in /post/105256665244/a-master-list-of-things-ruled-by-the-planets-the you describe "the blood of a white rooster" as a component for solar incense. is this code for a herb a la 'eye of newt' or is it literal?
I can't be entirely sure, because I can't find an herb which is called by that name. It seems likely to me that it refers to an herb, but you should also consider that in the times when the Sabians and other ancient Semites were practicing this kind of magic, they certainly had no aversion to animal cruelty.
This post is intended to give you a list of all of our asks and standalone posts. It serves a few purposes, like making our less-categorized information easy to find, and making sure that if you have a question, it hasn't already been answered here. This post will be edited and updated on a regular basis, and probably reorganized to make navigation easier as our number of posts and asks grows. If the information you need isn't here or in any of our series, feel free to ask us, and we'll ensure that you get a good answer by checking our large private libraries and many other informational resources available to us.
Standalone Articles:
Modality in Astrology (the Qualities)
The Glamour (an Original Study)
The Use of Holy Water in Magic
Asks:
Are the alternatives to animal sacrifice equally effective?
Does one's personal astrology have any bearing on planetary magick? For instance will magick relating to Jupiter work better for those born under Sagittarius?
I've got Saturn in the Twelfth House. Could I petition Saturn to reduce the negative influences it has on me?
If there are constellations in a birth chart (ex. Algol at 26 deg 10' Taurus), for them to officially apply to that birth chart, do they have to be exactly 26 10 or can it have a couple degree range (ex. Algol at 27 deg or 25 deg)? (Accounting for the Fixed Stars in Natal Astrology)
We hope this post will be a useful navigation tool for you to find any information we've posted that doesn't fit into any of our series. Once again, thank you for reading our work. We will reblog this post occasionally in order to ensure that it stays easy to find as it gets revised and updated.
This is a standalone post about modalities in astrology. Each sign of the classical Western zodiac is assigned an element (sometimes also called a triplicity1) and a modality (sometimes called a quality or quadruplicity2), two traits that, when taken together, describe the most basic characteristics of that sign. The intersection of the four elements and three modalities creates twelve iterations of substance (element) and motion (modality) that give each sign a unique expression.
The four elements-- Earth, Air, Fire, and Water-- are normally well understood, and information about their symbolism and energy is abundant and accessible.3 But most popular texts on astrology tend to gloss over modality, giving it only a perfunctory explanation, if any is offered at all. We are told that the cardinal signs are the leaders, the fixed signs are organizers, and the mutable signs are the communicators. This is a gross oversimplification of a concept that can lend us a greater understanding of the signs of the zodiac if we take the time to understand it. Throughout this and future posts, Iâll be describing the signs as conscious archetypes, so when I say âGemini likes such-and-suchâ or âVirgo wants ___â, keep in mind that Iâm referring to the sign itself, not natives of that sign (although certainly, as a native of a sign, those traits are expressed to some degree and in some manner or other).
The word âmodalityâ refers to the way in which a signâs essence (whose most basic descriptor is its element) is expressed; its energy patterns and the way they flow. The basic concept is this:
Cardinal energy moves from inside out
Fixed energy moves from outside in
Mutable energy goes back and forth
To illustrate this, you can imagine that you're about to throw a punch. The force explodes outwards in the fist (cardinal) but it is supported and driven and initiated through the shoulder (fixed), and this energy is transferred between them by the elbow (mutable).
Cardinal signs can and certainly do make excellent leaders, but to describe them as the âleadership signsâ is a bit misleading; the characteristic of cardinal energy is that it is expressed from the inside out. It is a driving force that explodes forward, initiates things, and pushes its way outward into the world. In Aries, fire is channeled outward. Cardinally directed fire energy is explosive, aggressive, and loud; it is no wonder that Aries is ruled by Mars, the god of war. But, as an Aries myself, I can assure you that these qualities do not automatically a great leader make; the cardinal mode initiates energy in a directed way, a very âme first!â way, and so cardinal energy can just as often be put to use on the front lines as in the captainâs chair; in fact, many natives of cardinal signs prefer it that way. Observe Cancer and its cardinally directed water; the medium of the emotions, when expressed outwardly, becomes a nurturing rather than a bold, directing force. Likewise, Libra directs air to create social networks and connections...something we might associate with mutable air Gemini. But Libra weaves the social fabric together, and its cardinal energy is expressed in directing social flow and relationship dynamics in a way that generally doesnât interest Gemini. Capricornâs cardinal earth is especially well-suited to bringing about its traditional associations with career and success; Capricorn excels at directing earth, the element of the real, the material, the tangible, into lasting structures. When you think of cardinal energy, remember that the element of the sign will be expressed outward into the world in a direct, often forceful manner. The progression of cardinal energy through the elements takes us from the most wild and fleeting to the most durable and lasting; the cardinal signs are initiators in the sense that they are the first to experience each element.4
Fixed signs are traditionally coded as âorganizers,â and yet I find fixed energy has many properties about it that lends itself well to leadership; fixed signs often excel at causing others to act around them, and can thus be very comfortable (and very effective) in positions of power. Fixed signs draw outward energy in and center it. If cardinal signs are out doing things, fixed signs are often creating the places where things happen. They are excellent at conserving and allocating this energy to effect change in their surroundings, often via directing and delegating others. Taurusâs fixed earth pulls in the material comforts of life to create a stable security characterized by luxury and sensual pleasure. Leoâs fixed fire draws the passionate, creative energy of those around it into a circle that resembles a royal court more than Tauran den of hedonism. Scorpio draws water energy around itself to create a vortex of secrecy and power, a whirlpool of deep emotional experience. Aquariusâs fixed air gathers information and fashions it into a new understanding of the human condition; its âcircleâ is really a lens. So you see that the progression of fixed energy through the signs and their respective elements goes from most concrete to most abstract. So you can see that describing fixed signs as âorganizersâ is the truth, but not the whole or most useful truth. They fix things into a new organization of reality, based on the material (the element) in which they work.5
The mutable signs are AC/DC. They go both ways, transferring energy between cardinal and fixed points of reference, and are therefore traditionally designated as the communicators of the zodiac. Certainly, they excel at communication in all its forms, but again, this is not the whole story; who could accuse Libra of being uncommunicative? Mutable energy, as I mentioned, comprises both cardinal and fixed, and it switches back and forth based on the circumstances. Geminiâs mutable air is certainly communicative, and Gemini as a sign deals with the transference of air-energy; thoughts, words, telecommunications, etc. Observe that at times, Gemini energy is outwardly expressed as if it were cardinal (in a Gemini native or a person with strong Gemini in their chart, this can manifest as chattiness, writing a lot, etc.). But other times, it can withdraw and absorb information from outside itself, processing it internally. Hence, Gemini is not always talkative. Mutable Earth Virgo is certainly intellectual (being co-ruled by Mercury6) but concerns itself mostly with transferring its energy to where itâs most needed in order to effect the most good; certainly it is not a fixed sign, and yet no one could accuse Virgo of not being an organizer; when Earth moves, it tends to move in an orderly fashion. Sagittariusâs mutable fire concerns itself with zipping back and forth between ideals and reality, bringing humanity to the stars and the stars to humanity. And finally, Piscesâ mutable water flows wherever it is needed to heal and provide spiritual sustenance.7
It can be extremely helpful, when conceptualizing how the elements express themselves through the modalities within the chart, to describe how these forces might interact; a Libra friend of mine with a heavy Scorpio influence to his chart described himself as âa hurricane,â-- a very good description of Libraâs cardinally directed air when blended with Scorpioâs fixed, watery cyclone!
I hope that this article has been helpful in shedding some light on a subject that is central to the understanding of astrology, but which is often overlooked or underexplored in popular texts. Getting to know modality and element is an excellent way for a beginner to gain a greater understanding of the signs, as well as illuminating to the more advanced student the spiritual progression that occurs through the twelve signs of the zodiac. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.
-Benefica
Notes (by the Admin)8:
1. The name âtriplicityâ comes from the fact that there are three signs bearing each element. In a standard circular chart, if you draw a line from the 1st degree of a fire sign to the 1st degree of the next fire sign, and from there to the next, the result is an equilateral triangle. The same is true with any other element.
2. The term âquadruplicityâ is similar in implication to âtriplicity.â There are four signs of each modality, and if you draw a line from the 1st degree or a mutable sign to the 1st degree of the next, and repeat this until your line connects, you will draw a perfect square.
3. I would venture to say that even this information is often rudimentary in most cases. The elements are a small building block in a fairly complex symbolic hierarchy of constituents of nature, but even then, there are smaller building blocks which build the elements, and they have a close symbolic relationship with the four humors in particular, and if you study them well enough, you'll also start to understand how elements and other things interact and react without having to put much thought into it.
4. There are further associations with each quality in astrological magic, astrological prediction, and mundane astrology. In those contexts, the cardinal quality generally represents overcoming obstacles, obtaining things, or fulfilling goals.
5. In the contexts of astrological magic, prediction, and mundane astrology, the fixed quality represents an event, work, or trait which will be rigid and have lasting effects. It can also represent endurance or stubbornness in any school of astrology.
6. Some astrologers consider Gemini to be the primary sign which Mercury rules over, and Virgo to be its secondary domain. This appears to be a relatively recent concept, as older sources (especially when there were only seven planets used) give each non-luminary planet two signs which are equally under its rulership. Virgo is not only under Mercury's rulership, but is also the sign where Mercury is exalted. This means Virgo is Mercury's highest dignity (where its influence as a planet is most powerful), but not that either sign is more or less âof Mercuryâ than the other.
7. In the non-natal astrological practices mentioned in notes 4 and 5, the mutable quality represents intangible achievements, mysticism, spiritual revelation, mass enlightenment (especially in mundane astrology), and miracles. It also represents the working of the will of Tetragrammaton (the unpronounceable four-letter name of God). It would also be accurate to say that in addition to adaptability, mutable signs represent things which work effectively with no demonstrable or logical reason why.
8. Benefica requested that I edit this post and add any additional information on this subject that I thought might be useful before it goes up, so aside from some very minor edits in the main body of the text, I did most of this in the form of footnotes to avoid altering her work too severely. I agree with everything she has said about the quadruplicities, but I also have a much more classical approach to nearly all occult practice, so she and I agreed that we would both have some different useful thoughts to contribute to the subject.
This is a standalone post, and an abridgement of an original study of a particular kind of psychic energy field. If you find yourself or another person to be naturally capable of many of the things described here, please act as ethically as possible in everything you do. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.
To preface my description of this kind of energy and its effects, it is important for me to discuss something which has been widely accepted by occultists and theologians for a long time. There are people alive on Earth who are born under the right celestial conditions (or to the right parents, or in other appropriate conditions) to gain permanent magical properties for their entire lives. This is not to say that each and every person subconsciously exerts magical influence over the world around them (I would argue that some people are born completely devoid of special magical affinities, though this does not mean they can't effectively use magic), but rather, that some people are born under the right conditions, or to the right parents (incubi and succubi, for example) to manifest as human forms of non-human entities. This can easily be construed as one meaning of many mythological representations of intelligent creatures such as the Fae, Satyrs, Fauns, Imps, Goblins, and many others.
Aside from human manifestations of lesser immaterial beings such as those elementals mentioned above (which generally have very specific and small fields of influence), there are arguably some people who are demigods (a word which we will use to mean mortal half-gods). Demigods tend to be particularly capable of magic without necessarily having the need to consciously focus their energy (one might say that some order of reality voluntarily warps itself to suit a demigod's needs), but some gain different benefits from their divine condition of being (for example, Heracles was not particularly magically-inclined, but his godlike strength did still afford him a lot of protection from magical and supernatural enemies). These are probably the same people who are called âNephilimâ in Judaism, as the gods of most pagan pantheons are the very same beings who are fallen Jewish angels, those who took human wives (beginning with the Martial Archangel Samael, the Satan who descended and took Lilith as his wife, ultimately causing them both to become demons).
And then, there are finally those people who are manifestations of gods themselves. These people are very uncommon, but we could consider Jesus Christ a good example of this who is widely acknowledged as such in modern western society. Jesus is specifically a manifestation of a Sun-god (it's irrelevant which one, as we shouldn't make too much effort to distinguish one Sun-god from another, in my opinion). Hermes Trismegistus (who, like Jesus Christ, is probably a highly-mythologized figure based on a much less-impressive real person) could be reasonably considered to be a human incarnation of Thoth or Mercury. Certainly, I could provide several more examples, but I feel like these are sufficient. One could say of these gods-incarnate that there are versions of them who manifest even to exert their influence in very small (even seemingly inconsequential) contexts, and exerting their influences only there. There is no reason why two different people in different locations and situations at the same time can't be manifestations of the same god, but it is important to think very critically in your analysis if you suspect someone is of this particular nature. It's probably never a good idea to tell a person they are or might be a god incarnate.
All of the aforementioned types of people are born with some degree of a radiant energy which surrounds them, and which profoundly affects most of the people who come into proximity with it. Although this energy doesn't effect all people the same way (some people will react to it with hostility, others will consciously try not to be affected by it, and a few are simply unaffected by it), its most common tendency is to cause all those affected to adore the person who radiates this energy which for our purposes, will be dubbed âthe Glamour.â
As opposed to archetypes (which are usually represented by the ânormal humanâ characters in mythology), which a person can switch between as necessary in their lives, incarnations are much more absolute, meaning they must constitute the purest essence of a person, rather than just a situational role. People may take on charisma at various points depending on their archetypal role in a given situation, but those with the Glamour will have their magnetism before, during, and after.
People who have the Glamour often don't have any idea why they're so adored, and this adoration can be a source of irritation, annoyance, or even grave danger. They will find themselves badgered by others who want to be seen with them, want to learn the secrets to their âcoolness,â want to be validated by them, or even who want to destroy them (this last kind of person being a power-hungry predator). Often, people with the Glamour will be subject to unwanted conversation from people who basically amount to âadoring fansâ at nearly every turn, making many parts of life a game of social avoidance. Now I will speak at a little more length about the three aforementioned subdivisions of incarnate supernatural being, and I'll discuss some of the difficulties their Glamours are likely to bring. As you read this, it's important to keep in mind that none of these experiences define a person as one of these incarnations, and that there are many more factors that should be considered when trying to identify human forms as manifestations of such (which is not really the subject of this article).
It is especially true that elementals and genii are targeted by malicious magic-users (usually misaligned folk-magicians, high-magic sorcerers who completely lack morality, or witches of a particularly deranged lineage) very often. In this case, the assailant will often take the form of a sexual predator, especially if the elemental is here in the form of a young human, though this does not exempt adults of this nature from that danger. The reason elementals are so often targeted is unclear, but it seems to me like the assailants consciously or subconsciously know that people have forcibly manipulated and harnessed these kinds of powers since the dawn of human history, and they believe it will get them some significant material gain, social status, or at least a microcosmic sense of power. Unfortunately for the elemental, this story does not usually end well. However, it is possible for the elemental to survive and continue, and when they do, they often rise to magnificent social status (in human terms), while their adversaries are usually condemned by their own actions to a life of insignificance or misery.
Demigods are usually subject more to tests of direct violence, especially those involving grossly unfair odds. Those who are physically strong will usually survive by those means, while others will be forced to survive by whichever magical means they are given. Once again, though, we face the issue of knowledge. I can't emphasize enough that the vast majority of the people we're talking about have no idea that they're using magical power, nor do they often know how to focus or control their own magical energy. This doesn't mean they usually fall in the face of the obstacles that they face, but that they survive and overcome by what seem more like miracles than magic. We could argue that they are either, but because the demigod can learn to harness whatever powers they are born with, I consider those means to be magic.
Gods incarnate can take many, many forms, and the tests they face in human life are almost impossible to accurately quantify. Sun-gods usually have lives which contain many parallels to the life of Jesus Christ, or of Ra (the tragic but necessary surrender to death is vital, even if it is a metaphor). Someone who is Mercury incarnate could have any of a great many different life stories and still be accurately regarded as the same being, so identification of this kind of being takes careful analysis, and if you are trying to identify one, you should never jump to conclusions which you can't support.
Now, we should further discuss the nature and potential of the Glamour itself. For several years now, I've observed and researched this type of psychic energy field. It's one which is almost always acknowledged by occult scholars, though I have never seen it formally named, or addressed at length. I'll introduce this idea with a related and slightly more well-known topic. Henry Cornelius Agrippa wrote of something witches can do to a person which he called âfascination.â This magical binding is described as something that effects people through their eyes. In particular, he speaks of the witch affecting men with this (of course, being assumed that the witch is a woman in this case, despite our modern understanding that this is certainly not the only case). Now, knowing that witches are not limited to one gender or another, we can assume that anyone who is attracted to the gender of the witch in question might be susceptible to this type of magic. It is important to keep in mind that witchcraft is a particular category of magic. I will eventually make a post which helps to draw a distinction between various types of magic, and that might give some of you some useful insight.
Cornelius Agrippa specifies that this fascination is brought about by a combination of two things. The first thing is the intent of the witch to so affect anyone susceptible. The second is a sanguine kind of âspiritual vaporâ (which I believe he means metaphorically). So then, blood is the humor witches use to fascinate their targets. Ancient occultists acknowledged the fact that the humors weren't intended to serve as the sole basis of medicine, but rather, as a symbolic guide for physicians (who were often astrologers, too). While we know that the metaphorical association for fascination is blood, and therefore a hot-moist quality, and the Air element, we see that this implies that fascination itself is a somewhat limited magical art.
Fascination is not exactly like the Glamour we're talking about, and there are a few reasons why. Unlike the Glamour, the art of fascination requires intent in order to work correctly. It is specifically addressed in the Books of Occult Philosophy that in addition to this, direct eye contact between the witch and the target of this magic is essential. He goes on to say that witches are so powerful in this kind of act that even the gaze of the victim can become under their control (the Glamour appears to be capable of this, as well). Finally, he mentions a few additional supplements to this, which are various scents and perfumes to create different effects (again, all of which can be easily achieved by people with the Glamour). Finally, Cornelius Agrippa's description of fascination strongly implies that it only works on people who are attracted to the witch's gender. All of this distinguishes fascination from the type of energy field I'm researching, though the two are otherwise very similar in effect.
Because of what we've discussed above, we know that if a person has the Glamour, they are extremely well-equipped to gain great things in life, and to be recognized for their achievements. However, one's equipment does not determine one's profession. If you were to give a peasant a sword, could he help you much in battle? But if you were to take the time to teach the peasant all the subtleties and skills necessary in combat, and to strengthen his mind and soul, would he perhaps be of more help than before? In this sense, those with the Glamour don't necessarily have the amount of control over others that they could. They may subconsciously exert some influence over everyone nearby, but the effects they have might be completely unintentional (and therefore unpredictable). However, we know that witches can fascinate a person with little more than eye-contact with intent, so why couldn't a person gifted with a sort of divine charisma have an even more effective influence over others?
Here, it seems fitting for me to briefly discuss two people whose Glamours I have studied to a small extent. They are of Air and Earth elements, respectively, and I had noted that both of them have a fair level of conscious control over the effects they exert. I have researched numerous others, too, but this article will not be so exhaustive.
The first person whom I recognized to have the Glamour has described it to me as originating from behind her eyes. As per Cornelius Agrippa's description of fascination, hers was certainly corresponding to the element of Air, meaning that is is likely a sanguine Glamour as well. It was described to me not as a consciously-learned skill, but a slowly acquired mastery over that field of energy which she has always produced. To simplify what she said, I would say that I believe her Glamour functions as a âpsychological climate controlâ to those around her.
A second person whom I studied spoke of a Glamour of the Earth element, which is therefore cold-dry, and melancholic. He said his Glamour largely influences the spatial-cognitive conditions around him, and the force originates in his abdomen. For an example of his influence, he said he has a significant level of control over the gazes of those around him, and that he can usually consciously influence people to look a certain direction or vice-versa. In addition, he said he regularly exerts some influence over people and their physical positions, consistently compelling them to reposition themselves according to his desires. He also reports that in certain situations, using his eyes in the same way as a witch does in the practice of fascination is an extremely helpful skill for augmenting and directing the Glamour.
