Astrological Magic

Resources for Authentic Medieval & Renaissance
Magic of the Stars & Planets


astrological talismans

Astrological Magic on the Renaissance Astrology Website
Introduction to Astrological Magic
History of Astrological Magic
Introduction to Astrological Talismans & Amulets
Renaissance Astrology Talismans in the British Museum
Astrological Magic Sources & Translations
Learning Astrological Magic and How to Make Astrological Talismans & Amulets:
Courses, Books, Free Website Resources, Facebook and Spiritus Mundi Discussion Group

Types of Astrological Talismans & Amulets
Introduction to Planetary Talismans & Example Charts
Introduction to Fixed Star Talismans & Example Charts
Introduction to Mansions of the Moon Talismans & Example Charts
Introduction to Talismans of the 36 Decan/Faces & Example Charts
Introduction to House Based Full Chart Talismans & Example Charts

Astrological Magic on the Renaissance Astrology Website

Renaissance Astrology is the premier site for astrological magic. Here you can find extensive translations and authentic original sources, examples of elections for all types of astrological talismans, astrological magic books, astrological magic courses and authentically created astrological talismans and pentacles from the Greater Key of Solomon as well as instructions for Planetary Charity and the Daily Planetary Practice.

Introduction to Astrological Magic

Astrology, magic and alchemy are the three occult (in the original sense of hidden) Hermetic sciences. All three are interconnected in practice and share the underpinning of Hermetic philosophy.

Magic, says the Renaissance mage Cornelius Agrippa, "is the most perfect, and chief science, that sacred, and sublimer kind of philosophy and lastly the most absolute perfection of all most excellent philosophy." Three Books of Occult Philosophy Bk.I, Chap. 2. The Harrian Sabian mage and scientist Thabit Ibn Qurra says, "...one who studies philosophy and geometry and every other science, but remains ignorant of astrology, will labor in vain, because the more worthwhile geometry and the higher philosophy is the science of astrological magic [literally images]. De Imaginibus chapter 1.

All of this comes as something of a surprise to moderns who generally think of magic as superstitious nonsense or an entertainer in a tuxedo pulling a rabbit out of a hat, but our illustrious predecessors insisted that magic and astrological magic in particular constituted the highest science and deepest practical application of philosophy.

For the Renaissance occult philosopher magic was a spiritual science which, like the Cosmos itself, was arranged in a triple hierarchy: material, celestial and divine.

Natural magic is reliant on the elements and occult properties of material things and required a knowledge of natural philosophy. Celestial or astrological magic relies on the spiritual connections and causality imposed by the Zodiacal powers and required a knowledge of mathematics (for calculation) and astrology. Divine magic, says Agrippa, requires a knowledge of theology, for without this knowledge one, "...cannot understand the rationality of magic." Three Books of Occult Philosophy Bk.I, Chap. 2. As the divine and ideal world was the basis of the existence and form of the Universe, so knowledge of the spiritual is the basis of magic.
Celestial or astrological magic thus concerns itself with the middle world, that of the Zodiacal powers, which are a universal archetype of Reality and control the generation and corruption of all things in the material realm. The celestial corresponds to the middle world of the Alam al-Mithal the imaginal world, where the divine ideas take on form and physical things lose their materiality. It is, therefore, a central and ideal interface with the spiritual. Thus astrological magic combines astrological timing of ritual with ceremonial magic and invocation of celestial spirits, like the angels of planets, the planetary hours, the fixed stars, Mansions of the Moon, and other celestial factors. The height of astrological magic is the use of full chart elections and the creation of house based talismans.

History of Astrological Magic


astrologer

The origins of astrological magic are lost in the mists of prehistory, but as astrology developed from the astral omens and celestial religion, so too astrological magic arose from the veneration of the planets, stars and other celestial factors. We can see this very clearly in the key astrological grimoire, the Picatrix in Book III, chapter 7 which contains the planetary rituals of the Harranian Sabians, clearly originally part of their celestially based religion adapted for use in astrological magic.

