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These Mars-in-Scorpio Talismans were hand-carved in rich bloodstone and empowered during a ritual timed to an auspicious-election on 4 October 2025. 

The election features a Mars planetary-hour, as Mars was rising in Scorpio, Mars’ nocturnal home, emphasising the martial power, and while an evening star, tempering potential extremes. 

The Moon in Pisces, equally angular by quadrant division and ruled by Jupiter in Cancer, is applying tightly by trine to Mars, with the next lunar aspects being to both Venus and Jupiter. 

Both the benefics witness Mars and the Moon from supportive signs, with Mars and the Moon free from harmful aspects by sign, or many degrees of distance. 

In a survey of future talismanic elections for Mars in Scorpio, these were some of the best conditions for easily until 2040.

The telos and intentions entwined within the talisman is thus: to endow high vitality, vigour; to embody strength and athleticism; to possess reliable instincts and tact; and to be indefatigable, attaining victory. 

This talisman can be relied on to accentuate courageous qualities, to be undaunted, the power of Mars granting potency in actions—strengthening the timid and humbling the wrath of those who are wicked or violent, diverting dangers.

Additionally, there are strong indications that these talismans heighten the power of masculine sexualities and fertility, both conferring these qualities and attracting the attention of those who embody them.

The talisman’s front bears the image of Mars as represented on Magical Gems from the first to third centuries CE, in which Ares appears as a hekatontarch, or centurion or commander, with weapon restrained and arm outstretched, palm open, as if offering the service of his star.  

The back contains the Seal of Mars, as well as the glyph of Mars’ Intelligence, Graphiel, as shown in traditional sources, such as those of Agrippa.

Each talisman is fitted with a 18k rolled-gold-on-sterling silver or sterling silver bail, and comes with a Mars Planetary Square, and a portion of related martial herbs and resins in a jute pouch.

When are we required to be an unstoppable force? What must be overcome that necessitates tenacity, courage, tact, and vigour? When is victory essential?

For all these purposes and directives, Mars offers us exactly what is required. So while we must temper the application of Mars’ power with caution, this is a supportive expression of this most unstoppable of gods.

Mars, as with Saturn, is wisely employed with caution in astral magic. However, the purpose and application of its power, intelligence, and spirit is necessary and undeniably valuable when required, such as when the need to prevail is strong, or when the application of great strength is required.

Mighty Ares, golden-helmeted rider of chariots, stout-hearted, shield-carrying and bronze-geared savior of cities, strong-handed and unwearying lord of the spear, bulwark of Olympos, father of fair Victory, and succorer of Themis. You curb the unruly and lead truly just men, O paragon of manly excellence, wheeling your luminous orb through the seven-pathed constellations of the sky, where flaming steeds ever carry you above the third heavenly arch. Hearken, helper of mortals and giver of flourishing youth, and from above shine a gentle light on my life and my martial prowess, that I may be able to ward off bitter cowardice from my head, to bend wisely my soul's beguiling impulse and to restrain the sharp fury of my heart, whenever it provokes me to enter chilling battle. But, O blessed one, give me courage to stay within the secure laws of peace and to escape the enemy's charge and a violent death.

- Homeric Hymns

Oh Mars, you who are the honoured lord, hot and dry, capable, colossal, robust at heart, the spiller of blood and giver of harm itself! You are strong, powerful, sharp, daring, shining, agile, and the lord of battle, punishment, affliction, injury,  prison, sorrow, and mixed and discrete things. You who have fear nor concern for anything! You are the sole helper in instigating your efforts, strong in your judgements and willful acts toward conquering and making petitioners fortunate, and actor or lawsuits and battle, a performer of brutality on the weak and the strong, a lover of the children of battles, an avenger of wicked and harmful people in the world. I conjure and ask by your names and qualities present in the heavens, by your conquests, and by your requests to the Lord God who placed in you power and strength, gathering for you and separating them from the other planets so that you might have strength and power, victory above all, and great vigour.

-Picatrix, Book 3

The Sovereigns of the Boundless Sea talismans were hand-carved on faceted-oblongs of lapis lazuli as Venus and Neptune were conjunct in Pisces during 2024 and 2025, utilising the final conjunctions of these planets in Pisces in this century. These astrological conditions will not occur again until the later part of the 22nd Century.

Work began in a ritual timed to the apply Venus-Neptune conjunction of 2024, at which moment the lines of Greek letters were engraved followed by an initial consecration. They were then sealed with an appropriate vessel to await their completion the following year.  

