The planets are known as the “Wandering Stars.” “Planet” comes from the Greek planetes which means “wanderer.” Against the backdrop of the fixed stars, the seven visible planets change position each passing day.
Prior to the invention of the telescope, astrology only recognized the seven visible planets. The ancient Chaldeans logically arranged them according to their relative speed, which is known as the Chaldean Order. Thus the planets are listed: the Moon, Mercury, Venus, The Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
In astrology, the position of the planets grants insight to the fate of the world, an individual, and can even be used to practice magic. They are judged by their position in the Zodiac, relationship with each other, and location in relation to the ascendant (the zodiac sign that is currently on the Eastern horizon).
You may already be familiar with friends and acquaintances discussing their “star sign” or “moon sign”. What they mean is that the Sun or Moon was in a specific zodiac sign at the time of their birth.
This article is the beginning of a series that will give a basic introduction to the seven planets. You will learn about their significations — the symbolic associations that a planet possesses or “rules” over. In addition to this, you will learn some basic…