The election for the current chart's talisman uses the
5th 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 fifth mansion as Al-Haqa, "The White Spot"
Book of Instructions Section 164 (Wright trans.)
Here are the instructions for the image of the
Fifth Lunar Mansion from Picatrix. The Talisman of Al-Haqa, Picatrix says,
"...is for receiving good from kings and high officials. When the Moon has passed
into this Mansion, fashion a sign from silver in which should be sculpted
the head of a man without a body, and above the head should be written
the name of the lord of this Mansion; and when writing this seal, make
your request for whatever you desire. Fumigate it with white sandalwood,
and say: You, Cabil, fulfill my desire and grant my petition, namely,
that I shall receive good things and the best from the king and his
councillors. When this [image] has been made, carry this seal
with you and your petition will be granted."
"[Also] when you wish to see anything in your dreams,
place this image in your bed beneath your head at night,
and think always of what you wish [to see] and what you
asked of shall be made clear to you. And know that Cabil
is the name of the lord of this Mansion."
(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 fifth mansion, "...
is begun in the 21st degree, 25th minute and 20th second of Taurus, and is finished in
the 4th degree, 17th minute and 20th second of Gemini."
(Translation by Robert Thomas).
The time chosen for
the election is January 3, 2004 at 2:01 pm EST in Cleveland Park, a neighborhood
of Washington, D.C. 38 N 56, 77 W 03. At this time the Moon rises in the 5th Mansion and
thus is appropriate for the creation of the 5th mansion talisman.
