Astrology continued...

The 'philosophical' side of astrology is based on the understanding that life exists as an ongoing cycle and the individual's life cycles correlates with the cycles shown in the cosmos. The two concepts are linked - the principle of 'as above, so below' applies in that the cycles of the planets connect us to unfolding patterns in individual life. If we understand the principles of cosmic cycles then we can understand the principles of human cycles.

Astrological concepts can be used to understand your own nature and that of others. At a different level, you can use them to forecast weather, to answer direct questions, to decide on auspicious times for doing something as well as for giving deep insight into the psychological, spiritual, emotional and physical growth patterns in people as a collective. The common factor in all these threads is humanity's connection with the universe, its cycles and patterns. Astrology describes Life itself. So its applications are holistic.

Planets represent different active symbolic energy sources, or psychological models of behavior. The planets are 'real' - they have mass and orbit the Sun. However, astrologically speaking, they have a symbolic meaning . Please note that we call the Sun and the Moon 'planets' although we know this is not correct in the scientific sense. It is for our convenience that we do so. The planets in astrology are the Moon, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Pluto. The real term for the Sun and Moon are the 'Luminaries'.

Planets orbit the Sun. They orbit at different distances from the Sun and so they take different lengths of time to complete a revolution. The more distant the planet is the longer it takes. Mercury takes 13 months. Uranus takes 84 years. Since planets determine specific drives or models of behavior it follows that people and their lives and behavior also change according to a cycle. And it follows that some changes occur quickly, some more slowly.

'Inner Planets' are those closest to the Sun, and are Mercury, Venus, Earth, its Moon and Mars. They are also called the 'terrestrial planets' because they are close to earth. 'Outer Planets' are more distant from the Sun - they are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. They are called the 'Jovian planets' by astronomers because they are beyond Jupiter. Astrologically, Inner planets are considered 'personal planets' .Outer planets Jupiter and Saturn are 'social planets' while Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are considered 'transpersonal planets'. There are other bodies in the cosmos but these are the main models that are used in Astrology. The astrological chart shows the planets, and the Sun, in a circle around the earth .
This material was excerpted with permission from www.panplanet.com