Talismans of the Magi
Theophrastus Paracelsus revived, in the XVIth century, the
ancient
doctrine of Talismans, which he claimed to be able to use successfully
in the
treatment of illnesses and accidents. This medical doctrine, derived
from the
Cabala, or secret tradition of the Jewish rabbis, was said to be
borrowed from
the ancient occult sciences of Chaldea and Egypt. The talisman
(tsilmenaia)
signifies an image, a figure, and was engraved in the form of an emblem
or
symbol on metals consecrated to the genii of the seven planets. This
magical
task had to be carried out at a fixed time of a certain day, with the
firm
intention of attracting to the talisman the beneficent influence of the
genius
which was invoked, whether for health or any other protective measures.
We owe to
the celebrated Paracelsus the explanation of these secrets whose
efficiency is
recognized by many serious thinkers, in the same way as that of the
Agnus Dei,
so-called miraculous medals, and objects which have touched saintly
relics. Now
the genii of the Orient being the original types of the Christian
angels, that
is to say, representing the intermediary powers acting between God and
man, it
is possible that the invocation of one or the other may not be entirely
pointless. Dogmas vary from one century to another and rites are
modified; but
belief in God, in the soul of the world and in the sovereign power of
nature is
always the same: it is to God, invisible to our eyes but visible to our
consciousness, that we address our prayers, whatever the form they
take.
The Talisman of
Saturn
I. The Talisman of Saturn is a preservative against danger
of death
through apoplexy, cancer, decaying of the bones, consumption, dropsy,
paralysis, phthisis; against the danger of being buried alive while in
a state
of coma; against the danger of violent death through secret plotting,
poison or
ambush.
This talisman preserves women from the mortal perils which
accompany or
sometimes follow childbirth.
If in time of war the leader of an army hides the talisman
of Saturn in
a place which is in danger of falling into the enemy's hands, that
enemy will
be unable to cross the limits set up by the presence of the talisman
and will
then retreat, either discouraged or overcome by a resolute
counter-attack.
In
order to make the talisman of
Saturn, a plaque of very pure lead must be obtained, cut in the form of
a
circle about the size of an ordinary medal, and the two faces polished
smoothly.
On the first
face is engraved with a
diamond-pointed the image of a scythe, enclosed in a pentagram.
On the other
side is engraved a bull's head
enclosed in a six-pointed star, and surrounded by letters composing the
name
Oriphiel, the planetary genius of Saturn according to the Alphabet of
the Magi.
The person who is to wear this talisman must engrave it himself,
without
witnesses of the deed and without having communicated his intention to
anyone.
He must choose
for the commencement and
termination of the task a Saturday, Dies Saturni, the day consecrated
to
Saturn, when the evolution of the Moon is passing through the first ten
degrees
of Taurus or Capricorn, in a favorable aspect with Saturn, according to
the
theory of the horoscope which is set out further on.
To find out if
there is a favourable aspect
between the Moon and Saturn the interested person should cast his own
horoscope
on the nearest Saturday containing the lunar evolution just mentioned;
and if
Saturn is in a favourable aspect, that is, trine or sextile with the
Moon, that
day will be favourable for working on the talisman. If, on the
contrary, Saturn
and the Moon are found to be in square or in opposition, each following
Saturday must be tried until a favourable aspect is met with.
It is the Table
of Epacts which gives us the
beginning of each lunar evolution. On the 1st day the Moon is in
conjunction
with the centre of the Ram; on the 2nd she passes through the first 15
degrees
of Taurus, and on the 22nd day the first 10 degrees of Capricorn. If
therefore
the 2nd or 22nd day of the Moon correspond to a Sunday, and if Saturn
is in a
favourable aspect, one or other of these days is suitable for working
on the
talisman.
Having found a
Saturday, it is still
necessary to find the hours which are governed by the genius of Saturn:
these
are indicated for the whole week in the following table, beginning at
noon to
one o'clock in the afternoon.
If
you got to this table
using a link in this document, use the "Back" function to return to
where you were in the document.
According
to this table,
the hours of Saturday which are the most favourable for the making of a
talisman of Saturn are from midday to 1 o'clock; from 7--8 p.m.; from
2--3
o'clock after midnight; and from 9--10 a.m. of the following morning,
reckoning
the day as beginning and ending at midday. The work of engraving,
interrupted
during intermediate hours, ought therefore to be resumed during the
hours
influenced by the genius of Saturn. It is completed by the magical
consecration
of the talisman.
