These planets were the tutelary deities, not alone of the days but of the hours, years, centuries and even the thousand of years. To each planet was ascribed a plant, a stone and a metal. These derived peculiar and miraculous powers under this benign and celestial protection.
The Babylonians gave the following colours to the sun, moon and five planets:-The Sun, gold; the Moon, silver; Jupiter, orange; Venus, yellow; Saturn, black; Mars, red; and Mercury, blue.
"The magic idea of a power superior to man was connected from the very beginning with the notation of time."1
Infinity of time was exalted as the Supreme Cause.
Sacred calendars regulated religious ceremonies and civil life according to the course of the moon. These calendars were of high religious import in star worship, their most important function being to record the days and hours or periods of time which would be auspicious or inauspicious.
Among the Mithraites Time was represented as a huge monster with the head of a lion to show that he devours all things. Again Time is shown helping Truth out of a cave. Numbers were held sacred, but unlike Time and all its divisions were never deified.
1 Astrology and Religion, Franz Cumont, p. 108.
