Working Through Planets and Aspects in the Natal Chart

A person is the master of their own destiny. Those with challenging horoscopes, marked by tense aspects, sometimes achieve even greater heights and success than those with harmonious natal charts, provided the native consciously works through the negative connections between planets and Houses.

The concept of “working through” originated with modern astrologers. It refers to a set of actions, both internal and external, including the use of talisman stones and self-development practices. By choosing the right profession, hobbies, and behavioral patterns, the native can strengthen a weak planet and neutralize an adverse aspect, though this requires substantial effort and dedication.

How Planetary Weakening and Strengthening Occur

The natal chart reveals the karmic framework of life scenarios. Yet, the choice always belongs to the native. Even the strong position of a planet can be ignored, causing the person to operate from its lower qualities. Conversely, a determined and ambitious native may extract the maximum potential from an afflicted point in the horoscope, rising to a brilliant level.

A prime example is Hollywood actor and former U.S. sports minister Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has Mars in the Twelfth House. Bodybuilding, the cultivation of willpower, consistently overcoming obstacles, and facing rivals forged his character. Martian qualities helped him become an iconic figure of his era and a symbol of masculinity.

A weak position of Neptune in the Second House, or afflicted by a square with an opposition, is not a sentence. Those lacking inner strength may choose the lower expressions of the planet—deceit, theft, manipulation of consciousness—yet it is possible to choose the path of honest creativity and earn through filmmaking, photography, or medicine. Without conscious choice, a negative aspect will eventually bring a collision with base instincts—fraud or deception—prompting the native to finally make the right decision.

According to the system of contemporary astrologer Avesalom Podvodny, there are four levels of interaction with negative scenarios in the horoscope:

• The native ignores signs of fate, becomes angry when the worst karmic scenarios manifest, and resents “teachers” instead of changing themselves.
• Proactively tracking recurring events, striving to transform character through discipline, patience, and conscious choices.
• Perceiving obstacles and adversaries as catalysts for growth and inner improvement.
• Consciously working with an astrologer to integrate weak planets and aspects at the level of mindset and external response.

It is important to remember that tense aspects can bestow remarkable talents, motivating the native to pursue goals despite obstacles. Such people become examples of resilience and zest for life to millions, whereas an abundance of trines and sextiles, without the necessary action and inner work, does not guarantee fame or fortune.

Harmonizing Negative Aspects

Squares and oppositions show where the native is inclined to react to events in certain Houses with irritation, anger, destruction, or cruelty. Unfulfilled desires push one forward but can also lead to blind rage against those who hinder their realization. These are fateful events that force the native out of their comfort zone, yet serve as sources of energy for growth when approached correctly. The methods of working through aspects depend on their nature:

Opposition

Leads to an attachment to the qualities of one planet and complete disregard for the other. Sometimes the focus shifts, resulting in mood and behavioral swings. The need to continually make choices that never satisfy all sides can break one’s destiny. However, by integrating the principles of both planets, the native can reach extraordinary heights. For example, Mars and Venus—decisiveness and beauty; Mercury and Uranus—rationality and uniqueness; Venus and Saturn—achieving comfort through precise financial calculation. The problem disappears through concrete, practical action.

Square

Gives confidence in success in theory and harsh disappointment in reality. The native may see themselves as a talented singer or leader but ultimately cannot live up to public or personal expectations. For instance, a square between the Moon and the Sun brings conflict between consciousness and emotions, manifesting as obstacles through events and people. By discovering their true desires—those not imposed by society—and acting on them in practice, the native can transform the square into a source of success. This aspect always brings dissatisfaction with the result, which is resolved by setting and achieving new goals in the spheres ruled by the planets involved.

Conjunction

When activated, one planet energizes the other, which is excellent at a high level of spirituality but destructive if the native is selfish and cruel. The union of Venus and Mars can, in the best case, create an active personality with refined artistic taste and talents, or, in the worst, a sexual predator or secret pervert. The solution lies in cultivating moral qualities, striving for education and personal growth, and consciously expressing the positive attributes of both planets involved in the conjunction.

Working through aspects means gaining new positive experience through the planet, channeling energy into socially beneficial directions, and achieving mastery along that line. Mercury—any education; Venus—a diploma in acting, choreography; Saturn—financial literacy; Mars—sports records, working with metal. It is also crucial to resolve psychological issues created by a weak planet.

How to Work Through Weak Planets

The resources of planets are depleted or blocked not only when afflicted by a hostile neighbor but also by placement in a foreign element or in the Sixth, Eighth, or Twelfth House. Restoring and realizing their full function requires embodying their highest qualities in daily life. To do this, the native must recognize what requires adjustment.

The Sun

Weakened in Libra, in the Eighth and Twelfth House. Indicates insecurity, fears, doubts, lack of individuality and willpower. Energy deficiency and emotional dependence on a partner.

It is necessary to develop courage and initiative, become a leader, take responsibility, and appear in public without a partner’s support. Talismans: ruby, amber, citrine.

