“The Sun rules growth and Death.” The Sun needs to be balanced with water. The Sun is about growth, including material success. Everyone wants to be rich, that’s why so many people buy lottery tickets. Accept that you are worthy and your wealth can extend beyond this lifetime and become a gift to the world.

Day: Sunday
Number: 6
Intelligence: Nakhiel - NKHL
Spririt: Sorath
Tarot main: Lovers
Geomantic: Fortuna Major
Sacred Food: Honey
Sacred Flower: Sunflower
Sacred Scent: Lily of the Valley (Flower)

The Sun is literally at the center of the Universe. For this reason, it’s fair to attribute a slightly higher rank to NKHL then to other planetary intelligences. Without the Sun, there could be no life, so the Sun is central to concepts of growth, vegetation, life.

Jupiter is the largest of the ancient planets of the philosophers. Jupiter’s size has always helped people form associations with largesse and abundance. For people who are seeking more abundance in their life, allowing the energy of Jupiter into their life will certainly be an aid. Jupiter never thinks small. Yophiel is well versed in the subject of magick and can grant the magician servitors.

Day: Thursday
Number: 4
Intelligence: Yophiel
Spirit: Hismael
Tarot Main: Emperor
Geomantic: Caput Draconis
Sacred Stone: Amethyst
Scent: Violets
Plants: Trees of all sorts

Purple is the color that’s most sacred to Yophiel. The association of purple with royalty is a time tested one. The color is rich, as is the energy of Yophiel. In matters related to material abundance, Yophiel is the one to call.

In fact, in many grimoires the Olympic Spirits are listed, along with grandiose powers. There is rarely an exposition to accompany the text. It is assumed the practitioner will be familiar with rituals before attempting to contact these entities. If not, they’ll have to rely quite heavily on intuition to guide them in constructing their ritual, because very little has been written about the Olympic Planetary Spirits over the years, especially as it pertains to making use of them in an effective ritual.

Black Magick practitioners added the Olympic Planetary Spirits to many of their recipe style grimoires, so they’ve been called for centuries for all manner of ritual and use

When someone is beginning to research these entities, I think it’s important to ask yourself a few simple questions. One, in particular, that stands out to me is: how, exactly, are the Olympic Planetary Spirits different than that of the Planetary Spirit, which is always considered to be a “blind” or even dangerous force? Are these spirits dangerous, and what exact precautions need to be taken to assure my operation is successful?

The Olympic Spirits are ruled thus:

1) Saturn - Aratron
2) Luna - Phul
3) Mars - Phaleg
4) Sol - Och
5) Venus - Hagith
6) Mercury - Ophiel
7) Jupiter - Bethor

“The Golden Dawn” by Israel Regardie didn’t do much to clear up the matter of the origin and nature of these entities. The Olympic Planetary Spirits don’t show up until “Volume IV: Book Seven” and then only as a name and a sigil with absolutely no explanation of how to use them.

I have a simple theory on why the knowledge of these sigils has been transmitted this way: because it is unlawful to do so in any other manner. That would mean the use of this sigils can’t be taught, but depend rather heavily on use of intuition in order to figure out what purpose they have.

I have read a number of accounts where magicians have attempted to contact the entities directly, and I’m not sure this is the best way to go. If you draw out the sigils as meditative aids, their use might become more clear.

There is no advantage to calling an Olympic Planetary Spirit over a Planetary Intelligences. The Good Intelligences tend to do their work faithfully and without much deceit.

In any event, it is doubtless that many magicians do indeed use the Olympic Spirits for rituals. As usual, you would call them in their hour and on their day for best results. One way we can deduce that these entities operate at least somewhat differently from other Planetary entities, is the warning in the Arbatel by the unknown author. He explains that knowing the Sigil of an Olympic Spirit is not enough to control it, which is the opposite of most extant literature on the subject. Generally knowing the “name” of something is all the magician needs to retain control. Not so here, so forewarned is forearmed.

Further, the text states that these spirits can only be conjured by having God send them. This would seem to extend the theory that these entities cannot be safely and directly called. This ends this brief introduction on the Olympic Planetary Spirits.