The engraving process was completed with the addition of the deities, the talismans were suffumigated, and finally consecrated during a ritual on the 1st of February 2025 as the applying conjunction of Venus and Neptune was culminating on the Midheaven with the Waxing-Crescent Moon conjoining in Pisces, the traditional sign of Venus’ exaltation and the modern domicile of Neptune. 

At this time Venus was dazzling the world brightly as an evening star while Neptune, invisible to the naked eye, churned the cosmic depths for the final time in the sign of Pisces. 

The telos and intention entwined within the talisman is to embody the powers of these oceanic lords: beneficent glamour, all supreme expressions of artistic and mystical prowess, and the boundless awards of such fecundity. 

The engaged bearer of this talisman will be guided and taught by the principal masters of this domain, opening untold sensate and psychic worlds of untold cosmic beauty, wonder, and even transcendence. As such, they will effortlessly obtain both creative and generative power, guide others to profound states of experience, and maintain boundless abundance. Both Venus and Neptune grant powerful influence over the seas, their movements and associated spirits and beasts. Neptune grants the ability to control the weather at sea, calming storms and enhacing fair conditions.

One side of the talisman features the deities Aphrodite-Venus, crowned holding an apple in one hand and a mirror in the other, and Poseidon-Zeus-Helios, crowned holding lightning that radiates above as well as below and a trident, as inspired by magical gems that were carried by the peoples of the Hellenistic Mediterranean around the 1st century CE.

On the back is a name written in lines of Greek letters is a combination of Aphrodite’s secret and magical name, ΑΡΩΡΙΦΡΑΣΙΣ, and Poseidon's magical name, ΣΥΟΕΛΚΟΙΛΗ. In the corners of the stone on both sides you will find a symbol for each deity, one a circle with a single line extending downwards, the other a circle with three lines radiating downwards. These are enigmatic symbols and their exact origin is unknown. 

Each talisman will be fitted with a sterling silver bar and pendant loop.

The Drop of the Boundless Sea talismans were hand-carved on lapis lazuli teardrops, suffumigated, and finally consecrated during a ritual on the 1st of February 2025 as the applying conjunction of Venus and Neptune was culminating on the Midheaven with the Waxing-Crescent Moon conjoining in Pisces, the traditional sign of Venus’ exaltation and the modern domicile of Neptune, utilising the final conjunctions of these planets in Pisces in this century. 

These astrological conditions will not occur again until the later part of the 22nd Century.

 At this time Venus was dazzling the world brightly as an evening star while Neptune, invisible to the naked eye, churned the cosmic depths for the final time in the sign of Pisces. 

The telos and intention entwined within the talisman is to encounter and to be changed by the power of transcendence of these oceanic lords, coming to awaken supreme expressions of artistic and mystical prowess, and the boundless awards of such fecundity. 

Each side of the lapis drop bears the symbol of the respective deities: for Venus, a circle with a single line extending downwards and for Neptune, a circle with three lines radiating downwards. These are enigmatic symbols that are found on magical gems worn by those of the Hellenistic Mediterranean in the 1st century CE. As they are enigmatic, their exact origin is unknown. 

All are approximately 20 mm in length and each talisman will be fitted with a sterling silver pendant bail.

These Venus-Saturn Talismans, The Door to the Golden Kingdom, are aligned with an individualistic and aesthetic nature, and grant the ability to pursue one’s true will, unburdened by collective moral or ethical ideologies, offering a unique balance. Equally, they strengthen the personal conviction to create lasting manifestations shaped by one’s insights, directives, and unique perspectives.

I would recommend these talismans to those that are desiring to understand their own nature and its will, especially if they wish to be free of that particular form of self-doubt fuelled by worrying about what others think or value. These talismans cultivate a healthy detachment and contentment with self.  

They are best suited for a person who has done the intentional work of stabilising a healthy ego and no longer succumbs to delusions of grandeur easily. 

If you have any questions about the personal suitability of these talismans or about what I have written here, please do not hesitate to reach out.

From the general perspective of traditional western astral magic this series is unconventional at best, and, perhaps in the view of some, outright astral witchcraft. However valid I may find both of these assessments, as a contemporary practitioner of the astral-magical arts, I think that it is important to note that they were initiated by daemonic impulses that lead to necessitated explorations into the divine expressions of eros and the erotic.

