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THE COUPLE SCORE 2.0

Developed by the undersigned and created exclusively for MyAstral.org, where it will be available — always free of charge — starting a few days after its official presentation, which will take place in Milan on January 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM, at the Aprés Coup bookshop-café (Via Privata della Braida 5, Milan).

Here you can find Chiara Barbaro’s Instagram post:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRzd1-LDK7z/?igsh=MXNsZzZ2M2tkMzFxeg%3D%3D

ELECTIVE AFFINITY AND THE COUPLE SCORE 2.0

A BIT OF HISTORY

This is a widely debated topic in astrology, one that often sees astrologers of different schools lining up on opposite sides. We must admit that over the last few years we have undergone a serious methodological reconsideration — and we do not feel ashamed to say so.

Back in 1978, in our book Guide to Astrology (Armenia), we wrote that signs 90 degrees apart should never join in a relationship; in fact, we were even more categorical: “…they should teach children in elementary school never to unite with people born three months before or after them.”

Later on, a broad dataset forced us to acknowledge a very different reality: the couples whose Sun signs were in square aspect were actually the most numerous among long-term marriages or cohabitations. We discussed this with several colleagues we esteem, and in particular with our friend Lisa Morpurgo, during a conference. The renowned Milanese scholar confirmed that she had found the same pattern in her own archives, and she encouraged us to carry out a statistical study on a large sample to demonstrate it.

Thus we designed a statistical research project together with Luigi Miele. The results were published in Ricerca ’90, issue no. 5 (January 1991). We analyzed 2,116 couples, corresponding to 4,232 individuals, taken from the Gauquelin archives — therefore a rigorously selected and reliable sample. The outcome showed a Z-score very close to the significance threshold, but regardless of that, it was clear that couples with Sun-square or Sun-opposition aspects were by far the most numerous.

About two years later, an almost identical study was carried out in the Netherlands and published in Correlation. On a very similar sample, it produced virtually identical results.

Today, after many years since the first “suspicions,” we can confidently say that the square and opposition between two Sun signs is the most important foundational tile in certifying a strong, long-lasting bond for a couple aspiring to endure over time.

Another factor widely recognized by most astrologers is the conjunction between one partner’s Sun and the other partner’s Moon. Far less significant are unions characterized by trines (e.g., Libra with Gemini, Capricorn with Virgo, Aries with Sagittarius, etc.).

More recently (in the 1980s, Editor’s Note), together with Luigi Miele, we developed a method for assigning a “score” to each couple, based on traditional teachings, our personal experience, the statistical studies carried out, and the shared know-how of most contemporary astrologers.

The scoring rules are as follows:

  • 8 points if A’s Sun is square or opposite B’s Sun (11 points if the aspect is within 2 degrees).
  • 8 points if A’s Sun is conjunct B’s Moon, or vice versa (11 points if the conjunction is within 2 degrees).
  • 4 points for every aspect linking A’s Sun, Ascendant, or Moon with B’s Sun, Ascendant, or Moon.
  • 5 points if the two Sun signs are “destiny signs.”
    By “destiny signs” we mean the subject’s own Sun sign, its opposite sign, or the two signs 90 degrees away.
    For example, for Scorpio, the four destiny signs are Scorpio, Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius.
    For Libra: Libra, Aries, Cancer, and Capricorn.
    In our experience these four signs play a major role in one’s destiny, especially in relationships.
    However, if a precise square or opposition is already present, these 5 points are not assigned (since that “plus” is counted separately).
  • 4 points if an aspect exists between A’s Venus and B’s Mars, or vice versa.
    Even when the relationship is not primarily sexual, the Venus–Mars dynamic still plays an important role in synastry.

From this system a score emerges, and this score can be compared — as a reference — with the score assigned by the same method to well-known couples:

  • Mike Bongiorno & Tina Anselmi = 4 (not a real couple, but a theoretically possible one).
  • Charles of England & Diana = 12.
  • Duke of Windsor & Wallis Simpson = 16.
  • Richard Burton & Liz Taylor = 20.
  • Dario Fo & Franca Rame = 21.

From this method we draw the following conclusions:

  • 0 to 5 points = nonexistent relationship.
  • 5 to 10 points = mediocre relationship.
  • 10 to 15 points = significant relationship.
  • 15 to 20 points = very significant relationship.
  • 20 points and above = exceptional relationship.
    This remains valid even considering the new maximum scores achievable with the updated algorithm.
    Naturally, finding a score of 20–25 is one thing; finding 50–55 is quite another.

This system later became a software program (The Couple in the ASTRAL suite), capable of running on any computer and offering a numerical evaluation of a relationship’s quality. Naturally, the resulting assessment is not intended to be the Word of God, but rather a concrete reference point for a reasonably objective analysis.
Furthermore, the software allows each user to modify the default scoring parameters, enabling the user to become the programmer of the very method they are applying.

Since the 1980s, our website www.cirodiscepolo.it has offered a free and open section for calculating this score.
In recent years this page has been moved to the new site www.MyAstral.org, owned by Chiara Barbaro and advised by the undersigned.
Some may have noticed that the scores calculated there sometimes differ from earlier ones, but this is due solely to the greater precision of the MyAstral© computational engine.

This is the background story.
In the last two years, at the Owner’s request — and with my full agreement — small but crucial modifications have been introduced into the algorithm for calculating the Couple Compatibility Score, based on more than half a century of study and experience.

…To be continued, and everything will be explained verbally at the meeting in Milan on January 8, 2026.

See you soon…

P.S. During the presentation, please refrain from discussing A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, and from mentioning Garlasco 3.
P.P.S. Those unable to attend the presentation are kindly asked not to invite the speakers out for coffee the following day.