The Basics of Astrology Part 3

The Planets and their archetypical meanings, and Ptolemy aspects
subtitled: The tighter the orb, the better the sextile

In part one and two of this series we covered the archetypical meanings of the Signs, Symbols (glyphs) for the Signs, Houses, and the Elements and Modes of each Sign. There's no test but for real life, if you can make the meanings of the terms we use in Astrology your own, then you are well on your way to understanding your own natal chart, thereby becoming more prepared for your life's transitions.

Now we begin in this third part, a condensed and simplified study of the Planets and their archetypical meanings and what exactly an aspect is. We will be covering the basic Ptolemy aspects. Ancient astrologers used the word "heavenly bodies" to describe the lights they observed in the sky. Contemporary astrologers use the term Planets. The Planets regulate energy flow and represent the dimensions of experience. These Planets are the Sun, and the Moon, and the personal Planets, Mercury and Venus. Followed by Mars, Jupiter (The great benefic) and Saturn (the great malefic), which are the interpersonal Planets. Next Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, known as the transpersonal Planets.

The Sun is your Sign, as covered in the first lesson. The Sun is the heart and center of it all. It is the father, guru, teacher or figure of authority. We receive light from the Sun, and it makes life grow. The Sun represents all the changes we have not yet taken, that part of us that we have not yet experienced but are headed toward. The Sun represents our identity, or self, in that it is toward these that we are moving and developing. Thus, it also represents that which we will become: older people, authorities -- those we look toward, or up to. Teachers, gurus, and older (more experienced) people are represented by the Sun. The Sun represents the part of the mind concerned with ego formation, self image and basic vitality. The Sun is the Ruling Planet of the Sign Leo, which is associated with the 5th House, Children and Creativity.

The MOON effects our emotions and is about feelings. The Moon is the Ruling Planet of Cancer, which is, of course, associated with the 4th House, the House of the Home. From the very tides of the oceans one can feel the real physical pull the Moon exerts and one can feel the emotional tug from a Full Moon. The Moon represents the part of the mind concerned with emotion, instinct and mood. At the New Moon, the Moon is within the Earth's orbit and lost in the Sun. Tradition suggests that we start (or may receive) an impulse at the New Moon, build and develop it for two weeks until the Full Moon, and then gradually understand or draw some conclusions from the experience during the two weeks after the moon is full. In the Moon we find information about the kind of environment we create around us, our support system. It is not only the surroundings that we set up today, but the Moon also represents our past, the particular history and social background out of which we grew. Aside from our social background, the Moon governs all of the old habits that we have grown beyond. We tend to look down on, or back on, our Moon. It represents those experiences out of which we have come, all those younger souls who are unconscious, or conscious to our own level.

Next comes fast moving MERCURY. This represents the part of the mind concerned with intelligence, mobility and the transfer of information. Mercury is about communication. Mercury is the ruling Planet of Gemini, which is associated with the 3rd House, communication. Mercury also rules Virgo that is associated with the 6th House, service, including mentoring. Mercury is the light in our eyes, the ever-changing consciousness within us that moves from idea to idea. Thus Mercury has always represented thoughts, ideas, and the mental process in general. It governs not only ideas, but communications, too. Communications -- by phone, letter, spoken, or however -- are ruled by Mercury. Also thoughts, connections, phone wires, and everything that connects and conveys -- even conversations. Three, maybe four times in the course of a year, the planet Mercury spends three weeks or so going backwards in the sky, a period we call Mercury Retrograde. Practicality sometimes intervenes, but to the extent that you can arrange it, you are better off if you can avoid signing anything important during this period, buying anything mechanical (unless its failure would be of trivial consequence), initiating travel, or attempting significant communications by phone or mail. This, of course, is a lot to ask; and sticking to it too firmly starts to verge on Cosmic Paranoia. Still, there is a heightened tendency for objects, messages, and plans to go awry during this Mercury Retrograde time. Sometimes a little patience exercised will make your life a lot easier in the long run. If steps simply must be taken, it doesn't mean everything is doomed to failure...just keep duplicates, have backups, double-check everything, and be prepared for petty annoyances. Mercury Retrograde is not without benefits. For it is a time when the mind turns inward; and one is freed to think in independent, imaginative and innovative terms though there might possibly be a difficulty in self-expression. "Words do not form."

