The Nature of the Planets
Where do the planets get their meanings?
Moon:
Primarily moist due to the oscillating motion of liquids associated with its shifts and cold because it complements the heat of the Sun while far from its sphere. She is considered hotter when waxing and colder when waning due to her changes in luminosity.
Moist and Cold
Benefic or Malefic depending on its phase
Feminine (reserved and cautious context) principle due to its humidity
Mercury:
Of vague nature given it is close to the Moon’s sphere and within the planets below the Sun (also known as the inferior planets) which lends them moisture but is also never far from the Sun’s position rendering it dry sometimes.
Mutable; Moist and Dry
Benefic or Malefic depending on condition
Neutral in gender
Venus:
Hot because it is close to the solar sphere and moist because it is below the Sun’s influence and within the Moon’s domain. Of moderate nature given its position between the cold and heat of the luminaries but considered fruitful to life and thus primarily moist.
Moist and Hot
Benefic due to being moderate and conductive to life
Feminine due to its humidity
Sun:
Hot and dry given its heat and radiance; considered central to life and its maintenance therefore both vitalizing and drying. Its luminosity depends on the season and thus circumstantial in temperament. Heats up and dries any planet too close to it which is known as “combustion” in practice.
Hot and Dry
Benefic or Malefic depending on proximity of other planets
Masculine (direct and forward context) principle due to its heat and dryness
Mars:
Hot due to being in close proximity to the solar sphere but primarily dry due to also being above the Sun and among the distance of the superior planets. Considered unfruitful to life due to its excessive dryness and thus threatening.
Dry and Hot
Malefic due to being excessive and non-conductive to life
Masculine due to its hot dryness
Jupiter:
Moderately hot because it is next to the excessive heat from the sphere of Mars and moist due to also being close to the excessive cold from the sphere of Saturn. Considered primarily temperate in nature given its position between the two spheres that are threatening to life yet bright in luminosity.
Hot and Moist
Benefic due to being moderate and conductive to life
Masculine due to its moderate heat
Saturn:
The most visibly distant planet, far from the luminary spheres and thus excessively cold but also dry due to being above the Sun and among the distance of the superior planets. Considered the most non-conductive for life and thus of unfruitful in nature.
Cold and Dry
Malefic due to being excessive and non-conductive to life
Masculine due to its cold dryness
The nature of the planets is determined by various observable characteristics such as their movement, appearance, luminosity, and placement within the Chaldean order of the celestial system. This order classifies planets into superior and inferior groups based on their relative speeds; planets above the solar sphere move more slowly, signifying prolonged and sustained influence, while those below the solar sphere move more quickly, resulting in more momentary and dynamic effects.
Theoretically, each planet is associated with two primary qualities that justify its position within the order and define its essential character. These qualities align with the fundamental principles that shape the four elements of the astrological cosmos: Heat, Cold, Dryness, and Moisture. Accordingly, Fire embodies the hot and dry qualities, Air the hot and moist, Water the cold and moist, and Earth the cold and dry. Below are the 7 traditional planets and their fundamental qualities.
