I had a difficult time finding any printed information available on working with planetary energies other than the usual medieval texts which are usually an enigma. This document should provide a basic knowledge of how to make use of the energies surrounding the planetary spheres of influence within our solar system utilizing both traditional and non-traditional methods.
The other planets in our solar system each exert a force upon our planet that effects everyone of us, our societies, and natural processes to some degree. Some study of astrology can be helpful to get a general understanding of the nature of each planet, but it has been my experience that the student must learn for him/herself what effects these energies have on our psyches and nature in general. I don't entirely agree with most astrologists in their interpretation of planetary influences especially regarding the topic of fate, since most of them have never experienced first hand what they study, and because my personal experiences provided me with results that were sometimes very different from what astrologists often tell you.
Random Overview
Everything has an effect on everything. How much of an effect is present between two things, such as planets, will be determined by how close the relationship is between those two things. If you imagine how the Sun's magnetic field keeps all the planets, asteroids, and comets of our solar system from drifting out into space and how each of these celestial bodies possesses it's own magnetic fields that intersect with each other at the same time, then you will quickly begin to realize the complex series of ever-changing relationships that exist and have a direct and/or indirect influence on YOU presently. So far, this is an incomplete picture of what is going on in just the physical realm alone. The forces that create and maintain such relationships exist on higher planes, and they interact and are interconnected in their own complex systems. The planets themselves are conscious beings in their own right, and have their own attendants (angelic etc.) within their spheres of action that maintain functions for those areas of existence. From the Earth's physical perspective, the planets appear to move around us in regular patterns, with occasional instances where they seem to change direction and move backwards; this is refered to as a planet in retrograde and is the result of the Earth moving faster in its orbit than the other planet so as to produce an illusion of backward motion. Because of the links, both magnetic and astral, between the Earth and the other planets and the Sun, different types of energy are constantly being beamed to us and exerting an influence on us. Comets and asteroids that pass near the 'aura' or energy sphere of the Earth affect us as well to a lesser degree. Our own moon has a tremendous effect on cyclic patterns here, both physical and non (can affect watery subconscious). The quality of energy received by the Earth from the Sun will tend to vary depending on the time of year, or what 'sign' the Sun is in. The planets will also have different effects depending on the current 'sign' each of them is currently in. Beyond the outer reaches of our solar system are individual neighboring stars. These exert even less of a noticeable effect upon us being of a less immediate or obvious relationship. This solar system is part of a larger group of solar systems which make up our galaxy. Our galaxy is one of an infinite number of other galaxies which revolve and interact in their own cyclical patterns. Everything is interconnected in its own way. An infinite number of relationships exist between all things at all times on an infinite number of levels simultaneously.
By now you should have a bigger picture of your little area of the universe.
How do you make use of all this stuff?
First, study the planets individually using the rituals available here. You can meditate on the energies of each planet just as you did with the Elements and ask angelic entities to help explain how to make use of them in your life, as well as how to assist others with them. Your own personal study will be the only real way to learn anything. Study of the planets will lead to other areas of investigation. You might find that because of your study of the planets and their interaction with one another, some other aspects of existence may become more clear to you. Maybe you'll want to study the weather next, or perhaps you'll be asked to remedy a problem somewhere as a result of your area of experience having studied the relationships of celestial bodies...
Misc. Info
In the average person, the planets exert their forces on the corresponding parts of that individual's psyche and that person usually remains unaware of their influence. Consequently, he is always led about by the nose, being tossed to and fro by the interplay of their energies. The true adept is not ruled by the planets however. He/She recognizes their influence but is able to turn any effect they might have on him/her into a beneficial one.
In the rituals given to you, the Hexagram will tend to produce a more general, less personal manifestation of the planetary energies; used to contact the general sphere of influence of a planet, and from that point you can get into contact with the angelic beings that work there. The Heptagram will tend to produce a more individual manifestation; used to contact the Entity or Consciousness of the planet itself. The Hexagram is better for most average workings. The Heptagram probably isn't the best to use for planetary invocation by a beginner. Some planets are less social than others, so you might get more information by talking to someone from that area instead.
The last three planets of our solar system are normally not visitable by humans, and there is no traditional method for invoking their energies. The effects they have on our planet seem to be on a more universal scale. Neptune is a dreamy, hazy place and its energies tend toward higher spirituality, poetry and intuition etc. (its energies look kind of deep fluorescent greenish-blue to me) . The spiritual inhabitants of Uranus are HIGHLY unsocial, and very unpredictable. Everything they did seemed backward and spontaneous with no predictable patterns. The energies from this area appeared sort of fluorescent yellow (with a tint of green). I do NOT recommend allowing these energies to get into you (invoking them etc.) unless you want to spur on psychosis of some sort. This stuff is like uranium- radioactive! The effect of Uranus on our planet appears to relate to spontaneous CHANGE on a grand scale and individuality. Pluto looked to me like some sort of dark hangout for outlaws; there were things going on that didn't want to make themselves known. The energies were a deep bluish-purple. It's effects on the Earth supposedly relate to spiritual rebirth.
Let's not forget the Earth in our studies! She's been kind enough to act as our mother and allow us to grow and develop here. This place can be thought of in some ways as a nursery of sorts for developing souls. Go ahead and talk to her, help take care of her, and respect her.
Rather than contacting a planet directly, I will often siphon some of a planet's energy from around its sphere of influence- after it leaves on it's way to Earth. By doing this and picking up only the residual energy, I'm less likely to upset anyone. If you decide to do this and must use a large quantity of energy, ask the planet or angelic attendants to use it first. The Sun (Sol) usually doesn't have a problem with picking up residual energy from him while on the Earth, and I've found solar energy to be a good source of revitalizing energy. If you're syphoning planetary energy from the Earth as it arrives from another planet, you may find that the quality of it may change depending on the relationship between the Earth and that planet; if the planet is in retrograde, you might not want to use energy that has arrived on the Earth from it unless that quality suits your needs. Overall, I find it best to retrieve an energy type from nearest its source.