Planets in Astrology

Astrology uses 10 celestial bodies — from the Sun to Pluto. Each planet symbolizes a life principle and rules one or two zodiac signs.

Luminaries

☉ Sun Rules: Leo. Principle: Ego, identity, life force. The Sun shows who you are at your core and how you express yourself. Your Sun sign is what most people call "their zodiac sign."

☽ Moon Rules: Cancer. Principle: Emotions, instincts, subconscious. The Moon reflects your emotional world, reactions, and need for security. Especially important in feminine psychology.

Personal Planets

☿ Mercury Rules: Gemini, Virgo. Principle: Thinking, communication, learning. Mercury shows how you think, speak, and learn.

♀ Venus Rules: Taurus, Libra. Principle: Love, beauty, values. Venus shows what you find attractive and how you build relationships.

♂ Mars Rules: Aries (and traditionally Scorpio). Principle: Action, desire, energy. Mars shows how you act, compete, and express sexuality.

Social Planets

♃ Jupiter Rules: Sagittarius (and traditionally Pisces). Principle: Growth, luck, expansion. Jupiter indicates where you are fortunate and where you grow. Cycle: 12 years.

♄ Saturn Rules: Capricorn (and traditionally Aquarius). Principle: Limitations, discipline, lessons. Saturn shows where you must work harder. Saturn Return at ~29 is a major life transition.

Generational Planets

♅ Uranus Rules: Aquarius. Principle: Revolution, innovation, freedom. Stays in a sign ~7 years. Defines the spirit of a generation.

♆ Neptune Rules: Pisces. Principle: Dissolution, spirituality, illusions. Stays in a sign ~14 years. Collective dreams and deceptions.

♇ Pluto Rules: Scorpio. Principle: Transformation, death and rebirth, power. Stays in a sign 12–31 years. Deep collective transformations.

Retrograde Planets

A planet is retrograde when it appears to move backwards from Earth. In a natal chart, a retrograde planet means its principle is expressed in a non-standard, introverted way. The most well-known retrograde is Mercury (3–4 times a year for about 3 weeks).