The Sun: Planet of Self
As the Sun puts forth light, so it brings forth life. This Planet
(Also known as a luminary and a star) represents the self, one's
Personality and ego, the spirit and what it is that makes the
Individual-unique. It is our identity and our face to the world. The
Sun also speaks to creative ability and the power of the
Individual to meet the challenges of everyday life.
One's natural father, husbands and other male influences are
Ruled by the Sun, as are children. The Sun's energy is a forceful
one, and in its wake comes authority, the ability to lead and an
individual's essence, their core being. Through the will of this
Planet, we learn to manifest ourselves in the world.
The Sun is majestic, and in keeping with its regal air, it rules
royalty and higher office. This orb also lords over our health and
well-being. The Sun's golden glow is a vital life force which
imbues us with strength, energy and a will to succeed. It is the
Sun which gives strength to the other Planets, which is why this
Planet occupies a key role in Astrology.
The Sun spends about a month visiting each Sign and takes a
year to journey through the twelve Signs of the Zodiac. It is
masculine energy and rules Leo and the Fifth House.
The Moon: Ruler of the Emotions
Since the Moon is the closest 'Planet' to Earth, this satellite
literally zips around the Zodiac, completing its circuit in less than
a month. It also touches us more deeply than most Planets.
As the ruler of the tides, it is fitting that the Moon should be the
ruler of our emotions. Still waters run deep? Making waves? A
wellspring of emotion? Yes, our emotions have long been
portrayed in terms of the sea: fluid, momentous, churning from
within. Mood swings, instinct, how we feel about things and how
our feelings affect others are all influenced by the Moon.
Whereas the Sun gives us our spirit, it's the Moon which gives
us our soul.
The Moon is goddess-like in that it symbolizes mother and the
relationship between woman and child. This Planet (also known
as a luminary) speaks to the women in one's life and their role
as nurturer. Fertility, pregnancy and childbirth are also governed
by the Moon. We see the Moon casting its silvery glow from our
earliest moments, when we were stroked and caressed by our
mother and felt her tender touch.
Our emotions manifest themselves through our being and set
the tone for our daily lives. The Moon is party to this continuum,
rendering us vital one moment and fragile the next. We're up
and down, naughty or nice, and may laugh wildly or cry at will.
Through the Moon's energy, we endeavor to reconcile these
varied emotions in order to make ourselves complete and one
with the world. The Moon also helps us see that which we want,
and to use memory and the past as part of this process.
The Moon spends roughly 2 1/2 days in each sign and takes 28
days to circumnavigate the Zodiac. It is feminine energy and
rules Cancer and the Fourth House.
Mercury: Planet of Communication
Mercury, much like the winged messenger of the gods, comes in
on feather-light wings and commands us to speak.
Communication, intellect and awareness are all within Mercury's
domain, as are logic and reasoning, our manner of thinking, and
how we create and express our thought processes.
A mercurial nature brings to mind restlessness and motion. Rata-
tat-tat -- things happen fast here. Mercury is about a quick wit,
quick thinking, possibilities, opinions, reasoning and the ability to
rationalize things. Mercurial energy can be good or bad, but it
will certainly be energizing! This Planet also prompts us to move
from one thing to the next and to get answers on both a physical
and psychological level. Further, Mercury's energy is both
dexterous and perceptive.
Mercury is about short trips: a visit to a neighbor or a friend
across town, the workaday commute, a weekend getaway.
Siblings and transportation in general, are also within Mercury's
realm.
Speaking, writing, books, online communications and learning
are all within Mercury's domain. This Planet implores us to
express ourselves often -- and well. When Mercury goes
retrograde (the appearance of traveling backward), however, our
communications will be challenged.
Mercury is never more than 28 degrees from the Sun; it takes
about 88 days to complete its orbit of the Sun. It is neither
masculine nor feminine energy and assumes the gender of the
Sign it is in. It rules both Gemini and Virgo and the Third and
Sixth Houses.
Venus: Planet of Love and Money
Venus is all about pleasure, especially pleasure shared with
someone else. This Planet concerns itself with love, romance
and harmony in our emotional attachments, marriages,
friendships and other unions (like business partnerships). Venus
is content to spread happiness and tenderness, all the while
teaching us how to love and appreciate others and the things
that we possess.
We appear attractive -- and we attract others -- thanks to
Venus's energy. Socializing with and relating to others are
important to this Planet.
Beauty is also strongly associated with Venus. The arts (music,
dance, drama and literature, to name a few) and a sense of the
aesthetic fall within the ream of Venus. Venus beseeches us to
indulge our senses and revel in the beauty of our world. This
Planet is inextricably linked to refinement, culture, charm and
grace.