This
consecration consists in exposing the talisman
to the fumes of a scent composed of alum, assa-foetida, scammony and
sulphur,
which are burned with cyprus, ash and stalks of black hellebore lighted
in an
earthenware chafing dish which has never been used for any other
purpose and
which has to be ground to dust and buried secretly in an unfrequented
spot
after the operation. The talisman is then placed in a black silk sachet
which
is hung on the breast by bands of the same material interwoven and tied
in the
form of a cross.
Talisman of Jupiter
II. The Talisman
of Jupiter brings to those
who wear it the good-will and sympathy of everyone. It drives away all
cares,
is favourable to honest enterprises and increases well-being according
to
social standing.
It gives
protection against unforeseen
accidents and the perils of violent death presaged by Saturn in the
natal
horoscope.
It gives
protection from death caused by
diseases of the liver, inflamation of the lungs, malignant tumours, or
that
cruel affection of the spinal marrow called tabes dorsalis.
In order to make
the talisman of Jupiter a
plaque of very pure tin must be obtained, cut in the form of a circle
about the
size of an ordinary medal, and the two faces polished smoothly.
On the first
face is engraved with a
diamond-pointed burin the image of a crown with four points at the
centre of a
pentagram, or five-pointed star.
On the other
side is engraved the image of
an eagle's head at the centre of a six-pointed star, surrounded by
letters
composing the name Zachariel, the planetary genius of Jupiter,
according to the
alphabet of the Magi.
A Thursday
(Jovis Dies) must be chosen for
the commencement and termination of this work, when the evolution of
the Moon
is passing through the first ten degrees of the Libra and is found in a
favourable aspect, that is to say, sextile or trine with Saturn and
Jupiter.
In order to find out if
this aspect is
favourable or otherwise the horoscope must be set up on the first
Thursday
containing the above-mentioned lunar evolution. If the aspect of the
Moon with
Saturn and Jupiter is unfavourable, each following Thursday must be
tried until
a good aspect is met with.
The beginning of
each lunar evolution can be
found by reference to the Table of Epacts. On its l5th day it passes
through
the first ten degrees of the Scales; if therefore the day corresponds
to a
Thursday and if Saturn and Jupiter have a favourable aspect, the time
is
suitable for the creation of a talisman.
Consulting
theTable of Hours given above, we
find that the hours of Thursday governed by the genius of Jupiter are:
from
mid-day to 1 o'clock; from 7--8 p.m.; from 2--3 a.m.; and from 9-10
a.m. the
following morning.
The consecration
of the talisman consists in
exposing it to the fumes of a scent composed of frankincense,
amber-gris,
balsam, cardamon, saffron and mace (the inner bark of the nutmeg tree),
all of
which are burned with oak, poplar, fig and pomegranate branches in an
earthenware vessel which must afterwards be destroyed, as above. The
talisman
is then placed in a sachet of sky-blue silk (iii cyaneo serico) and
hung on the
breast by bands of the same material interwoven and tied in the form of
a
cross.
The Talisman of Mars
III. The
Talisman of Mars is a preservative
against the attacks of dangerous enemies. Its influence keeps at bay
the danger
of death in battle or argument. It preserves the wearer from death by
St.
Anthony's fire, malignant ulcers or epidemic. It neutralises the danger
of
violent death by torture presaged in a birthday horoscope.
If this talisman
is hidden in a citadel by
the commander defending it, no attack from outside will succeed.
In order to make
the talisman of Mars a
plaque of very pure iron must be obtained, cut in the form of a circle
about
the size of an ordinary medal, and polished smoothly on both sides.
On the first
side is engraved with a
diamond-pointed burin the image of swords enclosed in a pentagram.
On the other
side is engraved the image of a
lion's head at the centre of a six-pointed star and surrounded by
letters
composing the name Samael, the planetary genius of Mars, according to
the
alphabet of the Magi.
A Tuesday must be chosen
for the work, the
day consecrated to Mars (Martis Dies), when the evolution of the Moon
is passing
through the first ten degrees of the Ram or Sagittarius and is found in
favourable aspect with Saturn and Mars.
