3 ASTROLOGICAL BASICS: Planets, Aspects & Signs

Planets, aspects & signs are the foundation of astrology.. here is a brief summary of each:

PLANETS are the building blocks of the psyche. Each has unique psychological dynamics that correspond to various levels of consciousness. There are 10 planets:

SUN ~ MOON ~ MERCURY ~ VENUS ~ MARS ~ JUPITER ~ SATURN ~ URANUS ~ NEPTUNE ~ PLUTO
(for convenience the sun & moon are referred to as planets)

PLANET KEYWORDS:
Conscious:
SUN: will ~ purpose ~ ego ~ aspiration
MOON: intuition ~ emotional needs/responses ~ instinct
MERCURY: intellect ~ reasoning ~ information processing ~ communication
VENUS: desire ~ love nature ~ creative expression
MARS: action ~ physicality ~ assertiveness
Subconscious:
JUPITER: expansive influence ~ optimism ~ confidence ~ beneficent
SATURN: restrictive influence ~ self-doubt ~ blockages ~ taskmaking
Unconscious:
URANUS: unconscious intellect ~ abstract reasoning ~ genius/eccentricity
NEPTUNE: unconscious intuition ~ inspiration ~ imagination/escapism
PLUTO: unconscious will ~ transformative power ~ regenerative/degenerative

ASPECTS are magnetic connections between planets, at specific degrees of distance, that modify the planets' energies, creating unique tendencies & potentials. In her book "Astrology: A Cosmic Science", Isabel Hickey describes aspects as:"..lines of force between the centers of energy (planets) in the magnetic field of the individual." There are 6 primary aspects:

CONJUNCTION (0 degrees); SEXTILE (60 degrees); SQUARE (90 degrees); TRINE (120 degrees); QUINCUNX (150 degrees); OPPOSITION (180 degrees)

ASPECT KEYWORDS:
CONJUNCTION (0 degrees): merging ~ reinforcing ~ strengthening
SEXTILE (60 degrees): facilitative ~ supportive ~ compatible
SQUARE (90 degrees): discordant ~ frustrating ~ challenging
TRINE (120 degrees): harmonious ~ supportive ~ compatible
QUINCUNX (150 degrees): restless ~ driving ~ challenging
OPPOSITION (180 degrees): oppositional ~ unbalanced ~ challenging

There are two types of planetary aspects - those we're born with and are thus a part of our psyche, known as 'natal aspects' (as displayed on a BirthPrint™) and those that form cyclically from the planets above to the planets within during the course of a lifetime, known as 'transits' (as displayed on a Future Map™).

SIGNS are the prism of personality traits that color your psychology, which is first determined by the planetary aspects. For instance, sun conjunct jupiter creates a naturally optimistic psychology, while your sun sign determines how you express it. Signs are the best known basic of astrology. There are 12 signs:

ARIES ~ TAURUS ~ GEMINI ~ CANCER ~ LEO ~ VIRGO
LIBRA ~ SCORPIO ~ SAGITTARIUS ~ CAPRICORN ~ AQUARIUS ~ PISCES

SIGN KEYWORDS:
ARIES: impulsive ~ headstrong ~ playful ~ independent FIRE
TAURUS: stubborn ~ sensual ~ loyal ~ hard-working EARTH
GEMINI: communicative ~ mercurial ~ adaptable ~ highstrung AIR
CANCER: sensitive ~ moody ~ dramatic ~ nurturing WATER
LEO: strong-willed ~ dramatic ~ creative ~ affectionate FIRE
VIRGO: analytical ~ practical ~ hard-working ~ highstrung EARTH
LIBRA: artistic ~ fair-minded ~ idealistic ~ attractive AIR
SCORPIO: intense ~ private ~ willful ~ passionate WATER
SAGITTARIUS: philosophical ~ optimistic ~ adventuresome ~ athletic FIRE
CAPRICORN: ambitious ~ hard-working ~ determined ~ competitive EARTH
AQUARIUS: inventive ~ rebellious ~ independent ~ philosophical AIR
PISCES: imaginative ~ intuitive ~ sensitive ~ dramatic WATER

A BUILDING ANALOGY
Imagine your psyche is a building, the blueprint created in your first breath. The planets are the raw building materials, the aspects determine the architecture and the signs are the color scheme. Your choices and experiences will modify the structure to a point, but the basic architecture remains the same.

