Planetary placements
Sun Signs
Twelve signs, each defined by an element, a modality, and a ruling planet. Those three attributes do most of the interpretive work in traditional astrology — the traits follow from them.
Aquarius is the zodiac's fixed air sign, associated with individuality, innovation, and community ideals; modern astrology assigns it Uranus as ruler while traditional astrology uses Saturn.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Aquarius as a combination of the Sun, Uranus and the eleventh house, giving an intuitive perception of the inner nature of things, a pull toward scientific research and toward religions it calls ultra-intellectual or strange, and popularity with firm friends. An 1899 source reads the placement as a very refined individuality — faithful, sincere, humane and just — loving everything of a humanitarian nature, with very broad sympathies and a desire to embrace the whole of humanity.
- Element
- air
- Modality
- fixed
- Ruling planet
- Uranus (traditional: Saturn)
- independent
- inventive
- humanitarian
- detached
- unconventional
Pisces closes the zodiac year as its mutable water sign, associated with empathy, imagination, and spiritual sensitivity; modern astrology assigns it Neptune as ruler while traditional astrology uses Jupiter.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Pisces as a retiring disposition, favouring success in occupations removed from the public gaze — it names prisons, hospitals and institutions for the poor — and holds that a person who incurs enmity will be vindicated, with a strong tendency towards psychism and the occult. An 1899 source reads the placement as emotional and receptive, meditative and imitative, with a very deep internal nature inclined towards occult development.
- Element
- water
- Modality
- mutable
- Ruling planet
- Neptune (traditional: Jupiter)
- empathetic
- imaginative
- dreamy
- adaptable
- compassionate
Aries opens the zodiac year as its first cardinal fire sign, associated in Western tropical astrology with initiative, courage, and a fast-moving, action-first temperament.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source calls Aries the exaltation of the Sun and the most powerful position of the central orb, reading it as radiating a vital force of unexampled strength that gives a person a wonderful fund of energy. An 1899 source reads the primary characteristics of the Sun in this sign as force and energy, and the fundamental basis of the character as ambitious, aspiring and enthusiastic.
- Element
- fire
- Modality
- cardinal
- Ruling planet
- Mars
- bold
- energetic
- direct
- competitive
- impulsive
Taurus is the zodiac's first fixed earth sign, traditionally linked to stability, material security, and a slow, deliberate approach to life shaped by its rulership by Venus.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Taurus as favourable for the financial fortunes though inclined to extravagance, especially in dress, and credits great physical strength and — the sign ruling the larynx — a strong, pleasant voice. An 1899 source reads the placement as making the character more firm, plodding, enduring and determined, with a tendency to move slower and act more cautiously, quietly and practically.
- Element
- earth
- Modality
- fixed
- Ruling planet
- Venus
- steady
- patient
- grounded
- sensual
- stubborn
Gemini is the zodiac's first mutable air sign, ruled by Mercury and traditionally associated with communication, curiosity, and a dual, quick-shifting nature symbolized by the Twins.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Gemini as a blended influence of the Sun, Mercury and the third house, favouring writing and travel, brightening the mind, and giving a pleasant, affable disposition that makes a person generally liked among their associates. An 1899 source reads the placement as dualistic, restless and irritable, with the desires always running on intellectual lines, a strong will, and some pride and love of pedigree.
- Element
- air
- Modality
- mutable
- Ruling planet
- Mercury
- curious
- adaptable
- communicative
- witty
- restless
Cancer is the zodiac's first cardinal water sign, ruled by the Moon and traditionally associated with home, emotional depth, and protective attachment to family and close relationships.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Cancer as apt to be indolent — harmless, avoiding quarrels, and agreeable at home so long as too much work is not asked — and holds the first part of the life barren of fruits but the later years successful, with a tendency toward the occult. An 1899 source reads the placement as exceedingly sensitive, impressionable and highly emotional, marked by tenacity and attachment, often lacking self-reliance, and of a very tenacious moral character.
