The Sun is the largest body in our Solar System and therefore defines the dominant traits of your personality according to the zodiac sign it falls in. Newspaper horoscopes focus on the Sun sign, but it is only one of ten planets that influence your astrology chart. The sun and moon are called planets in order to make conversations easier.

The Sun is your basic life force, vigor, and vitality. It defines why you get out of bed in the morning. The Sun drives you to express your heart’s desire in this life.

The Moon embodies your feelings and emotions. Just as the moon cycles in phases around the earth, so too are your emotions likely to go through phases. If you know the house that your natal moon falls in, you will know what area of your life is likely to go through phases.

The Moon is the ruling planet of the sign Cancer in the fourth house. The moon is associated with the mother, nurturing, family, and your ability to tap into the feelings of others

Mercury is the Ruling Planet of the third house of Gemini and the sixth house of Virgo. It is named after the Roman god Mercury, the god of commerce, travel and thievery. The planet probably received this name because it moves so quickly across the sky.

Mercury is associated with travel, intellect, logic and communication skills. Mercury represents quick trips, short classes, siblings, and transportation.

Venus is the ruling planet of Taurus and Libra. Venus was the Greek goddess of love and beauty, also representing the feminine and fertility.

Because it's the brightest object in the sky except for the Sun and Moon, Venus was known even in prehistoric times.

Venus rules love, relationships, cultural activities, art, luxury items, and beauty. Jewelry generally falls under her rulership. The importance of material possessions is associated with Venus.

Mars is the "ruling planet" of Aries. The month of March is named after Mars. Mars indicates your power, aggressions, and initiative. Its red color is the result of high iron content, causing it to be interpreted by the ancient Babylonians as firey and warlike.

Jupiter is the ruling planet of Sagittarius in the Ninth house. Jupiter represents optimism, generosity, philanthropy, luck, philosophy, and foreign cultures.

Saturn is Capricorn's Ruling Planet, which means it is at its greatest strength when it falls in Capricorn or in the 10th House. Saturn represents your challenges, barriers, and life issues. Many astrologers discuss Saturn with a “you poor thing” look in their eyes. However, Saturn is a great helper. Saturn helps you separate what is real and appropriate in your life from that which is not.

Since this planet is the butt of many jokes, please pronounce it as YOORanis, with the accent on the first syllable.  In Astrology, Uranus represents independence, freedom, invention, innovation, friends, and revolution.

Neptune is the planet that rules Pisces and the 12th House. Neptune governs your creativity, illusions, and spirituality.

To be enlightened, you must first burst through your illusions. Neptune rules intuitive development, filmmaking, musical creativity, and oceanic professions. With Neptune, you go beyond worldly boundaries to merge with the cosmos.

Pluto is the Ruling Planet of Scorpio, meaning that its energy reflects the same type of energy as the Zodiac sign. Pluto is one of the planets that make astrologers shudder because it represents our deepest darkest subconsious, and is considered somewhat malefic.

When an astrologer announces that a planet is turning retrograde, the next sound is usually a loud groan from the audience. In astrology, retrogrades are considered troublesome, similar to an upside-down card in a tarot reading.

A planet turning retrograde is an optical illusion that the planet is moving backwards. Because all the planets orbit at different rates, when they pass each other, it looks as though the planet is moving backwards across the sky. If you've ever been on a train when a faster train passes you going in the same direction, and you momentarily feel like you are moving backwards, you've experienced retrograde. This dizzying effect can happen for anywhere from a few weeks to a few decades!

About four times a year, Mercury, the planet associated with communication, electronics, and travel, goes into retrograde for about three weeks!

The effect of retrograde planets either natally or transiting through your chart can be explained using words that begin with the letters "RE." REassess, REview, REvise, REvamp! A retrograde planet is actually an opportunity to enhance an aspect of your life based upon the nature of the planet and zodiac sign involved.

When a planet is retrograde in your natal chart, you need to put extra attention on that planet. When it is retrograde by transit (the current annual movements of the planets), everyone is looking at that area in their life.

One of the easiest ways to prove that astrology works is to follow Mercury retrograde cycles during the current calendar year. This three-week period of time occurs about three times each year (check an astrology calendar for dates). Mercury represents ideas, logic, transportation, and communications. Mental clarity and improved communications is often required during Mercury retrograde. Tend to car repairs, back up your computer, or do behind-the-scenes planning during Mercury retrograde. People who take life too seriously tend to go into high-anxiety during this cycle. Mercury retrograde periods are a great time to go inside, since nothing outside will be working.

The main thing to remember about retrograde planets is that they are helping you to express their energy in a better way. When you try to exert heavy-handed control of their energy, they often challenge you what can lovingly be called a "growth opportunity." Relax and practice allowing the energy of natal or transiting retrograde planets to flow in a natural way. Retrograde planets help you to go within to introspectively get in tune with the natural flow of the Universe.