|

Your Planets and You:

An Easy Guide to Planetary Influences in your Birth Chart

When you think of planets, you probably think back to your school days and the models of the solar system you carefully painted. You may also think about rockets and spaceships and missions to Mars, or perhaps you’ve looked through a telescope to wonder at our far distant neighbors and their mysteries.

In astrology, however, we have a close relationship with the planets. Far from being distant balls of ice, rock or gas, the astrological planets have an influence which is up close and personal, and which pervades every aspect of our lives. Read on to find out more about the planets in astrology – what they are, what we use them for, what they do and why they’re the basic building blocks of your birth chart.

What are the Planets in Astrology?

The planets used by astrology are the very same planets you learned about in school: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

To that list, we add the Sun and the Moon. The Sun and the Moon are not planets – the Sun is a star, and the Moon is, well, a Moon or really, a satellite to our Earth. Technically in astrology we call the Sun and the Moon “luminaries” or givers of light, but they are treated in the same astrological fashion as a planet, and you’ll often hear astrologers calling the Sun and the Moon planets just for ease of reference. Don’t lose any sleep over it.

In astrology, the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars are sometimes grouped together with the term “personal planets or inner planets”. These planets are considered to provide a cohesive view of your basic personality, motivations and drives. These planets move relatively quickly around the Sun, and so are useful for daily and weekly predictions.

The others, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, are called the “outer planets”. These planets are much more slow-moving in our solar system, sometimes spending years in a single zodiac sign. If personalized in a chart (more on this later) they can be extremely important on a personal level, but they are also important for looking at long term life trends.

In Astrology, How do the Planets Work?

The planets are the core building blocks of any birth chart. At the time and place of your birth, every planet is somewhere in the celestial sphere – in a particular zodiac sign and in a particular house of your chart. Your birth chart is essentially a map of the heavens at the time you were born, containing the position of all of the planets and showing the angles and connections they make to one another.

Astrologically, each and every planet is said to embody a particular energy. This energy is expressed or channeled in a particular way, via the zodiac sign where that planet is. The energy is also directed towards a particular area of your life, shown by the astrological house the planet is in.

A rough and ready guide to planetary energies would look something like this:

The Sun: Willpower, lifeforce, vitality, health, ego
The Moon: Emotions, feelings, instinctive reactions
Mercury: Communication, intellect, logic
Venus: Love, magnetism, values
Mars: Drive, ambition, desire, anger
Jupiter: Philosophy, expansion, belief
Saturn: Responsibility, limitation, control
Uranus: Individuality, freedom, independence
Neptune: Spirituality, illusion, compassion
Pluto: Regeneration, transformation, rebirth

In your natal chart, Mars in Scorpio in your 10th house might express itself with your drive and ambition (Mars) being passionately expressed (Scorpio) in your career (10th house). In other words, you’d be pretty ruthless in your ambitions and personally driven to succeed at all costs. On the other hand, Mars in Gemini in the 11th house might find you giving your all to writing letters, making speeches and campaigning to save the world – your drive and ambition (Mars) being communicatively expressed (Gemini) in the community (11th house).

So, you can see that the same planet can and will express its energy very differently according to where in your birth chart it is.

Planets will also often form particular angles to other planets; when this happens, it’s called planets being in aspect, the planets modify one another’s energy in a variety of different ways, further complicating the picture.

Away from your birth chart, the planets are also vitally important in predictive astrology. Your natal chart is a static map of how things were when you were born, but the planets are of course still moving. As they move, they form aspects to their original birth positions, to other planets in your natal chart, and to one another’s current positions. These are called transits and are a very common predictive tool in astrology. Transits can tell us what is going on around us today, next week, next month, next year – they don’t compel us to act, as we retain free will, but transits can advise us how best to make use of upcoming planetary energies.

Sometimes, as seen from earth, a planet will appear to be moving backwards. This is called retrograde motion; you’ve probably heard of Mercury retrograde, but the other planets do it too. During retrograde motion, the planetary energy is in some ways reversed, so it’s important to interpret retrogrades carefully.