As the awareness and knowledge of astrology spread from its origins in Babylon and Chaldea throughout the classical world, magicians began to utilize both astrological timing, and invocation of astrological gods and spirits. For example the Greek Magical Papyri contains a section described as the "secret, hidden book of Moses, called 'eighth' or 'holy'". The Eighth Book of Moses describes a lengthy process for meeting a god timing the beginning of the ritual by the date in which the Moon enters Aries. Greek Magical Papyri, PGM XIII 345, Betz, page 182.

A different version of the Eighth Book of Moses instructs the user to call upon the "gods of the hours of the day" an early reference to the planetary hours. Greek Magical Papyri, PGM XIII 1-343, Betz, page 173. The use of Moon phases, the orderly waxing and waning of the Moon is probably the most basic form of astrological magic timing, and the use of the Moon in signs and planetary hours are also very typical of the use of astrology by magicians.

The height of astrological magic in terms of complexity of technique appears to have culminated with the Sabians of Harran. Renowned as scientists, philosophers, astrologers and magicians, they preserved the knowledge of pagan antiquity into the medieval period. Sages like Thabit Ibn Qurra in his De Imaginibus explain how to go beyond single factor elections relying on just planetary hours or Moon phases, but how to coordinate multiple electional factors and create full chart elections for astrological talismans for the 7 planets, the fixed stars, the 28 Mansions of the Moon and the 36 decan/faces. The most complex and powerful astrological elections are those for house based talismans which combine multiple houses and their planetary rulerships and may involve over a dozen different astrological factors in the election.

Thus by the early Middle Ages the advanced Islamic civilization of the Middle East concentrated the knowledge of the classical period and created a new synthesis of Hellenistic, Vedic and Persian astrology that included astrological magic. While by no means the only work in Arabic on astrological magic, Picatrix originally composed in Arabic circa 1000 AD, was translated into Latin in 1256 at the court of Alphonso the Wise of Castile and became the leading grimoire for European astrologers and mages in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

In the Middle Ages, European scholars and monks avidly studied Picatrix. Renaissance scholars and mages like Marsilio Ficino and Cornelius Agrippa found Picatrix to be an invaluable source for practicing astrological magic and understanding the occult nature of the Cosmos. As one of the Hermetic arts of astrology, alchemy and magic, astrological magic played a key, if often unacknowledged role, in the Renaissance esoteric revival and in the cultural efflorescence of the Renaissance itself.

Finally in the late 20th and early 21st century, astrological magic experienced another of its periodic revivals. Here traditional astrologer Christopher Warnock led the way, studying, teaching, and creating authentic astrological talismans. Along with John Michael Greer, Warnock translated Picatrix. As interest grew, astrologers and astrological magicians like Clifford Low, Alexander Cummins and Austin Coppock all did yeoman work, enriched the practice and worked to popularize this ancient art. Astrological magic has therefore regained its place as the pinnacle of high magic and esoteric art.

Introduction to Astrological Talismans & Amulets


astrologer

One of the key practical applications of astrological magic is the creation of astrological talismans using astrological timing of their creation and invoking celestial spirits. Talisman comes from the Greek telesma meaning consecrated or sacred object. Amulet comes from the Latin amuletum and refers more narrowly to objects with an apotropaic or protective function. The key to astrological talismans and amulets is the timing of their creation which is determined by electional astrology.

Renaissance Magi like Marsilio Ficino, in his Marsilio Ficino's Theories of Astrological Magic and Cornelius Agrippa in Cornelius Agrippa's Theories of Astrological Magic saw the entire Cosmos as one great, interconnected Being, a system based on intricate harmony, sympathy and correspondence, both spiritual and material. Astrology, Alchemy and Magic were seen as the preparatory studies for Hermetic Gnosis, a practical way of experiencing the unity of the Cosmos. Talismans represent the logical extension of a spiritual world view and have been a part of Western culture for thousands of years.

The Renaissance Astrology website provides resources for both students and practitioners of authentic medieval and Renaissance astrological magic. All of the information on the website has been carefully researched from authentic traditional sources and meticulously cited for further reading and study. Those who find their interest piqued learn can learn how to create talismans for themselves in accordance with the ancient Western esoteric system.

