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Author: Alison Price – Updated: January 2026
This article is part of my Basic Natal Astrology category and brings all the beginner components of interpreting a natal chart together. This includes signs, planets, houses, aspects and more. Alison
There are many planets used in astrology. Each astrologer may choose to use all or only some of the planets in their work.
The seven visible planets are those that can be seen with a naked eye. They are the Sun, The Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. They are known as the traditional or Hellenistic planets.
The Sun is your identity, your heart and your character. It shows where you are honest and true to yourself. It is where you can shine in life. It represents your father.
The Sun is masculine, warm, bright and life giving. The Sun represents you, your father and your heroes. The Sun rules the sign of Leo.
The Moon shows your feelings, reactions, gut instincts and your behavior. It rules food, how you care and who you nurture. It represents your mother, mother figures and caregivers.
The Moon is feminine, passive, reflective, and moody. The Moon represents your mother, cooks, and caregivers. The Moon rules Cancer.
Mercury shows your thinking, talking and communication style. It has to do with all buying and selling. It represents your schoolteacher and neighborhood people.
Venus shows beauty, art, style, love and money. It has to do with your values and what you invest in both things like jewelry and people. It represents young women and sisters.
Venus is feminine. Venus loves, acquires and appreciates. Venus represents young women, girlfriends, sweethearts and accountants. Venus rules Taurus and Libra.
Mars is about sex, energy, drive, challenges and where you compete in life. It shows when you will get off the couch and do something. It represents young men and brothers.
Mars is masculine. Mars competes, challenges and acts. Mars represents young men, boyfriends, bad boys, pioneers, firemen and soldiers. Mars rules Aries and Scorpio.
Jupiter is about growth, expansion, reaching and even overdoing things. It shows your vision and potential. It represents uncles, teachers and preachers.
Saturn is the planet of achievement, honors, control, limitations and fears. It represents your father, older men and authority figures.
Saturn limits, times and masters. Saturn represent your father, older men and managers. Saturn rules the two signs of Capricorn and Aquarius.
Uranus is the planet for the future it rules trends, technology, computers and the space age. It represents adolescents, immigrants, those on the fringes of society and rebels.
Uranus changes, breaks and fashions. Uranus represents adolescents, trendsetters, agitators, and immigrants. Uranus rules Aquarius.
Neptune is the planet of illusion, intuition, mysticism, art, magic and the unknown. It represents the psychic, the invisible, the underdog and the homeless.
Neptune understands, dissolves and eludes. The people that Neptune represents are dreamers, ghosts, angels and nomads. Neptune rules Pisces.
Pluto is the planet of power, influence and sex. It represents people who have power over you through your use of their resources or those whom you have the drop on. It represents the loan shark, surgeon, psychiatrist, undertaker, criminal and therapist.
Pluto transforms, buries and rebirths. The people that Pluto represents are crisis workers, the taxman, demons, coercers and the Grim Reaper. Pluto rules the fixed water sign of Scorpio the Scorpion.
Chiron is the planet of wounds and healing. It suggests where you are weak and wanting. It represents people who help you like nurses, teachers, gurus and charity workers.
Eris is the planet of the female warrior. It represents the fight instinct in women. It suggests those who will fight for you simply because they are on your team, group or crew. It represents sisters-in-arms.
This is part of the special Starzology Astrology Basics series for you all. Many of you ask where to start and here are the planet’s meanings.
You can check out the rest of the series:
by Alison Price
We have experienced several challenging planetary placements in recent years. I am of course referring to the Uranus Pluto square which has had astrologers and laymen alike buzzing with excitement.
Enter the Jupiter Uranus fire trine.
Whilst it is typical that we have both easy and challenging aspects within the zodiac at any one time, it is the individual and combined mixture of flow and resistance between the planets making the aspects that shape our lives.
That Uranus appears in both aspects (square Pluto and trine Jupiter) is telling. He seems to want to fit in and stick out at the same time.
We can live with this.
One way to interpret an astrology chart is by a technique called aspects
Astrological aspects are the angular distances between the planets.
Every planet has a measurement in degrees with the other planets but only certain angles are noted in astrology charts.
By dividing the circle of 360 degrees by any whole numbers we get the aspect angles.
