The zodiac signs tend to hog all the attention in modern astrology, but the truth is that the zodiac signs have zero context without the planets.

For example, you are not a Sagittarius because you were born in early December. You’re a Sagittarius because the sun was passing through that sign when you were born. (And yes, for the sake of astrology, we’re calling the sun a planet…)

Each planet represents a various aspect of our personality or life purpose/journey. Where those planets show up in our respective birth chart (ie, which zodiac sign it’s in) determines our characteristics. For example, Mercury is all about our communication style, so someone with Mercury in Pisces is going to have quite a different communication style than someone whose Mercury is in Capricorn, even if they’re both Aquarians. (If you’re wondering how each planet/zodiac combo plays out, I have a guide with more than 2,000 placements!)

Related: this is why not all Mercury Retrogrades are the same. Some happen in Aries, some fall in Libra, and the flavor of the notorious communication mishaps changes. And down here on earth, Venus passing through Taurus is not going to be felt the same way that Mars passing through Taurus is.

The signs are all about vibes, but the planets determine how and when we’re vibing.

Here’s how each planet/point plays out in our birth chart…

Sun

Your glowy inner power source, the part of you that fuels the rest of it.

Moon

Your internal operating system, the way that you’re coded. Especially relevant when you need a nap.

Rising

What the new barista who’s never met you before thinks the second you approach the counter.

Mercury

Your communications department, the part of you that decides how the jumble of stuff in your head makes it out into the world.

Venus

What you consider to be “irresistible” (sometimes it’s just sharing fries).

Mars

How you react when someone cuts you in line at the grocery store.

Jupiter

The area of life where things inflate with opportunity, bringing luck, confidence, and a couple crazy schemes that pay off.

Saturn

Your built-in life coach with a clipboard and a very specific training regimen.

Uranus

Your internal glitch in the matrix. The part of you that suddenly decides the established method feels boring and revolts.

Neptune

Your imagination’s fog machine that casts a dreamy, cinematic lens over certain parts of life.

Pluto

Your personal underworld renovation project. The life area where everything eventually goes through an intense plot twist.

North Node

The uncomfortable thing you keep realizing you need to do to feel like a real adult.

Lilith

The version of you that comes out only when someone says “calm down.”

Chiron

That one joke you still remember from 7th grade because it hurt your feelings a little.

MC

What your LinkedIn profile tries to convince the world you actually are.