Planetary magic is a huge subject and is one of the cornerstones of many occult traditions throughout history. The seven planets used in magic and astrology include the Sun and the Moon, but from a magical viewpoint they are all known as planets. Each of these celestial bodies is associated with various aspects of life which can be harnessed magically by using their correspondences such as colour, crystal, number and plants.
Each month I'm going to write a blog about one of these seven planets, including the traditional magical properties associated with each one. I will only cover the basics, but it will give you a taste of planetary magic and may inspire you to learn more. I will include a spell, but I hope that you will be encouraged to make your own, using either the properties I've included, or by using your intuition.
The Sun is at the very centre of our Universe and it is only the precise interaction between the Sun and the Earth that provides the perfect conditions for life on our planet. The Sun warms our seas and land, it provides light and generates weather patterns, it is essential for plant life and Vitimin D which we need for good health. Without the life giving energy of the Sun, the Earth would be a ball of lifeless ice covered rock.
Since ancient times cultures from all over the world have honoured and prayed to Sun deities in the hope it would encourage the Sun to appear again after the cold dark winter, bringing with it the gift of warmth, light and life.
I just want to add, please don't get hung up on having the correct correspondences, the most important thing in magic is your intent, so if you haven't got something, use your intuition to pick a substitute. I'm including the correspondences below for your information.
Correspondences:
Magical influences:
Confidence, diplomacy, healing, friendship, money, peace, power, success, prosperity, status, leadership, joy, fertility, harmony, agriculture, creativity, hope, self, communication, inspiration, transformation, manifesting, truth, clarity, renewal, growth.
Day:
Sunday
Element:
Fire
Direction:
South
Sign:
Leo
Colours:
Gold, yellow, orange
Deities:
Helios, Brigid, Apollo, Amun, Ra, Osiris, Mithras, Bran, Belanos, Adonis, Sol, Alanus, Atum, Balder, Eos
Metal:
Gold
Crystals:
Amber, carnelian, citrine, clear quartz, diamond, garnet, goldstone, pyrite, ruby, sunstone, tiger's eye, topaz
Herbs and plants:
Angelica, ash, bay, benzion, buttercup, carnation, cedar, celedine, chamomile, cinnamon, copal, Frankincense, hazel, juniper, marigold, mistletoe, morning glory, myrrh, oak, rosemary, rowan, rue, St. John's wort, sunflower, witch hazel
Number:
Six
Shape:
Hexagon
Angel:
Michael
Animals:
Bear, bee, beetle, cockerel, cricket, eagle, hawk, horse, ladybird/ladybug, lion, lizard, peacock, pheasant, phoenix, praying mantis, salamander, scorpion, snake, spider, swan
Oils:
Chamomile, Frankincense, olive, orange, sesame, sunflower
Tarot cards:
The Sun, knights, the sixes
There are also planetary hours, times when each planets energy is more powerful. I don't work with them myself, but if you are interested the best times to work Sun magic is on a Sunday:
Day time (sunrise to sunset) 8.00 am & 1.00 pm
Night time ( sunset to sunrise) 3.00 am & 10.00 pm
Sun Spell for Self Confidence
You will need:
A piece of paper - yellow or orange if possible if not white (pads of coloured paper are usually found in the children's craft section of bargain shops, I am in the UK and got mine from The Works)
A pen (felt pens are best as they come in many different colours) - yellow, orange or gold if possible, obviously a colour that contrasts with the paper you have chosen
Scissors
Thread/ wool - gold, yellow or orange if possible
Candle - gold, yellow or orange is possible
Candle holder
An oil associated with the Sun or one your intuition suggests
Herbs/plants/crystals either from the list above or those you are drawn to use.
On a Sunday...
Take your candle and anoint/dress it with your chosen oil ( you only need a drop) rub it from the wick to the base.
Put the candle in the holder, sprinkle herbs around the base and add crystals if you are using them.
Take your piece of paper and cut it into a hexagon shape. With your pen write ' I am confident' or your own words in the centre then fold it up as small as possible. Tie it tightly with your thread or wool and place it in front of your candle.
Take a few slow deep breaths and visualise yourself as confident and say:
'By the power of the Sun
source of light
make me confident sure and bright' (or make up your own chant)
Let the candle burn out completely if possible, if not snuff it out and re-light it when you can keep an eye on it. Never leave a candle unattended!
Once the candle has burned out you can keep your paper spell on your altar or in a safe place and carry it with you whenever you need an extra boost of confidence.
If you want to learn more about Sun magic, read 'Sun Magic' by Rachel Patterson.
Photo by Andrey Grinkevich on Unsplash