Astrologer's Planets
The associations astrologers make between the planets and human characteristics - Venus and love, Mars and energy, and so on - are over 2,000 years old. For instance, associations with various plants existed as early as 400 BC. These associations are also specifically Western, though there are often universal similarities. In ancient Chinese astrology, for example, Mars is associated with fire and Saturn with earth. Ancient astrologers dealt only with the planets whose movements they could see with the naked eye - five of them. Though the idea of astrology is immeasurably old, a rational and scientific astrology only became possible at about the end of the fifth century BC, substantially because of the intelligent study the Greeks gave to it. And the discovery of the three modern planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto has highlighted new influences. Most recently the half-comet, half-asteroid Chiron has been discovered.
The Ancient Planets
Five of the planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn - have been known ever since man began looking at the heavens. They immediately drew his attention by their brightness and their movements (the word "planet" comes from the Greek word for "wanderer"). Four planets - Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and, most recently, Chiron - were discovered after the invention of the telescope. Astrologers were excited to find that their influences filled gaps in interpretations made by ancient astrologers who knew nothing of them.
| Planet Name: | Sun |
| Avg Time In Sign: | 30 days |
| Yearly Orbit: | None |
| Keywords: | Self-expression, vitality |
The Sun, at the center of the system of the planets of which the Earth is a member, is about 150 million kilometers (93 million miles) from the Earth and is so large that 109 Earths could be placed side by side inside it.
Almost every known civilization has had its own Sun god. In the West, Apollo, the son of Zeus, is perhaps the most prominent Sun god. He is thought to ave originated in Asia, and to have reached Europe via Greece.
Not only does he mirror the brightness and purity of the Sun, but he is also the perfect man, frequently depicted in paintings or carvings as a naked and guileless youth.
In astrology, the Sun - which is technically a star rather than a planet - is associated with the sign Leo and represents generosity of heart, affection, magnanimity, creativity and simple joy. However, in addition to its positive aspects, it can sometimes encourage self-esteem to the point at which it becomes pomposity.
| Planet Name: | Moon |
| Avg Time In Sign: | 21/2 days |
| Yearly Orbit: | 27 days |
| Keywords: | Response, instinct, intuition, fluctuation, emotion |
The Moon, the Earth's only natural satellite, is (for convenience) treated as a planet. However, unlike the "real" planets, it circles the Earth (once every 27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes and 11 seconds), while the Earth and Moon together circle the Sun. Lit by the Sun's light, it appears to grow and decrease in size - wax and wane. It is "new" when it is between the Earth and the Sun, and therefore cannot be seen, and is "full" 141/2 days later, when in full sunlight.
Because the Moon moves eastwards against the background of the stars, it rises later each night - on average about 50 minutes later, although sometimes it is only 15 minutes and sometimes as much as an hour later. A full Moon always rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. When the Moon passes precisely in front of the Sun, there is a solar eclipse - this is a dramatic event which the ancients believed to be of great astrological significance. Indeed, much modern research has been done into this phenomenon - with dramatic results.
The myths that are associated with the Moon (which rules the sign Cancer) tend to show her as feminine and beautiful - but often also as a cruel seductress. As Circe she seduced Odysseus; as Hecate she rewarded her favorites with riches; as Selene she was seen riding her chariot through the night sky. Both in myth and in astrology she is associated with natural childbirth. Perhaps more importantly she encourages natural, instinctive behavior in a personality.
There is a close connection with the emotions, and also with the digestive system. The Moon can make one patient on a good day or changeable and narrow-minded on a bad one; alternatively, it can make one imaginative and sympathetic, but at times perhaps somewhat unreliable.
| Planet Name: | Mercury |
| Avg Time In Sign: | 14-30 days |
| Yearly Orbit: | 88 days |
| Keywords: | Mind, communication - mental and physical |
Mercury is the nearest planet to the Sun, and astronomically it is referred to as an "inferior" planet - that is, its orbit lies between those of Earth and the Sun. It is the smallest of the known planets (only 4,880 kilometers, or 3,000 miles in diameter), and has a year of 88 days - that is the time that it takes to travel round the Sun. So, apart from the Moon, it is the fastest-moving of the bodies used by astrologers, and its movements are comparatively eccentric, for its orbit sometimes takes it to within 47 million kilometers (29 million miles) of the Sun, and sometimes whirls it 70 million kilometers (43 million miles) away. As seen from the Earth, however, it is always relatively close to the Sun and never further away than 27'.
