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Astrology/Planetary Symbols

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Expert: Zane B Stein - 3/23/2005


Question
The symbols for male and female are the same as for Venus and Mars.  I just noticed that these planets are on either side of Earth.  My question is: how did the symbols for Venus and Mars become the same ones used for female and male?  Also, does Earth's position between Mars and Venus imply some sort of balancing or mediating function between the two (astrologically or mythologically speaking)?
Thanks for your time,
Sean


Answer
Hi, Sean,

Good questions.

Many centuries ago, there were not separate categories...astronomer, astrologer, physicist. There were, however, a small group of learned men who studied all natural sciences.  Some focused more on some fields, some on others....so a person may have spent more time studying medicine, another studying the stars.  But a learned person was interested in all 'sciences.'

The planet Venus was given the same symbol as that for female because it was deduced that Venus was the planet that ruled females.  Mars, likewise, ruled males.  

To show you how intertwined they were...Hippocrates, author of the Hippocratic Oath (which doctors today still swear by), and who is often called the father of modern medicine,
once said: "A physician without a knowledge of astrology has no right to call himself a physician."

And yes, the Earth is the grounding between Venus and Mars.  It is the foundation that both men and women stand on.  It is the center, or pivot, the fulcrum.  

Best wishes,

Zane

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Zane B Stein

Expertise

I WILL BE HAPPY TO answer questions about astrology in general, the meanings of planets, signs, houses, aspects, asteroids, Chiron, etc. I use Western, Tropical Astrology. Please do not ask me questions about Vedic Astrology as I am not an expert on this.

I WILL NOT ANSWER PERSONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR INDIVIDUAL CHART, such as "Will I get rich?" or "Will I get married?", or "Are we compatible?" I do have a private astrological practice, and if you need to ask those type of questions, contact me privately and we`ll discuss a possible astrologer/client relationship. Also, I cannot answer questions about Vedic Astrology, or Chinese Astrology.

Also, astrology is NOT "What is my lucky stone?" or "What is my lucky color?" or "What are my lucky numbers?" Any astrologer who gives you a lucky object, or number, based on your chart, is not a real astrologer, but someone who is giving in to superstition. In order to find out how to enhance your luck, you need to have an astrologer look at your whole chart, and tell you what areas you need to focus upon, how to accent your positives, and work to resolve any problems that exist.

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I've been involved with astrology since 1969, taught classes on several occasions, written a number of articles and one book, and lectured around the USA, in Canada, Great Britain, Scotland and Ireland.

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Welcome To Planet Earth
The Mountain Astrologer
Dell Horoscope
Considerations
others

Please make sure your question is on astrology and not astronomy. I am not an astronomer.

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