Using an excerpt from the book “Astrological Primer” by American astrologer Donna Mickler, the editors continue the series of publications for beginning astrologers. Donna Mickler's book, which is distinguished by a unique and original approach to teaching the basics of astrology, will be published before the end of 1993 in the Urania Anthology series.
Translation from English by Tatyana Konyukhova
For several days I tried to find a way to show how the symbol itself could contain a large number of various information. One day I went to the post office to pick up some correspondence. And when I opened Mailbox, then through the hole in it I saw a room where there were bags of letters and parcels, and people who were sorting them. I probably looked terribly stupid at that moment, looking through the hole in the box at the mail sorting department, but it was here that I found the answer to my question.
I imagined that my “logical” mind was like a mail sorting room with little drawers, each containing a corresponding idea or concept. Everything is very logical. Astrology fits easily into this “letterbox” idea. Each symbol is like a mailbox, through the holes of which the space of the room is revealed on the other side. This logic develops, striving for infinity of understanding.
By definition, logic is “the ability to think correctly,” in other words, “a system or method of thinking.” Our mind performs its thinking function by interpreting symbols. Information comes to us through the five senses, and our brain stores it in the form of symbols. To think logically, the mind constantly refers to this store of symbols. Our conscious mind interprets symbols based on individual experience, which does not change their original meaning, but only individually colors it. For example, when you hear the word “boat”, an image of a specific boat pops up in your mind: it could be a canoe, a kayak, a metal boat - it all depends on your own experience.
We use symbols to communicate because the brain depends on the symbols it receives to function. The first monuments of human writing were cave drawings. They depict different events or stories. Looking at the figurine of an animal, which is being chased by a figurine of a hunter with a weapon, it is easy to reproduce the whole picture of the hunt. Its details always depend on the viewer’s imagination, stemming from his personal experience.
The two most common types of symbols that serve as a means of communication are letters and numbers. Before we start reading, we learn the alphabet and learn to connect letters into words. The same is true with numbers. First we learn to count, and then to add and subtract. When we see the combination of letters "K-O-T", an image of this animal appears in our brain. At the same time, our individual experience gives this picture various sizes, color and shape.
The numbers correlate with each other quantitatively. Instead of making icons for each item, we use symbols: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. By making different combinations of these ten symbols we can count a huge number of items. In addition, the use of additional symbols, such as the addition sign "+" or the subtraction sign, expands the number of basic symbols.
In modern computer technology, other symbolic signs are used. And a programmer, before writing a program, must master the basic elements of a given programming language, for example BASIC or COBOL. To become an astrologer, you must first master the symbolic language of astrology and only then begin to construct horoscopes.
In astrology, there are initial symbols similar to letters or numbers. These are circle, semicircle, vertical line, horizontal line, cross and arrow. Each of the symbols is like an acorn. This seed contains everything it needs to grow into huge tree. Key astrological symbols carry a wealth of information, and their combinations in zodiac signs are even more significant.
Symbols are interpreted using keywords. The combination of symbols forms a complex symbol of the Zodiac sign, and keywords are combined into phrases. Key phrases describe the more complex meaning of planets and signs.
Circle
In the circle you can see an egg - the infinity of a continuous line that has neither beginning nor end, integral and complete. It contains everything you need for further growth information. We say that the Spirit is eternal, has neither beginning nor end. It contains everything, it is complete, and therefore the symbol of the Spirit and God is a circle. The key word for the circle is Spirit.
Semicircle
A semicircle is half a circle. It contains the potential for further growth and transformation into a circle. The semicircle, reminiscent of a radar disk or the crescent moon, is both a transmitter and a receiver. It receives and transmits the spark of life from the middle of the circle, just as the Moon receives and reflects sunlight.
Our soul receives the spark of life from the spirit, and our consciousness receives and reflects the Superconscious. We believe that the circle is the Father Spirit, and the semicircle is the Mother Soul. Key words for the semicircle are Consciousness and Soul.
