How planets affect us according to Astrology

Italian version

Astrology posits that planetary influence is non-existent since no cause-and-effect relationship is at stake. Instead, the discipline is predicated on the assumption that there is an interaction between the phenomenon and the observer’s conscience. From an astrological perspective, the celestial sphere and our awareness are part of the same process. This is why it is inaccurate to suggest that there is a planetary influence.

The connection between our awareness and the surrounding reality can be observed through two mechanisms. Relatively speaking, planets and stars exist independently of our consciousness and are subject to scientific investigation. Scientific thinking involves objectively analysing things as they appear, supported by theoretical statements that validate experimental observations and facts. This approach is legitimate and valuable in everyday life, allowing for a deeper understanding of the world around us.

On the other hand, astrology undermines the opinion that the physical world exists independently of our observations (such as some aspects of quantum mechanics suggest). Consequently, astrological factors act as a symbolic mirroring of the reality we belong to, not requiring a causal bond. The universe and human consciousness share the same process, so that we can explain astrology not in a distinctive sense but rather as a symbol taking part in our unitary conscience.

Let us commence an examination of the concept of a symbol. The term is derived from the Greek word “συμβάλλω” (syn-ballo), which means to unite, join, or put together. Symbolising the surrounding reality is the initial and necessary step that conscience must take to recognise and organise their mundane experience. This is the origin of what is commonly called “magic thinking,” where the individual arranges their vision based on a human point of view, allowing the external and internal worlds to converge and connect, thus avoiding the chaotic experience of a meaningless universe. These basics are fundamental to all divinations because external objects and events become signs or symbols of our inner pattern. Monistic philosophy [1] also has a similar approach, stating that the parts are dependent fragments of an integrated whole.

Conversely, modern scientific thinking needs a connection between the individual conscience and the outside world due to the loss of original harmony. Intellectual faculties facilitate this connection. Both approaches, i.e., the spiritual and the material, are legitimate in their respective fields of application. Human beings must continue on this path to develop their individuality fully. It is worth noting that the antonym of the Greek word συμβάλλω is ‘διαβάλλω’ (dia-ballo), which means to slander, throw across, or in Latin Diabolus and English devil. The devil shows us the danger arising from the one-sided application of human resources, i.e., endorsing almost exclusively material development to the detriment of ethical and spiritual attitudes (ego vs self).

But what about planets and stars? How do we explain, once established, the symbolic mirroring between inner and outer reality, the way these symbols combine? We explain it by analogy’s law. In their physical and spiritual integrity, humans act as a reflection of the greater astronomical reality. In this case, the same set of rules governing the human structure must be reflected in the outer reality. This critical factor is positionality, which refers to the spatial arrangement of planets relative to each other.

To simplify the explanation, we will use an example based on the Western astrological pattern, which only considers the Sun, Moon, and classic planets, excluding the fixed stars and others. This approach will enable us to demonstrate the concept clearly and concisely without any unnecessary details.

  • The Sun, the centre of the solar system, is the giver of light and life on Earth. It also symbolises the heart as the pulsating centre of the human body and the ego or sense of individual self on a mental level. This symbolism reflects the significance of the Sun in various aspects of life.
  • The Moon, the Earth’s natural satellite, holds countless meanings for us. One such significance is its reflective ability, symbolising the relationship between light and matter. Acting as a filter, the Moon processes the monochromatic light from the Sun into a spectrum of symbolic representations, showcasing Earth’s diverse facets of life.
  • Mercury, the first inner planet in relation to the orbit of Earth, is associated with mental functions, interconnection, and communication between the ego and the external world.
  • Venus is the second inner planet. It’s the balance between self and non-self, the step succeeding mental approach — the search for harmony, unions, relationships, affection and love.
  • The planet Mars is the first outer planet. Success in modifying the world through actions is driven by an individual’s energy, willpower, momentum, and muscular strength. However, such actions are often accompanied by recklessness and aggressiveness.
  • Jupiter is the second outer planet. Individual energy interacts with social life and its set of rules. It symbolises activities promoting intellectual and social growth, such as studying, travelling, exploring philosophy and spirituality, and advancing social connections.
  • Saturn is the final classic planet in our solar system. As a symbol, it represents physical and moral maturity, embodying an individual’s pinnacle of independence and rationality. In astrology, the planet is associated with the skin and bones within the human body, as these structures provide definition and support to the physical form.

[1] Monism is a philosophical concept that posits a unitary conception of the world, explained through the interplay between perception and concept or as a union between thinking observation, and the multiplicity of the perceived. It proposes that thinking is the bridge that connects perception and concept, thereby bringing coherence to various perceived fragments. Perception constitutes the objective aspect of reality, while concept represents the subjective development of this reality. Thinking serves as the conceptual link that unites these two aspects and reveals the natural and ideal connections between things according to the perceptive organisation of a specific individual. Through this process of conceptual apposition, reality is completed, and the subject and object of perception come together in a unitary reality.