When you first start getting interested in astrology, it is super overwhelming, and for good reason! There are so many things to remember, so many moving parts, and so many combinations. So to get you started, I would like to offer a few pieces of advice - TAKE YOUR TIME! Secondly, concentrate on one thing at a time. Don't try to understand everything at once. Instead, focus your attention on one part of the tradition at a time, integrate as much as you can and then move on to the next thing.
So let's take a look at each of the planets and their significations. Each planet has its own energy, and the energy of each planet will manifest itself in life in relation to its significations. When reading or delineating a chart, the planet is what energizes a house, and the sign is like a lens through which the planet expresses its energy. Remember, chart reading is done through synthesis or bringing all the parts together rather than just one planet and one sign.
So let's look at the planets!
Sun: The Sun is associated with a sense of power. The house that the Sun occupies will be strongly emphasized. The activities of that house will be of great importance to the subject throughout her life. The characteristics of the sign associated with the Sun are usually intensified. The positive aspect of the Sun is creativity, affection and generosity. The negative trait of the Sun is arrogance.
Moon: The Moon conveys the sense of instinct and cyclic changes. The Moon is the second most important planet aside from the Sun. The characteristics of the Moon sign usually reflect the personality of the subject. Habits, emotions, motherhood, family and social response are the associations of the moon. The positive traits of the Moon are imaginativeness, business shrewdness, maternal instinct and patience. Negative traits include stubbornness, unreliability and irrational behaviour.
Mercury: Mercury is communication, thoughts, and the transmission of information. Mercury is associated with computers, contracts, markets, intellect, science and mental perception. The positive characteristics of Mercury are good memory, logic, communication and cleverness. The negative traits are scatteredness, deceptiveness, argumentativeness, nervousness and sarcasm.
Venus: The keywords of Venus are love,
diplomacy, and harmony. Venus is associated with feelings, love, beauty, arts, and fashion. It is the minor benefic of the benefic planets. It is supremely feminine and associated with all things womanly and is the expression of erotic love. The positiveness of Venus is friendly, well-mannered, artistic and lovable. The negative traits are vanity, selfishness and unrealistically romantic.
Mars: Fire and energy come to mind with Mars. Mars is the minor malefic of the malefic planets. It is associated with aggression, quickness in action, war and weapons and masculinity. It is also associated with the primal urges for sex and passion. The negative traits are boisterous, war-like and quarrelsome.
Jupiter: The keyword of Jupiter is expansion. Jupiter is the greater benefit of the benefic planets giving its blessings where ever it is found in the chart. The House in which Jupiter is found usually is associated with very favourable outcomes in that department of life. The expanding quality of the planet can also be associated with the physical size of Jupiter...the largest planet in the solar system. Positive traits are compassion, optimism, and supportive. Negative traits are extravagance, irresponsibility, indulgent, over-optimistic, and carefree.
Saturn: Limitation and hardship are the main attributes of Saturn. A subject always encounters limitations on the activities in life that are characteristics of the House where Saturn is. It is the greater malefic of the malefic planets. Saturn is always associated with slow-moving, difficulty, and tension. Because Saturn is a planet that tests the success or tenacity of a subject's action, Saturn is positively associated with perseverance and fortitude. As well, Saturn sometimes is associated with ill health. The positive traits are trustworthiness, tenacity, and discipline. The negative traits are self-pity, depression, and difficulty.
The Exoplanets -
It should be noted that humanity has only been able to observe these planets as a result of the advent of the telescope. Before then, astrologers only considered the visible planets when reading a horoscope. In modern astrology, considering the role that exoplanets play in a horoscope works quite a bit differently than when interpreting the meaning of the planet; this is because these planets move much more slowly than the seven visible planets. Their slower movement is thought to have a more visible effect on generations and eras rather than just the individual.
Uranus: Sudden changes best represent Uranus. Uranus is associated with modern science, medicine, sex and telecommunication radio systems. The positive traits are inventive and original. The negative traits are dispassion, abnormality, rebelliousness and impulsiveness.
Neptune: Some keywords for Neptune are concealment and distortion. Neptune may reflect the hidden potential capability of a person. The positive traits are subtle, artistic and sensitive. The negative traits are indecisive, careless, and unworldly.
Pluto: Due to its relatively recent discovery (1930),
astrologers have not been certain of what Pluto is best to associate with a subject's characteristics. The best to associate with Pluto is the marking of a new beginning (the end of a cycle) of a life event. Pluto very often is symbolically associated with hidden and unconscious power. The positive traits are financial astuteness and the ability to start new in unfavourable circumstances. The negative traits are underworld association and seediness.
To say that is the shortlist of planetary significations is no exaggeration. As you continue learning, you will discover more and more to help you understand what energy they radiate and how they express that energy.
Interested in learning more about Astrology? Essential Astrology Fundamentals coming soon!
Alysa is a professional mystic who teaches and works with spiritual seekers from all over the world. Her dynamic personality and passion for the mystic arts are infectious. She loves to bring her wealth of metaphysical knowledge and depth of experience to her clients and students through providing intuitive and spiritual services. Known for her ability to blend fun with professionalism, Alysa offers nearly 3 decades of esoteric experience which includes the co-creation of the Sirian Starseed Tarot & the Seekers Oracle.
In her professional practice, Alysa is a master tarot reader & teacher, second-generation traditional western astrologer, numerologist, certified professional past-life regressionist, Reiki Master Teacher, Certified Life coach, published author, artist, and founder of North Star Mystic Academy, which opened in 2019.
Alysa lives and works in Ontario, Canada
Web address: www.northstarmystic.com
Books by Alysa: www.achilleafortuna.com