Straight line
A straight line is a straight line segment that has a beginning and an end. This line can be vertical or horizontal. The vertical line resembles the rays of the Sun; this is spiritual energy emanating from top to bottom. This line can also symbolize the movement of energy between the earthly and the spiritual. The earth meets the sky on the horizon, which means that the horizontal line is the earthly plane, or earthly forces. The keyword for a straight line is Strength.
Cross
A cross is a combination of vertical and horizontal straight lines. Connection of spiritual and earthly forces gives birth to matter. By definition, matter is “the substance of which physical objects are made.” The key word for the cross is Physical, or Earthly, matter.
Arrow
The arrow is a modification of the cross, indicating what the direction of the force is. In mathematics and other sciences, an arrow is used to indicate the direction of movement. The keyword for the arrow is Movement.
Each symbol (or icon) for a zodiac sign or planet is a combination of these six basic key symbols. The way they are connected, as well as the direction of movement of energy within the symbol, describe the nature of a given sign or planet. Interpretation begins with key characters being combined in various combinations to form a new key word or phrase.
Sun
Circle + dot = spiritual center
The Sun is the center of our Galaxy. This fire ball is a source of vital energy for the Earth. In the horoscope, the Sun is also the center. It represents the core of individuality, the focal point of will and ego. The symbol of the Sun is a circle with a dot in the middle. This central point shows how the will or ego gives vital energy to a person's personality. The sun is the center of our being and our physical body; it expresses the will or ego as well as the heart in the card.
The Greeks associated the Sun with the god Apollo, the beloved son of Zeus. Myths depict him as a beautiful young man, a good musician and performer; he has remarkable healing abilities. He connected people and gods, was a conductor of the divine will, and taught people to live in peace with the will of the gods.
The circle is God the Spirit, and therefore the Sun has a masculine nature. In a map, it always symbolizes a male figure; it can be a father, a husband, or any person in authority. Like a circle, it is the inner spirit that gives the will to be. The key word is Will.
Moon
Semicircle + semicircle = consciousness and soul
The symbol of the Moon is two semicircles. Moon - receiver sunlight. It is filled with the fertilizing power of the Sun. The moon represents the feminine or maternal principle, its creative potential waiting to receive the masculine or paternal (activating) principle in order to give birth to a new consciousness. The Moon represents everything feminine in the chart.
The Greek goddess Selene is the archetype of the Moon. She was the sister of Helios - the Sun, a chaste maiden of fertility. Other moon goddesses are Diana and Hecate. Diana, twin sister of Apollo, was the patroness of children, the goddess wildlife and a huntress. Hecate, personifying the dark side of the Moon, was usually associated with darkness, ghosts and sacraments performed under the cover of darkness. These three goddesses represented the three phases of the Moon in its development from new moon to full moon.
The moon does not have its own light, it personifies the unconscious in each of us, our instincts and desires. In an effort to satisfy the needs of our “I” (ego), the needs of the Sun, we remain dependent on our instincts, feelings and habits.
Emotions and feelings are unconscious manifestations of our soul. In astrology, the Moon symbolizes the feelings and emotional nature of a person. Key word - Feelings.
Mercury
Cross + circle + semicircle = matter, spirit, consciousness
The Mercury icon consists of three symbols. The cross below symbolizes matter, personifies the earthly world, the world of things. The circle on top is the spirit, the semicircle is the receiver, and overall the symbol looks like a person open to perception. The symbol of Mercury indicates the continuous flow of energy from the Earth to the spirit and from the spirit to consciousness, or the flow from consciousness to spirit and further to the earthly plane. Mercury is the planet that personifies the mind, Mercury is the messenger of the gods. It is only through reason that we are connected to both spirit and matter. IN Greek mythology Mercury, or Hermes, was the messenger who carried messages from Zeus to the gods and goddesses. He has wings on his sandals, a helmet on his head, and a caduceus in his hands. As a messenger, he moves at the speed of thought. In myths, Mercury is found more often than all other heroes, since, being the messenger of Zeus, he visits all the heroes. He was reputed to be the most cunning of all the gods and received the nickname "The Great Rogue."