It is relevant to speak of people who are immune to the Glamour (or at least, who react to it differently than someone with Glamour might intend). Some people have learned their immunity to it, and generally, these people are also bitter and without imagination, though perhaps more intelligent than average (intelligence more often manifests as self-control and self-awareness than it does as analytical skills or logic). Unfortunately, many of those who have learned immunity to it can still recognize it, and react with hostility to those who do have the Glamour. More often than not, a person will have learned immunity to one form of the Glamour (often because a former lover of theirs had a particular Glamour, and they despise it when they recognize it in others), and not others.
There are also those who have complete natural immunity to the Glamour. These people are often completely oblivious to it, and are unable to identify it directly. If this kind of person learns to identify the Glamour, it's usually because they have determined how other people react to it, rather than how to perceive Glamour itself.
The last thing I should discuss is a trend I've noted among some particularly novice magic-users who don't seem interested enough in their pursuit of these arts to learn how to cast anything of use. Instead of taking the time to learn fascination or similar arts (which are completely within the reach of anyone who takes the time and effort to study and practice them), they will often attempt to manufacture for themselves a Glamour. While humorous to observe from a distance, it isn't something worth attempting. If you don't have a Glamour to sharpen, you probably don't need one. I'd like to reiterate here that all the people I've studied who do have Glamours were plagued by that trait for decades. Most people I've seen try to artificially create Glamours for themselves have just ended up making mockeries of themselves, but one other has brought a plague of unwanted company into his life through the act, ultimately resulting in fairly extreme misfortunes involving the police (I admit his magic was significantly more effective, but it was clearly not worthwhile). If anyone ever safely succeeds at this, I would love to know more, so I can study and experiment with it, myself. Admittedly, the only ever people I've seen believe this pursuit is worthwhile were people I would describe as horrible magic-users (again, perhaps because serious students of the occult know the art of fascination and its purpose).
To summarize, human incarnations of immortal beings are naturally capable of a form of mind-control which I refer to as âthe Glamour.â If someone so-gifted becomes skilled enough with their Glamour, it can be used to influence nearly anyone in a consistent and fairly-controlled manner. There are different specific manifestations of this mind-control energy, and the people gifted with it influence people in close proximity to them whether they are aware of their Glamour or not. Some people are immune to it, others react aggressively toward it. Some people (myself included) have learned to observe it, and try not to interact with it one way or another. Hopefully this post has given you some insight into the mechanics of this characteristic of some mythical beings, and will allow you to more readily recognize it and other energies when they affect you. If you can learn to protect yourself from such subtle psychic influences as these, you can gain a much greater level of control over your life. As always, thank you for reading.
Benefica's series on the Court Cards is now complete. There are five posts total, intended to familiarize you with her approach to interpreting these cards. Feel free to ask us if you have any questions. Below is a list of posts in the series.
Introduction
The Pages
The Knights
The Queens
The Kings
Thank you all for reading. We hope this series can help you gain new insights into the interpretation of the Court Cards. If you enjoyed this series, you might like to check out some of our other series. We plan to start our series on talismans and other magical objects soon. Until then, you can also keep an eye on our standalone posts if you're interested.
Hello, all! Iâve been extremely ill this last week, and I apologize for the delay in the last installment in our series on the court cards. Â
The final iteration of learning and experience is the King. I like to interpret King cards as representing outwardly-expressed mastery of a skill or topic. As we discussed earlier, I dislike privileging the Kings over the Queens; first, it assumes a gendered hierarchy, and second, it places learning and growth on a linear path.
Although there are distinct phases of learning, the process of mastering a skill or assimilating information is rarely a direct, step-by-step procedure that goes from point A to B to C. Rather, it is cyclical, sometimes scattered, and switches gears frequently. Â
This is an important point to understand when interpreting the Kings as âmasteryâ level; recall that a true master will likely spend every day practicing or rehearsing skills in the manner I like to associate with the Knights. The level of automaticity (the ability to do things without having to think about them) is vastly different, but the form of the daily work is the same. The King is a Knight who has practiced an activity for the much-lauded ten thousand hours. Contrast this with the Queen, whose counterpart might be the Page. The Pageâs first glimpse into a topic has matured into insight and understanding. It is possible to have one type of mastery and not the other. For example, a professional dancer with outstanding technique has King mastery, even if they lack musicality, expressiveness, or a knowledge of the history of their style; an astute, brilliant dance scholar or critic who nonetheless canât dance a step has a Queen style mastery. For this reason, Kings style skills are project are more often outwardly presented (published, performed) than the Queensâ esoteric understanding, which lends itself to being learned, taught, and often written about (descriptively, or critically). You can, of course, have a Queen style understanding of a topic (as an academic, for example) and produce work (such as presentations, papers, books, or research projects) that could be associated with a King-style outcome. As always, use your intuition and take this as food for thought. Â
The following, as per usual, is a breakdown of the Kings in their suits, with example scenarios of the kinds of situations to which I like to apply my theory.
King of Wands
The King of Wands has achieved mastery over the forms of a creative endeavour. In A King of Wands situation, all your neurons are firing in such a way that the learned forms of the exercise at hand is potentially loaded with expressive potential. The coloratura singing passages skip effortlessly after thousands upon thousands of hours of scales and hundreds of hours of rehearsal; the gymnast nails the routine without a flaw. I often get a sense of athletic prowess from this card, more about power and energy than agility (which might be swords) stamina (coins, perhaps) or flexibility (cups). Although I distinguish content and form and designate them as Queens and Kings, I find that the forms of the Kings are usually the channels of tremendous emotion, passion, and energy. Some kinds of situations in which the King of Wands could present itself are: the querentâs novel is ready for publication; an actor gives a brilliant, passionate performance; the athlete is in âthe zone.â
The King of Wands Reversed
This position can indicate a creative block, a loss of energy, or problems with motivation. It can also call attention to these topics and encourage more introspection on the querentâs part in cultivating their âfire.â When this card comes up in a reading reversed, I always ask my querent âWhat is your passion in life? What lights you up?â. Often, they have difficulty identifying or remembering this feeling, and the rest of the reading helps develop strategies for cultivating it. I also associate the reversed King of Wands with professional artists and creative types who have hit a career slump or setback (such as a poor market for their work, an injury, etc.), frequently when they are considering a return to a more normative job market after having worked as a professional artist full-time for some while. The concerns surrounding the reversed King of Wands usually has to do with trying to light your fire again. Some situations in which the King of Wands may pop up reversed could be: The querentâs novel is finished, but they are having difficulty shopping it around, finding an editor, or a publisher; the querent is required to rebuild or revise a skill or skill set from the ground up after an injury, or in response to having to perform a skill in an unfamiliar style or context; the querent is stalled after a successful project, but out of ideas for the next.
 The King of Swords
The King of Swords shows mental mastery, the kind of understanding of forms such as paradigms, theories, and especially anything that involves communication. I associate the King of Swords rather strongly with language ability, whether this represents an advanced state of grammatical competence in a foreign language (as opposed to cultural and communicative competence, which I would designate as a Queens theme) or a mastery of literary or poetic forms, for example. This can also show someone who has a mastery over their thought patterns and mental and verbal habits; the King of Swords has a full understanding of the interrelated patterns formed by our words. Â Some situations in which the King of Swords might apply are: the querent has achieved a level of mastery in their interpersonal communications, possibly as a result of work or therapy after experiencing difficulties in this area; the querent has achieved a similar state in regards to their mental health, that is, they have gained mastery over their negative thought patterns; the querentâs novel is undergoing revisions and copy editing from an external source.
 The King of Swords Reversed
The reversed King of Swords has a Mercury retrograde feel to it sometimes; prior patterns and situations involving words and mental constructs must be reevaluated and revised. This can literally involve major revisions (of any kind of text in the broadest possible meaning); I tend to associate upright King of Swords as involving copy editing and putting the final polish on something that is complete but not yet perfect; reversed, I tend to see the kind of major structural revisions that involve extensive tearing out and rearranging a lot of material. Situations in which the King of Swords reversed can apply are: the querentâs script has to be rewritten to exclude a major character or event from the story; the querent has had a traumatic or stressful event that has shaken their ability to communicate or process information; the querent is in a period of deep reflection about their patterns of communication.
 The King of Cups
The King of Cups has achieved mastery over the heart and all things involving emotions and the psyche. This is often the card of a mature person who is in touch with their feelings and able to master their expression; this is not the mental acumen or verbal precision of the King of Swordsâ ability to communicate. Rather, it is a state of emotional openness and willingness to share that represents a healthy and happy mental state. People who have arrived at a King of Cups phase in life are often those who are finally learning what they need to be happy, particularly in their spiritual life and their interpersonal relationships. The King of Cups shows us someone who has experience in being a good partner and friend, or someone who is deeply in touch with their spirituality. Situations in which the King of Cups could apply might be: the querent has reached a higher level on their spiritual path; the querent is in a good place in their relationships, or a particular relationship, and is ready for a serious commitment if desired; the querent has become more adept at cultivating their own happiness and mental health.
 King of Cups Reversed
Although the reversed King of Cups can certainly reveal blockages in the kinds of emotional currents described by the upright King, my intuition normally guides me to interpret it more as a period of introspection and reflection that resolves those kinds of issues; rarely do I encounter a querent who is in complete denial of their emotional state and needs by the time the King is in the picture, reversed or no. A reversed Knight or Page can indicate such denial, and a reversed Queen of swords can certainly indicate being out of touch with oneâs inner life. But the King in reversed shows us a need to retreat and withdraw, and I usually find that querents are aware of this on some level, and only need to be encouraged to prioritize the process. I often find that a reversed King of Cups appears in a reading right before someone is about to embark on a deep, personal spiritual journey. This is especially true if it comes up near the Hermit, the Hanged Man, or the High Priestess (especially if she is reversed, a position I usually interpret to be relating to working with the unconscious). Situations in which the reversed King of Cups may apply are: the querent has recently ended a major relationship and is in a period of grieving and reflection on the matter; the querent has become dissatisfied with their career path or other elements of their life they find unfulfilling or emotionally and spiritually empty; the querent is about to take a sabbatical or other period of time to work on personal issues and to get in touch with their inner voice.
 The King of Coins
The King of Coins is in his element as mastery over external forms, for he has achieved expertise in physical endeavours. This is the card of the master craftsman, the artist with impeccable technique, and particularly those who have some level of commercial success at what they do. (Though not necessarily, of course!) The King of Coins understands the material world and uses of material things on an expert level. This is often a very simple and straightforward card to interpret, but be mindful that the King of Coinsâ themes are not without abstract concepts, and also encompass things like our values or priorities. Situations in which the King of Coins may be applicable could be: the querent has achieved expertise in a craft such as wood carving, sewing, or glass blowing; the querent is considering going professional with their skills; the querent is currently evaluating how much material security and wealth they need to feel comfortable and happy in their life; the querent is wondering whether to quit their job and go freelance.
 King of Coins Reversed
The reversed King of Coins frequently refers to a situation in which the querent is undergoing a major reevaluation of their values and understanding of their material needs. I sometimes see this card with retirees or others whose source of income or status in the world has shifted. The King of Coins reversed calls on us to question the primacy that financial success has as a measure of our self-worth and identity. He can also serve as a reminder of the importance of doing things that we love without thought of what material benefit we will gain from it. People undergoing reversed King of Coins situations seem to be ripe for finding a kind of joy independent from the ârat race,â and uncovering what truly makes them feel wealthy and comfortable in life. Example situations of reversed King of Coins energy could include: the querent has recently lost their job and is feeling driftless without a specific task to accomplish; the querent despises their job but is hesitant to quit and go freelance because of (understandable!) material concerns; the querent is enjoying a physical activity for its own sake and is learning to let go of perfectionist habits. Â
Well, there you have it, the last installment of our series on the court cards. Again, I apologize that illness has prevented me from finishing this series earlier! I hope that this series has given you some food for thought and that it has been helpful in your practice. Â
This is a standalone post about holy water and some of the history and potential of its use in magical practice. There are several religions and sects which make use of water which has been consecrated by its clergy, and I am certain that these variants of holy water are not all the same. For now, I will be talking about Catholic and Orthodox holy water in particular. In Catholic and Orthodox traditions, it is traditionally used to spiritually cleanse places, people, and objects from evil, and as an aid in the consecration of many places and things for specifically holy purposes. The magical functions of holy water don't usually differ greatly from traditional uses, though most Christian clergy members would certainly discourage this kind of application for non-Christian purposes. I hope this post can give you some insight into its practical applications. You are always welcome to ask us if you have questions.
In the future, I also intend to do some research and experiments to determine the difference between the effects of Christian holy water from different sects. So far, I've only had access to that of the Catholics, Anglicans (Church of England, who do not refer to their consecrated water as âholy water,â but otherwise employ it for similar ceremonial purposes), and Episcopalians (who differ from the Church of England in numerous ways). I have not collected holy water from the few other Christian denominations whom I understand to use it (such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, whose inclusion in my experiments is essential), but when I do, I intend to begin these experiments, and I may document the results here when my tests are complete.
The history of holy water's usage in magic goes back at least as far as the dawn of its usage in Christianity. This was so common that by the 15th century, many witch-hunting manuals made mention of this. In addition, some of them mentioned uses of holy water to counteract witchcraft and demonic influence, though they acknowledged that in that context, one would often need to accompany such a blessing with prayers such as the Angelic Salutation (Hail Mary), Lord's Prayer, or the seven Penitential Psalms. Despite the aversion toward magic the authors of these books had, we could reasonably consider these uses to be high magic of the Roman Catholic Church, which has many practices in that category. To begin, I will discuss some of this high magic advocated by inquisitors involving holy water.
In the Malleus Maleficarum, it is stated that men who perform Catholic exorcism rituals such as the aspersion of holy water are impervious to the works of witches. They were to sprinkle holy water in any place where people or animals lived in order to protect them from harm. They were also expected to say the Lord's Prayer, ten repetitions of the Angelic Salutation, and the Glory be to the Father during this ritual. In addition to sprinkling the rooms or houses, exorcists would sometimes further bless a home by consecrating candles by sprinkling them before lighting them and burning some consecrated herbs in the dwelling.
There is also great emphasis on the belief that holy water is very useful for cleansing livestock and cattle who have been harmed or tainted by witches. It provides many methods for this, the simplest (and probably most reliable) being the act of crossing one's cattle with holy water.
The same book also mentions that in many cases of demonic possession or influence, it is possible to drive the demon or evil spirit away by using holy water and making the sign of the cross. However, it details one case involving an incubus where this method was completely ineffective, and later says that the same victim tried this again, and it appeared effective at first, but was later shown to have failed. The book specifies that incubi and succubi can't always be driven away with holy water, while it is sufficient for driving away many other forms of harassing or malicious spirits.
The last use of holy water detailed in the Maleficarum is an exorcism ritual intended to expel demons from a human host. I won't recount the details of the ritual, here, but I will discuss the role of the holy water. In this ritual, for the duration of a great deal of theatrical ritual movements, prayers, and incantations, an exorcist is expected to continually sprinkle holy water onto the possessed person. According to the authors, this is the most recommended method of exorcism, and the holy water appears to play a very important role in its effectiveness.
Compendium Maleficarum contains an entire section describing the use of holy water as a method of counteracting or preventing witchcraft. In particular, it contains the story of a Catholic priest whose house was gravely haunted by a poltergeist. This spirit would extinguish lights, smash things, and move furniture very suddenly and violently. Apparently, he requested that the Church appoint another priest to protect him from this evil spirit, and the appointed priest ultimately succeeded by sprinkling the home with holy water and saying the appropriate rites (probably the same prayers mentioned in the Malleus Maleficarum, though the particular prayers used are not specified in the Compendium). There is a similar case mentioned later in the same section which details another haunted house in which doors are ripped from their hinges, and people sustained serious head injuries. Again, a priest sprinkling holy water and saying the appropriate prayers successfully solved the problem.
The Compendium also refers to cases when people have been transmuted into animals by witches. In that case, it says sprinkling their foreheads with holy water is usually sufficient to reverse this kind of curse.
Marcellus, the Bishop of Apamea around the 5th century used holy water to destroy a temple of Jupiter. According to the accounts of this event, a demon was preventing the wooden parts of the temple from catching fire, and he threw holy water on the demon, which caused the flames to erupt and consume the temple as if an accelerant had been poured on it.
There is mention of a St. Theodore who cured all manner of sicknesses with his holy water, and who could drive away demons. I believe this to be the same St. Theodore who was the Archbishop of Rostov.
There is a story of a man who made holy water and used it to cure an epidemic of tainted meat and livestock, and prevent disease from unclean food.
St. Hubertus had his home invaded by armies of demons. He called on one of his men to get him holy water with consecrated salt, and holy anointing oil (probably of the kind described in Exodus 30) blessed by a priest. These appear to have been extremely effective tools for him to use to get rid of the invading devils.
The Compendium also speaks of an indigenous Mexican child who was gravely afflicted with a fever which had similar symptoms to malaria. Apparently, his mother brought him to the church, and the holy water and prayers the clergy used cured his illness entirely.
There are brief mentions of some other cases of holy water treating demonic possession, magical poisonings, and other afflictions. Most of these cases are so briefly described that it isn't worth detailing them here.
In addition to the use of holy water by the church, there is some record of medieval witches making use of it in various situations. Not all of these have documented purposes, but I will try to discern them based on what I do know. In particular, I have found one mention (in Nicolas Remy's Demonolatry, another witch-hunting manual) of soothsayers writing the names of thieves on parchment and submerging it in holy water. The purpose of this practice isn't specified, but it might be to cause thieves to return with their stolen goods and confess, or to âdrownâ them in their guilt.
The Malleus Maleficarum does not seem to detail any malefic uses for holy water (probably to prevent people from learning of such uses), but there is mention of a man being tempted into the service of demons, and it is relevant that this happens on a Sunday, before church services start, and specifically âbefore the holy water is consecrated.â Here, he has to renounce his faith in front of God and everyone, and this is the primary part of his initiation into witchcraft.
Aside from inquisitors describing witchcraft involving holy water, there are a few well-respected magicians who mention the use of holy water. For example, Pietro D'Abano advocates the use of holy water to aid in consecrating a magic circle of protection.
Henry Cornelius Agrippa writes about a Rabbi named Hama, and says this Rabbi recommends using holy water as an ingredient of a special ink, which is made after undergoing many acts of purification (in addition to making an animal sacrifice). This ink is for making talismans and sigils against disease. I believe it is unlikely that this Hama was truly a Rabbi, but his ritual cleansing and symbol-making method appears to be theoretically sound (though demanding) and extremely thorough.
In addition to the above, Cornelius Agrippa says that it is proper to sanctify corpses of the dead with holy water, in addition to several completing several other steps in order to cleanse it, and ensure that it properly returns to the earth in order to protect the flesh from devils, and properly deliver it back into the hands of God (Cornelius Agrippa often had to disguise his practices as monotheistic and Christian, due to the attitudes of people in power during his time). Consistent with accepted uses, he also recommends sprinkling holy water to cleanse the mind, and to bring tranquility to other types of places and things.
The Three Books on Occult Philosophy also mention that holy water can be sprinkled to give reverence to âthe gods,â which clearly implies that its power isn't limited to monotheistic situations, though it is also sure in this writing that the holy water in question is that of the Catholic Church.
In Of Magical Ceremonies, Cornelius Agrippa says that all tools used in your magic can effectively be consecrated with holy water, incense, the anointing oil described in Exodus 30 (he simply says âholy Oyl,â but this is the most likely meaning), the proper symbols, prayers, and mentions of relevant verses from scriptures. He also recommends, in addition to particularly strict adherence to religious (probably Jewish) morals for many days in advance, confession, and kindness, that we should wash ourselves with holy water before performing certain kinds of (non-Christian) high magic. In addition, he says the place (particularly, I believe he is suggesting rooms as the type of place you should work) in which you perform your work should be sprinkled with holy water after you enter.
In a more folk-magic context, we can use holy water in very simple miniature rituals simply to drive out everyday negative forces from our homes, or if we are to make a bit more of an ordeal of it, to consecrate our altars, saying as thorough and powerful of a blessing as we can muster (the consecration of a home altar should probably be given a lot more energy than many people will afford it). Here, it is again worthwhile to note that holy water's function is not at all lost when dealing with non-monotheistic systems. Its usefulness is extremely durable, and our intentions can play a significant role in the nature of its effects. Aside from the fact that this is not a Christian application, there is very little about this use which would actually be frowned upon by clergy.
