Planets Are People, Too

Parker's Planets

Planets Are People, Too

The heroes and villains of the cosmic melodrama

The planets are like characters in a never-ending space opera, with heroes and villains, knights and knaves, and even a damsel in distress (often portrayed by Venus or the Moon). Each planet has a distinct character, with its own astrological sphere of influence. Venus "rules" love and creature comforts, for example. The Moon rules the roost.

The solar system is in perpetual motion, with planets constantly changing position, changing signs, and changing the geocosmic scenario. The players, however, stay in character.

The Sun -- the Star of the Show

At the center of it all, the Sun reigns supreme, It is, literally, the star of the show. In astrology, the Sun is linked to our sense of self as well as self-centeredness. The Sun is an egomaniac but it instills self-confidence. The Sun's sign says something about a person but it is not the whole story. Way too much emphasis has been placed on Sun signs. (Oh, don't get me started!) The signs occupied by the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars -- as well as the all-important Rising Sign -- all contribute to a person's astrological profile.

The Moon -- our nesting instinct

The Moon's influence is as significant as the Sun's though it is expressed on a more visceral level. The Moon changes signs every 2.5 days so one's Moon sign does not come trippingly to the tongue. Most people don't know their Moon sign, which fits the lunar M.O. It operates under the radar, below the level of consiousness.

The Moon is blind instinct, our need to nurture; as well as our need for a safe haven, a place we can call our own. It symbolizes the people we are most at home with -- family, room mates, live-in lovers, and old married couples.

Mercury -- the walkie-talkie

Mercury is the cosmic chatterbox and bearer of tidings; and it puts the tiger in our tank. It "rules" communication, transportation, and our daily routine. It symbolizes neighbors, relatives, and the people we encounter in the course of our everyday travels. Generally, it represents the interactions we take for granted. It influences our thinking and self-expression and our attitude towards our environment.

Venus -- the lover

Venus is one of astrology's good guys, called a "benefic." Its sign shows how we express our affections. Venus governs our mating instincts; it rules love, marriage, and life's pleasures, including carnal bliss. It often plays match-maker; just as often, it is a peace-maker, pouring oil on trouble waters. Venus is associated with tact, diplomacy, and protocol.

Mars -- the fighter

On the flip side is Mars, spoiling for a fight. Mars is linked to combat and aggression. It fires up our competitive juices and often it brings out the worst in us. But Mars is also ambitious and it encourages us to rise to a challenge.

Jupiter -- the happy wanderer

Jupiter is the Cosmic Santa; it delivers the goodies. Jupiter is a "benefic" like Venus; and it never kills except with kindness. On the downside, it's extravagant and wasteful; it's also associated with false pride that causes us to "be filled with ourselves." But with Jupiter, there is always tomorrow and the future is bright.

Saturn -- the realist

When Saturn shows up, we pay the piper. Doors start slamming shut, obstacles block our path, and we have to watch our step. We can't take short cuts with Saturn looking over our shoulder, so we build securely. Saturn rules authority figures and grumpy old farts as well as the long arm of the law. It can also signify the short end of the stick.

Uranus -- maverick and mad scientist

Uranus is the cosmic rebel (it is the only planet that rotates on its side). It upsets the old order and changes the guard. Uranus incites the maverick in us but it is often inventive. Uranus rules electronics, including computers, as well as bolts from the blue. Its influence is usually unpredictable but when it is active, it brings out crazies, eccentrics, and Viking raiders (or people who think they are).

Neptune -- the beautiful dreamer

In mythology, Neptune was god of the sea. In astrology, he's a drunken sailor. Neptune is a dreamy, intoxicating influence that filters in like an opium haze. It rules addiction but it can be inspirational. We see visions, have talks with God, and build castles in the clouds. We also make beautiful music together.

Pluto -- no more Mr. Nice Guy

It doesn't matter that Pluto has been demoted to "dwarf planet" status, it is still a force to be reckoned with. It governs basic instincts, primal urges, and the reptile in us. It symbolizes cops and robbers, and the hooker on the corner. Pluto has dominion over dark secrets, society's underbelly, and the things we want to hide.

Eris -- amazon unchained

Eris is another dwarf planet that recently joined the cast of characters. In mythology, Eris was the goddess of strife and discord. Before her formal christening, her discoverers dubbed her Xena (as seen on TV). Whether amazon or deity with attitude, early findings suggest that Eris is living up to its reputation as a hell-raiser.

The supporting roles

Getting second billing are the "centaurs" like Pholus and Chiron, which are probably dead comets trapped in orbit. Chiron has been dubbed "the wounded healer," largely on the basis of mythology. I can't vouch for its healing ability but I have observed that it is often involved in reunions.

Also in the supporting cast, though with significant secondary roles, are the four major asteroids -- Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta.

Ceres -- the Moon's handmaiden

Ceres was once the largest asteroid; so big, it was promoted to dwarf planet status (by the same astronomy convention that demoted Pluto). With its domestic focus, Ceres is almost lunar in character -- you might even call it the Moon's handmaid. It encourages us to be fruitful and multiply, to start a garden, bake bread from scratch, and take in strays.

Pallas -- "Hear me roar!"

This asteroid's influence isn't obvious on a day-to-day basis but you see it at work in natal charts. Many feminists have Pallas prominent in their birth charts. In a man's chart, Pallas in the house of marriage is the sign of a hen-pecked husband.

