Planets

For convenience, we call the points of interest in the charts planets even though, astronomically, they may be stars (e.g. the Sun), satellites (e.g. the Moon), dwarf planets (e.g. Ceres) or asteroids (e.g. Vesta). The relative positions of the planets to each other are of concern in Magi Astrology.

Each planet has a set of symbolisms that relate to it. In some cases, these symbolisms were figured out in ancient times by early astrologers. Various myths were formulated around these symbolisms and today we are familiar with the ideas that Venus rules beauty and Mars rules war. I believe that the symbolisms of the planets known in ancient times inspired the ancient myths. The planets were gods because they influenced our lives. Each god or planet had a specific influence. Various myths were created to teach people these symbolisms and along the way these were embellished, but the essence of the ancient planets remained consistent through the centuries.

In Magi Astrology the symbolisms of some of the planets may be quite different to those used by traditional astrologers. This is especially true of the planets discovered in modern times. These planets were named after figures of mythology; however, this does not mean that their symbolisms correspond to those mythological figures.

In Magi Astrology we prefer to use statistics, rather than myth, to derive the symbolisms of the planets.

Planetary Symbolisms and Symbols

The Sun

A star, also called Sol, is the source of most life in the Earth. It is the most important body not only in the Solar System, but also in an astrological chart. This is what is being represented by the chart, i.e. the person or entity whose birthchart is being considered. It is the essence, spirit or life force. It also rules the circulatory system and the heart, both essential to life. It only occurs in the geocentric chart where we view the Solar System from the Earth's perspective. The Sun appears to be moving, but it is actually the Earth's movement that we are observing. If we walk past a tree we perceive the tree to be moving in relation to us, but it is actually us that is moving. In the longitudes it moves about one degree per day, but in the declinations it moves fastest around the Equinoxes (March and September) and slowest during the Solstices (June and December). The up-down movement of the Sun in the declinations as it oscillates from North to South gives us the seasons of the year. All planets move like this in the declinations, but it is only the Sun that has such a marked effect on our environment.

The Moon or

The satellite of the Earth rules emotions, the unconscious, and urges. It also symbolises the soul, crops, food, the ocean, water, habits, instincts, feelings and vulnerability. It is a very personal planet and represents the past, nostalgia, withdrawing for protection, following tradition and maternal love. Although the Moon is an important planet in astrology, we can only include it in the birthcharts if the time of birth is known. This is because it moves so fast and without the time of birth we can't be sure of where it is in the chart. It moves over 10 degrees per day in the longitudes and also varies in speed in the declinations like the Sun.

Mercury

This planet was known by our ancient ancestors even though it often can't be seen because it is in the Sun's glare. The ancient symbolisms are consistent with those that we use. The ancient Romans called Mercury the messenger and he had wings on his sandals to help him move fast. It rules communication, expression and anything that requires the mind. It also rules transportation, swiftness, music, teaching, poetry, movies, intelligence, travel, exploration, respiratory and nervous systems, calculators, computers, design and sense of balance. Mercury is important in the charts of athletes because it symbolises reflexes. It is also important in the charts of architects, singers, writers and actors. Traditional astrologers say that when Mercury goes retrograde (or apparent backward movement) that there are problems with communication and travel. However, the Magi Society has not found this to be true and it can be good to have retrograde planets in a chart.

Venus

Venus was especially important to the Mayans in South America who devised calendars based on its movement. The ancient Greeks and Romans called Venus (or Aphrodite in Greek) the planet of love and feminine beauty. Magi Astrologers also call Venus the planet of beauty, but it also rules money (cash in particular), luxury, jewels, socialising, partnerships, weddings (not marriage though), cooperation, social standing, grace, charm, fashion and being fashionable. It is not only an important financial planet, but also a sexual planet. In the latter sphere it rules desire, infatuation, intimacy, sexual desire in women, seduction, the act of lovemaking and sexual attraction or sex appeal. Venus is the planet of harmony and victory in war. It's known as the lesser benefic, where the benefics are planets of good luck and fortune. The greater benefic is Jupiter.

Earth/Moon complex

The Earth and Moon are only present in the heliocentric charts (or the view of the Solar System from the Sun's perspective) and are so close together that it is convenient to view them as one body - the Earth/Moon complex. It is a very important point in the heliocentric charts and has the same meaning as the Sun that we see in the geocentric charts. However, there are some differences between the two bodies. In the latitudes (or side-view of the Solar System in the heliocentric perspective) the Earth/Moon complex does not move and is considered a Universal planet. When two planets are opposite each other relative to the Earth/Moon in the latitudes then everyone in the planet is affected.

Mars

The planet of war, anger, fighting and violence; it is no wonder that this planet was known as the lesser malefic (the greater malefic is Saturn). The malefics are considered to be problematic and bring loss and harm. However, Mars can be very useful because it rules initiative, enthusiasm, the body and anything that requires the body as primary like dancing, farming (with Neptune), martial arts and sport. Mars rules energy and it is perhaps uncontrolled energy that is harmful and the reason the ancient astrologers considered this planet to be a malefic. The red planet is also a sexual planet and rules physical attraction, sex drive, male sexuality and sexual energy (remember Venus rules female sexual energy and sexuality).

Jupiter

The great benefic. After the Sun, Jupiter is the largest body in the Solar System. It symbolises good fortune, success, fulfilment, prayers being answered and dreams coming true. In ancient times it was the king of the gods and in some ways it is the king of the astrological chart. It rules fairness, compassion, selflessness and truth. It is the protector and a sign of true genius. Jupiter symbolises providence and power that is used benevolently. It expands that which is good and helpful, and contracts that which is bad and harmful. It is a sign of royalty and self-sacrifice. Judges, banks, laws, clergy and priests are all ruled by this planet.

