Andromeda DavisClassical astrology had seven planets, but modern astrology adds five additional planets. In this article, we’ll delve into the role of these new planets in modern astrology, their meanings, and influence.
The planets embody the energy of specific signs in the zodiac. With the addition of five signs to the original seven signs and classical astrology, there is now a representative planet for each of the zodiac’s twelve Sun signs.
The 7 planets of classical astrology
Classical astrology used only 7 planets, those which could be seen with the naked eye. Those planets are: the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The first two, the Sun and Moon, were also referred to as the “luminaries” or “the lights.”
How planets affect your horoscope
The seven planets of classical astrology were divided into two categories. Five of these were called “inner planets” – the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, and Venus. Inner planets orbit the sun and move through the zodiac more quickly, having a more personal affect on our horoscope, influencing our lives more often.
The “outer planets” were Jupiter and Saturn in classical astrology, and now in modern astrology, also include Neptune, Uranus, Pluto, Ceres, and Chiron. The outer planets take seven years or longer to orbit the sun and move through the zodiac, therefore, they are considered more “generational” planets, affecting our horoscope only on 2-3 occasions during our lifetime.
The 5 additional planets of modern astrology
Modern astrology adds the planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, as well as, Ceres and Chiron.
Uranus
Uranus embodies the sign of Aquarius. Uranus takes 7 years to pass through a sign. It influences individuality, awakening, breakthroughs, change, surprises, disruption, liberation, independence, and rebellion. Uranus is sometimes referred to as the “divine awakener.”
Neptune
Neptune embodies the sign of Pisces. Neptune takes 14 years to pass through a sign. It influences intuition, healing, Spiritualism and mysticism. It influences the quest for the meaning of life. Neptune has influence over our imagination, dreams and spiritual visions. It influences creativity in the arts, music, dance and more.
Pluto
Pluto embodies the sign of Scorpio. It influences transformation and power, including your personal power. It is also the planet of revelation. It influences the unveiling of core truths and the releasing of your hidden powers.
Ceres
Ceres is a dwarf planet, the largest object in the asteroid belt that lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Ceres is the 33rd-largest known body in the Solar System. It was discovered in 1801. It is named after the Roman goddess Ceres, who is equivalent to the Greek goddess Demeter.
What Ceres rules:
Ceres embodies the sign of Virgo and motherhood, transition in a female’s life, nurturing, family relationships, food, and agriculture.
Chiron
Chiron was discovered in 1977, and is identified by astronomers as “2060 Chiron.” It is classified as both a minor planet and a comet, and also has the cometary designation “95P/Chiron.” It belongs to a new class of objects called “centaurs,” which are bodies orbiting between the asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt.
It is named after “Chiron,” who in Greek mythology is a centaur, said to be the “wisest injustice of all the centaurs.” Chiron is the foster son of Apollo, known for his knowledge of medicine, discoverer of botany and pharmacy, herbs, archery, music, and prophecy.
What Chiron rules:
Unlike the other planets, Chiron does not embody or rule any sign of the zodiac. Chiron represents healing, healing powers, suffering, trauma, our deepest wound, and insecurities. Chiron points to our greatest weakness. Chiron is considered to be “the wounded healer” as Chiron in Greek mythology, was a healer and teacher who could not heal himself.
Chiron unlocks our ability to heal ourselves, then become healers and teachers in our own right.
Shea Lee
