Despite popular misconception, astrology is much more than a zodiac sign. The planets, stars, and solar system affect each and every one of our lives in more ways than we could ever imagine. It’s time to learn Astrology with Allorah. In this helpful article, she begins to break down the basics for us. I don’t know about you, but astrology seems a bit shrouded in mystery. It always has. If you’ve ever wondered what do the planets mean in astrology, our resident blogger Allorah educates us on the basics here.

Learning the Astrology Basics

Instead of hiding the elephant in the room, we’re parading it out front: astrology, and the thought of learning astrology, can be, and usually is, overwhelming. For most people that I speak to there is a resounding theme to their astro anxiety, they are intimidated by astrology’s plethora of moving parts. There are modes and elements, planets and aspects, aspect patterns and axis points and the list goes on.

Overwhelmed just reading that list? You’re not alone. Over the years I have found the easiest way to learn astrology is to break it into bite sized pieces which can then be built upon. This is how I teach my students. We will approach one aspect of astrology at a time.

Every astrologer will approach and teach astrology slightly different. There is no right or wrong place to start with astrology in my opinion. However, there are places to start that just make more sense. You won’t really be able to understand aspects if you don’t understand what each planet represents in astrology. You must understand the planetary bodies making the aspect or else it will just be words. It would be like putting the cart before the horse or the putting the broom before the witch.

So, what do the planets mean in astrology? This is where we will start on our Otherworldly Oracle astrology journey. Below is a rundown of what each planet represents in your natal chart as well as in transit.

What Each Planet Means in Astrology

Sun:

Ahhh the Sun! The sun isn’t technically a planet (it’s a star) but it’s important to know what the sun represents for astrology. The sun shines over the Earth every day and gives us warmth and light. Without the sun no plants would grow and everything on our planet would die. The sun gives us life. In astrological terms, the sun is a masculine fire planet and represents our ego, identity, core personality, the conscious self, vitality, stamina, will and life force, and our enthusiasm for life.  

Moon:

We have to include the moon when answering what do the planets mean in astrology because it’s considered a planet in the astrological realm. She is the lady of the night. When there is a full moon first responders know to anticipate a busy night. The moon also rules the movement of the tides. Being that humans are over 70% water, it would make sense that we are also affected by the moon – its phases, position, and astrological encounters with other planetary bodies. The moon is a feminine water planet that represents and symbolically controls our emotional/internal self, our unconscious mind, past lives and soul memory, moods, our heart, our mother and our perception of what kind of mother she is or was, the hidden, our perception of our childhood.

Mercury:

Everyone is familiar with this gender-neutral air planet for the havoc it can wreak twice each year when it becomes retrograde. Unfortunately, mercury is one of the most underrated planets in astrology because, when embraced, has so many great qualities whether in retrograde or in forward motion (plus I’m biased because my sun sign is ruled by Mercury). It also can give us great insight into aspects of ourselves that we may not think to look at but are massively important such as how we communicate and how we learn. Mercury represents our communication style and skill, intellect, how we process information, our ability to employ reason, logic, and analysis, how we think and learn, all modes of transportation, and research. After all, the Roman God Mercury was most well known as the messenger.

Venus:

Sharing a name with the Roman Goddess of love, this feminine earth planet shares multiple correspondences with her as well. Venus can give us great insight into our relationship style whether it’s friends or partners. It is the planet of romance, love, and attraction. It also is responsible for our sense of aesthetic and what we believe beauty, luxury, and pleasure to mean for us as individuals. Venus, and where it falls in your natal chart, can also dictate what you find to be artistic and kind of art you like believe it or not.

Mars:

When most people hear the word Mars, they automatically think of either this masculine fiery planet or the Roman God of war. Neither are wrong. Like the God of War, mars represents what kind of warrior and enemy we can become when challenged. It is the planet of impulsivity and fast action. Primal instinct and unbridled passion. It shows us how to be brave and when to be aggressive instead of passive. Mars gives us the drive to go after what we want, fearlessly.

