Planetary Consciousness

The planetary bodies of our solar system form pairs that symbolize our consciousness in the four domains of human existence: 1) Individual Development: Sun and Moon, 2) Personal Relations: Venus and Mars, 3) Group Involvement: Jupiter and Saturn, and 4) Universal Attunement: Uranus and Neptune.

Each planetary pair expresses the polarity between outward expansion (yang) and inward unification (yin) within their field of influence. The equality and balance of each pair explains why both planets have approximately the same size (Sun and Moon have the same apparent size).

The inner planets represents the personal aspects of our consciousness:

1. Individuality: The Sun (yang) and Moon (yin) represent the polarity between seeking growth, through new experiences, and security, through family and home. They show how we develop our personalities and form emotional stability in childhood, and together, depict our subjective experience of being. The Sun lights our path, showing our identity and sense of purpose. It represents the father figure who inspires our life goals. The Moon warms our soul, showing our emotional needs and attachments. It represents the mother figure who secures us and nurtures our development.

2. Relations: Venus (yin) and Mars (yang) represent the polarity between femininity and masculinity in personal relations. They show how we relate to and separate from each other, and together, depict our potency in youth. Venus shows how we enjoy our senses, connect and share with others. It represents the lover who inspires romance and creativity. Mars shows our physical aptitude, how we compete with and differentiate from others. It represents the warrior with great ambition and sexual potency.

(Mercury does not partake in polarities since it represents the neutral intellect.)

The outer planets represent the impersonal, collective aspects of our consciousness:

3. Groups: Jupiter (yang) and Saturn (yin) represent the polarity between independence and conformity to group values and beliefs. They show how we take part in shaping our cultural environment and depict our experience of adulthood. Jupiter shows how we grow intellectually, expand awareness, and share knowledge. It represents the wise teacher who provides meaningful insights. Saturn shows how we assume responsibilities, accept our karma, and mature. It represents the authority figure who leads group decision making.

4. Universal: Neptune (yin) and Uranus (yang) represent the polarity between dreaming into and awakening from collective illusions of reality. They show we how we relate to our Universal Self, which, like these two planets, is not visible to the naked eye. Together, they depict our experience of spiritual awakening, which peaks in old age. Neptune shows how deeply we fall into the mass illusions of creation, and represents the mystic dreamer who becomes a figure of its own imagination. Uranus shows how we awaken to true life as our one divine Self, and represents the illuminated mind with intuitive awareness.

(Pluto represents the shadow aspect of the subconscious mind, which is out of our awareness, yet powerful. For this reason, it is furthest from the Sun (ego), even rejected as a non-planet.)

*The personal yang planets, Sun and Mars, represent the fire element. The impersonal yang planets, Jupiter and Uranus, represent the air element.

The subjective yin planets, Moon and Neptune, represent the water element. The objective yin planets, Venus and Saturn, represent the earth element.