As Above, So Below: Working With the Planets Part 2

by Anita

The first installment of this series focused on the type of energy to concentrate on when invoking a particular planet in a ritual. This column describes the elements and colors that are harmonious with the planets, and some god or goddess names that you can use when invoking a planet. When performing a planetary ritual, it is a good idea to arrange your altar with scents, herbs, stones and other objects ruled by that planet, to set up a harmonious atmosphere. Call upon gods or goddesses that have an agreeable vibration with that planet's energy.

If you want a text that provides much more detail, a good reference is A Time for Magick by Maria Kay Simms. She goes into detail about the hours of the day that are best for planetary work, and gives sample meditations and rituals. Another good reference is The Rulership Book, by Rex E. Bills. This book provides a list of everything -- god names, elements and life events -- that are associated with each planet.

The following lists metals or spices and other elements associated with each planet, as well as fragrances and god or goddess names that you can use when putting together a planetary ritual. It is generally a good idea to use the metal or element associated with a planet in all four directions when you are invoking its energy. For example, in a Sun ritual, use a gold object to point toward each direction as you call the planet's name or a god name. The next installment in the series will provide some examples of how to put together a planetary ritual.

Sun -- The Sun's metal is gold. Saffron is also associated with the Sun, as are all citrus fruits. Sunflowers are good to use in a Sun ritual, since they turn their face to the Sun at all times. Frankincense is a scent associated with the Sun. Most deities traditionally associated with the Sun are male: Ra, Osiris, Mithra. Any goddess of fire, such as Pele or Sekhmet, could also be invoked in a Sun ritual.

Moon -- The Moon's metal is silver. Since the Moon is closely associated with water, you can use water or shells such as clam or oyster or even sand dollars, since the Moon rules the sea. Moonstones or coral are appropriate for a Moon ritual. Moon goddesses are Isis and Diana. Melons, milk and gourds are foods associated with the Moon.

Mercury -- The metal for Mercury is mercury, but that might be difficult to use in a ritual since it is poisonous in its pure form. You could substitute silver or another shiny metallic object such as tinsel. Mercury rules celery and dill. Mercury also rules androgyny, so any god or goddess with ambiguous gender is appropriate. Notable names associated with Mercury are Hermes, of course, and archangels Raphael and sometimes Michael. Vesta, guardian of the hearth and home, is also associated with Mercury.

Venus -- Venus' metal is copper, and she also rules bees and honey, pears, pomegranates and plums. Emeralds are the stone for Venus. Aphrodite is Venus' goddess. Freya, Cupid and Eros are other deities associated with Venus. Most perfumes, roses in particular, are Venus ruled. Thyme can also be used in Venus rituals.

Mars -- Iron is Mars' metal. Malachite and red hematite are ruled by Mars, as are garlic, ginger, onions and mustard. Ares, god of war, belongs to Mars, as does Athena, who sprang fully-grown from her father's forehead wearing full armor.

Jupiter -- Tin is the metal for Jupiter. Artichokes, asparagus, beets and figs are ruled by Jupiter, as are oak trees, daisies and carnations. Myrrh is the scent for Jupiter. Its stones are topaz, amethyst and turquoise. Deities are Zeus, Thor, Juno and Hera.

Saturn -- Lead is the metal for Saturn. Coal also belongs to Saturn. Although the herb sage is often associated with Jupiter, its properties are astringent and drying, which is more in tune with Saturn's energies than the expansiveness of Jupiter. Patchouli is also a scent associated with Saturn. Stones for Saturn are onyx, hematite and garnet. Deities sympathetic with Saturn are Kronos, Juno and Kali.

Uranus -- Since metals associated with Uranus are radioactive (radium and uranium), these are not appropriate for use in rituals. Magnets are also ruled by Uranus and could be used instead. It is generally thought that Uranus rules computers and technology, so you could also be creative and use computer parts in your ritual. Lapis lazuli and amber are stones ruled by Uranus, as are opals. Herbs associated with Uranus are peppermint, pine, and wormwood. Loki and Urania are Uranus' deities.

Neptune -- Platinum is Neptune's metal. Plants ruled by Neptune are generally considered drugs, or have poisonous properties. These include poppies and valerian. Less infamous plants and herbs ruled by Neptune are coffee, chamomile and coltsfoot. Wine and liquor are also Neptune-ruled. Neptune's stones are ivory and jade. Poseidon, Isis, Undine and Yemaya are Neptune deities.

