#astrological magick

This will be the thirteenth and final post in my series on astrological magic. Since I’ve gone over most of the basic knowledge you need in order to successfully use astrological magic, this post will contain some additional tips and little bits of information that didn’t fit neatly into any of the other posts. Remember that none of the individual posts in this series contain enough information to give you complete results. Please be careful, and feel free to ask us if you have any questions.

The Ruler of the Chart:

I haven’t clearly explained the concept of a chart’s ruling planet yet, but it is fairly simple. Most astrologers just consider the planet which rules over the ascendant to be the ruler of the chart as a whole. It’s important to consider that when a planet rules over a chart, its power is augmented. This means you should think of the planet as dignified when it is in any normal location, and that when it’s in its detriment, it is reduced to its normal power, rather than below it. Naturally, then, when the planet ruling over the chart is exalted, it is particularly powerful, even more so than its exaltation usually allows.

The Chaldean Order:

I’ve talked about the Chaldean order a little bit before, but here I’ll give you a brief explanation as to what it is exactly, and then I’ll list the planets in that order for an easy reference. The Chaldean people ranked the seven traditional planets based on their apparent speed of motion in the sky. They considered the slower moving planets to be more powerful, and the faster planets to have less power, but more adaptability. Over time, they adapted a very complex system of symbolism based on their ranking of the planets. By incorporating the Chaldean order into sacred geometry and other systems of symbolism, they were able to determine how the planets rule over the days of the week, the hours of the day, various parts of the world, various religious practices, types of clothing, metals, plants, and animals. This system (which has steadily expanded since it was created) is still important in Hermeticism and many other occult traditions today.

The Chaldean order of the planets is as follows:

Saturn

Jupiter

Mars

The Sun

Venus

Mercury

The Moon

Rising and Descending Planets (and the Effects of their Hierarchies):

There is a fairly important concept which is rarely discussed in astrological texts, but which is very useful to understand in astrological magic. When a planet is rising, it’s useful to note that it has effects which are in accord with the planet above it in the Chaldean order. This means Saturn in particular carries the influence of the fixed stars when it’s rising. When a planet is descending, its influence is more in accord with the planet below it in the Chaldean order. For example, Saturn descending is very beneficial to Jupiter’s influence. The Moon is a fairly unique case, then, since while rising it is concurrent with Mercury, but while descending, it works in accord with some of the more earthly forces below it. In astrological magic, the Moon can usually be thought of as the focusing lens through which the powers of the other celestial bodies are projected down to Earth (this is why its position is considered particularly important in many magical traditions).

Reception:

I feel like should explain the concept of reception, since I mentioned it fairly often in some of the earlier posts in this series. In the simplest terms I can use, a reception occurs when a planet is at a favorable aspect with the planet which rules over (or is exalted in) the sign where it sits. It also occurs when a planet is at a favorable aspect to the ruler(s) of two of the following (which are considered lesser dignities): the term, triplicity, face, or decan where it sits.

For example, if Mercury sits in Leo while at a trine aspect to the Sun, then Mercury is being received by the Sun. This is the most basic kind of reception, and it’s called reception by sign. When a planet is received by another planet, it is given power and protection in accord to the powers of planet which is receiving it. In this hypothetical case, Mercury is given a much greater affinity for intellectual communications between the common people and those in positions of power, and it might also take on a much more financially adept nature than normal, allowing Mercurial energy to be directed in a way that allows it to help a person generate great profits (especially since Mercury rules over commerce, and Leo rules over wealth and riches).

There are also situations where two planets are in mutual reception to each other. This kind of astrological condition usually represents the mutual benefit of both of the celestial bodies involved.

A good example of two planets which are in mutual reception to each other is a chart where Venus is in Leo while at a square aspect with the Sun, which sits in Taurus. Despite the fact that a square is generally considered an unfavorable aspect, when both of the planets involved in the aspect are also in each other’s greater dignities, any aspect they share will usually become favorable, no matter how hostile or difficult the aspect is usually considered to be.

A slightly different example of mutual reception is a chart where the Moon sits in Pisces at a sextile aspect to Jupiter, which sits in Taurus. The primary difference here is that the Moon doesn’t actually rule over Taurus, but is just in its exaltation there. There aren’t any notable differences in the overall effects of a reception by exaltation as opposed to a reception by rulership, but it’s important to always be aware of the exaltations of the planets, and the effects they can have on a chart. Forgetting something which seems like a minor detail, like the fact that a planet is exalted or in reception, can lead to significant errors when you’re calculating a chart. When you’re looking at the astrological conditions of future days in order to determine the best time to work, it’s very important to look over the charts thoroughly, so you can use their powers efficiently, effectively, and accordingly.

The aspects are a fairly difficult area of astrology for many people to get comfortable with, although when you become familiar with them, they will prove to be very useful.

I’ll be using the word “perfect” fairly often in this section, and I want to clarify what I mean. In this context, as a verb, “to perfect an aspect” is to have two planets which are applying to an aspect with each other reach the point where they are in their aspect exactly, with 0ºdeviance from the exact distance of that aspect. For example, if two planets are applying to a trine aspect with each other, and they are about to perfect the trine, this means the two planets are arriving at the point where they are exactly 120º apart.

As an adjective, the meaning of a “perfect aspect” follows along the same reasoning. When an aspect is perfect, it is exact. A perfect trine aspect occurs when the two planets involved are exactly 120º apart. A perfect conjunction occurs when the two planets involved are exactly 0º apart.

To familiarize you with the basic properties of the various types of aspect, I’ll go into some detail about how they work, below.

Applying and Separating:

When two planets are at an approximate aspect with each other (most astrologers consider an approximate aspect to be anything within 10º of the perfect aspect), and they are moving closer to perfecting their aspect, it is usually said that the faster planet is applying to the slower one at whatever aspect is occurring. For example, if Venus and Mercury are 118º apart, and they are getting closer to a perfect trine aspect with each other, you could say that Mercury is applying to Venus at a trine aspect, since Mercury is the faster planet of the two, and it is “gaining ground” on Venus (there are also some contexts where it doesn’t matter which planet is moving faster, and they would both be said to be applying to the aspect).

When two planets have completed their perfect aspect, and are now starting to move away from the aspect they shared, it is usually said that the faster planet is separating from the slower one at whatever aspect is occurring. For example, if Mercury and Venus had just completed their perfect trine aspect as I described in the example above, and Mercury is now moving past the perfect trine so the two planets are now 122º apart, you could say that Mercury is separating from a trine aspect with Venus. Since Mercury is the faster planet of the two, it is the planet which is increasing the distance between Venus and Mercury’s trine aspect. This is why Mercury is said to be separating (though as above, there are some contexts where it doesn’t matter which planet is moving faster, and you would simply say that both planets are separating from the aspect).

Conjunction:

A conjunction is probably the most influential aspect which can occur in a chart. When two planets are conjunct, their energy is blended, and the conjunction is considered a single source of energy, rather than two separate planets exerting their influence. Depending on the planets involved, this can be good or bad. It’s also important to understand that some planets are more powerful than others, meaning a conjunction isn’t necessarily an equal blend of two planets. Some texts on astrological magic say that conjunctions can have three basic properties. These properties are increases, decreases, and balances. In astrological magic, it’s generally accepted that the power of a planet in conjunction is usually determined by its place in the Chaldean order. This means Saturn’s influence is generally the most powerful, while Jupiter’s power is almost always equal to it (except in a few cases). To help illustrate the way a conjunction works, I’ll briefly describe some conjunctions involving Saturn.

Saturn and Jupiter are almost always equal in power when they are conjunct. If both planets are somehow dignified, then Jupiter will be more powerful than Saturn in the conjunction. If Jupiter is dignified, but Saturn is direct and exalted, Saturn will usually be equal. If Jupiter is weakened or in its detriment, and Saturn is not, then Saturn’s power will be dominant in the conjunction, especially if Saturn is dignified or exalted.

Saturn and Mars are an interesting conjunction, because although Saturn is the most powerful planet involved, the martial influence will almost always be prominent and noticeable here. This is because Mars and Saturn are generally “friendly” toward each other. If Saturn is direct and dignified or exalted, you may not see as much influence from Mars in this kind of conjunction. If Mars is in a similarly powerful position, and Saturn is weakened, you may see Mars dominate this conjunction, though Saturn’s influence is never obscured by Mars.

When Saturn is in conjunction with the Sun, this is generally considered a difficult position, unless they are in a sign ruled by Saturn, in which case they can be very powerful and agreeable to each other. As with any planet besides the Moon, if Saturn is close enough to the Sun to be in combustion, its effects are completely negated or obscured, and it you might not be able to find any Saturnine effects whatsoever in the chart.

Saturn conjunct Venus generally favors Saturn. If Saturn is weakened or in its detriment, while Venus is exalted or in a sign where it rules, you may see their influences manifest fairly equally. In nearly any other situation, though, Saturn is easily the most powerful influence of the two, taking very little influence from Venus.

Saturn conjunct Mercury is an easy situation for Saturn. It is extremely rare for Mercury’s influence to be prominent in this situation. Usually, you’ll see Mercury’s effects severely inhibited in this position. For any work involving language, communication, travel, math, trickery, or intelligence, this conjunction will cause great difficulty. If Mercury is exalted and Saturn is weakened significantly, you might see some more influence from Mercury here, but Saturn will invariably remain dominant, since Mercury’s role in a conjunction almost always serves to further intellectually articulate the influence of the planet it is conjunct with. This basically makes a conjunction between Mercury and Saturn function just like Saturn, but with a greater affinity for situations concerning intelligent thought, communication, and logic. When this conjunction is taking place, the things people say might generally tend toward the emotionally heavy.

