The second chapter of this series will deal with the Planets which follow after the Zodiac. It is important that before the study of the Planets can be commenced that the understanding of the traditional universe has to be taken into consideration because of its importance in Astrology, especially Traditional Astrology, which followed this system for hundreds of years. The system used is a neo-platonic model of the universe which describes the universe as perfect spheres, all revolving around earth. Each one of these spheres contains in it either a planet or some body which directly influences the Earth.
Like the signs of the Zodiac, each Planet also has sever correspondences or sympathies with things that are gross and elemental. The Planets receive these sympathes from the signs they are under and with each of these they adopt a larger volume of correspondences. Everything in existance are governed or ruled over in some way to either the Zodiac associations or the Planetary sympathies.
Each of the Planets pass through certain states or stages. All of these states have relation to the speed of each of the Planets and also to the direction the Planet moves in. There is an astrological difference between Planets which move forwards or backwards which is quite significant to the interpretation when captured into a chart. There are also a variety of applications that each Planet makes towards another (or many) Planets who pass through its field of vision.
Due to the illumination of the Sun, each of the Planets give off reflective rays from their bodies. These rays are what form the relationships between the Planets. There are certain states or accidents that can occur between the lights of the Planets whether positively or negatively giving each of them power or taking it away or simply passing the virtues of one Planet onto another.
The movement of the Planets around the sphere of the Zodiac and the speed of the Planets cause each of them to in some way have to interact with one another. The interaction between the Planets are called aspects. Each of these aspects is either benevolent (good or beneficial) or malevolent (bad or evil) and can cause strain or joy between each of the Planets themselves when they enter into this relationship with each other. Aspects are a powerful way to describe the relationships between two (or more) Planets and are important for all astrologers to understand.
Each aspect between two Planets can either be an applying aspect (moving towards) or a separating aspecting (moving away). Applying and separating aspects are important to know and make distinctions between because they add another layer to interpretation.
Planets are designated an influence of benevolence or malevolence essentially (meaning their natural influence that is not infected by outside accidents). However their natural influences can be overcome if they are placed in a certain area or influenced under a certain Planet; this is called accidental benevolence or malevolence. An accident in Astrology is nothing more than a chance placement of a Planet (or Planets) in a specific placement at a specific time. It is important to understand that a Planet may be malicious and considered evil but in certain situations, that evilness is converted into goodness and the Planet becomes a beneficient. However because evilness can be converted into goodness, a benevolent Planet can also be converted into a malevolent one.
Each of the Planets have designated to them places that provide them comfort or places that make them uncomfortable. These places are called Dignities and Debilities. A Planet placed in a certain sign in a certain degree is more or less powerful according to that placement. A Planet is happy in certain positions and unhappy in others. When a Planet is happy it gives off a benevolent influence but when it is unhappy or uncomfortable it gives off a malevolent influence.
The House or the home signs of each of the Planets is an important Essential Dignity to consider. The House is ranked with a high and powerful ranking of 5 and a Planet who is found in his House is most happy and at home, similar to the relationships people have with their homes. As aforementioned in the 1st Chapter, every Planet is designated two home signs, excluding Sol and Luna who only have one. The Planets are also designated Detriments which are the Debility of a Planet.
The next powerful dignity a Planet can have is Dignity by Exaltation. The Exaltation of a Planet is sometimes credited with being more powerful than that of the House. Each Planet is also given in opposition to this Dignity, a Debility of a Fall which is ranked the same on the scale of extremity.
Each of the Planets belong to a group called the Triplicities. The Triplicities are 3 signs each belonging to a specific Element. The Triplicity Dignity is the third most powerful Dignity that a Planet can have.
The last two Dignities received by the Planets are those of the Term and Face. They are both minor Dignities in terms of power and influence but have a greater meaning when a Planet is placed in them, especially with regards to the Face Dignity. Each Planet also has a specific place that it has Joy in. These Joys also add a minor dignity to the power of the Planet.
Both the Sun and the Moon are the most influential Planets considered in Astrology since without them there would be no life. While Luna is inferior to Sol, because of her proximity to the Earth, her influence is felt greater and she translates the light of Sol to the Earth. There are a variety of Accidents and influences that the Luminaries depart towards Planets which enter into relationships with them and they deem importance of mention in this Chapter as a conclusion to the Chapter of Planets.
This concludes the second Chapter of the Planets. The next chapter deals with the division of the Heavens into Houses.
