Anne Massey, 2010 May be reprinted for personal, non-commercial use. Permission must be

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1 Page 1 of 5 Planetary symbols Astrologers use glyphs to denote planets, signs and aspects. Some of these symbols are familiar from biology and chemistry. Symbols are rich with meaning; the first form of writing was pictographs. The two primary elements within symbols are the never-endingng circle and the straight line. The circle is a symbol of eternity, unity and of the heavens; it is also a symbol of capture think of the wedding ring. Completeness, wholeness and protection are also concepts associated with the circle; it is present in each creation myth and in astrology there are numerous great circles. Circles unite and encompass while lines divide and separate. Circles are considered feminine and lines masculine in nature. The cross of matter supports or suspends the circle, crescent or arc. Crosses represent our connection with earth, our burdens to bear and our gifts to receive. The horizontal line of a cross represents our lives on earth and the vertical lines our connection to divinity. The crescent is a symbol of receptivity. Learn about symbols: Dictionary of Symbols, Myths and Legends by Didier Colin, Dictionary of Symbols by Penguin Books, and Barbara Walker s The Woman s book of Symbols and Sacred Objects. Inner The glyph for the Sun is the infinite circle with a solid circle within. The same symbol is used for cell in biology the seed of all life. The primal womb with the spark of creation. The circle has no beginning or ending, in astrology we have many circles, which represent eternity, primordial unity, inner perfection, and the heavens. The circle is also a symbol of time, the turning wheel. The Sun calls the sign of Leo home, is exalted in Aries and in its fall in Libra. Aquarius is the detriment of the Sun. Gold is the metal associated with the Sun; the alchemist s goal is turn other metals into Gold. Day of the week: Sunday. Keywords for the Sun: Identity, ego, life-force, force, personality, what we are becoming, true self, director for your life's play, creativity Moon is shown in its waxing crescent form, which appears about 3.5 days after the New Moon. The symbol encompasses the arc of receptivity. The Moon is a satellite of the Earth and reflects the light of the Sun. The Moon s natural home is Cancer; she is exalted in Taurus and in its detriment in Capricorn and fall in Scorpio.

2 Page 2 of 5 Silver is a divinatory metal, the Moon the water of enlightenment, in astrology the Moon represents the womb and all kinds of vessels and containers. Moon s day is Monday. Keywords for the Moon: emotions, instinctive responses, mother, need for security, memories, moods, intuition, reflection Mercury s glyph is a circle with a crescent of receptivity crowning it and both rest on the cross of matter. The same cross is features in the astrological wheel ASC to DSC and MC to IC the feminine, horizontal line represents time and the earth the masculine, vertical line represents eternity. Mercury has two homes: Gemini and Virgo. The classical exaltation for Mercury is Virgo his fall in Pisces and his detriment in Sagittarius. The metal associated with this connecting planet bears its name, Mercury. Mercury needs to be contained in order to be used and it is highly toxic. We use it in dental fillings, thermometers to bind things together and to gauge the temperature out there. The hump-day, the middle day of the week, or Wednesday belongs to Mercury. Keywords for the Mercury: : Logic, communication, education, commerce, writing, local travel, connections The glyph for Venus features a circle resting a top the cross of matter. This is also the symbol for woman. The two signs Venus rules are Taurus and Libra. Venus is exalted in Pisces and fallen in Virgo. The detriment of a planet is the sign(s) opposite to the ones it rules. In case of Venus, she is in her detriment in Aries and Scorpio, the two signs that belong to Mars. The metal associated with Venus, the planet of lust and desire, is copper, which conducts both heat and electricity. Her day is Friday. Keywords for the Venus: : Love, desire, relationships, what we value, co-operation, operation, priorities The modern glyph for Mars features the circle with an arrow a a line with a chevron we use the same symbol for man in biology. The old symbol was Venus upside down. An arrow is a tool and a weapon. It symbolizes penetration, opening up, surmounting obstacles, of objectivity, decision making, unification and synthesis. Mars rules Aries and Scorpio, contemporary astrology still calls Mars the co-ruler of Scorpio. Mars is exalted in Capricorn, in his fall in Cancer and in his detriment in the signs Venus rules. The metal associated with Mars is iron. Tuesday is the day of the week that belongs to Mars. Keywords for Mars: Drive, action, motivation, assertiveness, will, war, cutting and severing

