The Sun, Moon and Other Planets
When primitive man first tried to understand the mysteries of the world around him, he must have been amazed at the constant changes he observed when he looked up into the heavens. Stonehenge, and other stone circles, show that at the very least, primitive people were interested in following the sun’s annual cycle. Sun and moon cults were followed in Babylon, Egypt, Palestine, Persia, India, Greece, Rome, and Gaul. The moon was worshipped long before the sun. In fact, in Babylonia, the sun was called “the son of the moon,” not the father.
There has been much conjecture about this, but no one knows why there was so much emphasis on the moon. It may have been because the intense heat of the sun was harmful to crops. Consequently, the sun might have been viewed as an enemy, rather than a friend. Another possibility is that, unlike the moon, the sun was difficult to view. Also, the moon was always surrounded by a glittering panorama of stars and planets.
In most traditions, the sun symbolizes the male principle, and the moon the female. However, in some traditions, notably in Asia and some German-speaking countries, this is reversed because the inhabitants saw the sun as warm, nourishing, and maternal.
Cult of the Moon
The moon was the first Mother Goddess, which makes her the mother of all symbolism. Primitive people must have been fascinated with the different phases of the moon as it gradually grew from a thin crescent to a full moon, and then slowly diminished again. The four equal phases of the moon’s cycle last seven days and gave people a convenient way to mark periods of time. Seven has always been considered a highly important, mystical number in numerology. The moon provided the first means of marking time, and the lunar calendar is still used in many parts of Asia.
Every month the moon imitated pregnancy, as it gradually grew larger and larger, before declining again. It did not take people long to make a connection between the twenty-eight-day cycle of the moon and women’s menstrual cycles. As childbirth was vital to ensure mankind survived, people believed that the moon controlled the reproductive cycle. The moon became the “great mother.” Gestation took ten twenty-eight-day lunar months, or forty weeks. This might also explain why the number forty has always been associated with difficulties or tribulations. God, for instance, caused heavy rain to fall for forty days and forty nights (Genesis 7:4). The wicked may be given forty lashes (Deuteronomy 25:3). Jesus spent forty days in the Wilderness (Luke 4:1–2). Lent, the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter, lasts forty days.
The light produced by the moon was believed to make plants and animals more fertile. Because moonbeams were believed to encourage pregnancy, women who desired to become pregnant slept under the light of the moon. Many witches removed their clothing to allow the light of the moon to reach every part of their bodies. This helped them reach their goal of fertility of mind and spirit, as well as body. People considered morning dew to be a magical liquid left by the moonlight. In fact, it was a common belief that a woman would conceive more easily after rolling naked in a meadow damp with morning dew.6
Another old tradition says that people can gain a dream vision of their future partners by speaking to the first new moon of the year. The following rhyme needs to be spoken while looking at the moon:
All hail to thee, dear moon, all hail to thee,
I prithee kind moon, please reveal to me,
Him/her who is my life partner to be.
After this, the person is likely to see his or her future partner in a dream.
The Moon Goddess played an important role in early religion, especially in fertility cults. Elsewhere, she brought both life and death. The moon creates the tides in the ocean, and is also responsible for rain and floods. We need water to survive, but it can be a dangerous element for people caught in strong seas or bad weather. The moon has always been connected with fluids, and the menstrual cycle also reflects this.
The moon is also connected with strong emotions, such as love, and the inner world of intuition, which leads to premonitory dreams and psychic inspirations. The word lunatic comes from Luna, the Latin name for moon. Consequently, although the moon can encourage creativity and intuition, it can also cause insanity in some individuals.
The moon plays an important role in modern-day Wicca. Meetings are determined by the phases of the moon. Most covens meet when the moon is full, but some prefer to meet at the time of the new moon. The moon is at its most powerful when it is full, but the energy of the new moon is ideal for starting anything new. Any spells or magic that involve increase, healing, or gain are done while the moon is waxing (increasing in size). Magic for elimination or banishing is performed when the moon is waning. The three forms of the moon (waxing, full, and waning) personify the maiden, mother, and crone using the goddesses Diana, the Virgin Huntress (new and waxing), Selene, the Matron, (full moon), and Hecate, the Crone (waning).
