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Christopher Warnock, Esq.
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Hermes on the Fifteen Fixed Stars
HERMES
ON THE
15 Fixed Stars
AND THEIR
15 Herbs, Stones & Figures
Introduction
Hermes on the 15 Fixed Stars
Introduction
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The Renaissance mage
Cornelius Agrippa in his Three Books of
Occult Philosophy, available in English translation on the
Renaissance Astrology CD Library, relies heavily on the
Picatrix, an encyclopedic book of Arabic astrological
magic, as the source for many of his
astrological talismans.
However, when it comes to the
fixed stars, Agrippa uses
fixed star images and information that does not appear in
Picatrix, but comes from sources traditional attributed to
Hermes Trismegistus. One of these sources
is the medieval Hermetic manuscript The Book of Hermes on the 15 Fixed Stars that circulated
in a wide variety of different forms.
The "practical" Hermetica of astrology, magic and alchemy,
are inextricably linked with the philosophical Hermetica and provide preparatory
studies for Hermeticism as
Practical Path to Gnosis.
Agrippa explains how to use the fixed star listings
to make rings or talismans,
Now the manner of making these kinds of Rings, is this, viz.
when any Star ascends fortunately, with the fortunate aspect, or conjunction
of the Moon, we must take a stone, and Hearb that is under that Star,
and make a Ring of the Metall that is suitable] to this Star, and
in it fasten the stone, putting the Hearb , or root under it; not omitting
the inscriptions of images, names, and Characters, as also the proper suffumigations,
Three Books of Occult Philosophy Book I, chapter 47.
Hermes on the 15 Fixed Stars
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Incipit liber Hermetis de 15 stellis tractans et 15
herbis et 15 lapidibus et 15 figuris
Here Begins the Book of Hermes on the 15 fixed stars and 15 herbs
and 15 stones and 15 figures
Translated and annotated by John Michael Greer from BM Bodleian MS. 52, ff. 44-47,
as given in Appendix G of Joan Evans’
Magical Jewels of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance,
(New York, Dover 1976)
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Star Name & Location |
Stone |
Herb |
Character |
Usage |
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Oculi Tauri
The Eye of the Bull
Aldebaran
(9 Gemini 44)
|
Carbuncle or ruby |
Milky thistle |

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Milky thistle seed put under a carbuncle with the character
shown [engraved on it], with the Moon conjunct [Aldebaran and]
the Ascendant or Midheaven, increases riches and brings great honors.
|
|
The Pleiades
(29 Taurus 55)
|
Rock Crystal |
Fennel |

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Fennel seed with frankincense and quicksilver placed under a
crystal with the appropriate character [engraved on it], with the
Moon conjunct the Pleiades rising or at midheaven, preserves
the eyesight, summons demons and the spirits of the dead,
calls the winds, and reveals secrets and things that are lost.
|
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Caput Algol
Algol
(26 Taurus 07)
|
Diamond |
Black Hellebore |

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Hellebore juice with an equal amount of wormwood placed under
a diamond, etc., brings hatred and courage, preserves the members
of the body, and grants vengeance over anyone you wish.
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Alhayhoch
Capella
(21 Gemini 48)
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Sapphire |
Horehound |

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Horehound seed mixed with equal parts of mint, wormwood and mandrake,
placed etc., exalts men to honors, and brings them the
favor of kings and nobles, and heals toothache, and is very medicinal.
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Canis Major
The Greater Dog Star
Sirius
(14 Cancer 03)
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Beryl |
Savine Juniper |

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One part savine juniper juice with wormwood and bistort and a
little serpent's tongue put under a golden beryl, etc., grants the
favor of the spirits of the air and the peoples of the earth, and
brings peace and concord between kings and other potentates, and
between husbands and wives.
|
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Canis Minor
The Lesser Dog Star
Procyon
(25 Cancer 45)
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Agate |
Heliotrope |

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Heliotrope flowers with pennyroyal flowers placed etc. grants the
favor of God and man, gives men the favor of the spirits of the air,
gives great power over magic, and keeps men healthy.
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Cor Leonis
The Heart of Leo
Regulus
(29 Leo 47)
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Granite |
Celandine |

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Celandine juice with wormwood and mastic placed etc. takes away
anger and melancholy, makes men temperate, and grants favor.
|
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Ala Corvis
The Wing of the Crow
Gienah / Algorab
(13 Libra 24)
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Onyx |
Burdock |

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Burdock seed, leaves, and roots, with the tongue of a frog, placed
etc. makes men angry, hateful, daring, and evil-speaking, causes
wicked dreams, drives demons away, and protects men against demons
and evil winds.
|
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Spica
(23 Libra 47) |
Emerald |
Sage |

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Sage juice with trefoil, periwinkle, wormwood and mandrake placed
etc. will increase gold, accumulate riches, bring victory in lawsuits,
and free men from evil and anguish.
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Arcturus
(24 Libra 11) |
Jasper |
Plantain |

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Plantain juice with seeds or rooted placed under jasper,
especially green [jasper], carries away fevers and restrains
the flow of blood.
|
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Tail of the Great Bear
Sometimes incorrectly given as Tail of the Little Bear or
Polaris (28 Gemini 31)
Actually Alkaid
(27 Virgo)
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Magnet |
Chicory |

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Chicory juice with wormwood and periwinkle flower placed etc.
has power against enchantments and against dryness and gives
safety in travel, and if it be put together with wolf's teeth
it makes hunters proficient.
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Corona Scorpionis
Crown of the Scorpion
Alphecca
(12 Scorpio 14) |
Topaz |
Rosemary |

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Juice of the herb called rosemary with equal parts trefoil and
ivy put etc., makes men chaste, and grants friendship and honor
with God and man.
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Cor Scorpionis
The Heart of Scorpio
Antares
(9 Sagittarius 43) |
Sardonyx and amethyst |
Birthwort |

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Birthwort juice with a little yew placed etc. gives men healthy
color, grants good memory and intelligence, makes them appear
wise, and banishes demons.
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The Falling Vulture
Wegaor Vega
(15 Capricorn 16) |
Chrysolite |
Savory |

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Savory juice with an equal amount of the herb called fumitory
and with a little of the stone called turonso, etc. grants
favor with beasts, protects from scabies, that is, against
demons, nocturnal phantoms, and fears.
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Cauda Capricornis
Tail of Capricorn
Deneb Algedi
(23 Aquarius33) |
Chalcedony |
Marjoram |

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Marjoram juice put under a chalcedony with its proper
character, the Moon conjunct the tail of Capricorn rising,
gives favor in lawsuits, improves the home in which it is kept,
keeps it [the home] secure, and increases all manner of riches.
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Specializing in Horary Astrology,
Electional Astrology
Astrological Magic and
Astrological Talismans.
Copyright 2010, Christopher Warnock, All Rights Reserved.
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