Generally speaking, your “astrological destiny” depends on the exact location of planets in the solar system (among other celestial entities) at the time you were both. While horoscopes typically focus on the location of the sun (which determines your sun sign), a clear understanding of your personality and life path as a whole comes from understanding your birth chart. Your birth chart, sometimes referred to as a ‘natal chart’ is a snapshot of the sky at the exact time and place you were born. Looking beyond your sun sign will provide you with deeper insight as the placement of the planets have unique meanings in astrology.
But . . . why?
Astrologer Rachel Lang tells us that “each planet represents an aspect of your personality.” For example, many of us know that Mercury is the planet about all things communication, which we are often reminded of during Mercury Retrograde when things tend to go awry. Each planet also rules over a specific sign(s), which essentially means it influence’s the signs textbook traits.
Your birth chart will show all twelve planets, with each located in one of the 12 signs and one of the 12 houses. Astrologer Chani Nicholas describes this beautifully in an interview with Well+Good: “The planets are the characters, the signs are the costumes they’re wearing, and the houses are the stages, or areas of life, where they’re lived out.”
The Planets (and what they mean)
The Sun: Ego
While the sun technically is not a planet, it does play an influential role within the solar system, and, in turn, ourselves. Many argue that your sun sign impacts your personality the most. When you think of the sun, you probably think of warm sunshine beating down on your face, right? Think of your sun sign in the same way: how can you shine your own light in this world? What makes you feel most creative and sets your soul on fire?
Symbolizes: confidence, self-image, self-esteem, sense of self, and identity.
Rules over: Leo
The Moon: Emotion
Like the sun, the moon is not considered to be a planet. This celestial body is the emotional compass of the zodiac – reflecting your emotions, unconscious self, intuition, and instincts. It’s said that your moon sign could reflect an “internal identity” different from your sun sign’s more surface-level personality. If you’re wondering what type of self care is best for you, look to your moon sign for some answers.
Symbolizes: sense of safety, security, values, intuition.
Rules over: Cancer
Mercury: Communication
Because Mercury almost always is closest to earth, it comes as no surprise that this planet tends to have a lot of influence over our lives. Mercury is known as the messenger planet and rules over communication, intellect, and internal dialogue. The sign that is in mercury in your natal chart will tell you how you analyze and process information. How do you maintain order in your life through daily routines and long-standing habits?
Symbolizes: information-gathering, research, and communication.
Rules over: Gemini, Virgo
Venus: Love
If you want to know how someone in your life (or someone you want in your life) wants to be loved, look no further than their Venus sign. Venus shows a lot about self worth, how you feel pleasure, your desire for partnership, and your ability to deal with conflict. Interestingly, Venus shows a lot about how you approach finances: How do you like to be valued? How do you like to feel valued? Venus is also the planet of beauty, so you be prepared to discover some surprising correlation between this planet and your own personal fashion sense and/or affinity to the arts.
Symbolizes: beauty, passions , relationships, pleasure, art, money.
Rules over: Taurus, Libra
Mars: Energy
If you want to find the best type of workout for your body, look no further than the go-getter planet of Mars. This fiery planet shows your physical drive and how you take action. It’s highly connected to your sexual needs, so this is a planet to keep in mind when considering what lights you up in the bedroom!
Symbolizes: action, drive, sexual expression, and courage.
Rules over: Aries, Scorpio
Jupiter: Luck
Being the largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter plays a large role in our lives and personalities making it hard to define. Generally, Jupiter is tied to fate and luck and deals with your beliefs and faith. Jupiter reminds you to follow the things in life that give you the most joy and enthusiasm. In other words: anything that excites you to the core is something you should absolutely give more time to. Your Jupiter placement shows how you can expand and grow in your own life, whether it be by traveling, learning new languages, or something else.
Symbolizes: luck and abundance.
Rules over: Sagittarius, Pisces
Saturn: Structure
You might have heard the term “Saturn return” which refers to the period in your late twenties when Saturn returns to the position it was in when you were born. It’s said that this is the time where you’re firmly in “adulthood,” and many experience growing pains and questions about your identity and life purpose. Saturn will bring light to your biggest obstacle(s) in life while providing you guidance on how to overcome it. Your Saturn placement reflects perceived limitations you may have, structure and boundaries that will be helpful for you, responsibility, hard work, and commitment.
Symbolizes: rules, limitations, boundaries, discipline.
Rules over: Capricorn, Aquarius
Uranus: Innovation
Considered to be one of the modern planets due to its more recent discovery (1781!), Uranus is all about innovation, technology, and science. It drives change and evolution and doesn’t fear change – in fact, it thrives in the chaos! You can think of Uranus as the opposite of Saturn: while Saturn loves routines and structure, Uranus excels in evolution and fluidity. The influence of Uranus in your chart tends to be generational since it takes about 7-8 years for Uranus to move between signs.
Symbolizes: change, rebellion, breakthroughs, sudden events.
Rules over: Aquarius
Neptune: Inspiration
The ever so mystical planet of Neptune (which unsurprisingly rules over Pisces) speaks to your ideals and dreams. If you’ve ever meditated and experienced the feeling of “oneness” with the Universe, you can understand the role of Neptune in your life. When in retrograde, you’ll likely find yourself on a quest for the truth and honesty in your own life. Neptune is associated with mind-altering substances like alcohol, drugs, and caffeine. Like Uranus, Neptune is considered a “generational planet” as it stays in the same sign for up to 12 years.
Symbolizes: dreams, mystical inclinations, ideals, mind-altering substances.
Rules over: Pisces
Pluto: Transformation
No longer classified as a planet, Pluto’s role in your astrological chart is quite similar: death, rebirth, and transformation. The dark planet focuses on power and sheds light to the deeper parts of ourselves hidden way below the surface. Pluto is another generational planet as it stays in the same sign for up to 15 years! Looking at your Pluto placement will provide you with knowledge to understand yourself on a deeper level: what is the meaning of your existence? How do you see the world around you? Your Pluto placement will give you insight as to how you will transform and change throughout the course of your life.
Symbolizes: transformation, death, rebirth, power.
Rules over: Scorpio
North & South Nodes:
Your north and south nodes are points on your birth chart that are always opposite one another.Think of your north node as an “astrological north star” showing you the karmic path you’re intended to take in this lifetime. It will show you areas of improvement to focus on, while your south node represents what you’re already good at (perhaps due to early/previous life experiences).
Rising sign/Ascendant:
Your rising sign, also called “ascendant” is the sign that was ascending on the eastern horizon at the time you were born. Your rising sign is what you project out into the world and what others tend to notice about you first. Your rising sign can be a good indicator of your skills and talents. It can also offer insight into strategies you could adopt to make life a bit more stress-free.
