Astrology Basics: The Planets

Astrology Basics: The Planets

Planets

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

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 Outer Planets

The three outer planets are Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. They are the modern planets.

 

Read more >>> Astrology ABCs

 


The Meaning of the Planets

The Sun

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.

Read more >>> the Sun

 

The Moon

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.

Read more >>> the Moon.

 

Mercury

Mercury shows your thinking, talking and communication style. It has to do with all buying and selling. It represents your schoolteacher and neighborhood people.

Read more >>> Mercury.

 

Venus

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.

Read more >>> Venus.

 

Mars

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.

Read more >>> Mars.

 

Jupiter

Jupiter is about growth, expansion, reaching and even overdoing things. It shows your vision and potential. It represents uncles, teachers and preachers.

Read more >>> Jupiter.

 

Saturn

Saturn is the planet of achievement, honors, control, limitations and fears. It represents your father, older men and authority figures.

Read more >>> Saturn.

 

Uranus

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.

Read more >>> Uranus.

 

Neptune

Neptune is the planet of illusion, intuition, mysticism, art, magic and the unknown. It represents the psychic, the invisible, the underdog and the homeless.

Read more >>> Neptune.

 

Pluto

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.

Read more >>> Pluto.

 

Chiron

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.

Read more >>> Chiron.

 

Eris

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.

Read more >>> Eris.

 


Astrology Basics for Beginner’s

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:

 

Your Progressed Moon and Transiting Saturn – Special Forecast

Your Progressed Moon and Transiting Saturn – Special Forecast

Progressed Moon and Transiting Saturn Lockstep

Forecasting

Forecasting in astrology can be a simple Sun sign interpretations that any astrologer can do, or the more detailed and complex forecasting techniques which a professional experienced astrologer will provide. It depends on the level of understanding you wish to extract from your birth chart which route you will choose.

In astrological forecasting there are many things to consider for each chart that you look at. One of the interesting nuggets in forecasting is the relationship between your progressed Moon and transiting Saturn.

 

Only Some Charts

This connection deserves a second look but only in some charts. It is not always present and therefore can be dismissed as not worth bothering about. But in the few charts that this does occur, you need to fully appreciate exactly what is going on and how this dynamic situation will affect you and for how long.

If you do have this complex attribute in your chart the energy from the contact will be in play for ten to twenty years. This can overshadow other things being brought forward in the forecast data. Pee Moon and Tee Saturn can be the full story for many people and for years of their lives.

Your Secondary Progressed Moon (P-Moon)

The progressed Moon can travel up to just over three times around your chart in your lifetime. In doing so it makes all the possible aspects to all the planets and points in your chart. This speed and constant aspect contacts creates an endless variety for consideration for an astrologer.

As the progressed Moon takes +/- twenty-nine years to make one round of the chart it will therefore progress through each sign in about two years and five months (29 / 12 = 2.42y).

All things being equal and depending on the house system, the progressed Moon will spend a similar amount of time in each house.

 

 

Progressed Moon changing sign:

  • You instinctively relates to sign attributes
  • Your moods reflect the sign element changes
  • You take comfort in the new signs meanings

Progressed Moon changing house:

  • You become emotional towards the affairs of the house
  • You feel at home in the new house
  • Your habits move towards alignment with the new house

 

Transiting Saturn (T-Saturn)

Saturn keywords: Detract, static, pull, contract, steadfast, curtail, held-in and achieve.

 

Saturn Returns

Saturn moves about eleven degrees each year or, to put it another way, spends around two and a half years in each sign. Saturn takes about twenty-nine years to pass through the zodiac. You can experience up to three Saturn returns in your life. Your Saturn returns are at approximately ages twenty-nine, fifty-eight and eighty-seven. A Saturn return can be a one or three pass transit. The three pass transit is very important and should be accorded the correct amount of attention. Saturn and Jupiter are very often the opposite side of a situation and, when they both bring in influence to bear, both can be negated.

Transiting Saturn by House

Saturn through the houses shows where you exert control, can achieve things and will succeed in the long run. Saturn can bring structure to chaos and create formal organization in which to work. During a Saturn transit you will “draw the line” and maintain boundaries for yourselves. When you have a Saturn transit you may have to learn the hard way about the issues of the house. It can be challenging when Saturn passes through some houses and you may have to tighten your belt and keep going.

