Saturn in Aquarius: Security, Serenity, & Success

Of the nature of Saturn in Aquarius, these talismans were created with the intent of providing physical and emotional security, serenity and relief from melancholy, and success in all undertakings for its bearer.

Diana Rose Harper, astrologer, writer, Saturn priestess, and dear friend of Idola Stellarum, shared that her talisman of this series, “immediately required me to better define what ‘security’ means to me, smoothing the way to clearer definitions & achievement of success & the serenity that comes from trusting oneself to create it.” 

A petition crafted specifically for this election called upon Saturn to endow the bearer of this talisman with a peaceful aura of respite from woe and melancholy, mental and spiritual protection, and plentiful wealth to aid in beneficial progress in all undertakings. 

The choice of stone augmented the significations of this election, as Albertus Magnus writes of lapis lazuli in his lapidary De Mineralibus that lapis “is taken as a sure remedy for black bile.” Black bile names the substance in the ancient humoral theory of medicine associated with melancholy and depression. The use of lapis thus adds some mitigation to the darker and slower aspects of Saturn.

We’re softly recommending these talismans go to those with a natally dignified Saturn (e.g. Capricorn, Aquarius, Libra, other minor dignities may apply). Our testers all had dignified Saturns, in both day and night charts, and we believe this talisman best serves to take the edge off a natally strong Saturn, easing the burdens and supporting the moral and emotional strength of their bearer. A night chart astrologer and writer, ET Shipley, shared:

“Wearing this talisman feels like wearing a piece of myself that has taken a very long time to cultivate. When I put it on, I step into immense self-assurance. I feel grounded and discerning, carefully carried into the task of reconciling my macro-life intentions with the small actions necessary to actualize them. 

I feel in touch with my inner elder. I experience the wisdom of patience and steady pace. I’m able to pause before speaking or reacting – or rather, I almost feel like I am reigned in by another force. This is extremely helpful as someone who has a tendency to react quickly, sometimes with a passion that is disproportionate to the situation at hand. 

I can wear this talisman for a long time without feeling too much of the more depressive qualities of Saturn. If anything, I actually feel armored against them. But the armor is constructed of my own applied actions. It is revelry of my own success.”

We also note that Book I, Chapter 5 of the Picatrix states that talismanic working are “more certain if the planet was strong in the natal chart of those people who performed the working.” Idola Stellarum’s mage Rain took charge of this working, and their natal Saturn in Libra adds a potent boost to these Saturn in Aquarius talismans.

Technical Details

The Saturn in Aquarius talismans Security, Serenity, & Success talismans were ensouled on Friday, February 24 between 5:46am and 6:12am EST.

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 Saturn hour with Saturn rising and within 5° of the Ascendant during the electional window. Saturn was unafflicted and dignified by rulership in Aquarius, one of Saturn’s two signs of domicile.

Planetary elections also require the Moon to be in sufficiently good condition. During this election, the Moon was dignified by face and moving with fast speed in the 10th house in Sagittarius. Luna was closely applying by partile square to Jupiter, establishing a strong link to the ruler of her house. Luna’s next aspect after Jupiter would be a sextile to Saturn, linking her to the significator of the election. The Moon was waning and in her last quarter, and so this talisman could be expected to operate not so much by adding in good things but by subtracting or removing difficulties: taking away privations, barriers to success, and negative feelings that get in the way of security. As a nice protective factor, Mars and the South Node are both cadent and out of the way of all the relevant actors in this election.

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. Jupiter, the Lord of the Ascendant (as well as the Lord of the house of the Moon) in this election, was highly dignified in Pisces, his sign of rulership, as well as in his terms and face in the first house. Jupiter was combust, but this affliction was mitigated by the fact that Jupiter is in chariot (that is, a planet that has essential dignity gains protection from the harsh beams of the Sun).

Further Magical Factors in the Election

Above, we noted that the Lord of the Ascendant, Jupiter, was in good shape. Jupiter was also in the first house. Having a benefic planet in the first house of the elections is highly auspicious, signifying good things for the bearer of the talisman, whom the first house represents.

This election, although focused on Saturn, has a number of Jovial elements: Jupiter rules the first house and the house of the Moon, and is placed in the first house. These highly Jupiterian factors added to the air of wisdom and profundity to the election. Moreover, three fixed stars anchored the angles of this election as well: the Persian Royal fixed stars Antares and Aldebaran were on the Midheaven and IC, respectively, and Saturn was close to Deneb Algedi near the AC, adding a powerful boost from these Behenian stars.

