What Does Each Planet Mean in Astrology? A Guide to the 12 Planets and Their Meanings (2024)

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Co-authored byAngel Eyedealismand Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: January 18, 2022References

Sun

1. The Sun represents your identity. At your core, you are a blazing ball of heat. The inner you is full of drive, and this drive is what the Sun represents. Symbolizing the ego, the Sun can be summed up in the phrase “I am.” The qualities people see in you are affected by the Sun’s position.^[1]

   • Think about who you are at your core. Are you introspective? Can you make friends easily? Are you laid back or high-strung? The Sun’s position defines your outward personality.
   • The Sun shows you what you are learning to be—your reason over your instincts.^[2]
   • Rules over Leo.
   • Transitions between signs every month.

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Moon

1. The part of yourself you see represents the Moon. Your emotions and instincts are driven by the Moon’s position. Like the phases of the Moon, you have phases of moods. These characteristics are harder to see than others because they are your inner feelings. Think of the Moon as the phrase “I feel.”^[3]

   • Have you ever said to yourself “That’s not like me”? You may have thought this because of the Moon's position.
   • The Moon’s position can affect your inner reaction to the outer world. How do you instinctively react to problems? What do you feel you need to feel secure and happy?^[4]
   • Rules over Cancer.
   • Transitions between signs every 2-3 days.

Mercury

1. All those smarts you’ve got are ruled by Mercury. This planet controls your rational and intellectual thoughts, perception and reason, memory, speaking, and writing. Any and everything you do to communicate intellectually is governed by Mercury. Consider this planet to be the phrase “I think.”^[5]

   • Are you ever driven by an almost child-like curiosity to know something? That’s Mercury doing it’s thing!
   • If Mercury has a strong presence in your birth chart, you are most likely intellectual and considered rather brilliant.
   • Positive qualities: Communication, intelligence, curiosity, and versatility.
   • Negative qualities: High-strung, restlessness, nervous, and indecisive.
   • Rules over Gemini and Virgo.
   • Transitions between signs every 3 to 4 weeks.

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Venus

1. This planet is the representation of love and beauty. Think of Venus as the phrase “I love.” Not only does this planet’s alignment symbolize what you love, but it also defines who you attract. Your sex life, appreciation for the arts, and even how you spend your money are all ruled by Venus.^[6]

   • When Venus is in retrograde, your desire for beauty and harmony can be replaced with greed and vanity.^[7]
   • What’s retrograde? In astrology, a planet in retrograde pulls an illusion that it's moving differently than normal. A planet’s change in direction represents normalcy being challenged in your life.^[8]
   • Positive qualities: Beauty, compromise, and peace-making.
   • Negative qualities: Pliancy, self-indulgence, vanity, and superficiality.
   • Rules over Taurus and Libra.
   • Transitions between signs every 4 to 5 weeks.

Mars

1. Conflict, aggression, and even war are all influenced by Mars. This planet is the complete opposite of its sister Venus, governing forcefulness, aggression, and even hatred. How you act on your ideas—whether it be with initiative or out of anger—can be influenced by Mars’s position, making this planet’s phrase “I act.”^[9]

   • The position of Mars can give you a boost of motivation or compel you to make hot-headed decisions.^[10]
   • Positive qualities: Bravery, courage, adventurous, and motivated.
   • Negative qualities: Rash, aggressive, impatient, and forceful.
   • Rules over Aries.
   • Transitions between signs every 6 to 7 weeks.

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Jupiter

1. Good luck and kindness comes from Jupiter. If you could put all the joys of life into one ball, you would have Jupiter. On a psychological level, Jupiter represents your search for meaning or truth, and urges you to continue learning. Because of this, Jupiter can be wrapped up in the mantra “I grow.”^[11]

   • Positive qualities: Kindness, wisdom, morality, inspiration, and spirituality.
   • Negative qualities: Self-righteousness, excessive-ness, over-indulgence, and conceit.
   • Rules over Sagittarius.
   • Transitions between signs every 12 to 13 months.

Saturn

1. The laws and boundaries of life are governed by Saturn. This planet is sure to test you, bringing on challenges when you least expect them. Saturn’s energy can be cold and rather selfish, but it can also discipline work and help you reach your goals. Think of this planet as the mantra “I achieve.”^[12]

   • Saturn helps you reach your goals by placing obstacles in your path. The planet’s intentions may seem evil, but they help you uncover your limitations and fears.^[13]
   • Positive qualities: Organization, discipline, and tradition.
   • Negative qualities: Selfishness, fear, and restriction.
   • Rules over Capricorn.
   • Transitions between signs every 2 to 3 years.

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Uranus

1. Revelation is the embodiment of this planet. Uranus represents the urge to become your true self and to explore your originality, embodying the statement “I evolve.” Ever have a brilliant idea that came out of nowhere, or a sudden need to change something? Uranus may have played a part in your sudden awakening!^[14]

   • Think of Uranus helping you “wake up” from a life you haven’t been fully living. The planet is often associated with change, community, and revolution.^[15]
   • Positive qualities: Originality, versatility, and independence.
   • Negative qualities: Eccentricity, rebellion, and frustration.
   • Rules over Aquarius.
   • Transitions between signs every 7 years.

Neptune

1. Illusions, dreams, and false realities are represented by this planet. Neptune takes the intangible and makes it real, governing confusion and spiritual healing all at the same time. Being the representation of the dream world, Neptune’s phrase is “I dream.”^[16]

   • Your favorite works of art, poetry, films, and music may have been influenced by Neptune’s energy.
   • Neptune retrogrades are famous for stirring up anxieties and long lost fears.^[17]
   • Positive qualities: Imagination, dreams, spirituality, and optimism.
   • Negative qualities: Confusion, deception, trickery, guilt, and addiction.
   • Rules over Pisces.
   • Transitions between signs every 10 to 12 years.

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Pluto

1. Transformative change is Pluto’s strong suit. This planet represents the subconscious forces that can turn your life upside down like sex, obsessive desires, investments, and wealth. Along with this, Pluto also represents endings and new beginnings, renewal and rebirth. How you rise above in times of destruction is all dependent on Pluto, so think of this planet as the mantra “I empower.”^[18]

   • Still composed of matter and existing in time and space, astrologers still consider Pluto to have astrological significance even though it’s no longer recognized as a planet.^[19]
   • Positive qualities: Transformation, renewal, and change.
   • Negative qualities: Upheaval, recklessness, destruction, and inversion.
   • Rules over Scorpio.
   • Transitions between signs every 12 to 15 years.

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