The will of the Sun and the feelings of the Moon are manifested in the horoscope through the mind of Mercury. Mercury indicates how a person communicates with the world. The key word is Reason.
Venus
Cross + circle = matter and spirit
The Venus icon is a circle resting on a cross. It shows that higher aspirations dominate material and sensual desires. When spirit unites with matter, it is a manifestation of love and beauty. The feminine nature of Venus symbolizes the need for spiritual and material growth.
The Greeks called the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite: “The laughing goddess of love, equally conquering both people and gods; she is tender and mocking with those who are conquered by her spell; she is irresistible in her ability to deprive the wise of reason.” The Romans, who showed more interest in heroic battles, considered Venus to be evil and ruthless, possessing truly destructive power over people.
Love, harmony and beauty adorn life on Earth. The key to life is the symbolic manifestation of divine or spiritual love on Earth. Key words - Love and Beauty.
Mars
Circle + arrow = movement of the spirit
The Earth has two closest neighbors: on one side is Venus, on the other is Mars. The Mars symbol is an inverted symbol of Venus, where instead of a cross there is an arrow. If Venus is love and harmony, then Mars is the spirit held by the weight of the cross. As an angry twin brother, Mars actively seeks to overcome the balance of Venus energies.
The Greeks called Mars Ares, the god of war. According to some myths, he was the brother, according to others, the lover of Aphrodite. But all the myths agree that his parents - Zeus and Hera - hated him. Mars was called "a bloody murderer, the embodiment of an outrage against morality and, oddly enough, also a coward, groaning in pain, taking flight when wounded." In some poems, he acts together with his sister, called Discord, her son, called Dispute, and their friends: Terror, Trembling and Panic.
The Romans, on the contrary, greatly revered Mars and always depicted him in all the splendor of the sparkling armor of an invincible warrior. Mars was considered the leader of the Roman legionnaires in all battles.
Mars indicates the upward movement of the vital energy of the Sun or the tendency of the desires of the flesh to prevail over higher thoughts. The Sun is our ego or will, and Mars is the manifestation of the will or ego of a person. The arrow in the symbol of Mars is exactly the same as that of the sign of Scorpio, of which Mars is the co-ruler. Mars also represents the sexual impulse, passion, the need to be, anger, aggression. Key words - Aggression and Action.
Jupiter
Semicircle + cross = consciousness and matter
The Jupiter icon combines a semicircle and a cross. The semicircle, or consciousness, extends beyond the physical plane to receive signals from the Universe. Each message or energy received contributes to the growth of physical matter, its expansion. Jupiter symbolizes the triumph of the soul over earthly experience.
Jupiter, or otherwise Zeus, was the head of the pantheon of gods. When he overthrew his father Kronos, or Saturn, a golden age of peace and happiness began. Zeus shared the world with his brothers, Poseidon and Hades. The kingdom of the first was the water element, and the second - the underground kingdom. Then Zeus began to be considered a deity, the lord of the sky, the god of rain and the gatherer of clouds, the thrower of thunder and lightning. As a child he drank from a goat's horn, which was never emptied. In all myths, Zeus is the benefactor of people, the source of truth and abundance. But he never helps liars or those who have broken their oath.
Jupiter rewarded people with the gift of prophecy and optimism. He teaches us to see what lies beyond form in order to understand the philosophical meaning of things. Key words - Growth, Expansion.
Saturn
Cross + semicircle = matter and consciousness
The symbol of Saturn is similar to the inverted symbol of Jupiter. Here the semicircle supports the cross. The flip side of Jupiter's growth and expansion is Saturn's limitations. The cross of matter restrains the desire of the semicircle of the soul. Saturn indicates the trials we must go through, the demands we must fulfill before we reach a higher state of consciousness.
