My Little Hermetics

It struck me a little while ago that the entirety of the planetary influences can be seen in a very unusual place, within popular culture. This, as it stands, should not be considered as overly strange; if the philosophies within it can be considered universal truths, then why shouldn't the influences of the planetary governors be found in stories and on TV from time to time? It's not that much of a leap to think that they might come out in random, unexpected venues. However, I was more than astonished to find that it had come out in the most recent Opus by Ms. Lauren Faust. To whit, all the Governors can be seen, clearly, in the characters of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magical. Or maybe Magickal.

I have mentioned in the past that I am a Brony. Partly due to events from a while ago, but also because it's, well, mental candyfloss. The series has nothing in it that can be seen as offensive, and is excellent for just unwinding and allowing your mind to relax, letting the stresses of the day fade away, and generally tuning into something better than the daily grind. And, as magicians, is this not what we try to do ourselves? It also struck me that in some ways, the series calls to us all as Magicians, particularly as it applies to the Magician's Journey. Allow me to explain...

The series starts ostensibly about the arrival of Twilight Sparkle in a new town, alone and wondering where she is going. Is this not the Magus his or herself? Eyes opened to the glories of magickal practice, we find the world opening up in a whole new way. I believe, firmly, that Twilight Sparkle represents the Magus on her journey. And if you look at her cutie mark- her seal, the sigil on her flank we can see that she carries a  (very rough) Unicursal Hexagram on her. As if any more proof was needed! Twilight Sparkle is, above all else, the Magus. She is us. But what makes her unusual is that she already, at the very beginning of her journey, has achieved K&CHGA in the form of Spike.

Spike is the representation of the HGA, the Supernatural Assistant, the Genius. Spike intercedes with the other ponies (and by extension, the planetary governors) and does many things that Twilight cannot. He carries messages to important people by magic. I don't know about you, but I feel that he epitomises the idea of the HGA. And what makes it more interesting/impressive, and cements his role as such in this is that he was given to Twilight Sparkle but Princess Celestia,

Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, she who makes the sun come up in the morning and set at night. In other words, she represents the Sphere of the Sun, and by extension, the Archangel/Utukku Michael. (Or Raphael, if that is your tradition.) And where do we get our HGA? Why, we receive it through working with the Sphere of the Sun, the celestial powerhouse. The sun may be considered to be the source of all, and so is the obvious and clear representative of that planetary governor. An she is but the first of said governors...

Meet Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash is a brash, arrogant, and above all multi-talented Pegasus. She is swift in thought and swift in motion, and often is called upon to carry messages. She is ambition, and clarity of purpose. What other sphere could she represent than the esteemed sphere of Mercury? Speed, communication, and also rapid changes of emotion. She is the representative of Raphael in this series, and another good friend of Twilight Sparkle. That phrase, “good friend”, is key here also. The more you work with each sphere, the more of a relationship you build up with the spirits of said sphere/planet. And isn't that what this series is about? It's in the title. Friendship is Magical. But there are many others that are involved in this.

This is Applejack.

A pony with a bright red seal. Strong, loyal and a little bit rash at times; also a little coarse. Take all these characteristics into account and you have Mars. Not a violent character, but fitting it near-perfectly. Not to mention a farmer. The evidence for her representing the Archangel Kammael is in the Orphic hymn to Mars itself:

“To Ceres give the weapons of the field...”

This is Mars in repose, retired from the field of battle and now growing apples in relative obscurity, while still ready to leap up and help in times of strife.

The same Orphic Hymn includes the line “To lovely Venus, and Bacchus yield” and so I do yield the page to the representative of Venus, and indeed Anael, in the next pony to prove itself here:

Rarity, a Pony devoted to Opulence, Luxury, and relationships. All the things that are of Venus. Rarity is thus the only possible option for defining said governor; Rarity is all said qualities and more. She is also creative, a seamstress by trade. And as we all know, every single Venusian operation produces something, whether or not we realise it. Anyways, the connections between this character and the Governor of Venus is so obvious I don't believe that any more needs to be said about it.

Jupiter is less obvious.

 

The alarmingly named Pinkie Pie. Pinkamena (to give her full name) is the fun pony. The pony that is all about parties and celebration and jollity and joviality, with an occasional serious side. Yes, this is Jupiter- Tzadkiel- in all its glory, but sadly unbound most of the time. Jupiter, as we all know is about wealth and happiness and enjoying yourself. Often with little around you, but this is the pony of Jupiter. Maybe a little too unconfined and uncontrolled, but that is what she is. As I said, though, like Jupiter, she brings the fun into a situation.

And here we have the representative of the Moon.

Fluttershy. Soft, gentle, kindly, and hiding a stern core. At first appearance always tranquil and serene, but hiding deep anxieties and fury. But that's what makes her the perfect Lunar representative; as what she appears to be is not what she really is. After all, the realm of the Moon is the realm of appearances and illusions, is it not? And also considered very calm and calming. This pony is the purest example of the quiet majesty of the moon. So hail to this representative of Gabriel, whose quiet shout of “Yay!” can stop everything in its tracks. Rather like Gabriel's horn.

And this brings us to Saturn. And the point where you think I've gone completely off the rails.

Princess Luna, Sister to Celestia. She is the representative of Saturn in the series. Yes, I know, in the series she is responsible for the moon rising and setting, and was, indeed, bound into the moon for a thousand years, known as the Mare in the Moon, and, also, Nightmare Moon. So you would hav thought that she was the shoo-in for the Moon, yes?

Wrong.

Luna brings wisdom. She also represents constraint and restraint. She's also still considered to be a terrifying figure. So who else can she be but the Greater Malefic, Saturn? It' a nice little touch that she is also sister to the Sun, which I do believe has been referred to in the past as the Greater Benefic. She also speaks in a very old-fashioned manner, which is another trademark quality of Saturnian Spirits.

So I do firmly believe that the whole setup is a mirror of the Hermetic/Neoplatonic worldview. In fact, if you watch to the end of Series 3, you see that the Magus, Twilight Sparkle, manages the difficult task of crossing the Abyss, and enters a new phase, one of greater power, greater responsibility... and develops a magnificent plot.

All the best to everyone who has read this. Friendship IS Magickal. I have gained many new friends since becoming involved in this world, and I could not have had this breakthrough and improvements in my lives without you all.

If you have been, I am impressed.