In East Asian philosophy and especially in the practice of acupuncture, there is an energy known as qi, pronounced “chee.” This is the life force or vital energy that flows through the human body along channels known as meridians connecting all of our major organs. It is interesting that in the meridian system, there are twelve major meridians related to the major organs in the body, just as there are twelve astrological signs. The ten planets rule these signs, with Mercury and Venus assigned rulership of two signs each. The planets travel along intuitive meridians not visible to the naked eye. These energy highways can allow our consciousness to bathe in harmony. When we don’t flow with the positive or constructive movement of these intuitive meridians, or pathways, we can experience discord or a lack of harmony. When we make the right connections, our life is a wonderful and creative reality.
The Planetary Meridian Orchestra within You
It is important to remember that it is possible to activate the meridian energies at any time in your life. Each of us, in my opinion, has reached a point in time when we can move into what I call an “evolutionary intuition.” There is an orchestra of intuition within you, as symbolized and powered by the planets. Think of yourself as the conductor of this orchestra. You can call on a planet, or more than one simultaneously, to accomplish your goals.
Each of the planets in astrology acts as a catalyst to guide us into using our intuition in a particular way that corresponds to its symbolism. It is as though each planet knows it is on a special mission to attract our interest in intuition. Each has its own scent to get our attention. Try to think of a planet as entering into a partnership with your Sun sign to lead you into greater intuitive awareness. Or you might want to think of it as your consciousness aligning with the intuitive messages the planets may be sending. The planets act as gatekeepers and even portals that lead us to deeper experiences of intuition. Each is a type of electrical circuit or activator that stimulates greater intuitive awareness. The astrological signs respond to the intuitive currents that planets send them. This will become more apparent as you read the sign chapters. There is a constant interchange of energy between these two great agents of intuition. The planets stimulate the signs to receive their energies. The signs in turn try to become allies to refine the intuitive messages sent by the planets into even clearer expression, allowing us to more accurately translate this energy into practical use.
Let’s take a look at the planetary cast of characters.
Sun Meridian
Purpose: Creative Expression
Element: Fire
Sign Ruled: Leo
The Sun meridian is a strong force to activate your self-expression. Though the Sun is the closest star to Earth, it is commonly referred to as a planet. Just as the Sun in the sky defines the very solar system in which we live and gives its light and heat to sustain life on Earth, likewise the Sun meridian denotes your central life force and ability to energize and define a creative self. Therefore, the Sun sign represents your core identity or ego. The Sun symbolizes a need to exhibit the ego strength or willpower to shine in the world. It is a driving force to point the way to demonstrate your talents confidently.
In astrology, the Sun rules the heart of the human body, and in a sense it is the heart of your creative expression. The Sun meridian shows the particular path or life direction that you must recognize to manifest a true display of your creative power. The Sun meridian represents the colorful manner through which you make choices to define and expand your internal and external worlds. It is important for you to manifest your Sun energy in order to properly energize your psyche.
The nature of the Sun symbolism is similar to the cellular structure of the human heart. It denotes your need to fall in love with the creative process and life itself. There is feeling and emotion pumping in your heart as much as blood. Lined within these heartfelt feelings in the Sun meridian is pure golden intuition. As you will see in the sign chapters, it depends on your actual Sun sign as to how this meridian might manifest for you.
Moon Meridian
Purpose: Creating a Home and Expressing Feelings
Element: Water
Sign Ruled: Cancer
The Moon meridian is there to help you find your way through life by tuning in to your instincts. Though the Moon in the sky actually contains no water, the sea-like images or craters upon its surface, which are especially visible at the Full Moon, correspond to astrological symbolism rich in emotional and intuitive water.
The Moon denotes your innate drive to establish roots, family, intimacy, and a sense of security. How might this work with your Sun meridian capacity to embrace intuition as a vibrant creative force? The Moon guides you to trust your feelings. Expressing emotions as a way to create clear communication is connected to the Moon meridian. You may not necessarily have a solid logic when riding your Moon frequency, but you may still be on target in pursuing a goal. The Moon coaxes you to let go and ride waves of intuition to secure your present and future. Your subconscious is represented by the Moon’s symbolism. Even your moods are stimulated by this planet. The Moon is a key player in allowing you to feel nurtured by your intuition.
