BASIC PLANETARY DESCRIPTIONS

Ascendant: Your ascendant is how others perceive you, the vibe you give off to others through your mannerisms, the way you carry yourself, the build of your body and facial structure, the clothes and style you choose for yourself, even the sound of your voice. This is what people may say you “seem like,” as in “She seems like an Aries” because you project your Ascendant qualities outward from yourself without being aware of it. The planet that rules the sign of your ascendant is your Chart Ruler, and that planet will have significant effects on your entire chart and overall personality.  

Sun:  The Sun represents our core Self, our ego, the manner in which we shine our personalities out into the world. Most people stop at the Sun sign with “what sign are you?” questions when it comes to astrology. It also represents your father in your chart. The Sun rules Leo and both are aligned with the 5th house.  

Moon: Your Moon governs what you need to feel safe, secure, and satisfied. It is your inner self, your emotionality, your vulnerability, your inner child; it is your unconscious drives. It also represents your mother in your chart. Our Moon is where we reside, our home, it’s where our sense of well-being is and where we are comfortable and safe. It’s the way we decorate our favorite place to be, our aesthetic. The Moon rules Cancer and both are aligned with the 4th house. 

Mercury: Mercury represents the mind, communication, learning, and the mode of thinking. The sign your Mercury is in will color the way your mind works, the way you think, speak, write, and overall express yourself. Mercury rules both Gemini (air) and Virgo (earth); both are mutable signs. Mercury and Gemini are aligned with the 3rd house; Mercury and Virgo are aligned with the 6th house.

Venus:  Venus shows how we express, appreciate, and experience (give and receive) love, beauty, money, sensuality, relationships, and what we value. It is aligned with the Feminine. Where Venus is in our chart determines the way in which we express these qualities. Venus rules both Taurus and Libra. Venus and Taurus are aligned with the 2nd house; Venus and Libra are aligned with the 7th house.

Mars: Mars is the planet of passion, anger, sexuality, fervor, drive, determination, exertion, rage, and competitiveness. It is aligned with the Masculine. Where Mars is found in our chart determines the way in which we express these qualities.  Mars rules Aries and is the ancient ruler of Scorpio. Mars and Aries are aligned with the 1st house.  

Jupiter: Jupiter is our expansion into our faith and our wisdom, where we step outside of our boundaries and limitations, perceptions, and definitions. It is where and how we become more than what we perceive ourselves to be. Jupiter expands, or “makes more” of whatever it touches. Jupiter is “good luck and good fortune” and acts as our lucky star; it is considered “the great benefic” for this reason. Jupiter rules Sagittarius and is the ancient ruler of Pisces. Jupiter and Sagittarius are aligned with the 9th house.

Saturn: Saturn is our limits, our regulator, our boundaries, our protocols, our physical body, and the way we age. Saturn can be what holds us back, or where our attachments are. It is our strict teacher, and where it resides shows us where, how, and over what we can achieve mastery. Where it is placed in the natal chart is where we initially feel frustration or limitation, which we are then driven to overcome in order to achieve the mastery. It is associated with the past and tried and true methods of achievement. Saturn rules Capricorn and is the ancient ruler of Aquarius. Saturn and Capricorn are aligned with the 10th house.  

Uranus: Uranus is where we are different, original, and potentially rebellious. Its intrusion in our world comes quickly in a flash of inspiration or intuition that can change our lives – it delivers its messages to us in short bursts that have profound effects. It’s location in the chart shows an erratic or unconventional approach, even genius method of problem-solving. It is associated with cutting-edge technology and the future. Uranus rules Aquarius and both are aligned with the 11th house.  

Neptune: Neptune shows where and in what ways we are dreamy, poetic, creative, mystical, and spiritual - and - irrational, delusional, avoidant, and in denial.  It represents our highest aspirations and dreams, our fantasies, our spirituality, and our greatest hopes and fears, and yet it can also be our tendency to escape and avoid facing our problems through dissociation. Neptune is associated with the effect of illicit substances like drugs and alcohol – even our own bodies’ chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, the chemicals of love, reward, and attachment – and especially our addictions to these substances. It has a dissolving quality; things fall apart under the influence of Neptune. It represents the unknown and the void, and it is via Neptune that we enter the quantum field. Neptune rules Pisces and both are aligned with the 12th house. 

