The Planets & Luminaries (行星與發光體)
In Western astrology, the term planets encompasses both the classical luminaries (Sun and Moon) and the eight planets visible from Earth. Each body represents an archetypal psychological drive — a fundamental mode of being and wanting that operates within the human psyche and manifests in life circumstances.
The Classical Seven (古典七星)
Before telescopes, astrologers worked with seven celestial bodies visible to the naked eye. These seven remain the foundation of chart interpretation:
- Sun (太陽 ☉): Core identity, conscious will, vitality, the father archetype. Governs Leo. Parallel to Chinese Bing Fire (丙) — the great Yang light.
- Moon (月亮 ☽): Emotions, instinct, memory, the mother archetype, the body's rhythms. Governs Cancer. Parallel to Chinese Ren Water (壬) — the receptive, reflective deep.
- Mercury (水星 ☿): Mind, communication, logic, commerce, travel. Governs Gemini and Virgo. Parallel to Vedic Budhan — the messenger intelligence.
- Venus (金星 ♀): Love, beauty, pleasure, values, art, attraction. Governs Taurus and Libra. Parallel to Vedic Sukran — harmony and desire.
- Mars (火星 ♂): Drive, action, courage, aggression, desire. Governs Aries (and traditionally Scorpio). Parallel to Vedic Sevvai and Chinese Geng Metal — the cutting, initiating force.
- Jupiter (木星 ♃): Expansion, wisdom, abundance, philosophy, luck. Governs Sagittarius (and traditionally Pisces). Parallel to Vedic Guru — the teacher planet.
- Saturn (土星 ♄): Discipline, limitation, karma, structure, time. Governs Capricorn (and traditionally Aquarius). Parallel to Vedic Sani — the planet of dharma and consequence.
The Modern Outer Planets (現代外行星)
Three planets were discovered after the invention of the telescope. Their influence is considered generational — they move slowly enough that they affect entire cohorts, not just individuals:
- Uranus (天王星 ♅, disc. 1781): Revolution, sudden change, innovation, individuation, technology. Modern co-ruler of Aquarius.
- Neptune (海王星 ♆, disc. 1846): Dissolution, mysticism, compassion, illusion, transcendence. Modern co-ruler of Pisces.
- Pluto (冥王星 ♇, disc. 1930): Transformation, power, death and rebirth, the unconscious, regeneration. Modern co-ruler of Scorpio.
Personal vs. Social vs. Transpersonal
Astrologers group planets by speed and sphere of influence:
- Personal Planets: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars — move fast, describe the individual.
- Social Planets: Jupiter, Saturn — moderate speed, describe relationship to society and structure.
- Transpersonal Planets: Uranus, Neptune, Pluto — slow, describe generational and collective forces.
Planetary Cycles
Each planet's orbital period creates meaningful life cycles. Saturn returns to its birth position every ~29.5 years, marking major maturation points. Jupiter returns every ~12 years (similar to the Chinese 12-year animal cycle). The nodal cycle of 18.6 years underlies eclipse patterns in both Western and Vedic astrology.