Mercury—Gemini & Virgo
Venus—Taurus & Libra
Mars—Aries & Scorpio
Jupiter—Sagittarius & Pisces
Saturn—Capricorn & Aquarius
Just as each sign has its own way of operating in the realms of relationship, love, and sex, each sign has a part of the body assigned to it. Traditionally a part of medical astrology and the healing arts of magick, these body parts can also be erogenous zones for those who are strongly aligned with the Sun. The Sun sign primarily, but also the Moon sign and the ruling sign of your eighth house, can give you possible clues to the erogenous zones, or at least places you like to be touched affectionately.
Knowing these astrological placements of your partner can be very helpful, as often we will touch our partner in the ways we like to be touched, not thinking a lover might have very different trigger points than we do.
Aries—Head, face, scalp
Taurus—Neck
Gemini—Hands, arms, shoulders
Cancer—Chest, breasts, belly
Leo—Back, spine, chest
Virgo—Lower belly
Libra—Buttocks, lower back
Scorpio—Genitals, perineum, anus, entire body
Sagittarius—Thighs
Capricorn—Knees, calves, shins
Aquarius—Ankles
Pisces—Feet
example} Astrological Chart
The example chart on the next page gives us some great food for thought in interpreting astrological charts. It contains some advanced aspects slightly beyond the basic introduction of this book, but even the base minimum we are looking at for love and relationship will be helpful.
For this example, the Sun sign is Cancer. This person, at their core, is seeking emotional and family security. Being right in the first house, the house of self-learning, they are learning, to some extent, to nurture and take care of the self in this lifetime. This person seeks to explore and express herself but can appear selfish at times. She also emotionally shields herself, like a crab in its shell, when in fear of getting hurt. While she appears tough on the outside, she can be quite vulnerable and sensitive. Generally, Cancer is harmonious with other water and earth signs, such as Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, and Pisces. While Capricorn is attractive, being the opposite sign of Cancer, it could pose some problems.
The Moon is in Aries, so emotionally, this person is headstrong and fiery. It is in the house of friends and social relationships, the eleventh house, so while friends play an important part in emotional development and connection, she might be competitive with friends or simply need time being alone. She would do well connecting to those with Moon signs of fire and air generally, particularly Sagittarius.
Venus is in Leo in the fourth house. A Leonine Venus indicates one who is affectionate, playful, and romantic, who likes to give a lot of attention but at the same time receive a lot of attention. Physical beauty and charisma will play a big part in life, as this person has a natural ability to attract attention or put on a show in regard to romance and sexuality. Being in the fourth house indicates a reinforcement of the Cancerian nature that home and family are important to her as well, and relationships lead to the security of the family.
figure}Sample Astrological Chart
Occupation: actress; birthday: July 1, 1967;
birth place: Ladysmith, Canada; birth time: 4:08 am
The fifth house of children and lovers is ruled by Virgo. The ones to whom she is most sensitive are also the ones she is in service to. She is also either particularly critical of children and lovers or feels the sting of their criticism toward her. The sign of Libra, the sign of balanced relationships, is entirely swallowed up by the fifth house, becoming what astrologers call an intercepted sign. When a house is larger than thirty degrees, it can cause an entire sign to be swallowed in it. The opposing sign, Aries, is intercepted in the eleventh house. Karmic astrologers would say there is past-life karma to deal with around the axis of Aries-Libra, the stress of individuality versus balanced partnership. This will develop into a theme as her life progresses.
The seventh house is ruled by Sagittarius, meaning romance and partnerships will be adventuresome and fun. They will be marked by travel, exploration, and learning new things together.
The eighth house is ruled by Capricorn. Capricorn brings a sense of measured control to the area where we have to let go of control. So even when she is not in control, the appearance is that she is. In regard to sexuality (as this is the house of sex, death, and taxes), the outer, responsible exterior can be hiding a wild, Panlike sexuality just beneath or show areas of control or power over lovers.
Who is the mystery example? It’s actress Pamela Anderson. She had one famous relationship with drummer Tommy Lee, whose Sun sign is Libra, and his Moon is not known to the general public but might be Scorpio or Sagittarius. As a Libra, he strikes a chord in her karmic Aries-Libra axis. Her Aries Moon would be attracted to a Sagittarius Moon, or her Cancer Sun attracted to a Scorpio Moon, but ultimately it did not work out. Another famous love of hers is musician Kid Rock. His Sun sign is Capricorn, playing into the shadow attraction with Cancer, his opposite sign, while his Moon is unknown but either Virgo or Libra. Libra too would play into her Aries-Libra karmic axis, while Virgo would align well with the ruling sign of her fifth house.
Astrologers can put two charts together in what is known as a “bi-wheel,” where they can compare the interactions of the charts of a couple. A more advanced technique is known as a composite chart, where the two charts are put together into one chart via a mathematical formula. This chart represents the relationship between the two people and can be studied as an individual entity itself, similar to the idea of a relationship thoughtform, as detailed earlier in this chapter. The composite chart can also be used to compare to both individuals’ charts, to see your connection with the overall energy of the relationship.
