Destruction Talisman from Book One, Chapter Five of
Picatrix
This week's talisman continues a series of comparisons
of the new English translation from Arabic of the Picatrix from
Ouroboros Press and the Latin Picatrix
edited by David Pingree which is
available from the
Warburg Institute.
The Picatrix
is an encyclopedic work of medieval Arabic
astrological magic. It had great influence on
Renaissance mages like Cornelius Agrippa and
Marsilio Ficino and was unpublished, in any language, until
modern times. We are therefore fortunate to have the Ouroboros translation of the
first two books of Picatrix. Comparison between the Latin and Ouroboros
Picatrix, however, makes the Ouroboros translation clearer.
Since this week's talisman is a malefic one let me
make clear my opinion of this sort of magic. I will not do malefic magic nor do
I suggest that anyone make such a talisman except in very limited circumstances
like pest control. See
Rats Begone! Agrippa Talisman . However, it is important to understand how
malefic talismans work to block their bad effects and in order to make benefic talismans.
I have therefore chosen to do an election for many years in the future,
useful for educational purposes, but useless for making a malefic talisman!
We turn to the second talisman on page 31 of the
Ouroboros translation of Book One, Chapter Five of Picatrix.
A talisman for the destruction of an enemy that you want to drive away from his
location
A talisman for such a purpose is made in the hour of
Mars when the Moon is in Scorpio. Bring as much misfortune as you can to the Ascendant
as well as to its master. Also bring misfortune to the house of fatefulness and let
the Ascendant master be connected to the house of destiny. Additionally bring
misfortune to the house of the Ascendant and into the house of fatefulness
which will be connected to a misfortune in Al-Rabi or in Al-Sabi. Bury the
talisman outside the city.
Here is the corresponding talisman from the Latin
Picatrix
An image for the destruction of enemies. Let there be an image made in the likeness
of him to whom you wish evil in the hour of Mars, the Moon being in Scorpio, and
make the Ascendant as unfortunate as you are able by placing infortunes therein
or casting evil aspects upon it, and let the lord of the Ascendant receive evil
aspects from the infortunes, and make the lord of the Fourth house to be an
infortune, and let it aspect the lord of the Ascendant; and make the lord of
the Ascendant unfortunate in the Fourth house, or place it so that it is received
by an infortune in the Fourth house or Ascendant. And when you have made it so,
hang it head down outside the city in a place where your enemies dwell,
and it shall be as you desire.
Translation by Robert Thomas
Based on the Latin Picatrix we would alter the
Ouroboros translation as follows,
A talisman for such a purpose is made in the hour of
Mars when the Moon is in Scorpio. Bring as much misfortune as you can to the Ascendant
as well as to its [lord]. Also bring misfortune to the [4th] house and let
the [lord of the Ascendant] be [in] the house of destiny. Additionally bring
misfortune to the [lord] of the Ascendant and in the [4th] house
[ or aspecting] a misfortune in [4th house or 7th house]. Bury the
talisman outside the city.
In this election for October 23, 2003
(yes, I made it 30 years in future on purpose!)
at 7:30 am EDT (+4) for Washington, D.C.
38 N 56, 77 W 03. 0 Scorpio rises and the Moon is in the Ascendant
in Scorpio.
It is Mars hour. The ruler of the
Ascendant is a malefic, Mars, who is conjunct the 4th house
cusp. The 4th house ruler is a malefic, Saturn. The Moon applies
to a square of Mars who separates from a squre of the Ascendant.
Mean little election!
Here is further information on
Astrological Talismans
and Astrological Magic. If you
wish to delve even deeper into this fascinating area I offer an
Mansions of the Moon Mini-Course and
a Astrological Magic Full Course
as well as a traditional astrology and astrological magic discussion
group Spiritus Mundi.