The power of the moon is drawn down using an ancient ritual called “drawing down the moon.” This ritual is so old that it is said Aphrodite taught it to her son, Jason. Aristophanes wrote about it in 423 B.C.E.
When you draw down the moon, you effectively draw her energy into every cell of your body. This makes it an extremely beneficial ritual to perform whenever you feel lacking in energy or enthusiasm. The best time to perform this ritual is outdoors on a clear night of the full moon. However, you can perform it any time by visualizing yourself outdoors at the time of the full moon.
Start by cleaning the area you are going to work in. If you are working indoors, you may want to vacuum or sweep the room before starting. If you are outdoors, you will want to choose a pleasant spot and bless the area you will be working in. You do this by gazing at the area and thinking pleasant, positive thoughts about it. Remove any rubbish or decaying matter.
Once you have done that, visualize a circle about six feet in diameter. You can mark the boundaries of this space, if necessary, by placing small objects in a circle around you. I have a circular rug of the right size that I use when working indoors. However, all that is necessary is to visualize yourself surrounded by a circle of protection.
Stand in the center of the circle with your feet apart. Take a few slow, deep breaths and then raise your arms above your head, with the elbows slightly bent. Visualize a pure white light descending from the moon and into your body. Stay in this position for at least sixty seconds, allowing the white light to reach every part of your body. You may feel the white light as a tingling or warming sensation as it spreads through you. You may feel strong emotions as the moon replenishes you. When you feel revitalized by the moon’s (or goddess’s) energy, give thanks. You can, if you wish, while still inside the circle, send healing thoughts to anyone who needs it. You may send healing thoughts out to the entire world.
You can perform this ritual as often as you wish.
Cult of the Sun
The power of the sun has been revered ever since primitive people settled into small communities and began planting crops. This marked the start of sun worship. The Egyptians and Babylonians changed from lunar time to solar time some five thousand years ago.7 The ancient Egyptians were aware of the 365-day year, and added five intercalary days at the end of the 360-day zodiacal year to enable the system to work. These extra days were celebrated as the birthdays of Oriris, Isis, Horus, Typhon, and Nephthys, five important gods. In the seventh century B.C.E., the 365-day year was introduced to Greece.
In every part of the world where sun worship was practiced, the sun was seen as a handsome, young god who impregnated the earth with his warmth, vitality, and life. This, in turn, stimulated all living things to procreate and reproduce. The warm rays of the sun were also believed to bring good health, energy, peace, prosperity, and wisdom. It is not surprising that the cult of the sun god became so popular.
There have been many love stories told about the sun god. Usually, they involve him directly, but there are also many that involve him in different roles. One of the most beautiful myths is the story of Scar-face, told by the Algonquian people of North America.
Scar-face was a young hunter who had received an ugly scar on his face after fighting a grizzly bear. Although this proved his courage and bravery, the other braves in the tribe endlessly taunted him about his looks. Like all the other braves, Scar-face was in love with the chief’s beautiful daughter. After she discarded another admirer, Scar-face followed her to the river and proclaimed his love for her. The girl admitted that she loved him, too, but that she could never marry anyone as the sun god wanted her as his sun maiden.
“Is there nothing that can be done to change this?” Scar-face asked.
“Maybe you could find the sun god and ask him to release me from this promise,” the girl said. “If he does, you must also ask him to remove the scar from your face. Then I’ll know that he’ll let me marry you.”
Scar-face was despondent. He knew it would be almost impossible to persuade the sun god to give up such an attractive maiden. Nevertheless, he set out in search of the sun god. He crossed rivers and lakes, climbed high mountains, and battled his way through snow and ice. Everywhere he went, he asked the local animals if they knew where the sun god’s lodge was. Eventually, he met a wolverine who said that he had been there a long time ago. He offered to take Scar-face at least part of the way.
After walking for many miles, they found themselves on the shores of a lake. The wolverine turned to go back, as he was unable to cross the lake without a boat. Scar-face was about to give up, too, but two white swans appeared. They carried him across the lake and told him which direction to take.
Scar-face walked for a long time. He found a bow and arrow, and paused to admire them. He left them where they were and kept on walking. Soon he met a young man who asked him if he’d seen his bow and arrow. Scar-face told him where they were and turned to carry on walking.
