On the Creation, Proportion and
Composition of the Heavens for the Fashioning of Images
Picatrix
translated by Robert Thomas
If you are interested in doing
Astrological Magic and
Astrological Talismans
using the Mansions of the Moon, you should take a look at my
Mansions of the Moon Mini-Course.
The mini-course allows students, even without previous knowledge of astrology or
magic to immediately begin making lunar mansion talismans. Each mansion has
a beautiful and magically efficacious image that students can download for
making their own talismans. The mini-course is a complete astrological talisman
tool kit with images for each of the 28 mansions as described below.
PICATRIX
Book I, Chapter 4
Here begins the Picatrix on
the Talismans of the Mansions of the Moon
I intend at present to state the effects and
works of the Moon through each of her 28 Mansions, as they are agreed upon
by all the wise men of India.
The first Mansion of the Moon is called Alvach.
It is begun from the starting
point of Aries, through the 12th degree, 51st minute and 26th second of that sign.
And the wise men of India will begin journeys and give medicines when the Moon is
in this Mansion. You also ought to place [the Moon] in this Mansion for all images
you intend to fashion that you might travel on the road and be returned home safely.
They also account this sign [Mansion] good for the creation of discord and enmity
between a man and wife, and for the creation of enmity between two friends.
The foundation of all acts for good purposes is an observation, namely to see
whether or not the Moon is in a good condition , and is safe from [aspect with]
Saturn, Mars and from combustion with the Sun. And do the opposite in all works
of evil, namely [set the] Moon in combustion with the Sun, and Saturn and Mars
aspecting the Moon (or at least one of them).
The second Mansion is called Alkatayn.
It is begun in the 12th degree,
51st minute, 26th second of Aries, and is completed in the 21st degree,
42nd minute and 12th second of the same sign. In this mansion you should
fashion images when you wish to pollute rivers and waters , or find hidden
treasure, and for the production of much wheat, and by which may be accomplished
the destruction of houses before they are complete. And likewise you make images
in this [Mansion] for creating anger between one man and another, and also for
making strong the prison in which are held captives.
The third Mansion is called Acoraxa.
It begins in the degree aforesaid, and is
completed in the 8th degree, 3rd minute and 2nd second of Taurus. In this
Mansion should be fashioned images for the salvation of sailors and their
safe return, and for strengthening the imprisonment of captives, and for
works of alchemy , and for all operations which are done through fire, and
for hunts in the country, and for the creation of love between man and wife.
The fourth Mansion is called Aldebaran.
It is begun in the 8th degree,
3rd minute and 2nd second of Taurus, and is finished in the 21st degree,
25th minute and 20th second of the same sign. In this mansion you should
fashion images for the destruction of a city, villa or any other building
which you desire not to endure, and they shall proceed to their destruction;
and [images so] that a lord shall disagree with his advisor, and for the
creation of discord between man and wife, and for the destruction of fountains
and waters . And you may discover treasures hidden below the earth [in this Mansion],
and destroy and bind all reptiles and venomous animals.
The fifth Mansion is called Almites.
It 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. In this Mansion, make images for the teaching (?) of the arts and mysteries
to young men, and for the safety of travelers through other countries, so that they
swiftly return and so that sailors may travel safely. Also, [make images] for the
strengthening of buildings, and for the destruction of alliances and friendships,
and to create good will between man and wife. And do this when the Moon travels
through a humane sign and is rising; and save [the Moon] from Saturn and Mars and
combustion with the Sun as we have said before in the first Mansion. And these
are the [humane] signs: Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius.
The sixth Mansion is called Athaya.
It is from the 4th degree, 17th minute and
20th second of Gemini to the 17th degree, 8th minute and 36th second of the same
[sign]. In this Mansion fashion images to destroy cities and castles, and for
exercises placed around them [i.e., besiegement of them], and for enemies of
kings to be revenged on them [the kings] , and for the destruction of crops and trees,
and to bring friendship between two allies, and for excellent hunting in the countryside,
and for the destruction of medicines, so that the wise did not give it [at this time].
