🪐 Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Power of the Planets

[BryWisteria]

Merry meet!

Thank you once again to all those who joined in last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Catch Up

The timer is up and all previous challenges have closed once again - we’re off! It’s time to rocket into challenge #211 with some magick that is truly out of this world

The theme for this week’s challenge is…

Power of the Planets

An otherworldly exploration into the role of planets in magickal practices

Look up to the skies and you’ll probably see at least one of them up there - but look to the ground and you’ll definitely see one! From our beautiful planet Earth to the mighty Sun, our loyal Moon or the many other planets out there in the beyond, we are blessed with celestial bodies in our skies

Throughout history, people have looked up and marveled at the movements of the planets across the skies. Through them, humanity had devised ways to keep track of time, make calendars, and even become able to predict celestial events such as eclipses, meteor showers, and more

The planets have been both friend and fascination for humanity throughout the ages - it’s no wonder that they take a prominent role in magickal practices, religious beliefs, and spiritual traditions!

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This week’s challenge is all about exploring planets - how you choose to take on this theme is up to you.

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

Picture from Spells8: Planetary Magic: Ruling Forces, Uses & Correspondences

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STEP 1 : Planetary Power

This challenge is all about the planets - but as always, feel free to explore the theme in a way that aligns with you and your unique practice.

Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few ways in which a witch might approach this challenge.

Please make sure you are logged into your Spells8 Account so you can view all of the resources shared!

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Exploring the Skies

We can’t always see them with the naked eye, but they are there beyond the reaches of our Earth. From the brilliant Sun to the tiny little Pluto (who may or may not count as a planet, depending on who you ask!) - the other planets in our solar system are the siblings of our Earth.

Planets and their movements have played fundamental roles in both scientific and spiritual practices throughout history. For your entry this week, consider exploring one (or more!) planets, areas of astrological study, or perhaps exploring your own thoughts about the planets and any influence they share with us here on Earth.

Astrology Foundations Course: The Planets

Astrology Foundations Course: When Planets Go Into Retrograde

Related discussions and resources:

• 🪐 Planetary Magic: Ruling Forces, Uses & Correspondences
• Beginner Astrology - Guide to the Planets
• Astrology 101 - The Luminaries & The Inner Planets
• Astrology 101 - The Outer Planets
• A Focus on Pluto - The Dwarf Planet's Transit Through the Zodiac
• Crystal Planets 🪐
• Surviving Mercury Retrograde: How to Ride the Cosmic Waves with Ease
• Astrology 🌌 Master Post

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The Divine Planets

In some practices and traditions, the planets are viewed as divine. This may entail associating each planet with certain traits, or presenting them as a deity within a pantheon. For your entry, consider exploring the role of the planets within history, traditions, and magickal practices - or perhaps doing a devotional or spellwork for a certain planet, planet diety, or deity associated with a planet.

Sun God Ra Devotional

Earth Goddess Gaia Devotional

Moon Goddess Luna: Offerings, Signs, Symbols, Myths

Neptune/Poseidon Intuition Devotional Prayer

Mars/Ares Warrior Devotional Chant

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The Planets and You

In astrology, the position of the planets in the sky can be read to provide insight, guidance, and advice during key events or when making big decisions. Many people who are interested in astrology will look at their Birth Chart - a map of the sky at the time of their birth.

This week, consider exploring the planets’ influence on you - you might get your Birth Chart, or explore the meaning of planets within certain Zodiac Signs or Astrologic Houses.

What is a Natal/Birth Chart?

How to Read Your Birth Chart

Related discussions and resources:

• The Sun The Moon and The Planets
• Retrograde Planets in your Birth Chart 💫

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… And More!

The suggestions above are just a few ideas to help kickstart your creativity- if you feel called to explore the planets in another way, you are welcome to do so!

As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the challenge theme

The Sun The Moon and The Planets

Video by @Silverbear, shared in The Sun The Moon and The Planets

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STEP 2 : Share Your Experience

Click here for a note about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you!

That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.

Getting Your Credit

In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it!

Where Should I Share My Entry?

Click here to learn where to share your challenge entry

You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!

Alternatively, you could create a new post in the forum (this is good for when you have a lot to share and/or would like to discuss aspects of your entry not related to the current theme)

Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you!

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Deadline

This challenge will close in 6 DAYS

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, September 3 at 7:00 AM EDT (Eastern US Time)
2024-09-03T11:00:00Z

(Note that the time zone is ET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)

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Prizes

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

Picture by @starborn, shared in For the Love of the Moon: Selene Night Ritual

A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice

If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team.

And for those new to challenges- welcome! Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways

Picture from Canva

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Mighty Mars or Neptune serene,
The Sun’s glory and Moon Goddess Selene
By many names and forms they take,
Through which they shape and watch and make
The planets’ power to be found-
Above, below, and all around.

