In addition, Jupiter is favorably situated in my natal chart, so that by acting during a Jupiter hour, I am making use of the positive potential of my birth chart. If Jupiter were afflicted in my natal chart, I would need to adjust my activity accordingly and take into account any negative potential signified by an afflicted Jupiter or the possibility of impediments to my work during this hour.

In fact, Jupiter by transit on December 12, 2020 lies between two difficult planets, Pluto and Saturn in Capricorn, which is the zodiacal sign of Jupiter's fall (opposite his sign of exaltation), suggesting that writing during a Jupiter hour on this particular date may require lots of hard work and not go as smoothly as I would like. We cannot assume that because Jupiter is generally a benefic planet it will always produce trouble-free results.

As the above example suggests, the wise use of planetary hours requires a careful consideration of several factors, which I will enumerate as a series of questions:

• What is the condition of the planetary hour ruler in your birth chart? If it is dignified, well-aspected, and occupies or rules favorable houses, then activities of the nature of the planet should do well during its hour. If it is afflicted, debilitated, lacking dignity, or occupies or rules potentially difficult houses, a note of caution is indicated.
• Which planet rules the sunrise prior to the planetary hour? That is, which planet rules sunrise of the 24-hour period in which the planetary hour falls? How does the "day ruler" interact with the planetary hour ruler in your birth chart and by current transit?
• If an activity is planned for a nighttime hour, which planet rules the hour of sunset prior to the planetary hour in question? How does the "nighttime ruler" interact with the planetary hour ruler in your birth chart and by current transit?
• What current transits is the planetary hour ruler involved in? What is its current state of dignity or debility in the heavens? It may be problematic to engage in activities during the planetary hour of a seriously afflicted planet.
• What is the zodiac sign that the Sun is currently transiting? The Sun as the vital force in our solar system gives an extra boost of energy to the ruler of the sign through which it passes.
• What is the nature of the planetary hour ruler and what type of activities does it naturally foster or obstruct? For example, you might not want to do something secretive or behind the scenes during a Sun hour because the Sun tends to illuminate and loves public attention.

The following is a list of some typical keywords related to activities and themes linked to the nature of the planetary hour ruler:

• Sun: Sunday (beginning at sunrise and for the next 24 hours), Sun also rules Wednesday's nighttime hours starting at sunset on Wednesday, the sign Leo, prominence, publicity, authority, influence, power, father figures, dignity, the life force, spiritual attainment
• Moon: Monday (beginning at sunrise and for the next 24 hours), Moon also rules Thursday's nighttime hours starting at sunset on Thursday, the sign Cancer, nurturing, caring, mother figures, nourishing, sheltering, emotions, milk, liquids, short journeys, changes, dealings with the public
• Mars: Tuesday (beginning at sunrise and for the next 24 hours), Mars also rules Friday's nighttime hours starting at sunset on Friday, the signs Aries and Scorpio, warriors, assertion, aggression, martial arts, forcefulness, impulsiveness, muscle power, cutting, fire, iron, machinery, competition, drive, activity, combat, conflict, initiative, the "lesser malefic," which is more problematic when the Sun is above the horizon
• Mercury: Wednesday (beginning at sunrise and for the next 24 hours), Mercury also rules Saturday's nighttime hours starting at sunset on Saturday, the signs Gemini and Virgo, intellect, cleverness, cunning, shrewdness, trickery, dexterity, gymnastics, communication, messages, reporting, commerce, sales, speaking, writing, travel, transit, information technology, attention to detail, literary and scientific pursuits, the nervous system
• Jupiter: Thursday (beginning at sunrise and for the next 24 hours), Jupiter also rules Sunday's nighttime hours starting at sunset on Sunday, the signs Sagittarius and Pisces, wisdom, justice, virtue, increase, growth, good fortune, benevolence, learning, teaching, wealth, philosophy, religion, the clergy, belief systems, a broad view, tolerance, expanded horizons, long journeys, over-indulgence, lust, the "greater benefic," which is even more favorable when the Sun is above the horizon
• Venus: Friday (beginning at sunrise and for the next 24 hours), Venus also rules Monday's nighttime hours starting at sunset on Monday, the signs Taurus and Libra, pleasure, dating, fun, sex, enjoyment, recreation, parties, socializing, hedonism, amusement, love, marriage, harmony, beauty, adornment, luxury, music, art, indulgence, the "lesser benefic," which is even more favorable when the Sun is below the horizon
• Saturn: Saturday (beginning at sunrise and for the next 24 hours), Saturn also rules Tuesday's nighttime hours starting at sunset on Tuesday, the signs Capricorn and Aquarius, gravity, seriousness, discipline, perseverance, reward for hard work, no-nonsense judgement, the "taskmaster," boundaries, structure, limitation, crystallization, tradition, old age, concentrated thought, in-depth understanding, agriculture, the "greater malefic," which is more problematic when the Sun is below the horizon

Let me offer a final word of caution. A wise person once said that astrology makes a good servant but a poor master. Planetary hours are a useful tool, but we must keep them in perspective so that we don't hesitate to live our lives without first checking whether the hour is favorable. An extreme example of the latter can be found in the Spanish proverb based on the malefic nature of Mars, the god of war: "En martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes:" "On Tuesdays (the day of Mars) don't get married, don't start out on a journey, and don't even leave your house!" Can you image a world in which everyone followed such advice?

Anthony Lewis

https://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/2879

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