Silverm00n
05-03-2006, 10:05 PM
Astrology 101: The Sun and Planets
Sol (The Sun)
Sol is the "planet" that represents a person's foundation--who they are beneath their environment or background. It's defined as "the ego, the main direction and focus a person wants to take. . . the power of the will, the determination to attain goals" (Skalka 51). Sol is a strongly-masculine "planet" (a misnomer since the Sun is, in fact, a star) who is balanced by the female "planet" Luna. Sol rules Leo, whose influence is much stronger when Sol is in this sign.
Luna (The Moon)
If the sun is the embodiment of the self's ego, the moon would then be the embodiment of one's emotional self. A person's emotional response to his/her environment, his/her sensitivity, and to a degree his/her empathy, are influenced by Luna's placement in his/her natal chart. Luna describes "habits, needs, and desires. . . the subconscious mind, memory, intuition, and instincts" (Skalka 52). The moon also represents one's maternal side. It is a strongly-feminine "planet" and is balanced by Sol. Luna rules the water sign Cancer.
Mercury
Mercury is the planet of the mind, and of the thinker. It governs perception, thought, and communication. In Greco-Roman legend, Mercury, known to the Greeks as Achilles, was the messenger of the gods. Mercury also governs the realm of learning and academia; the realm of the written and spoken word. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo.
Venus
Venus is the lover, the socializer, the artist. Venus plays its influence in the realm of moral sensitivities, ethics, and priorities, as well as in competition, partnership, and love. Venus describes the manner in which one pursues romance and sensual delights, as well as general physical well-being. It rules the astrological signs Taurus and Libra.
Terra (Earth)
Most astrology is geocentric, and therefore has no information about the role Earth plays in a person's horoscope. Heliocentric, or sun-based astrology, does have information about the Earth's role; however, no information has been found on the Internet about heliocentric astrology as of the time of this writing. What follows is, therefore, my own speculation and intuition.
Earth has often played the role of the mother goddess in pagan and shamanic religions. In spring, one is advised to walk barefoot so one does not tread too roughly upon the pregnant earth. Therefore, Earth's placement in a horoscope is likely to speak of maternal and natural influences played through a person's life. Where Earth lies in a natal chart may also speak of how one can best connect with Gaia or ground oneself. Too, Earth's placement in a natal chart may represent what traits of Gaia have manifested or will manifest in the individual.
Mars
Mars is the embodiment of desire, of action, and of physical and mental energy contained within an individual. It describes "the strength and direction of the physical force that drives the ego, fires the emotions. . ." (Skalka 53). Mars tells also of one's bravado and willingness to take risks. Mars represents male relationshps and associations (53), and especially the individual's physical desire and libido. Mars rules Aries and Scorpio.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the planet of growth and evolution, optimism and luck. Jupiter describes an individual's connection with the outside world, whether that connection is based in the physical, mental, or spiritual realm; and the planet describes the role that the connection will play in the growth of the individual. Jupiter also plays the role of "the father and his position in society," and "describes the ability of the individual to reach beyond the ordinary and basic experiences in life" (Skalka 53). Jupiter rules the astrological signs Sagitarrius and Pisces.
Saturn
Saturn speaks of discipline, of force, and of structure. It also stands for obstacles which must be overcome in order to achieve the growth that Jupiter promises. Saturn deals with karma, not in the sense of fortune or of a legend detailing what an individual has done right and wrong, but in the sense of the duty that lies ahead of an individual, and of the individual's obligation to carry out that duty. Saturn also describes an individual's deeply-set fears and uncertainties. At the same time, however, Saturn also promises the ability to evolve, to improve, and to become something greater. Saturn rules the signs Capricorn and Aquarius.
Chiron
Chiron's role in the chart is two-fold. First, it describes what an individual must learn, in both a karmic and mundane sense. Second, it describes what one is best qualified to teach. An individual must sometimes learn his/her lessons through pain, much as the Chiron of myth gained his wisdom in healing others by suffering a wound which he could not heal. Chiron rules no sign, though one does not have to stretch one's imagination to see a connection between Chiron and the sign Sagittarius.