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Blessed Be!

[Artemisia]

Challenge Entry - Power of the Planets

Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight
I wish I may, I wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight.

I still think of this when I see Venus in the sky at night. Sure, Venus is a planet but she’s also called the Morning Star and the Evening Star.

Why is she called the Morning and Evening Star?
Venus is often called the “morning star” and the “evening star” because it’s very bright and can be seen in the sky around sunrise and sunset.

(Photo Source)

Why is she visible in the morning and evening?
Venus is visible in the morning and evening because of its position relative to the Earth and the Sun. It orbits the Sun closer than Earth does, so when we look at it, we usually see it either before the Sun rises or just after it sets.

(Photo Source)

Does Venus feature prominently in any folklore?
Yes, the Greeks and Romans named it after the goddess of Love and Beauty.
The Mayans and Aztecs linked Venus to the calendars and agriculture.

(Article and image source)

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I ran across the most interesting article - The Planet Venus as a Symbol of Death and Resurrection in Ancient Mesoamerica
Here’s a tidbit I enjoyed

These four intervals could be roughly divided into Venus as a morning or evening star incorporating disappearances in front of and behind the sun. One could begin to say that the planet Venus was born from the Sun and died back into the Sun.

Venus thus becomes the perfect symbol for various types of dualisms, e.g. death and resurrection, purity and sin, malevolence and benevolence. Various optimistic or pessimistic connotations could accrue to the two major parts of the story, lending value or potency to predictions based on where Venus might be at any given time.

Indeed, the rising of Venus from the Sun was interpreted ominously. In the Dresden Codex, we see Venus as an armed warrior-god spearing a victim. Only a solar eclipse was feared more than the heliacal rising of Venus.

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Will I still wish upon the first star I see knowing it’s a planet? You bet I will!

The last quote I leave you with is:
“Keep Looking Up” Jack Horkheimer from Star Gazers

"Jack Horkheimer Star Gazer" 5 Minute July 26-Aug. 1, 2010

More on Jack

[Nhaama]

Challenge Entry
With Scorpio being my birth sign, Pluto is my ruling planet

Pluto is the planet of transformation, destruction, and renewal. It intensifies everything around it. However, Pluto is not all about death and struggle—it offers lots of opportunities for growth and rebirth. Pluto can help to bring our deepest and most buried compulsions into the light. Its position indicates areas of life that must ultimately become transformed as part of the soul’s evolution. In mythology, Pluto is the Roman God of the Underworld. The Ancient Greeks represented him as Hades. In astrology and planetary magick, Pluto stands for the power to transform. Pluto is in charge of death, and reigns over catastrophes and major disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Pluto traditionally represents subconscious forces, ruling all that is “hidden below”.

Planetary Correspondences
Plants: Acacia, Belladonna, Foxglove, Passionflower, Pomegranate, Rosemary, Vanilla.
Stones: Black Onyx, Black Tourmaline, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Snowflake Obsidian.
Colors: Black, Blue, Maroon, Purple.
Beings: Phoenix, Scorpion.
Magick: Achieving spiritual goals, digging below the surface to reveal what is hidden, endings and beginnings, learning secrets, psychic energy, transformative sexual energy.

Glyph Breakdown
Circle: Spirit, Life Force
Crescent: Intuition, Change
Cross: Earth, Pragmatism

[stavroula]

Challenge Entry

One of the systems that I use in my practice is the Planetary Days & Hours
It is an ancient system in which the 7 classical planets have rulership of a day and some hours during the day. It is considered that it developed during the Hellenistic period with possible balylonian roots.
The classical planets are Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn and the days they rule are in correspondence Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (the names of the week come from the english or Nordic names of the gods similar to the ones of the greek/roman pantheon)

Planetary Days

Sunday: Ruler Sun

The English noun Sunday derived sometime before 1250 from sunedai, which itself developed from Old English (before 700) Sunnandæg (literally meaning “sun’s day”), which is cognate to other Germanic languages, including Old Frisian sunnandei, Old Saxon sunnundag, Middle Dutch sonnendach (modern Dutch zondag), Old High German sunnun tag (modern German Sonntag), and Old Norse sunnudagr (Danish and Norwegian søndag, Icelandic sunnudagur and Swedish söndag). The Germanic term is a Germanic interpretation of Latin dies solis (“day of the sun”), which is a translation of the ancient Greek Ἥλίου ημέρα" (Hēlíou hēméra). Sunday - Wikipedia