CONSCIOUS, SUBCONSCIOUS & UNCONSCIOUS LEVELS
"Astrology represents the summation of all the psychological knowledge of antiquity." ~ Carl Jung
You may be surprised to know that Carl Jung was also an astrologer, and his theory of the conscious, subconscious and unconscious mind is modeled on the planets! So it stands to reason that aspects that connect the conscious levels (sun, moon, mercury, venus, mars) with the sub- and unconscious levels (jupiter, saturn, uranus, neptune, pluto) bring the greatest potential to challenge, assist and expand awareness. Where these aspects don't exist at birth, much remains unconscious - that is, until the outer planets' transits trigger periods of growth - ready or not!

AN OVERVIEW OF THE PLANETARY INFLUENCES
CONSCIOUS PLANETS:
SUN
keywords: will ~ purpose ~ ego ~ ideal
The Sun is the core of your character, the centerpoint of consciousness. "As above, so below". It represents the ego and self-identity and casts its light over the entire personality. Planets aspecting the Sun, especially the conjunction, are prominently expressed in the personality. For instance, Sun aspecting expansive Jupiter is cheerful and optimistic; Sun aspecting self-controlled Saturn is serious and determined; Sun aspecting magnetic Venus is attractive and charming; Sun aspecting transformative Pluto is intense and perceptive. Each aspect to the Sun gives a layer of complexity, and the Sun's sign gives color to their expression. For instance, all Jupiter/Sun people are naturally generous and cheerful, but Jupiter/Sun Aries will get seasons tickets and take you to every game, while Jupiter/Sun Virgo will generously try to organize your life and Jupiter/Sun Taurus will spoil you with food and trinkets. So the planets' aspects define character traits while the planets' signs color their expression.

MOON
keywords: intuition ~ emotional needs/responses ~ instinct
The Moon is the seat of the emotions, the planet by which we intuit our surroundings. The Moon sign determines how we relate to others emotionally, and the aspects to the Moon indicate what strengths and challenges we may have in our relationships and how and what we seek for emotional security. For instance, Moon aspecting expansive Jupiter is emotionally open; Moon aspecting repressed Saturn is emotionally reserved; Moon aspecting magnetic Venus is warm and inviting; Moon aspecting transformative Pluto is emotionally intense; and all those planets aspecting the Moon would naturally make for a lot of high emotion and inner tension. The more aspects a planet has to other planets, the more complex and active in the psyche it becomes. And of course the Moon's sign colors its expression.

MERCURY
kewords: intellect ~ reasoning ~ information processing ~ communication
Mercury is the planet of intellect and communication and our approach to organizing our thoughts and our lives. It indicates how we process information and our manner of communication. For instance, Saturn aspecting Mercury is reserved; Jupiter aspecting Mercury is upbeat; Uranus aspecting Mercury is disruptive; Pluto aspecting Mercury is intense. Mercury's sign will further color its expression. Mercury is never far from the Sun, and when the Sun and Mercury are in the same sign it indicates a certain singlemindedness from the combined focus of the ego and the intellect.

VENUS
keywords: desire ~ magnetism ~ creative expression ~ love nature
Venus is the planet of receptivity, magnetism and romance, and our longing for an ideal, in ourselves and others. Venus delights in beautiful sights, sounds and smells, and beauty being a subjective thing, the placement of Venus indicates who and what we're drawn to. It also indicates the ways we choose to be creative. Creativity is a healthy, reliable way to express your Venus - without it you're more vulnerable to quick fixes - whatever promises some pleasure and serenity in the short term. So even when your love life is far from ideal, being passionately creative will satisfy your longings with no negative side effects (like extra pounds & morning regrets). Lovers may come and go, but creative self expression is yours forever and vital to keep the fruits of your Venus sweet.

