The Planets And Astrology: What You Need To Know About Their Influence

The 10 planets in our solar system have a direct influence on our personality, preferences, and future. I invite you to discover my passion for astrology by detailing the influence of each planet. Thanks to this dossier on the influence of planets, you will become an expert on the subject!

The planets in astrology

The planets in astrology represent different aspects of our lives and personalities. Each planet governs specific traits, behaviors, and areas of life. When interpreting a birth chart, astrologers look at the positions of these planets at the time of birth to understand how they influence an individual. The planets are divided into two categories: personal planets and outer planets.

• Personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) move quickly through the zodiac and have a direct influence on our day-to-day lives, emotions, and interactions with others.
• Outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) move more slowly and influence broader life themes, societal trends, and generational characteristics.

👇 Click on the name of a planet to discover its influence:

Influence of planets on people

The influence of planets is very strong in astrology, each one has an impact on our personality and daily life. For example, Mercury retrograde always causes serious difficulties... This is the art of astrology, knowing how to decipher this influence. At the precise moment of your birth, the planets were in a specific place, and each of them directly influences your personality, your future, and much more.

These planets are constantly moving, some faster than others, and it’s this new planetary configuration that allows us to determine upcoming events. For instance, the position of Venus, the planet of love, and the aspects it forms with other planets directly influence your love life. Each planet has its own influence, and to study this influence, you must also consider:

• The aspects formed with other planets (conjunction, square, trine, etc.)
• Your natal chart, how does this planetary configuration interact with your birth chart?
• The possible retrograde phase of planets

For example, if Venus is in a challenging aspect with Saturn in your birth chart, you may experience delays or difficulties in relationships. On the other hand, if Venus is in a harmonious aspect with Jupiter, you may find love and joy come easily into your life.

The word "planet" comes from the Latin "planetus", which itself comes from the Greek "planeta".

What is a planet? Definition

The word "planet" comes from the Latin "planetus", which itself comes from the Greek "planeta". There are 8 recognized planets in the solar system, and to be classified as a planet, a celestial body must meet these 3 criteria:

• Be in orbit around the Sun
• Have a spherical shape
• Be massive enough to exert a strong gravitational influence

In astrology, the planets are not just physical bodies in space; they are symbols of different energies that influence various aspects of our lives. Each planet has a specific role, and their positions in your birth chart reveal how these energies manifest in your life.

Why is Pluto no longer part of the solar system?

Pluto has not been part of the list of planets since 2006, when Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet. Pluto is no longer considered a planet because its gravitational influence is not strong enough. There are thousands of small celestial bodies orbiting around it that it has not attracted, and it is precisely for this reason that Pluto is no longer considered a planet.

Planets attract other celestial bodies through gravity, so a planet eventually clears its surroundings to be alone. In astrology, however, it’s a different story. Astrologers decided to keep Pluto because it exerts a very significant influence on events. Pluto represents transformation, power, and rebirth. Its influence is subtle but powerful, often bringing about deep changes in our lives.

👉 Let’s take a concrete example, a native with the Sun conjunct Pluto in Leo will be very different from a native with just the Sun in Leo. Their charisma and desire for power will be heightened, but they will also be more anxious, which is not the case for someone with just the Sun in Leo. The same applies in transit: Pluto brings the end or renewal of a situation in a striking way, depending on the aspects it forms in transit with the planets in the natal chart.

Retrograde planet, what is it?

At certain points in their journey, planets seem to slow down, stop moving forward, reverse their course, and move backward. Then, after some time, they resume their normal course. In common language among astrologers, we sometimes say that planets are moving backward... which makes our critics jump, thinking they have undeniable proof of our madness! Well, no, we know that planets don’t actually move backward...

How do retrograde planets affect us?

In astrology, the effects of a retrograde planet change depending on the usual influences of the celestial body. For example, Mercury retrograde will affect communication, contracts, and transportation. Venus will affect love and relationships, and Mars retrograde can lead to frustration and delays in taking action. The sign in which the planet is located during retrograde will also add nuance. A retrograde pushes us (or in some cases, forces us) to review a situation.

For example, when Venus is retrograde, it’s a time to reevaluate relationships, love, and finances. Old flames may reappear, or unresolved issues in relationships may come to the surface. It’s a time for introspection and reassessing what truly matters in your personal life.

You might also like: 

• Astrological aspects: what do they mean, and how do they influence us?
• Astrological houses: what role do they play? What’s their meaning?
• Key dates of the year: major astrological events