Saturn and the Moon are an important conjunction to understand. Clearly, since Saturn’s effects are more powerful, it is by far the most dominant force in this conjunction, though the Moon’s influence is still present to some extent. However, there are times when the Moon’s influence is not so obscured. If Saturn is in a weakened position or its detriment, and the Moon is dignified, then the Moon’s influence will be greater than that of Saturn. If the Moon is not dignified, though, Saturn’s influence will almost always outweigh that of the Moon, even if Saturn is weakened. If Saturn is dignified, and the Moon is in a weakened position or its detriment, then the effects of the Moon in a conjunction will be nearly impossible to identify, and the conjunction will work almost as if it were just an augmented Saturn. In some rare cases, the Moon is slower than usual in its motion. If the Moon happens to be moving at a similar speed to Saturn, their effects will be fairly evenly balanced. In conjunctions between Saturn and the Moon, it’s important to note that the Moon’s most powerful position is when it is rising, and Saturn’s most powerful position is when it is descending.

Stellium:

When more than two planets are conjunct to each other, and they are all in the same sign, this is called a stellium. When this occurs, you should think of all three of them as one combined energy, and you should be especially aware of the nature of the celestial bodies involved, since a stellium will almost always be one of the most powerful forces in a chart. If a particularly favorable stellium is occurring, it is probably a good idea to carry out certain things while you can (perhaps charge some talismans), so you’ll be able to harness the power of such an event before it’s over. Even if you don’t necessarily need a specific power when a potentially useful stellium occurs, I highly recommend that you try to store it for future use. Foresight is an extremely useful tool in any magical art.

Good aspects:

The “good” or “favorable” aspects in astrology are the trine and sextile aspects. A trine aspect occurs when two planets are approximately 120° apart from each other, and it is considered the most favorable aspect possible. A sextile aspect occurs when two planets are approximately 60° apart from each other, and though not as good as a trine, is considered to be a favorable aspect.

A trine aspect is the most naturally manifested positive aspect. When two planets are at a trine aspect with each other, they are each lending beneficial energy to the other. Consider that in most cases, this is even considered positive if one of the planets involved is considered unfortunate. For example, Venus at a trine to Saturn does not harm the influence of either planet, but rather, Venus is strengthened and given greater emotional depth and responsibility, while Saturn benefits by gaining more expressly benevolent properties, and becomes generally more cheerful. Keep in mind that there are still plenty of situations where any two given planets are better off without any aspects at all, regardless of whether they are good aspects such as trine (this is briefly discussed in some of the earlier postsof this series,where I discussthe placementof the planetsand other influences).

A sextile aspect is the lesser of the good aspects. When two planets share a sextile aspect, they are only beneficial to each other if we go to the effort to cultivate the connection between them, and to consciously work toward fulfilling the potential of their aspect. Otherwise, we should consider the nature of this aspect basically the same as a trine, but altogether capable of being less powerful.

Bad aspects:

The “bad” or “hostile” aspects are the opposition and square. An opposition occurs when two planets are approximately 180° apart from each other (hence the name, implying they are opposite to each other in the chart), and is considered the most hostile aspect which can occur. A square aspect occurs when two planets are about 90° apart from each other, and is not as dire as opposition, but is still considered unfavorable and difficult.

An opposition is the most universally unfavorable aspect which can occur. Any two planets opposing each other causes a severe affliction to them both. Other factors are important, including whether either of the planets involved are at all dignified or in their detriments, and how powerful the concerned planets are on their own (based on the Chaldean order, as discussed above). Generally, it is considered extremely difficult (if not impossible) to reconcile an opposition between two planets, and when there is an opposition occurring, you should probably avoid trying to use the power of any of the planets involved.

A square is considered the lesser unfavorable aspect. The name is fairly indicative of the nature of this aspect. You could say that the planets involved are “squaring off,” or preparing to fight each other. Generally, this means that the relationship between the two celestial bodies involved is very volatile, and that making the wrong decision or move can cause major problems. Despite the volatility of the square, it can also be reconciled a lot more easily than an opposition. Think of it like a tense situation that you can defuse if you deal with it properly (as if you were mediating between two people who were about to fight).

Prohibition:

At some earlier point in this series, I have briefly mentioned a condition called prohibition which can afflict a planet. There are two kinds of prohibition. The first kind is called a bodily prohibition, or a conjunctive prohibition. A bodily prohibition occurs when two planets are applying to a conjunction, when a third planet swiftly overtakes both of the others, and completes a conjunction with the second planet (after also perfecting and separating from a conjunction with the first one in the process of overtaking it, of course) before the first two planets have had time to perfect their conjunction with each other. When this happens, the prohibiting planet is effectively stealing the prize of conjunction from the planet which gets left out, or prohibited. I’ve heard a bodily prohibition be described as a “planetary cock-block,” and I thought this was a fairly accurate way to simply and clearly express the nature and mood of this type of astrological condition. To be sure I’ve effectively explained how a bodily prohibition works, I’ll describe an example below.

When two planets are in the process of applying to a conjunction which, if perfected, promises the favorable or ideal ending of a thing (such as a magical work, a difficult time, or an event of any kind), all appears to be won. Consider, for example, that if the planets applying to their conjunction are, say, Mars at the 7º of Aries, and Saturn at the 12º of Aries, and they are ready and moving toward becoming perfectly conjunct (0º apart from each other, which we will say is the ideal astrological resolution to whatever hypothetical work we are carrying out). Now, just for the purpose of demonstration, let’s say that we hadn’t been paying attention when we were planning out the astrological conditions of the present time, and it just so happens that the Sun is very close behind Mars, currently at the 6º of Aries. Since the Sun moves significantly faster than both Mars and Saturn, we can predict that it will catch up to Mars, and form a perfect conjunction (which, when involving the Sun, is called combustion, and is considered a particularly unfortunate conjunction for whichever planet the Sun is incinerating) with it long before the desired Mars/Saturn conjunction can come about. But we also know that the Sun won’t just stop at that. It will completely overtake Mars, separating from it, and applying to a conjunction with Saturn, reaching full combustion of Saturn at 0º conjunct before Mars has a chance to do anything at all. When the Sun reaches Saturn after fully overtaking Mars, it is prohibiting Mars from uniting its energy with Saturn as planned, and it is prohibiting Saturn from exerting any power at all. When a prohibition of this kind occurs, you should basically consider the prohibited planet’s power negated for the duration of the prohibition, meaning the planet basically “loses a turn,” and does not get to express any power until it is free from the other celestial bodies involved in the prohibition.

The second type of prohibition is called prohibition by aspect, and it occurs when two planets are applying to a conjunction, and a third, faster planet located elsewhere in the chart overtakes any aspect (meaning this kind of prohibition is possible with trine, sextile, square, and opposing aspects) of one of the planets (perfecting the aspect in the process, and continuing on to separate from it, while beginning to apply to the same aspect of the next planet in the potential conjunction), and then proceeds to perfect the same type of aspect with the other planet, effectively prohibiting the two from achieving the power of their perfect conjunction. Below, I will describe an example of a prohibition by aspect, just to be sure I’m being articulate in my explanation.

Let’s imagine that Mars is at the 7º of Aries again, while Saturn is found at the 15º of Aries. As you can see, the two are applying toward a conjunction, just as in the example above. Remember that in our hypothetical work, we’re hoping for Mars and Saturn to perfect their conjunction, because that conjunction will bring about the ideal astrological conditions for the exact resolution (of whatever hypothetical event or work you wish to imagine here) we are praying for. But again, we failed to pay proper attention to the chart. This time, it’s a little less obvious of a mistake. Now, we may know not to plan for this conjunction when the Sun is so closely rapidly approaching the planets involved, but the problem here isn’t an actual celestial body prohibiting the conjunction. You see, the Sun is at the 5º of Gemini, which is a seemingly harmless location, right? Unfortunately not. Since the Sun moves faster than both Mars and Saturn, and it is approaching a sextile of Mars, it will perfect a sextile aspect with Mars, and then separate from it, long before the Mars/Saturn conjunction has even come close to completion. But of course, just like the example I described before, that isn’t all it takes for a prohibition to occur. Now, the Sun will overtake Saturn’s sextile as well, perfecting it before Mars and Saturn manage to complete their conjunction at all. Once again, this prohibition negates the potential power of the conjunction between the two planets involved, in addition to temporarily voiding their individual energies. Neither of the prohibited planets are able to exert any influence until they are each free from the other’s sphere of influence, and they have separated from the influence of the planet which prohibited them.

Now that I’ve spoken about those loose ends and tips, I can give you a basic step-by-step walkthrough of how to approach astrological magic if you’re using the methods I’ve discussed in this series.

First, you need to know exactly what your intentions are. If you don’t have a clear and thorough understanding of your goals in a work of magic, you might not get very good results. If you are precise enough in engineering the symbolism you use in a work, you will be able to get very precise control of your results.

Once you know exactly what your intentions are, you should decide which planets or signs you need to draw power from. Do this based on the things which each planet and sign rules over. Whichever planets or signs most influence the things your goals are concerned with are the ones you should use. It’s not necessarily a bad idea to combine the influence of more than one celestial body or sign, so long as you can elegantly represent the two of them together as a magical image, and provided you can also get them both in favorable positions at one time. It’s important to take care in choosing the ascendant, because that decision also determines which planet rules over the chart.

Now, look at astrological charts for upcoming days and times (it doesn’t really matter how far in advance you plan these) to find the most favorable time to carry out your work. You can refer to some of the earlier posts in this series to determine whether the planets in question are in a good place or not. If the Sun or Moon rules your chart, you should prioritize their positions.If Saturn or Mars rule your chart, focus on finding them a good position.If Jupiter, Venus, or Mercury rule your chart, consider their locations the most important.It’s also good to make sure that the planets in question are in favorable decans for your purpose.

Make sure the particular Arabic Parts which are important to your work are favorably placed, so that the intangible factors of the chart are not working against you.

After that, it’s time to decide if the lunar nodes are in acceptable places for you to carry out your work, and to choose the right planetary day and planetary hour to proceed in.

