How can astrology be used to predict whether a marriage will last forever? What are all the signs that show that a marriage will last forever?

Hari Om!

(In an interview Priyanka Chopra talked about how her husband Nick Jonas even though much younger than her is an ‘old soul’ that she often relies on for advice. Rightly so! Nick has a Sun, Mercury, Jupiter conjunction in his chart in addition to Saturn retrograde. He definitely has a lot more intellectual depth than one would assume at first glance. Plus, their nodal axes overlap in reverse i.e North node on South node and vice versa. This is often the synastry of a couple who have a lot to teach and learn from each other. Will it last forever though? That’s hard to say because a lot of other influences don’t exactly ‘stand out’.)

Predicting the success of marriages is quite a controversial topic in the world of ‘Vedic’ astrology.

That’s because over the past few decades, the way ‘Vedic’ astrology is applied to analyze prospective partnerships and the ‘arrange marriage’ market as a whole has been ridden with customs that are less than ethical to say the least and nonsensical to put it politely.

Why I am starting off all guns blazing here without even providing y’all reasons in support of my answer?

Because I know for sure that at some point in their lives, everyone has gone through or heard about such an episode first hand.

So much so that nowadays millennials scoff at the very idea of ‘matching charts’ as a kind of ‘social evil’ or superstition.

Can we blame them?

Absolutely not.

This line of thought and approach towards decoding the tenets of ‘Vedic’ astrology and ‘Sanatana Dharma’ as a whole has been quite regressive in its approach.

For starters, if a couple has been in a relationship for 3–4 years then there really is no reason to even look at their charts to ‘calculate’ their ‘compatibility’ because how the hell do you think they have been together for that long in the first place if the match was incompatible?

There is a provision for such marriages referred to as ‘Gandharva vivaha’ and that makes the necessary provisions for marriage based solely on a love connection even if it is at a disregard for societal norms.

Then you take the way that the charts of a prospective couple are matched for marriage and that process is incomplete to say the least.

I have had a lot of clients who have been going through a divorce, come to me complaining how the match was supposed to be perfect since 28/36 or 30/36 ‘gunas’ matched.

I also personally know people who never got their charts matched and have lived a wonderful fulfilling and happy life with their spouse.

So the whole ‘matching charts’ to evaluate whether a marriage will work out or ‘last’ thing.. there’s a lot of confusion and incoherence surrounding it.

In this answer, I am going to share some universal rules that apply to everyone irrespective of their beliefs, religion, placements or life situation, when it comes to evaluating a ‘solid’ match.

Rule number 1: If the values don’t match there isno match.

• The first thing to bear in mind when evaluating the charts of a prospective couple, is to look at what their values are.

How do you figure that out?

• Just look at the problem areas of their life and the dominant planets.
  • This is because your values are formed through your life experiences. No?
  • If you grew up poor you’ll value money or not at all.
  • If you grew up being bullied, you’ll value compassion or not at all.
  • Whatever was the dominant theme of your life through your childhood, will define what you value or don’t value in your adulthood.

But how do you analyze that in the chart?

• Start by looking at any conjunctions to the North node, that planet signifies the value the native will keep above other things in life.
  • That’s because conjunctions with the North node show the traits/ values and experiences the native is here to develop in this lifetime. This planet(s) will form a sizable portion of the native’s life experience ranging from the challenges to approaches towards problem solving.
• Next, look at any retrograde planet(s) in the chart.
  • Retrograde planets signify an abundance of energy in the native’s life and much like conjunctions to the North node, the retrograde planet(s) will also form a sizable portion of life experience for the native.
    • For example, individuals with Saturn retrograde tend to have challenging lives and a more serious demeanor. The lesson for them is to learn to be more patient, resilient and disciplined. Life events and experiences reinforce this theme in their life so it begins to reflect in their personality sooner or later.
    • Individuals with Mars retrograde on the other hand tend to have lives where they have realized that they need to take more ‘action’, more initiative and challenge norms and rules. This is usually because their early experiences have been rife with conflicts, bullying, sudden events and quite often, ‘shocks’. The lesson for these individuals is to learn to be more focused, brave and innovative.

