THE PLANETS
We begin our exploration of the heavens with the planets themselves. The luminaries (Sun and Moon) and planets are known to astronomers under the following names and symbols:
The Sun
Moon
Neptune
Uranus
Saturn
Jupiter
Mars
Venus
Mercury
Neptune revolves around the Sun in its distant orbit once in about one hundred and sixty-five years. Uranus completes its orbital revolution in eighty-four years, Jupiter in twelve years, Mars in about fifteen months, Venus in eleven months, and Mercury in eighteen weeks. If you imagine these bodies to be revolving in a plane around the Sun with you standing in the center of the Sun, the movement of the planets will appear almost uniform and always in one direction. If the orbits of the planets were circular and the Sun was placed in the center of the circle, their motions would be constant. But planetary orbits are elliptical, and the Sun is located in one of the foci of each ellipse. Because of this, a planet’s distance from the Sun varies as it moves along its orbit. When a planet is farthest from the Sun, at the far end of its elliptical orbit, is it said to be in aphelion. Similarly, when a planet is at the opposite point of its orbit, and is closest to the Sun, this is called the perihelion. When at aphelion the planets move slightly slower, and when at perihelion they move slightly quicker. The Earth follows the exact same laws as all other bodies in our solar system.
If, instead of imagining the solar system from the vantage point of the Sun, we consider how the sky appears from Earth (imagining that it is stationary in space and is the center around which the other planets revolve), we will notice several variations in the movements of the planets. From this vantage point, Mercury and Venus will appear to revolve around the Sun, while the Sun itself seems to revolve around the Earth. Sometimes these two planets will appear to lie between the Earth and the Sun, which is called an Inferior conjunction, and sometimes they will appear to be on the far side of the sun, known as Superior conjunction. At other times Mercury and Venus will appear to the right or left of the Sun, which is known as East or West elongation. The other planets, which have orbits that are far larger than Earth’s, will appear to revolve around Earth at constantly changing distances and velocities. At certain points in their orbits, they will appear to remain stationary in the same part of the zodiac.
When a planet is called direct, this means it is moving forward at its normal speed from our perspective on Earth. In contrast, retrograde refers to a planet that appears to be moving backward across the sky due to differences in its velocity and Earth’s.
The illustration on the following page will help you create a visual image.
G represents our perspective from the earth, with the sun located in the middle. The letter M is Mercury when at Inferior conjunction with the Sun as seen from Earth, meaning it appears to be between the Earth and the Sun.
The letter V is the planet Venus at Superior conjunction with the Sun, meaning it appears to be on the far side of the Sun.
The points W and E are the points of greatest elongation West and East, and the letter S shows the points in the orbit at which those bodies appear to be stationary when viewed from the Earth, (G). As seen from the Earth, Venus would appear to be direct, and Mercury retrograde.
Because we think of the Earth as the subject of the other planets’ influence, in astrology we place it at the center of the field of activity, even though the planets physically revolve around the Sun. If we were making a horoscope for an inhabitant of the planet Mars, we would make Mars the center of the system. So astrology uses a geocentric (Earth-centered) approach instead of a heliocentric (Sun-centered) one.
The Nature of the Planets
Each of the planets has a “personality,” and by getting to know their individual influence, we can learn to evaluate their effects when they are working together in concert.
Neptune acts on the human mind to create a high- strung, nervous temperament that can result in great genius or in instability. It creates complications in business and other involved or complicated situations. It influences one towards fraud, double-dealing, and irresponsible actions. In the body it produces a gaunt frame and weak lungs.
Uranus creates an eccentric mind, waywardness, originality, inventiveness. In business, it produces sudden and unexpected developments, irregularities, instability, and a mix of good and bad fortune. In the body, it’s related to the nervous system, and its diseases are paralysis, lesions or ulcers, and nerve issues.
Saturn produces a thoughtful, sober, dignified mind; steadfastness, patience, and endurance; along with a disposition to routine and habit. In financial affairs it gives steady results that are equivalent to the effort exerted and success that is slow but sure, but also hardship, lack, and difficulty. In the body it is related to the bones, and its effects are brought about by blockages, chills, and inhibition of function.
Jupiter gives joviality, optimism, bountifulness, generosity, a rich and fruitful mind. It renders the subject fortunate in their affairs, giving success and often wealth. When this planet is a strong presence in the horoscope a person is never out of luck. In the body it is related to the arteries and blood flow, and its diseases are those that are a result of excess, overindulgence, and congestion.
Mars confers a sense of freedom, ambition and executive ability, frankness, honesty, and a disregard for consequences. It renders the mind forceful and militant, inclined to pursue new projects and ideas. In the body it is related to the muscular system. Its diseases are those associated with inflammation.
Venus confers poetry, good taste, refinement, artistic sense, gentleness, docility, and a love of pleasure. It renders business both pleasant and prosperous, creating profit from both artistic and practical pursuits. Next to Jupiter it has the most positive effects. In the body it is related to the venous system, and its diseases are blood related: eczema, smallpox, measles, etc.
Mercury renders its subjects active, versatile, capable and business-like, disposed to commerce, whether of the mind or the market, eager in the pursuit of knowledge; alert, and well-informed. Its influence on daily life is variable because it always translates the nature of that planet that it is most near. In the body it is related to the senses and to the reflexes.
The Moon gives charisma and gracefulness, an adaptable nature, variableness, love of change, romance, and adventure; a love for exploration and travel. In the body it corresponds to the glandular system, and its diseases are related to the lymphatic glands and vascular tissue.
The Sun makes its subjects magnanimous, noble, proud, honest and disdainful of immoral actions; loyal, truthful, and fearless. It produces honor and success for officials, and makes the subject fortunate in their affairs. In the body it controls the life force.
