Stellar Talismans

Fomalhaut is the Alpha star, located in the mouth of the great fish known as the constellation Pisces Australis. This enigmatic and mysterious star shines brightly in a region of the heavens called the celestial sea and has been dubbed the 'solitary one' due to the surrounding darkness. Pisces Australis lies beneath Aquarius, drinking from the waters of wisdom poured forth from Ganymede’s urn, and Fomalhaut is forever bathed in these waters.

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.

These are the second Antares talismans I have crafted, and once again, I chose to use a real scorpion as the foundation. The scorpion was molded, and scorpion waxes were created. These waxes were then cast in solid sterling silver to fashion pendant talismans set with rose-cut Amethyst gemstones and saffron underneath, as advised in Agrippa’s 3 books of Occult philosophy. Although conceptually similar to my previous talismans, they represent an entirely new design, markedly different from those crafted a few years ago.

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. 

These talismans are my most extensive working of Stellar Witchcraft to date. Alcyone and the Pleiades revealed so much (some) of which I have shared in my write-up - where we journey from zmaj serpents and meteorites to the Emerald Palace deep within the earth and to the chambers where the echoes of scales of peridot rasped upon crystal and iron resound.

I began the Deneb Algedi working around the winter solstice of 2022. The winter solstice is marked by the Sun’s yearly ingress into tropical Capricorn, the constellation of which Deneb Algedi is the alpha star. In ancient Babylonia, Capricorn was known as the Goatfish. As the guardian at the southern gate (the tropic of Capricorn) he was seen to rise during the winter solstice and guide the rebirth of the Sun. While the Capricorn constellation no longer physically rises during the winter Solstice because the stars have moved by procession over the thousands of years that have passed since the days of Babylonia, the Yule period remains a potent time for being in relationship with Deneb Algedi. 

The Venus Exalted 27 talisman is all about Venus’ being EXALTED. The election chosen for this talisman features Venus in her own watery triplicity of Pisces at her exaltation degree of 27 degrees. 

As I have centred exaltation as a core focus in this talismanic working it is important that we first understand it's meaning. Exalted refers to being RAISED UP and according to the Mariam Webster dictionary it means: elevated in rank, power, or character. Firmicus says that exalted planets are elevated by a certain natural sublimity of magnitude. While Dorotheas says that planets in their exaltations make them very illustrious and remarkable, becoming an authoritative figure who can be entrusted with noble works as well as dwell with and enjoy the profits of regal endeavours. 

Venus being both in her exaltation sign and degree we can consider her here to be raised up to her UTMOST HEIGHT, POWER, and AUTHORITY. Being in her own triplicity we can envision her ON HIGH HER WATERY THRONE. 

The Sualocin talismans are hand crafted from jewellers wax and cast in solid Sterling Silver they are set with Abalone shells, Mother of Pearl and Pearls. A mixture of  dried herbs - blue lotus, hawthorn, sage and mint are placed under the abalone shell settings and encapsulated in resin.

There are many paths to Sualocin, the binary alpha star in the eye of the Delphinus (dolphin) constellation. Normally in a talisman's accompanying write-up I would start with the mythic origin stories of the constellation, however, I can attest that the most visceral connection to the star Sualocin is found through mermaid / water nymph spirits known as the Nereids and  therefore the nature of the star can be found in nymph mythos. 

 

I am releasing these Saturn talismans to coincide with Saturn stepping out of his airy domicile of Aquarius and into the oceanic depths of Pisces. Now that Saturn has left Aquarius we won’t see another Saturn talismanic opportunity for another 16 years. This offering is intended to help steer and solidify your relationship with Saturn as he moves through the signs. It is no secret that many people feel trepidation when it comes to Saturn, which is understandable considering the hard lessons he brings. However this perception can be reframed when we experience Saturnian trials as initiations that lead us into maturity and wisdom. And while it is true that no-one escapes the steel gaze of father time, we CAN learn to integrate helpful Saturnian qualities so that we experience the transits with greater ease and humility. 

These talismans intend to bring you into relationship with Saturn. Saturn in his domicile (where he is in his strength) can teach us many valuable lessons, such as the importance of preparation; building strong foundations, of patience, discipline and determination and discernment as well as structures and boundaries. These are solemn qualities and a far cry from the heady excitement of talismans crafted for the benefics, yet these qualities are essential to anyone who seeks to realise their dreams, goals, and desires. For it is with Saturn that we step into our authority, and become the authors of our lives.