When we use astrology, we are looking at the movements of the planets and using those celestial movements to understand the greater movements of the universe. If we had to put it more poetically, reading astrology is about reading the larger story behind the events in our universe. While each of us individually may just represent one cog in the greater whole, astrology gives us information about how that cog fits. It tells us about our own individual place in the greater narrative of the universal story.
You may find it strange that the sun and moon are listed as planets in the following list. However, astrology works from the perspective of us here on earth - meaning that the moon and the sun are considered luminary bodies, as well as pluto (which is no longer technically considered a planet).
Each planet in the following list symbolizes something in all our lives - a universal component of our experiences. They rule over different parts of our psyche - different desires, different needs that create who we are. Therefore your own personal combination of zodiac signs, planet locations and houses end up depicting a portrait of you in something known as the natal chart. We get this natal chart from a mapping of the heavens during the moment of your birth into the world.
Download Printable Zodiac Cheat Sheets
A black and white list of zodiac sign characteristics formatted for printers. Includes keywords, planetary rulers, symbols, elements and modalities.
Without further ado, let’s briefly go through the meaning of the planets in astrological terms. For each planet, you can also get more detail about them by clicking on the links within, or get the whole list of them (as well as other astrology goodies) on our astrology page.
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- Time to Transit Between Signs: 1 Month
- Rules: Leo
- Keywords: Ego, Basic Personality, Consciousness, Vitality, Stamina
The sun in astrology symbolizes the basic personality and the self. The sun sign of gives us the basic understanding of how a person makes their choices, why they do what they do.
Read More about the Sun
- Time to Transit Between Signs: 2-3 Days
- Rules: Cancer
- Keywords: Unconsciousness, Emotions, Instincts, Habits, Moods
The moon represents the general depiction of ones feelings, what their instincts drive them to, and what moods are most common.
Read More about the Moon
- Time to Transit Between Signs: 3-4 Weeks
- Rules: Gemini, Virgo
- Keywords: Mind, Communication, Intellect, Reason, Language, Intelligence
The planet mercury symbolizes reason - and therefore also shows us how a person communicates, and the general structure of their thoughts and how they learn and absorb information.
Read More about Mercury
- Time to Transit Between Signs: 4-5 Weeks
- Rules: Taurus, Libra
- Keywords: Attraction, Love, Relationships, Art, Beauty, Harmony
The planet venus symbolizes our concepts of beauty, pleasure, and sociability. Someone’s venus sign shows us how what it is they find pleasurable and beautiful, and what they are attracted to, as well as their style of love.
Read More about Venus
- Time to Transit Between Signs: 6-7 Weeks
- Rules: Aries
- Keywords: Aggression, Sex, Action, Desire, Competition, Courage, Passion
Mars represents the part of us that is still animalistic - our aggression, our sense of competition, and drive. Mars tells us how a person is driven to take action, and what makes them passionate.
Read More aboutMars
- Time to Transit Between Signs: 12-13 Months
- Rules: Sagittarius
- Keywords: Luck, Growth, Expansion, Optimism, Abundance, Understanding
The planet Jupiter represents our sense of optimism, of hope and growth. It shows us how a person finds happiness and purpose, as well as where in life they might be most lucky.
Read More aboutJupiter
- Time to Transit Between Signs: 2-3 Years
- Rules: Capricorn
- Keywords: Structure, Law, Restriction, Discipline, Responsibility, Obligation, Ambition
Saturn is the planet of restriction - of reality - where we begin to see our limitations. This planet tells us about a person’s obstacles, but also where and how they can be disciplined, and where their greater responsibilities lie.
Read More aboutSaturn
- Time to Transit Between Signs: 7 Years
- Rules: Aquarius
- Keywords: Eccentricity, Unpredictable Changes, Rebellion, Reformation
Uranus is the planet of sudden inspiration and change, of eccentricity and openness. In one’s natal chart, Uranus shows us where in life they may experience these kinds of sudden changes.
Read More aboutUranus
- Time to Transit Between Signs: 10-12 Years
- Rules: Pisces
- Keywords: Dreams, Intuition, Mysticism, Imagination, Delusions
The planet Neptune represents the more mystical side of our nature - our dreams, our intuition and imagination. This planet will show us a person’s dreams as well as their delusions - and where they are most creative.
Read More aboutNeptune
- Time to Transit Between Signs: 12-15 Years
- Rules: Scorpio
- Keywords: Transformation, Power, Death, Rebirth, Evolution
The planet pluto symbolizes power and transcendence. It shows us how a person deals with power, as well as our ability to deal with rebirth - and the concept of death and rebirth.
Read More aboutPluto