- Element
- water
- Modality
- cardinal
- Ruling planet
- Moon
- nurturing
- intuitive
- protective
- emotional
- loyal
Leo is the zodiac's fixed fire sign, ruled by the Sun and traditionally associated with self-expression, leadership, creativity, and a warm, magnetic personal presence.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Leo as a masterful nature with a large measure of self-control, a keen sense of honour and a never-failing integrity: someone who aspires to rule others but would scorn to take a mean advantage, whose affections are deep and lasting and who defends staunchly. An 1899 source reads the placement as sincere and ardent in all matters of affection, firm, self-reliant, magnanimous, noble-minded and determined.
- Element
- fire
- Modality
- fixed
- Ruling planet
- Sun
- confident
- generous
- dramatic
- warm
- proud
Virgo is the zodiac's mutable earth sign, ruled by Mercury and traditionally associated with precision, service, health-consciousness, and a detail-oriented, improvement-seeking mindset.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Virgo as a combination of solar, mercurial and sixth-house influence, describing the successful middleman between producer and consumer — subtle, extremely quick to see what will work to his advantage, pleasant and sociable — and holding the placement to make good chemists, nurses and doctors. An 1899 source reads it as a practical and discriminative individuality, with the home instincts strongly marked.
- Element
- earth
- Modality
- mutable
- Ruling planet
- Mercury
- analytical
- meticulous
- practical
- modest
- helpful
Libra is the zodiac's cardinal air sign, ruled by Venus and traditionally associated with balance, partnership, fairness, and an appreciation for harmony and beauty.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Libra as combining Venus with the Sun and the seventh house, so that a person loves the marriage partner devotedly enough to exclude everyone else, and credits ability for architecture and the finer branches of decorative construction, with a fine, sonorous voice. An 1899 source reads the placement as a very harmonious individuality acting through perception more than reflection, with a keen love of justice and a certain sensitiveness.
- Element
- air
- Modality
- cardinal
- Ruling planet
- Venus
- diplomatic
- fair-minded
- sociable
- indecisive
- aesthetic
Scorpio is the zodiac's fixed water sign, associated with intensity, transformation, and emotional depth; modern astrology assigns it Pluto as ruler while traditional astrology uses Mars.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Scorpio as a very blunt and brusque manner, with a tendency to ride rough shod over anything standing in the way of what a person wants, and an overweening egoism. An 1899 source reads the placement as a very firm, determined and reserved individuality — dignified, secretive and full of desire — giving much self-control, and calls Scorpio a sign of strength, independence and industry.
- Element
- water
- Modality
- fixed
- Ruling planet
- Pluto (traditional: Mars)
- intense
- passionate
- secretive
- resilient
- perceptive
Sagittarius is the zodiac's mutable fire sign, ruled by Jupiter and traditionally associated with exploration, optimism, higher learning, and a broad, freedom-seeking outlook.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Sagittarius as lofty ideals and a noble aspiring disposition that aims to rise by raising others, describing people benevolent and philanthropic and often trusted with positions of responsibility, with an expansive mind fitted to grapple with the greater problems of life. An 1899 source reads the placement as inclining towards science, philosophy and religion, restless but frank, honest, sincere, loyal and a lover of liberty.
- Element
- fire
- Modality
- mutable
- Ruling planet
- Jupiter
- adventurous
- optimistic
- philosophical
- blunt
- freedom-loving
Capricorn is the zodiac's cardinal earth sign, ruled by Saturn and traditionally associated with discipline, long-term ambition, structure, and a responsible, achievement-oriented drive.
What the older sources say: One 1918 source reads the Sun in Capricorn as rising in life by the good-will of people in a higher position, and holds that such a person merits that trust — careful, prudent, faithful and honest, with an all-round love of fair play that earns the respect of those around them. An 1899 source reads the placement as a very ambitious individuality with much independence and strength of character, a keen love of justice, and a desire to attain the highest position possible.
- Element
- earth
- Modality
- cardinal
- Ruling planet
- Saturn
- disciplined
- ambitious
- responsible
- reserved
- patient