3 Page 3 of 5 Social The glyph for Jupiter features the cross of matter and a crescent of receptivity, which opens to the left. Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces in the classical rulership schema. Jupiter is exalted in Cancer and fallen in Capricorn. The signs of Jupiter's detriment are Mercury's signs Geminii and Virgo. Jupiter cycle is approx. 12 years. The metal associated with Jupiter is tin, which is used to protect other metals from corrosion. Tin and copper blended together make bronze. Keywords for Jupiter: Expansion, luck, convictions and beliefs, religion, higher education, spirituality, long-distance travel The glyph for Saturn is a stylized sickle. The cross of matter rests atop a crescent of receptivity. Saturn is the last planet visible to the naked eye and understood to make the boundaries of our earthly existence as the master of time. Saturn has rulership over Capricorn (at night) and Aquarius (during the day). Saturn is exalted in Libra and fallen in Aries. Saturn is in its detriment in the signs ruled by the lights Leo and Cancer. The cycle of Saturn is 30 years. Saturday is Saturn s day and the metal associated with the planet is lead. Like Mercury, led is a heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans and animals. Keywords for Saturn: Contraction, limitations, obstacles, structures, responsibilities, boundaries Societal, generational, transpersonal The glyph for Uranus rests on a circle and supports a cross of matter with a crescent of receptivity in each direction. It looks like a transmitter. In Europe the symbol used for Uranus is like that of Mars with the arrow pointing directly up and a dot in the middle just like inside the Sun. Contemporary astrology assigns Uranus as the ruler of Aquarius. The planet was discovered in the early decades of the Industrial Revolution (1781) and the automation of factories, etc. Following the classical rules, a planet is always in its detriment in the sign opposite the one it rules Uranus in its detriment in Leo. Despite a variety of proposed exaltations for Uranus, none are generally accepted by astrologers. The most common one is Scorpio as the sign of exaltation. The cycle of Uranus is 84 years. Uranus is associated with Uranium, a slightly radio-activeactive element used to produce nuclear power. Keywords for Uranus: Revolution, unpredictability, invention, Eureka, divorce, electricity, surprises, mass production, inventions

4 Page 4 of 5 The symbol for Neptune is Poseidon s trident a crescent with forks arising, and naturally with the cross of matter supporting it. Neptune has been assigned to rule Pisces by contemporary astrology. There are no generally accepted exaltations for this generational planet with a cycle of 164 years. Neptune was discovered in 1846 by German astronomer Johan Galle. Neptunium named after the planet is fissionable, and could theoretically be used as fuel in a fast neutron reactor or a nuclear weapon. Keywords for Neptune: Illusion, disillusion, deception, dissolution, drugs, transcendence, spirituality Planetoids or dwarf planets In astrological ogical texts, Pluto remains a planet. The International Astronomical Union demoted Pluto to a dwarf planet in August Pluto was discovered in This planet has two glyphs, the crescent resting on a cross of matter supporting an open circle within the crescent. The second symbol is PL for Percival Lowell, the person given the credit for its discovery. Contemporary astrology assigns Pluto the rulership over Scorpio. In the 1930s the debate was whether Pluto should be assigned Aries or Scorpio. The cycle cle of Pluto is approx. 246 years. Plutonium is a synthetic radioactive chemical element. It is also a radioactive poison that accumulates in bone marrow handling of plutonium is dangerous. Keywords for Pluto: Transformation, atomic particles, death, crime, evolution The symbol for the asteroid Ceres is a stylized sickle; a crescent of receptivity resting on a cross of matter. The sickle is a crescent shaped sharp tool on a short handle which was used for cutting grass and crops. Ceres was first spotted by Sicilian astronomer Piazzi on January 1, 1801, and considered to be a planet by astronomers. The orbit of Ceres and the asteroid belt is between that of Mars and Jupiter. In 2006 Ceres was promoted to dwarf planet status. The definition of dwarf planet is that the body has failed to clear its path of other bodies. The cycle of Ceres is approximately 5 years. Key-concepts for Ceres: Harvest, fertility, agriculture, service, hard work Major Asteroids Vesta was discovered a year after Ceres, and is the second biggest asteroid. The symbol for Vesta is a stylized hearth the the keeper of the eternal flame in Rome. Vesta like Ceres is linked to work and women, both were discovered at a time when women were becoming a part of the workforce.

5 Page 5 of 5 Key-concepts for Vesta: Keeping knowledge alive, working to support others, particularly at home; industrious, dedicated, unmarried by choice. Pallas was also discovered in early 1800s; Pallas is the daughter of Jupiter the archetype of daddy s girl. She was associated with wisdom having born fully grown clad in armour, she is also associated with war; the strategy of it all. Key-concepts for Pallas: : Independent, strategist, comfortable in patriarchal society will work within societal rules to implement logical changes, intelligent Juno is the marriage and partnership asteroid, discovered in early 1800s. Juno s cycle is also years as with the other asteroids. Juno is about forming contracts and agreements sheshe knows how to manage. Keywords for Juno: : Marriage, partnerships, contracts, agreements one must keep