Monday: Ruler Moon

The English noun Monday derived sometime before 1200 from monedæi, which itself developed from Old English (around 1000) mōnandæg and mōndæg (literally meaning “moon’s day”), which has cognates in other Germanic languages, including Old Frisian mōnadeig, Middle Low German and Middle Dutch mānendag, mānendach (modern Dutch Maandag), Old High German mānetag (modern German Montag), and Old Norse mánadagr (Swedish and Norwegian nynorsk måndag, Icelandic mánudagur. Danish and Norwegian bokmål mandag). The Germanic term is a Germanic interpretation of Latin lunae dies (“day of the moon”). Japanese and Korean share the same ancient Chinese words ‘月曜日’ (Hiragana:げつようび, translit. getsuyо̄bi, Hangeul:월요일) for Monday which means “day of the moon”. In many Indo-Aryan languages, the word for Monday is Somavāra or Chandravāra, Sanskrit loan-translations of “Monday”. Monday - Wikipedia

Tuesday: Ruler Mars

The name Tuesday derives from the Old English Tiwesdæg and literally means “Tiw’s Day”. Tiw is the Old English form of the Proto-Germanic god *Tîwaz, or Týr in Old Norse. *Tîwaz derives from the Proto-Indo-European base **dei-, **deyā-, **dīdyā-*, meaning ‘to shine’, whence comes also such words as “deity”.
The German Dienstag and Dutch dinsdag are derived from the Germanic custom of the thing, as Tiw / Týr also had a strong connection to the thing.
The Latin name dies Martis (“day of Mars”) is equivalent to the Greek ἡμέρα Ἄρεως (hēméra Áreōs, “day of Ares”). In most languages with Latin origins (Italian, French, Spanish, Catalan, Romanian, Galician, Sardinian, Corsican, but not Portuguese), the day is named after Mars, the Roman parallel of the Ancient Greek Ares (Ἄρης).
In Japanese, the second day of the week is 火曜日 (kayōbi), from 火星 (kasei), the planet Mars. Similarly, in Korean the word Tuesday is 화요일 (hwa yo il), means literally fire day, and Mars the planet is referred to as the fire star with the same words, but this is unrelated to the Roman god Mars, which is referred to phonetically as Mars. Tuesday - Wikipedia

Wednesday: Ruler Mercury

In English, the name is derived from Old English Wōdnesdæg and Middle English Wednesdei, ‘day of Woden’, reflecting the religion practiced by the Anglo-Saxons, the English equivalent to the Norse god Odin. In many Romance languages, such as the French mercredi, Spanish miércoles or Italian mercoledì, the day’s name is a calque of Latin dies Mercurii ‘day of Mercury’.
The name Wednesday continues Middle English Wednesdei. Old English still had wōdnesdæg, which would be continued as *Wodnesday (but Old Frisian has an attested wednesdei). By the early 13th century, the i-mutated form was introduced unetymologically.
The name is a calque of the Latin dies Mercurii ‘day of Mercury’, reflecting the fact that the Germanic god Woden (Wodanaz or Odin) during the Roman era was interpreted as “Germanic Mercury”. Wednesday - Wikipedia

Tuesday: Ruler Jupiter

The name is derived from Old English þunresdæg and Middle English Thuresday (with loss of -n-, first in northern dialects, from influence of Old Norse Þórsdagr) meaning “Thor’s Day”. It was named after the Norse god Thor. Thunor, Donar (German, Donnerstag) and Thor are derived from the name of the Germanic god of thunder, Thunraz, equivalent to Jupiter in the interpretatio romana.>
In most Romance languages, the day is named after the Roman god Jupiter, who was the god of sky and thunder. In Latin, the day was known as Iovis Dies, “Jupiter’s Day”. In Latin, the genitive or possessive case of Jupiter was Iovis/Jovis and thus in most Romance languages it became the word for Thursday: Italian giovedì, Spanish jueves, French jeudi, Sardinian jòvia, Catalan dijous, Galician xoves and Romanian joi. This is also reflected in the p-Celtic Welsh dydd Iau.
Thursday - Wikipedia

Friday: Ruler Venus

The name Friday comes from the Old English frīġedæġ, meaning the “day of Frig”, a result of an old convention associating the Nordic goddess Frigg with the Roman goddess Venus, with whom the day is associated in many cultures. The same holds for Frīatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, and vrijdag in Dutch.

