First go to http://www.astro.com to reveal your personal portrait or birth chart. Focus in particular on your sun and moon signs, your ascendant and venus sign. The influence of the planets is outlined below, bear these in mind or use them as a reference guide when you read about the signs of the zodiac.
The Sun (Ruler of Leo) is where we derive our life purpose or direction, our creativity, vitality and controls the individual style in which we go about things. It represents our conscious mind, the present, our ego, our adult, the part that reasons things out and makes final decisions. The Sun is our basic identity, personality or true self-expression and focuses on reason as opposed to instinct. When we are acting out our Sun, we are purposeful, directed, proud and creative. On the negative side, we can be haughty, overly willful, self-centered and judgmental.
Grant Lewi referred to the Sun as indicative of "the psychological bias which will dominate your actions… You may think, dream, imagine, hope to be a thousand things, according to your Moon and your other planets: but the Sun is what you are, and to be your best self in terms of your Sun is to cause your energies to work along the path in which they will have maximum help from planetary vibrations."
The Moon (Ruler of Cancer) governs our instinctual reactions, emotional responses and moods. It rules rhythmic ebb and flow of activity and energy. It represents our subconscious mind, the past (memories) our inner self (child & mother) and our deepest personal needs. Where the Sun acts, the Moon reacts. It is responsive, receptive, and reflective. It shows how we protect ourselves and emote or respond to our world. The Moon makes us imaginative, creative, intuitive, sentimental and introspective. On the negative side, we can be moody, restless and irrational.
Grant Lewi described the moon: "When you "know what you mean but you can't say it," it is your Moon that knows it and your Sun that can't say it. "Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears" are the thoughts of your Moon's nature. The wordless ecstasy, the mute sorrow, the secret dream, the esoteric picture of yourself that you can't get across to the world, or which the world doesn't comprehend or value – these are the products of the Moon in your horoscope. When you are misunderstood, it is your Moon nature, expressed imperfectly through the Sun sign, that you feel is betrayed. When you know what you ought to do, but can't find the right way to do it, it is your Moon that knows and your Sun that refuses to react in harmony. Also, when you "don't know why I said that," it was your Moon expressing despite your Sun (if you are innerly satisfied with the involuntary speech), or the Sun expressing against the will of the Moon (if you are displeased with what has slipped out). Things you know without thought – intuitions, hunches, instincts – are the products of the Moon. Modes of expression that you feel are truly your deepest self belong to the Moon: art, letters, creative work of any kind; sometimes love; sometimes business. Whatever you feel is most deeply yourself, whether or not you are able to do anything about it in the outer world, is the product of your Moon and of the sign your Moon occupies at birth."
Mercury (The Messenger, Ruler of Gemini and Virgo) is associated with brainpower, mental ability, daily travel, expression and communication. It takes things apart and puts them back together again. Thought processes, ideas, and sensory information from both conscious and unconscious sources all need to be coordinated, analysed and understood. Mercury makes us opportunistic, inquisitive, curious and versatile. On the negative side, we can be high-strung or nervous, nit-picky, indecisive, and overly technical.
Venus (Goddess of Love, Ruler of Libra and Taurus) is linked with pleasure, leisure, possessions, money, art, grace, charm, beauty, love, sensuality and romantic attraction. It rules our sentiments, attachments, what we value or appreciate, how we approach relationships and how we spend money. Venus encourages us to be harmonious, to compromise, make-peace, be loving and act with taste. On the negative side, we can be self-indulgent, self-centered, vain and superficial.
Mars (God of War, Ruler of Aries) is associated with energy, masculinity, anger, competitiveness and sex drive. It is the survival instinct, the animal nature of man. It is associated with physical attraction and focuses on action (without contemplation) rather than reaction. Mars differs from the Sun in that it is self-assertion rather than assertion of the will; it is raw energy rather than creative energy. Mars makes us assertive, directed, forthright and adventurous. On the negative side, we can be impulsive, rash, impatient, aggressive and forceful.
Jupiter (King of the Gods, Ruler of Sagittarius) deals with physical and mental expansion, self-confidence, enthusiasm, humour, finance, luck, abundance and travel. It represents morality, gratitude, generosity, tolerance, hope, mercy, honour and justice. It shows how we go about trusting others and improving our lives. Jupiter seeks insight through knowledge for mental and spiritual growth, to reach a broader purpose. The more negative manifestations include blind optimism which leads to irresponsibility, excess, and overindulgence.
Saturn (Ruler of Capricorn) brings restrictions, limitations, inhibitions and an awareness of fear or failure. Where Jupiter expands, Saturn constricts. This may seem negative but it actually brings structure, meaning and definition to our lives because it knows the limits of time and matter. It reminds us of our boundaries, responsibilities, commitments and the need for self-control. Saturn imposes discipline, rules, and regulations like a father or authority figure to help us learn and grow.
Uranus (God of the sky and the heavens, Ruler of Aquarius) is associated with upheaval, chaos, change, revolution and the unexpected. It is forward-looking, linked with technology, innovation and discovery. It balks at tradition, celebrating originality and individuality. It is associated with enlightenment, progressiveness, objectivity, novelty and ingenuity. Uranus represents the spark of intuition that spurs invention or investigation. On the negative side, it may cause rebelliousness without a cause and irresponsibility.
Neptune (God of the Sea, Ruler of Pisces) is linked with spiritual enlightenment, intuition, glamour and aesthetic or artistic subjects. It is a planet of inspiration, dreams, psychic receptivity, illusion and confusion. It is associated with mercy, compassion and self-sacrifice. Neptune also brings hope, fantasy and dreaminess. On the negative side, it may cause deceit, trickery, guilt, addiction and a vulnerable or naive nature, which is susceptible to disillusionment or deception.
Pluto (God of the Underworld, Ruler of Scorpio) relates to elimination, orgasm, change, transformation, upheaval, regeneration, destruction, death and rebirth. It represents subconscious forces, ruling all that is below the surface and the unseen. It represents endings and new beginnings, as well as spiritual growth. The negative expression of Pluto is an obsessive desire for power and control and general destructiveness. NB: The positions of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto by sign will be shared with other people in the same generation due to comparatively slow movement in the heavens. The house position shows where individuals are different. It reveals an area of life where we feel the need to distinguish ourselves from others.
The Ascendant (or rising sign) defines the first impression we make upon others in a personal sense (physical appearance, health, body ego). It governs our facade, our coping defenses, how we outwardly deal with new people or situations. It embraces the past, present and future and filters through into the outer world, the energies depicted by the Sun, Moon etc in your birth chart. It also indicates your soul's function, a key part of your destiny.
The Medium Coeli (or midheaven) represents the career or life path. It defines our reputation in a professional sense, our most visible achievements and accomplishments in society. The Midheaven is the cusp of the tenth house and is directly opposite the Imum Coeli (IC). Along with the Ascendant (ASC) and the Descendant (DSC), these compose the four angles of your natal chart.
Key Reference Used: cafeastrology.com