This is a third in a series of articles in which I try to bring Astrology down to Earth by trying to capture the essence of each planet.
The Sun an Ego planet which represents 'the mind' is part of the threefold personality where the Moon represents the emotional body, Saturn the psychical and now we look at the Sun, the mental body.
The Sun is the heart of this great universe which without its warmth and light nothing could exist on our Earth.
Likewise the Sun represents in us our heart and it needs to shine and be expressed if we are to feel alive and fulfilled.
In psychology it is termed 'Leader of the Orchestra' as it needs to lead by allowing other planets to play their part.
As children we operate from our Moon.
We gradually grow into our Sun in adulthood.
The Process of Development of the Sun This is a natural progression, as children we function from our emotions and instinctual needs, (Moon).
Pretty helpless at this stage we need others to nurture us and some do stay in this dependent state.
It is Saturn that teaches self-reliance.
It is our Sun that gives us our 'Sense of Self.
' By this I mean a conscious awareness that can think for ourselves and be assertive.
To develop insight through the mind is the essence of our Sun.
When we can listen to others and take in all the facts and be able to discriminate an discern, we are developing our own intelligence, we are then operating from our Sun.
Many think that they do this, but in reality they are too influenced by others or by the collective gauge of right or wrong or good or bad.
To assess the situation, to understand the gist of a story and to comprehend, we are then using the mental equipment of the Sun.
Leader of the Orchestra Although the Sun should be the leader, it will depend on how it is placed in your Birth Chart to see what strength it has.
We are not all leaders but we will have the capacity to become more self-aware so that we can take charge and direction for our own life.
The Sun is at its strongest at midday, likewise the Sun is strong when it is placed at the top of the birth chart, in the middle of a sign and making many aspects to other planets.
These could suggest that a person has strong mental body therefore more able to make their presence felt out in the world.
It is at its weakest when placed at the bottom of a chart and often indicates late bloomers or success in later life.
It can shine however, in any house and receive recognition in the area of life that the house represents.
When it has few aspects to other planets in the birth chart it will have difficulty in making its importance and leadership felt.
In this case it is often the Moon or Saturn which is the leading ego planet.
However, we do need to express our Sun and it could be for example it is in the 4th house of home and family and this maybe all you need to feel fulfilled.
We are not all meant to be entrepreneurs, captains of industry or famous personalities, the point being we need to connect with who we are and want to become, and to have our own minds.
Then wherever it is placed or how it is in aspect you are living from your Sun.
The Sun as a Father Archetype The Sun in the Birth Chart can show the Father influence and often describes the Father himself.
Up at the top of the chart the Sun gives a strong male influence in one's life.
Father may have had a strong sense of himself and has been successful in his chosen field.
Alternatively he may have been a bully or too authoritative, whereas Sun at the bottom of the chart may not have that strong self-confidence, but he could have been very supportive and nurturing.
A strong Sun without a Moon to give balance can indicate a tyrant who thinks he is always right.
The Moon gives feeling to the mind which creates understanding and intuition.
Everything starts from the mind as this affects the emotions and the body, therefore having your own mindset will direct all the other planets,hence its leadership qualities.
Developing our mental faculty and coming from our heart is the message of the Sun in our Birth Chart which is crucial for our self-expression, fulfilment and sense of identity.