Meaning of planets in the astrological chart. Planet dignity in the zodiac signs
What does the Sun represent?
Sun represents the ego, the conscious self, the identity we have created for ourselves. It is the masculine (yang) principle within us. Sun can also represent our father, or the idea we have of authority. In a woman's chart, the Sun can also signify her husband. The Sun rules over Leo and the 5th house, that is why it can also show how we shine in the world, the recognition and praise we get, what we admire, what we are proud of, our accomplishments, our vitality and what brings us joy. Because many people nowadays consider the career the place where they put all their vital energy and the most significant accomplishment in their lives, Sun can show the profession one chooses. If you were born during the day, the Sun is more dominant in your chart than the moon.
The Sun has dignity in the sign of domicile (Leo) in the exaltations sign (Aries) and the remaining Fire sign of Sagittarius. Dignity means it does well in the sign because the characteristics of the sign align with the traits of the planet. Leo is the joyous sign of creativity and courage while Aries is the sign of individuality and initiation, both being in harmony with what the Sun represents.The sun is afflicted in its detriment sign of Libra and in its sign of fall Aquarius. Libra is preoccupied with others and the identity is often sacrificed in the name of collaboration and Aquarius is focused on the group forsaking yet again the ego.
What does the Moon represent?
Moon represents our feelings, the unconscious, the inner child and internal emotional needs. It is the feminine principle within us (yin, anima). Moon can also represent our mother, the maternal figure, or the mature woman. The Moon rules over Cancer and the 4th house, and can also give clues about our family lineage, the early home environment, how were we nurtured, what feels familiar and safe. Men are taught to suppress their emotions, and they usually project those feelings onto a woman. That is why in a man's chart the Moon may also symbolize the wife. If you were born during the night the Moon may be more dominant in your chart than the Sun.
The moon has dignity in its home sign of Cancer and in it's exaltation sign - Taurus, and is not so comfortable in the sign of Scorpio and Capricorn. It is easy to understand why the Moon would feel comfortable in her domicile sign of Cancer, because we all feel the most comfy cozy in our own home. Here the need for safety and nurturing of the Moon is perfectly comforted by the protective waters of the Crab. But why is the Moon exalted in earthy Venus ruled Taurus? Taurus stabilizes and retains all the things the Moon needs to feel safe, the sign bringing stability to the emotional tides of the luminary. In Capricorn the Moon is in detriment, because Saturn the planet that rules the Goat is all about scarcity, limitation and external worldly achievements while the Moon is about being nourished and the inner emotional world and doesn't feel safe in the home sign of Saturn. In Scorpio the Moon is in it's fall. Scorpio, although it is a fixed feminine water sign corelates with crisis, sudden events, emotional turmoil that leads to transformation, being self explanatory why the Moon would feel threatened in this zodiac sign.
What does Venus represent?
Venus is the planet that symbolizes love, beauty, relationships, values and money. In Vedic astrology Venus in a man's chart can signify his wife, in modern astrology the wife is symbolized by the Moon and Venus represents the girlfriend. In a female chart it represents her feminine style. The planet Venus rules 2 signs: Libra and Taurus. As the ruler of Taurus, a Fixed Earth sign, Venus governs matters of the material plane: possessions, money, propriety, land, food, physical pleasure, luxury. As the ruler of Libra, Venus governs beauty in the mental plane and relationships. Here Venus stands for equality fairness, justice, compromise, peace, harmony. Venus also symbolizes artistic pursuits, many artist having a prominent Venus in their chart.
The planet Venus is exalted in the sign of Pisces where she aspires for unconditional love. The planet is in fall in the sign of Virgo, where rationality and perfectionism dampen Venus's ideas about love, and is in detriment in Aries (sign ruled by Mars the God of war). In Aries, Venus looses some of her feminine attractive traits going for a more direct and conflict-oriented approach similar to Mars. Another sign in which Venus does not do well is Scorpio where the superficiality and indecisiveness of the Love planet cannot adapt to Scorpio's `all or nothing` way of looking at relationships.
What does Mars represent?
Mars is the planet of action, drive, ambition, passion and sex. The planet Mars rules the sign of Aries and it also is the traditional ruler of Scorpio (alongside the modern ruler Pluto). In a woman's chart, Mars can represent the `boyfriend`, what she considers manly. In a man's chart it symbolizes traits of his own masculinity. Like the Ascendant, Mars can also show how our physical body moves, our mannerisms and tics. The planet Mars is exalted in the sign of Capricorn. Here the Red planet's actions are systemized in the hope of obtaining the most achievements. Mars is in detriment in Libra, where the planet goes against it's nature and has to abandon conflict and individual pursuits in favor of compromise and peace. The sign of fall for Mars is Cancer. I actually think Mars does well in Cancer because it shows his protective nature of loved ones, but in traditional astrology, because of the the emotional nature that the planet has to embody in this sign, it is considered a weak placement
What does Mercury represent?
Mercury is the planet of communication, logical thinking, practical skills and mundane tasks. In Greek mythology the god Hermes (Mercury) is also known as the winged Messenger. This planet also represents things of the 3rd house like reading, writing, counting, statistics, siblings/ colleagues/ neighbors, community network, short-distance travels. Mercury rules two signs: Virgo and Gemini. You can think of Gemini as the fun side of Mercury (where communication and the mind is used in Air sign fashion for socializing and sharing ideas) and Virgo as the serious side (where logical thinking is put to practical use and for assisting others). Mercury is exalted in the sign of Aquarius where it's talents serve progress and innovation for a humanitarian cause. The planet is in detriment in Sagittarius because the Archer, although an intellectual sign doesn't deal with analysis, details and practicality. The sign of Sagittarius symbolizes dogma, abstract concepts, broader thinking, things that Mercury is not capable of grasping or dissecting. Another sign where Mercury dose not do well is Pisces, where facts are replaced with imagination and fantasy and where the exploration of the spiritual realm is more important than mastering the mundane physical world.
What does Jupiter represent?
Jupiter is the planet of the higher mind, knowledge, wisdom, freedom and adventure and can show the life experiences through which we get enlightenment. It represents things of the 9th house like universities, teachers, publishing, religion, dogma, ideology, politics and long distance travel. Jupiter has the effect of expanding the characteristics of the sign in which it is placed. Jupiter is also known as The great benefic that is why it is considered to be the planet of luck. Jupiter rules the sign of Sagittarius and is considered the traditional ruler of Pisces. Jupiter is in detriment in Gemini and Virgo, signs ruled by Mercury. As I was saying when explaining the planet Mercury, although both planets deal with the mind, Jupiter's broad ideas, dogmas and abstract concepts cannot be assimilated through Mercury's analytical and detail oriented approach. According to Vedic astrology, in a woman's chart Jupiter can show the traits that her husband needs to have so that he may function as a guide and teacher to her.
What does Saturn represent?
Saturn is the considered planet of karma and hardship. It represents discipline, order, structure, systems, old age, slow processes, long -term goals, difficulty, obstacles, hard work, the proffesional sphere. In Vedic astrology, Saturn is considered to be a malefic alongside Mars. Saturn's home sign is Capricorn and it's the traditional ruler of Aquarius. Its exaltation sign is Libra. Saturn gives durability and resilience to things. Where Saturn is placed in our birthchart represents an area of life where we feel inadequate, where things don't come easy and we have to strugle to achieve. The area of life that Saturn rules and where Saturn is placed has the potential for succes but only with hard work and after the age of 35. Saturn also represents limitations. Saturn reminds us to be aware of reality and the limits of our capabilities.