Are you curious about the planets and their positions in the sky? Do you want to explore how they affect your life and personality? Look no further! This article will provide you with an astrological view of the planets today, right now.
Mobile App View
If you're viewing this page on a mobile device, we have a lightweight app designed specifically for you. It shows you the positions of the planets today and 30 days into the past and future. However, if you prefer a more feature-rich experience, you can switch to our desktop version. Keep in mind that the desktop version requires more CPU power and is better suited for larger screens.
You can also watch our yearly planetary alignment videos to get a visual representation of the planet positions.
Desktop App Version
With our desktop app, you can go back in time and see the positions of the planets at the moment of your birth. Discover which sign each planet was in and whether any were in retrograde. While our positions are accurate, they may not match the second-by-second precision used by astrologers.
Controlling the desktop app is quite simple. The top slider allows you to adjust the flow of time, so you can speed forward or backward. By pressing the yellow button next to the slider, you can experience real-time movement, aligning the planets on the screen with their actual positions in space. To return to the present moment, press the yellow button next to the date and time display. For detailed information on all the app controls, click here.
Geocentric View
Our view presents all the planets arranged around the Earth, giving you a geocentric perspective. This ensures that all planets are shown in their correct zodiac signs.
Retrograde Planets
When planets go into retrograde, they appear to travel backward in the sky. You may notice that planets were on the cusp of retrograde at the time of your birth. In such cases, consulting accurate charts will help determine the exact start of the retrograde phase or any stopped phases.
Astrology Today - What Does It All Mean?
Astrology is a vast subject with numerous layers of interpretation required to understand a person's natal chart, which reveals the position of each planet at their precise birth time. The positions of the planets today, or during significant moments in a person's life, also play a crucial role.
Different schools of astrology use various methods and measurements to make predictions and offer advice. In this article, we will briefly overview Western astrology, providing a glimpse into its workings without delving into contentious areas. For those interested in the Indian system of astrology, also known as Vedic or Hindu astrology, check out our Hindu Astrology page.
If you have roughly half an hour to spare, we highly recommend watching an informative video that explains the concepts and symbolism behind modern Western astrology.
What is a Horoscope?
Contrary to popular belief, a horoscope is not just an astrologer's prediction of the future. It is, in fact, an astrological chart or diagram representing the positions of celestial bodies (such as the Sun, Moon, and planets), astrological aspects, and sensitive angles at the time of a specific event, most commonly a person's birth. The word "horoscope" is derived from the Greek words "hora" and "scopos," meaning "time" and "observer," respectively.
Once calculated, a horoscope serves as a basis for divining various aspects of the event or related events and time periods.
The Signs of the Zodiac
The sky is divided into twelve areas known as the signs of the zodiac. Each sign covers an equal area of the sky and is aligned with specific stars (although this alignment changes over time). The planets, as they orbit the Sun, change position and "wander" through the zodiac. Astrology uses these planetary movements to understand and interpret our personalities, as well as to some extent, influence our destinies.
Each of the twelve signs is associated with one of the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) and one of three modes (cardinal, fixed, and mutable). We will explore these associations in more detail later on.
The Planets and Their Meanings
Each planet, including the Sun and Moon, has a unique influence over different aspects of our lives. In summary, their meanings can be listed as follows:
- Sun: Ego and self
- Moon: Emotion and moods
- Mercury: Communication and thinking
- Venus: Harmony and affections
- Mars: Confidence and energy
- Jupiter: Prosperity and good fortune
- Saturn: Limitations and practicality
- Uranus: Individuality and inventiveness
- Neptune: Idealism and compassion
- Pluto: Transformation and power
The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars are considered personal planets, as they directly affect our personalities and immediate relationships. The more distant planets have a broader influence on how we interact with the world.
When planets enter a retrograde phase, their effects may be reversed or directed inward. When they resume their forward motion, their effects can be enhanced.
Planets and Signs
Each planet rules over one or more signs. When a planet is in a sign it rules, its influence is heightened. Here are the planet-sign rulerships:
- Sun: Leo
- Moon: Cancer
- Mercury: Gemini and Virgo
- Venus: Libra and Taurus
- Mars: Aries (and Scorpio)
- Jupiter: Sagittarius (and Pisces)
- Saturn: Capricorn (and Aquarius)
- Uranus: Aquarius
- Neptune: Pisces
- Pluto: Scorpio
Understanding these planetary influences helps us gain insights into the characteristics of the signs ruled by each planet.
Elements
The signs are also associated with different elements. Every fourth sign belongs to the same element:
- Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
- Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
- Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
- Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Fire signs represent passion, energy, and inspiration. Earth signs reflect practicality, stability, and materialism. Air signs pertain to language, intellect, communication, and social relationships. Water signs embody emotions, mysticism, intuition, and depth.
Generally, the more planets someone has in a particular sign at the time of their birth, the stronger that sign's personality traits will manifest in them.
