Today is the Day
by April Elliott Kent

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Tuesday: Mars' day.

Mars-ruled Tuesday was set aside for ironing in the traditional home, because Mars has an affinity for heat and metal. If you’re like me, you don’t iron clothes more than a few times a year. But Mars, the warrior planet, can help you untangle knotty problems requiring confrontation and assertiveness. If you’ve put off arguing with the phone company over an erroneous charge, or with the neighbor whose tree limbs are damaging your roof, today is the day to put the heat on them; Mars makes warriors of us all!

Sharp objects and cutting are Mars-ruled, so today is the day to cut the grass, trim your cat’s claws, get a haircut, or sharpen your cooking knives. Mars, with its abundant energy, rewards physical activity; today is the day to begin an exercise program or enjoy your favorite sport.

Wednesday: Mercury's day.

On Wednesday, the traditional housewife mended clothing. Wednesday is Mercury’s day, and Mercury rules detailed work requiring manual dexterity. Other than replacing the occasional button, few of us today do any real sewing. But communicative, quick-witted Mercury has other useful tools to share.

The students in your home might find that studying and test taking go especially smoothly on Mercury’s day. In the office, use Wednesday to tackle research, write reports, file paperwork, interview new employees, and schedule meetings.

At home, today is the day to catch up on correspondence – letter-writing, email, phone calls; to write short articles or essays; to balance your checkbook; and to run errands in your neighborhood. And don’t forget to fill your gas tank today: Mercury rules cars!

Thursday: Jupiter's day.

Thursday was marketing day for the traditional homemaker. Jupiter loves to share its prosperity, so today is the day to shop for your household needs (including new socks to replace the ones you didn’t mend yesterday!).

Jupiter compels us to share our thoughts and beliefs, so teaching, lecturing, and writing for publication are favored on this day. Jupiter also represents unfamiliar people, places, and things. Today is the day to try a new kind of ethnic restaurant or go to a gathering, such as a class or club meeting, where you are likely to meet new people.

Jupiter enjoys the outdoors, so try to schedule a walk or bike ride on Thursday. Failing that, eat your lunch outdoors!

Friday: Venus' day.

Friday was cleaning day for the traditional homemaker, perhaps in homage to Venus’ urge for beautiful and harmonious surroundings. But Venus also describes the ability to attract what you want. Why not combine the two? Often, I perform a simple energy-clearing ritual on Friday. This begins with light cleaning, mostly clearing clutter in anticipation of a major cleaning on Saturday. I smudge with a sage wand, light some candles, open all the windows, and offer a quick request to Venus to bless our home with love, harmony, prosperity, and good friends.

With its connection to beauty, Friday is a good day to indulge in a manicure, pedicure, or facial treatment. Appropriately for Venus’ day, Friday is popular for dating. Along with your other pre-date preparations, consider honoring Venus with a quick and simple ritual. Set up a small altar with a flower, a candle, and some sweet offering, such as a cookie. Light your candle, state your intentions for the evening, and visualize a warm, pleasant evening.

Saturday: Saturn's day.

The traditional homemaker baked on Saturday so that fresh bread would be available for the Sabbath, when no cooking could be done. I love to bake when the weather is cool, but it does require more Saturnine time and patience than the typical harried homemaker has to spare.
Saturn rewards hard work and stiffens the spine for unappealing chores. That’s why I’ve chosen Saturday for tackling my least-loved tasks, such as washing cars or windows, weeding the garden, and cleaning the refrigerator.

Any kind of hard, physical labor is compatible with Saturn’s energy. If you need to move heavy objects, such as furniture, today is the day you will find the strength for it. Clean your fireplace or till the soil in your garden – and watch Saturn smile.

Sunday: Sun’s day.

Sunday was the traditional “day of rest”, set aside for relaxation, recreation, and worship (the Sun rules creation, re-creation, and the Creator). In our household, Sunday tends to be the day we catch up on sleep, errands, and time with each other. Watching favorite TV programs or movies is a favorite Sunday ritual in our home, often shared with friends.

Today is the day for anything that makes you feel rested. It’s a day for play, which restores physical and creative energy for the week ahead. “A change is as good as a rest,” the old saying goes, and Sundays are often happiest when they are completely different from your usual routine. A trip to a museum, visiting with family, or preparing a special meal, are all excellent ways to honor the Sun’s day.

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A household routine of any kind can help you stay centered. When you know that every task will have its day, you can relax and focus on the day’s work without worrying that you’ve overlooked something important. Instead of rushing around, discovering too late that you’ve forgotten to buy the shampoo, mend the socks, or fill the gas tank, you can instead enjoy the hearth fires of your well-tended home as they blaze comfortingly, contentedly. Planning your household’s activities with the wisdom of planetary tradition is astrology in its most basic and practical form – a way to add a touch of cosmic purpose to a household full of earthly contentment.

References
Bills, Rex E. (1971). The Rulership Book. American Federation of Astrologers, Inc.

Sur la Lune Fairy Tales (2005). “The Mulberry Bush,” from Nursery Rhyme Minute, by Heidi Anne Heiner.

Encyclopedia Mythica

© 2006 by April Elliott Kent
All rights reserved.