Astrology Basics- THE PLANETS
SUN Governs individuality, distinct style, and drive or motivations that fulfill your life. Delineates general character, and the broad strokes that define the self. Vital force, individuality, willpower.
MOON Stands for emotions, instincts and the unconscious. Represents the instinctual reactions one has to the world. The mecca of the inner world governing how we feel emotionally and respond to certain situations. Unconscious force, personality, instinct.
**Whereas the sun represents the will, the moon represents the instinct**
MERCURY The planet of mental activities, communication, and intellectual energy. It rules perception, intelligence, reason, memory, and communication. It reflects the way you see, hear, understand, and assimilate information.
VENUS The planet of love and pleasure. It rules over one’s capacity to express affection and interact with the idea of beauty. Represents your allure and desire. Rules over love affairs, art and beauty, fashion, social harmony and friendship. Gateway to higher emotions.
MARS The planet representing what drives your passions, the strength of your willpower, forcefulness, aggression, and the way you handle conflict. Rules over energy, boldness, and force. The courage and strength one cultivates to get their way.
JUPITER The planet of good luck, optimism, success, and generosity. Associated with where you’ll find expansiveness and abundance. It rules over philosophical knowledge, the extent to which you’re a visionary, higher learning, and honesty. Whereas mercury governs a clever intellect, Jupiter governs deeper wisdom and philosophy.
SATURN The planet of responsibility, ethic, and hard work. Teaches discipline and remains influential until self discipline is understood. It is associated with diligence, self control, limitation, patience, stability, maturity and realism. Governs how trust and respect, along with discipline, are integrated in the self. Are you self disciplined, or does the world deliver these lessons to you?
URANUS The planet of change and originality. Brings and symbolizes the manifestation of awakening, shock, and revolution, the “flash of genius.” Associated with both scientific and humanitarian movements. Similar to Mars, but relating to inner will and secret power. Unconscious purpose revealed over a lifetime.
NEPTUNE The planet of mystery and illusion. Represents power of imagination. It’s the planet of idealism and spirituality. The realm of the subconscious world, hidden memory, intuition, and psychic clairs. The ideals, goals, and lifestyle of the higher self detached from ego.
PLUTO The planet of epiphany associated with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Signifies death and rebirth, regeneration along with destruction and annihilation. Pluto wipes the slate clean. Strong and dramatic changes, especially to collectives, have a significant influence from Pluto.
