The planets

The word planet means ‘wandering star’, but in Hermetic astrology the Sun – a fixed star – and the Moon – a satellite of the Earth – are identified as planets.

In August 2006 the International Astronomical Union redefined the criteria which determined a planet and under this new definition Pluto doesn’t qualify. But just because some smart astronomers changed the yardstick that defines a planet doesn’t mean that Pluto isn’t.

So the dynamic components of your solar system – the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto – comprise the dynamic letters in the astrology code.  

Each planet transmits an astral energy that has its own unique features and characteristics.  And the effect of these specialized energies, as yet undetected by mechanical instruments, is easily observed.

Each planet has its not-conscious psychological correlate and the planets in your birth chart mark for thought-cell groups that constitute the dynamic features of your soul or character.

They provide you with inside information regarding your not-conscious field of mental activity.

Each planet has a gender classification

In Hermetic astrology the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto are masculine planets; the Moon and Venus are feminine planets; and Mercury and Uranus are neutral planets; but we use the gender neutral pronoun ‘it’ when referring to a planet.

Sun

The Sun is the universal marker for power and significance.  

It transmits an astral (thought) frequency that is dignified, proud, firm, moderate, considerate and paternal.  It has an authoritarian approach and desires to control, govern, direct, manage and dominate.  

Its sense of self importance perceives power and authority as the means to the end; and praise and respect its just deserts.  

The Sun is motivated to take control and boost its self-esteem and the Sun in your birth chart is the data-point for information pertaining to your power urge and desire for significance.  

The power thought-cell group in your not-conscious soul-mind receives and transmits astral energies radiated by the Sun.

Moon

The Moon is the universal marker for care-giving, parental love, dependency and domesticity.  

It transmits an astral (thought) frequency that is cool, yielding, changeable, negative, dreamy, inoffensive and lacking in force.  Its goal is to care and provide for a home and family.

It has a caring approach, a need to be needed and delights in responding to the needs of the family and caring for those in distress.

The Moon is motivated by feelings and the Moon in your birth chart is the data-point for information pertaining to your domestic urge and desire to sympathetically care for others.

The domestic thought-cell group in your not-conscious mind receives and transmits astral energies radiated by the Moon.  

Mercury

Mercury is the universal marker for intelligence, perception and reason.  

It transmits an astral (thought) frequency that is sharp, clever, astute, quick, witty, volatile and changeable. Its goal is strictly intellectual.  

Mercury is motivated to think and reason and delights in learning, thinking, talking and expressing its thoughts in written words and sentences

It has a thirst for information and knowledge and Mercury in your birth chart is the data-point for information pertaining to your intellectual urge and desire to learn, think and reason.  

The intellectual thought-cell group in your soul receives and transmits astral energies radiated by Mercury.

Venus

Venus is the universal marker for love, affection and companionship.  

It transmits an astral (thought) frequency that is magnetic, yielding, submissive, coy, moist, pliable, amiable, clinging, convivial, artistic and harmonious.  Its goal is to give and receive affection.

Venus has a receptive approach and a need for companionship. It delights in social invitations and having fun with friends and loved ones.  

It is motivated by its social need and affection and Venus in your birth chart is the data-point for information pertaining to your social urge and desire for love and companionship.  

The social thought-cell group in your not-conscious soul-mind receives and transmits astral energies radiated by Venus.

Mars

Mars is the universal marker for energy, enterprise, aggressive action and sex.

It transmits an astral (thought) frequency that is aggressive, energetic, assertive, enterprising, forceful, combative, hostile, angry, impulsive, rash and penetrating.  Its intent is either constructive or destructive.  

Mars delights in combat, competition and conquest. It has an adversarial approach and a might is right worldview.  

Strife is its joy and winning is its goal and Mars in your birth chart is the data-point for information pertaining to your aggressive urge and desire for combat and aggressive action.  

The aggressive thought-cell group in your not-conscious mind receives and transmits astral energies radiated by Mars.  

Jupiter

Jupiter is the universal marker for optimism, benevolence and prosperity.  

It transmits an astral (thought) frequency that is cheerful, generous, charitable, hopeful, just, honest, optimistic and warm. It has a thirst for plenty and delights in doing favors, spending big and laughing.  

Jupiter is very religious. Its goal is to spread goodwill, cheer and charity so it overlooks minor faults and indiscretions and sees the best in people.  

It is motivated by its optimism and high opinion of itself and Jupiter in your birth chart is the data-point for information pertaining to your religious urge and desire for abundance.  

The religious thought-cell group in your soul receives and transmits astral energies radiated by Jupiter.

Saturn

Saturn is the universal marker for security thinking, careful planning, struggle, poverty and loss.  

It transmits an astral (thought) frequency that is cold, reserved, melancholy, repentant, fearful, reflective, secretive, subtle and cunning.  It’s selfish, fearful and insecure.

Saturn delights in system, planning, hard work and responsibility and is on a quest for safety. Its fear of loss conceives that money, because it prevents hardship and poverty, is the means to feeling safe.  

It is motivated by its need to feel safe and secure and Saturn in your birth chart is the data-point for information pertaining to your security urge and desire for safety.  

The security thought-cell group in your not-conscious mind receives and transmits astral energies radiated by Saturn.

Uranus

Uranus is the universal marker for originality, difference, freedom, liberty, invention, discovery, radical thinking and sudden change.  

It transmits an astral (thought) frequency that is abrupt, erratic, independent, sudden, penetrative, original, unconventional, scientific and progressive. Its goal is personal autonomy – freedom and liberty.  

Uranus has a thirst for new ideas and innovation and delights in being different and living differently. It’s a rebel.  

It is motivated by originality and sense of difference and Uranus in your birth chart is the data-point for information pertaining to your individualism and desire to be different and unique.  

The individualistic thought-cell group in your not-conscious mind receives and transmits the astral energies radiated by Uranus.

Neptune

Neptune is the universal marker for idealism, visionary fancies, great expectations and grand schemes. 

It transmits an astral (thought) frequency that is visionary, idealistic, subtle, impressionable, psychic, emotional, romantic, pleasant, genial, mild, theoretical, dramatic and fanciful.  It’s a daydream believer.  

Neptune has an imaginative approach and an active fantasy life. It craves idealistic emotional happiness and delights in daydreaming about idyllic love, easy money and easy living. 

Neptune is motivated by its dreams and visions and Neptune in your birth chart is the data-point for information pertaining to your desire for utopian idealism.  

The utopian thought-cell group in your soul receives and transmits the astral energies radiated by Neptune.

Pluto

Pluto is the universal marker for cooperation, teamwork, group activity and spirituality.  

It transmits an astral (thought) frequency that is compelling, intense, compulsive, persuasive and drastic.  It’s forceful and intense and is never milk and water.  It has a team-spirit.  

Pluto delights in group activity and its intent is constructive and cooperative or destructive and coercive.  It has a gift for understanding the inner workings of things. 

It is motivated to contribute to the group’s success and Pluto in your birth chart is the data-point for information pertaining to your desire for group activity and urge to cooperate or coerce.  

The universal-welfare thought-cell group in your not-conscious mind receives and transmits astral energies radiated by Pluto.


Author: DW Sutton

Astrology for Aquarius – sharing our knowledge

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