Category: Devotion & Theurgy
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The Worldview of Astrological Magic: Part V – Tributaries to the River Part I: A Sketch of Astrological Cosmology and the Antique Origins of Astrological Talismans
As mentioned in the previous lesson, “the” tradition or worldview of astrological magic is perhaps more accurately characterized as a complex blend or syncretism of many different traditions and worldviews. In much the same way as a river is fed by many streams, the tradition of astrological magic borrows much from a variety of sources.…
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The Worldview of Astrological Magic: Part IV – The Practices of Astrological Magic
In this lesson we jump back from the modern worldview toward the astromagical worldview. Having firmly in mind from the previous lesson some general vision of “the” modern worldview, we can readily begin forming a contrasting image with “the” astromagical worldview—which is not really a single worldview after all, but rather a syncretic blend of…
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Christopher Warnock: Founding Figure of the Astrological Magic Revival
A post crediting Christopher Warnock as the father of traditional astrological magic revival and the elder statesman of astrological magic, and encouraging anyone interested in astrological magic to seek out his works and teachings.
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Beings as Epithets: The Planetary Invocations of Giordano Bruno’s Cantus Circaeus – Part II
Having shared the context and content of Giordano Bruno’s planetary invocations from Cantus Circaeus in Part I of this post, we now proceed to explore some of the more magical implications of the invocations. First, we examine the condensed form of astrological magical ritual that Bruno shares and consider its implications, before then moving on…
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Beings as Epithets: The Planetary Invocations of Giordano Bruno’s Cantus Circaeus – Part I
Cantus Circaeus, or The Song of Circe, was a work on the art of memory published by Giordano Bruno in Paris in 1582, toward the beginning of his career as an author. Intended as a briefer introduction and application of the art of memory (a complex though practical mnemonic system involving the method of loci,…
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A Guide to Idola Stellarum’s Resources on Astrological Magic
An organized catalogue of Idola Stellarum resources on astrological magic and astrological talismans.
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Stellar Devotion as a Practice
What is the purpose of stellar devotion? Some people question whether planetary prayers are effective or worthwhile. This Members-Only post for Inner Sanctum members offers an analogy with Zen meditation, drawing upon the Fukanzazengi of Eihei Dogen, to offer a radically different, non-utilitarian understanding of celestial prayer practices.
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What is Astrological Magic?
Have you ever had a time in your life that was so powerful, so lush, so beautiful, that you wished you could bottle the moment, crystallize it, preserving it as if in amber to savor forever? These ‘preserved in amber’ crystallizations of auspicious, powerful moments really do exist: they are called astrological talismans.
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Prayers to the Sun/Helios in the Greek Magical Papyri
Although little of the PGM material is explicitly astrological, the magico-religious syncretism of the texts leads to many mentions of Hellenistic deities. In particular, a significant amount of material on Helios including a number of hymns not so unlike the Orphic Hymn to Helios can be adapted to contemporary practices of stellar devotion. In this…
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What Makes Astrological Talismans Special
Have you ever had a time in your life that was so powerful, so lush, so beautiful, that you wished you could bottle the moment, crystallize it, preserving it as if in amber to savor forever? These ‘preserved in amber’ crystallizations of auspicious, powerful moments really do exist: they are called astrological talismans.