“Where are you going?” the boy asked.
Scar-face told him and the boy replied that he was Morning Star, the sun god’s son. He offered to take him to meet his father. Morning Star’s parents greeted him warmly and invited him to stay. Scar-face stayed for many moons, waiting for the right moment to ask the sun god for a favor. He spent his days hunting with Morning Star. Morning Star was allowed to go anywhere except near the lake, because of the fierce birds there that would kill him.
One morning, Morning Star disappeared as soon as they entered the forest. Scar-face knew instantly that Morning Star was going to hunt the fierce birds. He raced to the lake, arriving there just in time to save Morning Star from the birds. The sun god was so grateful to Scar-face for saving his son that he offered to do anything he could to help him. Scar-face explained why he had come to the sun god’s lodge. The sun god listened in silence, and when Scar-face finished, nodded gravely.
“Go back to the woman you love and ask for her hand in marriage,” the sun god said. “As a sign that I have granted this, I’ll make your face whole again.” He raised his hand, and instantly Scar-face’s face was perfect. Before he left, the sun god gave Scar-face some magnificent clothes and ornaments to take back.
When he returned home, no one recognized him as he was wearing beautiful clothes and had a smooth face. The chief’s daughter recognized him, though, and a few days later they married. Scar-face, now known as Smooth-face, and his bride built a beautiful medicine lodge to honor the sun god who had made their happiness possible.
Drawing Down the Sun
When you draw down the moon, you are summoning the energy of the goddess. You can call on the energy of the god by drawing down the sun. The process is identical. The only change is that you stand with your feet together, and cross your arms over your chest so that the tips of your fingers are touching your collarbones. Visualize yourself being filled with the sun’s energy. As with drawing down the moon, this can be done by both men and women. There are times when we need female energy, no matter what sex we may be. There are other times when we require male energy. You can draw down the sun at any time you feel necessary. However, if possible, do not do this at the full moon, as this time is dedicated to the goddess.
Venus
Venus was the Roman goddess of love. Jupiter wanted her to marry Vulcan, but she thought he was ugly and unappealing. Instead, she took a variety of lovers, including Mars, who fathered her son, Cupid. Not surprisingly, as a result of all this, Venus is the planet most closely associated with love.
Venus is also associated with beauty. If you want to attract more love into your life, surround yourself with comfort and beauty. This is not necessarily an expensive exercise. You may add a few potted plants and a cushion or two. Playing beautiful music or burning scented candles are other ways to bring Venusian qualities into your home.
Venus’s color is green. Anything green will add Venusian qualities to your environment. Consequently, an attractive potted plant will encourage growth and fertility in every area of your life, as long as you look after it.
Sandro Botticelli’s famous painting, The Birth of Venus (c. 1485), was the first major Renaissance painting based on mythology. It depicts a nude Venus standing on a seashell floating on water. This is because Venus was born from the sea. To her left is a winged Zephyr, which is a personification of the West Wind. On her right is the Waiting Hour in the form of a beautifully dressed nymph. This painting is full of symbolism, and includes symbols of love. The nymph wears a girdle of roses and a garland of myrtle. Roses descend from heaven on the far left of the painting. These symbolize the pain of love. Venus is nude, which symbolizes love in all its various forms. This painting is the first to show a secular naked woman. Until the Renaissance, the Church considered nudity to be a sin and artists were not able to depict it.
Sun-Sign Compatibility
Many years ago, I wrote a book on sun-sign compatibility.8 I was amazed at the amount of interest there was in the subject. Even people who expressed disbelief in astrology wanted to know what signs were the most compatible with theirs. Of course, sun-sign compatibility is only a tiny part of astrology. To determine your compatibility with someone else, you should ask an astrologer to draw up a compatibility chart for you.
However, almost everyone knows his or her sun-sign, making this a quick and easy way to assess the likelihood of a relationship.
The twelve horoscope signs can be divided into four groups using the ancient symbols of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. These groups are known as Triplicities, because three signs belong to each element.
Fire: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius
The Fire signs are enthusiastic, energetic, and active.
Earth: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn
The Earth signs are stable, patient, practical, and hard working.
Air: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
The Air signs are sociable and communicative. They enjoy mental stimulation.