Day: Tuesday
Number: 5
Intelligence: Graphiel
Spirit: Bartzabel
Herb: Tobacco
Color: Red

Graphiel should appear fast, if you’ve done your invocation convincingly. Call him on his day and in his hour for best results. Graphiel is fast, and can help you with tasks that need to be done quickly. You must always be explicit in your discussions with Graphiel, because a misunderstanding can cause great pain.

Graphiel has been much misunderstood by philosophers and occultists. The firy energy of the red planet is often seen as warlike with not other qualities. This is a shallow analysis and one that should be discarded. Understanding your Martial nature is essential to your growth and survival as a human.

The Moon is one of the most powerful of all the occult planets of the ancient philosophers. As Man has long observed, the Moon reigns over the crops and tides of Planet Earth. Luna has always been sacred in matters of maternity, agriculture, and the Sea.

Day: Monday
Number: 9
Intelligence: Malcah
Spirit: Chasmodai
Herb: Callow Lilly
Color: White
Scent: Rain

Triad of powers: Night, day, and existence

The Moon is considered to have a Triune existence. For this reason alone, the Moon is often associated with the Witch in many magickal traditions.

You can call Malcah in her hour on her day, but do so with respect. Malcah will only answer questions directly asked of her, so be clear in your communications or you risk misunderstanding. As Isis, Malcah is the grand Initiator, so she can help anyone who has mystical ambitions, provided they know how to ask.

The Septagram is a symbol of the completed work: the seven planets in equipoise

You can view each point in the star as belonging to a Planet. This way, each day of the week easily fits into your construct. Generally a canny practitioner would put Sol at the top, as the most important force in the Solar System, and ring the other points in order.

Septagram in the Thelemic Pantheon

Aleister Crowley chose the Septragram to be his glyph for Babalon, the “Great Whore”, his vision of the synthesis of the Universe in many ways.

The significance of the number seven should be obvious in most occult writings. Seven represents the triumph of Matter over Spirit 4/3 or Spirit over Matter 3/4, depending on your viewpoint. The Septagram as symbol of balance is unerring. It shows all seven major planetary energies in the form of the seven ancient planets of the philosophers in equipoise.

Mercury is ruled over by a good intelligence named Tiriel.

Tiriel Sigil

“Magician: Integration of soul, body, and belief systems.” All people are divine, but most don’t seek their divinity from within, but instead look for outside influences to lead them. Embrace knowledge in any way possible.”

Planetary Name: Kokab
Day: Wednesday
Number: 8
Intelligence: Tiriel
Spirit: TAPHTHARTHARATH
Tarot - Major Arcana Magician
Sacred Stone: Slate
Herb: The Plant Cactus - stores water, is protected by needles, and it can be used to heal
Color: Orange
Perfume: Sandalwood

Tiriel is fond of the written word

Slate is a rock found along many river beds. Slate hills can also be seen in many areas of the United States and around the world. Slate is particularly sacred to Tiriel, who as “Thoth” invented writing. Slate was used to teach millions of people how to write as the main component of blackboards. A “virgin” piece of slate is most pleasing to Tiriel.

Forewarning

Tiriel presides over Mercury, which is a fast planet. Mercury is well known for his quick mood changes, which are often described as “mercurial”. Tiriel rules speech, and by association, lies, so you must be most careful of Tiriel of the seven planetary Intelligences you communicate with. Tiriel will often test you, and deliberately mis-lead you, so be warned.

When to call Tiriel

In matters of eloquence, writing, contracts, and business Tiriel is a reliable Intelligence to contact.

One area where this planetary system really excels is in the area of symbolism and visualization. Each of the planets, and the corresponding Godforms have long traditions of being called on for people for centuries. Of course, all visualizations will be highly personalized, but it nevr hurts to have a strong foundation to build on.

The art of visualization and meditation can also vary from person to person, but using some simple techniques can be useful. The key is to make some “quiet time” and to shut off the outside world as much as you can. If you’re wired and tense, it’s difficult to achieve a meditative state. For this years, adopting a yoga posture and practicing the fourfold breath is essential for good practice. The main key is to try and still your thoughts as much as possible. Slowing down your breathing and maintaining your posture are keys to success in this practice.

