The Planets

[lillyjgc]

Introduction to the Planets
http://i40.tinypic.com/ao195h.jpg


A planet is a large space body which reflects the light of a star around which it revolves. The planets in our solar system are classified as inner planets and outer planets. The inner planets, those closest to the Sun, are solid spheres of rock and include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.Jupiter marks the gateway to the Outer planets.
The outer planets are Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Pluto is more recently considered to be a Dwarf Planet.
The sun and moon are often referred to as the Luminaries, or the" Lights".

Between the inner and outer planets is an asteroid belt. Every planet, except for Earth, was named for an ancient Roman god or goddess. Some of the planets have naturally occurring satellites, or moons, while others do not. All eight planets orbit the Sun in their own unique way.

The names of the planets, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn as well as the Sun and the Moon (which the ancients believed were planets as well) are derived from Latin names given to these bodies by the Romans. These names replaced those previously given by the Greeks.
It is believed that the names given by the Greeks were also inspired by even earlier civilizations going back to the ancient Sumerians. The Sumerians were the earliest civilization in recorded history, dating back to about 3500 BC.

Symbolic Glyphs
These are the shorthand glyphs (or symbols) representing the planets. Note that the planetary dignities for the outer planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) are accepted by many modern astrologers, but there is no traditional basis for their assignment. Traditional astrologers deny that the outer planets have any rulership, exaltation etc, as this destroys the symmetry of the table of dignities.However the Modern Rulerships have been included here.

Below are the glyphs used to show the signs of the Zodiac.
http://i40.tinypic.com/2qrzzuv.gif
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/sun-signs/zodiacal-music.php


And here are the planets that rule those signs.

Saturn
Rules: Capricorn & Aquarius

Exalted in Libra http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/8/-/-/-/Saturn_symbol.gif (http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/8/-/-/-/Saturn_symbol.gif)
Detriment: Cancer
Fall: Aries
Exalted Degree: 21 Libra

Jupiter
http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/5/-/-/-/Jupiter.gif (http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/5/-/-/-/Jupiter.gif)


Rules: Sagittarius & Pisces
Exalted: Cancer
Detriment: Gemini & Virgo
Fall: Capricorn
Exalted Degree: 15 Cancer


Mars
Rules: Aries & Scorpio
Exalted: Capricorn http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/6/-/-/-/Marsglyph.gif (http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/6/-/-/-/Marsglyph.gif)
Detriment: Libra & Taurus
Fall: Cancer
Exalted Degree: 28 Capricorn


Sun http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/B/-/-/-/Sun_symbol.gif (http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/B/-/-/-/Sun_symbol.gif)
Rules: Leo
Exalted: Aries
Detriment: Aquarius
Fall: Libra
Exalted Degree: 19 Aries


Venus
Rules: Taurus & Libra http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/C/-/-/-/Venus_symbol.gif (http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/C/-/-/-/Venus_symbol.gif)
Exalted: Pisces
Detriment: Aries & Scorpio
Fall: Virgo
Exalted Degree: 27 Pisces


Mercury
Rules: Gemini & Virgo http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/7/-/-/-/Mercury_symbol.gif (http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/7/-/-/-/Mercury_symbol.gif)
Exalted: Virgo
Detriment: Sagittarius& pisces
Fall: Pisces
Exalted Degree: 15 Virgo


Moon
Rules: Cancer
Exalted: Taurus http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/E/-/-/-/Moonsymbol.gif (http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/E/-/-/-/Moonsymbol.gif)
Detriment: Capricorn
Fall: Scorpio
Exalted Degree: 3 Taurus


Uranus
Rules: Aquarius (modern) http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/D/-/-/-/Uranusglyph.gif (http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/D/-/-/-/Uranusglyph.gif)
Exalted: Scorpio
Detriment: Leo
Fall: Taurus
Exalted Degree: 23 Scorpio


Neptune http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/9/-/-/-/Neptune_symbol.gif (http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/9/-/-/-/Neptune_symbol.gif)
Rules: Pisces (modern)
Exalted: Cancer
Detriment: Virgo
Fall: Capricorn
Exalted Degree: 3 Cancer


Pluto
Rules: Scorpio(modern) http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/A/-/-/-/Plutosymbol.gif (http://z.about.com/d/astrology/1/0/A/-/-/-/Plutosymbol.gif)
Exalted: Leo
Detriment: Taurus
Fall: Aquarius
Exalted Degree: 15 Leo

The Planets

The Sun -Self-expression, life force.
Moon-Emotions, intuition, cycles, home, Mother
Mercury- Thoughts, speech, communication, business matters, short journeys.
Venus - Romance, creativity, beauty, social life, possessions.
Mars- Action, energy, accidents, willpower, sexual expression.
Jupiter - Luck, expansion, opportunity, excess.
Saturn - Duties, responsibilities, burdens, lessons, ambitions.
Uranus - Sudden changes, stress, insights, technology.
Neptune - Dreams, illusions, deceptions,Drugs and alcohol, the arts.
Pluto- Elimination, death, birth, regeneration.Planetary Speeds
When a planet's speed is less than its average; it therefore moves less through the zodiac than it normally would. This is considered a debility.

The average daily distances travelled by the planets are as follows:
Sun: 59'
Moon: 13deg.10 min.36sec
Mercury:1 deg 23'
Venus: 1 deg 12'
Mars: 31'
Jupiter: 05'
Saturn: 02'
Uranus: 42"
Neptune:24"
Pluto:15"

SIZE
SMALL PLANETS (Mercury - Venus - Earth - Mars - Pluto)
The small planets have diameters less than 13000 km across. Mercury and Pluto are sometimes referred to as lesser planets because they are so tiny.
GIANT PLANETS (Jupiter - Saturn - Uranus - Neptune)
The giant planets have diameters greater than 48000 km. The giant planets are sometimes also referred to as gas giants.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Terrestrial_planet_size_comparisons.jpg/180px-Terrestrial_planet_size_comparisons.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Terrestrial_planet_size_comparisons.jpg)
Mercury,Venus, Earth, Mars-to scale


To hear Holst:"The planets", go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6NopU9K_8M

FURTHER READING
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/planets/

[lillyjgc]

http://i43.tinypic.com/35dc8lx.jpghttp://i43.tinypic.com/35dc8lx.jpg (http://i43.tinypic.com/35dc8lx.jpg)
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/http://i43.tinypic.com/35dc8lx.jpg

[Nexus7]

The Sun


Dignity: Leo

Exaltation: Aries

Detriment : Aquarius

Fall: Libra


One of the single most important and powerful factors in the chart, the glyph for the Sun depicts a circle with a dot in the middle, denoting manifestation of spirit, or infinite potential. It rules the regal sign Leo and the fun-loving 5th House of fun and creative self-expression.

This is the ‘star sign’ of newspaper columns. These columns, however, are charts set up with the sun sign on the ascendant. Thus at best, they can only be very general. Sun-sign astrology is a huge industry, but this may eclipse any real understanding what the Sun is really about and certainly how much importance should be placed on it when ‘weighing’ all the main factors in the chart. The over-zealous use of typology, as with any kind of stereotyping, may blind us to many of the factors that make each of us absolutely unique. Neither is it just the sun-sign that should be considered in ’weighing’ the Sun alone, but also its House position and the aspects it receives in the natal chart.

Whilst all the major planetary bodies, including Sun and Moon - the Lights - are called 'planets,' we know that the Sun is not a planet but a star, therefore the source of all the energies of all the planets in the solar system. It is here, therefore, where we may ‘shine’ and project ourselves most forcefully; it certainly has a lot to say about life energy and vitality: a weak or poorly-aspected Sun may indicate health problems with these areas.

Just as it is the focus of energy of the whole solar system, so may it symbolise for us the way we focus and organise our lives, according to the Sign and House it is in. This is why it is most often referred to as the ego, or self, in the chart and here too, where each individual should be able to function as a freely-functioning autonomous individual.

The Sun can also be seen as the proactive, 'yang' component of our being: it wishes to ‘make its mark’ on the environment rather than blend in, or to take the habitual route. Solar individuals tend to be dominant with strong leadership skills: positively, this may be generously empowering for others too; negatively, this may be self-centred or domineering.

The Sun also ‘rules’ the father, or the role of fathering, and possibly, of mentoring, too. Any role in life that requires an executive role may also bring out the solar function in everybody, regardless of how the Sun is placed in their chart. The Sun is tradionally more accessible as an energy to men, though in truth it ‘belongs’ to both sexes – as does its counterpart, the Moon.

Where the Sun is in the chart, there may also be 'something to prove' as the individual seeks to test their integrity and heroism against the world. Most people may not live heroic lives on the grand scale of a ‘Star Wars’-style epic, but the Sun’s House position in the chart may indicate where each individual may affirm their sense of who they are, in terms of how they make their stamp on the world.

In mundane astrology, the Sun rules the leaders of a country rather than its people (the latter is more the domain of the Moon) and royalty. In horary, the sun as a fast moving planet must always be taken into account and here too, is also said to rule ‘masculine’ energies

[lillyjgc]

Reference List
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/sun.html

http://www.cyberspacei.com/englishwiz/library/names/zodiac/contents.htm

http://www.cafeastrology.com/sun.html
http://www.astrology.com/allaboutyou/sunsigns/
http://www.12astrologyzodiacsigns.com/
http://www.circlesoflight.com/astrology-introduction/sun.shtml
http://learn1astrology.wordpress.com/2008/04/26/learn-astrology-sun-sign-strength-or-weakness/
http://www.starlightastrology.com/signsindex.htm

http://www.psychics.co.uk/astrology/homepage.html

[lillyjgc]

THE MOON
http://i42.tinypic.com/2w6ut8m.jpg
Picture courtesy of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon

[Nexus7]

The Moon

Dignity: Cancer
Exaltation: Taurus
Detriment : Capricorn
Fall: Scorpio

Earth's only satellite and as one of the luminaries reflecting the light of the Sun, the Moon is one of the most dominant factors in the natal chart. It rules the Sign Cancer and the Fourth House in the chart, representing our home and roots, the mother and the past.

Its glyph, a semi-circle, signifies 'container' or 'matrix,' soul' as opposed to 'spirit.' Whilst incomplete as a circle, symbolising infinity, the limiting cross of matter is topologically absent. The 'death' of the waning moon always presages the birth of the new. Many old lunar deities have three 'faces' - one for each of its main phases.

Seen from Earth, the Moon appears to be the same size as the Sun and thus may be interpreted as the reactive, softer 'yin' counterpart, equal as a foil to the outgoing, proactive solar 'yang,' polarity within our being: 'ground' as opposed to 'source' of being.

Non-rational and more to do with the subjective ebb and flow of feelings, moods and imagination, the Moon may have a lot to say not only about how we perceive the world, but also about our capacity for responsiveness and emotional style. It is also about 'sensitivity' - positively, about our capacity for empathy towards others - negatively, for taking things personally. As counterpart, or foil, to the individualising solar principle, the Moon seeks relatedness and a sense of belonging within community. Negatively, this can certainly become parochialism, but could also encapsulate 'soulfulness' in a more Hillmanesque sense - the poet's moon.

In these 'politically correct' times it may well be dangerous to relate Moon to females and Sun to males as in 'modern' astrology, we know that men and women can be a mixture of both yin and yang. The menstrual cycle, however, still corresponds to the mean 28-day cycle of the Moon's revolution through the skies.

In horary and in mundane astrology, the Moon is still the traditional sigificator for females.

