Free Astrology Lesson - April 2016

Last time, we talked a little bit about the houses in astrology and what they mean. (Also, if you go to that link, you’ll find the previous astrology lessons rounded up, as well.) 

This time, we’re going to go into a bit of a basic overview of the planets and more importantly, why we look at them. I think everyone’s seen the “ It’s in the stars” statements or “ What do your stars have to say ?” And this has become the familiar thing- but, while yes, we do look at certain stars: it’s really all about those planets.

Of course, we have also all heard things like, “ Oh, that Mercury retrograde!” (Usually, with no small amount of swearing.) References to the planetary influences at play on people are pretty common- I, myself have been known to talk frustratingly about my partner’s Venus-driven, ah, enjoyment of downtime a little too much. However, it’s less about these things being the cause, and more about them being what’s already at play in a given influence. That isn’t to say that people who say these things are wrong- they’re not, usually. However, it’s more like how you know the weekend is coming- if you get the weekends off. Friday at 5 doesn’t immediately jettison you home for relaxing, and it’s not forcing you to do it: but you do it. Same as Monday doesn’t exactly force you to go to work, but, you do it. Ultimately, whether it’s a tough choice or not- there’s always still a choice. Astrology and the influence these aspects have on us are no different.

In terms of how these aspects are talked about, you’ll also note that though the Sun and the Moon aren’t planets, they’re usually referred to as such. Again, that’s just one of those convenience things, and less depictive of anyone’s know-how. When we talk of the planets in astrology- those are Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Neptune, Pluto, Uranus, the Sun and the Moon. You may wonder where the Earth fits into this- and well, that tends to be illustrated by the ascendant. From there, it does go deeper, and the influences of certain stars, asteroids, and other things are taken into consideration as well: but we’re going to go into that, another time.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each means- for brevity’s sake, I won’t go into all my usual ramblings about the myth and history. ;)

The Sun

In astrology, most are familiar with the Sun’s influence, because our basic horoscopes go by “Sun signs”. The Sun is just where everything begins, the ego, the sort of essence of you without the deeper detail.

The Moon

If the Sun is that part of yourself that others see- the Moon represents some of the parts of you that you’re seeing. Or rather...feeling. Where you’re Moon falls in the chart is going to describe a lot about what you’re feeling, but also, why.

Mercury

Mercury is all about communication- how you communicate, what you communicate. It’s placement in a natal chart will reveal areas where you have issues with communication, but also, travel in some instances, and the strengths you have there.

Venus

I feel fairly sure that I don’t have to tell you that Venus is about love- but, the planet’s influence actually goes beyond that, a bit. While it’s true Venus can denote what your ideal partner would be like, it can also show how you love, who you attract and why, what friendships you hold most dear, and the things you enjoy in many cases. Of course, Venus is the “feminine” side of things.

Mars

Whereas Venus is feminine, Mars is masculine. Mars is usually representative of how you act, but also, those things that sort of spur you to do so. On Venus’s end of things is love, Mars would be lust and these things work in balance. Mars may also reveal the kind of person you attract, in other ways than Venus- but more than that, it reveals how we can take what starts as inspiration and turn it into how we act on that.

Jupiter

In a nutshell- which is difficult for expansive Jupiter, by the way: Jupiter is about how you grow. The financial benefits or detriments you may face, generosity, kindnesses and other things of that nature are all covered here. It also represents certain aspects of law, philosophy, higher learning and thought.

Saturn

Okay, Saturn gets a seriously bad rap. Saturn is known as the Greater Malefic- whereas Jupiter is known as the Greater Benefic. Those things are exactly what they sound like “malicious” “beneficial”- except, to apply “good” or “bad” to any given aspect is sort of fallacious because any given planet will be aspected for good or bad by other planets and positions within a chart. Saturn, though, is often considered challenging because it’s like that strict father figure teaching you lessons. Encompassing practical concerns, career, discipline and duty, there’s nothing inherently negative about Saturn’s influence. It’s just all about the hard work and having those areas where maybe we may need a little more discipline challenged. Beyond that, as with any other planet: just one part of the bigger picture.

Uranus

Uranus is a fun one and if pronounced correctly, there’s no pun there. Uranus is all about this sort of inner vision and your inner desires to change. We’ll often see Uranus’s influence in things that are considered “chaotic” and events that are unexpected. Essentially, it’s really just about those longstanding patterns getting a Hulk-Smash. Uranus also represents revolution, areas where we might be more original, and creativity.

Neptune

If you’ve started to notice that these things all seem like two sides of the same coin- you’d be right about that. And, well, though both Uranus and Neptune work with unconscious desires and the like- Neptune is a bit less abrupt. Think of it this way: Uranus is the one that opens those doors, but Neptune, that’s what’s on the other side. Unfortunately, this can also mean that Neptune will show those areas where we indulge in escapism on toxic levels, such as addiction and alcoholism. But it can also talk about spirituality and other mystical concerns.

Pluto

Pluto is...sort of the essence of “Though she be small, she be fierce” really. Except, Pluto was a male god, but you get the idea. Transformation, obsession, big, permanent changes both personal and on a whole civilization level: these are things Pluto deals with. The thing about Pluto is, and why, like Saturn, it’s sometimes seen in a negative light- well, these things tend to be, “Let go or be dragged” types of situations.