VENUS is seen with Mars as the Love Planets, together they represent how we handle physical relationships. Venus represents the part of the mind concerned with relationships, aesthetics and the release of tension. Venus is the ruling Planet of both Taurus which is associated with the 2nd House, that of resources, and Libra which is of course, associated with the 7th House, partnerships. Venus rules our values and sense of appreciation. When we appraise or appreciate something, whether that is another person or a new car, this is Venus -- the sense of love and compassion we may feel. By the same token, this Planet rules enjoyment too. Whether it is self-appreciation or just plain old decadent self-enjoyment by having a good time, this is Venus. When we go shopping or are on a spending spree, it is Venus that allows us to appreciate and value all the good things of life.

MARS represents the part of the mind concerned with assertion, self-defense, and territoriality. Mars is the Ruling Planet of Aries, which is associated with the 1st House, personality; and with Pluto, is the Ruling Planet of Scorpio, which is associated with the 8th House, sex, death, and other transformations. Scorpio is a complex Sign. Mars is the nearest Planet to the Earth, and frequently visible, it may be recognized through the distinct reddish hue of its ray. Mars was known as Ares, the god of war; and as Nimrod, the god of the chase, whose mission it was apparently to dispel terror and fear. The Romans celebrated the festival of Mars in March. From it comes our word martial, war like -- as martial music. Mars's revolutionary period is two years. Mars is the Planet of ambition and inner motivation or drive. When we search for the meaning of something, life or whatever, it is Mars that urges us on, keeps us searching. Mars also drives us against things, too and sends us into war and combat. The urgency of Mars, the search for meaning, is identical to the need for union, yoga, and marriage. Mars is the Planet of union, and marriage is the most common form of yoga. When we have questions about the opposite sex, we are looking at the Planet Mars. Mars is the energy that moves us, the way we feel -- our emotions. Mars is what drives us and its House placement is the way we are driven. And it is the kind of energy or drive that we have which determines our personal atmosphere or aura: the kind of room or space in which we have to live -- our living room. The kind of room we have determines how we feel about our life, comfortable or cramped. We are working with our Mars as long as we have not completed our yoga, or marriage, as long as the two have not become one. As long as we are intrigued and drawn hither and yon, we are working on our Mars. This mysterious person beckons, that piece of music or poem captures our attention, moves us. Mars symbolizes the physical expression of energy outwardly; with Mars Retrograde this energy is directed inwards. One may not be at one's best in finishing physical projects; these projects may seem like they are taking *forever* to complete or one may not feel like dealing with outward necessities at all!

JUPITER represents the part of the mind concerned with the recognition of opportunity, with faith and humor. Jupiter is the ruling Planet of Sagittarius that is associated with the 9th House, Religion philosophy. The largest planet in the solar family: larger in fact than all other Planets combined. Jupiter's revolutionary period is 12 years. Jupiter is the Planet of success and simple survival, the way we have to solve the problems that confront us. Thus Jupiter has to do with the way in which we can be successful, our vocation. Jupiter is the light or path. Jupiter provides us with our sense of direction, the path we are on, the way we handle life. It affects how we approach life's problems. It has always been an indicator of how successful we may be, our vocation. It is our "luck" or solution to time's test. In Astrology, Jupiter is the great benefic as it shows us how to find our way through Saturn and the tests of time -- how to use Saturn. Jupiter often describes our vocation or the way we must go through life, since that through which we have to pass (Saturn) dictates the way we must go through life (our vocation). We have mastered our Jupiter when we are a physical success. The freedom of Jupiter is eternal vigilance toward the law or rules of Saturn.