While we’ve been covering the uses of astrology in compatibility magick, you can more easily use it in terms of your spellcasting. When the Sun, Moon, or Venus is in a sign that represents the type of relationship you want to have, magick for that relationship will be more effective. Generally love magick is considered to be best when the Moon or Venus is in a water sign. If you are looking for a stable love, then earth signs will serve you better. If you are looking for sexual passion, work with fire signs. If you are looking for an intellectual equal, wait for air signs. If you want to be very complicated, you can draw up a chart for the moment of the ritual to determine what is on the cusp of the fifth, seventh, and eighth houses, to add that information to your spell.
Numerology of Love
Just as astrology is used as a method of determining compatibility, numerology—the study of the energetic vibration of numbers—is also used to help us understand ourselves and our mates. Numerology is based upon the numeric value of the letters in our name, as well as the number of our age, the current year, or even our address. One thing that helped me understand the power in the numbers of our name was the first few weeks of dating my partner. My partner’s name is Steve, and we discovered that before we met, I was dating another Steve and he was dating another Chris. It was like we were close to finding each other, and the vibration of the names was similar, but ultimately we needed different people attached to those names.
Numerology systems vary from East to West, modern to ancient, so while it’s a complete system, there is a lot of variation on how to calculate various numbers, interpret that information, and apply it, particularly to love. The system here is one that I’ve found to be helpful, yet those interested in a more detailed study of numerology should look at resources that are more specific to the overall study of numerology.
Primary Number
The first number to calculate is the primary number. This number is your inner nature and guiding force
. It is calculated by your birth date, as the day of your birth encapsulates the energy that guides your life, much like the position of the planets and signs determines the guiding factors of your astrological birth chart. To calculate the primary number, add the digits together. If you were born on August 13, 1977, add together 8 + 13 + 1977 = 1998.
The digits are reduced until you get a single digit from 1 to 9:
1 + 9 + 9 + 8 = 27
2 + 7 = 9
Or add up all the individual numbers:
8 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 9 + 7 + 7 = 36
3 + 6 = 9
Love Number
Your love number, the force ruling your romantic partnerships, is calculated by converting the letters of your full birth name to numbers and adding them together until they are reduced to a single digit. If your name is Mary Jane Smith, the letters, using the alphanumeric conversion chart on page 141, would convert to:
MARYJANESMITH
4197115514928
4 + 1 + 9 + 7+ 1 + 1 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 4 + 9 + 2 + 8 = 57
5 + 7 = 12
1 + 2 = 3
Home Number
The last primary number that comes into play is the number involving your home. Generally the home number is calculated by using the digits of the street address only, though if your home only has a name, then that name can be converted using the same alphanumeric conversion chart. If you live on 1624 Broadway, then the home number is calculated
1 + 6 + 2 + 4 = 13
1 + 3 = 4
If you live in an apartment, this will give you the building’s number, and you can add your apartment number to it, reducing it to a single digit, again, for the energy of your specific home. Generally any numbers in your street name, such as Fifth Avenue or 77th Street, would not be added.
The primary number, love number, and even home number, if residing together, all play a factor in your life, though it’s important to know that while the numbers each have a metaphysical meaning, they are open to interpretation. Simply because one book or teacher says two primary numbers do not get along for love, you might find that you personally enjoy a complex and challenging relationship. Common interpretations, even the ones here, are based on simple factors; your personal choices, wants, and needs might go beyond the commonly accepted wisdom and yield success. Many Witches do not choose what is common and have amazing and exciting lives.
The primary number tells you about your general self, much like your Sun sign in astrology. The love number tells you about your romantic self. The information in the primary-number description can supplement the description in regard to your love nature, much like the position of Venus in your astrology chart. “Vibrates to” tells you the number of lovers where there is strong and mutual attraction and compatibility. “Attracts” indicates compatibility. “Opposes” indicates some difficulties in compatibility, while “passive” is neutral, with no particular benefits or detriments. The home number gives you a little information on your home together.
number} 1
Primary Number: Singleness of purpose, achievement, action, strength, leadership, self-reliance, centeredness, divine purpose
Love Number: Intellectual attraction, sudden marriage, romance during foreign travel, married life can lead to boredom without continual stimulus
Vibrates to: 9
Attracts: 4, 8
Opposes: 6, 7
Passive: 2, 3, 5
Home Number: House of leadership. Works best with one independent leadership–style personality, not two. Often the home of the self-employed or someone focused on career. It can be lacking in warmth and a homey atmosphere, and should be tempered with relaxed furnishings, music, and flowers.
number} 2
Primary Number: Equality, justice, harmony, balance, understanding, passivity, fatalism
Love Number: Seeks comfort and stability in relationship; seeks practical partner to provide security
Vibrates to: 8, 6
Attracts: 1, 7, 9
Opposes: 5
Passive: 3, 4
Home Number: A home of partnership, cooperation, and duality. Comfortable, playful, childlike, with a lived-in feel to it.
