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Introduction

The next knowledge lessons of Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition speak of the signs of the Zodiac and the seven planets. This discussion will cover the planets as I feel this is a natural progression (elements, planets, Zodiac). Since I base my arguments mostly on the ancient authors, this discussion will rely heavily on Tetrabiblos by Ptolemy which, with few exceptions, is the only ancient author I could find who speaks of the planets and the Zodiac. (I have learned of two others but I haven't had the chance to get them yet.)

Symbols

The Greek Qabalah associates the planets (in order of apparent distance from the earth) with the seven vowels (voiced letters in their order in the Greek alphabet). The associations are alpha with the Moon, epsilon with Mercury, eta with Venus, iota with the Sun, omicron with Mars, upsilon with Jupiter and omega with Saturn. The associated magical words can also be used for greater effects (akrammacamari, enkuklie, eskwqore, iaeouoi, orneophao, ypephenoyry and orion, respectively).

The symbol used for the Moon is the icon for the first quarter moon and in most symbols, an open circle represents what is receptive. The symbol of the Moon is used to represent what is receptive in humans and the ability to change.

The ancient symbol for Mercury is a circle with wings above and below representing Hermes the messenger of the Immortals. The modern symbol for Mercury is a circle segment above a full circle above an equal armed cross. This can be interpreted as receiving knowledge from above and using it for practical purposes. Mercury represents intellect and the process of symbolization.

Prior to the classical age, the Greeks thought Venus was two planets (or wandering stars), the morning star (associated with Athena, war and fertility) and the evening star (associated with Aphrodite and sexual love). Once it was learned they were the same, the symbol used was the circle over the cross (representing the association of the feminine and the masculine).

The symbol that has been used for the sun throughout most cultures of the world is a dot in the center of a circle. In a magical context, this symbol represents the source of all things or the human consciousness.

The symbol for Mars is an arrow rising diagonally from a circle. Symbolically this represents the desire for self-assertion (aggressively if necessary) and individualization (the desire to be unique).

The symbol for Jupiter is an open circle attached to the left of a cross. As for the moon, the open circle represents what is receptive. The cross represents what is stable or structured therefore the symbol for Jupiter can be interpreted as the ability to understand and adapt to the established social structure.

The symbol for Saturn is the cross over the partial circle. Here we have the cross (representing the physical) over the partial circle (representing the spirit or soul) so the symbol for Saturn is interpreted as restrictions and dominance of the world over the desires of the spirit (the ultimate expression of this is the inevitability of death).

Powers

Most of the ancient beliefs regarding the planets come from "Tetrabiblos" by Ptolemy. Many of the powers of the planets are derived from their relative positions and most cultures ordered the planets in the order of apparent distance from the Earth (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn).

The first powers are heat and moisture. Heat is associated with light and the planets were thought to receive moisture from the Earth (as evidenced by the rising mists). By the evidence of the seasons and observation, the Sun heats and dries. The Moon, being closest to the Earth, receives the most moisture and provides warmth that it has borrowed from the Sun. Saturn is the furthest removed from both the Earth and the Sun so is cooling and drying. Mars is distant from the Earth and near the Sun so it dries and heats. Jupiter is between Saturn and Mars so represents a balanced temperature and the fertility of the seasons. Venus brings warmth due to the nearness to the Sun and moistness due to relative nearness to the Earth. Mercury is always near to the Sun and appears to dart back and forth so generally gives warmth from the Sun and moisture from the Earth but its speed causes it to change quickly and often.

Heat and moisture are generally associated with fertility while dry and cold are associated with destructive and masculine. By this reasoning, the Moon, Venus and Jupiter are fertile and beneficial; Mars and Saturn destructive and detrimental. All of the planets change their nature by what signs and planets they are near at the time but the Sun and Mercury are always changing.

Masculine and feminine are related to moisture and nearness to the Earth so the Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are masculine; the Moon and Venus are feminine. Mercury, by its quickly changing nature, can represent either.

Conclusion

At this point, the planets can be used as symbols to add their influence to magic and to symbolize an appeal to some of the related Immortals. In the future, their influence will become stronger when combined with the Zodiac signs and when used to divine the will of the Immortals.

WORKS CITED