The Greeks tell us the story of the first creatures to appear on Earth. Mother Earth and Father Sky gave birth to three types of creatures. The first were huge animals that looked like dinosaurs. The second type are multi-headed ugly monsters called cyclops. The third are the Titans, the first gods of Olympus. Kronos, who was one of the titans, hated monsters and destroyed them all. He then killed his father and became the ruler of Olympus. One day, having learned that one of his children would deprive him of his throne, he began to devour them all. Trying to save youngest son, Kronos's wife wrapped a stone in a blanket instead of the child, which Kronos swallowed. This saved son turned out to be Jupiter, who subsequently overthrew his father.
Saturn, or otherwise Kronos, the oldest of the gods, was the lord of time and the founder of laws, as well as the main observer of what people do on Earth. Saturn is our teacher, he creates restrictions, forms structure and self-discipline. He is the personification of the highest justice, great achievements, material liability. Key words - Teacher and Constraints.
Neptune
Cross + semicircle + semicircle = matter, soul, consciousness
The combination of a cross and two semicircles forms the trident of Neptune, the god of the sea. Here both semicircles are receivers, which create the effect of simultaneous operation of a TV and radio. The soul and consciousness send their messages to the physical world, creating illusions or delusions.
If Neptune's two semi-circles were to join together, there would be a half-mile circle icon similar to the Venus symbol. And if Venus symbolizes earthly love, then Neptune is love for the sake of love itself. The open circle of Neptune allows the spirit to freely descend to Earth, bringing a person the feeling of God within, in himself. Neptune shows how material reality can be transformed into higher states of consciousness.
This planet of the water element gives the Earth the potential for the growth of cosmic consciousness, capable of transcending the boundaries of earthly reality. His positive influence is clearly manifested in music, poetry, dance, cinema, photography. The negative side of Neptune's influence is escape from reality through drugs, alcohol, and states of "waking sleep." Key words - Illusions and Spirituality.
Uranus
Cross + two semicircles + circle = matter, spirit, soul, consciousness
The Uranus symbol can be seen as two semicircles held together by a cross and resting on a small circle. These are two antennas that receive new energy from the collective unconscious in order to transmit it to matter. The small circle, symbolizing the spirit, is the main support for physical matter. The main idea of the symbol is that God lives on Earth in each of us. He awakens humanity to the awareness of the spirit within us.
Uranus, Prometheus in Greek mythology, is one of the Titans. His name means “ahead of thought,” and he was wiser than the gods. When the Earth was ready for the first people, the gods commissioned Prometheus to create them. He created people, beings more perfect than animals, walking upright on two legs like gods. To protect and warm people, Prometheus went to the Sun and lit a torch, bringing fire to Earth. This angered Zeus, who sent a woman named Pandora to the people. She was beautiful, but when the lid of the box she brought opened, all the diseases, sorrows and misfortunes sent to humanity flew out.
Uranus can be seen as a child coming into the world through the process of birth. It represents new ideas and discoveries. Thanks to new ideas, people are freed from the shackles that bind them, they are, as it were, born to a new life. Uranus is seen in the horoscope as an expression of originality, intuition, and self-expression. He personifies everything unusual, new, individual. Keyword - Awakener.
Pluto
Cross + semicircle + circle = matter, soul, spirit
In the Pluto icon, the cross supports a semicircle in which the circle rests. The icon resembles a figure of a man raising his hands up to receive the good news. Consciousness receives the life energy of the circle and transmits it to the material plane.
In Greek mythology, Pluto is the god Hades (Hades), ruler of the underworld. He is also the god of wealth and lord of the dead. He felt lonely in his kingdom and, having once visited Earth, kidnapped Persephone, the daughter of the fertility goddess Demeter. From the wrath of Demeter, all the plants on earth died. Then Pluto allowed Persephone to visit her inconsolable mother. When Persephone set foot on earth, the flowers bloomed again and the grains ripened, and when she returned to the kingdom of Hades, the plants died again. This story talks about the changing of the seasons, death, rebirth and purification.
Pluto represents transformation, going beyond form through spiritual awareness. Consciousness, or soul, directs its highest aspirations for the benefit of the evolution of humanity. Keyword - Transformation.
