Kabbalah and Mysticism
The Seven Planets in Kabbalah: How Birth Time and Celestial Forces Shape the Soul
The mystical teachings of Jewish Kabbalah on the seven heavenly spheres, their guardian angels, and how the planets, zodiac signs, and time of birth influence human character
In the Sefer HaBrit (Book of the Covenant) it is written: “There are seven heavenly spheres (galgalim), and in each sphere resides one star or planet. These are known as the Seven Planets, because they move in orbits of their own. Their initials form the acronym Shatzam ChanKal (שצ״ם חנכ״ל) — representing Shabtai (Saturn), Tzedek (Jupiter), Ma’adim (Mars), Chamah (Sun), Nogah (Venus), Kochav (Mercury), and Levanah (Moon).
Their arrangement, from highest to lowest, corresponds to the seven sefirot of the lower spiritual world — Chesed (Kindness), Gevurah (Strength), Tiferet (Beauty), Netzach (Endurance), Hod (Glory), Yesod (Foundation), and Malchut (Kingship).
Each planet, according to this tradition, has an angel that serves as its spiritual “soul.”
The Seven Planets and Their Guardian Angels
Shabtai (Saturn) — Angel: Kafziel (קפציאל)
Tzedek (Jupiter) — Angel: Tzadkiel (צדקיאל)
Ma’adim (Mars) — Angel: Samael (סמאל)
Chamah (Sun) — Angel: Raphael (רפאל)
Nogah (Venus) — Angel: Haniel (ענאל)
Kochav (Mercury) — Angel: Michael (מיכאל)
Levanah (Moon) — Angel: Gabriel (גבריאל)
This teaching appears as well in Etz Chaim, one of the foundational texts of Kabbalah. According to both Kabbalists and ancient philosophers, these angels are the spiritual forces that move the celestial spheres.
Each of the seven planets is ruled by two constellations, except for the Sun and Moon, which each rule over one:
| Planet | Zodiac Signs |
|---|---|
| Shabtai (Saturn) | Capricorn (Gedi) & Aquarius (D’li) |
| Tzedek (Jupiter) | Sagittarius (Keshet) & Pisces (Dagim) |
| Ma’adim (Mars) | Scorpio (‘Akrav) & Aries (Taleh) |
| Chamah (Sun) | Leo (Aryeh) |
| Nogah (Venus) | Libra (Moznayim) & Taurus (Shor) |
| Kochav (Mercury) | Virgo (Betulah) & Gemini (Teomim) |
| Levanah (Moon) | Cancer (Sartan) |
The Hour of Birth
The Talmud (Tractate Shabbat) discusses how the hour of birth influences a person’s nature. Kabbalistic writings expand on this, describing both the influence of the day of the week and the planet governing the hour of birth.
Below is a summary of the seven planetary influences at the time of birth:
| Planet | Influence |
|---|---|
| Sun (Chamah) | Brings brightness and clarity. The person will illuminate others with wisdom, succeed through self-earned efforts, and live openly. If he tries to steal, he will not succeed. |
| Venus (Nogah) | Brings wealth and sensuality. Such a person loves beauty and pleasure but must guard against temptation. |
| Mercury (Kochav) | Brings intelligence and quick wit. The person is scholarly and sharp-minded. |
| Moon (Levanah) | Brings emotional fluctuation. The person builds and destroys, succeeds and falls, like the waxing and waning moon. If he steals, he will succeed in secrecy. |
| Saturn (Shabtai) | Brings delay and frustration. Thoughts and plans are often hindered or reversed. |
| Jupiter (Tzedek) | Brings generosity and justice. The person is charitable and righteous. |
| Mars (Ma’adim) | Brings aggression and bloodshed — which can manifest positively (as a surgeon, butcher, mohel) or negatively (as a violent or destructive person). |
The Day of Birth
The day of the week also shapes character. Below is a Kabbalistic overview based on Sefer HaBrit and other classical sources.
Sunday (Yom Rishon)
In the first hour: destined for greatness, leadership, and ambition — but may be lazy in deeds.
Hour of Mars: physician, ritual slaughterer, or mohel.
Hour of Venus: artistic, musical, and successful in trade.
Hour of Mercury: honest, intellectual, or a skilled writer.
Hour of Jupiter: blessed and good all his life.
Hour of Moon: pure and upright.
Hour of Saturn: physically burdened, yet strong and passionate.
Monday (Yom Sheni)
Balanced in wealth — sometimes rich, sometimes poor.
Hour of Moon: wise or a judge.
Hour of Sun: poor, but not destitute.
Hour of Venus: kind and wealthy.
Hour of Saturn: physically weak.
Hour of Mercury or Jupiter: righteous and upright.
Hour of Mars: likely a head chef or butcher.
Tuesday (Yom Shlishi)
Bold and ambitious.
Hour of Mars: either a thief or a great philanthropist.
Hour of Venus: bodily weakness.
Hour of Sun or Jupiter: wealthy and influential.
Hour of Moon: enlightening to others.
At night, hour of Mars: could be a bandit or a great tzaddik.
At night, hour of Venus: God-fearing.
At night, hour of Saturn: walks truthfully.
At night, hour of Mercury: judge or halachic scholar.
At night, hour of Sun: talkative, greedy, and fearful.
Wednesday (Yom Revi’i)
Hour of Jupiter: righteous and just.
Hour of Sun: wealthy.
Hour of Venus: wise and rich.
Hour of Mars: wicked.
Hour of Saturn: profoundly wise.
Hour of Mercury: writer or seer.
Hour of Moon: successful, yet skilled at deceit.
Thursday (Yom Chamishi)
Great and intelligent.
Hour of Jupiter: exceptionally clever.
Hour of Mars: rich but deceitful.
Hour of Venus: jealous and manipulative.
Hour of Mercury: cunning or politically active.
Hour of Saturn: morally neutral.
Hour of Sun or Moon: righteous, kind, and beloved by all.
Friday (Yom Shishi)
Wealthy and pious.
Hour of Venus: wise and strong.
Hour of Mercury: insightful and righteous.
Hour of Jupiter: charitable and kind.
Hour of Sun or Moon: good reputation.
Hour of Saturn: sluggish or negative.
Hour of Mars: arrogant and deceitful.
Shabbat (Saturday)
Hour of Saturn: long life, but physical weakness.
Hour of Sun: quick-tempered.
Hour of Venus: argumentative.
Hour of Mercury or Jupiter: honored and respected.
Hour of Moon: lover of truth and righteousness.
In Jewish mysticism, the heavenly bodies are not independent forces of fate but spiritual channels through which divine energy flows into creation. While ancient sources explored how planets, angels, and timing might influence personality, the Kabbalistic view teaches that human choice and righteousness ultimately rise above all cosmic influences.
As the sages said: “There is no constellation for Israel” — meaning that faith, wisdom, and good deeds have the power to transcend the stars.
