Planetary bodies Flashcards
The Sun
The Sun represents the Self, one’s way of being in the world. It can represent, on different levels, both the ego and the higher Self or soul purpose. It rules Leo and is exalted in Aries.
The Sun is the most important ‘planet’ in the chart and symbolizes one’s will and sense of vitality. When the Sun is afflicted (poorly placed or poorly aspected) it could indicate problems with the father, or male role model.
The symbol for the Sun comes from ancient times, and is very similar to the Jungian symbol for individuation. This is because the Sun represents the hero archetype, which can be read as the story of transcending the little self, or ego, in favor of greater integration and the true Self. In myth, the hero typically must meet and overcome obstacles on his or her quest, which in natal charts can be indicated by the planets that make close aspects to the Sun, especially the stressful ones.
The Sun energizes your entire chart, and planets in close relationship to the Sun (by planetary aspect) are emphasized in your personality. If your Sun is prominent in your chart, you will exhibit great power to do and to be.
The Moon
The Moon represents the personal self, the feelings and the unconscious. It is a reflection of the true self, represented by the Sun. The Moon also stands for security and instinctual or habitual patterns, as well as the ability to relate to others, and to be nurturing to others. The Moon rules Cancer and is exalted in Taurus. It is often contrasted with the Sun as the female receptive principle versus the masculine or positive principle. The Moon represents the feminine and nurturing part of oneself. In a male chart, the Moon represents the feminine within, or the anima and also indicates the type of partner you will attract. The Moon also represents an attunement from the past, which operates at an instinctive or habitual level in your present life.
Mercury
Mercury represents the mind and intellect, and rules Gemini, (the sign of duality), and also Virgo. It has it’s exaltation in Aquarius. Mercury is an airy planet, associated with all forms of communication and the in-flow and out-flow of intelligence and communication. Its position indicates how your mental function will be expressed, and where techniques and skills are available to you.
Mercury retrograde, which occurs three times a year for about three weeks each time, is interpreted particularly strongly. Mental pursuits and connections break down. The Mercury retrograde period is best used as a time for inner reflection. It is not a good time for making new decisions or new business plans, but it is ideal for reflecting on your current situation. It is best to quietly observe your inner process during Mercury retrograde, and to carry forward with your preexisting plans. Ask yourself: Where am I heading in my life at this particular juncture? Then try to move forward with new directions only after Mercury has gone direct, and perhaps even a fortnight beyond, when Mercury has left its retrograde shadow.
Venus
Venus, or the Greek Aphrodite, is the Goddess of love, beauty, and relationship. The planet probably gets her name because she is so very bright and beautiful! Venus is in-taking, rather than out-going (as represented by Mars), and rules the signs Libra and Taurus. Venus has its exaltation in Pisces, and is associated with aesthetics, beauty, refinement and romance. Its position in the chart indicates the area in which the give and take of love, affection, and sensual pleasure will be expressed. The position of Venus also shows a person’s perception of relationship and affection. Or, the qualities and expressions of affection that someone may be most receptive to, or comfortable with. A person with Venus in Leo may have a much different perception of love and romance than a person with Venus in Cancer! Wherever she lies in your chart, or that chart of your lovers and friends, she is sure to play a big role in your romantic endeavors, quest for beauty, and potential for love!
Mars
In astrology, Mars is the planet of outward activity and animal passion including our sexual drive, aggression, and anger. Mars rules Aries and is exalted in Capricorn. This fiery planet is masculine in action, versus the softer more receptive and romantic Venus. When strong in the chart it can indicate a volatile temper, and also great courage. Its position indicates how your personality will assert itself, and what modes of activity will stimulate your physical energies, or your anger. By house, Mars represents where you will assert yourself, and where you will take action in the most positive sense.
Jupiter
In astrology, Jupiter is the planet of faith, positivism, hope, and morality. It rules Sagittarius and is exalted in Cancer. Jupiter represents the principle of expansion, versus contraction (as represented by Saturn), and the aspirations of the higher self. This could include a sense of humor, good will, or mercy. On the flip side, Jupiter can also be associated with irresponsibility in the form of blind optimism and overindulgence. Its position in the chart indicates how one’s faith, generosity, and tolerance will be expressed, as well as what modes of activity will stimulate self-confidence and wisdom.
Saturn
Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn, and is the planet of limitation and restriction. This can include themes of responsibility such as self-discipline, punctuality, and the conservation of material resources. While Jupiter represents the notion of broadening and expansion, Saturn suggests setting parameters and restriction. It brings structure and meaning to the world around us, and reminds us of our responsibilities and commitments. Because of this, Saturn is frequently associated with our Fathers, or other authority figures. While discipline isn’t always easy or pleasant, it can sometimes help us grow. Embracing and understanding the challenges of the responsibilities in our lives helps us to expand ourselves out of the foundation of structure!
Uranus
The astrological Uranus rules Aquarius and is exalted in Scorpio. It is known as the planet of freedom and revolutionary vision, the urge for change, and the ability to visualize new possibilities. Jeff Green has referred to this energy quite appropriately as “freedom from the known.” In its astrological symbolism Uranus typically defies tradition and embraces change and originality. It is also associated with the coming Age of Aquarius and rules the Internet, mental studies, technology, electricity, and Astrology! Its position in your chart indicates the arena of originality and freedom from conventional thinking in your life.