Reflection on Weaknesses of the Election

While we consider it important to note weak factors in talismanic elections for the sake of transparency, there’s really not much negative to say about this chart. Jupiter being combust is mitigated by his incredibly potent dignity. We also note that although some mages avoid hard aspects altogether, we consider any aspect by the Moon to a benefic planet to be a good thing in most circumstances, and therefore do not consider the Moon-Jupiter square to be an affliction. All in all, this is a very solid Saturn in Aquarius election.

Recommendations

Since Jupiter, the Lord of the Ascendant, is combust though in chariot, we do recommend that those with serious afflictions to their natal Jupiter approach this talisman with an extra measure of caution. At the very least, we recommend first divining on whether this would be a good talisman for you at this time.

Ceremonial Details

Gemstone & Talismanic Image

The stones for this election were 30mm pyrite-included lapis lazuli carved with the image of the sage Beylus attested in the Picatrix of “an old man sitting erect on a throne.” On the obverse side of the cabochon were carved the symbol and seal of Saturn, the sigil of his planetary intelligence, and the glyph of Aquarius. Saturnine herbs of angelica root, vervain root, cedar leaf, and sage leaf were affixed to the back of the talisman.

Ritual Setup

An altar shrouded in black was erected to Saturn during days preceding this election, constructed and built up during Saturn’s planetary hours. Generous offerings of food and spirits were made to Saturn, as well as an antique scythe. Six black candles (two sets of three, the number of Saturn) emblazoned with symbols, seals, and sigils of Saturn were crafted and consecrated to Saturn the previous week during Saturn’s planetary hour and dressed with Saturnine materia. The ritual took place to the soundtrack of Poppy Ackroyd’s song “Stillness” from her album Pause, an anthem to Saturnine slowness and quiet temporal sensitivity.

Suffumigation

The suffumigation used to ensoul these talismans consisted of a specially made Saturn in Aquarius incense blended and talismanically consecrated to Saturn during the same electional window. The incense was prepared according to a recipe adapted from Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy, which says to “combine black poppy seed, henbane seed, mandrake root, lodestone, and myrrh.” We elected not to include “the brain of a cat or the blood of a bat” in this mixture, for reasons you can probably imagine. In addition to the traditional ingredients, a portion of sawdust from the Yew tree was added to enhance the incense’s ability to be burned as a standalone powder.

Testimonial

We are incredibly pleased and honored to offer the following testimonial from our colleague and friend Erin Tack Shipley who was gifted one of these Saturn in Aquarius talismans at NORWAC 2022:

“My Saturn Talisman from Idola Stellarum is the first I’ve ever had. Based on what I know of Saturn, I had some reservations about whether this piece would be a good place to start. Generally with magic, I prefer to work my way up to heavier energies but Rain assured me that this talisman resonated with some conversations we’d had. After spending some time with it, I honestly could not be more grateful. 

Wearing this talisman feels like wearing a piece of myself that has taken a very long time to cultivate. When I put it on, I step into immense self-assurance. I feel grounded and discerning, carefully carried into the task of reconciling my macro-life intentions with the small actions necessary to actualize them. I’m able to be visible without any inkling of desperation to be seen. I’ve written many pieces wearing [this] talisman that, when published, begot unexpected recognition – I was just being myself.

Working with this talisman feels like experiencing all of the rewards without the overextension of effort. When I make a list, I don’t just accomplish the things on it, I actually remember to check them off. It’s helping me to practically apply my own values in ways that are self-serving, self-affirming, and have a ripple effect of goodness on those with whom I come into contact.

When I wear this talisman, I feel in touch with my inner elder. I experience the wisdom of patience and steady pace. I’m able to pause before speaking or reacting – or rather, I almost feel like I am reigned in by another force. This is extremely helpful as someone who has a tendency to react quickly, sometimes with a passion that is disproportionate to the situation at hand. The talisman seems to encouraged a ‘right-sizedness’ that I often wish was more accessible when not wearing it. In a time when my nervous system has been stretched to unduly lengths, wearing this talisman has granted me a steady heart, head and hand.

I can wear this talisman for a long time without feeling too much of the more depressive qualities of Saturn. If anything, I actually feel armored against them. But the armor is constructed of my own applied actions. It is revelry of my own success.”