Pluto: Pluto is our most powerful, potent drive. It is about something we can’t explain – it can drive us to dizzying heights or to deep lows. It is about power and the ways we seek it and use it. It’s where you are a force to be reckoned with; it’s where no one can stand against you. It represents intensity, deep transformation, power, control, and evolution. Pluto rules over sex and sexuality, death, birth, and rebirth. Pluto rules Scorpio and both are aligned with the 8th house.  

Chiron: Chiron represents our greatest vulnerability, our most delicate, painful part, a long-standing woundedness. It’s our sensitive side that we protect and shield. We might be inclined to overcompensate here. The only thing that stands in our way is our own aversion to our own vulnerability. When we make peace with our vulnerability and choose to heal our wound, we can access a higher wisdom, which will allow us to guide others to do the same. Chiron the planet is considered the "wounded healer" as was the mythological Chiron, but mythical Chiron was also an excellent teacher of medicine, astrology, healing arts, and prophesy. Most astrologers see Chiron and immediately think, "pain." Instead, think of it as "wisdom for healing your existential pain." His symbol is the image of a key; where Chiron appears in your chart is the key to finding the "wisdom for healing your existential pain." The orbit of Chiron is between Saturn and Uranus, between the last of the inner planets in our solar system (those that can be seen with the naked eye) and the first of the outer planets (those that can only be seen with telescopes). Therefore, Chiron acts as the bridge between the inner consciousness and the higher consciousness. 

Midheaven: The Medium Coeli, (or “middle sky”, MC, or “Midheaven”) is the top of our chart and is the cusp of our 10th house. It shows how we choose to present ourselves in public, our outward expression to others, and our “public face.” It shows our aspirations and what type of career we would shine in, as well as how we are with others. It is opposite the Imum Coeli (or “bottom of the sky”, or IC) which represents our childhood, how we were as children, and how our childhood environment was. We grow out of our IC toward our MC from infancy to maturity.

North Node: The nodes of the Moon are the North Node and the South Node and are karmic directives in the chart that represent our future (North) and past (South). The North Node indicates what we should be striving for in our behavior and actions – our soul growth - and the South Node indicates what is easy for us, what we usually default to, our easy and comfortable default environment, and also what we need to let go of or move away from - what we can use to fuel our path toward our North Node, our destiny.  

Vertex:  The Vertex is a powerful point in the chart (not a planet) that acts as a second Ascendant; the Anti-Vertex – directly opposite the vertex – acts as a second Descendant in the chart. The Vertex represents other people’s contributions to your fate and can act as a door or “Destiny’s Gate” where people, places, and things come and go from your life; the Anti-Vertex represents your own contribution to your fate. Planets that aspect the Vertex, either in the natal chart or by transit, will have a powerful effect on the chart holder and may bring about sudden changes related to the sign or planet that aspects it. It can also indicate aptitude and innate abilities of the chart holder that need to be cultivated. People that enter our lives through this gate can assist and support us to cultivate and fulfill higher parts of ourselves, which can feel very fulfilling, though karma can be involved as well and, depending on what aspects it, it can indicate lessons incoming that leave as soon as they are completed.

