Planetary Hours - a special feature provided to NCGR by Astrolabe Astrolabe Software Website
Show Me My Location:
Check out Planetary Hours for Choosing the Right Time!


The planetary hour system is an ancient technique based on a Chaldean order of the seven visible planets according to their speed, slowest to fastest: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon. This system has been neglected by many astrologers for quite a number of years, but is being revived as part of the rediscovery of ancient techniques through the efforts of Project Hindsight and Arhat. Those who use the planetary hours have observed that, indeed, the hours do seem to take on the character of the planets that rule them. Knowing this, it becomes obvious that if you can determine the planetary hours in advance, you have a very easy method of choosing the time most likely to be best for various activities.

Since the planetary hours do not follow a standard clock time day, it can be time-consuming to determine when each hour begins without an easy reference. With a minor time correction you can do quick look-ups in the perpetual planetary hour tables included within Maria Kay Simms book, A Time for Magick, or you can use various astrological software programs…or, you can just visit this web site daily!

Because NCGR had several queries about planetary hours, we are pleased to offer you an easy way to obtain a planetary hour list for the current day. All you have to do is key in your city location and a today’s list will appear showing you the times each hour begins according to the proper time zone for your location.

Here are a few notes about how to choose an appropriate hour for your planned activities:

Hour of the Sun —
This hour is good for success with anything, obtaining favors, prosperity, to approach an authority figure, to ask for a job or a raise, for social occasions, to attract business, to speculate, to improve your health

Hour of the Moon —
This hour is best for doing things that are likely to change — for things not expected to be final, permanent or binding, good for domestic activities

Hour of Mercury —
Choose this hour only when you are mentally clear, capable of being logical and rational (Mercury can be a trickster). That said, this hour is appropriate for communication activities and abstract thinking

Hour of Venus —
This hour is good for social calls, parties, asking for favors, buying luxury items, improving appearance, forming partnerships, reconciling after quarrels, mediating disputes, initiating investments

Hour of Mars —
good for action and energy, but can be confrontational. Choose this hour with caution unless your feelings are in check and other aspects are favorable

Hour of Jupiter —
This is a good hour to choose for just about anything in business or otherwise. There is one caveat: caution is needed in regard to any tendencies to excess or overindulgence.

Hour of Saturn —
This is not an easy hour, and it may be a time you notice lagging energy, but it can be very good for plowing through tedious work that needs to be done. Good for organizing, serious thinking or talks, meditation, prudent and practical moves and disciplined work or study.

Download the planetary hour list and observe the hours as you go through the day. Notice changes in what is going on around you as the hours change, and make notes to remember. This is the best way to learn to use them.

For a full explanation of how this system works, including research and interpretations for planetary hour of birth, as well other techniques for quick electional timing plus experiential techniques for understanding each planet, see A Time for Magick, by Maria Kay Simms, Llewellyn, 2001.