In this regard, Aristotle says in his Treatise
that the most important thing to keep in mind when making a talisman,
is the effect of the seven moving planets.
The Picatrix
or Ghayat al Hikam,
the Aim of the Wise, was composed in Arabic in Andalusia around 1000 A.D. It is a
key work of medieval and Renaissance
astrological magic.
The following extracts
deal with the appropriate clothing and ritual dress for invocations of the various
planets. We notice that they are a mixture of items actually ruled by the particular
planet, e.g. a gold ring as gold is ruled by the Sun, and items appropriate to the
persons and professions ruled by the planets. To invoke a planet, we must, in a sense
become one of the
Children of the Planet.
The Picatrix
Book III, Chapter 3
translated by Christopher Warnock, Esq.
Here follow the colors of the clothing and vestments
of the planets. The color of the vestments of Saturn are black and the
best [fabric] is wool. The color of Jupiter is green and the best [fabric] is
silk. The color of Mars is the flame of fire and the best [fabric] is silk.
The color of the Sun is yellow gold and the best [fabric] is silk and yellow gold.
The color of Venus is rose colored and the best [fabric] is silk. The color
of Mercury is is many mixed colors and the best [fabric] is silk. The color of the
Moon is shining white and the best [fabric] is silk or linne
Book III, Chapter 7
Saturn: Put on black clothes, namely the cloth used to
wrap a corpse and a black cape in the mode of a doctor and black shoes.
Jupiter: Put on yellow and white clothing. Go to a place
for your work that is separate, humble and appropriate to hermits or Christians.
Put a crystal ring on your finder and wear a white cloak.
Mars: Put on red clothes and wear on your head red linen
and silk or put a red hat on your head. Carry a sword on your neck [shoulders?] and
protect yourself with all the [arms and armor] you are able and wear a ring in the
form of a man about to go to law or a soldier on your finger.
Sun: Put on royal clothing. Silk, mixed with gold and
put a gold crown on your head and a gold ring on your finger.
Venus: Put on the first or second styles and the
best one is the robe and trappings of a noble Arab man. Wear white clothes
and white cotton on your head because this is his [signature or seal]. Another
style is that of woman. Wear long clothes of silk and gold mixed, precious and
beautiful and on your head place a crown richly adorned with precious stones and
pearls and on your hand a gold ring with pearls and on your arms wear bracelets of gold;
in your right hand hold a mirror and in your left hand a comb. Put before you
a jug of wine and in your clothing place crushed aromatics and odoriferous [incense or
scent] in the way that women do.
Mercury: Dress yourself as a notary or scribe and act
just as if you were a scribe...Sit in a seat, like the seat of a judge and turn
your face towards it [?], with a [book or paper] in your hand looking like your
wish to write.
Moon: Prepare yourself in the fashion of a young man
and with something that smells good and in your hand have a ring of silver and
your movement and work is smooth and elegant and your speech is distinguished,
in a good style and to the point.