Donna Mickler, Urania, 1993, No. 5.
first 7 planets
create a lower octave.
And the highest octave begins with Uranus
.
And Uranus is the same G note as the Sun, only at the highest octave. Therefore, the symbolism of Uranus uses a circle with a dot in the center, as for the Sun, which means “consciousness”. But Uranus has an arrow directed upward into the Cosmos - cosmic consciousness.
Neptune's symbol contains an arc, just like the Moon. Neptune is the Moon of the highest octave, the highest sensitivity.
The Pluto symbol uses the elements of Mercury. Pluto - Mercury of the highest octave, universal communication.
The symbol of Proserpina must use elements of the symbolism of Venus, since it is Venus of the highest octave. Etc.
The symbols are deciphered in more detail as follows. In the formation of planetary symbols, 3 main elements are used: a circle, an arc and a cross, and 2 additional ones - a dot and an arrow.
denoted by a circle with a dot in the center - a spirit that has a center - self-consciousness, individual consciousness.
Indicated by an arc - soul, feelings, emotions, sensitivity.
In the symbol of Mercury All three basic figures are used. In this case, the arc is located highest, which means the predominance of receptivity. The circle dominates the cross. The combination of arc and circle signifies mental receptivity over matter.
Venus symbol make up a circle and a cross. In this case, the spiritual (circle) dominates the body (cross), which symbolically expresses inspiration.
Mars symbol created by a circle and an arrow. It means aspiring spirit. But the arrow is not pointing vertically upward. This is not a desire for the highest, but a desire to gain the upper hand.
Jupiter symbol created by an arc and a cross - the soul (arc) dominates the material (cross). The essence of Jupiter is mercy.
In the symbol of Saturn on the contrary, the physical (cross) dominates the mental (arc).
Uranus symbol created by a circle with a center and an arrow, directed vertically upward. A circle with a dot in the center like the Sun means that Uranus also symbolizes individual consciousness. And an arrow directed vertically upward speaks of individual consciousness directed into the sky - cosmic self-consciousness.
Neptune represents the highest octave Moon. Its symbolism uses an arc in combination with a cross. But the arc does not completely prevail over the cross, as in his brother Jupiter, but partially prevails, but at the same time is in conjunction with the physical. This indicates a greater participation in earthly suffering than Jupiter, not mercy coming from above, but compassion and participation with equals in misfortune.
The symbol of Pluto, like Mercury, consists of all three main elements. Pluto is Mercury of the highest octave. Moreover, the hierarchy of elements reflects the natural order of things: spirit above soul, and both above the physical. This is the only planet with this order of the main elements. It is not for nothing that Pluto is the ruler of the first sign, Aries, and according to the principle of beginning, the master of the entire Zodiac.
A significant impetus to the development of astrology was given in his time by Ptolemy, whose works form the basis of modern astrological manuals. It should be noted that such major scientists in the world as Tycho Brahe, Galileo, Kepler and others were also astrologers in their time.
However, since the time of Newton, astrology has been declared a pseudoscience, since no mechanisms have been found to control such relationships. In a distorted form, its continued popularity as a means of predicting the personal fortunes of those born under each of the twelve sun signs (as can be found on the horoscope page of weekly newspapers) has deepened scientific prejudice against its basic axioms. However, now the situation has changed. Research in fields such as biology, meteorology and electromagnetism increasingly suggests that the movements and cycles of celestial bodies (especially the Sun, Moon and major planets) have measurable effects on terrestrial organisms and conditions. Currently, an active revival of astrology as a science is taking place all over the world. And countries such as the USA, Italy, France, Germany, Brazil, not to mention the countries of the East, have astrology departments in their institutes and universities, the duration of study of which reaches up to nine years.
Classical astrology examines the influence of the Sun and six planets on the Earth solar system(Saturn, Moon, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury). More modern astrologers actively include newly discovered planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto), as well as some asteroids, in their charts.