Mercury is a direct descendant of Hermes, the messenger of Zeus, and the god of travelers. Mercury invented the lyre, and he was a marvelous athlete. He is usually shown stripped for sports, clad only in winged sandals and helmet. His characteristics are typically those of Gemini, which is a sign he rules: he is intellectual, perceptive, reasonable, versatile and argumentative, but an excellent communicator. This planet stimulates the mind, but it can make a subject argumentative and critical, nervous and tense - all possible traits of Virgo, with which this planet is also associated.
| Planet Name: | Venus |
| Avg Time In Sign: | 23-120 days |
| Yearly Orbit: | 225 days |
| Keywords: | Harmony, unison, love |
The other "inferior" planet, Venus is 1. 2 million kilometers (67. 2 million miles from the Sun, and takes 225 days to travel round it. Its maximum distance from the Sun as seen from Earth is 48', so, unlike Mercury, it is usually visible at night.
Venus, the legendary beauty, inherited the attributes of Aphrodite, and so she became the goddess of love - ideal, familial and sexual. In the grounds of her temples were groves in which worshippers could make love.
In astrology this planet, which is associated with both Taurus and Libra, is also concerned with love and personal relationships, and with the feminine side of a subject's nature, as well as with art and fashion. Venus encourages gentleness, friendliness, tact and the social graces - but under stress its influence can make one indecisive, careless, overly romantic and overdependent on other people.
| Planet Name: | Mars |
| Avg Time In Sign: | 11/2 mos |
| Yearly Orbit: | 687 days |
| Keywords: | Physical energy, initiative |
Mars is the first planet on the far side of Earth from the Sun, and so is known as a "superior" planet. It has a very eccentric orbit, and can pass as close to the Sun as 208 million kilometers (129 million miles), or be as distant as 228 million kilometers (142 million miles). It circles the Sun once every 687 days.
This planet is associated with the Greek god Ares, fortunate in war but unfortunate in love. Mars was originally a god of farming; however, he is better known as the god of war, to whom Roman soldiers paid tribute before going off to do battle. Powerfully built, Mars is always shown, even when engaged in one of his amorous adventures, dressed for the battlefield.
The planet's astrological association is with Aries: Mars is concerned with the masculine side of an individual's nature, with the muscular system and with aggression. Strongly sexual, this planet can make one aggressive as well as decisive, hasty and rude as well as positive and energetic.
| Planet Name: | Jupiter |
| Avg Time In Sign: | 1 yr |
| Yearly Orbit: | 12 yrs |
| Keywords: | Expansion - intellectual and physical |
The largest body in the solar system (143,000 kilometers, or 89,000 miles in diameter), Jupiter is 778 million kilometers (484 million miles) from the Sun and orbits it once every 11.86 years. It has a magnetic field 20,000 times stronger than that of Earth, and sends out radio waves. It has 15 moons; of these, Ganymede, Callisto, Io and Europa are visible from Earth through even a small telescope (they were discovered by Galileo in 1610, with the earliest practical telescope).
Jupiter protected the city of Rome, and he both blessed warriors before going off to do battle and greeted them when they returned afterwards. He had the power to punish as well as reward the warriors, and was a frequent hurler of thunderbolts. Astrologically associated with Sagittarius (and once also with Pisces), the planet Jupiter is concerned primarily with learning, philosophy and languages. Its influence can encourage optimism, loyalty and justice, but it can also make a subject over-optimistic, extravagant, self-indulgent and somewhat conceited.
| Planet Name: | Saturn |
| Avg Time In Sign: | 21/2 yrs |
| Yearly Orbit: | 29 yrs |
| Keywords: | Stability, restriction, limitation, control |
Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system (120,000 kilometers, or 74,600 miles in diameter); its orbit around the Sun, from which it is 1,426 million kilometers (886. 7 million miles) distant, takes 291/2 years. Its rings three main ones, but hundreds, perhaps thousands, of others - were first studied in 1655, and are now known to be made of ice and rock, whirling around the planet. Saturn has 19 moons, and maybe more.
Saturn, like Mars, was originally an agricultural god, but in Rome he presided over the Saturnalia, a highly enjoyed public holiday. The Christians adopted this feast, and renamed it Christmas.
Astrologically, the planet originally ruled both Capricorn and Aquarius, but now it rules only the former, while Uranus rules the sign of Aquarius. In ancient times Saturn marked the limit of the known solar system, so it is associated with limitation, but also with perseverance and tenacity. It can make one both practical and cautious, but equally, on the negative side, it can cause selfishness, narrow-mindedness and possibly even cruelty.