In Astrology, Which Planet is Most Important?

The answer to that depends entirely on your own birth chart – there are a variety of complex considerations when judging which planet is strongest for any individual.

The chart ruler is always an important planet. This is the planet which rules your Ascendant sign – the sign rising on the Eastern horizon at the time and place of your birth.

The planetary rulerships are as follows:

Aries – ruled by Mars
Taurus – ruled by Venus
Gemini – ruled by Mercury
Cancer – ruled by the Moon
Leo – ruled by the Sun
Virgo – ruled by Mercury
Libra – ruled by Venus
Scorpio – ruled by Pluto and Mars
Sagittarius – ruled by Jupiter
Capricorn – ruled by Saturn
Aquarius – ruled by Uranus and Saturn
Pisces – ruled by Neptune and Jupiter

So, if your Ascendant sign is Pisces, then we would consider Neptune to be the chart ruler; if your Ascendant is Aries then Mars is the chart ruler and so on.

Another way of judging a planet’s relative importance in the natal chart is whether or not it resides in domicile, that is in its natural home. Referring to the list of rulerships, we can see that Venus, for example, is in domicile in Taurus or in Libra – so if your natal chart shows Venus in either Taurus or Libra, that strengthens Venus’ importance in your chart.

Astrologers also look to see if any of the planets are conjunct (very close to) important chart points like the Ascendant or the Midheaven, or whether any major aspect patterns are formed across the chart as a whole; if there are any, then the planets involved in these will take on extra importance in the chart.

Astrology is a complex blend of hundreds of complementary but often contradictory energies and messages within the chart. Sun signs and horoscopes are great fun, but to really understand what’s going on in your natal chart, and to put astrology to its proper use, you need to be able to understand what each of the planets is up to in the birth chart, and what it’s doing now too.

