Sun
• Sun ☍ Moon
• Sun △ Moon
• Sun ☐ Moon
• Sun ✱ Moon
• Sun ☌ Ascendant
• Sun ☍ Ascendant
• Sun △ Ascendant
• Sun ☐ Ascendant
• Sun ✱ Ascendant

Moon Aspects (Person A → Person B) #

• Moon ☌ Sun (if not already counted above)
• Moon ☍ Sun
• Moon △ Sun
• Moon ☐ Sun
• Moon ✱ Sun
• Moon ☌ Moon
• Moon ☍ Moon
• Moon △ Moon
• Moon ☐ Moon
• Moon ✱ Moon
• Moon ☌ Ascendant
• Moon ☍ Ascendant
• Moon △ Ascendant
• Moon ☐ Ascendant
• Moon ✱ Ascendant

Ascendant Aspects (Person A → Person B) #

• Ascendant ☌ Sun
• Ascendant ☍ Sun
• Ascendant △ Sun
• Ascendant ☐ Sun
• Ascendant ✱ Sun
• Ascendant ☌ Moon
• Ascendant ☍ Moon
• Ascendant △ Moon
• Ascendant ☐ Moon
• Ascendant ✱ Moon
• Ascendant ☌ Ascendant
• Ascendant ☍ Ascendant
• Ascendant △ Ascendant
• Ascendant ☐ Ascendant
• Ascendant ✱ Ascendant

Aspect Symbols: ☌ Conjunction · ☍ Opposition · △ Trine · ☐ Square · ✱ Sextile

Other Factors #

Maximum Possible Score #

According to the Discepolo method, the maximum possible score is 44 points.

This is achieved when a couple has:

Core High-Value Aspects:

• Sun square or opposition Sun (tight orb): 11 points
• Sun conjunct Moon (A→B, tight orb): 11 points
• Sun conjunct Moon (B→A, tight orb): 11 points

Additional Factors:

• Destiny sign connection: 5 points
• Venus-Mars aspect: 4 points
• One additional key point aspect: 4 points

Total Maximum: 11 + 11 + 11 + 5 + 4 + 4 = 44 points

In practice, the Discepolo method limits the count of additional aspects to avoid inflation. The highest-scoring factor combinations rarely all occur simultaneously, making scores above 25 points genuinely exceptional.

Interpreting the Score #

After calculating all applicable points, compare your total to these benchmarks:

Real-World Examples #

To calibrate expectations, here are scores for famous couples:

• Prince Charles & Princess Diana: 12 points
  Publicly important but personally troubled

• Duke of Windsor & Wallis Simpson: 16 points
  He abdicated the throne for her

• Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor: 20 points
  Intensely passionate, married twice

• Dario Fo & Franca Rame: 21 points
  Lifelong artistic and personal partnership

Understanding Destiny Signs #

Your four “destiny signs” play a crucial role in your life story, especially in relationships:

What They Are:

1. Your Sun sign (same element, same modality)
2. Your opposite sign (complementary element, same modality)
3. Both square signs (challenging elements, same modality)

Why They Matter:

People with planets in these signs tend to play significant roles in your life—for better or worse. They:

• Challenge your growth
• Mirror aspects of yourself
• Catalyze important life developments
• Appear at crucial turning points

Example for Libra:

• Same sign: Libra (air, cardinal)
• Opposite: Aries (fire, cardinal)
• Squares: Cancer (water, cardinal) & Capricorn (earth, cardinal)

Notice all four share the cardinal modality—these are initiators, leaders, people who move your life forward.

What the Score Doesn’t Tell You #

This scoring system provides valuable insight but cannot capture:

Relationship Purpose #

Not all relationships are meant to last forever. Some powerful connections serve specific purposes:

• Catalytic relationships: Trigger necessary growth then naturally complete
• Karmic encounters: Resolve old patterns, then release
• Milestone partnerships: Mark important life transitions
• Teaching relationships: Illuminate what you truly need

A moderate score doesn’t mean the relationship isn’t valuable—it may simply have a different purpose than lifelong partnership.

Individual Development #

Synastry shows potential, but both people must:

• Do their own psychological work
• Communicate consciously
• Navigate challenges with maturity
• Choose the relationship daily

Two charts with 25 points of compatibility can fail if both people resist growth. Two charts with 12 points can thrive if both are committed to consciousness.

Timing and Context #

The same synastry manifests differently at different life stages:

• Youth: May emphasize passion and challenge
• Midlife: May emphasize growth and transformation
• Maturity: May emphasize companionship and wisdom

Life circumstances, cultural context, and individual readiness profoundly affect how synastry potentials actualize.

Using This System Wisely #

Don’t Use Scores To: #

• Reject someone you’re drawn to because of a “low” score
• Stay in a destructive relationship because of a “high” score
• Compare your relationship to others’
• Make someone “prove” their love by getting a reading

Do Use Scores To: #

• Understand relationship dynamics more objectively
• Identify areas requiring conscious attention
• Appreciate your partner’s different yet complementary nature
• Recognize when a relationship serves growth despite challenges

Beyond the Numbers #

The most important factors in any relationship ultimately transcend astrology:

Conscious Choice: Both partners choosing love, every day
Communication: Honest, vulnerable sharing of inner experience
Compassion: Seeing each other’s humanity beyond personality
Commitment: Willingness to work through difficulty together
Growth: Using relationship as a vehicle for becoming more whole

Astrology illuminates patterns and potentials. What you do with that awareness creates the actual relationship.

Working With Challenging Synastry #

If your score is lower than hoped, remember:

Challenges Offer Gifts:

• Tension creates passion and growth
• Differences invite expansion beyond your comfort zone
• Friction polishes rough edges
• Dynamic aspects keep relationship alive and evolving

Make It Conscious:

• Understand where you trigger each other—and why
• Use conflicts as opportunities for self-awareness
• Appreciate what your partner’s “difficulty” teaches you
• Choose to grow rather than defend

Some of the most transformative relationships involve challenging synastry consciously embraced as an opportunity for mutual evolution.

Explore synastry between any two charts with our birth chart calculator.