Talisman of the Cosmo - Spring Equinox Activity
- Sara.Vervain
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
The Spring Equinox was considered in ancient times the birthday of the Cosmos: the moment when the Universe renews itself. It is therefore the perfect time to give birth to a talisman, aligning yourself with the higher spheres of the planets and drawing down blessings for the new you and the new season.
Talisman of the Cosmos
This amulet is inspired by the Italian writer Marsilio Ficino and his book De Vita (III, 19), published in 1489. In the third book of De Vita, Ficino suggests the construction of a Talisman of the Cosmos bearing the image of the Universe, in order to benefit from the influences that arise from harmonizing with the Heavenly Spheres.
The images used for the talisman are of celestial origin - true "synthemata" containing the Idea itself. Diving into Neoplatonic philosophy Ficino explains, echoing the ancients theurgists, that the images used in talisman-making (especially numerical or geometric ones) are connected to the Ideas and thus to the Soul of the World that is, in my practice, Hekate. (If you are at a loss concerning Neoplatonic Philosophy, please watch this video on the official Covenant of Hekate YouTube channel).
Acting as a living divine membrane, the Cosmic Soul allows passage and communication between the World of Matter and the Higher Spheres, where we find the planets. These planets, representing the bodies of the gods, influence human life through their movements. Talismans, when designed using the right images and birthed (=made) at the right time, reflect the energies of a particular planet or moment.
PURPOSE OF THE TALISMAN OF THE COSMO: To align yourself with the planets and the
movement of the Cosmos itself thourgh the power of the Cosmic Soul.
TOOLS: White paper/silver foil. If you fancy the lavish Ficino way, you can prepare the seal in bronze and then stamp it, at just the right moment, on silver foil… clearly he didn't struggle with money.
PROCEDURE:
Talismans come into being at the exact moment when the image is created and consecrated. Creation and consecration should occur almost simultaneously or within a very short period of time. Therefore:
Purify all the required materials and prepare your image in advance, ready to be printed. If you have chosen a longer process, it should be ready to be completed at the right time.
At the right moment, give birth to the talisman by creating the image and consecrating it.
IMAGE: It is an image of the Cosmos of Neoplatonic nature, so it must contain:
The 7 spheres of the planets following the Chaldean order, as in the models I am sending you (from outside to inside: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, and Moon). In their respective circles, you can include the names of the planets, their symbols, associated letters, etc.
In the central space, where the sublunar world is, there must be an image of Hekate as the World Soul. (Please note that in the example taken from Living Theurgy, you see Vesta because Ficino recognized the World Soul in Vesta or Ceres. I have replaced it with Hekate, as she is described in the Chaldean Oracles.)
For more elaborate images, you can add additional details, as seen in examples taken from old manuscripts.
If you want to add colors, you can use yellow for the stars, sapphire blue/lapis lazuli for the planetary circles, and green for the goddess’s dress. These correspond to the colors of the Sun, Venus, and Jupiter.
Note: If you have difficulty drawing the figure of Hekate, you may replace it with one of her symbol.
WHEN: at the beginning of the celestial year, that is, at the time of the Spring Equinox, when the Sun enters Aries. You can check the exact time online. If it is impossible for you to consecrate the talisman at the exact moment, you can do it during the Spring Equinox at an hour of the Sun.
HOW TO BIRTH THE TALISMAN:
At the right time, burn your incense (if you wish) and print, draw, or complete the image.
Once the image is ready, turn in the direction of the Sun (even if you cannot see it), raise the image, and invoke the World Soul. You can use my invocation provided below or create your own. To be honest, Ficino did not provide any specific instructions regarding invocations or ritual gestures. However, in my opinion, at least a short invocation is appropriate and perfectly in line with theurgical practices.
Invocation:
Hekate Ourania, Starry One,
Lady of the Cosmos
You who reign over the Moon
And breathe the Fire of the Stars
Ornament of the Night, Light Bringer
Accept my prayer and come to me.
Trivia Selene, who follow the same orbit as Helios
Who dances with the Stars and the Graces
you who are the Fate and thread of the Moirai,
Make the Planets propitious.
Kindle in me the Fire of creation,
Align my spirit with the Music of Heaven.
Let the Harmony of the Cosmos be reflected in me.
May I dance with the stars too.
May I cross the boundless Abyss with you without danger.
Grant me, oh Hecate, to ascend to the Heavenly spheres
And mirror myself in Thee.
As you say your invocation, you will feel the energy of the World Soul permeate the talisman, which fills with light and begins to glow. Let the light fade, and then thank Hekate for Her blessing. This should be enough.
If you have time to perform a longer consecration ritual, instead of immediately thanking Hekate, you can proceed with the following section, taken from the book Living Theurgy by Jeffrey S. Kupperman - a book I highly recommend if you are interested in Theurgy.
Place the talisman at your feet and on your knees, raising your hands upward with palms facing upward say
“O Divines, be propitious.”
Now touch the ground with your right hand and raise your left knee.
“O Divines, be propitious.”
Reverse the position: left hand on the ground and right knee raised
“O Divines, be propitious.”
Both hands and knees on the ground,
“O God, be you propitious. O God, be you propitious. O God, be you propitious”
And finally read the Hymn to Helios from the PGMs (PGM IV. 1596-1715). You can find an interlinear English translation following this link:
iv-1596-1715/
PLEASE NOTE that reading the text you should change the word “phylactery” to “AMULET”
After everything is done, thank Hekate for Her presence and Blessing.
Blessed Spring Equinox!
Bibliography:
Marsilio Ficino, Three Books on Life, A Critical Edition and Translation with Introduction and Notes by C.V. Kaske and J. R. Clark, 1998
Jeffrey S. Kupperman, Living Theurgy. A Course in Iamblicus’ Philosophy, Theology and Theurgy, Avalonia Press, 2013
Hans Dieter Betz, The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, 1992
Brian P. Alt, Interlinear Margic: https://www.interlinearmagic.com/translations/consecration-rite-for-all-purposes-pgm-iv-1596-1715/