Now, you should be sure to derive an effective image from the stars,signs, or planets you’re using in order to create an effective visual representation of your desired effect. This doesn’t have to be based on any rigid symbolic foundation, but we should take special care to make our images properly represent the powers they are designed to conduct.

Once we’re actually about to perform our ritual, we need to draw our circle. After that, we need to consecrate it and carry out our ritual, saying all the necessary prayers. Then, we can safely conclude our work. Many people choose to include a banishing ritual or dismissal of the spirits at the end of their work (if any of us writes a post about these practices, I will edit this post and add a link to it at that time).

This concludes my series on astrological magic. I hope it has been helpful to you. If you have any questions for us, feel free to drop us an ask. If there’s any important information which seems to be missing from this series, please don’t hesitate to request it. Thank you for reading. If this is the first post you’ve come across in the series, and you found it interesting, useful, or enjoyable, please check out the rest. If you’ve finished this series and you’d like to see more of our work, you should check out Benefica’s series about the court cards in the Tarot. Very soon, she and I will begin to collaborate on a new series on the creation and use of talismans. Thank you for reading. We hope you will continue to enjoy our work.

-Admin

This will be the eleventh post in my series on astrological magic. In the last post, I talked about the planetary hours and days, as well as some of the spirits ruling over certain times. That information will all be necessary to understand in order to do all the things I’ll be explaining in this post, which will discuss magical circles and their geometric construction. Be careful when you’re doing these things. You’re always welcome to ask us if you have any questions.

To consecrate your working space before you carry out any magic is one of the most important parts of nearly all forms of ritual magic. There are a great many methods for preparing a circle, and I will readily admit that I believe certain methods are more effective than others, and that I feel as if some methods are just as good as not casting a circle at all (but I won’t get into that right now). For the type of magic I’m talking about now, I like D'Abano’s method of casting a circle, because it reflects planetary rulership, and it also calls upon the power and protection of some relevant ruling spirits for aiding in your work. It’s important to note that there is room for variation in this method if you want to work with a different system of spirits, but the basic geometric features of this type of circle are vital to its function, and to make sure you call on the power and protection of appropriately powerful and benevolent spirits is also essential. If you’d like to substitute something, and you want to double-check something with us, you’re welcome to get our opinion or advice by asking. The traditional ruling spirits and D'Abano’s are here, in the previous post.

The first thing you should do in this method is make a circle which is 9 feet in diameter. Inside it, make a circle with a diameter of 7 feet (meaning its edge will be 1 foot in from the larger one), and be sure it is concentric with the larger one as precisely as possible. Make a third concentric circle with its edge one foot in from the second (meaning it will be 5 feet in diameter). These are the basis for your circle.

Next, you want to find the point in the innermost circle which is farthest north. Draw a straight line from there through the center of the circle until you reach its southern edge. Then do the same from east to west. Now you can make the last circle one foot in from the innermost so far. The lines you already made will cross this circle’s boundaries. Finally, make four pentagrams outside your circle. One at the southeast, one at the southwest, one at the northwest, and one at the northeast. The points of each of these should be directed toward the center of your circle. Now you have most of the geometric basis for your circle of protection, and you can start on writing in the names and symbols which should be included.

Inside the edge of the second circle (if the outermost is the first), you should start at the farthest point east. Beginning there, write the name of the hour you’re working in. Next, write the name of the angel who rules the hour. Following the angel’s name, you will add its sigil (the sigils of these angels are easily found by using Google, and entering something like “sigil of the archangel Raphael,” for example). Next, you will write the names of the ruling angel of the day, as well as its sub-ruling angels or spirits. Now you should write the name of the season. Then, you should write the names of the spirits ruling over that season (and keep them in the order that I have listed them here). After that, you should add the name of the spirit ruling the sign of the season. Next, you should add the names of the Earth, Sun, and Moon according to the season. This completes the writing in the space between the second and third circle.

Inside the edge of the first (outermost) circle, start again at the farthest point east. Here, you will write the name of the aerial king who rules the day you’re working in. At the south, west, and north, you’ll write the names of the aerial spirits under his command (in the same order I gave them to you here, excluding the spirit Flaef on Friday, but adding him in on Wednesday).

Between the third and fourth circles (outside the edge of the innermost circle), there will be four parts divided up by the lines you’ve made. In each of these parts (starting with the southeast, and proceeding clockwise as before), you should draw a cross (not a Christian cross, but one where the lines are of equal length), followed by an appropriate name of God for your purpose, followed by another cross (employing a total of four different names of God).

The last step in building your circle is to write “Alpha” on the eastern part of the innermost circle, allowing the line through the center to divide it, so it appears like “Al|pha” and then to write “Omega” on the western part, allowing it to be divided by the line so it appears like “Om|ega”.

This is all the geometric knowledge you need in order to build an effective circle based on the time. From here, you should proceed to consecrate your circle. I’ll speak about methods of doing that in my next post. I hope this post has been useful to you. Thank you for reading.

-Admin

This will be the tenth post in our series on astrological magic. Here I will briefly discuss some of the things you should know about the Lunar Nodes (Caput Draconis and Cauda Draconis). I also intend to introduce the concept of planetary days and hours, and the spirits which rule over them. We will also talk about some of the various other things you’ll need to know about if you want to build an effective magical circle to work from based on the astrological conditions you’re working with (mostly from Pietro D'Abano’s methods, but discussing some other relevant things, as well). This way, you’ll be prepared for a later post I’ll make about the ritual theory of astrological magic, and then this series can conclude, and serve as a foundation for some of the ideas in our upcoming series devoted to making talismans. Please be careful, and feel free to ask us if you have any questions.

The Lunar Nodes are a fairly important concept to know about in astrological magic. They influence the Moon in particular, and in fact, they are sometimes collectively called “the Dragon of the Moon.” Its image is that of a serpent with a hawk’s head. Caput Draconis (the “head of the Dragon,” or North Lunar Node) has different effects on the celestial bodies in different positions, but is considered the more positive influence of the Lunar Nodes. Here are a few of the specific effects Caput Draconis has on a chart:

-In the 1^stHouse, it improves the quality of life and success.

-In the 2^ndHouse, it helps one make more money, and it can help protect and hide thieves. It can also help you to effectively hide valuable things.

-In the 3^rdHouse, it can help you make good friends, and gain the trust of others. It can also help you embark on a journey.

-In the 4^thHouse, Caput Draconis can help you inherit large sums of money, and it encourages longevity of paternal figures.

-In the 5^thHouse, it aids fertility, and especially helps people conceive daughters or twins. It also aids good reputation, and signifies a time when rumors can be trusted.

-In the 6^thHouse, diseases are more severe. It can also aid in selecting a good doctor, though. It is a time to hire servants and help.

-In the 7^thHouse, Caput Draconis can be used to cause people to go through many marriages in their lives. It can also bring forth numerous enemies.

-In the 8^thHouse, it represents certain impending death. It does augment inheritances, though, and leaves widows or widowers well provided-for.

-In the 9^thHouse, it helps travelers return safely, and it is good for the pursuit of science and religion.

-In the 10^thHouse, it emphasizes the workings of people in powerful positions.

-In the 11^thHouse, it can aid in gaining friends and good will.

-In the 12^thHouse, it will help you cause people to have many enemies, and many lovers. It can also be used to cause incarcerated people to stay firmly held, and often to be mistreated.

Consider that Cauda Draconis (“the Dragon’s tail,” or South Lunar Node) doesn’t function much differently than the head. The only distinction is that rather than augment the things each house represents, it reduces them and weakens them. It’s also useful to know the two properties of the Lunar Nodes listed here:

-When Jupiter and Caput Draconis are together in the midheaven, this is a particularly good time to work.

-When the Moon is with Cauda Draconis, and is eclipsed or in an unfavorable aspect of Saturn or Mars, this is a good time to cause pain, illness, or upset.

Planetary days and hours are another concept you need to understand if you want to effectively cast astrological magic. Since there are seven days of the week and seven classical planets, it follows that each planet rules over one day of the week. There is a way to map out the days of the week and their ruling planets by placing the glyphs of the planets around a circle in Chaldean order (Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and the Moon), and drawing a unicursal septagram starting at Saturn (which rules Saturday). As your line proceeds to each planet, that is the order of the planetary days. I’m not going to illustrate that here, since it isn’t horribly important for this purpose, but if requested, I might do a series on the foundations of Hermetic symbolism which will detail that sort of thing. Instead of detailing it here, I’ll just list the days and their rulers (which can be found in a different format here, along with a lot of other information about the planets):

Saturday – Saturn

Sunday – The Sun

Monday – The Moon

Tuesday – Mars

Wednesday – Mercury

Thursday – Jupiter

Friday – Venus

Each day is also ruled by an angel (nearly every pantheon contains equivalent deities to each of these angels, so it is possible to work with different imagery if you wish). The days each have an archangel and a sub-ruling angel, according to the Clavicula Solomonis. I will briefly go over these here.

Saturday’s archangel is Tzaphquiel. Its sub-ruling angel is Cassiel.

Sunday’s archangel is Raphael. Its sub-ruling angel is Michael.

Monday’s archangel is Gabriel. Its sub-ruling angel is the same.

Tuesday’s archangel is Khaniael. Its sub-ruling angel is Samael (also spelled Sammael or Zamael)

Wednesday’s archangel is Michael. Its sub-ruling angel is Raphael.

Thursday’s archangel is Tzadquiel. Its sub-ruling angel is Sachiel.

Friday’s archangel is Haniel. Its sub-ruling angel is Anael.

Pietro D'Abano identifies a (mostly) different set of spirits as the rulers of the days. I will give you those as well, in case you find them necessary. Be aware that he refers to some spirits as angels which almost certainly are not. I’ll be sure to differentiate between those as clearly as I can.

Saturday’s ruling angels are Cassiel and Uriel. D'Abano identifies a third angel who rules over Saturday, called Machatan. I don’t think this third spirit is really an angel.

The aerial spirit ruling over Saturday is Maymon, and the spirits who minister to him are identified as Abumalith, Assaibi, and Balidet. These spirits are subject to the Southwest Wind.