MARS
keywords: action ~ magnetism ~ assertiveness ~ sex drive
Mars makes love and war and whatever else involves willful assertion of energy. We draw from Mars whenever we take physical action, both calculated and spontaneous. Bodily motion is Mars in action. Aspects to Mars indicate how the action flows. For instance, Saturn aspecting Mars indicates resistance to taking action; Jupiter aspecting Mars indicates high energy and endurance; Neptune aspecting Mars indicates a graceful quality to movement; Pluto aspecting Mars indicates intense focus and will when taking action. Mars' sign doesn't change these basic inclinations, it only colors their expression.

SUBCONSCIOUS PLANETS:
JUPITER
keywords: expansion ~ optimism ~ confidence ~ beneficent
Jupiter is the planet of expansion, expanding whatever area of the psyche it touches by aspect. Jupiter expands the spirit when it aspects the Sun; expands the emotions when it aspects the Moon; expands the mind when it aspects Mercury; expands the capacity to love when it aspects Venus; and expands physical stamina when it aspects Mars. Jupiter is the planet of joy and benevolence and we're put directly in touch with its magic through aspects to our conscious planets. Every planet Jupiter aspects has a joyous opportunity to expand, which benefits others as well as the self, and which should be utilized as often as possible. The downside is, when expansive Jupiter is out of balance it can lead to carelessness and various kinds of overindulgence, but recognition of this potential gives you the power to consciously redirect it. In a spiritual sense, Jupiter could be described as our sense of the 'Creator', though we certainly don't need spiritual or religious beliefs for Jupiter's benevolence to flow through us.

SATURN
keywords: contraction ~ self-doubt ~ blockages ~ taskmaking
Where Jupiter is benevolence, Saturn is tough love. Saturn is the planet of limitations, restricting whatever area of the psyche it touches by aspect. Who hasn't heard of the 7 year itch, though most don't known it's a simple Saturn cycle. Saturn is the Great Doubter and whatever planets it aspects are areas where there will be a sense of lacking that inspires a drive to overcome it, a surrendering to feelings of inadequacy, or a vacillating between both - the choice is always ours. Saturn's purpose is to build strength and fortitude, which often happens through adversity. And the adversity often takes place within, through self-doubt, and very little outside stimulus is necessary for it to be activated. If you're inclined to reflect on reincarnation, Saturn would be the unfinished business we bring with us into each life. Early in life Saturn is activated by people perceived as limiting 'authorities', which can stimulate a drive to succeed if they were supportive, an unwillingness to even try for fear of failure if they were not, and usually both to one degree or another. Most of us feel a lacking in some way or other, no matter how successful we may be. These are the games Saturn plays, so the key to winning is to push past the paper tigers of self-doubt and view obstacles as opportunities, which is the flip side of a Saturn struggle. With Saturn, you always reap what you sow, even if you don't remember when or what you sowed. It presents barriers that our past actions helped erect, which we have the choice of patiently dismantling until we're free, or covering with defeatist graffiti as a monument to our failure. The choice is always ours, and Saturn wouldn't have it any other way.

UNCONSCIOUS PLANETS:
URANUS
unconscious intellect ~ abstract reasoning ~ genius/eccentricity
Uranus aspects are our hook-up to the Big Picture screen, enabling us to see beyond appearances, to the logical core of things. When Uranus aspects conscious planets it brings its dynamics directly into your conscious life (ie: sun: spirit; moon: emotion; mercury: mind, venus: creativity, mars, action). Uranus jolts us with sudden understanding, and Uranian insights are by nature ahead of their time, which is great when they're welcomed by open minds, but they're often seen as a threat to the status quo - the status quo being a Saturnian construct, whether in home or culture. Uranian types get great satisfaction from disrupting the status quo, which invariably inspires the appreciation of other Uranian types and the fear and contempt of Saturnian types. Uranus is naturally disruptive, so always expect the unexpected in the areas it touches. Uranian aspects to conscious planets create a nearly irresistible impulse to be unpredictable, so though you always have a choice, chances are you'll let Uranus run a little wild unless you've got some dominant Saturnian impulses to subdue it. Uranus' purpose is to disrupt crystallized perceptions in order to spur growth, ready or not, which usually involves others as well as oneself. And once you learn to go with the flow it's a helluva ride. Uranus is the planet of the inventor for good reason - inventors thinks in new ways, which is what Uranus is all about.

