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Christopher Warnock, Esq.
Agrippa's Planetary Talismans
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Astrology, Magical Talismans &
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Thabit Ibn Qurra
De Imaginibus:
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Of the Images of the Planets

from Cornelius Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy


Introduction
Of the Images of Saturn
Of the Images of Jupiter
Of the Images of Mars
Of the Images of the Sun
Of the Images of Venus
Of the Images of Mercury
Of the Images of the Moon
Of the Images of the head and Tayle of the Dragon of the Moon




Introduction

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In Book II of his Three Books of Occult Philosophy the 16th century mage and philosopher Cornelius Agrippa sets forth instructions for the construction of talismans of the planets. For the most part these talisman instructions are drawn from the encyclopedic book of Arabic astrological magic, known in Arabic as the Ghayat al-Hakim, "the Goal of the Wise" and notorious later in Latin as the Picatrix.
Many of Agrippa's planetary talismans, as given below, come from Picatrix Book II, chapter 10. There are definitely variations between Agrippa and Picatrix, but the derivation is clear, if unacknowledged. The 15th century philosopher and astrological magician Marsilio Ficino is similarly circumspect in his Three Books on Life, clearly drawing from Picatrix, but referring to its talismans as those of the "Arabians". This caution was necessary due to the rather evil reputation the Picatrix had acquired in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. That reputation is not entirely undeserved, but as we can see from the planetary talismans below, there is much more contained in Picatrix than works of necromancy.
While the astrological knowledge necessary to create these planetary talismans is less than that required for the full house chart elections of Thabit Ibn Qurra in his talismanic magnum opus De Imaginibus, it still requires a significant mastery of traditional electional astrology. You can see an example of the use of the Agrippa talisman and a chart for its election at Agrippa Jupiter talisman. This talisman is interesting because it includes the corresponding Picatrix talisman and also the corresponding Jupiter images from Giordano Bruno.



THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY

BOOK TWO

CHAPTER 38.

Of the Images of Saturn


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Saturn
But now, what Images they did attribute to the Planets, although of these things very large volumes have been written by the ancient wise men, so that there is no need to declare them here, notwithstanding I will recite a few of them;
For they made, from the operations of Saturn, Saturn ascending in a stone, which is called the Loadstone, the Image of a man, having the countenance of an Hart, and Camels seet and sitting upon a Chayr or Dragon, holding in his right hand, a sithe, in his left hand a dart; which image they did hope would be profitable for prolongation of life;
For Albumasar in his book Sadar, proveth that Saturn conduceth to the prolongation of life; where also he telleth that certain regions of India being subject to Saturn, there men are of a very long life and dye not unless by extream old Age:
They made also an other Image of Saturn for length of dayes, in a saphire, at the hour of Saturn, Saturn ascending or fortunately constituted, whose figure was an old man setting upon an high chayre having his hands lifted up above his head, and in them holding a fish or Sickle, and under his feet a bunch of Grapes, his head covered with a black or dusky coloured cloth, and all his garments black or dark coloured:
They also make this same Image against the Stone and diseases of the kidnyes, viz. in the hour of Saturn, Saturn ascending with the third face of Aquarius:
They made also from the operations of Saturn, an Image for the encreasing in power, Saturn ascending in Capricorn; The form of which was an old man leaning on a staff having in his hand a crooked sickle, and cloathed in black.
They also made an Image of melted Copper, Saturn ascending in his rising, viz. in the first degree of Aries, or which is more true in the first degree of Capricorn, which Image they affirm to speak with a mans voyce;
They made also out of the operations of Saturn, and also Mercury, an Image of cast metal, like a beautifull man, which they promised would foretell things to come, and made it on the day of Mercury, on the third hour of Saturn, the sign of Gemini ascending, being the house of Mercury, signifying prophecy, Saturn and Mercury being in conjunction in Aquarius in the ninth place of Heaven, which is also called God;
Moreover let Saturn have a trine aspect on the ascendent, and the Moon in like manner, and the Sun have an aspect on the place of conjunction. Venus obtaining some Angle may be powerfull and occidentall; let Mars be combust by the Sun, but let it not have an aspect on Saturn and Mercury; for they said, that the splendor of the powers of these Stars was diffused upon this Image, and it did speak with men, and declare those things which are profitable for them.



THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY

BOOK TWO

CHAPTER 39.

Of the Images of Jupiter


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Jupiter
From the operations of Jupiter, they made for prolongation of life, an Image, in the hour of Jupiter, Jupiter being in his exaltation fortunately ascending, in a clear and white stone, whose figure was a man crowned, cloathed with garments of a Saffron Colour, riding upon an Eagle or Dragon, having in his right hand a dart, about as it were to strike it into the head of the same Eagle or Dragon.
They made also another Image of Jupiter at the same convenient season, in a white and clear stone, especially in Crystall, and it was a naked man crowned, having both his hands joyned together and lifted up, as it were deprecating something, sitting in a four-footed chair, which is carried by four winged boys, and they affirm that this Image encreaseth felicity, riches, honor, and conferreth Benevolence and prosperity, and freeth from enemies;
They made also another Image of Jupiter for a religious and glorious life, and advancement of fortune; whose figure was a man having the head of a Lyon, or a Ram, and Eagles feet, cloathed in Saffron coloured cloathes, and he was called the son of Jupiter.



THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY

BOOK TWO

CHAPTER 40.