So put a person with Saturn retrograde and another with Mars retrograde together and there are bound to be conflicts even if there is respect and mutual admiration on a ‘higher’ level of consciousness and knowing.

Rule number 2: If the planetary synastries are incompatible, the match is incompatible.

• You know, I am surprised that synastries aren’t even considered in how most astrologers match charts.
  • It should be probably the priority when analyzing the suitability of a match.
  • For the uninitiated, ‘synastry’ refers to the placements of planets as they appear in you and your partner’s chart, if they were super imposed while perfectly aligning the ‘rashis’.
  • For example, if you are a Leo ascendant with Saturn in Aquarius in the 7th house and your partner is an Aquarius rising with Sun in the first, Saturn is influencing your partner’s 1st house via synastry.

This actually does have an effect. Greater effect than you can imagine in fact.

• Even if the rest of the chart is perfectly matched and these ‘synastries’ are uncomfortable, the match can end up being uncomfortable at the very least and seriously chaotic at best.
  • Continuing with the example provided above, if your partner’s Saturn falls on your Sun in the ascendant, you will feel a notable suppression in your confidence and self worth, creative expression and ‘purpose’ just by being around them.
  • It’s often not ‘intentional’ at all and two people may love each other deeply but it’s the little things that the Saturn person does in an attempt to ‘correct’ or ‘guide’ the Sun person that dims the Sun person’s confidence big time.
  • Further since Saturn here is influencing the Sun person’s ascendant which is Aquarius (Saturn’s own sign), the Saturn person will often try to show the Sun person the ‘right way’ of doing things. Needless to say, to the Sun person, this will often come across as condescending, bossy and sometimes downright rude.
  • In the long run, the Sun person may try to avoid the Saturn person because being around him just makes them feel less about themselves.

Let’s take another example:

• Let’s say that Person A has Mars in the tenth house in Cancer and person B has the South node of the Moon ‘Ketu’ in Cancer in the 11th house.
  • The association of person A with person B will cause Person A to feel their drive and focus in the workplace somewhat drained.
• Now these influences don’t happen just because the placements are as they are.
  • No, the way to understand this is that Person B with South node in the 11th house is probably a social person. They’re predominantly creative since they have the North node in the 5th but ‘Ketu’ in the 11th shows they have a natural knack of forming friendships and connections.
  • What’s happening in such a scenario is probably that person B’s social engagements probably cause person A to give less time to their career. (‘Ketu’ synastry on Mars draining its energy).
    • This influence can be the cause of many domestic disagreements.

How much of a threat this turns out to be for the longevity of the relationship can only be determined by looking at other factors. However, it’s the ‘small’ things that turn out to be the ‘big things’ down the line that lead to divorces and separations.

Rule number 3: Classical ‘guna’ matching is very helpful if done right but not the ‘end all be all’.

• Classic ‘guna’ matching that takes into account the lunar reference points such as ‘nakshatra’ and ‘taara’ is a very good all purpose indicator of the expected health of a union.
• You need to take these evaluations on their own with a pinch of salt however.
  • For example:
  • ‘Maitri’ is calculated on the basis of lords of the signs of the Moon.
  • For example, Scorpio Moon people are not considered good ‘friends’ to Capricorn Moon people.
    • Why?
    • Because Mars, the ruler of Scorpio and Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, are natural enemies.
    • However let’s say Scorpio Moon person has Saturn retrograde in 6th and Capricorn Moon person has Mars conjunct their Moon in Capricorn.

What then?

• Won’t this balance out the energies on the natives’ respective charts and pave the way for a harmonious exchange?
• Obviously it does.
• So the classical ‘guna’ matching is helpful but it isn’t the end all be all. Take it in addition to other aspects of evaluation as well.

