Planets Influence on Time- The Chaldean Order

Planetary hours is an horological system that dates back thousands of years and has been utilized by many cultures across Eastern and Western occult lineages. Ingrained deep within the ancient civilizations of Babylonian, Chaldea, Egypt, Hindu, and Hellenistic cultures. The current system we use today is from the Chaldean order, termed in 1895. It is one of several methods of ordering planetary hours. This method is seen throughout each culture, however, it is not the only method of planetary timing. The Chaleadan Order is a sequential ordering of planetary rulership based on their orbital periods, which is applied to the order of the planetary hours of each day. The order is based on the slowest moving planet to the quickest planet from the vantage point of earth (terra-centric). The ordering reflects back to the Chaldean beliefs of ordering divinity through a process of different hierarchical luminaries (stages of consciousness). The slower moving planets and their relative distance is due to their role, or stage within human development. It follows the evolutionary cycle of mankind and shows the role of Saturn ‘Father Time’ and Jupiter, ‘The Great Benefic’ as the predecessors of ordering divine intelligence into the development cycle of consciousness. 

Division of Time

Planetary hours indicate when the quality of the planet will become dominant during the hour and day. Planets imbue their influence through the ownership of the day and onto 3-4 hours of the day (number of ruling hours depends on the day). Each planet is associated with certain qualities, energies, and influences. The planetary hours system aims to harness or align with these influences during specific times. The system divides the 24-hour day into segments ruled by the seven planets, with each day having its own planetary ruler. The order of the planets is typically as follows:

• Saturn
• Jupiter
• Mars
• Sun
• Venus
• Mercury
• Moon

The first hour of each day is ruled by the planet associated with that day throughout the 24 hours.  (e.g. Sun rules Sunday, at sunrise 6 am the hour of the Sun will dominate.) After the seventh hour, the cycle repeats. The planetary day begins at sunrise, and the planetary night begins at sunset. The default starting time in the Chaldean Order is 6 AM, this is much easier than adjusting the rulership to the varying times of sunrise. For further details, see The Fortunate Hours Book for an hour by hour chart. 

Awakening Planetary Forces

There are numerous ways to use the Planetary hours, in its essence the system seeks to align the individual with higher planetary forces. But working with these forces during their rulership, the energy and consciousness within these luminaries is more accessible. During a specific planetary hour, the energy or influence of the ruling planet is more pronounced and can be harnessed for various activities, such as rituals, spellwork, meditation, or specific tasks associated with the qualities of that planet. By accessing the planetary hours system, one can compound the desired effects of the ruling planet, and or optimize their actions based on the planet’s governance. This allows one to tap into the planetary forces, and magnify them. This system is less of a ‘drawing down’ of the planetary forces, and should be thought of as an ‘awakening’ or a magnetizing within the self, to create a focal point within  the unified field, in relation to the self. Consequently, when like forces are compounded, the predominant energy-nature becomes the outcome. 

For example, if someone wanted to enhance their communication skills, they might choose to engage in activities related to Mercury, such as writing or studying, during the planetary hour ruled by Mercury, and done on Wednesday (Mercury’s day) to compound the Mercurial nature. 

Applications

There are a few methods of working with Planetary hours; as mentioned above, spiritual practices, ritual, or for planning actions. In each application, one will begin by working with the planet and then referencing their ruling day/time for execution. Therefore it is not only recommended, but required to have a familiar understanding of each planet’s qualities and what aspects of life they rule over. Familiarize yourself with the changing nature within each day. This can be done by meditating and working with the Planetary Yantra at 6 AM each day. This is when both the planet will rule the day and the hour, therefore its nature is most pronounced during that time. Journaling is recommended, note the mental quality before beginning and the notable qualities after the meditation and working with the Planetary Yantra. (A planetary Yantra is a numeric grid that one stares into, it is used in Tantric and Western occult practices to ‘call’ the planetary forces, and works through the subtle layers of the mind.) Another method would be to do the ritual, yogic practice, or spell on the hour of the ruler, which would be based on what they govern or the nature of the work, ritual, etc.