As far as breathing techniques go, the four fold breathing method from The Golden Dawn has proven to be quite effective. The concept is simple. Breath in through your nostrils on a count of four. Hold for a count of four. Exhale through your mouth for a count of four. Hold exhaled breath for a count of four. Repeat. The cadence is up to you and will be as fast or as slow as you need it to be. There’s no reason to overexert yourself. Just find a pace that you can hold comfortably and stick with it.

If this is your first attempt at doing the four fold breath, ten minutes should be sufficient. My advice is to sit in the basic Lotus yoga position. Cross your legs, and point your soles skyward. Your heels will be pressed against your lower abdomen. Sit with your spined as straight as possible. Place your hands, with palms upward, on each of your knees. Your eyes are closed and your head will be up through the meditation. This is the most basic meditative pose, and is called the Lotus because you will resemble an inverted lotus while seated this way.

Relax and begin your breathing. The key is to try and keep yourself from being distracted by your own thoughts. When you do find a random thought attempting to break your concentration on breathing, re-focus it and renew your concentration on the four-fold breath. 1 2 3 4. In. 1 2 3 4. Hold. 1 2 3 4. Exhale. 1 2 3 4 Hold. Make sure to keep your body completely still and avoid the urge to scratch yourself or to move. If you’re like me, you’ll find that the physical part is pretty easy, even as a beginner. The hardest part is controlling your thoughts. You’ll quickly realize that an internal dialogue is always going on, and it will take Herculean effort to quell it completely. But that is your noble goal, because true meditative work will require your mastery of this action.

10 minutes is enough to gage your progress and see where you stand. If you find the practice to be simple, then by all means extend the time spent. But there’s no good reason to just try and do more time, because adeptness is your goal. If you rush your progress you may end up forming some bad habits, and that’s one thing you definitely need to avoid.

I would suggest keeping a journal of your practices and attempting this exercise every day for at least 30 days. You’ll be working on other aspects of the planetary system, but you may as well get started and keep going with yoga and meditation. In the end, yoga is the key to many psychic experiences. If you plan on a career as a mystic or magician, you’ll find the breathing and Lotus to be important foundational pieces.

Of course, the Goetia has been largely lumped in with an amorphous “planetary system”, despeite the clear distinctions laid out in Hermetic philosophy. Again, at the root of this is the syncretization done by the Golden Dawn system and it’s main adherent/heretic Alistair Crowley. For this reason alone, you’ll see Astrological symbols of the old planets governing a great number of operations aimed at conjuring demonic entities, despite very clear evidence that this was never meant to be the case.

Despite the many causes advanced by Crowley, this lumping in seems to be more of a personal nature than one that is steeped in any important magickal philosophy. Crowley went so far as to claim that the Goetic demons were merely “parts of his own psyche” which is almost assuredly a bold-face lie. To assume he thought this, despite so much evidence contrary to the fact is dangerous. Crowley certainly thought of many entities as being greater or separate from him, and wouldn’t have went so far as to suggest they were all in his head, unless he had a specific reason for doing so.

In fact, the preface to the Goetia that Crowley advanced almost undoubtedly contained a number of falsehoods. He wouldn’t have spent so much time with his very artistic evocations if he was merely reaching into the far depths of his own mind. Why the incredible number of precautions? And why, particulary the threats of torture and possible death of the entity? If the demon was merely a part of your own mind, it would seem incredible stupid to threaten this region with torture and possible death. Alistair Crowley was a lot of things, but dumb wasn’t one of them.

“The All is Mind; The Universe Is Mind”. In “The Kybalion”, the tenets of the Hermetic philosophy are laid out, and the first premise is a simple one: it’s all in your mind. The Universe is largely a creation of your own thought projections. Robert Anton Wilson covered this theme, as well. Whatever the thinker thinks, the prover proves.

If Goetic entities are just a part of your mind, then lengthy warnings about the danger you face would serve no purpose. I’ve also heard the concept that Goetic demons are merely a part of the psyche and are hard-wired into each of us is something that my research doesn’t agree with. In fact, the idea of threatening a part of your psyche is ludicrous. Almost all of the texts make a similar claim. They claim that the mage needs to come into contact with the demonic entities in order to subdue them and put them under control. Modern pyschology doesn’t seem to have run along a correlary path when it comes to this subject, for certain obvious reasons.