Traditionally, Saturn is strong in Aquarius at home in his diurnal-masculine sign, offering an active, idiosyncratic strength of character and conviction. Venus in Aquarius brings an increased focus on the aesthetic and offers a vision of the beauty that is possible when a unique direction is pursued. Equally, this is a more detached Venus than we may be used to, allowing such pursuits to manifest that might otherwise not be valued by others.

These talismans emerged from an extended working with Venus that began with the superior conjunction of late October 2022 at 02 Scorpio which was also marked by partial solar eclipse in the same sign. Bear in mind, It is with the superior conjunction that Venus later emerges as an evening star.

This work was ongoing until April of the next year and concluded Venus in Taurus. While several of the talismanic works that I undertook during this time were focused on Venus exclusively, such as those in Pisces and in Taurus, the two in this series were focused on taking the planets of the related conjunction simultaneously as distinctive and in synthesis. Thus both are two-sided, bearing the kamea of the two planets. Simultaneously, two and one.

This talisman is crafted with locally-sources black jet due primarily to its Saturnian associations and bears the kamea of Saturn on one side with that of Venus on the other. 

The election features a Libra ascendant, and the conjunction is moving towards prominence in the fifth house of Venus’ Joy. This is the house of pleasure and pleasurable pursuits. The final consecration was conducted during a Venus Planetary Hour.

Each talisman was made wearable by the addition of either a sterling-silver or 14k-rolled-gold on sterling-silver pinch bail and comes with a jute bag of sympathetic materia which can act as suitable home when not in use and some of the materia can be used as part of a personal consecration when you are ready to first engage with the talisman.

The Reddening Ruler is a series of Venus-Jupiter Talismans aligned with a generative and creative nature, and grants a highly erotic and sexual capacity, fueled by an almost unstoppable vitality. Equally, they strengthen boldness, autonomy, sovereignty, and self-expression.

I would recommend these talisman to those that are desiring to cultivate a relationship with Babalon and the Beast, as well as the mysteries that they hold. 

These godforms are highly transformative and stimulating. Direct engagement with them is befitting to the axiom, all things in moderation, including moderation. They bring forth a powerful excess, which when utlised wisely, leads towards revelation, strength, power, erotic gnosis, and vitality. 

They are best suited for a person who has done the intentional work of stabilising a healthy ego and no longer succumbs to delusions of grandeur easily. 

If you have any questions about the personal suitability of these talismans or about what I have written here, please do not hesitate to reach out.

From the general perspective of traditional western astral magic this series is unconventional at best, and, perhaps in the view of some, outright astral witchcraft. However valid I may find both of these assessments, as a contemporary practitioner of the astral-magical arts, I think that it is important to note that they were initiated by daemonic impulses that lead to necessitated explorations into the divine expressions of eros and the erotic.

Traditionally, Jupiter is strong in Aries due to his positive affiliation with the Fire Triplicity offering victory, strength, and boldness. This is a very bestial, masculine Jupiter, fitting for the image of the generative power of The Beast. 

Venus in Aries is brash, independent, and feminine. Equally, the positive attributes of this placement are strengthened by Jupiter's presence. 

Venus in Aries is traditionally thought to be in detriment, however it was through the work of the traditional astrologer Miloslawa Krogulska that my assumptions here were challenged.

Coming from a natal astrological focus, Miloslawa helped me see that a luminary or planet being in one’s own sign and that of its opposite were both forms of ‘extreme position’. Through several examples she illustrated that similar themes emerge in either position, with that of detriment bearing a mark of the counter-cultural. 

It has been through my own experimentation in astral magic that I came to have a deepened appreciation for what Miloslawa was speaking to and it has resulted in my work on planetary paradoxes, as well as enriched my astrology. I have had great success connecting with this expression when Venus is in the fire signs, but in particular in Aries and Leo, of which I have come to associate with Babalon, Inanna, and Ishtar.

Regarding the election, I chose a chart that would emphasise the synthesis I was going for. As I wanted to play with the appearance of these stars in the evening, I chose to place the conjunction anguarly in the West. It is a Libra rising chart and the operation was conducted during a Venus Planetary Hour. 

These talismans emerged from an extended working with Venus that began with the superior conjunction of late October 2022 at 02 Scorpio which was also marked by partial solar eclipse in the same sign. Bear in mind, It is with the superior conjunction that Venus later emerges as an evening star.