Finally, it's important to note that in situations of devil-worship (which we should note is not limited to Satan-worship), there are such ceremonies as Black Mass, which are often designed as deliberate and direct parodies of the Catholic Mass, and these often employ Catholic holy water (among other stolen implements of the Catholic Church, if possible) in order to have a greater psychic impact on the world (the theory behind this is completely sound, as a parody of an important Catholic ritual which employs actual Catholic ritual instruments will, at the very least, affect the immaterial nature of the concepts it parodies through these physical connections).
I hope this post has been helpful and informative to you. Remember that the âacceptableâ uses of holy water are completely capable of being adapted for similar or identical uses by non-Christian magic users, and that none of these practices are intended to replace proper medical treatment (though they may still be beneficial to the process of recovery from ailments). As always, thank you for reading.
If there are constellations in a birth chart (ex. Algol at 26 deg 10' Taurus), for them to officially apply to that birth chart, do they have to be exactly 26 10 or can it have a couple degree range (ex. Algol at 27 deg or 25 deg)?
Hello, and thanks for asking! Iâm sorry it took so long to get back to you, and I hope you can still find this useful. Algol is what we call a fixed star. The fixed stars (which are usually dealt with just as individual stars in natal astrology, though in other contexts there are definitely important uses for the many constellations of fixed stars) are a really interesting and often ignored concept in astrology. If youâre using the standard tropical system of astrology, the fixed stars only move by 1Âș over the course of about 72 years, due to the precession of the equinoxes. This means that in one year, they only move by approximately 50.2 seconds of arc, which doesnât tend to be far enough to significantly change their influence over the spheres below them. Since this movement is so negligible, many (but not all) of the ancient astrologers thought they were completely motionless in the sky. Despite the termâs slight inaccuracy, this is why we still call them the fixed stars, today. Ptolemy (a very influential astrologer who lived in Alexandria, Egypt in the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D.) and many ancient Arabic astrologers were very aware of the gradual movement of the fixed stars, and acknowledged it in several different texts, sometimes even including very accurate calculations of the speed of their movement. Ptolemy in particular was also innovative in his study of the effects of these stars, and compiled a text on the subject.
In a natal chart, the fixed stars have the potential to be very powerful forces. This is where your question about the strictness of degrees becomes extremely important, because they only seem to take effect when theyâre in very close conjunction with a planet or other significant point in the chart. These conjunctions donât have to be perfect, or only acknowledged when they are 0Âș apart, but when a planet or important point is anywhere within 6Âș of a major fixed star, this is usually considered near enough to be important. As with any astrological conjunction, this becomes more powerful as the fixed star and other point become fewer degrees apart. The fixed stars are considered to be their most powerful when in conjunction within 30 minutes (30â) of a planet or relevant point.
In order to address something I said in the above paragraph, I should briefly explain how we can determine what makes something a âmajorâ fixed star, and how that relates to those fixed stars which are not thought of as major. Some astrologers determine a fixed starâs orb of influence based on its magnitude (also called brilliance, which basically refers to the starâs brightness), assigning a 6Âș orb to some of the brighter stars (such as Sirius), and assigning smaller orbs to the other stars in appropriate proportion to that. However, most ancient astrologers write that fixed stars are more powerful and have larger spheres of influence (6Âș still usually being the largest, and 30â usually being the smallest) if they are closer to the ecliptic (which is the apparent path of the planets through the signs, and could be said to be the zodiac itself).
The particular points in a chart which can be most noticeably affected by a conjunction with fixed stars are the planets and angles. In addition to those, you may want to pay attention to any fixed stars which are conjunct with either of the lunar nodes, or the part of fortune. When a fixed star affects one of the points mentioned here, this can profoundly affect the magnitude of whatever this point represents, as well as altering the nature of its effects according to the fixed starâs meaning.
Most ancient astrologers agreed that aside from conjunctions, the fixed stars donât participate in any aspects. This means that many people have natal charts which are not directly affected by them at all, and that those who are affected by the fixed stars should consider it very significant. In any situation where a fixed star is affecting someoneâs chart, itâs also important to remember that the fixed stars are considered to be placed in a higher sphere than any of the planets. This means they are far more powerful than any of the points they can affect, and while they donât negate these points, the meaning of the fixed star should be treated as the primary nature of any such conjunction. The other point or planet involved in this conjunction should be thought of as the thing which determines the disposition or âmoodâ of the fixed starâs effects.
To summarize, a planet does not usually have to be in perfect conjunction at 0Âș from a fixed star for that star to be considered important. The precise details of this depend to some extent on your approach, but fixed stars arenât usually given more than a 6Âș orb of influence. As a brief demonstration, I will use the example you gave. Algol is usually considered one of the major fixed stars, and should probably be given a 6Âș orb of influence. If Algol is located at Taurus 26Âș 10â, and Mars is at Taurus 24Âș 3â, you should definitely consider Algol a very important factor in your natal chart. To demonstrate this example a little more extremely, if your natal chart has Algol at Taurus 26Âș 10â, and Mars at Taurus 26Âș 32â (remember how I mentioned that within 30â, the fixed stars are at their strongest), you should definitely expect to get murdered at some point (a nearly-perfect conjunction between Algol and Mars would definitely indicate something like this).
I hope this has been helpful to you, Anon. If you ever feel like we can help you to understand anything else, youâre welcome to ask us any other questions you might have.
Hi, I've got Saturn in the Twelfth House. Could I petition Saturn to reduce the negative influences it has on me?
Sorry it took us so long to respond to you. We all have a lot going on right now. This was an excellent question, so Benefica and I thought we should both provide you with some input. Benefica is a very experienced natal astrologer, so she has a thorough understanding of Saturnâs potential effects in that context. Though Iâm generally familiar with natal astrology, magic in particular is where I think my astrological knowledge is best. This way, you can get a thorough answer. Weâll start with Beneficaâs response.
-Admin
Hello and thanks for the ask!
Itâs excellent that you know where your Saturn is positioned by house. It is also important that you explore how your Saturn is situation in its sign and what, if any, aspects it has to other parts of your chart. Also take note of whether it is in direct motion, retrograde, or if it is stationary.
Aspects in particular will give you a clearer idea of the strengths and weaknesses associated with Saturn. If your Saturn is in aspect to other planets, keep their qualities in mind as potential allies as you wrestle with Saturn and its lessons. Also be aware of ways in which Saturn can âpressâ on other planets (or calculated points, such as the ascendant, etc.). Generally speaking, navigating any difficult planet or placement in the natal chart is a matter of satisfying conflicting psychic needs; every god must be honored in turn, including Saturn.
I would caution you against thinking of Saturn as a wholly malevolent or problematic force. In maturity, Saturn can be a tremendous source of personal power. In my experience, that only happens after overcoming the obstacles associated with it.
Remember that Saturn exists for a reason, and that is to test us. Remember that Saturn is a hard taskmaster, a great teacher of maturity and wisdom. This is often associated with hardship, setbacks, and misfortunes, particularly in the kinds of areas represented by the sign and house in which Saturn falls. Saturn is also a planet of power and strength, but only when you have mastered its hard and sometimes bitter lessons.
Whatever sign your Saturn falls into will show you the kinds of rules you need to obey in order to pass the test; the greatest test you will likely face occurs around the time of your Saturn return, at around age 28.
As your Saturn is in the 12th house, I would focus (magically, spiritually, practically, or otherwise) on the greater spiritual lessons associated with Pisces, its natural ruler. House Twelve demands universal compassion for suffering, demands that we connect to a larger consciousness, and that we relinquish the ego. The sign in which your Saturn falls will show you the âhowâ of this; think of the greater spiritual lessons of that sign as being the study guide for your test. What are the highest ideals of this sign, and how can you enact them according to Saturnâs principles of wisdom, rules, structure, and boundaries?
Depending on your own spiritual path and beliefs, I would recommend petitioning Saturn directly to help guide you through its difficulties. We spend a great deal of time trying to avoid or get around Saturn, to take shortcuts and cut corners. With Saturn, sometimes the only way out is through. You may also find it helpful to petition the ruling planet of the sign it falls into, or a strongly positioned planet that falls in harmonious aspect with your Saturn. But regardless, know that everyone faces their Saturn sooner or later, and that the benefits of doing so squarely and without flinching are tremendous. Best of luck, and thank you for your ask!
-Benefica
Hello Anon, Admin speaking now.
Since Benefica is a very experienced astrologer, and has analyzed many natal charts, she already explained most of the important things you should look at in order to petition Saturn to treat you more favorably, but Iâll provide a few thoughts that might also be helpful.
Like Benefica, Iâd consider it especially important to think about the sign your natal Saturn is in, and learn about what Saturnâs effects usually are in that sign. If your natal Saturn is in one of its major dignities (signs where it is ruling or exalted), detriments, or its fall, this can profoundly affect the nature of its influence. This is especially important to consider if Saturn rules the sign of your ascendant. Also be sure to consider what Benefica said about its motion, because if itâs stationary or in retrograde, its effects will be different than normal, though not necessarily harmful.
Saturn in the 12th House isnât necessarily unfavorable, but itâs especially important to look at its relationship with the Moon. Do Saturn and the Moon have any aspects? If they do, itâs important to know if the Moon was waxing or waning when you were born. If it was waxing, then Saturn can severely limit the Moonâs ability to work freely. If it was waning, then a good aspect between them probably wonât cause you many problems. If they share one of the bad aspects, this will still cause significant difficulties, though not as much as if the Moon were waxing. Is the Moon in the 12th House or conjunct with Saturn? This is also not preferable. If Saturnâs relationship with the Moon in your natal chart isnât hostile in any of these ways, you donât have as much to worry about.
Where are the houses which Saturn does rule in your natal chart? Considering Saturnâs location, it would be particularly good if it was the ruling planet of one of the angles (the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th Houses). However, if that isnât the case, this isnât necessarily bad.
What is Saturnâs relationship with the other planets in your natal chart? If it is conjunct with the ruler of your ascendant, this can be problematic. If Saturn itself is the ruler of your ascendant, where are the Fortunes? If theyâre rising or have any aspects with a Saturnine ascendant, this is very good.
Whatever the influence it has on your natal chart, you can always petition Saturn to treat you more favorably, if you like. If you feel like Saturnâs negative effects on you are fairly constant, and youâd like to permanently counterbalance that, you might find that the best solution is to make a talisman at the appropriate time, so your workâs effects will be able to endure over time. Benefica and I are about to begin collaborating on a series dedicated to creating talismans, but if youâre in a hurry, there are many other sources available for that kind of information. To determine where Saturn should be when you perform your petition, you might like to refer to my astrological magic series.
I hope weâve been helpful to you. If you ever have more questions for us, please feel free to ask us again.
A Master List of Things Ruled by the Planets, the Signs, and the Fixed Stars
This will be the ninth post in our series on astrological magic. Now Iâm going to expand on the planets, signs, and fixed stars, and give you some information about the particular perfumes, plants, and materials which are influenced by specific celestial bodies. This will be a fairly extensive post, detailing many things which are under the influence of the various celestial powers, or which otherwise correspond to them. I will start with the planets, going in Chaldean order, which means Iâll be starting with Saturn. This post intends to be very useful, but in order to successfully draw power from the heavenly bodies and have their energy directed effectively to carry out your will, you should not use this post as the only reference for your methods. Be safe, and feel free to ask us if you have any questions.
Saturn is sometimes called the Greater Infortune. It is usually associated with the more weighty matters in life, including responsibility and morbidity. Most of the things associated with Saturn are fairly intuitive, since like Saturn, they are often associated with morbidity, death, and the grotesque.
For information about the ideal placement of Saturn in astrological magic, look at this post.
Below is an extensive and organized list of things which are under Saturnâs influence.
Name of the Intelligence of Saturn:
Agiel
Name of the Spirit of Saturn:
Zazel
Familiar Form of the Spirit of Saturn:
An angry-looking tall, slender man with four faces on his head (so that there is one each on the front, back, left, and right side of his head). Each of his knees has an additional face, as well.
Common Visible Forms of the Spirit of Saturn:
A bearded King on the back of a dragon
A bearded old man
An old woman leaning on a walking staff
A hog or boar
A dragon
An owl
A black robe
A sickle
A juniper tree
Elements:
Earth and Water
Humor:
Melancholy
Numbers:
3 and 9
Flavors:
Sour or tart
Bitterness
Elemental Quality:
Cold-Dry
Day of the Week:
Saturday
Language:
Hebrew
Religion:
Judaism
Clothing:
Simple black clothing, especially black robes
Occupations:
Mining
Construction
Architecture
Places:
Rivers with dark waters
Dark mountains
Deep wells
The edges of deserts or desolate lands
Anatomy:
The right ear
The spleen
Incense:
Saturnâs incense is made of opium poppy seeds, stinking nightshade, mandrake root, lodestone, and myrrh. Mix them with batâs blood, or with a catâs brain. Alternately, Saturnâs incense can be made from pepperwort or frankincense.
Zodiac Rulership:
Saturn rules over the signs of Capricorn and Aquarius, and is exalted in Libra. Its detriments are Cancer and Leo, and it it in its fall while in Aries.
Drugs:
All of the opiates (drugs like morphine, heroin, codeine, and many others)
All of the hypnotics (also known as soporifics)
Saturn is associated with many noteworthy spirits. Iâll identify some of them below, organizing them by the types of spirits in question.
Angels:
Cassiel is the angel who is most strongly associated with Saturn. This association is definitely appropriate, since Cassiel is the angel of tears and solitude.
The archangel Tzaphquiel rules over Saturday (which is Saturnâs day), and is also considered one of the highest ranking angels in Heaven. His name means âGodâs Knowledge.â
A King of the Djinn:
Maymon is the proper name of the King of the Djinn associated with Saturn, and it seems to mean âProsperous.â
Abba Nuch is his informal name, and it appears to roughly mean âFather of Rest.â
Demons:
Furcas, the 50th demon in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Leo is the only Goetic demon associated with Saturn. He looks like an evil old man with a long beard and a pale gray head riding on a pale horse, and armed with a very sharp weapon of some sort. Of the demons in the Goetia, Furcas is the only Knight in all of their ranks. He commands 20 legions of infernal spirits. He can teach applied philosophy, astrology, rhetoric, palmistry, and pyromancy.
And finally, we can go over the things in nature which are under the influence of Saturn.
Plants:
White Daffodils
Dragonwort (probably Dracunculus Vulgaris)
Rue (Ruta Graveolens)
Cumin
Black False Hellebore
Styrax Benzoin
Mandrake
Opium Poppies (and Opium itself)
Black Fig Trees
Pines
Cypress Trees and Shrubs
Hemlock
Yew
Aloe
Creatures:
Moles
Donkeys
Mules
Wolves
Rabbits
Goats
Cats
Camels
Bears
Hogs
Apes
Dragons
Mice
Rats
Cranes
Herons
Ostriches
Peacocks
Screech Owls
Horned Owls
Bats
Lapwings
Crows
Quails
Basilisks
Toads
Serpents
Insects
Scorpions
Ants
Maggots and Grubs
Bugs found in Corpses
Termites
Tortoises
Oysters
Cockles
Sea Sponges
Eels
Lampreys
Materials:
Iron
Gold
Diamond
Onyx
Cameo
Iron Ore
Periclase
Yellow Marcasite
Hematite
Rubies
Jupiter is often called the Greater Fortune. It is a planet associated primarily with financial and career success, as well as high social status and favorable treatment from the divine. It rules over vitality, or the life energy of a person, as well as abundance in the form of food, luxuries, and necessities.
For guidelines about the ideal placement of Jupiter in astrological magic, look here.
Below is an extensive and organized list of things which are under the influence of Jupiter.
Name of the Intelligence of Jupiter:
Yophiel
Name of the Spirit of Jupiter:
Chismael
Familiar Form of the Spirit of Jupiter:
It usually manifests as man of medium stature with a healthy and energetic glow, but who moves nervously, seems moderately timid, and speaks very gently.
Common Visible Forms of the Spirit of Jupiter:
A King riding on the back of a stag with his sword in hand
A man wearing a bishopâs hat and long robe
A maid wearing a crown of laurels with flowers on it
A bull
A stag
A peacock
A brilliant blue robe
A sword
A boxwood tree
Element:
Air
Humor:
Blood
Numbers:
4 and 16
Flavors:
Sweet
Elemental Quality:
Warm-Moist
Day of the Week:
Thursday
Language:
Part of the Latin language (which is co-ruled by Mars)
Part of the Greek language (which is co-ruled by three planets, the other two of which are the Sun and Mercury)
Religion:
Zoroastrianism
Any religions which have strong universalistic undertones
Clothing:
Expensive and finely made clothing, especially if it is bright white
Occupations:
Lawyers
Business owners
Debt collectors
Places:
Meeting places of noble or privileged people
Schools (particularly if they are pretty and well-maintained)
High-quality gymnasiums (especially if theyâre aesthetically pleasing)
Any aesthetically appealing place which is always kept clean and pleasant
Anatomy:
The left ear
The liver
Incense:
Jupiterâs incense can be made from ash seeds, agar, styrax balsam, benzoin resin, lapis lazuli, the tops of peacock feathers, and a stork or swallowâs blood, or a male deerâs brain. Alternately, you can use nutmeg or clove.
Zodiac Rulership:
Jupiter rules over the signs of Sagittarius and Pisces, and is exalted in Cancer. Its detriments are Gemini and Virgo, and it falls when it is in Capricorn.
Drugs:
Cocaine
Jupiter is associated with many spirits of different types. I will list some of them below, subcategorizing them based on what type of spirits they are.
Angels:
Sachiel is the angel who watches over Jupiter. He is a Cherub, and his name means âCover of Godâ or something to that effect.
Tzadquiel is the archangel who rules over Thursday, which means he is definitely associated with Jupiter.
A King of the Djinn:
Shem Huresh is this Kingâs name. It seems to mean âthe name of Huresh.â
Abbu Al-Waleed is this Kingâs informal name, and it means something like âThe Newbornâs Father.â
Demons:
All 6 of the demon Princes in the Goetia are associated with Jupiter, so I will list them below, only specifying their rank if you shouldnât assume that the demon in question is simply a Prince.
Vassago is the 3rd demon in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Aries. He commands 26 legions of infernal spirits, and looks like a well-to-do young man. He can accurately tell you about the past and future, and he can uncover lost or hidden things.
Sitri is the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Cancer, and the 12th demon described in the Goetia. He commands 60 legions of infernal spirits. When he first manifests, he has the face of a leopard and the wings of a gryphon, but then he assumes the form of a very beautiful young man. This demon ignites men and women in love, and can make women go naked.
Ipos is a Prince just like the two aforementioned demons, but he is also an Earl. He is the 22nd demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Scorpio. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like an angel with the head of a lion, the feet of a goose, and the tail of a rabbit. Ipos knows of all things past and future, and he can make people verbally witty and embolden them in a social context.
Gaap is a Prince, but he is also a President. He is the 33rd demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Aquarius. He commands 66 legions of infernal spirits, and he sometimes appears as a man leading four powerful Kings, while at other times he might take the form of a doctor. Gaap can give people an extensive knowledge of philosophy, social sciences, and the liberal arts. He can easily manipulate the human emotions of love and hate, and he likes to steal familiars from occultists. He can accurately tell you about anything past, present, or future, and he has been known to mischievously transport people from one country to another while they are intoxicated or otherwise unaware.
Stolus is the 36th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Pisces. He commands 26 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like a raven at first, but then takes the form of a man. He can teach us about astrology, and the magical properties of the herbs and stones.
Orobas is the 55th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Libra. He commands 26 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like a horse at first, but soon takes the form of a man. He can reveal things past, present, and future, and he can also help a person become honored. He is especially fond of helping people become well-respected and high-ranking clergy members. He can generate good will between friends or enemies, and he will give honest answers to questions about the nature of divinity. He is generally very pleasant to work with.
Now we can proceed to a list of things in nature which are under Jupiterâs influence.