But let’s go a step further. What if these entities weren’t just a part of you? Instead, let’s imagine they were eternal creatures with their own set of rules and a tightly defined agenda. Let’s assume further that part of their agenda was to entertain themselves, even at your expense. What would happen if when you called on them, demandingly, they only pretended to agree with you and do your bidding, but instead they decided to purposely screw you up, just to entertain themselves? My
contention is that this is closer to the truth than what has been laid out in countless texts so far.

After all this beings are called demons. And what’s in a name? The character should be readily revealed when you read most of their descriptions. No matter how you look at it, going with a demon first makes no sense. You can be tricked. They will attempt to confuse and deceive you. And most importantly they are rarely well suited to their task. Before calling on the help of a potentially malevolent being, why not try with an entity of a more divine nature? Dealing with a demon is like catching a leprechaun. Sure, he might tell you where the pot of gold is hidden, but chances are very good he’ll try and screw you over instead.

The Church’s profound effects were felt for anyone engaged in scholarly pursuits at that time. The field of philosophy had lied dormant as the Church reigned over the secular and theologic aspirations of millions. When the taking of Constantinope occured, people who were starving for knowledge were given a glimpse into the enormous vaults of Greek thoughts, and the ideas resonated in a way that couldn’t have been predicted by the Dour Catholics. What the Greeks also re-introduced to the Era was the concept of the beauty of form. And many of the works of that era were magnicificent to behold

Of course, philosophers of the Middle Ages weren’t used to the brilliant and moving imagery of the Greeks, especially as it related to philosophy. They must have been incredibly moved by the stirring forms they witnessed, and the impression was felt by Ficino deeply. Ficino felt that the use of music and art was essential to his interpretation of Soul. He often played his lyre to soothe the battered consciousness of his patients.

Ficino gave an imbalanced account of the planets. He was clearly afraid of the influences of Saturn and Mars. Mars, indeed, seemed to shake him literally to his core. You can understand his reticence to dealing with the War God archetype considering the backdrop of the times he lived in. War and violence were a constant threat to his very way of life, and everyone of his time was familiar with the sudden onset and results of violent outburts.

With warfare and murder being a common occurence, it’s not hard to see where Ficino could go wrong with Mars. But, as modern practioner’s of this noble art, we don’t need to fall into the same trap. Of course, over-invoking Mars could be extremely dangerous to anyone, but if you carefully subdue the influences, you won’t have any more issues with Mars than you will with the kinder and gentler entities. In fact, you’ll find Mars extremely easy to work with. He’s always fast to respond, especially if you call him in his prescribe hour, because he’s duty bound to do so, and duty is something he never shirks. He also has the most pronounced sense of humor of any of the entities, and he tends towards blunt communication and honesty. He’ll be the first one to tell you to be careful of his influence.

To me, both Saturn and Mars have gotten bad raps. With Saturn, it’s easy to understand why, when you consider the legends of him eating his own children. Time, which he rules, is in essence a supreme enemy of all mankind, because it’s the one thing that will force us back to the light. All of us are born with a death sentence, and this uneasy feeling you get when you think about your demise is undoubtedly the fear you face at your own mortality. To come face to face with Saturn and understand his role is as important a part of discovering your planetary power is just as important as working with the much kindler and gentler natures of Venus and Sol.

One of the remarkable things about Ficino was the fact that he met so many other remarkable characters, Giordano Bruno counted Ficino as one of his main inspirations, and he too ran afoul of the Inquisition with such teachings. Bruno believed in a heliocentric universe, and this hearsay ended up costing him dearly. But Bruno knew that history would judge him innocent of the crimes of which he was charged, and he knew that Time would offer his final vindication. Upon learning of his execution, he bravely said: “Perhaps you, my judges, pronounce this sentence against me with greater fear than I receive it.”

Paracelsus was another fascinating character of this time frame. In many ways, he’s one of the founding fathers of modern medicine, but knowledge of all he did remains elusive for researchers.

Frances Bacon
Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

Hermetic Philosophy

It’s tough to talk about the Hidden Universe without mentioning Hermetic Philosophy. The two are inexorably entwined. Hermes Trimestigus has long been considered the father of the occult, and with good reason.

Theurgy - Alliance with divine spirits

In a sense, theurgy is white magick. The magician doesn’t use magick to further profane ends, but rather uses theurgy to commune with higher entities, who’s sole purpose is to aid the advancement of mankind.