The symbol for the astrological planet of Pluto looks like a combination of the first two letters of the word "Pluto" or the initials of Percival Lowell, the man who predicted Pluto's discovery. It may have been used at first for those very reasons. However, if we apply our understanding of the cross, crescent, and circle, we see that either conscious or divine planning seems to enter into the simple glyph for perhaps the most complex of planets.
Forget for a moment that Pluto is no longer considered a true planet in our solar system. In the glyph for Pluto, the cross of matter has been broken into its component parts (a horizontal and a vertical line), but they remained joined, creating a single right angle instead of four. Pluto has come to be associated with the process of breakdown and decay that an entity, item, or situation goes through at the end of its useful life. This process reduces it to its most component parts and then allows them to once again take form and be reborn, much like the mythical Phoenix. The crescent representing both the intellectual and the emotional halves of the soul remain attached to the cross of matter during this transition, signifying the soul's transcendence of death.
Pluto seems to rule both the 'highest' and the 'lowest' of humanity. The right angle of the glyph reminds us that there is an inherent danger in dealing with the energies of Pluto. Pluto tends to encourage the philosophy that says there is only one absolute right way to think and to act. This energy is not only at the base of what we call our 'conscience' and what some psychoanalysts call our 'super-ego,' but it also gives rise to dictators, underworld crime bosses (remember that in classical mythology, Pluto was Lord of the Underworld), and other megalomaniacs. Many of the 20th centuries most frightening dictators came to power during the time of Pluto's discovery (1930s). This symbolized that the time had come for humanity to confront those remote, larger than life, mesmerizing personalities who gain or attempt to gain absolute power by claiming to know the one 'right' way.
But this striving for an absolute right is really a perversion of the quest for perfection, and perversion is one of Pluto's specialities. Inhuman action are often associated with the astrological energies of Pluto, as striving for perfection is perverted into the imposition of the will of the stronger upon the weaker.
And yet there is a positive side to this tiny but powerful planet. Pluto reminds us to use the material world for what it is meant for. It should be a place to learn the fundamental principles that are the heart of reality, for in doing so, the soul transcends the material world and reaches a union with the spirit. This union is not apparent at first glance, but if we remember the lessons taught by Neptune, we realize that the union of the soul and spirit would, by definition, have to take place beyond time and space.
While the energies of Neptune (inspiration) are too sensitive to exist fully in the material world, Pluto (conscience) succeeds in gaining power for the individual soul by perfectly balancing the three-fold nature of personal experience (mind, body, spirit). But doing so, it overcomes the seemingly vast distance that separates it from the live-giving Sun, the go, and fulfills the ego's purpose.
Pluto rules the eliminative organs, which include the sexual organs. The theme of 'highest' and 'lowest' is at the very heart of what Pluto is to astrologers.
Some of the qualities associated with Pluto include: transformation, power, transcendence, resurrection, purging, regenerating, ruthlessness, mercilessness, absolute, conscience, the super-ego, control, obsession, breakdown, judgement, purifying, power struggles, elimination, death, and rebirth.
The symbol of the astrological planet of Neptune represents the crescent of the individualized soul impaled on the cross of matter. Neptune is closely associated with the messages of ego-denial, selfless love, sacrifice, and a faith in the unseen. Sometimes this inspiring ego-denial for a higher cause becomes perverted by fear into self-destructive, escapist tendencies like suicide, drug and alcohol addiction, and a defeatist attitude.
The true home of the soul is not the material world. Science has yet to pinpoint how and where the mind, emotions, and body interconnect. The soul has its origins beyond the material world, and it is this concept that is represented by the planet Neptune. While Saturn represents what we normally think of as reality, Neptune represents the reality that is beyond our senses. In other words, it represents the true home of the soul, whatever we define that to be.
This other world is beyond time and space. It is the world of intuition, mental telepathy, and ESP (extrasensory perception) of all kinds. Neptune, in classical Roman mythology, was the god of the oceans. When you put your foot into the sea you are connected to all the oceans in the world as well as all the continents. In this way, Neptune represents a constant connection to all that is.
