If people knew and understood astrology more accurately, no one would say, “I’m a Capricorn,” ever again. Instead, they would be saying, “I have my Sun in Capricorn”. Granted, I’m being dramatic right now and it doesn’t actually matter that much how we state this, but my point is…When we talk about our charts, we are speaking about the cosmic placement of each planet at the exact moment we were born. No, a birth chart is not solely composed of the Sun, Moon, and Rising signs. It’s actually composed of 10 planets according to modern astrology (only 7 in traditional astrology), along with asteroids, angles, and other mathematical points in the sky. Every planet plays a specific ‘role’ in the birth chart so that all together, a full snapshot of the psyche and life experience is created at the moment of birth. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the leading characters of the Cosmos, the ten, the only….the PLANETS!!!
Ahh, yes. The roles. Just as we went over in my Sun, Moon, and Rising sign blog post, every planet sheds light on a particular part of the psyche and life experience. For example, the Sun literally shows how you shine and show up in the world while your Moon shows what you’re like on the inside, when light isn’t shone on you…your instincts, your needs, and your comforts.
Every planet has a job in the birth chart in the same way that every employee of a company has a specific title and list of responsibilities. Let’s use that analogy for a second…
Every large company has a Human Resources department and therefore has some sort of Director or Manager of HR, the person at the top of that pyramid. Even though every Human Resources Director at every company has more or less the same responsibilities and goals, they all go about their duties very differently based on their personalities. In this analogy, their personalities are the zodiac signs and therefore, the sign in which each planet is placed. For example, if a Human Resources Director is loud, extroverted, and bubbly, they will probably go about their responsibilities in a highly collaborative, community-oriented way, but if a Human Resources Director is quiet, introverted, and strategic, they may spend more of their time working behind the scenes strategizing before they delegate to those around them.
This analogy may not be perfect, but I hope you get the gist. Every planet has a specific role (like HR Director), and the way in which they carry out their duties is influenced by the zodiac sign they are placed in (like the HR Director’s personality).
To keep things fun and simple for you, I am going to use an analogy all the way through. Let’s say we are choosing a video game character. Each planet is going to play an essential role in building your character. You’ll understand once we get started…Here we go!!!
The way you shine. How you show up in the world. The role you play in the world. Your identity.
The Sun is your character’s core identity and purpose. Are you playing the game as a sharp-witted rogue, a nurturing healer, or a bold warrior? Your Sun sign determines the essence of your character—how they shine, what motivates them, and what kind of journey they’re on.
Your emotional nature. Your instincts and comfort zone. What you need to feel nourished. How you nurture.
Your Moon sign represents how your character emotionally reacts to the game world. Do they stay calm under pressure, or do they get easily flustered? Are they a lone wolf who recharges in solitude, or do they need a strong party of allies to feel secure? This is your character’s inner world, their emotional needs, and how they instinctively respond to challenges.
How you think, learn, communicate, and write. What you’re interested in thinking, learning, and communicating about.
Mercury rules how your character processes information and communicates. Are they a fast-talking trickster with high persuasion stats, a meticulous strategist who overanalyzes every move, or a blunt warrior who says little but means a lot? This determines their problem-solving skills, speech patterns, and how they navigate dialogue choices in the game.
What you’re attracted to. What you value. What and how you love. Your social skills.
Venus is your character’s ability to connect with others. Are they flirtatious and charismatic, easily forming alliances? Or are they selective, valuing deep, meaningful bonds? Venus also governs aesthetics—what kind of gear and outfits they’re drawn to, whether they favor elegance, practicality, or total chaos in their fashion choices.
How you go after your goals. How you fight and assert yourself. Your drive and willpower.
Mars determines how your character takes action. Are they an impulsive button-masher, charging headfirst into battle, or a patient sniper who waits for the perfect shot? Do they have an unstoppable drive to win, or do they conserve their energy for only the most important fights? This planet defines how they assert themselves and chase their goals.
Where you have faith and wisdom. Where you always want to grow and expand. Where/how you have fun. Your natural gifts and blessings.
Jupiter is the “XP Boost” planet. It determines how quickly your character levels up and what kind of rewards they attract. Are they naturally lucky, stumbling upon rare loot and helpful NPCs? Or do they grow through experience, learning wisdom through trial and error? Jupiter also defines their belief system—are they an idealistic hero, a wandering philosopher, or a treasure-hunting opportunist?
What takes longer to ripen. Where you have insecurity and fear. Where you mature and become an expert. Your challenges and trials.
Saturn is the hard mode of the game. It represents your character’s limitations, the obstacles they must overcome, and the lessons they need to learn. Do they start with low health but high endurance, requiring them to master patience? Do they have strict in-game rules to follow, or do they struggle under the weight of responsibility? Saturn may be tough, but leveling up here leads to serious rewards.
Where you simply can’t follow. Where your originality and uniqueness lies. Where change is present in your life.
Uranus is what makes your character unique—or just plain weird. Maybe they have a rare skill that sets them apart, like the ability to hack into enemy defenses or teleport short distances. Maybe they reject traditional gameplay mechanics and find creative (or chaotic) ways to win. This is where your character breaks the mold and surprises even themselves
Where you find a spiritual connection and are open-hearted. Where you have compassion. Where you can be deluded.
Neptune is the source of mystical powers, intuition, and dreams. Is your character a spellcaster who draws power from unseen forces? Are they prone to illusions, getting lost in side quests and daydreams? Neptune is also the storytelling aspect—does your character live in a grand fantasy, or are they constantly questioning what’s real?
Where you completely transform. Where you’re obsessed and intense. How/where you find your own power.
Pluto represents your character’s deepest trials and most powerful transformations. It’s the “boss battle” energy—when they’re pushed to their limits and forced to evolve. Do they undergo a dramatic rebirth after losing everything? Do they unlock a hidden power after facing their darkest fears? Pluto is where true strength is forged.
Ok, my friends! I hope that you enjoyed this unconventional video game character analogy as much as I did! I don’t even play video games, but I grew up watching my sister play for hours on end so something about those digital characters must have stuck with me…
If you’d like to explore how each of these planets describes YOU, feel free to book a session with me HERE! And if not, I’ll see you in my next post!
Grab my FREE “Learn to Read Your Soul’s Blueprint: Astrology Basics for Beginners” PDF here!
I teach you the first 3 building blocks of learning to read any astrology chart (the planets, the signs, the houses) and then walk you through the art and science of blending them together seamlessly. By the end, you’ll basically be a pro! Now, dive on in and enjoy, my friend!
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