Pallas is a bit like Mercury, a bit like Uranus, with a dash of Mars. It is linked to insight, clarity, and eureka moments.

Juno -- leading the bride to her bed

Juno is strongly associated with marriage and contracts; and our desire to "make it legal." In mythology, Juno was the Roman goddess of marriage who led the bride to her bed, and "loosened the bride's girdle," leaving Venus to take it from there.

Juno is Venusian in character, chiefly concerned with conjugation; but it's not above a confrontation. It is often blamed for jealous rages and -- adding a dash of Mars again -- it will fight rivals tooth and nail.

Vesta -- saint and sinner

Vesta is endlessly fascinating (to me) because it refuses to conform to the descriptions in most astrological writings. Vesta is something of a mystery in mythology but for Romans she was the keeper of the flame. The empire would endure for as long as her flame burned.

For centuries, the Vestal Virgins tended her sacred hearth in Rome and woe to her who let the flame go out -- or who was caught in the arms of a lover -- for she would be buried alive in the "Field of Wickedness."

All of which strikes us moderns as extreme but extremism is the nature of this asteroid, especially sexual extremes. It is equally prominent in the natal charts of celibates and courtesans, nuns and prostitutes, usually with a connection to Venus or an erogenous house.

Not surprisingly, Vesta acts acts a lot like Saturn but with its own distinct, sexually-charged spin. It is carnal, like Pluto, but with strings attached. It often represents a rival for a loved one's affections or third party inteference in a relationship. Vesta tests our loyalties and it is slow to forgive.

Faces in the crowd

Added to the cast as extras are eclipses, occultations, and the usual Full Moons to signal changes in the Grand Scenario. The solar system is always in flux, cycles recur, history repeats but inevitably the seasons change. "This, too, shall pass" but as one act ends, the curtain always rises on another. The show must go on.

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Fountain Pen, Writing

"The Play's the Thing" . . .

And aspects write the script. Aspects show the interplay between the cast of characters. Aspects come in two varieties, "hard" and "soft" (or "good," "bad," and "difficult"). Essentially, they measure the distance between planets. The distance -- the angles of separation -- describe the relationship between them.

The Conjunction is the strongest aspect. This is when two or more planets are in the same place, or in close proximity. They are joining forces, for better or worse. Conjunctions are "hard" aspects that have a soft touch if the right planets are involved. (Venus and Jupiter, for example.)

The Opposition is next strongest. This is when two or more planets oppose each other from opposite positions in the Zodiac. As you might expect, oppositions coincide with opposition in one form or another. But they also bring awareness -- often a sudden concern in the Other. The opposition is a "hard" aspect that makes its presence felt but the outcome isn't always disagreeable. (Venus opposite Jupiter, for example).

The Square is next in the pecking order. This is when two or more planets are at a right angle -- midway between conjunction and opposition. Planets at right angles are working at cross-purposes. Some astrologers consider the square worse, oops, more difficult than the opposition. It is a "hard" aspect though it may often work with a light touch. (Venus square Jupiter, for example.)

The Trine is the morning glory of astrology, the cavalry riding to the rescue. It is always benevolent, often heroic, and it usually accompanies life's blessings. The trine is formed when two or more planets are 120 degrees apart. It is a "soft" aspect that opens doors and paves the way. But it doesn't force us to take the first step. It leaves the decision to us.

The Sextile is half a trine. This happens when two or more planets are 60 degrees apart, hence the sex in sextile, which ordinarily has nothing to do with sex. There are exceptions, of course -- Venus sextile Mars is a good example. In most cases, sextiles present us with opportunities. It is a "soft" aspect that makes things easy. It's up to us to make things happen.

The Semi-Square is half a square and considered a "minor aspect" but its bite is often worse than its bark. It doesn't know its a minor aspect. And in some cases, it is the only hard aspect possible between certain planets. For example, the only aspects possible between the Sun and Venus are the conjunction and semi-square. They are never far enough apart to make anything else.

Formed when two or more planets are 45 degrees apart, the semi-square is considered an "irritant," which could be an understatement. It is capable of making bad situations worse. But it can also start trouble on its own.

Next is the sesqui-quadrate, a square and a half, formed when planets are 135 degrees apart. Not surprisingly, it acts like the semi-square. It, too, bears watching even though it is a "minor" aspect.

The quincux is borderline in terms of its classification. It is ranked as a "minor" aspect but as Robert Hand has aptly stated, "it may be not so much minor as misunderstood." It has been linked to accidents and acts of fate -- and things we never counted on.

The quincux is formed when two or more planets are 150 degrees from each other. This is midway between the trine and opposition. It is in the hands of the gods.

If a third planet enters the formation and sextiles one party as it quincuxes another, a Yod is formed -- the so-called "Hand of God" formation, which acts more like the Fickle Finger of Fate.

There are dozens of other minor aspects but experience has shown that they aren't worth bothering with. Either they are so minor that they fail to register, or they are the inventions of ancient astrologers to "explain" occurrences that were indicated by nothing else. For the ancients, the solar system stopped at Saturn so there was a lot they didn't know. Most minor aspects don't fill in the blanks.

The exception may be the quintile, formed by planets 72 degrees apart, and the biquintile of 144 degrees. In a natal chart, they indicate special talents or abilities. In transit, moving through a chart, they reveal a process of transformation.

Astrology only indicates the future -- it's up to us to create it.