Appreciations

  • ★★★★★
    IM TAPPED INTO THIS!
    Glenn Twum
  • ★★★★★
    Thanks for always keeping me updated. Even sometimes i get lazy of checking my emails but this is truly helpful to me.
    Precious
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you Kelli.
    Maria Nelia Vieira de Nobrega
  • ★★★★★
    I'm grateful for all your passion that enriches us. Lots of thanks and best wishes
    Lalla
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you for remembering my birthday! You're the only one. The images in the video were beautiful; & I really enjoyed the music.
    Georgia Gabet
  • ★★★★★
    Hello, Kelli. Thank you very much for your emails and for yourself. And I must say I take full advantage of your emails. With pleasure. And also from Numerology, of course. And you are really a lovely person. Thank you very much. Bye.
    Kiarash
  • ★★★★★
    You are always right!!!
    Luna
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you for the message it was spot on!
    Amber
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you Kelli for the inspiration, guidance, and help. Much love and appreciation.
    Ty
  • ★★★★
    You're right on with so much accuracy that it was crazy and incredible at the same time!! Almost like you was in my head at times.. Def enjoyed all the insight as well and looking forward to what the future holds.. The sky is the limit.. 💫✨💫✨
    Crystal Markland
  • ★★★★★
    I found the best Astrologer. Thank you Kelli for being my mentor . I see things more clearly & trust me my thinking abilities are skyrocketing.
    Arvind kumar
  • ★★★★★
    I remember what happened in 2015, it will happen again. Thank you Kelli, I know now what to do. You are on the spot again.
    Viviane Banoun
  • ★★★★★
    You were so on point with this information , as if you were reading my mind.
    Henrietta
  • ★★★★★
    I have been studying astrology for 40 years and this site is particularly knowledgeable and well-written.
    Nicole
  • ★★★★★
    I'm feeling highly blessed to be with you. You changed my life.
    MPHONYANE
  • ★★★★★
    It's pretty accurate. Thank you. And I'm glad to come across you. Have a great day.
    Charmaine
  • ★★★★★
    Hello. Thank you so much. You're always helping me with your astrological knowledge. Thanks. Please pray for me. Thank you very much, Kelli.
    Daisy
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you very much. I love it.
    Alexandra Momirovic
  • ★★★★★
    Yeah thanks Kelli I do so much appreciate your reading - it is real. I love it!
    Anthony Appiagyei
  • ★★★★★
    Hi, Kelli. I'm so appreciate of all your readings they are true. I like your readings. Thanks so much.
    Anthony Appiagyei
  • ★★★★★
    Hello, Ms. Fox. This is Sally Haynes. I enjoy reading your message and the way I've been feeling different for the last two days. I don't feel like myself. I feel a different person. And I love it. You have a blessed night, Ms. Fox. Bye.
    Sally Haynes
  • ★★★★★
    It was very nice to listen to you. Some things I really don't understand in English, but I try to put together it's very nice to listen to you. I like it very much.
    Ester
  • ★★★★★
    Amazing and so in depth. You give joy and inspiration to all those who read your horoscopes.
    Helen Cooper
  • ★★★★★
    I love this has really been helpful and it gives wisdom to understand life.
    Pascal Destiny
  • ★★★★★
    Hello there. This is era. I'm answering your video and I'm a little intimidated because I'm on it. So let's just use this one for you and me before I try to check with the audience. But, yeah, when I got your email and read everything, you were speaking right to my heart. Right to my heart. My spirit told me that this was a good thing. And I'm a crab cancer. We don't just trust anybody. It takes a long time for people to get our trust. But you're the real deal. You are the real deal. And that's why I had to write you and let you know that the only reason why I wasn't getting it today was because of my circumstances. I'm looking forward to my new life. I got the world card today, and that means I'm getting ready to step into a new life that I deserve. I must say, you're awesome. I haven't had a chance to see everything you've done, but I've seen enough to know that it's going to go straight to my heart. I know that, like I said, let's not share this with the world yet. This is just for you. But I promise, when I get her, I'll be glad to do that for someone else who may be in my place that is looking for something besides fluff. They're looking for something real. And I do believe that's what you have, my dear. Something real.
    Ara MARIA
  • ★★★★★
    I have followed Kelli for decades. She has consistently put more quality and deep insight into her writing than any other professional. Always a pleasure to read her daily outlook.
    Melanie T.
  • ★★★★★
    It. Hey, Kelli. It is Brandon Gonzalez, the one that you've been doing all this amazing stuff for. And wow, am I just surprised. Like the whole angel number twelve thing came at the perfect time. It was matter of fact 1212 when I read it. Please keep doing what you're doing. It is helping me in my life in many different ways. Spiritually, I'm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, otherwise known as Mormonism. Our god is directing me. You're right. You're completely right. I know my worth. I know where I'm supposed to be headed, what I'm supposed to be doing, just by feeling my own heart and my own decisions that he's giving me. He's giving me. How do I explain this? Perfect situations to just choose from. And if I'm choosing the right, then I get many blessings from you guys. Numerologists, moon readings, all of that, and it all comes together and ties into my life perfectly. So I'm so appreciative of what you guys are doing and it is changing me for the better and I'm excited to see what's to come. And that's really all I've got to say. Thank you, Kevin, and I appreciate everything you're doing. Please keep doing it. I love this and I do not plan on stopping.
