Classical planets
The seven
classical planets are those easily seen with the naked eye, and were thus known to ancient astrologers. They are the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Sometimes, the Sun and moon were referred to as "the lights" or the "
luminaries".
Ceres and
Uranus can also just be seen with the naked eye, though no ancient culture appears to have taken note of them. The astrological descriptions attached to the seven classical planets have been preserved since ancient times. Astrologers call the seven classical planets "the seven personal and social planets", because they are said to represent the basic human drives of every individual.
The personal planets are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Venus, while the social, or transpersonal, planets are Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter and Saturn are often called "transpersonal" or "transcendent" planets as they represent a transition from the inner personal planets to the outer modern, impersonal planets. The outer
modern planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are often called the collective or transcendental planets.
The following is a list of the planets and their associated characteristics.
Sun
The Sun (
) is the planetary
ruler of
Leo and is
exalted in
Aries. In Greek and Roman mythology, the Sun is represented by
Apollo, the god of light. The Sun is the star at the center of our solar system, around which the Earth and other planets revolve, and provides us with heat and light.
The arc that the Sun travels in every year, rising and setting in a slightly different place each day, is therefore in reality a reflection of the Earth's own orbit around the Sun. This arc is larger the farther north or south from the equator the latitude is, giving a more extreme difference between day and night and between seasons during the year.
The Sun travels through the twelve signs of the zodiac on its annual journey, spending about a month in each. The Sun's position on a person's birthday therefore determines what is usually called his or her "sun" sign.
Astrologically, the Sun is usually thought to represent the conscious
ego, the
self and its expression, personal power, pride, and authority; leadership qualities; and the principles of creativity, spontaneity, health, and vitality, the sum of which is named the "life force".
The 1st-century poet
Marcus Manilius in his epic, 8000-verse poem,
Astronomica, described the
Sun, or
Sol, as benign and favorable. In medicine, the Sun is associated with the heart, circulatory system,
and the thymus. In modern astrology, the Sun is the ruler of the fifth
house.
The Sun is associated with Sunday.
Dante Alighieri associated the Sun with the
liberal art of music. In
Chinese astrology, the Sun represents
Yang, the active, assertive masculine life principle. In
Indian astrology, the Sun is called
Surya, and represents the soul, kingship, highly placed persons, and father.
Moon
The
Moon (
) is the ruling planet of
Cancer and is exalted in
Taurus. In Roman mythology, the Moon is represented by
Diana, the hunter goddess. The Moon is large enough for its gravity to affect the Earth, stabilizing its orbit and producing the regular ebb and flow of the tides. The lunar day syncs up with its orbit around Earth in such a manner that the same side of the Moon always faces the Earth and the other side, known as the "
far side of the Moon" faces towards space.
Astrologically the Moon is associated with a person's emotional make-up,
unconscious habits, rhythms, memories and moods, and their ability to react and adapt to those around them. It is also associated with the mother, maternal instincts or the urge to nurture, the home, the need for security, and the past, especially early experiences and childhood.
The 1st-century poet Manilius, described the Moon or
Luna, as melancholic. In medicine, the Moon is associated with the digestive system, stomach, breasts, the ovaries, and menstruation (which does occur on a monthly cycle),
and the pancreas. Despite Manilius' assignation, the Moon is commonly associated with the
phlegmatic humor; it ruled the
animal spirits together with Mercury. In modern astrology, the Moon is the ruler of the fourth
house. Traditionally, it ruled the seventh house, the house of partnership, and had "joy" in the third house of neighbors. Dante Alighieri associated Luna with the liberal art of
grammar.
The Moon or
Luna is associated with Monday, and in Romance languages, the name for Monday comes from
luna (e.g.,
luni in Romanian,
lundi in French,
de lunes in Spanish and
lunedi in Italian).
In
Chinese astrology, the Moon represents
Yin, the passive and receptive feminine life principle. In
Indian astrology, the Moon is called
Chandra or
Soma and represents the mind, queenship, and mother. The north
lunar node (called
Rahu) and the south
lunar node (called
Ketu) are considered to be of particular importance, and are given an equal place alongside the seven classical planets as part of the nine
navagraha. Also unique to Indian astrology is the system of 27 (or 28) lunar stations or "mansions" called
nakshatra, which are believed to be of major importance in indicating the life path of the individual.
