Sun in Aries
Golden Sovereign

“Whatever is good that we have, we have from the Sun.”
—Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa

“All the celestial goods…are contained in the Sun.“
—Marsilio Ficino

The following Golden Sovereign talismans are available in the Sovereign collection:

• Ruby pendants:
  • 20mm Indian ruby cabochons
  • Gold-plated crown bezel pendant settings with matching gold chain
• Carnelian rings:
  • 13x18mm carnelian cabochons
  • Gold-filled fancy band ring settings
• Ruby rings:
  • 13x18mm Indian ruby cabochons
  • Gold-filled fancy band ring settings

NOTE: Out of prudence and care for our customers, the Sun in Aries Golden Sovereign talismans will ship on April 9, after the eclipses.

The Golden Sovereign

“[The Sun] sits as a king in the center of the other planets, excelling in all light, magnitude, and beauty, illuminating all, and distributing virtue to them for disposing the inferiors, regulating and disposing their movements… Just as by its light it chases away the darkness of night, it also chases away the powers of darkness.”

—Agrippa, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Book II, Chapter 32, tr. Eric Purdue

In the Neoplatonic worldview, the human soul at the moment of birth descends through the seven spheres, donning the raiments of the seven planets in their current configuration before emerging in its individuality. Wreathed in the garments of the Seven Governors, we are each of us imprinted with all of the planets.

That said, although we share in the nature of all the planets, one shines forth as particularly essential to our nature. Marsilio Ficino in his study of astral magic reports that “the property of the human species…is Solar” in its essential nature (Three Books On Life, Book III, Ch. 2). This, Ficino “infers to be true from the stature of [the human being], erect and beautiful, from [their] subtle humors and the clearness of [their] spirit, from the perspicuity of [their] imagination and [their] pursuit of truth and honor.”

From the perspective of astrological magic, the Sun was considered the ultimate source of splendor: Helios Asterarchus, aka the Sovereign of the Stars, was held to be the foundational source of life, light, and goodness in the world. Ficino said of the Sun that it is “the Lord of life and generation and author of increase” (ibid, Book III, Ch. 4), and Agrippa documented that the Sun is referred to as the “creator of light… prince of the world, keeping all of the stars under him, lighting all of the stars… giv[ing] light and splendor to all” (op. cit., Book II, Ch. 59).

One question common among newcomers to astrological magic is: where to start? Talismans of various celestial spirits abound, but which would have the most bang for the buck? Mages will have various opinions, of course, and often we look to the nativity (i.e., one’s birth chart) to get a sense of which planets are best situated to grant gifts. Ficino states: “The specific rule for an individual would be to investigate which star promised what good to the individual at his nativity [and] to beg grace from that star rather than from another” (op. cit., Book III, Ch. 3).

Ficino goes on, however, stating as if it is obvious: “Of course you can gain much that is common to all planets from the Sun as general leader of the celestials” (ibid). Later, he notes a consensus that all celestial goods are contained in the Sun: “That all the powers of the heavens are assuredly in the Sun, not only Iamblichus and Julian but all men affirm, and Proclus says that all the powers of all the celestial are gathered and collected into one in the presence of the visible Sun” (Book III, Ch. 6).

This particular working captured the Sun in Aries, the sign of Sol’s exaltation, shortly after the Aries ingress while Sol was also dignified by triplicity. While Sol was copresent with Jupiter in Aries, we aimed to capture Ficino’s sense of Sol as the bearer of “all the celestial goods,” providing a general purpose talisman for a variety of solar benefits.

For the Titanic Eye of the World grants many blessings to those it beholds. The Bountiful One embellishes us with honors and bestows riches. The Magnificent Crown of Royalty exalts with radiance and imparts a share in the invulnerability of diamonds. The Torch-Bearer safeguards health and brightens the flame of our vitality. The Averter of Evil tramples evil fate beneath the wheels of his gilded chariot, driving away woeful and empty dreams.

The Golden Sovereign talismans used a talismanic recipe from Agrippa that intends to impart many gifts:

“[They made images of] the Sun (whose form is of a crowned king) sitting in a chair, holding a raven to his bosom, and under his feet a globe… They carried this image to make a man invincible and honorable, to bring to an end what has begun, and to drive away empty dreams. It is also strong against fevers and plagues. They made [this image] in a balas ruby or ruby, in the hour of the Sun, when he is happily rising in his exaltation.”