The seventh Mansion is called Aldirah.
It is [begun] from the 17th degree 8th
minute 2nd second of Gemini, and is ended at the end of this sign. In this Mansion,
fashion images for the increase of trade and of its money and for good travel, and to
cause friendship between enemies and allies, and for when you wish to drive away flies
and prevent them from coming in, and for the destruction of high offices . And it will
be good for approaching the presence of the king, or for any other you like, and for
fashioning [images] for inclining to benevolence the king or whatever other lord you
may desire.
The eighth Mansion is called Nathra.
It is begun at 0 degrees 51 minutes 26 seconds
of Cancer . In this Mansion fashion images for love and friendship, and that one
may travel and go upon the roads safely, and for the creation of friendship between
two allies, and that the imprisonment of captives may be strengthened and fortified,
and for the destruction and prostration of captives, and to drive out mice from whatever
place you may desire.
The ninth Mansion is called Atraf.
It is begun in the 12th degree 50th minute and
26th second of his sign, obviously Cancer. In this excellent mansion you may
fashion images for the destruction of a harvest , and for the making unfortunate
of all those who travel, and to do evil to all men, and to cause disputes and
enmity between allies, and to defend yourself from other men.
The tenth Mansion is called Algebhal.
It begins from the 25th degree 42nd minute
and 51st second of Cancer, and is finished in the 8th degree 34th minute and 18th
second of Leo. In this mansion you may fashion images to create love between a man
and woman, and for the destruction of enemies, and for the goodwill of allies,
and alternately for the assistance of them .
The eleventh Mansion is called Azobra.
It is begun in the 8th degree 36th minute
and 18thth second of Leo, and is finished in the 25th degree 2nd minute and 44th
second of that sign. In this mansion you may make images for the release of
captives, and for the setting of armies to cities and castles [i.e., besiegement],
and for the strengthening of buildings, and to enlarge the wealth of allies.
The twelfth Mansion is called Acarfa.
It is begun in the 25th degree 2nd minute
and 44th second of Leo, and is completed in the 4th degree 17th minute and 6th
second of Virgo. In this Mansion, you may fashion images for the increase [of
the harvest and of plants, and for the increase of destruction, and for the
destruction of ships, and for the betterment of allies and learned men ,
[and for] captives and servants to be made fast and to give good service.]
The thirteenth Mansion is called [Alahue].
It is begun from the 4th degree
17th minute and 6th second of Virgo, and is ended in the 17th degree 8th minute
and 36th second of this sign. In this mansion you may make images for the
increasing of trade and your money, the increase of harvests, that buildings
may be completed, and for the liberation of captives.
The fourteenth Mansion is called Alcimech.
It is begun in the 17th degree
[8th minute and ] 36th second of Virgo, and is complete at the end of this sign.
In this mansion may be made images for the love of men and women, and for curing
the infirm, and for the destruction of harvests and plants, for the destruction of
desire, and that sailors may have good [conditions], and for the love of allies.
The fifteenth Mansion is called Algafra.
It is begun in the first degree of Libra,
and is finished in the 12th degree, 51st minute and 26th second of that sign.
In this Mansion may be fashioned images for locating treasure, and for the
impeding of travellers that they may not be able to go to their journeys,
and for the separation of a married man from his wife, that they may never
be joined one to the other, and for the creation of discord between friends
and allies, and for the destruction of the houses of enemies.
The sixteenth Mansion is called Acubene.
It begins in the 12th degree 51st
minute and 26th second of Libra and is ended at the 25th degree, 42nd
minute and 52nd second of that sign. In this mansion you may make images
for the destruction of wages, crops and plants, and for creating discord
between a man and woman, and for the liberation of captives from prison.
The seventeenth Mansion is called Alichil.