Rule number 4: Match the D-9, D-7, D-10 and D-60 charts as well.

• A lot of people don’t see the logic behind matching the divisional charts but if you truly want to analyze lasting happiness in a connection, you need to see if the couple are truly matched physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
• The most important thing here is to see the level of ‘work’ they are capable of putting in towards improving their lives and themselves.
  • The D-9 shows what the individual is destined to become in the future based on their values for life.
  • The D-7 shows the nature of their partnerships and relationships.
  • The D-10 shows what kind of changes, progress and alterations will they be able to make in their career.
  • The D-60 shows the ‘conclusion’ of the native’s life and what her or she will be aiming to end life as. It’s more like where do you see yourself concluding this journey called life?

You should look at all of these charts if needed and you may glance at them at the very least, to determine if the individuals will be able to keep up with each other in the journey of life that they are embarking upon together.

I want to include a couple of examples here. One of a very successful marriage and the other of a relationship with lots of spark that couldn’t ever be more.

Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan: Lots of spark no stability

Salman: Mars and Venus in Aquarius

Aishwarya Rai: Jupiter in Aquarius

• Shows that it must have been a very harmonious connection on some level. Jupiter Venus synastries are very harmonious because these are the two ‘gurus’ who are considered auspicious for relationships.
• Mars Venus in Salman’s chart does show he has a tendency to be impulsive and passionate in relationships.
• Aishwarya’s Jupiter over Salman’s Mars shows that this trait in him was amplified as a result of her presence in his life.
  • What do I really mean with this however?
  • Well Jupiter is your wisdom and morals. Aishwarya’s morals and philosophy towards life was such that it was potentially the cause of Salman’s increased aggression.
• Moon Venus Rahu on Aishwarya’s chart.
  • Now, I have written and spoken a lot about ‘Rahu’ Moon conjunctions and I can tell you this:
  • ‘Rahu’ Moon conjunctions are virtually always problematic for relationships unless.. you have a very balanced very sorted out partner.
  • ‘Rahu’ Venus Moon conjunction shows that Aishwarya has a tendency to be more ‘needy’ sometimes and overly ‘withdrawn’ other times.
    • Why’s that?
    • Because with the North node conjunct the Moon, the balance of emotions is not there.
    • Sometimes it’s too much and sometimes it’s absent.
    • Salman on the other hand has Moon conjunct Saturn.
    • Shows that he is a bit ‘cold’ emotionally and tends to be pragmatic in his approach to life as a whole.
    • Aishwarya may well have looked to Salman for emotional stability on a lot of matters and may even have found it to some extent in him.
    • However, Salman may have turned out to be a little too practical for her liking.
  • Further, Aishwarya has Mars, Saturn and Mercury retrograde.
    • Damn! That’s a heavy chart you have right there!
    • There’s a lot of development that this soul is here to undergo in this life time and that shows there are potentially a lot of struggles and difficulties, challenges and lessons in the areas of:

1. Aggression, Impulses and Sudden events (Mars retrograde)
2. Hard work, grief, loneliness (Saturn retrograde)
3. Communication, miscommunication, learning, unlearning (Mercury retrograde)

• In the case of Salman Khan however, the dominant lessons all revolve around learning how to manage one’s blessings, being thankful, grateful and respectful. There is a lot of wisdom in his life path and also a lot of experiences regarding dealings and teachings of his ‘guru jan’ and ‘elders’ so to speak. and (Jupiter retrograde).
  • Once again, shows that he was probably an uplifting presence in her life.
• Salman’s Moon is in ‘Dhanishtha’, Aishwarya’s in ‘Purvashadha’.
  • Once again a Mars-Venus influence shows that the attraction must have been quite a bit.

What do I think it all boils do to wrt why their relationship didn’t work out?