Mercury
Mercury (
) is the
ruling planet of
Gemini and
Virgo, and is exalted in the latter and possibly in
Aquarius. In Roman mythology,
Mercury is the messenger of the gods, noted for his speed and swiftness. Echoing this, the scorching, airless world Mercury circles the Sun on the fastest orbit of any planet. Mercury takes only 88 days to orbit the Sun, spending about 7.33 days in each sign of the zodiac. Mercury is so close to the Sun that only a brief period exists after the Sun has set where it can be seen with the naked eye, before following the Sun beyond the horizon.
Astrologically, Mercury represents the principles of communication, mentality, thinking patterns, rationality and reasoning, and adaptability and variability. Mercury governs schooling and education; the immediate environment of neighbors, siblings and cousins; transport over short distances; messages and forms of communication such as post, email and telephone; newspapers, journalism and writing, information gathering skills, and physical dexterity.
The 1st-century poet Manilius described Mercury as an inconstant, vivacious, and curious planet. In medicine, Mercury is associated with the nervous system, the brain, the respiratory system, the thyroid, and the sense organs. It is traditionally held to be essentially cold and dry, but variable in
temperament, according to its placement in the zodiac and in any aspects to other planets. It is linked to the
animal spirits, alongside the Moon.
Today, Mercury is regarded as the ruler of the third and sixth houses; traditionally, it ruled the 6th house, and had joy in the first house. Mercury is the messenger of the gods in mythology. It is the planet of day-to-day expression and relationships. Mercury's action is to take things apart and put them back together again. It is an opportunistic planet, decidedly unemotional and curious.
Mercury rules over Wednesday. In Romance languages, the word for Wednesday is often similar to Mercury (
miercuri in Romanian,
mercredi in French,
miercoles in Spanish and "mercoledì" in Italian). Dante Alighieri associated Mercury with the liberal art of
dialectic.In Chinese astrology, Mercury is ruled by the element
water, which is diplomatic, kind, and intuitive. In Indian astrology, Mercury is called
Budha, a word related to
Buddhi ("intelligence"), and represents communication.
Venus
Venus (
) is the ruling planet of
Taurus and
Libra, and is exalted in
Pisces. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite (Αφροδίτη), In roman mythology,
Venus is the goddess of love and beauty, famous for the passions she could stir among the gods. Venus orbits the Sun in 225 days, spending about 18.75 days in each sign of the zodiac. Venus is the second brightest object in the night sky, the Moon being the brightest.
Astrologically, Venus is associated with the principles of harmony, beauty, balance, feelings and affections, and the urge to sympathize and unite with others. It is involved with the desire for pleasure, sensuality, personal possessions, comfort, and ease. It governs romantic relations, marriage and business partnerships, sex (the origin of the words 'venery' and 'venereal'), the arts, fashion, and social life.
The 1st-century poet Marcus Manilius described Venus as generous and fecund, and the lesser
benefic.
In medicine, Venus is associated with the lumbar region, the veins, parathyroids, throat, and kidneys. Venus was thought to be moderately warm and moist, and was associated with the
phlegmatic humor. Venus is the modern ruler of the second and seventh houses, but traditionally ruled the fifth and twelve houses.
Venus is the planet of Friday.
In languages deriving from Latin, such as Romanian, Spanish, French, and Italian, the word for Friday often resembles the word Venus (
vineri,
viernes ,
vendredi, and "venerdì" respectively). Dante Alighieri associated Venus with the liberal art of
rhetoric.
In
Chinese astrology, Venus is associated with the element
metal (or gold), which is unyielding, strong, and persistent. In
Indian astrology, Venus is known as
Shukra and represents wealth, pleasure, and reproduction. In
Norse Paganism, the planet is associated to
Freyja, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
Mars
Mars outside the Villa Adriana
(
) is the ruling planet of
Aries and, in traditional western astrology,
Scorpio, and is exalted in
Capricorn.
