Keywords for Astrology Signs, Planets, and Houses

Everyone is an astrologer. That’s what I teach in workshops and in my private sessions.

Across time, cultures, and space, everyone who studies astrology influences it. Across so many fields of astrology, most everyone agrees on the basic meaning, or archetype, of the 12 signs. But at the same time, these archetypes are flexible and can shift depending on the context.

Reading your own birth chart comes down to three components: Planets, Signs, and Houses. When you put them together, it’s a bit like an awkward Mad Libs … and then your intuition kicks in to make meaning of it.

If you are looking to explore one of your own placements more deeply (i.e., the Sun in Libra in the 10th House), you can use my keyword cheat sheet below to break it down to the three components.

And if you haven’t done this yet, I highly recommend doing this exercise for all your planets at some point, and journaling what comes up.

In my study of astrology archetypes, I’ve been most influenced by my astrology teacher Virginia Rosenberg, Aliza Kelly’s Constellation Club resources, and Steven Forrest’s book The Inner Sky. I’ve layered on my own intuition in choosing the keywords below; I highly recommend googling to find other sources of keywords in order to find what resonates with you most.

Astrology Keywords for Planets

• Sun - ego, identity

• Moon - nurturer 

• Rising - worldview, one-line bio

• Mercury - communicator 

• Venus - lover, relator

• Mars - initiator 

• Jupiter - expander, grow

• Saturn - disciplinarian, focus

• Chiron - healer 

• Uranus - liberator, genius

• Neptune - dreamer, imagine

• Pluto - empowerer, transform

• North Node - fate, purpose, destiny

• South Node - repattern

Keywords for Astrology Signs (Identity)

• Aries: Warrior, Leader, Pioneer, Survivor, Daredevil, Athlete, Champion, Hero, Trailblazer

• Taurus: Builder, Gardener, Owner, Artisan, Dancer, Hedonist, Chef, Banker, Provider

• Gemini: Messenger, Shapeshifter, Teacher, Storyteller, Magician, Comedian

• Cancer: Protector, Therapist, Mother, Homemaker, Historian

• Leo: Performer, Noble, Child, Clown, Aristocrat, Entertainer

• Virgo: Healer, Guide, Mentor, Analyst, Priestess, Caretaker, Expert

• Libra: Artist, Lover, Diplomat, Peacemaker, Friend, Host, Lawmaker

• Scorpio: Researcher, Alchemist, Shaman, Investigator, Dominatrix, Psychologist

• Sagittarius: Gypsy, Student, Philosopher, Traveler, Broadcaster

• Capricorn: Manager, Hermit, Wise Elder, Father, Boss, Entrepreneur, Organizer

• Aquarius: Rebel, Inventor, Reformer, Altruist, Humanitarian, Genius, Revolutionary, Prophet

• Pisces: Mystic, Navigator, Visionary Artist, Dreamer, Poet, Psychic

Keywords for Astrology Signs (Motivation)

• Aries - survive

• Gemini - learn  

• Taurus - rest 

• Cancer - feel 

• Leo - be seen 

• Virgo - restore 

• Libra - balance 

• Scorpio - be present, be real 

• Sagittarius - explore 

• Capricorn - integrity 

• Aquarius - be authentic 

• Pisces - transcend 

Keywords for Astrology Houses

1. Identity, physical being, sense of self, presence, perspective, ego

2. Values, material possessions, money, objects, belongings, self-worth

3. Local community, communication, peers, colleagues, classmates, siblings, neighborhood, learning, interest groups

4. Home, family, origin, roots, background, maternal lineage, security

5. Creativity, passion, kids, romance, performance, play, pleasure, sex

6. Health, wellness, daily rituals, exercise, diet, routines, habits, day job

7. Partnerships, contracts, commitments, alliances, unions, approvals, love

8. Intimacy, sexuality, transformation, trauma, implications, inheritance, investments, taboo

9. Travel, philosophy, higher education, opportunity, expansion

10. Reputation, career, legacy, achievement, success, potential, paternal lineage

11. Humanitarianism, technology, social networks, distant relatives, medicine, collective ideology, aspirations

12. Subconscious, mysticism, mental health, secrets, dreams, unseen, release, dissolution