The planets

The planets

The Sun

The Sun is only referred to as a planet for simplicity sake. It’s one of the luminaries and the source of all energy driving human life. As the ruler of our solar system he governs many things. Every astrologer compares it to a battery and I am no different. Both natally and progressively, he charges our spirit, vitality, and will to live. His condition shows the nature of your human spirit and how easily you express it. Good aspects will make you pleasant and wonderful, while bad aspects indicate difficult energy. It may be difficulty recognizing the energy, difficulty accepting the energy, or the difficulty expressing the energy. This is the inner vitality trying to individualize itself through the human ego. Along with the ascendant, the Sun is the most important point in the natal chart. A lot can be told about someone by its condition alone. Bad aspects to your ascendant show difficulty recognizing the energy. Bad aspects to the Sun create bad energy coming from within. His alignment with your rising sign shows how easy you integrate the spirit within and the personality displayed. A disgruntled Sun in good aspect with your ascendant might be a horrible person being able to do horrible things easily. Alone, his basic nature is to individualize the ego and establish himself as different or and more outstanding than his peers. House placement will show where you best direct yourself, and the sign will show the manner you do so. I call un-aspected Sun indicates the characteristic called “The light’s are on, but no one’s home syndrome.” No aspects to your Sun indicates it can’t direct the energy anywhere.

The Moon

The Moon is the third most important part of the natal chart. She’s the subconscious side of humanity and the cosmic partner to the Sun. Along with Venus she influences our femininity and nurturing emotions. Her condition will show your relationships towards women, especially your mother. Ruling the sign of Cancer, she has crablike claws which can be quite vicious when crossed. Taurus is her exalting sign and if you could take those claws and put a bull’s attitude behind them you have the powers of the Moon. She fluctuates like the tides she controls, and is always changing her mind. Your unconscious habits and emotional reactions are her domain. Nostalgia and fond memories of the past are her resting place with tradition playing a large part as well. Her purpose is to provide comforting emotions like a mother to a child. This is not a dominant planet and her relationship with the others is much more important than the Sun’s relationship with them. The Sun can function alone. The Moon cannot. She requires the light of the Sun in order for her beauty to shine. House placement will show where your mind is always dreaming to and your place of retreat when severely distressed. She’s as predictable as a hurricane, and by no means does logic or reason have anything to do with her thinking. She’s total emotion. As the Sun’s opposite, herd instinct drives her towards others because numbers provide her safety. When properly aligned there’s nothing she can’t help accomplish.

Mercury

Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system and named after the wing footed Roman messenger who traveled at lightning speed. He rules intelligence, motor skills, and the nervous system. He’s also in control of our communication skills and functions best in Gemini along with Virgo. His condition represents how fast you can intake and process information presented before you. I compare him to the processor of a computer. At roughly 36,000,000 miles away he’s the closest planet to our Sun and takes only eighty-eight days to complete one revolution. He’s never the main attraction, but the ultimate side-kick. His wit is uncanny and matched by none. Math, music, and science are all areas of expertise, but this little bugger can also be the annoying little child asking questions at every turn. Quickness and agility are a necessity because the smart-ass mouth he possesses is always instigating trouble. He loves childish pranks and irresponsible antics. While most of his characteristics are displayed intellectually, his physical influence isn’t nearly as dominant. He’s a lot like a squirrel, bouncing from branch to branch with the sharpest of motions. “Monkey see monkey do” is his general philosophy which makes learning by observing a snap.

Venus

Venus is the second planet from the Sun and often called Earth’s sister planet. She rotates backwards and at a snail’s pace. It takes her longer to spin on her axis then to revolve around the Sun. One rotation takes nearly 243 Earth days while a revolution takes 224. Taurus and Libra are her ruling signs, and being exalted in Pisces she’s the definition of beauty and grace. Describing Venus as a feminine planet I mean it in the very sense of the word. From womanly charm to female emotion, her, along with the Moon, gives us nurturing motherly compassion. This influence can be seen in your clothes, hairstyle, and even your voice. She’s a very demanding and diva like planet that enjoys stirring up commotion. This lady makes mountains out of molehills unless she’s the one at fault, and unlike Neptune who represents compassion for all humanity, Venus is only affectionate towards a select chosen few. Most likely the ones who shower her with the most extravagant gifts. Whether it be romantic, professional, or plutonic, her condition and house placement will show what you provide and what you will need to work on in order to function within your relationships. Partnership is her number one priority and she’s obliviously lost unless she’s found a dedicated companion. She attracts possessions and is highly materialistic, always requiring balance from someone else. Known as the lesser benefic, she brings us all the wonderful material stuff we love.

