Here is a list giving you the names and meanings given to planets by astrologers.

Name.Approximate meaning given by Astrologers.
Mars. Strength.
Venus. Beauty.
Mercury.Capacity for adapting oneself.
Uranus. Improvement.
Sun. Life.
Jupiter.Freedom and growth.
Saturn. Diminished—shrinking—lack of growth.
Neptune.Able to receive—receptive.
Earth. Physical—not spiritual.
The Moon.Feeling.

The main idea at the back of astrology is that the planets (or starry bodies which revolve round the sun) each have a strong and varying influence upon the minds of human beings.

THE ZODIAC.—Of course when the planets revolve round the sun they travel through a course or path. The Zodiac is the name given by astronomers to the boundary which encloses this course or path in the sky.

The signs of the Zodiac are the spaces into which the Zodiac is divided.

Here are the signs of the Zodiac arranged in order to show which signs are opposite to each other.

Aries.facingLibra.
Taurus. Scorpio.
Gemini. Sagittarius.
Cancer. Capricorn.
Leo. Aquarius.
Virgo. Pisces.

Now each sign has a planet which is said to rule it; this is called the ruling planet. It is from the nature of this planet that the probable character and fate of the individual are told. It is not necessary to know the whys and wherefores of this, if you have not studied astronomy it will only serve to muddle you, and if, on the other hand, you do understand astronomy you will not need any explanation. We will just say what does happen, and that will tell you all you need in these first steps.

Well, we all know that the earth revolves upon its axis once in every 24 hours. Now, according to astronomers, this causes one of the Zodiac signs to appear in the eastern sky, where it remains for two hours. We have said that each sign has a planet ruling it, so the sign that appears on the sky at the time of birth decides what planet that person is born under or is influenced by.