The Seven Planets
The Seven Planets & Metals
Journeying the ladder of planets
The Classical Planets
In the tradition of alchemy, each classical planet was associated with one of the seven metals known at the time in the classical world.
Over time, as we became able to advance our ability to look further into the night sky with telescopes, more planets were added to the teachings of astrology.
However, in the original tradition the Alchemists only dealt with The Seven Planets visible to the naked eye.
Symbolism of the Metals
Each planet is associated with a specific metal, which indicate the purification level associated with each planets properties – and where it is located in the purification process of the spiritual and mental journey of Alchemy. Also known as the Ladder of Planets.
Although, the understanding of the planet and metal properties were mostly standardized, the style and symbol varied between different schools of Alchemy. Therefore, this page lists the most commonly used.
The Planet of Saturn - Lead
Lord of Karma & Time
Function: Discipline
Action: Control
Operation: Calcination
Polarity: Masculine
Phase: Nigredo
Element: Earth / Air
Color: Indigo / Black / Grey
General areas of influence:
• stability & structure
• responsibility
• materialism
• the passage of time
• death & transformation
• darkness over light & matter over spirit
• stubborn protector of status quo
• the possibility of change & healing
• permissions & legal disputes
• unrevealed power
• associated with fate
• ego & limitations
The Planet of Jupiter - Tin
The Great Benefactor
Function: Protection
Action: Expand
Operation: Dissolution
Polarity: Masculine
Phase: Nigredo
Element: Water / Fire
Color: Blue / Violet
General areas of influence:
• light & energy
• joy & optimism (also blind)
• wealth & abundance
• truth & freedom
• higher leaning & education
• social values & wisdom
• luck & good fortune
• law & justice
• philosophy & religious matters
• charity & generosity
• enjoyment of life
• rebellion & extremism
The Planet of Mars - Iron
The Warrior
Function: Action
Action: Assert
Operation: Separation
Polarity: Masculine
Phase: Albedo
Element: Fire / Water
Color: Red
General areas of influence:
• survival instincts
• strong will, motivation & ambition
• strength & energy
• surpassing limitations
• beginnings & new projects
• applying force & determination
• creating or stopping war
• winning in competition
• sexual activity
• division & separation
• vitality & enthusiasm
• forcefulness, aggression & violence
The Planet of Venus - Copper
The Lover
Function: Refinement
Action: Harmonise
Operation: Conjunction
Polarity: Feminine
Phase: Albedo
Element: Air / Earth
Color: Green / Yellow
General areas of influence:
• sweetness, harmony & beauty
• refinement of the senses
• appreciating aesthetics & creating art
• receptiveness & adaptability
• mystical love & sensuality
• romantic relationships & love
• relating & connecting with others
• attracting possessions & wealth
• nurturing & gentle
• intuition & tranquility
• empathy & fairness
• passivity & dependence
The Planet of Mercury - Quicksilver
The Messenger of the Gods
Function: Transforming Clarity
Action: Communicate
Operation: Fermentation
Polarity: Feminine
Phase: Rubedo
Element: Air / Water
Color: Purple / Yellow
General areas of influence:
• mental skills & insights
• intellect & open-mindedness
• conversation, debate, speech & writing
• information & knowledge
• altered states of consciousness
• gaining hidden knowledge
• divination, astrology, alchemy & magic
• thinking, visions & imagination
• travel & safety
• sleep & dreaming
• androgyny & hermaphroditism
• inconsistency & elusiveness
The Planet of the Moon - Silver
Luna the Queen
Function: Reflection & Growth
Action: React
Operation: Distillation
Polarity: Feminine
Phase: Rubedo
Element: Water / Earth
Color: White / Blue
General areas of influence:
• the soul & subconscious mind
• deep emotions, memory & intuition
• rhythms & cycles
• cultural heritage
• connecting to the psychic & Astral world
• fertility, growth, nurture & renewal
• compassion & sensitivity
• genuineness & loyalty
• perception, reflection & illumination
• imagination & mystery
• purity, clarity & brilliance
• spiteful & melancholic
The Planet of the Sun - Gold
Sol the King
Function: Wholeness
Action: Integrate
Operation: Coagulation
Polarity: Masculine
Phase: Rubedo
Element: Fire
Color: Yellow / Orange
General areas of influence:
• the spirit & true inner self
• divine power
• light & illumination
• majestic & noble endeavors
• ambition & courage
• energy, vitality, endurance & health
• selfless willpower & motivation
• integration, harmony & balance
• dignity & integrity
• unity & gaining wholeness
• luck, success & true wealth
• arrogance & extravagance
Working with the Planets
It is believed that everything on Earth is influenced by the energetic rays of The Seven Planets. Everything that exists – metals, minerals, gem stones, plants, animals and also humans – consist of an intertwined energetic combination of The Seven Planets, The Five Elements and The Three basic Prime principles. As a result, it is the combination and balance of these energies that determines what will emerge and what kind of character it/we will have.
Working with the planets is to change how the flow of these seven life energies can be transformed by outer and inner influences, and how this flow can be supported and cultivated.
In conclusion, a lot more can be said about each of The Seven Planets of Alchemy and what they govern and represent. But this page should give you a basic overview, and enable you to start working with the planets in your spiritual practice.
Further Your Understanding
The planetary energies influence our being on all three levels of our existence – Body, Mind/Soul, Spirit. Learn about The Seven Seals of the planets and how there is a correlation between this understanding in Alchemy and the Eastern tradition of the Chakra System.