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The Planets & You
The Planets are fundamental in astrology.
Each of these celestial bodies is said to possess its own unique energy signature and influence, which is affected by the signs of the Zodiac they pass through as they transit across the sky.
Your natal chart’s placement of the planets adds complexity and variety to your astrological profile, and the interactions between them (the aspects) shed light on where, when, why, and how specific phenomena may manifest for you.
Planetary Meanings in Astrology
Astrology takes into account 10 “planets” which include the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
Although Pluto has been re-classified as a dwarf planet and the Sun and Moon are technically luminaries and not actual planets, they are all frequently referred to as planets despite the fact that they are not considered to be true planets.
In your Natal Chart, the Sun, Moon, and Rising Sign are referred to as “the big 3,” as they are the factors that are thought to have the greatest influence on you as an individual.
Knowing someone’s Sun, Moon, and Rising Sign can give you a good idea of who they are. However, because we are complicated and multifaceted beings, you also need to know the positions of all the other planets and placements in a natal chart to really understand the complete picture.
The following three planets—Mercury, Venus, and Mars—are considered to be “Personal Planets” since they have a quicker orbit and switch Zodiac Signs and Houses more frequently than the other planets, making each individual’s cosmic mix particularly unique. These three are generally more significant to our daily lives and makeup. More information about what the astrological houses symbolize may be found here.
Due to their slightly slower orbit and therefore having an impact on a higher number of people at once, Jupiter and Saturn are referred to as the “Social Planets” or “Interpersonal Planets”. Compared to the Personal Planets, these Planets, notably Saturn, will generally have stronger transits that are more noticeable to us.
Neptune, and Uranus. Because of their slow orbit, people of similar ages will have them in the same Zodiac Sign (Pluto moves so slowly that it affects entire generations!). The Outer Planets will be influenced more by the House they are in than by the Sign, any aspects they may form, and even by their transits.
Each Planet has a unique symbol that reflects its meaning. Traditionally, the planets in astrology follow this order: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
The Sun ☉
The Sun is a symbol of the heart of our personality because it is the center of our solar system. It is the essence of who we are, our basic nature, and our core sense of self.
Classified by what is known as “essential dignities”, planets are said to be “in fall” in the sign exactly opposite their exaltation and “in detriment” in the sign directly opposite their rulership.
In the case of the Sun, it is exalted (or most powerful) in Aries and rules over Leo (where it is domicile, or at home). The sign of Libra causes the Sun to fall, while it is considered to be in detriment in the sign of Aquarius.
The Sun has a yang quality, belongs to the Fire element, and is, unsurprisingly, related to Sunday.
The Moon ☽
Our emotions and internal landscape are governed by the moon.
She controls what we require to feel protected, loved, and cared for as well as how we deal with our feelings and life’s emotional experiences. She is connected with the subconscious mind, intuitive instincts, as well as women in general and the mother role in particular.
When you encounter someone who shares your Moon Sign or belongs to the same Element as you, you usually instantly just “get” each other and connect on an emotional level.
The Moon is yin in nature and corresponds to the Water element. It rules the Zodiac Sign of Cancer and is considered exalted in Taurus, in fall in Scorpio, and in detriment in Capricorn. Her day is Monday.
Mercury ☿
The messenger Hermes/Mercury from Greek and Roman mythology inspired the name of the sharp-witted Mercury.
Its symbol is a representation of Hermes’ winged helmet and caduceus. The only person permitted to travel into the underworld and return was Hermes or Mercury, who was also the messenger between worlds.
Mercury is our capacity for expression, for thinking and processing information, as well as for how we prefer to learn. It governs all types of messages and communication, local travel and short-distance trips.
Earning its infamous reputation, Mercury appears to spin retrograde 3–4 times a year as a result of its ultra quick orbit. Because of its speed, it is also always no more than two signs away from the Sun.
Due to its flexible ability to adapt to both realms, Mercury is recognized as both yin and yang and can be viewed as both a morning star and an evening star. It governs the signs Gemini and Virgo, each of which is a unique expression of its characteristics. This intellectual planet is considered to be exalted in Virgo and in detriment in the signs of Sagittarius and Pisces.
Although Mercury is associated with the Air element. Wednesday serves as Mercury’s day of the week.
Venus ♀
Venus, also known as Aphrodite or Venus in Greek and Romany mythology, is the goddess of love, beauty, desire, fertility, and prosperity. Fittingly, her symbol is reminiscent of another powerful spiritual symbol – the ankh, or the symbol of life.
Venus embodies everything we love, what and how we love, as well as how we desire to be loved and treated by others. She also demonstrates to us where we might discover value and beauty in the world.
She is yin and is linked to the Earth and Water elements. Venus rules both Taurus and Libra and is considered to be exalted in Pisces, in fall in Virgo, and in detriment in Scorpio and Aries.
Because of the beauty she typically imparts to whatever she touches, she is referred to as the “Lesser Benefic” in relation to Jupiter (the “Greater Benefic”). Her day of the week is Friday.