When you are attuned to the subtle vibrations of the world represented by Neptune, you are connected to all there is, all that was, and all that will be. The unenlightened call this mysticism, illusion, or even delusion. But Neptune rules all that cannot be seen, and so much more. It rules oils, essences, gasses, veils, films, and all those things you might consider to be mysterious.
The energies of the planet Neptune can be difficult to use in the material world without perversion. Just when you think you understand, your understanding dissolves and you get distracted by a new wonder or a previously-concealed mystery. Neptune is the planet of distraction. Neptune rules the feet, which are connected to all the other parts of the body (according to the science of reflexology). So, in a sense, Neptune rules the entire body.
Qualities associated with the astrological planet Neptune include: ego-denial, otherworldly qualities, spirituality, inspiration, faith, idealism, fantasy, imagination, dreams and dreamlike states, clouds, confusion, delusion, illusion, deception, weakness, dissolution, sacrifice, surrender, suffering, martyrdom, escape, and addiction.
The symbol for the astrological planet of Jupiter shows the broken circle of the intellectual and emotional halves of the individualized soul, just as Saturn, but this time the cross of matter is below the broken circle. This demonstrates that the energies of the planet Jupiter are those where there is a useful and harmonious connection between the individualized soul and the material universe.
The soul knows that abundance is its birthright and Jupiter symbolizes this abundance. While Saturn is anchored in the material world, Jupiter can be seen as a "sky-hook" that connect us with what we want, using the knowledge that we're going to get what we desire simply because we should have it. Some people call it luck. It is not surprising that the world "jovial" is derived from "Jove," the Roman word for Jupiter. But when lucky people act like they have all the answers, then the bragging, exaggerated aspect of Jupiter rears its ugly head.
Jupiter represents the tools used to aid growth in knowledge and understanding. While Mercury symbolize piece-by-piece perception of individual facts, Jupiter represents assembling the broader picture. It is the "forest" to Mercury's "trees." When Jupiter is tuned into the search for understanding of the human condition, laws, religions, and philosophies are produced, as well as the teaching and widespread dissemination of these subjects through publishing and broadcasting. The search for different approaches to life leads to foreign travel.
Influenced by Jupiter, a lucky, jovial, philosophical person may go overboard in his enjoyment of the finer things in life. It is no wonder than Jupiter is said to rule the liver as well as the blood, veins, and arteries, for they carry life to the farthest reaches of our bodies. Jupiter also rules the hips and the thighs, which help to move us around our own world.
Some of the qualities of Jupiter include: expanding, enlarging, increasing, developing, movement, achievement, integration, encouragement, prosperity, positive outlook, luck, wealth, generosity, bounty, teaching, broader perspective, higher education, law, philosophy, religion, broadcasting, travel, publishing, and happiness.
The symbol of the astrological planet of Saturn shows the broken circle representing both the intellectual and the emotional halves of the polarized, individualized soul. The broken circle rests beneath the cross of matter. This demonstrates that the energies of the planet Saturn are those where material considerations dominate those of a purely mental or intuitive character, although these things are always present.
In many ways, Saturn's energies are opposite those of Uranus. Saturn is the stern, conservative, tradition father to Uranus's rebellious child. As its symbol suggests, Saturn is like an anchor, used to prevent us from drifting from where we should be. But Saturn will keep us tied down in one spot for as long as we take to learn each practical lesson about functioning in the cold, hard, real world. In order to when when to release us from its latest discipline, Saturn tests us with ordeals that are appropriate to the lessons we need to learn. Although this provides a valuable service to us, we usually respond very much like children we are being taught something for their own good. Saturn rules structure in general, as well as the bones, teeth, and the knees. It also rules our sense of hearing and our ability to understand.
Some of the qualities of Saturn include: structure, understanding, permanence, tradition, conservation, maturity, fear, caution, responsibility, realism, understanding rules and limits, authority, material concerns, discipline, concern, obligations, teaching, testing, concentration, and enduring restriction.
