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Talisman of Peace
May. 25th, 2024 08:45 amTalisman of Peace
This last installment of my natural magic talismans project features the natural powers of Saturn.
The Plan
As before, I sought initial inspiration among the Orphic Hymns. I previously tapped into the Hymn to Plouton for the Talisman of Cultivation, but found those energies weren't exactly what I was looking for. I also alluded to the Hymn to Chthonic Hermes when I made the Talisman of Discretion. Again, this route didn't seem to entirely capture whatever it was that I was after.
The last three Orphic Hymns concern Sleep (Hypnos), Dream (Morpheus), and Death (Thanatos). I found it interesting that some ancient traditions, including the Orphic tradition, associated these three concepts. In some way, sleep was seen as practice for death. I had not previously associated sleep with Saturn, but it feels right to me. Where death is a permanent cessation, sleep is temporary. The ability to "kill" something, literally or metaphorically, is certainly useful. However, from a practical magic perspective the powers of sleep may have more day-to-day utility.
I might inflict "sleep" on a competitor, bless someone with a good night's rest, assuage the anger of a hostile spirit, or encourage a guardian spirit to take a nap. The more I considered "sleep" metaphorically, the more uses I could come up with from calming and healing to cursing and banishing. Sleep could also tap into the time aspects of Saturn. Sleep is intricately linked with our circadian rhythm and punctuates the end and beginning of our waking world. Nearly all living things sleep or go through some cycle of activity and dormancy. The point was to make an operation I could use to temporarily stop something.
The Spell
Over the last several weeks, I've conducted 6 experiments to craft planetary talismans based on sensible "natural" materials. I had a notion early on that my final talisman would involve a burnt offering (after the Greek tradition for chthonic entities). So, after I completed each talisman I collected the spent ingredients and slips of paper and burned them. After 6 operations, I had enough ashes to fill a small mason jar.
I buried my Saturnian bone (a pewter ring) in the spell ashes. I crafted a slip of paper with the Seals of Saturn and the corresponding Greek letters (Alpha for Saturn). My take on the planetary seals is that they represent the "hand prints" of the planets in the material realm. Agrippa pulled these characters from a book of chiromancy (palmistry). However, Agrippa chose to mirror the characters from the original source. This reminds me of what you might see if you watched someone behind a window leave their hand print on the glass. The intention for the slips of paper I create is to get these energies to leave an impression (like a hand print) on the talisman.
As for plant spirits, chamomile immediately came to mind. Chamomile is a staple in a family full of anxious untrained psychics. In some ways, it's fitting that this journey began with a psychic talisman and ended with chamomile. Chamomile's well-known medicinal uses made it seem a fitting source to tap into the hidden forces related this particular Saturnine current.
I created a circle of dried chamomile flowers and placed the jar of spell ashes in the center. I laid the Talisman of Discretion across the circle to facilitate the transfer of power. I spoke the Charm of Cultivation over the jar as a preparatory statement, like preparing soil before planting. Finally, I spoke the charm below and coaxed the power of the seals, flower, ashes, and incense into the buried ring. I left the items in this state until the incense had completely burned. Afterwords, I destroyed the slip of paper and burned it along with the chamomile flowers, then added them to the other ashes. I spread the ashes at a local cemetery at the next new moon.
The charm itself follows my standard three stanza format. The first stanza alludes to Sleep's relationship with Dream and Death. The second stanza is meant to bring this power into my body. I suppose in this regard, I become like a Hermes Chthonios in the context of this spell. The final stanza directs the power towards whatever end I have in mind. The final line alludes to Sleep's matron Night (Nyx).
I created these charms to purposefully be ambiguous for "general" use. What gives them purpose is context and my personal intentions in the moment. In this case, upon speaking the last stanza I saw all the different ways I might use the ring in the future.
The Result
Handling the ring for too long made me nauseous. It was a bit like being drugged. I placed the ring under my pillow and spoke the charm over my bed, adding "May any that rest here experience deep rejuvenating sleep and awaken fully refreshed."
I slept like a rock. The effect was as effective as taking a prescription sleep aid. I awoke with a crick in my neck, but easily resolved it with a bit of yoga. I found I needed to promptly stow the ring in the morning to avoid being lulled back to bed. Like with a sleep aid, I felt a bit hungover.
Ianvs
This last installment of my natural magic talismans project features the natural powers of Saturn.
