Eros - the powerful force of love and transformation - has fascinated humanity for centuries. Often misunderstood as merely sexual, Eros represents the desire for profound merging, a yearning to dissolve boundaries between self and other. This article explores the archetype of Eros in the birth chart, its expression in transits, and the dynamics it creates in synastry drawing heavily on the insights of Richard Idemon.

Eros: Beyond the Physical

Eros is often equated with erotism, but its essence transcends physical attraction. It is the transformative force that compels us to merge our souls with another, often involving emotional intensity and even suffering. Richard Idemon, a renowned astrologer, associates Eros with Scorpio and Pluto, highlighting its Plutonic, watery, and cathartic qualities. Eros is not just about bodies merging (as in Taurean epithemia); it is about the merging of souls, a process that can be both ecstatic and painful.

Eros thrives on mystery, intensity, and transformation. It is the underworld’s energy, often symbolised by Scorpio’s ruler, Pluto. Archetypally, Eros entails surrender - letting go of the egoic “I” to embrace the collective or the other. This dynamic makes it inherently linked to death and rebirth, a process Jung described as becoming “twice-born.”

In Greek mythology, Eros was the god of love, or more precisely, passionate and physical desire. Without warning, Eros select his targets and forcefully strikes at their hearts, bringing confusion and irrepressible feelings. In the words of Hesiod, he “loosens the limbs and weakens the mind” (Theogony, 120). Greek art often represents Eros as a carefree and beautiful youth crowned with flowers, especially roses, which were closely associated with the god. Eros and Psyche, his beloved, are a common pairing in the sculpture of ancient Greece and Rome, symbolising the profound and often challenging union of love and soul.

Love is pure ecstasy—it melts us. And ultimately, it is the depth of the love we give and receive in our relationships that measures how content we feel in our sojourn on planet Earth.

Spiller, Jan. Cosmic Love: Secrets of the Astrology of Intimacy Revealed (p. 10).

Eros in the Natal Chart

In the natal chart, Eros reveals where and how we experience transformative love and desire. To understand its role, consider the signs and houses of Taurus and Scorpio, Venus and Pluto, and any other planets in the 8th house.

// Taurus and Epithemia: Taurus, as the archetype of sensual love, seeks pleasure through touch and physical connection. It represents the primal and instinctual urge for survival through sensory experience.

// Scorpio and Eros: Scorpios love transcends physically. It seeks emotional and psychological union, often through intense and cathartic experiences.

For example, if Taurus is on the 10th house cusp, it suggests that sensuality and pleasure might play a role in the individual’s public life or career. In contrast, Scorpio on the 7th house cusp might indicate deep, transformative partnerships.

Key Aspect to Analyse:

// The position of Pluto and Venus by house and sign.

// Aspect between Venus and Pluto.

// Planets in the 8th house.

// Taurus and Scorpio on house cusp.

Transiting Eros

When Eros transiting the natal chart, it activates the potential for transformative experiences in love, creativity, and passion. These transits can be periods of profound emotional awakening, often accompanied by challenges or disruptions to the status quo.

// Eros conjunct Natal Planets: When transiting Eros conjuncts a natal planet, it amplifies the energy of that planet. For instance, Eros conjunct the Moon may bring emotional intensity and a longing for deep connection, while Eros conjunct Mercury might ignite passionate communication.

//Eros in the 8th House: During a transit through the 8th house, Eros awaken themes of intimacy, transformation, and shared resources. This is a period when individuals may explore the depths of their psyche or engage in transformative relationships.

Eros in Synastry

In synastry, Eros highlights the dynamic interplay of passion and transformation between two people. When Eros aspects another person’s planets, it creates an intense attraction that can feel fated or transformative.

//Eros conjunct Venus: This aspect suggests a strong romantic and physical attraction, blending Eros’ intensity with Venus’ charm and grace. It ofte feels like the epitome of romance love.

//Eros square Pluto: This aspect can be magnetic but also challenging, as it brings out themes of control, power struggle, and deep emotional transformation.

//Eros in the 8th House: If one person’s falls in the other’s 8th house, the relationship is likely to be deeply transformative, touching on themes of intimacy, vulnerability, and shared emotional depth.

