Clearly, Step by Step! Starting Astrology & Astrological Magic

One of the things I realized about my recent course upgrade was that there were so many features, so much new software, images, lessons, readings, etc., that it really got overwhelming. But, then I realized that this was true of traditional astrology and astrological magic in general!

They are really huge, sprawling subjects. But this makes sense. Quick and simple is going to be weak and ineffective. With traditional astrology you can actually PREDICT THE FUTURE!!! No seriously, think about that. What we can do is officially impossible. Just check out this recent Washington Post article

"I don't think it's strange for us to have laws that protect against fraud," said Clifford Royalty, zoning division chief in the Montgomery County attorney's office, adding that "religion has nothing to do with it. He's not made that allegation in the lawsuit." "The practice is fraudulent," Royalty said, "because no one can forecast the future."

There you have it folks! But amazingly enough that's what traditional astrologers do, day in and day out. No, it's not 100% but I can tell you that we do far better than economists for example, in our predictive accuracy. But to be as accurate and comprehensive as it is, traditional astrology needs to be complex to model the complexity of real life.

Think about astrological magic. Here is a system that allows you to pick the absolute best times and to capture the energy and spirit of those times in physical objects. Here the complexities of reality also manifest in the complexities of traditional astrological magic and bring great influence and power.

Oh, man, though, all this can seem overwhelming! If you are new to Spiritus or have been lurking for awhile, the jargon and technical content can be daunting. "How could I ever do this?" But remember folks, little more than a decade ago, I was in the same boat. I knew nothing about traditional astrology and even less about astrological magic. I had a teacher for horary, but then I had to laboriously learn astrological magic by myself. There was no one to turn to, no one to ask questions of, no one to help me put the pieces together. I knew that astrological magic had incredible potential and it fascinated me, but I had no choice but to slowly, painstakingly and even agonizingly at times, parse its mysteries.

Folks, you've been saved from all this. Don't get discouraged because after my ordeal I swore no one else would have to make a similar effort. Yes, there is a lot to master, but you CAN do it, because I have gone through in my courses and made learning traditional astrology and magic, clearly, straightforward and simply step by step!

For example, astrological magic. Start with my book Secrets of Planetary Magic which explains the theory of planetary magic and how to use the planets to make talismans. Quickly figure the planetary hours with TPHP, our own astrological software

But why not make it really easy on yourself? Get the Planetary Magic
Mini-Course It's all here, lessons, beautiful Nigel Jackson talisman images, and all the software you need. But most importantly, it's all laid out clearly for you. All you have to do is read the material and follow the steps.

It's easy to feel blown away, intimidated by the technicalities when you first approach traditional astrological magic. I remember feeling like I could never get this stuff! The trick is you don't have to learn it all at once. You can do it, just like my students do, and way, way, way easier than I had it. That old proverb of a journey of a thousand miles starting with a single step only had part of it, the whole process of learning traditional astrology and astrological magic is just baby step after baby step. Even though my Astrological Magic full course covers the whole range of astrological magic all you have to do is one little step at a time!

Plus I teach all of my courses personally. If you have a question about the current lesson, I am right here, by phone or e-mail to answer it.

So don't be overwhelmed by the choices or thinking about all of the material at once! Check out the courses I offer and be confident that even though in the end you will be able to predict the future and create powerful talismans, that the process itself is clear and step by step.

When are we getting those Hermetic holidays off?

I got an amusing e-mail the other day and I couldn't figure out if the sender was serious or kidding around, but they said that they were very interested in Hermeticism and wanted to join my religion so they needed to find out what they should believe and what the holidays were!

Of course this is doesn't have anything to do with Hermeticism. There isn't now and there wasn't ever an organized Hermetic religion, it appears to have been propagated by loose circles of disciples guided by a master. It never had mass appeal or any official representatives. Instead it appears to have had practical preparatory studies like alchemy, astrology and magic that applied the philosophy and practical spiritual insights of Hermeticism as well as being a path for a few individuals seeking mystic union with the divine.

What's amusing about the e-mail seeking Hermetic holidays (Hermes birthday? Hermes cards, "Happy Hermes Day!" Hermes Day Sale, one day only, New federal holiday, the mind reels) is that it uses a very common mental template for organizing anything spiritual. If one encounters a new "religion" which is basically anything spiritually oriented, one expects that it will provide a complete and standardized, off the rack set of practices and beliefs. It will be organized, it will need staff, buildings and income. But even more importantly it will be exclusive. One is either a member or not, it is not possible to follow more than one religion.