In order to find
out if this aspect is
favourable, the horoscope must be set up on the nearest Tuesday
containing the
lunar evolution with Saturn and Mars in favourable aspect.
The beginning of
each lunar evolution can be
found from the Table of Epacts. On its 30th day it passes through the
first ten
degrees of the Ram and on its 19th day the first ten degrees of
Sagittarius. If
therefore one of these days corresponds with a Tuesday, and if Saturn
and Mars
are in a favourable aspect with the Moon, the time is suitable for the
creation
of the talisman.
Consulting
the Table of
Hours given above, we find that the hours of Tuesday governed by the
planetary
genius of Mars are from mid-day to 1 o'clock; from 7--8 p.m.; from 2--8
a.m.,
and from 9--10 a.m. the following morning.
The
consecration of the talisman
consists in exposing it to the fumes of a scent composed of desiccated
absinthe
and rue. The talisman is then placed in a red silk sachet, hung on the
breast
as described above.
Talisman of the Sun
IV. The Talisman
of the Sun brings to those
who wear it the good-will and the favour of those in high positions. It
preserves the wearer from death by syncope, heart disease, aneurism,
epidemic
and conflagration.
To make the
talisman of the Sun a plaque of
very pure gold must be obtained.
On the first
side is engraved the image of a
circle enclosed in a pentagram.
On the second
side is engraved a human head
enclosed in a six-pointed star and surrounded by letters composing the
name
Miihael, the planetary genius of the Sun, according to the alphabet of
the
Magi.
A Sunday must be chosen for
the operation
(Solis Dies), day consecrated to the Sun, when the evolution of the
Moon is
passing through the first to degrees of the Lion and is found in
favourable
aspect with Saturn and the Sun. In order to find out if this aspect is
favourable, the horoscope must be set up on the nearest Sunday
containing the
lunar evolution with a favourable aspect of the Moon with Saturn and
the Sun.
Consulting the
Table of Epacts, we find that
the lunar evolution in its 10th day passes through the first to degrees
of the
Lion; if therefore this day corresponds to a Sunday, and if the Moon,
Saturn
and the Sun are in a favourable aspect, the time is suitable for the
creation
of the talisman.
Consulting the
Table of Hours, we find that
the hours of Sunday governed by the Sun are: from mid-day to 1 o'clock;
from
7-8 p.m.; from 3-4 a.m., and from 9-10 a.m. the following morning.
The consecration
of the talisman consists in
exposing it to the fumes of a scent composed of cinnamon, frank
incense,
saffron and red sandalwood, which is burned with laurel and dried
heliotrope
stalks in an earthenware vessel. The talisman is then placed in a
sachet of
pale yellow silk (in sindone lutea), hung on the breast.
Talisman of Venus
V. The Talisman of
Venus preserves harmony and
affection between man and wife. It keeps away those who may offend by
envy and
hate. It preserves women from the terrible illness cancer. It protects
men and
women from violent death by poisoning, criminal or accidental. It
neutralises
the dangerous presages given by the genius of Mars in a natal
horoscope. If it
is possible to make a sworn enemy drink a liquid in which the talisman
of Venus
has been dipped, that enemy's hatred is transformed into affection and
devotion
for life.
To
make the talisman of
Venus, a plaque of very pure copper is required.
On
the first side is
engraved the image of the letter G, enclosed in a pentagram.
On
the second side is
engraved a dove at the centre of a six-pointed star surrounded by
letters
composing the name of Anael, the planetary genius of Venus, according
to the
alphabet of the Magi.
A
Friday must be chosen,
day consecrated to Venus (Veneris Dies), when the evolution of the Moon
is
passing through the first 10 degrees of the Bull or the Virgin and is
found in
favourable aspect with Saturn and Venus.
To find out
whether or not this aspect is
favourable, the horoscope must be set up on the nearest Friday
containing the
lunar evolution with the Moon in favourable aspect with Saturn and
Venus.
Consulting the Table of Epacts, we find that the lunar evolution begins
in its
2nd day to pass through the first 10 degrees of the Bull, and on its
13th day
through the first to degrees of the Virgin. If therefore this day is a
Friday,
and if the Moon, Saturn and Venus are in favourable aspect, the time is
suitable for the creation of the talisman.
