Significant insights from an astrological interpretation come from a discussion of the interplay between planets. When two or more planets are at important angles with each other (i.e. aspected), their energies interact in ways that create interesting and significant dynamics. As described earlier, these important angles, which are called aspects include the major aspects – conjunction (0° 
), opposition (180° 
), trine (120° 
), and square (90° 
), as well as numerous minor aspects – sextile (60° 
), semisquare (45° 
, inconjunct (150° 
) , and sesquiquadrate (135° 
). The aspects affect the method of the growth between the planets, but not the desired end state of growth. The paths of growth are just different.
I have discovered that people gain more insight by simply understanding how the energies of the planet combinations can manifest ranging from the unhelpful to the helpful. Telling the client that a particular combination is going to be easy or hard to handle does not, in general, serve them well. In practice, I primarily use the major aspects as they seem to consistently foster insightful dialog.
This basic tutorial only includes combinations of two planets. Developing meaning from combinations of three or more planets is very useful, but beyond the scope of this tutorial.
The descriptions of the combinations of planet pairs below are generic in the sense that, in reality, their energies are also ultimately colored by the zodiac signs and houses in which they reside.
With that being said, here is succinct description of how various two planet combinations can evolve within a person. Note below that I used 
as the symbol for Pluto rather than 
.
Sun Combinations:
Sun – Moon (
) – Growth in the ability to move on a positive path using ones innate instincts and desires in combination with an awareness of one’s basic needs.
Sun – Mercury (
) – Growth in the ability to be a genuine authority as an independent thinker and communicator while still being open to the thoughts and ideas of others.
Sun – Venus ( 
) – Growth in the ability to love and be loved in a way that is respectful of one’s own boundaries and the boundaries of others.
Sun – Mars ( 
) – Growth in the ability to attain accomplishments by taking action in a way that is assertive and uses positive influence skills.
Sun – Jupiter ( 
) – Growth in the ability to inspire with confidence and optimism in the pursuit of far reaching, yet realistic endeavors.
Sun – Saturn ( 
) – Growth in the ability to get results through time, patience, and significant effort in a way that is structured, yet flexible.
Sun – Uranus ( 
) – Growth in the ability to gracefully make changes that are more closely aligned with who you really are while respecting that you are entangled in a system that naturally resists your desired changes.
Sun – Neptune ( 
) – Growth in the ability to transcend the ego and move to deeper forms of spirituality and love by carefully selecting paths that are authentic – and being able to quickly identify and separate from paths that are illusions, false projections, or not respectful of boundaries.
Sun – Pluto ( ) – Growth in the ability to recognize and act on the need for profound transformation through surrender, acceptance, respectful use of power, and support from others.
Moon Combinations:
Moon – Mercury ( ) – Growth in the ability to respect and reconcile instinct and feelings with rational thought – and powerfully communicate from the head and the heart.
Moon – Venus ( ) – Growth in the ability and willingness to be adaptable and connected in a way that results in balance and respect.
Moon – Mars ( ) – Growth in the ability to respond to situations in a way that involves mutual sharing of feelings and ideas before taking action.
Moon – Jupiter ( ) – Growth in the ability to be caring, good-natured, and generous with others as well as with oneself.
Moon – Saturn ( ) – Growth in the ability to be emotionally predictable while also being emotionally open and connected with others.
Moon – Uranus ( ) – Growth in the ability to share idealistic and unusual feelings and instincts with others at times, and gracefully voicing out the need to periodically disconnect emotionally at other times.
Moon – Neptune ( ) – Growth in the ability to be compassionate and empathetic while still maintaining clear boundaries between oneself and others.
Moon – Pluto ( ) – Growth in the ability to dive deeply into emotions and feelings while respecting ones own power and motives.
Mercury Combinations:
Mercury – Venus ( ) – Growth in the ability to be diplomatic, charming, graceful of expression while still being clear about one’s needs.