I remember meeting an American "Buddhist" that regaled me with tales of their difficulties in the rural South since they refused to celebrate Christmas being Buddhist. Except that, as a rule, Buddhists don't have any problem with Christmas! It's typical in Japan, for example, to go to both Buddhist and Shinto temples without any sense of contradiction. Certainly this open and easy blending of various spiritual paths was common in the pre-Christian pagan West as well.

But as you can see from my American Buddhist example this is not simply a matter of the evils of "monotheistic religion" It has more to do with the unconscious acceptance of religion as a matter of belief, rather than experience, of exclusivity and external authority over the individual. But perhaps more importantly, the purpose of religion is seen as a collective identity and primarily as a source of ethical rules.

I wouldn't want to deny the importance of being part of a spiritual community or having a source for ethical advice and instruction, but this is not all that a spiritual practice can consist of. As much as modern pagans, etc., may condemn Christianity and in particular the Catholic Church, it has managed to preserve the monastic tradition of contemplation and mystic union with the divine.

Hermeticism never organized itself and never really had a mass or collective identity. It never focused on ethics, though ethical behavior was certainly important in and of itself and as a means to purification for mystic union. At the moment, there are not many that really practices Hermetic mystic union, though I'm certainly working on it. Thank goodness, though since that means I don't have to worry about getting the Pentagon to put the caduceus of Hermes on the gravestones of dead Hermetic soldiers or fight for Hermetic chaplains in prisons. I don't need to do any fundraising for the new Hermetic church building, or Hermetic charity work or go door to door soliciting for new converts to Hermes.

Hermeticism can continue as the underground stream of Western esotericism and I can play my small role in its current revival.

More on Hermes Trismegistus and Hermetic Gnosis

Moon Phases in Traditional Astrology & Talismans

It's important to take various systems on their own terms and not apply a "this is the only way to do X" attitude at the same time realizing that not all methods are equally valid.

I had an amusing conversation with a client who had consulted a Vedic astrologer and was told that she was "actually" a Pisces [ie Sun in Pisces] not an Aries [or vice versa, I can't remember]. I replied that that was like when I was in Europe and they told me I was "actually" a shoe size 30!

Modern magic will often suggest that the New Moon and Full Moon be used for benefic ritual. When, however, we switch to traditional astrology, we need to recognize that our approach is different.

The waxing and waning of the Moon also includes the aspects of the Moon to the Sun. The New Moon is the Moon conjunct the Sun, and thus a period of approximately 17 degrees before and after the conjunction where the Moon is under the Sun's beams, a minor affliction. Plus an approximately 8.5 degrees before and after the conjunction where the Moon is combust, a major affliction. See Lilly on Accidental Dignity

Thus right before or right on a New Moon is not a good time for benefic ritual or talismans.

Similarly, a Full Moon is the opposition of the Moon and the Sun. Again, this is considered to be an affliction. "...consider, how many ways the Moon comes to be so ill-affected...The 3rd is when she is posited in any of the combust degrees, of which the worst are: those 12 degrees which are before the degree which is directly opposite to the degree in which the Sun is, wherever she shall happen to be..." Guido Bonatti, 5th Aphorism, Book of Astronomy

Again, since the Moon is afflicted, this is not appropriate for benefic ritual.

Of course, traditional astrology does consider the waxing and waning of the Moon. Picatrix says,

"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. "

Picatrix, Bk II, ch 3.

Traditional astrology does take into consideration the Moon's phases, but integrates their use along with a variety of other considerations.

So, it is important not to assume that what one has learned in one system can be simply imported into another. This is true of modern astrological technique and magical timing methods, both of which differ from traditional astrology.

Rolling Down the Myway

I had someone ask about whether if they wanted multiple things done from one astrological spirit, whether they needed multiple talismans.

Ummm...I was going to launch into a "THIS is astrological magic" riff and then had the sudden realization that I was falling into the my way or the highway trap.

What's hard to realize and I think that this is partly due to "scientific" thinking and partly due to the basic binary approach of American/contemporary culture but when it comes to spiritual or magical topics it appears to me that there isn't one right way to do it, but then neither does every approach work.

