Astrology for Magicians and
Metaphysicists - Lesson 2
The Planets
As you have learned previously, there are four main factors to be
considered when you interpret a birth chart or when you set up an astrological
structure for magical purposes. These factors are: the planets, the zodiacal
signs, the mundane houses, and the aspects.
The planets represent functions, human inclinations,
motivations, and tendencies. The sign in which a planet is located indicates the
character of the planetary function, or how it operates. The aspects between
planets tell about the mutual interaction of their functions, whether harmonic,
disharmonic, strong or weak. Finally, the houses show the fields of life
experience where the planetary and zodiacal forces most likely manifest.
Since the planets represent human inclinations and
motivations, it will be useful to gain an understanding of the planetary
principles before we go on to describe the signs and houses.
An astrological interpretation is a translation from chart
structures into statements that we make with our language. The easiest way to do
this translation is the method of key words. With this method we can derive
sentences that describe the individual directly from his or her chart.
The key word method is very effective, provided that you
know your key words. With practice you can use these key words as trigger that
help you expand on the statements that you make in your astrological
interpretation.
It is essential that you learn your key words well. Without
knowledge of the various elements of astrology, i.e., the planets, signs,
houses, etc., you cannot properly interpret astrological charts, let alone
design charts for specific purposes in your work of astrological magic.
With knowledge of your key words the interpretation of a
chart or the developing of an astrological trend structure for magical purposes
compares very much to the translating of one language into another.
In the following you see the basic key words
for the planets
| Planet |
Key word for its
inclination and motivation |
| Sun |
to integrate, to express, to
project |
| Moon |
to respond, to react, to
regulate |
| Mercury |
to communicate, to concentrate, to
transmit |
| Venus |
to relate, to unite, to
connect |
| Mars |
to initiate, to activate, to
move |
| Jupiter |
to expand, to mature, to
experience |
| Saturn |
to limit, to control, to
discipline |
| Uranus |
to deviate, to invent, to
reform |
| Neptune |
to refine, to detect, to
transcend |
| Pluto |
to eliminate, to transform, to
regenerate |
The zodiacal sign in which a planet is located reveals the
manner in which the person brings forth the inclination and motivation of the
planet. The mundane house in which the planet is found describes the sphere of
life upon which the person concentrates the inclination and motivation of the
planet. The aspects between the planets show special modifications that will
effect the actual efforts.
In the following you find a more detailed
description of the planets. It is essential that you study it
carefully.
Sun
Key Word Extensions
To integrate -- to make into a whole by bringing all parts
together
To express -- to make known to the
world
To project -- to thrust outward and forward
into the world
Psychological
Implications
Everyone feels strong
motivations to become a whole person, to let others know of his existence, and
to become a significant part of his environment. The Sun symbolizes one's
motivations to accomplish these three goals.
Physiological
Associations
The human heart has a close
relationship with the Sun, since it is both the heart and the Sun that control
the living organism. Further, the delicate network of veins and arteries
circulate that which is distributed by the heart; hence, the circulatory system
has a really meaningful correspondence to the Sun. Difficult aspects to the Sun
point toward susceptibility to afflictions of these parts of the body. Note that
these parts are the sustainers of life.
Concomitant Relations
There are relationships between the Sun and vitality, determination,
the masculine principle, dignity, self reliance, magnanimity, the man, and the
father.
Moon
Key Word Extensions
To respond -- to make a reply through the emotions
To react -- to undergo a change through the emotions
To regulate -- to control or to adjust into rhythmic function
Psychological
Implications
Everyone has an inclination to
make his emotions known, to effect revision of the emotions, and to conform to
cyclic actions. The Moon, as controller of the rise and fall of the tide, is the
indicator of one's instinctive behavior in response to these three urges.
Physiological
Associations
The Moon has a close association
with the stomach, the breasts, the lymphatic system, the pancreas, the ovaries,
and the sympathetic nervous system. Difficult aspects to the Moon point toward a
susceptibility to afflictions of these parts of the body. Note that these parts
are containers for and controllers of bodily functions.
Concomitant Relations
There are relationships between the Moon and instinct, emotions,
memory, protectiveness, domesticity, patriotism, and mother.
Mercury
Key Word Extensions
To communicate -- to impart knowledge or ideas in order to reveal or
to expose
To concentrate -- to direct thoughts
toward a common center
To transmit -- to pass along
from one person or place to another
Psychological
Implications
Everyone has an urge to make his
thoughts known, to give careful consideration to that of which he becomes aware,
and to convey his feelings to others. Mercury, the planet of the reasoning
process, indicates one's inclinations in these matters.
Physiological
Associations
Mercury has a very close
correspondence to the respiratory system, the sensory organs, the nervous
system, the thyroid gland, and the brain in general. Difficult aspects to
Mercury point toward a susceptibility to afflictions of these parts of the body.
Note that these parts for the communication tracts of the body.
Concomitant Relations
There are relationships between Mercury and intelligence, mobility,
adaptability, reason, self expression, perception, young people, writers,
teachers, and travelers.
Venus
Key Word Extensions
To relate -- to show sympathetic understanding and awareness
To unite -- to bring together as a whole
To connect -- to join in proper association and perspective
Psychological
Implications
Everyone has a motivation to
achieve harmony, to effect beauty in his relationships with his environment, and
to bring together that which should properly be linked. Venus, the planet of
justice and balance, is the indicator of one's urges in these directions.
Physiological
Associations
Venus has a close association
with the venous circulation, the lumbar region, the kidneys, and the throat.
Difficult aspects to Venus point toward a susceptibility to afflictions of these
parts of the body. Note that these parts determine balance and imbalance within
the whole body.
Concomitant Relations
There are relationships between Venus and art, affections, wife,
young girls, finery, and ornaments.
