Malefic

Greene's classic

Malefic is a term used in Traditional Astrology for Mars and Saturn, which were thought to have a harmful influence.

The "greater malefic" is Saturn; and the "lesser malefic", Mars.

This is derived from a convention in ancient Greek texts where these two planets were referred to as “bad-doers” or “evildoers” (kakopoios), because they were viewed as providing negative or destructive significations in an astrological chart.

When well-situated in a horoscope, however, their negative impacts decreases and they might even be helpful to the individual or event. Robert Hand: "A malefic does not easily produce results which would be considered "good". Generally speaking malefics are not so much "bad" as it is that they require more thought, more consciousness, and more skill at managing life ... In fact the two main malefics, Mars and Saturn, are necessary for building character and strength. But either of these handled without consciousness leads to less than fortunate results. The natural malefics are Mars, Saturn and the Sun by conjunction only... A malefic is a planet whose natural influence leads to extremes and imbalance."

There is also a concept that is used in Indian astrology where some planets can become “functionally malefic” as a result of ruling certain houses, which means that even though they are not inherently one of the malefic planets, they may come to have some negative or malefic influence in the chart based on their condition in it.

Modern astrologers largely reject any judgmental or deterministic interpretation of benefics or malefics, in the view that Saturn and Mars even can be beneficial when they are well-aspected and their energies are used constructively by the individual, just as the energies of a seemingly beneficial planet can be poorly deployed.

Weblinks

• Benefic and Malefic Planets in Western Astrology (Chris Brennan, 2017; Audio 1h13min)
• The Lot or Part of Fortune (Robert Hand, 1996; three parts)

Bibliography

• Liz Greene: Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil, Samuel Weiser, Inc. (York Beach, ME.). 1976 ISBN 0-87728-306-0