[Opinion] Why people do planetary work?

[Hund]

I’m genuinely curious about this, because in none of my workings so far have I ever drawn power from planets or waited for the “right” planetary timing.

For example, if you wanted to uncover something hidden, something being kept from you, why would you bother waiting for certain planetary positions instead of simply calling on a demon and asking for it, or using the Futhark to perform some kind of magic? There are also tons of talismans that can be used for practical, worldly purposes. You can gather things from here and there and easily craft something suited to your own purpose.

I can understand why certain systems might require specific timings, and I’m asking this while setting that aside. What I’m interested in is the practical, utilitarian side of it. Why would someone choose to work with planetary powers in the first place?

 

[ROL13]

I’m genuinely curious about this, because in none of my workings so far have I ever drawn power from planets or waited for the “right” planetary timing.

For example, if you wanted to uncover something hidden, something being kept from you, why would you bother waiting for certain planetary positions instead of simply calling on a demon and asking for it, or using the Futhark to perform some kind of magic? There are also tons of talismans that can be used for practical, worldly purposes. You can gather things from here and there and easily craft something suited to your own purpose.

I can understand why certain systems might require specific timings, and I’m asking this while setting that aside. What I’m interested in is the practical, utilitarian side of it. Why would someone choose to work with planetary powers in the first place?

In my case, theurgy and astro-theurgy have worked well for me; I feel comfortable with them—perhaps because I started a few years ago following Damien Echols's methodology, even though I am now more dedicated to Daoist practice and alchemy (using Jerry Alan Johnson's material). In my opinion, the ecosystem that exists "out there" is far more complex than the mind can grasp; ultimately, it all comes down to what resonates most with you.

 

[ashlesha]

Neoplatonic cosmology suggests that our reality is emanated through the planets, forming a map of consciousness and a timeline of activation for particular magical virtues. By waiting for the appropriate time, you can tap into that current of energy and make manifestation easier rather than working through larger ritual formats. By optimizing the timing so the planetary factor is strongest, you can consecrate a talisman to maximize that force and create a point of contact for continued magical workings.

More than that, I think it's just an approachable and popular perspective on magic. Most people are beginners, and aren't comfortable with demons or grand cosmic forces because of religious reasons. The average person will have exposure to occultism through astrology or tarot, and only venture into demons, grimoires, or other tradition's folk practices through continued exploration, which they may not have a call for!

 

[r4zorenigma]

Neoplatonic cosmology suggests that our reality is emanated through the planets, forming a map of consciousness and a timeline of activation for particular magical virtues. By waiting for the appropriate time, you can tap into that current of energy and make manifestation easier rather than working through larger ritual formats. By optimizing the timing so the planetary factor is strongest, you can consecrate a talisman to maximize that force and create a point of contact for continued magical workings.

More than that, I think it's just an approachable and popular perspective on magic. Most people are beginners, and aren't comfortable with demons or grand cosmic forces because of religious reasons. The average person will have exposure to occultism through astrology or tarot, and only venture into demons, grimoires, or other tradition's folk practices through continued exploration, which they may not have a call for!

Well said.. Planetary magick is what I do best! and I couldn't have said it any better.

 

[Faria]

why would you bother waiting for certain planetary positions

I agree. I see the role of occult astrology as primarily gatekeeping. Astrology is such a big subject that it's easy to convince people that you have superior knowledge and that they are just poorly-informed. "But your didn't use the right time!' or "You must wait for XYZ." It's all just pretense, designed to make you feel less competent and whoever is telling you that look more competent. The fact is that nobody has any actual competence in occult anything and anyone who tells you otherwise is full of shit, we are all just explorers. Their astrological theories have no more reality than what any other guru is teaching.

You can hear the same sentiment as you express here in some of the major grimoires. Abraham of Worms preaches against astrology, then goes on to prescribe his own version of it, but in large part the grimoire literature over-writes much of the underlying traditions. People in 14th-17th century had limited access to foreign mysticism, and a lot of that came packaged with astrology, but they usually made their work more like the way you suggest where it goes directly to the spirits. The reliance on astrological timing got reduced to just working on the Day and Hour of the planet, or in special cases during a planetary exaltation or the waxing moon. All the complex rules for when the stars must be right were mostly tossed out by that time.

More recently you have the Golden Dawn/Thelemic approach, where the planets are invoked whenever you please, using planetary rituals and specific ways to trace geometric figures. Those tend to ignore the usual framing and replace all of it with regular discipline. You practice going into Moon Mode every Monday, associate that with specific words and signs, and then do that for years and years, and that's going to have much the same effect as the Keys of Solomon or the Heptameron or whatever, but the trade-off is that you do have to spend a long time doing it before you realize you're doing anything at all.

Why would someone choose to work with planetary powers in the first place?

Planetary magic is "people" magic. Things people do. We love, we fight, we work, we hide, we learn, we show off. The planets are all about doing magic that affect where you sit with other people and how they relate to you or to each other.

 

[Mannimarco]

Why would someone choose to work with planetary powers in the first place?

Because if you have a high degree of energetic resonance with a planet, it's a great ally to have, and working with it will make your spells more powerful. Much like a spirit will, but less personal, similar to runes. There are basically no worries about "disrespecting" a planet, or not making enough offerings, or the planet getting offended if it offers advice and you don't follow it, etc. The energy it brings will tend to be more general, so its on you to program and direct it to manifest your exact intention, which a spirit would normally help you with.