From our earth-bound perspective, the Sun appears to revolve around the earth once every 12 months, moving through the 12 signs of the zodiac in its annual journey across the sky. The sign that the Sun was transiting at the instant of your birth is called your Sun sign.

The Sun is the most important planet in your horoscope. (In astrology, the Sun and Moon are referred to as planets). It has a profound influence on you, shaping your character, personality, and goals in life. It is not, however, the only influence on you--the other planets influence you too! Thus, knowing your Sun sign provides you with a rough sketch of your character and personality; knowing the positions of the other planets provides you with a detailed portrait.

Providing the energy which sustains life on earth, the Sun's radiative energy is remarkably constant, varying by less than a few tenths of a percent over several days. The Sun is primarily composed of hydrogen (71%) and helium (27%). At the extremely hot center of the Sun (16 million degrees Kelvin), hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium, emitting gamma radiation in the process. The energy produced is equivalent to 100 billion 1 megaton hydrogen bombs exploding every second.

The Sun is approximately 93 million miles from earth and has a surface temperature of 5800 degrees Kelvin. Its radius is 432,500 miles. Light (energy) from the Sun takes a little over 8 minutes to reach the earth.

Sun worship is nearly ubiquitous in the religions of the ancient world. This is understandable since its daily appearance brought warmth and light into the world, driving away the cold, dark night sky. The Sun made the crops grow in the fields; in essence, it brought life.

In Greek mythology, Helios was the god of the Sun, riding his golden chariot across the heavens each day, bringing light to the world. At sunset, he sank into the western ocean, from which he was carried in a golden cup to his palace in the east. A giant statue of Helios at Rhodes (the Colossus of Rhodes) is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Helios is often associated with Apollo, the later Roman god of the sun.

Symbolized by  dot within a circle is the potential of the human spirit or consciousness within the universe.  It is also the magician or self~aware individual following any spiritual path who is symbolically the centre of his/her own magical universe, just as the Sun is the spiritual and material centre of our Solar System.

The Sun represents both the pure essence of the life force and the higher self which is exalted in true magic.  Once you take your first steps on the magickal path you take on a great responsibility because your actions could have an effect on others.

It can also be a lonely path for it is the way of the individual who must start apart from his fellows.  Those around you will not understand the new path you are walking and if you are wise you will keep silent about your activities while in their company.

Increasingly, you will br thrown back on your own resources and it will take a great deal of  perserverance to pursue your chosen goal under these circumstances.  The invocation of the Solar planetary influence can help because it provides will power, energy and self~confidence.