If you divide 360 by 3 the result is 120 degrees (360/3=120) and this is the size of the trine aspect.
Two planets that are 120 degrees apart in the zodiac will be in trine to each other.
The aspect degree does not have to be exact but can be within 8 degrees (the orb) either side of 120.
So when the two planets become between 112 to 128 degrees apart they are considered to be trine to each other.
When the slower planets like Jupiter and Uranus trine each other it is to be noted.
It is a phenomenon that only happens around every six years then there is a gap of seven years before the next trine.
The elemental sequence is fire, earth, air then water. With two trines in each element, one waxing and one waning trine. Then it slowly shifts into the following element.
Jupiter and Uranus have a fourteen year synodic cycle.
This means they are together and Jupiter (which is quicker off the mark) races off around the zodiac as Uranus moves forward slowly. Jupiter will catch up with Uranus around fourteen years later.
In 2010 Jupiter was conjunct Uranus at zero Aries. They will next be conjunct in 2024 at twenty-one Taurus.
Looking further forward in 2037 22 Cancer direct and in 2038 at 20 Cancer retrograde.
This shows the conjunction moves around either 30 degrees when at the retrograde three pass conjunction, or around fifty-one to fifty-four degrees and fourteen years during a one pass direct conjunction.
Because there is a trine in place for such a long period, when planets pass through the other fire sign of Sagittarius, they will create a fire grand trine when they trine both Jupiter and Uranus.
The most frequent planet to do this is the Moon.
It will provide huge opportunities and original approaches to how you can use that planet in Sagittarius.
The trine from Jupiter offers good things in line with your natal planet being aspected and the trine from Uranus offers unique and up-to-date solutions which allow things to move forward with ease and flow.
Fire is all about inspiration. It gets the juices flowing and everyone hot under the collar. It gets people raving about things and issues. It creates fireworks and burning issues. We can get incandescent and want to burst. We are filled with bright ideas and get excited about anything with fire in it like dragon’s breath, candlelight, torches, barbecues and camp fires.
Make the most of this special fire trine.
Author: Alison Price – Updated: March 2026
This article is part of my Forecasting category and brings all the transits, graphic ephemeris, solar returns, secondary progressions, solar arc directions and other predictive techniques and articles. Alison
As the planets wander through the sky they change positions against the backdrop of the zodiac. This movement can be like a dance as everyone (the planets) take their place and enter the stage.
At any time, one or two of the planets will take center stage as the others fade into the background for a while. Planets in prominent positions may have a story to tell, and we listen.
This time it is Jupiter as he enters the fifth sign of Leo. A fire planet (Jupiter) in a fire sign (Leo).
Up there right now the biggest planet in the solar system and the ruler of Sagittarius, and the co-ruler of Pisces, Jupiter, is entering the zodiac sign of the Lion.
Jupiter will be in Leo from June 30th, 2026, until July 26th, 2027.
Listen to the special Jupiter in Leo Starzology Astrology podcast episode where Arwynne and I discuss the Jupiter in Leo transit for 2026/27.
Here are the retrograde cycles dates for the most current Jupiter in Leo transit. As usual there are five main sections to a retrograde cycle.
September 27th, 2026.
December 13th, 2026, at 27°56′ Leo.
February 11th, 2027.
April 13th, 2027 at 18°59′ Leo.
July 16th, 2027.
If your birthday is between August 11th to August 21st of any year, you will receive a triple hit conjunction from Jupiter to your natal Sun.
The first contact will be direct; the second contact retrograde and the third contact direct.
I often use the imagery of a hot air balloon to explain the astrological meaning for Jupiter. Balloons are big, brightly coloured and when they drift by you simply can’t miss them. Much like Jupiter.
The collective noun for balloons is a festival of balloons which brings a fun and exciting element to ballooning. Much like Jupiter.
They travel on their journey, but to who knows where? Much like Jupiter.
They are filled with hot air or gas, and balloons will explode if over-filled. Much like Jupiter.
They often broadcast a message from their sponsors or promote special events (such as at sports events) written in huge letters on the sides of the balloon. Much like Jupiter.
And I would imagine that the people who do take a ride in a hot air balloon say a prayer before launch. Much like Jupiter.
I have always fancied trusting the woven basket and journeying on a balloon flight and perhaps one day I shall. Much like Jupiter.