SATURN is the ruling Planet of Capricorn, which is associated with the 10th House, Vocation. Historically before the discovery of Uranus, Saturn was also associated with the Sign Aquarius. Saturn's revolutionary period is about 29 years. Saturn represents the part of the mind concerned with self-discipline, competence and reality testing; it is the Planet of earthly responsibility. The process of finding out who we are (self-discovery) starts when we come to grips with whatever problems life presents to us and begin to get a handle on them. In other words, if we have not dealt with Saturn, or time (that is, if we don't have some control of time), there is little opportunity for other questions. Saturn rules the laws and limitations of this material world we all live in. Saturn indicates where we are bound to learn, the narrowness that makes our way felt, the walls that make homes possible. Saturn holds us together as much as apart. Saturn is said to be the great teacher, the Planet that keeps us from getting carried away in one direction or another. Although it always seeks to limit and determine any thought, word, or action, it also defines and clarifies. Saturn, or law: Almost every astrologer wants to know where Saturn is in the chart because here we are sure to gain insight into some of the major obstacles and challenges of life. We don't break nature's laws; they break us. The laws of Saturn are much feared; for it is here that we are bound to learn. The laws of Saturn are often seen as standing between an easy life and us. But Saturn also provides the walls that make homes possible. Gravity is an example -- the law that holds things in place. We come across the influence of Saturn every time we break nature's law. We are subjected and tested by these laws until such time as we learn to use them. Saturn is so important in the chart because it shows us where we must be disciplined and where we are bound to learn something; therefore, everyone always wants to know how to come to grips with Saturn in the natal chart.

URANUS represents the part of the mind concerned with individuation and innovation and with counteracting the pressures of conformity. Uranus is the ruling Planet of Aquarius, which is associated with the 11th House, Friends. It is sometimes called "The cataclysmic Planet." Its revolutionary period is 84 years. It's discovery by Sir William Herschel on March 13, 1781, added a new factor to the problems of Astrology, and incidentally widened the horizon of observation of Planetary influence upon human life. Inserting the Planet into the existing horoscopes revealed that Uranus had been the previously inexplicable cause of violent dislocations, fractures, separations, mental disturbances and deaths. Our responsibilities can tend to weigh us down, and we each have our particular ways of getting around (or breaking through) the mass of obstructions that tends to congeal around us. The Planet that has to do with how we get beyond the difficulties and problems life presents us is Uranus. Here is the way insights come to us, how we discover or come to know and understand ourselves. It has to do with finding new uses for old things, and it rules inventions and sudden insights into our life -- everything that is unusual, eccentric, and out of the ordinary. It is the reverse of the status quo and is always unconventional and heretical.

NEPTUNE represents the part of the mind concerned with self-transcendence, compassion and imagination. Neptune is the ruling Planet of Pisces, which is associated with the 12th House, unfinished business. Its revolutionary period is 164 years. Even the most hard-nosed of us have moments of real understanding, when things are seen as linked together and one piece. We stop getting the idea in little flashes and just get the whole thing. It dawns on us. We each have our own way of letting go, having communion. These moments and this state of mind are, in fact, the source for all our imagination. There are many ways of seeing through the separateness in the world to the unity behind it.

PLUTO represents the part of the mind concerned with personal renewal and the urge to do something significant. It is the ruling Planet, along with Mars, of Scorpio, which is associated with the 8th House, sex death and other transformations. It's revolutionary period is about 240 years. Pluto is the Planet of profound change, starting deep within us and moving toward the surface. It often touches upon the most sensitive psychological areas inside us. Once touched, we have no choice but to change and grow. The most sensitive of experiences, the times of greatest vulnerability, are times of complete identification with an experience, a person, or a thing. We know in these instants that we are looking at our self, what we are. The most personal of experiences is one of complete identification with a person, moment, or idea. Perhaps this is only possible for most of us when we look into our child's eyes, and then only infrequently. Love is not the experience here, but total identification. This is very sensitive stuff. To touch upon this material is to go through deep inner change and transformation -- inner alchemy. Identification and experiencing that life is our own creation and that, in fact, I am you and you are I. This experience breaks us down and humbles. When we touch upon this experience, we cannot but die to what we have been thinking and doing up to now. It reduces us to our most sensitive because -- in a flash -- we see or remember that it all is us, our life.

ASPECTS are energy interactions. They reveal and describe the intensity of experience. Aspects are an important part of modern Astrology. As the Planets move in their elongated orbits around the Sun, they form various angular relationships with one another. These are called aspects. Aspects between Planets gradually form, become exact, and separate. When an aspect is exact, it has its greatest impact. Yet, the effect of most aspects can be felt for some time before and after the moment when it is exact. The range within which an aspect is in operation is called its "orb of influence" or simply its orb. When two Planets form an aspect with one another, their energies and natures are said to combine and work in harmony or discord.

