Planets

The Planets

The practice of astrology involves the study of how celestial bodies, such as planets and stars, and their movements in relation to the Sun influence the lives of those on earth. There are ten major planets, or stars, on which the main focus of astrology lies which include the sun, the moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, all of which have a specific function. In addition to the ten planets, there are several additional heavenly bodies that many astrologers recognize as having specific functions and influences.

Astrologers examine the way the planets move throughout the sky and how it can influence the life of individuals down on earth. These celestial movements can also be used to interpret past events, understand the present, and predict the possibilities of the future. If you are familiar with ancient Roman mythology, you may notice a similarity between the names of the gods and goddesses, the planets of the solar system, and the functions that each represent. Below is a list of the ten classical planets and a brief description of what their functions and influences commonly are in astrology.

The Sun

The Sun represents the inner self, or what a person is at heart, and rules Leo. When the Sun appears in a person’s reading that person is generally more likely to be a bit theatrical, authoritative, outgoing, and filled with vitality. In other words, this planet functions as an indicator of how a person asserts himself in general. The Sun also indicates how a person will relate to men in general with special focus on the father.

The Moon

The Moon rules Cancer and represents the emotions and feelings of a person. A person’s unconscious drives, habits, instincts, receptivity, imagination, and basic tone are all functions of the Moon. Those people with a strong Moon presence in their charts will have pronounced mood swings and be very intuitive. The Moon also indicates how a person will relate to women in general, particularly the mother and is an influence on people’s ability to change or perceive time and rhythm.

Mercury

Mercury is the planet that rules Gemini and Virgo while representing common sense, rationality, reason, and order. Mercury has a direct effect on how a person thinks, speaks, gathers information, and communicates. This planet is highly influential in the process of learning, skills, and evaluation. People who have a strong Mercury influence may spend a lot of time on the phone or emailing.

Venus

Just as with the Roman goddess of love, the planet Venus which rules both Libra and Taurus represents love and a person’s ability to express affection. Venus also represents artistic taste, possessions, happiness, sociability, eroticism, pleasure, harmony, beauty, and aesthetic awareness. Individuals with a strong Venus influence can be quite charming.

Mars

Mars, like the Roman god of war, represents aggression, drive, and energy of a person. People that have a strong Mars influence will usually be energetic, active, aggressive, and assertive since the planet also has a direct effect on the drive, determination, impulsiveness, and readiness of a person. This influence also affects a person’s level of courage. Aries is ruled by Mars.

Jupiter

Jupiter, which rules Sagittarius, influences a person’s ability to grasp general principles and ideas. It also influences optimism, meaning and purpose, hope, growth, justice, faith, spiritual expansion, and security. Jupiter often is associated with the urge for freedom and is known to govern long distance, higher education, religion, and foreign travel.

Saturn

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn. Saturn is the planet that influences caution, fear, ambition, determination, and contraction. Essentially, Saturn directly affects the way a person experiences the real world including personal resistances and limitations. Without Saturn a person would not be able to understand his or her conscience, moral conviction, or how and why we should follow rules. In most cases business people, doctors, and scientists have a strong Saturn influence.

Uranus

Uranus is often referred to as the “rebel” planet because it represents a person’s drive for freedom and originality. It is the ruling planet of the sign Aquarius and simply opposes any type of established order. Other characteristics that this planet can influence include intuition, sudden inspiration, and insightfulness. People with a strong Uranus influence are those that tend to think outside the box and may be considered eccentric, insane, or genius.

Neptune

Neptune is the planet that rules Pisces, but it is also the planet that rules the imagination and illusion as well. Often, Neptune is associated with the supersensory experiences a person may have, mystical perceptions, and transcendental beliefs. Those people with a strong Neptune influence will often be imaginative, sensitive, and creative. Additionally, because Neptune influences the imagination it is also associated with drug use and even substance abuse.

Pluto

Pluto is the planet that rules Scorpio and is directly involved in death, sex, and regeneration. Essentially, Pluto represents the extremes of every situation including the way a person deals with power both personally and professionally. Pluto is heavily involved in the cycles of life and death and represents radical change. People with a strong Pluto influence will often have a few extremes and are very strong. Most people would not want to anger a person with a strong Pluto influence.

The ten planets play a role in the lives of every person, though some may do so more directly than others. In addition to these ten classical planets, there are several other celestial bodies that many astrologers recognize as being influential. These include the greater asteroids known as Chiron, Pallas, Ceres, Juno, and Vesta.

Depending on the beliefs of the particular astrologer, the source and basis of a planet’s power and influence will vary. It is often thought that each planet exerts its power through gravitational pull or some other greater power. On the flip side, it is also thought that the planets are simply mirrors of the basic organizational principles of the universe. Regardless of which school of thought you belong to, there is no mistaking that the planets do play a serious role in all of astrology.

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