Mars
Key Word Extensions
To initiate -- to enter into expressions of physical energy
To activate -- to engage in liveliness
To move -- to change positions from one place to another
Psychological
Implications
Everyone has inclinations to
expend physical stamina, to set himself into worthwhile motions, and to resist
inertia. Mars, as the planet of energy and motion, is the indicator of these
natural urges.
Physiological
Associations
Mars has a close correspondence
to the sex glands, the adrenal system, the red blood corpuscles, and the
muscular system. Difficult aspects to Mars point toward a susceptibility to
afflictions of these parts of the body. Note that these parts are associated
with stimulation and activity.
Concomitant Relations
There are relationships between Mars and courage, war, passion,
desire, heat, and young men.
Jupiter
Key Word Extensions
To expand -- to reach out in order to understand
To mature -- to become fully developed and perfected
To experience -- to have a personal encounter or involvement
Psychological
Implications
Everyone has innate desires to
satisfy his intellectual curiosity, to become a well-informed person, and to
become independently emotionally satisfied. Jupiter, as the planet of expansion
and unrestrained development, has a close affinity with these
inclinations.
Physiological
Associations
Jupiter has a close association
with the liver, which is the largest glandular organ in the body, and with the
posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, which regulates growth. Difficult aspects
to Jupiter point toward a susceptibility to afflictions of these two glands.
Note that the two parts are related to expansion and growth.
Concomitant Relations
There are relationships between Jupiter and enthusiasm, optimism,
generosity, professional people, and the higher mind.
Saturn
Key Word Extensions
To limit -- to restrict for justifiable reasons
To control -- to govern for purposes of benefit
To discipline -- to impress upon the mind or the memory
Psychological
Implications
Everyone has an urge to exercise
restraint, even upon himself; to be master of his own destiny; and to gain
command of both his overt acts and his private thoughts. Saturn, as the
taskmaster planet, identifies and measures these urges.
Physiological
Associations
Saturn has affinity with the
skin, the teeth, the spleen, the gall bladder, the anterior lobe of the
pituitary gland, the pneumogastric nerve, and the bone structure of the body.
Difficult aspects to Saturn point toward a susceptibility to afflictions of
these parts of the body. Note that these parts give form, poise, and support to
the skeletal system.
Concomitant Relations
Saturn has a relationship to ambition, self preservation, convention,
endurance, perseverance, stability, integrity, caution, and serious old
people.
Uranus
Key Word Extensions
To deviate -- to depart from that which is usual and ordinary
To -- to create or to originate that which is
different
To -- to convert from within without
destroying
Psychological
Implications
Everyone has deep seated desires
to be individualistic, to design that which is yet unknown, and to improve upon
that which has weakness or faults. Uranus, as the planet of the unusual and the
unexpected, identifies these desires or urges.
Physiological
Associations
Uranus has a close
correspondence to the sympathetic nervous system. Difficult aspects to this
planet point toward a susceptibility to sudden and unexpected emotional
breakdowns, cramps, hysteria, and all forms of paralysis. Note that the nervous
system is also deeply involved in the psychological urges associated with this
planet.
Concomitant Relations
Uranus has a relationship to originality, independence, eccentricity,
inventors, aerial matters, and unusual people.
Neptune
Key Word Extensions
To refine -- to cultivate insights beyond the level of
consciousness
To detect -- to ferret out the
significance of the abstract
To transcend -- to rise
above ordinary worldly matters
Psychological
Implications
Everyone has motivations to see
below the surface, to attach meaning to the immaterial, and to elevate himself
to the highest planes of understanding. Neptune, as the planet of nebulosity, is
the indicator of these motivations.
Physiological
Associations
Neptune has a close association
with the spinal canal, the thalamus, and the overall mental and nervous
processes. Difficult aspects to this planet point toward a susceptibility to
afflictions that are mysteriously difficult to diagnose, as well as to deep
rooted neuroses. Note the high degree of sensitivity associated with these
parts.
Concomitant Relations
Neptune has a close relationship to intuition, imagination, idealism,
compassion, illusion, mysticism, the unreal, liquids, and drugs.
Pluto
Key Word Extensions
To eliminate -- to cast out because of a need for replacement
To transform -- to convert from one status to an entirely
different one
To regenerate -- to produce anew from
the ruins of the original
Psychological
Implications
Everyone has an urge to get rid
of that which serves no positive purpose, to remodel completely that which is
undesirable, and to reorganize that which has fallen totally from its original
status. Pluto, as the planet of no golden middle, indicates one's motivations
toward these ends.
Physiological
Associations
Pluto has a close correspondence
to cell formation, the system of reproduction, and the tracts of secretion.
Difficult aspects to this planet point toward a susceptibility to afflictions of
these parts of the body. Note that the functions of these parts relate
pertinently to the physiological implications.
Concomitant Relations
Pluto has a close relationship to new beginnings, those who work
below the surface of the Earth, group power, death, refuse, and the
underworld.
After you have carefully studied these key words and the
symbolic associations of each of the planets, review these principles often and
systematically. Strive to establish firmly in your mind the planetary principles
so that you can, as your study progresses, expand the symbolic representation to
encompass all matters that properly belong with each planet, including the
magical ones.
For example, you should realize that Mercury is associated
with all matters of communication, including the abilities to reason and to
express one's thoughts. Thus, this planet is logically connected with the media
for communication. It is the key word extensions that suggest to you the
vastness of the associations. Later, you will see how reasonably these planetary
principles take on significant form and reveal through the birth chart both the
disposition and the indisposition of the person concerned.
Finally, you should become familiar with the various tables
of planets, signs, houses, etc., so that you will begin to use the symbols and
review the key words.
A Free Astrology Course in Natal
Astrology
Lesson 3