Transiting Saturn by aspect

The four major transits from Saturn are those to it’s natal position. Saturn transits can bring maturity, the ability to take responsibility and a certain acceptance of what the world has to offer. It can also be where we exist under some limitations or imposed boundaries. Saturn is an indicator of your father, father figures or older men in authority in your life and they may become a feature under a Saturn transit.

 

Transiting Saturn waxing square natal Saturn

Transiting Saturn square natal Saturn at about age seven most children are in big school and in the system and have to abide by timetables and rules.

 

Transiting Saturn opposition natal Saturn

Saturn opposition natal Saturn at somewhere in year fourteen is an indicator for puberty and physical maturity. Some adolescents can begin a casual job in the food industry for example, and start to earn a living in the big world.

 

Transiting Saturn waning square natal Saturn

Transiting Saturn square natal Saturn at the closing square happens around age 21 and is the threshold for adulthood.

 

Saturn return

First return at 28/30 the age of maturity where you stop blaming yoru parents for your woes and take ownership for your life.

Natal aspects between the Moon and Saturn

Moon conjunct Saturn

When the Moon is conjoined Saturn, the issues of parents Mother (Moon) and father (Saturn) are closely linked. This person goes through life with their parents showing a united front to them regardless of what is really happening.

Moon square Saturn

When the Moon is square Saturn, this person has a life where their parents may disagree on how to bring the. Hold up. There may even be a question on the paternity or the child. This person has tension about their parents that they take forward into their own lives where they become the authority and the pattern continues.

Moon opposite Saturn

When the Moon is opposite Saturn, this person experiences diverse views from each parent or opposite view which may develop into outright conflict between their parents. The parents will play them off against each other. This placement frequently brings confrontation and flip flopping in discipline for this child.

P.MO T.SA

Of all the planetary progressions the Moon needs close attention as the whole mood of the life shifts during the time it takes to pass through the natal chart and ingress the signs and houses. These subtle changes which happen over a two to three year period are often easier to appreciate in retrospect. As an astrologer you need to be on the lookout for this phenomenon in your chart.

 

Parents

The Moon (mother) and Saturn (father) can be at the root of many issues faced by people. So much so that this phenomenon (the Moon aspect Saturn lockstep) may easily dominate the whole life. Resolution is to be found in the natal placement of the Moon and Saturn and the energies need to be accepted into the life of the individual. This is likely to be challenging.

Pee Moon Tee Saturn Forecast Lockstep

Transiting Saturn takes twenty-nine years to transit the zodiac and the progressed Moon takes twenty-nine years to transits the zodiac. If there is a natal aspect between the Moon and Saturn it will be held in place by the movement of these two planets with one transiting and one progressed.

Difficult aspects (hard) are exacerbated. Although transiting Saturn will retrograde for periods and perhaps break the aspect it will reform when Saturn goes direct, is fast and reapplies the aspect.

Natal Moon aspect natal Saturn: Orb

Depending on the tightness of the orb of the natal aspect between the Moon and Saturn this aspect may be in orb, by progression, for the lifetime of the individual. Over time it will ease away but this could take many years. It depends if the aspect is applying or separating. For example if the Moon is applying an opposition to Saturn it may hold the opposition for longer than if it is already separating in the natal chart.

In the natal chart if the Moon and Saturn are in a fourth harmonic aspect that is either a conjunction, square or opposition. This needs a further look. If the Moon and Saturn are sextile or trine it just makes it an easier relationship throughout. Only bother about the fourth harmonic aspects.

How Long it will Last

Each chart is different but many people will have an aspect between the Moon and Saturn. The first thing to look at is whether there is an aspect between these two bodies. Second is the natal aspect applying or separating? This will show how long the aspect will be in orb.  If the aspect is applying from 8 degrees then it could be applying for years and then become exact and finally separating for ten years. This time of”being in orb” varies in each case but will still be long time.

So What?

Well for someone with the Pee Moon Tee Saturn in aspect, the energies of the two planets are connected for much if not most of their life. It is well known that the Moon and Saturn can be many things both separately and together but when there is a link between the Moon and Saturn by aspect in the chart, it is always the parents that come together.  

Moon as Mother

In your chart your Moon shows how you see your mother and your experience of her.

If there are two sisters with different Moon sign this indicates their different experience of their mother even though she was the same woman they experienced her differently. This can be seen with eldest child, middle child and youngest child situations where each one has a different Moon sign.

It suggests how she nurtured you and tells how she mothered you. Was she super cuddly or a bit cold or somewhere in between? Did you get beautiful clothes to wear or your brother’s hand-me-downs? What about her cooking?