Renaissance Astrology Talismans in the British Museum


astrologer

The British Museum was founded in 1753 and is one of the largest and most important museums in the world with its comprehensive collections totaling over seven million objects. It has one of the foremost collections in the world of magical items and objects. Renaissance Astrology is proud that two of its authentic astrological talismans have been made a part of the permanent collection of the British Museum.

The Mercury table talisman and the Venus table talisman are described as "Twenty-first century version of a silver Hebrew Renaissance style planetary talisman based upon a design first described by Cornelius Agrippa in 1531."

The addition of Renaissance Astrology talismans to the British Museum shows our committment to traditional astrology and traditional philosophy and to preserving and teaching this ancient art.

Astrological Magic Sources & Translations


books

For Renaissance astrological magic our key printed sources for talismans and amulets are Cornelius Agrippa's encyclopedic Three Books of Occult Philosophy. Here are Agrippa's Planetary Talismans. Another very useful source is Marsilio Ficino's fascinating Three Books on Life. The association of astrology and astrological magic with evil spirits created a chill with regard to publication of texts on these subjects in the Renaissance.

However, there are several other interesting printed sources including The Supreme Mysteries also known as the Archidoxes of Magic attributed to Paracelsus and Mysterium Sigillorum by Israel Hibner.

A considerable number of astrological magic texts circulated in the medieval and Renaissance period in manuscript. Frank Klassen provides an interesting list of library holdings of Manuscripts of Astrological Image Magic. One of the most important manuscripts of astrological magic was the Picatrix or Ghayat al Hikam, "the Aim of the Wise". This book, written circa AD 1000 and translated into Latin in 1256 at the court of Alphonso the Wise of Castile, was probably the most influential of all astrological magic texts. Both Agrippa and Ficino cite the Picatrix extensively. Here is our complete English translation of Picatrix.

Another key text is De Imaginibus "On Images" by the Harranian Sabian sage Thabit Ibn Qurra. This text, translated and published by Renaissance Astrology, represents the most sophisticated astrological magic ever practiced, using as it does, the entire repertoire of traditional Electional Astrology.

Another fascinating text that includes astrological talismans is the Shams Al-Ma'arif, the "Sun of Wisdom" an early modern Sufi text which uses Arabic letter magic, magic squares, Quranic verses and the names of Allah along with astrological timing to create talismans. Here are Shams Al-Ma'arif translations at the Renaissance Astrology website:

The Divine Name Al-Alim the "All Knowing"
Shams al-Ma'arif Chapter II Mansions of the Moon

There are also a large number of translations from authentic Renaissance and medieval astrological magic sources available on the Renaissance Astrology web site. Here are Picatrix translations:

Picatrix Bk IV, ch 9 Lunar Mansion talismans
Picatrix Bk I, ch 4, Lunar Mansion elections
Picatrix magical aphorisms
Picatrix Moon extracts
22 Picatrix benefic House Based talismans
Picatrix planetary ritual clothing
Picatrix Mercury Invocations
Picatrix: Picatrix Nature

The Renaissance Astrology website has a wide variety of astrological magic and astrological talisman translations available from many different Renaissance and medieval sources including,

Black, White & Red Algol Planetary Rings from the Treasure of Alexander
Magia Astrologica Saturn Rings
Planetary Rings from the Book of the Treasure of Alexander
Planetary Hours Elections from the Greater Key of Solomon
Giordano Bruno's 49 Planetary Images

Celestial Spirits from the Liber Antimaquis
Proclus: On the Priestly Art
The Tower of Winds
Ikhwan al-Safa: Astrology and Magic
Cecco d'Ascoli's Necromantic Commentary on the Sphere of Sacrobosco
Albertus Magnus on Astrological Magic

Hermes on the 15 Fixed Stars
Fixed Stars from Gower's Confessio Amantis
Agrippa's Fixed Star Rulerships
Agrippa's Fixed Star Images
Albertus Magnus on the Talismans of the Signs of the Zodiac and Constellations
The Images & Figures of Hermes
Seals of Stones of Solomon
Seals & Sigils of Chael

