Category: Astrology

Social Planets

Social planets, Jupiter and Saturn, represent an individual’s connection to the public. as well as organizations established for the forward progression of society and culture, such as governments and religions. These planets stand inbetween what is personal and what is transpersonal or otherworldly.

Jupiter

Represents: Faith. Positivism. Hope. Mercy. Goodwill. Morality. Aspirations. Optimism. Overindulgence. It indicates how one’s faith, generosity, and tolerance will be expressed and what type of activity will stimulate wisdom and self-confidence.

Day: Thursday               

Type: Benefic. Social planet.

Orbit Cycle: 12 years.

Retrograde Cycle: About every 13 months lasting for about 4 months. 

Rulerships: Jupiter rules the zodiac sign of Sagittarius and Pisces. Detriment in Gemini and Virgo. Fall in Capricorn.

Sect: Diurnal

Tarot Correspondences: Major Arcana, the Wheel of Fortune. 

Saturn

Represents: Limitations. Parameters. Structure. Commitments. Boundaries. Patience. Self-restraint. Authority figures. It indicates themes of responsibility and self-discipline, resourcefulness and conservation of material resources.

Day: Saturday                

Type: Malefic. Social planet. 

Orbit Cycle: About 29 years.

Retrograde Cycle: About every 13 months lasting for about 4 to 5 months. 

Rulerships: Saturn rules the zodiac sign of Capricorn and Aquarius. Exalted in Libra. Detriment in Cancer. Fall in Aries.

Sect: Nocturnal

Tarot Correspondences: Major Arcana, the World.

 

Inner Planets

Inner planets are planets whose orbit is within the asteroid belt. They are the closest to the sun. In astrology, they are associated with our individual concerns, personality, and identity expression.

The Sun

Represents: the Self, the Will, Intelligence, and vitality, it’s how our energy shines to others. Light, consciousness, recognition, creativity, drive, libido, and influence. Sometimes the Sun can be represented as Ego and that of  the higher self.  It may also represent the father figure and/or masculinity. It energizes the House that it lands in and the planets it aspects. 

Day: Sunday

Type: Luminary. Inner and/or personal planet. 

Orbit Cycle: 365.25 days or 1 year.

Retrograde Cycle: None. The Sun always moves direct. 

Rulerships: The Sun rules the zodiac sign of Leo and is exalted in Aries. Detriment in Aquarius. Fall in Libra.

Sect: Diurnal

Tarot Correspondences: Major Arcana, the Sun.

 

The Moon

Represents: the Emotional Self, Inner feelings, and reflections. It’s how our internal energy permeates within self. The unconscious, instincts, habits and patterns, security, intuition, the nurturing aspect of ones self, and the relatability with others.

Sometimes the Moon can be represented as the soul and that of the persona. It may also represent the mother figure and/or femininity.

It also bestows its lunar phase and luminescence to the natal House that it lands in and planets that it aspects.

Day of the Week: Monday

Planet Type: Luminary. Inner and/or personal planet.

Orbit Cycle: 27.33 days or roughly 1 month.

Retrograde Cycle: None.

Rulerships: The Moon rules the zodiac sign of Cancer and is exalted in Taurus. Detriment in Capricorn. Fall in Scorpio.

Sect: Nocturnal

Tarot Correspondences: Major Arcana, The High Priestess.

Mercury

Represents: The mind, intellect, commerce, technology, and communication. It’s how we communicate to others. Thoughts, words, perceptions, rhetoric, trade, and expression.

Day: Wednesday

Type: Both Benefic or Malefic, depending on condition. Inner and/or personal planet. 

Orbit Cycle: 88 days.

Retrograde Cycle: occurs about 3 times a year for about 3 to 3 ½ weeks each time. 

Rulerships: Mercury rules the zodiac sign of Gemini and Virgo. Exalted in Aquarius. Detriment in Sagittarius. Fall in Pisces.

Sect: Both Diurnal and Nocturnal

Tarot Correspondences: Major Arcana, the Magician.

 

Venus

Represents: Aesthetics, arts, beauty, refinement, luxury, romance, love, affection, and sensual pleasure. How you are receptive to and comfortable with love. Sometimes referred to as the Morning Star or the Evening Star.

Day: Friday                             

Type: Benefic. Inner and/or personal planet. 

Orbit Cycle: 225 days.

Retrograde Cycle: Once per 18 months for about 6 weeks.  

Rulerships: Venus rules the zodiac sign of Taurus and Libra. Exalted in Pisces. Detriment in Aries and Scorpio. Fall in Virgo.

Sect: Nocturnal

Tarot Correspondences: Major Arcana, the Empress.

 

Mars

Represents: Outward activity and animal passions. Sexual drive, aggression, and anger. How you assert yourself. Courage and volition. What will stimulate your physical energies.How you are comfortable asserting yourself. Sometimes referred to as the Red planet.

Day: Tuesday                        

Type: Malefic. Inner and/or personal planet. 

Orbit Cycle: 685 days.

Retrograde Cycle: Once per 2 years for about 2 months.  

Rulerships: Mars rules the zodiac sign of Aries and Scorpio. Exalted in Capricorn. Detriment in Taurus and Libra. Fall in Pisces.

Sect: Nocturnal

Tarot Correspondences: Major Arcana, the Tower.

 

Planetary Bodies

Planetary bodies or celestial bodies are all of the movable objects in the heavens, mostly seen, and some unseen. In classical/traditional astrology, the visible planetary bodies are taken into account. These are typically referred to by astrologers as “planets” because they are “wanderer” among the seemingly fixed stars in the sky.

We have the Sun and Moon, which are technically luminaries (but that is just a classification). As well as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. In modern astrology, the outer planets are also included, they are, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. (Pluto has been demoted as a planet in astronomy circles but not astrology circles).

Other planetary bodies that might be loosely referred to or treated as planets would be other astrologically significant points in the heavens such as, Hermetic Lots, Lunar Nodes, and certain Asteroids such as Chiron, Eris, Vesta, and Pallas Athene.

Planetary Bodies

Planets: The Sun • Moon • Mercury • Venus • Mars • Jupiter • Saturn • Uranus • Neptune • Pluto

Points: Part of Fortune • Part of Spirit • Lunar Nodes • Black Moon Lilith •

Asteroids: Chiron • Ceres • Pallas • Juno • Vesta • Pholus • Nessus • Eris • etc.

Apparent Motion

Direct Motion – The normal motion of a planet. The Sun and Moon are always in Direct motion. All other planets can also move in a retrograde motion at varying times.

Retrograde Motion – When a planet is moving backwards through a zodiac sign from a Geocentric position. Astrologers tend to interpret this as inner directed energies for the personal planets.

Retrograde Shadow – The degrees traveled by a planet’s retrograde motion. Usually only a few degrees. Every time a planet stations direct, it takes some time to get back to the original degree prior to its retrograde ingress.  

Stationed Direct – When a planet apparently slows down and stops to move into a direct or forward orbital motion. This is a potent and powerful motion. Sometimes stillness and presence is powerful in itself.

Stationed Retrograde – When a planet apparently slows down and stops to move into a retrograde or backwards orbital motion. This is a potent and powerful motion. Sometimes stillness and presence is powerful in itself.