Black Moon Lilith (BML): BML shows where we feel rejected and outcast. It is an extremely sensitive part of the chart. It also shows our rebelliousness, and our rebelliousness may contribute to our being outcast in the first place. It represents raw, passionate, emotional intent. Lilith is the original outcast woman, though she left of her own accord: she was, in Jewish/Biblical mythology, Adam's first wife, made of the earth and magic just like Adam, equal to Adam, yet was expected to submit to him and lie beneath him. She refused and left Eden, only to be replaced by Eve, born of Adam himself and designed to be his subordinate (initiating the start of Patriarchy). It is also said that Lilith transformed herself into the Serpent to awaken Eve to reality by giving her the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. Lilith is free and wild and conjures a deep knowledge of sex for pleasure (not procreation) and untamed independence. In the natal chart, Lilith represents how and where we feel rejected, outcast, shameful, wrong, insufficient, or inadequate, and the extremes we will go to rectify that – usually by acting out or engaging in wild and sometimes inappropriate behavior. It sometimes has a sexual tone to it, though it is not always outwardly sexual in expression. It will always show where and how we behave defensively and extremely in response to our own perceived inadequacies or perceived unfair judgements against us by others. 

Ceres: Ceres shows how we give and receive nurturing and care. It also shows how we react in the absence of nurturing and care, and how and where we will deal with loss. It shows what we need to feel nourished, and it shows how we express the highs and lows of vast emotional experiences, from the rapt high of fulfillment to the devastation of depression.  Ceres can represent the mother in the chart, or the way we were nurtured in childhood, or the way we wish we had been nurtured in childhood, thus shaping our adult and parent-child relationships. Ceres is a key player in relationship astrology and can be indicative of psychological attachment style.

Vesta: Vesta is like a mini-Jupiter, in that it “makes more” of whatever it touches. Vesta can show where we are “invested” – it shows our devotion and focus, where we are most dedicated, committed, and what is important to us, what we make sacred. It can also show the area in our life we need to periodically rest or take a break from. Vesta is the inner flame, the hearth; Vestal Virgins were the priestesses who were the dedicated keepers of the eternal fires of Rome, keeping them burning above all else, in honor of the goddess Vesta. The sign and house of Vesta in the chart can show where our dedicated devotion and commitment lies. 

Juno: Juno shows what we are “married to” and how we tend to our partnerships and domestic environment. It can be construed as being an ideal marriage partner; for someone who embodies this quality of your Juno (sign and/or house), it will be easy to dedicate your time and attention.  The goddess Juno’s full name is Juno Moneta and is where we get the word “money” from; therefore, Juno can also represent money and where and how we attract, make, and use money.

Pallas: Pallas Athene is Athena – the goddess of wisdom, fully clothed in armor and full-grown warrior princess-goddess born from Zeus’s head (mind) as his favorite child. Pallas shows where and how we strategize and execute plans, and how we synthesize logic and intuition. It represents sharp mental perception and cool objectivity. It shows where and how we can make things happen. It is original thought/thinking that elevates us from the crowd. It can also highlight the father-daughter relationship in a woman’s chart. 

Psyche: This asteroid represents our delicateness, vulnerability, sensitivity, and yet that which also makes us strong because of these qualities. It indicates our giftedness and where we are inclined toward intuitive self-teaching. Psyche is our soul, and aspects to this position in our natal chart or via synastry indicate where things touch and affect us on a soul level, for bad or for good. Psyche represents our soul journey and the lessons we must undergo to achieve the fulfillment of our higher purpose.

Nessus: This asteroid is associated with abuse and can signal the native’s involvement with abuse -  whether they are the victim of abuse or the perpetrator, or both – and is often considered a turning point in the chart where “the buck stops here.” The sign, placement, and aspects are especially important in deciphering the outcome of this energy, as well as the potential for overcoming detrimental experiences.

Eros: Eros is the essence of desire energy, though it does not always imply sexual desire. It can represent the creative principle of human nature, that which impels us to bring into existence that which we use our energy to imagine and intend, as well as the desire to effect change, and to obtain. Eros, along with Mars/Pluto, which represent the will and action energies to achieve and transform, can represent a cornerstone of the alchemical equation for creating “magic”: desire + will = result or change (magic).  