Sunday is ruled by the angels Michael and Dardiel. A spirit probably mistaken for an angel is Huratapal, who also rules over Sunday.

The aerial spirit who rules over Sunday is King Varcan. His subservient spirits are Tus, Andas, and Cynabal. These aerial spirits are subject to the North Wind.

Monday’s ruling angels are Gabriel, Michael, and Samael (sometimes spelled Sammael).

The aerial spirit ruling on Monday is King Arcan. He commands the spirits Bilet, Missabu, and Abuzaha. These aerial spirits are all subject to the West Wind.

Tuesday’s ruling angels are Samael (or Sammael), Satael, and Amabiel.

The aerial spirit ruling over Tuesday is King Samax. He commands Carmax, Ismoli, and Paffran. These aerial spirits are subject to the East Wind.

Wednesday’s ruling angels are Raphael, Miel, and Seraphiel.

The aerial spirit ruling over Wednesday is King Mediat (also spelled Modiat). He commands Suquinos and Sallales. These aerial spirits are subject to the Southwest Wind.

Thursday’s ruling Angels are Sachiel, Castiel, and Asasiel.

The aerial lord of Thursday is King Suth. He commands Maguth and Gutrix. These aerial spirits are subject to the South Wind.

Friday’s ruling angels are Anael, Rachiel, and Sachiel.

The aerial spirit ruling Friday is King Sarabotes. He commands Amabiel (who is probably a fallen angel), Aba, Abalidoth, and Flaef. These aerial spirits are all subject to the West Wind.

We already know that a day has 24 hours in it, and the same remains true when we’re talking about the planetary hours, though the way they’re divided up is different from the normal system of hours. To determine the length of a planetary hour, you should take the amount of time from sunrise to sunset on the day in question, and divide it by twelve, and the quotient will be the length of a planetary hour during the day. Do the same from sunset to sunrise, and that is the length of the nocturnal planetary hours. If you want to double-check your calculations, you can always add a diurnal hour to a nocturnal hour of the same day, and see if it adds up to a perfect 120 minutes. Now, to determine which planet rules the current hour, you should just remember that the first hour of each day is ruled by the same planet which rules over the day. Then, the planets ruling the hours proceed in Chaldean order for the next 24 hours. If you look closely at this, you’ll notice that the next planet in sequence after 24 hours is naturally the planet which rules over the next day. So, we can conclude that following the planetary hours in the Chaldean order is equally viable for determining the rulers of the days of the week.

The hours of the day also have names. These names are the same every day of the week, and they are divided up the same way as the planetary hours. I will list the names of the hours of the day here.

Day:

1^st Hour – Yayn

2^nd Hour – Yanor or Janor

3^rd Hour – Nasnia or Nasmia

4^th Hour – Salla

5^th Hour – Sadedali or Sadedalia

6^th Hour – Thamur

7^th Hour – Ourer

8^th Hour – Thainé or Thamic

9^th Hour – Neron

10^th Hour – Yayon or Jayon

11^th Hour – Abai

12^th Hour – Natalon or Nathalon

Night:

1^st Hour – Beron

2^nd Hour – Barol

3^rd Hour – Thanu or Thami

4^th Hour – Athor or Athar

5^th Hour – Mathon or Methon

6^th Hour – Rana

7^th Hour – Netos

8^th Hour – Tafrac or Infrac

9^th Hour – Sassur

10^th Hour – Agla or Aglo

11^th Hour – Calerva or Cäerra

12^th Hour – Salam

It’s not only important to know which planetary hour you’re working in, but also which spirits rule over it. The angels ruling over the hours correspond to the planets, so I will just give you a list showing which angel rules over the hour of each planet.

Saturn’s hours are ruled by Cassiel.

Jupiter’s hours are ruled by Sachiel.

Mars’s hours are ruled by Samael.

The Sun’s hours are ruled by Michael.

Venus’s hours are ruled by Anael.

Mercury’s hours are ruled by Raphael.

The Moon’s hours are ruled by Gabriel.

Be aware that there are many other spirits who are of certain times which I have not included here, including spirits of the air (spirits who are not angels or demons, but who wander), and demons. If I write at all about magic and information regarding demons and aerial spirits in the future, I might include this kind of information in those posts.

ThePicatrix identifies specific names of the planets which should be used for magical purposes, as well, and they are very similar to the Arabic names of the planets (they are quite possibly just regional variants of the Arabic names of the planets, pronounced slightly differently than in standard Arabic, and therefore also spelled differently in old European translations). I will list these below.

Saturn – Zohal

Jupiter – Musteri

Mars – Marrech

The Sun – Xemz

Venus – Zohara

Mercury – Hotarid

The Moon – Alchamar

The names of the seasons (that is, the names used for them in some magical traditions) are also important to know for some methods. Pietro D'Abano identifies them as follows.

Spring – Talvi

Summer – Casmaran

Autumn – Ardarael

Winter – Farlas

He says the Earth, Sun, and Moon should be referred to by different names depending on the season. Here are the names for the Earth.

Spring – Amadai

Summer – Festativi

Autumn – Rabianara

Winter – Geremiah

Now the names for the Sun.

Spring – Abraym

Summer – Athemay

Autumn – Abragini

Winter – Commutaff

And the names for the Moon.

Spring – Agusita

Summer – Armatus

Autumn – Matasignais

Winter – Affaterim

There are also particular spirits D'Abano identifies who rule during each season, and he calls them angels, but I disagree with him about most of these, because their names are not angelic. It is possible that he mistranslated or misspelled their names, but their complete obscurity from the basic characteristics of angelic names makes me doubt it. This doesn’t mean his methods shouldn’t be used, or that they are invalid, but just that I think he miscategorized the majority of the spirits he was dealing with. Still, I will list them, because they’re important if you want to make a circle in his method. I’ll be sure to note when I think these spirits are angels.

The spirits who rule in the spring are Caratasa, Core, Amatiel (who is an angel), and Commisoros. Spugliguel is the (correctly identified) angel who rules over the sign of spring.

The spirits who rule in the summer are Gargatel, Tariel, and Gaviel (who are all angels). Tubiel rules over the sign of summer (and is also an angel).

The spirits who rule over autumn are Tarquam, and Guabarel (who is an angel). The spirit ruling the sign of autumn is Tarquaret.

The spirits who rule over winter are Amabael (who is an angel), and Ctarari. The spirit ruling the sign of winter is Altarib.

I hope this post has provided useful information for you, and that it will serve as a useful reference for the rest of my series on astrological magic. This series is coming close to its end. I will continue it very soon, probably to explain how you should build a circleandconsecrate the space where you will do your work.

-Admin

This will be the eighth installment in our series on astrological magic. In this post, I’d like to delve a little deeper into image theory, so you can have a better idea of the power and function of zodiacal images in particular. This will further serve to help you learn about the usefulness of this practice, as well as provide some insight into some ways you can create them. Please keep in mind that this post is not a complete method in itself, and that it might not give you satisfactory results if it is your only source of information for a method. Please be safe, and always feel free to ask us if you have any questions.

Images of the zodiac signs and their faces (which are not usually visually represented the same way in different cultures around the world) are some of the most powerful images you can use. It’s possible to make extremely powerful images of other kinds, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with the way these images work in order to be able to create your own. These examples can give you a really useful look at the fundamental nature of images, and it should also give you a fairly broad understanding of the way the symbolism you use affects the energy you draw from the celestial bodies. Keep in mind that countless other images can be effectively made to draw power from celestial bodies and zodiac signs, and that if you come to understand the things which any given body is associated with, you’ll be able to devise your own unique magical images without issue. Now I will briefly explain the uses of some of the images from the zodiac. Here, it’s important to know that although the decans and faces are divided up the same way (ten degrees each), they are not always ruled by the same planets. This means that while the third decan of Aries might be ruled by Jupiter, the third face of Aries is actually ruled by Venus, although both are in the same place in the zodiac. These are both important to know in a given situation, because both ruling planets can have a measurable effect on the properties of the decan or face in question.

The Fire signs (which also represent the East) are good for helping fight against illnesses with symptoms similar to the flu or common cold. They are also good for fighting edema and gout. They can also held you speak concisely and gain respect and recognition from others. More specific uses of these images depend on which sign and decanisrising.

Leo’s image during the first degree ascending of the face and decan ruled by Jupiter (the 2^nd Decan of Leo) is useful for fighting melancholia or morbid obsessions. It’s particularly helpful for resisting epidemics, healing most kinds of sicknesses, and preventing swelling, or inflammation. It’s also helpful for treating or preventing kidney stones, and for treating the injuries of animals. When Leo is in the midheaven, and the Sun is in its second decan, this is comparably effective for the same purposes.

The Air signs (which also represent the West) are good for sending diseases away. They can help foster friendship, treat melancholic illnesses, and generally promote good health. The image of Aquarius is particularly helpful against malaria.

Water signs (which also represent the North) are useful against tuberculosis, and other dry fevers. It is also good for reducing digestive problems like diarrhea (which makes sense, considering that darrhea causes dehydration, and vice-versa).

Scorpio’s image in particular has a specific connection to the genitalia, and when its third decan, ruled by the Moon (while that face is ruled by Venus)isrising, you can use this image to create sexual desire.

When the 2^nd Decan of Scorpio is rising (Jupiter ruling the decan and the Sun ruling the face), you can use the image of the scorpion to protect and heal from scorpion stings and snake bites, and to ward off malicious spirits. It is also useful for augmenting your wisdom, and promoting a healthy complexion.

The image of Cancer is useful for warding off snakes and healing poisonings, so long as the Sun and Moon are in conjunction in Cancer, and the 1^st or 3^rd Decan of Cancer is rising. The 1^st Decan of Cancer is ruled by the Moon, and that face is ruled by Venus. The 3^rd Decan of Cancer is ruled by Jupiter, and that face by the Moon.