Here are key meanings for the major (Ptolemy) aspects:

Conjunction - Planets in the same place. They signify reinforcement of planetary qualities; a concentration of influence.

Opposition - Is similar to Conjunction but creating a much greater potential for awareness due to conflict and confrontation. It is being forced to look at "both sides of the issue". Arbitration. Playing against the middle.

Square - The square aspect spotlights challenge or tension and a need for changes symbolized by the Planets, Houses, and Signs involved. Square aspected handled well shows through individual Development and the Facing of Facts.

Trine - A smooth flow of events and a certain vision with respect to the Planets, Houses, and Signs involved. Confidence. Harmony.

Sextile - Similar to trine, lacking some of the vision, but more work-oriented, bringing clarity and drive, sextiles are the exciting aspects.

The emphatic aspects: The emphatic aspects are those that emphasize or align two Planetary energies with one another.

-Conjunction (0 degrees) Two Planets at the same point in the zodiac are said to be in conjunction. Their natures are fused or blended into one.

-Opposition (180 degrees) Two Planets at opposite sides of the zodiac. The energies are in alignment with each other. They can pull together or apart, depending upon the nature of the Planets involved.

The hard aspects:

-Square (90 degrees) and Semi-Square (45 degrees). These represent challenge, obstacles, and substance. They provide meat and potatoes in our life. Too many can block or obstruct the life flow, yet too few can cause life to be weak or thin.

The soft aspects:

-Trine (120 degrees) and Sextile (60 degrees), the soft aspects bring ease, clarity, and vision to our lives. We can see, grasp, and understand what is happening. Too few of the soft aspects means we don't know what we are doing or what is happening in our lives, while too many soft aspects make for a life that runs cool, is overly mental, and lacking in substance.

In a natal chart, aspects are part of the *picture* that represents you. Planets in Signs and Houses give us a static *picture* of you. The Planets move, and this movement create aspects to your natal chart. These moving Planets are called transiting Planets, by transit they form aspects to your natal Planets, particularly your personal Planets. Many of these contacts represent critical turning points in your life especially if the transiting Planet is an outer Planet. This is the unfolding of YOUR destiny, for good, for ill, all depends on YOUR response.

recommended books:

The Inner Sky by Steven Forrest
A favorite of astrology teachers, The Inner Sky introduces all the astrological basics...signs, planets, houses, aspects, and pulls them all together in a strategy for synthesis. At the top of the list for students who are interested and motivated to step into the wonderful world of Astrology

The Changing Sky by Steven Forrest
Steven's book of astrological prediction techniques.

Measuring the Night: Evolutionary Astrology and the Keys to the Soul, Volume One
AUTHORS: Steven Forrest and Jeffrey Wolf Green
A groundbreaking new book based on a series of Evolutionary Astrology workshops by cutting edge astrologers Jeffrey Wolf Green and Steven Forrest. Astrology, reincarnation, and psychology are all presented in a warm and personal lecture format for your reading pleasure. The book is suitable for beginners and advanced students and includes case studies, chart examples and audience interaction.

Measuring the Night: Evolutionary Astrology and the Keys to the Soul, Volume Two
AUTHORS: Steven Forrest and Jeffrey Wolf Green
Learn how to use your birth chart as a tool in the evolution of your consciousness. This book covers Astrology, Evolutionary Astrology, reincarnation, psychology, all in a warm and personal lecture format.

Astrology of Personality: A Reformulation of Astrological Concepts and Ideals in Terms of Contemporary Psychology and Philosophy An excellent book though possibly somewhat challenging, well worth the study and highly recommended.

Dane Rudhyar / Paperback / Published 1990 A Handbook for the Humanistic Astrologer This book has almost everything you need to understand Astrology from a humanist rather than an event centered perspective. Excellent, this is recommended for the advanced student. Michael R. Meyer, Dane Rudhyar (Preface) / Paperback / Published 2000

And when all else fails there is now Astrology for Dummies...this has got to be the ultimate all time simple introduction to Astrology, it does not go into the depth that other books do, but it is fairly simple and a good start.