Water: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces
The Water signs are emotional, family-oriented, and naturally intuitive.
Looking at the elements provides some clues as to how the different signs will get on with each other. Libra is an Air sign. Sagittarius is Fire. Fire needs air to exist. Consequently, at a sun-sign level, these two get on. Look at Leo (fire) and Cancer (water). As water puts out fire, this is unlikely to be a good combination. However, there is no need to panic if you are a Cancerian married to a Leo. Your sun sign is a small part of your astrological chart. Any competent astrologer could erect a compatibility chart for you. A complete chart looks at all the possible combinations and permutations and will provide you with the full story. I am a Sagittarian and have been happily married to my Piscean wife for more than thirty years. Many years ago I read a book on sun-sign astrology that said we shouldn’t even be in the same room as each other!
Symbolism of the Signs
Each horoscope sign has a symbol that provides a picture of the nature of the sign.
Aries (March 21–April 19)
The ram symbolizes Aries. A ram heads directly toward whatever it is he wants, and pays no attention to anything that might be in the way. The ram clearly illustrates the energy and immediacy of this sign.
Taurus (April 20–May 20)
The bull is the symbol of Taurus. At first glance, this may seem surprising, as Taurus loves beauty and culture. However, Taurus can also be extremely stubborn, and this is clearly shown by the bull. Taureans are also tenacious, persistent, and do not like to be pushed. They possess enormous latent energy. Again, the bull exemplifies these qualities.
Gemini (May 21–June 21)
The heavenly twins, Castor and Pollax, symbolize Gemini. People of this sign have good minds and enjoy communicating with others, usually vocally. They are changeable and adaptable, fitting into whatever situation they find themselves in. The duality, symbolized by the twins, enables Geminis to see both sides of a situation, which can create problems when they have to make up their minds. This duality also makes them changeable. They become interested in many activities, but lose interest in them quickly.
Cancer (June 22–July 22)
The word “cancer” means “crab” in Latin. Cancerians are softhearted, emotional people who often create a shell around themselves to provide protection from the onslaughts of a hard, uncaring world. Likewise, the crab has a hard outer shell that protects the soft interior. Cancerians love their homes, and sometimes use them as their symbolic outer shell. Crabs rarely head directly for what they want. They approach obliquely, and with many pauses along the way. Cancerians act in the same way. When dealing with Cancerians, it is usually better to appeal to their feelings, rather than logic.
Leo (July 23–August 22)
Not surprisingly, the lion symbolizes Leo. Lions are the king of the beasts. They are proud, regal, and “lion-hearted.” Leos are exactly the same. They are natural leaders. They show off as they enjoy being the center of attention. Leos are positive, happy, pleasure-loving people. Although they can be thoughtless, they are generally sympathetic, generous, and kind.
Virgo (August 23–September 22)
The virgin symbolizes Virgo. This doesn’t mean Virgos are destined to remain virgins. It shows that they are idealistic, virtuous, modest, dedicated, caring, and discriminating. Virgos are modest, unassuming, and gentle. They tend to avoid the spotlight, preferring to contribute in the background. They can be critical, aloof, and appear unresponsive.
Libra (September 23–October 22)
A balance, or pair of scales, symbolizes Libra. This is effective symbolism for people who always strive for poise, balance, and harmony. Librans are caring, sociable people. They prefer being married to spending life on their own. They appreciate beauty, and ensure that their homes are as attractive as possible.
Scorpio (October 23–November 21)
The scorpion symbolizes Scorpio. Scorpions have a sting in their tail, and this is frequently a trait of Scorpios, too. Scorpios never forget a slight, and repay any injury with interest. On the positive side, they never forget a favor or good deed, either. Scorpios are single-minded, emotional, intense, and rigid. Once they learn to harness these energies, their progress can be remarkable.
Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)
The Greek mythological centaur, half man and half horse, symbolizes Sagittarius. The centaur holds a bow and arrow. Sagittarians are like young centaurs. They are enthusiastic, cheerful, and energetic. The archer with his bow and arrow shows the “straight shooting” side of Sagittarius. However, they need to channel their energies, rather than shoot arrows in too many different directions. Because of this tendency, it often takes Sagittarians a long time to work out what they want to do in life.