The Moon is also linked to our emotional predisposition as well as to memory, habits and knee-jerk reactions formed very early in life. It is sometimes, therefore, interpreted as being a weak link in the psyche should any of these habits prove to be maladaptive later on in life, especially if it receives stressful aspects in the chart. However, it is claimed that capacity for greater emotional intelligence and growth can, albeit maybe with difficulty, be learnt at any point later in life.

Just as the Sun is sometimes reckoned to denote what the individual wants, the Moon by sign and house is said to denote what the same individual needs, in order to feel complete and to experience true well-being in life.

Just as transiting moon phases are noted by astrologers, the natal moon phase, in addition to its sign, can also yield information about basic character: balsamic moon individuals, for example are sometimes said to be 'old souls,' whilst waxing crescent Moons may be forward-looking.

Our lunar characteristics can represent the most personal and intimate facets of our being, which is why moon signs can be so noticeable and relevant if spending any great lengths of time either living or working with someone!

Paradoxically, however, the Moon appears to have a very public face too: a strong and well-placed Moon can be helpful for famous figures. Gauquelin, in fact, showed that the Moon could figure strongly in the charts of some politicians, as well as for writers.

[lillyjgc]

References:
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/moon-phases/moon-phases.php
http://www.cafeastrology.com/moon.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_(astrology)
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/moon.html
http://astrology.about.com/od/foundations/p/MoonSign.htm
http://www.moonsigns.info/
http://www.weboteric.com/astrology_planets/moon.php
http://www.myastrologybook.com/The-Moon-in-astrology.htm
http://www.mooncatsastrology.com/astrology-moon.htm
http://www.astrostar.com/Moon-Importance.htm
http://hubpages.com/hub/Moon_Sign_Astrology
http://www.astrologyindepth.com/The_Moon
http://www.mooncalendar.co.uk/the-astrology-of-the-moon.html
http://www.gloriastar.com/childrensmoons.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4549505_interpret-meaning-moon-karmic-astrology.html
http://www.crystalinks.com/lunarastrology.html
http://www.horoscoper.net/astrology/moon.htm
http://articles.blogbyday.net/importance-moon-astrology
http://www.videojug.com/expertanswer/the-planets/how-does-the-moon-affect-my-personality (video)
http://www.christinerothwell.com/page7.htm
http://www.aquamoonlight.co.uk/moon.html
http://thezodiac.com/basic/planetscontinued.htm
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/moonatt.html

[lillyjgc]

MERCURY
(picture courtesy Wikimedia)
http://i41.tinypic.com/25irhfl.jpg

[Nexus7]

Mercury


Dignity: Gemini

Exaltation: Virgo

Detriment: Sagittarius

Fall: Pisces


The 'ruler' of the Signs Gemini and Virgo, and also where it tends to be most ‘at home,’ Mercury in the natal chart represents how we think and make sense of the world and how we use and assimilate information. The House, Sign and aspects to Mercury can show something of the gifts and challenges we may be presented with in this area. Mercury is also the 'natural' ruler of the Third House, which is 'about' neighbourhood and neighbours, schooling, siblings and everyday commerce.

The glyph, or symbol for Mercury shows a semi-circle representing ‘soul’, above a circle for ‘spirit,’ each topping the cross of ‘matter,’ thus implying maybe the channelling of raw information into understandable concepts.Of all the planets in the Solar System, this planet is closest to the Sun. It is also classed as an 'inferior' planet - it lies between the orbit of Sun and Earth, and can only ever be at most 28 degrees from the Sun.

This therefore means that if your Sun-sign is Aries, then there is a good chance that your Mercury will be in Aries too. If not, then it will be either the adjacent two Signs Pisces or Taurus.

In the natal chart, Mercury shows how we communicate and make sense of the world - how we reason, too. If, then, your Sun and Mercury are both in Aries, then your basic approach to life's challenges will go hand in hand with the way you perceive, too: this will add greater emphasis to your solar characteristics. In some cases, your Sun and Mercury may stand in a tight conjunction in the sky called 'combust.' This may mean that you could be very identified with your opinions and at one with your thought-processes, making you very focussed in outlook, albeit possibly with a somewhat one-sided approach to life.

That same Aries Sun native may, however, have Mercury in Taurus, or Pisces. The former may mean, to give just one example, that the impetuousness of Aries may be tempered by the more deliberate approach mental style of Taurus. The native may also not, however, give themselves enough time to assimilate facts, or that the natural caution of Taurus may sometimes hamper the Aries Sun native's need to use their judgement to make decisions quickly.

Strongly Mercurial types may enjoy words and possibly word-games, to be very adept as communicators and possess a good deal of natural curiosity. Negatively, this could also lead to an over-abundance of nervous energy. Mercury also traditonally rules thieves as much as it is linked to commerce. Here then, it should not be forgotten that Mercury is more to do with ideas and concepts, rather than the realities they describe: information, words and rumours can just as easily be used to mislead or even deceive, as they can to report facts. Here, then, is Mercury as the slayer of the real.

Any discourse on Mercury would be incomplete without mention of its tendency to periodically go retrograde, that is, to seem to move backwards through the Zodiac, not forward.

Such times may be 'blamed' for misunderstandings between friends, parcels and letters lost, train strikes, delayed buses. Perhaps such tales of woe only go to illustrate how dependent we are on our infrastructures and mindmaps to help us make sense of the world!

Mercury natally can also be retrograde but if so, may then may bestow compensating gifts for any glitches in making sense of it all elsewhere - perhaps by bestowing a better-than average ability to think laterally, for example.

[lillyjgc]

REFERENCES
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/mercury5.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/mercury.html
http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/mercury.html
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/aspectmercury.htm
http://www.myastrologybook.com/Mercury-in-astrology.htm
http://www.astrologycom.com/mercury.html
http://astrology.about.com/od/advancedastrology/p/Mercury.htm
http://www.weboteric.com/astrology_planets/mercury.php
http://www.findyourfate.com/planets/mercury.htm
http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrites/mercure_signes.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_4556909_interpret-mercurys-role-karmic-astrology.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology
http://www.ehow.com/video_4437135_venus-mercury-astrological-signs.html
http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/signsMercury.htm
http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/jekyll/75/mercuryaspects.html
http://www.janspiller.com/101_mercuryretrograde.php
http://www.cafeastrology.com/articles/mercuryinsigns.html
http://www.astrologydatabase.com/tags/mercury-aspects

http://www.astrologydatabase.com/tags/mercury
http://www.astrograph.com/learning-astrology/mercury.php
http://thezodiac.com/mercury.htm
http://www.astrologyindepth.com/Mercury
http://www.astrology.com/aboutastrology/interpreting/planets/mercury.html
http://astrology.about.com/od/mercury/a/MercurySigns.htm
http://astrology.suite101.com/article.cfm/mercury_and_venus_in_roman_mythology
http://ancientsky.com/index.php?option=com_search&searchword=mercury
http://astrolife.netfirms.com/mercury.htm
http://www.videojug.com/expertanswer/the-planets/how-does-mercury-affect-my-personality (video)
http://www.san.beck.org/Astro-Mercury.html
http://www.astrology-chart.co.uk/mercury.htm
http://www.khaldea.com/planets/merc_type.shtml
http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/housesMercury.htm
http://www.btinternet.com/~seamaid/Esotericmercury.htm

[lillyjgc]

VENUS
http://i41.tinypic.com/5v65gg.jpg

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia.

[natasa812]

Venus

Dignity: Taurus, Libra


Exaltation: Pisces


Detriment: Aries, Scorpio


Fall: Virgo


This planet spends about 18.75 days in each sign of the zodiac and it orbits the sun in 225 days.

Venus is the natural ruler of Taurus and Libra and, in a natal chart, rules the 2nd and the 7th house. This planet also rules Friday.

The body parts ruled by Venus are: eyes, nose, chin, throat, sexual organs, kidneys, bladder etc.

A badly placed Venus indicates dysfunction of these parts.

In the Roman period, Venus was celebrated as goddess of beauty and love and in astrology, beside those two elements, she also represents grace, harmony, balance, sympathy, pleasure, sensuality, comfort…

Traditionally, Venus is considered one of the two great benefics .
She governs relationships, marriage, business partnerships, art, fashion and social life.

Venus turns retrograde only once every eighteen months and in this period, it is time for re-assessing and re-thinking of our personal relationships and the things we value.
Concerning our love life, some old partners might appear again, and current relationships might end…

According to astrologers, during the retrograde period, we should avoid taking action in the areas of love and finance – until Venus turns direct again.

When retrograde in a natal chart, indicates uncompleted life lessons about giving and receiving love, difficulties in achieving fulfillment or in finding a romantic partner.

The placement of Venus in your natal chart indicates the way you love, the way you approach your partner and relationships, how you interact and how your partner will receive you.

For example, being placed in Capricorn, gives a distant approach, but when placed in Libra, increases kindness and gentleness... The interpretation of the placement in natal chart depends on the position of the planet itself according to the house, a house ruler and how well or badly Venus is aspected.

[lillyjgc]

REFERENCES
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/venus.html
http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/venus.html
http://www.myastrologybook.com/Venus-in-astrology.htm
http://www.astrologyzine.com/what-is-venus-in-astrology.shtml
http://www.weboteric.com/astrology_planets/venus.php
http://astrology.about.com/od/astrologyandrelationships/p/Venus.htm
http://www.cafeastrology.com/articles/lovesexsecrets_venus.html
http://www.astrologycom.com/venus.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology
http://horoskop.upclive.at/astrology/in_venus_e.htm
http://www.sexualastrology.com/planetvenus.html
http://www.astrotheme.com/files/venus-retrograde.php
http://www.ehow.com/video_4437135_venus-mercury-astrological-signs.html
http://www.mindbodynsoul.com/articles/mind/astrology-and-venus/
http://www.spiritproject.com/astro/planets/venus.htm
http://www.depthastrology.net/2009/03/05/sandra-day-oconnor-and-the-libra-venus-archetype/
http://www.circlesoflight.com/astrology-articles/goddess.shtml
http://www.north-node.com/astrology-tutorials/venus
http://rudhyar.com/astroarticles/toloveortobeinlove.php
http://www.mooncatsastrology.com/astro2/venus-cycles.htm
http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/jekyll/75/venusaspects.html
http://www.evolvingdoor.ca/miscarticles/venus_introduction.htm
http://astrology.astrolis.com/venus.php
http://www.123-astrology.com/astrology/venus-signs.html
http://www.johnhayes.biz/planets/planetsVenus.htm
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/aspectsvenus.htm
http://astrology.suite101.com/article.cfm/venus_in_the_astrological_houses
http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/housesVenus.htm

[lillyjgc]

MARS

http://i43.tinypic.com/4r2is7.jpg

[starlink]

MARS

Day Ruler of Aries, masculine/ fire - Night ruler of Scorpio (traditionally)

Exalted in Capricorn, exact degree 28° - In fall in Cancer,
Detriment in Libra (modern) and Taurus (traditionally)
Day and night ruler of the triplicity of all Watersigns





In the past, Mars was considered to be the positive ruler of Aries and the negative ruler of Scorpio. In modern astrology Mars only rules Aries, whilst Pluto rules Scorpio.
Mars is the planet of aggression, initiative, our survival instinct, our (sex)drive, energy, ambition and selfpreservation.He fulfills a defence mechanism where needed and represents our psychological impuls to protect and preserve our individuality as well as our urge for conformity within a group.

In our charts, the Mars function is necessary to get things done and depending on the sign and aspects Mars makes in our chart, we can see in how far we indeed “get things done”!
There is of course a great difference in the expression of the Mars energy, depending on his placement in different signs belonging to different elements.