Mars

Mars is the fiery red planet who’s known for aggression, determination, and energy. Not like the spiritual energy produced by the Sun, but the desire to take that spirit and go do something with it. Many times Mars is the bully who attacks weaker because he knows he can dominate easily. Only about twice the size of our Moon, he’s the little short guy ready to drop everything and fight anyone who crosses his path. His mode of establishing dominance is usually by force. He’s known as the Lesser Malefic, and his selfish ways aren’t usually pleasant. Establishing your personal ego is the task he’s been assigned and he does it by any means necessary. Battles are won because Mars refuses to concede in defeat, despite whatever the odds may be. Poor aspects will make you timid or mean, while positive aspects allow you to direct your energy into productive outlets. Possibly even more than the Sun, he’s the epitome of masculinity and is the opposite attraction to Venus. Like Mercury and Venus he rules two signs. The bold pioneer Aries is his first sign of domain and the deadly sexual sign of Scorpio is his second. As best friend with the greater malefic Saturn, and he’s exalted in Saturn’s ruling sign of Capricorn, lacking any caring emotion. This planet is only concerned about one thing, himself. Negative aspect with other planets can indicate catastrophic accidents or illnesses. They can also produce extreme violence and hostility. His condition, along with much more important Venus, will show how well you get along with others.

Jupiter

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and known to astrologer’s as the greater benefic. He’s the planet of higher spiritual thinking, expansion of human life, and the eternal optimist. He’s as flamboyant as he is arrogant and is the wonderful teacher who’s full of enthusiasm. No one sets higher expectations and nothing good is ever enough. It’s like eating a gallon of ice cream. The first little bit was great but the final three spoonfuls aren’t too pleasing. He stimulates growth spiritually and physically, sometimes needing harsh circumstances in order to make his point. He provides relief in disparity and saves you from the pits of hell. Picture Santa Claus as a planet. Religion or advanced forms of education and philosophy are his favorite topics, and he loves projects where the potential is limitless. He never believes in failure or rejection. This jolly giant has unachievable aspirations where moderation is a thing of the past. Hard work isn’t for him because everything comes naturally and this sometimes becomes a problem. Because he can look past the negativity sometimes he’s too forgiving and passive when he needs to be a tough ass. Sagittarius best expresses his spirituality while Pisces best displays his compassion. Cancer may be his sign of exaltation, but Jupiter produces great things in every sign, just in different ways. His position in your chart will show where you experience the most luck and feel the most spiritually comfortable. He’s the greater benefic who gives us the grandest of grand philosophies.

Saturn

Saturn is the farthest of the personal planets and also the most distant planet known to astrologers until the discovery of Uranus. His general philosophies are responsibility, structure, stability, and sound reasoning, along with many others. He’s the least flamboyant of any in the solar system, and prefers to be left al alone. The grinchiest Grinch of all time isn’t as cold hearted as this planet. There’s little room for emotion with his logic, and he doesn’t care about your feelings when teaching you a lesson. It’s definitely a masculine influence that represents your father figures and relationships with men. Capricorn is his most comfortable sign, and before Uranus he was in charge of Aquarius. He can be known to cause depression, emotional detachment, and fear or refusal of change. This is the brilliant and dedicated scientist who spends hundreds of hours proving himself wrong. Then after most would give up, an unexpected discovery from a totally different area finally opens his mind and allows the invention to succeed. Bad aspects, especially from Mars, can cause anger management along with anxiety problems. Because of his slow speed, house Saturn’s house placement is more important than the closer planets. Where ever Saturn is placed in your charts will show where you need the most stability, and his condition will indicate how easily you express it.

Uranus

Uranus is barely, and I mean barely, on occasion, and under great conditions, visible to the naked eye. It’s also the first in line of the generational planets and wasn’t discovered until the later 1700’s. At eighty-four years a cycle, it’s the only generational planet you have a chance of completing once. This particular planet causes eccentricity, originality, rebelliousness, individuality, innovativeness, and the desire to break completely free from the standard norm. It adds a colorful fuel to the fire stirred up from the personal planets. He’s the screaming yahoo on street corner hollering the end is near and the devil is among us. There’s no other rebel more inspired to die for the cause. He’s an instantaneous outburst that no one can control. Any aspects with other planets are only important when in a close orb. Alignments must be closer than five degrees and grow exponentially in power as they become exact. This unconventional genius hates being told how to think and will discover gun powder while trying to invent the light bulb. Negative influences represent total anarchy and fanaticism. Not necessarily malefic like Saturn and Mars, but a close number three. Distinguishing oneself as a separate individual in a proper manner will be requires or you’ll turn to a life of crime to gain attention. He’s associated with the sign of Aquarius and ruler of the eleventh house. The house this planet occupies will show where you strive to be the most unique and independent.