This work was ongoing until April of the next year and concluded with Venus in Taurus. While several of the talismanic works that I undertook during this time were focused on Venus exclusively, such as those in Pisces and in Taurus, the two in this series were focused on taking the planets of the related conjunction simultaneously as both distinctive and in synthesis. Thus they are two-sided, bearing the kamea of the two planets. Simultaneously, two and one.

It was through the work of Peter Grey that I began to first relate the image of Britannia as downstream from the goddess Roma and to that of Babalon, a key figure in Revelations, making coins that bear the image of Britanna suitable for practices related  Babalon, Inanna, and Ishtar.

Equally, these early 20th-century, red copper pennies were most appropriate for a combined Venus and Jupiter talisman while in Aries. The side of Britannia is marked with the kamea of Venus, while the head of the monarch is marked with the kamea of Jupiter. The oldest of the pennies holds the image of Queen Victoria, and those afterwards King Edward VII and King George V.

Each talisman was made wearable by the addition of copper pinch bail and comes with a jute bag of sympathetic materia which can act as suitable home when not in use and some of the materia can be used as part of a personal consecration when you are ready to first engage with the talisman.

De Quindecim Stellis tells us, “Mild indeed is this star in all things, wheresoever I find it, for great is its arc, and great it is appearance.”

Vega, Alpha Lyrae, one of the two brightest stars in the northern celestial hemisphere , the fifth luminous star in the night sky, and was the northern pole star during the 13th-century-BCE, which it will be again in the 14-century-CE. Vega is the brightest star in the constellation of Lyra, the Lyre, held within tropical Capricorn and sidereal Sagittarius.

This talisman is known from the traditional sources of western astral-magic to confers magnanimity and eminence, offering the power of persuasion; to give power over spirits, to drive away harmful spirits and daemons effortlessly and riding one of negative nocturnal phantoms; to free the wearer of fear; to have the gift to enchant beast and find favour with animals; to keep one free of disease. It is associated with the natures of Venus and Mercury, and known as favourable star. Chrysolite and its associated virtues proceed from this star, which grant immanence, especially amongst the daemones.  The associated herbs and minerals grant the bearer with unblemished health and grant power in acts of healing.  Vega is known to enhance the sophistication of the powers of persuasion and accentuate one’s cunning use of arts and aesthetics.

These Vega Talismans are crafted with gem-quality golden, glowing green Chrysolite (6mm round or 6mm x 8mm oval cabochons), more commonly known as Peridot. These gems are the colour of warm seas and are marked with the Seal of  Vega given in the De Quindecim Stellis and related sources. The optical qualities form the texts are given as such, “chrysolite, whose color is as the color of shining gold and doth seem as though it projecteth rays as rays of fire.” The natural virtue of this stone is said to terrify harmful spirits and daemons.

As per the instructions given in the sources, the stellar seal and the stone are to be combined with Savory and Fumitory, both associated with bestail magnetism and healting, and a small portion of Turquoise, which has been powdered.

Each talisman comes with a jute pouch and a small amount of associated herbs and resins.

They are available in Rolled-14k-Gold-on-Brass and Sterling Silver. Regarding Rolled-14k-Gold-on-Brass, these are more expensive than sterling silver. "Rolled gold" (or "filled gold") comprises a solid layer of 14k gold permanently bonded to brass. The minimum layer of gold must equal at least 1/20th the weight of the total item. It is very hard wearing and under normal wear the gold will not peel or flake, unlike gold plate, and it is commonly used as a more economical alternative to pure gold.

Regarding the election, I choose to use two elections for the full crafting of this talisman. Both involved ritual, offerings, requests, and consecrations.

The initial workings and consecrations were conducted as the Moon was conjunct Vega's zodiacal degree with the Moon connecting to Venus by trine. The Moon in this election is waxing and empowered by triplicity, Venus empowered by term and face. As Venus is the key planet linked with Vega, this connection will heighten the talismans capacity for wealth.

A second election was also integrated into these talismans to strengthen the lunar power tied to the creation. Similarly this was used to additionally consecrate the talisman. Equally, it was a clear night and the talismans were left out under Vega for irradiation alongside offerings and prayers. The Moon in this election is exalted in Taurus and empowered as the night triplicity ruler of earth, applying to Vega by Trine after having just connected to the Sun also by trine. Equally, the Moon is connected with Vega by paran, as the Moon was rising at the same exact time that Vega is culminating at the Midheaven.

Just below I explore the many-sidedness of Vega, which I can relate equally to my own practices and engagements with this Star-person and the stories they embody and radiate. 