Planets are divided by gender and by the positiveness of their influence (according to Papus):
Masculine planets: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun.
Planets female: Venus, Moon.
Neuter planets: Mercury(masculine - with masculine planets and feminine - with feminine planets).
Benefic planets: Jupiter, Venus, Sun.
Malefic planets: Saturn, Mars.
Neutral planets: Mercury, Moon.
Each planet has its own color, metal and day of the week, and their zodiac influences are determined.
Corresponding planets have been selected astrological symbols and conventional icons.
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Astrological symbols in pictures and brief explanations for them
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The sun is represented as a circle with an image human face, but simplified to a regular circle with a dot in the center, symbolizing infinity and the number 10 |
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Saturn (Chronos) denotes time, it is represented in the form of a cross and 3 quarters of a circle, symbolizing the duration of time, limitation within infinity. |
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The moon is depicted as a crescent, simply and without any explanation. |
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Mars is a ray rushing from the Sun like an arrow of energy. |
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The sign of Venus is a cross topped with a circle. This is a sign of time under the sign of the Sun, as Venus symbolizes fertility in the solar system. |
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The sign of Mercury is similar to the sign of Venus, but on top of it is added the crescent moon, which symbolizes wings (as in mythology), since Mercury is an intermediate link between these four elements and their phenomena. |
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The sign of Jupiter combines three - the Sun, symbols of earthly fire, which is ruled by heavenly fire and which rises above the water in the form of steam (heavenly fire), receding like beneficial rain. |
The following conventional symbols were selected for the remaining open planets of the Solar System:
Icons have been found and spheres of influence have been invented for small planets and asteroids such as Proserpina, Chiron, Vakshya, Priapus, Isis, Osiris, Anubis, Damoclus, Pholus... But let’s not forget that classical astrology rejects the ability to influence the events of too distant planets for the reason their remoteness, and small ones - due to their insignificance.
A person is born under the influence of one planet or another, and it imparts certain qualities to him. They are strengthened or weakened depending on in which constellation of the zodiac the patronizing planet is located and in which the unfriendly planet is located. The tabloid (read newspaper) astrologers do not take this into account at all, joyfully informing readers that all Capricorns this week can count on the favor of the opposite sex, and all Virgos can count on the approval of their superiors. If it were so simple, astrology would not be a science.
Some of the symbols used in modern astronomy appeared in the Middle Ages as signs of alchemists and astrologers, but there are symbols of more ancient origin. They were used on star charts and indicated the days of the week and the metals that were supposed to correspond. Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The symbols, which took their final form around the end of the 15th century, are listed below in their traditional order, together with the signs of those planets that were discovered more recently.
The disc symbol comes from an Egyptian hieroglyph. Among the alchemists, the sign also denoted gold and Sunday (Latin dies solis- “day of the Sun”), which the Romans dedicated to the sun.
The image of the Moon comes from an Egyptian hieroglyph. Among medieval alchemists and astrologers it was a symbol of silver and Monday (Anglo-Saxon topapyae means "day of the moon", a translation of the Latin dies lunae, hence the French lundi).
The Greeks called this planet Hermes, in honor of their god of trade, patron of shepherds and travelers, and also the messenger of the gods. In Rome they called him Mercury. The planet's symbol is a caduceus, the "staff of the messenger", with two snakes entwined around it. Alchemists sometimes used this sign to denote fast silver (as they called mercury) and medium (in Latin dies Mercurii, hence the French mercredi and Spanish miercoles). In biology, this symbol denotes any hermaphroditic organism, for example, earthworm, which has both male and female reproductive organs.
Venus - this is how the Romans named the second planet from the Sun, in honor of their goddess of love and beauty. The original symbol (the crossbar was added later to avoid giving the symbol a pagan appearance) is believed to have depicted a mirror or beads. For alchemists, the sign meant copper (mirrors were once made of copper). Of the days of the week, the sign denotes Friday (in Latin - ( dies Venerus, "day of Venus", hence the French vendredi, English Friday derived from "Frigg" or "Freyja", the Norse equivalent of Venus). The sign is used in botany and zoology to designate a female (or woman), and was introduced as such by the Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus in the mid-18th century.
