Posts
I checked out some of our traditional sources and they seem to support the common sense idea that talismans do indeed wear out.
Picatrix, for example says that the talismans made using the fixed stars have more enduring effects than planetary talismans. Picatrix Bk IV, ch 4, Greer & Warnock translation LA page 246.
Ficino says that wood talismans quickly lose their power unlike gems and metals that "retain it longer" Three Books on Life, Bk III, ch 13, Kaske & Clarke trans p 309.
I was thinking I had a traditional source for talismans lasting forever, but since I can't track it down, I can't use it!
Anyhow since talismans wear out, it would be useful to be able to "recharge" them and additional consecrations would seem to be an ideal way to do this. After all the initial consecration provided the initial charge.
I've moved away from the concept of "charging" though this is certainly not an unreasonable way of looking at the process.
What I prefer is the idea of ensoulment of the talisman, that the spirit or spirits invoked in the consecration have taken up residence in the talisman or that the talisman is a conduit and connection to their sphere or realm.
Rather than a spiritual battery recharge of impersonal forces, akin to plugging in your Ipod, I'd rather think of additional consecrations as strengthening one's connection to the spirit of the talisman. The more consecrations you do, the better your connection to the spirit and the stronger and more obvious the effects of spirit.
5 comments:
I'd have to agree with the conclusions you've presented here, and I'm very grateful for the references to traditional sources on the subject.
Talismanic magic is my favorite type of work and is a staple of my regular work. I have worked with paper and wood primarily and had mixed results. Only the last few years have I really started working with metals and stones, and I'm really enjoying the output.
I've actually been meaning to study some of your work. What do you suggest I start with?
Here's a reading list
http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/traditionalastrology.html#D
and you can check out my courses at
http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/astrologyandmagiccourses.html
I got a talisman tattooed on me at a certain time. Whether this is a good idea or not aside - do you think that would wear down with time as well?
Possibly! I have people regularly asking me about tattooing talismans and I'm a bit leery. What if it doesn't work out?
As far as consecration, etc., yes very interesting issue. I guess the people that have had it done can be our test subjects!
What I've noticed with mine is that it didn't seem to "stick" nearly as well as I'd hoped, being permanent and all, but that its influence seems to wax and wane with the current celestial conditions affecting it.
I wouldn't get anything too experimental as a talismanic tattoo because you're right, what if it didn't work out? But even then, in a worst case scenario you could still get it removed.
Post a Comment