The
Astrological Significance
of the Days of the Week
by David Mosley
When
does your week begin? For me, at a fundamental level the week always
began on Monday, the first day of the school and work week, even
though the first day of the week on my calendar is clearly Sunday.
It
wasn't until I started paying attention to the symbolism of the
days that my concept of the week went through a reorientation.
Western civilization has used the 7-day week for about two thousand
years. Prior to that, there were other methods of clustering the
days together. Around the world, people have found at least fifteen
different ways (in bunches of 5 to 10 days) of grouping their days
together. The ancient Greeks, it seems, had no week.
Romans lived by an 8-day week. Farmers who worked in the fields
for 7 days came to town for the eighth day - the market day. This
was a day of rest and festivity, a school holiday, the occasion
for public announcements and for entertaining friends. When and
why the Romans fixed on 8 days and why they eventually changed to
a 7-day week in not clear, but by the early third century A.D. they
were living with a 7-day week.
The days of the week are named after the seven 'planets' as they
were known in Rome two thousand years ago. The days of the week
in European languages are still designated by the planets' names.
Our familiar order of the names for the days of the week came from
the order of the planets that the Romans thought governed the first
hour of each day.
The astrologers of the day made use of the order of the planets
according to their supposed distance from the earth to calculate
the influence of each planet on worldly affairs. They believed that
each planet would govern an hour, then in the next hour, would give
way to the influence of the next planet nearer the earth, and so
on through the the cycle of all seven planets. After each cycle
of seven hours, the planetary influences would begin all over again
in the same order. The governing planet for each day, then, was
the planet that presided over the first hour of that day, and each
day of the week thus took its name from the planet that governed
its first hour.
So it is that each day is imbued with the quality of the planet
after which it is named. We can recognize and use the qualities
of each day and the natural cycle of the week beyond the typical
school- or work-oriented week to accomplish our goals and fulfill
our dreams, while gaining a sense of being in sync with the natural
order of daily activities.
The optimum time for tuning into the day's energy is at dawn. It
is in the growing light that the promise of the day is made. Journal
writers can use the quality of the days as starting points or topics
for the day. If you have been keeping a journal, look back through
your pages. How does the quality of the day show itself?
The following is a brief synopsis of my daily practice.
CREATION
Sunday
is, as it sounds, the Day of the Sun. Symbolic words for
the Sun include Ambition, Achievement, Autonomy, Confidence, Determination,
Distinction, Enthusiasm, Exuberance, Individuality, Inspiration,
Leadership, Mastery, Motivation, Self-Expression, Vigor and Willpower.
This
is the Day of Intent or Purpose Declared, the Day of Creation. Sunday
is the Day of Conscious Will to Be, the Day of Renewing Faith. On
this day I examine my intentions and open myself to inspiration.
I renew my commitment to fulfilling my purpose and accomplishing
my dreams. Sunday is a good day to write and speak aloud affirmations,
be creative and play.
IMPRESSION
Monday
is the Moon's Day. The Moon symbolizes Attitudes, Behavior,
Caring, Domesticity, Emotions, Harmony, Home, Instinct, Intuition,
Receptivity, Responses, Rhythm and Sympathy.
Monday
is the Day of Remembering and Feeling. On this day I remember and
recollect the past and where I have been, where I come from, my
heritage, the experiences that have helped shape my life and the
person I have become. I feel rather than think today, letting my
moods into my awareness. Monday is a good day for housework, intimate
gatherings of family and close friends, romance and daydreaming.
ACTION
Tuesday
is the Day of Mars. Symbolic words for Mars include Action,
Adventures, Anger, Beginnings, Boldness, Commotion, Competition,
Endeavors, Forcefulness, Immediacy, Initiative, Pursuit, Rashness,
Sexuality, Strength and Virility.
Tuesday
is the Day of Activity and Physicality, Passion and Desire. Today
I put forth effort toward my stated intention. I test my strength,
skill and fortitude. I act out what I want to become. I pay attention
to my physical body. Tuesday is a good day for all kinds of bodywork
work out at the gym, get a massage, run, take a long walk, feel
the invigorating vitality of the body.
CONNECTION
Wednesday
is the Day of Mercury. Symbolic words for Mercury are Adaptability,
Agility, Alertness, Articulation, Cleverness, Communication, Comprehension,
Curiosity, Expression, Information, Inquisitiveness, Interpretation,
Mobility, Swiftness, Thoughts, Trickery, Versatility and Writings.
Wednesday
is the Day of Communication, Making Connections, Thinking. It is
the middle day of the week, connecting the the past and the future,
the turning point. Today I analyze my efforts thus far, paying attention
to the details and fine points. I refine my plans and map out my
strategy, bringing my intent into conscious awareness. Wednesday
is a good day to collect information, study, or take a class that
uses the rational mind. It is a great day for writing.
EXPANSION
Thursday
is the Day of Jupiter. Symbolic words for Jupiter are Abundance,
Assumptions, Beliefs, Benefit, Candor, Cheerfulness, Confidence,
Ease, Elaboration, Encouragement, Ethics, Generosity, Luck, Opinion,
Optimism, Philosophy, Sincerity, Success, Theory, Understanding
and Wisdom.
Thursday
is the Day of Vision, Spiritual Insight and Expansion. On this day
I learn more about myself through others. I consider a larger context
and my role in the scheme of things, in others' lives. Thursday
is a good day to broaden horizons, study a foreign language or culture,
to socialize and have fun with others. It is a good day for sports
for the camaraderie rather than competition.
RELATION
Friday
is the Day of Venus. Words symbolic of Venus include Affection,
Attachment, Attraction, Beauty, Charisma, Charm, Composure, Cooperation,
Courtesy, Dance, Elegance, Flirtation, Gain, Gratification, Joy,
Luxury, Persuasion, Sensation, Sensuality, Smiles and Values.
Friday
is the Day of Sharing and Relationship, of personal Resource and
Value. On this day I experience the joy of life and seek to be with
those in whose company I feel good. I sing or listen to music, I
gratify my senses, I allow my artistic side full expression. Friday
is a good day to take an art class, deposit money into the bank,
go out on a date.
FOUNDATION
Saturday
is Saturn's Day. Symbolic words for Saturn are Abstinence,
Ambition, Brevity, Caution, Constancy, Decisions, Dedication, Delays,
Detours, Duty, Efficiency, Facts, Foundations, Patience, Permanence,
Reserve, Respect, Restrictions, Severity, Silence, Simplicity, Stability.
Saturday
is the Day of Manifestation and Structure, of Assessment and Responsibility.
On this day I ask myself: How am I doing? Am I consciously heading
in the direction I want to be going? What have I learned? I acknowledge
my accomplishments as well as my shortcomings. Saturday is a good
day for rest and relaxation, forming goals, and for giving and receiving
recognition.
Planetary keywords in this article are from Midpoints,
Unleashing the Power of the Planets by Michael Munkasey, 1991,
ACS Publications
