Complete Guide For Planets

The Planets

When we think of the sun as the centre of the solar system, then we do not think of the sun as a planet. However, when we view the universe from the Earth, we do consider the sun and the moon as planets. The forces, which can be symbolised as planets, can be considered from their psychological aspects. For example, the sun can be thought of as representing our tendency to integrate the other aspects of our personality. This is really the same as saying that the sun brings wholeness to our lives.

On this page:

• Summary Of Keywords
• Things Governed By The Planets
• Meaning Of The Keywords
• The Sun
• The Moon
• Mercury
• Venus
• Mars
• Jupiter
• Saturn
• Chiron
• Uranus
• Neptune
• Pluto
• Moon’s North Node
• Moon’s South Node
• Part of Fortune
• Time Spent By The Planets In Each Sign

Planetary Actions As Verbs

The planetary actions are verbs. However, I have not always shown them as verbs. For instance, for Mars:

• action
• initiation
• energy

In astrology, the planetary forces are generally interpreted as either “initiating” or “being acted upon.” For example, Mars can be seen as “initiating action” and Mercury as “thinking.” These forces are always positive and active and reflect what is happening, rather than what is not. However, when these forces act through an individual, they may also result in indirect or compulsive behavior.
Your actions are often driven by compulsive behavior, outside influences, or unacknowledged emotions, leading to hasty and impulsive actions without consideration for the consequences.

The positive and active planetary forces in your life manifest in various ways, including passively or compulsively. Your life is characterised by a strong emphasis on action.

The concept of action requires an actor or mechanism to bring it to fruition. Therefore, the verb “act” is implicitly present in “action,” as are the actors or mechanisms. The planetary forces are always active and direct, but they may not always manifest in an individual’s life in that way. The language used to describe the planetary forces may not be limited to verbs, but may contain implicit or implied verbs.

Summary Of Keywords

Before we continue, I will give a suggested list of keywords for the “planets”:

Things Governed By The Planets

The Sun ☉ (I integrate)

• Qualities
  • Self, will, energy and power, basic self-belief , stamina
• Objects
  • affection, ambition, authority, burning, children, citrus fruits, coins, constitution, courage, creativity, dignity, domineering, ego, emperors, energy, extravagance, fame, father, fiery, fire, gambling, generosity, gold, haughty, health, honour, hot, husband, identity, individuality, jewellery, joy, laughter, life, light, lions, magnanimity, nobility, ostentation, orange, passion, peacocks, pomp, popularity, positive, power, pride, prosperity, purpose, royalty, simplicity, spine, spirit, spotlights, stardom, strength, Sunday, superiors, vitality, warmth, will, yellow

The Moon ☾ (I react)

• Qualities
  • change, dreaming, emotions, fretfulness, frivolity, habits and emotions personality, imagination, incorrect impressions., indecision, instinctual mind, personal magnetism.negativity, procrastination, psychic qualities, unconscious mind, vacillation, visionary
• Objects
  • agriculture, changes, childbirth, community, dairies, emotions, families, fecundity, feelings, fermentation, fluctuation, fluids, general public opinions, health, insanity, instinct, intuition, mariners, maternity, Monday, moods, mother, nursing, oats, plumbers, public, reproduction, response, silver, tears, the common people, the people, water, women

Mercury ☿ (I communicate)

• Qualities
  • hands, ideas, information, intellect,communication mental outlook, intellectual endeavours, manual dexterity, mechanical skills, methods, mind, mode of thinking and communication
• Objects
  • air travel, authors, bargaining, books, clerks, clothing, commerce, computers, dealing, documents, editors, history, hygiene, intellect, language, lectures, logic, mercury (metal), messages, mind advertising, nerves, post, respiration, signals, talking, telephones, trade, transport, transportation, typewriters, Wednesday, wind, wit, writing, youth

Venus  (I harmonise)

