And draw your attention to the
Moon in all works as if it were the
Chief of all the other Planets because it brings about evident Manifestations
and Judgments in all things in the world and it pertains to the power of
generation and corruption...
The Picatrix
or Ghayat al Hikam,
the Aim of the Wise, was composed in Arabic in Andalusia around 1000 A.D. It is a
key work of for medieval and Renaissance
astrological magic.
The following extracts
deal with the Moon, particularly with her phases. Too
often it is rather simplistically asserted that astrological magic should only be
done under a waxing Moon. As these extracts make clear the waning Moon, like any
astrological factor, has its uses as well.
The Picatrix
Book I, Chapter 5, paragraph 34
translated by Christopher Warnock, Esq.
It is necessary to observe when casting
images which are made for love and friendship
that the Moon is fortunate and full of light and do not make something, as we have
previously said, when the Moon is unfortunate and diminished in light.
Example of the same. Make images for love
and delight and to visit kings and high
lords in the day of the Moon [when the Moon is] increasing in light in Sagittarius,
Taurus, Cancer or Pisces (and with the Head of the Dragon she is strong in works
[of magic]) and always [when the Moon] is in a fortunate mansion and one appropriate
for the work when the Moon is aspecting Venus in the hour of Jupiter when Jupiter
is in Pisces, Sagittarius or Cancer and the Moon is [also] in those places.
And conversely make images for evil [when]
the Moon is in a unfortunate mansion
and with unfortunate planets or aspecting the same with a square or opposition.
And when these [images] are made in such a way your work will be carried out in
everything according to your wishes.
Book II, Chapter 3, paragraph 7
And draw your attention to the
Moon in all works [of magic] as if it were the
chief of all the other planets because it brings about evident manifestations
and judgments [?] in all things in the world and it pertains to the power of
generation and corruption and she is the mediatrix [female intermediary]
in the advance of your work, receiving the influences and impressions of
the stars and planets and pouring them out to the inferiors of this world.
Wherefore draw your attention to that which
we have said before concerning
her [being] fortunate and infortunate, increasing [waxing] and diminishing
[waning] in light, because after separating from the Sun she secures his
strength then she moves to be in a sextile, square, trine and opposition
aspect. And she receives strength from the stars and planets when she
is connected by the aspects we have mentioned before.
And if you find the
Moon increasing in light then her strength and power
is good and useful in all works to bring about increase and if you find
the light [of the Moon] diminishing it is suitable and harmonious for
all works in which you wish diminution.
And after the Moon separates
from the conjunction of the Sun [New Moon]
all the way up to a sinister [against the direction of the signs] square
until it arrives at an opposition [Full Moon] it is always good and
harmonious for buying and selling, trials and asking for the repayment of
debts, debates and councils for everything you require.
And after separating from the opposition of
the Sun and crossing to the
dexter square all the way to the conjunction of the Sun it is good and
appropriate to [pay] for debts that you owe and for those who keep
possessions to return them to others and for wisdom and for asking
and inquiring into truth.