Planets in Astrology

Planets play an important role in Astrology. Each Zodiac sign has a planet as its ruler.  For example, Venus is the ruler of Libra.  (see the list of planets on the right sidebar).

Planets can occupy different signs in a chart such as Venus is Taurus as well as various astrological houses.  As the result the energy of these planets affect the signs they occupy.

In an astrological chart, the planets' motions are taken into account.  The motion of all the planets are either direct, retrograde or stationary.  Of course, this is how they seem from our point of view.

A direct planet is the one travelling its normal course.  The Sun and the Moon always have the direct motion.

A retrograde planet is the one that seems to be moving backwards!  A retrograde motion basically delays and changes some of the qualities of a direct planet.

Stationary planets seem motionless but will turn either retrograde or direct.

Probably the most important planet in a chart is the ruler of your rising sign or ascendant .

As planets move in the sky and your birht chart, their influence has been noted by astrologers in the astrological houses as well. For example, a retrograde mercury in the right house can cause delay in communications, contracts, phone calls ...until it moves direct again or leaves for another house. It is the movement of the planets that is used to predict future events by astrologers.