Eris: Eris is the sister of Mars and the expression of feminine anger and disruption – especially disruption of the patriarchy. She is known in mythology as the Goddess of Discord and Strife, but her aim is really to invoke transformation and change. She is akin to Pluto in this regard and is often referred to as the female Pluto. In fact, the discovery of this dwarf planet caused Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, to be demoted from a planet to a dwarf planet. She disrupted the status quo and caused planetary chaos! She is the figure who, in mythology, sent a golden apple to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis (known hereafter as the Judgement of Paris) with a note attached saying, “For the fairest.” This was meant for Paris, he of Helen of Troy fame, to choose between the goddesses Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena for their beauty and their favor. He chose Aphrodite, who promised him Helen in return, and all hell broke loose after that. Where Eris is in your chart (and for anyone alive right now who was born after 1926, Eris is in Aries – it is an extremely slow-moving dwarf planet), and mainly in the house and in aspect to other planets, shows where you may tend to act out, often subconsciously, in defiant and provoking fashion in order to produce change.

PLACEMENTS

Placements refers to the sign and house in which a planet resides. The sign will be one of the 12 Zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the house will be one of the 12 houses based on the house system utilized (I use Placidus house system, primarily, though occasionally use whole sign and equal house systems). The time of birth indicates the Zodiac sign on the Ascendant of the birth chart and the houses concatenate outward from that point.

Each sign has its own qualities, as does each house and planet. The combination of planetary, sign, and house qualities constitutes the makeup and expression of each placement. Every astrologer will interpret these somewhat differently depending on their focus and philosophy, though there are foundational qualities that are universal. These foundational qualities, combined with human psychological archetypes found in mythology and Jungian psychology, are what make astrology “work.”

ASPECTS

Aspects between planets indicate how that planetary energy is expressed in concert with the rest of the chart. In my practice, aspects are the greatest driver of behavioral potential and are deeply analyzed, especially aspect patterns which are formed between three (sometimes two) or more placements.

Supportive Aspects are typically the conjunctions, trines, and sextiles, as well as semi-sextiles, quintiles (and biquintiles), septiles, and noviles. (I don’t include septiles and noviles in most charts due to their esoteric nature and the extra effort and focus required, though am happy to do so on request as they offer a deeper dive into the spiritual message available in the charts.)

Challenging Aspects are typically the squares and oppositions but can also include the conjunctions as they are the complete merger of the energies of the planets or points involved and include both the good and the bad. Also included are the semi-squares, sesquisquares, and inconjuncts (also known as quincunx). 

Conjunctions: This is a full merger of the energies of the planets or points involved, which includes the full range of both positive and negative qualities of each. It can be both a positive and a negative aspect, though is typically considered positive, especially in synastry. However, when the malefics are involved (Mars, Saturn, and Pluto, though sometimes Uranus), conjunctions tend to take on more of the negative qualities, though a balance can be achieved if the conjuncting planet or point is positive in nature. Parallels are considered equal to conjunctions, though tend to be softer and combine the more positive qualities of the planets or points involved. Combined with a conjunction (same planets are both parallel and conjunct), and the effect is magnified.

Trines: Separated by 120 degrees, the trine is considered very positive, lucky, and gifted. These planets or points relate well together, have smooth harmony, and benefit one another mutually. Often these are so easy, they are taken for granted. Grand Trines involve three planets each separated by 120 degrees, forming a perfect triangle in the chart. This indicates special talents and abilities that are innate to the native but often must be activated to be realized. Laziness is a feature though is usually easily remedied with the smallest of effort.

Sextiles: Like good neighbors, these aspects tend to offer goodwill and harmony, easy friends and understanding between the energies of the planets or points depicted. Like the trines, they too require a little effort to actualize, though it is incredibly easy to do so because the harmony is so great there are continuous benefits from it. These energies just get along without much effort.

Semi-sextiles: These are more like siblings than neighbors, you are cut from the same cloth but just different enough to stand on your own. You just feel familiar and comfortable with one another, and know how to get along, even if you have a somewhat quirky connection.

Quintiles: Quintiles (and biquintiles) indicate creative solution-finding ability, quirky but humorous behavior that is easily accepted due to its endearing vibe, and an overall strange but sparkly energy. I think of Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter when I work with quintiles.