Finding the home that best matches your needs is influenced by the Moon meridian. The intuitive side of the Moon can guide you to create a living space that allows your intuition to work more harmoniously. Think of this as creating the right feng shui or sacred space in your residence that stimulates your mind and spirit to channel intuitive power more smoothly.
Mercury Meridian
Purpose: Mental Insights
Elements: Air and Earth
Signs Ruled: Gemini and Virgo
Each of us has a conscious mind, or logical left-brain hemisphere, as depicted by the Mercury meridian. The winged messenger allows you to be curious about life. This planet is a multitasking giant, showing you how to juggle more than one activity at a time and still maintain your sense of direction. It sends you forward to drink from a multitude of life experiences. Mercury helps you sift through ideas to see which might best meet your needs and lead to the desired result.
This is the planet that rules communication. It is the part of your intellect that may make you a great networker in relaying information to others. This mentally restless heavenly body weaves its insights into your own thinking. Perception is the hallmark of Mercury. Your ability to be adaptable and accept change is increased by Mercury’s influence. Resisting change may limit your growth. Mercury tells you not to fear acquiring new knowledge to keep your brain sharp. Staying young in spirit is easier when tuning in to the Mercury meridian terrain full of its exciting mental networks.
My friend and fellow Llewellyn author Diane Brandon wrote the very insightful book Intuition for Beginners. She describes how we don’t have to choose between using our logical left brain and our more highly attuned intuitive right brain. Ms. Brandon says it is a mistake to think you must be either logical or intuitive. She makes a great point that our brains are designed for the two hemispheres to work together in harmony. I totally agree with her.
Mercury shows that a certain degree of mental toughness is needed to reach your creative intuition. The Mercury meridian works with you intuitively in that you can evolve into experiencing an altered or shift in perception to gain new insights.
Venus Meridian
Purpose: Relationship Tendencies
Elements: Earth and Air
Signs Ruled: Taurus and Libra
Relationship-oriented Venus guides you to find harmony in your people connections. There is a social drive in this planet unlike in any of the others. You want to reach out and touch someone. This love goddess meridian can send you intuitive messages on how to seek a soul mate. Venus inspires you to find like-minded peers and a suitable partner, whether in romance, friendship, or business. There is an innate need to search for those with similar or at least compatible values. The desire for companionship and social stimulation comes under the domain of this smooth-moving planet.
Venus can fill you with a love of the arts. Your aesthetic talent can blossom when you respond to the muse-like intuitive wave of energy sent by this planet. When connecting with Venus, some people excel in design, image consulting, art, music, or even cooking.
Another side of Venus is a desire for peace and comfort. Learning to relax and recharge your battery is part of the Venusian experience. Venus guides you to balance action and rest, to push or pause. Finding the correct balance keeps you healthy and happy. Learning to reward yourself for doing hard work is wise.
Some people respond to the Venus pulse by starting a business. Balancing a budget comes naturally. Knowing how to market skills and get that message out to the public can be shown passionately and with great wisdom. Being a diplomat in negotiating with others can become a talent.
Mars Meridian
Purpose: Initiating Action
Element: Fire
Sign Ruled: Aries
The Mars meridian pushes you to be more assertive and courageous. Mars is connected to expressing anger. When you are being direct in what you want, then you are more than likely pulling from Mars energy. When you are impatient to get your needs met or at least feeling strongly about this, then once again, you are probably expressing this fiery red planet. After all, in mythology, Mars was the god of war. Learning to become patient or less impulsive is a Mars issue. When you get better at tuning in to Mars’s intuitive energy, your ability to act quickly on an idea becomes sharper. Knowing which battles to fight and which to bypass comes with intuitively tuning in to a clearer expressions of Mars. When this planet becomes your friend rather than a nagging adversary, you find a dynamic energy expression at your fingertips.
Identity is a Mars keyword. You gain a greater sense of your self-image when understanding your emotional intensity. As you evolve into your higher self, your actions symbolize this growth. People respond with cooperation when they get the idea that you are trying to create win-win situations. Self-absorption is the shadow side of Mars, meaning you are only looking out for your own self-interests. The shadow turns into light when selfishness is converted into seeking harmony through your actions with others. Where or how does intuition come into the picture to remedy the problem? It is when you allow yourself enough time to take control of a situation. Slowing down your reaction or response time is a sign that your intuition is being used to solve a problem or help find a solution to a question. However, if you are being too passive, this fiery meridian will push you to speak your mind. Mars challenges you to slow down into a rhythm to capture its messages. If you are moving too slowly in your life, this planet can inspire you with intense waves of motivating intuition to move faster.