Neptune
Both God of the sea and the ruler of Pisces, Neptune finds exaltation in Cancer. Neptune, associated with universal love, is said to be the higher octave of Venus, which rules individual love. Neptune represents the universal ocean of oneness with all beings. Therefore, Neptune is highly compassionate, idealistic, and imaginative. It is considered a planet of inspiration, dreams, and psychic receptivity. Neptune rules spirituality, and all things subtle. The more negative manifestations of Neptune include deception, trickery, deceit, guilt, and addiction associated with drugs, alcohol, or even media and fantasy. Its position in a person’s chart would indicate where there may be confusion or illusion, and also great creativity in the poetic and musical fields.
Pluto
On the lighter side, Pluto is associated with renewal and rebirth. It represents endings and new beginnings, as well as spiritual growth and rebirth. Negative expression of Pluto is an obsessive desire for power and control and general destructiveness. A positive expression is the ability and desire to transform. In a chart, the position of Pluto by sign will be shared with other people in the same generation due to the comparatively slow movement of Pluto, the outermost planet, in the heavens. By house, the position of Pluto shows where individuals search for truths and deeper meaning. This area of life may be associated with change, upheaval, power struggles, and issues of control. Pluto in aspect to other planets in the chart colors those energies with obsessive qualities, power struggles, the need to find deeper meanings, and willingness to explore and examine. Where we find Pluto in the chart is where we either seek change and transformation, or have it thrust upon us if we refuse to accept our deepest needs. If we fear Pluto’s energy, or our “dark” side, destructiveness (both directed at ourselves or others) can be a byproduct.
Chiron
Chiron represents the archetype of the “Wounded Healer” and is associated with shamanism and going within to heal oneself. Its discovery is synchronous with the rise of the holistic health movement. Chiron’s position in the chart reveals where one has been wounded, and where also there is the opportunity for discovering healing from within and sharing this discovery with other people, since from our wounds arises our compassion for the suffering of others. The position of Chiron, by house and sign, can also show where we have talent and access to ancient wisdom, as well as where we may depart from the mainstream in service to a higher practicality. Those with prominent Chiron are likely to be educators and spiritual healers.
Ceres
Ceres represents in an individual chart the process of nurturing as well as motherhood, and has been experimentally attributed to the sign Cancer as a co-ruler with the Moon, as well as to the sign of Virgo where there is growing agreement among modern Western astrologers that she should be placed. All four major asteroids could be considered as co-ruling Virgo, and they all seem to represent different aspects of the feminine, and therefore could be thought of as further refinements of the lunar principle. An afflicted Ceres, by position or by planetary aspect, may indicate problems with being able to nurture, or to be nurtured by others. This could manifest in food complexes, or a feeling of rejection by parental figures. When strongly placed, she symbolizes the ability to take on parental responsibilities, especially in a female subject, and also may indicate someone who has a close relationship with the earth, as a gardener or grower of food. Also the position of Ceres by house and sign, and its planetary connections, is likely to indicate the way in which motherhood (or parenthood) manifests in the life of the individual.
Pallas
Pallas represents the wisdom of the female spirit, as the mythology of Pallas Athene would indicate: born from the head of Zeus, and symbolized by the owl and the snake, Pallas Athene was a powerful symbol for independence and wisdom in the ancient mythology. She did not ally herself with any man, but rather was a strong and warrior-like figure who aided men of good will and whose advice was prized for its intelligence. The astrology of the asteroid Pallas indicates such a feminine spirit of independence and cool mental judgment in either a man’s or a woman’s chart. In an individual chart, Pallas represents the creative use of the mental faculty in combination with ageless wisdom, and is also involved with the arts, especially the plastic arts such as sculpture and pottery, and with medicinal remedies. Its position by house and sign indicates where in one’s life the divine spark of creative intelligence and higher wisdom may spring forth.
Juno
In mythology Juno (or the Greek Hera) was wife and consort to Jupiter, and therefore the astrology of Juno represents the partnering energy of intimate relationship. This is also the territory of Venus and the Moon, but where Juno seems to differ is in representing the partnership energy in a new light, as in the more modern issues of where the boundaries are with another person, how much sharing is appropriate, versus holding back, are there issues of bitterness and jealousy, or projected authority and control onto another person, and intimacy needs in general. When Juno is prominent in a natal chart, all these type of issues are important to the individual. If Juno is aspected by another planet, these issues may be colored by the energy of that planet. Juno’s position by house and sign is an indication of the area of life in which these issues will be most important.
Vesta
The asteroid Vesta was the last of the four major asteroids to be discovered, in 1807. The mythology of Vesta (or Greek Hestia) is as follows: one of the sisters of Jupiter and Juno, Vesta chose to remain a virgin and not marry. She was the goddess of the hearth fire, which was of utmost importance in ancient times, connoting hospitality and the basic vitality of the home or city-state, and her astrological symbol is the flame. It is interesting to note that Vesta is the brightest of the four asteroids. Her symbolism also suggests the “vestal virgin” temple priestesses of the ancient Geek world, and their commitment to no man, but to their own inner flame of service to the goddess. Their service might even be of a sexual nature, but they remained untouched by any sexual intimacy with another person. In accordance with its mythology, the asteroid Vesta is involved with both the signs Virgo and Scorpio. In the astrology of Vesta in an individual chart, these issues of sexuality and completeness unto oneself predominate. Possible associations are the woman (or man) who chooses not a mate, but as a nun or monk takes on a higher purpose than normal family life, also issues of sexuality and who is ultimately served in the process, self or other. Thus when Vesta is prominent in the chart, there may be issues with purity, singleness and sexuality either by abstinence or by one involving oneself with multiple partners which yet leave the individual untouched by relationship. The placement of Vesta by house and sign also indicate the area of life where these issues may manifest.
