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The Planetary Characteristics In Astrology

The Planets play an important role in Astrology. These celestial bodies each hold their own influence and energy, and as they transit across the sky, they add this flavour to the Zodiac Signs they pass through. It is through the placement of the Planets in your Natal Chart that creates your Astrological profile, and their interaction between each other (the aspects) will help explain how certain things may play out for you personally.

For example, the Planet Venus is, of course, the Planet of love and beauty, what we value, and find attractive. If you have Venus in earthly Taurus (where it is domiciled), you may prefer secure, stable relationships, and appreciate the finer things in life. You will value quality above all else, and would rather invest in long-lasting luxury items. You appreciate the tactile beauty of things and love to indulge your sensuous side- a soft fabric, a massage, good food.

Read on to find out what each of the Planetary characteristics are, including their “essential dignities”:

two-wander-planetary-characteristics-in-astrology

The Meaning of The Planets

There are 10 “Planets” considered in by modern Astrologers, they are: the Sun Moon Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto.

The Sun and Moon form part of your “big 3”, along with your Rising Sign, in your Birth Chart, as these are considered the most important factors in determining what makes you, you. By knowing someone’s Sun, Moon, and Rising Sign, you can get a fairly accurate picture of what they are like on a fundamental level.

The next 3 Planets, Mercury, Venus, and Mars, are known as the “Personal Planets” because these have a faster orbit and change Signs fairly quickly. They hold a greater importance in our make-up and day-to-day lives.

The next two Planets, Jupiter and Saturn, are known as the “Social Planets” because they have a slightly slower orbit and so affect a slightly larger portion of people simultaneously. With these Planets, we will feel their current transits to our personal placements more strongly than the transits of the personal Planets- especially Saturn! Check out our post on Saturn Returns for more information.

The final three Planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, are known as the “Outer Planets”, because they have such a slow orbit, people of the same generation will have them in the same Sign. Their effects are felt personally only when they are contacting a personal placement (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or the Ascendant) or in a prominent House.

Characteristics of the Sun ☉

The Sun is, of course, the centre of our Solar System, and so represents the core of our personality. It is our general temperament and sense of self, what lights us up and overall who we are. It is the ruler (in domicile) of Leo, and exalted in Aries. Planets are said to be “in fall” in the Sign directly opposite their exaltation, which in this case is Libra, and “in detriment” in the Sign opposite their rulership, which for the Sun is Aquarius (these are known as its essential dignities).

Characteristics of the Moon ☽

The Moon governs our needs, body, and emotions. It rules what we need to feel safe and secure, nurtured, and cared for, how we process our feelings. The Moon is fluid, mutable, and adaptable, as such it can sometimes describe wanderers or travellers (in Traditional Astrology Planets meanings were slightly different). It also represents the maternal figure. It rules the Zodiac Sign Cancer, is exalted in Taurus, in fall in Scorpio, and in detriment in Capricorn.

Characteristics of Mercury ☿

Quick-witted Mercury Planet is named after the Greek and Roman mythological messenger, Hermes/Mercury, the psychopomp that could travel between the worlds. Its symbol is indicative of the winged helmet of Mercury and a caduceus, the staff he carried. Mercury represents our ability to communicate, express ourselves, the way we think and process information, and how we like to learn. It also rules short-distance travel and all forms of messaging and communication. It rules Gemini and Virgo, and is also exalted in Virgo, in fall in Pisces, and in detriment in Sagittarius and Pisces.

Characteristics of Venus ♀

Venus is the Greek and Romany mythological Goddess of Love, Aphrodite/Venus, to me her symbol reflects the ankh, the symbol of life. It represents what we love, how we love, and how we like to be loved in return. IT also shows us where we find beauty and value in the world. It is the ruler of Taurus and Libra, is exalted in Pisces, in fall in Virgo, and in detriment in Scorpio and Aries. It is known as the “Lesser Benefic”, in relation to Jupiter, because of the sweetness.

