Foundations of Astrology
Symbology - Part 2

Planetary Symbols

Sun

The symbol for the Sun expresses the spirit vehicle. The unlimited represented by the circle is given focus through the dot at the center of the Suns symbol. The individual who exists within the collective sphere of the circle is represented by the circles centre. The Sun shines light on whatever it touches. Where the Sun is located in a nativity is an indication of where that individual or entity seeks to find completion.

Moon

The symbol for the Moon represents the soul body, soul in its essence. With the Moons glyph, the circle is squashed into a crescent shape. As only half of the circle is visible, the half that is not shown may be regarded as indicating the unconscious awareness that the Moon represents, especially through the feeling nature.

Mercury

Form in the shape of the cross is at the base of Mercuries symbol. From form arises spirit in the shape of the circle, and from spirit the two antennaes of soul, in the shape of the crescent, emerges. The symbol for Mercury highlights form elevated to purity. This is the perfectionist side of Mercury whereby there is the attempt to turn the material into something more elevated and enduring. Yet the restlessness of Mercury is shown in that the crescent rises above the circle. Thus Mercurial people tend to not be too self contained. Rather, such people are generally looking for new ideas and seeking to make wider connections with others. Mercury represents the principle of receiving, digesting, quantifying ... then elevating and throwing out again. The symbol for Mercury displays spirit elevated over matter crowned by soul. The two antennae of soul are open to the reception and transmission of information.

Venus

The symbol for Venus represents the raising of spirit over form. Spirit is elevated over matter. As such Venus is about the search for the ideal form. Venus is about the other, the symbol represents the love principle. Thus the material needs of the self are balanced by the giving of the self to that which one finds to be beautiful or pleasing. Without the symbol of soul (crescent) as a mediator, we can see how Venus can so readily operate as both pure love, matter transcended by spirit, and carnal knowledge, spirit descending into matter.

Mars

The symbol for Mars represents the raising of matter over spirit. Spirit shaped by material aspirations. The arrow suggests that form is directed by spirit and as such the glyph for Mars represents the desire principle.

Jupiter

The symbol for Jupiter represents the birth of soul out of form. But the circle is missing. Thus the glyph for Jupiter is about the aspiration towards the spiritual, the missing component of the glyph, hence the Jupiterian leap of faith in the unseen.

Saturn

The symbol for Saturn represents the triumph of form over soul. The soul, feeling the weight of the world, aspires for material well-being, personal comfort and security. Because the soul is weighed down by the material - Saturn is about hard work, caution and responsibility.

Uranus

Out of spirit grows the material, but the soul, facing both ways, seeks new relationships, either positive or negative. Thus Uranus represents receptive action and new expressions: sometimes perverse, sometimes revolutionary or radical.

Neptune

The symbol for Neptune represents soul over the cross of matter. Thus Neptune is about the suffering of the soul crucified in form and its desire for elevation or redemption. As such, Neptune embodies compassion for the things of the world and the desire for what is missing in the world (the spiritual or sublime). Neptune is also about communion, faith and aspiration for the “unseen divinity”.

Pluto

The symbol for Pluto represents beginnings and endings. The glyph portrays matter elevated to soul elevated to spirit. Thus Pluto is about elevation and transmutation. As such Pluto touches on pure energy and power at all levels: divine, temporal and material. Pluto is symbolic of God-man in union (indwelling) or God-man in bondage (external). Soul rises above matter to nurture or cradle spirit.

Zodiacal Symbols

Aries

The symbol for Aries resembles a rams head. It also depicts a gushing out of energy. Thus Aries can be ardent like a geyser. There is something experimental about Aries in that the two curves are in opposite directions. Aries is also self-referential in that the curves point downwards and slightly inwards.

Taurus

The symbol for Taurus resembles a bulls head. Taurus represents the desire to personalise the spiritual (soul over spirit). Hence the practical spirituality embodied within this sign. The cross is absent from the sigil, suggesting that the material challenges of the world are not a major problem for most Taureans. Therefore Taurean type people generally can handle worldly demands.

