Sun
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Astronomy
The Sun is the star at the centre of our solar system. It has a diameter of 1392 million km and its average distance from the Earth is 149 597 870 km. Against the backdrop of the 360 degree circle of the zodiac it has a diameter of around 32 degrees of arc, or half a degree (Moon). It's average diurnal movement is 59.1 minutes of arc.
The Sun is a ball of glowing gas and is the source of the Earth's light and warmth. The Earth and the other planets are held in their orbits by its gravitational pull.
Neither the Sun nor the Moon can move retrograde - from the Earth's perspective.
Mythology
The Sun was the highest god in many patriarchal civilisations such as Egypt, Babylon, Persia, and the Mayan people. In Greek mythology two gods embodied the solar principle: Helios and Apollo, the twin brothers of the Moon goddess Artemis. Every day Helios left his palace in the East and drove a chariot across the sky drawn by four fiery steeds to another palace in the West. His journey was heralded by Eos, the dawn. He was able to see and hear everything and was therefore a witness at oaths. One morning, Phaeton, one of Helios' numerous sons, climbed into his chariot wishing to emulate his father but he climbed to high and crashed down to Earth.
The Greeks held Apollo (also known as Phoibus or the luminous one) in far higher esteem than his brother. Apollo was the god of arts (above all of music), the healing arts, prophesy and archery. Apollo was the son of Zeus, king of the gods and the female titan Leto. He was fed nectar and ambrosia as a child, a divine form of nourishment which imparted eternal youth and beauty. His most important achievements were the creation of the Oracle of Delphi, the place at which he had killed the clairvoyant snake Python. He also played the lute and the lyre - he received the latter from his half- brother Hermes (Mercury).
Despite his beauty and artistic talents, the young men and women he desired preferred to avoid him - a fact which symbolises the idea that when the Sun is able to radiate in all its glory it is too much for mortals to bear who must protect themselves from its dazzling light. Apollo was also the advocate of patriarchal structures and was especially active when called upon to support masculine structures.
His oracle in Delphi had the maxim: "Know thyself, so that you may know God!". This is a fitting description of the challenge the Sun in the horoscope symbolises.
Physical
Both the heart (the body's central organ) and the circulatory system which distributes blood to the body's other organs are associated with the Sun.
Interpretation
The Sun is the symbol for the life force itself. In the horoscope it symbolises the central aspect of the personality. It is one of the central tasks in life to develop the innate potential represented by the Sun by sign and house position. It stands for an individual's basic identity. This might help explain why virtually all the astrological newspaper columns only mention the so-called star sign - the sign of the zodiac in which the Sun is placed - and ignores all others (Popular Astrology). The Sun does indeed have special significance in the horoscope, although it would be a mistake to use it as the basis for all interpretation.
The Moon is no less important than the Sun, although they have different qualities. The Sun symbolises an energy which plays an active and creative role in our world whereas the Moon is receptive and assimilates this energy.
Astrology uses the term "planet" to describe both the Moon and the Sun.
The Sun also stands for the will and the spirit, the principle that actively wants to create. It is the conductor in the orchestra of planets and has an integrating function. A small child is not yet in a position to tap into the full energy of the Sun, and the development and process of active integration usually begins from about the age of seven.
The Sun's house and sign positions describe how and where an individual will feel and develop this energy. Any planets or axes the Sun aspects will be integrated into this area of life.
Any transits by the Sun last only one or two days and signify a process of increased awareness in the area concerned.
The Sun stands for the fatherly, masculine principle. In a more concrete sense it stands for the actual father or other figures of authority. In a man's horoscope the Sun is part of his masculine identity, together with the planet Mars. Conversely, in a woman's horoscope the Sun and Mars reveal her perception of the masculine principle.
The Sun represents the ruler or leader in a nation's chart.
The Sun is the ruler of the sign of Leo and is exalted in Aries; it is in detriment in Aquarius and in fall in Libra.