Jupiter Meridian
Purpose: Expanding Knowledge
Element: Fire
Sign Ruled: Sagittarius
Jupiter is the largest planet in the universe. Astronomers say that all of the other planets could fit inside this very large planet. The Jupiter meridian represents fiery enthusiasm. When we make use of the intuition provided by happy-go-lucky Jupiter, we attract good fortune through optimism. Jupiter rules the liver in the human body, which is the largest organ. The liver filters out toxins. When you manifest positive energy, you are deleting negative thought patterns. This cosmic gypsy can lead you to travel on the mental and physical levels in exciting ways. The intuitive waves this planet sends to you will inspire you to learn and seek knowledge. You might become inspired to teach what you know to others. People may perceive you to be an excellent counselor or advisor.
When you make use of the Jupiter meridian, you can attract good luck. Thinking positive thoughts creates successful outcomes and makes for a more enjoyable ride through life. A bit of moderation is required at times to make sure you don’t become overexpansive and bite off more than you can chew. Exploring life in an eclectic way keeps you energized and mentally stimulated.
Saturn Meridian
Purpose: Career and Ambition
Element: Earth
Sign Ruled: Capricorn
The Saturn meridian is lined with focus and pragmatism, offering you a reliable grounding wire. Seriousness saturates this planet’s meaning in astrology. Yet astronomers say that if Saturn fell from the sky, it would be light enough to float on an ocean. This means there must be a way to alleviate the worries you face when feeling overwhelmed by responsibility and work. Ambition is stimulated by Saturn, and career goals are encouraged by Saturn in a big way. This meridian targets your mind with an intuitive strategy for success. When you utilize the intuition manufactured by Saturn, you can accomplish goals that require your greatest effort.
The challenge in making use of the Saturn meridian is not fearing to take that first step toward a goal. The magic comes when you move forward, even in the face of adversity or obstacles. Saturn asks you to create a structure for intuition to manifest through you. Just don’t become too rigid. Make a plan, but stay flexible. Moving beyond the rings of caution that surround this planet can take some courage and determination. Adaptability and accepting change are the lubricants that allow Saturn, the cosmic chiropractor, to guide you to make the adjustments necessary to become a success.
Uranus Meridian
Purpose: Future Goals and Inventiveness
Element: Air
Sign Ruled: Aquarius
The Uranus meridian stimulates you to think in terms of new, exciting goals. Uranus was the first planet discovered in modern times. It was first spotted in 1781, between the American and French revolutions, hence its symbolism connected to freedom and individuality. Another theme is this planet’s association with new technologies and innovative thinking. The social media being used by people all over the world to connect with each other and share ideas is definitely a Uranian idea.
Uranus orbits on its side, while the other planets travel in a straight up-and-down, more vertical posture. This unique planet is capable of exciting your nervous system and mind like no other. Uranus can send your insights in new directions at the speed of light. The Uranus meridian will tempt you into spontaneously changing direction and perhaps reinventing yourself. Thinking outside the box is the essence of Uranian intuition. You can develop a sixth sense of intuitive vision that allows you to see the world through new eyes. This can make it possible for you to have new perceptions about your potential and bring a surprise or two to your door. Don’t fear marching to the beat of your own drum when this insightful planet comes calling with its bolts of cosmic lightning.
