Why should I care about the planets and where they are in the sky?

The movement of the planets (in other words, where they are in the sky) is the foundation for all of Astrology. Each planet, including the Sun and the Moon, appears to travel through different areas of our sky in a great circle, or cycle. Some planets travel all the way around our sky quickly, like the Moon, which completes the circle in just 28 days. Others, like distant Pluto, take over 200 years to complete a cycle!

The planets visible to the naked eye have been observed and recorded by astrologers for thousands of years. Their meanings have remained incredibly consistent, even among widely diverse cultures. Mars the Warrior, for instance, is about assertion, action and initiative. At one time, that meant using a trusty sword or a sharpened spear. Today, it's more likely to involve the use of a keen intellect or a strong personality. Either way, though, it's about getting things done.

Learning things like this about each of the planets is a good way to expand your understanding of the world around you and the people in it. You can see some of the basic ideas in our language and popular culture. Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, right? And "mercurial," meaning quickly changing, is a reflection of how quickly the planet Mercury seems to move. The Moon, planet of emotions, is "moody," while a sunny disposition reflects the radiant qualities of the Sun. Astrological language has the potential of providing perspective without being judgemental, helping you recognize essential qualities in yourself and in others without putting them on the defensive.

What do the planets have to do with my Horoscope?

A planet's traits or energies are affected by where it is in the sky or, in other words, what sign of the Zodiac it's in. For instance, although we know that Mars is aggressive, that fire can be stoked when it's in the sign of Leo, the Artist, or cooled when it's in the sign of Libra, the diplomat. This combination of planet and sign is one of Astrology’s basic tools. It can be used to understand personal matters when calculated for an individual’s date of birth, or to understand general trends, as used here. A planet's location in the sky is called its transit.

How personalized are the Changing Sky updates?

Changing Sky updates tell you about general astrological conditions based on where the planets are right now. These are not individual forecasts that apply only to you. Instead, they are broad indicators of universal patterns that touch each of us differently. This information is useful to help you understand the trends and attitudes of the people in your life, the public around you, and even what you hear about in the news. The more aware you are of the general mood of a particular period of time, the more easily you'll be able to prepare for and understand the behavior and events around you.

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