Jupiter in Leo is especially good news for the fire signs and that means those with strong fire signs present in their birth charts.
I will tell you I am strongly Leo myself and I have been waiting for a while now for this shift in energy as Jupiter changes sign.
Jupiter in Leo is upbeat, positive and outgoing. It encourages taking chances and aiming higher in life. Leo is the sign of the theatre and when planets enter the “stage” they will play their roles to perfection.
Using the theater analogy, Jupiter in Leo can either be the highly colorful swashbuckling much-loved hero or he can be an overly costumed and made up, blow-hard in a pantomime.
The downside of Jupiter in Leo can be over-extension, over-doings things and excessive behavior. Or just too much of a good thing. Pace yourself and all will be fine.
This is for Ascendant signs.
As Jupiter moves through your chart it spends about one year in each house, expanding the topics of that area of life. Think of it as a spotlight that grows whatever it touches. The gift is opportunity. The caution is excess. Where Jupiter travels, you are invited to grow.
For Aries, creativity flourishes. Romance, children, hobbies and personal talents receive a boost. This is a joyful placement that supports self-expression. Watch speculative risks and dramatic gestures. Pleasure is good, excess is not.
For Taurus, home and family life grow in importance. You may move, renovate or welcome new members into the household. Emotional foundations can strengthen. Be mindful of taking on more domestic responsibility than you can comfortably manage.
For Gemini, learning expands. Writing, teaching, speaking and short journeys are highlighted. Relationships with siblings or neighbors can improve. It is an excellent period for study and communication projects. I believe it’s best to avoid scattering your attention in too many directions.
For Cancer, growth focuses on money, assets and self-worth. Income can increase, or you may develop new skills that enhance your earning power. It can also be a year of generous spending. Build sustainable value rather than accumulating for its own sake.
For Leo, this is personal expansion. Confidence rises. You may feel more optimistic, visible and willing to take chances. It is a year to begin things, refresh your image and step forward. Guard against over confidence or promising more than you can deliver.
For Virgo, growth happens quietly. Inner development, retreat, spiritual practice and completion of old cycles are supported. It can be a reflective year preparing you for Jupiter’s upcoming return to your 1st house. Avoid escapism. Use the time for meaningful closure and renewal.
For Libra, friends, networks and long term goals expand. You may join groups or reconnect with community. Hopes for the future feel possible again. Choose associations wisely rather than saying yes to every invitation.
For Scorpio, career and public reputation grow. Promotions, recognition and leadership opportunities can arise. It is a strong year for professional advancement. Take care not to overcommit or become inflated by status.
For Sagittarius, this is a natural Jupiter house. Travel, higher education, publishing and spiritual exploration expand. You may teach, study or engage with different cultures. Guard against dogmatism or assuming you have all the answers.
For Capricorn, shared resources, taxes, inheritances and intimate bonds are emphasized. Financial support from others may increase. Psychologically this can be a year of deep inner growth. Avoid overextending credit or relying too heavily on others.
For Aquarius, partnerships grow. Marriage, business alliances and close one to one relationships can benefit. You may attract helpful people or mentors. Balance generosity with clear boundaries.
For Pisces, work routines and health habits expand. You might take on more duties or find improved employment conditions. It is a supportive time to develop healthier daily practices. Do not overwork simply because you feel capable.
Jupiter is the planet of growth and expansion.
It has to do with reaching for things just out of your grasp but it is the reaching that is important.
We like to s-t-r-e-t-c-h ourselves when Jupiter is active.
You can lift your eyes to gaze at your horizons.
Now is the time to aspire towards previously laughable dreams. Dust off your visions and start to believe.
When Jupiter is prominent by transit, and if it contacts your chart, you can raise your profile and aim for more in life.
Jupiter will support activities in:
Jupiter in Leo reinforces the theatre and daily dramas. See them for what they are.
As Jupiter moves through Leo, and especially if you are one of those late degree Leos receiving the triple touch to your Sun, you are being invited to rise, to expand and to be seen.
This is not about empty showmanship but about wholehearted self-expression. Keep your balloon filled with just enough fire to lift you, not so much that it bursts. Say yes to growth, yes to the stretch and yes to stepping onto your stage with courage.
