The Planets:

The What of Your Chart

All about the Planets...

If the Zodiac Signs are the personalities or style of your chart, then the Planets (which include the Sun and Moon, known as the Luminaries) are the actors of your chart. Each planet represents a distinct, universal function or drive within you.

The key to reading your chart is understanding that a Planet asks a question, and the Zodiac Sign it is in gives the answer.

The Key Planetary Roles

Astrology divides the planets into three main groups based on how quickly they move and how personally they affect you.

The Personal Planets (You and Your Immediate World)

Sun (A Luminary)

Astrological Function:

Ego & Identity: Your core self, life purpose, and vitality

Keywords:

Self-expression, Willpower, Consciousness, Core Essence

Ruling Sign:

Leo

Moon (A Luminary)

Astrological Function:

Emotions & Instincts: Your inner world, emotional needs, habits, and need for security.

Keywords:

Feelings, Moods, Nurturing, Inner Child, Family

Ruling Sign:

Cancer

Mercury

Astrological Function:

Communication & Mind: How you think, speak, reason, and exchange ideas.

Keywords:

Intellect, Learning, Logic, Communication

Ruling Sign:

Gemini & Virgo

Venus

Astrological Function:

Relationships & Value: what you like to see in relationships, what you find beautiful, and your capacity for harmony and pleasure.

Keywords:

Affection, Relationships, Aesthetics, Attraction, Money

Ruling Sign:

Taurus & Libra

Mars

Astrological Function:

Action & Drive: Your ambition, physical energy, courage, and how you assert yourself.

Keywords:

Drive, Passion, Conflict, Motivation, Assertiveness

Ruling Sign:

Aries & Scorpio

The Social Planets (Personal Lessons)

Jupiter

Astrological Function:

Expansion & Growth: Where you find luck, wisdom, optimism, and higher learning.

Keywords:

Abundance, Philosophy, Opportunities, Exploration

Ruling Sign:

Sagittarius & Pisces

Saturn

Astrological Function:

Discipline & Structure: Your limits, life lessons, responsibilities, and the mastery you seek over time.

Keywords:

Karma, Maturity, Restriction, Ambition, Authority

Ruling Sign:

Capricorn & Aquarius

The Outer Planets (Collective & Transformational)

Uranus

Astrological Function:

Innovation & Change: Where you seek freedom, rebellion, and sudden, unconventional breakthroughs.

Keywords:

Genius, Eccentricity, Shock, Disruption, Future

Ruling Sign:

Aquarius

Neptune

Astrological Function:

Dreams & Spirituality: Where you seek idealism, imagination, escape, and spiritual connection.

Keywords:

Illusion, Mysticism, Compassion, Creativity, Fantasy

Ruling Sign:

Pisces

Pluto

Astrological Function:

Transformation & Power: Where you face endings, rebirth, subconscious drives, and power dynamics.

Keywords:

Regeneration, Intensity, Control, Evolution, Inner Work

Ruling Sign:

Scorpio

Mercury in Capricorn

Mercury: The function is communication, thinking, and learning.

Capricorn: The style is earth, cardinal, ambitious, structured, and goal-oriented.

Meaning: An individual with Mercury in Capricorn processes information and communicates in a very practical, structured, and often serious way. Their mind is geared toward setting long-term goals and building expertise. They speak with authority, value clear planning, and might seem reserved or cautious until they've carefully thought through what they want to say.

Saturn in the 5th House

Saturn: The function is discipline, restriction, responsibility, and structure.

5th House: The area of life is creativity, romance, self-expression, children, and pleasure.

Meaning: This person experiences Saturn's lessons in the realm of creativity and spontaneous self-expression (5th House). They might feel a heavy sense of responsibility toward their creative projects or children, or they may struggle to feel comfortable taking risks in romance. They are likely slow to enjoy pleasure but, through hard work and discipline, they can master a creative skill and build lasting, structured success in an area of self-expression.

Other Important Planetary Concepts

To get a full picture of the planets, there are two key concepts every beginner should know:

Rulership (Domicile)

A planet is considered strongest, most comfortable, and operating most purely when it is placed in the sign it naturally rules (its domicile). For instance, the Sun in Leo or the Moon in Cancer is like the planet is "home"—it doesn't have to work hard to express its energy.

However sun in Aquarius is not as Aquarius is opposite to leo. This means that Aquarius's tend to feel like life doesn't come easily or always look to the future rather then the present (But this placement just means they are all the more unique and resilient).

Retrograde Motion

When a planet appears to move backward from Earth's perspective, it is said to be Retrograde. This doesn't mean the planet's function stops; rather, its energy is often turned inward. It encourages a period of internal review, re-evaluation, and slowing down in the matters that planet rules.

Mercury Retrograde is the most famous because it forces a re-do or re-think in communication and logistics.

A Natal Retrograde planet suggests the person naturally approaches that planetary function (e.g., action, discipline, or love) in a more thoughtful, less conventional, or inward-focused way.