Characteristics of Mars ♂

The fiery Planet of action is named after the Roman and Greek mythological God of war, Ares/Mars, and its symbol is a shield and spear. Mars shows us how we take action in our life, what our drive is like and where it is directed, how competitive and determined we are, our ambitions, sex drive, and what angers us or how hot-tempered we may be. It rules Aries and Scorpio traditionally, is exalted in Capricorn, in fall in Cancer, and in detriment in Libra and Taurus. It is known as a “Lesser Benefic”, in relation to Saturn, as it can point to severances, accidents, or confrontations.

Characteristics of Jupiter ♃

The jolly Planet of fortune, Jupiter, is the largest in our Solar System and is known as a “Greater Benefic”, generally bestowing positivity, growth, and abundance. It is the Planet of expansion and more-is-moreness. Named after the Greek/Roman mythological God Zeus/Jupiter, the King of the Gods, its symbol is said to represent a thunderbolt or eagle. Jupiter can point to not only what comes easily to us and the natural gifts we will be blessed with in life, but also where we would like to grow to. It governs philosophy, beliefs, faith, trust, morals, and spirituality. It’s the ruler of Sagittarius and Pisces, is exalted in Cancer, in fall in Capricorn, and in detriment in Gemini and Virgo.

Characteristics of Saturn ♄

Known as grandfather time, or Kronos, Saturn is the serious taskmaster of the Zodiac. Named after the Roman/Greek God Cronus/Saturn, it is known as the “Greater Malefic” because it is often associated with constriction and restraints. Its symbol is Saturn’s sickle or scythe. Saturn is in it for the long haul and likes to build things on solid, firm ground out of stable structures. While it may feel like things have hit a brick wall or a grinding halt, it is through friction that we grow and mature. It governs rules, order, hierarchy, discipline, and responsibility. It is ruler of Capricorn, and Aquarius traditionally, is exalted in Libra, in fall in Aries, and in detriment in Cancer and Leo.

Characteristics of Uranus ♅

Discovered in 1781, Uranus is the only Planet to have forward-rolling orbit due to its 180º tilted axis, as such earning it the title of the quirky odd-ball. Its symbol is said to be taken from the surname of its discoverer, Herschel, but I think it looks like a satellite, which would be fitting. Uranus is associated with sudden change and unexpected surprises, upheaval and chaos, and developments in technology. When it transits a personal placement, we can expect breakthroughs, shakeups and curveballs. Sometimes it can add a sense of urgency or drastic, impulsive decisions.

Characteristics of Neptune ♆

The watery Planet of the depths of the ocean, Neptune is named after the Greek/Roman mythological God of the sea Poseidon/Neptune, its symbol is his trident. Another modern Planet, discovered in 1846, Neptune is brings confusion, illusion, and fantasy. It can also bring intuition, empathy, artistry, and spirituality. It can also show any addictive, escapist behaviour.

Characteristics of Pluto ♇

The final, most recent generational Planet discovered in 1930, it is named after the Greek/Roman God of the Underworld, Pluto/Hades. I prefer its other symbol (which doesn’t come up in unicode unfortunately) which resembles Hades’ staff, similar to Neptune’s but with an orb instead. Pluto rules issues of power, control, and cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Pluto can be triggering and intense, blowing things up to profound proportions.

For more information on the Zodiac Signs, check out our post on How To Read Your Natal Chart! Or, if you’d like to discover the wisdom the cosmos has for you, book in a personalised Natal Chart Reading with me!

two-wander-natal-chart-readings — BOOK YOUR ASTROLOGY READING!

So that’s an overview of the Planetary characteristics in Astrology, I hope it was insightful for you. Let me know if you have anything else to add or ay questions in the comments section below :)

If you’d like to delve deeper into the world of Astrology, immerse yourself in our Cosmic Guidance: Traditional Astrology 101 Course!