Mercury

Weakened in Pisces and Taurus, in the Sixth, Eighth, and Twelfth House.

Speech defects, mental sluggishness, poor memory, introversion, recklessness, frivolity, distractibility, nervousness.

Strengthened by reading, learning new things, public speaking, and communication in large groups. Lucky stones—emerald, peridot.

Jupiter

Weakened in Capricorn, in the Sixth, Eighth, and Twelfth Houses.

Lack of creative energy, joy, faith, sense of purpose, desire to create and earn. Excess weight, bad habits, infertility.

The native should believe in the best, teach others, do good deeds, share money, knowledge, and experience, watch their diet, travel, and broaden their horizons. Talisman—yellow sapphire.

The Moon

Weakened in Scorpio, close to the Sun, and in solitude.

Anxiety, melancholy, pessimism, depression, infertility, and lack of money. Emotional dryness and dependence.

Strengthened by expressing higher love—maternal or fraternal, self-sacrifice, charity, care, healing, and supporting others.

Protective stone—pearl.

Mars

Weakened in Cancer and when combust.

Fear, indecisiveness, inability to withstand aggression, cowardice. Passivity and victim mentality.

Strengthened through sports, initiative, seeing things through to the end, overcoming obstacles, engaging in debates, and performing on stage.

Talisman—red coral, carnelian.

Saturn

Weakened in Aries.

Lack of practicality and punctuality, introversion, inability to make friends or show sympathy, trouble keeping promises. Stress, insomnia, loneliness.

Strengthened through honoring agreements and routines, making action plans, developing a personal code of conduct, perseverance, and impartiality.

Protective stones—blue sapphire, lapis lazuli.

Venus

Weakened in Virgo, in the Sixth and Eighth Houses.

Vulgarity, sexual promiscuity, immoral behavior, inability to love or forgive, poor money management. Aggressiveness and use of profanity.

Harmonized by developing sensuality, artistic taste, manners, and the ability to love—through respect for women, regardless of the native’s own gender. It is necessary to create and share the fruits of creative labor with the world, embodying beauty and warmth.

Stones—diamond, zircon.

If a problematic planet is in the Sixth House, the native should manifest its strongest qualities at work and monitor the health of the organs it symbolizes. Placement in the Eighth House requires transformation of consciousness through partnership, while in the Twelfth House it calls for rethinking higher truths, meditation, and work with a psychologist.

Working Through Outer Planets

Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto lie beyond Saturn, as if in another dimension. They have a disruptive effect on the native’s everyday, habitual life. Symbolically, Uranus is associated with electricity, Neptune with dreams and the subconscious, Pluto with atoms and otherworldly forces.

They break down boundaries and frameworks, create unforeseen situations, and distort consciousness. Integration of these planets is difficult, as ancestral karma is involved. It is much easier if there is a connection with one of the main seven planets, so their energy can be expressed through it. If there are no such aspects, maximal harmonization is possible through healing mental affirmations and meditation.

Uranus

Living in a state of philosophical zen, being present in the “here and now.” The native should express originality and independent thinking in the sphere of the House where Uranus is placed, abandoning borrowed ways of thinking and stereotypes. Development of personal charisma and individuality is encouraged.

Neptune

The most difficult planet to work through. The native must learn to distinguish reality from illusion in the House where Neptune is located. Creative activities in film or theater, taking on different roles on stage or in life (for example, in photoshoots or school plays), and dreamwork are helpful.

Pluto

Letting go of everything unnecessary and outdated: relationships, belongings, place of residence. The House where the Lord of the Underworld is placed requires constant renewal, change, and transformation of consciousness. Otherwise, Pluto will bring shocks through cataclysms and illnesses. The native should avoid groups of radically minded people where their willpower is diminished and they may become involved in events they will later regret.

Symbolic Integration of Planets

Symbolic actions are highly effective for revealing a planet’s qualities. A native with a weak Sun blossoms on a bright, clear day, when the light of the chart’s main star fills all the space around. Before an important meeting, it is helpful to walk in the sunlight, wear yellow clothes, or a talisman of the same color, or jewelry with amber or citrine. A father’s blessing solves many problems.

To strengthen Saturn, one must establish a daily routine and follow it. Many astrologers recommend feeding crows or doing a good deed for a lonely elderly person. It is beneficial to spend time with grandparents on Saturdays.

The Moon is the symbol of the mother, and nothing strengthens it more than heart-to-heart conversations and giving attention to one’s mother.

An afflicted Mars, among other things, is harmonized by wearing red and decorating living spaces with red, gardening, and showing respect to strong men.

The outer planets respond especially well to symbolic actions. It is no coincidence that spending time by the sea, immersing oneself in gentle waves, awakens Neptunian inspiration and relieves psychological tension, while a walk through a night forest, oddly enough, diminishes Plutonian ideas of violence and brings peace and acceptance. ✓