Mercury – Mars ( ) – Growth in the ability to assertively share ideas with others, communicate with powerful influence, and effectively solicit action.
Mercury – Jupiter ( ) – Growth in the ability to optimistically and confidently think and communicate big ideas, concepts, aspirations, and philosophies in a way that includes the connections leading to practical results.
Mercury – Saturn ( ) – Growth in the ability to become a voice of authority through hard work, achievement of results, flexible control, and awareness of the needs of others.
Mercury – Uranus ( ) – Growth in the ability to think radically and freely in order to create beneficial solutions that work along side or within existing systems.
Mercury – Neptune ( ) – Growth in the ability to conceptualize and practically communicate that which is spiritual, mystical, mysterious, and beyond the grasp of what science can currently explain.
Mercury – Pluto ( ) – Growth in the ability to be a powerful and transformative communicator using positive influence and respectful participation of others.
Venus Combinations:
Venus – Mars ( ) – Growth in the ability to have romantic adventures, immerse oneself in art and music as well as pursue resources to have the finer things in life – and approaching these pursuits with respectful, sincere and genuine intent.
Venus – Jupiter ( ) – Growth in the ability to have positive and expansive energy in relationships while being present to the work it takes to continually maintain and improve relationships.
Venus – Saturn ( ) – Growth in the ability to develop lasting relationship through diligent attention and effort along with an opening up of heart to heart exploration.
Venus – Uranus ( ) – Growth in the ability to continually explore and experiment in relationships with others while consistently staying emotionally present.
Venus – Neptune ( ) – Growth in the ability to have wonderful, romantic, made in heaven relationships by not projecting one’s desires on others and by cautiously selecting partners who have a clear sense of respect for others.
Venus – Pluto ( ) – Growth in the ability to develop deep, intense and transformational relationships by developing a safe space for the relationship to evolve.
Mars Combinations:
Mars – Jupiter () – Growth in the ability to pursue and effectively participate in causes that have bigger life purposes and wide ranging involvement. The effectiveness is attained through assertiveness and positive influence skills as well as a translation of big ideas into concrete results.
Mars – Saturn ( ) – Development of strong ambition and energy which is channelled through a flexible structure that is participatory, efficient and effective.
Mars – Uranus ( ) – Growth in the ability to navigate big changes within oneself and within organizations in a way that is novel and liberating.
Mars – Neptune ( ) – Growth in the ability to act on visions, dreams and ideals in a way that respects one’s own boundaries and the boundaries of others.
Mars – Pluto ( ) – Growth in the ability to guide strong energy and desire in fruitful and productive ways.
Jupiter Combinations:
Jupiter – Saturn ( ) – Growth in the ability to realize big dreams through patience, hard work, and a willingness to be inclusive of the perspective and ideas of others.
Jupiter – Uranus ( ) – Growth in the ability to engage in radical and original pursuits that improve the lives of oneself and others and doing it in a way that will work within or in parallel to existing systems.
Jupiter – Neptune ( ) – Growth in the ability and desire to expand one’s consciousness and connection with higher forms of love, compassion, and altruism.
Jupiter – Pluto ( ) – Growth in the ability to explore the depths of the unseen and the unconscious in order to increase awareness and insight which leads to profound transformation.
Saturn Combinations:
Saturn – Uranus ( ) – Growth in the ability to realize radical change within and in conjunction with existing systems and structures.
Saturn – Neptune ( ) – Growth in the ability to enter the realms of the unseen in pragmatic and methodical ways.
Saturn – Pluto ( ) – Ability to guide and channel tremendous power and intensive efforts to achieve meaningful and positive changes.
Uranus Combinations:
Uranus – Neptune ( ) – Ability to explore the higher meanings of life using original and radical approaches.
Uranus – Pluto ( ) – Growth in the ability to foster radical transformation of existing systems using a grass roots approach.
Neptune Combination:
Neptune – Pluto ( ) – Growth in the ability to effectively transform society and civilization to higher ideals.
Next: Final Thoughts