• Qualities
  • aesthetic tastes, feelings, female values, higher emotions and artistic sensibility social attitudes and behaviour, love
• Objects
  • amusement, art, beauty, boudoirs, brass, confectionery, dance, desire, dimples, doves, emeralds, entertainment, fashion, femininity, flowers, grapes, humour, immorality, intimacy, justice, lingerie, love, marriage, marriage, money, music, partnership, partnerships, pleasure Adornment, relationships,social interactions ,romance, relaxation, sexual intercourse, social centres, societies, style, women

Mars  (I assert)

• Qualities
  • energy, passion, drive, determination action and the expression of will through activity
• Objects
  • armour, armies, blood, butchers, cars, controversy, disease, drive, energy, engineering, executives, garlic, guns, heat, heroes, incense, inflammations, iron, knives, locks, murder, passion, penetration, pipes, pirates, radiators, razors, sarcasm, stamina, sport, surgery, tobacco, virility, war, wrestlers

Jupiter ♃ (I expand)

• Qualities
  • The abstract mind,  higher learning   exploring ideas, both intellectually and spiritually. Ideology expansion, growth and co-operation
• Objects
  • amplification, big, capitalism, celebrations, college, courts of law, doctors, expansion, feet, foreign countries furry animals, glory, gluttony, grand, humour, joviality, large, law, legality, luck, ceremonial magic, merchandise, merit, millionaires, monasteries, optimism, orthodoxy, over-indulgence, philanthropy, philosophy, preachers, prestige, professors, profit, pulpits, religion, science, ships, splendour, success, thighs, tin, Thursday, travel, truth, wisdom, religion, priests, The Law, courts and justice, aristocracy, publishing, overseas travel

Saturn ♄ (I control)

• Qualities
  • structure, limitation, experience and discipline
• Objects
  • Agriculture, archaeology, architecture, bones, cattle, civil service, death, domination, fatigue, history, land, leather, minerals, monogamy, monotony, obstacles, old age, perseverance, restriction, Saturday, self control, time, twilight, underground, widows, yesterdays. Old Father Time, Traditions, history, stability, authority, order, mines, death

Uranus ♅ (I deviate)

• Qualities
  • innovation, nonconformity, higher intuition and inspiration perverse,
• Objects
  • Attraction, break-ups, chaos, disruption, divorce, earthquakes, eccentric, exciting, fanatical, freedom, major change, outrageous, quirky, rebellious, revolutionary, shocks, sudden, surprises, unconventional, unprecedented, unpredictable, unusual,  changes, revolutions, anarchy, innovations, technology, earthquakes

Neptune ♆ (I refine)

• Qualities
  • transcendence, higher faculties, psychic abilities, sensitivity
• Objects
  • Alcohol, art, confusion, cynicism, deception, deep, disguise, disillusionment, dissolving, dreams, drink, drugs, escapism, fraud, ideas, imagination, instability, music, mystery, mysticism, oceans, poisoning, sea, smoke-screen, socialism, softness, transcendence, veil, water, yearnings, reform, ideals, trends, art

Pluto ♇ (I transform)

• Qualities
  • deep, impersonal energies and transforming forces, intense, obstinate, obsession, penetrating, persistent, power, secretive
• Objects
  • Communism, compulsive, crime, darkness, death, deep, hidden, magic, mystery, nuclear energy, occult, orgasm, paranoid, profundity, psychology, rebirth, recycle, reform, renewal, reproduction, revolutionary, self-transforming therapies, healing, sex, subconscious, taboo, transformation, unconscious, underneath, undermining, underworld, volcanoes, the underworld, detectives, disruption, decline, regeneration

Meaning of the keywords

The Sun ☉ (to integrate)

The Central Planet

• rulership
• creation
• vitality
• impress

The keyword for the Sun is “integrate,” meaning to bring together and make whole. The Sun represents power, vitality, and health and is closely related to the heart or center of things. In a chart, the Sun’s position shows how a person integrates themselves and their world. The Sun also governs Leo and indicates what one must do to fulfill their life purpose. The Sun is associated with the Will, which is strengthened by integrating both supportive and disruptive elements of one’s personality.