Jupiter:

Jupiter is the Roman equivalent of Zeus among the Gods. However, in astrology, Jupiter is most well known for its ability to bring luck. But why does Jupiter represent luck? Well, in the Roman mythos, Jupiter was born and raised in secret on the island of Crete by his mother Ops. It was luck that allowed him to live as his father, Saturn, ate all his other children in fear that one day one of them would overthrow him – which is exactly what Jupiter did. This masculine fire planet brings expansion wherever it goes. It is the harbinger of growth, success, and abundance. Most of all we look to Jupiter when we need to discover where and when to be optimistic.

Saturn:

This is another planet that, unless you’ve learned how to embrace its gifts, is a less-than-welcome sight. Most people in the metaphysical world have likely heard of Saturn return (which is a whole other topic all by itself) and fear the planet because of it. Saturn isn’t all that terrible, but it does require authenticity and vulnerability to navigate – two things that scare a lot of people. In the Roman pantheon, Saturn was the original King of the Gods until Jupiter overthrew him. Symbolically, Saturn in the natal chart represents our father, or our main father figure, and how we relate to him in our lives.

This masculine earth planet is the bringer of karma and demands order, discipline and structure. If Jupiter is the planet that zooms out to see the bigger picture, Saturn is the microscope that magnifies every talent, imperfection and obstacle. It reminds us of our obligations and responsibilities, shows us our limitations and restrictions, and feeds our ambition. Learn about Saturn Retrograde here.

Uranus:

In Greek mythos, Uranus is the original sky God before time. I would even go so far as to say that Uranus is the original Greek God of the whole universe. However, his hate for the children that Gaia birthed to him led to his castration and banishment. This androgynous air planet shows us the area of life in which we are the most rebellious and where the most unpredictable changes and sudden inspiration/creativity can and do occur in our lives. Uranus is our weird, allowing us to express our greatest eccentricities and step beyond the boundaries that have been previously set for us. Where there is Uranus, there is likely tension, stress, and the need to separate in order to gain perspective.

Neptune:  

Neptune is the original Roman God of fresh waters. Later, Neptune aligned with his Greek counterpart Poseidon. The only real connection I find between the Roman God and this feminine water planet is that they are both water element based which dictates their representations though Neptune more literally. Among astrologers, Neptune is the planet of intuition and mysticism and is often looked toward for determining one’s psychic prowess or lack thereof. It is also the planet of imagination, inspiration, dreaming, and our greatest capacity for creativity. Many artists, writers, and musicians have a well-aspected Neptune placement in their natal charts. In its negative aspect, Neptune can bring delusion and grandeur.

Pluto:

Despite Pluto being the Roman God of the underworld, this watery planet is considered feminine in astrology and takes on the archetype of the ‘dark mother’. In a modern context, Pluto acts much like the COVID-19 virus. It preys on your weakest attributes to amplify your sense of fear. In fact, in society, Pluto is the planet that brings natural disasters, wars, and what we witches would call dark nights of the soul. Though all of this seems terrifying, it’s not without reason or benefit. When natural disasters happen there is usually an imbalance that mother earth is trying to correct. The same is true on a personal level. Pluto brings destruction and death to help us transcend, evolve, and be reborn anew. Pluto brings deep transformation and change.

What Do the Planets Mean in Astrology? Wrapping It Up

From the Sun to Pluto, each planet in astrology plays a vital role in our natal charts and affecting our lives from day to day depending on which planetary bodies are transiting through our chart at any given time. I hope you’ve enjoyed this primer that aims to answer, What does each planet represent in astrology? Perhaps you’ve even realized that astrology is not as intimidating when broken into bite-sized morsels.

More Astrology:

• What Do the Houses Mean in Astrology?
• Modern Family Zodiac Signs: A Zodiac Guide to Family Dynamics
• Moon Sign Meanings: The POWER of the Moon in Our Lives

Meet Allorah Rayne

Allorah Rayne is a practitioner of amnestic and wayfaring witchcraft and has been part of the online spiritual community since 2012. Her introduction to tarot was the age of nine and she pursued more intensive learning at fifteen. Allorah is the founder of The Wayfaring Witch © where she offers soul origin profiles, tarot and oracle card readings, digital downloads, workshops, and mentorships in the ways of the witch. She is also the co-founder of The Otherworldly Oracle Official Podcast, Spread This, Witches! and Witches in the Woods. You can contact Allorah at the following social media sites Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, on The Wayfaring Witch © website via live chat, or by e-mail at allorahrayne@gmail.com