Plants:
Sengreen (Sempervivum Tectorum)
Basil
Viperâs Bugloss (Echium Vulgare)
Mint of any kind
Nutmeg Husk
French Lavender
Mastic Tree
Horseheal
Violets
Darnel (Lolium Temulentum)
Black Henbane
Poplar Trees
Oaks
Chestnut Oaks
Holly Trees
Holm Oaks
Beech Trees
Hazel Trees
Service Trees
White Fig Trees
Pear Trees
Apple Trees
Plum Trees
Ash Trees
Dogwood Trees
Olive Trees (and Olive Oil)
Corn
Barley
Wheat
Raisins
Licorice
Sugar and Sugar Cane
Nuts
Almonds
Pineapples
Rhubarb
Manna Ash Resin
Storax
Creatures:
Hens
Chicken Egg-Yolks
Partridges
Pheasants
Swallows
Pelicans
Cuckoos
Storks
Eagles
Dolphins
Anthiinae
Wels Catfish
Materials:
Lead
Gold
White Precious Stones
Golden Precious Stones
Tin
Silver
Sapphire
Beryl
Emerald
Green Jasper
Quartz
Carnelian
Mars is sometimes called the Lesser Infortune. It is commonly associated with war, sexual aggression, anger, general conflict, and physical energy. Mars also presides over surgery, animal taming, bloodletting, and circumcision.
For guidelines about the ideal placement of Mars in astrological magic, check out this post.
Below is an extensive and organized list of things which are under the influence of Mars.
Name of the Intelligence of Mars:
Graphiel
Name of the Spirit of Mars:
Bartzabel
Familiar Form of the Spirit of Mars:
He will appear in a tall, mostly-humanoid body, but with bright red skin (resembling many depictions of the devil in pop culture), the horns of a deer, and the claws of a gryphon. He will carry himself with compelling confidence, but a revoltingly aggressive disposition. He might also make loud, angry noises which sound like the bellow of an angry bull.
Common Visible Forms of the Spirit of Mars:
An armed king riding on a wolf
An armed man
A woman holding a wooden shield on her thigh
A male goat
A horse
A stag
A red robe
A pile of wool
A hog-louse
Element:
Fire
Humor:
Choler
Numbers:
5 and 25
Flavors:
Spicy
Bitter
Elemental Quality:
Hot-Dry
Day of the Week:
Tuesday
Language:
Part of the Latin language (which is co-ruled by Jupiter)
Persian
Religion:
The faith of those who constantly change their religious beliefs
Clothing:
Military uniforms, especially armor, weapons, and combat gear
Occupations:
Soldiers
Surgeons
Animal trainers
Lawyers
Places:
Slaughterhouses
Furnaces
Armories
Pawn shops
Anatomy:
The right nostril
The gall bladder
Incense:
Marsâs incense can be made by mixing euphorbia resin, doom palm resin, ammoniacum, black and common hellebore, lodestone, sulfur, and human blood, cat blood, and a male deerâs blood. Alternately, you can use sandalwood, cypress, balsamic resin, or agar.
Zodiac Rulership:
Mars rules over the signs of Aries and Scorpio, and it is exalted in Capricorn. Its detriments are Taurus and Libra, and it falls when it is in Cancer.
Drugs:
Absinthe (note: If youâre purchasing absinthe anywhere in the United States, take extra care in choosing it, because there are some U.S. brands of green liquor which are deceptively labeled âabsintheâ despite having absolutely no wormwood in them.)
Wormwood
Fly Amanita
PCP
Mars is associated with a variety of noteworthy spirits, some of which I will list below, organizing them based on what kind of spirits they are.
Angels:
Samael is the angel who is most closely affiliated with Mars. According to many legends, Samael is the angel who was cast out of Heaven and given the title of âSatan.â There are many legends and mythological stories about the fall of Samael, including stories about his romantic involvement with Adamâs first wife Lilith (God removed her from Eden, and cursed her, turning her into the demon of dead babies), whom he impregnated. According to some versions of the story, this human-angel hybrid baby was the first member of the race known as the Nephilim (a word which is often translated to âgiantsâ in English versions of Biblical texts), and when many other angels fell from their heavenly places to take human wives, many more of these Nephilim were born. God considered these children to be abominations, and some texts cite this as the reason why He caused the Great Deluge (the flood in the story of Noahâs Ark in Genesis).
Khaniael is the archangel who rules over Tuesday, and because of this, he is also closely associated with Mars.
A King of the Djinn:
Al-Ahmar is the King of the Djinn who is associated with Mars. His name seems to roughly mean âthe One who is Red.â
Abbu Mohrez is this Kingâs informal name. It seems to roughly translate to âthe Father of the Achiever,â or something along similar rhetorical lines.
Demons:
Mars is associated with the 7 infernal Earls in the Goetic hierarchy. I will discuss these below, only specifying their ranks in cases where the demon in question is not simply an Earl.
Marax is the 21st demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Libra. In addition to an Earl, he is also a President among the demons. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits (which are separated into 3 divisions of 10 legions), and he looks like a bull with a human face. He can effectively teach you all about astrology and the liberal arts, as well as the magical properties of every kind of herb and stone. He can also provide the occultist with a wise and reliable familiar.
Ipos is an Earl, but he is also a Prince. He is the 22nd demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Scorpio. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like an angel with the head of a lion, the feet of a goose, and the tail of a rabbit. Ipos knows of all things past and future, and he can make people verbally witty and embolden them in social situations.
Furfur is the 34th demon described in the Goetia, and also the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Pisces. He commands 26 legions of infernal spirits, and he usually looks like a deer with a tail of fire. He will never tell the truth unless you have him within a Goetic triangle (which I will discuss whenever I get around to discussing demonology and its related arts), in which case he will look like a beautiful angel rather than a deer. If you use a Goetic triangle to compel him, he will honestly answer any questions you ask him about secrets and the divine.
Malthas is the 38th demon described in the Goetia, and he is also the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Aries. He commands 26 legions of infernal spirits, looks like a stork dove, and speaks in a hoarse voice. He can build very well fortified watchtowers and defensive structures, and is a very skilled military strategist who can help someone command and coordinate the forces of a military.
Raum is the 40th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Taurus. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like a crow at first, but takes the form of a man soon after. Raumâs pastimes are particularly interesting. He steals treasures from kings, destroys cities, and shatters the honor of the men who rule over the aforesaid cities. He can accurately tell you about any events past, present, of future, and he creates love between friends and enemies.
Vinea is the 45th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Gemini. In addition to his position as an Earl, he is also an infernal King. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like a man with a lionâs head riding on a black horse, and carrying a venomous snake in one hand. Vinea can discover any manner of hidden thing, and has a reputation for revealing witches (which usually results in their downfall). He can help to build towers, but is especially helpful in offensive military operations, especially when your soldiers are trying to overtake some kind of wall or other barrier. He can also give you accurate information about any events past, present, or future.
Bifrons is the 46th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Cancer. He commands up to 60 legions of infernal spirits, and he first appears in the form of a monster, but he assumes the form of a man soon after. Bifrons can give you a complete familiarity with astrology, as well as all the other sciences of the Quadrivium. He can also teach you about the magical properties of the different types of wood and stone. Sometimes, he changes the bodies of the dead, or perhaps takes them to a different place, and then he lights magical candles on their graves.
Murmur is the 54th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Virgo. In addition to his position as an Earl, he is also an infernal Duke. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of a soldier in a dukeâs crown riding on the back of a gryphon, with a host of trumpeters preceding him. Murmur can give you an extensive knowledge of rhetoric and philosophy. He can also compel spirits of the dead to come forth and appear before the occultist, allowing us to ask them whatever questions we like. Some of my books also say that Murmur was originally a member of the Order of Thrones before he took his current place.
Andromalius is the 72nd and final demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Pisces. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and he manifests in the form of a man holding a serpent. Andromalius has the power to compel thieves to come return with the spoils of their plunder in hand. He can also discover hidden treasures, underhanded dealings, and covertly wicked intentions. Punishing thieves and wicked people is the main activity he participates in when he is not working to carry out a specific task.
Now that weâve discussed some of the more complex things which Mars rules over, we can continue on to our more straightforward listing of things in nature which are under the influence of Mars.
Plants:
Hellebores
Garlic
Euphorbia Resin
Ammoniacum
Radish
Laurels
Wolfsbane
Scammony
Thistles
Nettles
Buttercups
Onions
Scallions
Leeks
Mustard Seeds
Dogwoods
Peppers (especially those which are extremely hot)
Creatures:
Horses
Mules
Goats
Wolves
Leopards
Wild Donkeys
Snakes
Dragons
Flies
Gnats
Baboons
Eagles
Vultures
Hawks
Falcons
Horned Owls
Screech Owls
Kestrels
Kites
Crows
Daws
Magpies
Pike Fish
Barbel Fish
Orca Whales
Sturgeons
Materials:
Copper
Red Brass
Diamonds
Lodestones
Agate
Opals
Heliotropes
Carnelian
Glass
Premonada
The Sun is the brightest luminary in the heavens. It represents rulership, nobility, power, and light. It rules the wealthy, and those with high social status. In addition (and contrast) to its associations with power and privilege, the Sun represents generosity, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation.
There are some tips about the ideal placement of the Sun in astrological magic here.
Below is an extensive and organized list of things which are under the influence of the Sun.
Name of the Intelligence of the Sun:
Nakhiel
Name of the Spirit of the Sun:
Sorath
Familiar Form of the Spirit of the Sun:
A large, full-bodied man who radiates a kind of intense power and warmth which can accurately be described as âcardiovascular.â He will probably be accompanied by a golden or yellow light, and his arrival usually causes the person who called upon him to sweat.
Common Visible Forms of the Spirit of the Sun:
A king riding on a lionâs back with a scepter in his hand.
A king wearing his crown
A queen holding her scepter
A bird
A lion
A rooster
A yellow or golden robe
A scepter
Caudatus (the kinds of young leaves or grains used to make cereal)
Name of the Sun in Spring:
Abraym
Name of the Sun in Summer:
Athemay
Name of the Sun in Autumn:
Abragini
Name of the Sun in Winter:
Commutaff
Element:
Fire
Humor:
Pure blood
Numbers:
6 and 36
Flavors:
Savory
Sweet
Elemental Quality:
Hot-Dry
Day of the Week:
Sunday
Language:
French
Part of the Greek Language (rulership of which is also shared with Jupiter and Mercury)
Religion:
The religion of the ancient Sabians (who many people say worshiped the celestial bodies)
Christianity
Clothing:
Noble and fine clothing, especially when itâs golden or yellow in color, and made of very fine fabric, such as silk
Occupations:
The Pope, and Christian clergy in general
Chief executive officers of large corporations
The President of the United States
Community organizers (because Jesus Christ was a major community organizer and activist)
Carpenters (because Jesus Christ was a carpenter)
Places:
Places which are naturally serene and well-lit
The palaces of kings (a category which figuratively includes places such as the White House in the United States)
The offices of less-powerful politicians such as legislators
Pulpits
Theaters
Any man-made structure which can be described as magnificent
Anatomy:
The eyes
The heart
Incense:
To make the Sunâs incense, you should mix saffron, ambergris, musk, agar, balsamic resin, laurel berries, cloves, myrrh, frankincense, and the brain of an eagle or the blood of a white rooster with a mortar and pestle. Alternately, you can use mastic, gum benzoin, or gum laudanum.
Zodiac Rulership:
The Sun rules over the sign of Leo, and its exaltation is Aries. Itâs detriment is Aquarius, and it falls when it is in Libra.
Drugs:
Beer
White wine
The Sun is associated with numerous spirits of various types which might be useful to understand or be aware of in certain situations. I will list some of them them below, organized according to the respective type of each spirit.
Angels:
The Archangel Michael is the angel who is by far the most strongly associated with the Sun. He is the highest-ranked and most powerful angel, effectively serving as Heavenâs second-in-command. He was also directly involved in the events of many important Biblical stories. In the Old Testament, Michael is mentioned on numerous occasions. Perhaps the most important of these in in Daniel 10, where Daniel learns that Michael is the protector of Israel. In Christian scripture, he is identified as the archangel who will lead Godâs army into the final battle against the forces of Hell. His name seems to mean something along the lines of âHe Who is Like God.â
The Archangel Raphael rules over Sunday, and is associated with the Sun as a result of this. Although Michael is definitely the most powerful archangel, it is very important to note that Raphael is one of the only two other angels who even come close to Michael in their importance and capabilities (Gabriel being the other one of these angels). His name seems to mean something along the lines of âGod is the Source of Healing.â
A King of the Djinn:
Al-Mazhab is name of the King of the Djinn who is associated with the Sun. His name roughly means âGolden One.â
Abba Deebaj is this Kingâs informal name. This name means something like âThe Silk Brocadeâs Father.â
Demons:
The Sun is associated with 12 of the demons described in the Goetia (and I consider Astaroth a King as well, making a total of 13). These demons are the Infernal Kings, and when I describe them below, I will be sure to point out when any of these Kings has another rank in addition to their kingship.
Bael is the 1st demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Aries. He commands 66 legions of infernal spirits, and he either appears as a beast with three heads, one of a toad, one of a man, and one of a cat, or as those three animals as separate bodies, but all going forth together. Bael can grant you invisibility.
Paimon is the 9th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Gemini. He commands 200 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like a crowned man riding on a dromedary camel, with a host of musicians going ahead of him. When he first speaks, he is usually difficult to understand. He can give you a complete understanding of all of the arts and sciences, as well as secret divine or occult knowledge. He can also present you with honors, blessing you with a good reputation in society. He can provide familiars of a good quality. Last, but definitely not least, Paimon can easily magically bind other people so that they will have to do your bidding.
Beleth is the 13th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Leo. He commands 85 legions of infernal spirits, and he arrives on a pale horse, attended by brass players and other musicians. He is usually fairly hostile when he first arrives. If you manage to calm his irritation, though, he can create love between a man and woman. Some of my sources say he was originally an angel in the Order of Powers, and that he hopes to ascend back to his throne before the end of days.
Purson is the 20th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Libra. He commands 22 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of a man with the face of a lion, holding a venomous snake in one hand, while approaching on the back of a bear whose path is preceded by a host of ministering trumpeters. Purson can accurately tell you about any events in the past, present, or future, in addition to being able to discover any manner of hidden things. He is also able to provide the occultist with a good familiar spirit.
Astaroth is the 29th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Capricorn. The Goetia doesnât specify that he is a King, designating only his position as Duke, but I thought it necessary to classify him as such, considering that in sources besides the Goetia, he is fairly uniformly referred to as a King. He commands 40 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a beautiful angel with terrible and dangerous breath riding on the back of an infernal dragon, and carrying a viper. He can give you a thorough understanding of all the liberal arts, and will always answer your questions truthfully. He is also able to give you accurate understanding of all the events of the past, present, and future, and of all secrets. In particular, Astaroth will tell you the stories of how the various angels fell.
Asmodai is the 32nd demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Aquarius. Asmodai is one of the highest-ranked demons (sometimes referred to as a chief lord of Hell), though he only directly commands 72 legions of infernal spirits. When he appears, he looks like a man with three heads (one of a bull, one of a man, and one of a ram). He has the tail of a serpent and the feet of a goose, and he rides in on a dragon, carrying a flag and lance. He is capable of giving us a complete understanding of the magical uses of all the different herbs and stones. He can also give us a complete knowledge of arithmetic, geometry, and astrology. He is good at finding treasures which have been lost or hidden, and he can make us invisible, or help us to be verbally witty and eloquent. He is also capable of giving us a longer life-span.
Vinea is the 45th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Gemini. In addition to his position as a mighty King, he is also an Earl. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like a man with a lionâs head riding on a black horse, and carrying a venomous snake in one hand. Vinea can discover any manner of hidden thing, and has a reputation for uncovering witches (which usually results in their downfall). He can help to build defensive towers, but is particularly helpful in offensive military operations, especially when your soldiers are trying to overtake a wall or some other kind of barrier. He can also give you accurate information about any events past, present, or future.
Balam is the 51st demon to be described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Leo. He commands 40 legions of infernal spirits. When he manifests, he looks like a man with three heads (one of a bull, one of a man, and one of a ram) and the tail of a serpent. His eyes will be flaming, and he will ride forth on a bear, bringing a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) with him. He has a hoarse voice, and will truthfully tell you about anything past, present, or future. He can also make us invisible and increase our wit.
Zagan is the 61st demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Capricorn. In addition to his position as a mighty King, he also holds the title of President. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and he initially looks like a bull with the wings of a gryphon, but then assumes the form of a man. Zagan is capable of making us more witty and clever, turning wine into water, and water back into wine. He can easily change any metal into the currency of whichever nation he is working in. He also turns fools wise.
Belial is the 68th demon to be described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Aquarius. He is easily one of the most powerful demons in Hell, and he also commands 80 legions of infernal spirits. As he approaches, you will notice that his appearance is that of a beautiful angel, and he will ride in on a chariot of fire. Belial is a particularly powerful spirit, and he regularly interferes with the people of much of the world by using some of his powers to magically appoint a lot of extremely underqualified or overall unfavorable people to legislative positions in as many governments as possible. He finds this amusing, and wants to cause as much human pain and frustration as he possibly can by doing this sort of thing. When dealing with Belial, itâs important to know that he can help us in several ways. In addition to his ability to appoint whoever he chooses to a legislative office, we should remember that he can also cause favor between friends and enemies, and that he can provide us with extremely high quality familiar spirits. However, unlike most other spirits (demonic or otherwise), Belial will not help us if we donât make a good offering to him.
Now, we can proceed to a list of things the Sun rules over in nature.
Plants:
Marigolds
Lotus Trees
Peonies
Celandine
Balm
Ginger
Great Felwort
Stonemint
Vervain
Bay Trees
Cedars
Palms
Ash Trees
Ivy
Mint
Mastic
White Turmeric
Saffron
Balsam
Amber
Yellow Honey
Agar
Clove
Cinnamon
Pepper
Frankincense
Marjoram
Rosemary
Creatures:
Lions
Crocodiles
Lynxes
Rams
Boars
Oxen
Phoenixes
Eagles
Vultures
Swans
Roosters
Crows
Hawks
Glow Worms
Scarabs
Seals
Shellfish
Jellyfish
Starfish
Mollusks with spiral shells
Oysters
Materials:
Gold
Egyptian Glass
Cupric Oxide
Diamonds
Red Pearls
Hematite
Rubies
Gold Marcasite
Heliotropes
Blue Sapphires
Topaz
Chrysoprase
Venus is a planet which is most readily associated with ideas of love, friendship, and positive emotions between people. It is often known as the Lesser Fortune. Venus rules over beautiful singing, and all manner of pleasant sounds. It also represents an emotionally intimate kind of sexuality and pleasure.
Check out this post for advice about the placement of Venus in astrological magic.
Below is an extensive and organized list of things which are under the influence of Venus.
Name of the Intelligence of Venus:
Hagiel
Name of the Spirit of Venus:
Qedemel
Familiar Form of the Spirit of Venus:
It will usually manifest in the form of a fair-bodied woman of about average height, with a pleasant disposition, dressed in white or green, with some golden accents near the topmost parts of the outfit. If Venus is in one of her greater dignities, the forms of two young maids might accompany her (these servant forms are not actually separate entities from spirit of Venus), and the three might interact with each other playfully with the intent of drawing a lustful gaze or two.
Common Visible Forms of the Spirit of Venus:
A King riding on a camel with a scepter in his hand
A young woman dressed in very beautiful clothing
A naked young woman
A female goat
A camel
A dove
A green or white garment or outfit
A bouquet of flowers
Juniper savin
Elements:
Air and Water
Humors:
Phlegm and Blood
Numbers:
7 and 49
Flavors:
Sweetness
Decadent flavors
Delicate tastes
Elemental Quality:
Warm-Moist
Day of the Week:
Friday
Language:
Arabic
Religion:
Islam
Clothing:
Garments decorated with bright colors and geometric shapes
Traditional Arabic apparel, especially when all white in color (in a desert, white clothing will be more comfortable to wear, because it does not absorb as much heat as other colors)
Extravagant accessories and jewelry
Clothing which was designed with a lot of unnecessary ornamentation
For a man, managing to tastefully dress in womenâs clothing and make-up
For a woman, dressing in her most attractive clothing (according to her own opinion, of course) which is also unnecessarily extravagant
Occupations:
Visual artists
Musicians
Bakers
Classical singers
Dancers
Places:
Cheerful places
Bars
Beaches
Music and performance art venues
Green meadows in the spring
Fountains
Anatomy:
The right nostril
The stomach
The genitalia
Incense:
The incense of Venus can be made by mixing musk, ambergris, agar, red roses, red coral, sparrowâs brain, and pigeonâs blood. Alternately, you can use violets or saffron.