The Moon ☾ (to react to)

The Planet Of Needs And Feelings

• feelings
• reflection
• change (rhythmical), fluctuation
• take in
• need

The Moon is associated with the keyword “react to“. As the source of light and energy in our solar system, the Sun shines upon the Moon, causing it to reflect its light and energy. This reflection encompasses emotions, sympathy, and feelings, representing our ability to understand and empathize with others. Unlike Jupiter, which represents understanding of the universe, or Mercury, which represents understanding of mathematical formulas, the Moon’s understanding is rooted in sympathy and past experiences. Along with Venus, the Moon relates to feelings, but while Venus represents personal pleasure, the Moon’s feelings are mainly of sympathy. The Moon is said to take in or receive the light of the Sun.

Reflecting also symbolizes reacting instead of initiating an action. This highlights that the moon represents our instinctual responses to stimuli and the influence of our past experiences, habits, and learning on our behavior. Our reactions are often automatic, stemming from past education or traumatic experiences. The type of learning connected with the moon is unconscious and pertains to early childhood development where we had limited control or consciousness. Our basic, instinctive responses serve to ensure survival and meet our essential needs.

The Moon governs our emotional responses, imagination, and memories. It enhances our ability to remember and be imaginative. It also brings emotional dreams, such as longings and sentimental desires. The Moon is associated with emotional and nostalgic dreams, while Uranus relates to forward-thinking and intellectually driven aspirations.

The Moon is associated with emotions, security, and comfort, and it governs the zodiac sign Cancer. Our innate reactions to things are often driven by our need for survival and security, which are linked to the Moon. The House and Sign where the Moon is found in our birth chart indicate where we feel most comfortable and what we do to feel good or what we do habitually. This is contrasted with the Sun, which represents our life purpose, and Saturn, which represents our responsibilities and obligations.

The Moon is considered to be a feminine planet and governs growth and decay, as it influences the rise and fall of the tides. Its waxing and waning and periodic action demonstrate this association with change. Its natural sign is Cancer and its natural house is the fourth. Its keyword “react to” highlights its role in influencing our reactions to external events and changes.

Mercury ☿ (to communicate)

The Planet Of Mind

• speech
• thought
• short journeys
• inquiry

The symbol for Mercury represents the caduceus, with its two serpents twisting around a staff, symbolizing the resolution of life’s mysteries. Another interpretation is that the crescent moon of receptiveness is positioned above the circle of spirit, which in turn is above the cross of matter.

Mercury governs the zodiac signs Gemini and Virgo, and is associated with communication, as reflected in its keyword “communicate“. This encompasses the use of language and reasoning, as well as the ability to question and analyze.

Mercury is also linked to transportation and short journeys, as well as mentality and intellect. Its connection to Virgo, the sign of analysis and understanding, highlights its focus on inquiry and knowledge.

In addition, Mercury governs the nervous system, making it related to coordination both physically and mentally.

Venus  (to harmonise)

The Planet Of Pleasure And Luxury

• liking (enjoy, link)
• evaluation
• attraction
• joining together

The symbol for Venus is often depicted as a hand mirror, representing the idea that our values and tastes are reflected in the world around us. The circle represents the spirit above the cross of matter, indicating that our values and pleasures are above material things. Unlike the symbol for Mercury, which includes a crescent for the mind, Venus relies on feelings and tastes to evaluate the world.

Venus rules Taurus and Libra and its keyword is “harmonise“. Venus is associated with attraction and beauty, comfort, pleasure, and luxury. Beauty is often synonymous with harmony, and when we are in harmony with someone or something, we are attracted to them and feel good about them. Harmony also suggests balance.