Modes
Similar to elements, each sign corresponds to a specific mode. Every third sign falls under the same mode:
- Cardinal Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
- Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
- Mutable Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
Cardinal signs are energetic, dynamic, and proactive. Fixed signs are persistent, stable, and determined. Mutable signs are flexible, adaptable, and suggestible.
Again, the more planets one has in a particular mode, the more their personality traits align with that mode.
Working Out the Planets' Influences
Accurately determining one's personality traits requires expertise. However, a simple rule of thumb is to count how many planets fall in each sign at the time of birth. Additionally, tally the number of planets in each element and mode (considering the Sun and Moon as two planets due to their added influence). The higher the count for each element or mode, the greater its influence on an individual.
Understanding the Houses
Just when you thought you were getting a grip on astrology, we introduce the concept of houses. Similar to signs, there are twelve houses that divide the sky. However, the alignment of the houses is determined by the position of the horizon at the time of one's birth. Calculating the houses requires the date, time, and location of birth.
Astrological Houses
By adjusting the settings of the application above, such as the date, time, and latitude/longitude, you can visualize the horizon at any specific time and location. This allows you to determine where the houses lie and which sign overlays each house. As there are twelve signs and twelve houses, each house generally covers parts of two signs. The sign that overlays the cusp of the house is considered the sign associated with that house.
The lines that separate each house are called cusps, and the cusp of a house is the line that precedes it.
What Do the Houses Mean?
The following chart provides an interpretation of each house:
| House | Sign | Latin Motto | Translation | Modern Title of House | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Aries | Vita | Life | House of Self | Physical appearance, traits, and characteristics; first impressions; general outlook on the world; ego; beginnings and initiatives. |
| 2nd | Taurus | Lucrum | Wealth | House of Value | Material and immaterial possessions of certain value; money; belongings, property, acquisitions; cultivation and growth; substance; self-worth. |
| 3rd | Gemini | Fratres | Brothers | House of Communications | Higher education and childhood environment; communication; happiness; intelligence; achievements; siblings; neighborhood matters; short, local travel and transportation. |
| 4th | Cancer | Genitor | Parent | House of Home and Family | Ancestry, heritage, roots; early foundation and environment; mother or mother figure; caretaker of the household; cyclic end of matters. |
| 5th | Leo | Nati | Children | House of Pleasure | Recreational and leisure activities; things that bring enjoyment and entertainment; games and gambling; children; love and sex; creative self-expression. |
| 6th | Virgo | Valetudo | Health | House of Health | Routine tasks and duties; skills or training acquired; jobs and employments; health and overall well-being; service performed for others; caretaking; pets and small domestic animals. |
| 7th | Libra | Uxor | Spouse | House of Partnerships | Close, confidante-like relationships; marriage and business partners; agreements and treaties; diplomatic relations, including open (known) enemies; attraction to admired qualities in a partner. |
| 8th | Scorpio | Mors | Death | House of Reincarnation | Cycles of deaths and rebirth; sexual and deeply committed relationships; joint funds and finances; other people's resources; occult, psychic, and taboo matters; regeneration; self-transformation. |
| 9th | Sagittarius | Iter | Journeys | House of Philosophy | Foreign travel and countries; culture; long-distance travels and journeys; religion; law and ethics; higher education; knowledge; experience through expansion. |
| 10th | Capricorn | Regnum | Kingdom | House of Social Status | Ambitions; motivations; career; status in society; government; authority; father or father figure; breadwinner of the household; public appearance/impression at large (audience). |
| 11th | Aquarius | Benefacta | Friendship | House of Friendships | Friends and acquaintances with like-minded attitudes; groups, clubs, and societies; higher associations; benefits and fortunes from career; hopes and wishes. |
| 12th | Pisces | Carcer | Prison | House of Self-Undoing | Mysticism; places of seclusion like hospitals, prisons, and institutions, including self-imposed imprisonments; matters unbeknownst to self yet apparent to others; elusive, clandestine, or secretive matters; retreat, reflection, and self-sacrifice; unconscious/subconscious; unknown enemies. |
Many modern astrologers believe that each sign has a natural affinity with its corresponding house. In other words, the first house aligns with Aries, the second with Taurus, and so on.
And There's More...
The houses can also be classified as Angular, Succedent, and Cadent, and they are ruled by signs according to the astrological modality. As you delve deeper into astrology, you'll discover many more aspects that can both confuse and captivate you.
As you can see, astrology is a rich and complex field of study. This article only scratches the surface of a subject that spans volumes of books. Various astrology systems and discrepancies between astrologers can add to the confusion. Some astrologers even incorporate astronomical objects that are invisible to the naked eye, while others prefer to align the zodiac with the nighttime sky as observed by astrologers hundreds or thousands of years ago.
In the end, choosing an astrologer and astrology style that resonates with you is crucial. Whether you seek personal insights or guidance for the future, astrology can offer you a unique perspective on yourself and the world around you.