Example: Eros Conjunct North Node in Capricorn in the 11th House

In this synastry configuration, Eros aligns with B’s North Node in Capricorn, a sign associated with responsibility, ambition, and long-term goals, situated in the 11th house of friendships, groups, and collective visions. This aspect suggests:

Destined Transformation: A’s Eros activates B’s North Node, indicating that the relationship is a profound, transformative influence on B’s path toward fulfilling their life’s purpose. B may feel magnetically drawn to A, as if they are helping them embrace the deeper themes of their North Node.
Shared Goals: The Capricorn influence emphasises structured and goal-oriented partnerships. The relationship is likely to inspire both parties to work toward shared ideals, especially within group or societal contexts.
Erotic Catalyst: Eros introduces passion and depth to B’s growth journey, often encouraging them to take risks in the realm of friendship, collaboration, and innovation.
Balancing Passion and Practicality: Capricorn’s grounded energy tempers Eros’ intensity, creating a dynamic where passion is channeled into constructive and long-lasting efforts.

This aspect highlights how erotic and transformative energy can align with destiny, pushing both individuals to grow and evolve through their shared connection.

Eros in the Composite Chart

A composite chart is based on the midpoints between two birth charts. It representing the relationship as an entity itself. The composite chart allows us deals with relationship in a new way. It allows us to see the precise nature of the difficulties in a problematic relationship and enables us to gain insightful and useful information about possible solutions to the problems we face in a relationship. We will explore planets in the composite chart more in the coming article. For now, lets look at an example of Composite Eros in Sagittarius conjunct Composite Sun and Composite Mercury in the 11th house, what this might possibly means.

A composite Sun describes the purpose of the relationship. Just as the individual Sun says something about the mystery why a unique individual alive, and what their purpose and destiny involve, the composite Sun says something about why this unique relationship has come into being. The composite Sun will tell us what a relationship is meant to be. What is its function? Why does it exist? What is it here for?

Composite Mercury in the 11th house has something to do with how they communicate to the public.

When Eros aspects the composite Sun or Mercury, it adds a layer of intensity, communication, and transformation to the relationship.

In this configuration, Eros aligns with the Sun (identity) and Mercury (communication) in Sagittarius, the sign of expansion, truth-seeking, and adventure. Located in the 11th house, the house of friendships, groups, and shared ideals, this aspect suggests:

Dynamic Connection: The relationship is infused with passion and a drive for exploration, both intellectually and spiritually. Conversations are likely to be profound, transformative, and full of Sagittarian optimism.
Shared Vision: The 11th house placement indicates that the partnership thrives in group settings, shared projects, or community-based endeavours. The connection may inspire others and align with shared ideals.
Transformative Communication: Eros conjunct Mercury amplifies the importance of honest and passionate communication, which can catalyse growth and transformation for both individuals.
Soulful Purpose: Eros conjunct the Sun suggests that this relationship carries a deeper purpose, perhaps teaching both individuals about the balance between independence (Sagittarius) and merging (Eros).

This placement highlights the potential for the relationship to be a source of inspiration, growth, and collective impact while retaining its intensely transformative essence.

Navigating Eros Energy

Eros’ energy is often too intense to confine to one-to-one relationship. It thrives in group dynamics or creative expressions like music, dance, or ritual. These outlets help to ground its transformative power and prevent the emotional burnout that can occur in deeply Plutonic or Scorpionic connections.

Eros also thrives on the forbidden and mysterious. Relationships charaterised by Eros often involve taboos or boundaries that push individuals into uncharted emotional territory. This intensity is why Eros’ influence can feel overwhelming but also profoundly liberating.

The Dance of Eros: Integrating Personal and Transpersonal Love

The Greeks’ understanding of love as multi-faceted - epithemia (instintual desire), philia (friendship), eros (passion), and agape (universal love) - offers a framework for navigating Eros. While personal relationships often bear the brunt of our expectations for erotic fulfilment, Eros urges us to look beyond - to creativity, community, and the divine.

To truly integrate Eros, we must embrace its cyclical nature: the ecstasy of merging, the pain of separation, and the renewal of self. Only by honouring Eros’ transformative power can we fully experience its depth and beauty.

By exploring Eros in the birth chart, transits, synastry and composite, we open ourselves to the lessons of love, loss, and transformation. Whether through passion, pain, or renewal, Eros reminds us that to love is to grow, and to grow is to embrace the mystery of the unknown.

Sources:

Through the Looking Glass - Richard Idemon

Greene, Liz. Relationships and How to Survive Them

Celebrate the New Year with a Special Gift!

I’m thrilled to offer 3 free mini chart readings this January to explore the upcoming shift of the transiting North Node into Pisces. Discover what this powerful change might mean for you over the next 18 months and gain insights and inspiration for the year ahead!

To claim your free reading, simply email me at info@astroaum.com. Don’t miss this opportunity to align with the cosmic energies of 2025!

Eros in the Birth Chart, Transiting Eros, in Synastry, Composite Chart