We look at ten Planets in the study of Astrology, beginning with

the Sun and the Moon, also known as luminaries. Additionally,

there are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,

Neptune and Pluto. The energy of the Planets influences our

everyday lives. That said, it's what we do with this energy that

truly matters. The more recently-recognized Planets (Uranus,

Neptune and Pluto) do not dilute the message of the other

Planets, they simply add to our spectrum of experience. Many

consider Jupiter to be the most benevolent of the Planets, with

Venus a close second. The Sun, Moon and Mercury also tend

to cast a golden glow. On the flip side of things is Saturn's hard

energy, followed by the sharpness of Mars, Uranus, Neptune

and Pluto. The Planets move at varying speeds, some faster

(the Moon) and some slower (Pluto), depending on how close

they are to the Sun. The fastest Planets (Moon, Mercury, Venus

and Mars) are commonly referred to as the inner Planets and speak

to the inner self. The social Planets are Jupiter and Saturn, while the

outer Planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) fix their gaze on the

external world. Each of the Planets exerts its most powerful energy

over the Sign it rules. This is also referred to as the Sign of its dignity.

There is a second Sign with which each Planet interacts well,

known as the Sign of its exaltation. Directly opposite each

Planet's Sign of dignity is the Sign of detriment; this Planet's

energy is generally unfavorable. Opposite the Sign of exaltation

is the Sign of fall; these Planets exhibit a weakened energy. A

Planet in its natural House (such as Mars in Aries) is

accidentally dignified and strengthened as a result. Perhaps the

most important Planet of all is the one that rules the Ascendant .

For example, those with Virgo on the Ascendant will find that

Mercury , as the ruler of Virgo, exerts a considerable influence

over their chart. The movement of the Planets is categorized as

stationary, direct or retrograde . A stationary Planet (which will

soon be direct or retrograde) brings with it highly-focused and

significant energy. Direct Planets also exert considerable influence.

It is the retrograde Planets which serve to mix things up. By app

-earing to move backward, these Planets generate a diffused and

unfocused energy. The message of retrograde Planets will be

garbled and less effective as a result.