It begins in the 25th degree,
42nd minute and 52nd second of Libra, and is ended in the 8th degree, 36th
minute and 2nd second of Scorpio. In this mansion you may fashion images
for the placement of armies, and for making buildings strong and stable,
and for the safety of sailors. And in this Mansion make [images] for loves
which are of ordinary durability.
The eighteenth Mansion is called Alcakl.
It begins in the 8th degree, 36th
minute and 2nd second of Scorpio and endures to the 21st degree 25th minute
and 44th second of that sign. In this Mansion you may make images for victory
[over] your enemies, and to strengthen buildings, and to destroy friendship.
The nineteenth Mansion is called Exaula.
And it begins in the 21st degree,
25th minute and 44th second of Scorpio and is ended in the 4th degree, 27th
minute and 10th second of Sagittarius. In this Mansion you may make images
for the placement of armies outside of cities and advancement upon them, and for
the increase of crops , and for the capturing of fugitives, and for the destruction
of ships.
The twentieth Mansion is called Nahaym.
It is begun in the 4th degree,
[27th minute and] 10th second of Sagittarius, and is ended in the 17th degree,
8th minute and 26th second of this sign. And in this Mansion you may fashion
images for the animals wild and domesticated, ad for the destruction of disagreements
between friends.
The twenty-first Mansion is called Elbelda.
It begins in the 17th degree,
8th minute and 48th second of Sagittarius and is ended at the end of the sign.
In this mansion you may make images to strengthen buildings, and to separate
women from their proper husbands.
The twenty-second Mansion is called Acadaldeba.
It begins in the first degree
of Capricorn, and endures to the 12th degree, 51st minute and 26th second of
this sign. In this Mansion, you may fashion images for the safety of those who
are ill , and to create discord between two [people].
The twenty-third Mansion is called Caciddebolah.
It begins in the 12th minute,
51st minute and 26th second of Capricorn and endures to the 25th degree, 42nd
minute and 52nd second of this sign. In this Mansion you may make images for
the curing of the sick, and for the joining of men with wives.
The twenty-fourth Mansion is called Caadachahot.
It is begun in the 25th degree,
42nd minute and 52nd second of Capricorn and endures to the 8th degree, 34th minute
and 28th second of Aquarius. In this Mansion you may make images for good will
between men and women, and for the increase of trade.
The twenty-fifth Mansion is called Caadaladbia.
It is begun in the 8th degree,
34th minute and 28th second of Aquarius, and ends in the 21st degree, 25th minute
and 17th second of the same sign. In this Mansion may be made images for the
separation of women from their men, and for the repair of buildings.
The twenty-sixth Mansion is called Almisdam.
It is begun in the 21st degree,
25th minute and 17th second of Aquarius, and ends in the 4th degree, 17th
minute and 10th second of Pisces. In this Mansion may be made images for
the goodwill of men.
The twenty-seventh Mansion is called Algaafalmuehar.
It begins in the 4th
degree, 17th second and 10th second of Pisces and ends at 17 degrees,
8 minutes and 36 seconds of that sign. In this Mansion may be made images
for increasing trade, and to obstruct [the construction of] buildings, and
for the endangerment of sailors.
The twenty-eighth Mansion is called Arcexe.
It begins in the 17th degree,
8th minute and 36th second of Pisces, and lasts to the end of that sign.
In this Mansion may be made [images] for the increase of trade and the
creation of peace and agreement between man and wife, and for strengthening
the imprisonment of captives.
When you desire to perform your work in the day,
arrange that the Moon be in
the Ascendant, and that a diurnal sign be rising; if it is done at night,
let a nocturnal sign be rising. And let there be rising a sign of direct
ascension, for works of magic which are light [i.e., trivial] and certain;
and let there be rising a sign of tortuous ascension for more serious works.
And for that reason let the helpful [planets] be in a fortunate aspect
[to the working]; for if there ascends a sign of direct ascension and an
infortune is present therein, the work is destroyed and spoiled.