    Brandon
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you for the information that you provide me about who I am. I really enjoyed reading it and learning from it. It's really great information to read.
    Maxmillian lowe
  • ★★★★★
    A finite example of my true existence. And potential in the universe...
    Darrell W.
  • ★★★★★
    To be honest, astrology made me who I am today. Those who are suffering have the best live feed astrology can give you, your basic characteristic, your life path and your soul age. Astrology has given me the best life to lead. I'm grateful.
    Oolapho Williams
  • ★★★★★
    Thank You so much for sharing your knowledge and guidance! 🙏❤️🌈🌎🌈
    Eugenia
  • ★★★★★
    I love Your everything about You! I have always been in Your Thursday 5 pm E sessions as well and since I have had computer issues, I am not getting any of your e-mails. . . Wish I could sign on another way to be there today! Thank you Barbara! Here is the link to all my events: https://astrology.tv/events/
    Barbara L Dixon
  • ★★★★★
    Kelli is Amazing ✨
    Linda
  • ★★★★★
    Kelli. Hi, Kelli. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your information that you guys are putting out there. Numerology is something that's really new for me, but it has certainly gotten my attention the last couple of years. And so piquing my interest, I delved a little bit further into learning about it. And you guys have been very helpful, encouraging. I just wanted to say thank you very much. I appreciate it. Keep up this wonderful work. Thank you.
    Susan
  • ★★★★★
    Hey, I just want to say thank you. I really don't have the words for my experience, but being it's very enduring of spirituality and concentrating with God, I really don't have the words for it, but amazing. Thank you.
    Angela Jackson West
  • ★★★★★
    I read your astrological forecast almost every day.
    P K RAJAN
  • ★★★★★
    This was so informative and very easy to understand. And it was free, I will be following you further, Mahalo (thank you in Hawaiian, I live in Kauai)
    Desiree
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you Kelli. Your messages always seem to come in perfect timing.
    David D
  • ★★★★★
    Love the platform. Easy and not time consuming.
    Trina
  • ★★★★★
    I love You! I never start my day without my reading.
    Crystal
  • ★★★★
    Thank you!
    Zanda
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you so much 🙏
    Catrice
  • ★★★★★
    Good morning. My name is Virikal Tariq. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make a video testimonial about numerology today. Whenever I have little time, I am always reading your messages almost every single day. I am totally confident because of your daily information. Your guidance and support make me to focus on my daily on my dream career. It also gave me the courage and the strengths to avoid feelings of insecurity and fear. I would like to tell you that my life is full of challenges and difficult circumstances. You however, I would also like to assure you that I will never give up with your support and guidance. I will keep moving slowly but surely to make sure that my dream becomes real. Thank you once again for your support and guidance. Have a nice day.
    Virikal T
  • ★★★★★
    Hello. Good evening, everybody. So, yeah, it's been a crazy journey, crazy life, learning experience. Never thought in my wildest dreams that I wouldn't have to, but it I'm choosing to make big changes in my life for the better of myself. I lived a life of not so great, made poor choices. Some of them had no choice. Most apart, I did have choices. But the past three years, I've been dealing with a lot of stress and a lot of depression and anxiety. But throughout time comes I've been learning a lot about myself. A whole lot about myself, thanks to you guys. All the signs thrown at me, all the emails and everything, which at first I kind of found odd. But as of now, everything's on point. You guys are changing. My life in a whole different perspective. And I'm seeing life and this world we're in a whole different perspective, as in within myself. And now I'm in my comfort place. I like views. I like nature. I like stuff like that. This is where I come get my peace and quiet. I look forward to seeing what's coming for me. Thank.
    Alfredo Echeverria jr
  • ★★★★★
    Hi, Kelli. Just want you to know that your daily email and the guidance you send it really matters. I'm not sure if it's specific to me or if it's for the collective, but what I do know is that when I received a message, it happens to be what I'm going through currently, or I'm experiencing currently. I thank you for your selfless acts. You're consistent, and I always look forward to reading what you have gathered or gotten from the spiritual guides and all of the spiritual team, the Light team. I am going through a tough period right now in my life, and that's seems to be the song through my whole life. But I do have faith and believe that it has to get better or things have to turn around. It just has to. I thank you.
