The Sun represents our basic identity, vitality and desire for power, life purpose and the will to exist. It also represents men in general.

The first 5 planets are called inner or personal planets, they affect us  more on a individual level. The outer planets are called generational planets and affect entire generations.

Sun
Rules Leo it describes you ego, vitality, recoup powers after surgery or illness, fire signs recuperate fastest since they don't have time for illness, earth heals average, air sometimes heals itself and water signs recoup the slowest they tend to want sympathy. You take on the insecurities of your sun sign. The Sun also represents male figures in your life and your father specifically, secondary only to the 10th house cusp or midheaven for dad.

Moon
Rules Cancer represents ones emotions, how you deal with things emotionally, if emotions are passionate or detached ,your subconscious, also represents mom and how you were nurtured, how you deal with women in general, the moon can also hold deep secrets, depending on the sign and house placement.

Mercury
Rules Gemini and Virgo and shows how we express verbally, writing falls under mercury, it also shows nervous energy, also rules articulation and our singing voice, our willingness to learn.

Venus
Rules Taurus and Libra and shows the way we love, shows beauty along with the sun/moon/rising, what money and things appeal to use, Venus in Libra would love beautiful expensive things, Venus in Scorpio is passionate, Venus in Virgo is detached, Venus in Capricorn looks for maturity, Venus in Aquarius loves the group or cause. Venus also plays a role in luck.

Mars
Rules Aries, CO-rules Scorpio, it is the planet of aggression, the aspects play a strong part in how mars manifests itself in a chart, mars is recoup powers as well, rules machinery, guns and knives, our desires secondary to Pluto, brings conflict anger and destruction, shows physical ability and agility, courage or lack of it. Mars in the fire signs is far more aggressive and courageous than mars in the earth signs. Mars in Aries is scary, they want you to see it coming and can not wait, Mars in Scorpio will haunt you with it and will will wait for the right time, Mars in Capricorn will plot.

Jupiter
Rules Sagittarius, CO-rules Pisces, it is the planet of luck, expansion, the house placement is where your luck lies, it is the house that will expand the most, the aspects in a chart will play a huge part in delineation. Jupiter rules your capacity for openness, giving and receiving. It is also the planet of higher self.

Saturn
Rules Capricorn, Saturn is a difficult planet for those of you who are not Capricorn, it is the most karmic planet and tells where your responsibilities are by house placement. It represents self denial, restrictions, lessons, Saturn by house placement and aspects tell how we learn lessons the easy or hard way and what lessons have to be learned.

Uranus
Rules Aquarius, Uranus rules independence, the house placement of Uranus tells where you feel the most independent, brings in electricity and lightning, in the 1st house it shows your a very independent person, in the 2nd house, money makes them feel independent, in the 9th house would make longing for far away places, in the 11th you would have independent friends, not needy friends also unique and weird friends . The aspects to the outer planets and the house placements tells you much more than the sign.

Neptune
Rules Pisces so we know it take on somewhat of a Piscean effect, spiritual, psychic, addictions fall under Neptune. Neptune by house placement shows where your illusions are, the aspects tell how you deal with illusions. Neptune rules dreams, psychic energy comes in the form of dreams more than anything. Neptune can also bring in religious fanatics, cults, Neptune in the 9th a spiritual leader of sorts, the aspects would tell how.

Pluto
Rules Scorpio it is the planet of transformation, the house of Pluto is where most of your transformations lie, Pluto is exceptionally important if in an angular house or conj. an angle or aspecting to a luminary. Pluto in the angular houses, or conj. an angle, or aspecting a personal planet is when Pluto effects you the most the aspects will tell you how.