In astrology, the concept of planets differs from their astronomical definition. Before the invention of telescopes, ancient astronomers categorized the night sky into two parts: fixed stars, which remained stationary, and “wandering stars,” or planets, which moved relative to the fixed stars over the course of the year.

Initially, ancient astronomers recognized five visible planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, omitting Earth from the list. However, over time, the definition of planets expanded to include the Sun and Moon, resulting in a total of seven planets in astrology. These celestial bodies were thought to embody the will of the gods and directly influence human affairs.

In contemporary astrology, planets represent fundamental instincts or subconscious impulses, acting as controllers of energy distribution that symbolize diverse aspects of human experience. Their expressions vary across the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve houses of the horoscope. Furthermore, planets form relationships with each other through aspects.

Astrologers hold diverse perspectives on the source of correlations between planetary positions and human characteristics. Some believe that planets directly influence individuals through gravitational or other unknown forces, while others view them as mirrors reflecting universal organizing principles. This viewpoint suggests that the patterns created by the planets in the sky mirror the fluctuations of human impulses, adhering to the principle of “as above, so below.” In Chinese astrology, planets are also linked to fundamental forces of nature.