Francis Barrett on the 28 Mansions of the Moon
Natal Moon in each of 28 Lunar Mansions
Francis Hockley's variant 28 Lunar Mansions

Learning Astrological Magic and How to Make Astrological Talismans & Amulets:
Courses, Books, Free Website Resources, Facebook and Spiritus Mundi Discussion Group

If you are interested in astrological magic and astrological talismans, the best way to learn is through the Renaissance Astrology astrology and magic courses, which include shorter, more focused mini-courses and the comprehensive full courses. The full Astrological Magic Course teaches the full range of traditional astrological magic including planetary, lunar mansion, fixed star, decan/face and house based talismans.

You can get a great introduction to astrological magic with the Planetary Magic Mini-Course, Mansions of the Moon Mini-Course and the Decan/Face Mini-Course as well as the Green Magic Mini-Course which allow you to learn and immediately put to use specific types of astrological talismans.

The Renaissance Astrology website is an unparalleled resource with over 600 pages of material on traditional astrology and astrological magic. Here is a recommended reading list. Also check out the Astrology and Magic Books published by Renaissance Astrology including Picatrix the premier grimoire of astrological magic, Secrets of Planetary Magic, and Thabit Ibn Qurra's De Imaginibus, Mansions of the Moon Book 2nd edition and Fixed Star, Sign and Constellation Magic

Other useful learning resources are the Renaissance Astrology Facebook page and the Spiritus Mundi Discussion Group to learn and be part of the Renaissance Astrology community.

Types of Astrological Talismans & Amulets


draco and bears

The key to the construction of an astrological talisman or amulet lies in the choice of the astrological factor or factors whose energy or spirit the mage wishes to capture. In traditional Western astrological magic this choice appears to have been task oriented. The client or the mage himself wishes to accomplish a particular result, love, money, success, any of a myriad of possibilities. The mage then selects the most appropriate astrological factor typically choosing either a planet, fixed star, Mansion of the Moon or house based talisman.

The mage must consider the current state of the Heavens for not all talismans or amulets can be made at any particular time. The mage may also, depending on the circumstances, consider the birth chart of the client or subject of the talisman, a horary chart or even the chart of a city or country, in choosing the talisman and the time for its creation. The astrological magician, therefore, must have a good working knowledge of the theory and practice of traditional Electional Astrology. Using the principles of electional astrology, the mage chooses a time when the particular astrological factor is strong and appropriately placed.

Once an appropriate time is chosen, the mage gathers the materials from which the talisman or amulet will be made. Each planet, for example, is associated with a certain metal. As the chosen time the mage creates the talisman. My talismans are all cast from precious metals, but talismans can also be stamped, inscribed or engraven and made in metal, gems, or even on paper or parchment.

The effect of gemstone and metal talismans is longer lasting, for as the Renaissance philosopher Marsilio Ficino observes, "gems and metals, though they seem too hard for accepting a celestial influence, nevertheless retain it longer if they receive it." Three Books on Life, Book III, chapter 14. Once again the key is that the talisman must receive its form at the elected time if it is to be efficacious.

After making the talisman with the appropriate signs, sigils, characters, images and designs, as set forth at length in our traditional sources, the mage then consecrates the talisman in a magical ceremony. In one sense this can be seen as charging the talisman with the energy of the chosen astrological factor.

At the same time, the consecration can also be seen as the invocation of the spirit ruling or animating the chosen astrological factor who then inhabits or infuses the talisman with its particular powers. The talisman is then worn by the user or placed in a location where the mage wishes the effects of the talisman or amulet to manifest. By reconsecrating a talisman periodically we can keep the connection to the spirit of the talisman strong.


Introduction to Planetary Talismans & Amulets & Example Charts


Jupiter

The most popular form of talismans are the talismans of the seven traditional planets. We also look to the differing Natures of the Planets each of which, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury and the Moon has a different effect and rules different things and activities in the Material World.

