Plentiful suffumigations, complete confidence,
frequent fasting, many prayers, picking a
worthy place for the work, considering the aspects of the planets. These are the root of
magical operations.
Picatrix
This week's 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 week's chart of the week.
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 is 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.
Here is further information on
Astrological Talismans
and Astrological Magic. If you
wish to delve even deeper into this fascinating area I offer an
Astrological Magic Web Course
as well as a traditional astrology and astrological magic discussion
group Spiritus Mundi.