Appearance and the Planets
Planetary influence creates very distinct types of people. Their primary features are:
Neptune—Thin, nervous-looking people with thin and usually long faces, frequently wearing a strained or startled look.
Uranus—Tall, wiry, and energetic figures, alert, muscular, erratic, and with a touch of eccentricity.
Saturn—Lean people with deep-set eyes and a heavy brow.
Jupiter—Full bodied, robust, expressive eyes, arched brows, high foreheads, and oval faces.
Mars—Strong, muscular, and athletic bodies, prominent brows, and usually some mark or scar on the face.
Sun—Fresh, clear complexion, round head, broad shoulders, strong jaws, upright and dignified carriage.
Venus—Elegant, well-groomed, and often delicate-looking people, bright eyes, fine teeth and fingernails, small feet, and short fleshy hands.
Mercury—Thin, tall, and active bodies, alert appearance, long arms, and slender hands. Frequently great talkers and quick walkers.
Moon—Rather short and fleshy people, fine teeth, broad chest, and a tendency toward a round or square figure.
Take a look at people as they pass you in the street and consider these types. Simply knowing each planet’s nature gives you a key to understanding a bit of their character and destiny.
THE SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC
The zodiac is an imaginary circle of sky through which the Sun and planets move in their apparent revolutions round the Earth. It extends from 23° 27? above the plane of the Equator and the same distance below, bound by the Tropic of Cancer on the North and by the Tropic of Capricorn on the South. The Ecliptic is the plane of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun or, as it appears from Earth, the path the Sun takes across the celestial sphere. The Ecliptic transects the imaginary circle of the zodiac at an angle of 23° 27? to the plane of the Equator. The points where it cuts the Equator are called the Equinoxes—the Spring or vernal equinox and the Fall or autumnal equinox.
Understanding a Star Chart
When reading a horoscope, you will see a circular chart that represents the movements of the sun and planets as if they are viewed from Earth. On a natal chart, the horizontal axis, or Ascendant/Descendant axis, represents the horizon line. The Sun and all the planets rise at the Ascendant and move clockwise until they set at the Descendant. The Midheaven (or Medium Coeli, M.C. in latin) and Nadir (or Imum Coeli, I.C.) axis mark the highest and lowest points of the Sun’s orbit.
The Zodiac
The Ecliptic is divided into twelve equal sections, counting from the Vernal Equinox. These are called the Signs of the Zodiac. Each sign occupies 30 degrees of the circle.
Their names and symbols are as follows:
Aries, the Ram Taurus, the Bull Gemini, the Twins Cancer, the Crab Leo, the Lion Virgo, the Virgin Libra, the Balance Scorpio, the Scorpion Sagittarius, the Hunter Capricorn, the Goat Aquarius, the Waterman Pisces, the Fishes For astrological purposes they are grouped according to the element and the modality that they represent, so:
Elements
Fire—Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
Earth—Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
Air—Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
Water—Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
Modality
Cardinal—Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn.
Fixed—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.
Mutable—Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.
Every alternate sign, beginning with Aries, is male, and the rest are female. Aries, male; Taurus, female; Gemini, male; Cancer, female, etc. The signs Aries, Leo, and Capricorn are called barren, while Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are fruitful. Aries governs the East, Cancer the North, Libra the West, and Capricorn the South.
The Double-bodied signs are Gemini, Sagittarius, and Pisces. These classifications are all an important part of astrology and are frequently used in reading a horoscope.
The Influence of the Zodiac
Each of the signs has a particular influence over the people who are born “under” it. A person is considered to be under a sign, that is under its influence, when that sign was rising in the East at the moment of their birth (at the cusp of the First House, see here). This is also known as the rising sign or ascendant. You’ll recognize these types among your friends and family:
Aries produces a person with a lean body, long neck, and high cheekbones. The front teeth are usually large and prominent.
Taurus gives a full, thick-set body, strong neck and shoulders, and round, bullet-shaped head. The hands and feet are short and fleshy.
Gemini produces a tall, active, and upright body, long arms and legs, rather wide shoulders, and thin body.
Cancer denotes a rather short, squat figure, with a full body, round face, full chest, short, fleshy hands and feet.
Leo renders its subjects tall, broad-shouldered, with a robust figure, small round head, and an upright carriage.
Virgo renders the body thin and active, with broad shoulders. Someone who looks like an intellectual or artist.
Libra creates an elegant body, well-developed limbs, fine oval face, beautiful complexion. Some of the most beautiful people fall under this sign.
Scorpio gives a short, thick-set, and powerful figure, broad, deep chest, strong and rather bowed legs.
Sagittarius creates a tall person with a well-made figure, long limbs, rather long face, expressive eyes, and a long nose.
Capricorn produces a slight person, a long and thin neck, prominent features, narrow chin, weak limbs and chest and sloping shoulders. Frequently they are wiry and look as if they are capable of great endurance. The face is thin and hard-set.
Aquarius is the most beautiful after Libra. A tall figure, well-formed with a clear complexion, well-developed chin, and fine, clear forehead.
Pisces produces one of rather short stature, with short limbs and small hands and feet.
The short signs are Taurus, Cancer, Capricorn, and Pisces. The tall signs are Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. The others are of medium height.
In addition to the effect of the signs, the planets that are rising in each sign will also affect a person based on their own characteristics. Thus, a person with Cancer as their rising sign (who is “under” Cancer) will be affected differently if the Mars is rising or Venus. The character of the rising planet will combine with and alter the character of the rising sign, so both must be considered together.
Copyright © 2022 by June Rifkin
