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.
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 are 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 deeply
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 deeply 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.
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