number} 3
Primary Number: Creative, confident, optimistic, adaptable, enthusiastic, charming, overconfident, indifferent, impatient
Love Number: Idealistic; longs for the ideal partner; intuition is the best guide in the relationship; picks partners with similar interests and ideals
Vibrates to: 7
Attracts: 5, 6, 9
Opposes: 4, 8
Passive: 1, 2
Home Number: A home that is positive and optimistic, creative and artistic. It might be unusual and bold, and attract people who reflect those qualities. Those residing in a 3 might have a lot of ideas but have difficulty finishing what they start.
number} 4
Primary Number: Solidity, strong willed, loyal, honest, conventional, routine
Love Number: Seeks stability of marriage; emotional and affectionate to partners
Vibrates to: 6
Attracts: 1, 8
Opposes: 5
Passive: 2, 3, 7, 9
Home Number: This is a home of practicality, integrity, honesty, and usefulness. Such homes tend to attract those who like to “do it yourself” and to design and decorate. One partner might tend to dominate the other in this situation, but if this tendency is not given in to, then it is quite a happy home.
number} 5
Primary Number: Health, prosperity, courage, versatility, empathy, friendship, romance, impulsivity, unreliable
Love Number: Seeks companionship; religion and philosophy play a part in the relationship; seeks to marry for life
Vibrates to: 7
Attracts: 3, 9, 2
Opposes: 4
Passive: 1, 6, 7, 8
Home Number: Usually spacious, open, and expensively decorated, these homes are considered happy and versatile. Residents tend to shy away from routine and seek freedom, but are also nurturing to those of artistic or intellectual talent.
number} 6
Primary Number: Harmony, completion, happiness, idealism, kindness, excess, martyrdom
Love Number: Shy, difficulty expressing feelings, rash behavior, ardent lover beneath the shell
Vibrates to: 4, 2
Attracts: 3, 9
Opposes: 1 and 8 (mildly), 5 (deeply)
Passive: 7
Home Number: Homes vibrating to the number 6 are harmonious and protected, and tend to manifest the ideal of tolerance, humanitarianism, and social responsibility. They are cozy and comfortable, full of love and tenderness, and tend to be a safe place for those seeking love or healing, or who are simply down on their luck, looking for help.
number} 7
Primary Number: Wisdom, completion, evolution, endurance, intuition, intellectual activity, solitude, overly critical
Love Number: Seen as a flirt; intellectually and physically active, and seeks a partner with similar interests; loyal partner when in a relationship
Vibrates to: 3, 5
Attracts: 2, 6
Opposes: 1, 9
Passive: 4, 8
Home Number: This is a home of hard work and independence. It requires a zone within it for quiet and recharging the spiritual batteries. Pets, particularly cats, do well in a 7, and occupants are spiritual, psychic, and natural healers.
number} 8
Primary Number: Organizing, loyal, strong, steady, practical, blunt
Love Number: Seeks travel, change, and variety; often seeks an older partner; business with partner usually successful
Vibrates to: 2, 5
Attracts: 1, 4
; Opposes: 3, 6
Passive: 7, 9
Home Number: This home is one of power and prosperity. Those who dwell in it are confident and daring, and their home reflects this. They are usually immaculately clean, luxuriously decorated, and comfortable. The occupants usually have the finances to upkeep such a home and are independent and driven.
number} 9
Primary Number: Perfectionism, intellect, understanding, logic, philosophy, fine arts, dreamy, lethargic
Love Number: Seeks marriage to complete life, can miss obvious incompatibilities with a potential partner and lead to later difficulties, idealizes love
Vibrates to: 1
Attracts: 2, 3, 6
Opposes: 7
Passive: 4, 5, 8
Home Number: Number 9 homes are artistic, compassionate, and sensitive. Some would describe them as “shabby,” but they are still pleasing to the eye. They are filled with unique items from around the world and have a large library. Inhabitants are artistic or in a care-giving profession for a career.
Relationship Cycles
While understanding the compatibility between partners is important, it is not the only factor determining success in a relationship. As mentioned earlier, when two or more people come together, they create something new, a relationship, and that relationship has its own life cycle, spirit, and power. This is the same dynamic that occurs when a group of magickal practitioners come together to form a coven or lodge: they create a collective thoughtform of the group, but it is much more than just mental energy, as implied in the term thoughtform. It has its own emotional energy and spiritual awareness. While a magickal group’s spirit has a different purpose than a relationship, they are still much the same. Both must be honored, respected, and nurtured to have a successful union.
A powerful way to understand the life cycles of all things, including relationships, is to look at the four elements. Witches, magicians, and many other practitioners call the elemental forces when creating sacred space, as outlined in the “circle magick” section of chapter 7. The circle is a microcosm of creation, and the casting of the circle is like a creation story, a life cycle. Different traditions view this creation story differently, based upon their own mythos and the correspondences between elements and directions, but this life cycle can be seen in all things, including relationships. This concept applied to relationships is best demonstrated in the writings and teachings of the author Starhawk.
The Witch's Heart Page 21