Zodiac Rulership:
Venus rules over the signs of Taurus and Libra, and is exalted in Pisces. Its detriments are Aries and Scorpio, and it falls when it is in Virgo.
Drugs:
Every variety of aphrodisiac
Cannabis Sativa
MDMA
Venus is associated with a number of spirits of different types. Below, I will describe some of these spirits, organizing them based on what kind of spirit they are.
Angels:
Anael is the angel who is most strongly associated with Venus. It is possible that his name means roughly âthe Pleasure of God.â
Haniel is the archangel who rules over Friday, and that means this spirit is associated with Venus as well. Some of my books suggest that Anael and Haniel are just alternate spellings of the same name.
A King of the Djinn:
Zawbaâah is the name of this King of the Djinn, who is associated with Venus. His name appears to mean something along the lines of âStorm.â
Abba Al-Hassan is the informal name of the same King who was just introduced. It appears to mean something like âthe Father of the Handsome.â
Demons:
Venus is the planet which is associated with the 20 Goetic Dukes. I will list these Dukes below, and if any of them has another noble title in addition to their dukedom, I will make sure to point that out.
Agares is the 2nd demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Aries. He commands 31 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like an old man carrying a goshawk on his fist while riding a crocodile. He is capable of making people who always stand still run, while causing people who have fled to return. He can teach you any language you wish, and he takes pleasure in shattering personal dignities and causing earthquakes.
Valefar is the 6th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Taurus. He commands 10 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like a lion with the head of a human thief. He is generally a good familiar, but he will try to tempt the occultist to steal, with the occultistâs death as a result of their their crimes as his goal in this act.
Barbatos is the 8th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Gemini. He commands 300 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the company of four kings and their armies when the Sun is in Sagittarius. He can teach you how to verbally communicate with a variety of creatures, unlock hidden treasures that have been magically sealed, accurately describe any event past, present, or future, and reconcile friends with people in positions of power.
Gusoin is the 11th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Cancer. He commands 40 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of Xenophilus (a famous Pythagorean scholar). He is able to accurately tell you of the past, present, and future, answer every question you can ask him, reconcile friends, and give people honor and recognition by their peers and society.
Eligos is the 15th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Leo. He commands 60 legions of infernal spirits, and he looks like a knight carrying a lance, his ensign, and a serpent. He knows the future, and in particular, he is very accurate in predicting the outcome of battles. He can discover hidden things, and he brings forth love from lords and other powerful people.
Zepar is the 16th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Virgo. He commands 26 legions of infernal spirits, and he takes the form of an armed soldier dressed in red. He is able to make women love men, and to cause infertility in women.
Bathin is the 18th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Virgo. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and looks like a muscular man with the tail of a serpent sitting on his pale horse. He can teach you about the properties of the herbs and precious stones, and he has been known to suddenly transport people very long distances.
Sallos is the 19th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Libra. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a soldier wearing a Dukeâs crown and riding on the back of a crocodile. He is able to make men and women love each other.
Aim is the 23rd demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Scorpio. He commands 26 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a three-headed man (with the head of a serpent, the head of a man with two stars on its forehead, and the head of a cat) riding on a fiery viper. He has been known to set great cities, castles, palaces, and other monumental places on fire. He can make people witty and clever, and he will truthfully answer any questions regarding a personal or private concern.
Bime is the 26th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Sagittarius. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a dragon with three heads (the head of a dog, of a gryphon, and of a man) who speaks in a high-pitched voice. He has been known to move the remains of the deceased around, and to assemble his spirits on top of graves and sepulchers. He can provide people with material wealth, wisdom, and the ability to speak eloquently. He will also answer your questions truthfully.
Berith is the 28th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Capricorn. He commands 26 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a soldier wearing red clothing and a golden crown, and riding on a red horse. He can accurately reveal the past, present, or future. He is able to bring honor and recognition to a person, and to transmute any kind of metal to gold. He is known to lie often, and should never be considered trustworthy.
Astaroth is the 29th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Capricorn. In addition to his Dukedom, it seems necessary to think of him as a King, as well (the Goetia itself does not call him such, but other sources of information about him seem to fairly uniformly acknowledge him as a King). He commands 40 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a beautiful angel with terrible and dangerous breath riding on the back of an infernal dragon, and carrying a viper. He can give you a thorough understanding of all the liberal arts, and will always answer your questions truthfully. He is also able to give you accurate understanding of all the events of the past, present, and future, and of all secrets. In particular, Astaroth will tell you the stories of how the various angels fell.
Forcalor is the 41st demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Taurus. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a man with the wings of a gryphon. He is known to take pleasure in killing people, especially by drowning. He loves to capsize war ships, and has considerable power over the oceans and their winds.
Vepar is the 42nd demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Taurus. He commands 29 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a mermaid. He governs the seas in general, he specifically guides ships which transport weapons and munitions. He is responsible for most ocean storms and other unfavorable conditions for maritime travel. In addition, Vepar is known to enjoy killing people by giving them severe infestations of parasitic worms.
Vuall is the 47th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Cancer. He commands 37 legions of infernal spirits, and he initially appears in the form of a dromedary, but then takes the form of a man who is unconvincingly trying to seem as if heâs from Egypt. He is able to accurately tell you about things in the past, present, and future. He can make enemies into friends, and very effectively cause women to especially love someone.
Crocell is the 49th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Leo. He commands 48 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of an angel. He tends to speak occultly about cryptic or hidden things, though he is also a very good teacher of geometry and the liberal arts. He makes the sounds of flowing water, and can give warmth to baths and other waters.
Alloces is the 52nd demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Virgo. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a soldier wearing a Dukeâs crown, riding on the back of a gryphon, and preceded by a host of trumpeters. He can give you an extensive understanding of philosophy and rhetoric, and he can bring souls of the dead before the occultist, where we can ask them whatever questions we see fit.
Murmur is the 54th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Virgo. In addition to his position as a Duke, he is also an infernal Earl. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of a soldier in a Dukeâs crown riding on the back of a gryphon, with a host of trumpeters preceding him. Murmur can give you an extensive knowledge of rhetoric and philosophy. He can also compel spirits of the dead to come forth and appear before the occultist, allowing us to ask them whatever questions we like. Some of my books also say that Murmur was originally a member of the Order of Thrones before he took his current place.
Gemory is the 56th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Libra. She commands 26 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a beautiful woman riding a camel, and wearing the crown of a Duchess around her waist. She is able to reveal all things past, present, and future, and to discover hidden treasures. She can also procure the love of women.
Napula is the 60th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Scorpio. In addition to his position as a Duke, he is also a President among the demons. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a lion with gryphonâs wings. He can teach you the skills and crafts of a handyman, and provide extremely specialized knowledge on many professions. He is a good teacher of philosophy in particular.
Haures is the 64th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Capricorn. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and he initially appears in the form of a leopard, then taking the form of a man with fire in his eyes and an extremely unpleasant face. He should not be trusted if he is not within a Goetic triangle, since he has been known to lie. When he is within the Goetic triangle, he can reveal all things past, present, and future. He can also provide the occultist with a thorough understanding of divinity, with the added bonus of telling us the stories about the falls of the spirits. He takes pleasure in destroying his enemies, and especially in burning them.
Amducias is the 67th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Aquarius. He commands 29 legions of infernal spirits, and initially appears in the form of a unicorn, but then assumes the form of a man. He is able to make musical instruments heard, and to make trees bend. The familiar spirits he can provide for the occultist are of a very good quality.
Dantaylion is the 71st demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Pisces. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a man with many faces (which can be of any gender) with a book in his right hand. He is able to teach absolutely any art or science to absolutely any person. He usually generates love, and can help people relate to each other and find things in common, no matter how foreign or hostile they initially appeared. Dantaylion is also known to call secret meetings, and to make people suddenly change their minds about any given issue.
Now that weâve gone over some of the more complex correspondences of Venus, we can list some of the things in nature which are under Venusâs rulership.
Plants:
Verbena
Violets
Maidenhair Ferns
Valerian
Thyme
Gum Laudanum
Ambergris
Sandalwood
Coriander
Sweet Pears
Figs
Pomegranates
Hesperus
Creatures:
Dogs
Rabbits
Sheep
Goats
Bulls
Calves
Swans
Wagtails
Swallows
Pelicans
Burrow Ducks
Crows
Pigeons
Turtledoves
Sparrows
Dolphins
Merlangius
Sea Spurge
Sardines
Materials:
Silver
Glass
Ruby
Lodestone
Blue Stones
Coral
Malachite
Quartz
Brass
Carnelian
Lapis Lazuli
Beryl
Emeralds
Sapphires
Green Jasper
Mercury is commonly associated with intelligence, speed, wit, and communication. It is also associated with commonness and poverty.
For advice about the ideal placement of Mercury in astrological magic, look at this post.
Below is an extensive and organized list of things which are under the influence of Mercury.
Name of the Intelligence of Mercury:
Tiriel
Name of the Spirit of Mercury:
Taphthartharath
Familiar Form of the Spirit of Mercury:
Usually, it manifests as a transparent, slender humanoid form of about average height. Its movements will appear more fluid than those of a human, and this spirit will be cold to the touch. It will be very well-spoken and articulate with words. Usually, the first thing this form will do when you conjure it is try to thoroughly horrify you (if it is successful, you can take comfort in knowing that youâre dealing with a real form of Mercury).
Common Visible Forms of the Spirit of Mercury:
A King riding on the back of a bear
A fair young person
A woman with a distaff
A dog
A female bear
A magpie
An article of clothing that can vary in color
A shepherdâs rod
A small walking staff
Element:
Water
*It should be noted that Mercury can affect all elements nearly equally
Humors:
Any or all of the humors mixed together
Numbers:
8 and 64
Flavors:
Unusual flavors
Tastes which are completely alien to the tongue
Tastes which are familiar, but not at all distinctive
Plain or bland flavors in general (as in food which generally lacks flavor)
Elemental Quality:
Dry-Moist (both simultaneously)
Day of the Week:
Wednesday
Languages:
Turkish
Part of Greek (which is co-ruled by three planets, the other two of which are Jupiter and the Sun)
Religion:
Forbidden or secret practices (Freemasonry, for example)
Hermeticism
Theosophy
Comparative religion
Clothing:
Linens
Casual dress
Styles commonly associated with scholars
Occupations:
Poets
Novelists
Journalists
Teachers
Mathematicians
Couriers
Places:
Markets
Warehouses
Schools
Laboratories
Libraries
Anatomy:
The tongue
The brain
Mercury influences the heart, but does not rule over it
Incense:
To make Mercuryâs incense, mix mastic, frankincense, cloves, potentilla, agate, magpieâs blood, and a fox or weaselâs brain. Alternately, you can use any tree barks or fruit skins, cinnamon, cassia bark, citron peels, or bayberries.
Zodiac Rulership:
Mercury rules over the signs of Gemini and Virgo, and it is also exalted in Virgo. Mercuryâs detriment is Sagittarius, and it is in its fall when in Pisces.
Drugs:
Psychostimulants (which include the amphetamines, cathinones, and methylphenidate, in addition to many other drugs)
Coffee (espresso in particular, due to its increased stimulant effects)
Mercury is associated with numerous spirits of various kinds, which I will describe below, organized by the types of spirits Iâll be discussing.
Angels:
The Archangel Raphael is the angel who is most strongly associated with Mercury. Raphael is one of the most powerful and important archangels, outranked only by Gabriel and Michael. His name seems to mean something along the lines of âGod is the Source of Healing.â
The Archangel Michael rules over Wednesday, which means he is also associated with Mercury to a lesser extent. Michael is the highest-ranked and most powerful of all the angels, effectively serving as Heavenâs second-in-command. In the Old Testament, Michael is mentioned on numerous occasions. Perhaps the most important of these in in Daniel 10, where Daniel learns that Michael is the protector of Israel. In Christian scripture, he is identified as the archangel who will lead Godâs army into the final battle against the forces of Hell. His name seems to mean something along the lines of âHe Who is Like God.â
A King of the Djinn:
Burqan is name of the King of the Djinn who is associated with Mercury. His name appears to mean âTwo Thunders.â
Abbu Al-Aâajaâeb is the informal name given to this King of the Djinn. This name seems to mean something along the lines of âFather of the Nomads.â
Demons:
Mercury is associated with the 12 Presidents of the Goetic demons. I will describe these Presidents below, making sure to point out those which hold other seats in addition to their presidency.
Marbas is the 5th demon desribed in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Taurus. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a powerful and majestic anthropomorphic lion. He can uncover hidden things, and make us wise. He can also teach us handicrafts and mechanical skills. He causes and cures a variety of diseases, and has been known to magically change people into other shapes.
Buer is the 10th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Cancer. He commands 50 legions of infernal spirits, and appears when the Sun is in Sagittarius. He is a good teacher of ethics, philosophy, and logic. He can teach us the magical properties of every herb, and he can give us good familiar spirits.
Botis is the 17th demon described in the Goetia, and he is also the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Virgo. He commands 60 legions of infernal spirits, and initially takes the form of an ugly viper, but soon assumes the form of a human with a large fang and horns on his head, carrying a brightly shining sword. He can tell us about the past, present, and future, and reconcile the differences of enemies, making them friends. He also knows about the magical properties of all the herbs and stones.
Marax is the 21st demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Libra. In addition to his presidency, he is also an Earl. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits (which are separated into 3 divisions of 10 legions), and he looks like a bull with a human face. He can effectively teach you all about astrology and the liberal arts, as well as the magical properties of every kind of herb and stone. He can also provide the occultist with a wise and reliable familiar.
Glasialabolas is the 25th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Sagittarius. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a dog with the wings of a gryphon. He is capable of instantly teaching you any or all of the arts and sciences, as well as revealing all things past, present, and future. He can turn enemies into friends, and help the occultist become invisible.
Foras is the 31st demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Aquarius. He commands 29 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a strong man. He is able to teach us all of the magical properties of stones and herbs, as well as ethics and logic. He can also bless us with longevity and eloquence.
Gaap is the 33rd demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Aquarius. In addition to his presidency, he is a Prince. He commands 66 legions of infernal spirits, and he sometimes appears as a man leading four powerful Kings, while at other times he might take the form of a doctor. Gaap can give people an extensive knowledge of philosophy, social sciences, and the liberal arts. He can easily manipulate the human emotions of love and hate, and he can steal familiar spirits from other occultists and give them to us. He can also accurately tell you about anything the past, present, or future, and he has been known to mischievously transport people from one country to another while they are intoxicated or otherwise cognitively impaired.
Malphas is the 39th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Aries. He commands 40 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a crow at first, but then assumes the form of a man, and speaks with a hoarse voice. His most noteworthy ability is probably his power to bring skilled architects, engineers, and builders from all over the world to one place, in order to build some of the greatest structures humans have ever created. He can also inform us of the plans and desires of our enemies, and give us good familiar spirits.
Haagenti is the 48th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Cancer. He commands 33 legions of infernal spirits, and initially appears in the form of a bull with the wings of a gryphon, but then assumes the form of a man. He is able to teach us a variety of skills and studies. He is also able to transmute any metal into gold, and change wine into water, or water into wine.
Camio is the 53rd demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Virgo. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and initially appears in the form of a thrush, but then assumes the form of a man carrying a razor-sharp sword. He can teach us the languages of birds, bovine creatures, dogs, and perhaps other animals. He can accurately reveal our futures, and he answers our questions through the medium of smoldering ashes.
Oso is the 57th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Libra. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and initially appears in the form of a leopard, but then assumes the form of a man. He is able to make people into experts in the liberal arts, and will give us honest answers to questions we might ask him about divinity or secret knowledge. He can also magically change people into different animals or items, and then cast a charm to make them truly believe that they are supposed to be the thing which theyâve been changed into until the end of the charmâs hour-long duration.
Auns is the 58th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Scorpio. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and initially takes the form of a fire, but takes on the form of a man after that. He can teach us astrology, as well as all of the liberal arts. He is able to collect treasures which are owned or protected by spirits, and present them to us. He can also provide us with a good familiar spirit.
Napula is the 60th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Scorpio. In addition to his presidency, he is also a Duke. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a lion with gryphonâs wings. He can teach you the skills and crafts of a handyman, and provide extremely specialized knowledge on many professions. He is a good teacher of philosophy in particular.
Zagan is the 61st demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Capricorn. In addition to his position as President, he is a King among the demons. He commands 36 legions of infernal spirits, and he initially looks like a bull with the wings of a gryphon, but then assumes the form of a man. Zagan is capable of making us more witty and clever, turning wine into water, and water back into wine. He can easily change any metal into the currency of whichever nation he is working in. He can also turn fools wise.
Valu is the 62nd demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Capricorn. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of a boy with angelâs wings riding on the back of a two-headed dragon. He will tell you the precise location of hidden treasures. He will also tell you where serpents can be found. He has been known to bring serpents to occultists who have bound him, even when they did not ask him to do this.
The lists below are of the things in nature which are associated with Mercury and its characteristics.
Plants:
Hazelnut Trees
Potentilla
Dogâs Mercury
Fumaria Officinalis
Pimpernel
Marjoram
Parsley
Creatures:
Dogs
Apes
Foxes
Weasels
Male Deer
Rabbits
Civets
Genderless Creatures
Linnets
Nightingales
Blackbirds
Thrushes
Larks
Sandpipers
Parrots
Porphyrio Caeruleus
Ibis
Horned Scarab
Trochus
Octopi
Mullets (a fish, not a hairstyle)
Materials:
Mercury
Tin
Glass
Emeralds
Silver Marcasite
Agate
Red Marble
Topaz
The Moon is the second brightest luminary, and acts as a sort of counterpoint to the Sun. It is often considered the vehicle for the power of the celestial bodies above it (that is, the other planets and the fixed stars), the changing of the seasons, conditions relating to agriculture, and the tides. It is fairly accurate to describe the Moon as the lens through which the power of the other celestial bodies is projected onto the Earth.
For advice about the ideal placement of the Moon in astrological magic, look at this post.
Below is an extensive and organized list of things which are under the influence of the Moon.
Name of the Intelligence of the Moon:
Malkah
Be-Tarshishim ve-ad be-Ruah
Sheharim
Name of the First Spirit of the Moon:
Chasmodai
Name of the Second Spirit of the Moon:
Shad
Barshehmoth
ha-Shartathan
Familiar Form of the Spirits of the Moon:
Usually, these manifest as full-bodied feminine figures (though not particularly human), with a soft and phlegmatic nature. They usually appear similar to a dark cloud in color. Usually they are bald, and have red eyes.
Common Visible Forms of the Spirits of the Moon:
A King riding on the back of a doe
A little boy
A huntress with a longbow and arrows
A cow
A small doe
A goose
A green or silver garment
An arrow
An insect or other crawling creature which has many legs
Name of the Moon in Spring:
Agusita
Name of the Moon in Summer:
Armatus
Name of the Moon in Autumn:
Matasignais
Name of the Moon in Winter:
Affaterim
Elements:
Earth and Water (both saltwater and freshwater)
Humors:
Phlegm and Blood
Numbers:
9 and 81
Flavors:
Excessive saltiness
Mildly unpleasant flavors
Elemental Quality:
Warm-Moist
Day of the Week:
Monday
Language:
German
Religion:
Buddhism
Hinduism
Spiritual traditions and practices which a devout Jewish, Muslim, or Christian person might consider idolatry
Clothing:
Childâs clothing
Maternity clothing
Leather
Clothes which are practical for traveling by sea
Occupations:
Sailors and fishermen
Leather workers
Midwives
Gynecologists
Hunters
Produce and dairy farmers
Places:
Springs and other natural water sources
Seashores
Highways
Ships
Mountains
Forests
Rocky places
Granaries
Anatomy:
The left eye
The lungs
The uterus
The womb
The breasts
Incense:
To make the Moonâs incense, mix a dried frogâs head, a bullâs eyes, seeds of the white opium poppy, frankincense, camphor oil, and menses or the blood of a goose. Alternately, you can use malabar leaves, common myrtle leaves, or bay leaves.