Consulting the
Table of Hours, we find that
the hours of Friday governed by Venus are from mid-day to 1 o'clock;
from 7--8
p.m.; from 2--3 a.m. and from 9-10 a.m. the following morning.
The consecration
of the talisman consists in
exposing the talisman to the fumes of a scent composed of violets and
roses
burned with olive wood in an earthenware vessel. The talisman is then
placed in
a sachet of either green or pink silk and hung on the breast.
The Talisman of
Mercury
VI. The Talisman of
Mercury is the protector of all
kinds of commerce and industry. If it is buried in the ground
underneath a shop
or place of business, it attracts clients and prosperity.
It
preserves all who wear it from attacks
of epilepsy or madness.
It protects from
death by murder or poison.
It guards against treason. If it is placed beneath the head during
sleep, it
produces prophetic dreams.
To make the
talisman of Mercury, a plaque
composed of an alloy of silver, tin and mercury is necessary.
On the first
side is engraved the image of a
winged caduceus with two serpents enlaced, at the centre of a pentagram.
On the other
side is engraved a dog's head,
enclosed in a six-pointed star surrounded by letters composing the name
Raphael, the planetary genius of Mercury, according to the alphabet of
the
Magi.
A
Wednesday must be
chosen, day consecrated to Mercury (Mercurii Dies), when the evolution
of the
Moon is passing through the first to degrees of Gemini or Scorpion and
is found
in favourable aspect with Saturn and Mercury.
To
find out if this aspect is a favourable
one, the horoscope must be set up on the nearest Wednesday containing
the lunar
evolution with a favourable aspect of the Moon with Saturn and Mercury.
Consulting the
Table of Epacts we find that
the beginning of the lunar evolution passes on its 4th day through the
first 10
degrees of Gemini and on its 17th day through the first to degrees of
Scorpio.
If therefore one of these days is a Wednesday, and if the Moon is in a
good
aspect with Saturn and Mercury the time is favourable for the creation
of the
talisman.
Consulting the
Table of Hours, we find that
the hours of Wednesday governed by Mercury are: from mid-day to 1
o'clock; from
7--8 p.m.; from 2-3, a.m.; and from 9-10 a.m. the following morning.
The consecration
consists of exposing the
talisman to the fumes of a scent composed of benzoin, mace and storax
which is
burned with the dried stalks of lilies, narcissi, fumitory and marjoram
in an
earthenware vessel. The talisman is placed in a sachet of purple silk
which is
hung on the breast.
The Talisman of the
Moon
VII.The
Talisman of the
Moon protects travelers and persons dwelling in a foreign land. It
preserves
the wearer from death by shipwreck, or from epilepsy, dropsy, apoplexy
and
madness. It also keeps at bay the perils of violent death presaged by
the
saturnine aspects of the horoscope.
To
make the talisman of
the Moon, a plaque of very pure silver must be obtained.
On
the first side is
engraved the image of a crescent, enclosed in a pentagram.
On
the other side is
engraved a goblet enclosed in 2 six-pointed star and surrounded by
letters
composing the name Gabriel, the planetary genius of the Moon, according
to the
alphabet of the Magi.
A
Monday must be chosen,
day consecrated to the Moon (Lunae Dies), when the lunar evolution is
passing
through the first to degrees of the Virgin or Capricorn, and is found
in
favourable aspect with Saturn.
To
find out if this aspect
is favourable, the horoscope must be set up on the nearest Monday
containing
the lunar evolution and with the Moon and Saturn in favourable aspect.
Consulting the
Table of Epacts, the lunar
evolution begins to pass on its 13th day through the first 10 degrees
of the
Virgin, and on its 22nd day through the first 10 degrees of Capricorn.
If
therefore one of these days is a Monday and if the Moon is in a
favourable
aspect with Saturn, the time is suitable for the creation of the
talisman.
Consulting the
Table of Hours, we find that
the hours of Monday governed by the Moon are: from mid-day to 1
o'clock; from
7--8 p.m.; from 9--9 a.m.; and from 9-10 a.m. of the following morning.
The consecration
consists in exposing the
talisman to the fumes of a scent composed of white sandalwood, camphor,
aloes,
amber and pounded cucumber seeds, which is burned with dried stalks of
artemisia, selenotrope and ranunculus in an earthenware vessel. The
talisman is
then placed in a sachet of white silk and hung on the breast.