The expected cognate name in Old Norse would be friggjar-dagr. The name of Friday in Old Norse is frjá-dagr instead, indicating a loan of the week-day names from Low German; however, the modern Faroese name is fríggjadagur. The modern Scandinavian form is fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish, meaning Freyja’s day. The distinction between Freyja and Frigg in some Germanic mythologies is contested.
The word for Friday in most Romance languages is derived from Latin dies Veneris or “day of Venus” (a translation of Greek Aphrodī́tēs hēméra, Ἀφροδίτης Ἡμέρα), such as vendredi in French, venres in Galician, divendres in Catalan, vennari in Corsican, venerdì in Italian, vineri in Romanian, and viernes in Spanish and influencing the Filipino biyernes or byernes, and the Chamorro betnes. This is also reflected in the p-Celtic Welsh language as Gwener. Friday - Wikipedia

Saturday: Ruler Saturn

No later than the 2nd century, the Romans named Saturday diēs Sāturnī (“Saturn’s Day”) for the planet Saturn, which controlled the first hour of that day, according to Vettius Valens.[1] The day’s name was introduced into West Germanic languages and is recorded in the Low German languages such as Middle Low German satersdach, saterdach, Middle Dutch saterdag (Modern Dutch zaterdag), and Old English Sæternesdæġ, Sæterndæġ or Sæterdæġ. Saturday - Wikipedia

Planetay Hours
So how it works: the day is divided in 24h, and approximately each hour has a different ruler in sequence.
In more details: The 24h is divided in two parts. The first past (day hours) are calculated by adding up the amount of minutes from sunrise and sunset, then dividing by 12. The second part (night hours) are calculated by adding up the minutes from sunset to sunrise the next day, then dividing by 12.

pic for example

example planetaty hours from greece today

The sequence of the planet hours is based on the Ptolemaic system and is always the same. It is better explained here

In astrological theory, not only the days of the week, but the hours of the day are dominated by the seven luminaries. If the first hour of a day is dominated by Saturn (), then the second hour is dominated by Jupiter (), the third by Mars (), and so on with the Sun (), Venus (), Mercury (), and the moon (), so that the sequence of planets repeats every seven hours. Therefore, the twenty-fifth hour, which is the first hour of the following day, is dominated by the Sun; the forty-ninth hour, which is the first hour of the next day, by the Moon. Thus, if a day is labelled by the planet which dominates its first hour, then Saturn’s day is followed by the Sun’s day, which is followed by the Moon’s day, and so forth, as shown below.
Planetary hours - Wikipedia

Because it is hard to calculate the hours by ourselves, these are two sites that I use. They are set on Greece timezone, so please check if you need to change it

Planetary Hours and Days | Lunarium

Planetary Hours Today, Astrology Online Calculator

SO, how can we use them in our practice?

If we like, we can align the work with do with them. So let;s say we want to do a self love ritual, the best day would be Friday, or a Monday at Venus hours. Or if we want to do something regarding school matters to choose Mercury hours.

Calculation of the planetary hours played a certain role in Renaissance astrology and magic. Astronomical tables published in the late 15th or during the 16th century often included a table of planetary hours with their significations but their application was of limited importance to astrology as practiced, with Cornelius Gemma explicitly stating that he accorded them little weight.

The 16th-century Key of Solomon has a chapter on the topic, giving examples for the types of magic considered appropriate for the days or hours associated with each planet

• In the Days and Hours of Saturn: the summoning of Souls from Hades, but only of those who have died a natural death
• In the Days and Hours of Jupiter: obtaining honours, acquiring riches, contracting friendships, preserving health
• In the Days and Hours of Mars: experiments regarding War, to arrive at military honour, acquire courage, overthrow enemies, etc.; in the hours of Mars: summoning Souls from Hades, especially of those slain in battle.
• In the Days and Hours of the Sun: experiments regarding temporal wealth, hope, gain, fortune, divination, the favour of princes, to dissolve hostile feeling, and to make friends.
• In the Days and Hours of Venus: forming friendships, for kindness and love, joyous and pleasant undertakings, travelling; in the hours of Venus: lots, poisons, preparing powders provocative of madness, etc.
• In the Days and Hours of Mercury: eloquence and intelligence, promptitude in business, science and divination, etc.; in the Hours of Mercury: undertaking experiments relating to games, raillery jests, sports, etc.
• In the Days and Hours of the Moon: embassies, voyages, envoys, messages, navigation; reconciliation, love, and the acquisition of merchandise by water; in the hours of the Moon: making trial of experiments relating to recovery of stolen property, for obtaining nocturnal visions, for summoning Spirits in sleep, and for preparing anything relating to Water.
  Planetary hours - Wikipedia

Monday & moon hours

The moon is the ruler of our emotions. Just like the phases of the moon, our emotions are an ever-changing and cyclical aspect of our human experience. On moon-ruled Mondays, you may feel more introspective, nurturing, intuitive, and deeply emotional.

Themes: fertility, intuition, divination

Aligned tasks: Journaling, reflecting, meditating, resting, embracing a spiritual practice, expressing your emotions, spending time with people you feel close to and can trust, and preparing for the week ahead. You can honor the moon by wearing silver, indigo, or blue hues.

