ASTROLOGY FOR BEGINNERS

THE PLANETS

Last session we looked at natal charts in general; what factors create a natal chart [birthdate, exact time, and location], and the main elements that can be found in a natal chart [planets, houses, and Zodiac signs].

Today, we’ll look at planets; and first, let me say that we all know the Sun and Moon are not planets - they are celestial bodies - but for astrology purposes, they are grouped with planets.

The Sun is the center of our Solar System, with planets orbiting it. The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, [Earth], and Mars. Earth is not part of the astrology because we are operating from the Earth and looking out to the sky. The inner planets are those planets nearest the Sun and before the Asteroid Belt; they have solid surfaces. The outer planets, composed mostly of gases and outside the Asteroid Belt, are Jupiter, Chiron, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Scientifically, Chiron and Pluto are dwarf planets. The Moon, a celestial body, orbits our Earth.

In the chart below, you will see North Node listed under the Planet Symbols. The South Node is the same symbol turned upside down. These are not celestial bodies; rather they’re imaginary points in space where the Moon’s path crosses the ecliptic, which is the Earth’s orbital path around the Sun. Without going into the scientific, the astrological significance is that they are points you want to be able to identify. [I will do a separate session on just the Nodes later.]

Alternate symbol for Pluto:  ♇

General [very general] themes:

SUN – [active] reflects our inner character, how we “shine”; rules aspirations, mood swings; governs sides, back and heart.

MOON – [passive]  reflects the personality we show the world; rules reproduction, maternal instincts; governs stomach and breasts.

MERCURY – [neutral] reflects perceptions and communication; rules financial gain, learning, logic, and reasoning; governs the nervous system.

VENUS – [passive] reflects our affections, our sense of pleasure, luxury/money, and beauty; rules love, sociability, and music; governs the throat and veins.

MARS – [active] reflects energy and action, initiative and desire; rules construction and destruction; governs the head, face and muscular system.

JUPITER – [neutral] reflects expansion, growth, and purpose of life; rules reasoning and philosophy; governs the blood, liver and thighs.

SATURN – [active] reflects discipline, restriction, and structure; rules discrimination and constriction; governs teeth, bones generally and knees specifically, and the spleen.

URANUS – [neutral] reflects intuition, adventure, and sudden ideas/lightning change; rules invention, investigation, and rebellion; governs the aura/intuitive perception.

NEPTUNE – [neutral] reflects dissolution and reorganization; rules spiritual bliss/expansion and dreams; governs the psychic faculty, the sea, and mystery.

PLUTO – [neutral] reflects rejuvenation and deep transformation; rules conscience and the subconscious mind; governs metabolism.

CHIRON – [neutral] reflects deepest emotional and spiritual wounds; rules transmutation; governs emotional healing.

The planets take on various characteristics depending on the Zodiac sign they are in, the House in which they are located, and their aspects to other planets. This is why there is the designation of active, passive, and neutral. Books are written about each individual planet and its varying effects in different combinations. This is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, and gives you a general sense of direction in identifying the planets.

Now when you look at a natal chart, hopefully a little more makes sense.

Looking at my chart, you can now distinguish what the symbols between the hard, longer lines indicate. The Houses are numbered close to the center. Uranus is in my 1st House, Venus is in my 2nd House, Pluto [using the alternate symbol] and my Sun are in the 3rd House, etc.

If you would like a free copy of your natal chart so you can follow along on this journey exploring Astrology for Beginners, email me at astrologywithann@gmail.com with your birth date, exact time of birth [on your birth certificate] and location of birth.

Next session: The Signs