Science takes the one right answer approach. The problem is that that answer is always changing. "Salt is deadly" "No, a new study shows that salt is necessary for life itself" "No, hold that, a newer study..."

The New Age approach is of total equality, everybody has something to say and everybody's opinion is equally valid. Except that that is blatantly and obviously not true!

My model of reality has started to coalesce around the view that there seem to be lots of interpenetrating realities. Not an infinite number and they don't necessarily correspond to everyone's ego desires. Find a fairly valid one that fits you, and a good way to check that is to check your birthchart and if you work with it and live it you basically get sucked into it.

I've been doing the traditional Hermetic astrology and magic thing now for awhile and PHEW! It works with a vengeance, I've got magic up the #$%@

But not everyone is going to groove on the Hermetic thang, some might be Zen Buddhist, some mystic Catholic, some GD lodge freaks, and the list goes on, though not infinitely.

Any hoo, after that long tangent, my approach to astrological magic is pretty devotional. I like to hang with the planets, fixed stars, Mansions, etc. I burn some candles and incense, do some devotional invocation and the spirits show their appreciation in their own personal way, Jupiter gives wealth, Saturn, wisdom, 13th Mansion, love 'n' stuff. But exactly what I'm going to get, I don't know, I just know it will be appropriate to the planet, fixed star, Mansion etc.

That being said, a more task oriented approach is certainly possible. Check out, for example, the Picatrix planetary invocations of the Harranian Sabians found in Bk III, ch 7 in the Secrets of Planetary Ritual Do your invocation and then ask for what you want.

Still, I don't think you really need multiple talismans for multiple tasks if you are asking the same spirit. Just list what you are seeking on the talisman or in the invocation.

So, rather than the my way/highway, you can take one of the branching byways, and to further stretch both the metaphor and credulity, just don't roll off the street system altogether and start wandering around in in the weeds.

New!!! PMP: The Planetary Magic Program

First in a whole bunch of new books, software and courses is PMP, the Planetary Magic Program.

You know when I post monthly examples of elections for talismans it looks pretty complicated with the chart, figuring out when a planet is rising or culminating, in sign or exaltation, the planetary day and hour, the Moon unafflicted, doesn't it? I took me years to figure out how to do this.

PMP does it all instantly! Boom right out of the box (or rather off the CD, if you get it free with a course) you don't need to know a thing about astrological charts or traditional astrology and you can do powerful advanced full chart elections. Now granted it's a good idea to check PMP's results because there are still nuances, but PMP is doing 80-90% of the job in 2 seconds.

Whatever your knowledge level, you are going to want PMP if you are at all serious about astrological magic or making talismans because this is the first program specifically designed to do fast, quick, easy traditional planetary elections.

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Astrology & Spiritual Alignment

I was recently asked about how one would time an astrological painting. The question appeared to be a reference to Marsilio Ficino's discussion of creating an image of the Cosmos or universal image in Three Books on Life, Bk III, ch 19. This image, says Ficino, should be done when the Sun enters the first minute of Aries as this is the moment of the rebirth of the world.

Now how would we go about this in practical terms? Ficino speaks of sculpting an archetypal form of the world in bronze or imprinting the image on a thin gilded plate of silver. TBOL, Bk III, ch 19. Thus this could be done with a stamp, which is what Hiebner recommends in Mysterium Sigillorum, at 163-4.

We also use the casting process or acid etching glass, both of which can be done in a relatively short time, thus allowing for the actual image to be created and for the talisman to take on its definitive form at the elected time.

Now when we are dealing with slower methods we have to adapt somewhat. We can, for example, begin a painting at an elected time. We can, using modern giclee printing technology, print out the finished painting on canvas or just on paper using a standard printer at an elected time.

We can also work only in particular planetary hours. Simon Forman, the 17th century astrological magician, describes how a jeweler engraved a Jupiter talisman for him in just this fashion, working only in the hours of Jupiter. Notorious Astrological Physician of London, Traister at 100-1.

These are all practical considerations having to do with astrological timing. What is useful to realize, however, is the deeper process that we are engaged in. Traditional astrology is a way to bring ourselves into alignment with the cycles of the Heavens, and thus with the Cosmos and ultimately with the One. It has a significant temporal focus, but is also a universal language, capable of describing and classifying everything in the Cosmos.