Capricorn (December 22–January 19)
The symbol for Capricorn is the goat. This is a good choice, as people born under this sign are ambitious, cautious, determined, single-minded, and hard working. In the wild, goats climb mountains and reach the heights. Plodding, patient Capricorn subjects can do exactly the same. They have no time for flashy whiz kids, preferring to move ahead one step at a time.
Aquarius (January 20–February 18)
Aquarius is symbolized by a man pouring water. This surprises some people, as Aquarius is an Air sign. However, the water being poured symbolizes enlightenment, knowledge, and wisdom. The water-carrier is a well-known occult symbol that depicts the Aquarian Age. Before the Last Supper, Jesus told two of his disciples to go into the city “and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water” (Mark 14:13).
Aquarians enjoy learning and seek knowledge. They look for hidden truths and the reasons behind everything. Aquarians are natural humanitarians, but are also slightly detached, which can make it hard for people of other signs to understand them. Aquarians are unconventional, original non-conformists who enjoy making their own unique way through life.
Pisces (February 19–March 20)
The symbol for Pisces is two fish swimming in opposite directions. This clearly depicts the duality and indecision of the Pisces nature. However, it also shows that Pisces can swim with the tide, rather than fighting against it. Pisceans are naturally intuitive. They also possess strong imaginations and have a dreamy side to their nature. When they know what they want, Pisceans will work hard to achieve it. When they have no clear goals, they tend to drift with the tide.
Desmond’s Experience
Desmond was a fifty-year-old accountant when he attended one of my psychic development classes many years ago. He was divorced and had been living on his own for ten years. Some years earlier, his daughter had given him a silver goat pendant for Christmas. This was because his sign was Capricorn. Desmond wore it around his neck, but underneath his shirt, as he didn’t want his clients to see it.
At the time he came to my class, he had finally let go of all the baggage he had been carrying around since the break-up of his marriage, and was starting to think about seeking a new life partner. Despite the efforts of his friends and family, he had had no relationships since his marriage ended. When I asked him to think of something that symbolized love, he produced the pendant.
“Clarice, my daughter, gave this to me several years ago,” he told us. “She loves me, so this goat symbolizes love for me.”
One of the other class members pointed out that she had never seen it. Why did he wear it under his shirt? Desmond looked embarrassed.
“It doesn’t look very professional,” he said. “I’m an accountant, and I don’t want people to think I’m superstitious.”
This started a discussion. Some people agreed that it was better to keep it hidden, while others thought it should be in view. Finally, I suggested that he experiment with having it visible for one week. I could see doubt and fear in his eyes, but he agreed to try it.
A week later, at the next class, Desmond told us how he had fared. On the first day, a colleague had made a joking reference to the pendant, but the rest of his staff either made a favorable comment or ignored it. Desmond was more concerned about the attitude of his clients. He felt self-conscious at first when he noticed people looking at it, but the only comments he received were positive ones. After a few days, Desmond made the decision to keep the pendant in view.
When he met his daughter for lunch on the weekend, he found that she already knew what he was doing. His secretary had told her.
“I take it you’re looking for a new woman,” Clarice told him.
Desmond laughed at the memory as he told us about his conversation with his daughter.
“She seemed to know my intentions before I did.” He fondled the pendant. “This is my lucky charm. I’m sure it will attract love to me.”
It did not happen overnight. Desmond dated several women before finding the right one. By this time, the class had finished and I’d been wondering how Desmond was getting on. He phoned me one evening to tell me he was getting married again.
“Jane’s one of my clients,” he told me. “I’ve known her for almost twenty years. Nothing would have happened if she hadn’t noticed my pendant. She immediately showed me her key chain, which had a bull on it. She’s a Taurus. That started us talking about all sorts of different things. I invited her out for dinner, and everything went very fast after that. We’re both very much in love, and very happy. Isn’t it fascinating to think that if I’d kept my pendant under my shirt, none of this would have happened? My goat is a wonderful symbol of love.”
6. Raven Grimassi, Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft (St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2000), 147–148.
7. Ernest Busenbark, Symbols, Sex, and the Stars in Popular Beliefs (New York, NY: The Truth Seeker Company, Inc., 1949), 93.
8. Richard Webster, Sun-Sign Success (Auckland: Brookfield Press, 1982).