The driving forces in astrology
The quotes used below are taken from The Quotable Horoscope by David
Howarth.
Planets can be luminaries,
personal,
social
or transpersonal.
Personal Planets
Personal planets move reasonably quickly and mark the difference between days
and weeks rather than years. When they combine with the slower moving planets
they weave the symbolism of society together with that of the individual.
Mercury
Personal Planet
Inferior Planet
Neutral, takes nature from its contacts
Neither diurnal or nocturnal, nor masculine or feminine, Cold & Dry
Rules: Gemini and Virgo
Joy: first house
Retrograde period: Mercury is retrograde three times a year for about three
weeks. For a particular year, these periods will be in the same element.
Links to Data and Sources
http://www.nineplanets.org/mercury.html
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/mercury.htm
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/planets/mercurypage.html
Communication, exchange, observation, information, thoughts, the mind (rational),
reason, commerce & trade, games, languages, slight of hand and tongue, short
or everyday journeys.
Wit makes its own welcome, and levels all distinctions.
Emerson
Mercury takes us from within what we know, through the boundary to what ever
is outside. This may sound a little obscure but Mercury, or Hermes in the Greek
tradition, was the protector of travellers and Herms were the rocks placed as
markers on the boundaries of homes. Cross roads, where travellers would meet
became markets and trade fairs. Mercury has no moral component hence the amount
of myths who portray him as a trickster figure or thief.
Mercury was the only god granted access to Hades or the Underworld so allowing
us to verbalise our deepest, darkest urges and work productively with them.
There is some speculation that man first began to talk in order to trade and
trade involves travel. Mercury journeys are routine. There is much speculation
about how short a short journey is. In these days of the global village, I would
say that a short journey is one which doesn't expand your experience. It's possible
to fly to New York three times a month as part of your commute but to have your
mind put into a completely different gear within sight of home.
In Mundane Astrology:
Communication; internal and domestic travel; postal and telecommunications
services, press, bulletins and communication within national boundaries; attitude
to trade, indicates which commodities would be fortuitous.
Venus
Personal Planet
Inferior Planet
Benefic
Feminine, Diurnal, Cold & Moist
Rules: Taurus and Libra
Joy: fifth house
Retrograde period: Venus is retrograde five times in every eight years. Each
retrograde period will be very close (1 - 2 degrees) to the retrograde period
eight years before. This draws out a five pointed star around the zodiac. In
2004 Venus passed in front of the Sun during its retrograde period and will
do again in 2012.
Data and Sources
http://www.nineplanets.org/venus.html
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/venus.htm
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/planets/venuspage.html
Values, relationships, beauty, art, grace, desire, pleasure, attraction,
possessions, means of exchange, money (these as a store measure
of value rather than means of exchange or trade for which see Mercury),
co-operation, sharing, compromise, diplomacy, how we seek to make
ourselves and others happy, what pulls us towards other, the great
attractor.
If every pebble became a priceless ruby, then pebble
and ruby would become equal in value.
Blavatsky
Venus symbolises the force which keeps people together. It is what we value;
money may seem out of place in the above list, but how better to find out what
you really value when faced with handing over cold cash?
Bronze is made of Copper (Venus) and Tin (Jupiter), both soft metals used to
create beautiful works of art. Effective weapons could not be made until it
was possible to work iron, the metal of Mars.
Venus also symbolises all things which are aesthetically pleasing - the arts,
fashion, music and so on.
Don't be fooled into thinking she's a push over. Venus is also
known as the general. Strategy and gamesmanship come under her rule.
In many cultures she is a battle goddess and, in keeping with her
association with diplomacy, is not afraid to draw a line in the
sand. Venus anger says "I care about this enough that I will fight
you for it." Just as force must back diplomacy for it to have any
power, Venus can be an iron hand in a velvet glove. Venus is often
found in a prominent position in charts for the outbreak of hostilities
and in the charts of military professionals.
In Mundane Astrology:
The Arts and social pleasures; fashion; art and artists, Peace making capabilities
and international relations (with Jupiter); money, financial institutions; general
wealth.
Force which keeps a society together. This can also be a conservative factor.
Societies need balance between that which drives them forward and that which
keeps them together.
Mars
Personal Planet
Superior Planet
Malefic
Nocturnal, Masculine, Hot & Dry
Rules: Aries and Scorpio
Joy: sixth house
Retrograde period: Mars is retrograde once every two years. Like all superior
planets it is retrograde while in opposition to the Sun but, unlike the others,
it is travelling direct when it trines the Sun. Its retrograde period starts
soon after.
Data and Sources
http://www.nineplanets.org/mars.html
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/mars.htm
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/planets/marspage.html
Survival, courage, self-determination, competition, action, defence, how we
defend ourselves, blood, iron, muscles, cutting and blades, sharp things, fire,
that which separates one thing from another.
Great emergencies and crises show us how much greater
are our vital resources than we supposed.
William James
Mars is the tool of the Sun. In order for the Sun to express itself it may
be necessary for Mars to express its separateness. Mars is the urge to become
more than you are or to move beyond what you know. It is quintessentially male,
symbolising the explorer, the pioneer and the risk taker.
Like Mercury, Mars has no moral component and Jupiter or Saturn must bring
a sense of value to control his temper.
The ability to work iron allowed man to make more effective weapons and tools.
We are still considered by some historians to be in the iron age. I think it
is significant that mythical creatures such as fairies cannot bear the present
of iron.
Mars energy is immediate, clear and straightforward. It is the necessity for
survival, for action. To stand up and be counted.
Surgery is a mars activity: dealing with cutting, blood and the consequences
of other sharp objects.
In Mundane Astrology:
Energy and Aggression; strongly placed may indicate a war mongering country,
negatively could show a criminal element, aspects to the Sun could indicate
military government; easy energy flow could indicate brisk trade, aspects with
Mars and ability to take the initiative in trading and other deals.
The forces which drive a society forward may also drive it apart.
Balance is needed between centrifugal and centripetal forces - Mars
and Venus, Sun and Moon - to maintain a stable society.
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