Venus also deals with the pleasure we derive from our
possessions. Luxuries (jewelry, paintings, expensive cars), good
food and drink, a beautiful home and a sense of refinement all
please Venus's interests. This Planet asks us to appreciate the
exquisite nature of things. It's a sensual -- though not
necessarily sexual -- world as far as Venus is concerned.
Venus takes 225 days to complete its orbit of the zodiac; it is
never more than 47 degrees from the Sun. It is a feminine
energy and rules both Taurus and Libra and the Second and
Seventh Houses.
Mars: Planet of Passion
Mars is the action Planet of the Zodiac. The 'Red Planet,' after
all should be pretty fiery, and Mars does not disappoint. Energy,
passion, drive and determination are all right up Mars's alley.
This Planet commands you (and yes, Mars does rule the
military) to stand up, be noticed and get things done -- sitting on
the sidelines belongs somewhere else in the heavens. Simply
put, Mars speaks to the power and confident expression of the
individual.
Ambition and competition are also within Mars's realm. Whether
it's at work or on the field of play, Mars encourages us to face
challenges and to be our best -- or better. Aggression is part of
the plan here, although Mars also values courage and honor.
Assertion and a daring, fearless nature please this Planet.
It's important to note that Mars's energy can be constructive or
destructive. The God of War in ancient times, Mars could be
brutally violent. While this energy still emanates from the Planet,
it also asks us to harness this force for good. Stamina, ambition
and achievement are all part of Mars' mantra.
Mars rules our sexuality and sexual energy, and governs
weapons, accidents and surgery (the last two illustrating the yin
and yang nature of this Planet). In the end, however, the energy
of Mars can be quite useful if used properly.
It takes nearly two years for Mars to complete its orbit through
the Zodiac. It is masculine energy and rules both Aries and
Scorpio and the First and Eighth Houses
Jupiter: Planet of Luck
Jupiter is the thinking person's Planet. As the guardian of the
abstract mind, this Planet rules higher learning and bestows
upon us a yen for exploring ideas, both intellectually and
spiritually. Intellectually speaking, Jupiter assists us in
formulating our ideology. In the more spiritual realm, Jupiter
lords over religions and philosophy. A search for the answers is
what Jupiter proposes, and if it means spanning the globe to find
them, well, that's probably why Jupiter also rules long-distance
travel. In keeping with this theme, Jupiter compels us to assess
our ethical and moral values; it also addresses our sense of
optimism.
Luck and good fortune are associated with Jupiter for good
reason. This is a kind and benevolent Planet, one which wants
us to grow and flourish in a positive way. Jupiter may be judge
and jury, but it's mostly an honorable helpmate, seeing to it that
we're on the right path. While our success, accomplishments
and prosperity is all within Jupiter's realm, this largesse can, at
times, deteriorate into laziness and sloth (Jupiter, at its worst, is
associated with weight gain!). More often than not, however,
Jupiter will guide us down the primrose path.
Leisure time is also one of Jupiter's pastimes. Sports of all kinds,
games of chance and a stroll in the park with the family pet
(Jupiter loves animals) are all ruled by this Planet. Finally,
Jupiter often presages great wealth, material and otherwise.
This is a good friend in the heavens!
It takes Jupiter about twelve years to circle the Zodiac (the
Planet visits an average of one Sign a year). It is masculine
energy and rules both Sagittarius and Pisces and the Ninth and
Twelfth Houses.
Saturn: Planet of Karma
Saturn doesn't make things easy. That's the role of the
taskmaster of the Zodiac. Saturn commands us to get to work
and to work hard. Discipline and responsibility are important to
this Planet, yet if we're eager to conquer the world, that's okay,
too.
Much like Father Time, Saturn implores us to look at the clock
(its glyph, after all, is the sickle of Chronos, the God of Time). Is
there time for everything we want to do, or are there limits?
Those limitations are important to Saturn, and we must learn to
manage them. Restrictions are the province of this Planet, as is
any form of discipline or delay.
In keeping with the passage of time, Saturn governs old age
along with the lessons it teaches us. Learning life's lessons is
key to this Planet, in keeping with its role as teacher. The
majesty of older age also brings with it a certain sense of
tradition, conventionality (our learned patterns of behavior) and
wisdom and Saturn is mindful of these characteristics. This
Planet applauds our perseverance and the fact that we've
withstood the test of time (yes, time comes up once again). This
senior status further brings with it a measure of authority, and
Saturn lords over that as well.
Structure, order and the way in which we conduct our affairs are
all ruled by this ringed Planet. Contraction and the reining in of
assets are also important here. Lastly, Saturn, again in its role
as teacher, concerns itself with karma and the lessons which
past experiences might bring.
