Stellar Talismans / Celestial Talismans

These talismans are my most extensive working of Stellar Witchcraft to date. It was in this working that I found the clarity I needed to truly understand - deep into my blood -  what it means to integrate Stellar Witchcraft with Astrological Magic and I am inflamed with both excitement and commitment to this work. 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 am greatly honored to have Sasha Ravich contribute the rite, The Mantic Milk of the Emerald Palace in accompaniment to these talismans. Sasha deeply understood the gravitas of this work and the Stellar Spirit of this talisman and I am forever grateful to have her art accompanying mine for she is both the finest wordsmith and the mother of Stellar Witchcraft.

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. 

Oh great benefic Jupiter, you who are most similar to the Sun in your gifts, but more tempered, for you never scorch your suppliants. You are jovial in nature, encouraging goodwill and generosity. You are known as the helping father who draws out maladies of body and spirit and brings joy, optimism and hope. As the great shapeshifter who takes the form of many beasts, you teach us that we too can shape shift and become our dream-selves. Ever expansive, you inspire us to philosophical thought and to find connection in ideas. For like Venus you are also connective, your thunderbolt is a conduit for the electricity that connects all things. 

Jovially Aureate: Jupiter Talisman Rings

I have two Jupiter offerings in this release. First up is the Jovially Aureate ~ Jupiter Talisman Rings. I have 4 available, these rings are hand carved from jewellers wax and cast in solid .925 sterling silver. Each ring is set with a large 6+ carat natural Citrine gemstone and on each side of the ring I have engraved the seal of Jupiter which can be found in Agrippa’s three books of Occult Philosophy. Due to the handmade nature of these rings each does vary slightly from the one in the image however all rings are lovingly finished to a high quality and polish. The rings come in a classic leatherette box. 

The conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces is a transit occurring only once in every two lifetimes, making it an extremely rare talismanic opportunity. I decided this would be the perfect election to invite astrologer, writer, and Jupiter in Pisces native Gray Crawford to collaborate, having admired his astrological writing in which he weaves together traditional and modern astrology, mythology, and depth psychology. An election I selected was sent to Gray with the proposition of a collaboration. The talismans and writing are the result of our collective research and discussions on Jupiter and Neptune in which we thoroughly explored the full potential of this conjunction in magical application. I hand-crafted the talismans and Gray contributed the following accompanying text.

The Jupiter Neptune talismans were completed at the elected time of 10:11 am on 9 April 2022, Brisbane Aust AEST. Jupiter was applying within one degree of a conjunction with Neptune, and was also ruling the midheaven in Pisces while applying toward a close conjunction with the midheaven. The Moon was in her own domicile of Cancer, applying toward a trine aspect with Jupiter and Neptune while also being in the exaltation of Jupiter. 

Deneb Adige is the alpha star of Cygnus and can be found in the tail of the great Swan who glides across the watery section of the heavens known to the ancients as the Sea. Mostly associated with spirituality, creativity and learning, Deneb Adige is said to be of the nature of Venus and Mercury and “gives ingenious nature and a clever intellect that is quick at learning” according to Vivian Robeson in The Fixed Stars and their Constellations in Astrology. Robeson goes on to describe the Cygnus constellation as giving a “contemplative, dreamy, cultured and adaptable nature”. (1)  Ebertin in Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation said that Deneb Adige is “favorable for artistic and scientific pursuits which are carried out with the aim of gain,” noting that Deneb Adige fosters the potential to become successful within the creative fields. (2)

We can look to the Lunar Mansion Al Sa’d Al Ahibiya for other attributes given to Deneb Adige as she is found within this mansion and according to Robeson, was known to the ancient Arabic astrologers as “The lucky star of hidden things or hiding places”. Robeson described the Moon in this Mansion as giving “marital happiness, and victory to soldiers” as well as being beneficial for travel, building, and making friends. (3)

I began designing these Venus ~ Spica talismans when Venus first ingressed into Libra. Wanting to create a medallion talisman that contained both the image of Venus and of the Behenian fixed star, Spica, I decided on the image of a dove to represent both. In Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy one of the figures for Spica is described to be a bird. The dove is the bird of Venus, as one of her motifs it was considered a Venusian symbol of love and peace long before it was adopted by the Christians. This choice felt the most fitting with Venus being in the triplicity of Air, in her domicile of Libra. To further symbolise Spica, I turned the tail of the dove into a blade of wheat, as the fixed star Spica is located in the spike of wheat held in the hand of the Virgin in the constellation of Virgo.

I came across a Mercury in Gemini election early in 2021. As it was the only suitable Mercury election in my part of the world this year I wanted to take the opportunity to make a talismanic piece that really pushed me as an artist. I spent an evening reading through the many figures of Mercury in the Picatrix and Agrippa, and it was the figure of the Lion that formed a complete image in my mind. I awoke the next morning with the vision for these rings. The qualities of this talisman being braveness and protection from illness, felt particularly relevant for our current times.

With the creation of these talisman rings it was of utmost importance that I give Saturn their due. This meant that while the rings were made strictly to astrological timing, this project would only be finished in Saturn’s time. I began this project thinking Saturn’s gifts could be cultivated primarily through hard work and discipline. As an artist I know that the most beautiful works of art are often born out of suffering and struggle. And while it is true that Saturn rewards those who are prepared to work hard, it was through this endeavor I realized there is so much more to this planet. A deep dive into mythology and archetypal literature followed, along with much time spent in writing and contemplation. I was compelled to deconstruct Saturnian qualities on a fundamental and psychological level. Ultimately discovering how Saturn can act as a catalyst for psychic transformation, leading to greater consciousness and fulfillment. 

Alphecca is found in the constellation of Corona Borealis. The Greeks knew Corona as Στέφανος (Stephanos), meaning ‘crown’ or ‘wreath’. According to Greek mythology it is the golden crown worn by Princess Ariadne of Crete when she married the God Dionysus. The crown is said to have been made by Hephaestus, the god of fire, and was studded with jewels. When Ariadne died (for she was a mortal woman) Dionysus tossed her crown into the sky where its jewels transformed into stars.