This week's chart, an
astrological talisman,
comes from David Pingree's Latin
version of Picatrix, an encyclopedic work
of medieval Arabic astrological magic.
The election for this week's talismans uses the
25th mansion of the Mansions of the Moon,
a 28 fold division of the monthly orbit of
the Moon. The tenth century Arabic astrologer Al-Biruni
gives the name of the twenty fifth mansion as Sa'd al-Akhbiyah "the Lucky Star
of the Hidden".
Book of Instructions Section 164 (Wright trans.) page 85.
If you are interested in doing more astrological magic
using the lunar mansions I offer a
Mansions of the Moon Mini-Course which includes images for all 28 Mansions of the
Moon. For information on the Mansions Mini-Course or obtaining a single image
for your own talisman please Contact me.
Here are the instructions for the image of the
Twenty Fifth Lunar Mansion from Picatrix,
"The twenty-fifth Mansion is Zaadalahbia, and it is for the protection
of orchards and crops from evil happenings. When the Moon has come to it,
fashion a seal in fig wood, and sculpt in it the figure of a man in the
likeness of one who is planting trees. Cense it with the flowers of these
trees , and say: You, Aziel, guard my crops and my orchards that any destruction
or ill fortune may not befall them. Place the aforesaid image in one of the trees
in the place which you wish to guard. While the image which was made continues there,
destruction shall not befall the crops. And know that Aziel is the name of the lord of
this Mansion. "
Picatrix Book IV, Chapter 9 (translation by Robert Thomas).
Originally the lunar mansions were sidereal, that is
their boundaries were measured against the fixed stars. Later the boundaries of the
mansions were set at approximately 12 degrees and 51 minutes beginning with the
first degree of Aries.
Under this later system, "The twenty-fifth
Mansion is called Caadaladbia. It is begun in the 8th degree, 34th minute and
28th second of Aquarius, and ends in the 21st degree, 25th minute and 17th second
of the same sign. In this Mansion may be made images for the separation of women
rom their men, and for the repair of buildings."
Picatrix Excerpt IV, page xli (translation by Robert Thomas).
The time chosen for
the election is December 8, 2002 at 10:55 am in Cleveland Park, a
neighborhood of Washington,
D.C. 38 N 55, 77 W 03. At this time the Moon is at 12 degrees of Aquarius.
Thus at our elected date and time the Moon
is in her 25th Mansion. She is on the Ascendant and is not combust (within 8 degrees
30 minutes of the Sun) or making an applying conjunction, square or opposition with
Saturn or Mars.
You can make this talisman for yourself by either following
the instructions given or using a black and white version of the image described for
the Mansion and coloring it in at the elected time.
Here is further information on
Astrological Talismans
and Astrological Magic. If you
wish to delve even deeper into this fascinating area I offer an
Mansions of the Moon Mini-Course
as well as a traditional astrology and astrological magic discussion
group Spiritus Mundi.
