Lesson 2: The planets

We probably all know our "star sign". What is being termed your star sign in the newspaper column is the sign the Sun was in at the time of your birth, so is more accurately termed your Sun sign, but you also have a Moon sign, a Mercury sign and so on. Each planet was somewhere in the zodiac at the time of your birth. And it is each of these placements that contributes to the unique flavour of your chart.

Each planets represents a facet in the psyche, and symbolism plays a part. In this section we will look at the energy of each planet and what it represents in a chart.

The Sun

As the centre of the solar system, the Sun represents our core essence, what is important to us, what we are focussed on in this lifetime.

As the luminary lighting the day, it also represents our conscious self and how we shine in the world.

The Moon

As the light of the night, the Moon represents our less conscious self and where we are more instinctual in our behaviour. It also represents where and how we want to feel safe and secure.

Mercury

As the planet closest to the Sun, and therefore closest to our consciousness, Mercury represents our thinking and how we communicate.

Venus

Venus sits between Earth and Mercury. After our thoughts and communication is what we value and hold dear. Venus is often thought of as the love planet, and our Venus sign does give an indication of how we approach our relationships. Venus also represents our attitude to money and resources.

Mars

Mars is the last of the personal planets, sitting between Earth and the rest of the solar system. Mars represents our energy and drive. It is how we go into the world.

The five planets (including Sun and Moon) are termed the personal planets. Their placement in the chart is more individual. As we move out to Jupiter and Saturn, the planets move more slowly round the zodiac, therefore more people born at a given time will have the planet in the same sign.

Jupiter

Jupiter spends about a year in each sign. So everyone born in the same year (not necessarily new year to new year) will have Jupiter in the same sign, so it's influence is less personal. Jupiter is considered to be the planet of expansion and growth. Its influence is by and large benevolent so it's the happy teacher. The sign in which it is placed represents an area for growth and expansion, where we might go beyond and expand our horizons.

Saturn

Saturn spends about two and a half years in each sign. It is the last planet visible with the naked eye and represents where we meet our limits. If Jupiter is where we grow, Saturn is where is gets tough. We also grow through our Saturn sign, but the lessons tend to be harder.

The remaining 3 planets are known as the generational planets. They stay in a sign for many years so whole generations have the same placement. Their influence is less personal.

Uranus

This is the first of the modern planets discovered at a time of upheaval. It is where we can be a bit rebellious, trying new things, busting out of the status quo.

Neptune

Neptune is the spiritual planet of the zodiac and also represents the collective unconscious, along with Pluto. So where Neptune is placed will represent our approach to spirituality. It can also be where we are prone to illusion.

Pluto

Us astrologers are still treating Pluto as a planet despite its demotion. Pluto, being a long way away is said to represent the subconscious, the deep psyche and also power, so where it is place will give an indication as to how those matters are approached.

In the next section we will start to look at how sign placement can affect how a planet's energy is expressed.