Saturn

The great malefic; on the one hand this planet symbolises problems, delusions, temptation, obstructions, shortages, losses, mistakes, bad luck, revenge, breaking apart, selfishness, narrow-mindedness, frustration, confusion, hatred and repulsion. On the other it rules control, scientists, scientific thinking and attorneys. It is a very serious planet; there's nothing light and playful here. Many times the problems caused by Saturn are a result of there being either too much or little, but never enough. Too much water is flooding, while too little is a drought. Too much food is obesity and too little is famine.

Uranus

This was the first planet to be discovered in modern times (in 1781) and even though it is very faintly visible to the naked eye, its discovery was made possible by technology (i.e. the telescope). It is no wonder then that Uranus symbolises technology and inventions. It is interesting to note that some of the other things that this planet symbolises became very important when it was discovered. Things like the urge for freedom and independence can be linked to the American and French revolutions that occurred around the time Uranus was discovered. Of course, revolutions are also ruled by this planet. This planet also rules change, excitement and thrill seeking, the news, what's new, aeronautics, space travel, fame, the public, broadcasting, the entertainment industry and anything that is massive in size or amount. Some important things are ruled by this planet: the Internet, politics, the World, anything global in scope and publicity. It also rules order and orderliness, awareness, changes in motion and the ability to adjust to change. Traditional astrologers usually consider Uranus to rule science, but we must be careful not to confuse science and technology. They certainly depend on each other and advance in one enable advance in the other, but they are two separate things. In Magi Astrology, technology is ruled by Uranus and science by Saturn.

Neptune

This planet was discovered in 1846 and is a romance and financial planet in Magi Astrology. It rules anything that lasts a long time, for example long-term finances and financial security. It also rules true love, gentleness and sensitivity. Neptune rules electricity and electrical devices, shipping, the ocean (with the Moon), medicine, health, doctors, nurses and pharmacists. It also symbolises youthfulness, being young at heart, and creative genius. Artistic and creative professions are ruled by this slow moving planet. It also rules land, property, long-term assets, intellectual property (patents and copyrights), inheritances and anything that comes from the ground (e.g. food, plants, oil and minerals). The act of procreation and reproduction is ruled by this planet as well as sensuality in women.

Pluto or

In 2006 the International Astronomical Union declared Pluto to be a dwarf planet. However, astrologers still call it a planet and its symbolisms haven't changed. It was discovered in 1930 and is associated with dictators (e.g. Hitler and Mussolini), oppression, undeserved self-esteem, drastic changes, upheavals, greed, excess and ego. Pluto can be power-hungry, selfish and abusive, but it also elevates and can bring great success. It is both a sexual and financial planet. It rules the sexual organs, lust and the sex act, but there is no romance here, just sex and sometimes obsessive desires. On the financial side it rules big business, entrepreneurs, competition, financial trade, profit, gambling, banking industry, loaning money, financial instruments, investments, bonds and mortgages. This planet also rules atomic energy and weapons, power and things that preserve or enhance power. It is the planet of male chauvinism and can be authoritarian, but also cold and prone to excess. It is an important planet for professional competitive sports and is perpetually dissatisfied.

Chiron

Chiron is a very interesting body and is quite controversial. It was discovered in 1977 and is considered by astronomers to be both a comet and an asteroid. To Magi Astrologers it rules very important things. For example, marriage, significant emotional ties, the family, spouses, children, karmic bonds, public image, career and earning power. It is symbolic of authentic charisma and freedom (Uranus is the urge to be free but not freedom itself). This body is controversial in astrological circles because traditional astrologers say that it symbolises the "wounded healer" because of the myth of the Centaur that Chiron is named after. However, from statistical work done on thousands of charts, the Magi Society has found this not to be true. This is a good example where the myth and symbolism of a planet differ.

Ceres

Me-first, money-first and business-first; those about sum up what Ceres is all about. It is easy to spot a Ceres person because they care more about material wealth than personal relationships. This doesn't mean that Ceres is a bad planet; it is how a person handles it. Ceres is the largest member of the asteroid belt and is known, in astronomy, as a dwarf planet. It was discovered in 1801 and is one of the asteroids used by the Magi Society in the analysis of astrological charts.

Pallas

This asteroid was discovered in 1802 and rules the higher mind; things like analysis, pattern recognition, planning, music, writing, choreography and programming.

Juno

Another asteroid, this one was discovered in 1804 and a late friend of mine used to call it the "rock 'n roll planet" because it rules sex and drugs; specifically the rock 'n roll lifestyle, addictions, sexual charisma, casual sex, emotionless sex, adultery, marriage without children, illusions, delusions, dreams, fantasy, misinformation and false love. The charisma that Juno imparts is like a spell that only lasts for so long, once the spell is broken then the charisma is gone.

Vesta

Vesta was discovered in 1807 and this asteroid has been called Juno's sweet sister. It rules social congeniality, friendship, friendliness, loyalty, trustworthiness, charities, as well as non-profit, non-governmental, social and environmental organisations.

Sedna

(no accepted symbol yet) This trans-Neptune object (its orbit lies way beyond that of Neptune) was discovered in 2003. Speculation of its origin abound because it takes about 12,000 years to orbit the Sun, but we are more concerned with its symbolisms. The Magi Society considers Sedna to be the destroyer or the "Hammer of Thor". It symbolises corruption, violence and money obtained by theft, illegal and unethical activities. The profits created by Sedna usually come from taking advantage of others and it has no conscience. A very dangerous planet and it is implicated in social and economic disasters.

Sappho

(no accepted symbol yet) This asteroid was discovered in 1864 and named after the Greek poet. The Magi Society has determined that it rules "extreme neurotic behaviour", obsession, fear and is implicated in selling frenzies in stock exchanges leading to crashes.

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