Horoscopes -- Getting to the Bottom of the Innermost Planets

Astrology doesn’t just randomly assign potentials and effects to different planets. The effect of Venus, Mars, the Sun and the Moon in different aspects of an astrological reading all come from historical bases. They can also be strongly related to a planet's physical characteristics - so today we are examining exactly what makes Mercury, Venus, and Mars what they are!

Mercury

Mercury is the smallest and hottest planet in the solar system. Its orbit shows a greater degree of eccentricity than the orbit of any other planet, and it can only be viewed in the morning or evening twilight, due to the glare of the Sun. This planet has no substantial atmosphere, and the surface is similar to that of the Moon, with heavy cratering. It was once believed to be two separate planets, one appearing at dawn and the other at dusk.

In astrology, it represents communication, rationality and reason. Schooling, education, a person's immediate environment such as siblings and neighbors, and information-gathering skills are affected by the positioning of Mercury in an astrological reading.

Venus

Venus is the planet of love, named after the Roman goddess. It's surface cannot be seen (sort of like love itself) … it is protected by enormous clouds of sulphur dust which also create sulphuric acid. These are highly reflective, so light cannot penetrate for photos. Its atmosphere has plenty of carbon dioxide, essential for plant life, but there is no carbon cycle on the planet.

In astrology Venus is related to harmony and sympathy as well as love. Other areas of life are related to Venus in astrological readings also, for example business partnerships, art and fashion, as well as friendships and social life can be affected by Venus.

Mars

The fourth planet from the Sun has a reddish appearance because of a high concentration of iron oxide on its surface. It has a thin atmosphere and is often considered one of the planets most similar to Earth, which is why scientists have searched so hard for signs of prior life on its surface. After the moon and Venus, it is the third brightest object in the night sky.

In astrological readings as in anthropology, Mars is the planet of war. However this interpretation is quite a facetious one! It also represents sexuality, ambition, energy, impulsiveness and competition. It is said to preside over the genitals, the muscular system, and adrenal glands.