Mars in Fire, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, feels comfortable in these signs because he is a fire planet and therefore can express himself accordingly.

In Aries, a Cardinal sign, in it’s purest form, very impulsive and aggressive, direct and ambitious, aiming straight at his goal. The doer!

In Leo, a Fixed sign, Mars will act more careful but with more determination and stamina, not giving up easily, not easily beat by controversy. He likes to command and is good at centralizing his energy towards one point. Great need for reward and adoration.

In Sagittarius, a Mutable sign: A bit too hasty, intervenes quickly, busy and often nervous in all his movements. Quick to anger when negatively aspected. Usually loves sports, especially those where they have to aim at things (darts, shooting, bow & arrow). Very enthousiastic and starting things with great optimism.

Mars in Earth, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.

In Fixed Taurus, difficulties initiating and little initiative, but once started you can’t stop him. Can be very determined and decisive. Energy is especially focussed on financial reward and stability. Much more patient than in a fire sign. Sexually strongly sensual, takes his time to warm , after that Mars takes his time enjoying!

In Mutable Virgo, great mental flexibility, fast thinking, very detail orientated, notices everything. Great placement for a controller! When negatively aspected, can be very irritating, critical and even mean and insulting. Sexual energy can be inhibited by thinking too much or through fear of infections, even though the sexual stimulation itself, usually is strong.

In Cardinal Capricorn, maximum output and methodical, practical working methods. Works just as hard as Mars in Taurus but does it faster. Great concentration of energy. Negatively aspected can be ruthless. Danger of overdoing it. Very controlled sexual energy, needs time. Not aggressive in sexual matters.

Mars in Air, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.
In Mutable Gemini Mars’s energy is more mental than physical. Excellent for writing & debating. Quite quarrelsome and tends to loose a lot of energy that way instead of applying it where necessary. Could do a few things at the same time. More superficial than the other placements. Nervous energy, extremely restless.
With sufficient water in the rest of the chart, the sexual energy is quickly stimulated and usually uncomplicated.

In Cardinal Libra, Lack of initiative and getting on because of indecision. Also, Mars is more self centered, Libra (Venus) wants togetherness, so there is lack of co-operation. This is a weak position and Mars’s energy cannot easily come forth.
Sexual energy often not very strong.
In Fixed Air, this Mars will do best in group activities, be a good team leader, but is less inclined not take the lead or start an initiative . However, Mars here likes to bring in new ideas for projects and generally is more controlled than in other signs.
More friendly feelings towards partner than strong sexual interest.


Mars in Water, Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
Here we can see how Mars’s energy flows in comparison with water: In Cancer, non stop movement, like the sea, in Scorpio stilstanding water, in Pisces running water.

In Cardinal Cancer, notwithstanding the Cardinal mode, Mars is not strong. In Cancer he is in fall, is strongly subjected to emotions and can have great difficulties to direct his energy in a practical way. Mars needs a good deal of Earth, present in the rest of the chart, to get things done and not to be inclined to emotional outbursts. The proverbial “storm in a glass of water” is very describing of Mars in Cancer.
Strong inner needs and outer shyness can cause sexual problems. In some cases a certain fear for anything sexual.

In Fixed Scorpio, Strong, very deep and longlasting emotions, extremely passionate and “love-hate” situations are common with this placement and the borderline between them very thin. Mars here is capable of great revenge, especially when hurt. Positively aspected this Mars can move mountains, has seemingly neverending physical strength, a very hard worker but negatively aspected, can crush anything that stands in his way. A need for other aspects in the chart which softens or controls this powerful energy, is needed.
Strong sexual energy.

In Mutable Pisces
Here Mars’s energy gets going at the spur of the moment, quite agile and is quickly emotionally stimulated. Because water streams “downwards” (down seen as less refined) some individuals with this placement can behave quite unconventional, not caring what people say about them, whilst there are others who make an effort to act in a more pleasant, conventional way. Mars here is well equipped to put his energy in efforts to help the underdog.
Sexual energy is, especially with less refined types, strongly developed, easily stimulated and they can let themselves go completely. The more evolved, intellectual types can curiously cut out the passion and in some cases can live in celibacy with ease. (ideal placement for a monk!). Because of the duality of Pisces, the energy of Mars is not very equal, sometimes stronger, then again less. This also shows why there are actually two different types of individuals to be found in Pisces.

The energy of Mars depends also very much on it’s house placement. In a positive house it works better than in a negative house. Angles very strong, cadent houses least strong and succedent houses medium strength.
Aspects to Mars greatly influence it’s energy as well, so take the above statements as general descriptions!


*************

[lillyjgc]

Mars- Further Reading
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/mars.html
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/aspectsmars.htm
http://www.crystalinks.com/mars.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/mars.html
http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/mars.html
http://www.myastrologybook.com/Mars-in-astrology.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology
http://www.astrologycom.com/mars.html
http://www.aquamoonlight.co.uk/gauquelin.html
http://www.weboteric.com/astrology_planets/mars.php
http://www.mythinglinks.org/euro~west~rome~Mars.html
http://www.findyourfate.com/planets/mars.htm
http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrites/mars_signes.htm
http://www.suite101.com/blog/astrology72/the_role_of_venus_and_mars_in_ancient_astrology
http://www.astrologyindepth.com/Mars
http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/signsMars.htm
http://astrology.astrolis.com/mars.php
http://www.north-node.com/astrology-tutorials/mars
http://kenoath.wordpress.com/2008/11/16/mars-phallac/
http://practicalastrology.prettyfedup.com/articles3.htm
http://matthewastrology.blogspot.com/2007/09/hells-astrology-mars-through-signs-with.html
http://www.medicinegarden.com/astrology/cw_mars.html
http://www.san.beck.org/Astro-Mars.html
http://astrology.about.com/od/mars/a/MarsSigns.htm
http://www.achernar.btinternet.co.uk/marssigns.html
http://astrology.about.com/od/astrologyandrelationships/p/Mars.htm

[lillyjgc]

JUPITER

http://i43.tinypic.com/2zf8r4j.jpg

[lillyjgc]

JUPITER
(Also known as Zeus and Phaeton.)
Rulerships by sign: Sagittarius (by day) / Pisces (by night)
Signs of detriment: Gemini & Virgo
Exaltation (sign & degree): Cancer - 15°
Fall (sign & degree): Capricorn - 15 °

Triplicity rulership Fire triplicity by night

Jupiter is known as the Great Benefic. It is the largest of the planets and has been referred to as "the Lord of Plenty", bestowing upon the Earth all things bountiful. In truth, Jupiter is Lord of the World itself, and rules International/Global events and the ninth house in western Astrology.

This somewhat "larger than life" planet represents the energy and exuberance of Sagittarius,the zodiac sign over which it has rulership in a Diurnal chart .Jupiter is the polarity of Mercurial energy, the higher octave of Gemini.
The radius of Jupiter is nearly 44,360 miles. When it is nearer to the Earth it appears to be brighter than any fixed star, but not as bright as Venus,(the Lesser Benefic) Jupiter is said to be surrounded by a dense atmosphere of methane and ammonia gases.
Jupiter is the first of the slower-moving planets and it takes approximately a year to travel through one sign of the zodiac, thus forming a 12 year cycle. The return of Jupiter to the position it occupied at your birth once every 12 years marks an important development point.

Philosophy,Philanthropy, Higher Education and the exploration of ideas all fall under the jurisdiction of Jupiter. In the same way that Mercury conceives the idea in the third house, Jupiter takes it to a higher level, in the ninth, above the horizon,and thus we see that Jupiter also holds rulership over Religion, Churches,and places involved with metaphysics, also Universities, colleges,and courts.
Jupiter is concerned with the expansion of our consciousness, both as individuals and as part of a"Cosmic Collective".
Jupiter is considered to the Patron of Religious leaders,Judges, those upholding the law and those whose concerns involve social values and ethics, such as "moral Crusaders", or Lawyers, Charities.

In the words of Deborah Houlding..(see Reference list below)

"The symbol for Jupiter shows the crescent of spirit being anchored in the
cross of matter; a signature of contact with divine illumination."

Jupiter has rulership over Pisces in a Nocturnal chart. There it stimulates dreams and visions of the future, expanding our awareness through our own creative mental and spiritual processes.In Pisces, the Spiritual matters are emphasised,and Jupiter works there by expanding our consciousness, at a sub conscious level.
At a more physical level, Jupiter rules over ailments in the body that are connected with purification-the Liver being a primary one, but also the circulation of air and blood through the body,aspiration in both senses of the word.
Because of the expansive effect of Jupiter, illnesses like flatulence, obesity tumours and growths are also ruled by Jupiter - illnesses caused by excesses, or resulting in excesses (such as haemorrhages).
Jupiter rules, blood, liver, arteries, thighs, neck, weight problems, diabetes, cataract, intoxication, biliousness, cholestrol.
Jupiter rules your potential for growth and expansion on many levels ; physical, intellectual, spiritual, cultural, and the accumulation of material assets, power, and status. It describes your optimism and aspirations. It represents your father and his position in society.

William Lilly had this to say about Jupiter:

Manners when well dignified:
Magnanimous, faithful, bashful, aspiring in an honourable way at high matters, in all actions a lover of fair dealing, desiring to benefit all men, doing glorious things, honourable and religious, of sweet and affable conversation, wonderfully indulgent to his wife and children, reverencing aged men, a great reliever of the poor, full of charity and godliness, liberal, hating all sordid actions, just, wise, prudent, thankful, virtuous: so that when you find Jupiter the significator of any man in a question, or lord of his Ascendant in a nativity, and well dignified, you may judge him qualified as abovesaid.

Manners when badly placed:
When Jupiter is unfortunate, then he wastes his patrimony, suffers every one to cozen him, is hypocritically religious, tenacious, and stiff in maintaining false tenets in religion; he is ignorant, careless, nothing delightful in the love of his friends; of a gross, dull capacity, schismatical, abasing himself in all companies, crouching and stooping where no necessity is.

Jupiter's gift to us here on Earth is the gift of hope and optimism. It is the light that can lead us to fulfil our highest potential. The aspects it makes to other planets in our chart describe the knowledge/learning /wisdom that we can attain or what obstacles we may confront along the way.

[lillyjgc]

JUPITER: FURTHER READING
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/jupiter.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/jupiter.html
http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/jupiter.html
http://www.astrologydatabase.com/tags/jupiter
http://www.crystalinks.com/jupitermyth.html
http://astrology.about.com/od/jupiter/Jupiter.h
http://www.spiritproject.com/astro/planets/jupiter.htm
http://www.skylarkbooks.co.uk/Shop/media/Exploring-Jupiter-Stephen-Arroyo.htm
http://www.san.beck.org/Astro-Jupiter.html
http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/signsJupiter.htm
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/57286_astrology-signs-mars-jupiter.htm
http://www.north-node.com/astrology-tutorials/jupiter
http://www.cafeastrology.com/jupitertransits.html
http://holotropicbreathwork.ning.com/group/archetypalholotropicastrology/forum/topics/introduction-to-archetypal-1
http://www.medicinegarden.com/astrology/cw_jupiter.html
http://www.astrologydatabase.com/tags/jupiter-aspects

http://www.weboteric.com/astrology_planets/jupiter.php
http://www.astrology-numerology.com/insigns-jupiter.html
http://www.findyourfate.com/planets/jupiter.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology
http://thezodiac.com/jupiter3.htm
http://www.btinternet.com/~seamaid/Esotericjupiter.htm
http://hubpages.com/hub/Jupiter-in-Your-Astrology-Chart
http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrites/jupiter_signes.htm
http://www.astrologyindepth.com/Jupiter
http://www.astrologycom.com/jupiter.html

[lillyjgc]

SATURN

http://i42.tinypic.com/9sdzzo.jpg

[lillyjgc]

SATURN
Rulership:Capricorn Detriment: Cancer
Exaltation :Libra Fall: Aries

Saturn is the sixth planet farthest from the Sun. It is also the second largest, and is noted for the beautiful rings that encircle it. It is the last of the so-called *Inner planets.*

In 1610 Galileo saw Saturn through a telescope. He could not discern the rings and mistook them for two moons. In fact Saturn has around 60 moons, Titan being one of the better known ones.