Tuesday & Mars hours

Mars is the planet of power, and the Mars energy of Tuesdays helps us to feel invigorated and energized to take action and initiate new projects or plans.

Themes: passion, aggression, forward movement

Aligned tasks: Completing several items on your work or personal to-do list, doing high-intensity exercise, dancing, taking action on creative ideas, trying something outside of your comfort zone, getting your adrenaline pumping, and starting new projects. You can honor Mars by wearing red or donning metal accessories.

Wednesday & Mercury hours

Mercury is the planet of communication. This energy helps us to focus on intellectual pursuits, communicate effectively, and think clearly about any projects or goals to which we devote time and attention on Wednesdays.

Themes: technology, travel, socializing, connecting with others

Aligned tasks: Writing, reading, researching, catching up on emails, thinking about long-term plans, scheduling meetings, networking, and brainstorming. You can honor Mercury by spending time learning or using technology.

Thursday & Jupiter hours

Jupiter is the planet of abundance and expansion. Its energy brings an extra dose of good luck to whatever we touch (or invest in) and supports us on a spiritual level. On Jupiter-ruled Thursdays, we may feel more positive about our future and more motivated to be productive.

Themes: luck, growth, positivity, gratitude

Aligned tasks: Investing in the projects or relationships in your life that you want to grow, budgeting, making a vision board, pitching ideas, using meditation for visualization, devoting energy to new work projects, and connecting with spiritual teachers or mentors. You can honor Jupiter by sharing your positivity with others or complimenting a stranger.

Friday: & Venus hours

Venus is the planet of love, sex, beauty, and money, and it desires both divinity and respect. It only follows that Venus-ruled Fridays tend to feel aligned for connecting with loved ones, hosting a party, and generally leaning into matters of the heart.

Themes: pleasure, joy, romance, harmony

Aligned tasks: Embracing self care, getting dressed up in a way that makes you feel like the most beautiful version of yourself, writing poetry, listening to soothing music, heightening your five senses, visiting an art gallery, lighting candles, making art, spending time in nature, resting, and sharing a meal with a close friend or lover. You can honor Venus by wearing green, doing mirror work, and reminding yourself of how beautiful and loved you are.

Saturday & Saturn hours

Saturn is dubbed the taskmaster in astrology and encourages us to implement, dedicate time and energy, and get things done. Overall, the planet has an authoritative, tough-love energy, which is why it’s perhaps best known for the challenging and growth-inspiring Saturn return transit (when it returns to the location it was in when you were born).

Although Saturday is typically a weekend day, this Saturnian day is actually best suited for tying up loose ends and getting organized. And if you’ve ever checked off a to-do list on a Saturday in order to leave Sunday unscheduled, you know the freeing power of working with Saturn’s energy.

Themes: discipline, routines, academia, progress

Aligned tasks: Organizing your home or space, preparing for the week ahead (e.g., meal prep, setting out a schedule, grocery shopping), studying, learning, enforcing boundaries, doing a goal-oriented workout, budgeting, future-forecasting, and doing chores. You can honor Saturn by wearing dark blue or black, and by getting things done with the goal of freeing up time, space, and mental energy for the relaxation you deserve.

Sunday & the sun hours

The sun is all about joy, self-expression, and vitality. In turn, Sunday (quite literally, the sun’s day in astrology) is a great day to release work, tasks, and responsibilities, and simply rest and enjoy yourself. (They don’t call it “Sunday fun-day” for nothing.) The sun is life-giving and helps us to feel energized from day to night without feeling wired—an ideal state of being for celebrating life however you deem fit.

Themes: gratitude, energy, relaxation, creativity, connection, joy

Aligned tasks: Cooking a meal for friends and loved ones, spending time outside, playing games, exercising, resting and relaxing, doing creative activities, spending time on just-for-fun hobbies, unplugging, being present, and refraining from plans or rigid schedules. You can honor the sun by wearing gold accessories or the color yellow.
Learn the Planetary Days of the Week in Astrology | Well+Good

[georgia]

@stavroula

Planetary Days & Hours

Thank you!
I’d come across this information back in the 1990’s and thought it important, but I lost it and couldn’t find it again. So glad to have it back in my BOS!

[bj1]

Weekly Challenge - Power of the Planets

Planetary Hours

Say I wanted to do the Saying No Spell to set boundaries in my life. The best day is for manifesting energy for assertiveness is Tuesday, the day associated with Mars. Unfortunately today is Thursday, associated with Jupiter. Not all is lost, however, because we have planetary hours. You have seen the table in books and on websites, but no one tells you the proper way to use them, and they are incorrectly based on a 60 minute hour!

The first thing to realize is that a planetary hour is not 60 minutes long! A planetary hour is one-twelfth of the length of daylight on any given day. The only time a planetary hour is 60 minutes long is at the occurrences of the spring and fall equinoxes when the length of daylight is the same as the length of darkness.