Uranus
Uranus is the first of the three "generational" planets, so named because the periods for Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are so long that their positions are typically shared in the charts of anyone born in a particular generation.
Uranus tells of the way in which an individual within a given generation may best find independence and freedom. It rules "radical ideas and people, as well as revolutionary events that upset established structures" (Skalka 54) within a generation; within the individual, it describes freedom of thought and expression, areas of unpredictability, and where one person's lifestyle may hold him/her apart from others or from society. Uranus also describes communication, like Mercury; however, in the case of Uranus, the method of communication is usually more intense. Uranus rules the sign of Aquarius.
Neptune
Neptune, like Uranus, plays a dual role in the chart of an individual: both as an influence on the individual by society, and as a trait of the individual. In a generaltional role, Neptune is ruler of the oppressed or abandoned, those who don't fit into society. It also presides over the visionary and the charismatic, and shows society's growth in or oppression of spirituality, mysticism, and other ideals (Skalka 55). In an individual, Neptune represents the person's spirituality, illusions, and disillusionment. It can also describe sensitivity, compassion, and psychic awareness, or "Sight." Neptune's rulership of the spiritual is not unlike Jupiter's, though the spirituality Neptune describes is deeper and more intense. Neptune rules the sign Pisces.
Pluto
The Pluto of mythology is the God of the Underworld and the Lord of the Dead. The planet, therefore, rules the deaths and rebirths that make up the life of an individual. Pluto speaks of transformations, whether in the physical, emotional, or spiritual realms. Pluto is a sign shared by a generation, so the transformations it speaks of can as easily apply to society as they can to an individual. The transformation Pluto rules speak volumes of depth and intensity; as Jupiter describes what an individual can become, Pluto describes the fire that will temper the individual so that s/he may become what Jupiter promises. Pluto rules the sign of Scorpio.
Skalka, Julia Lupton. The Instant Horoscope Reader. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN. & copy; 1995.
Sol (The Sun)
Sol is the "planet" that represents a person's foundation--who they are beneath their environment or background. It's defined as "the ego, the main direction and focus a person wants to take. . . the power of the will, the determination to attain goals" (Skalka 51). Sol is a strongly-masculine "planet" (a misnomer since the Sun is, in fact, a star) who is balanced by the female "planet" Luna. Sol rules Leo, whose influence is much stronger when Sol is in this sign.
Luna (The Moon)
If the sun is the embodiment of the self's ego, the moon would then be the embodiment of one's emotional self. A person's emotional response to his/her environment, his/her sensitivity, and to a degree his/her empathy, are influenced by Luna's placement in his/her natal chart. Luna describes "habits, needs, and desires. . . the subconscious mind, memory, intuition, and instincts" (Skalka 52). The moon also represents one's maternal side. It is a strongly-feminine "planet" and is balanced by Sol. Luna rules the water sign Cancer.
Mercury
Mercury is the planet of the mind, and of the thinker. It governs perception, thought, and communication. In Greco-Roman legend, Mercury, known to the Greeks as Achilles, was the messenger of the gods. Mercury also governs the realm of learning and academia; the realm of the written and spoken word. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo.
Venus
Venus is the lover, the socializer, the artist. Venus plays its influence in the realm of moral sensitivities, ethics, and priorities, as well as in competition, partnership, and love. Venus describes the manner in which one pursues romance and sensual delights, as well as general physical well-being. It rules the astrological signs Taurus and Libra.
Terra (Earth)
Most astrology is geocentric, and therefore has no information about the role Earth plays in a person's horoscope. Heliocentric, or sun-based astrology, does have information about the Earth's role; however, no information has been found on the Internet about heliocentric astrology as of the time of this writing. What follows is, therefore, my own speculation and intuition.