The Plan
As before, I sought initial inspiration among the Orphic Hymns. I previously tapped into the Hymn to Plouton for the Talisman of Cultivation, but found those energies weren't exactly what I was looking for. I also alluded to the Hymn to Chthonic Hermes when I made the Talisman of Discretion. Again, this route didn't seem to entirely capture whatever it was that I was after.
The last three Orphic Hymns concern Sleep (Hypnos), Dream (Morpheus), and Death (Thanatos). I found it interesting that some ancient traditions, including the Orphic tradition, associated these three concepts. In some way, sleep was seen as practice for death. I had not previously associated sleep with Saturn, but it feels right to me. Where death is a permanent cessation, sleep is temporary. The ability to "kill" something, literally or metaphorically, is certainly useful. However, from a practical magic perspective the powers of sleep may have more day-to-day utility.
I might inflict "sleep" on a competitor, bless someone with a good night's rest, assuage the anger of a hostile spirit, or encourage a guardian spirit to take a nap. The more I considered "sleep" metaphorically, the more uses I could come up with from calming and healing to cursing and banishing. Sleep could also tap into the time aspects of Saturn. Sleep is intricately linked with our circadian rhythm and punctuates the end and beginning of our waking world. Nearly all living things sleep or go through some cycle of activity and dormancy. The point was to make an operation I could use to temporarily stop something.
The Spell
Over the last several weeks, I've conducted 6 experiments to craft planetary talismans based on sensible "natural" materials. I had a notion early on that my final talisman would involve a burnt offering (after the Greek tradition for chthonic entities). So, after I completed each talisman I collected the spent ingredients and slips of paper and burned them. After 6 operations, I had enough ashes to fill a small mason jar.
I buried my Saturnian bone (a pewter ring) in the spell ashes. I crafted a slip of paper with the Seals of Saturn and the corresponding Greek letters (Alpha for Saturn). My take on the planetary seals is that they represent the "hand prints" of the planets in the material realm. Agrippa pulled these characters from a book of chiromancy (palmistry). However, Agrippa chose to mirror the characters from the original source. This reminds me of what you might see if you watched someone behind a window leave their hand print on the glass. The intention for the slips of paper I create is to get these energies to leave an impression (like a hand print) on the talisman.
As for plant spirits, chamomile immediately came to mind. Chamomile is a staple in a family full of anxious untrained psychics. In some ways, it's fitting that this journey began with a psychic talisman and ended with chamomile. Chamomile's well-known medicinal uses made it seem a fitting source to tap into the hidden forces related this particular Saturnine current.
I created a circle of dried chamomile flowers and placed the jar of spell ashes in the center. I laid the Talisman of Discretion across the circle to facilitate the transfer of power. I spoke the Charm of Cultivation over the jar as a preparatory statement, like preparing soil before planting. Finally, I spoke the charm below and coaxed the power of the seals, flower, ashes, and incense into the buried ring. I left the items in this state until the incense had completely burned. Afterwords, I destroyed the slip of paper and burned it along with the chamomile flowers, then added them to the other ashes. I spread the ashes at a local cemetery at the next new moon.
The charm itself follows my standard three stanza format. The first stanza alludes to Sleep's relationship with Dream and Death. The second stanza is meant to bring this power into my body. I suppose in this regard, I become like a Hermes Chthonios in the context of this spell. The final stanza directs the power towards whatever end I have in mind. The final line alludes to Sleep's matron Night (Nyx).
I created these charms to purposefully be ambiguous for "general" use. What gives them purpose is context and my personal intentions in the moment. In this case, upon speaking the last stanza I saw all the different ways I might use the ring in the future.
Lord of Peace,
Steward of Dreams,
Kin to Death,
Yawning and Deep.
Bind our bodies,
in sweet respite.
Free us of cares,
and tame the mighty.
Douse the flames.
Dim the lights.
Quiet the noise.
Embrace the Night.
Steward of Dreams,
Kin to Death,
Yawning and Deep.
Bind our bodies,
in sweet respite.
Free us of cares,
and tame the mighty.
Douse the flames.
Dim the lights.
Quiet the noise.
Embrace the Night.
The Result
Handling the ring for too long made me nauseous. It was a bit like being drugged. I placed the ring under my pillow and spoke the charm over my bed, adding "May any that rest here experience deep rejuvenating sleep and awaken fully refreshed."
I slept like a rock. The effect was as effective as taking a prescription sleep aid. I awoke with a crick in my neck, but easily resolved it with a bit of yoga. I found I needed to promptly stow the ring in the morning to avoid being lulled back to bed. Like with a sleep aid, I felt a bit hungover.
Ianvs