Neptune Meridian
Purpose: Creative Imagination and Idealism
Element: Water
Sign Ruled: Pisces
The Neptune meridian excites your creative imagination. Encouragement to believe in your ideals is inspired by Neptune. This planet quietly guides you to still your mind in order to sense its intuitive footsteps. The Neptune meridian is the hero of the collective unconscious, activating your innermost being to tap into the ideas that will best arouse your higher consciousness. Neptune sends intuition into your mind, taking you out of your usual routines and normal ways of operating so you can become recharged. In astrology, Neptune rules sleep and altered states of consciousness, such as what can be achieved through meditation. This planet encourages you to seek ways to relax your mind. Healers, artists, and those with psychic ability respond enthusiastically to this planet’s meridian influence. Neptune stimulates a transcendental or magical type of energy in us when we fall in love with a person or get inspired by a beautiful experience of nature or a heartfelt life mission. Anyone can become more intuitive by entering the corridors of this meridian and walking along the same path with this magical presence. Neptune, the cosmic dreamer, lends an intense idealism and romanticism. It encourages your search for spirituality and a sense of unity with life. Escapism is the shadow that can surface when running in the wrong direction with Neptune energy. Faith and belief in yourself leads you to a clearer use of Neptune’s intuitive gifts.
Neptune guides you on how to slip into other levels of mental awareness that take you out of ordinary time and space. The Neptune meridian puts you into a magical world, as though you are finding the door through the mists of Avalon from the King Arthur legend. It’s as though your inner voice guides you to this place when riding on the Neptune meridian thruway.
Pluto Meridian
Purpose: Personal Empowerment and Passion
Element: Water
Sign Ruled: Scorpio
The Pluto meridian sends intuitive power that allows you to penetrate with laser-like intensity through any obstacles in front of you. This planet infuses your creative passion powerfully. A sense of personal empowerment blossoms to increase your self-confidence. The survival instincts connected to Pluto really have no rival. Business savvy is another Pluto theme. Rebirth and personal transformation may become your reality when tuning in to Pluto magic. Pluto takes you deep into your psyche. The intuition offered by this planet has a cleansing effect that rids you of self-defeating thoughts so a new dawn can manifest. Self-mastery launches you into new insights. Career goals become clarified and a heightened marketing ability may blossom. Pluto intuition ignites your passion onto a bold new inspirational highway.
The Pluto meridian offers you a business and problem-solving capability. You can figure your way out of troublesome situations with poise. The desire to research your favorite life passions intensifies.
This meridian shows you how to deal with loss and teaches you valuable life lessons. The Pluto meridian has a way of strengthening your inner clarity when you are willing to let go of the past and embrace a new present. This planet guides you toward a deeper understanding of the processes of life.
Your Cosmic Mirror Planet
There is a planet for your Sun sign that acts as a cosmic mirror, or mirroring agent, to help you intuitively maintain a clear perspective about your current and future goals. This is the planet that rules the Sun sign opposite your own Sun sign. Your own cosmic mirror planet will be discussed in the dawn section of your sign chapter. For instance, the cosmic mirror planet of Aries is the planet Venus and is discussed in the dawn section of the Aries chapter. The following table identifies your cosmic mirror planet for you.
Think of your cosmic mirror planet as a special helper or even partner that offers intuitive guidance in clarifying your goals. Life is often a balancing act, and when we are in challenging circumstances, the cosmic mirror planet can be the lighthouse offering the light to see your way out of the darkness.
|
Sun Sign |
Ruling Planet |
Opposite Sign |
Cosmic Mirror Planet |
|
Aries |
Mars |
Libra |
Venus |
|
Taurus |
Venus |
Scorpio |
Pluto |
|
Gemini |
Mercury |
Sagittarius |
Jupiter |
|
Cancer |
Moon |
Capricorn |
Saturn |
|
Leo |
Sun |
Aquarius |
Uranus |
|
Virgo |
Mercury |
Pisces |
Neptune |
|
Libra |
Venus |
Aries |
Mars |
|
Scorpio |
Pluto |
Taurus |
Venus |
|
Sagittarius |
Jupiter |
Gemini |
Mercury |
|
Capricorn |
Saturn |
Cancer |
Moon |
|
Aquarius |
Uranus |
Leo |
Sun |
|
Pisces |
Neptune |
Virgo |
Mercury |
Your Final Departure for the Sign Chapters
If you are new to astrology, you might want to refer back to this chapter—which describes the planets and their meridians—as you read a sign chapter. You will be shown how the planets inspire your Sun sign to dig a little deeper into intuitive awareness. There is no right or wrong way to learn how to trust your intuition. There is no set time table for developing your intuition on a deeper level. It comes with practice and trusting your ability to make use of this very valuable energy. Let it become an ally, a friend, and the path to new growth, and you will discover an evolutionary intuition.
Bon voyage!