Lesson 2

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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