This talisman comes from several sources including
image descriptions in Picatrix, an encyclopedic work
of medieval Arabic astrological magic,
as well as Cornelius Agrippa'sThree Books of
Occult Philosophy.
Equally important, however, is the artistry of
Nigel Jackson who
created the the striking black and white image that I merely tinted to produce the
talisman image shown above to right. Both Nigel and I have felt a strong sense of
inspiration with regard to our work with astrological images and I am pleased to be
able to feature our collaboration in this talisman.
For further information see the
Nigel Jackson Talisman Images main page. You
can see another example of his work at the
Nigel Jackson Jupiter Image.
This image comes from two sources, the
encyclopedic work of medieval Islamic astrological magic,
Picatrix and the equally comprehensive
Renaissance work by Cornelius AgrippaThree Books of Occult Philosophy
The Picatrix says,
"Ymago Veneris. Si ex formis Veneris feceris formam mulieris
cuius corpus sit humanum, caput vero avis necnon et pedes aquile,
in dextra manu malum, in sinistra vero pectinem tenetis ligneum similem
tabule talibus figuris scriptum:
, qui hanc ymaginem secum portaverit
bene recipetur et ab omnibus diligetur."
"Image of Venus. Of the images Venus they made the image of a woman whose
body is human with the head of a bird and the feet of an eagle, in her
right hand an apple and in her left hand a wooden comb.
Write on this
on the figure and everyone who carries this
image with them will receive good and be liked by everyone. "
Picatrix Bk II, Section 10, page 70. (Translation by Christopher Warnock, Esq.)
Further information is provided in Agrippa who says,
"From the operations of Venus they made an Image,
which was available for favor, and benevolence, at the very hour
it ascending into Pisces, the form of which was the Image of a
woman having the head of a bird, and feet of an Eagle, holding a
dart in her hand."
Three Books of Occult Philosophy Bk. II, Chapter 42, (Tyson ed.) page 387.
The time elected for construction of
the first talisman was February 12, 2002 at 7:25 am EST in
Washington, D.C. 38 N 55 77 W 03. At this time 0 degrees of
Pisces rises and Venus is both ascending and has just entered Pisces.
Venus is also the almuten of the
Ascendant. Note her great strength being in exaltation, triplicity
and term.
At the elected time I lit three white candles
and some sweet smelling incense and hand tinted a black and white
version of the Venus image. I added the characters called for
by Picatrix. I also recited the Orphic Hymn of Venus,
Heavv'nly, illustrious, laughter-loving queen,
Sea-born, night-loving, of an awful mien;
Crafty, from whom necessity first came,
Producing, nightly, all connecting dame:
Tis thine the world with harmony to join,
For all things spring from thee, O pow'r divine...
Goddess of marriage, charming to the sight,
Mother of Loves, whom banquetings delight;
Source of persuasion, secret, fav'ring queen,
Illustrious born, apparent and unseen:
Spousal, lupercal, and to men inclin'd,
Prolific, most-desir'd, life giving, kind:
Great sceptre-bearer of the Gods, 'tis thine,
Mortals in necessary bands to join;
And ev'ry tribe of savage monsters dire
In magic chains to bind, thro' mad desire...
Come, all-attractive to my pray'r inclin'd,
For thee, I call, with holy reverent mind.
The Hymns of Orpheus, To Venus, trans. Thomas Taylor [1792], reprint,
Los Angeles, CA, Philosophical Research Society, 1981, p. 185.
After making this talisman I had a nice upsurge in
business, was able to renegotiate a loan on very favorable terms and had consistently
pleasant interactions with everyone I came into contact with. I was quite
satisfied that it lived up to its billing that whoever carries this
image with them will receive good and be liked by everyone.