Saturn's axis is tilted, just like Earth. From our point of view, we see Saturn's changing position as it takes its 30 year journey around the sun. Sometimes, from our perspective, the rings appear to be fully open, and we see them. At other times we see the rings edge on - it looks like they've disappeared. This will happen in 2008-2009, and then again in 2024-2025.

Saturn appears as one of the 5 planets visible with the unaided eye,travelling slowly between Jupiter and Uranus.
In Traditional astrology, Saturn rules the signs Capricorn and Aquarius. (In Modern astrology, Uranus is said to rule Aquarius).Saturn has also been referred to as *Father Time*, *the Lord of Karma*, the *Great Teacher*,and is said to rule over structures, both our own and the outside world.
Traditional astrologers regarded Saturn as the *Great Malefic*-the bringer of pain and limitation. This can manifest in a physical way, on our skeletal structure, our bones, teeth, skin knees and hearing organs.
Also referred to as * Old Father Time* and the *Grim Reaper,* he represents the ageing process and finally death. So, as the Sun represents life, Saturn represents death.
Often depicted as the planet of loneliness and malevolence, it rules restriction, falls (whether physical or metaphorical), old men, hard work, austerity, delay, poverty, loss, heaviness. It is associated with construction and therefore, buildings and the land.
It rules the father in a night time chart.

In an emotional way, Saturn may limit our ability to give and receive love. It is tied to the concepts of laws, authorities, duty and reputation.
The position of Saturn in your natal chart, reflects the area of your life wherein you will be challenged, tested and where you have the greatest opportunity to grow, should you be able to *meet the challenge*.
It is said that *Saturn delays, but does not deny*.The house in which your Saturn is posited will show you where there is work to be done: the aspects will describe the nature of your struggle to learn these lessons. The sign in which your Saturn is located will give you a great deal of information about the way Saturn will behave in your life.

Saturn has rulership over Capricorn. When not afflicted, it is patient, hardworking and bestows great endurance. A well- placed, well-aspected Saturn in Capricorn produces a steady and often successful individual-one who has demonstrated the perseverance and self discipline to maintain effort toward the achievement of personal goals.

In the sign of Libra, Saturn receives its exaltation. When it comes to the *others* in our life, how we behave often greatly impacts on our own outcome. Saturn rules the *boundaries* we establish between ourselves and others. Partnership of any kind involves the challenges of *give and take*.

In cancer, Saturn is said to be in its detriment. Positive aspects and strong house placement can give Saturn a little more strength in a chart, when in Cancer, but generally it is said to deny nourishment both physical and emotional, to the native.

In Aries, Saturn is in its fall. Here it behaves in a more Martian way. While Aries wants to *move forward,* Saturn wants to restrain and withhold. These two energies are incompatible.

Modern astrologers, such as Liz Greene in her book *Saturn: a new look at an old Devil* have taken a more philosophical approach to the necessity of Saturn’s taskmaster role in our lives.

The Saturn Return.
In mythology, Saturn was regarded as *God of the Harvest*.Every 28-29 years Saturn returns to the place it was at your birth time. This is called the *Saturn Return*.Think of it this way- if you have not planted and tended your crops, there will be nothing to harvest. The first Saturn return often alerts us to our need to create firm structures in our life-to *build on solid foundations*.
The second one, occurring around 58-59 years of age, often manifests in our physical beings-although if we have not learned the lessons from the first Saturn return, we may well find our straw houses are blowing away. Usually, by our 80’s, issues of our mortality and the purpose of our life may be Saturn’s agenda when it comes around again. Hopefully by the third time, we have mastered the art of living..

Astrologers’ Quotes about Saturn.
The karmic influence attributed to Saturn is not his monopoly, as all planetary influences if abused bring their own karma. ... If Jupiter is not always benefic, neither is Saturn always malefic. Saturn brings the greatest rewards to those who have learnt how to wait for them. - C.G.M. Adam
***
Saturn represents the legacy of the past. He is NOT, as some astrologers call him, "karma". Rather, he utilizes material drawn from former incarnations to construct the frame work of the individual personality. Saturn can represent characteristics which one is compelled to develop. - Mary Devlin
***
In many instances Saturn seems to correspond with painful circumstances which appear not to be connected with any weakness or flaw on the part of the person himself but which merely "happen" thereby earning the planet the title, "Lord of Karma". - Liz Greene
***
Saturn is the point of fear or suffering ... not as an immutably bad fortune, but rather the possibility of self-activated change. - Marc Edmund Jones
***
Man's karma or fate is reflected first of all by Saturn, which, more than any other planet, is the planet of fate and the planet that transforms the personal into the individual. - Leo Krohn, Finnish theosophist and astrologer
***

[lillyjgc]

FURTHER READING
http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/saturn.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/saturn.html
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/saturn.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/saturntransits.html
http://www.astrologyindepth.com/Saturn
http://www.myastrologybook.com/Saturn-in-astrology.htm
http://astrology.about.com/od/advancedastrology/p/Saturn.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology
http://www.astrologycom.com/saturn.html
http://www.weboteric.com/astrology_planets/saturn.php
http://astrology.suite101.com/article.cfm/saturn_returning_phenomena
http://www.circlesoflight.com/astrology-articles/saturn.shtml
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QF2D2mXIoM (video)
http://au.dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Religion_and_Spirituality/Faiths_and_Practices/Divination/Astrology/Saturn_Return/
http://www.ehow.com/video_4437137_saturn-uranus-astrological-signs.html
http://www.findyourfate.com/planets/saturn.htm
http://www.mindbodynsoul.com/cms/mind/astrology-and-saturn-as-our-friend/
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?AuthorID=3247&id=5673
http://www.horoscoper.net/financial/saturn.htm
http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrites/saturne_signes.htm
http://www.astralis.it/saturno2.htm
http://planetwaves.net/SaturnReturns/
http://www.astrologycom.com/taskmaster.html
http://www.astrograph.com/learning-astrology/saturn.php
http://rudhyar.com/astroarticles/meditationsonsaturn.php
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/transitsSaturn18.4.htm

[lillyjgc]

URANUS

http://i40.tinypic.com/2ewk39d.jpg

[Nexus7]

Uranus



Ruler: Aquarius

Detriment: Leo
Exalted: Scorpio
Fall: Taurus





The discovery of an eighth planet way beyond Saturn really upset the proverbial apple cart. Before its discovery, there had been a nice, neat set of sevens: seven planets, seven days of the week, seven colours, seven notes of music. Then along came Uranus, its highly eccentric orbit already hinting something of the 'otherness' Uranus is said to symbolise in Astrology today.

Some branches of astrology still do not use or work with any of the more newly-discovered planets - that is, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - that lie beyond the orbit of Saturn

The main symbol for Uranus, the capital 'H' could be seen to stand for 'Herschel,' who takes credit for having discovered Uranus, in 1781 - not long before the French Revolution. Others call the stems of the 'H' two semi-circles for 'soul.' It is crossed (for matter) by a stem over an infused circle of spirit – but here, matter is raised to a ‘higher’ level. Some astrologers believe that the real name for Uranus should be ‘Prometheus’ – the Titan who was punished by the Gods for giving humanity the gift of fire and therefore, knowledge that maybe they could not handle.

Uranus is about the ‘shock of the new,’ where what is fresh today may be obsolete tomorrow, and it likes to experiment. It is said to rule ideas and insights that belong to the realm of genius, the light-bulb of inspiration: hence, it may appear in the charts of inventors. The fruit of these inventions may, however, be put to uses that are not always liberating. Uranian inventions such as television and the internet may well open up a whole new understanding of the world, giving access to a far wider range of knowledge, but they can equally be seen have their downsides in discouraging face-to-face social interaction, for example.

Uranus, along with Neptune and Pluto, is called a ‘transpersonal’ planet: Its energies work within a wider field of collective concerns and cannot readily be harnessed by the ‘smaller ego’ – symbolised by the inner planets. Some astrologers call the outer planets purely ‘generational’ – the Signs they are in may not colour the individual personality that strongly unless they are conjunct an inner planet. Thay may have more to say about how each individual is ‘shaped’ by their generation instead.

This may mean that its energies, if it forms powerful aspects in the chart, are not always easily assimilated – these can be as alienating as they may be enlightening. Certain kinds of mental illness, for example, seem to indicate difficulties with Uranian energies in the chart . It certainly tends to bestow a good deal of nervous energy when sensitively-placed in the natal chart, as well as adding a very self-willed tone to the character.

Its action is drastic and revolutionary, disrupting but all that is traditional, established, or retained due to sentiment: its energy can be very impersonal. Uranus gives the courage to defy convention and consensual reality and to initiate change - particularly if these 'accepted ways of doing things' are to do with outmoded, Saturnian modes of being. Hence, its connection to reformist movements: strongly Uranian types may be revolutionaries, though the latter may be as much Plutonic as Uranian.

This planet takes 7 years to move through one sign and 84 years to make a complete revolution. Most people are old enough to experience those periods where Uranus makes important transits to its own place in the chart. The first square, at 19, is a time for experimentation and pulling up roots,; the opposition, at about 40, marks the notorious ‘mid-life crisis,’ where the 7-year itch can make itself felt with a vengeance.

In mundane astrology, Uranus is linked to electricity and all communication devices using this and aeroplanes – the fact that some of these concerns may overlap with those of Mercury underline that fact that Uranus is often considered the ‘”higher octave’ of the former.

There often seems to be something brittle about Uranian energy – initial insights, a spark of rebellion or original thinking often calcifying into a more Saturnian rigidity. It tends to define through separating and interestingly, radical or alternative societies often do tend to splinter into smaller and smaller sharply-opposed factions.

Uranian types are nevertheless highly idealistic, always seeking to both envisage and implement better and more perfect infrastructures and social sysems.

[lillyjgc]

URANUS. FURTHER READING

http://www.skyscript.co.uk/uranus2.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/uranus.html
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/aspectsuranus.htm
http://www.weboteric.com/astrology_planets/uranus.php
http://www.crystalinks.com/uranus.html
http://www.myastrologybook.com/Uranus-in-astrology.htm
http://www.mooncatsastrology.com/astro/uranus.htm
http://www.astrologydatabase.com/tags/uranus
http://www.astrologycom.com/uranus.html
http://rudhyar.com/astroarticles/doesuranusruleastrology.php
http://www.north-node.com/astrology-tutorials/uranus
http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrites/uranus_signes.htm
http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/signsUranus.htm
http://www.astrologyindepth.com/Uranus
http://www.btinternet.com/~seamaid/Esotericuranus.htm
http://www.san.beck.org/Astro-Uranus.html
http://astrology.suite101.com/article.cfm/uranus_and_saturn_in_roman_mythology
http://www.astrozero.co.uk/articles/Uranus.htm
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/transitsUranus18.3.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranus
http://www.astrology.com/aboutastrology/interpreting/planets/uranus.html
http://www.findyourfate.com/planets/uranus.htm
http://www.nineplanets.org/uranus.html
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/uranus.htm
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/uranus/
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/u/uranus.html
http://astrology.about.com/od/advancedastrology/p/Uranus.htm
http://classiclegendbooks.com/martinschulman-astrology-articles-02-uranus-pisces.html
http://blog.depth-astrology.com/2007/05/neptune-uranus-in-capricorn-kids.html
http://www.jessicaadams.com/podcasts-astrology-for-beginners.asp
http://www.cafeastrology.com/uranustransits.html

[lillyjgc]

NEPTUNE
http://i43.tinypic.com/vnjlfp.jpg
Image courtesy of:
http://space.about.com/od/solarsystem/ss/visualtourss_9.htm

[lillyjgc]

NEPTUNE

Rules: Pisces (with Jupiter)
Detriment: Virgo
Exalt:Cancer
Fall: Capricorn
Named after the Roman God of the sea, Neptune is the eighth planet from the sun and the fourth largest in size. Over 60 planets the size of Earth could fit inside Neptune!
It rules over the colours Lavender, sea green and blue and the stones and metals Coral, aquamarine, platinum and neptunium.

