Earthling is the defacto role for all paid club members who have not taken on any other plantary roles during the meeting.
Earth or Gaia is the place where all known organisms have lived. Upon its surface exists every ingredient and condition necessary for life not only to emerge, but thrive, and develop into an uncountable variety of different things.
Earthlings will be asked to introduce themselves at the beginning of the meeting, with have their filler-words counted by Mars, words-of-the-day counted by Jupiter, and time counted by Saturn, and extra special attention will be placed upon them by the Earth’s twin Venus, who will prioritize calling on Earthlings first in the impromptu speaking portion.
The Sun is our Toastmaster, master of ceremonies. Just as the Sun binds our solar system together with its gravity, the Toastmaster holds & directs attention through predictable pacing and adept transitions. Their vision sets the course for the entire meeting, and they shine a light on each planet in turn with the aid of the timekeeper, Saturn. The Sun’s example shows us how the quality of leadership can be studied as much as speechcraft and evaluation in KAT.
The Moon – the second luminary – runs the second half of each meeting, dedicated to nurturing each participating member, through evaluation. The time is passed over by the Sun after Table Topics has completed, and in turn the Moon calls on each evaluator and functionary, beginning with Uranus, then Neptune, then Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn. After each of these planets has completed the review of their domiciles, the Moon finishes with an overall reflection on the meeting, including for the Sun. Once fully lit, she passes the time back to the Sun to conclude the meeting.
As the speaker, Mercury is the messenger, the one who arrives on the scene with something to say. With curiosity, the speaker takes up the challenge of each project in the Pathway, trying them on for size, deciding which skills to keep and which to toss. After delivering their speech, Mercury receives comments from fellow KATs, and both a verbal and written evaluation from Uranus. The speaker reflects on the feedback received and asks: Is what I said what was heard? What would I do differently? What have I learned? Mercury is both sender and receiver of information. Feedback is the fuel for honing their speaking craft.. This practice is the way.
Venus oversees one of the most beloved parts of each KAT meeting — Table Topics. With prepared questions based on the Sun’s theme, Venus calls on Earthlings to speak while Saturn times them for 1-2 minutes. Venus can exercise a lot of creativity in this section, however, they should be conscious of not taking too much time on elaborate question set-ups, to give as many KATs a chance to answer. In the 1st and 3rd extra-long meetings a month, the lion’s share of extra time is given here (and to Neptune, who will later evaluate Venus and each respondent).
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Marshal Mars channels the planet’s power of action, discipline, and courage into the realm of speech. Their mission is to sharpen verbal precision—tracking filler words like “um,” “ah,” “you know,” and “like”—while encouraging clearer, more confident communication. Mars reminds each KAT that words are tools, and hesitation can dull their edge. During the meeting, they guide as a coach—helping speakers cut through hesitation to speak with clarity, authority, and purpose.
Amongst the planets, Jupiter is the teacher, and takes on the role of Grammarian at each meeting. Jupiter generosity offers a Word of the Day (WOD), with a definition and examples of use that expand our knowledge. The WOD illuminates the Sun’s theme, and gives a challenge to each member: find organic and interesting ways to incorporate the word into your language. Jupiter’s ears stay tuned to hearing this word, and other great figures of speech.
Saturn is the Planet of Time, and Time is their focus within each KAT meeting. This is a very important functionary role; past KAT President Meghna often says that “Toastmasters is Saturn on steroids”, referencing how important it is to learn the principles of managing one’s time, being prepared, and taking responsibility for one’s duties.
Saturn gives up some personal enjoyment for the collective benefit. With one eye on the clock, it can be difficult to immerse the content of the speeches, or participate in table topics. However, their service is invaluable to the club as a whole, as they make sure everyone has their fair share of time to speak and play their parts..
In our Kepler Astrologers Toastmasters constellation, Uranus is the Speech Evaluator, delivering flashes of clarity that break old patterns and spark new growth opportunities for Mercury. Yet Uranus knows that lightning, while illuminating, can burn if it strikes carelessly. Feedback, when offered with care and balance, becomes a gift—energizing without scorching, guiding without wounding. As Evaluator, Uranus channels this electric force with intention, ensuring suggestions for improvement are as constructive and encouraging as they are honest.
Pluto is the God of the Underworld, the liminal space filled with the spirits of those transitioning between states of existence. This is the role of a Guest to the KAT meeting. The Guest does not yet have manifest existence, gained by becoming a full member of the club, and therefore cannot participate fully by taking on roles (though they will be invited to introduce themself). However they can attend up to 3 meetings to observe the format and dynamic, to help them make the choice of whether to incarnate as a KAT officially