As an adult you will remember your mother’s treatment of you forever. It is where you learnt how to care and how to provide nurture for yourself and others.

 

Saturn as Father

Saturn in your chart shows your father and older men like uncles and grandfathers. It shows how you experienced him and his fathering.

It shows father figures and men in authority over you. These people were (and are) teachers, headmasters, the police and judges.

It shows whether you dad was there for you, or a bit distant or an absentee father.

Well placed Saturn shows how you respect authority the law and if you respect your elders or not. Do you give your seat to a senior when on the bus? Do you call old men “Sir” or does it choke in your throat. All of these things are shown by your natal Saturn.

Your transiting Saturn and progressed Moon return

Much has been written about a Saturn return. Even people outside the astrological community know of the Saturn return. But what of the progressed Moon return?

It happens around age 29/30 and can be a time for change and of going back to basics as promised in the natal chart.

Any return brings the energies of the planet back to its true meaning for you, as the planet in question returns to its natal position in your chart. At this point it remakes all the natal aspects it has that are part of your natal chart interpretation. So aspects other than to the Moon or Saturn from either will be realigned.

Once you realize that your Saturn return is around the same time as you progressed Moon return you can see how they can be different for each person.

  • There is only  one progressed Moon return in each cycle.
  • There can be one or three Saturn returns in each cycle.

Return sequences possible

  • Saturn returns before the progressed Moon return
  • Progressed Moon returns before the transiting Saturn return.
  • Saturn return one hit
  • Saturn return three hit
  • Saturn return before and after progressed Moon return.

When you realise the potential implications of a simple Moon Saturn aspect in a natal chart it opens the door for further investigation of the long term effects of this phenomena. Parental issues may not be the only thing to think about but they may be laid as a full background stage for the life of the person.

As always care should be taken when interpreting charts and all situations will ideally be related back to the whole chart for a full rounded forecast.

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

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.

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Uranus in Gemini

Uranus in Gemini

In astrology, URANUS moves into GEMINI in 2025, kicking off a seven-year cycle focused on innovation, fresh ideas, and bold new ways of thinking.

How Saturn Transits can Improve Your Life

How Saturn Transits can Improve Your Life

by Alison Price

I recently received this question about Saturn from a reader:

“I always watch where Saturn is transiting for me and I’m beginning to think that Saturn is not as bad as we understand. I have had some of the best things happen for me when Saturn is in a certain house.

Like when it was in my first house I stopped drinking, smoking and lost weight. Now it’s in the second house and I have never earned so much money in my life. I have a lot to pay but the earning is something else!

I think if we are aware we can make it [Saturn by house] work for us. Buckle down to the discipline and so on. We live in terror of Saturn and yet find incredible blessing in its transits.

What do you think Alison?”

Here’s what I think

How exciting that a relative novice at astrology has such insights. That by having even a smattering of information (Saturn in her houses) allows her to understand the complexities of the planetary astrology and how it actually works in her chart.

For a bit of background information, this woman is forty-something and lives a regular life in the suburbs. She and her husband enjoy a fulfilling life where they try to make ends meet at the same time educating their kids and enjoying their family with many dogs.

In fact they are a couple probably just like you or me.





The first house

The first house is about your physical appearance, vitality and how you look. It is the facade you present to others.

Any planet passing through (or transiting) your first house will change you in the nature of the transiting planet.

Saturn

Saturn is traditionally known as “The Greater Malefic” this means it is the biggest bad boy of the planets.

In case you are wondering Mars has the dubious reputation as “The Lesser Malefic” and on a side note Venus is the “The Lesser Benefic” and Jupiter is “The Greater Benefic” and we’ve got to love the old labels.

Saturn is the planet of control and discipline. It can be cold and hard but it does have its up side. When saturn bestows its gifts they are sometimes difficult to see.

Saturn brings things like:

  • Being able to master something
  • Finding staying power for the long haul
  • Building on a strong foundation

These are old fashioned virtues and don’t fit with the modern world of quick fixes, sound bytes and 7 day miracle diets etc.

Time is of the essence

Saturn takes time but if you do put the time in you will reap benefits from Saturn’s graces.Cousin Violet

I often relate how Saturn works in your life, to the beloved character of Cousin Violet in Downton Abbey.

Here is a woman who is old and crusty, loves traditions but has staying power for the long haul.

The Dowager will prevail.

Reader insights and being self-aware

That our reader has noticed when Saturn recently went through her first house changing her physical appearance by her improved self care of cutting out drinking and smoking and losing some weight is excellent.

