An excerpt from Painless Astrology by Rev. Paul Beyerl
Your natal chart is like a world filled with natural resources. These resources are waiting to be tapped and utilized, some as fuel, others as the stuff through which we take our dreams and goals to bring them into the manifestation of our highest ideals. These resources provide us with our utility systems. The planets are the sources of energy both literally for the solar system (including the Sun and our Moon) and also within our lives. Not only do we have radiant solar energy and the lunar light as energy, but there are other forms of energy as well: radio waves, various types of other radiant waves and the patterns of the diverse gravities.
The Sun: Being Yourself: The symbol for the Sun shows us the process by which you manifest your sense of self. Take your chart in your hand and locate the Sun. That house in your chart where the Sun is found will show that area of your life within which you are most likely to bring forth that part of your identity often called your human nature. The zodiacal sign is that aspect of personality which functions through your consciousness and which is manifested as you draw upon your inner self, bringing it forth for the world to see. It is for this reason your 'sun sign' may be so easy to identify by personality traits.
The Moon: The position of the Moon in your natal chart indicates one of your most vulnerable areas, where sensitive feelings are most likely to be stimulated either for ecstasy or for pain. Those areas of your life designated by the house in which the Moon is found may show you just what, in life, you care about the most. The sign of the zodiac in which the Moon appeared at your birth will describe your emotional personality. Although the word "emotion" is also associated with the planet Venus, the Moon is used to interpret the internal emotions. Venus responds with emotion to external things, such as beauty or chocolate.
Mercury: Mercury has a "voice" of its own and, within many natal charts, is busy carrying on a conversation seemingly all by itself. This is one of the more prominent of your internal voices. Mercury is your 'thinking' voice. The personality of this voice is shown by the sign of the zodiac Mercury was in at your birth. Sometimes Mercury might function as the ÔmoderatorÕ for The Committee. At other times it could be thought of as a telecommunications network amongst the entire Committee.
Venus: Venus indicates our own potential for storms created when personality (the circle) is displeased or left feeling unfulfilled by life around it (the cross). A study of Venus in your natal chart will give you much information about the type of emotional gratification you seek from the world around you. The emotions which may preoccupy Venus are stimulated by things external to the self. The symbol for this planet represents what we desire from our environment and community to meet the needs of our ego. The energy of Venus may, at times, be emotional but these emotions are different from those of the Moon. The emotional responses of Venus are more connected with the ego and the material aspects of life rather than the deep wells of the lunar subconscious. The functions of Venus center around your ability to take pleasure in life, to find joy in being alive.
Mars: Mars shows you how to draw upon your energies and project them out into manifestation. It represents the utility which brings inner desires and dreams into reality. Your natal Mars indicates what one must do in order to bring manifestation into the physical world, to bring itself into existence, metaphorically speaking. Mars also shows the manner through which you project your energy outward through physical action and activity. Locate Mars in your chart. Your natal Mars contains information about your physical expression, your coordination and physical grace. The house position indicates the areas of your life in which you are more likely to direct this creative process.
Jupiter: Your natal Jupiter indicates your ability to see myriad opportunities as life passes by. Jupiter also indicates your ability to make use of opportunities. Jupiter turns upon its axis as fast as a merry-go-round, one "day" being a quick matter of nine earth-hours. Although many people believe opportunity slips past them, if one keeps all levels of perception in balance, the brass ring will be the prize. Astrologers study Jupiter to learn about one's ability to generate income and resources.
Saturn: Saturn represents your emotional strength and your ability to cope. The study of your natal Saturn shows how well equipped you are to deal with the hard lessons of reality. Nearly all of life's harsh and painful lessons are represented by Saturn. Someone who is in control of this utility has embraced the virtues of responsibility, reliability, discipline. They have learned to seek growth through careful pruning. The study of this planetary position teaches you whether you are learning what it takes to become emotionally strong, to be able to support physical reality. If you are carrying a heavy emotional load, life will seem a cross difficult to bear. In working with the energy of Saturn, we must consider the celestial planet.
Uranus: The position of Uranus in your natal chart shows the importance of 'bearing life' with an ever-present joy or, at the least, serenity. Yet in order for one's sense of natural divination to flow freely, a sense of comfort, of being happy with who you are, is essential. Only then can you extend your inner consciousness out into your surroundings and draw upon it, increasing your ability for knowing just what to do and when to do it. We might look at this symbol as representing your ego with its 'antenna' raised and activated, extending its curiosity out to embrace the world and the Universe.
Neptune: Over thirty years ago I worked one season for a summer repertory theatre. One of the actresses introduced me to a delightful word: druthers. She would ask us about our druthers. A "druther" is a contraction for "I'd rather" and a response would typically, be "I druther be..." The word druther is suitable for the daydreaming pleasures of Neptune. In this sense, Neptune is a higher octave of Venus. Whereas Venus indicates our ability to take pleasure from the sensate world, Neptune will provide information about the pleasures found in your fantasies, in your daydreams.
Pluto: Pluto represents the deepest image of yourself. In many ways, this is the self of our dreams in tandem with the dreams shared by a generation. Pluto also indicates your ability to make long-term changes in your own evolution. Pluto provides information regarding your relationship to your cultural surroundings. These are slowmoving changes, frequently only perceived by the native when one looks back upon recent years, amazed at how much change has taken place, change which is visible only in retrospect.