Take, for example, planetary rulership. Every material thing is ruled by one or more planets, which is to say that we consider a particular Divine Idea mediated through a planet to predominate in that thing. For example, Venus rules roses when we consider that beauty and a beautiful aroma is the main quality of the rose. Of course, all planets are in all things in differing quantities. In the rose, the thorns are ruled by Mars, for example.

Thus while we can see how timing comes to the fore, traditional astrology points us to a much more comprehensive alignment which has both material and spiritual significance.

An astrological painting, therefore, could also be one that is based on astrological themes and is used as part of ritual, one that graces a building sited and designed astrologically, in a city, as Hermes was reputed to have done,

"It was he who in the east of Egypt constructed a City 12 miles long within which he constructed a castle which had four gates in each of its four parts. On the eastern gate he placed the form of an Eagle; on the western gate, the form of a Bull; on the southern gate, the form of a Lion, and on the northern gate, the form of a Dog. Into these images he introduced spirits that spoke with voices, nor could anyone enter the gates of the City except by their permission.

There he planted trees in the midst of which was a great tree which bore the fruit of all generation. On the summit of the Castle he caused to be built a tower 30 cubits high on the top of which he ordered to be placed a lighthouse the color of which changed every 7th day...Around the circumference of the City he placed engraved images and ordered them in such a manner that by their virtue the inhabitants were made virtuous and withdrawn from all wickedness and harm. And the name of the City was Adocentyn."

Picatrix, Bk IV, ch.3

Christopher Warnock

Natal is not Horary is not Astrological Magic

One of the things that is hard, even for experienced traditional astrologers to recognize, is that different areas of astrology apply significantly different rules and methodologies. I have seen traditional natal astrologers denigrate horary as simplistic, as the technique is not as complex as traditional natal, but then utterly fail to make accurate horary predictions because they tried to judge the horary using natal techniques. Horary may have simpler technique, but the level of precision and accuracy required is much higher.

We need to understand that every area of astrology has its own methods and even its own underlying principles.

This is true with regard to astrological magic. It is somewhat confusing, I realize, but in a fixed star talisman election, everything other than than the fixed star being well placed and unafflicted and the Moon applying to the fixed star and being unafflicted is basically irrelevant to the election. In other words, if they are not aspecting or otherwise actively interacting with the Moon or the fixed star, the other planets, house rulers, houses, etc., need not be considered. The focus really is on getting the fixed star powerfully positioned and aspected by the Moon.

The problem comes from porting over the standard natal approach in which the entire chart is important. In a birth chart every house and every planet is meaningful since it relates to a different facet of the life of the native (person whose natal chart is being examined).

Contrast this with horary astrology, looking at the chart of a question, in which only a limited number of houses, house rulers and astrological factors are relevant to the analysis.

Similarly, in horary's sister science, electional astrology, which is used to choose astrologically auspicious times, only a limited portion of the chart is relevant.

Our focus narrows even further in astrological magic with non-house based talismans, i.e. planetary, fixed star and Mansion talismans. With regard to fixed star talismans Agrippa says,

"...when any star ascends fortunately, with the fortunate aspect or conjunction of the Moon, we must take a stone, and herb that is under that star, and make a ring of that metal that is suitable to this star and fasten the stone, putting the herb, or root under it; not omitting the inscriptions of images, names and characters, also the proper suffumigations..."

Three Books of Occult Philosophy Bk. I, Chapter 47

Since culminating is almost as powerful as rising, we also use culminating for fixed stars. What we are doing is putting the fixed star in the most powerful position, ie either rising or culminating.

We then make sure the Moon is applying to a sextile or trine, or best yet a conjunction of the fixed star. As Picatrix says,

"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. "

Picatrix, Bk II, ch 3.

Thus the Moon gathers the power of the fixed star and brings it from the 8th sphere to the sublunary realm and to the user of the talisman. We focus on the placement of the fixed star, the applying positive aspect of the Moon and finally making sure neither the Moon nor the fixed star are afflicted. We do not, however, start roaming all over the chart, worrying about the Sun in the 8th house, the affliction of Saturn by the South Node and mostly certainly not the progressed Black Lilith conjunct the Galactic Vertex! We have our electional methodology as explained in our traditional sources and this is what we apply. If we use the methods of our illustrious predecessors applied using their philosophy and world view, then we can achieve their amazing results!

So, it is important to take each area of astrology, even traditional astrology, on its own terms and not apply techniques and principles willy nilly from one area to another.