I provide example planetary talismans with horoscopes for their creation below. I also provide a Planetary Magic Mini-Course and well as my full Astrological Magic Course which both teach how to make the traditional talismans of the planets.

We first look at Saturn the Greater Malefic. Saturn, like Mars, the Lesser Malefic, has an energy that is necessary, but often difficult to deal with. He is associated with melancholy and death as well as agriculture, construction, occult studies, solidity and discipline. Here is an example of a Saturn talisman from the encyclopedic book of astrological magic, Picatrix. Here are currently available Saturn talismans from Renaissance Astrology.

Next is Jupiter the Greater Benefic who is perenially popular being associated with good fortune, prosperity, justice and authority. Here are a number of examples of Jupiter talismans, with actual horoscopes appropriate for their creation.

Jupiter Picatrix talisman for success w/judges & officials
Jupiter talisman for prosperity
Jupiter & fixed star Sirius talisman
Jupiter triplicity talisman
Jupiter cazimi talisman & banner
Jupiter talisman for prosperity
Jupiter talisman for prosperity

Here are currently available Jupiter talismans from Renaissance Astrology.

Next is Mars the Lesser Malefic, who is associated with courage, fortitude, strength, victory as well as war. Here are a number of examples of Mars talismans with actual horoscopes appropriate for their creation.

Mars Picatrix talisman for fear & dread
Mars talisman
Mars Picatrix talisman to stop bleeding
Mars Picatrix talisman for power
Mars Picatrix talisman for achievement & great works

Here are currently available Mars talismans from Renaissance Astrology.

The Sun, the Light of the Day, is associated with healing, wealth, friendship, nobility, authority. Here are a number of examples of Sun talismans with actual horoscopes appropriate for their creation.

Agrippa Sun talisman for fame
Sun talisman for depression
Picatrix Sun talisman
Sun talisman
Mysterium Sigillorum Sun talisman
Sun talisman
Sun in Leo talisman

Here are currently available Sun talismans from Renaissance Astrology.

While these are called talismans of the signs, they are more appropriate termed Sun talismans, because they are prepared when the Sun is in their signs. They come from the The Supreme Mysteries also known as the Archidoxes of Magic attributed to Paracelsus.

Paracelsus' Sun in Libra talisman
Paracelsus' Sun in Scorpio talisman

Next is Venus, the Lesser Benefic, associated with love, friendship, travel, art, music, beauty. Here are a number of examples of Venus talismans, with actual horoscopes appropriate for their creation.

Agrippa Venus talisman
Venus/Moon talisman
Venus triplicity talisman
Venus/Moon talisman
Venus Picatrix bird-headed talisman
Venus Taurus talisman
Venus in Libra talisman
Venus & Spica talisman
Venus Picatrix love talisman
Venus in Taurus talisman
Venus love talisman
Venus talisman

Here are currently available Venus talismans from Renaissance Astrology.

Next is Mercury, associated with communication, business, memory, eloquence, learning. Here are a number of examples of Mercury talismans, with actual horoscopes appropriate for their creation.

Picatrix Mercury in Virgo talisman
Mercury in Aquarius talisman for occult knowledge
Picatrix Mercury talisman
Hermes Trismegistus election

Here are currently available Mercury talismans from Renaissance Astrology.

Next is the Moon, the Light of the Night, associated with travel, messages, communications, divination, and the measured change of all things, their birth, life and death, in the Material World. Here are a number of examples of Moon talismans, with actual horoscopes appropriate for their creation.

Agrippa Moon talisman
Moon/Venus talisman
Moon/Venus talisman
Moon rise talisman

Here are currently available Moon talismans from Renaissance Astrology.


Introduction to Fixed Star Talismans & Amulets & Example Charts


algol

Our next type of astrological talismans are the talismans of the Fixed Stars. In Ptolemaic astronomy the fixed stars occupied the eighth sphere just beyond the last planetary sphere of Saturn. The fixed stars were fixed relative to the planets, and played an important role in medieval and Renaissance astrological magic.