Any time the Sun is in Cancer, you may use the image of the crab to cause great distress to snakes and other serpentine reptiles or amphibians.

Earth signs (which are also associated with the South) are good for treating fevers which are long-lasting, and which are accompanied by inflammation. They are useful for helping people seem elegant and spiritual.

Capricorn in particular is a useful image for keeping people and places safe from harm, since Mars is exalted in this sign.

Consider that all these images act differently depending on the ruler of the decan and face they are in, but that they still have effects along the lines of their most straightforward symbolism. Since there are 36 decans in the zodiac, I’m probably not going to go over all of the images of the faces or what they do in this post (though I’ve already spoken briefly about the decans, and if necessary or requested, I might be able to make a post about them in the future). You can probably find a legitimate use for any sign’s image in nearly any part of the zodiac, if you consider the rulers and positioning of the celestial bodies carefully enough. Just remember to be careful, and thoroughly consider the potential downsides of any operation you formulate which you haven’t read about before. Always make sure to take every necessary precaution.

I hope this post has given you a little more insight into the basic properties of images, and how they interact with environmental and heavenly factors. The next post in this series will be a master post with a long list of things ruled by each planet, sign, and fixed star. If successful, it will be a very useful resource for many more purposes than just astrological magic, but it is definitely a very necessary resource for this art, as well. Thank you very much for reading.

-Admin

This will be the sixth installment in our series on astrological magic. Before I get too far in explaining other workings of astrological magic, it’s really important for you to know a little about the Arabic Parts (or Lots) that I’ve mentioned in passing a few times in earlier posts. Here, I will provide a brief explanation of the symbolism and meaning of the Parts, a little about their history, how to calculate them, and how to apply them to your astrological magic. The information in this post is mostly derived from one source (and verified as much as possible by many others). This source is The Arabic Parts in Astrology by Robert Zoller. There are not many sources of extensive information on the Parts, but Zoller’s book is particularly useful if you want a thorough source on the matter. Remember that no single post in this series will give you everything you need in order to effectively carry out astrological magic. Please be safe. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask us.

The best known Part in astrology is the Part of Fortune. In a natal chart, it represents your future financial and career success in a much more precise manner than does the planet Jupiter. In a chart for astrological magic, however, it can have a powerful effect on the overall outcome of your magic. Most modern astrologers only use the Part of Fortune, and rarely calculate or consider the other Parts. While many people consider this sufficient in any normal astrological practice, this is far from enough knowledge to properly apply the Parts to magic. Some Arabic and Hindu astrologers have traditionally used 97 different Parts in their astrological practices, and Hermetics usually use at least 7 of them (each pertaining to one of the planets, and which are demonstrative enough of the nature of Parts in general that I will include those here). European astrologers over time have also used a fairly wide variety of unique Parts which aren’t included in the aforementioned collections. Although I’m certainly not going to explain each individual Part here, I think it’s important for you to have a basic familiarity with the concept, and to know how to decide whether or not a specific Part is appropriate to designate as the one which represents your goals in a magical work.

Basic Concept:

The first, and perhaps most important thing to understand about Parts is their root in the triangular model of existence popular in most Theosophical traditions, and many religions. Personally, I prefer to use the Theosophical model of this triangle, which puts God (as in the absolute or Tetragrammaton, rather than any other form of god or divinity) at the top of the triangle, humanity on the lower left corner, and nature on the lower right. This is representative of the fact that these three concepts are actually unified, and can’t be fully understood if they are thought of as separate. I may make an in depth post about this at some other time, but it would be tangential to explain it in full here (it would qualify more as introductory Hermetic philosophy and symbolism than as theory of astrological magic). To frame it as simply as possible, the concept is a threefold representation of the fractal nature of existence, and is one of many expressions of the Hermetic principle which states “as above, so below.” Consider this as you choose a Part to represent your work. Does its symbolism reflect your intentions? If it does, then your “above” will be much more favorable to the “below” you wish to affect. The fact that a Part consists of two tangible points and one intangible is still more indicative of this threefold property they carry, though (since God is intangible, and humans and nature are both tangible).

Symbolism:

Every Part in an astrological chart has its own symbolic meaning, and pertains to specific things in both the personal life and the world as a whole. In astrological magic, this means that each spell you are casting should be assigned to a specific Part which best exemplifies your goals. There are many, many Parts, and if you become familiar with the symbolism of the various tangible points (things like planets, houses, angles, the ascendant, descendant, midheaven, cusps, nodes, etc.) which make up an astrological chart, you’ll be able to discern the meaning of any Part you can calculate. I’ll provide a basic explanation of the seven Parts commonly used in Hermeticism to help give you an introductory understanding. The method of calculating these seven Parts will be discussed later in this post.

The Part of the Moon is also known as the Part of Fortune. It represents prosperity and material success, and therefore is always important to know about in the context of astrological magic. It affects diurnal charts more than nocturnal ones, but it is of extreme importance to both. The location of the Part of Fortune is so important that ancient sources on astrological magic usually specifically account for how it should be positioned when you are carrying out a ritual. I will discuss where it should be positioned later in this post.

The Part of the Sun is also called the Part of Future. It represents intent, and also faith. It is also linked to religion, and especially the secret practices therein. If your work involves praise or good reputations, courtesy, or things which are hidden or not present, this Part may be a good representative for your petition. It is more powerful in nocturnal charts than in those which are diurnal.

The Part of Saturn is also called the Heavy Part. It is aptly named, because it deals with any matter which carries a lot of figurative weight. This includes memories, deep thought and introspect, old age, karma, incarceration, consistent fulfillment of responsibilities, and the passage of time. It can also represent the conditions of a person’s death. It can be tied to things which are lost in bodies of water. Finally, it can represent anything which has been lost or stolen. If your petition concerns any of these things, you might designate this as the Part to represent it.

The Part of Jupiter is also called the Part of Happiness, or the Jovial Part. It is tied to honor and material success. It is especially concerned with monetary success. It can be used to help a person become zealous or faithful, and it is connected to fairness. You may consider assigning your petition to this Part if these are some of the concerns of your magic.

The Part of Mars is also called the Part of Daring. This Part is tied to all things pertaining to military or war. It also represents the overall worth of one’s soul. This is also a useful Part to represent your petition if you intend to use seduction to commit an act of incest. If you actually work to perform the latter of these purposes, you’re disgusting and you shouldn’t be practicing these arts. Finally, this Part can represent final outcomes and anything you wish to carry out in a rush.

The Part of Venus is also known as the Part of Love. As the name implies, it is associated with all things which are considered sensual or sexual “both licit and illicit” as Zoller says. You may also find this Part useful for gaining any pleasurable experiences which you deeply desire.

The Part of Mercury is also called the Part of Poverty. Again, its name is very indicative of its meaning. In addition to poverty, it can represent the sharpness of your mind. It can also represent war and conflict, especially pertaining to fear and hate. In addition to this, it can be beneficial to any commerce or mercantile activity. Finally, it represents study and knowledge of arts and sciences, and intelligence pertaining to them.

Calculation and Placement:

To calculate the Parts usually involves a formula which requires you to find the distance between two tangible points on the chart (sometimes other Parts are used as these tangible points), and then adding that distance to the ascendant or some other tangible point. To further complicate this process, you usually go in the opposite direction from the ascendant if your chart is nocturnal. It’s extremely important to be careful and make sure you’re calculating your parts in the right direction from the tangible point they relate to if you want to be accurate in your work.

For the Part of Fortune, the first thing you need to know is if you’re using a chart which is nocturnal or diurnal. That is, whether it is day or night at the time the chart represents. If the chart is diurnal, you will calculate this Part by adding the degrees and minutes of the ascendant to those of the Moon, and then subtracting the degrees and minutes of the Sun from that. If it is a nocturnal chart, you should add the ascendant to the Sun, and subtract the Moon.

There are several things you should consider when you are deciding if the Part of Fortune is in a good place for you to work. These are not specific to any purpose, but should be considered in general.

-The Part of Fortune should not be cadent from the Moon or from any aspects of the Moon.

-It’s a good thing if the Part of Fortune is conjunct to the planet ruling the ascendant.

-The Moon should not be in the 3^rd, 6^th, 8^th, or 12^th House from the Part of Fortune.

For the Part of the Sun, take whichever method of calculating the Part of Fortune is not applicable to the time of day, and this is how you will find the Part of the Sun.

For the Part of Saturn, you should calculate the distance from Saturn forward to the Part of Fortune in a diurnal chart. In a nocturnal chart, take the distance from the Part of Fortune forward to Saturn. Add this distance to the ascendant, and the sum is the location of this Part.

For the Part of Jupiter, you should take the distance from the Part of Fortune forward to Jupiter in a diurnal chart. In a nocturnal chart, take the distance from Jupiter forward to the Part of Fortune. This distance should be added to the ascendant, and the sum is the location of this Part.

For the Part of Mars, calculate the distance from Mars forward to the Part of Fortune in a diurnal chart. In a nocturnal chart, you should calculate the distance from the Part of Fortune forward to Mars. Then, you should add this distance to the ascendant to locate this Part.

For the Part of Venus, you should calculate the distance from the Part of Fortune forward to the Part of the Sun in a diurnal chart, and in a nocturnal chart you will calculate from the Part of the Sun forward to the Part of fortune. Add this distance to the ascendant and you will be able to locate this Part.

For the Part of Mercury, you will use the method of calculation which is not applicable to the Part of Venus.

Hopefully this gives you a basic understanding of how Parts work, as well as how they are calculated. The Part which represents your work (or the conditions which necessitated your work) is called the Part of the Petition in astrological magic. The house where it sits represents the beginning of your work. The planet which rules over that house represents the ending of your work, or how it will be resolved. The ruler of house where that planet sits represents the total completion of the matter the work is pertaining to. Now for the last bit of this post, I’ll talk a little about how the Part of the Petition should be placed.

-Try to give the Part of the Petition good aspects with Jupiter or Venus, with Mars and Saturn cadent from the houses they rule.

