Planets as Temperament Part 2: Adding a layer to planetary energetics

In part one of the planets as temperament we discussed fundamental concepts that are necessary in your understanding of this article and what is to come. Please read it if you have not or if you choose to move forward and find yourself without full clarity. 

 Adding a layer to the Planets & Temperament

For a brief review, in the first article we went over the “universal” temperament of each planet. The first layer was as follows:

Saturn is Cold & Dry (The temperament of Melancholy) 

Jupiter is Hot & Moist (The temperament of Sanguine)

Mars is Hot & Dry (The temperament of Choleric)

Sun is Hot & Dry (The temperament of Choleric)

Venus is Cold & Moist (The temperament of Phlegmatic)

Mercury is Cold & Dry (The temperament of Melancholy)

Moon is Cold & Moist (The temperament of Phlegmatic) 

This layer or way of thinking can be considered the “universal nature” of the planets. When they exist unto themselves in a less interconnected and dynamic way.

The second layer will bring information that could SEEM to contradict some of what is said above, but I will attempt to unpack why it really reveals how temperament is a template that expresses itself in a dynamic manner and it would be wise to be seen as a spectrum. 

Saturn

Saturn is not only “Cold & Dry” but it is Extremely Cold and Dry. Think of it from the lens of “degrees of cold.” The cold you experience in the winter where it snows for a few months of the year does not even compare to the cold of the Arctic circle. This is a reason why Saturn is considered a “malefic” or problem planet. Because it is not conducive for growth, similar to the Arctic Circle. So be mindful not to make moral judgements around Saturn being “bad,” because you will be missing the point completely within the context of Medical Astrology.

Jupiter

Jupiter is “Hot & Moist” in a way that is quite temperate. Jupiter is a planet that creates growth, heat and moisture are necessary to do so, which reflects the nature of Jupiter. Jupiter promotes growth just as the spring is fertile.  This is why Jupiter is a “benefic planet.” It’s not morally good or bad in Medical Astrology. It has a tendency to make things more temperate. Think of tropical climates and how they do not have four distinct seasons. They are bountiful year round and do not have a tendency to create extremes which are experienced as harsh to the human body.

Mars

Mars is similar to Saturn, but on the other end of the spectrum of temperature. Mars is “Hot & Dry,” but to an extreme of Hot and Dry. We can liken this to the difference of a hot summer day vs the peak heat in a desert, where little water and vegetation grows. Again we see the principle of a “malefic” or problem planet expressing itself from the lens of not being conducive for growth rather than moralizing its “malefic” nature. 

Sun

The Sun is “Hot & Dry” but depending on a variety of factors. Let's talk about how the heat of the Sun varies based on proximity. Think of the difference between the heat you experience from the Sun during sunrise on a summer day vs. the blaring heat of the midday Sun in the middle of the summer. That’s kinda how I like to think of the varying degrees of heat with the Sun. It’s all about the relationship to it. If the Sun is in aspect (sextile, square, trine, opposition, etc) then you are receiving the Sun’s “warmth.” In this context the warmth of the Sun is to the second degree out of four, which is not going to create a sunburn, but going to heat you up in a noticeable but not extreme manner. If the Sun is 15 to 8 degrees away from a conjunction with (being next to) a planet, it is considered to be “under the beams.” Being under the beams means the planet is going from the second degree towards the third degree of heat which can begin to shift to a point of starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. If a planet is from 8 degrees to 1 degree (some say 17 minutes) from a conjunction with (being next to) the Sun, this is called “combustion.” Combustion takes the Sun essentially to the fourth degree of heat similar to that of Mars. In this context the Sun is becoming a “problem planet”. When the Sun is less than a degree or under 17 minutes in proximity to the Sun, it is considered to be “cazimi.” The important point here is that the heat of the Sun is not absolute, but relational. 

Venus

Venus is considered to be “Cold & Moist,” but in practice, what I have noticed due to its “benefic” nature it tends to be more “cool” or temperate, similar to Jupiter but not on the heating side. I think of Venus as a harmonious temperature, that has more of an emphasis on moisture, but can fluctuate from warm to cool based on the situation and circumstance (Notice how I didn’t say hot or cold here to emphasize the temperate nature of Venus). This is because Venus by nature is magnetic and receptive. Magnetism and receptivity bring things “down and in,” which is more of the nature of cool/cold. But when being receptive in this manner, it means that Venus can more easily take on the nature of its environment in a noticeable but not overwhelming manner. The quality of moisture brings with it connection and cohesion. So when thinking of Venus, think, Moist and temperature neutral but slightly cooling unless in relationship with a planet or sign that is hot or heating, in which she gladly will warm up due to her receptivity. 

Mercury

Mercury unto itself is considered to be “Cold & Dry,” however, in practice, this is not a good way of thinking about Mercury in my experience. I can’t recall what the logic is for Mercury being cold & dry but I remember being satisfied with a few iterations of the rationale. We all know Mercury does whatever it wants based on the situation it is in. And in Medical Astrology, this is what I’ve observed as well. I forget where I heard it to credit someone for it, but I loved when someone told me that Mercury was like a megaphone, it loudly translates what is taking place in the space it is occupying and based on the connections it is making. This is why we call it a “trickster,” because it is shifty.  When in a fire sign, it translates what fire is, same with the other elements and planets as well. This is different from what we see from the Moon which takes in the environment. It is as if Mercury is neutral, therefore allowing it to express anything, yet it does not become anything different. This can bring about more complexity in certain situations. But as one of my teachers, Luis has illuminated for me, being able to learn and practice astrology is nowhere near as complicated as life actually can be so do not allow this to overcomplicate things moving forward. Be mindful of this as we are using symbols to allow ourselves to learn a science and art that can bring us an uncanny amount of clarity to life, people, and experiences. I will stop here with Mercury for now and will have a few chart examples when I do a stand alone write up on Mercury to unpack later in a more advanced conversation solely dedicated to Mercury.

Moon

The Moon is “Cold & Moist” and in practice it is similar to Venus in that it is receptive, while being similar to Mercury in that it expresses itself in a variety of ways based on the environment it is in. A big difference is that the Moon increases and decreases in light as well. As far as how the temperament of the Moon changes, I personally consider the element of the sign, the ruling planets temperament, the phase of the Moon, and aspects to the Moon. We have many special rules for the Moon in Medical Astrology as it is so dynamic and is the planet that rules over the body overall. Because it is the planet that represents the body more so than any other planet, we must be diligent in our considerations of her state of being within a given chart. Because of the Moon’s importance, my invitation is to contemplate what is said here until a dedicated post to the Moon in Medical Astrology is made that unveils the dimensions of how the Moon expresses itself. 

If you did not read the first article, please go back and read as to allow yourself to attune yourself to the varying layers and levels so that you have an intelligible way of thinking about the planet as temperaments. This layering and logic is something I wish I would have had when I first started, as many times the conflicting information can cause confusion in how it is showing up practically.