Zoe Hind | Astrologer | London
Astrology & Tarot Readings and Courses

Sun -  149.6 million kilometers from the Earth, the mighty Sun is made up largely of hydrogen and helium and makes up 99% of all the mass in the Solar system. As we enter into an active 11 year cycle, solar flares emitted from this central star collide with the electro-magnetic field of Earth and reduce its density. On the one hand this can cause satellite failure effecting our technical communications, on the other, our intuition and telepathic communication is strengthened.

The Sun rules the sign of Leo
Centre stage and radiating with the warmth of the Mid Summer Sun, Creative, Dramatic, the Royal Lion owns all he surveys.

The Sun sign in Astrology shows us our outer active energy, where we shine our talents and radiate our core energy.

The Sun takes one month to travel through each Sign. On the day the Sun returns to where it was in the Zodiac (Wheel of Life) when we were born, we celebrate our Solar return or birthday hence the term, Many Happy Returns.

Moon - 384.4 thousand kilometers from the Earth and originally part of the Earth, the Moon formed after a collision on early Earth and therefore is made of the same substances. The Moon only reflects 7% of the light that falls on it and only the near side is visible. Much speculation abounds.

Its gravitational pull on our planetary and bodily tides, reminds us on a daily and monthly basis that 'up there' and 'down here' are inseparable. As above, so below.

The Moon rules the sign of Cancer

Waxing and waning are Cancerian traits. Cautious, emotional and full of creative inspiration, Cancer the Crab nurtures and grows with watery protection.

The Moon sign in Astrology reflects our inner receptive energy. This is the realm of the emotions and creative flow.

The Moon passes through each sign of the Zodiac in a month spending 2.5 days in each sign. When the moon is in the same sign as the Moon sign in our birth chart, we feel 'at home'. Full Moons and New Moons in our own Moon sign are very powerful.


Mercury - 57.9 million kilometers from the Sun, Mercury is the smallest major planet in the Solar System, only slightly bigger than the Moon. It is said to have a metal core and be the densest of the planets.

Mercury rules the signs of Gemini and Virgo

Mercury is the Messenger of the Gods. Ruling over our inspiration, communication, wit, intelligence and quick movement are the realms of Gemini and Virgo.

There is also a healing aspect with the double serpent Caduceus symbol associated with this planet. The changeable nature of the element Mercury or quicksilver moves effortlessly from solid to liquid form.

Mercury takes approximately 3 weeks to travel through each sign.

Three times a year Mercury goes into retrograde motion. This means it seems to go backwards from our vantage point on Earth. Many of us feel this change with hiccups in all that Mercury rules - transport, communication technology, words, thoughts and daily plans.

Venus - 108.2 Million Kilometers from the Sun, Venus has a mountainous terrain with sign of ancient volcanic activity. Venus is about the same size as Earth with surface pressures over 90 times higher. Venus spins clockwise and is also almost perfectly spherical unlike most other planets.

Venus rules the sign of Taurus and Libra

Money and Love are the main areas in focus. Taurus has an earthly pleasure remit, sensuality, food, music and finance whereas airy Libra takes a more poetic and peace loving view of the arts and relationships.

Venus takes approximately 4 weeks to travel through each sign and, when visible, is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon.

Venus's passage through the skies takes 8 years to complete a perfect 5 pointed star. In 2012 Venus will pass between the Sun and the Earth as part of the cosmic countdown.


Mars - 227.9 million kilometers from the Sun, Mars is rich in iron oxide which gives it a red hue. Roughly half the diameter of Earth, Mars is said to be covered in dunes of fine sand with possible evidence of past water reserves, permanent polar ice caps and volcanic activity (the largest volcano in the Solar System) causing lava flow scarring on the surface. Mars has 2 moons - Phobos and Deimos.

Mars rules the signs Aries and Scorpio

Mars was the God of War known for his elegance in combat hence the rhyme Tuesday's (Mardi = Mars day) child is full of grace. When ruling Aries this brings a assertive, active and dynamic energy to the sign. When ruling Scorpio we feel a deeper passion and power rising with the purging fires of renewal reminiscent of the Phoenix.

Mars takes approximately 6 weeks to travel through each sign and 2 years to make a complete circuit of the Zodiac. When Mars returns to where it was in our birth chart we begin a new 2 year energetic cycle.