Yes, Saturn can change your life and yes, for the better.

Although you may not notice it at the time, you will be able to look back and see the improvements that have been made in your life.

Your vitality is as good as your first house.

Living every day with destructive habits can be stopped, or at least curtailed, and limited when Saturn passes through your first house. This is a perfect example of Saturnian energy.

Putting your back into your toil can benefit you through more work coming your way or an increase in your hourly rate. This usually means more pay.

You have to work hard but the cash is worth it and so are you.

I have often said that “good income equates to good self-esteem” and this is very much so when Saturn passes through your second house.

Forecast for Saturn in the third house

We can guess what will happen when Saturn enters her third house.

Perhaps she will find the time for her brother and sister, or she could easily take a stand on what is going on in her neighbourhood and perhasp build a fence to keep the dogs in or the passers-by out.

Our reader may decide to build on the successes she achieved when Saturn went through her second house of good work and income, and sign up for some more courses.

Maybe she will attend classes for something new that interests her or she could go back over classes she took in the past when Saturn first went through her third house, which would have been about thirty years ago when she was at school.

Perhaps she will make up a personal reading list and decide to get through one book a week for the year and a half that Saturn is in her third house. She could add some beloved classics to the list or try a modern author. Heck, she may even start her own journal, scribe poetry or teach others.

The possibilities are endless.

That we have given some ideas here will set our reader thinking on how best to use the planetary energies as they slowly transform her and she evolves in line with the potentials of her chart.

In reality an astrologer would look deeper into her chart and note the sign on the cusp of each house that Saturn is transiting and also how her natal Saturn is placed and how it contacts the rest of her chart through the dynamic aspects.

Of course there are many parts to a chart reading, and we have only looked at a small section today.

Further thoughts

Do you know which house Saturn is stimulating and transiting in your birth chart today?

Can you find the blessing when it passes by?

If you want to know more about astrology or your chart please contact me.


Why Transits are Different for Everyone

Why Transits are Different for Everyone

Transits Are Different for Everyone

Forecasting with Transits

Forecasting interpretations can get complex. Reading transits can quickly become confusing and it may seem like they’re out of focus.

You may start following Jupiter as it transits through your chart and Jupiter will offer growth opportunities as it passes by.

But what happens when it makes an aspect with another planet?

If Jupiter is square Saturn does it play out the same way for us all?

We all have our own charts and this is what makes the difference.

 

Example Transit

Take Jupiter square Saturn. These two planets bring the concepts of expansion and contraction together.

Whether you will experience expansion or contraction in your life depends on your chart. It matters whether Jupiter or Saturn is stronger in you natal chart.

Is either of them your chart ruler or do you have Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius or Pisces as your rising sign?

If one planet in a aspect rules your chart their trantits be stronger for you in general and will express themselves in your life in a clear way.

Cycles appear at all times. When you are on an up swing with one planet you may be on a down cycle with another.

The ability to see the difference between a transit from one planet which may or may not be overshadowed by another is the skill of reading transits.

Jupiter square Saturn is different for everyone. Don’t make the mistake of thinking one size fits all but understand what each planet’s energies are about.

Read each transit by itself and follow along with the cycle so you will have a better understanding of how to forecast.

 

Measuring Planetary Strength

Apart from the actual aspect involved to understand the strength of the two planets in a combination is the first step.

As the slower moving planets form and release aspects with each other it is good to know which one of the pair is a more important planet for you.

 

Pluto is important for you if:

  • You have Scorpio rising
  • The Sun is in Scorpio
  • More than three planets are in Scorpio
  • Pluto in the first or eighth house
  • Pluto is your final dispositor

Neptune is important for you if:

  • You have Pisces rising,
  • Neptune in the first or twelfth house
  • The Sun is in Pisces
  • More than three planets are in Pisces
  • Neptune is your final dispositor

Uranus is important for you if:

  • You have Aquarius rising
  • Uranus in the first or eleventh house
  • The Sun is in Aquarius
  • You have more than three planets in Aquarius
  • Uranus is your final dispositor

Saturn is an important planet for you if.

  • You have a Capricorn or Aquarius ascendant
  • The Sun is in Capricorn or Aquarius
  • You have three or more planets in Capricorn or Aquarius
  • Saturn is your final dispositor
  • Saturn is in your first, tenth or eleventh house.