Zodiac Rulership:
The Moon rules over the sign of Cancer, and is exalted in Taurus. Its detriment is Capricorn, and it is in its fall when in Scorpio.
Drugs:
Emmenagogues
Labor-inducing drugs (ecbolics)
The Moon is associated with a variety of spirits, some of which I will describe below, organizing them by type.
Angels:
The Archangel Gabriel is the angel who rules over the Moon. He is one of the highest-ranked and most powerful angels, and like Michael, he is mentioned numerous times in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. He is the angel who appears in Daniel 8 to help the prophet understand the visions he had seen. In the Bible, Gabrielâs job has usually been to deliver messages from God to various people.
A King of the Djinn:
Al-Abeyadh is the name of the King of the Djinn associated with the Moon. This name appears to mean something along the lines of âthe White One.â
Abba Al-Nur is the informal name of this King of the Djinn. This name seems to mean something to the effect of âFather of Light.â
Demons:
The Moon is associated with the 14 Marquises of the Goetia. I will describe them below, taking care to point out when a demon has another important position in the hierarchy.
Gamigin is the 4th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Taurus. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and initially appears in the form of a small horse or mule, but then assumes the form of a man with a hoarse voice. He can teach us about the liberal arts. He can also tell us about the souls which have died in sin, and is willing to answer our questions about them.
Amon is the 7th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 1st Decan of Gemini. He commands 40 legions of infernal spirits, and can appear in the form of a wolf with a serpentâs tail vomiting fire, or in the form of a raven with the teeth of a dog. He can tell you anything you want to know about the past, present, or future, mediate conflicts between people, and procure love.
Leraic is the 14th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Leo. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of an archer in green clothes, bringing a bow and quiver of arrows with him. He has the power to start wars or battles, and he also has the power to cause infections in wounds from arrows (we might suspect that he uses his power to cause complications for gunshot wounds, too).
Naberius is the 24th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Scorpio. He commands 19 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a crow, constantly flying around instead of sitting still on the ground, and speaking in a hoarse voice. He can teach us to be innovative and genius in rhetoric, and all of the arts and sciences. He is also able to restore our lost honor, allowing us to be respected by our peers again.
Ronove is the 27th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Sagittarius. He commands 19 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of a horrific monster. He can teach us rhetoric and linguistic skills, and he can make our friends or enemies favor us.
Forners is the 30th demon described in the Goetia, and the Day Demon of the 3rd Decan of Capricorn. He commands 29 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of a massive sea monster. He can teach us languages and rhetoric. Heâs also able to give us a good reputation which precedes us in most places we go, and to make our friends and enemies all love us.
Marchosias is the 35th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Day Demon of the 2nd Decan of Pisces. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and initially appears in the form of a fire-breathing female wolf with the wings of a gryphon and the tail of a serpent, but then assumes the form of a man. He will truthfully answer any question we ask him, and he is usually very cooperative with the occultist calling on him. He is said to be a very skilled fighter, and he hopes to eventually return to the position he once held in Heaven.
Phenex is the 37th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Aries. He commands 20 legions of infernal spirits, and he initially appears in the form of a phoenix who speaks in a childâs voice, but he assumes the form of a man shortly after. Heâs an incredible teacher of all of the sciences, and he hopes to eventually return to his original place in Heaven.
Sabnock is the 43rd demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 1st Decan of Gemini. He commands 50 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of a soldier with the head of a lion riding a pale horse. He can be extremely helpful in the task of designing and building effective defensive fortifications for a city. He is able to afflict people with parasitic worms, and he can offer the occultist good familiar spirits.
Shax is the 44th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Gemini. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of a stork dove who speaks in a hoarse, quiet voice. If he isnât bound in a Goetic triangle, he might be dishonest or untrustworthy. He can take away any personâs sight, hearing, or cognition. He is good at finding things which people have hidden away. Heâs good at stealing money from the homes of kings and other wealthy people. In fact, he will go forth and steal nearly anything we want, and then deliver it to us.
Orias is the 59th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Scorpio. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of a lion with a serpentâs tail riding on a horse while holding 2 serpents in his right hand. He can teach us about some of the lesser-known details of astrology, and he causes us to be respected by our peers, gain political power, and get in the good graces of our enemies.
Andras is the 63rd demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Sagittarius. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and appears in the form of an angel with a ravenâs head riding on the back of a black wolf with a sharp and brightly shining sword drawn and raised. His nature is to create chaos and confusion. He has been known to try to kill occultists who call on him.
Andrealphus is the 65th demon described in the Goetia, as well as the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Capricorn. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and initially appears in the form of a very loud peacock, but assumes a human form soon after. He can teach us the sciences of geometry, astrology, measurements, and proportions. He is also capable of transforming a human into a bird.
Cimeries is the 66th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 3rd Decan of Capricorn. He commands 20 legions of infernal spirits, and he appears in the form of a soldier riding on a black horse. He can teach us grammar, logic, and rhetoric, and discover lost or hidden treasures. He is able to make any regular person appear to be a soldier. He rules over some parts of Africa, and the spirits thereof.
Decarabia is the 69th demon described in the Goetia, and the Night Demon of the 2nd Decan of Aquarius. He commands 30 legions of infernal spirits, and he initially appears as a star inside a magic pentacle, but soon assumes the form of a man. He is able to find the magical properties of birds and precious stones. He can also make it appear as if there are domesticated birds singing and flying all around us.
Now that weâve discussed the above correspondences, we can proceed to a list of things in nature which are ruled by the Moon.
Plants:
Palms
Hyssops
Rosemary
Olive Trees
Monkâs Pepper
Creatures:
Dogs
Chameleons
Pigs
Doe (Female Deer)
Goats
Baboons
Panthers
Cats
Civets
Otters
Mice
Geese
Ducks
Dabchicks
Herons
Wasps from the corpses of horses
Bees from cow corpses
Fruit Flies, especially from old wine
Beetles from rotten donkeys
Two-Horned Scarabs
Sea Catfish
Tortoises
Crabs
Oysters
Cockles
Frogs
Remoras
Materials:
Silver
Crystal
Silver Marcasite
White Gypsum
Beryl
Now that weâve dealt with the planets, I will continue on to the twelve signs of the zodiac and the fixed stars in basically the same manner. Each of the twelve signs has a ruling planet (which have been discussed above), but in addition, they each have certain things under their rulership. The fixed stars all have some influence over certain things as well. All of these rule far smaller collections of things than the planets do, but they are still important to know about.
The zodiac signs rule directly over the worldly things they represent (people native to these signs are affected differently than this, but we are speaking in a magical context, specifically), so this part is simple to discern, at least. However, they also rule over some things which arenât as intuitive, due to some of the less-obvious symbolism associated with them.
Aries rules over rams. It also rules over asparagus and bloodroot. It rules over the head, face, pupils, and ears, and places where thieves congregate. Aries also rules over psychostimulant drugs in general. Especially those which increase aggressive behavior.
Taurus rules over bulls. It also rules over vervain which grows upright. It rules the neck and trachea, and all places which are populated by people, especially if they were built with the help of animals or earth-moving machines.
Gemini rules over twins, and vervain which grows drooping. It also rules the shoulders, arms, and hands, and houses or settlements in mountains.
Cancer rules crabs and comfrey. It rules over the chest, breasts, stomach, ribs, and everything in the rib cage. It also rules over places where land meets water, or rivers meet.
Leo rules lions and cyclamen. It rules over the heart, the thin ribs, and the back. It also rules over fortresses or easily-defended places. Leo also rules over all medicinal and herbal tonics.
Virgo rules over virgins, or people who are generally wholesome or innocent. It also rules over calamintha. On the body, it rules the belly, intestines, lower abdominal organs, and bones of the same area. It also rules places where women congregate, and where jokes and songs take place. Virgo rules over all the drugs which significantly reduce the libido.
Libra rules over scales, laws, and mugwort. It rules over the hips, buttocks, genitalia, and solar plexus. It also rules desolate places, good hunting ground, and high elevations. Libra rules over the benzodiazepine class of drugs, as well as most other sedatives and anxiety medications.
Scorpio rules over scorpions, basil. and forget-me-nots. It rules genitalia of all kinds, dry places, prisons, rocky places, and depressing places. Scorpio also rules over all potent and deadly poisons.
Sagittarius rules over horses, marksmanship, and pimpernel. It rules over the buttocks, shins, and circulatory systems. It rules over gardens of the wealthy, and of places where fire is burned.
Capricorn rules over goats and Rumex Obtusifolius. It rules over the knees, and the tendons of the legs. It rules over enclosed places, safe places, palaces, river banks, and inns. Capricorn also rules over ragwort (a plant with aphrodisiac properties), sildenafil (a medication which is marketed under the trade name Viagra), and yohimbe (another herbal aphrodisiac).
Aquarius rules over supply bearers and Dracunculus Vulgaris. It rules over the lower calves, and the heels and Achilles Tendon. It also rules over places where water is collected. Aquarius rules over all diuretic drugs, too.
Pisces rules over fish, and heartwort. It rules feel, fingernails and toenails, and tendons of the body. It rules bodies of water, and places where hermits might live. Pisces also rules over all of the opiate drugs.
The symbolism of the fixed stars is a bit more obscure, and they rule over various things which may relate to the mythology or symbolism behind each star.
Algol rules over diamonds, black hellebore, and mugwort.
The Pleiades rule over crystal, fennel, and mercury (the metal).
Aldebaran rules over carbuncles, rubies, milk thistles, and woodruff (Asperula Odorata).
Capella rules over sapphires, horehound, mint, mugwort, and mandrake.
Sirius rules over beryl, savin juniper, mugwort, Dracunculus Vulgaris, and snake tongues.
Procyon rules over agate, marigolds, and pennyroyal mint.
Regulus rules over granite, mugwort, and mastic.
Polaris rules over lodestone (more than any planet does), chicories, mugwort, periwinkle flowers, and the teeth of wolves.
Gienah rules over onyx, burdock, yellow daffodils, henbane, comfrey, and the tongues of frogs.
Spica rules over emeralds, sage, clover, periwinkle, mugwort, and mandrake.
Arcturus rules over jasper and plantains.
Alphecca rules over topaz, rosemary, clover, and ivy.
Antares rules over sardonyx, amethyst, long aristolochia, and saffron.
Vega rules over peridot and chicories.
Delta Capricorni (or Deneb Algedi) rules over chalcedony, marjoram, mugwort, catnip, and mandrake.
I hope this post is useful to you in determining the kinds of things you should use to carry out powerful magical works, and I hope you find it helpful in conducting the energy of the celestial bodies in any other way you wish. Keep in mind that although some things are ruled by more than one planet or celestial body, this doesnât mean these things are necessarily weaker or less conductive of any given power, but rather that theyâre comparably capable of channeling the energy of any or all of the celestial bodies ruling over them. Thank you very much for reading. Iâll be continuing this series soon.
If any of you followers found my master post of things ruled by the planets and other celestial powers useful or interesting, you might like to know that I have thoroughly revised it. Now it contains quite a bit more information, and the information that was already there has been organized in a far more consistent manner. Hopefully this will make it easier to navigate.
Is there any preliminary work you suggest that is 1. essential and 2. would greatly help ritual work? Thanks in advance.
Iâm not completely sure I understand the question. When you say preliminary work, do you mean youâre looking to start using magic, and you want to know if thereâs something you should do first in order to be well-prepared? If thatâs what you meant, then I would just recommend that you go ahead and jump right into trying to carry out small works of magic, and just take care not to bite off more than you can chew at first. Experiment with your methods until youâve figured out a few reliable things youâre able to do consistently. After youâve done that (and shown yourself that you can at least carry out small works of magic effectively), maybe it would be useful to dedicate some time to finding and reading a book or two about the particular kinds of occult practices you are interested in. Once youâve experimented a little with a few magical practices, I feel like your overall capacity for processing written information about it will probably be significantly improved.
As far as improving your ritual skills in particular, the only thing I would suggest is to study and practice as much as possible. You should even be studying the chapters of your occult books that you find painfully boring, and the chapters on subjects that you think you already know well enough that you can just skip ahead (you'll almost always miss out on something important or useful if you skip around like that). You can practice by casting the real ritual magic youâre trying to get good at as many times as it takes to get it right (I probably wouldn't start with works concerning something particularly important, though, if I approached it this way), or you can practice any other way you see fit (even just practicing in the mirror like an actor can be extremely useful, since you can watch yourself closely that way, and try to improve whatever issues you think should be addressed), but ultimately, I donât feel like thereâs a better way than that.
If there are specific ritual practices you want to learn more about, Iâm sure there is information available about them somewhere, and you can always ask us to make a post about any concept you feel like we can help you better understand. If the requested post is at all relevant to occult theory and practice, chances are we will be willing to write it (though depending on what we have going on, it may take some time).
I hope this helped. Once again, Iâm not completely sure if this is what you meant. If I misunderstood, youâre welcome to rephrase the question and ask again. Thank you for reading!
Does one's personal astrology have any bearing on planetary magick? For instance will magick relating to Jupiter work better for those born under Sagittarius?
Your natal chart can absolutely make it easier or more difficult to work with certain planets in works of astrological magic. If the planets youâre dealing with in your work are in favorable positions in your natal chart, or for example, your Sun sign is one of the greater dignities of a planet which is important in the magical work at hand, this can definitely ease things along. Itâs still very important to make sure the planets in question are going to be in favorable places at the time of your work, but having a natal chart which favorably relates to the astrological conditions at the time of your work can definitely give the power of the planets youâre dealing with a bit of a boost.
Are the alternatives to Animal Sacrifice equally effective?
Thatâs a very complicated question, but Iâm glad you asked. Generally speaking, I would say something along the lines of âkind of.â Alternate approaches to ritual offerings and sacraments are usually very effective, while animal sacrifices arenât usually necessary, practical, ethical, or worth the time, money, and effort they often require, despite the fact that they are usually very powerful rituals (one of the most certain ways to gain the favor of several particular planetary gods is certainly to make a sacrificial offering of an appropriately selected animal to the planet in question) in terms of the magnitude and quality of psychic energy they release. Usually, your rituals and rites will be far more effective and focused if they donât require you to do anything which offends your personal sensibilities or ethical standards.
Iâm going to briefly pause here and take this opportunity to clarify that just because I understand and openly admit that something is an effective method doesnât mean I think it is ethical, or that I would recommend that you do it. Please donât interpret anything in this post as an endorsement of animal cruelty, animal sacrifice, illegal drug use, or any other illegal or unethical activity. My intention here is not to tell you what to do or what not to do, but to give you information which I have found useful, so that you might be able to make a more informed decision on how youâd like to do things, and so that youâll hopefully benefit one way or another from the information Iâm providing.
As far as what other sorts of gifts the planets will accept as an offering, I would venture to say that in comparison to most other deities or spirits, the planetary intelligences in particular are well aware of the passing of time, and that this awareness they have must also include an extensive understanding of the evolution of cultural and social norms across time, and across the many different geographic locations where humans live. With this understanding should reasonably come a willingness to accept offerings which are more concordant with the time period and culture of the person they are dealing with (especially considering the fact that many details about the planetary intelligences already vary from culture to culture, and these variations include many different beliefs about what kind of offerings the planets should be given).
Certainly, a blood sacrifice can be an extremely effective ritual when carried out correctly (which I suspect is a very difficult task), and Iâve got no doubts at all that several of the planetary intelligences (in particular, the intelligences of Mars, the Moon, and Saturn) would eagerly accept such a grotesque offering. They would probably handsomely reward any occultist who made them such a thoughtful blood offering, too, considering the apparent modern rarity of people who perform legitimate sacrificial rites in honor of the planetary gods. Regardless, I donât feel like itâs very likely that any modern day occultist would ever be able to get themselves into a situation where they would really need to make a blood sacrifice for any reason (though Iâm constantly reminding myself that unlikely things are certainly still capable of happening). The various intelligences, spirits, and deities youâll deal with may occasionally act like thereâs only one way to please them, but there is almost always a viable way to find an effective symbolic equivalent (especially since I think that making a blood sacrifice in almost any normal magical situation is extremely excessive, and that you could usually get by just as effectively by offering up something far less powerful, perhaps something more along the lines of a sacrificial Big Mac). That being said, I will admit that there are some extremely rare occasions where properly making a blood offering is the single most effective approach to a problem (and perhaps sometimes itâs the only effective approach at all, though I wouldnât know much about that). Additionally, Iâm not saying thereâs a definite cause-effect chain here, but for whatever reason, all of the occultists Iâve known who performed ritual sacrifices on a relatively regular basis (not that this was extremely often) have also tended to be unusually susceptible to a wide variety of powerful (powerful over them, at least) negative forces, some of which I might go so far as to call demonic, for what thatâs worth. One such person (whom I have known since we were both about age 15) actually suffered a very severe brain injury a few years ago, and Iâm very confident that it happened as a direct result of some of his careless magical workings involving ritual sacrifice, as well as a few other practices which I didnât feel like he had the capacity to approach responsibly. Maybe none of the people I knew were really going about it properly, since Iâm aware that many sacred practices from a number of different belief systems involve blood sacrifices. While Iâm on that subject of different belief systems, I think it might be a good idea to discuss the perspectives of a small handful of religious and spiritual traditions concerning the ritual sacrifice of animals.
The ancient Jewish people, probably as a cultural hint toward their shared origins with some of the other ancient Semitic cultures (most of which are known to have observed religious practices of animal sacrifice, and some of which are also known to have practiced human sacrifice), have maintained very strict and particular practices concerning the mandatory (exceptions are made in countries where these rituals are illegal) ritual sacrifice of animals for several thousand years, now.
The Old Testament and Hebrew Bible are extremely useful sources of reference material pertaining to animal sacrifice. The ancient Jewish people used to regularly carry out a kind of blood sacrifice ritual, the name of which is usually translated into English simply as âburnt offerings.â The idea that God especially appreciates offerings of meat and animal fats is implied as early in Genesis as the story of Cain and Abel, but the first time this particular kind of sacrificial ritual is mentioned is in Genesis 8, when Noah sacrificed numerous animals, and burned them all at an altar as an offering to God. Later, in Exodus 18, Jethro performed an animal sacrifice at altar, and then, like Noah, he also gave them as a burnt offering to God. The slightly clearer and more developed rules pertaining to the burnt offering ritual are explained fairly soon after Jethro makes his offering, in Exodus 20:24. In the King James Version, this verse reads as follows:
âAn altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.â
A few more instructions about animal sacrifices and burnt offerings can be found in Numbers 28:1-3. In the King James Version, these verses appear as follows:
âAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.
And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering.â
The chapter in Numbers continues on to detail all the various additional food items and animal products which should also be sacrificed to God at the burnt offering rituals (which appear to have taken place twice daily during this time period). The details of the proper ritual method for slaughtering sacrificial lambs can be found in Leviticus 1, along with many other strict religious laws pertaining to the ritual sacrifice of various types of livestock, and to burnt offering rituals. Leviticus 1:4 is a key verse in this chapter, because it gives us some very useful insight into the actual purpose of this practice. The King James Version of this verse reads like this:
âAnd he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.â
We can now see that the ancient Jewish people performed animal sacrifices in order to ask forgiveness from God for the sins they have committed (and also in order to request that God forgive the sins that non-Jewish people had committed, so those people would be treated more fairly by God). When we consider that most animal sacrifice rituals which we know enough about to understand on a fundamental level serve a very similar purpose (something along the lines of appeasing an angry deity, or apologizing and offering penance to a supreme being in order to compensate for oneâs personal shortcomings), this raises our awareness to something interesting. Because of these factors, we can conclude that animal sacrifices are only useful in a small number of fairly particular spiritual and religious contexts, some of which I will briefly discuss below.
Christians and most other Sun-worshipers all tend to have a fairly consistent perspective on the usefulness of ritual animal sacrifices in religious or spiritual contexts.