Circle and cross (both signs are from Christian symbolism) began to be used as a designation for the Earth from the end of the 16th century, when the Earth was recognized as a planet on the list
Symbol of Mars Mars Because of its reddish hue, which the Romans considered similar to blood, the closest planet to Earth was named after their god of war;
The symbol of the planet represents the shield of the spear of Mars. It is also a symbol of Tuesday ( English word Thiesday comes from the name of the Teutonic god Tiu, who was identified with Mars: in Latin this day was called dies Martis, "day of Mars", hence the French mardi), The sign also corresponds to iron, the metal most associated with this god. Since the mid-18th century, this symbol has been used in biology to denote a male.
The symbol of the largest planet, named after the main god in Roman mythology, comes from the Greek letter zeta, Z. The Greek Zeus is the equivalent of the Roman Jupiter. The crossbar, which makes the sign look like a cross, was added in the early 15th century. to make the sign Christian. This symbol also means zinc and Thursday (English Thursday comes from "Thor's day", as translated from Latin dies Jovis, "day of Jupiter", hence the French jeudi. Both Jupiter and Thor were thunder gods. At one time this day was called Thundersday, “in the day of a thunderstorm,” hence the German Donnerstag). In biology, this symbol denotes a perennial plant.
For the ancient Greeks, Saturn was the most distant planet. The Greek philosopher Aristotle named it Chronos after the mythological ruler of the Titans and son of Uranus. The Romans named the planet Saturn, the name of the god of crops and patron of agriculture, who in their mythology took the place of Chronos. Saturn was depicted with a sickle or a scythe, the sickle is clearly visible on the sign. It was also a symbol of the Sabbath (English Saturday derived from dies Saturni, the day that the Romans dedicated to Saturn) and lead.
This seventh planet, discovered in 1781 by the English astronomer William Herschel, is named after the Greek god of the sky, consort of Gaia, the goddess of the Earth. The given symbol means "Herschel's planet", it replaced the original designation, which strongly resembled the sign of Mars (the sign resembles two "H" " - the first letter of the English spelling of Herschel's name).
The trident is the symbol of the Roman lord of the waters, after whom the eighth planet is named. It was discovered by two German astronomers, Johann Galle and Heinrich D'Arrest, in 1846. Another symbol, a monogram of L and V, was created by French astronomers to commemorate Urbain Le Verrier, who calculated the existence and location of the planet where it was discovered.
The symbol of the ninth and most distant planet has a dual meaning: as a monogram of the first two letters of the planet named after the Roman god of the underworld, and as the initials of the American astronomer Percival Lovell, who tried to prove the existence of this planet and in whose observatory this planet was discovered on February 18 1930. By the way, Lovell called his unknown planet Planet X, and now all planets in the Solar System that have not yet been discovered are called that way.
Astronomical symbols
Astrological symbols of planets carry non-verbal information about the nature of these planets.
Basically, these symbols consist of three elements: a circle representing spirit, a cross representing matter, and a semicircle symbolizing the intellectual aspect of the mind or soul.
Mercury
Let's start with the symbol of the planet Mercury. Here we see a cross, a circle and a semicircle, showing that this planet represents the trinity of the human being - body, soul and spirit. From here we have the right to conclude that Mercury is a planet that primarily deals with man in his guise as a thinker. It is spirit and matter that provide him with this ability. Students of astrology should know that Mercury represents the power of the mind, or more precisely, the inner understanding - the connecting link of human consciousness between matter and the highest spirit. Thus, the interpretation of this trinity of symbols allows one to tune into the type of energy being sent out from this planetary center.
