Talismanic eikōn (cult images) engraved with Venusian charaktēres and the image of Aphrodite, a ṣalmu to the Goddess, intended as a shrine image and consecrated under the celestial influence of Venus in Taurus, according to elected astrological timing.

The Design and Inspiration

Obverse

The obverse presents a Talismanic Eikōn of Aphrodite in the Anadyomene type, depicting the goddess in the act of unbinding her hair after emerging from the sea. Long associated with beauty, desire, and generative power, this enduring image embodies the celestial virtues traditionally attributed to Venus.

Consecrated through astrological election, the image is conceived as a ṣalmu: a ritually empowered divine image that serves as a vessel for the beneficent influence of the planet. Encircling the figure are engraved voces magicae (barbarous names), inspired by the Hellenistic tradition of Greco-Egyptian magical gems and ritual texts, where sacred names and inscriptions were employed to invoke and attract planetary powers.

Reverse

The reverse is engraved with the kamea, planetary seal, and charaktēres of Venus, honouring the transmission of astrological magic through the Arabic and Islamicate world into medieval and Renaissance Europe. Together these sacred signs form a symbolic grammar through which the virtues of Venus were invoked, directed, and preserved within the talisman.

In dialogue with the obverse, the reverse complements the divine image with the operative symbols of the later astrological tradition, uniting more than two millennia of planetary magic within a single consecrated object.

The obverse unites Classical iconography, Mesopotamian concepts of sacred image-making, and the magical traditions of Hellenistic Egypt into a single devotional and talismanic image of Venus.

In Akkadian, ṣalmu is an image, statue, or representation that can become the locus of divine presence through ritual. Mesopotamian cult images were not merely symbolic—they are to be treated as embodiments of the deity's presence..

Election and Telos

The creation of these talismans was undertaken under full ritual conditions and according to carefully elected astrological timings. Their consecration honours Venus as the Evening Star—the Star of Aphrodite—established in her own domicile and expressing her sovereign virtues: abundance, delight, beauty, fecundity, and the full enjoyment of the sensual world.

The principal election took place on 19 April, when the final carving and ritual suffumigation of the malachite rondels were completed. A radiant waxing Moon in fertile Taurus, the earthy domicile of Venus, applied by conjunction to Venus herself, having recently separated from a benefic sextile with Jupiter in Cancer. Both Venus and the Moon were rising, reinforcing the celestial sympathy between the planet, the image, and the rite.

The initial carving began under an earlier election on 14 April, when Venus culminated while applying to the Ascendant. The Moon, in Pisces—the sign of Venus' exaltation—applied by trine to Jupiter in Cancer and by sextile to Venus in Taurus, establishing the work under similarly beneficent conditions before its completion during the principal election.

The telos of these talismans is to cultivate profound receptivity to the sensual richness of the world: to taste, to touch, to behold beauty, and to delight in the generative abundance of earthly life. They are intended to attract the radiant and life-giving virtues of the Star of Aphrodite, supporting beauty, love, sexuality, artistic inspiration, craftsmanship, prosperity, and general good fortune.

Conceived as Planetary Eikōnes and consecrated as ṣalmū, these images are both talismanic and devotional. They are intended to embody the celestial virtues of Aphrodite and are suitable for offerings, prayer, contemplation, and acts of personal devotion.

Presentation

These malachite rondels were created as talismanic images of Aphrodite, intended for installation upon a personal shrine, altar, or other place of devotion. Each is accompanied by a black-lacquered easel, allowing the image to be displayed as the focal point of ritual, prayer, or contemplation.

Every rondel is presented in a protective box, where it rests upon a fragrant bed of spikenard root, Royal Hojari frankincense tears, cherry blossoms, and rose petals—botanicals traditionally associated with Venus, beauty, and sacred offering.

• Malachite Discs: A- 56mm x 4mm, B- 56mm x 5mm, C- 59mm x 4mm, D- 56mm x 4mm

Hymn to Physis

Find out more about this extraordinary hymn which was performed during all preparations and rituals to emphasis the funcund and powerful expression of Venus during all the rituals mentioned above. Included is the masterful translation from Kristin Mathis, whose work I deeply respect and would highly recommend.

[…] You are All-wise, Gifter of All,

Caretaker, Conductor,

Queen of All.

Bringing Plenty to maturity,

Softening, Ripening, Suppurating: 

You are Plump, Juicy,

Growth-nurturer and Loosening Liberator.

You are at once Father, Mother, 

Nursemaid, and Foster of All […]