#magical images
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 2nd 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 2nd 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 1st or 3rd Decan of Cancer is rising. The 1st Decan of Cancer is ruled by the Moon, and that face is ruled by Venus. The 3rd 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 seventh post in our series on astrological magic. Since we’ve already talked about how the planets and parts should be placed, we are ready to discuss some of the theoretical basis for creating images which draw the power of the celestial bodies for specific purposes. Here you will learn a little about images, their function, and how they are made. Since the theory behind making effective images is very extensive, I will probably make more posts with information about it in the future. Keep in mind that although this post contains vital information for the art of astrological magic, you’ll probably have very limited success if this post is the only source you derive your methods from. Make sure to be safe, and feel free to ask us if you have any questions.
Making effective and practical images which conduct the power of the heavens is a particularly important skill to have if you want your magic to be effective. To successfully do this, you’ll need to understand that everything made at a given time permanently takes on some of the properties of the heavens above it at that time. For that reason, when you’re making an image with the intention of conducting the power of specific celestial bodies, it’s important that you know about some of the symbols and images which are associated with the bodies whose power you’re using.
There are many types of images, and they can be based on any type of heavenly or earthly source, depending on their purpose. It’s possible to create an image for any purpose you could ever need. You should get to know some of the more basic images and what they can do if you want an idea of the connection between symbol and function. In the next post, I plan to go over some of the more basic images, such as those of the zodiac signs, their functions, and how they can be used. In this post, I will address some kinds of images which aren’t of the zodiac (some of which are heavenly, and others of which are derived from other sources).
Aside from the stars directly concerned with the zodiac and its workings, there are many other constellations and images in the sky, each with its own symbolism and mythological background. For example, Canis Major (the Dog) is good for casting images to help protect a person or place from plagues or epidemics, edema, and vicious animals. Another example is the constellation called Serpentarius (the Snake), which is good for curing poisons and snake bites (or other venemous bites). I’m certain that you could find an effective use for any constellation you wish, if you look for one which suits your purposes. Just keep in mind the particular image the constellation represents (for example, Pegasus pertains to horses, and this is obvious because its image is a winged horse), and if it represents a particular mythological figure with a story behind it, research the figure to learn more about its potential (for example, Hercules is a constellation, and he has a long mythological story which can help provide insight into many of the ways his constellation can be used).
There are also images which aren’t derived from anything in the heavens. These are perfectly effective in their own right, and I will briefly discuss their use here. Images of this kind include things like effigies. You could make an image in the likeness of two people you dislike fighting each other, for example. You could also make an image which looks like a mangled or maimed version of a person or thing which you want to see destroyed or suffering. Just remember that if your image represents a living thing, your desired effect should be written on its belly if your intentions are benevolent, or its back if your intentions are malevolent. Make sure the species of the thing the image depicts is written on its forehead (this particular concept of labeling is mentioned twice in Revelation, and probably in numerous other religious or biblical texts). On the chest of your image, you should write the name of the ascendant at the time of your casting the image, as well as its ruling planet and the angels (or other appropriate spirits, if you’d rather not deal with angels) who rule over it (and their seals or characters). These images are then treated accordingly.
After its creation, what should be done with an image depends on the purpose. They can be left hanging from a relevant place, or worn on the body somewhere, or buried. In the past, British folk magicians and witches would hang many different kinds of charms in their chimneys, some for positive effects or protection, and others for harming people (there is some debate as to why they decided to hang the charms there). They can he hanged from a tree to be exposed to the wind, while hanging them upside-down has different effects than hanging them normally. Sometimes these images are boiled in water. And of course, the best-known treatment (which is still practiced widely, even by people who don’t consider themselves magic users at all) is to burn the effigy in a fire, such as the British do every November. What you do with an image you’ve made, combined with the intent and emotion you put into your work continue to affect this particular kind of image and its subject as long as you continue to interact with it.
Even in the practices of making images that aren’t directly based on zodiacal imagery, it’s useful to use elective astrology in advance to decide on a good time to cast them and carry out your will on them. Some ancient Arabic astrologers actually claim it’s possible to actually infuse images you’ve created with a soul comparable in magnitude to that of a living thing if you properly perform these practices. Most historical astrological magicians I’ve researched seem to agree that images from the zodiac are usually far more powerful than other types of magical images, and are definitely capable of greater things than words are. They also, however, recommend that you use a prayer or clearly worded petition which asks for the thing you’re seeking. If you can refer to the specific astrological conditions which are present at the time, and to their effects which can help you, you should certainly make sure to do that in your prayer.
There are images for the fixed stars, too. These vary depending on the source of information, but I will explain the images the Hermetics tend to use for them. Here is an extensive post which details the materials and other things ruled over by the fixed stars (as well as the signs and planets). Below are some of the images of the fixed stars, along with their uses.
Algol’s image is a man’s head with a bloody neck. This image is useful for making a person more bold or noble. It can help protect from injury, and ward off malicious magic and witchcraft.
Pleiades has the image of a lamp or a virgin. These images can help you see at night, bring multiple spirits to a place, make the wind blow, and make hidden things seen.
Aldebaran has the image of a man flying, which some sources also say is the likeness of God. This image is useful for gaining wealth and social status.
Capella’s image is a man ready to play a musical instrument or dance. It’s useful to carry with you if you want to be respected and accepted by people in positions of power, and it can also be used to alleviate toothaches.
Sirius’s image is a virgin with her dog. This image brings kind intentions from others, and can put you in the favor of the aerial spirits (such as those in Ars Theurgia Goetia). It can also help you to calm people who are angry, including people in positions of power or authority.
Procyon’s image is a rooster, or alternately of three maids. It’s a useful image for gaining the favor of divine beings, spirits, and people. It also helps protect from witchcraft and health problems.
Regulus’s image can be a lion, cat, or a person deserving of respect sitting in a chair. It makes people more agreeable and reduces anger.
Alkaid’s image is a man in deep thought, or a bull or calf. It can protect a person from malicious magic, and helps safe travel.
Gienah’s image is a raven, a snake, or a black man (or perhaps a man of any ethnicity who has dark hair) in black clothes. It can make a person ambitious and charismatic. It can also cause wet dreams. It can help you get rid of malicious spirits, or draw them in. It’s also helpful protection against people who intend harm, and wind.
Spica’s image is a bird or a merchant carrying lots of wares. It can help you gain money and abundance, and protects against ill will and petty mischief.
Arcturus’s image is of a horse, wolf, or dancing man. It can help reduce fevers and promote blood health.
Alphecca’s image is a hen, or of a man wearing a crown. It can help you be pure and loved by other people.
Antares’s image is a man-at-arms in chain mail, or a scorpion. It can help you remember and comprehend things well. It helps you have a healthy complexion. It can also help you repel or control evil spirits.
Vega’s image is a vulture, hen, or traveler. It can help you be charitable and have good self-esteem. It gives you some control over demons and animals.
Delta Capricorni (also called Deneb Algedi) has the image of a goat or male deer, or an angry man. It can help you gain wealth or success, and can make people angrier.
I hope this has given you some understanding of magical images and how they work. I’ll be continuing this series soon, hopefully explaining a few more images, and then talking about things which are ruled by each of the planets, signs, and fixed stars.
-Admin