One of our most important traditional sources on the fixed stars in astrological magic was Hermes Trismegistus on the 15 fixed stars. This astrological text, which circulated in many manuscript versions in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, lists 15 important fixed stars, their sigil or character, the plants and gems ruled by the star and the effects created by its talisman. Cornelius Agrippa in his Three Books of Occult Philosophy also provides very useful Fixed Star Images for astrological talismans.

Here are currently available fixed star talismans from Renaissance Astrology.

To make fixed star talismans Cornelius Agrippa advises the mage as follows,

"Now the manner of making these kinds of Rings, is this, viz. when any Star ascends fortunately, with the fortunate aspect, or conjunction of the Moon, we must take a stone, and Hearb that is under that Star, and make a Ring of the Metall that is suitable to this Star, and in it fasten the stone, putting the Hearb, or root under it; not omitting the inscriptions of images, names, and Characters, as also the proper suffumigations"

Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Book I, chapter 47.

Here are a number of examples of fixed star talismans, with actual horoscopes appropriate for their creation.

Talisman of the malefic fixed star Algol
Talisman of the Wing of Corvus for protection from spirits
Talisman of Sirius for honor & good will
Talisman of onyx & Kappa Bootes from
the Lapidary of King Alphonso

Talisman of Aldebaran for riches & honor
Talisman of Sirius
Talisman of Procyon for health
Talisman of Antares for Memory &
Protection from Evil Spirits

Talisman of the fixed star
Talisman of Spica for riches & peace
Talisman of Regulus for temperance & favor
Talisman of Regulus for temperance & favor


Introduction to Talismans of the Mansions of the Moon & Example Charts


7th mansion

The next type of astrological talismans are the talismans of the Mansions of the Moon. Just as the Sun in his yearly orbit passes through the fixed stars that make up the constellations of the Zodiac, so too the Moon, in her monthly orbit passes through the fixed stars that make up the Mansions of the Moon.

Our key source for information on the talismans of the Mansions of the Moon is Picatrix, an encyclopedic text of Arabic astrological magic. Here is a complete listing of the Picatrix Lunar Mansion talismans, with their images, incense, ritual, talismans and effects. I offer a Mansions of the Moon Mini-Course which teaches how to make traditional lunar mansions talismans.

Here are currently available Mansion talismans from Renaissance Astrology.


Introduction to Talismans of the 36 Decans/Faces & Example Charts


decan face

The next type of astrological talismans are the talismans of the 36 decans or faces. In traditional astrology each of the 12 Zodical signs are divided into 3 decans or face of 10 degrees each. In traditional astrology the faces have planetary rulership in the Chaldean Order starting with the 1st decan/face of Aries, which is ruled by Mars, the 2nd decan/face of Aries is ruled by the Sun, then the 3rd decan/face of Aries is ruled by Venus. Then the 1st decan/face of Taurus is ruled by Mercury and so on.

One key source for information on the talismans of the decan/faces is Picatrix, an encyclopedic text of Arabic astrological magic. I offer a Decan/Face Mini-Course which teaches how to make talismans of the decan/faces and comprehensively cover full chart decan/face talisman election and creation in my full Astrological Magic Course.


Introduction to House Based Full Chart Talismans & Example Charts


12 houses

The most sophisticated talismans are not based on a single astrological factor, but work with the entire repertoire of traditional Electional Astrology. The primary method in elections, choices of astrologically auspicious times to take action, is to look to the appropriate ruler of the 12 astrological houses which govern all areas of life. House based talismans, therefore, use a much more complex methodology, looking to the essential dignity of the appropriate house rulers, their aspects and other factors.

The key texts for these complex house based talismans are Picatrix and De Imaginibus "On Images" by the Harranian Sabian sage Thabit Ibn Qurra. These texts represent the height of astrological magic technique and can include such subtleties as tuning the talisman election to the natal chart of the user or person whom the mage seeks to effect, tuning the election to a horary chart asked about the mage's objective and dual talismans whose elections have been adjusted to each other.

Here are currently available house based talismans from Renaissance Astrology.