Squares: Probably the most challenging aspect in astrology is the square (90 degrees between objects) because it indicates two energies coming head-to-head, and it usually manifests in problematic behavior and conflict. Each wants their way to be recognized, respected, and adhered to, yet by virtue of the way things work, neither can have their way all the time, nor at the same time. This requires compromise, and compromise always means you don’t get what you want all the time; it requires sacrifice. Depending on which planets or points are involved, this can be easier said than done. The Mars square Mars aspect in synastry is famously the hardest relationship aspect due to the aggressive and dominating nature of Mars. This usually ends in fireworks and tears and is notoriously difficult to resolve, though some placements are easier than others. Taking turns is the key here and negotiation and rule-following is unquestionably required to make things work (kind of like a traffic intersection), both in synastry and in natal charts.

Squares are not bad, per se – they are “evolutionary gates,” opportunities to choose how we will grow, either toward our higher selves or to remain locked in repetitive, lower vibratory, energetic struggles. In the natal chart, we have ourselves to contend and negotiate with; in partnership, we must work together, or the gate remains closed. In the composite, you are operating as one entity, so it symbolically signifies “work together and evolve, or die (the relationship won’t work well).” Teamwork makes the dream work!

Oppositions: Opposites (180 degrees) can attract, and often do, but the bottom line here is that these energies are on the opposite end of a spectrum from one another. They may, at times, seem miles away from one another and headed in different directions, but the key is to meet in the middle. Like the square, compromise is required. The way in which oppositions have an advantage that squares do not is that they are operating on the same spectrum, so while they naturally find themselves at opposite ends of it, they still have that spectrum in common, so there is an easier time with finding the middle ground. It is often a longer on/off, time-sharing sequence though: the squares seem to be one-to-one give and take, but the oppositions can sometimes feel like the other side gets their turn for longer than seems fair, and then when the switch is made it can go the opposite direction again. It takes conscious effort to share the spotlight and balance the energies with this aspect so one side doesn’t go neglected for too long. When the spotlight pivots, the other side definitely feels the loss, so it can have an extreme effect. Contraparallels are considered equal to oppositions, though are softer in aspect and less extreme. Combined with an opposition (same planets are both contraparallel and opposite), and the effect is magnified.

Semi-squares: This is an unconscious square (45 degrees), that may not be in the native’s (or couple’s) direct awareness but rather act as a niggling issue that just keeps coming up and needs to be addressed consciously and repetitively. It can be sometimes less frustrating than a 90-degree square, but troublesome and in need of conscious adjustment just the same.

Sesquisquares: (135 degrees) This is, in my opinion, the most troublesome of the squares because it is completely unconscious, compulsive, and repetitive behavior that we have a hard time getting a grip on because it seems to be built into our code. Even after applying conscious effort to correct this compulsive behavior, it keeps coming back when we least expect it. In some cases, it can be likened to a personality quirk (He/She is “just that way”), but in other cases, especially when malefics are involved and especially when there are two sesquisquares connected by a square – called a Thor’s Hammer – there can be destructive tendencies, and sometimes devastatingly so,  that are hard to come back from. These require a lifelong effort to get a handle on, as well as a lot of grace and personal forgiveness.

Inconjuncts: Also called a quincunx, this aspect (150 degrees) acts as an uncomfortable seesaw in which the two opposing sides are not only not on the same spectrum, as in the opposition, they are on completely different wavelengths and have a harder time recognizing that the other energy needs to be recognized and valued at all. There’s a blindness to it, and a sort of disrespect and compartmentalizing as well. And when the other side gets its turn, there can be a feeling of being “put-out.” It requires, like all challenging aspects, a conscious adjustment toward balance and equality despite the tension.

Quintiles: These aspects (72 degrees) signify creative problem solving, intuitive insights, and “quintessence.” (Quint meaning five, which is what these are – 360 degrees of the zodiac divided by 5). The are aligned with serendipity, quirkiness, learning or insight thorough play (by relaxing and activating the right side of the brain while keeping the left side busy or engaged). These also include other divisibles, like the deciles (10ths or aspects of 36°), biquintiles (aspects of 144°), and tredeciles (1.5 quintiles or aspects of 216°). A “grand quintile” would form a pentagram aspect in the chart and would be indicative of magic ability, talents, serendipity, and intuitive manifestation abilities. Biquintiles tend to involve other people in the equation or interpretation, and the tredeciles are magic in action, both for the native and recipients of this beneficial energy.