Keywords:
The dreamer and the great deceiver. Sometimes called the "Universal Solvent".

Neptune has 8 known moons, 7 small ones and one large one called 'Triton'.
It is the last of the four gas giants and the first planet to be discovered by mathematics.It has the fastest known winds in the solar system with speeds up to 2,100 km/hr.
On the 23rd of September, 1846, Neptune was found within 1 degree of its predicted position. Neptune is about one and a half times further out from the Sun than Uranus.Even though it is, it maintains a similar temperature. And even though it is not the most distant object in the solar system, one of its moons is the coldest object in the solar system.

Neptune has a day which is 16.3 hours long, and it takes 163-4 years for a complete orbit, so no one will live long enough to experience a Neptune return. At around 80, a person may experience the opposition and around 40 years of age, the square of transiting Neptune to Natal Neptune.

One of the outer, so-called "transpersonal planets",it spends about thirteen years in each sign, and is often referred to as one of the "Generational Planets", like Pluto.

"Neptune’s symbol in astrology is the cross of matter piercing the crescent of personality, setting it free to manifest at a higher level than personal ego. The cross represents life on Earth and the opposition of the separated will to its evolutionary destiny: the individual Will linked in consciousness to all mankind." (Skyscript)

In mythology, Neptune was a son of Saturn and brother to Jupiter and Pluto. Known as Poseidon ("tamer of horses and saviour of ships") to the ancient Greeks, he was Lord of the Sea and the god of horses. After the overthrow of Saturn, Jupiter became god of the heavens, Neptune god of the
sea and Pluto god of the underworld.

It is thought that Neptune embodies the qualities of unconditional love and divine compassion, acting as a higher octave of Venus, and ruling all things nebulous, mystical,non-material. At its highest level, Neptune works to open the heart and soul to the expression of the deepest love and empathy. At its lowest level, it rules substances,deceptions, illusions and addictions- afflictions of the soul.

In modern astrology, Neptune rules Pisces, the sign of compassion and the mystical.
In the physical body, Neptune rules the pineal gland and the feet; it is exalted in Cancer. Its key phrase is "Serve or suffer."

Neptune governs hospitals, prisons, mental institutions, and any place, such as a monastery, that involves a retreat from society. Its appearance coincided with the discovery of anaesthetics and hypnotism,the development of the film industry,and the beginning of the use use of recreational drugs, on a global scale.

Neptune’s house position in your chart shows where you are being asked to sacrifice something personal or emotional,some aspect of the ego,in order to experience a connection with the (greater) collective consciousness.

In Horary astrology the outer planets are not used as major significators but many astrologers take into account the position and aspects of Neptune in an horary chart.When used in horary, it is usually regarded as a malefic influence, "clouding the issue".

Comments about Neptune:
Neptune ... is instinctive and intuitive rather than intellectual. It is not bound by the rules of the logical faculty, and its conclusions are based, in part, upon evidence not furnished by the five senses. When prominent for good, therefore, Neptune may assist the manifestation of genius, may
inspire the mind with ideas derived from inner planes of nature ... To come under the true influx of this planet's nature means spiritual awakening of the highest kind. - Alan Leo

Neptune is a most mystical and, from the level of the Soul, a most benefic influence in one's life. ... for Neptune comes to us from the Soul level as the Initiator, planet of the Christ. - Alan Oken

Neptune evokes the appearance in the consciousness of the visionary image of what might be or should be. The Neptunian individual tends to be the dreamer of utopias. His or her function in a culture is important because man cannot actually produce what he has not first imagined, imprecise
though the images may have been. - Dane Rudhyar, The Astrology of Transformation.

Neptune ... is a factor in the human psyche which shows to advantage only when the 'test' of Saturn has been passed. ... After this mastery has been won over form, there follows the stage of Neptune ... the Ego, as the centre of consciousness, is no longer experienced as the centre of the
psyche; it is now integrated within the psyche as a part of the Self. - Karen Hamaker-Zondag

[lillyjgc]

NEPTUNE: FURTHER READING
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/astrological-aspects/neptune-aspects.php
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/neptune2.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/neptune.html
http://www.myastrologybook.com/Neptune-in-astrology.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neptune
http://astrology.about.com/od/advancedastrology/p/Neptune.htm
http://goddess.astrology.com/neptune/index.html
http://www.findyourfate.com/planets/neptune.htm
http://koti.mbnet.fi/neptunia/nepquote.htm
http://www.circlesoflight.com/astrology-articles/neptune.shtml
http://www.ehow.com/how_4557033_interpret-neptunes-role-karmic-astrology.html
http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrites/neptune_signes.htm
http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Neptune--Pluto-and-the-Astrology-of-Generations/779126
http://www.horoscoper.net/prediction/neptune.htm
http://www.astrologyindepth.com/Neptune
http://www.btinternet.com/~seamaid/Esotericneptune.htm
http://www.enchantedspirit.org/Astrology/PlanetSigns/Neptune.php
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/transitsneptune18.2.htm
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/11/13/110000.php
http://www.johnhayes.biz/planets/planetsNeptune.htm
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/57288_astrology-signs-neptune-pluto.htm
http://www.nineplanets.org/neptune.html
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/neptune.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29wfzotaBIg
http://www.abc.net.au/science/space/planets/neptune.htm
http://www.123-astrology.com/astrology/neptune-houses.html
http://www.skylarkbooks.co.uk/Shop/media/Neptune-Liz-Greene.htm
http://practicalastrology.prettyfedup.com/articles4.htm
http://thezodiac.com/12thhouse.htm

[lillyjgc]

PLUTO



http://i40.tinypic.com/25ko5cm.jpg



ASTEROIDS


http://i44.tinypic.com/n3n1vk.jpg
ifa.hawaii.edu/%7Ebarnes/ast110_06/foss.html (http://ifa.hawaii.edu/%7Ebarnes/ast110_06/foss.html)



The following Article was written by Nexus.

Asteroids

The asteroids are a belt of rocks that lie between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. As noted in my piece on the Dwarf Planets, Ceres soon found and lost planetary 'status' at the beginning of the 19th Century as Vesta, Pallas Athena and Juno came to light along with a host of even smaller bodies.

In deciding whether or not to include any celestial body other than the major planets, 'Information overload' threatens, which may be why many astrologers prefer to work just with the the former - beginners may well prefer to follow suit, at least to begin with.

It is still claimed by major authorities such as Demetra George and Robert Hand that the four main asteroids - Ceres, Juno, Vesta and Pallas - do provide additional information about the chart that cannot be seen through the major factors alone.

Other astrologers welcome the inclusion of the four main asteroids as a healthy redress in balance of the primarily 'male' pantheon of planets with a more feisty set of 'goddess' figures.


Looking at these one by one: Ceres may have a strong connection with agriculture and labour, as well as practical nurturing and nutrition - there is more on Ceres in my 'Dwarf Planet article.

Pallas is said to have a connection with creative, discerning intelligence and an innate understanding of patterns - this body may therefore be worth investigating, if there is any interest in the links between gifts and learning dificulties in these areas. There may be a preoccupation with making fine distinctions - it is supposed to be a keen debater.

Vesta has been linked with a capacity for short-term denial in favour of longer-term gratifications. It may be an inhibitive factor in sexual matters, perhaps because it may prefer to sacrilise such matters: it may certainly have a connection with ritual.

Juno is believed to have something to say about the capacity for long-term exclusive relationships, though a concern with the betrayal of this may also be in evidence. Hand suggests that for women, this may manifest as ambivalence about the idea of subsuming identity within marriage, whilst for men, the capacity for long-term fidelity might be indicated via his Juno placement.

Wherever working with the asteroids, it again has to be emphasised that any information they might yield must be considered as only 'fine-tuning' the basic factors of the chart. Demetra George likewise emphasises that these bodies are simply 'specialised or differentiated' expressions of the primary ground of soli/lunar energy. In looking at aspects to these, tight orbs should be used - maximum 2 or 3 degrees at most.

She also believed that all of the asteroids can be seen as bridges, or mediators, between personal and more collective concerns, placed as they are between the 'inner' planets up to Mars and the 'social' planets, Jupiter and Saturn.






For further reading on Dwarf Planets and asteroids:

http://www.philipsedgwick.com/

http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8259

http://www.neptunecafe.com/Menu.html

[starlink]

Pluto was discovered in 1930. It lost its planetary status when the International Astronomical Union approved a definition for planets that Pluto fails to meet.
Pluto will now belong to a new category of "dwarf planets," similar to what long have been termed "minor planets."

Dwarf Planets, as defined by NASA.
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Dwarf&Display=OverviewLong

A "dwarf planet" is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, (c) has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5703014

http://i42.tinypic.com/245fp10.jpg

[starlink]

PLUTO

http://i39.tinypic.com/ny796o.jpg





PLUTO,
Discovered in 1930 it is the planet furthest away from the Sun.
Demoted in 2006 to “dwarf planet”.

Rules Scorpio together with Mars (traditionally)
Dignity: Scorpio, where he feels and acts at best.

House connection: 8th house

Exaltation, detriment and fall: not determined because traditionally Pluto was unknown to traditional astrologers because he was not visible to the naked eye.




Keywords: Destruction, transformation, power, regeneration, renewal, struggle, upheaval, tyranny, eruption, psychological healing, deep inner change.



Pluto is a generational planet because of his extreme slow speed. He takes 248 years to pass through the 12 signs. And can stay 12 to 32 years in one sign depending on how often he goes retrograde.
Therefore,Pluto has greater influence on worldly matters than personal matters, unless Pluto rules the Ascendant, Sun or Moon ,strongly aspects personal planets, or is found prominently conjunct an angle (1st, 4th, 7th or 10th house).

Presently Pluto is in Capricorn where he entered on the 26th of January 2008.

Pluto causes deep inner change and unlike Uranus the changes come slowly. These changes will be most noticable when our Ascendant, Midheaven or personal planets are being transited by him.

The house position of Pluto in your chart shows which area of life will show the most important transformation.

Pluto in connection with one of our personal planets always adds power to that planets energy and depending on the aspect itself (and backgrounds) how forceful this energy will be expressed.

Pluto can be observed at best in nature where plants grow, die, decay and are reborn as a new plant, leaf or flower. The same process people undergo when Pluto transits sensitive points and planets in their charts. In love, work, finances, in personal appearance and in the home we can undergo changes, due to crisis and losses of all sorts, including external destruction by nature. Due to circumstances we can loose our job, get very ill, lose loved one’s, money, our home, etc. These traumatic happenings will change us deeply and often make us more alive and observant as well as grateful when we realize that we are still alive. Pluto can also totally change our believe system or our physical body (Facelifts a.o.) or through an accident or illness.