The Christians fairly universally consider animal sacrifices obsolete because they have the story of Jesus Christ, who they believe voluntarily gave up his life as the most perfect human being who had ever lived, and suffered and dies on the cross to become the very last blood sacrifice God would ever require, allowing the Sun to rise on a hopeful new day (consider that Christian prayers and other types of prayer to the Sun never seem to call for any kind of blood sacrifice, or for any offerings at all), and mercifully granting eternal life and salvation to all who sincerely request it in the name of Jesus Christ. Countless other Sun-worshiping religions and cults of times both past and present have claimed the obsolescence of animal sacrifice based on what basically amounts to the same argument the Christians use (although it might be useful to note that throughout history, different groups of Sun-worshipers have used many different names for the concept which is now called Jesus Christ).
Excluding the Sun (which was discussed above), there are six classical celestial bodies for us to dicsuss, and they all have very different properties and effects from each other. In the context of this post, rather than listing the planets in Chaldean order, I have placed the planets into two groups. Those whose cults or worshipers would favor ritual blood sacrifices (but who donât necessarily demand them), and those whose cults or worshipers would not. The three planets whose cults favor animal sacrifice are listed first, while those three with the more empathetic cults are listed in the section which follows after.
Any religion or cult which follows after the qualities of Saturn would probably be completely willing, and perhaps even eager to make animal sacrifices. The fact that Saturn rules over the Jewish religion is further evidence which supports my beliefs on this matter. In addition, many facts about Saturnâs characteristics and domains (in addition to some direct observation Iâve carried out of some Saturnine people) lead me to believe that the people who worship Saturn, as well as those who belong to religions ruled by Saturn are often burdened with the perceived guilt of their sins, and often see themselves as unworthy of anything pleasurable, sometimes going so far as to consider themselves unworthy even of extremely unpleasant experiences, considering all earthly experience to be a glorious gift from God, regardless of its agonies and horrors. As if it were a holy gift which its recipients will never believe they are truly good enough to deserve.
Any religion or cult following after the qualities of Mars would readily, perhaps even eagerly participate in animal sacrifice rituals, especially if they were performed in order to bring greater power and aggression to their war god, around whom Marsâs army of followers all appear to unify in voice, form, and spirit. In particular, it appears that the intelligence of Mars is made especially happy by sacrificial offerings of any species in the family of big cats (lions, leopards, cheetahs, panthers, tigers), as well as sacrificial offerings of mice.
Any religion or cult which follows after the qualities of the Moon is likely to see animal sacrifices as a useful practice. The Moon rules over hunting (Artemis is one representation of the Moon), so any animals which one might hunt for in the wild are good candidates for an effective sacrificial offering to the Moon. There are two other particular animals which the Moon will very readily accept as sacrificial offerings, for several reasons. If you want to make a good offering, you can sacrifice up an ewe if you wish, and this will effectively bring you the Moonâs good favor toward you. However, the sacrificial animal which the Moon favors the most is a calf. If you properly offer up a calf as a ritual sacrifice to the Moon, you will certainly gain its most favorable influences as a result.
The previous three planets are the ones which are bloodthirsty enough to take pleasure in receiving blood offerings and animal sacrifices regardless of necessity. The three planets which follow below are almost always considered more favorable and humanitarian than the planets listed above, so it seems only natural for these planets and their cults to consider animal sacrifice generally useless, or perhaps just excessively cruel.
Any religion or cult which follows the after the qualities of Venus probably wouldnât have a significant use for animal sacrifice, these days. There are endless selections of far more fitting ritual offerings to Venus which are readily available in specialty stores, not to mention online. It seems as if in modern times, the sacrifice of an animal in order to offer it to Venus would probably serve to do little more than insult and offend the sophisticated and intimate sensibilities of the intelligence of Venus.
I can say with a reasonable degree of confidence that a religion, cult, or practice which follows after the qualities of Mercury has no need for animal sacrifices at all. Mercury itself would be much more flattered by offerings of writing utensils, stationery, or any of the tools and apparel of a mathematician, journalist, or courier. Some people have suggested to me that Mercury might appreciate the ritual sacrifice of a pigeon as an offering, since they are swift winged things which are known for being able to effectively act as couriers or messengers. To me, this suggestion seems almost completely absurd, because Mercury represents the protection and swiftness of messengers, and continually works to ensure their safe passage, wherever they may go. The phrase âdonât kill the messengerâ is extremely relevant when youâre thinking about the kind of power Mercury exerts, especially if you are seriously considering making a blood offering of a pigeon to the intelligence of Mercury. If you were to sacrifice a pigeon (a messenger), you would be insulting the very essence of Mercuryâs power.
Any religion, cult, or tradition which follows after the qualities of Jupiter is unlikely to see any use for animal sacrifices. Jupiter is such a joyful and friendly planet that the members of its cult feel no need to ask it for forgiveness, or to appease it for any reason, since Jupiter is rarely anything like an angry god. The kinds of offerings the intelligence of Jupiter tends to prefer are often more along the lines of homage. Jupiter is pleased by cheerful settings, gatherings of good friends, laid back parties, peaceful and relaxed leisure, and of course, money and expensive or luxurious possessions.
There are many other spiritual practices (as opposed to animal sacrifice rituals) which carry a similar class and magnitude of hard-wired magical power to that of a blood offering, and fortunately, most of these practices donât require you to harm any living things. As far as alternate offerings you can make to the planetary intelligences, you can probably find something to offer them which carries a comparable spiritual weight to that of a blood sacrifice without being cruel to any living things (I definitely wouldnât recommend harming any animals or humans in any way at all in any of your magical practices, if this can be avoided). Often, a planetary intelligence will accept a unique item or personal possession of significant value (monetary, sentimental, personal, or figurative value) as an offering. If you want to try this approach, just make sure the thing youâre offering will be of interest to the particular planetary intelligence youâre praying to, or else you may get particularly unpleasant results (also depending on who youâre dealing with, of course). Personally, I have found that this approach is extremely effective for very general light-duty purposes, and I have not usually been denied a petition when making offerings of this kind. On that note, I feel like itâs probably a really dull day for any planetary intelligence when all they get for an offering is a fat big pile of magical herbs, so if youâre going to include herbs in your offering, I recommend also including something exponentially more impressive along with them, since whichever herbs you include will probably go completely ignored by the planetary intelligences either way.
Last but not least, I almost forgot to mention this very important bit of information about some particularly effective alternate approaches to ritual offerings and sacraments. When I made my post about the planets and the things they rule over (which I still edit fairly regularly in order to add information I hadnât thought to include before), I know I mentioned how several of the planets rule over certain psychoactive drugs (all of them do really, but Iâm still working on updating that post to better reflect this information). If youâre comfortable with the idea of obtaining and using some (probably kind of a lot) of the drugs associated with whichever planet you need to deal with, this approach is an extremely powerful and effective alternative to blood offerings (but Iâm not actually telling you to go out and do that, just that it works very well). Personally, I believe that if I make sure to use them responsibly, safely, and correctly, psychoactive drugs are some of the most powerful magical tools in existence. Many of them have been used in various shamanic and magical traditions for millennia, and this is definitely not without reason. We are very lucky to live in a time when there are so many relatively new psychoactive drugs available, and in a world where if we know where to look, we can always obtain a drug which has the very particular effects we are looking for (so long as we also take great care in making sure these drugs come from trustworthy sources). Below, Iâll give you a brief description of my personal approach to the use of psychoactive drugs as a sacrament in place of making blood offerings in ritual workings of astrological magic similar to those which I described in this post. Know that I am not in any way encouraging you to purchase, use, or abuse any illegal drugs. Iâm simply describing some things I have done in a clear and straightforward manner, in order to provide readers with some insight into a variety of approaches to making offerings and sacraments to the planetary intelligences.
Psychoactive drugs have been used as a spiritual sacrament since before humans had written language. Terrence McKenna has even argued that psychedelic mushrooms (referring to the various species of mushroom which naturally produce the serotonergic compound called psylocibin) might have directly influenced human evolution and social development by causing mutations in the neurological and genetic structures of the first proto-humans who ate them. When we consider the importance of drugs in various ancient cultures and religions, as well as the consistent presence of drug use and abuse throughout all known human history, it seems quite reasonable to ask why people so actively seek to alter their perception. In the context weâll be discussing today, the answer to that question will be very simple. Iâm just speaking for myself, but I alter my perception so I can directly meet and speak with intelligences who wonât (or perhaps canât) confer with me in the corporeal world, but who might still have power over some things which directly affect me. Using drugs to contact the planetary intelligences in particular tends to be a very effective application, especially if I make sure to call on the planet I need to deal with in a fairly formal manner. The approach I use is straightforward, and it is a direct adaptation of the method I described in my post about ritual theory in astrological magic. I made very few changes to the overall formula of the ritual, but instead of making an animal sacrifice, I opt to consume a fairly large dose (the goal here is for the effects of the drug to be very powerful without posing a serious threat to my health) of the appropriate drug immediately after I finish consecrating my circle, so that it will have some time to take effect while I prepare to go forward with the ritual (itâs important to note that once my magical circle has been consecrated, there is no harm in me sitting calmly inside it and waiting a few minutes while I let my drugs kick in). Once the drugâs subjective effects have started to noticeably manifest, this is the best time for me to light the appropriate incense and start saying my prayers and incantations. While I am saying my prayers to the planet of my choice, I like to take special care to lower myself to the ground and stand back up at the appropriate points in my incantation.
I hope this helps clarify a little bit, Anon. Iâm not completely sure if this was the kind of answer you were looking for, but I hope it at least serves to help put the concept of blood sacrifice into perspective, and that it allows you to reasonably compare it with a few other (arguably more ethical, and usually much more convenient) approaches to offerings and sacraments which are sufficient for use in astrological magic. In summary, most alternative approaches to offerings and sacraments are certainly effective in any normal situation. However, in a particularly dire situation, making a blood sacrifice in order to promote your petition or intention will probably be able to give you a much more powerful and definite effect than any lesser offering. On a final note, the only method I know of which is almost invariably more effective than a blood offering is the use of the appropriate psychoactive drug (selected according to the rulership of the planet youâll be dealing with) as a sacrament. Thanks for asking, Anon. That was a particularly good question, and it really encouraged me to be thorough.
Hello, all! Welcome to the fourth post in my series on interpreting the court cards of the Tarot.
The Queens of the tarot take us back from the practical to the esoteric. Pages and knights encounter subjects in theory and in practice, but the Queens deal with meaning. They represent a stage of deeper understanding in which we begin to synthesize what we are learning into something with internal consistency. I tend to interpret the Queens as a phase of learning that begins when a subject first starts to gel, and, like the practices represented by the Knight cards, might not necessarily ever end.
I donât draw a hierarchical distinction between Queens and Kings. The Pages definitely precede the Knights as beginner and intermediate. But after that, phases of learning tend not to be linear. I find it more useful to treat Queens and Kings as different ways of engaging with a subject. Whether one represents a higher stage of mastery than the other depends on the subject and the perspective of the querent. Instead of the beginner/intermediate progression, the Queens and Kings represent mastery of meaning versus mastery over form. In this way, I often associate Queens with teaching, with theory, and with a deep amateur love of a subject. Unfortunately, these ways of approaching knowledge are often devalued, especially as they are not usually geared towards professional development in a given area. For this reason, it is quite common for querents to have a significant amount of anxiety surrounding Queen material. But the Queens teach us the emotionally satisfying dimensions of their subject areas; they teach us the love of learning for its own sake
It is important, then, to emphasize that the Queen-King relationship is not a progression from intermediate to advanced, but a polarity. In subjects or disciplines which emphasize form, one might achieve a âKingâ stage of mastery well before gaining the deep understanding of the Queens. A musician with bravura technique (King) may have underdeveloped musicality (Queen). Someone who reads voraciously about the history of fencing but rarely gets a chance to (or doesnât care to) pick up a foil and practice has developed a Queen-type understanding of a subject in favor of a King-type mastery. Theoretically, if one has achieved absolute mastery over a subject, one would have equally strong skill sets in both. Practically speaking, true expertise requires mastery over both modes; for most subjects, this will mean that everyone spends significant time going back and forth between the two.
Queen of Wands
The Queen of Wands is the card of the skilled amateur, the person for whom love of a subject outweighs any practical benefits they may gain from it. Although people can and do engage professionally in areas where this card applies, it is far more likely to be a âlabor of loveâ or a sideline done mostly for the fun of it. I find that this card comes up especially often with amateur artists. Emotionally speaking, the Queen of Wands represents a healthy engagement with our passions; in readings that center on emotional growth, the upright Queen of Wands rarely carries with her the connotations of recklessness or immoderation that can sometimes come with the Knight of Wands. Rather, she represents an avenue of expression that channels the fire of the Wands in a way that is tempered by the Queenâs maturity and wisdom. Hypothetical Queen of Wands situations might be: The querentâs novel is starting to gel; the querent is (or needs to go back to) engaging with an area of creative fulfillment; the querent has made great strides in controlling their naturally fiery temper.
Reversed Queen of Wands
In my experience, the reversed Queen of Wands almost always indicates that the querent (or other person represented) has difficulty expressing anger. It can also sometimes refer to a period of depression (as if the fires are banked) or lack of creative fulfillment. However, even when reversed, she still represents a kind of growth. People often find themselves here when they are still learning to express their feelings openly and constructively. Situations to which the reversed Queen of Wands might apply could be: The querentâs novel is stalled with no end in sight; the querent harbors a great deal of resentment and anger, but does not express it for the sake of appearing âniceâ; the querent needs to take an emotional break from a stressful situation in order to cultivate their emotional energy.
Queen of Swords
The Queen of Swords is a card of great strength and decisive energy. The Queen of Swords knows who she is and what she wants, and gets it with minimal beating around the bush. The unfocused energy of the Pages and Knights has been transformed into an efficient, direct line of thought. The Queen of Swords embraces order and precision. Although people (particularly women) with a great deal of Queen of Swords energy can appear brusque to others, at its core this energy is merely assertive and direct. It is especially favorable in situations involving negotiations of any kind. The Queen of Swords is also a heavily academic card, representing complete understanding of theory and criticism. Hypothetical Queen of Swords scenarios could be: The querent is editing their novel; the querent has reached a level of maturity marked by straightforward, assertive communication; the querent can understand almost anything in their target language, but still makes mistakes in speaking and writing; the querent is acting as a whistleblower or otherwise using their words in service of a cause.
Queen of Cups
The Queen of Cups is a card of great emotional and spiritual wisdom. She often pops up when the querent is about to start a relationship that is deeply fulfilling; although this is not strictly about learning, I often read these relationships as learning experiences of a sort. The Queen of Cups appears when the querent has or is about to achieve a new level of satisfaction in their lives; the thing they are gaining mastery over is their own happiness and how to cultivate it. I get this card especially often in the readings of those who are quite adept at caring for others, but who habitually neglect their own emotional needs. However, the dimensions of the Queen of Cups extend to spirituality, and to any kind of activity that brings a deep sense of joy and contentment. Situations for which this card might apply are: The querent is about to gain new spiritual understanding; the querent has internally resolved their emotional baggage, but has not yet necessarily effected this in their relationships with others; the querent is about to begin an important relationship, often a love affair; the querentâs depression is reversing.
Reversed Queen of Cups
The Queen of Cups is so naturally giving and nurturing, that even more than the upright card, the reversed Queen often represents a need to focus on self-care. Reversed Queen of Cups can indicate a tendency to overdo self-sacrifice, and to have a difficult time filling oneâs own emotional âcupâ. The reversed Queen can be a red flag for codependent or otherwise unhealthy emotional patterns. It may also be a card of loneliness and isolation. However, it is not fundamentally a negative iteration of the card. Depending on the context, the Queen of Cups reversed can indicate a need for retreat and solitude in order to cultivate peace and relaxation. Because the emotional content of the cups is already a very interior matter, I have found that the reversed Queen of Cups turns up most often when querents are having a difficult time expressing, or even identifying their feelings. Situations in which the Queen of Cups may show up reversed might be: The querent is depressed or isolated; the querent is considering a spiritual path or other life decision that will lessen their contact with the outside world; the querent is in a relationship that is restrictive or oppressive; the querent needs more time to examine their feelings about a particular matter.
Queen of Coins
The Queen of Coins knows her own worth and revels in it. She represents a kind of mastery over practicalities that frequently manifests itself as a simple feeling of confidence and competence in daily life on the part of the querent. She also comes up often when the querent has a level of practical mastery over a subject (which I would designate as a King-type mastery), but has no desire to develop it evenly across all areas. The paradox of the Queenâs esoteric knowledge combined with the practical Earth nature of the coins means that the Queenâs area of expertise is in the value of things. Look for the Queen of Coins to appear when the querent needs to question or return to their values. She can also come up when a querent is too caught up in the financial risks or rewards associated with a given venture, and needs to return to the subject for the simple love of the thing. I also designate those activities which bring to us a sense of luxury or nobility (for example, tending oneâs own garden and deriving a sense of satisfaction and ownership of it) as falling under her jurisdiction. Example situations dealing with the Queen of Coinâs territory might be: the querent has recently retired and is looking for a new activity to pass the time, especially things like gardening or the arts; the querent is beginning to enjoy some material success in life and is navigating new feelings of maturity, responsibility, and self-worth; the querent has an idea to monetize a skill they have mastery over, but is uncertain about whether they want to deal with the professional demands of doing it for money.
Reversed Queen of Coins
If the upright Queen represents value from its most tangible to most abstract, the reversal of this card often shows us when we are cut off or diverging from those values in some way. The reversed Queen can frequently call on the querent to take a step back from the rat race and to cultivate a slower, more relaxed pace in life. This card can come up for querents who, after attempting to make a living at the pursuit of a passion or skill, found that the professional demands associated with monetizing the activity killed their enjoyment of it. This card also comes up often when people feel undervalued or worthless, and can also indicate anxiety about financial matters. However, depending on the context, it can carry with it the positive connotations of having rejected materialistic ways of ascribing value to things. Situations in which the Queen of Coins might appear reversed could be: the querent is feeling disillusioned about a career path; the querent has anxiety surrounding their body image; the querent feels that they have had to sacrifice their values for the sake of making a living; the querent is feeling dysphoria and is not deriving the same kind of pleasure from activities they enjoy as usual.
As you see, the Queens are more complex than the preceding Knights and Pages. However, stages of learning and personal growth are rarely simple or linear, and the many nuanced interpretations of the Queens reflect the cyclic and interior nature of learning. Remember that the Queens teach us about how to approach the understanding of a subject and how to orient ourselves in relation to it.
My series on astrological magic is now complete. There are thirteen posts total, each of them thoroughly discussing different concepts which are important to the effective practice of these arts. They don't proceed in exactly the order you'll need the information in, and I apologize for that, but I also don't think it will be a problem. You should really make sure to carefully read the information in each of these posts before attempting to carry out this kind of work, in order to be sure that you've covered your bases and taken the appropriate precautions. Below is a list of all the posts in the series. I hope they are helpful to you. You're welcome to ask us if you have any questions at all.
The Moon (and Sun)
Saturn and Mars
Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury
The Ascendant
Uses of the Decans
Parts (also known as Lots)
Image Theory I
Image Theory II
Master List of things Ruled by the Planets, Signs, and Fixed Stars
Lunar Nodes, Planetary Days and Hours, Names and Spirits of Times and Bodies
A Very Effective Method of Drawing a Circle
Consecration, Prayers, and Ritual Theory
Conclusion (Aspects, Other Loose Ends, and a Step-By-Step Walkthrough)
Thank you very much for reading. If you found this series interesting, please consider checking out Benefica's series on the court cards in Tarot, and if you're interested, check back soon for our upcoming series on the creation and use of talismans (which will be a collaboration between Benefica and myself).
Conclusion of Astrological Magic Series (Aspects and a Walkthrough)
This will be the thirteenth and final post in my series on astrological magic. Since I've gone over most of the basic knowledge you need in order to successfully use astrological magic, this post will contain some additional tips and little bits of information that didn't fit neatly into any of the other posts. Remember that none of the individual posts in this series contain enough information to give you complete results. Please be careful, and feel free to ask us if you have any questions.
