Astrological Chart of the Week for October 8-14, 2001

A feature article by Christopher Warnock, Oct 06, 2001         

Summary: Traditional (pre-1700) astrology was a science of great predictive power and accuracy reliant on the harmony and correspondence of all things in the Cosmos. Traditional astrological magic takes this harmony and correspondence one step further and allows for the concentration and capture of astrological influences in talismans and amulets. This week examines the use of the Wing of Corvus, normally considered malefic for positive purposes.

 
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Chart Week

Cornelius Agrippa's Wing of Corvus Rising Talisman
for Protection from Spirits, Men, Devils and Winds

Raven from the dim dominions
On the Night's Plutonian shore,
Oft I hear thy dusky pinions
Wave and flutter round my door
See the shadow of thy pinions
Float along the moonlit floor.

The Raven
Sarah Helen Whitman

This week we again turn to Cornelius Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy for our example of Astrological Magic and Astrological Talismans. This week's talisman is another example of the use of fixed stars in astrological magic utilizing the star Gienah, the Wing of Corvus, the Raven.

The name Gienah comes from the Arabic Al-Janah meaning the wing. Gienah is also known as Gamma Corvus and is found, not surprisingly, on the wing of the constellation of Corvus, the Raven. The raven was known as Phoebo sacer ales, the bird sacred to Apollo, because of his prophetic functions. Richard Hinckley, Star Names and Their Meanings (Dover 1963) page 179.

Ptolemy says that the stars in the constellation Corvus are of the nature of Mars and Saturn. Tetrabiblos Bk I, Chapter 9 (Loeb ed.) page 57. We can see the effects of the Lesser and Greater Malefics in the effects attributed to the star Gienah by Agrippa who says that, "Under the Wing of Corvus, they made the image of a raven, or snake or of a black man clothed in black; this maketh a man choleric, bold, courageous, full of thoughts, a backbiter and causeth naughty dreams; it also giveth the power of driving away evil spirits and of gathering them together; it is profitable against the malice of men, devils and winds." Three Books of Occult Philosophy Bk. II, Chapter 47, (Tyson ed.) page 395.

The 17th century English astrologer William Lilly says Saturn rules the color black as well as the crow, the smaller cousin of the Raven. Christian Astrology, page 59-60. Mars is choleric (the hot and dry humor) as well as bold and courageous. Christian Astrology page 66. Since a backbiter is someone who slanders people behind their back this seems to fit both Mars and Saturn.

We find further connections between Saturn and the star Gienah when we note that Agrippa says that the Wing of Corvus rules over black onyx, the burr , quadraginus henbane, comfrey and among animals the tongue of a frog. Three Books of Occult Philosophy Bk. I, Chapter 32, (Tyson ed.) page 99.

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We have already seen an Election for Black Onyx from the Lapidary of King Alphonso the Wise. There black onyx was described as being cold and dry like the melancholic humor and Saturn itself. Agrippa lists onyx as being under the rulership of Saturn. Three Books of Occult Philosophy Bk. I, Chapter 25 (Tyson ed.) page 83. Similary, Lilly notes that burdock, henbane and toads are ruled by Saturn. Christian Astrology page 59.

Yet despite its associations with Mars and Saturn the Wing of Corvus is described as having positive effects when used properly. This highlights a ancient rejoinder to the modern charge that traditional astrology takes a narrow and inevitably pessimistic view of the Mars and Saturn; that they are invariably bad and should always be avoided.

The Liber Fructus or Centiloqium traditionally attributed to Ptolemy says, "In the Election of days and hour, the two Infortunes are very useful, and thou must use them as the Physician doth poison, skillfully, for the cure of man." Aphorism 10, collected in the Mikropanastron of John Partridge (London, 1679) page 306. This talisman takes what might be considered negative characteristics and directs them outward providing spiritual protection.

So onto our talisman. Agrippa discusses the construction of rings using astrological magic and his instructions are applicable to talismans as well, "...when any star ascends fortunately, with the fortunate aspect or conjunction of the Moon, We must take a stone, and herb that is under that star, and make a ring of that metal that is suitable to this star and fasten the stone, putting the herb, or root under it; not omitting the inscriptions of images, names and characters, also the proper suffumigations..." Three Books of Occult Philosophy Bk. I, Chapter 47, (Tyson ed.) page 140.

On October 15, 2001 at 6:25 am EDT ( 4) in Washington, D.C. 38 N 55, 77 W 03, the Wing of Corvus rises. We note that the Moon is applying to a conjunction of the Wing of Corvus on the Ascendant.
Comfrey, Symphytum Officinale, is said to be one of the most useful healing herbs. It is available from the Lucky Mojo Curio Co.
the largest on-line purveyor of supplies for hoodoo and rootwork, the folk magic of the American South. Once again, you're on your own as far as acquiring frog tongues!

Here is further information on Astrological Talismans and Astrological Magic


Copyright 2001 Christopher Warnock All Rights Reserved

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