Pluto, the Newest Zodiac Planet

Poor Pluto's status to astronomers has changed many times. It is currently not considered a real planet, but a dwarf planet. Recently, from the 1980s to the 1990s, Pluto's orbit was actually closer to the Sun than Neptune's (invalidating thousands of reference books across the globe!), and it is technically known with a number preceding its name, so insignificant does popular astronomy hold it to be 134340 Pluto. It has a moon which is almost as large as it, Charon, which locks it in a perpetual struggle for dominance with the center of the orbit within neither body's sphere. However for astronomers, Pluto is just as important as it ever was. We look at how Pluto is interpreted in astrology predictions and natal charts.

Pluto rules…

Pluto is said to rule the underworld, named after the Roman ruler of Hades. It's mythological brothers are Jupiter and Neptune, which in Greek mythology are represented by Zeus and Poseidon.

This means that Pluto role in astrology prediction is as the great renewer. Something must be destroyed in order to be renewed … and destruction often means a journey to the underworld. It is associated with transformation, power and personal mastery. It can also be linked to extreme power and corruption -- the underworld is generally not seen as holding itself to the highest moral standards, and Pluto's discovery in 1930 occurred at the same time as the rise of fascism and Stalinism.

Pluto's positives

While the underworld is generally thought of as a negative place, we have already hinted at Pluto's positive aspects … it is, after all, the great renewer in astrology predictions.

It is a harbinger of big things and great events. After its discovery in 1930, its path was traced back to entering Cancer in 1913, coinciding with World War I. The ending of Pluto in Cancer, and the beginning of Pluto in Leo, was the beginning of World War II. However, these events ultimately led to positivity and a rearranging of the balance of power in a way that was favorable.

Pluto's enterprises

In terms of industries, Pluto is associated with anything but the small and insignificant types of work! Enormous wealth and big business are the domains of Pluto, as are mining, surgery, and the work of detectives.

Pluto may not be a big deal astronomically, but it certainly has a big impact in astrology predictions! Don’t ignore the power of the little guy.

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.

She's Got It! Venus in the Signs

Venus is the second closest planet to the Sun … an enormously hot glowing ball of fire, with a 224-day year. After the moon, it is the brightest natural object visible at night time, and it is named after the Roman goddess of love. Astrological readings teach us that we see many of these same planetary characteristics in people when Venus is in certain aspects to other signs at the time of their birth. The brightness of the star represents the importance of love in our lives … today we give you a quick overview of how Venus's position in different signs affects a person's love compatibility.

Venus in Aries

If Venus is positioned in Aries in a natal chart, these men and women will usually take a leadership role in their love life, and can be childish and a little impatient with their partners.

Venus in Taurus

If Venus falls in the sign of the Bull for you, you prefer a stable love life, a very physical relationship and a feeling of comfort in relationships. You definitely can’t push these people!

Venus in Gemini

These people will talk endlessly about their love lives, and are also very talkative with their partners. However you can’t hold them to everything they say! They like their relationships whimsical and light-hearted.

Venus in Cancer

Private, intensely emotional Venus in Cancer guys and girls see themselves as ordinary people -- they prefer eating in, rather than going out, and love to snuggle up on the couch with a good movie.

Venus in Leo

Dramatic, proud, boastful, and with high expectations, people born with Venus in Leo don’t sound like they have many positive qualities for relationships … until you delve a bit deeper! These erotic souls are vey warm-hearted and understanding.

Venus in Virgo

Perfection, sensitivity (to both their own feelings and that of their partners), and sometimes insecurity characterize the relationships of people born with Venus in Virgo. They often need space, and aim for perfection in their relationships.

Venus in Libra

Everything must be perfectly balanced for people with the planet of love in the sign of Libra in their natal chart. If anything is a little out of kilter (for example, if she has done the dishes four nights of the week for the last two weeks), he will know about it! On the upside, they give as good as they get (in a nice way) and are romantic and generous.

Venus in Scorpio

Intensity, commitment and sexual pleasure create the ultimately fulfilling relationship for Venus in Scorpio guys and girls. They are very loyal, and can be just as intense when upset as they can when feeling amorous.

Venus in Sagittarius

Idealistic, adventure loving Venus in Sagittarians mix the serious with the lighthearted, are friendly and flirtatious, and don’t like to dwell on things. They are generally a pleasure to be around!

Venus in Capricorn

Security, money, and wise investments (in love!) are important to those born with Venus in Capricorn. They plan ahead and have definite goals for the relationship, but don’t be tricked into feeling that they see you as a transaction … their feelings are just as real as the emotional Scorpio.

Venus in Aquarius

Open minded and future thinking, if your natal chart shows Venus in Aquarius you like unconventionality in their relationships, and like to make your own rules. Don’t restrict them, be their friend and appreciate their uniqueness.

Venus in Pisces

These dreamy, soft hearted people see others for what they really are. While they can be a bit vague in a relationship, they always have good intentions.

The Rising Sign in Personal Astrology Readings

The sign that is rising at the minute of your birth is known as your ascendant, and forms the basis for your personal astrological readings, destiny and compatibilities. Today we are looking at what the ascendant is, what it means to your natal chart, and how different ascendant signs can affect your personality.

The ascendant sign is one of the most important factors in determining your personality, love compatibility and future life events. It actually has more of an impact on your personality than the moon sign you were born under, and explains why many people who were born under a particular sign seem to have contradictory traits.

Your ascendant sign explains your automatic responses to your environment, indicates the front that you put on when meeting other people, and the way you cope with everyday life.

To calculate your rising sign you should get a qualified astrologer to do a personal astrological reading for you. Ascendants are not the same every year -- you need to know your time of birth, preferably to the nearest minute, to know your rising sign accurately. Knowing your birth time to at least the nearest 15 minutes can usually give you an accurate idea of your ascendant. You also need to know whether daylight savings time or war time was in effect in the year you were born -- it will affect your ascendant.

You can figure out what traits your ascendant sign causes you to express, according to astrological principles, simply by reading a personality guide for that monthly zodiac sign. For example, no matter what your monthly sign, if you have:

• Aries rising: your outward personality is often direct, competitive and a natural leader
• Cancer rising: your outward personality will be a sweet and gentle one that tries not to make waves.
• Virgo rising: you will generally appear intelligent and reserved to those around you, and be exceedingly aware of your body.

If you want to know your own ascendant sign, look out for automated guides on the internet. Astrology is not quick and easy -- it is both a science and an art, according to the practitioners. A personal astrology prediction is the best way to accurately know your ascendant, as well as to interpret that in light of the other astrological positionings at the time of your birth.