You could go to an app but you will need the latitude and longitude of your particular location at the time. I tried one and it did not have a negative sign or a keyboard with N or W on it and it froze.

I grabbed my phone and on the weather app I got the sunrise and sunset for my location. Sunrise is 6:35 am and sunset is 7:58 pm on Thursday August 29, 2024 in my town.

The length of daylight is 13 hours and 23 minutes, or 13 x 60 + 23 = 804 minutes.

A planetary hour is one-twelfth of the length of daylight, so 804/12 = 67 minutes.

The order of the planetary hours is:

Saturn (Saturday)

Jupiter (Thursday)

Mars (Tuesday)

Sun (Sunday)

Venus (Friday)

Mercury (Wednesday)

Moon (Monday).

Note that this is not the same order as the days of the week!

The schedule of hours will begin at sunrise with the planet associated with the day of the week on which you will perform the spell.

So the schedule of hours will begin with Jupiter on Thursday at sunrise and cycle through the twelve planetary hours as Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, and Mercury. We can see there are two times during daylight hours when we will be in Mars, the second hour, and the ninth hour.

Counting from sunrise at 6:35 am and using 67 minutes for each planetary hour during daylight we have:

1 Jupiter 6:35 – 7:42 am

2 Mars 7:42 – 8:49 am

3 Sun 8:49 – 9:56 am

4 Venus 9:56 – 11:03 am

5 Mercury 11:03 – 12:10 pm

6 Moon 12:10 - 13:17 pm

7 Saturn 13:17 – 14:24 pm

8 Jupiter 14:24 – 15:31 pm

9 Mars 15:31 – 16:38 pm

10 Sun 16:38 – 17:45 pm

11 Venus 17:45 – 18:52 pm

12 Mercury 18:52 – 19:59 pm or 7:59 pm, our sunset (so we did it right!)

So the best time for our spell is around 8 am or 4:30 pm.

If we want to do our spell during darkness, we have to calculate the length of the planetary hour during the night. Our sunset is 7:59 pm and if the sunrise tomorrow is about a minute later than it was today, say 6:36 am, our hours of darkness are 10 hours and 37 minutes or 10 x 60 + 37 = 637 minutes. A planetary hour during darkness would be 637/12 = 53 minutes long.

Continuing the cycle where we left off at sunset with Mercury, we have:

1 Moon 19:59 – 20: 52 pm

2 Saturn 20:52 – 21:45 pm

3 Jupiter 21:45 – 22:38 pm

4 Mars 22:38 – 23:31 pm or around 11 pm.

Etc.

So we have 3 times where we can do the Saying No Spell today.

If you remember the order of the seven planets you don’t even need a table, the next time you want to calculate the planetary hours!

P.S. The system was based on the visible planets at the time, and the sun and moon which we know today are not planets.

[stavroula]

@georgia

So glad to have it back in my BOS!

Yay! Glad I helped!

@bj1 Kuddos for trying to work it with maths! I would never have tha patience to do something like this, eventhough maths and physics are my thing xD I am fricking lazy

@bj1

P.S. The system was based on the visible planets at the time, and the sun and moon which we know today are not planets.

This is true, though they are considered “planets” and not luminaries as we know today, as in the ancient times when the system was created they were considered as such. Not to metion that most of the civilatiaons believed Earth was the center and the seven of them orbited around Earth (Geocentric model)

[bj1]

@stavroula

Kuddos for trying to work it with maths!

Thanks! Can you imagine my surprise when I was scrolling down to submit my entry and I saw you had gone for the same topic?
I thought you had stolen my thunder!
I think the two posts mesh quite nicely, one after the other.
There is a topic in the forum right now about good and bad synchronicities. I think this was a good synchronicity!

[Artemisia]

@stavroula

Kuddos for trying to work it with maths! I would never have tha patience

I thought the same thing!! Nice work @bj1

@bj1

I think this was a good synchronicity!

Agreed, the two posts compliment each other!

[AIRAM]

Challenge Entry
Since ancient Babylonian times, each day of the week (and hour) is governed by a specific planetary energy, or spirit. There were 7 classical planets, and each planet has corresponding associations relating to each one.

These correspondences are used to enhance, amplify and align your magical practice. In Ritual magick, these associations are utilised to create seals and talismans, charge tools, or perform rituals invoking the planetary spirit to assist.

SUN | Success, energy and cultivation of power.
Day of the week - Sunday
Greek God - Apollo
Olympic Spirit - Och
Metal - Gold
Archangel - Suriel
Associated with - confidence, friendship, vitality, success, success, creativity, self expression, energy, pride, leadership, growth, health, optimism
Crystals - amber, tiger’s eye, sunstone, citrine, goldstone, yellow aventurine.

