Author: Alison Price – Updated: January 2026

💚 Relationships, Love and Romance Astrology

This article is part of my Relationships, Love and Romance series, where I explore compatability, the Part of Marriage, synastry, composite midpoints charts, Davison Relationship charts and wedding elections.

Vindemiatrix

Fixed Star: Vindemiatrix

The Widow Maker

Fixed stars belong to the wider realm of astrology. Many of the well-known stars, such as Sirius, are most often used in natal work where they speak about character, direction and life themes.

Synastry is different.

When we study relationship charts, most fixed stars quietly fall away. Chemistry, attraction and personality still matter, but timing and emotional readiness matter more. In synastry there is one fixed star that consistently deserves attention, and that star is Vindemiatrix.

More on Fixed Stars

Why Vindemiatrix Matters in Synastry

Collecting

Typically, back-in-the-day a woman may collect many husbands as they drop dead working 18 hours a day on the farm fields or from fighting in the battlefield. After her husband died she became a widow.

This is how Vindemiatrix earned its dramatic nickname, the Widow Maker. Not because it destroys love, and not because it predicts death or loss (although it often does), but because it reveals where relationships are perhaps entered into too early, too quickly or under pressure rather than clarity.

Consequence

Vindemiatrix does not describe attraction. It describes consequence.

When this star is activated between two charts, the real question is rarely “Do they love each other?” and more often “Are they ready for what this connection asks of them?”

From Virgo to Libra

Virgo

Vindemiatrix (Epsilon Virginis as designated by Johann Bayer) originated in the constellation of Virgo but it now sits in the zodiac sign of Libra. That shift tells an important story.

Virgo seeks discernment, judgement and knowing when something is truly right.

Libra

Libra seeks partnership, balance and togetherness. Vindemiatrix exists at the crossroads between knowing better and wanting companionship anyway.

This star reflects the human moment where we choose connection before wisdom has fully caught up.

Not foolishly, but humanly.

Why It Is Called the Widow Maker

Ending Relationships

In synastry, Vindemiatrix does not speak about romance or chemistry. It speaks about timing.

Relationships under this star often teach through endings, delays or emotional wake up calls. Bonds may be sincere and meaningful and yet still come to a close before their natural old age.

Each relationship leaves something behind, experience, maturity and clearer understanding.

Vindemiatrix strips away fantasy and asks for honesty. It suggests that timing is a form of wisdom, and that not every meaningful relationship is meant to last forever.

Fixed Star Placement

Slow Movement

Fixed stars are not truly fixed, but they move incredibly slowly. Vindemiatrix moves just 0°00’01” during five years.

Vindemiatrix shifts only a fraction of a degree over many years, which makes it reliable in chart work.

Vindemiatrix is currently found at approximately 10° Libra in the tropical zodiac. Because its movement is so slow, this degree remains relevant across many charts and many years.

For synastry work, zodiacal longitude is what matters. Astronomical coordinates are interesting, but not necessary for interpretation.

Myth and Meaning

Myth

Vindemiatrix comes from Latin and means the grape gatherer or the vintner. In ancient sky stories it was associated with harvest, the moment when fruit is gathered because it is ready, not because it is perfect.

Harvest is practical. It requires judgement and timing. Once something is gathered, the cycle moves toward change rather than growth. This quiet truth sits at the heart of Vindemiatrix.

Meaning

Astrologically, Vindemiatrix appears in charts where accumulation is a theme. You gather experiences, roles or relationships rather than remaining in one form forever.

In relationship astrology this symbolism becomes literal. When Vindemiatrix is placed in or strongly connected to the 7th house, it often points to gathering partners or spouses over time.

This does not suggest frivolity or lack of feeling. It suggests that partnership itself is learned through more than one chapter.

Vindemiatrix teaches that love is not only about staying. Sometimes it is about learning, releasing and becoming wiser before the next harvest begins.

Orb and Aspect

Orb

When working with fixed stars, precision matters.

I suggest using a tight 1° orb because with Vindemiatrix, less is more.

Conjunctions

I also suggest that you focus primarily on conjunctions. This is where the star speaks most clearly and consistently, especially in synastry.

Vindemiatrix Conjunctions

Watch For

Use a tight 1° orb.

Vindemiatrix does not deny gifts or success. It teaches through timing, consequence and lived experience.

When a planet is conjoined this star, that planet learns maturity through repetition, endings or delayed fulfillment. The lesson is not punishment. It is wisdom earned the long way.

Sun conjunct Vindemiatrix

If your birthday is on the 3rd, 4th or 5th of October, in any year, then you have Vindemiatrix conjoined your natal Sun.

Identity is shaped through relationship experiences that arrive early or before full self-knowledge has settled. The person may define themselves through partnership for a time, then gradually reclaim authority over their own life direction. Confidence strengthens after important relational chapters close.

