Tl;dr: I decided to revive an old experiment with the Planetary Chants in the NAP, to see if they can trigger initiations, similar to other forms of Planetary Gatewalking. I don't think they did, but I learned a lot about planetary chants.
I was in two minds about posting this, as this experiment turned out a bit messy, but I thought someone might get something out of my experiences.
Background: in 2019 there was a thread about working with the Planetary chants in the NAP in their traditional Chaldean sequence as an initiation, which I participated in. This was just before the forum got hacked around New Year. I only got back into my account earlier this year. I think the thread got lost during the hack. Most of my findings were detailed in the thread, so I only had memories to go on.
The intent of the thread (as I remember) was to trigger initiations into planetary forces using the planetary chants in NAP. I remembered that directing these planetary forces to create internal change, or to initiate me, didn't seem to work. Instead, I only experienced the planetary forces when I directed them towards an external, tangible goal. I cut it short at Mercury (I think).
In 2020, I consulted an astrologer who recommended that I track my lunar transits. This means tracking the position and signs the Moon is travelling through, and noticing what happens to me in each Sign (I use planetwatcher.com for this), which I've done for over six months.
Back to the NAP, I returned to the Planetary Initiation experiment earlier this year. Initially, I planned to ascend and descend the Planets in the traditional Chaldean order. I have already done this in the past, having worked through R.O's Seven Spheres.
With the NAP, I took a different approach. For each Planet, I selected a tangible, worldly goal for the planetary forces to latch onto. Since the accomplishment of the external goal doesn't matter, I can just shoot for the biggest, most ridiculous example of something from GGC's list for each of the planets. The real intent was to experience the effect of each planetary force, and to see if I can trigger initiations like in other systems of planetary magic.
In the end, it didn't work that way, and I cut it short at Jupiter for reasons detailed below. I got over-enthusiastic and wrote a 10-page document of my experiences, cross-referencing my natal chart, before cutting it down to the findings below:
What I thought would be a series of initiations turned out to be a data gathering exercise for each chant. I learned how each planetary force works in my life, and how I could utilize them magically. It was like a magical diagnostic. Each planet has shown me where I am blocked, both magically and in my life. This is useful information for future enchantments.
I also learned timing. Noting the position of the Moon on a daily basis made me aware of my own personal times when I'm at a disadvantage in enchanting for external change. I thought of those grimoires where they list planetary hours or days as “Useless hour” or “Do nothing.” etc. And for me, this seems to be when the Moon is in Aries.
A good example of the timing issue is when I was working with Mars. I got dramatic results with Mars immediately. But as soon as the Moon entered Aries, the positive side of working with Mars stopped. So I dropped Mars and started working with Jupiter during the final decan of Aries. I got nothing until the Moon entered Taurus, when suddenly I got results.
I'm not saying Moon in Aries is a universally bad time for magic - I just think that I found my personal time when it's probably best to drop enchantment and do inner work like meditation, dream work, etc.
Finally, I proved my earlier idea wrong about using planetary chants to enchant for self-transformation. I succeeded in self-change when working with Mars. The mistake I made in 2019 was that my intention was too vague. I was enchanting for initiation into each planetary sphere. It needed to be personal and specific, with real desire behind it.
As for results with the individual planets, some were more dramatic than others:
Moon: I enchanted for a specific type of woman as a partner. I ended up meeting this woman who was exactly as I visualised during the ritual, making flirtatious eye contact with me in my local area. Interestingly, the top she wore was coloured puce (attracting colour of the Moon).
I also met lunatics on my daily commute: a crazy man shouting at no one in particular. A woman who tried to dive into traffic right in front of me. Another woman, on the same street, crying against a lamppost. All happening during my regular “short journeys”. (side note: the two unfortunate women showed up when the Moon was in Capricorn).
Mercury: I enchanted to write a great stage play. Didn't happen, but conversation seemed to flow online and opportunities came my way via social media.
Venus: Enchanted for love with a specific type of woman again. Became very enthusiastic about creative projects I had sidelined. Social gatherings became easier and more fun, even at work. Didn't meet any women though.
Sun: Enchanted for a successful career. Became very focused, experienced increased mental clarity.
Mars: Enchanted for vitality in the form of sexual virility. The intention was “Women are drawn to my virile, manly nature.”
Performed the first ritual on a Tuesday morning before heading to the gym. I got some serious female attention in town that morning. I got attention in the gym too - one woman actually started following me around. That morning was amazing.
This continued for the rest of the week until the Moon went into Aries, and it just stopped. I still consider it a strong result.
Jupiter: I chose “growth”. Initially, my intention was “My income grows to £50K per year.”
But during the first ritual, I changed it at the last second to “My income grows to £50K per year, and I am surrounded by a harem of women.” I don't know why, I was just in a flippant mood.
When the Moon entered Taurus, my Bumble profile suddenly blew up. And by “blew up,” I mean 6 likes, after a year of nothing. Interesting thing is, half of these women were very successful and wealthy, and looking to settle down.
If I did end up settling with these women, and we combined our finances, my income would definitely get to the £50K mark or more.
But I dragged my heels responding, and they unmatched me or deleted their accounts after a couple of days, probably wondering what possessed them. Lesson learned – the blessings of Jupiter evaporate quickly. Don't hesitate to take them.
Admittedly, I haven't gone on to Saturn yet, mainly because I cannot think of a practical use for Saturn right now.
I didn't find the planetary chants to be effective in initiation. I think they are meant for practical purposes. I'm now more interested in taking what I have learned and applying it more intelligently with serious goals that I am actively working towards.
Having been through this, I have some good ideas of how to apply the planetary chants. But this post is long enough already, so I might post these ideas some other time if anyone is interested.