Mars is the Roman god of war and bloodshed, whose symbol is a spear and shield. Both the soil of Mars and the hemoglobin of human blood are rich in iron, and because of this they share its distinct deep red color.
Mars orbits the Sun in 687 days, spending about 57.25 days in each sign of the zodiac. It is also the first planet that orbits outside of Earth's orbit, making it the first planet that does not set along with the Sun.
Astrologically, Mars is associated with confidence and self assertion, aggression, sexuality, energy, strength, ambition, and impulsiveness. Mars governs sports, competitions and physical activities in general. The 1st-century poet Manilius, described the planet as ardent, and as the lesser
malefic. In medicine, Mars presides over the
genitals, the muscular system, the gonads, and adrenal glands. It was traditionally held to be hot and excessively dry, and ruled the
choleric humor. It was associated with fever, accidents, trauma, pain, and surgery. In modern astrology, Mars is said to rule the first and eighth houses; traditionally, however, Mars ruled the third and tenth houses. While Venus tends to the overall relationship atmosphere, Mars is the passionate impulse and action, the masculine aspect, discipline, will-power, and stamina.
Before the discovery of
Pluto, it was universally considered the ruler of
Scorpio. Most modern astrologers consider Pluto the ruler of Scorpio, but many regard Mars as a co-ruler, while all traditional astrologers still regard Mars as the only ruler of Scorpio.
Mars is associated with Tuesday, and in Romance languages the word for Tuesday often resembles Mars (in Romanian,
marţi , in Spanish,
martes, in French,
mardi and in Italian "martedì"). Dante Alighieri associated Mars with the liberal art of
arithmetic. In Chinese astrology, Mars is ruled by the element
fire, which is passionate, energetic, and adventurous. In
Indian astrology, Mars is called
Mangala and represents energy, confidence, and ego.
Jupiter
Jupiter and Thetis (1811), Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, huile sur toile, Aix-en-Provence, musée Granet (
) is the ruling planet of
Sagittarius, and, in traditional western astrology, also the ruler of
Pisces, and is exalted in
Cancer. In Roman mythology,
Jupiter is the ruler of the gods and their guardian and protector, and his symbol is the thunderbolt. In the same way, the planet Jupiter is the king of the other planets, a giant in size with spectacular, brightly colored clouds and intense storms.
Astronomers believe that it plays an important protecting role in using its massive gravity to capture or expel from the solar system many comets and asteroids that would otherwise threaten Earth and the inner planets.
Jupiter takes 11.9 years to orbit the Sun, spending almost an earth year (361 days) in each sign of the zodiac.
Astrologically, Jupiter is associated with the principles of growth, expansion, prosperity, and good fortune. Jupiter governs long distance and foreign travel, higher education, religion, and the law. It is also associated with the urge for freedom and exploration, humanitarian and protecting roles, and with gambling and merrymaking. The 1st-century poet Manilius described Jupiter as temperate and benign, and the greater
benefic. It was regarded as warm and moist in nature, and therefore favorable to life.
In medicine, Jupiter is associated with the liver, pituitary gland, and the disposition of fats; it governed the
sanguine humor. In modern times, Jupiter is said to be the ruler of the ninth and twelfth houses, but traditionally, Jupiter was assigned to the second and ninth houses – the house of values and the house of beliefs, respectively.
Jupiter is associated with Thursday, and in Romance languages, the name for Thursday often comes from Jupiter (e.g.,
joi in Romanian,
jeudi in French,
jueves in Spanish, and
giovedì in Italian). Dante Alighieri associated Jupiter with the liberal art of
geometry. In Chinese astrology, Jupiter is ruled by the element
wood, which is patient, hard-working, and reliable. In
Indian astrology, Jupiter is known as
Guru or
Brihaspati and is known as the 'great teacher'.
[edit] Saturn
A 1782 engraving of
Shani after Pierre Sonnerat's painting made during India voyage in 1770s
Rubens's
Saturn Devouring His Son (1636), Madrid, Prado - See Saturn (mythology) Astrological Beliefs section.