16th Century Key Of Solomon excerpt - “In the Days and Hours of the Sun: experiments regarding temporal wealth, hope, gain, fortune, divination, the favour of princes, to dissolve hostile feeling, and to make friends.”

MOON | Emotions, intuition and fertility.
Day of the week - Monday
Greek God - Hecate
Olympic Spirit - Phul
Metal - Silver
Archangel - Michael
Associated with - astral travel, clairvoyance, motherhood, intuition, fertility, dreams, emotional wellbeing.
Crystals - selenite, opal, clear quartz, moonstone, pearl

16th Century Key Of Solomon excerpt -
“In the Days and Hours of the Moon: embassies, voyages, envoys, messages, navigation; reconciliation, love, and the acquisition of merchandise by water; in the hours of the Moon: making trial of experiments relating to recovery of stolen property, for obtaining nocturnal visions, for summoning Spirits in sleep, and for preparing anything relating to Water.”

MARS | Action, motivation, defence and strength.
Day of the week - Tuesday
Greek God - Ares
Olympic Spirit - Phaleg
Metal - Iron
Archangel - Raguel
Associated with - war or fights, lust, destruction, masculinity, strength, energy, conflict, enemies, surgery, wounds and pain, triumph and victory, sexuality, assertion.
Crystals - bloodstone, red jasper, garnet, ruby, carnelian, pyrite.

16th Century Key Of Solomon excerpt - “In the Days and Hours of Mars: experiments regarding War, to arrive at military honour, acquire courage, overthrow enemies, etc.; in the hours of Mars: summoning Souls from Hades, especially of those slain in battle.”

MERCURY | Communication, travel, technology and thoughts.
Day of the week - Wednesday
Greek God - Hermes
Olympic Spirit - Ophiel
Metal - Mercury
Archangel - Gabriel
Associated with - memory, thinking, intelligence, knowledge, good luck, traveling, business and work, divination, remembering dreams and past events
Crystals - jasper, chalcedony, agate, aventurine, amethyst, hematite, fluorite

16th Century Key Of Solomon excerpt - “In the Days and Hours of Mercury: eloquence and intelligence, promptitude in business, science and divination, etc.; in the Hours of Mercury: undertaking experiments relating to games, raillery jests, sports, etc.”

JUPITER | Good fortune, expansion and money.
Day of the week - Thursday
Greek God - Zeus
Olympic Spirit - Bethor
Metal - Tin
Archangel - Anael
Associated with - religion, spirituality, spirit guides and mentors, peace, higher knowledge, abundance, authority, career, affairs abundance, blessings, health
Crystals - pyrite, green aventurine, citrine

16th Century Key Of Solomon excerpt - “In the Days and Hours of Jupiter: obtaining honours, acquiring riches, contracting friendships, preserving health”

VENUS | Beauty, love, health and self care.
Day of the week - Friday
Greek God - Aphrodite
Olympic Spirit - Hagith
Metal - Copper
Archangel - Raphael
Associated with - harmony, love, peace, lust, physical beauty, femininity, good luck, fertility, justice, legal and social affairs, luxury, self-care, the arts, cooperation, relationships
Crystals - jade, rose quartz, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, aventurine, emerald

16th Century Key Of Solomon excerpt - “In the Days and Hours of Venus: forming friendships, for kindness and love, joyous and pleasant undertakings, travelling; in the hours of Venus: lots, poisons, preparing powders provocative of madness, etc.”

SATURN | Protection, stability and cleansing.
Day of the week - Saturday
Greek God - Kronos
Olympic Spirit - Aratron
Metal - Lead
Archangel - Saraphael
Associated with - discipline, karma, business and career affairs, public reputation, debt and financial affairs, maturity, obstacles and limitations, power, authority, intellect, sadness, pain
Crystals - onyx, jet, black obsidian, green aventurine, apache tears

16th Century Key Of Solomon excerpt -
“In the Days and Hours of Saturn: the summoning of Souls from Hades, but only of those who have died a natural death.”

Seven Olympic Spirits

From the Arbatel de magia veterum, or Magic of the Ancients (1575) and the writings of Paracelsus (1493 – 1541)

1. Monday: Phul presides over the Moon
2. Tuesday: Phaleg presides over Mars
3. Wednesday: Ophiel presides over Mercury
4. Thursday: Bethor presides over Jupiter
5. Friday: Hagith presides over Venus
6. Saturday: Aratron presides over Saturn
7. Sunday: Och presides over the Sun

But what about Uranus, Neptune and Pluto?!

