So, my favorite time a year
is when Mercury is retrograde, and by favorite, I mean, I hate
watching all the posts about people dealing with Mercury being
retrograde.
The influences of the
planets are based on movements, proximity, and relationships. So
while Mercury may appear to go backwards it doesn't really travel
backwards, so nothing really changes in its movement. Position is the
main thing that comes up in how the planets and stars relate, there
are some key movement based elements, but retrograde motion has never
struck me as a particularly important one.
But, whether I believe in
the impact of retrograde motion or not doesn't necessarily impact
whether you do or not. So maybe it's a problem you need to resolve.
Or maybe you just need to create a beneficial Mercurial presence in
your life.
Currently, Mercury, Jupiter,
and the Sun are all in the sign of Virgo. Virgo has a lot of
influence right now with such a stellar cast of characters hanging
out in her neighborhood. So we can use this to our advantage.
Mercury is exalted in Virgo,
meaning that in Virgo Mercury is in its optimum position, it is able
to impart its effects without being hampered by contrary astrological
effects. Not only is Mercury exalted in Virgo, but double whammy of
awesome, Mercury rules Virgo. So even without the exaltation Virgo
would be a positive position for Mercury adding to its ability to
impart a harmonized Mercurial force. So with Mercury currently in
Virgo we have a pretty good position to work from.
But...we're concerned with
Mercury having issues because of the retrograde motion.
The Sun is also in Virgo.
The sign the Sun is in reflects the outer appearance of things which
occur during that time. So the Sun in Virgo will impart the essential
elements of Virgo in a balanced visible fashion. Sun in Virgo
indicates exacting attention to detail, a grounded nature, and
dutiful execution of specific tasks. When taken into the realm of
communication this ties back to clear precise communication.
The Sun in general
represents aligning, and balancing things, and ordering them to their
true purpose. It is the central force which organizes the planets
along their rotations. It positions them and therefore is directive
of the ordered exposition of their luminescence. So the Sun acting in
relation to Mercury works to correct the manifestation of Mercurial
force.
Now, we noted Jupiter is
also hanging out there in Virgo. We don't need too much focus on the
Jupiterian presence here. Jupiter in Virgo, as we discussed recently,
diminishes Jupiter's ability to create prosperity. But, when we
discussed the Homeric Hymn of Mercury, Mercury was kind of running
around like crazy trying to get himself situated (retrograde), he
stole Apollo's (Sun) bulls (an animal associated at times with
Jupiter) and so Jupiter interceded, and gave position and power to
Mercury and set Apollo on instructing and directing Mercury. So the
story here, while it reflects Jupiter's detriment in Virgo, it also
reflects the situation we're dealing with. Mercury isn't behaving how
we want, but a relationship with Jupiter and Sol fixes Mercury's
motion. So the current positioning gives us the tools we need.
In classical and medieval
magic a common way of dealing with astrological elements was to apply
a talisman made under and reflecting favorable astrological
conditions. Today we call this “Scholastic Image Magic” in the
renaissance and middle ages it was called telesmatics, Persian Image
Magic, Arabic Image Magic, or signs were referred to as Hermetic
Images and other similar names. Often this is treated as a form of
non-addressative magic, meaning it did not involve rituals or
spirits. You simply made the talisman under the right astrological
influences and the celestial rays present at the time of construction
were sealed within the talisman so that it could be applied in
situations where people needed those influences, or so that it could
draw in or ward off things based upon the image and the celestial
rulership.
We do have several examples
which show addressative forms of image magic in renaissance, late
medieval, and even in some middle eastern texts. In these
addressative forms talismans were made under correct conditions and
rituals or prayers were included. Our example today can be done
either way depending upon your preferred way of working.
The talisman should be made
with dual rings encircling it. In the outer ring should be the names
associated with the sign of Virgo since that is where everything is
occurring. In the inner ring should be the names and seal of the Sun
since we want the influence of the Sun to align the planetary force
of Mercury. The name for the Mercurial archangel can appear within
the talismanic image since that is the focus of the image. We will
not include a Jupiterian name because it's not primarily the force we
want to be working with, we just kind of want a nod to the Jupiterian
presence and it's ability to add beneficence to the direction of
Mercury.
The image in the center
should be of Mercury as the Messenger; he should hold a bull by the
neck, similar to in a Mithraic tauroctony image. Above should be the
Sun, below should be the name of the Mercurial archangel.
Virgo names: Hamaliel
(Archangel), Ceres (Greek Divinity), Vav Yod, Heh, Heh, (astrological
banner)
Solar Names: Raphael
(Archangel), Och (Olympic Spirit), Apollo (Greek Divinity), ELVH
(Divine Name)
Mercurial Angel: Michael
The seals for Raphael,
Michael, and Och can be found in the Magical Calendar.
If we are making the seal
without addressing any spiritual powers we simply construct the seal
while these planets are still in the sign of Virgo. Sunrise or Noon
being the best times of day.
You can add ritual
components by consecrating your space and materials through whatever
openings, invocations, and purifications you feel are appropriate.
Psalms from the Greater Key of Solomon might make sense. Openings
from the Chaldean Oracles. A prayer to your Holy Guardian Angel or to
the Architect of Creation. Any of these could be used.
If we want to move closer to
addressative magic add the appropriate Orphic Hymns. While writing
the names for Virgo use a Hymn to Persephone. While doing the Solar
ring a Hymn to Apollo or Helios. While doing the inner image a Hymn
to Hermes while drawing him and a Hymn to Zeus while drawing the
bull.
You could further consecrate
the talisman by using a conjuration of the Archangel Michael or the
Olympic Spirit Ophiel and explaining the powers you would like
imparted into the talisman.
You have a lot of options.
My intention here was more
to give a framework than a set ritual to use. If you try making a
talisman let me know how it goes in the comments!
If you enjoyed this please
like us on Facebook, and if you think others could use some help with
Mercury please share this post!
No comments:
Post a Comment