☽ The Chaldean Planetary Order ☉
From the Sphere of the Fixed Stars to the Sublunary Realm
| Planet | Primary Meaning | Poetic Pointer | First Sign Ruled | Influence on First Sign | Second Sign Ruled | Influence on Second Sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ♄ Saturn | Containment, boundary, form, time | The edge that lets you know yourself | Capricorn (Cardinal Earth) | Builds the mountain through disciplined ascent—structure that endures | Aquarius (Fixed Air) | Holds the pattern of the collective—the crystallized ideal |
| ♃ Jupiter | Expansion, possibility, abundance, meaning | The yes that opens doors | Sagittarius (Mutable Fire) | Seeks the horizon—expansive questing for truth and meaning | Pisces (Mutable Water) | Dissolves into the ocean—boundless compassion and unity |
| ♂ Mars | Will, severance, directed energy, assertion | The sword that chooses | Aries (Cardinal Fire) | Pure initiation—"I want, I act, I AM first" | Scorpio (Fixed Water) | Deep penetration—will that transforms through intensity |
| ☉ Sun | Center, identity, radiance, authority | The light that needs no reason | Leo (Fixed Fire) | Steady sovereignty—the king who simply shines | N/A | — |
| ♀ Venus | Attraction, value, harmony, relationship | The pull of what pleases | Taurus (Fixed Earth) | Sensual rootedness—embodied pleasure that stays | Libra (Cardinal Air) | Relational grace—initiating harmony through balance |
| ☿ Mercury | Connection, translation, exchange, movement | The bridge between islands | Gemini (Mutable Air) | Quick mental weaving—ideas dancing and connecting | Virgo (Mutable Earth) | Practical discrimination—organizing matter with precision |
| ☽ Moon | Reflection, rhythm, memory, responsiveness | The mirror that remembers | Cancer (Cardinal Water) | Nurturing initiation—responding with protective care | N/A | — |
The Seven Sacred Wanderers in their celestial dance
Click on any planet to explore its detailed Golden Dawn correspondences
Saturn
"The edge that lets you know yourself"
Containment, boundary, form, time
Core Attributes
#1 of 7 Sacred Wanderers
ט (Teth)
9
Lead
Saturday
Colors
Indigo
Black
Blue-black
Magical Image
A reaping man, aged and bent; or a tall dark figure with a scythe
Esoteric Meaning
Saturn represents the principle of limitation and structure. It is the boundary that defines form, the teacher through restriction, and the wisdom gained through time and patience. In the Golden Dawn system, Saturn governs the sphere of Binah on the Tree of Life, representing Understanding through form.
Signs Ruled
Builds the mountain through disciplined ascent—structure that endures
Holds the pattern of the collective—the crystallized ideal
Essential Dignities
Tarot Associations
Major Arcana
- • The World (XXI)
Keywords
Jupiter
"The yes that opens doors"
Expansion, possibility, abundance, meaning
Core Attributes
#2 of 7 Sacred Wanderers
כ (Kaph)
10
Tin
Thursday
Colors
Blue
Violet
Deep purple
Magical Image
A crowned and mighty king upon his throne; or a bishop with staff and mitre
Esoteric Meaning
Jupiter embodies expansion, growth, and benevolence. It is the principle of increase, optimism, and the search for meaning. Associated with Chesed on the Tree of Life, Jupiter represents Mercy and the generous overflow of abundance.
Signs Ruled
Seeks the horizon—expansive questing for truth and meaning
Dissolves into the ocean—boundless compassion and unity
Essential Dignities
Tarot Associations
Major Arcana
- • Wheel of Fortune (X)
Keywords
Mars
"The sword that chooses"
Will, severance, directed energy, assertion
Core Attributes
#3 of 7 Sacred Wanderers
פ (Peh)
16
Iron
Tuesday
Colors
Red
Scarlet
Brilliant flame
Magical Image
A warrior armed and crowned, riding upon a wolf
Esoteric Meaning
Mars is the principle of assertion, action, and directed will. It represents the cutting edge that separates and defines through conflict and conquest. In the Golden Dawn tradition, Mars governs Geburah—Severity and strength through the application of force.
Signs Ruled
Pure initiation—"I want, I act, I AM first"
Deep penetration—will that transforms through intensity
Essential Dignities
Tarot Associations
Major Arcana
- • The Tower (XVI)
Keywords
Sun
"The light that needs no reason"
Center, identity, radiance, authority
Core Attributes
#4 of 7 Sacred Wanderers
ר (Resh)
19
Gold
Sunday
Colors
Gold-Yellow
Rich amber
Gold
Magical Image
A king upon a throne crowned and sceptered
Esoteric Meaning
The Sun represents the core of individual identity, the source of vitality and creative power. It is the central organizing principle around which all else revolves. Associated with Tiphareth—Beauty—on the Tree of Life, the Sun harmonizes all forces in perfect balance.
Signs Ruled
Steady sovereignty—the king who simply shines
Essential Dignities
Tarot Associations
Major Arcana
- • The Sun (XIX)
Keywords
Venus
"The pull of what pleases"
Attraction, value, harmony, relationship
Core Attributes
#5 of 7 Sacred Wanderers
ד (Daleth)
3
Copper
Friday
Colors
Emerald Green
Sky blue
Early spring green
Magical Image
A beautiful naked woman, or a fair maiden crowned
Esoteric Meaning
Venus embodies the principle of attraction, desire, and value. It draws together what resonates, creating harmony through relationship. Venus governs Netzach—Victory—on the Tree of Life, representing the triumph of love and beauty.
Signs Ruled
Sensual rootedness—embodied pleasure that stays
Relational grace—initiating harmony through balance
Essential Dignities
Tarot Associations
Major Arcana
- • The Empress (III)
Keywords
Mercury
"The bridge between islands"
Connection, translation, exchange, movement
Core Attributes
#6 of 7 Sacred Wanderers
ב (Beth)
1
Quicksilver (Mercury)
Wednesday
Colors
Orange
Purple
Violet-purple
Magical Image
A beautiful youth, sometimes winged, bearing a caduceus entwined with serpents
Esoteric Meaning
Mercury represents communication, intellect, and the exchange of information. It is the messenger between realms, the translator of experience into thought and word. Associated with Hod—Splendor—Mercury brings the power of mind and reason.
Signs Ruled
Quick mental weaving—ideas dancing and connecting
Practical discrimination—organizing matter with precision
Essential Dignities
Tarot Associations
Major Arcana
- • The Magician (I)
Keywords
Moon
"The mirror that remembers"
Reflection, rhythm, memory, responsiveness
Core Attributes
#7 of 7 Sacred Wanderers
ג (Gimel)
2
Silver
Monday
Colors
Silver
Cold pale blue
Silver-white
Magical Image
A beautiful maiden, or a huntress with bow and arrows
Esoteric Meaning
The Moon represents the tides of emotion, the rhythm of change, and the receptive feminine principle. It reflects light rather than generating it, showing us the world of shadow, dream, and subconscious memory. The Moon governs Yesod—Foundation—the astral substrate underlying physical reality.
Signs Ruled
Nurturing initiation—responding with protective care
Essential Dignities
Tarot Associations
Major Arcana
- • The High Priestess (II)
- • The Moon (XVIII)