Gemini

The symbol for Gemini depicts two pillars linked by the semi-circle at both ends. This indicates the Geminian need to have dual experience - hence the double vertical lines rising out of soul and ending in soul. That there are two pillars indicates that Gemini is about contrast. There is a sense of new synthesis occurring with Gemini, as expressed by the crowning semi-circle. The quick mentality of this sign is thus shown through the marrying of parallel experience (the two lines) and the ability to see both sides of life, as expressed through the two semi-circles.

Cancer

The symbol for Cancer depicts a crab scuttling sideways. Soul goes to spirit. Spirit goes to soul. The glyph depicts a mirroring of the psychic and spiritual which indicates the great sensitivity, and also self-protective instincts, that Cancerian people have.

Leo

The symbol for Leo depicts the circle of spirit at the base evolving through the ups and downs of the creative soul. The inner experience (circle) seeks expression through personal aspiration (left raising curve) and comparison (right descending curve). The downwards flick on the right of the glyph indicates the need for grounding or anchoring.

Virgo

The symbol for Virgo depicts the coils of intellectualism. The glyph is made up of a rising flick to the left, and three straight lines joined by two curves - plus a curve on the far right which feeds back into the last of the lines. The straight vertical lines suggest the need for grounding and perfection: as these are repeated three times. The slight parallel line at the farmost left gives this sign the appearance of being tied to the straight and narrow, the orderly and respectable. The curve going inwards indicates the modesty of this sign: Virgo is not ostentatious.

Libra

The symbol for Libra depicts the scales (such as weighing scales). The bottom line of the glyph suggests that Librans seek a consistent platform throughout life. The line-curve-line above is the seeking of parallel or complementary experience. The ideal middle between the extremes that Libra seeks is shown by the curve that lies in between the topmost line.

Scorpio

The symbol for Scorpio depicts the coils of intellectualism. The glyph is made up of a rising flick to the left, and three straight lines with two curves joining and a descending arrow at the bottom right. The straight vertical lines suggest the need for grounding and perfection: as these are repeated three times. The slight parallel line at the farmost left gives this sign the appearance of being tied to the straight and narrow, the orderly and respectable. However, the descending arrow at the far-most right indicates this signs desire to go beyond the mundane sphere, which it understands so well, into the deepest truths or depravity of being. The arrow also symbolises the tremendous wrestling with temptation of this sign.

Sagittarius

The symbol for Sagittarius depicts the archer. The arrow head represents an upwards aspiration - a seeking to rise above the mundane; as the cross is crowned by the arrowhead. There is a definite direction and speed of movement, a one pointed path, as suggested by the glyphs angle.

Capricorn

The slight parallel line at the farmost left of its symbol gives Capricorn the appearance of being tied to the straight and narrow, the orderly and respectable. The downwards line suggests that there is a certain descent from this elevated plateau and the upwards line a corresponding elevation to a new peak. Then it is downwards to a new but more heightened perspective, crowned by the treasure of spiritual maturity (circle). From that point, the descent to base is animated from a fully informed perspective which results in a somewhat sensitive level-headedness. (As depicted by the angular line at the bottom pointing to the left).

Aquarius

The symbol for Aquarius depicts the flow of the electrical impulses of consciousness. That is the waves of the mind-sphere. That Aquarians can rise above or below the norm is shown by the two zigzags - one above the other. There is a seeking of equivalence but not status with this sign, a liking for operating on more than one plane of consciousness, often simultaneously! (Note the symbol is made up of zigzaging lines not curves).

Pisces

Traditionally the symbol for Pisces represents two fishes swimming in opposite directions - yet bonded by a common thread. The glyph indicates a dualistic soul experience united by a cord that makes the experience of the two sides mutually accessible. Pisces therefore encapsulates the knowledge of self and that of others. Thus for Pisceans it can be hard to differentiate between what comes from self and what comes from other.

Exercises

1) Draw the glyphs for the planets and the signs of the zodiac. Note what geometric shapes make up each of these glyphs. (For example, the symbol for Pisces is made up of two curves in opposite directions with a parallel line in the middle).

2) Note the symbols in your birth-chart. Write down the signs that the various planets in your chart are in - do this in english and astrological shorthand.

3) Make separate cards for each of the glyphs of the planets and the signs of the zodiac. Randomly choose a card and meditate on each card. Allow your feelings about the symbol that is in front of you to emerge.

Copyright. Stephen Winder.

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