However, Pluto, more often than not, can also act as a healer and strengthener of character.
Often people are saddled up with burdens (terrible job, awful husband,even “friends” who turned out not to be so friendly after all )Pluto, especially when transiting over one of our planets, subconsciously starts putting pressure on us, pushing us to our limits until we clearly see (and accept!)that we have to change something in order to feel happier, no matter how scared we are, to let go of these things. Pluto is all about letting go. Going through this however could turn us into a new, selfrespecting human being. Our psyche (Scorpio is very psychological) needs renewal as soon as it is not happy anymore. Pluto transits can last up to 3 years or more and mark a time of significant longterm changes in our lives.

Pluto acts differently in each sign of course. In Scorpio he is pure and strong and when he receives conflicting aspects, can be dangerous. In every other sign, Pluto will be forceful according to the background energy of the sign he is in. He also shows where we seek conscious or subconscious control over others or situations in our lives.

[lillyjgc]

PLUTO: FURTHER READING:
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/pluto2.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/pluto.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/plutotransits.html
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/transitspluto18.1.htm
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/aspectspluto.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto
http://www.nineplanets.org/pluto.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/pluto/
http://www.space.com/pluto/
http://www.uranian-institute.org/bfplutonep.htm
http://astrology.about.com/od/advancedastrology/p/Pluto.htm
http://www.myastrologybook.com/Pluto-in-astrology.htm
http://www.astrology.com/aboutastrology/interpreting/planets/pluto.html
http://www.north-node.com/astrology-tutorials/pluto
http://www.astrology-chart.co.uk/pluto.htm
http://www.weboteric.com/astrology_planets/pluto.php
http://www.findyourfate.com/planets/pluto.htm
http://www.astrologyindepth.com/Pluto
http://www.astrologydatabase.com/tags/pluto
http://www.enchantedspirit.org/Astrology/Welcome_to_Hades/
http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrites/pluton_signes.htm
http://www.astroamerica.com/planet3.html
http://www.horoscoper.net/prediction/pluto.htm
http://www.btinternet.com/~seamaid/Esotericpluto.htm (Esoteric astrology)
http://www.spiritproject.com/astro/planets/pluto.htm
http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/signsPluto.htm
http://www.stariq.com/Main/Articles/P0002427.HTM
http://practicalastrology.prettyfedup.com/articles4.htm
http://www.aquamoonlight.co.uk/pluto.html
http://www.new-visions.com/astro/pluto.html (Pluto's sojourn through Sagittarius)
http://thezodiac.com/pluto.htm
http://www.johnhayes.biz/planets/planetsPluto.htm
http://ancientsky.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=34
http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/housesPluto.htm
http://www.atlantisrising.com/backissues/issue3/ar3astro.html
http://natalastrology.today.com/2008/11/04/saturn-uranus-neptune-and-pluto/
http://rudhyar.com/probingmind.shtml
http://astrology.suite101.com/article.cfm/symbolism_of_pluto
http://www.horoscoper.net/prediction/pluto-years.htm
http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrites/dominantes/pluto/1.htm
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=662

[lillyjgc]

DWARF PLANETS AND ASTEROIDS

ERIS

http://i41.tinypic.com/2q3rrx1.jpg

CERES

http://www.astrologicallyspeaking.com/planets/ceres.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/11awllf.jpg


<Ceres has been classified as a dwarf planet that might also be classified as an asteroid. While there are three known dwarf planets, there are only two that have been classified further as plutoids. Ceres remains in the dwarf planet category because of its position in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Its name is derived from the Roman goddess Ceres. Discovered on January 1, 1801, by Giuseppe Piazzi, Ceres has a diameter of about 950 kilometers and is by far the largest and most massive known body in the asteroid belt, as it contains approximately a third of the belt's total mass.>
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Dwarf&Display=OverviewLong


http://i40.tinypic.com/2m67l35.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2nl7qco.jpg
Image courtesy Space.com.
http://home.comcast.net/~eliws/ceres/


For more info on Ceres:>
http://en.mimi.hu/astrology/ceres.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceres_(dwarf_planet)
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/ceres.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/103501/Ceres
http://home.comcast.net/~eliws/ceres/
http://www.galacticimages.com/catalog/Dwarf+Planet+Ceres+Photos
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology
http://realastrologers.com/?page_id=165
http://www.ciuboda.com/post/ceres-part-1/51
http://goddess.astrology.com/ceres/pregnancy.html
http://horoscopicastrologygroup.com/2007/06/14/ceres-the-urge-to-belong/

[Nexus7]

Speculations on the roles and symbolism of the new so-called Dwarf Planets Eris, Ceres and Pluto


As someone said to me recently, these are Interesting Times to be involved at all in astrology.There had been some new discoveries within the Solar System! The first wind I had of it after a long hiatus regarding any involvement with astrology was coming across obscure reports in the Budapest Metro about new bodies in the solar system being discovered – and getting obscure and exotic new names: Varuna, Quaoar and so on. And then, what was this about centaurs???

My curiosity was well and truly piqued.

All of a sudden , our solar system had seemed to expand with a whole host of new bodies that were certainly not at all hypothetical. Most recently, new planetary bodies with exotic new names such as Makemake and Haumea are also joining the new ’club’ of dwarf planets – and there may be more to come, still. Chiron now seen to belong to a whole host of newcomers to the known solar system – Nessus, Pholus, to name a few: the centaurs.

Then I got to hear about the 10th planet, UB313 or nicknamed Xena, the important fact about being that it was ‘definitely bigger than Pluto.’ Then, however, came the news where Pluto had finally been demoted to a new ’second divison’ of planetary bodies, called ’dwarf planets.’

It will be interesting to know which of these new bodies will get to be incorporated as into mainstream astrology in the future, and which may be forgotten about – just as was the case with Ceres originally, as we shall see, until the recent new debate on what should be defined as definitely a ’real’ planet. No doubt, there will still be more redefining yet to come.

Possibly, there was nothing untoward about the redefinitons regaring Ceres, Eris and Pluto especially – the existence of several small bodies within a more externalised Kuiper belt, of which Pluto was a part, did rather question what Pluto, purely as an astronomical body, actually was. As an astronomical body. As an astrological body, it still seems to remain clear that ‘size does not matter’ as far as the formidable power of the planet goes.

Size indeed might not matter in terms of a planet’s possible power, nor maybe distance either, but acknowledgement and recognition of its power is something else. Sometimes, it is not entirely clear to me how much any planetary body gains in significance depending on the importance attached to it. Perhaps this is why there is still such a yawning gap between the scientific approach which only accepts a totally objective perspective as valid and the other, where subjective perceptions in a magical world of symbolism and belief in these symbols are given equal validity. A rose by any other name. A wave becoming a particle, depending on how it is perceived. In fact, what has just happened to Pluto is a repetition of a process that had already happened once before: in the early 1800’s, Ceres had originally enjoyed planetary status until it was discovered that a whole new belt of small bodies occupied the space between Mars and Jupiter, and so Ceres was demoted to mere asteroid status and forgotten about. How important Ceres will prove to become now is something that only time will tell, although with its ‘promotion’ to dwarf-planet status, the astronomers at least felt that size does matter. With so many new bodies about, as well as the hypothetical ones sworn blind by the Hamburg schools, it may well be important to be mindful of the warning uttered by Robert Hand about the sheer information overload that may result from having too many planetary bodies to consider (and that is without including fixed stars as well!).

Perhaps it truly was a mistake to assign Ceres to the dustbin status as ‘asteroid’ for so long. However, the challenge with working with asteroids as well as comets such as Chiron must surely lie in recognising a distinct and unique signature for each, as distinct from from bodies already known, such as the Moon or Pluto.

Ceres and the Moon do sound very similar on the surface, being connected with nourishment and nurturing in all their forms. So where is the difference? Here, perhaps, a razorblade edge between either fudging or nitpicking in being able to discern what Ceres - and other new bodies, for that matter - emerges. The question is then whether or not these new planets can provide new insights into a given chart, that cannot be extrapolated from bodies already known. This article does not pretend to have all the answers to either of these questions – just hints and pointers – which may be modified here in time.

In the initial absence of access to the internet on a regular basis, I started with a copy of Demeter George’s book on Ceres, when first trying to understand any of the asteroids. Once again, the challenge was in getting a sense of the unique signature of Ceres as opposed to that of planets already known of – in this case, that of the Moon.

The curiosity was in part a personal one, as I noticed that these planets square each other in my chart. So it was interesting to find out that writers like Ariel Guttmann suggest that hard Ceres/Moon aspects can manifest as food allergies and intolerances and these have certainly influenced my approach to food. As an undergraduate, when generally feeling unwell but not knowing quite why, I purchased a book by one Adelle Davis, the 60’s guru on healthy nutrition. I did not find all the answers in that book, as it happened, but it certainly opened my eyes to the sheer importance of nutrition and how genuinely harmful fast-food diets can be to general health. And according to Demetra George, she likewise had these two bodies in opposition! The food intolerance issue is not something I might have discerned from my natal Moon placement alone, other than having a Pluto in Virgo placement in common with a whole generation other other people, and not all my contemporaries seemed to share problems such as these. So there was already enough to make me more curious to want to find out more about the symbolism of Ceres.

After learning of the Adelle Davis connection, it occurred to me Ceres had more to do with food in its link with the science of nutrition, as opposed to the need for food at its own sake. Even the very word for Ceres – ‘cereals’ – hints at this and it would be interesting to know how differently Donna Cunningham would have written her book on the Moon and nutrition, if she had also researched Ceres in attitudes towards food and nutrition.

On a more global level, the sickle symbol given to Ceres also hints that it may have a larger role to play within the world of labour, which at its most basic level, has to be concerned with bringing the harvest of life-sustaining grains in and then sharing it out to others. It would be interesting, for example, to look at the Ceres positions of between differing countries and where there are greater national debts, to get a better idea of how this works out globally.

Ceres has actually been christened by other astrologers such as Michael O’Reilly as ‘the Goddess of the environment' and not unnaturally, in view of recent events, therefore ‘an emerging archetypal force in the 21st Century,’ its role being to ‘enter out collective unconscious as a need to take care of our precious, dwindling recources.’

That there might be problems with the fair sharing out of natural resources is maybe a foregone conclusion at the moment, with unpredictability in the climate due to global warming also possible, let alone the already-mentioned issue of national debts. It has been noted by other astrologers that according to the Ceres myth, there is a selfish side to her grieving: on losing her daughter to Pluto, she was quite happy to allow famine to kill off most mortals (again, it would be interesting to see how Ceres plays a role in actual famines nowadays.)

It does also seem that there are links to be found between the workings of Ceres and Pluto in relation to fertility too, that may well deserve greater attention. In fact, there is at least one well-known astrologer who maintains that for a woman, choosing the best times to conceive, Ceres may be an even better indicator than the natal Moon and, moreover, a good timer for the birth of a child, as Michael O’Reilly explains at Neptune Café:

neptunecafe.homestead.com/Ceres.html (http://neptunecafe.homestead.com/Ceres.html)

Ceres has been linked with experience with inevitable loss on many levels – Demeter pining for her daughter’s loss to the underworld. This can be experienced more immediately, for example, with the ‘empty nest’ syndrome of later life, but for women, Ceres has also been implicated as a marker not just for conception or birth, but for physical processes that would otherwise have, again, be more obviously linked to the Moon: the onset of menstruation, menopause and so on. Links, therefore, with birth, death and renewal, again suggesting a more intimate link between Pluto and Ceres and the sacred links between birth, death and renewal, than otherwise expected.