    Aneetrai Rowland
  • ★★★★★
    Your message satisfied me a lot. Thanks.
    Jimmy
  • ★★★★★
    Love your predictions.
    Ashoka
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you for the appreciation, have a beautiful and peaceful day, and may you be loved.
    Popa Mircea
  • ★★★★★
    I just thought it was enlightening, the experience.
    Adele
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you for this gift!
    Julia B
  • ★★★★★
    I can't even think of the words to express my gratitude, for you being there for me when I have no one else. Thank you, Love Amanda
    Amanda Sweeney
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you Kelli for your unique and wonderful service with much love & gratitude.
    Dion
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you for the guidance
    Dee
  • ★★★★★
    Your energy is still feeling the effects thank you
    David
  • ★★★★★
    Hi, my name is Alma Card. I'm really enjoying it, but I have quite a few questions.
    Alma
  • ★★★★★
    Hello. So my experience with the emails and everything, they've been pretty accurate. And it does surprise me because what you guys say, what's going to happen ahead of time usually happens, and it's just great information. It just keeps you going. It's always something to look forward to. And I appreciate all the emails that you guys do send and just really great information too. And you also do get to learn about yourself a little bit. And that's what I like. So keep the information coming and I appreciate you guys 100%. You guys take care and God bless you. bye.
    Testimonial
  • ★★★★★
    I would love to be able to give you the answers you want. I enjoy your program and whatever you offer, but I don't know how to send my picture, so there you are. Thank you so much for what you offer me. I enjoy the program and everything that I can do. Have a great day. Bye again.
    Rhea Marie
  • ★★★★★
    Good morning, ma'am. I'm glad that I've been on this program for a while and receiving emails on astrology.tv. So far I can say experience has been quite good and I can explain that everything has been going well since the readings that I've been doing. And so far I cannot complain about what has been happening. And I'm grateful that you have been giving me the rightful answers that have been looking for whatever that has been happening through the atmosphere, not cosmic layers. I've been seeing it like you said, it is going to happen. It's been happening for quite a long time. And I'm thankful that I've been reaching you through this email so that I can grasp more information about my charts based on my best chat and stuff. So I'm thankful, and I just want to take this time to say thanks a lot for your time and putting this all together for me to be able to understand how to analyze astrology and my best charts. I'm thankful for everything that we have done. Thank you.
    Mbekezeli Mbhele
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you Kelli, I wait for this one every time, precise and documente.
    Viviane Banoun
  • ★★★★★
    Miss Kelli, this is me talking.
    Preston
  • ★★★★★
    Miss Kelli, this is me talking.
    Preston
  • ★★★★★
    Miss Kelli, this is me talking.
    Preston
  • ★★★★★
    Hi, Kelli. It's Michael Julian. Born May 30, 1958 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Birth name is Michelle Julie. I am completely mystified and mesmerized by my birth chart. I love it so much I'm staring at it because I wish I knew the immediate future. I wish I knew some of the future. But I love it so much I'm staring at it. I stared at it for a while. Obviously, I cannot predict my future. I don't know how to read a birth chart, but I know you can. But I wish I knew the immediate future. I live in living conditions. Internal housing that is deplorable. I have to fight for my life, my sleep and I hope and wish for better living conditions in the near future. I keep buying lottery tickets, but it doesn't seem to work. But thank you for my birth chart. I really love it. I want to print it and I don't know if it'd be a good thing to put it on my wall because that's a big secret, right? So thank you very much for that birth chart. And I know about the red lines. Somebody told me some years ago. I know what it has to do with. Thank you so much, Kelli. Thank you very much.
    MICHAEL JULIHEN
  • ★★★★★
    Hi, Kelli. This is Wendy. I been reading your Astrology TV for the last two years. Really enjoy it. Get your yearly report, destiny Report for this year and enjoying that. I just looked it up my first week of March and not too bad. Always there's always things that you have to fix, but other than that, I really enjoy reading what you write. Always read it every morning, faithfully. And I'm from Armstrong, British Columbia. Canada. That's in the north. Okanagan. And you're living in Australia. I think that's such a neat place to live. But always wanted to go there and see and stay at the crikeys for ten days. Have fun at the zoo. That would be so much fun, wouldn't it? All right, I won't keep you. Thank you very much, Kelli, for everything. Take care.
    Wendy Aulenback
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you so so much. I love you.
    Lila Belghaid
Share Your appreciation