Description
Of the nature of the 22nd Lunar Mansion, these talismans were created with the intent of safeguarding the bearer’s reputation and binding the tongues of anyone who would speak ill of them.
The Lunar Mansions represent an ancient and distinctive method for dividing the zodiac up according to the motions of the Moon rather than the Sun. The Mansions are not particularly well known or understood by many in the English speaking world, as they were used primarily in India, China, and the Arabic world rather than in the Hellenistic tradition that was passed down to the so-called West.
The medieval scholar Ahmad Ibn ‘Ali Al-Buni, in his infamous grimoire the Shams Al-Ma’Arif (The Sun of Knowledge) had this profound observation on the Mansions: “[W]ere it not for this…celestial cycle [of the Lunar Mansions], the human being would never have been able to distinguish the causes of fortune from the causes of misfortune, or the way this is intermixed or left out—and all of that has been poured into the nature of man” (tr. Amina Inloes, Chapter 2, pp. 76-7). From the divisions of the Lunar Mansions, then, come the very qualities of good and bad.
Like many of the Lunar Mansions, the 22nd Lunar Mansion is neither all good nor all bad, but of “mixed fortune,” as Al-Buni says. In this mansion, according to Al-Buni, “secret and buried things are dug up, and secrets are hidden” (Shams Al-Ma’Arif, p. 113, tr. Amina Inloes). The mixed fortune of this mansion can be observed in its name, Al Sa’d al-Dhabih, which has been translated as “the slaughterer’s joy” or “the joy of the assassins.” In Arabic, the word ‘dhabih’ can also mean sacrifice. From a theurgic perspective, what better captures the intertwining of generation and corruption than the slaughter of an animal for the sake of divine supplication and benefit?
As with the fixed stars, magical images (that is to say, talismans) of the Lunar Mansions can be quite positive and beneficial even when the mundane significations of these celestial entities is less than positive. Al-Buni, for example, uses the mundane example that when “the Moon alights in [this Mansion]… Kings become enraged. People regret after buying and selling” (ibid, p. 113). Nevertheless, talismans of this Mansion have protective benefits:
“The twenty-second Mansion is Sadahaca. It is for binding tongues so that they do not say anything bad about you. When the Moon is in this mansion make an iron ring and engrave in it the figure of a man with winged feet wearing a helmet and suffumigate it with [the herb] mercury. And inscribe this image in iron for the safety of fugitives. And say: “You, Geliel, bind these tongues so they cannot say bad things and make me secure and let N. escape safely from his enemies.” Carry this ring with you and make a seal in black wax with the ring to bind tongues. Know that the name of the lord of this Mansion is Geliel.”
—Picatrix, Book IV, Chapter 9 (tr. Greer & Warnock)
The tropical 22nd Lunar Mansion falls squarely at the beginning of Saturn-ruled Capricorn, but the magical image of this Mansion is firmly Mercurial—practically the spitting image of Hermes himself. The safety of fugitives (an earlier chapter in Picatrix gives “to make captives escape” as a use of this mansion) and the binding of tongues into silence perfectly encapsulates the combinatorial significations of Mercury and Saturn.
As the Mansion’s “mixed fortune” suggests, the effects of this talisman are neither good nor bad: all depends on the use. People saying “bad things” about a corrupt or malevolent person would probably be considered a good thing, after all, and yet such a person might use one of these talismans. On the other hand, slander, gossip, and bad faith engagement can be a drain on the righteous. In any event, within the panopticon of modern life where ubiquitous phones can see everything and tap into echo chambers at a whim, having some insulation from kneejerk criticism and hostile trolls might help anyone breathe easier.
Created during the Saturn cazimi in Aquarius of 2023, these 22nd Lunar Mansion talismans help to keep our names out of the mouths of those who bear us ill intent, contributing to the Serenity that comes from an untarnished reputation.
Technical Details
The 22nd Lunar Mansion Good Reputation talismans were ensouled on Thursday, February 16, 2023 between 8:09am and 8:40am EST.
Essential Features of the Election
For lunar mansion talismans, the Moon must be in the relevant lunar mansion while rising on the Ascendant or culminating on the Midheaven. In this election, the Moon was rising with the 22nd Lunar Mansion on the Midheaven.
The most important factor in lunar mansion talismans is the condition of the Moon. In this election, Luna was moving at fast speed and culminating on the Midheaven and not making an aspect to either malefic planet. Although the Moon was in detriment in Capricorn, such conditions of essential debility are not considered relevant for (a) fixed stars in signs where the Moon is in detriment or fall; or (b) Lunar Mansions that occupy such signs.
Since the 1st house signifies the bearer of the talisman, we also look at the condition of the Lord of the Ascendant in lunar mansion elections. Mars, the Lord of the Ascendant, was dignified by face in the second house of Gemini, in adequate condition and not significantly afflicted.
Note that for lunar mansion talismans, planetary hour and day are not essential considerations.
Further Magical Factors in the Election
The Moon’s next aspect was a square to Jupiter. Although those who use Renaissance electional rules would consider any square aspect an affliction, the Picatrix considers any aspect by the Moon to a benefic planet to be a fortitude:
“The trine, sextile, square and opposition aspects of the Moon to Venus are appropriate to all effects, nevertheless it is not as good as the aspects of Jupiter which are indeed useful and powerful in all operations.”
—Picatrix, Book II, Chapter 12 (tr. Greer & Warnock)
Moreover, the presence of Jupiter on the Ascendant during this election is a strong fortitude for the condition of the Moon. In the context of electional instructions pertaining to the Moon, Marsilio Ficino writes:
“In cases where you are not able to manage all these caveats, 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.”
—Marsilio Ficino, Three Books on Life, Book III, Ch. VI, p. 271 (tr. Kaske & Clark)
Finally, we note that the ruler of the Moon’s sign, Saturn, is dignified by rulership, triplicity, and term. Saturn was also within 10′ to a conjunction of the Sun, placing Saturn in the condition of cazimi (i.e., within 17′ applying or separating from the Sun). William Lilly says of the condition of cazimi that “all authors do hold a planet in cazimi to be fortified thereby” (Christian Astrology, p. 113).
Reflection on Weaknesses of the Election
Although there are many positive factors applying to the Moon and her ruler, we do note that it is not ideal for the Moon to be cadent from her Lord, since this is one of the conditions that the Picatrix notes “harm and weaken the Moon” (Book II, Chapter 3).
Recommendations
We consider these talismans beginner friendly and general purpose, and do not issue any particular cautions about their use. To be on the safe side, we do recommend that folks with a natally afflicted Moon perform a divination to ensure that any particular Lunar Mansion talisman would be a good fit.
Ceremonial Details
Gemstone & Talismanic Image
The historical recipe from Picatrix was modified for the purposes of this election. The text instructs: “When the Moon is in this mansion make an iron ring and engrave in it the figure of a man with winged feet wearing a helmet and suffumigate it with mercury.” Instead of an iron ring, the talismanic image was carved on cabochons of iron pyrite: an excellent gemstone substitute for the chosen metal. Divination supported black poppy seed as a replacement herb, perhaps due to its psychogenic associations. The name of the 22nd Lunar Mansion AL SAD AL DHABIH and the angel of the Mansion GELIEL were also carved on the cabochons.
Ritual Setup
An altar of white and silver was erected to Geliel, angel of the 22nd Lunar Mansion, with copious offerings of flame, flowers, food, and spirits. Among the many white candles providing illumination for the ritual, three candles ritually prepared and emblazoned with sigils and the kamea of the Moon were employed to define the space with Lunar structure.
Suffumigation
Poppy seed was used as both the herb and the suffumigation for this election.