—Agrippa, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Book II, Chapter 41, tr. Eric Purdue

The Golden Sovereign talismans also drew together many of the finest ingredients known to humankind to embody the richness and potency of the Solar rays: gold, ruby, carnelian, saffron, and diamond in the talismans themselves, frankincense, aloeswood, saffron, and other ingredients in the suffumigation, cinnamon, honey, wine, and more among the offerings.

These choices were not superfluous luxury, but an attention to excellence in order to distil the very best Solar virtues. Agrippa and Ficino alike focus on “collecting” the best virtues of a celestial entity. Ficino in particular notes that a medicine, which can be composed of many ingredients, allows one to collect “a hundred gifts of the Sun…scattered throughout a hundred plants, animals, etc. [and] compound them and work them into one form,” such that in doing this, “you would actually seem already to possess completely the Sun” (op. cit., Book III, Ch. 13). In a talisman, however, “you cannot easily compound several things,” and so “you are forced to inquire diligently what metal among others is the most powerful in the order of any given star, what stone is the highest in that order,” and so forth (ibid).

In a world where almost anything can be ordered off the internet, and where anyone with sufficient resources can live like a Sovereign, the selection of the most excellent ingredients becomes an offering of diligence and reverence for the holiness of objects and substances. These talismans stand for the excellence of the Solar realm: a royalty that is symbolic but also very much alive, radiant, and wondrous.

The generous and powerful spirits of the Solar exaltation also inaugurated the launch of Idola Stellarum’s first ever collection of talismanic astromagical jewelry: Sanctuary. Immediately after the end of the Golden Sovereign talismanic operation, during which the Idola mages also consecrated a potent incense blend according to a recipe in Picatrix, we opened the doors of our shop for the very first time.

The Golden Sovereign talismans therefore aim not only to exalt you into your own sovereignty and to share in the resplendent sovereignty of the solar rays, but also allow you to hold a piece of the sovereignty of Idola Stellarum itself. For these talismans embody and reflect the rays of the very moments of our kingdom’s nativity.

Technical Details

The Sun in Aries Golden Sovereign talismans were ensouled on Wednesday, March 22 between 12:42pm and 1:00pm EDT.

Essential Features of the Election

For planetary astromagical elections, we require that the relevant planet either rises on the Ascendant or culminates on the Midheaven during the relevant planetary hour. This election took place during Sun hour with the Sun culminating on and within 5 degrees of the Midheaven during the electional window. Sol was dignified by exaltation and triplicity in Aries and ruled by peregrine Mars in Gemini.

Planetary elections also require the Moon to be in sufficiently good condition. During this election, the first quarter Moon was just out from being under the beams, moving with great speed and applying to a conjunction with the greater benefic, Jupiter. Of this aspect, Ficino notes, “in order to proceed by the safest and also the most convenient way, observe the Moon when she aspects Jupiter and the Sun at the same time, or certainly when, soon after an aspect with the Sun, she is moving to a conjunction or aspect with Jupiter” (Book III, Ch. 6). The Moon, like the Sun, was ruled by Mars in Gemini.

Since the 1st house signifies the bearer of the talisman, we also look at the condition of the Lord of the Ascendant in planetary elections. With Cancer rising, the same considerations as above for the Moon apply.

Further Magical Factors in the Election

Both benefic planets, Venus and Jupiter, are copresent with the luminaries in the 10th quadrant house, fortifying the visible 10th house significations of achievements, public image, and career. Jupiter’s placement very near the apex of the chart adds to the regal qualities of this election. Ficino says of the Sun, Venus, and Jupiter that they are the “three Graces, as it were, concordant and conjoined among themselves. From these three Graces of the heavens, and from stars of the same kind, astrologers hope for and diligently seek out favors” (Book III, Ch. 5).

Also, at the outset of the election, the fixed star Alkaid was almost exactly conjunct the IC. The 12th century polymath Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī shared a technically unusual claim that “a complete talismans [involves] one fixed star and three co-operating planets,” the significator (here, the Sun), the Moon, and Mercury, who al-Rāzī held was key to facilitating the “blending” of the celestial with the sublunary. In this election, Mercury was copresent with the Sun and angular in the 10th house. This election therefore featured all of the “four natures” mentioned by al-Rāzī. 