Jupiter - 778.3 million kilometers from the Sun, Jupiter is by far the largest planet in the Solar System. 1000 times bigger than Earth, our blue green homeland could fit twice into Jupiter's famous red spot. Jupiter is called a gas giant because it has no solid surface, being mainly composed of hydrogen and helium. It is believed to have a liquid metallic hydrogen core that generates the planet's intense magnetic field. Jupiter has 4 moons - Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Jupiter rules the signs Sagittarius and Pisces

The sheer expanse and powerful field of Jupiter are reflected well in the sign of Sagittarius. Travel and education come under this rulership - anything that expands the mind. Pisces takes things further and pushes the boundaries past our physical senses and into the etheric realms.

Jupiter takes approximately one year to travel through each sign and 12 years to complete a zodiac cycle. This mighty planet is said to remove obstacles from our lives just as it catches debris from the Asteriod belt that could impact earth and jettisons it into outer space with its massive gravitational field. Optimism, abundance, wisdom and luck are its domain.


Saturn - 1.43 billion kilometers from the Sun. Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings of rock and ice particles. There are 7 main rings. Saturn is the second largest planet in the Solar System (after Jupiter) and has 25 satellites the largest being the moon Titan.

Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius

Named after the gods of time and agriculture, there is a hard working association with Capricorn. Concentration and restriction, tenacity and productivity are all attributes of this sign. Capricorn takes on Saturn's mature quality with patience and prudence.

Aquarius takes a different view. Bridging the gap between Saturn and Uranus, Aquarius has one foot in the old and the other in the new and is here to bridge the gap between established and futuristic thinking.

Saturn takes approximately 2.5 years to travel through each zodiac sign and 29 years to make a complete trip. Every 7 years Saturn will make a challenging aspect in our charts and ask us to assess and take responsibility for our actions so far. Every 29 years, when Saturn returns to where it was in our birth chart, the Saturn return phase is renowned in Astrology as a time of upheaval and restructure, in order that we build on solid foundations.

Uranus - 2.87 billion kilometers from the Sun, Uranus lies on its side in an unconventional fashion after an ancient planetary collision knocked it 98 degrees off kilter. A gas and ice giant of cool green-blue colour, Uranus has narrow rings that circle the planet on a north/south access. Like Venus, Uranus spins clockwise and has 5 satellite moons.

Uranus rules the sign Aquarius

The unconventional nature of Uranus is picked up and played with by Aquarians who break with the old and established ways to experiment with genius new solutions. Trail blazing, rebellious and mystical, this sign seeks to understand but not be understood. Astrology and frequency healing are the arts that the Aquarius mind is tuned into for the future good of all. Uranus is the higher octave mind of Mercury.

Uranus takes approximately 7 years to travel through each zodiac sign completing an 84 year total circuit. At the age of 38-42 we experience a Uranus opposition (or mid life crisis) which can turn our world upside down and make us re-evaluate our purpose and direction.

Neptune - 4.5 billion kilometers from the Sun, Neptune has supersonic speed winds racing across the surface. Another of the gas and ice giants, the deep blue colour is reflected light from methane ice particles. Neptune holds a mysterious influence on the orbit of Uranus. There are 11 satellites the largest of which is the moon Triton.

Neptune rules the sign of Pisces

The distant and unreachable qualities of Neptune are reflected clearly in Pisceans. Watery and mysterious they reside at the far reaches of the Solar System and are known for reaching past science and logic into the misty, invisible realms of imagination and spirit.
Neptune is the higher octave heart of Venus where feelings, not facts, rule the waves.

It takes approximately 14 years for Neptune to pass through a sign of the Zodiac adding essence and tone to the beliefs of a generation. With Neptune going back home to Pisces we can attain spiritual alignment and adopt heart based living in the coming decade.


Pluto - 4.6-5.9 billion kilometers from the Sun. Pluto was recently downgraded from planet to dwarf planet status. Half the size of Mercury and two thirds the size of the Moon, Pluto is our­­ shadow side and where we need to change at the deepest level.

Pluto rules the sign of Scorpio

Pluto is the God of the Underworld and Scorpio loves to fearlessly journey deep into the darkest recesses of the mind both singular and collective to discover what is hidden beneath the surface. The goal is to purge, purify and renew. Death and rebirth - the ultimate transformation.

Please note: The images here are computer generated and the technical information given is current scientific speculation. Figures, models and theories regularly change. 

Zoe Hind | Astrologer | London
Astrology and Tarot Readings