The Sun - the position in the ecliptic that is commonly referred to as the "sun sign" - represents the soul that starts with the self. In a birth chart, it represents a person's basic traits, outlook on life, spiritual nature, self-attitude and self-expression.
The Moon - reflects the medium of things and the latent inner being. Represents a person's emotional reactions, subconscious mind, insecurities and dependencies, and emotional attitudes in the birth chart.
Mercury - the medium of transmission. Represents a person's communication, learning ability, special expertise in the birth chart.
Venus - emphasizes the soul over material things. Represents a person's love, money sense, artistic ability, and the female archetype in the heart.
Mars - emphasizes matter over soul. Represents a person's action, will to live, determination, sexual impulses, and the male archetype of the heart.
Jupiter - Symbolizes elevation above matter and freedom from soul bondage. Represents one's ideals, ambitions and chances of good fortune.
Saturn - Symbolizes the soul's limitation by matter. Represents the realistic part of one's responsibilities and trials that must be faced.
Uranus - Demonstrates the capacity for singular innovation and reform. Uncontrollable forces of sudden change and reform.
Neptune - shows sensitive and idealistic qualities. The power of inscrutable intuition and illusion.
Pluto - Demonstrates strong will and mastery. The power to put death before life.
North Node - also known as the "Rho" or Dragon's Head, it is associated with past lives, karmic obstacles, etc. and indicates a place of good fortune.
The South Node - also known as the "Kedu" or Dragon's Tail, is associated with hardship, obstacles, etc. and indicates a place of neglect and frustration.
Fortune Point - is one of the Arabian Points and represents a place that brings fortunate events.
Cairon - also known as Centaurus, indicates the source of pain, the direction of self-knowledge. Heartbreak, sadness, depression, injury, self-loathing, also represents intuition, great wisdom.
Planetary Retrograde
Since the Earth is the reference point and the center point, the planets do not really go retrograde, but when viewed from the Earth, the planets are seen to be stationary or appear to be going backwards. This is usually marked with an R symbol in the astrolabe.
The day the retrograde occurs and around the time the retrograde ends and the return of the prograde begins can have a strong impact on world affairs. The modern interpretation is that a retrograde planet makes it difficult to "show up" in certain areas. This means that it is not that the person lacks ability in that area, but that it is difficult to be noticed or to show it!