Saturn (
) is the ruling planet of
Capricorn and, in traditional western astrology,
Aquarius, and is exalted in
Libra. In Roman mythology,
Saturn is the god of agriculture, founder of civilizations and of social order, and conformity. The glyph is most often seen as scythe-like
[by whom?], but it is primarily known as the "crescent below the cross", whereas Jupiter's glyph is the "crescent above the cross". The famous rings of the planet Saturn that enclose and surround it, reflect this principle of man's limitations. Saturn takes 29.5 years to orbit the Sun, spending about 2.46 years in each sign of the zodiac.
Astrologically, Saturn is associated with the principles of limitation, restrictions, boundaries, practicality and reality, crystallizing, and structures. Saturn governs ambition, career, authority and hierarchy, and conforming social structures. It concerns a person's sense of duty, discipline and responsibility, and their physical and emotional endurance during hardships. Saturn is also considered to represent the part of a person concerned with long-term planning.
The Return of Saturn is said to mark significant events in each person's life.
According to the 1st-century poet Manilius, Saturn is sad, morose, and cold, and is the greater
malefic. According to Claudius Ptolemy, "Saturn is lord of the right ear, the spleen, the bladder, the phlegm, and the bones."
Saturn symbolized processes and things that were dry and cold, and therefore inimical to life. It governed the
melancholic humor.
Before the discovery of
Uranus, Saturn was regarded as the ruling planet of
Aquarius.
Many astrologers still use Saturn as the planetary ruler of both Capricorn and Aquarius; in modern astrology it is accordingly the ruler of the tenth and eleventh houses. Traditionally, however, Saturn was associated with the first and eighth houses.
Saturn is associated with Saturday, which was named after the deity Saturn. Dante Alighieri associated Saturn with the liberal art of
astronomia (
astrology and astronomy). In Chinese astrology, Saturn is ruled by the element
earth, which is warm, generous, and co-operative. In
Indian astrology, Saturn is called
Shani or "Sani", and represents career and longevity. It is also the bringer of bad luck and hardship.
Modern planets
Since the invention of the telescope, Western astrology has incorporated Uranus, Neptune, Ceres, Pluto, and other bodies into its methodology. The Indian and Chinese astrologies have tended to retain the ancient seven-planet system. Meanings have had to be assigned to them by modern astrologers, usually according to the major events that occurred in the world at the time of their discovery. As these astrologers are usually Western, the social and historical events they describe have an inevitable Western emphasis. Astrologers consider the "extra-Saturnian" planets to be "impersonal" or
generational planets, meaning their effects are felt more across whole generations of society. Their effects in individuals depend upon how strongly they feature in that individual's birth-chart. There is also a great discussion going about what Ceres should rule in astrology. Some western astrologers hope that within a few years, astrological rulerships will be changed to include Ceres. The following are their characteristics as accepted by most astrologers.
Uranus
Uranus with Terra on a roman mosaic
For some modern Western astrologers, the planet
Uranus (
) is the ruling planet of
Aquarius and is possibly exalted in
Scorpio. In Greek mythology, Uranus is the personification of the heavens and the night sky. The planet Uranus is very unusual among the planets in that it rotates on its side, so that it presents each of its poles to the Sun in turn during its orbit; causing both hemispheres to alternate between be bathed in light and lying in total darkness over the course of the orbit.
Uranus takes 84 years to orbit the Sun, spending about 7 years in each sign of the zodiac. Uranus was discovered only in 1781 by
Sir William Herschel.
Astrologically modern interpretations associate Uranus with the principles of genius, individuality, new and unconventional ideas, discoveries, electricity, inventions, and the beginnings of the industrial revolution. Uranus governs societies, clubs, and any group dedicated to humanitarian or progressive ideals. Uranus, the planet of sudden and unexpected changes, rules freedom and originality. In society, it rules radical ideas and people, as well as revolutionary events that upset established structures.
Uranus, among all planets, most governs genius. Historically, it was associated with the principles of the Enlightenment and radical political ideas of equality and freedom, among other things.
