For this is the Harmony of the World, that things Supercelestial be drawn down by the Celestial and the Celestial by the Supernatural, because there is One Operative Virtue that is diffused through all Things... Cornelius Agrippa Introduction to Renaissance Astral Magic Timing Ritual and Magical Ceremony Astrological Talismans & Amulets Curse Detection Astrological Magic Course & Spiritus Mundi Discussion Group Introduction to Renaissance Astral MagicAstrology, magic and alchemy are the three occult (in the original sense of hidden) Hermetic sciences. All three are interconnected in practice and share the Neoplatonic/Hermetic worldview. Magic, says 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 (Tyson ed.) page 5. 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. Natural magic is reliant on the elements and occult properties of material things and required a knowledge of natural philosophy. Celestial or astral 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 (Tyson ed.) page 6. 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 magic or magical astrology 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 Renaissance Astrology web site is the premier on-line source for authentic Renaissance and medieval astrological magic, providing translations, talisman and other astrological examples, plus astrology and magic books, astrology and magic courses and the Spiritus Mundi astrological magic discussion group all using authentic Renaissance and medieval methods without modern additions or alterations. Timing Ritual and Magical CeremonyAstral magic consists of two divisions. The first uses astrology to elect times for magical ceremonies, ritual and actions and is therefore a branch of electional astrology. An example of rules for the use of this type of astrological magic is found in Planetary Hours Elections in the Key of Solomon. Here is an example of an actual election with chart and results for the Invocation of the Goetic Spirit Paimon. Astral Talismans and AmuletsThe Renaissance Astrology web site also provides translations and examples from the most influential work of traditional astral magic, the Picatrix. This book of medieval Arabic (clearly derived from the Neo-Platonic/Hermetic astral worship of Harranian Sabians) was a key influence on such noted Renaissance mages as Cornelius Agrippa and Marsilio Ficino. Another key text is De Imaginibus "On Images" by the Harranian Sabian sage Thabit Ibn Qurra. This text, newly 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. There are a large number of sources & translations from authentic Renaissance and medieval astrological magic texts available on the Renaissance Astrology web site including translations from Picatrix, as well as Saturn Rings from Magia Astrologica, Planetary Rings from the the Treasure of Alexander, Hermes on the 15 Fixed Stars, Albertus Magnus on the Talismans of the Signs of the Zodiac and Constellations, The Images & Figures of Hermes, Seals of Stones of Solomon and the Seals & Sigils of Chael. The Renaissance Astrology web site also includes over a hundred Examples of Talismans made using Renaissance and medieval sources and methods and including actual horoscopes for the time of their making as well as translations from authentic astrological magic texts. Curse DetectionAstrological Magic Course & Spiritus Mundi Discussion GroupIf you are interested in discussing and learning about Renaissance Astrology, particulary Astrological Magic, you may wish to subscribe to Spiritus Mundi my e-group devoted to traditional (pre-1700) astrology or my Renaissance Astrology blog. For those that desire to delve deeper into Astrology and Magic I offer an Astrological Magic Full Course which teaches students the complete theory and practice of the Renaissance astrological magic of Cornelius Agrippa, Marsilio Ficino and Picatrix. I also offer the smaller, self-contained Mansions of the Moon Mini-Course and Planetary Magic Mini-Course. Please Contact me if you have further questions regarding astrological magic or my web courses. HOME Please Contact me with any Questions & Comments Specializing in Horary Astrology, Electional Astrology Astrological Magic and Astrological Talismans. Copyright 2000-2003, Christopher Warnock, All Rights Reserved. |