Moon conjunct Vindemiatrix

If the Moon is conjoined Vindemiatrix they your emotional security is learned through attachment and separation. The person bonds deeply and sincerely, yet emotional needs often mature through loss, change or emotional wake up calls. Over time they become emotionally self-aware and deeply empathetic.

Mercury conjunct Vindemiatrix

The mind learns through lived consequences when Mercury conjoins Vindemiatrix. Words, agreements and decisions may carry weighty outcomes in relationships. This placement produces thoughtful communicators later in life, especially once they learn to pause before committing or promising.

Venus conjunct Vindemiatrix

If Venus is conjoined Vindemiatrix the love is a classroom. Relationships form easily but lasting satisfaction comes later, after experience has refined values and boundaries. Early partnerships may end despite affection. Later ones tend to be wiser and more intentional.

Mars conjunct Vindemiatrix

Desire and action are shaped by relational timing when Mars conjoins Vindemiatrix. The person may act too quickly in partnership or pursue connections before clarity is present. With maturity, this becomes strong discernment about when to act and when to wait.

Jupiter conjunct Vindemiatrix

Growth comes through repeated relationship experiences rather than one defining bond if Jupiter is conjoined Vindemiatrix. Optimism may lead to over commitment early on. Wisdom develops through contrast, teaching discernment and realistic expectations in partnerships.

Saturn conjunct Vindemiatrix

If you were born in September 1922, October 1922, or November 1951, April 1952, October 2010, or May 2011, June 2011 or July of 2011 you will likely have Saturn conjoined Vindemiatrix. You need to check this in your birth chart.

Saturn conjoined Vindemiatrix is one of the more serious expressions of this star. Relationships carry responsibility, weight and karmic tone. Commitment may be delayed or tested. Over time this placement produces deep relational wisdom and strong boundaries.

Uranus conjunct Vindemiatrix

If you were born in October or November 1970 or in April, May, June, July or August 1971 you are likely to have Uranus conjoined Vindemiatrix in your birth chart. Check it out.

Relationships bring sudden awakenings if Uranus conjoins Vindemiatrix. Bonds may begin unexpectedly and end abruptly, each one breaking illusions and forcing growth. The lesson is freedom through honesty rather than attachment through fear.

Neptune conjunct Vindemiatrix

If your birthday is between October 1946 to April 1947, or, August, September, October or November 1947 you probably have Neptune conjoined Vindemiatrix. You need to check it in your natal chart.

Sadly, this links into the rise of divorces for this generation perhaps urged by the close Vindemiatrix position to Neptune where dissolution is a keyword.

Idealism meets reality through experience when Neptune conjoins Vindemiatrix. The person may project dreams onto partners, then awaken through disillusionment. With time this placement produces compassion, clarity and spiritual maturity in love.

Pluto conjunct Vindemiatrix

If you were born in the period between (and including) October 1975 and October 1976, or, May, June, July or August 1977, you probably have Pluto conjoined Vindemiatrix. You need to check this in your birth chart.

Relationships are transformative and rarely light. Power dynamics, emotional intensity and profound endings shape the soul. This placement carries deep regenerative potential once control is released and truth is embraced.

Chiron conjunct Vindemiatrix

If you were born during December 1995, April 1996, May 1996 or August 1996 you are likely to have Chiron conjoined Vindemiatrix. You need to check for this aspect in your birth chart.

Wounding and healing occur through partnership if Chiron is conjoined Vindemiatrix. Early relationships may reopen old pain, yet this placement often produces powerful relational healers later in life. Wisdom comes from lived understanding, not theory.

North Node conjunct Vindemiatrix

If the North Node is conjoined Vindemiatrix, then growth requires learning discernment in partnership. The soul evolves by understanding timing, readiness and emotional maturity. Relationships are pivotal teachers rather than destinations.

South Node conjunct Vindemiatrix

If the South Node is conjoined Vindemiatrix, your past life or early life familiarity with partnership patterns. The person may default to relationship roles easily. Growth comes from choosing consciously rather than repeating what feels comfortable.

Key reminder

Vindemiatrix does not remove love. It refines it. It does not deny happiness. It delays certainty until wisdom is ready to meet it.

Extend Yourself: Vindemiatrix

Both Charts

In your astrology journal, take a quiet moment with the following:

Note where Vindemiatrix falls by house in each of the two charts
List only tight Ptolemaic aspects within a 1° orb
Observe whether Vindemiatrix at 10° Libra conjoins any planet in either natal chart

Overarch

Consider how effective is Vindemiatrix really in affairs of the heart?

In the 5th house is suggest you collect love affairs, girlfriends or boyfriends and in the 7th house it suggests you collect life-partners, spouses either because they leave, divorce you or die.

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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