-Never let the planet ruling over the Petition be in retrograde.

-The ruler of the Petition should be in conjunction or opposition with a luminary. If you can’t account for this, the ruler of the house where that planet sits can be in that position. One or both of these planets should also be in the same house as the ascendant, or the Part of the Petition.

I hope this post has been useful and informative, and gave you a basic understanding of the Parts and how they work. I will continue this series soon. Thank you for reading.

-Admin

This will be the fifth post in our series on astrological magic. Now that we’ve gone over the placement of the planets, we can start to get into the theory behind magic which draws on the powers of the heavens (the ritual methodsandrelated theorywillfollow in a later post). Although this post will take us closer to a complete method of astrological magic, you should keep in mind that even with all the information in the series so far, you will probably get very limited results if these posts are all you’re deriving your methods from. Regarding the familiarity you need with the symbols involved in this process, this post really only scratches the surface. I will continue to compile information in this subject, and this series will continue to grow and serve as a reference you can access any time. Please be safe. Feel free to send us an ask if you have any questions.

There is a classical Hermetic method to creating talismans or images concerning any and every body part. I doubt that I will speak of these in detail, because it is such a lengthy subject (I may make a post about it in the future if some necessity arises), but there is some freely accessible information about it available from various online sources. There are also Arabic and Hindu beliefs about the use of different decans for creating talismans or images for countless other purposes, some personal, and others impersonal. I will discuss some of these here. Remember though, to properly use any of the correspondences I’m describing, you will need to have some understanding of the ritualtheory involved, and to properly use the ritual theory, you will need some understandingof thesymbolisminvolved. Given that both are equally necessary, I decided to start here.

Every sign in the Zodiac has three decans (they are also sometimes referred to as faces, though decans and faces are often given different ruling planets), which you should familiarize yourself with. Each decan has a subruler (which is usually a different planet than the primary ruler of the sign), and specific properties and symbolic associations, as well as a different visual representation than the sign itself. To find which planet rules each decan, you can think of it this way: Place the sign in question on the ascendant of a hypothetical chart. The first decan is ruled by the planet which rules over the ascendant. The second decan is ruled by the planet which rules over the 5^th House. The third decan is ruled by the planet which rules over the 9^th House. This is useful to know, especially if you can remember the rulers of each sign and which order they proceed in. To learn how each decan is visually depicted, you should do your own research, because that information is very easy to come by.

Now consider that each decan of the Zodiac can lend you specific beneficial energies for making talismans or other powerful objects, as well as other types of magical work. There are 36 decans total in the Zodiac, and I will briefly describe some of their properties here.

Aries (which is primarily ruled by Mars):

The 1^st Decan of Aries is ruled by Mars, and generally lends you a great advantage in any type of battle, literal or figurative. Basically, this face is useful for becoming victorious in a conflict against an enemy.

The 2^nd Decan of Aries is ruled by the Sun, and can greatly assist you in gaining the favor of people on powerful positions, or gaining their graces, if they are already short-tempered with you.

The 3^rd Decan of Aries is ruled by Jupiter, and can help you bring peaceful resolutions to official conflict, conflict between politicians, and problems among high clergy (as if you’d really want to deal with clergy at all).

Taurus (which is primarily ruled by Venus):

The 1^st Decan of Taurus is ruled by Venus, and you can use it to improve the relationship between spouses.

The 2^nd Decan of Taurus is ruled by Mercury. This decan is useful if you want to cause conflict between women.

The 3^rd Decan of Taurus is ruled by Saturn. This one is good for causing hatred. It’s also a useful sign if you wish to make a man impotent, or to make a woman become disgusted with physical intimacy. You can also use this sign to help destroy romantic relationships.

Gemini (which is primarily ruled by Mercury):

The 1^st Decan of Gemini is ruled by Mercury. You can use it to damage the intelligence and cognition of a person.

The 2^nd Decan of Gemini is ruled by Venus, which can help you cause missing people to return, or to bring fugitives back to a certain place.

The 3^rd Decan of Gemini is ruled by Saturn. It allows you to cause a person’s reputation to be destroyed. People will say hateful things about the person of your choice, and they will likely become subject to some kind of ridicule.

Cancer (which is primarily ruled by the Moon):

The 1^st Decan of Cancer is ruled by the Moon. This is a time to call for rain. It can also serve to bring back people who are missing, no matter how they are traveling.

The 2^nd Decan of Cancer is ruled by Mars. In this decan, you can try to ward off snow or rain. It also helps you banish snakes and other wild animals, whether you are at sea or on land.

The 3^rd Decan of Cancer is ruled by Jupiter. It appears to be best for helping seafaring travelers survive dangerous situations.

Leo (which is ruled by the Sun):

The 1^st Decan of Leo is ruled by the Sun. It’s a good time to cast talismans to help you get in the good graces of a politician or another fairly powerful figure. It’s also effective for causing wild predators like bears to gather in the place of your choice (within reason).

The 2^nd Decan of Leo is ruled by Jupiter, and it serves to ward off wild predators, which is particularly useful for protecting livestock, or domestic animals.

The 3^rd Decan of Leo is ruled by Mars. This decan is used to bring wild predators to places populated by humans.

Virgo (which is Mercurial):

The 1^st Decan of Virgo is ruled by Mercury, and you can use this decan to make talismans for assisting you in writing and business.

The 2^nd Decan of Virgo is ruled by Saturn, and it’s useful if you’re trying to bring destruction to someone’s tools or writing utensils.

The 3^rd Decan of Virgo is ruled by Venus. You can use this decan to make images which keep spouses on good terms with each other.

Libra (which is ruled by Venus):

The 1^st Decan of Libra is ruled by Venus. You can use it to make talismans which can strengthen or weaken a woman’s love.

The 2^nd Decan of Libra is ruled by Saturn, and can be used to weaken the love of people of any gender.

The 3^rd Decan of Libra is ruled by Mercury. This one is useful for talismans which help fugitives return safely.

Scorpio (which is ruled by Mars):

The 1^st Decan of Scorpio is ruled by Mars. It’s useful for attracting spiders, snakes, and other venomous creatures to the place of your choice.

The 2^nd Decan of Scorpio is ruled by Jupiter, and is useful if you want to make a talisman to repel the aforementioned venomous creatures.

The 3^rd Decan of Scorpio is ruled by the Moon. This decan is good for talismans reducing the severity of rainstorms, or redirecting them altogether. In general, this decan is useful for preventing water damage of all kinds.

Sagittarius (which is ruled by Jupiter):

The 1^st Decan of Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, and here you can make talismans which assist love, friendship, and good will.

The 2^nd Decan of Sagittarius is ruled by Mars. This is a good time to make talismans for causing health problems and illness in any person you choose.

The 3^rd Decan of Sagittarius is ruled by the Sun, and talismans made in this decan can help you get into the good graces of bosses, and of people in positions of great power.

Capricorn (which is ruled by Saturn):

The 1^st Decan of Capricorn is Saturn’s. Talismans from this decan can aid people who hunt for food, and can also help increase the yield and quality of milk from farm animals who lactate.

The 2^nd Decan is ruled by Venus. This decan supports talismans which help goats yield more milk (which will be of great interest to one of our mods), and to aid the health and population of bees in the area of your choice. You can also use this decan to make talismans which draw birds to the place of your choice.

The 3^rd Decan of Capricorn is ruled by Mercury. This decan is basically only useful for making talismans which intend to destroy the things which are aided by the first two decans of Capricorn. I really hope you don’t ever see fit to use this.

Aquarius (which is ruled by Saturn):

The 1^st Decan of Aquarius is ruled by Saturn. It’s useful for creating talismans to aid friendship with elderly people regardless of whether they are powerful or in a lower social class. This is also a good time to make talismans which can help you find hidden treasures of any kind.

The 2^nd Decan of Aquarius is ruled by Mercury. This decan is good for making talismans which help you make friends with young or youthful people.

The 3^rd Decan of Aquarius is ruled by Venus. This decan is particularly useful if you want a talisman to help you make friends with women, or to gain the love of women.

Pisces (which is ruled by Jupiter):

The 1^st Decan of Pisces is ruled by Jupiter. This decan is good for making talismans which aid one in fishing, and in safe seafaring.

The 2^nd Decan of Pisces is ruled by the Moon. At this time you can make effective talismans for helping plants (especially plants which bear fruit). You can also make talismans to call the rain or cause fish to gather at the location of your choice (only in bodies of water, of course).

The 3^rd Decan of Pisces is ruled by Mars. Talismans made at this time can be made for successful military ventures, as well as successful hunts.

Before you begin any work, it’s important to know that every planet corresponds to certain materials (specific metals, stones, and sometimes types of glass) which effectively conduct their respective powers. For reference, here is a master list of many of the things ruled over by the planets, signs, and fixed stars.

It might also also important for you to learn the 7 groups of constituents of nature, each group consisting of 4 basic constituents. There are 28 such constituents of nature in all (according to this particular system of symbolism, of course). You can find information on these in almost any introductory volume on the occult, but in particular, I find Henry Cornelius Agrippa to be a good source for information of this kind. These 28 constituents correspond to the 28 Mansions of the Moon, and Pythagorean numerology also finds 28 to be a very important number, so it appears that this system has been thoroughly developed over a very long period of time, and you might benefit from doing some independent research on the numerological importance of the number 28 in various occult and philosophical traditions.

I will conclude this post here. I hope to further expand on this information and more of the necessary symbolism for astrological magic very soon. I hope this post has been helpful to you. Thank you very much for reading.

-Admin

This is the fourth installment in my series on astrological magic. This post is meant to give you a basic understanding of the ascendant, as well as some amount of familiarity with the other houses. Keep in mind that no single post on this blog will give you a complete method for casting astrological magic. This is a series which provides several small pieces to the larger system of this art, and it’s probably a good idea to look over the series in its entirety before trying to do anything based on the methods I’m describing. Make sure to be safe, and please feel welcome to ask us if you have any questions.

