Stellar Talismans


Spica is the gift of the goddess, the stalk of wheat held by Demeter, the goddess of the Virgo constellation. Demeter, goddess of the earth and mother of all, brings sustenance and abundance to the living, and claims the dead as her own. Present at the sowing, heaping, and threshing of grain, she offers material nourishment through the gift of agriculture, and spiritual nourishment through her Mysteries. Spica is the wheat that is her gift to us, the very same grain held up by the hierophant at the climax of the Eleusinian Mysteries, revealing the eternal power of the earth to regenerate life.

These talismans differ slightly from previous iterations. While the core Sualocin qualities remain—glamour, movement toward opportunity, and support through transition—their energy feels more calm. The phrase that came to me while meditating with them was: “bringing the wind to your sails.” A favorable wind to push you forward along your path.

This image brought to mind a scene from the Argonautica, when Jason and the Argonauts, sailing home with the Golden Fleece, are forced to navigate the Planctae, also known as the Wandering Rocks. These shifting sea cliffs are perilous, for they are reputed to crush anything that dares to pass between them. Concerned for their safety, Hera sends Thetis and the Nereids to guide the Argo, Thetis takes the rudder while the Nereids rise from the sea to surround the ship.

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."

I am excited to announce the release of the Apollo Karneios / Exalted Sun Talismans following the Winter Solstice—a sacred moment marking the Sun’s rebirth. The Sun reached its southernmost declination during the solstice, marking the longest night in the northern hemisphere. Now, the turning point has passed, and with each day, solar light grows stronger. In celebration of this renewal, we honor Sol Invictus—Invincible Sun! Inventori lucis soli invicto augusto (Invincible Sun! I glorify the unconquerable Sun, the creator of light).

Introducing Regulus: The Heart of the Lion Talismans. Regulus, the alpha star at the heart of the Leo constellation, is also known as Cor Leonis, Latin for "Heart of the Lion." This regal star grants the qualities of a true leader, blending the might of Zeus with the courage of Ares. As one of the four Royal Stars, Regulus bestows courage, resilience, and a natural authority capable of overcoming adversity with a noble, independent spirit. As Hermes describes in Liber Hermetis Quadripartitis, a lion carved on garnet brings abundance, honor, joy to the heart, and triumph over sadness. According to the Bodleian Manuscript, Regulus talismans dispel anger, relieve melancholy, temper the spirit, and attract favor. Crafted for those who seek to embody the heart of the Lion, these talismans guide the wearer to walk with purpose, courage, and strength, fortified by the fearless spirit of Regulus.

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.

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.