Astrologer's Planets
The Modern Planets
While the five planets mentioned above were all known in antiquity, the four remaining planets were discovered in modern times. As such, they are generally referred to "the modern planets" by astrologers.
| Planet Name: | Uranus |
| Avg Time In Sign: | 7 yrs |
| Yearly Orbit: | 84 yrs |
| Keywords: | Change, disruption, shock |
Uranus, accidentally discovered by William Herschel in 1781, is 2,870 million kilometers (1,783 million miles) from the Sun and takes no less than 84 years to travel round it. It is four times the size of Earth, has a system of rings and four satellites.
Uranus was born of Earth, then mated with her, and from their incestuous union all living things were born. Saturn led a rebellion against him, and he was castrated. From his severed genitals, Aphrodite (later Venus) was born. This unattractive mythical figure names a planet associated with Aquarius, and is concerned with sexual excesses, deviation and possible nervous breakdowns. Uranus has also become connected with science fiction and space exploration. At best, this planet encourages originality, versatility and independence; at worst, it encourages eccentricity, perversion and rebellion.
| Planet Name: | Neptune |
| Avg Time In Sign: | 14 yrs |
| Yearly Orbit: | 165 yrs |
| Keywords: | Cloudiness, unreality |
Neptune was discovered in 1846, after studies of the perturbations of the path of Uranus suggested that they must be caused by the existence of an unknown planet. Slightly larger than Uranus, Neptune takes 165 years to travel around the Sun, from which it is 4,497 million kilometers (2,794 million miles) distant. It has two satellites, Triton and Nereid. Triton, which orbits Neptune every six days, is one of the largest moons in the solar system.
Neptune inherited his lordship of the sea from the Greek sea god Poseidon, and he also administered all lakes and rivers. Water horses drew his chariot when he rose from his palace in the depths. Neptune became a stallion in order to woo the beautiful Demeter when she became a mare; perhaps this is why he is said to have invented horse racing. The planet bearing his name is associated with the sign Pisces (the most watery of water signs) and is much concerned with the arts - particularly poetry and dancing. It can encourage idealism, imagination and sensitivity - but also carelessness, indecision and deceit.
| Planet Name: | Pluto |
| Avg Time In Sign: | 12-30 yrs |
| Yearly Orbit: | 248 yrs |
| Keywords: | Elimination, eruptive change |
Percival Lowell assumed that Pluto existed, on the basis of mathematical calculations. Between 3,200 and 4,800 kilometers (2,000 and 3,000 miles) in diameter, it was first seen by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. The planet's orbit is 17' inclined to the ecliptic, and is some 5,800 million kilometers (3,600 million miles) from the Sun, around which it circles once every 248 years. Its eccentric orbit brings it within that of Neptune, but a collision is thought to be unlikely. Its moon, Charon, was discovered in 1978.
Pluto, yet another of the agricultural gods, ruled over the Underworld; no creature was ever known to have escaped transportation to his land of death beyond the river Styx. He often wore a helmet, which rendered him invisible, and this must have been of very great assistance in his many campaigns of seduction.
The planet that bears his name is associated with the sign Scorpio, and perhaps for that reason it is also associated with the genitalia and human reproduction. But Pluto is also concerned with the unconscious (buried emotions), and while it encourages subjects to overcome obstacles, it can also tend to make them sly, critical, secretive and cruel.
| Planet Name: | Chiron |
| Yearly Orbit: | 50.7 yrs |
| Keywords: | Audacity, bravery, recovery |
Discovered in November 1977, Chiron has an orbit of 50. 7 years, which takes it in towards Saturn and out so it comes within the orb of Uranus. It is between 148 and 208 kilometers (92 and 129 miles) in diameter, and rotates in under six hours.
It is exciting on the very rare occasions when a new planet is accepted into the astrological discipline, as has happened most recently with Chiron. By now the effects of the planet have been generally accepted - with various opinions as to their astrological influence. Many specialist research astrologers have written widely on the subject. Here we put to you some of their and our own findings, and we hope you will build on them from your own research and experience.
Chiron is half-comet, half-asteroid and is known astronomically as Comet 95P/Chiron Minor Planet (2060). It was discovered on November 1, 1977 by Charles Kowal at the Mount Palomar Observatory, California. It has an orbital period of 50.7 years and a rotation period of 5.9 hours. Chiron measures 148 to 208 kilometers (92-129 miles) in diameter. Its discoverer decided to name it Chiron because of its duality. The original Chiron was a mythological creature - a Centaur - who was half man and half-horse.