The symbol of the astrological planet of Uranus shows the circle of the spirit with a dot in the middle, representing confusion and the desire for change. The cross of matter, altered into an arrow, tops the circle. In the glyph representing Uranus, we can see the symbol for Mars, the planet of energy, desire, and willpower. But Mars is interrupted by the single dot, tempered, held back. Venus, the planet of love and pleasure, can be seen if you invert the sigil. Venus is standing on her head, symbolizing a love for the unusual and the extreme.
The explosive flash that is the Uranian energy occurs when tension results from experiencing extremes of pure mind and pure feelings. These two feelings years to be united and synthesized so that they can function productively in a world where nothing exists without its opposite. But an individual with a strong Uranian influence has to learn when to release the spark. All too often, he or she functions at one extreme end of the scale and the result is an uncontrolled and usually destructive explosion that occurs out of the blue. Revolutionaries are Uranian in nature, but so are humanitarians, such as Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite and the founder of the Nobel Prize.
Uranus is the planet of the unusual and the extreme. It represents the energy that wants to keep our life new and exciting. If you try to promote newness and excitement in our lives, Uranus will support that in every way. However, if we try to keep things the way they have always been, Uranus tends to break in and bring newness and excitement, but in most unpleasant forms. Uranus rules our ankles and wrists, as well as our intuitive intellect. It also rules science, invention, and discovery.
Some of the astrological planet Uranus include: the unusual and eccentric, shock, explosions, excitement, surprise, electricity, invention, genius, revolution, reform, rebellion, enlightenment, liberation, disruption, and the breakdown of well-laid plans.
The astrological symbol of the planet Mercury shows the mental half of the soul (crescent) resting on the symbol of the spirit (circle), which itself rests on the cross of matter. It is as if the symbol for Venus, with all its power to love, beautify, desire, and attract, has been crowned with the crescent of the Moon. The symbol of Mercury suggests the ability not only to focus with pin-point accuracy on the particulars of what is mentally desires, but also to concentrate on and communicate those personal ideas to the universe.
Called the "winged messenger" in Roman mythology, Mercury, god of communication and thought, represents the mind, the energy that enables our ego to receive and transmit fact, ideas, and information. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun so, in a personal horoscope, Mercury will occupy either the same sign as our sun sign, or one sign behind or ahead of it. This can be interpreted as symbolic of our mind, which is either involved with our current situation, thinking about the previous one, or jumping ahead to the next. By concentrating on a subject one fact at a time, Mercury enables us to make reasoned connections between ideas and predictive calculations involving logical assumptions. When we become too obsessed with knowing the outcome of a situation ahead of its time, we tend to be prone to nervousness and worry. Mercury teaches us to focus, and rules the hands, sight, and the nervous system.
Qualities associated with the astrological planet of Mercury include: thinking, observing, studying, analyzing, division, criticism, reason, logic, connection, adaptation, reorganization of thoughts, crafting, forming, details, predicting, calculating, translation, communication, speaking, writing, and reading.
The symbol of Venus shows the circle of the spirit above the cross of matter. This indicates that with the astrological planet of Venus, spiritual values are more important than practical considerations. Furthermore, what is pictured is the attempt to united the perfection of the spirit with the material world by imposing the laws of beauty, harmony, and love on all that is personally contacted. The glyph for Venus has come to symbolize women and all that is feminine.
Venus is the planet of romantic love, beauty, and the arts that are associated with these things. It was named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Sociable Venus rules over parties and pleasurable meetings. She accomplishes her goals by attracting only what she wants and rejecting the rest, thus making taste and values two of her special talents. Diplomacy, tact, and gentleness are a few of the arts that are ruled by Venus. In fact, Venus rules anything beautiful, including art that involves refined forms and designs, because everything must achieve harmony before usefulness, at least from Venus's point of view. The love and beauty of Venus has the power to both unite and heal us. A more desirable and powerful combination is difficult to imagine. Venus rules our senses of touch, taste, and smell.