Neptune

Neptune is second in line of the generational planets and wasn’t discovered until 1846. This planet represents total compassion and oneness with all. It’s the mystic magician, distorted painter, and dramatic actor. Like the other two generation planets Neptune’s expressions are displayed through Venus, Mars, and the closer friends of the solar system. Close orbs of aspect are required to fully experience these delusions. The reason Neptune is so good at what it does is because he can escape reality and enter the other realms of the universe. He is pure psychicism and wonder. Extreme influences make you oblivious to fraud and deceit. In no way does this planet provide stability or structure. This is the color, style, and glamour of whatever is being built. Just as your interests may be music, theater, or art, it can be drugs and alcohol as well. Depression and ultimate sadness in turn make ultimate compassion and understanding for all. The dynamics of Neptune instill the spirit to fulfill social obligations in the most ego-denying way. The dreamland of Pisces is the most comfortable sign and water is definitely the most satisfying element. Relationships with Venus or the Moon will stimulate emotion and sympathy. Bad aspects will dissolve and structure the planets are trying to create. All and all it’s the essence of your imagination.

Pluto

Each of the generational planets represents the ultimate something. Uranus is ultimate independence, Neptune is ultimate compassion, and Pluto is ultimate obsession. This can be obsession about something good or something bad. Jealousy, possessiveness, even violence are associated with this distant dwarf. Like Uranus and Neptune, Pluto expresses itself through the other planets and directs the infatuation through them. Being the farthest planet in our solar system not much is known about Pluto. After first discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1930, we have barely scratched the surface of Pluto’s capabilities. He’s compared to Shiva the Hindu god of destruction, and in my personal experiences I couldn’t agree more. Pluto is the intensifying catalyst working like gasoline on a fire. He can resurrect you from hell, but first you have to go there. Massive transformations and changes through catastrophic events are the way Pluto works, much like the phoenix rising from the ashes. There’s no room for B.S. here. Demands of the inevitable are met through the evolving social structures catalyzed by the forces of Pluto. He prefers a subtle approach with an explosively magnificent ending. None of the energies of Pluto dictate any one area of life. Very similar to Neptune his roots are deeply imbedded in your subconscious mind. No matter what though, Pluto has an inner lust for complete consumption of any and all resources. Pluto follows suit with Mars by ruling Aries and Scorpio alongside him.

Ascendant/rising sign

By definition, your ascendant is the degree of the constellation rising due East at the time you were born. Time and position on Earth both affect this point making that information vitally important. Often called the rising sign, this is arguably the most important point in the natal chart. The Sun represents your spiritual energy burning within. The Moon represents your emotions and subconscious. Your rising sign is the combination of both into a physical entity. It’s more like a second Sun sign than Moon sign, and quite often people relate to the traits of their rising sign more than their Sun. This point is that the Sun and Moon are trying to establish and express as different. No matter what, it’s the beginning of the first house and is just as important progressively as natally. Good aspects from other planets allow you to use their energies efficiently, while obviously bad aspects will make things difficult. Like the Sun you can get a good idea of a person’s overall character by their rising sign. If no planets are in aspect with your rising sign then the Sun takes over as ruler, and you probably have lots of trouble finding yourself. Some people never do. Whichever planets are in aspect will be more powerful and influential in your chart. Those in line will be your strengths and weaknesses.

Mid-heaven

Like the eclipse node, the mid-heaven isn’t an actual entity you can go out and see. It’s the invisible point in the sky where the planets begin their decent along the horizon. Picture an arc from East to West representing the path each planet takes while rising and setting each day. The mid-heaven is the very top of that arc, indicating several important things in your chart. Similar to the ascendant, its position changes based on what time and place you were born in. A person who was born in the Northern hemisphere with the twentieth degree of Gemini rising will have a different mid-heaven than someone born below the equator with the identical rising sign. Personally, it represents the style and manner in which you express your ego to the public. Behind your big three this is the fourth or fifth most important point in your chart. If you ever want to make someone mad look at their mid-heaven and tell them that’s what they’re not. Tell a Taurus they don’t work hard, or an Aquarius they’re not smart, or a Virgo their facts are wrong. No matter what, this point is the beginning of your tenth house. Your occupation is directly dictated by this and if you’re not happy with your job it’s because you’re not following your mid-heaven. Or, you have horrible aspects natally and you’ll never be happy at work. In my opinion this is a more important point progressively than natally. Transiting planets over this part of your chart always stimulate action in the business area of your life.

North/South Nodes:

The eclipse nodes aren’t an actual physical entity we can see with our eyes. There’s the North node and the opposite south. Astronomically, it represents is the point in our ecliptic where the Sun and Moon cross paths. Picture two hula hoops representing the path of the Sun and Moon around the Earth. The nodes are where the hoops intersect and we experience a solar or lunar eclipse. This is by far the most karmic point in your chart in your natal chart it, and shows where your soul is trying to go and what it’s needing to learn in your life. Your North node indicates where you’re going and the South shows where you feel most comfortable and are somewhat stuck in from previous lives. Extensive books are written about this point alone and it’s best just to recognize it as a second Jupiter like planet. It teaches you philosophical lessons by whatever sign and house placement you have in your chart. The sign it’s in displays the style your soul is learning, and house placement shows the manner you will learn your philosophies.