If you pace yourself and stay true to your purpose, this year can mark a confident new chapter in your story.
Here are some books which I believe may interest you about transiting Jupiter.
In your astrology journal and referencing your natal chart please do the following:
Considering that Jupiter is entering Leo soon and will be there for over a year:
Write a paragraph about your natal Jupiter, its impact (or not) in your chart, position and any influence it has for you (100 words).
Write a piece that explores all the influence and energy which transiting Jupiter will trigger for you in the next year. Specifically explore Jupiter’s house, conjunctions and stations (250 words).
Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.
If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.
If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.
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International Astrology Day is marked as the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading north which is when it enters Aries.
Discover how different Chart Rulers can impact the whole chart. Get tips for each Ascendant sign and their planetary rulers.
The solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 will cross over most of North America. See the eclipse chart as an Aspiring Astrologer about this event.
In astrology the planets rule many things in daily life of which some examples are the days of the week, our body parts, colours, birthstones and plants. Most plants fall under the auspices of one of the planets. Therefore each planet has many plants to which it is related.
Some planet/plant affinities are clear to see such as that the sunflower comes under the Sun, and the Moonflower under the Moon but others are not obvious connections at all.
These planet to plant connotations and affinities have come to us through the ages over time. For those early correlations we have to go back to the older herbalists who were often astrologers as well.
See Gardening with Astrology for more on general gardening.
The most famous herbalist is probably Nicholas Culpeper (28 October 1616, 12:12pm). Born in Oakley, England he was, amongst other things, a herbalist and an astrologer.
I refer you to Culpepper’s Complete Herbal for many of the planetary correlations I refer to here.
I am also a huge fan of Margaret Roberts from Johannesburg, South Africa who is a charismatic herb grower and author of many wonderful books on herbs and herb growing.
I used Margaret Roberts schematic for the laying out and planting for both of my herb gardens that we built in Cape Town and Phalaborwa.
The first one in was in a new house in Table View, and yes that means with a view of Table Mountain, this first garden was laid out behind the house in a thin strip of land but a spot onto which the dining room faced.
Here I was able to position the birdbath (which is the focal point in any herb garden) in the centre of the window scape as you looked out at dinner. Those were the days when we as a family ate at a table each night.
The second herb garden my husband built with his own fair hands at a time when I was recovering from a most difficult surgery and could not rise from my sickbed for about a month. He wanted to create something for me to get out of bed for and hopefully to aid my long and painful recovery.
I must say I was intrigued from the enthusiastic stories from the kids about what Dad was doing as I flopped about unable to stand unaided. It worked, and indeed one day I managed the long walk to freedom down the passage and outside the house into the back garden.
What a beautiful sight to behold the red paving bricks were in a ten metre circle and all the little paths where they should be. He had been listening all those days in the past when I was chattering on about the importance of the circle and the measurements of the whole thing. I was very impressed and immediately set about making a list of the plants I now needed to fill the beds.
But when it came to it I did not need that many plants as my “sickroom” visitors came with not just gifts of biscuits and cake but of little herbs plants, packets of seeds and cuttings from their garden. The word had spread to the small community in which we were living and everyone who heard about my herb garden wanted to be part of it. Even the teachers from our kids little school donated something living like a plant or seeds with the potential for life.
For this generosity I am grateful.
But sadly we moved away and now new people have the benefit of a well stocked herb garden. In fact I believe the herb garden was a selling feature for the house when we moved. It was the only formal herb garden in the town when we built it and it maybe so today.
Herbs are a group of aromatic, culinary and medicinal plants typically grown in the subtropical regions from the 23rd to the 35th parallel on the Earth in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Herbs are usually small leafed and grow under one meter in height.
Examples of herbs are parsley, sage and thyme.
Spices are usually grown in the tropical regions on the Earth between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn from the equator to the 23rd parallel and therefore are usually naturally found closer to the hotter areas than herbs. Spices are often harvested for their roots, seeds and leaves which pack a powerful heat and taste.
Examples of spices are turmeric, ginger, and peppers.
Therefore herbs have a wider growing area parallel to the Earth’s equator and so are cultivated in many countries.
Some tree bark, leaves and fruit are also loosely considered “herbs” and in modern culture we accept cinnamon, the bay leaf and elderberry etc.