NEPTUNE
keywords: unconscious intuition ~ inspiration ~ imagination/escapism
Neptune is the planet of soaring imagination and inspired emotion. It guides the artists of the world, who bring its gifts to the rest of us through their inspired expression. Neptune is almost always prominent in musicians' BirthPrints™, for instance. Music is the universal language of Neptune. When you hear a song that moves you, that's Neptune. Whenever you're inspired from the heart to the head by any art form, you experience the magic of Neptune, whether you're the creator or the listener/observer. Neptune keeps your spiritual juices flowing, whether you think in spiritual terms or not. What is spiritual to some is imagination to others - either way it's Neptune. The downside of Neptune is the potential for escapism, which is born of longing. Many people use mind-altering means to seek a better connection to their Neptune energy, which is perfectly natural in moderation and has been practiced since ancient times. Many artists are inspired this way, but others can get lost, preferring to live their lives in their minds and forsaking all else, which soon creates havoc through neglect of the creative and practical aspects of life. As with all the planets, Neptune has a high expression and a low expression and everything in-between. The highest expression of Neptune is inspired creativity, the lowest expression is self-destructive escapism. And as with all the planets, you always have the final say. Think of the planets as actors and you're their director. The more prominent the actors are the more tempting it is to let them run the show, but that can throw off the rest of the cast and cause the whole production to suffer. So bring out the best in your actors by all means, but try to keep it balanced and always remember who's in charge - YOU.

PLUTO
keywords: unconscious will ~ transformative power ~ regenerative/degenerative
Pluto is the Phoenix energy in all of us, the will to rise from the ashes. Pluto is always intense and purposeful - its purpose being complete transformation. Pluto is never 'easy', but it's always effective. When Pluto aspects a conscious planet there's tremendous magnetism and strength of will. Pluto always gets noticed, and a little goes a long way, so the key to mastering Pluto is temperance. It's a great emotional force to be reckoned with, and when unleashed it can overwhelm others, so self-control is key. Those with a conscious Pluto (meaning pluto aspects one or more of their conscious planets) freely access their intense Pluto energy and generally aren't phased by other intense Pluto types, but those with an unconscious Pluto can feel threatened when a Pluto type lets loose. Where does all this intensity come from? Pluto (when it aspects conscious planets) brings upheavals early in life that trigger a profound sense of powerlessness that creates a deep need to transform into a master of your own soul and surroundings, which drives you forward, often compulsively, often with dramatic results. Pluto is a dynamic of tremendous creative and destructive power. And as always, the choice is yours.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE ASPECTS
Aspects mingle and modify the planetary energies, creating unique psychological patterns. The strongest aspect is the conjunction, which merges and strengthens the planets involved. The most harmonious aspect is the trine, which gives an ease of expression between planets. The sextile presents opportunities and gives confidence, strength and ease of expression. The square gives a level of frustration that pushes us forward with challenges throughout our lives. Most everyone has at least one square between planets. The opposition, like the square, pushes us forward, often through confrontations, both within and without. It indicates an imbalance and a tendency to vascillate, swinging one way and then the other. The challenge is to try to find the balance within, which is not an easy task, but it builds strength and insight over a lifetime. The quincunx is a complex and powerful aspect. It brings challenges throughout the lifetime, and is felt keenly within as a deep and restless drive. The quincunx is a fairly uncommon aspect, and has an orb of only 3 degrees, though aspects generally have an orb of 9 degrees. Exact and near-exact aspects are naturally the strongest (ie: an exact trine at 120 degrees is stronger than at 115 or 125 degrees). Aspects tie the planets together into a cohesive and unique psychological template that's clearly displayed on your BirthPrint™. Linking the raw material of planets through aspects is akin to linking letters to form words, and both can tell the story of your life.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SIGNS
For an entertaining, insightful and eloquent analysis of the signs I highly recommend the classic book "Linda Goodman's Sun Signs". Sun Signs is responsible for piquing the astrological interest of millions of people from the time of its publication in 1969 to the present, and it's still a staple in every large bookstore, so you'll have no trouble locating it. I believe nothing compares to Sun Signs in interpreting the signs of the zodiac.

As time permits I'll add further information..

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