Of the Images of Mars


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Mars
From the operations of Mars they made an Image in the hour of Mars, Mars being in the second face of Aries, in a Martial stone, especially in a Diamond; The form of which was a man armed, riding upon a Lyon, having in his right hand a naked sword erected, carrying in his left hand the head of a man; they report, that an Image of this kind rendreth a man powerfull in good and evill, so that he shall be feared of all; and whosoever carryeth it they give him the power of enchantment, so that he shall terrifie men by his looks when he is angry, and stupifie them;
They made another Image of Mars for the obtaining of boldness, courage, and good fortune in wars, and contentions, the form of which was a souldier armed and crowned, girt with a sword, carrying in his right hand a long Lance; and they made this at the hour of Mars, the first face of Scorpio ascending with it.



THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY

BOOK TWO

CHAPTER 41.

Of the Images of the Sun


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The Sun
From the operations of the Sun, they made an Image at the hour of the Sun, the first face of Leo ascending with the Sun, the forme of which was a king crowned, sitting in a chair, having a Raven in his bosom, and under his feet a Globe; he is cloathed in Saffron coloured cloathes; They report that this Image rendreth men invincible, and honorable, and helps to bring their businesses to a good end, and to drive away vain dreams; also to be prevalent against feavers, and the plague;
And they made it in a Balanite stone or a Rubin, at the hour of the Sun, when it in his exaltation fortunately ascendeth;
They made another Image of the Sun in a Diamond, at the hour of the Sun, it ascending in his exaltation; the figure of which was a woman crowned with the gesture of one dancing and laughing, standing in a Chariot drawn with four horses, having in her right hand a looking glass, or buckler, in the left a staffe, leaning on her breast, carrying a flame of fire on her head; They report that this Image rendreth a man fortunate and rich, and beloved of all;
And they made this Image, on a Corneoll stone at the hour of the Sun ascending in the first face of Leo, against Lunatick passions which proceed from the combustion of the Moon.



THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY

BOOK TWO

CHAPTER 42.

Of the Images of Venus


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Venus
From the operations of Venus they made an Image, which was available for favor, and benevolence, at the very hour it ascending into Pisces, the form of which was the Image of a woman having the head of a bird, and feet of an Eagle, holding a dart in her hand.
They made another Image of Venus for to get the love of women, in the Lapis Lazulus, at the hour of Venus, Venus ascending in Taurus, the figure of which was a naked maide with her haire spread abroad, having a looking glass in her hand, and a chain tyed about her neck, and nigh her a handsome young man holding her with his left hand by the chain, but with his right hand making up her hair, and they both look lovingly on one another, and about them is a little winged boy holding a sword or a dart.
They made another Image of Venus, the first face of Taurus or Libra or Pisces ascending with Venus, the figure of which was a little maide with her hair spread abroad, cloathed in long and white garments, holding a Laurell Apple, or flowers in her right hand, in her left a Combe. It's reported to make men pleasant, jocand, strong, chearfull and to give beauty.



THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY

BOOK TWO

CHAPTER 43.

Of the Images of Mercury


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Mercury
From the operations of Mercury, they made an Image at the hour of Mercury, Mercury ascending in Gemini, the form of which was an handsome young man, bearded, having in his left hand a rod in which a serpent is twyned about, in his right carrying a dart, having his feet winged; They report that this Image conferreth knowledge, eloquence, diligence in merchandizing and gain; moreover to beget peace and concord, and to cure feavers;
They made another Image of Mercury, Mercury ascending in Virgo, for good will, wit and memory; The form of which was a man sitting upon a chaire, or riding on a Peacock, having Eagles feet, and on his head a crest, and in his left hand holding a cock or fire.



THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY

BOOK TWO

CHAPTER 44.

Of the Images of the Moon


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Moon
From the operations of the Moon, they made an Image for travellers against weariness, at the hour of the Moon, the Moon ascending in its exaltation; the figure of which was a man leaning on a staffe, having a bird on his head, and a flourishing tree before him;
They made another Image of the Moon for the increase of the fruits of the earth, and against poysons, and infirmities of children, at the hour of the Moon, it ascending in the first face of Cancer, the figure of which was a woman cornuted, riding on a Bull, or a Dragon with seven heads, or a Crab; and she hath in her right hand a dart, in her left a looking glass, clothed in white or green, and having on her head two Serpents with horns twined together, and to each arm a Serpent twined about, and to each foot one in like manner. And thus much spoken concerning the figures of the Planets, may suffice.



THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY

BOOK TWO

CHAPTER 45.

Of the Images of the head and Tayle of the Dragon of the Moon


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Moon's Nodes
FThey made also the Image of the head and taile of the Dragon of the Moon, namely betwixt an Aeriall and fiery circle, the likeness of a Serpent, with the head of an Hawke tyed about them, after the manner of the great letter Theta, & they made it when Jupiter with the head obtain'd the midst of Heaven:
Which Image they affirm to availe much for the success of Petitions, and would signifie by this Image a good and fortunate Genius, which they would represent by this Image of the Serpent; for the Egyptians and Phenicians do extoll this creature above all others, and say it is a divine creature and hath a divine nature; for in this is a more acute spirit, and a greater fire than in any other, which thing is manifested both by his swift motion without feet, hands or any other instruments; and also that it often reneweth his age with his skin, and becometh young again:
But they made the Image of the taile like as when the Moon Ecclipsed, in the Taile, or ill affected by Saturn or Mars, and they made it to introduce, anguish, infirmity and misfortune; and they called it the evill Genius;
Such an Image a certain Hebrew had included in a golden Belt full of Jewels, which Blanch the daughter of the Duke of Borbon (either willingly or ignorantly) bestowed on her husband Peter King of Spain, the first of that name, with which when he was girt, he seemed to himself to be compassed about with a Serpent;and afterwards finding the Magicall virtue fixed in the girdle, for this cause he forsook his wife.




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