Earth has often played the role of the mother goddess in pagan and shamanic religions. In spring, one is advised to walk barefoot so one does not tread too roughly upon the pregnant earth. Therefore, Earth's placement in a horoscope is likely to speak of maternal and natural influences played through a person's life. Where Earth lies in a natal chart may also speak of how one can best connect with Gaia or ground oneself. Too, Earth's placement in a natal chart may represent what traits of Gaia have manifested or will manifest in the individual.
Mars
Mars is the embodiment of desire, of action, and of physical and mental energy contained within an individual. It describes "the strength and direction of the physical force that drives the ego, fires the emotions. . ." (Skalka 53). Mars tells also of one's bravado and willingness to take risks. Mars represents male relationshps and associations (53), and especially the individual's physical desire and libido. Mars rules Aries and Scorpio.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the planet of growth and evolution, optimism and luck. Jupiter describes an individual's connection with the outside world, whether that connection is based in the physical, mental, or spiritual realm; and the planet describes the role that the connection will play in the growth of the individual. Jupiter also plays the role of "the father and his position in society," and "describes the ability of the individual to reach beyond the ordinary and basic experiences in life" (Skalka 53). Jupiter rules the astrological signs Sagitarrius and Pisces.
Saturn
Saturn speaks of discipline, of force, and of structure. It also stands for obstacles which must be overcome in order to achieve the growth that Jupiter promises. Saturn deals with karma, not in the sense of fortune or of a legend detailing what an individual has done right and wrong, but in the sense of the duty that lies ahead of an individual, and of the individual's obligation to carry out that duty. Saturn also describes an individual's deeply-set fears and uncertainties. At the same time, however, Saturn also promises the ability to evolve, to improve, and to become something greater. Saturn rules the signs Capricorn and Aquarius.
Chiron
Chiron's role in the chart is two-fold. First, it describes what an individual must learn, in both a karmic and mundane sense. Second, it describes what one is best qualified to teach. An individual must sometimes learn his/her lessons through pain, much as the Chiron of myth gained his wisdom in healing others by suffering a wound which he could not heal. Chiron rules no sign, though one does not have to stretch one's imagination to see a connection between Chiron and the sign Sagittarius.
Uranus
Uranus is the first of the three "generational" planets, so named because the periods for Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are so long that their positions are typically shared in the charts of anyone born in a particular generation.
Uranus tells of the way in which an individual within a given generation may best find independence and freedom. It rules "radical ideas and people, as well as revolutionary events that upset established structures" (Skalka 54) within a generation; within the individual, it describes freedom of thought and expression, areas of unpredictability, and where one person's lifestyle may hold him/her apart from others or from society. Uranus also describes communication, like Mercury; however, in the case of Uranus, the method of communication is usually more intense. Uranus rules the sign of Aquarius.
Neptune
Neptune, like Uranus, plays a dual role in the chart of an individual: both as an influence on the individual by society, and as a trait of the individual. In a generaltional role, Neptune is ruler of the oppressed or abandoned, those who don't fit into society. It also presides over the visionary and the charismatic, and shows society's growth in or oppression of spirituality, mysticism, and other ideals (Skalka 55). In an individual, Neptune represents the person's spirituality, illusions, and disillusionment. It can also describe sensitivity, compassion, and psychic awareness, or "Sight." Neptune's rulership of the spiritual is not unlike Jupiter's, though the spirituality Neptune describes is deeper and more intense. Neptune rules the sign Pisces.
Pluto
The Pluto of mythology is the God of the Underworld and the Lord of the Dead. The planet, therefore, rules the deaths and rebirths that make up the life of an individual. Pluto speaks of transformations, whether in the physical, emotional, or spiritual realms. Pluto is a sign shared by a generation, so the transformations it speaks of can as easily apply to society as they can to an individual. The transformation Pluto rules speak volumes of depth and intensity; as Jupiter describes what an individual can become, Pluto describes the fire that will temper the individual so that s/he may become what Jupiter promises. Pluto rules the sign of Scorpio.
Skalka, Julia Lupton. The Instant Horoscope Reader. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN. & copy; 1995.