By Catherine Carlson

In astrology, the three planets closest to earth—Mercury, Venus, and Mars—are known as the inner planets, or personal planets. These three planets, along with the Earth, are all in the same neighborhood, and affect us personally.

Mercury: Not Just a Lot of Hot Air

First in the lineup is mighty Mercury. The orbit of this firecracker of a planet is nearly as fast as the sun, and in a birth chart will always be in the same sign as the sun or the sign on either side of it. Known as the winged messenger in mythology, Mercury represents communication in all forms. Mercury is all about how we use our voice and express ourselves such as through talking, writing, or even singing. Mercury’s influence has increased as technology has grown. Mercury represents learning as well, so places like schools and colleges are mercurial locations. Mercury is also connected to modes of transportation, short journeys, and siblings. A person’s Mercury placement may present as a lightning-fast mind, great intelligence, or organized thinking. It can also indicate a strong intuition.

Mercury rules the signs of Gemini and Virgo. If you are a Gemini or a Virgo sun sign, or have a lot of planets in these signs, communication is going to be theme in your life. Maybe you learned to talk early or developed an appreciation for the written word. You could have a gift for debate, public speaking, a career in radio, or other media. Gemini’s influence can be very social, highly curious, with a variety of interests and knowledge—a natural librarian. Virgo’s influence is refined and detail oriented. Virgo’s gift is in analyzing and organizing information. These significations can also become activated during Mercury’s normal orbit.

In 2024 Mercury will travel through all 12 signs, beginning and ending in Sagittarius.

Venus: She’s Got It!

“A goddess on a mountain top

Burning like a silver flame

A summit of beauty and love

And Venus was her name.”

I always loved the song “Venus” by Shocking Blue, although I’m partial to the remake by Bananarama. Venus represents beauty and love—the archetypal female and all that goes along with her—just as the lyrics suggest. How Venus shows up in our lives is in what we love, and, of course, who we love. How is this love expressed? Ask yourself: Where do you like to shop? What do you like to do if given abundant time and energy? These tell you the qualities of your personal Venus energy. Do you love to buy books? Or are you first in line for the latest phone or new technology?

Someone with a significant Venus placement may indicate they have been blessed with a beautiful physique, or it can mean they are warm and friendly. Venus can represent the women in our lives and the significance and quality of these relationships. Maybe you are very close to your sister, or have a female best friend that you’ve had since kindergarten. Venus is also aligned with finances and can indicate a positive financial influence. It could present as being very profitable and successful.

The thermodynamics of the surface of Venus lends itself to growth. This is why it is aligned with women and fertility. The energy of Venus is receptive and welcoming and is considered to have a positive and advantageous influence. This means, even in difficult times, Venus is going to have a positive effect.

Venus rules Taurus and Libra. If you have your sun or other planets in either of those signs, you will relate to Venusian qualities, but they can also be activated by Venus transits. Taurus’s influence is going to be grounded with strong values, seeking comfort by being focused on finances and the material world. This sign shows up through Venus as having an appetite for the earthly pleasures of food, wine, and plush surroundings like soft blankets or velvet drapes. Libra’s influence expands on this and seeks comfort through harmony and relationships, always trying to create balance. A person could have a knack for art and design, creating beautiful spaces, or a talent for hair or makeup.

In 2024 Venus will travel through all 12 zodiac signs visiting Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Aquarius twice—once at the beginning of the year and again at the end.

Mars: Seeing Red

Author John Grey wrote his best-selling book series beginning with Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. This title brilliantly conveys the differences and polarity between these two planets, each sitting on different sides of earth. Mars is an equal and opposite energy to Venus.

Named after the Roman god of war, Mars represents the archetypal male energy, and all that energy encompasses, as well as physical energy in general. How Mars shows up in our life is in the quality and quantity of our energy and how it is expressed. What are we passionate about? What gets our blood moving (or even boiling)? It’s this same energy which lends itself to competitionor, in its most extreme state, war. Are you someone that has to have their daily workout? Or are you less assertive and more reserved?

Mars is a hot, dry, desert-like planet, not conducive to growth. Mars is action oriented—this is the same male energy required for conception. The energy of Mars is sharp and represents tools like knives. A surgeon could have a strong Mars influence, or someone could speak with a sharp tongue. Mars is considered to have a malefic influence, meaning difficult or disadvantageous. In the best-case scenario, it’s going to push you; in the worst it may make you angry.

Mars rules the signs of Aries and Scorpio. If you relate to Martian qualities, Mars probably has a strong influence for you natally. The Aries effect of Mars is going to be fiery--like turning on the ignition and going full-speed ahead. Think athletes, crusaders, and those that always like to have an opponent. Mars comes through the sign of Scorpio in a powerful, but less obvious way, behind the scenes. This is the energy of strategy and the long game with energy reserves and resiliency. Mars is an external energy, so it is more visible. You may also feel the energy of transiting Mars as surplus of energy in your body giving you a strong drive and competitive edge. This is always a time to think twice before you act and speak.

In 2024 Mars will journey through Sagittarius, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, and Leo.

Unlike the rest of the planets, the orbits of Mercury, Venus, and Mars cycle around the sun many times in an average lifetime and now you know they are not just “out there,” but are personally connected to each and every one of you.