Contents
Astrology Fundamentals
How to Understand Horoscopes
How to Calculate Your Horoscope
Signs of the Zodiac
The Planets
The Houses
The Aspects
Astrology and Compatibility
Astrology for Everyday Decisions
Astrology and Destiny
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The Planets
In astrology, the planets refer to the eight planets in our solar system (Earth is not included), as well as to the Sun and the Moon. Astrologers divide the planets into three major groups: inner, social, and outer (see below). Each planet rules (influences or is associated with) two key facets of every horoscope:
- One (or more) of the 12 signs of the zodiac
- One (or more) of the 12 houses of the horoscope
Each planet also rules over a few fixed parts of everyone’s life. Jupiter, for example, rules over higher education, religion, and travel. Though the specific parts of your life that each planet rules over remain fixed, the position of each planet with respect to the houses and signs is different in each person’s horoscope.
A planet’s location in your chart doesn’t change the meaning and influence of that planet, but it does change how that planet’s meaning gets expressed. For example, if Mars appears on the ascendant on your horoscope, an astrologer might analyze the meaning of Mars’s location in your chart as follows:
- Since Mars is on the ascendant, Mars describes your personal appearance and outward style, with which the ascendant is closely associated.
- Your personal appearance and outward style will likely be impulsive and unconventional since Mars rules over Aries, the sign associated with impulsive, unconventional traits and behaviors.
To find out the positions of planets in your horoscope, you can consult an ephemeris or have your horoscope calculated (see How to Calculate Your Horoscope).
The Inner Planets
The inner planets are the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and the Moon. Astrologers believe that these planets can help explain the personal and subjective parts of your character:
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The Sun: The Sun’s position in your horoscope represents the unchanging core of your identity—your ego, or sense of self. It also describes your father, your relationships with men in general, and your willpower. The Sun rules the sign Leo and the fifth house.
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The Moon: Represents your mother, your
attitudes toward women, your approach to food, your need for security, and your home. The Moon rules the sign Cancer and the fourth house.
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Mercury: Represents the ability to learn and to communicate what you know. Mercury rules the signs Gemini and Virgo and the third and sixth houses.
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Venus: Represents your relationship needs,
the partners you choose, your attitude toward money and possessions, and your ability to get along with others. It also influences your artistic expression, your sense of fairness, and your beauty. Venus rules the signs Taurus and Libra and the second and seventh houses.
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Mars: Represents your physical energy, ability
to fight, competitiveness, attitude toward young men, and sexuality. Mars rules the sign Aries and the first house and co-rules the sign Scorpio and the eighth house.
The Social Planets
The social planets represent the areas in which your personal needs and motivations come into contact with the societal forces, laws, and traditions of the outside world.
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Jupiter: Represents your approach to higher education, social constructs, philosophy, and religion. Jupiter rules the sign Sagittarius and the ninth house and co-rules the sign Pisces and the twelfth house.
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Saturn: Before the discovery of the outer
planets (see below), Saturn represented the known limits of the universe. It thus represents your attitude toward boundaries, limitations, and maturity. Saturn rules the sign Capricorn and the tenth house and co-rules the sign Aquarius and the eleventh house.
The Outer Planets
The outer planets, also known as the invisible planets, are the planets invisible to the naked eye from Earth. Their influence is considered collective and universal—they reveal generational trends and represent the spirit of the times.
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Uranus: Represents rebellion against the rules, conventions, and norms of society. Uranus rules the sign Aquarius and the eleventh house.
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Neptune: Represents spirituality, creative
inspiration, abstract thought, and both illusion and disillusion. Neptune rules the sign Pisces and the twelfth house.
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Pluto: Represents transformation, death, and
the insignificance of the individual. Pluto rules the sign Scorpio and the eighth house.
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