TALISMAN AND MAGIC

The influence of Orient, in particular of Arabia, played a great role in magic in the Middle Age. Many arab erudite texts dealed with differences forms of magic.

A work abovall influenced the occult sciences untill the times of the Rebirth: the Picatrix which was the the latin version of the arab Ghâyat Al-Hakim. Among a lot of subjects, it asserts that the man is able to change himself thanks to magic and in particular with the help of words, speech and formulas.The intermediary being who is man could raise or debase himself according to his will.

For the Picatrix, magic knowledge was composed of three branches: the knowledge of talismans, the knowledge of planets and the knowledge of invocations. The astrological constellations are considered as the messengers of old celestial forms. The wizard had the role to print these astral forms in the material, guidded by the stars and the constellations. It was in this aim that talismans were manufactured. Unlike pentacles and amulets, talismans have to be manufactured only by wizards. Talismans are always made with natural materials.

There is an unquestionable correspondence between metals used for talisman and planets:

– gold, governed by the Sun, is used for attracting chance and being rich,

– silver, governed by the Moon, protects from the negative forces,

– cooper, governed by Venus, attracts love and health,

– iron, governed by Mars, allows to acquire force and courage,

– pewter, governed by Jupiter, attracts luck and success,

– lead, governed by Saturn, allows to maintain a position acquired.

Also, the wizard has to take into account the position of the Moon for talisman manufacturing. At least, he will charge it with force. The wizard has to act always in the respect of each person who contact him for such operation.

Keep in mind that in order a talisman functions, it is essential that the person who requests for a talisman, really needs it, and trusts and relies on the occult pratician who performs this manufacturing.