Jupiter is an important planet for you if:

  • You have Sagittarius or Pisces rising
  • Your Sun is in Sagittarius or Pisces
  • You have three or more planets in Sagittarius or Pisces
  • Jupiter is your final dispositor
  • Jupiter is in the first, ninth or twelfth house

Explore more >>> Fibonacci aspects

Explore more >>> Aspects applying and separating

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Astrology Coach

Alison wants to help 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.

Learn more about Alison’s journey.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

More Articles

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

Uranus in Gemini

Uranus in Gemini

In astrology, URANUS moves into GEMINI in 2025, kicking off a seven-year cycle focused on innovation, fresh ideas, and bold new ways of thinking.

Mercury Aspects

Mercury Aspects

In astrology, your Mercury aspects show how you communicate and interact with others. Also how you barter and buy and sell.

Saturn in Scorpio

Saturn in Scorpio: Controlled Resources

Scorpio is the sign concerned with (amongst other things) money owed, debt levels, mortgages, insurances, wills and estates.

So when Saturn moves into Scorpio we can expect stricter controls, restrictions and virtually being caught between a rock and a hard place to become the norm.

Credit will be curtailed. Lenders will tighten up even more. During this period cash is king.

You can expect to be approached by people you know to lend them money. This may sound laughable at the moment because maybe you do not have much yourself, but when this time comes along, you will be richer than those asking for the loan.

We also need to remember that Scorpio is the sign of death, murder and violence. Scorpio also is concerned with sex and perversion. During the transit of Saturn these events should be restricted and controlled better.

Saturn is the planet that rules governments but forced restrictions on any population do not always work out the way those in authority would like.


1982 Saturn in Scorpio: Resources and mining

To see how Saturn is likely to work through Scorpio we can look back to when it was last there which is thirty odd years ago. Saturn entered Scorpio in December 1982.

We can consider how was the situation with the government (Saturn) back then. I can’t remember all the details but I do know that in July 1985 the country where I was living  went under a state of emergency because of the mining unrest. There was a curfew in major cities and rioting in the streets.

We also saw restrictions on gasoline sales. You could not buy gasoline after 6:00pm or on a Saturday or Sunday. This is another example of how governments (Saturn) restricts certain the resources (Scorpio) of the Earth.

Oil and gas are a focus as they are created deep underground by pressure (Scorpio). Remember the pressure cooker?

Saturn limits everything it touches. During this period the gold price is probably going to rise because the mines cannot get production up. Output will be limited either by the government or industrial strike action.

Gold is always high on the list when there are restrictions on the monetary base. Saturn teaches us hard lessons in life.


Scorpio ascendants start a diet

If you have a Scorpio ascendant you will change physically and look different. This will occur when transiting Saturn leaves Libra and goes into Scorpio it will very soon cross your own ascendant going into your first house.

This indicates a time for limited physical mobility or heavy lifting as in, weights at the gym. Firming up they bod.

It can be a time of actually reducing body mass (losing weight) because of a lack created by Saturn. It can also be a time when you may feel older or even get wrinkles. Argh!


Coping with resource restrictions

If we look at a simple resource that can be restricted, such as food, during the Saturn in Scorpio period my suggestions are as follows:

  • Take what you want but eat what you take, don’t waste food.
  • Prepare yourself a strict budget and menu plan.
  • Only buy what you need.
  • Eat more cold food.
  • Don’t turn on the oven to make a piece of toast.
  • Do not waste energy.
  • This is the time to cultivate your own vegetables (in a cold frame).
  • It is a time to preserve (Saturn) fruits in jams and chutneys.
  • Practice self sufficiency.

These are just some examples of how you can work with the Saturn influences when it moves through the different signs.

I am considering the water crisis (Scorpio) which will probably escalate and literally become the “Blue Gold” previously only seen in sci-fi movies.

Obviously during Saturn through Scorpio you perhaps should not take more credit. You could strive to respect your financial commitments and pay your bills on time.

If you recall the old adage of “Never a borrower or a lender be” that one sits well for Saturn in Scorpio.

The astrology suggests we will experience a credit dry-up. This will be the initial affect and as Saturn moves towards the end of Scorpio and passes out into Sagittarius. Only then will we see the final effects of the Saturn transit of Scorpio.

It is at times like this that I feel the need to save cold hard cash in a shoebox under my mattress.

Maybe this is simplistic but to me it is a solution to get through the two-year period when Saturn is in Scorpio.

Saturn will probably leave Scorpio with a legacy of tighter restrictions on the resources of the Earth both financial, mineral (mining) and vegetable (food) which will carry on into the future.