Venus shows where we find pleasure and what we value. The keyword “like” can imply both pleasure and relatedness – we like things that bring us pleasure, and we also notice similarities between things. Venus is also associated with love and relationships, and people under its influence are often charismatic and attractive, both physically and mentally. Wealth, love, comfort, and pleasure are all associated with Venus.

Venus is the goddess of love and seeks to bring harmony and balance to relationships. While Uranus seeks to bring people together on a larger scale, Venus focuses on interpersonal unity. Venus also fights against injustice and brings peace to relationships. If Mars is the God of War, then Venus is the Goddess of Peace.

Mars  (to assert)

The Planet Of Physical Energy. The Planet Of Action

• action
• initiation
• energy
• division

The symbol of Mars is a shield and spear, representing the force of the spirit directing outwards. The arrow, viewed as a distorted cross of matter, symbolizes the importance of materiality to Mars. Mars governs the zodiac signs Aries and Scorpio and is associated with the god of war. Its keyword is “assert“, meaning bold or forceful action. Mars represents energy and can be seen as aggressive, reflecting a tendency towards assertive thinking, feeling, and action without prior reflection. Unlike Venus, which seeks unity, Mars seeks division and separation. The position of Mars in one’s astrology chart reveals their active nature.

Jupiter ♃ (to expand)

The Planet Of Expansion

• generalisation and abstraction
• truth seeking
• benevolence

The crescent moon symbolizes receptiveness and is positioned above the cross of matter, representing the elevated nature of human beings. Jupiter represents higher education and growth, while Mercury symbolizes lower-level education. Jupiter, associated with the keyword “expand,” governs expansion in the mind, body, and environment. As the king of the gods, Jupiter represents joviality and a desire for knowledge, philosophical exploration, and a broad, abstract view of the world. Optimism and a sense of security drive individuals to seek higher education, travel, and engage in optimistic financial investments.

Saturn ♄ (to control)

Planet of Time, Discipline, Responsibilities and Hard Work

• limitation
• discipline
• responsibility
• rejection
• must do

The symbol for Saturn is an inverted version of the symbol for Jupiter, with the crescent of the moon below, signifying a focus on practicality. Saturn represents control, discipline, responsibility, and boundaries. In astrology, Saturn is often referred to as a “malefic” planet that brings challenges, but also indicates areas of deprivation and fear. Its Greek name, Cronos (Kronos) or Old Father Time, reflects its association with time and aging. Saturn rules the zodiac sign of Capricorn and co-rules Aquarius. It can also suggest delays or a shortage of time. On the other hand, its counterpart Jupiter represents expansion and growth, beyond the limitations of Saturn.

Chiron ⚷ (to bring out the fullest potential)

The Wounded Healer (The Great Teacher)

• to teach
• to unlock
• to find what is essential
• to reconcile opposites (shaman)
• to heal holistically

Chiron is a celestial object classified as either an asteroid or a comet, discovered on November 1, 1977 by Charles Kowal. Its symbol represents the interaction between spirit and matter, with the circle of spirit below the cross of matter. This signifies the ability of the spirit to transform ideas into tangible form, similar to Saturn. The symbol is asymmetrical, with the cross of matter being incomplete and lacking its opposite counterpart. Chiron orbits between Saturn and Uranus, regularly crossing the orbit of Saturn and occasionally crossing the orbit of Uranus. This reflects the influences of both Saturn, which brings awareness of problems, and Uranus, which brings insight for their solutions, in Chiron’s symbol.

Chiron was a legendary centaur in Greek mythology, who was unique in his intelligence and kind nature. He was half-man and half-horse, and was an accomplished teacher, instructing many famous Greek heroes in various arts including music, war, poetry, surgery, astrology, and healing. Chiron had a talent for guiding his pupils to realise their full potential and discover their destiny. Despite his pupils’ fame, Chiron remained a supportive character and never achieved greatness himself, embodying the phrase “the best teacher is one who is surpassed by their students.” He was a great educator who helped bring out the best in his students, leading them to surpass his own abilities.