Mars ♂
Ares/Mars, the Roman and Greek legendary God of war, inspired the name of this fiery planet of action, which has a shield and spear as its symbol.
In astrology, the planet Mars reveals to us how we act in life, what our motivations are and where they are focused, as well as the career path we may want to pursue and how to get there. It also reveals to us how determined and competitive we are, as well as our aspirations, passions, and motivating factors, as well as what potentially enrages us and how hot-headed we can become.
Mars rules over the signs of Aries and Scorpio and is considered to be exalted in Capricorn, in fall in Cancer, and in detriment Libra + Taurus. It is referred to as a “Lesser Malefic” in regard to Saturn since it can occasionally indicate conflicts, challenges, mishaps, or confrontations. Tuesday is his day of the week.
Jupiter ♃
Jupiter, the cheerful planet of fortune, is the biggest planet in our solar system and is regarded as a “Greater Benefic,” bestowing happiness, good feelings, and abundance in general. It is named after the mythological Greek/Roman god Zeus or Jupiter, who was called the King of the Gods.
Although it is a planet of development and growth, this can occasionally have negative effects (sometimes bigger does not always equal better!).
Jupiter can show not only that which comes naturally to us and the blessings we will experience in this life but also our potential for growth and expansion. He also has control over philosophy, spirituality, and ethics.
It is connected to the element of Air and traditionally rules the signs Sagittarius and Pisces. It is considered to be exalted in Cancer, in fall in Capricorn, and in detriment in Gemini and Virgo. Thursday is Jupiter’s day of the week.
Saturn ♄
Saturn, also referred to as the grandfather of time or Kronos, is the Zodiac’s strict taskmaster. He is known as the “Greater Malefic” because it is frequently connected with restriction and constriction and was named after the Roman/Greek God Cronus/Saturn. The sickle or scythe of Saturn is regarded as his symbol.
Saturn is a long-term player who likes to construct things from stable, secure foundations, which takes time. Even if it may seem that progress has stalled or that things are coming to a virtual standstill, it is through this conflict that we develop and mature. It controls all regulations, laws, limits, hierarchy, structure, discipline, and responsibility. It may allude to issues we face in life or paternal figures.
It is notorious for its Saturn Returns, a transit when we might break down and dismantle our flimsy values in order to start over from scratch. Traditionally, Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius and is considered to be exalted in Libra, in fall in Aries, and in detriment in Cancer and Leo.
Saturn is connected with the Earth element and has Saturday as its day.
Uranus ♅
A relatively recent addition to the astrological planets is Uranus, which was discovered in 1781. As a result of its 180-degree slanted axis, Uranus has been nicknamed the eccentric oddball in astrology.
Although its symbol is believed to be inspired by the surname of the man who discovered it, Herschel, I feel it more closely resembles a celestial satellite, which would be appropriate.
Upheaval and disorder, abrupt changes and unanticipated surprises, and technological advancements are all connected to Uranus. Due to the fact that this planet is an outer one, its House placement and aspects usually have a greater impact on the individual.
The planet Uranus is said to be the higher octave of Mercury. It can help us see where we differ from the majority in terms of our peers and how we might follow our own path. It may indicate our preference for innovation or instances in which we took a different route.
We can anticipate developments, reorganizations, and surprise events while it transits. Occasionally, if its transit is aspecting a personal Planet in our charts, it might trigger a sense of urgency or inspire rash, hasty actions.
Uranus is considered the modern-day ruler of Aquarius and is considered to be exalted in Scorpio, in fall in Taurus, and in detriment in Leo.
Neptune ♆
The Greek/Roman sea god Poseidon or Neptune is the inspiration for the name of the aqueous planet Neptune, whose trident serves as its symbol. Neptune is a contemporary planet that was identified in 1846.
The planet Neptune rules over our dreams, aspirations, unconscious mind, illusions, deception and delusions, as well as our ideals, enigmas, and secrets. It is also believed to be a reflection of our imagination, psychic abilities, and intuitive perception. It may also reveal addictive habits or behaviors.
Again, its House placement, aspects, and transits are most important when analyzing Neptune in a birth chart. It is the modern ruler of Pisces and is considered exalted in Cancer and Leo, in fall in Capricorn and Aquarius, and in detriment in Virgo.
Pluto ♇
The last generational planet, discovered in 1930, has the name Pluto/Hades, the Greek/Roman deity of the underworld. Its symbol is an orb-topped version of Hades’ staff, similar to Neptune’s trident. Pluto is the ruler of our underground realms, matters of intimacy, power, and control, as well as the cycles of death, rebirth, and transformation. Pluto may reveal our deepest, darkest secrets, the areas of our lives where we feel guilty or humiliated, and the locations of our own power and passions.
Immense (and occasionally painful) healing, growth, and evolution can be found through the House placement, transits, and aspects of Pluto in your natal chart. It is the modern ruler of Scorpio and is considered exalted in Aries or Leo, in fall in Libra or Aquarius, and in detriment in Taurus.
If you want to discover the story of your stars, check out our FREE Astrological Natal Chart Calculator!