Yet Chiron too seems to have a link with fertility – with the end of it. It has been linked with the average age at which menopause sets in for women, the age of 51. This is now purported to be a time when many women can now devote their personal energies to self-discovery and personal creativity with greater energy available to spare, as there is no longer any need to devote this to a child.

When Chiron the ‘wounded healer’ was first discovered and there were the first opportunities to discuss its significance in the chart, the ideas associated with it were certainly made to sound quite exciting, when it was called a Shamanic figure, a maveric, uniting the transpersonals with the boundaries and lmitations of Saturn. No doubt this was due to to the prophetic voice of Dane Rudhyar, who predicted as early as the 1930’s that a ‘higher moon’ woud be discovered between Saturn and Uranus. In fact Ceres, along perhaps with the other main asteroids too, seems to act like a ‘higher moon’ as much as Chiron does in acting as a bridge between differing spheres of reality. In this respect, all the main asteroids lying between Mars and Venus may somehow mediate between personal andmore social concerns – all the planets up to Mars on the one hand, then Jupiter and Saturn, planets less tied up with personal identity and drives on the other. Their roles as ‘higher’ or more specialised moons is perhaps underlined by the way their symbolism seems to encroach on some of the more intimately-known cycles and phases of the Moon, particularly in more ‘feminine’ areas of life such as the menarche and the climacteric. Demetra George suggests that the reason why the asteroids – Ceres most obviously – could easily be linked to the natal moon is because they all to some degree, draw on the primal ‘yin’ energy symbolised by the Moon as opposed to the active ‘yang’ of the Sun.

And what of Eris?

Discovered in 2005, its earlier name as Xena purportedly hints at some kind of an Amazon figure. it is actually bigger than Pluto, which is why both astromoners and astrologers were getting excited about what surely, truly had to be a new addition to the planetary family – until the redefinitions already referred to. So now as we have seen, it is merely a dwarf planet, alongside Ceres and Pluto.

Unlike many new outer bodies, this one was discovered at its perihelion – that is, at its furthest possible degree away from the Sun. At the moment, therefore, it appears to be moving encredibly slowly and appears to have advanced less than 14 degrees in Aries over the last 40 years. Also, it has what seems to be an extraordinarily slow revolution – over 500 years. This is something therefore, that seems to put the ‘generational’ effects of the known Transpersonals – Uranus, Neptune and Pluto – really into the shade. What could this incredbily long cycle possibly symbolise?

My speculation - and I don't care how foolish it sounds - is that maybe Eris has an influence on long-term historical events that we barely decipher. Old conflicts, old wars, old progroms, old ideologies - a kind of a post-traumatic bedrock of collective experience that influences and shapes our thoughts, assumptions and ideologies far more than we can begin to realise. It does not necessarily need to be hordes of barbarians thundering over the steppes mowing down entire civilisations, it could be connected with movements such as the Industrial Revolution.

As it is such early days, it is more than possible that any such ‘gut’ feelings could be wrong. However, it is still interesting enough to be able to speculate.

Indirectly, the idea came from Mike Harding, who posited what he called in his book ‘Hymns from the Ancient Gods, something he called a ‘primal zodiac.’ Harding may, of course, have been looking for a non-Neoplatonic model on which to examine social and industrial movements in search of free will for humanity, outside what could be perceived as authoritarian world views that keep most people firmly in the straitjacket of ‘ours is not to reason why.’ It could be acknowledged that these motives could have been Uranian or Plutonian other than Erisian, but still, there is the recognition for the need to find larger and more long-term frameworks in which to perceive what is happening over the world.

Once again, it was a question, in the absence of much anecdotal experience to draw on elsewhere, of taking the egotistical route of any astrologer who has ever glanced at a copy of their own chart, when trying to understand a new astrological factor. It did occur to me that maybe, this is how Eris is 'working' in my chart. It does not have any close aspects for me natally, it is unaspected, in my 4th House. However, it is on the midpoint of my IC and South Node. So maybe no wonder I was 'looking' for Eris in the most 'past perfect' or past-past perfect parts of the chart there are. Others may of course, may find Eris within totally different contexts, whether or not from being old-fashionedly empirical, or from following their own ‘gut feelings’, or looking to other contexts to understand it other than the long-distance past.

The consensus of a lot of these gut feelings, along with current empirical – or at least, anecdotal findings - is that Eris is promising to be as war-like as its name suggests – at least so far. Here, Zane Stein, who has been making exhaustive research on Eris, quotes some interesting material from one Roy Mackin, on the Middle East troubles:

'..........With reference to UB313 it is found at Aries 7-01 in the Israel chart trine to the Moon at Leo 4-21 and square to Venus at Cancer 4-48. So, UB313 is extremely important in the Israel chart. Please note also that as I write Transiting UB313 is at Aries 21-20 and the Natal Israel Jupiter/Saturn midpoint is at Aries 22-02 - and so we have a closing conjunction.’
’I was unable to find information concerning the date of formation of Hezbollah other than that Hezbollah was formed late in 1982 and was fuelled by a number of Iranian suicide bombers around October of that year. In these circumstances, the ancients recommend raising a chart for the eclipse immediately prior to the time of first activity. This I did for Beirut on 20th July, 1982 at UT 18H57m and noted that UB313 at Aries 15-41 closely opposes Saturn at Libra 16-21. UB313 also trined the Eclipse MC which fits, in my view, quite well with the symbolism of UB313.’

The recent nuclear test in Korea showed the following configuration: Mars 20 Libra 13 Eris 20 Aries 49. R

Now, the world appears to be a far more dangerous place again.

Zane Stein really drives the point home what seem to be the more dangerous qualities of Eris in the following list of politically-charged events, where it made a triple conjunction with Mars and Saturn, at the following link:

Eris currently is to be found in Aries, but Zane Stein suggests that at the very least, it may have an affinity with Libra. He sees the Eris principle as ‘a kind of unbending, non-logical thing. People fighting for what is right, righting injustices. Conflicts where both sides are sure they are right, beyond any logical reasoning. Sticking by some deep value system that lasts for years, unchanged as the society around the person changes, unchanged even as the person changes in other ways. Perhaps changing eventually....maybe. That 'unchanging' thing makes sense, considering Eris takes over 500 years for one complete cycle.....and so in your natal chart, it takes several years to actually move one full degree…… 'My gut feeling is that Eris is related to the inability to find a middle ground in the Libra-balance, which turns Libra into me-versus-you. And the same gut feeling is about two countries leading up to war, neither one willing to give an in inch, each one sure the other side is in the wrong.'

That last bit was the most interesting observation I thought, and seems to tie in with ideas that may first have been suggested by Roy Mackin, who suggested that Eris 'might have something to do with long-term hatred’ and conflicts that keep on reverberating. The Libran tie could then tie in with the idea of its having a connection with the defining of partnerships and enemies.

It makes perfect sense when looking at the whole phenomemon of nationalism, which always seem to need to rely on an certain ‘us against them’ mentality. Once again, I can only at this stage look to personal experience from which to look for possible pointers: on my first trip abroad without my family at 15 to France, I remember meeting people who still talked about the battle of Waterloo, apparently still resenting the English for this, as a given. Currently, I am based in Hungary and am aware of the deep antagonism that remains between this country and what was Czechoslovakia, because of the way each country tended to ruthlessly impose its culture and its language – and eventually, its boundaries – upon the latter. And what could possibly be the history between white Hungarians and the deep antagonism that lies between them and the ethnic Nomadic Gypsies, which has been buried so deeply in the past that it can never be forgotten? What happened with the eruptions in what was Yugoslavia and all the different minorities involved?

Returning to the troubles in the Middle East, it can scarcely be forgotten that there have been hostilities between the different religions factions concerned for centurues too, whilst each new generation adopts these ancient definitions of friends and foes as unquestionable givens.

If Eris is about the boundaries between enemies, then it must surely be about the boundaries between old friends and new, too. So it was gratifying to find it strongly placed in the chart for the Treaty of Rome – the birth of the EU. It is opposite a Libra Ascendant, conjunct Sun and Mercury.

It was suggested earlier on that Eris may have as much to do with industrial revolutions as it might with cultural ones. Once again, I am indebted to Zane Stein for providing me with more intriguing clues about the ways that Eris may work. It concerns the two big software empire founders, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. It transpires that both have Eris at 8 and 7 dgrees of Aries respectively, in almost exact conjunction to their natal Moons! So a personal dimension to the influence of Eris in each of their charts is to be expected.

Perhaps this Moon/Eris link would relate to the ability to work with the way the wind was blowing in terms of understanding software technology and the ruthlessness on defending their monopolies over similar computer technologies, but it is less certain where the 'fighting' side of Eris comes in - although, possibly, anybody who works within the ruthless matrix of multinational corporate life may have less trouble with this. Many 'big business expressions, for example, borrow from the worlds of military life, or from competitive sports: 'corporate raid,' 'moving the goalposts,' 'do battle with.' Perhaps too, an Eris that may or may not prove to be in its detriment in astrological textbooks to come, does not cope very well with the Libran ideals of 'win-win' deals from the point of view of negotiation techniques - very often, these seem to be window dressing over a more dog-eat-dog desire to enforce a 'win-lose' endgame result, if many of the textbooks I use at these companies is anything to go by, where every kind of dirty trick and manipulative tactic is described in 'idiot's guide to negotiating,' in unequivocal plain and Tesol English. Obviously the contribution that the Net and computers have made are totaly global, for good or bad. Interestingly, all this goes beyond national boundaries, though in the world of cyberpunk firewalls and ice could become bigger and fiercer virtual realities over time.

It has been predicted for example that the future be dominated not by nations, but by multinational giants, with their own cultures and power bases and alliances. It is already apparent enough that most multinational companies have their own particular culture, which may ‘mould’ each employee far more than is realised – until they change their job and move to another company. After this point, the process of adapting to the ways of a new company can prove to be quite traumatic in some cases.

To summarise then, it seems that the symbolism of Eris and Ceres seem to add much not just to our understanding of processes of loss and renewal – possibly more Plutonic themes, to say nothing of the Moon – but also, may well prove to have much to say on the global arena too. Many people have strong feelings about the perceived threat of globalisation for example, so that the current positon of Eris in belligerent Aries may continue to see a fear of having individual, or national/ethnic identity forcibly absorbed or assimilated into a world of bland, global Borg conformity. It could be a set of fears easy to (sometimes, possibly cynically) exploit as far as a sense of a beseiged nationalism goes. Perhaps, the emergence of Ceres and Eris will have much to say not just about how the global map will continue to be redrawn – along with all its attendant dangers – but how resources may be shared more equally, and how wisely, or not, as the case may be.





Footnotes:



1) Here is some information about Eris from Mike Brown's website:

"Eris, the largest dwarf planet known, was discovered in an ongoing survey at Palomar Observatory's Samuel Oschin telescope by astronomers Mike Brown (Caltech), Chad Trujillo (Gemini Observatory), and David Rabinowitz (Yale University). We officially suggested the name on 6 September 2006, and it was accepted and announced on 13 September 2006. In Greek mythology, Eris is the goddess of warfare and strife. She stirs up jealousy and envy to cause fighting and anger among men. At the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, the parents of the Greek hero Achilles, all the gods with the exception of Eris were invited, and, enraged at her exclusion, she spitefully caused a quarrel among the goddesses that led to the Trojan war. In the astronomical world, Eris stirred up a great deal of trouble among the international astronomical community when the question of its proper designation led to a raucous meeting of the IAU in Prague. At the end of the conference, IAU members voted to demote Pluto and Eris to dwarf-planet status, leaving the solar system with only eight planets.