Some of the qualities associated with the planet of Venus include: the feminine principle, attraction, acquiring, love, beauty, enhancement, behaving tastefully, socializing, being sociable, enjoyment, value, form, discretion, selection, harmony, unity, combination, refinement, diplomacy, tact, gentleness, healing, kindness, making peace and love, and art.
Planets play an important role in determining horoscopes. They are just as important as astrological sun signs, sometimes even more so. The symbol of Mars shows the arrow of activity drawn above the circle of the spirit. The arrow represents the active, goal-oriented feeling of Mars, and the placement of this arrow above the circle symbolizes that material goals are emphasized over spiritual ones. The glyph of Mars has come to represent the man and all that is male.
Mars, sometimes referred to as the "angry red planet," is named after the Roman god of war. It was found to have a surface resembling a planet that had once been devastated by war, hence the name. But the fiery, hot-headed, quick-to-act image is not the entirety of the astrological meaning of Mars. Mars represents our willpower, the energy of our ego, and all that enables us to pursue and accomplish our goals in life. Mars is how we assert ourselves as individuals. Through Mars, we grow strong through challenge, competition, and debate. By being forced to confront the strength of our desires and dedication, we grow stronger and more able to look after ourselves. Mars rules the head and especially the face. It also rules weapons.
Some of the qualities associated with Mars are: the masculine principle, assertion, leading the way, igniting possibilities, challenges, fights, debates, confrontations, courage, taking action, acting alone, independence, strength, initiation, agitation, competition, force, achievement, and survival.
The Moon may not be a "planet" in the traditional sense, but in astrology, it is classified as a planet for the sake of clarity. The symbol of the Moon is the crescent, which represents the purely emotional half of the soul. The other half, used in the glyphs for Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter, and Uranus, represents the mental half of the soul. The symbol can be seen as a parabolic mirror used to reflect, collect, and concentrate energy emanating from an external source. Turned on its side, it is a bowl to contain and nourish.
The Moon is always changing shape and causes the tides to wax and wane. Consequently, the Moon has come to represent our changing moods and emotions, feelings which wash over us and recede, much as the tide does. And yet the Moon reflects the light of the Sun in a completely predictable cycle. For this reason, we associate the Moon with habits and predictability. The Moon is also connected to fertility, as its full cycle is roughly the same as the menstrual cycle of a woman. The Moon rules intuition, unconscious attitudes, patterns, and conditioning. It is also associated with the breast and the stomach.
Qualities associated with the Moon include: emotions, moods, feelings, intuition, reflection, response, adaptation, habits, cycles, dependability, support systems, motherhood, nurturing, protection, unconditional love, adoption, the past, cooking, home-making, conditioning, and writing that comes from the soul.
Astrology is most than just sun signs. Planets play a powerful role in determining horoscopes and understanding western astrology. One of the most important "planets" is the Sun. Though not a planet in the traditional sense, the Sun is classified as a planet for the purposes of understanding astrology.
The symbol of the sun shows a dot in the center of the circle representing the spirit. This is associated with not only our unique existance but also our ego. The Sun represents the notion that we are all at the center of our personal universe, just as the Sun is the center of our solar system.
The Sun, being the most important of the planets, is associated with ruling others by making order out of chaos. The Sun's heat and light gives life, and so the Sun represents fatherhood in a warm, giving, illuminating sense. It is identified with a father who gives life to his offspring and enjoys watching them live their own unique lives. This father believes in the abilities of his children and it proud of them, no matter what. The Sun is always willing to create, to take a chance. This is both the Sun's sport and its purpose. The Sun is the ruler of the heart.
Some of the qualities associated with the Sun are: ego, being the center of attention, feeling important, pride, heat, light, a warm or sunny place, fatherhood, children, taking a chance, creativity, desire, belief, visualization, lighting the way, purpose, ruling, and establishing order.