Around the period of its discovery in 1781, the idea of
democracy and
human rights was prevalent, with the breakaway of the American colonies from England and a few years later in 1789, the
French revolution.
In art and literature, the discovery of Uranus coincided with the Romantic movement, which emphasized individuality and freedom of expression. In medicine, Uranus is believed to be particularly associated with the sympathetic nervous system, mental disorders, breakdowns and hysteria, spasms, and cramps. Uranus is considered by modern astrologers to be co-ruler of the eleventh house alongside Saturn.
Neptune
For many astrologers,
Neptune (
) is the ruling planet of
Pisces. In Roman mythology,
Neptune is the god of the sea, and the deep, ocean blue color of the planet Neptune reflects this.
Its glyph is taken directly from Neptune's trident, symbolizing the curve of spirit being pierced by the cross of matter. Neptune takes 165 years to orbit the Sun, spending approximately 14 years (13.75) in each sign of the zodiac. Neptune was discovered in 1846.
Astrologically, modern Western astrologers associate the planet Neptune with idealism and compassion, but also with illusion, confusion, and deception. Neptune governs hospitals, prisons, mental institutions, and any other place, such as a monastery, that involves a retreat from society. Its appearance coincided with the discovery of
anesthetics and
hypnotism. In political terms, Neptune was linked to the rise of nationalist movements throughout Europe in countries like Germany, Italy, Hungary, Ireland, and Serbia, seeking independence for their nations inspired by an idealized past of legend. It was also linked to the rise of socialism and the beginnings of the welfare state. Neptune coincided with the utopian ideals of Communism, when Marx and Engels first published 'The Communist Manifesto' in 1848.
In art, the impressionist movement began a trend away from literal representation, to one based on the subtle, changing moods of light and color. In medicine, Neptune is seen to be particularly associated with the thalamus, the spinal canal, and severe or mysterious illnesses and neuroses. Neptune is considered by modern astrologers to be co-ruler of the twelfth
house with Jupiter.
Nowadays, modern astrologers consider Neptune the ruler of Pisces; traditionally, Jupiter was the one considered as the ruler of Pisces, even though some modern astrologers consider Jupiter a co-ruler of Pisces. Some astrologers do not believe that Neptune rules any particular sign, although they may use the planet in interpretation.
Pluto-Charon
Bust of Hades. Marble, Roman copy after a Greek original from the 5th century BCE; the black mantle is a modern addition.
To most modern Western astrologers,
Pluto (
) is the ruling planet of
Scorpio. In Roman mythology, Pluto is the god of the underworld and of wealth. The alchemy symbol was given to Pluto on its discovery, 3 Centurys after Alchemy practices had all but disappeared.
The symbol can be interpreted in a number of ways as alchemy was a combination of modern day chemistry, astronomy and religious beliefs; the cross can represent the earth or matter or the body; the half circle represents silver or the moon or the mind (lunar) and the the circle represents the sun and gold or spirit. The alchemy symbol can therefore be read as spirit over mind, transcending matter. The symbols were chosen given the close association with Mars which has a similar symbol.
Pluto and its natural satellite, Charon, form a unique pairing in the solar system, because of Charon's mass in relation to Pluto. This means that they revolve in a 'dumbbell' formation around a common point in space, permanently locked in a "power struggle" for dominance.
Pluto takes 248 years to orbit the Sun, spending on average approximately 21 years (20.6) in each sign of the zodiac; however, Pluto's orbit is so eccentric that this can vary dramatically, from 25 years in Cancer (1913–1938) to a mere 12 years in Scorpio (1983–1995), when its orbit was actually closer to the Sun than Neptune's.
[citation needed]
Astrologically, Pluto is called "the great renewer", and is considered to represent the part of a person that destroys in order to renew, through bringing buried, but intense needs and drives to the surface, and expressing them, even at the expense of the existing order. A commonly used keyword for Pluto is "transformation".
[citation needed] It is associated with power and personal mastery, and the need to co-operate and share with another, if each is not to be destroyed. Pluto governs big business and wealth, mining, surgery and detective work, and any enterprise that involves digging under the surface to bring the truth to light. Pluto is also associated with the day Tuesday, along with Mars.
