The gifts of the planets

In our year of unprecedented planetary alignments, it is interesting to reflect on how the ancient Hermeticists understood the planets as archetypal powers that generate the emotional and psychological capacities of humanity.

This is a meditation on “The Gifts of the Planets” from the Kore Kosmou:

The Sun spoke: 'I will shine all the more."

Moon promised to light up her course in Sun's wake. She added that she had already engendered Fear, Silence, Sleep, and Memory that would be useful to human beings.

Saturn announced that he was already the father of Justice and Necessity.

Jupiter spoke: 'So that the future race might not totally devote themselves to war, I have already fathered for their benefit Fortune, Hope, and Peace.'

Mars said that he was already the father of Struggle, Wrath, and Strife.

Venus asserted without hesitation: 'To them, Master, I will yoke Desire, Pleasure, Laughter so that the souls akin to me, who suffer the most horrid condemnation, might not be punished beyond measure.'