The satellite of Eris has received the offical name Dysnomia, who in Greek mythology is Eris' daughter and the demon spirit of lawlessness. As Dysnomia is a bit of a mouthful, we tend to simply call the satellite Dy, for short.

As promised for the past year, the name Xena (and satellite Gabrielle) were simply placeholders while awaiting the IAU's decision on how an official name was to be proposed. As that process dragged on, however, many people got to know Xena and Gabrielle as the real names of these objects and are sad to see them change. We admit to some sadness ourselves.We used the names for almost two years now and are having a hard time swtiching. But for those who miss Xena, look for the obvious nod in the new name of the moon of Eris."

2) On the Mars/Saturn/Eris line up of 1968:

* On March 2, 1968, the men of Company C, 4th Batalion, 9th Infantry "Manchus" walked into what was to become one of the worst single encounter loss of life incidents in the history of the Vietnam war. Their loss occurred during an ambush by a large communist force near the small village of Quoi Xuan.

* Two weeks later, the Mỹ Lai Massacre occurred in Vietnam. This was a massacre by U.S. soldiers of hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, mostly women and children. It prompted widespread outrage around the world and reduced public support for the war in the United States.

* Perhaps April 4 is too far to be considered part of this conjunction, but James Earl Ray's shooting of Dr. Martin Luther King may tie in to this aspect. James began plotting his crime some time before, including making arrangements in advance to rent a room where he would get a good shot at Dr. King.

* The Polish 1968 political crisis reached a head in March, and involved a state-organized anti-Semitic campaign in the People's Republic of Poland, under pretense of anti-Zionism, that drove out most of Poland's remaining Jewish population.

* Recently taking over the reigns of power in Czechoslovakia, Alexander Dubcek set out to reform all aspects of life in the country. The government platform criticized the policies of the past, proclaimed the legitimacy of basic human rights and liberties in Czechoslovakia, and objected to the persecution of people for their political convictions. This led to the people seeking more and more reforms, more freedoms, and came to be known as the "Prague Spring." The Soviet Union, however, saw all this as a threat, and tried to reign in Czechoslovakia and put and end to this break from the party line. When they could not stop what was occurring, they eventually invaded Czechoslovakia to reassert control."

3) The Eris position for The treaty of Rome is 8 47 Aries, so not far from opposing the Libra Ascendant but very closely conjunct Mercury too. Very appropraite for re-defining boundaries!

The Ceres position is approximately 5 Taurus and so makes a Grand Cross with the Moon, Uranus and Neptune. A Europe without Frontiers would go hand in hand with the idealism of the Aquarian Moon, but this configuration maybe indicates that achieving full transparency regarding shared resources may be a problem. Brussels is sometimes resented as being interventionalist in laying down the law to other countries about how to preserve, import and export food.

It has widely been predicted that what will emerge within the EU is one club of ‘top’ countries enjoying full equal status, alongside many other ‘second-division’ EU countries, where restrictions to free trading, employment will continue to be imposed for quite some time to come.

[lillyjgc]

CHIRON

http://i41.tinypic.com/2946nbk.jpg

[lillyjgc]

CHIRON
http://www.cafeastrology.com/images/chironmed.gif

There is considerable controversy surrounding the issue of including an interpretation of Chiron in modern Natal astrology.Some consider that it can't be given the same status as a planet in a chart reading, others find its inclusion very helpful in helping people to recognise the source of impediments to growth and well-being in their life, especially in regard to physical and emotional damage.
The Psychological astrologers, who base a considerable part of their work on the concepts introduced by such prominent psychologists as Carl Jung,can derive much information by looking at a Chiron placement and the aspects it receives in a natal chart.

In 1977, a US astronomer named Charles Kowal identified what was to be called "Chiron", an unusual object orbiting between Saturn and Uranus. (November 1 at 10:00am in Pasadena California.)

http://i41.tinypic.com/2059w5x.jpg
Initially classified as an asteroid, it has now been given both an asteroid designation (2060 Chiron) and a comet designation (95P/Chiron). It is 130,140 km/8,087 miles across, composed of ice with a dark crust of carbon dust. It has a 51-year orbit and a coma (cloud of gas and dust) caused by evaporation from its surface, resembling that of a comet. It is classified as a centaur.

http://www.physics.hku.hk/%7Etboyce/image_gifs/centaur1.gif

http://i40.tinypic.com/99gmci.png


In Greek mythology, the centaurs (from Ancient Greek: Κένταυροι - Kéntauroi) are a race of creatures composed of part human and part horse.

Chiron or Cheiron, ( the word literally means "hand"), was the most highly regarded centaur among his brethren, being intelligent, civilized and kind. He was known for his knowledge and skill with medicine.
Modern astrologers ascribe to Chiron the term "wounded healer", a concept based on the Greek mythology of Chiron.

To summarise, Saturn(husband to Rhea) fell in love with a sea-nymph, Philyra. In order to prevent Rhea finding out about their secret love, Saturn and Philyra turned themselves into horses so as to maintain their love. When Philyra was delivered of their child, she was so ashamed to see its centaur-like form that she begged the gods to turn her into a tree, and she is said to have abandoned the child on Mount Pelion, near a cave. There are some variations in this mythology. Some say Saturn changed himself into a horse to rape Philyra who had spurned him. However the point on which there is agreement is that Chiron was *disfigured* and abandonned by both his parents.
Being immortal, the infant Chiron didn't die, but grew up alone, later being adopted by Apollo.
Chiron studied and learned much, became a master musician ("even the stones stopped to listen when he played"), and became known to the Olympian community as a wise and honorable being. In time, parents sent their sons to Chiron to be taught. Chiron was the tutor and mentor to
many of the great heroes, including Jason (of Argonaut and Golden Fleece fame), Achilles, Asclepius and Hercules,among others.
In fact it was Hercules who would accidentally wound Chiron with an arrow from his bow.
The wound would have been fatal, but since Chiron was an immortal, he couldn't die and the pain he was forced to endure led him to a search for a cure.The arrows Hercules had chosen to use on this particular day were arrows coated with the blood of the monster Hydra.
(Arrows coated with the blood of the Hydra were known to cause painful wounds that would never heal.)
In his search for a cure for his own wound, Chiron was destined to become the discoverer of medicine, which he taught to Asclepius. After many years, Chiron exchanged his immortality with Prometheus, and Jupiter was so impressed that he made a new constellation, Sagittarius, honoring Chiron in the sky.

In astrology, Chiron has come to represent Shamanism, healing and medicine generally.Its position in our natal chart can provide us with great insight to those parts of ourselves that need healing, our woundedness and our ability to transform ourselves through study and healing.

The mythologist Carl Kerenyi writes:
…Chiron, the wounded divine physician,...seems to be the most contradictory figure in all Greek mythology. Although he is a Greek god, he suffers an incurable wound. Moreover, his nature combines the animal and the Apollonian, for despite his horse’s body, mark of the fecund and destructive creatures of nature that centaurs are known to be, he instructs heroes in medicine and music.

Quotes about Chiron
Chiron can share Neptune's awareness of human suffering, but it seeks healing through understanding, not the cessation of pain through non-being. - Liz Greene


Chiron's disdovery symbolizes the recent upsurge of interest in holistic health, naturopathic healing, the body therapies, and the use of various symbolic languages such as astrology and dreams, all of which reveal that one's state of health depends in large part on one's state of consciousness. Chirognomy, chiropody, and chiropractics, which have their etymological origins in the Greek root, chir, "hand" are further outgrowths of Chiron's activities as naturopathic healer and holistic educator. - Tony Joseph, Chiron: Archetypal Image of Teacher and Healer, 1978


Chiron means to me the principle of healing or wholemaking, on any level. - Erminie Lantero

Chiron's astrological significance embraces the archetypes of Teacher, Healer, Musician, Hunter-Gatherer, Master Astrologer and Quest Guide. - Richard Nolle

The image of the Wounded Healer is an evocative one which can easily be associated with the Chiron configuration in the horoscope. ... The Chiron configuration often describes what connects an individual with his or her inner suffering, and also a route through this to healing. ... By the same token the Chiron configuration also describes the nature of the healing that people may have to offer to others. - Melanie Reinhart, Chiron and the Healing Journey

Sleep itself is not ruled by Chiron. But, no matter what aspects of astrology you attribute to the rulership of sleep, Chiron does rule a very specific part of sleep - sleep as a healing tool. - Zane Stein

The position of Chiron in the chart of the healer ... not only indicates the healer's preferred methods - but also those tools that the healer will find most successful in treating others. - Zane Stein
(After the announcement of the discovery, a few astrologers took an immediate interest in Chiron. Among the first was Zane Stein, who was given the first ephemeris (zodiac position table) for Chiron by astronomer Dr. Brian Marsden shortly after the discovery.)

[lillyjgc]

CHIRON: FURTHER READING
http://www.cafeastrology.com/chiron.html
http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/signsChiron.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiron
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9786
http://n2.nabble.com/Zane-Steins-Chiron-Page-td1134857.html
http://www.martinlass.com/chiron.htm
http://www.mooncatsastrology.com/astro/chiron.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2060_Chiron
http://www.astrologycom.com/chiron.html
http://www.aquamoonlight.co.uk/chiron.html
http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/Chiron21.5.html
http://kenoath.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/cant-talk-about-it-cant-think-about-it/
http://www.crystalinks.com/woundedhealer.html
http://www.myastrologybook.com/Chiron-the-wounded-healer.htm
http://www.north-node.com/astrology-tutorials/chiron
http://www.aquarianage.org/west/planets/ch-nat02.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/articles/chironaspects.html
http://www.astrologynotes.com/wiki/Chiron_aspects
http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/006798.html
http://www.aplaceinspace.net/Pages/CandyChiron.html
http://rosemarcus.com/astrolink/chiron-the-evolutionary-perspective/
http://www.martinlass.com/woodstock.htm

http://www.merrynjose.com/artman/publish/article_102.shtml
http://www.astro.com/astrology/in_chiron_e.htm
http://www.stariq.com/pagetemplate/article.asp?PageID=866
http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/housesChiron.htm
http://www.circlesoflight.com/astrology-articles/chiron.shtml
http://www.zanestein.com/chiron.htm
http://www.north-node.com/astrology-tutorials/chiron
http://www.astroamerica.com/aster2.html
http://www.melaniereinhart.com/
http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrites/chiron_signes.htm
http://www.astrologydatabase.com/tags/chiron
http://planetwaves.net/chiron/
http://www.btinternet.com/~seamaid/Esotericchiron.htm
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/universal_symbolism/16826
http://www.astrologer-edinburgh.co.uk/chiron.php
http://koti.mbnet.fi/neptunia/astrology/chironn1.htm
http://www.astrologycom.com/chiron.html
http://www.skybearastrology.com/chiron.htm
http://www.spiritualastrology.com/article15.html
http://www.evolvingdoor.ca/pegasus/folklorechiron.htm
http://www.astrotheme.com/celebrites/chiron_maisons.htm
http://www.astrocollege.com/campus/libraries/Chiron.pdf
http://www.cosmiclighthouse.com/nov08/columns/astrology
http://www.aquariuspapers.com/astrology/2007/06/chiron_wounded_.html
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2553448
http://paganpoet.com/blog/?page_id=508
http://ezinearticles.com/?Chiron-Through-The-Signs--Healing-The-Wounded-Healer&id=654071
http://www.aquarianage.org/west/planets/ch-nat02.html

http://estelledaniels.com/Articles/Chiron.html