One day, Chiron suffered a poisonous wound that left him in constant pain and suffering due to his immortality. In exchange for the release of Prometheus, who was punished by the gods for giving fire to humans and betraying their secrets, Chiron offered his own immortality and freedom from suffering. The gods accepted his offer and honored Chiron by placing him among the stars as the constellation Sagittarius.

The key phrases associated with Chiron’s role are “to bring out the fullest potential” and “to heal holistically.” Healing here refers to the restoration of various aspects of life, such as bodies, minds, lives, groups, societies, and environments. Chiron’s approach to healing is shamanistic, where he journeys to the underworld to retrieve lost souls or heals by bringing the unconscious into conscious awareness, thus unifying the whole in holistic healing. The symbol for Chiron has an incomplete cross of matter, representing the broken state that is healed through the reunion of the missing part. The idea of “bringing out the fullest potential” is similar to holistic healing in that both aim to find and reunite the missing part to achieve a sense of wholeness and reach one’s full potential.

Another way to express Chiron’s role is that he could assist his students in identifying what was required or missing in their lives to achieve greatness.

Chiron’s focus is on problem-solving. Problems are often dilemmas, where one thing conflicts with another. For example, one may desire to provide for their family but find that the only way to do so is to work long hours, resulting in less time spent with the family, leading to a conflict between providing for the family and being present for them.

Chiron can also bring about healing by exposing or uncovering hidden issues, which may cause temporary discomfort but ultimately leads to resolution. This could involve revealing a negative aspect in society that can be addressed and remedied.

Chiron is distinct from Uranus in that he is not necessarily a rebel, but rather a non-conformist who follows his own path independently, rather than rebelling against the norm like Uranus or blindly following convention like Saturn.

Like Saturn, Chiron is believed to influence subjective time.

Uranus ♅ (to deviate)

The Planet Of Revolution

• invention
• inspiration
• freedom
• awaken

The symbol for Uranus, ♅, is composed of two crescent shapes facing opposite directions. The cross of matter is balanced with the higher spirit, and the cross and lower circle resemble the symbol for Venus, but inverted. The two semi-circle shapes may represent a split circle or spirit. The symbol originally was simply the letter “H” for Sir William Herschel, who discovered Uranus on March 13, 1781.

Uranus is a celestial body in our solar system and is the co-ruler of the zodiac sign Aquarius, along with Saturn. It was discovered in 1781 and is considered to be the first of the modern planets. Uranus is associated with the keyword “deviate“, which can refer to drastic changes or originality and invention. The planet is known as the Planet of Revolution and its purpose is to bring about freedom, independence and remove restrictions. Uranus has the ability to awaken individuals from their mental complacency and liberate them. It governs aspects such as electricity and astrology. In mythology, Uranus was the sky-god who was married to Gaea, the Earth. He was later killed by his son, Cronos, also known as Saturn.

Neptune ♆ (to refine)

The Planet Of Transcendence

• transcendence
• delusion
• mystery
• capitulation
• dissolution

The symbol for Neptune is traditionally represented by a trident, ♆, with the crescent of spirit above the cross of matter.

Discovered in 1846 by French astronomer Urbain Leverrier, Neptune is considered to be a higher octave of Venus. Its keyword is “refine,” symbolizing the raising of something to a higher degree, often represented through ideals or illusions.

Neptune represents a transcending force beyond the physical world, often associated with religion and belief. In Greek mythology, Neptune was the god of the sea, and when our minds turn towards the refined and unworldly, we may be deceived. Neptune governs film, where flickering lights create the illusion of reality, as well as the arts of deception, mystery, and conjuring. The planet also symbolises glorious sacrifice, giving up the self for a higher cause, such as religion or ideology. This can also be interpreted as non-resistance, seen in martial arts such as judo.

