[quote="waybread"]It depends whose astrology you look at. Traditionally the 5th is the house of one's children and amusements. The 7th rules committed relationships, notably marriage. Venus joys in the 5th house, but if your chart's Venus is in detriment in the 8th house, or something, I don't know what that would get you. In Hellenistic times, the 5th was the house of "good fortune," so a planet there would gain some benefit.

But if we take your point about love and the 5th house, the modern concept of soul mate nevertheless demands something far more profound than simply being in love. You're familiar with the girl who is "in love with love" more than with another person in particular? Moreover, a soul mate might be a close friend or a sibling, v. a romantic/sexual partner."



I've stated what I meant by soul mate already earlier in the thread. So perhaps I should have worded it deepest romantic love. Can you think of a word for it?




"In my experience, a soul mate can go in and out of your life, you may not form a romantic/sexual relationship with him/her no matter how strong the attraction, and these relationships may come with their own set of problems-- the purpose of which is your own personal growth and maturation, not your "happily ever after" scenario."


That isn't my experience.



"I've had 3 serious "loves of my life," two of whom I married at different times.

In modern natal astrology, you are perhaps better off looking at the vertex, which is associated with fateful encounters."

Perhaps.


"Have you got a copy of J. Lee Lehman, [i]The Martial Art of Horary Astrology[/i]? On page 19 she deconstructs the soul mate question, suggesting that it is probably a surrogate for something else. Oftentimes it stems from a New Age belief in past-lives astrology. In consulting with clients who ask a soul mate question, usually Lehman feels that "committed relationship" is at the heart of the question."

That definitely wasn't at the heart of my question.


"On p. 93 she gives an example of a soul mate question, and uses the 7th house, not the 5th."

Perhaps if it were a question about having a relationship with the Soul Mate.



"[quote] Its just the assumption that someone you don't know is distorting reality so much they believe they have a soul mate that can't be anything but perfect is pretty far fetched from my standpoint. [/quote]

Really? I read a lot of on-line charts for people. We never know the querents. I've seen a lot of questions like, "Is he my soul mate?" Or "when will I meet my soul mate?" I've never seen a question about a "soul mate" that showed a strong sense of realism about committed romantic relationships. Typically the querent is not in a relationship at present but hopes for one; or has only recently established a relationship with someone she loves, and wonders if s/he's The One."



Really.



"I see on another thread that you're unhappy with your marriage-- in which case, the grass will look greener and the possibilities more fertile somewhere else.[/quote]"

Good for you. But you are wrong.

Well, pardon me for trying to be helpful.

Good luck with this.

It's okay, waybread. Most people are going to hold your opinion about the 7th house. But this was definitely not a question about a relationship. I just wanted to know specifically what this feeling I feel is and I worded it "soul mate" and I'm pretty sure it's a 5th house matter.

But this is quite a trivial chart to be honest and I've already thrown it out.

But one little bit of info you may find interesting is the ascendant in this horary falls exactly on my natal vertex in my 5th house.