Pluto is also associated with extreme power and corruption; the discovery of Pluto in 1930 coincided with the rise of
fascism and
Stalinism in Europe, leading to
World War II. It also coincided with the
Great Depression and the major proliferation of
organized crime in the United States.
[citation needed]
Its entry into Cancer in 1913, the sign in which it was later discovered, coincided with
World War I. It is also associated with
nuclear armament, which had its genesis in the research of the 1930s and 40s. Later on, it gave rise to the polarized nuclear stand off of the Cold War, with the mass consumer societies of the United States and other democracies facing the totalitarian state of the USSR. The discovery of Pluto also occurred just after the birth of modern psycho-analysis, when Freud and Jung began to explore the depths of the unconscious.
In real life events and culture, Pluto has been a major astrological aspect. In art, movements like
Cubism and
Surrealism began to de-construct the "normal" view of the world. In medicine, Pluto is seen to be associated with regenerative forces in the body involving cell formation and the reproductive system.
Pluto is considered by modern astrologers to be co-ruler of the eighth house with Mars.
Many traditional astrologers do not use Pluto as a ruling planet, but do use the planet for interpretation and predictive work, obliquely making reference to projections of influences from higher to lower dimensional spaces.
Ceres
Colossal Statue of
Ceres,
Vatican Museums, Rome, Italy. Demeter and Ceres sometimes are identified in art as holding a tuft of grain
(
) is the smallest identified
dwarf planet in the Solar System. It was discovered on
1 January 1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi, and is named after the Roman goddess Ceres, the goddess of growing plants, the harvest, and of motherly love. It was thought to be the first asteroid discovered, taking up about one-third of the entire mass of the asteroid belt. The classification of Ceres has changed more than once and has been the subject of some disagreement. Discovered by
Johann Elert Bode, he believed Ceres to be the "missing planet" he had proposed to exist between
Mars and
Jupiter, at a distance of 419 million km (2.8
AU) from the Sun. Ceres was assigned a planetary symbol, and
remained listed as a planet in astronomy books and tables. The 2006 debate surrounding Pluto and what constitutes a
planet led to Ceres being considered for reclassification as a planet, but being in the end was renamed with Pluto as the first members of the new
dwarf planet category.
In mythology,
Ceres is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess
Demeter, and is the goddess of agriculture. The planet is also associated with the reproductive issues of an adult woman, as well as pregnancy and other major transitions in a woman's life, including the nine months of gestation time, family bonds and relationships. But the
Ceres archetype is not only a mother. For some astrologers Ceres is the ruling planet of
Virgo, and it fix also with the archetype of a Virgin goddess in anthropology. Ceres reflects to independent women who are often unmarried (According to astrology, Ceres is a single goddess who chose to become a mother without a husband or partner).
As seen, Ceres is very connected with the Moon, and with the emotional status. While the moon represents our ideal of "motherhood", Ceres would represent how our real and nature motherhood should be.
Ceres, as the Goddess who has control over nature's resources and cycles, may be known also in astrology as the planet of the Environment. Returning to mythology, an early environmental villain is the figure of
Erysichthon, the tearer up of the earth, who cut down trees in a grove sacred to Ceres-Demeter, for which he was punished by the goddess with fearful hunger.
In this sense Ceres became an emerging archetypal in the social response of becoming aware of the recent
Climate Change, and is entering our collective consciousness as a need to take care of our natural and irreplaceable resources in the 21st Century. Just like the biological agriculture, also sinking the roots in the past, represents a leap towards a future of search of the natural taste and wholesome and the quality, of ecological responsibility and knowledge. As an indicator for environmental or community activism, Ceres would represent for some astrologers the wave of the future.
The status of
Ceres is unknown at the moment in astrology. The possibility exists that Ceres is not involved with any sign, but it has been strongly suggested as the ruler of Virgo or Taurus. As in all cases of newer discoveries, for some, like Vedic astrologers, it will never be used.
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