It takes Saturn 28-30 years to complete its orbit of the zodiac. It
is masculine energy and rules Capricorn and Aquarius and the
Tenth and Eleventh Houses.
Uranus: Planet of Rebellion
The Planet Uranus wasn't discovered until 1781. As one of the
outermost Planets, it moves rather slowly through the Zodiac.
The result is that its effect is felt more generationally than
individually.
Uranus brings with it a new way of looking at things, and its
approach is best met with an expanded consciousness.
Originality, inventions, computers, cutting-edge technologies and
future events are all ruled by this Planet. Uranus sees no need
for the status quo, preferring instead to break with tradition and
create a new mold. While the building blocks (science,
electricity) are safe here, this Planet would rather focus its gaze
on a new world order. To that end, rebellion, revolution,
dictators, an autonomous state and free will all fall under the
aegis of this Planet.
No one will ever characterize Uranus as subtle. This is the
Planet which coaxes erratic and bizarre behavior and byzantine
schemes. A bohemian, utopian society is more in keeping with
Uranus's bent, as are humanitarian ideals. Freedom and
creativity are important to this Planet; Astrology is also within its
realm. Lastly, in keeping with its sudden, sometimes violent and
often unexpected manner, Uranus rules earthquakes and other
natural disasters.
It takes Uranus 84 years to complete its trip around the zodiac. It
is an androgynous energy and rules Aquarius and the Eleventh
House. Uranus is considered to be the higher octave of Mercury
and the first of the transcendental Planets.
Neptune: Planet of Illusion
Neptune, another of the outer Planets, was discovered in 1846.
Its slow orbit around our Zodiac ensures that its effect is
generational in nature.
Neptune's glyph is the trident of Poseidon, God of the Seas.
Much about this Planet is fluid (Neptune rules the oceans of the
Earth), changeable and illusory in nature. Dreams, illusion,
abstract thought and the mysterious are all governed by
Neptune. Our spirituality is important to this Planet, and how we
harness that energy for our personal betterment. Neptune invites
us to let its energy wash over us and to use a meditative state to
gain insights and heightened awareness. Poetry, music and
dance are among the trance-like activities which this Planet
favors.
Neptune does have its showier side, as it rules movies,
television, theater, fashion and all forms of glamour. In essence,
Neptune is creating an illusion -- of what is enchanting on the
outside and captivating within. Neptune has a mystique which
doesn't reveal itself easily. It can be a poser, too, dabbling in
flattery -- and subversion.
The shadow side of Neptune is akin to the aging star who
cannot make one more curtain. When the lights are low, this
Planet plays in a netherworld of drugs, alcohol, trances and
hypnosis. Neptunian energy reeks of escapism on its darker
days, a sea of delusion, hypochondria and abnormality. Sleep
and dreams are also lorded over by this Planet. At the end of the
day, Neptune keeps coming at you -- how will you receive it?
It takes Neptune 165 years to complete its whirl around the
Zodiac, spending roughly 14 years at each Sign. It is feminine
energy and rules Pisces and the Twelfth House. Neptune is
known as the higher octave of Venus and is the second of the
transcendental Planets.
Pluto: Planet of Power
As the outermost Planet in our solar system, Pluto is also the
farthest from the Sun. It has only recently been discovered,
having come to light (albeit a dim one) in 1930.
Pluto's energy may be subtle, but its results will hit you like a ton
of bricks. This Planet is about transformation, regeneration and
rebirth. Things aren't pretty with Pluto, but they do get done.
Pluto says 'out with the old and in with the new,' and we'd better
be ready for it. If we're not, this Planet will simply have us wallow
in our misery. Pluto asks us to transcend that, which we know,
redeem ourselves in the process, and come out stronger as a
result.
For all that Pluto (re)creates (it also governs the reproductive
system), it loves to destroy. This Planet rules destruction, death,
obsession, kidnapping, coercion, viruses and waste. That's
definitely not pretty. Pluto also governs crime and the
underworld, along with many forms of subversive activity
(terrorism, dictatorships). This Planet is about all that is secret
and undercover, that which is hidden from views. Is this the story?
of good vs. evil? Yes.
No one will deny Pluto's power (it rules atomic power, too) and
intensity. This Planet's energy is often focused on the masses
and what the collective will do. Pluto beseeches the masses to
look inward (and to their subconscious) to see what's there. It
may be scary, but Pluto doesn't care. This Planet knows how to
push buttons.
It takes Pluto approximately 248 years to complete its orbit
around the Zodiac. Due to the eccentricity of its orbit, it takes
this Planet between 12 and 31 years to pass through a Sign. It
rules Scorpio and the Eighth House. Pluto is the last of the
transcendental Planets and is the higher octave of Mars.
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