Slow & Fast Moving Planets & How They Affect Us
Astrology can be understood at many different levels. One important concept to recognise early on is that not every planet moves at the same pace. Some planets move quickly, and their influence may be felt over the course of days and weeks. These planets are said to be fast moving. Other planets move so slowly that astrologers sometimes associate them with generational themes. They are often referred to as slow moving planets.
To ignore either slow-or fast-moving planets creates an incomplete astrological picture. Beginners sometimes look only at where the fast-moving planets are each day without realising that planets operate on different levels. When you first begin to study astrology, you may fall into this pattern yourself. Without realising it, new students will sometimes attribute immediate significance to certain planetary configurations. One way to gain perspective is to remember that short-term events are often influenced by slow-moving planets just as long-term trends are shaped by what is happening with faster planets.
Fast Moving Vs. Slow Moving Planets
On one hand there are the fast-moving planets. These include the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and sometimes the Sun (I’m including the Sun here because it functions like a fast-moving planet in many natal charts, however, it is important to note that by definition the Sun is not technically a planet). All of these planets move so quickly that they are commonly used in calculating daily astrology. The slow-moving planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. These planets spend many years in each sign causing their influence to play out over longer periods of time.
This isn’t astrology specific necessarily, but life plays out on many different levels. We may have a bad day at work, for example, but that doesn’t mean we’re never going to have a good job again. Conversely, if we’re unemployed for several years, it doesn’t mean that we’ll never have a good day at work. The Moon changes signs every two or three days. By comparison Pluto may spend decades in a single sign. Sometimes we need to let both the fast and slow grains of sand run through our fingers to fully appreciate the ebb and flow of life.
The Movement of the Moon
Each month, the Moon cycles through all twelve signs. Currently it takes about twenty-seven and a half days to complete a full circuit through the zodiac. This creates our monthly cycle of signs. When the Moon moves into a new sign it spends about two and a half days there. This frequently changing position is why the Moon represents our emotions, instincts, habits, unconscious reactions, and day-to-day experience. Many astrologers pay close attention to the Moon’s daily placement when offering guidance. One day we may feel motivated to start a new project as the Moon travels through Aries. The next day we might want to communicate with a friend as the Moon moves into Gemini. It’s helpful to remember that because the Moon cycles through all of the signs in about a month we typically don’t spend more than a few days in each sign. What happens when the Moon is in one sign will usually balance out by the end of the month.
The Moon moves fast. One day could spark the beginning of a wonderful relationship, but if the Moon changes signs overnight that doesn’t mean the relationship is cursed. If your Moon is in Cancer today, that doesn’t mean Cancer will define your year. Most astrologers acknowledge the power of the Moon but also understand her transitory nature. So, if you’re feeling emotionally sensitive today, it may just be your Moon.
The Movement of the Moon, Mercury, Venus & Mars
Likewise, Mercury takes about one year to orbit the Sun. That means it changes signs about every seven weeks or so. Mercury rules communication, learning, exchange of ideas, commerce, computers, and reasoning ability. Because Mercury changes signs every seven weeks or so you may notice its symbolism more during periods of Mercury retrograde. When Mercury is retrograde it can’t directly initiate new actions. Therefore, astrology has associated Mercury retrograde with reviewing, reflecting, editing, revising, and rearranging rather than beginning.
When Mercury moves into a new sign, astrologers notice shifts in how people express themselves verbally. Perhaps you suddenly become more efficient in your career when Mercury changes signs. Or maybe your relationships improve as Mercury moves forward. As Venus orbits the Sun it takes approximately one year to complete its journey through the zodiac. Venus rules partnerships, beauty, harmony, pleasure, appreciation, sensual enjoyment, and what we value as individuals.
Together these planets provide context for our daily lives. As the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars move through the zodiac, they create the rhythm of everyday astrology. Because they move so quickly their positions change enough from day-to-day for you to notice astrological trends.
The Movement of Jupiter & Saturn
Jupiter completes one cycle through the zodiac every twelve years. This slow pace creates seasons that are 365 days long. As Jupiter changes signs once every year we may notice shifts in how we grow, learn, philosophise, recognize opportunities, exercise optimism, and travel. Jupiter can’t tell us what will happen tomorrow or even next week. However, Jupiter may provide insight into how we develop over the course of the coming year.