1. Aishwarya’s chart shows an individual who has a lot on her plate and with a lot of fears and complexes well hidden from the outer world.
   1. It’s the chart of a person who needs to be the dominant partner in the relationship purely because they are too fearful of the many situations in their life going out of control if they have to be the one to ‘follow’ or ‘play along’.
2. Salman’s chart is that of an individual and we can corroborate the same from his ‘Navamsha’ since we have his accurate birth details; it’s the chart of a person who needs to learn how to manage his impulses.
   1. He has Mars-Venus conjunction in the D-1 and a ‘Rahu’ Saturn Mars conjunction as well as a ‘Ketu’-Moon conjunction in the D-9.
   2. Further, Salman’s nodal axis is quite ‘karmic’ when it comes to relationships.
      1. South node in ’Anuradha’ and North node in ‘Krittika’ shows a soul that recognizes and has a lot of experience with themes of devotion and love (‘Anuradha’) but is here to learn about separation and severance (‘Krittika’).

To top it all off, guess what is the ‘ashtakoot’ matching points for them? 7.5/36 !

• That is below abysmal. Lol
• However, you see how it doesn’t tell you the complete story? Studying the rest of the influences shows you quite a few things that if you sat both parties down to talk about their lives, you would be able to hear them talk to you about.

Let’s the example now of a successful marriage:

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

Probably one of the most successful romances in the film industry as a whole, Ryan and Blake have 4 children together and by the looks of it with all that’s apparent, reported and said by each of them in interviews.. a great marriage.

Now when you look at their charts you see interesting similarities along the lines of what I have mentioned in the beginning of this answer:

• Blake has a Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus conjunction
• Ryan has a Moon, Mars, Venus, Rahu conjunction.
  • That many planets conjunct the Moon often shows a mind that has a lot of things to express, learn, absorb and communicate.
  • You absolutely need someone like you to be able to get you because someone who doesn’t have this kind of a placement will probably find you overwhelming.
  • This shows that primarily, these two individuals are great friends and companions.
• Now, if you match their charts traditionally, you see they get 0/5 points for ‘Maitri’ in the ‘Ashtakoota milan’.
  • Is that really the case?
  • No.
  • In fact Blake and Ryan have routinely talked about how they are ‘best friends’ and able to have interesting conversations at odd times during the day and night.
• They do get full points in the ‘Bhakoot’ and ‘Nadi’ segment however and well that is reflected in the big family they have.
• Another interesting thing is that they both have Jupiter retrograde.
  • This further provides a consistency in the dominant lessons of their life.
    • When two people have Jupiter retrograde it means that on all matters of beliefs, philosophy, wisdom, religion and principles, they are quite aligned.
    • Also, it shows that there is a lot of abundance and happiness in both their lives and a feeling of the same.
• Further, Ryan has Moon in ‘Swati’ and Blake has Moon in ‘Purvaphalguni’.
  • That’s a great combination that shows that Ryan’s presence in Blake’s life enhances the fine aspects of who she is as a person.
  • They also have a Jupiter-Jupiter synastry that shows when it comes to the higher meaning of life and how it should be lived, they are quite consistent in their views.
  • If you compare their D-9 charts, once again, their Saturn and Moon are quite consistent.
  • That is great because it shows the ability to think and solve problems within the relationship is quite consistent. They tend to think in the same ways about the same things. That’s really good.
• What’s their overall ‘ashtakoota’ score btw?
  • 25.5/36.

1. So you see with both examples how the only traditional tool used for chart matching and evaluating the strength of a union does not convey the full story.
2. Additional aspects of analyzing the chart have a lot of significance and it’s about interpreting the individual energies of the charts first and then moving on to evaluate if they can help each other fulfill their individual life purposes.
3. This is how you should analyze charts to evaluate if the marriage will last forever or at least a very long time.

Hope this helps.

Some of my other popular answers on the topic of relationships:https://coachkaushal.com/2025/10/18/do-karmic-partners-have-mostly-negative-effects-on-each-others-lives-or-is-this-term-used-in-positive-connotation-too/

Hari Om!