In astrological magic, the ascendant is fundamental to the nature of your work. If your ascendant is not in the right sign for your work, this is probably one of the most irresponsible mistakes you could make. It is really important for you to choose an ascendant which is concordant with your intentions, and which is ruled by a planet which is favorable to your goals as well (especially since this planet is also considered the ruler of the entire chart). When you decide on an ascendant, this will determine where the other signs will be in the chart you calculate for your petition (you should probably use the whole sign system for your houses, in this context). This should give you a basic introduction to the concept of the ascendant as it applies to astrological magic.

Things you should consider when choosing an ascendant:

Regarding planets and aspects:

-Make sure the ascendant and midheaven are ruled by planets which are favorable to your petition. They should be free from the negative influence of Saturn and Mars.

-The ascendant can share a house with the planet ruling the house where the Moon sits, so long as the Moon is occidental (meaning it rises first, or appears to the west in the sky relative to the planet in question) to the ruler if the house where it sits.

-If Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, or Mars rule the ascendant, and are in one of the four angles (the 1^st, 4^th, 7^th, or 10^th House), and are otherwise favorable (the posts aboutthe planets can give you more information about this), this is a very good situation.

-If the ascendant is at a good aspect with Jupiter or Venus, or one of them is rising in the ascendant, this is an extremely good situation to get efficient and timely results.

-The ascendant should not be in the same house as the Moon unless your petition involves masters and servants, workers and employers, or similar concepts.

-Saturn and Mars should not rule the ascendant if they also rule the 2^nd, 6^th, 8^th, or 12^thHouse.

RegardingParts:

-The Part of Fortune and its ruler should not be cadent from the ascendant. Especially if they are at an unfavorable aspect with the ascendant or the Moon.

-If the ascendant’s ruler is in conjunction with the Part of Fortune’s ruler, this is a good time to work.

-The ascendant (as well as the Moon) should ideally be in a sign of direct ascension (the first six signs of the Zodiac are the signs of direct ascension).

-The properties of the ascendant and the 4^th House of your chart will tell you how your work is predisposed.

Regarding the signs:

-In the daytime, the ascendant will be optimally effective if it is in Capricorn, Aquarius, or Pisces.

-At night, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini are the most effective ascendant signs.

-For a work to take effect quickly, affect people in positions of power, or set something in motion, the ascendant should be in a fire sign.

-If your petition is related to war or conflict, you should probably choose a sign ruled by Mars (Like Aries or Scorpio).

-Cardinal ascendants are good for helping you obtain things or overcome obstacles.

-Mutable ascendants are particularly useful for carrying out tasks like sorcery and miracle working, among numerous other mystical pursuits.

-Fixed ascendants are good for magical work which intends to endure over a long period of time.

I hope this post has given you an understanding of how to choose the right ascendant to work under when you are using astrological magic, as well as how it should be placed in relation to the rest of the chart. I also hope it gave you a very general idea of which houses are favorable and unfavorable, and how that relates to the ascendant. As always, thank you very much for reading.

-Admin

This is the third installment in our series on astrological magic. This post will cover the three planets we haven’t dealt with yet. These are Fortunes (Jupiter and Venus) and Mercury. Remember, any single post in this series won’t be enough information for you to carry out a successful ritual. It’s probably a good idea to look over this entire series fairly thoroughly before you try and apply any of the methods I’m describing. Please be safe. If you have any questions, feel free to send us an ask.

The Fortunes are very important planets to understand in any astrological work, but especially in astrological magic. Jupiter is often called the Greater Fortune, while Venus is the Lesser Fortune. Jupiter’s purposes are usually related to money, material success, or people in positions of power, while Venus is more associated with love, friendship, and similarly intangible (yet still very desirable) things. The following information should help you decide if the Fortunes are in good positions to support your magical work.

Things to look for when deciding if the Fortunes are in good positions:

Regarding the houses and planets:

-It is usually a very good idea to have Jupiter or Venus ruling the ascendant house. Especially if the aforesaid ruler is in the ascendant house or another one of the angles.

-If Saturn or Mars rule the ascendant, it’s good to have Jupiter, Venus, or both rising or at a good aspect with the ascendant.

-If Jupiter or Venus are direct (as opposed to being stationary or in retrograde) and luminous (not moving toward the sun and losing light, similar to a waxing lunar phase), it greatly strengthens a work if either of the Fortunes is conjunct with the Moon, unless you’re trying to free captives or catch fugitives (this is discussed more in the post about the Moon).

-It’s good to have Jupiter or Venus in the 1^st or 2^nd Houses. If both houses contain a Fortune, this is ideal.

-It’s usually agreeable to have Jupiter or Venus applying to a good aspect with the Moon.

-If Jupiter or Venus is rising while the Moon is waxing, this should get you the fastest results.

For specific purposes:

-In any work concerning faithfulness, one of the Fortunes should be in the same house as the Part of the Petition (the Parts in general will be discussed in a later post). It’s even better to have Jupiter or Venus in the same house as the Part of Fortune. It’s also good to have the Part of Fortune’s ruling planet received by Jupiter or Venus.

-If you’re trying to appeal to people with great power, Jupiter should be received by the Moon.

-For miscellaneous purposes, Jupiter should be received by the planet which rules over the ascendant, or by the Moon. It is also agreeable if Jupiter is with the Part of Fortune, in the ascendant house, or with the Part of the Petition.

-In any work concerning high clergy, judges, or the generosity of wealthy or powerful people, you should let Jupiter be the planet which rules over the ascendant (and therefore, the planet which rules over the entire chart).

-In any work concerning women, joyful people, designers and decorators, visual artists, ornamentation, acting, or embroidery, you should choose a time when Venus rules over the ascendant (and therefore the whole chart).

-In work involving food or any kind of wealth, the Part of the Petition should be conjunct with Jupiter or Venus (or even with one of the Infortunes), or at a good aspect with Jupiter or Venus.

-If the previous condition can’t be met, you can have one of the five lords of the Petition (the ruler of the sign, the ruler of its exaltation, the ruler of the Petition’s triplicity, the ruler of the Petition’s term, and the ruler of the face or decan the Petition is in).

-If the previous two conditions can’t be met, some of the five lords of the Petition should aspect Jupiter and Venus favorably.

-In any work concerning money, Jupiter should strengthen the Sun at a good aspect, with an otherwise favorable chart.

Mercury is a unique planet in any astrological context. It represents the swiftness of intelligence, communication, commerce, everyday thought processes, some properties of war, sciences, fear, hatred, injuries, and negotiations. In magic, it is normally used for work concerning the intellectual abilities, or safety and swiftness of travel. There does not appear to be a lot of information available about the ideal placement of Mercury, but if I find more information, I will certainly make another post to expand on this.

Things you should consider when placing Mercury:

-In any work dealing with numbers, writing, or study, Mercury should receive Mars.

-Mercury should be ruling the ascendant (and therefore the entire chart) in any work involving geometry, merchants, education, writing, or anything similar.

I hope this post has been useful and informative, and that it will be a good resource to help you to decide whether Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury are in favorable positions for you to work. All in all, the Fortunes and Mercury are probably the least difficult planets to deal with, so although you should take care to pick the best time you can, keep in mind that these are the planets which will almost never try to do you any harm, even if they might fail to help you if they’re unfavorably placed. Thank you for reading this. I hope you continue to find my posts useful and interesting.

-Admin

This post will be the second installment in my series on astrological magic. The intent of this post is to provide a study on the planets Saturn and Mars, their uses and effects, and their ideal placement in the heavens. Remember, even if your magic draws primarily on Saturn or Mars’s influences, you probably won’t be successful if this post is all you use as a source of information. This is just one part of a series which gives you pieces of a fairly complex system. It would probably be a good idea to thoroughly read this entire series before you try to use any of the methods which are detailed here. As always, be safe. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask us.

Saturn is considered the most hostile planet in classical astrological magic. Sometimes it has been referred to as the Greater Infortune for that reason. Following that trend, Mars is called the Lesser Infortune. Most older sources seem to recommend avoiding their influences as much as possible, though they universally acknowledge that this can’t always be done. There also appear to be a few types of situation where they are of use, despite their generally unfavorable reputations. Below, I will detail specific considerations you should observe when deciding whether Saturn and Mars are in acceptable places for you to carry out a ritual.

Useful things to consider when dealing with Saturn and Mars:

Concerning houses and planets:

-You will not usually have good results when Saturn or Mars is in the same house as the Moon.

-You always want to avoid having Saturn or Mars at a square or opposition (especially if they are applying to it) with the Moon. A trine or sextile aspect is okay, but not always ideal (except in some specific cases which will be mentioned below).

-It’s ideal to avoid having Saturn or Mars in the same house or at a bad aspect with a planet which rules either of the houses where the Sun or Moon sit.

-Neither Saturn nor Mars should be in the same house as the ascendant or the midheaven, nor should they be at any aspect with either.

-Saturn or Mars can be used as the ruler of the ascendant (and therefore the ruler of the entire chart) sometimes, but you must make sure it is otherwise well-placed.

-You should absolutely never work with Saturn at an aspect to the waxing Moon. This is the worst possible condition for work.

-If Mars is at an aspect with the waxing Moon, this is also very bad. Try to avoid working in these conditions, too.

-If the ascendant and the house where the Moon sits are both ruled by Infortunes, this is not favorable.

-If Saturn is in the 1^st House, in Capricorn, or Aquarius, it should not be applying to an aspect with the Moon.

-If Mars is in the 1^st House, in Aries, or Scorpio, it should not be applying to aspect with the Moon.

-It’s usually considered ideal to have Saturn and Mars be cadent from the houses where they rule.

-Saturn and Mars should not be in the ascendant house, or any of the other angles. Especially avoid this if they rule over the 2^nd, 6^th, 8^th, or 12^thHouses.

-Saturn and Mars should never be conjunct with the Moon or the ruler of the ascendant.