The Ruler of the Chart:
I haven't clearly explained the concept of a chart's ruling planet yet, but it is fairly simple. Most astrologers just consider the planet which rules over the ascendant to be the ruler of the chart as a whole. It's important to consider that when a planet rules over a chart, its power is augmented. This means you should think of the planet as dignified when it is in any normal location, and that when it's in its detriment, it is reduced to its normal power, rather than below it. Naturally, then, when the planet ruling over the chart is exalted, it is particularly powerful, even more so than its exaltation usually allows.
The Chaldean Order:
I've talked about the Chaldean order a little bit before, but here I'll give you a brief explanation as to what it is exactly, and then I'll list the planets in that order for an easy reference. The Chaldean people ranked the seven traditional planets based on their apparent speed of motion in the sky. They considered the slower moving planets to be more powerful, and the faster planets to have less power, but more adaptability. Over time, they adapted a very complex system of symbolism based on their ranking of the planets. By incorporating the Chaldean order into sacred geometry and other systems of symbolism, they were able to determine how the planets rule over the days of the week, the hours of the day, various parts of the world, various religious practices, types of clothing, metals, plants, and animals. This system (which has steadily expanded since it was created) is still important in Hermeticism and many other occult traditions today.
The Chaldean order of the planets is as follows:
Saturn
Jupiter
Mars
The Sun
Venus
Mercury
The Moon
Rising and Descending Planets (and the Effects of their Hierarchies):
There is a fairly important concept which is rarely discussed in astrological texts, but which is very useful to understand in astrological magic. When a planet is rising, it's useful to note that it has effects which are in accord with the planet above it in the Chaldean order. This means Saturn in particular carries the influence of the fixed stars when it's rising. When a planet is descending, its influence is more in accord with the planet below it in the Chaldean order. For example, Saturn descending is very beneficial to Jupiter's influence. The Moon is a fairly unique case, then, since while rising it is concurrent with Mercury, but while descending, it works in accord with some of the more earthly forces below it. In astrological magic, the Moon can usually be thought of as the focusing lens through which the powers of the other celestial bodies are projected down to Earth (this is why its position is considered particularly important in many magical traditions).
Reception:
I feel like should explain the concept of reception, since I mentioned it fairly often in some of the earlier posts in this series. In the simplest terms I can use, a reception occurs when a planet is at a favorable aspect with the planet which rules over (or is exalted in) the sign where it sits. It also occurs when a planet is at a favorable aspect to the ruler(s) of two of the following (which are considered lesser dignities): the term, triplicity, face, or decan where it sits.
For example, if Mercury sits in Leo while at a trine aspect to the Sun, then Mercury is being received by the Sun. This is the most basic kind of reception, and it's called reception by sign. When a planet is received by another planet, it is given power and protection in accord to the powers of planet which is receiving it. In this hypothetical case, Mercury is given a much greater affinity for intellectual communications between the common people and those in positions of power, and it might also take on a much more financially adept nature than normal, allowing Mercurial energy to be directed in a way that allows it to help a person generate great profits (especially since Mercury rules over commerce, and Leo rules over wealth and riches).
There are also situations where two planets are in mutual reception to each other. This kind of astrological condition usually represents the mutual benefit of both of the celestial bodies involved.
A good example of two planets which are in mutual reception to each other is a chart where Venus is in Leo while at a square aspect with the Sun, which sits in Taurus. Despite the fact that a square is generally considered an unfavorable aspect, when both of the planets involved in the aspect are also in each other's greater dignities, any aspect they share will usually become favorable, no matter how hostile or difficult the aspect is usually considered to be.
A slightly different example of mutual reception is a chart where the Moon sits in Pisces at a sextile aspect to Jupiter, which sits in Taurus. The primary difference here is that the Moon doesn't actually rule over Taurus, but is just in its exaltation there. There aren't any notable differences in the overall effects of a reception by exaltation as opposed to a reception by rulership, but it's important to always be aware of the exaltations of the planets, and the effects they can have on a chart. Forgetting something which seems like a minor detail, like the fact that a planet is exalted or in reception, can lead to significant errors when you're calculating a chart. When you're looking at the astrological conditions of future days in order to determine the best time to work, it's very important to look over the charts thoroughly, so you can use their powers efficiently, effectively, and accordingly.
The aspects are a fairly difficult area of astrology for many people to get comfortable with, although when you become familiar with them, they will prove to be very useful.
I'll be using the word âperfectâ fairly often in this section, and I want to clarify what I mean. In this context, as a verb, âto perfect an aspectâ is to have two planets which are applying to an aspect with each other reach the point where they are in their aspect exactly, with 0Âșdeviance from the exact distance of that aspect. For example, if two planets are applying to a trine aspect with each other, and they are about to perfect the trine, this means the two planets are arriving at the point where they are exactly 120Âș apart.
As an adjective, the meaning of a âperfect aspectâ follows along the same reasoning. When an aspect is perfect, it is exact. A perfect trine aspect occurs when the two planets involved are exactly 120Âș apart. A perfect conjunction occurs when the two planets involved are exactly 0Âș apart.
To familiarize you with the basic properties of the various types of aspect, I'll go into some detail about how they work, below.
Applying and Separating:
When two planets are at an approximate aspect with each other (most astrologers consider an approximate aspect to be anything within 10Âș of the perfect aspect), and they are moving closer to perfecting their aspect, it is usually said that the faster planet is applying to the slower one at whatever aspect is occurring. For example, if Venus and Mercury are 118Âș apart, and they are getting closer to a perfect trine aspect with each other, you could say that Mercury is applying to Venus at a trine aspect, since Mercury is the faster planet of the two, and it is âgaining groundâ on Venus (there are also some contexts where it doesn't matter which planet is moving faster, and they would both be said to be applying to the aspect).
When two planets have completed their perfect aspect, and are now starting to move away from the aspect they shared, it is usually said that the faster planet is separating from the slower one at whatever aspect is occurring. For example, if Mercury and Venus had just completed their perfect trine aspect as I described in the example above, and Mercury is now moving past the perfect trine so the two planets are now 122Âș apart, you could say that Mercury is separating from a trine aspect with Venus. Since Mercury is the faster planet of the two, it is the planet which is increasing the distance between Venus and Mercury's trine aspect. This is why Mercury is said to be separating (though as above, there are some contexts where it doesn't matter which planet is moving faster, and you would simply say that both planets are separating from the aspect).
Conjunction:
A conjunction is probably the most influential aspect which can occur in a chart. When two planets are conjunct, their energy is blended, and the conjunction is considered a single source of energy, rather than two separate planets exerting their influence. Depending on the planets involved, this can be good or bad. It's also important to understand that some planets are more powerful than others, meaning a conjunction isn't necessarily an equal blend of two planets. Some texts on astrological magic say that conjunctions can have three basic properties. These properties are increases, decreases, and balances. In astrological magic, it's generally accepted that the power of a planet in conjunction is usually determined by its place in the Chaldean order. This means Saturn's influence is generally the most powerful, while Jupiter's power is almost always equal to it (except in a few cases). To help illustrate the way a conjunction works, I'll briefly describe some conjunctions involving Saturn.
Saturn and Jupiter are almost always equal in power when they are conjunct. If both planets are somehow dignified, then Jupiter will be more powerful than Saturn in the conjunction. If Jupiter is dignified, but Saturn is direct and exalted, Saturn will usually be equal. If Jupiter is weakened or in its detriment, and Saturn is not, then Saturn's power will be dominant in the conjunction, especially if Saturn is dignified or exalted.
Saturn and Mars are an interesting conjunction, because although Saturn is the most powerful planet involved, the martial influence will almost always be prominent and noticeable here. This is because Mars and Saturn are generally âfriendlyâ toward each other. If Saturn is direct and dignified or exalted, you may not see as much influence from Mars in this kind of conjunction. If Mars is in a similarly powerful position, and Saturn is weakened, you may see Mars dominate this conjunction, though Saturn's influence is never obscured by Mars.
When Saturn is in conjunction with the Sun, this is generally considered a difficult position, unless they are in a sign ruled by Saturn, in which case they can be very powerful and agreeable to each other. As with any planet besides the Moon, if Saturn is close enough to the Sun to be in combustion, its effects are completely negated or obscured, and it you might not be able to find any Saturnine effects whatsoever in the chart.
Saturn conjunct Venus generally favors Saturn. If Saturn is weakened or in its detriment, while Venus is exalted or in a sign where it rules, you may see their influences manifest fairly equally. In nearly any other situation, though, Saturn is easily the most powerful influence of the two, taking very little influence from Venus.
Saturn conjunct Mercury is an easy situation for Saturn. It is extremely rare for Mercury's influence to be prominent in this situation. Usually, you'll see Mercury's effects severely inhibited in this position. For any work involving language, communication, travel, math, trickery, or intelligence, this conjunction will cause great difficulty. If Mercury is exalted and Saturn is weakened significantly, you might see some more influence from Mercury here, but Saturn will invariably remain dominant, since Mercury's role in a conjunction almost always serves to further intellectually articulate the influence of the planet it is conjunct with. This basically makes a conjunction between Mercury and Saturn function just like Saturn, but with a greater affinity for situations concerning intelligent thought, communication, and logic. When this conjunction is taking place, the things people say might generally tend toward the emotionally heavy.
Saturn and the Moon are an important conjunction to understand. Clearly, since Saturn's effects are more powerful, it is by far the most dominant force in this conjunction, though the Moon's influence is still present to some extent. However, there are times when the Moon's influence is not so obscured. If Saturn is in a weakened position or its detriment, and the Moon is dignified, then the Moon's influence will be greater than that of Saturn. If the Moon is not dignified, though, Saturn's influence will almost always outweigh that of the Moon, even if Saturn is weakened. If Saturn is dignified, and the Moon is in a weakened position or its detriment, then the effects of the Moon in a conjunction will be nearly impossible to identify, and the conjunction will work almost as if it were just an augmented Saturn. In some rare cases, the Moon is slower than usual in its motion. If the Moon happens to be moving at a similar speed to Saturn, their effects will be fairly evenly balanced. In conjunctions between Saturn and the Moon, it's important to note that the Moon's most powerful position is when it is rising, and Saturn's most powerful position is when it is descending.
Stellium:
When more than two planets are conjunct to each other, and they are all in the same sign, this is called a stellium. When this occurs, you should think of all three of them as one combined energy, and you should be especially aware of the nature of the celestial bodies involved, since a stellium will almost always be one of the most powerful forces in a chart. If a particularly favorable stellium is occurring, it is probably a good idea to carry out certain things while you can (perhaps charge some talismans), so you'll be able to harness the power of such an event before it's over. Even if you don't necessarily need a specific power when a potentially useful stellium occurs, I highly recommend that you try to store it for future use. Foresight is an extremely useful tool in any magical art.
Good aspects:
The âgoodâ or "favorable" aspects in astrology are the trine and sextile aspects. A trine aspect occurs when two planets are approximately 120° apart from each other, and it is considered the most favorable aspect possible. A sextile aspect occurs when two planets are approximately 60° apart from each other, and though not as good as a trine, is considered to be a favorable aspect.
A trine aspect is the most naturally manifested positive aspect. When two planets are at a trine aspect with each other, they are each lending beneficial energy to the other. Consider that in most cases, this is even considered positive if one of the planets involved is considered unfortunate. For example, Venus at a trine to Saturn does not harm the influence of either planet, but rather, Venus is strengthened and given greater emotional depth and responsibility, while Saturn benefits by gaining more expressly benevolent properties, and becomes generally more cheerful. Keep in mind that there are still plenty of situations where any two given planets are better off without any aspects at all, regardless of whether they are good aspects such as trine (this is briefly discussed in some of the earlier posts of this series, where I discuss the placement of the planets and other influences).
A sextile aspect is the lesser of the good aspects. When two planets share a sextile aspect, they are only beneficial to each other if we go to the effort to cultivate the connection between them, and to consciously work toward fulfilling the potential of their aspect. Otherwise, we should consider the nature of this aspect basically the same as a trine, but altogether capable of being less powerful.
Bad aspects:
The âbadâ or "hostile" aspects are the opposition and square. An opposition occurs when two planets are approximately 180° apart from each other (hence the name, implying they are opposite to each other in the chart), and is considered the most hostile aspect which can occur. A square aspect occurs when two planets are about 90° apart from each other, and is not as dire as opposition, but is still considered unfavorable and difficult.
An opposition is the most universally unfavorable aspect which can occur. Any two planets opposing each other causes a severe affliction to them both. Other factors are important, including whether either of the planets involved are at all dignified or in their detriments, and how powerful the concerned planets are on their own (based on the Chaldean order, as discussed above). Generally, it is considered extremely difficult (if not impossible) to reconcile an opposition between two planets, and when there is an opposition occurring, you should probably avoid trying to use the power of any of the planets involved.
A square is considered the lesser unfavorable aspect. The name is fairly indicative of the nature of this aspect. You could say that the planets involved are âsquaring off,â or preparing to fight each other. Generally, this means that the relationship between the two celestial bodies involved is very volatile, and that making the wrong decision or move can cause major problems. Despite the volatility of the square, it can also be reconciled a lot more easily than an opposition. Think of it like a tense situation that you can defuse if you deal with it properly (as if you were mediating between two people who were about to fight).
Prohibition:
At some earlier point in this series, I have briefly mentioned a condition called prohibition which can afflict a planet. There are two kinds of prohibition. The first kind is called a bodily prohibition, or a conjunctive prohibition. A bodily prohibition occurs when two planets are applying to a conjunction, when a third planet swiftly overtakes both of the others, and completes a conjunction with the second planet (after also perfecting and separating from a conjunction with the first one in the process of overtaking it, of course) before the first two planets have had time to perfect their conjunction with each other. When this happens, the prohibiting planet is effectively stealing the prize of conjunction from the planet which gets left out, or prohibited. I've heard a bodily prohibition be described as a âplanetary cock-block,â and I thought this was a fairly accurate way to simply and clearly express the nature and mood of this type of astrological condition. To be sure I've effectively explained how a bodily prohibition works, I'll describe an example below.
When two planets are in the process of applying to a conjunction which, if perfected, promises the favorable or ideal ending of a thing (such as a magical work, a difficult time, or an event of any kind), all appears to be won. Consider, for example, that if the planets applying to their conjunction are, say, Mars at the 7Âș of Aries, and Saturn at the 12Âș of Aries, and they are ready and moving toward becoming perfectly conjunct (0Âș apart from each other, which we will say is the ideal astrological resolution to whatever hypothetical work we are carrying out). Now, just for the purpose of demonstration, let's say that we hadn't been paying attention when we were planning out the astrological conditions of the present time, and it just so happens that the Sun is very close behind Mars, currently at the 6Âș of Aries. Since the Sun moves significantly faster than both Mars and Saturn, we can predict that it will catch up to Mars, and form a perfect conjunction (which, when involving the Sun, is called combustion, and is considered a particularly unfortunate conjunction for whichever planet the Sun is incinerating) with it long before the desired Mars/Saturn conjunction can come about. But we also know that the Sun won't just stop at that. It will completely overtake Mars, separating from it, and applying to a conjunction with Saturn, reaching full combustion of Saturn at 0Âș conjunct before Mars has a chance to do anything at all. When the Sun reaches Saturn after fully overtaking Mars, it is prohibiting Mars from uniting its energy with Saturn as planned, and it is prohibiting Saturn from exerting any power at all. When a prohibition of this kind occurs, you should basically consider the prohibited planet's power negated for the duration of the prohibition, meaning the planet basically âloses a turn,â and does not get to express any power until it is free from the other celestial bodies involved in the prohibition.
The second type of prohibition is called prohibition by aspect, and it occurs when two planets are applying to a conjunction, and a third, faster planet located elsewhere in the chart overtakes any aspect (meaning this kind of prohibition is possible with trine, sextile, square, and opposing aspects) of one of the planets (perfecting the aspect in the process, and continuing on to separate from it, while beginning to apply to the same aspect of the next planet in the potential conjunction), and then proceeds to perfect the same type of aspect with the other planet, effectively prohibiting the two from achieving the power of their perfect conjunction. Below, I will describe an example of a prohibition by aspect, just to be sure I'm being articulate in my explanation.
Let's imagine that Mars is at the 7Âș of Aries again, while Saturn is found at the 15Âș of Aries. As you can see, the two are applying toward a conjunction, just as in the example above. Remember that in our hypothetical work, we're hoping for Mars and Saturn to perfect their conjunction, because that conjunction will bring about the ideal astrological conditions for the exact resolution (of whatever hypothetical event or work you wish to imagine here) we are praying for. But again, we failed to pay proper attention to the chart. This time, it's a little less obvious of a mistake. Now, we may know not to plan for this conjunction when the Sun is so closely rapidly approaching the planets involved, but the problem here isn't an actual celestial body prohibiting the conjunction. You see, the Sun is at the 5Âș of Gemini, which is a seemingly harmless location, right? Unfortunately not. Since the Sun moves faster than both Mars and Saturn, and it is approaching a sextile of Mars, it will perfect a sextile aspect with Mars, and then separate from it, long before the Mars/Saturn conjunction has even come close to completion. But of course, just like the example I described before, that isn't all it takes for a prohibition to occur. Now, the Sun will overtake Saturn's sextile as well, perfecting it before Mars and Saturn manage to complete their conjunction at all. Once again, this prohibition negates the potential power of the conjunction between the two planets involved, in addition to temporarily voiding their individual energies. Neither of the prohibited planets are able to exert any influence until they are each free from the other's sphere of influence, and they have separated from the influence of the planet which prohibited them.
Now that I've spoken about those loose ends and tips, I can give you a basic step-by-step walkthrough of how to approach astrological magic if you're using the methods I've discussed in this series.
First, you need to know exactly what your intentions are. If you don't have a clear and thorough understanding of your goals in a work of magic, you might not get very good results. If you are precise enough in engineering the symbolism you use in a work, you will be able to get very precise control of your results.
Once you know exactly what your intentions are, you should decide which planets or signs you need to draw power from. Do this based on the things which each planet and sign rules over. Whichever planets or signs most influence the things your goals are concerned with are the ones you should use. It's not necessarily a bad idea to combine the influence of more than one celestial body or sign, so long as you can elegantly represent the two of them together as a magical image, and provided you can also get them both in favorable positions at one time. It's important to take care in choosing the ascendant, because that decision also determines which planet rules over the chart.
Now, look at astrological charts for upcoming days and times (it doesn't really matter how far in advance you plan these) to find the most favorable time to carry out your work. You can refer to some of the earlier posts in this series to determine whether the planets in question are in a good place or not. If the Sun or Moon rules your chart, you should prioritize their positions. If Saturn or Mars rule your chart, focus on finding them a good position. If Jupiter, Venus, or Mercury rule your chart, consider their locations the most important. It's also good to make sure that the planets in question are in favorable decans for your purpose.
Make sure the particular Arabic Parts which are important to your work are favorably placed, so that the intangible factors of the chart are not working against you.
After that, it's time to decide if the lunar nodes are in acceptable places for you to carry out your work, and to choose the right planetary day and planetary hour to proceed in.
Now, you should be sure to derive an effective image from the stars, signs, or planets you're using in order to create an effective visual representation of your desired effect. This doesn't have to be based on any rigid symbolic foundation, but we should take special care to make our images properly represent the powers they are designed to conduct.
Once we're actually about to perform our ritual, we need to draw our circle. After that, we need to consecrate it and carry out our ritual, saying all the necessary prayers. Then, we can safely conclude our work. Many people choose to include a banishing ritual or dismissal of the spirits at the end of their work (if any of us writes a post about these practices, I will edit this post and add a link to it at that time).
This concludes my series on astrological magic. I hope it has been helpful to you. If you have any questions for us, feel free to drop us an ask. If there's any important information which seems to be missing from this series, please don't hesitate to request it. Thank you for reading. If this is the first post you've come across in the series, and you found it interesting, useful, or enjoyable, please check out the rest. If you've finished this series and you'd like to see more of our work, you should check out Benefica's series about the court cards in the Tarot. Very soon, she and I will begin to collaborate on a new series on the creation and use of talismans. Thank you for reading. We hope you will continue to enjoy our work.