Reflection on Weaknesses of the Election

The ruler of both luminaries, Mars in Gemini, was cadent, in the later degrees of the sign, and was applying to Saturn by trine. Although the copresence of both benefics in the 10th quadrant house does lean very positive, the condition of Mars does add a tinge of darkness to this election. With regard to the condition of Mars as the Moon’s ruler, however, we do note that Ficino says, “In cases where you are not able to manage all [the] caveats [pertaining to the condition of the Moon], at least look for Jupiter or Venus either in the ascendant or in the tenth place, for so they compensate for the debilities of the Moon” (Book III, Ch. 4).

Recommendations

We consider these talismans generally beginner friendly. Talismans of the Sun are often a good place for people to start who are less familiar with astrological talismans. However, the intensity of these talismans is kicked up a notch with a four planet stellium in Aries and five planets in the 10th quadrant house. For folks with a natally afflicted Sun (e.g., Sun in Libra or Aquarius, conjunct the south node, or in close applying conjunction, opposition, or square to Mars or Saturn), and for those who are sensitive or prone to issues of intense dryness or irritability, we do recommend that you perform a divination or seek consultation from a trusted magically literate astrologer for guidance about whether this is the right talisman for you.

Moderating the dryness and heat of the Sun through the use of talismans conveying the moistness of either of the benefic planets (Jupiter & Venus) may also help mitigate the potency of these talismans. Ficino writes: “Indeed, the rays of Jupiter…greatly temper the light of the Sun for the particular welfare of [humans], while the rays of Venus contribute continuously to the same end” (ibid, Book III, Ch. 6).

Ceremonial Details

Gemstone & Talismanic Image

The image chosen for this talisman comes from a passage in Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy: “The Sun (whose form is of a crowned king) sitting in a chair, holding a raven to his bosom, and under his feet a globe” (Book II, Chapter 41). Agrippa goes on to describe many marvelous effects of this image: “They carried this image to make a man invincible and honorable, to bring to an end what has begun, and to drive away empty dreams. It is also strong against fevers and plagues.” These descriptions imply protection, honor, success, clarity of purpose, and health.

Agrippa’s talismanic image was specifically designed to be made in “ruby, in the hour of the Sun, when he is…in his exaltation” (Agrippa, Book II, Chapter 41). Ruby is attested in the Peterborough Lapidary (Ed. Francis Young) as imparting a number of complementary gifts: “when he who bears [a ruby] comes among other men, they will all offer him honour and grace, and all men show joy at his coming” (p. 80), “it feeds a man and comforts his heart and his body, and it wins a man lordship,” and “who bears this stone will never be overcome in plea or in battle” (p. 80). The same Lapidary describes healing powers of Carnelian, another Solar stone: “it prevents wrath…[and] will staunch blood from all limbs, and especially women who suffer from excessive periods” (p. 29).

The front of the stone was engraved with the image above, while the back of the talisman was etched with the symbol of the Sun and the sigil of the Solar planetary Intelligence, Nachiel. Also, saffron and natural, ethically sourced diamond powder were affixed to the back of the talisman. Saffron was chosen as the quintessential Solar herb. Of Saffron, Marsilio Ficino writes: “Saffron is Solar in all respects, although its color and smell are assigned by astrologers to all the Graces [i.e., to the Sun, Venus, and Jupiter, referred to as the Three Graces], but its taste pertains properly to the Sun” (Ficino, Book III, Ch. 9). Diamond, a stone long attested to have protective powers, was added to augment the potential of the talisman to make the bearer “invincible,” as Agrippa says.

Ritual Setup

A resplendent golden altar adorned with citrine stones, flowers, and copious candles (in sets of six or in pairs) was constructed to Sol prior to the working. Candles embellished with the signs of the Sun and the Solar planetary angel, intelligence, and spirit were consecrated to the Sun in his planetary hour and used for the ritual. A bust of Apollo served as a centerpiece of the working. Copious offerings of solar food and herbs, wine, honey, olive oil, and spirits were made to/with the Sun to mirror the luminary’s generosity.

Suffumigation

At the outset of the ritual, the highest quality sultan’s grade royal Hojari frankincense was offered to the Sun along with prayers and invocations. Then, a highly special and complex incense was ritually blended and talismanically consecrated during the same electional window as the talismans themselves during this working. The incense was prepared according to a recipe in Picatrix Book III, Chapter 7 in the passage on Solar petitions, which instructs the mage to combine eight different ingredients: “saffron, storax, frankincense, nutmeg, litharge, wild pomegranate flower, aloes wood, and saxifrage.” Because it is toxic, litharge was omitted in this blend. Once consecrated, this incense blend was used to suffumigate the talismans.