-The rulers of the 4^th House and the ascendant aren’t ideally placed if they’re conjunct with Saturn or Mars.

ConcerningParts or Lots:

-Saturn and Mars can be helpful if they are at a favorable aspect to the Part of the Petition.

-Saturn and Mars should never be conjunct or at an aspect with the planet ruling the Part of the Petition.

Concerning specific types of work:

-For work involving soldiers, fire, iron or metalwork, or people at arms, you should use a chart where Mars rules over the ascendant (and therefore the entire chart).

-For any work you do which concerns elderly people, or land workers (such as agricultural workers), Saturn should be the planet ruling over the ascendant (and therefore the entire chart).

-In situations where you intend to have your magical works help you collect debts or anything else which you are owed, you should have Saturn receive Mars.

-If you’re casting magic dealing with numbers, writing, or any kind of research and study, Mars should be received by Mercury.

-In magic regarding lawsuits, as I mentioned in my post about the Moon, Mars should be received by the Moon, and also at a favorable aspect with it.

-Mars is a good ruler for the ascendant if you are dealing with military forces, or war in any literal or figurative sense.

I hope this post has helped to familiarize you with the basic concept of judging the positions of Saturn and Mars. If you’re unclear about anything, or you have any questions at all, remember that you’re always welcome to ask us. As always, thank you for reading.

-Admin

This is the first installment in a series I’ll be doing on astrological magic. I’m starting with studies of the planets, and their ideal positions. The first planet I’ll be studying, and arguably the most important in astrological magic is the Moon. Studying the Moon in astrological magic naturally gives you all the information you need in order to decide where the Sun should be as well, so this post will effectively cover both luminaries. Please keep in mind that this singular study is far from all you will need to know when casting astrological magic. The Moon is one of many factors which must be considered when you’re preparing for a work. As I write other posts in this series, the information will become much more complete. If you try to derive an entire method based on only one post in my series, you will probably be disappointed by the results you get. Please be safe. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask us.

When deciding where the Moon should be to best ensure your ritual’s success, you should usually start by making sure it’s in the right quarter to assist you. The quarters of the Moon are as follows:

The first two quarters are ideal for casting spells to make commerce, advice, loans, and financial disputes more fortunate.

First Quarter (Elongation) – Corresponds to Spring and the East. This quarter of the Moon augments moisture most, but also heat. It positively affects vegetation, especially smaller plants and herbs.

Second Quarter – Corresponds to Summer and the West. This quarter augments heat and moisture in the same amount. Its effects are seen in vegetation and minerals.

The last two quarters are ideal for bringing good luck to the payment of debts, returning borrowed things, and seeking truths.

Third Quarter – Corresponds to Autumn and the South. This quarter primarily augments heat, and mildly increases moisture. Its effects are seen in the growth of animals and vegetables, as well as that of those varieties of mineral which grow.

Last Quarter – Corresponds to Winter and the North. It becomes fairly dry, and is also the coldest quarter.

Conjunction with the Sun within 1 minute – Represents completion or manifestation. It reduces excesses, and corrects deficiencies. When this conjunction is in effect, all other astrological bodies have the exact powers they are associated with. It may be difficult to effectively work at this time, but that can depend on many factors.

You should be aware that it’s best to work at a time when the Moon is in a mansion which is concordant with your intentions. If you’re not familiar with the 28 mansions of the Moon, you’ll benefit from doing some research on it. I’m not going to detail all of them and their properties here, but there is a fair amount of information available about them online, and in many books (Henry Cornelius Agrippa has included information about them in his Books on Occult Philosophy, for example).

Other Factors Which Can Help You Use the Moon Effectively:

In general:

-Make sure the day and hour you work in is ruled by a planet which sits in a favorable place in the chart, and ideally a planet which is concordant with your goals.

Regarding houses and planets:

-Find the planet ruling over the house where the Moon is. Usually, it is good to have the Moon at a favorable aspect with the planet ruling its house.

-If the planet ruling the Moon’s house is on the ascendant or midheaven, or in the 5^th or 11^th Houses, and is oriental to the Moon (rises after the Moon, and is east of the Moon in the sky), this is ideal.

-Make sure the ruler of the Moon’s exaltation is in a favorable place (the Moon is exalted in Taurus, and the ruler of Taurus is Venus).

-If the Moon is in a good place, and the planet ruling the Moon’s house is not in a cadent house or otherwise unfavorable position, this is ideal.

-It is good if the Moon is conjunct with Venus or Jupiter, so long as the Fortune in question isn’t in retrograde, or moving toward the Sun and becoming less bright (unless your work intends to set prisoners free, or capture fugitives).

-If a planet is conjunct with the Moon, and at a favorable aspect with the Sun, the Moon will amplify the effects of that planet.

-If the Moon is waxing and either Jupiter or Venus is rising, this will make your work take effect as fast as possible (other factors play into this, but not factors directly concerning the Moon).

Regardingthe ascendant:

-If the ascendant is mutable, the Moon should be at a good aspect with the ascendant, and should also be in a cardinal sign.

-If the ascendant is fixed or mutable, the Moon should be in a fixed sign, and at a good aspect with the planet ruling its house. That planet should also not be in combustion, retrograde, or at a hostile aspectwithSaturn or Mars.

-If your work is too urgent to account for the last two factors, you should at least make sure the Moon is applying to a good aspect with Jupiter or Venus.

-If the Moon and ascendant are both in signs of direct ascension, and the ascendant is fixed or mutable, this is probably the best time to work.

-If you must work quickly, the Moon can be cadent from the ascendant, as long as either Jupiter or Venus is ruling the ascendant, and at least one of them is also in the ascendant.

-The Moon and the planet ruling the ascendant should always be in favorable positions, if possible at all.

Regardingparts, or lots:

-Either the Part of the Petition’s ruling planet or the ruler of the house where the Petition’s ruler sits should be conjunct with or opposing the Moon or Sun.

Regarding specific types of work:

-For spells involving love or any kind of benevolence, the Moon should be received by Venus. This is even better if the Moon is in a house it rules over, or if it is exalted.

-If you can’t wait until the above is true, the Moon can be at a trine aspect with Venus, and Jupiter can be receiving the Moon. If not Jupiter, than the planet ruling the house where Jupiter sits can be receiving the Moon and should also be at a good aspect with the Moon.

-If neither of the above can be done, the Moon can be in a term of Venus, and at a favorable aspect with Jupiter, as long as the Moon is not negatively affectedbySaturn or Mars. For an inheritance, this term of Venus should be on a cusp in the 4^th House. If it is for faith, and you will be planning and working toward your goal, the term of Venus can be in the 11^th House. If it is for getting help from the law, put the term of Venus in the 9^thHouse.

-If you want to succeed in lawsuits or battles of any kind, let the Moon receive Mars, and let them be at a favorable aspect.

-If you’re trying to please someone who has a lot of power, the Moon should be receiving Jupiter. This position is also good for miscellaneous fortunate purposes.

-If you’re asking people for things, the planet ruling over the chart can be received by the Moon, or by the planet ruling over the ascendant.

-If the Moon rules over the ascendant (and therefore the entire chart), it is a favorable chart for messengers, for any cases brought before a powerful person, and for fishermen.

Things to be Cautious About:

-Make sure the Moon is not involved in an eclipse (eclipses can also be called impediments). This includes both solar and lunar eclipses.

-Generally, it isn’t good to have the Moon in combustion.

-Make sure the Moon is moving at its normal speed. If it is moving faster or slower than normal, this could negatively affect your outcome (once you are experienced in these arts, you can usually deal with this problem fairly easily, though).

-Find the planet ruling over the house where the Moon sits. Make sure the Moon isn’t cadent from that planet. It also should not be separating from that planet (or applying to it, if the Moon is at one of the angles).

-The Moon should not be in a succedent or cadent house (the 2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th, 6^th, 8^th, 9^th, 11^th, or 12^thHouse).

-The Moon should not be descending. If the Moon is in the descendant house, you should not go forward with your work at this time.

-If the Moon is in the 9^th House, and the planet ruling that house is in the 3^rd House, this is an example of a situation you should avoid (also if the Moon is in the 12^th, and its ruler is in the 6^th, or both are in any combination of opposing houses which are cadent from the angles).

-If the Moon is in a good place, make sure the ruler of the house where it sits is not in a cadent house. This will cause your work to end unfavorably.

-Try not to work with the Moon conjunct to the South Node or applying to a hostile aspectwithSaturn or Mars.

-If the Moon is waxing and aspected to Mars in any way at all, it is unfavorable.

-If the Moon is waxing and aspected to Saturn in any way, it is as unfavorable as possible.

-Make sure the neither the ruler of the Moon’s house, nor the ruler of the ascendant are Saturn or Mars, unless it is a very special occasion (some situations where Saturn or Mars may effectively rule the ascendant are discussed in the post about those two planets).

-Do not work with Saturn or Mars applying to an aspect with the Moon from the ascendant, or from any of the signs they rule.

-Make sure the Part of Fortune isn’t cadent from the Moon or one of its aspects.

-Make sure the Moon isn’t in the 3^rd, 6^th, 8^th, or 12^th House from the Part of Fortune.

-Generally, the Moon should not be the the ascendant house (but the Sun can). An important exception to this rule is work concerning masters and servants.

-Ideally, no planet contrary to your success (usually Saturn and Mars) should be at an aspect with the Moon, or with any other planet which is at a favorable aspect to the Moon (when this happens, it’s called prohibition).

-If the Moon is conjunctwithSaturn or Mars, you probably should not work.

-The planet ruling the house where the Moon sits should not be in a house with Saturn or Mars.

I hope this post has helped you gain a better understanding of how the Moon can influence your work, and of how to decide when it is favorably placed to support your goals. The next post in this series is a similar study of planets, and contains information about Saturn and Mars (the two most hostile planets, which are sometimes known as the Infortunes). Thank you for reading. I hope you continue to find our work helpful and interesting.

-Admin