Mars
In the symbol of Mars we also see the use of a circle, and the cross is transformed into an arrow, indicating the unity of the physical and emotional spheres, but not the mental, since there is no semicircle. An arrow (a transmuted cross) is placed above the circle, showing that Mars acts mainly by changing physical conditions. His work is to energize that side of Nature which at present seems dark and unexplored to us. For example, the influence of Mars is predominant in the animal kingdom and in that sphere of life of lowly developed people where perception, rather than reason, dominates. His work on a person is to motivate him to action, so that as a result he can acquire the necessary knowledge.
Venus
However, after a person has grown to the state of thinking and possessing common sense being and learned to purify and refine this wonderful energy of Mars, we can observe the phenomenon of a “revolution” of the spheres of his existence, and we receive the symbol of Venus with a cross under a circle. In this case, the impulsive energy of Mars was transformed into the rhythmic and harmonizing energy of Venus, bringing beauty, tenderness and love, and although it does not directly affect the mind of a person, it still subtly changes the ways of his mental expression. For example, when Mercury is conjunct Venus, a person shows remarkable abilities for harmonious verbal expression and writing; his speech will be rhythmic and poetic. The predominance of Martian energy can open him up to a military career, and Venusian energy can make him an actor or dancer seeking to express the beauty of movement and rhythm. The force of Mars manifested in a worker can motivate him to become a blacksmith, and the same amount of Venus energy to become a fine artisan, for example, a jeweler. Thus, the symbol of Venus shows that its energy affects the spiritual side of the human being, in particular its perception and expression of beauty.
Saturn
In the symbol of Saturn we see a cross and a semicircle, showing that this planet deals with the interaction between mind and matter. Some astrologers say that we do not touch the higher aspects of Saturn, “we do not touch it above the waist.” In other words, humanity at present can only respond to a very limited range of its vibrations. The special function of Saturn - crystallization and stabilization, with the harmonious aspect of this planet to Mercury, will tend to make thinking more "material", one-pointed and stable, so that the ego will gain greater control over it and direct it to the detailed study of any subject. It should not be overlooked that our relationship to the energies of Saturn is purely material, and that if it touches our consciousness, the result will be materialization.
Jupiter
The energy opposite to the Saturnian energy comes from the royal planet Jupiter. Its symbol, associated with the nature of the mind, is a semicircle over a cross, showing that mind and matter are invariably connected with each other, and the mind is above the purely material side of human nature and is capable of expanding itself to the level of pure mind. This is because Jupiter is expansive in nature and its job is to expand, develop and bring out from the center, just as Saturn exhibits reverse, centripetal movement. The type of mind that exhibits the properties of Jupiter is broad, understanding and benevolent. An excess of Jupiter's energy can lead the mind to a total inability to perform any work that requires concentration; he will slip into discussion every now and then" common places", while the same proportionate content of the energy of Saturn will make the mind meticulous to the point of disgust. Jupiter has more to do with the etheric than with the physical aspect of the brain, since it carries with it higher power souls to a much greater extent than the physical brain can currently manifest.
Uranus
In the symbol of Uranus we see a combination of the symbols of Mars and the Moon in the form of two semicircles on either side of the cross and the circle. This shows that as long as the spirit continues to operate through material conditions, it is completely controlled by the mind. Since the symbol of the intellectual aspect of the soul (the semicircle) is here on both sides of the cross rather than on one side, this symbol shows that the higher and lower mind are working in unity. It is known that when two or more forces act synchronously, they generate new strength and qualities that they did not have (or were not able to exhibit) individually. Thus, the symbol of Uranus allows one to hear a new note, which suddenly manifests in a person the abilities of superconsciousness. This is the great synthesizing component, and we may rightly say that it brings together the various aspects of the intellect symbolized by all the planets, and weaves them into a single whole, from which emerges the fully individualized man, the perfect master of the energies.
Neptune
The symbol of Neptune is a trident, indicating the triplicity of the human spirit, and only those who have achieved the highest spiritual consciousness are able to perceive its subtle and unshakable influence. The negative manifestation of this planet is various mental disorders, which, acting through the emotional nature of a person, give rise to mental disorders that are difficult to diagnose and treat. However, the influence of Neptune also gives rise to geniuses and people of extraordinary nature.