Pluto -- Plutonium and tungsten are Pluto's metals. Stones are beryl, obsidian and lava. Herbs associated with Pluto are galangal root, pennyroyal and musk. Although mushrooms are often associated with the Moon or Neptune, they can be appropriate in a Pluto ritual. Deities associated with Pluto are Persephone, Hecate and Hades.

Aspects and Transits

December 21, 10:35 a.m. PST: Winter solstice: Sun enters Capricorn. The Moon is approaching its last quarter, a good time to tie up loose ends and resolve old issues.

December 24, 1:36 a.m. PST: Venus goes retrograde, at 1:28 Aquarius. Venus is retrograde until February 3, 2006. While Venus is retrograde, this is generally not a good time to begin a new relationship.

December 30, 7:12 p.m. PST: New Moon at 9:32 Capricorn. With the Sun beginning to move out of the cycle of darkness joined by the Moon starting a new monthly cycle, two days before the new year, now is an excellent time to do a ritual or meditation focusing on where your mastery lies. Capricorn shows us where we excel; use this energy to plan how to manifest your personal authority.

January 3, 1:26 p.m. PST: Mercury enters Capricorn. Mercury is bound up in this earth sign for nearly three weeks. Communication and thought can be slower than usual, and typically will be focused on practical matters.

January 14, 1:48 a.m. PST: Full Moon in Cancer. Emotions and feelings run high, particularly when the Moon is in its home sign. This is a good time to meditate on how to integrate your emotional life (Moon) with the practical reality of everyday life (Sun in Capricorn).

January 15, 1:28 a.m. PST: Mars opposes Jupiter (Mars in Taurus, Jupiter in Scorpio). Be particularly careful of financial transactions; honesty is especially important at this time. Like all so-called difficult Jupiter aspects, the worst you can expect from this one is that you might be tempted to promise more than you can deliver. Don't make loans to people you don't completely trust.

January 18, 5:53 a.m. PST: Mars squares Neptune (Mars in Taurus, Neptune in Aquarius). This emphasizes the Mars/Jupiter opposition of a few days ago: Be very wary of people you don't completely trust. Idealistic Neptune can blind you to the reality behind the seemingly innocent façade. An opportunity that seems too good to be true generally is.

January 19, 9:15 p.m. PST: Sun enters Aquarius. This could be a good day for a Uranus ritual to herald the arrival of humanitarian Aquarius energies, but don't wait until Friday to do it -- Jupiter-ruled Thursday is more harmonious with Uranian energies than Venus is.

January 22, 12:41 p.m. PST: Mercury enters Aquarius. Finally, earth-bound Mercury is liberated and enters an air sign, more in accord with its natural inclinations. While Mercury is in Aquarius, it's a good time to learn something new, particularly if it's technology-related.

January 27, 5:24 p.m. PST: Jupiter squares Neptune (Jupiter in Scorpio, Neptune in Aquarius). Jupiter, planet of expansiveness and law, comes into conflict with idealistic, dreamy Neptune. This is a good time to keep your feet on the ground, even though your head might be in the clouds. Be aware of people who might be jealous of you, who could thwart your best-laid plans.

January 29, 6:15 a.m. PST: New Moon in Aquarius, Now is a great time to begin any projects that deal with the humanitarian energy of Aquarius. Any kind of group work will benefit from this Sun-Moon conjunction in Aquarius. This is also a good time to break from tradition and try something new that you've never done before, since Aquarius also rules unconventional behavior. Break an old habit that's no longer doing you any good!

February 3, 1:18 a.m. PST: Venus goes direct in Capricorn. Capricorn isn't the best placement for Venus, who prefers warmth rather than cold, and gaiety rather than the somber practicality of Capricorn. However, this period marks a good time to evaluate your relationships with a cool eye, make realistic plans to find a partner and bring about the kind of relationship you want.

February 3, 3:40 p.m. PST: Astrological Imbolc (Sun reaches 15 degrees Aquarius).

As always, I welcome feedback on these columns. If you have questions, recommendations, or suggestions for future columns, you can contact me at sylviafan@juno.com.