In my experience people who grow herbs are the nicest and most generous spirited folk as they readily share their bounty of seeds, cuttings, and flowers and homemade produce of soaps, jams and preserves.
Herb growers typically spend many hours a week in their herb garden or tending their pots of little plants on their windowsills.
We have known of the benefits of herbs for centuries. Many have connotations with the planets and astrology and it is interesting to see which plants related to each planet and sign.
In future posts I plan to discuss the astrology of herbs and those that I like and find the most useful.
One of the techniques in astrology when assessing chart potential is to consider natal promise.
This is what is in the chart at birth and all the planets placements, condition and angle positions show what is possible for you in this lifetime.
It is what your chart promises and if something is promised like Sun conjunct Midheaven being well known and well respected and well thought of it may come to pass.
If it is not promised (weak MC) therefore it may pass you by.
Just because something is promised does not mean it will happen, but if something is promised you can focus your energy on bringing it to fruition.
I’ve often heard the adage, “The harder you work the luckier you get,” and this may indeed be the case. By focussing on your strengths you actually can diminish your weaknesses.
For example, you won’t win the lottery if you don’t have a strong fifth house.
Winning things like lotteries and sweepstakes are areas of life associated with the fifth house of risk and gambling.
For this type of natal promise to manifest you will need:
Expend your efforts on the good things in your chart like:
In your chart find the strongest planet by essential dignity, position and condition.
The planet with the hoghest essential dignity score may also be your potential energy planet.
Moving on…
Now find any planet which is free from affliction which means it has no challenging aspects like squares or oppositions from the other planets.
I refer to this planet as your potential energy planet it is the one most likely to work well for you.
Follow that planet’s message.
This is where your potential lies.
In every chart, one planet will be less detracted from or diminished than the others and have more potential.
Find that planet.
Understand its message.
Work it daily.
If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.
Author: Alison Price - Published: October 2025 Major Aspect Patterns Shapes Aspect patterns are shapes formed by combining several aspects together. They are readily seen in the chart by the aspect lines between the planets. Colors If you use the colors suggested...
In astrology, the 5th HOUSE suggests your creative side. It rules recreation and procreation as well as gambling and the stock exchange.
In astrology, the 1st HOUSE suggests is all about you as an individual it’s like your personal brand in astrology.
One of the more obvious cycles is the seasonal changes you experience as the Sun moves through the zodiac when it enters a cardinal sign every three months.
This is the start of the four seasons.

The year begins as the Sun enters the first sign of Aries and spring officially begins. Summer starts as the Sun enters Cancer around July 21st. Autumn is ushered in late September and winter draws in from December 21st at the Sun’s ingress to Capricorn.
Here we are in the early degrees of Leo. It is just about mid-summer. But what can we expect?
That depends on whether you have a strong Leo presence in your chart from planets or your Ascendant or your Midheaven is placed in the sign.
Or, if you have a chart where there is no Leo influence at all and you have zero planets or angles in the sign of the Lion.
As the Sun moves through its own sign it will connect with any planets or chart points in Leo.
This will stimulate that planet or point and you will become aware of creative potentials as suggested by the strength of the contact,
Having Leo planets already in your natal chart will be reinforced as the Sun comes through. Things can become over-the-top but to express your individuality is key this month.
When the Sun transits Leo, and if you have no Leo signature in your chart, it becomes an opportunity for you to experience your inner child and express yourself in ways in which you would not normally.
Yes, at times it can get dramatic and loud but it can also be a lot of fun.
Summer is always good to kick back, relax and when you can be the star in your own life production.
It is a great time for a vacation or at least relaxing at home lying barefoot in a hammock.
Enjoy the simple pleasures of sunbathing, sun-downers (drinks at sunset) and sunbeams playing in your windows. Be kind to yourself. Soak it up and make the most of the Sun in Leo.
You can’t keep up a punishing work pace all year. Even the tireless practitioners amongst you need a break from your grueling schedule of clients, preparations, and research.
Don’t be too hard on yourself.
You can’t be going at full tilt all year.
Face September with renewed enthusiasm and bring your relaxed and refreshed self to your business and clients.
Alison
(Note, All these comments are for the northern hemisphere. For southern hemisphere reverse the seasons, but maintain the dates).