The Greek God, Neptune, was the god of the seas and known for his shape-shifting ability to change his own form and that of others. In astrology, Neptune is associated with escapism, and it can be difficult to pin a Neptune person down. It also has the power to dissolve boundaries and limitations, making the impossible achievable. Neptune is linked to the use of alcohol and drugs, as well as the nebulous, illuminative, and impressionable qualities. It is the co-ruler of Pisces, along with Jupiter, and is known for its ability to dissolve barriers and conventions.

Pluto ♇ (to transform)

The Planet Of Transformation

• eliminate
• regenerate
• purge
• redeem

The symbol for Pluto, ♇, represents the circle of the spirit (represented by the sun) within and above the crescent of receptivity, which in turn is above the cross of matter. The symbol is based on the initials of Pluto’s discoverer, Percival Lowell, who discovered it in 1930. Pluto is considered a higher octave of Mars.

The planet Pluto, named after the Greek God of the underworld, represents transformation, particularly the transformation from one form of life to another, either through death or rebirth. The glyph for Pluto shows the sun, symbolizing spirit, within and above the crescent of receptivity, symbolizing transformation, which is above the cross of matter, symbolizing physical manifestation. Pluto is considered a higher octave of Mars and its energy is focused on the transformation and evolution of the self.

Pluto is known for its transformative power and is associated with regeneration and renewal. It represents a change from one state to another, often for the better. The planet is also linked to the hidden and the secret, things that are deeply buried and often dealt with through psychoanalysis or similar deep therapies.

In addition, Pluto is associated with atomic energy and its release of vast amounts of energy through the transformation of one element to another. This ties in with its association with sex and orgasm, which can result in a sudden explosion of energy. As a result, Pluto is also linked to aggression, passion, and conflict.

Pluto, associated with hidden and secret things, is concerned with both scientific and psychological secrets. In the realm of science, Pluto is interested in uncovering the secrets of life and death, as well as understanding the biological processes of the cell. It is also associated with life prolongation.

In the realm of the mind, Pluto deals with areas of shame, guilt, and skeletons in the closet, as well as areas of unfulfilled potential and possibilities that are often hidden from our conscious mind. This can lead to internal conflict and the revelation of both good and bad aspects of the self.

Pluto helps in uncovering these secrets and transforming them, allowing for growth and potential to be realised.

Pluto is associated with transformation, regeneration, elimination, purification, exposure, intensity, and extremes. As the god of the underworld, it is concerned with life and death, sex, and survival. In a natal chart, Pluto shows a person’s ability to cut through the surface and delve into deeper, more significant matters.

Pluto is considered neutral, neither good nor bad, as it destroys the old to make room for the new and better. It is associated with psychoanalysis and deep therapies, as well as atomic energy and sexual energy. It is also linked to secrets and hidden areas of the mind, including potentials and possibilities.

In astrology, Pluto represents the conflict between spiritual development and worldly living. As the ruler, or co-ruler with Mars, of Scorpio, it highlights the importance of cutting through to the essence and purifying one’s experiences.

Moon’s North Node ☊

The Moon’s North Node shows the path of a person’s destiny. It represents the direction, focus and way in which an individual is meant to evolve and fulfill their purpose in life.

Moon’s South Node ☋

The South Node of the Moon represents the past experiences, skills, and qualities that a person brings into this life, and can be utilized in achieving their destiny.

Part of Fortune ⊗

The Part of Fortune in a natal chart represents the areas where one will experience the most ease and good fortune. These are areas in which the individual is likely to be successful and lucky.

Time Spent By The Planets In Each Sign

Jupiter and the more distant planets spend a considerable amount of time in a single zodiac sign, which can result in the significance of the planet’s placement in that sign becoming more of a defining characteristic of a particular time period than a unique mark of an individual’s identity. Although these planets do have personal implications in terms of the astrological Houses, a placement such as Pluto in Scorpio does not necessarily hold a personalized meaning for everyone with this position in their birth chart.