Ever meet two Virgos and think they are completely different? Or perhaps you know a Pisces who doesn't seem to fit the standard “sensitive artist” profile. That's because we're so much more than our Sun signs. In fact, at the time of our birth, all the planets in the solar system line up into different zodiac signs, creating unique blueprints for each person.
The planets represent various facets of our personality or life. Each one is connected with a different function, and depending on what sign they are in, the planet may roll along with ease . . . or not.
There are three different groupings: personal planets, social planets, and the outer planets.
Each planet has a role to play. All of the zodiac signs have a “ruling planet,” which means the planet is “at home” in the sign because it shares certain characteristics. Here's the rundown:
Sun: The Sun rules your basic personality. This is your ego and will, the “core” of who you are. The Sun also rules the men in your life or the masculine element in you. When you read your horoscope in the paper, that's your Sun sign. The Sun rules the sign Leo.
Moon: The Moon rules emotions, intuition, and how you express your feelings. It also shows how you parent and your relationship with your mother. This is the feminine side of your personality. The Moon gives clues to what a man might be seeking in a relationship. The Moon rules the sign Cancer.
Mercury: Named after the messenger of the gods, Mercury symbolizes communication, intellectual reasoning, and how we learn. Mercury rules the signs Gemini and Virgo.
Venus: Venus describes how we love. This is our romantic side, but it's not limited to amour. It can show how we relate to all sorts o' people, from our partners in love to our partners in crime! Venus also symbolizes beauty, leisure, and how we like to spend our cash. This is the receptive, feminine side of sex. Venus rules Taurus and Libra.
Mars: Fiery Mars symbolizes what drives us—including our sex drive! It's also energy, ambition, and war. Think: lust and aggression. (Note: Always check a person's Mars before engaging in a fight with them. There are some people you just don't mess with—Mars in Scorpio for one.) Mars is where I look to see what a woman might need in a relationship. Mars rules Aries and Scorpio.
Jupiter: Jupiter rules our potential. This is where we have oodles of talent or good luck. It's where we can expand. This is also the planet of gambling, risks, philosophy, publishing, and travel. Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces.
Saturn: Saturn gets a bad rap because it's the planet of hurdles, limitations, karma, and lessons. This is where we have to learn the hard way—but if you master Saturn, you master your life (or yourself!). It's all about discipline, baby. Work with Saturn, and you create your own luck! Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius.
Uranus: Cool Uranus rules technology, modern life, drastic changes, eccentricity, and freedom. This is the David Bowie “Rebel Rebel” planet. It's where the highly original stuff comes out to play. Uranus rules Aquarius.
Neptune: Neptune represents our illusions, imagination, spirituality, beliefs, creative force, and addictions. It's groovy, man, but if not kept in check can lead to escapism. Neptune rules Pisces.
Pluto: This is the planet of transformation and rebirth. This is a powerful planet and where the potential for deep, lasting change lies. This is how we deal with themes of power. Pluto rules Scorpio.
It's important not only to learn about the planets and signs but also to memorize those symbols because you're going to be looking at them a lot. The way I learned? Drawing them again and again and again. Repetition works!
Without looking, try to name the symbols.
Grab your birth chart and write the names of the planets and zodiac signs next to the symbols in your chart.
Then list the signs your planets are in as well as high and low vibes for each.
For example:
My Sun is in Gemini. When I'm operating on the high vibe, I'm curious, intelligent, and witty. When I'm operating on the low vibe, I'm gossipy, flaky, and unreliable.
My Moon is in Scorpio. When I'm operating on the high vibe, my emotions are deep, intense, and intuitive. When I'm operating on the low vibe, my emotions are vindictive, jealous, and angry.
My Venus is in Cancer. When I'm operating on the high vibe, my love is nurturing, loving, and sentimental. When I'm operating on the low vibe, my love is clingy, moody, and controlling.
See how this works?
Your turn!
My Sun is in______________________________ . When I'm operating on the high vibe, I'm _________________________________________________________________________ . When I'm operating on the low vibe, I'm_______________________________________ .
My Moon is in_____________________________ . When I'm operating on the high vibe, my emotions are ______________________________________________________________ . When I'm operating on the low vibe, my emotions are ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ .
My Mercury is in _______________________________ . When I'm operating on the high vibe, my thinking is _____________________________________________________________ . When I'm operating on the low vibe, my thinking is______________________________ .
My Venus is in_____________________________ . When I'm operating on the high vibe, my loving style is _____________________________________________________________ . When I'm operating on the low vibe, my loving style is ___________________________ .
My Mars is in ______________________________ . When I'm operating on the high vibe, my energy is expressed_________________________________________________________ . When I'm operating on the low vibe, my energy is expressed_______________________________________________________________________________________________ .
My Jupiter is in ______________________________ . I experience luck in these ways: _______________________________________________________________________________ .
My Saturn is in _____________________________ . I experience limitations and lessons in these ways: _______________________________________________________________ .
My Uranus is in ____________________________ . My generation experiences changes in these areas:_______________________________________________________________ .
My Neptune is in ___________________________________ . My generation experiences spirituality and creativity in these areas: _________________________________________________ .
My Pluto is in ___________________________________ . My generation experiences transformation in these areas:_____________________________________________________________.
Do you see any patterns or truths emerging? Which planets and zodiac placements seem to be the most like you? Which don't seem to make any sense at all? Why do you think that is?