Planets in their Joy
Planetary Joys
In the Hellenistic Tradition, the planetary joy scheme shows the houses in which each traditional planet is said to rejoice (The Hellenistic Tradition only uses the 7 planets visible to the naked-eye, also called traditional planets).
According to Demetra George’s Ancient Astrology Volume II, a planet in its joy improves both the planet and the house topics in a chart. Demetra also discusses that the house in which a planet has its joy provides context to the house topics themselves.
The houses in which each planet has its joy are listed below.
Sun - 9 H
Moon - 3H
Mercury - 1H
Venus - 5H
Mars - 6H
Jupiter - 11H
Saturn - 12H
Creating a character
You can think of these characters as characters that you can tap into in yourself, characters in your life, or just a way of using personifying language to paint a picture. If you have any of these placements I’d love to hear if these characters ring true to you, and if you don’t have these placements I think it is still possible to lean into these characters as an exploration of the planet and house, and think about how they could show up in transits. For context I have the moon and mars both in their joy in the whole sign house system.
The Sun rejoicing in the 9H
A traveler following the lead of their open heart. Searching for the universal source of life through appreciation and education in all kinds of cultural traditions and religions. Call it God, call it consciousness, call it whatever you want. This traveler knows that the strength and vitality that they are seeking is within them. They know that what they share back is also a part of their story. Trust in your own energy, and in your position, that in moving through the world with an open heart leadership you will find.
The Moon rejoicing in the 3H
The person you should ask for directions. When I traveled to Accra, Ghana for a semester in college one of the first things we were told in orientation was: if you find yourself in an uncomfortable place and don’t know what to do, ask a woman at a fruit stand. And, through experience I can tell you that it worked. The moon in the 3H is that woman. She knows more than she is letting on, because she doesn’t really need to let on. She exists with wisdom and patience, with skill and craft. She nourishes the community with juicy fruits, and she hears and she sees it all. She holds it with grace and will help you when you are lost, if only you ask.
Mercury rejoicing in the 1H
A person living their life in real time. They are not afraid to make choices, or even to make mistakes. They are constantly learning. Uniting differentiated ideas and incorporating. They will accept responsibility for their actions, and then take new ones. They don’t care what other people think. If circumstances change they will adapt, if circumstances don’t change they may still adapt because, boring. An author of the self-help doctrine that if you don’t like the way your life is going, then change it. They take the time to consult with themselves, but not with the intention to be critical, they do it to verify that they are still in self-alignment.
Venus rejoicing in the 5H
The one dancing like nobody's watching, the artist whose show is felt as a full body experience. They are in touch with the creative energy of the universe and it is coursing through them. It is not put on, they are not performing for anyone but you can’t take your eyes away because it is pure beauty and pleasure. They know that the purity of joy and abundance is within them but they do not own it, it is within us all. The true meaning of abundance is shared. They are riding the wave of creation and in so doing are inviting you to join them and do the same. Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, it is shared and passed back and forth all the time. Join in the magic if you take some, give some - love is meant for us all.
Mars rejoicing in the 6H
Your most trusted General. You trust them to cover your blind spot where illness and injury threaten your physical body. They will go to war for you, cut the things out that threaten you. They are in service to your life path. Not without destruction and transformation, they are a malefic after all even if in their joy. As a General, a fearless leader with the power to seek order they may do some harsh shit sometimes but in service, or at least they say. Stay in touch with this general and hopefully they’ll warn you before they go rogue or at least help you find the path in the aftermath.
Jupiter rejoicing in the 11th
Someone you admire because they know themselves so deeply. They are authentic and confident in themselves because they have traversed their own inner world. It is clear that they aren’t all “love and light”, there is depth to them that only comes from riding the wheel of fortune through life; seeing and experiencing the ups and downs and finding their authentic expression. They have found a path of faith; in themselves. People want to be in their presence because they are full of spirit, but also because they are sovereign. You relate to their visions deeply, and they are happy to share their spirit with you. They form alliances and friendships knowing that each person brings their own gifts, they have tapped into their own and encourage you to do the same.
Saturn rejoicing in the 12H
A wise counselor, an elder. They’ve seen a lot of things; been to the end of the world and back. They may sometimes seem crotchety, but you know well enough to respect their experience. They know about suffering and the age-old institutions that have existed for hundreds or thousands of years, they are tapped into the collective unconscious that contains both the best and worst of living things. And, like General Mars in the 6H, this wise counselor may help protect your blind spot from hidden enemies. But alas, they are still a malefic even in their joy. They may “protect” you in ways that tempt you to accuse them of being a hidden enemy - better not. On your knees in prayer surrendering to self-undoing, you will find counsel and a deep wisdom of your own.
My Sources:
On the planetary significations:
Demetra George, Ancient Astrology In Theory and Practice Volume I. Table 3, pg. 51-52. Significations given originally by Vettius Valens.
On the house significations:
Kirah Tabourn of The Strology Show, Free PDF Guide to The Houses. Download here. Also listen to Kirah’s podcast :)
@kelseyrosetort on Instagram. Once upon a time they posted a house graphic that is fabulous. IDK how to direct to to it but follow them for some knowledge :)
The Astrology Podcast, Significations of the 12 Houses Part 1 and Part II. I took a screenshot of one of the diagrams that they shared and I keep it in my astrology sources album. Listen to both whole podcasts because we love to learn! And also save the good stuff that you can always go back to.