Uranus
Assosciated with - change, awakenings, social progress, humanitarian affairs, technology, eccentricity, caution and awareness, friendships, science, abrupt or sudden news/events, rebellion, unpredictability

Neptune
Assosciated with - dreams, psychic abilities, premonitions, religion, spirituality, astrology, divination, imagination, hidden things, clarity, illusions, mental health, artistic expression and creativity, serving/healing self and others .

Pluto
Assosciated with - transformation, destruction, psychology, rebirth, death, inheritances, spirituality, paranormal realms, obsession, astral travel or projection, occult practices, sexuality, the subconscious mind, extreme change, fate, mediumship, secrets

Planetary Magick – The Spiritual Toolbox

[MeganB]

I don’t usually work with the planets or their energy in my practice. However, I am always ready to create a new tarot spread and that’s exactly what I did for this challenge!

I got my notebook out and made notes of keywords for each of the planets in astrology.

The Sun: ambition and self-expression
The Moon: Intuition and emotional connection
Mercury: communication and intellect
Venus: love and relationships
Mars: passion and determination
Jupiter: growth and abundance
Saturn: limitations and challenges
Uranus: originality and freedom
Neptune: dreams and fantasy
Pluto: transformation and control

With these keywords in mind, I pulled a card for each planet, focusing on a message that each planet could bring me based on their associations. For example, The Sun could tell me how I can put my best foot forward and make a good impression.

I decided not to come up with specific questions for each of the planets because I wanted this reading to be more fluid and open to intuitive interpretation. I don’t want to give away my entire reading because it’s a bit personal, but here are a few glimpses of some cards – and yes, out of 10 cards I pulled, three were Major Arcana all in a row

[Artemisia]

What a very clever and intriguing idea and quite the challenge creating keywords and doing a 10-card spread! I love your creativity with tarot whether it’s creating this stellar spread or pulling tarot cards to inspire spell writing!

I’ve bookmarked it and set a reminder to try it myself when I’m home! Very inspiring!

[Susurrus]

Well, now that Mercury Rx ended on my 20th marriage anniversary, let’s see if we can get back on track. I love my Stellarium app to find the planets, sun, moon, and constellations and then take pictures if I am able to. I will have to see what comes to me for this one

[Phoenix_Fire]

challenge entry
I decided that as planet correspond to days and i work with day energy to do a week ahead spread with my " as above " tarot deck app

My week ahead spread showing cards

My week ahead spread showing each day

My week ahead spread showung planets and correspondances with cards

And finally the cards

Overview of week

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

[georgia]

Challenge Entry

This has been a real challenge to figure out what to do. I don’t work with the planets mainly because so much of what my horoscope says about me is off. Sure, when I am fighting for my survival, I become more Leonine, but I consider that abnormal and monstrous for me and very hard for others around me to handle.

Someone (was it Rob Bresny) once asked what I would choose if I could pick anything of the horoscope. Do I have to? I wouldn’t pick anything.

For me, the power of the planets is related more to the imagination, as writing prompts, or as protection to Earth from gasses, debris, and stray energy of the universe which would make life on Earth more difficult or impossible.

[john1]

This is my entry:

I found out some of my planets are : 2 part Pisces, Pluto Scorpio
Two-part Sagittarius
My moon is Gemini

[Cosmic_Curiosity]

CHALLENGE ENTRY

I love the planets, both magically and astronomically. I have posted before about using planetary magic squares (Here) and wanted to share these pages from my BoS so that the info may be of use to you:

For the challenge thiss week, i took the planets and linked each one with an Egyptian deity to create new pages in my BoS. I have also created a simple ritual that combines the planet and deity. These are not “official” correspondences but rather i linked the planets with a deity in terms of how i understand the planets astrolgical role with the dieties areas of influence. Please feel free to use these:

I then had a bit of fun with this by replacing the plaents with the deities on my astrological birth chart.

I have Ra working in harmony with Thoth, both of whom are in opposition to Osiris.
Amun is in harmony with Nephthys, both of which are in conflict with with Hathor.
Maat and Horus are also in harmony on my chart.

A fun way to interpret my chart and perhaps easier seen as I am aware of the qualities that these deities represent.

This was a really fun and enjoyable challenge for me.

Blessed be

Alan

[tracyS]

I love your books. They’ll make history.

[magan]

This is absolutely stunning! Beautiful piece of art you have created with your journey, love it!!

[BryWisteria]

It’s time for a friendly reminder:

This challenge will soon close

If you would like to participate and haven’t done so already, please post about your challenge experience by the deadline:

→ Tuesday, September 2 at 7:00 AM ET (Eastern US Time)

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Beautiful entries - thank you to everyone who has jumped into this extraterrestrial challenge so far!

If you haven’t already shared an entry but would like to join in, this is your friendly reminder that you still have time left to do so.

Blessed Be!