Planetary Squares (fixed lecture)
So, for some reason tumblr did not like my planetary squares lectures, so I am reuploading the whole thing (minus the nice charts I made on excel but they didn’t even upload) , so enjoy
Each of the seven classical planets in witchcraft has “planetary squares” devised of many numbers. These squares are used mainly in the making of, sigils, then these sigils are used in talismans, seals of spirits, and just plan sigil with an attribution to a planet.
Planetary squares are used heavily in all forms of magick, especially the creations of talismans, in spirit work, and all aspects of ceremonial witchcraft. The seven classical planets are; Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, and the Moon. The moon and the sun are in fact listed as planets in traditional and medieval magicks; it irks me as well.
The actual squares come from the magickal system the Kabbalah (notice the spelling is different from the Qabalah because in more modern western occultism as they are different systems in many aspects). So, for example, Saturn is a planetary symbol of the Binah, the third Sephirah on the Kabbalah/ Tree of Life. This the square has three compartments each way (vertically and horizontality), each section (sub-division) is a number in the square (math time three time three is 9). So all numbers from one to nine are arranged in a way that each column will add up to 15, and the three columns will add up to 45. (Saturn is also the smallest square, you can also see it at the bottom of this lecture)
I am not going to explain more on each planet squares separately, as one can find them online and one does not need to make squares as they are already made for the magi. Since this is an ancient system of magick, and especially since you can find any information of this from most Golden Dawn books, and because I am still mad at tumblr for making redo this lecture.
Many spirits’ seals people in the creation of entities such as servitors, egregores, and god-heads, come from the squares shown above (usually Saturn or Mars)
Now I am sure all of you are wondering what you can do with these squares and are wondering what these numbers mean. Traditionally one would use Hebrew numerology for these squares, I personally already dislike using the Kabbalah, so I use the western system of numerology, the Pythagorean system (you may remember Pythagorean from algebra and “fun” math problems with triangles). As one can see each letter can be reduced to a number with this system, it is those letters and numbers which you will use with the planetary squares. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z (K and V, these are “master letters” and should not be reduced if possible) Usually, in this system of numerology the vowels are separated from the consonants, but for sigil-making, you do not use this custom. Let’s take the name “Gavin” first we must match it up to the numbers in the chart above. Which is simple enough G a v I n 7 1 4 9 5 Now since we are making a sigil l from this name we would keep the vowels in the name. Next, what would one want to do with this name? What is the intent? Let us say that Gavin needs to be aggressive and warlike for the big ruby game coming up, for this we will use the square of Mars. Let us use Square of Mars representing the fifth Sephirah of Geburah. Each side has five units for a total of 25 squares with each line both sideways and up and down counting 65, the total being 325.
Now here is the part where the actual sigil making takes place. It is very simple, one must connect the numbers in the name to form the sigil. when they are done they must rewrite the outline they just made (but without the chart behind it) (this is where tumblr messed up on my last lecture, I cannot uploaded the finished sigil for some reason??? @staff help pls)
Now this is only one way to do this type of sigil/square. The Pythagorean system is one way, but since the numbers only go up to 9, it is not a good system to use when you are doing the bigger squares with numbers higher than 9, even a simple square like Mars is a good example above. If one used a larger phrase than just the name “Gavin” they could not put it on the square without it looking like gibberish because of all the repeating numbers. Because of this, most people use the system of numbers and letters below. (there are two to pick from in the chart below) the first is referred to as standard and the second number is the ordinal value (I made a nice chart BUT TUMBLR HATES ME) A:1,1 B: 2,2 C: 3,3 D:4,4 E:5,5 F:6,6 G:7,7 H:8,8 I:9,9 J:10,10 K: 20,11 L: 30, 12 M: 40, 13 N:50, 14 O:60,15 P: 70,16 Q: 80,17 R: 90,18 S: 100,19 T: 200,20 U: 300,21 V: 400,22 W: 500,23 X: 600,24 Y:700, 25 Z: 800, 26
I usually end up using the Ordinal Values because I do not like to reduce the Standard values which you will have to do because it is more stolen from the Hebrew system. However, it is best that you know at least 2 of three given systems of numerology above, but you should know all three if you are heavily into sigilisation. (like I am)
Now below are the seven classical planets and their squares, the descriptions come from the Grater Key of Solomon
Saturn: ‘In the Days and Hours of Saturn, thou canst perform experiments…to cause good or ill success to business, possessions, goods, seeds, fruits and similar things, in order to acquire learning; to bring destruction and give death, and to sow hatred and discord.
Jupiter: ‘The Days and Hours of Jupiter are proper for obtaining honours, acquiring riches; contracting friendships, preserving health; and arriving at all that thou canst desire.
Mars: ‘In the Days and Hours of Mars thou canst make experiments regarding War; to arrive at military honour; to acquire courage; to overthrow enemies; and further to cause ruin, slaughter, cruelty, discord; to wound and to give death.
Sun: ‘The Days and Hours of the Sun are very good for perfecting experiments regarding temporal wealth, hope, gain, fortune, divination, the favour of princes, to dissolve hostile feeling, and to make friends.
Venus: ‘The Days and Hours of Venus are good for forming friendships; for kindness and love; for joyous and pleasant undertakings, and for traveling.
Mercury: ‘The Days and Hours of Mercury are good to operate for eloquence and intelligence; promptitude in business; science and divination; wonders; apparitions; and answers regarding the future. Thou canst also operate under this Planet for thefts; writings; deceit; and merchandise.
Moon: ‘The Days and Hours of the Moon are good for embassies; voyages; envoys; messages; navigation; reconciliation; love, and the acquisition of merchandise by water.’
As Always
-Nick