In summary, I have found that Vega’s light is like that of the Sun and the Moon, for they are circumpolar in the northern celestial hemisphere, the brightest star in the northern sky from September to December, and while only slightly second brightest to Arcturus from April to September, Vega has been, and will be again, the North Star, while Arcturus will never be able to fulfill this orientation.

Just as the light of the Sun and Moon are not easily ignored, the light of Vega for us in the northern hemisphere is impossible not to notice. Their rays shine down on us from the highest climes when both the Sun and Moon’s light is hidden. They offer an unfettered light.

They are an enchanted lyre, the healing she-goat, an ancient vulture, and a cosmic eagle. Vega is the Star of Healing, Incantation, & Enchantment.

It is, after all, the brightest star in the Lyre of Orpheus, the Thracian bard, prophet, necromancer, mage, and devotee of Apollo, whose music could make rocks and trees dance and tame all: beast, human, daemon, and god. It is also the Lyre which cunning Hermes crafted and gifted to Apollo.

Vega is the Star of Gula, meaning ‘the great’, the Mesopotamian goddess of medicine. She is a divine physician and midwife. By the 1st-millennia-BCE she was one of the main deities of the Mesopotamian pantheon and was seen as second highest in rank after Ishtar. 

Vega is frequently referred to as the Goat Star, named after the asterism for which Vega is a part, the She-goat. This star, its rays, and powers, were used greatly in the practices of the Babylonians, called on to heal both man and animal. In the instructions, the star and the goddess are often referred to as one and the same. Gula is a chthonic Goddess with a dog as her companion, which along with Gula’s goat association, lead scholar Erica Reiner in Astral Magic in Babylonia to draw connections to Hecate.

Ebertin in his Fixed Stars and their Associations, offers this translation coming from the Babylonians, Vega is “The Star of the Queen of Life”. He elaborates that Vega gives artistic talents, especially for music and acting, and leads to a good and rich life.  He wrote that Vega, “has a Venus nature with a blend of Neptune and Mercury.”

From the great synthesis of knowledge found in Rosenberg’s Secret of the Ancient Skies, as well as the work of many past and contemporary astral magicians, which resonates with those of other astrological traditions, we can add the following associations. Vega grants extraordinary gifts. Gifts associated with the arts and prophecy. 

The Lyre is a symbol of the union of cosmic forces. The two ‘horns’ of the lyre, the union of earth and heaven, that of the four-stringed lyre, the elements, and that of the seven-strings, the luminaries and planets. It grants the divine ability to play the cosmic sympathies with great skill be it in music or magic. Equally, it gives great ability to praise the gods and the glories of the cosmos and by the power of Vega these hymns are carried into the highest reaches of the heavens.

Delving into other sources, the Assyrians named Vega Dayan-same, the "Judge of Heaven", while in the Akkadian language, it was Tir-anna, "Life of Heaven". It made up part of the astirism known as Karib-barkhati , a great celestial mountain-dwelling vulture. 

In the study of Babylonian astronomy, Vega is thought to be one of the stars named Dilgan, "the Messenger of Light".

Vega is also known as Vultur Cadens. The name is believed to be derived from the Arabic term Al Nesr al Waki which appeared in the Al Achsasi al Mouakket star catalogue and was translated into Latin as Vultur Cadens, "the falling eagle/vulture". 

The constellation was represented as a vulture in ancient Egypt, where vultures were seen as sacred birds that represented motherhood, protection, and the divine feminine leadership. The constellation was an eagle or vulture in ancient India. 

Medieval astrolabes of England and Western Europe used the names Wega and Alvaca, and depicted it and Altair as birds.

Rosenberg writes, “The Vulture, an ambivalent symbol, is feminine and maternal, standing for solicitude, protection, shelter and love[…]as a scavenger it represents cleansing, purification, Mother Nature [Earth…]. The vulture is sacred to Apollo and is the steed of Cronus, while the Eagle, a solar symbol, stands for sky gods…ascension, inspiration, release from bondage, victory[…]. Putting together Vulture and Eagle, we have solar symbols, scavenger and hunter, one maternal, the other paternal; combined with the lyre we have the connection between heaven and earth and the sun-god Apollo, with music rising to the celestial realms, carrying song of the spirit to the high abodes of the gods. Celestial cartographers often solved the problem of the three symbols—eagle, vulture, and lyre—by depicting a raptor carrying a lyre in its claws.”

If you have concerns, please reach out, cunningasfolk@gmail.com.