Saturn takes twenty-nine and a half years to complete its orbit through the zodiac. One astrological season under Saturn’s influence lasts approximately seven years and seven months. The lessons of Jupiter develop our conscious awareness of life, but Saturn’s lessons remind us of life’s limitations. Saturn teaches patience, persistence, hard work, structure, boundaries, security, responsibility, delayed gratification, achievement, and maturity.
Saturn Returns
Saturn returns once every twenty-nine and a half years. Most astrologers associate the first Saturn return with age twenty-eight to thirty. The second Saturn return occurs near age fifty-eight or sixty. Saturn returns are often thought of as indicators for personal growth. Many people look at their natal chart during these years to understand how they’ve changed since birth.
The Outer Planets: Uranus, Neptune, Pluto
Uranus is the first of what we typically refer to as outer planets. It takes Uranus about eighty-four years to complete its journey around the Sun. Each season under Uranus lasts approximately seven years. Astrologically Uranus symbolises revolt, rebellion, sudden change, innovation, technology, politics, originality, and awakening. As Uranus changes signs slowly over time we may experience significant life changes that cause us to rethink established patterns. Maybe you begin questioning your religion as Uranus transits your placement. Or perhaps you no longer feel defined by a corporate job.
Neptune takes about one hundred sixty-five years to complete an orbit through the zodiac. Seasons of Neptune are symbolic rather than literal. They relate to spirituality, illusion, compassion, empathy, dreams, mystical teachers, ideals, artistic expression, unconditional love, intuition, and surrender. Neptune asks us to look beyond what we can see with our eyes.
Pluto takes approximately 248 years to complete its orbit through the zodiac. Seasons of Pluto represent lessons that span between twelve and thirty years each. Pluto symbolises transformation, regeneration, lust for life, power, corruption, endings, trauma, death, subconscious fear, and freedom from psychological limitation.
Slow-Moving Planets Reflect Long-Term Cycles
If you’ve been following along so far you might have noticed that planets fall into two general categories. Fast-moving planets and slow-moving planets. Fast-moving planets can represent events that happen within a few days or weeks. Earth rotates on its axis once every twenty-four hours. But just because we experience day and night doesn’t mean we never sleep. Slow-moving planets represent generational cycles and development that occurs over many years, decades, or even longer. Fast and slow planets work together to create astrology’s symphony. Sometimes a fast planet moves against slow planet and challenges us. Other times they may work together and make life seem easy.
Putting it Together
Slow-moving planets encourage us to practice patience. They are reminders that life’s most meaningful changes require time. Fast-moving planets grant us day-to-day variety. They help us remember that even if we have to wait years for our dreams to come true, we still have access to new experiences every day. Your day-to-day experiences are also influenced by slow-moving planets. These longer cycles provide context for your immediate experiences. They create the climate within which you are living. Fast-moving planets are like your weather. They change day-to-day and sometimes week-to-week. Short-term trends in astrology are represented by the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars.
For example, if your Moon is in Cancer, you may enjoy paying extra attention to your emotional needs for the next two or three days. However, if Saturn is in Cancer, you may have a few years to practice patience and learn lessons related to security. Weather can change from season to season, but climate changes slowly.
Planets Symbolise Different Seasons of Life
Just as weather and climate influence our lives at different levels so too do planets. Planets cycle through seasons telling us the story of who we are over multiple timeframes. Fast-moving planets turn in days, weeks, and months. They give shape to our daily lives. Slow planets can’t predict exactly what will happen tomorrow, but they do create the context within which we experience tomorrow.
Everyday astrology shouldn’t ignore slow-moving planets just because they change slowly. Focusing on the position of slow planets alone will cause you to miss what’s happening in front of your eyes. Slow planets act like years on an analog clock. They’re important and useful but you don’t generally look at a clock and expect it to tell you the year. Balance is always important when considering astrology.
The astrological clock runs on both slow and fast moving planets. Your immediate circumstances are influenced by each. Whether you study daily astrology or ignore it altogether, depends on you. For those interested in exploring daily astrology, my book Daily Astrology: Sun Sign Guide includes symbolism for all 360 daily combinations of planets.