Septiles: Septiles are mystical aspects associated with spiritual insight and guidance and are formed by dividing the zodiac’s 360° by 7, resulting in 51°21’ in aspect. Since this number is not a whole number but is what is considered an irrational number (one that doesn’t repeat and goes to infinity), it is considered similar to Neptune and aligned with non-earthly reality. They are best worked with in non-physical, non-linear, non-earthly terms – “decoupled from earthly grounding.” Spiritual lessons and insights can be received and harnessed for higher purposes with these aspects.

Noviles: Dividing the zodiac by 9 gives us an even 40° aspect, or the novile. These aspects are considered “the perfection of the Universe” and idealized energy because the number 9 is associated with wisdom, spirituality, completion, and in some belief systems is associated with spiritual enlightenment and universal love. The 9th harmonic in astrology is aligned with our higher selves and brings an element of inevitability: this is our future, this is what we are becoming, this is the goal of the chart. Using noviles can help us decode how we are to become our highest selves. Proper harnessing (for good) of this energy will enable us to level up; improper harnessing (for evil) or non-harnessing (ignoring, unconscious) could cause ourselves and potentially others great harm. The following Gospel of Thomas quote is aligned with noviles: ““If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”

Parallels (by declination): The declination is the vertical angle between a planet and the celestial equator, in a southern (S) or northern (N) direction. Planets in a parallel relationship are considered to be in strong conjunction.

Contraparallels (by declination): A contraparallel or "split" parallel occurs when two planets have the same number of degrees of declination, but in opposite hemispheres. For example, the moon might be at 20 degrees north latitude, while Pluto appears at 20 degrees south latitude.  Its meaning is similar to that of the opposition but, unlike the parallel, which is a strong conjunction, is a weaker opposition.

ON MALEFICS AND BENEFICS

Traditionally in astrology, planets were assigned good and bad qualities, hence the terms “malefic” (bad) and “benefic” (good). Mars, Saturn, and Pluto were traditionally categorized as malefic, and Venus and Jupiter as benefic, though other planets or points also tend to get lumped in with these, such as the South Node as malefic and the North Node as benefic. Planets such as Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune were considered neutral or potentially either malefic or benefic.

In my opinion, any planet, sign, or point can possess both positive qualities – what I consider the conscious, or higher energetic expression – and negative qualities – the unconscious, or lower energetic expression – depending on how the native chooses to express the energy. This is where free will enters the equation: the planets impel; they do not compel. We are always free to take the higher road and work with these energies in ways that support and inspire, as opposed to ways that reduce and destroy. 

I do still refer to these traditionally categorized planets as malefic and benefic at times, simply to infer their tendency to carry the energetic extremes they do, and as a means to instruct the potential for those extremes to manifest, for good or bad, unless our intention is to create other outcomes.

SOME NOTES ABOUT HOW I WORK

I will list all the aspects I see in your chart, but I do not provide individual interpretations for each of them (or else it would be novel length!). My goal is to give an overall interpretation to the native’s strengths, weaknesses, and disposition as a whole, which, in my experience, is found more powerfully in aspect configurations (combinations of aspects). Most people I read for already have a basic understanding of their astrology and understand their Sun, Moon, and Rising sign at a minimum. Planets in signs is only the beginning; understanding how they interact with other placements in the chart is much more informative and covers both the basic interpretation of the planet’s placement as well as how it is expressed, which shows through the aspect patterns. However, you are free to search online for these as you continue to learn more about your chart and all the quirks and details that lie within, by simply Googling, for example, “Jupiter in Gemini,” or “Sun square Saturn in the birth chart,” whereby you will receive ample interpretations that will describe each individual aspect.