Stellar Talismans

Taygete is one of the Pleiades, seven star-nymph sisters. This write-up begins with the story of the Pleiades and their transformation into stars before focusing on Taygete and the Talismans. 

The Pleiades

The Pleiades are the seven daughters of the Oceanid nymph Pleione and the Titan Atlas. Born on Mt. Cyllene in Arcadia, Pindar refers to them as mountain maids—a nod to their origins as mountain nymphs or Oreads. The sisters were said to be companions of Artemis, the huntress goddess.

One myth tells how Pleione and her daughters were out hunting when the giant Orion saw them and pursued them in lust. They prayed to Zeus for rescue, and he transformed them into doves before placing them among the stars. The name "Pleiades" means "doves."

Aldebaran is a red giant and a royal star of great renown. As the visionary eye of the great Bull of the heavens, Aldebaran is a star that gathers wealth and honor, according to Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa and the Behenian star lore of Hermes Trismegistus. The ruby hue of Aldebaran, along with its association with Venus and Mars, suggests how the fiery Eye of the Bull achieves glory and accumulates abundance: through desire, passion, willpower, and creative fire. Aldebaran initiates and creates with an indomitable, sharp focus that always strikes the center of the targeted Bull’s Eye. Do you have a dream and grand vision? A world you intend to build and develop to inspire and uplift others? If so, you can have no better ally and creative partner than the daimon of Aldebaran.

The creation of these talismans was an intense and immersive experience that unfolded over three months during Venus’ transit through Leo in 2023, including her stationing at the projected degree of Alphard as well as her retrograde period. It began with two taxidermy snakes, which I cast and molded. From these molds, I injected wax, then cut and reassembled the pieces into new serpentine shapes. I was directed to craft each talisman individually in wax. This process was slow and methodical, involving daily hands-on work of long hours spent in co-creation, which included much devotion, reflection, and writing...

The Venus in Libra talismans celebrate the star of Aphrodite in her airy temple. The sanguine nature of Libra accentuates the social blessings of Venus, including her cheerful wit and charisma. Delighting in her natural abode, Venus in Libra fashions relational bonds, initiates dialogue, and facilitates pleasurable interactions with ease. Her keen eye for beauty and aesthetic harmony fosters the appreciation and creation of artful work. The Venus in Libra talismans embody the refined taste, enchanting style, and spirited cleverness of Aphrodite directly expressing herself.

We must begin with a dream for Mars needs an objective; a vision that is clear and a map where X marks the spot of our desire, our treasure, our kingdom. The path need not be clear, there need not even be a path, for our champion has a sword that he may use as a machete to cut away the debris blocking the way, creating the path that we may follow. 

This is Mars in his exalted state, with feet planted firmly upon the earth he is able to action upon it with stratagem and determination. Nothing can beat our Champion - our Hero is ready for the Quest. Our job is to hold the dream in our minds eye. Hold the vision of the kingdom with a steely resolve, and he will carve the path, cutting away the undergrowth and the overgrowth; the mental blockages and self limiting ideologies. He goes before us and clears the way forward. 

All the natural ways have been barred, and we may sail there no more. Not since the days of Plutarch has man lived to reach the shores. Ships wreck, but there is one path—a hidden labyrinth. If you know the true path, for each wrong turn will cost years, seven or thirty years of your life given to the maze. But we know the true path; we will guide you, say the daimons of the golden age. Take your golden thread, but first, anoint yourself with the holy water of the Kings Three. To reach Ogygia, you must assume nobility. Of all humankind, Ogygia accepts only the Heroes, the Kings, and Queens who overcome great challenges. So anoint your brow and take up your golden thread. There is a winged daimon who will guide your hand to lay the thread along the true path through the labyrinth.

To extend the celebrations of my many years around the Sun, I am excited to announce the launch of the Solar Talismans. 

My idea for releasing Solar Talismans in November is more about this month being historically one of the darkest and rainiest times of the year (in the Pacific Northwest) than it being my Solar return. Last year was my first winter here as a transplant from Australia (a place generally known for its warmth and sunshine) and when November hit I was not prepared. It had started raining on the day of the Venus Cazimi in late October and it didn’t let up for what felt like three months. I recall by Thanksgiving last year I was feeling dragged by the weight of the dark skies and I was not looking forward to a repeat this year. So, I am sure you can understand why Sun talismans were at the top of my list of Talismanic elections over the summer. I was hoping for a good and solid election with the Sun in Leo; what I did not expect was that I was going to find the Operation of the Sun.